The Nation September 04, 2011 by The Nation

Fake soldiers in Lagos State govt, army advise residents to be vigilant University of

Ibadan after the deluge

– PAGE 4

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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SUNDAY

September 4, 2011

thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

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Vol.06, No. 1872

Security agents hunt UN bomber’s family, associates –PAGE 4

Probe Boko Haram’s claim

BABA SALA

Agony of a humour merchant – PAGES 20-21

Eight bomb Celebrating blast victims to be discharged Gaddafi’s end soon in Abuja –PAGE 63

– PAGE 4

Two policemen die in clash with OPC in Oyo –PAGE 4 :Libyan women celebrating the removal of former President Muammar Gaddafi at Martyrs Square Tripoli yesterday

Photo: AFP

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Chilean plane crash leaves 21 dead O

NE of Chile’s most popular TV presenters is among 21 people feared dead after an air force plane crashed near the Juan Fernandez islands in the Pacific. The CASA 212 military plane tried twice to land at the airport on one of the remote islands but strong gusts buffeted the aircraft and it later was lost from sight. Rescuers in boats were searching for the plane and survivors, but the mayor of Juan Fernandez, Leopoldo Gonzalez, said some luggage had been found in the water. “We assume that there was an accident and that there are no survivors,” Mr Gonzalez said. Rescue teams later found an intact door and several knapsacks in the water about 2,000 metres from the island’s airport, authorities said. President Sebastian Pinera expressed sadness: “This is a blow

to our country. In these times of anguish and uncertainty is when unity is most needed.” Defence minister Andres Allamand called it a “particularly difficult” situation, but said that for now the plane was still listed as “missing”. The television personality, Felipe Camiroaga, was flying to the islands to make a programme about reconstruction following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake and tsunami that wiped out its main town in February 2010. The 44-year-old TV presenter was one of five people from Television Nacional’s Good Morning Everyone who were onboard. Besides hosting the morning show, Mr Camiroaga also hosted Nocturnal Animal and co-hosted the Vina del Mar music festival in 2009 and 2010. “We are extremely upset,” said TVN

executive director Mauro Valdes. Also onboard was businessman Felipe Cubillos, a brother-in-law of Chile’s defence minister who had been working on post-earthquake

reconstruction. The archipelago, about 515 miles (830km) west of Chile’s coast, is known for possibly having inspired Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel

Robinson Crusoe. The air force plane took off from the capital, Santiago, at 2pm local time on Friday and lost contact with air control almost four hours later, according to a statement

from aviation authorities. “It’s a difficult runway, but not impossible,” Julio Subercaseaux, president of Chile’s federal aviation authority, told state television.

Palin mum on presidential ambition

arah Palin said it is important w h o m Republicans choose to run against President Obama, but didn’t directly address whether she’ll join the 2012 presidential race during her muchanticipated speech before a tea party crowd in Iowa on yesterday. The former Republican governor of Alaska and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee referenced the 2012 election many times throughout her remarks, calling out the “permanent political class,” “crony capitalism” and

“entrenched political interests.” “The reality is we are governed by a permanent political class,” Palin said to applause from a rainsoaked audience in Indianola, “until we change that.” The crowd at the Tea Party for America’s “Restoring America” event ate it up. She was interrupted during her speech to chants of “Run, Sarah, Run.” Palin has suggested she will make a decision about getting into the GOP presidential race by the end of September. The address itself resembled

something you would hear from a presidential candidate. “We’re going to speak truth today,” Palin told the crowd. “It may be hard hitting, but we’re going to speak truth today because we need to start talking about what hasn’t worked, and we’re going to start talking about what will work for America.” At one point, Palin proposed doing away with federal corporate income taxes, something she said would create jobs. “We have the highest federal corporate tax rate

in the industrialized world,” she said. “Did you know our rates are higher than China and communist Cuba?” Speaking from notes, Palin also mentioned how it was three years ago today that she gave her widely acclaimed speech at the Republican National Convention as the GOP vice presidential nominee. And — in a classic Palin moment — she got a few laughs when criticizing consultants, TV pundits and polls. “Polls,” Palin said, “are for strippers and cross country skiers.”

Viva L’Amour reaches out to children

T was a show of love penultimate Friday as Viva L’Amour, the female division of the Lions club Ikeja district, gave lifechanging reprieve to three children, Adewuyin Mary, Anyaegbu Faith and Akande Isreal, afflicted with blindness through an initiative tagged ‘The Vision Project’. The project which offered reconstructive eye surgery to the affected children was held at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Eye Clinic. The selected patients that required Cornea transplantation were picked at random from a list as over 1000 applications for the

By Rita Ohai

surgery were received. A mother to one of the patients Akande Oluwakemi, a business woman, narrated how her son who was born with perfect eye-sight became afflicted with blindness: “My son had initially suffered an eye injury at 2years of age when while playing his brother accidentally hit his eye with a stick. We took him to the General Hospital where after a series of treatment, he became better. Then a few months ago, his teacher in school hit him in the same eye while flogging another student.

Since then, he was not been able to see with that eye because I couldn’t afford to pay the N200,000 naira required for his surgey. I’m grateful the women of Lion club have come to my aid and helped my son to gain his eye-sight back.” Doctors of Optometery, Dr. Oluyade of the Eye Foundation and Dr. Faderin who is an honoraium consultant with LASUTH performed the surgeries succesfully with a team of qualified doctors and nurses. Lion Elizabeth Pacheco, The President of Viva L’Amour Ikeja Lions Club said the treatment which was sponsored for children would be an on-going

process, “We would like to do some more projects like this before the end of the year. Although the treatment is very

expensive, we are hoping that before the year runs out, more children will be treated.” The District Governor

of the Lions Club Nigeria, Lion Ayoade Adesokan, commended the laudable task undertaken by Viva L’Amour calling it a timely effort.

•Doctors during the operation

Have Your Say

What in your view can be done to curtail the devastating effects of flood in the country? — Send SMS with full name and location before Wednesday to 08074473182

Responses to previous week’s question are on pages 48 & 52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Column

The Rubber Ark of Ibadan F

OR many of our disillusioned compatriots, these are not the best of times to be a Nigerian, or to be in Nigeria for that matter. The greatest conglomeration of black souls on earth is reeling like a punch drunk boxer from a furious combination of manmade and natural adversities. While a substantial portion of the old West is trembling from the relentless pounding of ruinous rains, the old North is becom- •A submerged building during the flood ing a no-go area thanks to the incendiary gusto of to create the city anew in splenthe Boko Haram people. didly well-laid, well-drained and The one leaves the impression well-regulated Government Reserof a fumbling and incompetent vation Areas. But you can only state totally at the mercy of the cheat nature for so long. Primitive elements, while the other speaks necessity must obey nature. After to a mortally afflicted nation the colonials left, the mad city came gradually unravelling at the for the asylum of elites. The open seams. These disasters must be drainage brings good tiding and telling us something. As it was some untidy refuse all the way from the case even in primitive com- Oopo Yeosa to Iyaganku. Welcome munities, a modern nation has to to afflicted Ibadan, the land of be properly founded and consti- brave warriors. tuted before it can on draw on its Almost thirty years after the inner reserves of strengths; its Omiyale disaster in which biblical reservoir of redemptive energies flooding wreaked havoc on and creative resources. Ibadan, the historic city is once These are the organic boun- again at the mercy of the watery ties with which organic nations plague. It is as if nothing has confront adversities. Yet if one is changed. One can hear once again not to be accused of promiscuous a distressed Alhaji Shehu Shagari, optimism, it is obvious that Ni- the president of the Federal Repubgeria has these energies and crea- lic, moaning to an equally distive resources in excess, and they traught Bola Ige, the Oyo state govoften spill over in moments of ernor,: Haba Bola, haba!!”. The cargrave national crisis. But before nage was heartrending and so was Nigeria can fully draw from these the human toll. facilities, before it can tap into its Three decades on, a worse tragprodigious reserves, it must find edy has descended on the ancient its way out of the crisis of moder- city. The casualty figure is mountnity in which both the state and ing. You know a city when it has the nation are trapped. taken a beating from natural caThe crisis of modernity rears lamity. The thriving and colourful its ugly head in many forms both metropolis has become a dour and at the level of rudimentary state dismal shadow of its former self. institutions which are in colli- Although its actual origins remain sion and permanent contradic- a subject of historical controversy, tion with the imperatives of mo- Ibadan came to fame and fortune dernity, and national infrastruc- as a relief camp for refugees fleeture which remains rooted in pre- ing from the collapse of the old Oyo colonial formation. Thus at a Empire. deeper philosophical level, even Thereafter, it grew rapidly and the Boko Haram crisis is a crisis exponentially as the entire Yoruba of modernity, of institutional firmament was shaken up by schizophrenia; so is the crisis of wars, revolts and insurrections endemic flooding which is a re- which altered the demographic sult of rapidly urbanised space complexion of the entire territory. underwritten by pre-modern in- It was the West African equivalent frastructure. of what is known in South Africa It will take some shock-thera- as the Mfekane or the dispersal of pies to correct this fundamental the people. Ibadan profited imfailure of transformation. Our cit- mensely from this massive influx ies remain the ultimate town plan- rapidly evolving into a sprawling ner’s nightmare. They are primi- metropolis and the major military tive dwelling habitats haphaz- power in Yorubaland. ardly and precariously strung toThe success led directly to the gether without rhyme or reason. problem. How do you plan a war Town planning came after the camp or subject its combative and town has been “planned”. In the combustible denizens to the iron sprawling municipal village, the laws of the modern metropolis? drainage system reminds one of Have cutlass and will travel. And D.I.Y gone haywire: Drain it your- woe betide the city planner. Everyself. With nothing to drain, the body with muscles to spare betown planners drain the pockets comes a land speculator. It was the of colluding dwellers. Everybody beginning of a universal scam. is drained, but you can hang on to While attending to the urgent busiyour primitive mansion sitting ness of smashing body and limb atop the drainage system. by the daytime, a typical Ibadan The colonial overlords saw political warlord is also a bearish through this looming urban catas- land speculator in the wee hours. trophe, but decided to leave the Unlike the typical Yoruba town natives severely alone in their idyl- under-girded by the authority of lic hell. Their simple solution was the traditional ruler, the king here

nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

Photo: BADE DARAMOLA

is no absolute royalty but a chief who is only the primus inter pares in a collegiate of chieftains. Famously, Basorun Ogunmola, arguably the most outstanding warlord thrown up by the millennial commotion, once dismissed the Ibadan stool as a political throne meant for women. Ogunmola himself had originated from a small hamlet near Iwo. But it is not as if efforts have not been made to tame and modernise this turbulent conglomeration. There is some architecture in the watery ruins, as they say. Perhaps Awolowo would have done it, if he had not been distracted by the urge to go to the centre. Or perhaps if there had been no military coup, some brave politician would have found the will and the vision. The visionary impulse behind the creation of the new satellite town of Ajoda might have saved the old metropolis by draining it of its commercial and bureaucratic lustre. But the whole thing became a gargantuan racket. As the floods have now emphatically demonstrated, this anarchic paradise of anything goes cannot last forever. A modern metropolis cannot be built on the logic of primitive hovels. Something will have to give. Just as fire and earth-

quake paved the way for some major western cities to be rebuilt on a modern basis, we must now see the floods, despite the tragic toll, as an agent of creative destruction, a grim metaphor for what needs to be done if this country were not to be overwhelmed by natural and man-made adversities. This country is crying for a major visionary architect who will undertake a massive reconstruction of the cities and a reconfiguration of state institutions. But we must start from somewhere. Despite personal friendship, snooper would have gone public with a scathing excoriation of Abiola Ajimobi, the governor of Oyo state, if three things were not in place by this morning. First, we thought that the governor must immediately cut short his umra trip because you cannot tell me you are praying in Mecca when floods have taken over your domain back at home. That is not the way of modern nations. Second, Ajimobi must not appear at the scene of tragedy in fancy flowing robes as if he was going for a party. There are powerful semiotic connotations about these things which can erode and undermine confidence capacity building between the ruled and their rulers. Finally, relief efforts for the afflicted must be in place. It is heart warming to note that Ajimobi passed the litmus test on all scores. These may be no more than powerful symbolic gestures and token twitches in the management of mismanagement, but they go a long way in reassuring the populace that their hope in the ameliorative powers of government is not misplaced. Those illegal structures and shanties that clog the vital arteries of this remarkable metropolis will now have to go, irrespective of how powerful the vested interests may be. What

Oyo state needs now is a politician who will court electoral martyrdom in order to avoid further human suffering. In the end, what may yet redeem Nigeria is the illustrious humanity of its ordinary people. In a demonstration of an extraordinary capacity for empathy and communal good, some good citizens of Ibadan had already resorted to self help in a most ennobling way before government help arrived, Stringing together expired tires as rudimentary rafts, they launched into rescue operations, fishing out the terminally trapped from watery perdition, even as they freighted the dead and the wounded ashore. A medical doctor who could not abide the thought of his family drowning in the murky floods perished with his beloved ones. The primitive inflatable became a Noah’s ark of sorts. It was a scene out of The Plague, the classic novel of human redemption by Albert Camus, the Nobel-winning Frenchman of Algerian extraction. Plagues and communal adversities tend to bring out the best and most noble gestures from human beings. We remember the lone hero of the Potomac plane crash. After the aircraft slammed into the river, a man was seen diving into the icy waters to rescue drowning passengers. On his fifth try, the man himself disappeared never to be seen again. It is great to note that Nigerians have not become surly misanthropes despite being sorely tried by evil governance. This is the only ray of hope in the Ibadan catastrophe. How to deploy these reserves of goodwill and creative energies is the urgent task facing those who believe that Nigeria must be rescued from the human plagues that have turned the nation into a hell on earth.

Okon to wet-lease white elephant

S it has been reported on this page, the success of Okon’s recent scams seems to have gone into his head. When he is not dreaming of pyramids schemes to make money, he is thinking of how to divert his human inflatable fleet for the rescue operation in Ibadan. “Oga, I wan go teach dem Ajumogobi people dem real lesson, dis one no be dem amala and gbegiri politics. Even dem twelf three third Baba no sabi dis one”, the crazy boy boasted.. But despite his mad bravado, Okon knows that Ibadan remains a no-go area. First, is the subsisting warrant of arrest in connection with an old complaint of wilful arson filed against him by Mama Igosun. The second was in connection with a series of defamatory pronouncements on the city’s leading politicians which earned him a political fatwah from the old political mugger of Molete. Okon had been informed by Baba Lekki that neither death nor earthly translation removes a fatwah until the coming of the twelfth imam. One morning after a decent breakfast of partridge and pounded yam washed down with stale palm wine from Akiriboto, Okon waltzed past his master dressed like some traditional Efik chieftain. “And where is Etubom going this time?” snooper asked with the good humour that comes with sated contentment. “Oga, I wan reach dem Fashola boy. Dem dey owe me dem second cerfiticate of occupancy for dem Shalewa woman. I no want make dem charge me to court for bigamy again sam sam. And I get dem better business plan”, the mad boy snorted.

“And what is the business plan?” snooper asked. “Oga, you sabi Marina well well?” Okon asked. “Yes”. “Oga, he get dem white obonge ship for dem Marina. Dem come abandon dem ship and na dem area boy dey shit for dem boat. I wan clean am make man rent am”, Okon noted with a serious mien. “Oh You mean the white elephant?” snooper offered. “Ah oga, how you fit call boat dem elephant? Elephant no dey water oo. Dis one na white fish ooo. Abi you mean say mammy water?” the mad boy crooned. “Okon, you are a fool. So what do you want to do with the ship?” snooper asked. “I wan use am for short service. As dem done do Marina well well now and dem lovers dey stroll, he get dem who wan finish dem business, make dem finish business and make dem pay me rent” “I see”, snooper exclaimed marvelling at the combination of audacity with ingenuity. “Oga, he get time like dat when dem kpoi come press dem Ibo boy and dem Opobo girl. Dem come enter dem next building for Marina. Dem no sabi say na military compound. As dem come begin dem wrestling dem gogogodo soldiers come beat dem silly”, Okon sniggered. “So you want to wet lease the boat?” “Oga no be say dem go dey wet dem boat from outside, na from inside dem go dey wet” Okon rejoined. On that note, snoooper quickly waved the mad boy on.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Security agents hunt UN bomber’s family, associates • Probe Boko Haram’s claims

HE Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has launched a grand scale manhunt for the relations and associates of the alleged UN building suicide bomber, Mohammed Abdul Barra. It has also in conjunction with other security agencies started probing the claim of responsibility by the Boko Haram sect. A spokesman for Boko Haram sect had last week claimed that the 27-year old Abul Barra detonated the bomb that killed 23 people at the UN House. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that a probe has started into the claim by Boko Haram with investigators looking beyond the sect. According to findings, preliminary forensic analysis suggested the use of “sophisticated explosives” typical of Al-Qaeda. There were fears that Boko Haram’s claim might be a decoy to divert the attention of the FBI, the UN and other experts probing the incident. A top source said: “All the security agencies involved in the investigation are still looking at Boko Haram’s claim that Mohammed Abul Barra did the havoc. But they are certainly considering many sides to it including the likelihood of the infiltration of Al-Qaeda members into

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Nigeria to bomb the UN House.” The usual reliable source added, “We are suspicious of Boko Haram’s claim but we have noted it because this is not the first time it will lay claim to such. However, investigators are weighing a larger picture of other terrorist groups that might have been involved in the explosion.” As at press time last night, it was gathered that Nigerian security agencies were trying to establish the identity of the suicide bomber so as to ascertain his nationality. Another source said: “We are trying to trace his antecedents if he is a Nigerian; who were his associates; where did he train; and how he became involved. If he is a Nigerian, we will try to locate his relations to get a few details on how he got to that level of a suicide mission. “The issue is not just naming the suicide bomber; we have more leg work to do. One of the theories we are working on is the likelihood of invading Abuja from a suicide bombing base. Also, the particulars of the Honda car used for the bombing are also being investigated in Kano. It may take time; we will get clues at the end of the day.”

• Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (Middle), being conducted round the Ikeja Army Cantonment Medical Centre yesterday by Architect Roseline Ijagbemi (Left) during an inspection tour of the centre affected by the Armoury explosion of January 2002 being rehabilitated with the support of the state Government. With them is the Commander 9, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brigadier General Sanusi Muazu (Right).

Fake soldiers in Lagos • State govt, army advise residents to be vigilant

SYNDICATE which specialises in the production of fake military identity cards has been smashed in Lagos. This is coming as security has been beefed up in the state to curb the incursion of terrorists. The Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Brig-Gen. Sanusi Nasiru Muazu, told journalists after the State Security Council meeting at the weekend that as part of the ongoing efforts to stem crime and checkmate criminals the military has located a place where fake military identity cards are being produced.

He added that his men arrested those behind the syndicate and warned that those who still indulge in the practice should desist or be ready to face the law. According to him, the military has not appointed anyone to produce its identity cards, warning that anyone caught in the act would be severely dealt with. He added, “We realize that majority of those parading themselves as soldiers in Lagos are not soldiers; they are impersonators. We want the public to note that anybody who impersonates a soldier is something that will

not be tolerated by the Military”. Brig-Gen Muazu asked members of the public to be wary of impersonators. “The Military have their own mode of dressing. In the Army, we have dress code for everyday. On Monday we wear green, on Tuesday we wear what we call Number 7, On Wednesdays and Fridays, we wear green. Anybody on camouflage is either on duty or operation. Anybody who wears camouflage and is not on duty or operation is an impersonator.” He said all soldiers have been warned to coop-

Two policemen die in clash with OPC in Oyo

WO policemen were feared dead yesterday in a clash between men of the law enforcement agency and members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) in the ancient town of Oyo. The fracas came only eight days after a flood of fury brought tears to the face of many residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and brought attention of the world to the state. Many OPC men also sustained serious injuries in the clash that left Sabo area of the ancient town deserted after gunshots boomed sporadically for hours. It was gathered that the clash arose during an argument over a land with some OPC members, while the men of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), who were on patrol stopped over on seeing the rowdy situation. On enquiring about what was happening, the OPC men were said to have shunned the policemen, insisting that the matter did not require the intervention of the police.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan and Bode Durojaye, Oyo

Apparently irked by the response, the policemen, a source hinted, ordered the OPC men into the waiting patrol vehicle, but this was resisted by the angry OPC members. The situation was said to have later snowballed into a show of strength. The police and OPC reportedly opened fire on each other leading to the death of two policemen while some OPC men were said to have sustained serious injuries. The incident forced residents to hurriedly lock up their shops and home while scampering for safety. When The Nation visited the Police Area Command office at Durbar, the Area Commander, was said to be attending to a crucial meeting. A reinforcement of both regular and mobile policemen were seen on standby. A source confided in our reporter that three guns belonging to the police were still missing. Unspecified number of

persons have been arrested by the police with the support of men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN). The leader of the OPC popularly known as Baba Araga, was said to be at large as at press time. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi

Okanlawon, however, denied that two policemen were killed. He said only one corporal was killed by supporters of the lead suspect when they ambushed the law enforcement agents. According to him, the command later reinforced

and recovered the deceased’s rifle with which they killed him. Okanlawon said several other locally made arms were recovered from the suspect’s house, stressing that no police gun was missing.

Eight bomb blast victims to be discharged soon in Abuja

HE remaining eight persons who were wounded in the United Nations Abuja building bomb blast are to be discharged soon. The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Ekumankama Obasi told the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director, Dr. Luis Sambo after the inspection of the UN building and a visit to the victims of the blast recuperating at the National Hospital, Abuja. He said: “We thank God we were able to han-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

dle the situation. We had 75 people brought in at the same time. Eight patients are left and most of them will be discharged next week.” Noting that none of the victims brought in died at the hospital, Sambo commended the medical team and staff of the hospital for their efficiency. Even though he expressed sadness at the death of 23 others, he said that the WHO remains committed to its work in

Nigeria. He also said that the WHO will do everything possible to boost the morale of its staff which has been dampened by the bomb blast. He said, “We will not spare any effort to support the staff and families of those who lost their lives.” The WHO regional director came to Nigeria yesterday from Cote d’Ivoire to assess the impact of the blast. He was accompanied to the hospital by the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Linus Awute.

erate fully with the Police especially at checkpoints where they are expected to identify themselves properly with a proper Military ID card. The Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, Mr. Tunde Sobulo, who represented the State Commissioner of Police at the meeting, said the Council also examined the strategies being employed to fight crime in the state adding that with the support from the Military, crime, especially car snatching has gone down. He revealed that car thieves have devised another means whereby they remove cars from where they are parked, and warned members of the public to be careful where and how they park their cars. On some of the new strategies devised by the Council for crime fighting, Sobulo said aside from the PoliceMilitary-OPMESA joint patrol, the Police has divided the Area Commands into zones so that there would always be two to three vehicles on patrol from one area command which, according to him, “means that there are four patrol vehicles from one division patrolling the whole four divisions”. “If there is a distress call in any of the divisions, the whole four vehicles move to the area immediately. This has reduced response time from under 30 minutes to barely 10 minutes”, the Deputy Commissioner said. There have been security concerns across Lagos in recent weeks. Last week there was a scare in Alausa, Ikeja the seat of government as there were fears that bombs have been planted at the secretariat. This led to the closure of some gates leading to the secretariat among which was the one leading to the deputy governor’s office.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Lagos Speaker back home

FTER a 24-hour interrogation over a petition, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday released the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji. But Ikuforiji’s passports and other travelling documents have been seized. Ikuforiji, who voluntarily reported to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja upon return from Lesser Hajj, left at about 5.30pm after perfecting his bail

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

conditions. A top source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have completed preliminary interaction with him. He has made useful statements. “We have also seized his travelling documents pending the conclusion of investigation. “We may likely invite a few officials connected with remittance of funds to the Office of the Speaker in Lagos State. “So far, the Speaker is

on bail and he will intermittently report to this commission as and when necessary.” Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the EFCC had been on the trail of Ikuforiji in the last two weeks following the receipt of a petition against him. The names of the petitioners were kept under wraps as at press time. The petitioners asked the EFCC to prevail on Ikuforiji to explain what he has been doing with his monthly subvention.

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (R), being received by relations of the late former Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, Seidu Pinda in Abuja yesterday Photo: NAN

NDDC crisis: How AGF approved transfer of $20m

RESH facts emerged yesterday that the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation approved the transfer of $20million belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) from the Union Bank in the United Kingdom to the First Bank(UK) Plc to save the commission from losing its funds to distress in Nigerian banks. It was also learnt that the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Ugwoah Chibuzor, did not divert the said controversial $20million. The MD of the NDDC had been under investigation by a panel headed by a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye over the alleged unilateral transfer and diversion of the said $20m. But a document obtained by our correspondent showed that the NDDC Managing Director actually sought the approval of the Office of the Accountant –General of the Federation before transferring the money. The letter , AGF/TRY/RB/

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

436/VOL1/5 reads in part: “With reference to your letter of 26 November 2010 on retail banking relationship of your agency, I am pleased to convey my confirmation and clearance of the under listed bank recommended by you. “This clearance covers First Bank UK PLC. The bank should be used for revenue account as indicated in your letter under reference.’ “I am to further remind you of the Treasury Regulation which makes it mandatory for you to obtain bank statements regularly for each account opened by you and to carry out monthly bank reconciliation. “A copy of your monthly bank reconciliation statement for all bank accounts must be forwarded along with relevant returns to this office.” A top source said: “One issue-among others - that is on the front burner is the allegation that $20 million was transferred from the NDDC account in the UK branch of Union Bank to First Bank in the

UK by Chibuzor. The accusers have given the impression that he did the unilateral transfer of the fund for personal gains. “But the facts on the ground run contrary to their claims. It was learnt that as soon as the CBN exposed the financial crisis facing Union Bank and others ,the MD recalled that the commission lost about N1.5billion when Societe General Bank was liquidated. “Chibuzor therefore felt there was no need to wait for and lose another huge amount of money. So he took a proactive step to save the funds of the commission. The law is very categorical about the role of the MD who is saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding the funds of the commission as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Commission. “The transfer of money from Union bank was like moving funds from the weakest bank to the strongest bank. I want to also let you know that the MD has ensured that not a single Dime was lost in the transfer.”

•Chairman, Global Fleet, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim presenting Aeroplane dummy to President Goodluck Jonathan and Sao Tome and Principe, Prime Minister, Patrice Trovoada during President Jonathan's visit to Sao Tome yesterday. Photo: STATE HOUSE.

Why PDP lost in South West - Obasanjo F ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday attributed the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West in the last general elections to indiscipline among the party members. Obasanjo spoke during the party’s South West Zonal meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State . According to him, indiscipline and non-adherence to the party’s Constitution were responsible for its poor performance during the elections in the political zone. He however said the PDP merely stumbled during the April elections but didn’t fall. “We stumbled, but did not fall down. This is a bitter lesson for us to go back to the drawing board and make fast adjustment. “There is nothing new under the sun. In the past, we stumbled and regained our stand. We are going to regain the lost glory especially in the South-West.” He urged members of the

party not to lament over the defeat, but to concentrate on how to move the party forward through unity. ‘’When a child falls, he looks forward, but if an elder falls, he looks back to see what led to his fall. I want the PDP members to do likewise’” he said. Obasanjo urged members to readmit those who defected from the party for genuine reasons and avoid those who deliberately worked to destroy it. He maintained that the party’s National Secretary position would be zoned to the South-West because it belongs to the zone. ”The Speakership of the House of Representatives which the constitution of the party zoned to the South-West is our legitimate right which must be given back to us. ‘’The South-West needs the Speaker of the House of Representatives, let the PDP at the national level do the necessary adjustment.” The party’s National ViceChairman, South-West, Mr. Tajudeen Oladipupo, also noted

that indiscipline, lack of internal democracy and disunity contributed to the party’s electoral woes in the zone. He decried the crisis in Ogun State before the election which he said was worsened by former governor Gbenga Daniel’s formation of a new party to challenge the PDP on whose platform he came into power. “It was that bad in Ogun state. When it was impossible for him (Daniel) to impose his will on the party, he resorted to high level anti-party activities. “Former governor of Ekiti State , Mr. Ayo Fayose, joined forces with the opposition to ensure the loss of PDP in the state. ‘’Today, some people are calling for his return to the party. While I am not against his return, the truth has to be said that this young man was one of the strong party members who contributed to the party’s destruction in Ekiti.”

•Some of the relief materials from Osun state government donated to victims of Ibadan flood Photo: NAN

•L-R: Onyeka Onwenu, PMAN former president, Tony Okoroji, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. God’swill Akpabio and former Commissioner for Sports Delta State, Mr Austine Izagbo at the Novelty Match in honour of Lady of Songs Christy Essien-Igbokwe at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos yesterday Photo: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Libya: Nigeria, South Africa in cold war over Gaddafi’s fate

COLD war is brewing between Nigeria and South Africa over the fate of the embattled Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. While Nigeria is backing the rebelcontrolled Transitional National Council (TNC) in Libya, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa is supporting Gaddafi. But the Federal Government has been trying to manage the situation to avoid it degenerating into a major crisis. There was however concern and panic over the likely release of Henry Okah, who is standing trial as a mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bomb blast in Abuja. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has maintained a parallel position with President Zuma over Gaddafi’s fate. But while Nigeria’s position on the TNC is being supported by 34 African countries, only Uganda and Zimbabwe have teamed up with South Africa to align with Gaddafi. Although South Africa initially headed an Ad hoc Committee on Libyan crisis, the panel could not achieve much. It was learnt that a meeting held last week in Addis Ababa also broke the AU into two camps but with Zuma being humiliated because of a large following Nigeria attracted against Gaddafi. A top government official, who spoke in confidence, said: “Nigeria has a sharp disagreement with South Africa on how to address the Libyan

...Panic over likely release of Okah by South Africa From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

crisis but we would not allow it to degenerate as to affect the cordial ties between the two countries. “South Africa and two others are claiming that the AU’s Constitutive Act does not allow the Union to recognize the TNC because it is an illegal force. They are saying that any government in Africa can only be removed through constitutional process. “Nigeria and other African countries are maintaining that Constitutive Principle is the last listed in Section 14 of the Constitutive Act and the Act cannot be implemented in isolation of other principles like democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and social justice among others. “Nigeria and others have said that Libya under Gaddafi has never being ruled under any known constitution since he took over in 1969. The last constitution Libya had was under King Idris, who was deposed by Gaddafi. “So, we are also arguing that the Constitutive Act cannot apply to Gaddafi who had never run a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l government. “Apart from that, the Constitutive Act did not take into account popular revolt as being witnessed in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya when it was drafted. It only applied to military regimes.

•Alaa Elshiekh, right, and her sister Yosev Elshiekh, celebrate the revolution against Gaddafi’s regime and ask for more women’s rights in Libya. PHOTO: ALEXANDRE MENEGHINI /AP

It was also gathered that Nigeria challenged South Africa why it accepted the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt and decided to raise eyebrow on Gaddafi. Another top source added: “We are suspecting that Zuma has his own agenda because Gaddafi supported him to replace ex-President Thabo Mbeki. It is payback time. “It was the same thing Zuma did in Cote D’Ivoire when a committee he headed merely recommended a recount of votes instead of outright validation of Alassane Quattara’s mandate. “I think this rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa also has to do

•President, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and President National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, Agara Thoephilus, at the annual cultural day of the association in Ibadan yesterday

with a jostle for seat in the UN Security Council. Both countries are after the slot. “So, those who are against the TNC within the AU are in two groups. They are those benefitting from Gaddafi’s largesse directly or who are his friends and countries being governed by autocrats.” As at press time, there were fears that the cold war between Nigeria and South Africa may affect the ongoing trial of an exmilitant leader, Henry Okah, who is standing trial over the October 1, 2010 bomb explosion in Abuja. A reliable source said: “South Africa may end up mismanaging Okah’s

case in order to slight Nigeria for not having its way on Gaddafi. “Okah may either be released or his case poorly prosecuted to enable him to regain his freedom. The frosty relationship between the two countries is pointing towards this direction. “Even from hiding, Gaddafi is instigating South Africa against Nigeria but there is no cause for alarm. If Okah is released through a circumvented process, Zuma will be the loser at the end of the day. “Zuma is angry with Nigeria over Gaddafi but the Federal Government is insisting on its recognition for the rebels. With the backing of

Nigeria by 34 countries in Africa, its position is vindicated. “That is why Nigeria is also monitoring the situation and at the alert on what South Africa is up to.” But a security chief said: “The Rule of Law in South Africa is very strict; it is not what a President can violate with impunity. “Henry Okah is on trial in South Africa for terrorism, Zuma (no matter how powerful) cannot interfere with the process. “We do not envisage the release of Okah by South Africa as a retaliatory step. But we are also watching development closely.”

•The Minister of State Federal Capital Territory Chief (Mrs.) Olajumoke Akinjide, and her entourage in one of the flooded areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

TEN DAYS AFTER

The damaged new fish farm

Damaged bookshop roof

Photos: FEMI ILESANMI

University of Ibadan after the deluge T

HE campus looked calm and bubbly. Indeed, a visitor who is not aware of the devastating floods that swept across the sprawling campus and the whole of Ibadan town the previous week, may as well not believe that a disaster of that magnitude had taken place. Save for the heavy presence of security men at the main entrance of the University, students and workers went about their normal business. It was matriculation day and many of the new students, their friends, parents and relations were in celebration mood. One would not believe this was a community that lost one of its own to the flood or even imagine that this was a community that lost two large fish ponds, many precious birds, a jackal, and a warthog to the floods. The destruction caused by the floods was as extensive just as it was devastating. Findings by The Nation also revealed that the university community lost its entire drainage system to the floods, in addition to its vast bookshop and underground cable system, which were completely destroyed. The management of the institution has estimated that it lost about ten billion naira to the floods. The Zoo At the university zoological garden, which was one of the worst affected areas, everything appeared normal as workers are back to their duty posts. Attendants at the shops in front of the Zoo were seen busy selling drinks and snacks to visitors from different parts of Ibadan and beyond. While moving around to get a first-hand official reaction to the flood disaster, a young lady at the entrance to the Zoo advised The Nation reporter and photo journalist to see the director in charge of the garden. On the way to her office, the scars of the flooding within the campus were visible everywhere. After about five minutes wait, this reporter was ushered into the office of the director, Dr. Olajumoke Morenikeji, who is also a senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology and Environmental Biology. Tall, elegant and soft spoken Dr. Morenikeji took THE NATION on a tour of the Zoo to assess the havoc wrecked by the heavy rainstorm.. The first point of call was the Warthog (Bush Pig) cage. Gone with the floods was the cage where the animals are kept,

The authorities at theUniversity of Ibadan are still evaluating the damage inflicted on the institution by last weekend’s flooding as Olukayode Thomas, who visited the school reports that while the physical damage may be more than initially estimated, the psychological trauma on its residents may last a life time while two warthogs died. Only one survived. On what it will cost to replace the dead warthog, Morenikeji was not categorical but only said, ‘’ I cannot say exactly how much it will cost, but they are very expensive’’. Morenikeji also disclosed that the garden lost some birds, while the two bridges where visitors pass through to the other side of the Zoo also collapsed. As an interim measure, the management of the zoo constructed a makeshift bridge to serve visitors that visited during the Sallah holiday. Morenikeji explained that it will cost millions of naira to put the bridge back to its original shape. Next point of call was the section where Baboons are kept, which also experienced the fury of the floods. But the reptiles in the garden, particularly the snakes were lucky, as they survived the flood. However, most of the cages, fences and barricades were swept off, ditto the children’s play ground, while the generating set was submerged. One (animal) couple that was as popular as the institution was Haruna and his ‘wife’, Imade. Thousands of visitors throng the University Zoo from different parts of the world just to watch the ‘couple’. Did the couple survive? the reporter asked Morenikeji, who quickly shot back. “Which Haruna are you talking about? Haruna and Imade died many years ago. But because of their popularity, when visitors come, they inquire about them. And what we normally do was show them their embalmed bodies which is in the glass over there(pointing to the spot which was a few metres away). Their embalmed bodies survived the flood’’. On how they planned to prevent a future reoccurrence, Morenikeji retorted , “We are going to do channelization and also build better bridges. We have to reconstruct the cages, the fences, the barricades, and generally rebuild all the areas that were destroyed. The Vice Chancellor has been kind to us in ensuring that

we put the place in shape and generally upgrade the Zoo. There are plans to replace the animals, but all these don’t come cheap.’’ Ajibode toll gate and fish pond The next point of call is the newly-built Teaching and Research Farm. While driving round in search of the farm, this reporter stumbled on a group of youths collecting toll fees at the Ajibode end of the University from users of the makeshift bridge that connect both communities. The makeshift bridge is the only link between Ajibode and Apete through the University of Ibadan according to Ikechukwu Peters, the spokesman for Ajibode Youth Development Association. Peters claimed that the former bridge that was washed away by the flood had four lanes, adding that the youths of the area built it through communal efforts. He claimed that when the rain stopped, the youths retrieved some bamboo trees from the water which they used to construct the new makeshift bridge. “The youths are collecting voluntary donation from users of the bridge. Occasionally, they use subtle intimidation, but still allow those without money to make use of the bridge after much persuasion.” Because of the closeness of Ajibode community to the river, most residents rear pigs and own fish ponds. The flood not only swept the fish ponds and fishes away, the pigs’ sty also were not spared. Of the hundreds of pigs that were being reared, only 40 dead ones were recovered while the others were washed away. Peters appealed to the government to come to the aid of the community. He pleaded, “Yes, we are collecting money, but what does it amount to? Government should come to the aid of the community and build a proper bridge. There is also the need to dredge this river so that the water will flow well. I believe once this is done, there won’t be fear of flooding again.” Students in the Department of Fishery are also counting their losses. Presently, they are still

counting the loss of the big ponds and nursery ponds to the flood. Ada, a student of the department, disclosed that it will cost several millions of naira and time to recoup what was lost. The Nation gathered that the fish farm lost its entire investment of 200,000 fry, 10,000 fingerlings, 30,000 juveniles, 1,000 pieces of parachanal, 2,600 medium size cat fish, 250 pieces of 0.8 kg point of sale catfish, 500 pieces of 2 kg brood-stock catfish, about 1,000 pieces of table size red tilapia and many other species of fish that were kept aside for research purposes. The Faculty of Engineering is not left out. A lecturer, Dr Bamidele Omitoyin said the the civil engineering department has been asked to do an estimate of the damage. He, however, put a rough estimate of the loss at the Jaja Pond alone, to the tune of millions. He added, “We also lose revenue, because apart from fish farmers that buy from us, we open to the public every Friday. We need to get back on our feet. The University has promised to help us, but they too are depending on the State and Federal Government. The loss is heavy. The entire University drainage system collapsed. I am very depressed, but I thank God we did not lose any student, because they were on the farm when the flood started. But in spite of what has happened, we will come back even stronger. I am not a quitter; we will go back to the drawing board and do better by producing students that can stand on their own.’’ The Education Trust Fund- Assisted Poultry Farm under construction in the same area was also washed away, as well as the super sweet corn farm. The bookshop and other places Also affected were the basement of Awo Hall, Tedder Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, electricity poles, while the damaged underground cable has made it impossible for the University to generate electricity in all the halls of residence. Another area that was badly hit was the University bookshop, with the entire two floors still covered

by water. According to Mr. Abdulazeez Oladokun Abdulrasaq, the Administrative Manager who took The Nation around the premises, all the computers, calculators and other electronic devices in the bookshop were destroyed. Tons of wet books were scattered within and outside the bookshop, just as efforts are ongoing to dry them. Students, lecturers, and other class of workers and residents of the University community have plenty of tales to tell on how they survived the ravaging flood. Most of the students in the halls of residence had since moved to the topmost floors, same with those in the quarters, while those who live in bungalows have shifted their abodes moved to hilly places. But it was not all bad news, as no human life was lost to the flood. The Nation gathered that the only student that died, a 200-level student of Statistics died in the Agbowo area, another part of the ancient town that was badly affected by the flood. Behind the happy smiles of residents of the University community, visibly etched in their hearts is the memory of havocs wrecked by the flood. While material things could be replaced, the emotional trauma of having a very close encounter with death may take years to heal. However, the Vice Chancellor of the nation’s premier institition, Prof Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, is confident that with the abundant human capital and goodwill the institution enjoys, it would bounce back stronger than ever before. Sounding optimistic, he had disclosed, “Some people have asked us to launch an appeal fund by opening a separate bank account so that people can put money there. Our former students in the United States of America (USA) have also called to tell us that they will support, so I think there is goodwill, and that will surely guide us through.” He also revealed that clearing of drainages on campus has commenced. He said, “We have to do this on time so that this type of disaster never occur again. We will rebuild our internal drainage system, because the government has a question and the question they are asking is: “why now?’’. It is not the rain that is the major problem but the drainage. When you have a collapsed drainage system, then flooding will happen when there is a heavy rain like the one we had.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Political Politics

ACN leaders endorse council chairmen for second term

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders have endorsed the chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo, for a second term in office. Also, traditional rulers, community leaders and party stakeholders have kicked-off the re-election campaign for his Ejigbo LCDA counterpart, ComradeKehinde Bamigbetan. At the weekend, no fewer than 180 women stormed the state secretariat of the party along Acrme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, to demonstrate support for the candidature of Bamigbetan, who they described as a loyal party man and good grassroots administrator.

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

In Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, a chairmanship aspirant, Olusegun Anjorin, unfolded his manifesto, promising to build on the achievements of the outgoing chairman, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke. He said: “I am a grassroots politician. I will take the LCDA to greater heights”. Party leaders who vouched for Olabinjo as a sellable candidate during the Ifako-Ijaye Federal constituency meeting of ACN included the House of Representatives member, Otunba Yomi Ogunnusi, his predecessor, Hon. Morufudeen Adefolabi, House of Assembly member, Hon. Ipoola Omisore, the monarch, Oba Oluwalambe Taiwo, Special

Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Prince Adegboyega Salvador and 18 community heads. ACN leader, Alhaji Ade Mohammed, who presided over the meeting, told reporters that the resolution of the constituency leaders has been forwarded to the party leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, party chairman, Otunba Dele Ajomale and Governor Fashola. He said: “One good turn deserves another. Hon. Olabinjo has performed creditably during this first term. Since the constitution also allows him to run for another term, we have no objection. He is the pride of our LCDA and constituency”

Mohammed applauded Olabinjo for presiding over a people-centered government, stressing that he succeeded in implementing the programmes and policies of ACN. He added: “This could be seen in the provision of infrastructural facilities, especially good roads, drainage system and health facilities. Olabinjo has a unique way of carrying people along”. In its letter to Ajomale, the ‘Women for Action Congress (WAC), highlighted the achievements of Bamigbetan as chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, which they said were being twisted by four co-aspirants, who sponsored 30 women to demonstrate against the council boss last week.

Between Osun and Labour T HE picture being painted by opponents of Osun State ACN government is totally wrong, and, to a large extent, mischievous. But it is of greater concern that organised labour in the state is tending towards these negative attitudes by its position on what Osun government has done to bring this destructive strike by labour over wages to a reasonable conclusion. Government’s offer, after due consideration for the poor, and the less privileged, is to pay over N19,000 minimum wage to the less privileged on levels one to seven. But across the board, it has offered workers on levels 8-12, over N7,000, levels 12-14 over N6,000 and levels 15-17 over N5,000 in a bid to make everybody happy. The government arrived at this template, according to financial experts who made the calculations, after due consideration was given to the state’s finances. By adopting this model in favour of the less privileged, the government is only trying to be financially prudent. The total revenue earnings of Osun from Internally Generated Revenue, the Federation Account and VAT is N3 billion monthly. If government accepts what labour is demanding, it would need N3.17 billion naira to pay, which is in excess of the total earnings of the state in a month. This is unrealistic. No responsible government will do that, because there are other important things to take care of in the interest of Osun citizens who are more than 7580 percent outside direct salary payment by government. The total workforce of the government in Osun is not more than 25 percent of the population; therefore to spend the total revenue of the state on just that percentage is unfair and unjust. Indeed, it will be irresponsible for any government to allow itself to be pressured by labour to act against the interest of the majority of the people. Apart from that, the PDP government left Osun in a very bad shape. The level of infrastructural deficit the ACN government inherited is so

•Aregbesola

By Muyiwa Kumuyi

massive that it is the worst amongst other states created at the same time as Osun some 20 years ago. In addition, schools all over the state are not only in bad shape structurally, they are in a pathetic state educationally. In the last WAEC examinations, for instance, less than three percent of students passed in Osun. That is an unacceptable decline in a state that used to be among the best 10 in the country. There is practically an emergency in the supply of potable water to citizens of the state. In a state with the largest number of towns in the country, supply of potable drinking water becomes an enormous challenge which will require billions of naira to address. This is not to talk of the level of youth unemployment that threatens civil unrest if government does nothing to create new jobs. This challenge would need massive investments in job creation. These, among others, are critical considerations which labour is refusing to take into account in its demand for acrossthe-board implementation of the new national minimum wage structure in Osun. What the Osun ACN government is saying is that within the limits of its finances, what it can do to comply with the law and meet labour’s demand, to a large extent, and still have a little left to address other issues, is the formula it approved and

announced last week. The only way labour’s demands can be met is for the state to spend every kobo it generates and is given by the Federal Government on paying the new minimum wage pro-rata across the board, and still go shopping for about N170 million loan to pay everybody. That is not how the ACN intends to run government in Osun. It is a matter for deep regret that labour has rejected what the ACN believes is a rational way out of the crisis. Most disappointing of all is the fact that labour, in rejecting government’s offer, did not come up with an alternative source of revenue which it thinks the government can draw from to meet its demands. It would appear that labour leaders in the state are not prepared to let reason prevail. No business or government can survive on borrowing money to pay its staff. The ACN also believes that even labour does not borrow money to pay its officials and workers. So why should they expect the government to do so? The ACN does not want to make labour unhappy. Government expects to work in partnership with labour to build the state. If labour sticks to its hardline posture, it would only be because it does not want Osun to develop. But should it deny this change, then it must adopt a more rational and conciliatory stance with the government. Nobody in Osun would deliberately work against the welfare of the people. We believe that labour also would not do any such thing. But the sad truth is that in taking a position that stands against reason, labour is exposing itself to a public perception of undue intransigence and ultimately working against the overall interest of the state. Besides, it would appear that labour’s decision to reject government’s offer was done in the interest of the opposition PDP. That would be an unfortunate turn of event. Labour must not allow itself to be used for political purposes. Even if the current offer of government was not directly negotiated with labour, the important point that should

have informed labour’s response is whether or not that offer makes sense viewed against the reality on ground. In this case, the ACN, Osun believes that labour acted rather hastily. In the opinion of the party, to prolong this crisis would not be in the best interest of all stakeholders. Labour’s action could be interpreted as absolutely aimed at paralysing government in Osun. The domino effect of this paralysis will do more harm to labour, the workers, the state and citizens than anything good or positive for progress. Above all, it will not create more funds required to meet labour’s unrealistic demand. There is therefore the urgent need for labour to do everything possible to resolve the crisis with government. Labour leaders should remember that government cannot give what it does not have. It is about time all of us learn to live within our means otherwise we will create more avoidable problems for ourselves and coming generations; just as the PDP has created serious problems for the ACN because it ran government by spending beyond its means. Before the ACN took over government, the PDP government was spending over N600 million just to service debts. We are not talking about repaying the principal sum yet!! The ACN government has had to renegotiate the repayment down to about N250 million monthly. If the ACN government would now resort to borrowing to pay salaries of about 25 percent of the population, that would senselessly compound the state’s debt problem and leaves the whole of Osun practically insolvent. These are the issues labour should be thinking about. The ACN therefore calls on labour leaders in the state to allow reason to prevail for the state to move forward. This is not the time to create crisis in governance. Osun has had enough. Labour should not become part of the problem. •Kumuyi writes from Ile-Ife

turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Wanted: A new party system

T LAST, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the process of pruning the number of registered political parties, and thus sanitising the political process in the country. To many of us who are patriots and who participated actively in the campaign to open up the political space, this is ironically welcome. One is in no position to know how the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi who was the chief campaigner would have taken the development, but I know that, as a super patriot, the late legal luminary had begun revising his stand by the time he breathed his last. He had all but withdrawn from the activities of the National Conscience Party (NCP) that he gave life to. It is therefore not sufficient for anyone to point attention to the fact that the registration of the parties did not come cheap; that it is the consequence of the “labour of our heroes past”. My annoyance with the party system as it is does not stem from the fact that we have too many parties, nor is it because 63 appear unwieldy. INEC was perhaps so quick to jump on the train because it found 63 too cumbersome to manage. This is not my position. It has been argued many times that parties are not registered in developed countries like Great Britain and the United States of America. This is true. There are thus so many parties that very few can tell you how many participate in the political/electoral process. However, what critics of the INEC action have not accepted is that there is no party in any of these countries that was established just to tag along others and collect grants from the electoral commission, where there is one. In Nigeria, more than three-quarter of the parties came on board just to keep watch. The national chairmen, apart from the cheap money they got through the grants, enjoy the title and wear it about like babariga. They have even used it as a platform to attract more titles. Some created factions of thenoble Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). The main purpose of establishing a political party is to create a vehicle to ride to power. Power is central to the system. Many of the political parties, including the seven that have just been delisted, were in no position to contest for power. They were not participants in the system. Second, a political party serves to mobilise the people and aggregate values. Many do not have offices, fail to hold meetings and are not even recognized in the political market place. And, third, parties are supposed to talent-hunt and recruit leaders. How many of those already delisted and those that would follow the same path out as soon as the cases in court have been disposed can fulfill this purpose? The Bible says, Peter we know, Paul we know. In this context, PDP we know, ANPP we know, ACN we know, but, who knows NEPP or NAC? We know NEPU, even though the one that exists now is a mere relic of the one founded in 1950 by the late Mallam Aminu Kano, at least we recognise its leader, Alhaji Balarabe Musa as a political activist and his party still contests for power in Kaduna and part of Katsina State. The law, as it is, is liberal enough to accommodate as many political parties as are serious. It does not insist that all parties must contest for power at the centre; that would negate the spirit of the struggle by Fawehinmi. The Electoral Act 2010 merely says that, for a party to enjoy that status, it must have won at least one House of Assembly seat. I think that is fair enough. A party must stand for something. It must show evidence that it occupies the space on behalf of the people. Democracy is about the people; power flows from the people. Any political party that cannot show evidence of endorsement by the people is like a branch that is no longer part of the vine; it deserves to wither. As INEC has explained, its hands are tied by the provision. To me, the amendment of the law to accommodate this provision last year is progressive. We should know the genuine political party leaders who may be invited to meetings and consult on political matters. This time calls for sanity and it is perfectly in order to wield the big stick in the circumstances that INEC has done. When the system is sufficiently stable and opportunists have been warded off, we may consider a further amendment to the law that would accommodate local parties registered at the local government area level to contend with purely local political issues. That time will come. It is not now when the national parties are sharks that would not tolerate such small parties. Baba Agoro has threatened to test the law in the court. That is the road to travel, but it must be noted that the Primate of an Aladura Church is multi-talented. He could do a number of things in case he loses this battle. His Church may not be too visible, but its modest presence in Ibadan is enough to engage this “man of God”. He, I understand, is also an Engineer who has a doctorate degree. For such a man, there should be no idle moment. There are other forms of business that he and others like him can now turn to. Really, there should be no free money anywhere.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

THE NATION

ON SUNDAY

COMMENT and ANALYSIS SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Jury’s out on Okonjo-Iweala’s agenda Festus Eriye

Let’s mobilize nationwide for a decade of production with matching incentives. increase value-added to oil and gas and spurn the vital raw materials we need to participate competitively in world trade and create economic prosperity for Nigerians. Your comments are most appropriate and relevant at this time. Engr. Charles C. Ugwu – OON Former Minister of Commerce & Industry

efestus2003@yahoo.com 08052135878 (SMS only)

HERE are two things on which you can expect as many opinions as there are Nigerians: football and the solution to our nation’s economic woes. Last week, I ventured an examination of Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recently unveiled agenda for resuscitating the economy. Not surprisingly there were quite strong views for and against the position I took in that piece. I reproduce a couple of reactions here as a means of furthering debate on the most substantial challenge facing Nigeria at this point. Your excellent economic analysis of options/strategies available to our Finance Minister refers – The Nation Newspaper of Sunday 28th August, 2011. Yes indeed, the best bet lies in promoting production, adding value and growing new businesses in all sectors of the economy. Of course as you rightly said, major improvements in infrastructure should remain major priority and focus of Government. Nigeria has enormous market opportunities both in the domestic and export markets to take up all we can produce. ECOWAS is indeed our catchment market – but we have remained blind to these markets begging for all manner of products from our manufacturing and processing industries. Unfortunately, we have been sold the dummy of abandoning manufacturing in favour of concentrating on “Trade and Investment” which IMF and the World Bank had tried hard over the years to persuade/blackmail us into. Finally, we have swallowed the bait!! Of course, there are too many challenges and frustrations in all productive/ manufacturing activities in Nigeria, yet productive industries remain the only viable development option to absorb our teaming unemployed. Perhaps, as a way forward, the first thing for the Government/Finance Minister would be to declare a decade of action and national mobilization towards growing the productive sectors. Under a Natural Plan, we should remove all hindrances to production and create matching incentives including tax holidays to all new businesses and expansions, creating new jobs employing 20 people or more. · Remove all taxes on capital and new investments. For example, taxes on land transactions and mortgage dealings (consent fees, registration of deeds, stamp duties and other charges). Cumulatively, these taxes on capital represent considerable disincentive to investment – all these should be waived for at least ten years or even forever. · Open our doors to new investment flows. Grant tax holidays for three to five years. We need the jobs more than the taxes!! Recent experiences, setting up a medium capacity Rice Processing Mill under a PPP arrangement provides insight into the enormous corruption in the system. But please ignore these for now, to avoid dissipating energy and distractions from powerful layers of bureaucracy. Implementation of Government policies

I enjoy reading your art but please do some research. Is there any need for the petroleum subsidy considering the fact that petrol is produced at 0% tax in Nigeria? In the USA there is a 40% tax, in Europe 60% tax. Compare all OPEC prices and shine your eyes. Our newspapers and professional bodies are just too lazy: that is why President Olusegun Obasanjo got away with all the nonsense he did. Anonymous. •Okonjo-Iweala

and strategies remain at zero point. Once a policy is announced or budget proposed, that is the end of the matter. There is no follow up, no monitoring, and no implementation!! For example, it is a hellish problem – indeed a nightmare – to raise credit particularly for start-ups in spite of the preaching and moral suasion from the CBN. It is much easier and effective, if Government (through the CBN or other agencies) can provide some guarantee scheme to Banks to cover shortfalls in collaterals provided by SME business borrowers to facilitate takeoff particularly where new jobs are being created. Such guarantee should be tied to actual performance, results and successful delivery/achievement by the SME and its Banker. Let’s mobilize nationwide for a decade of production with matching incentives. Cutting Government spending is not a solution but spending wisely and implementing effectively (agreed budgets) is more important and beneficial. Let each State establish one Industrial Cluster (serviced with Power, Roads, Water and Security) and allocate plots for business to start up within 12 months of the grant of such lease. The focus of such Cluster can be on any product area of comparative and competitive advantage – or available local resource such as Rice, Cassava, Sorghum, Limestone or other materials to which value can be added. Even simple process of cleaning, grading and packaging local agricultural produce can become such successful and prosperous enterprise. Production is the key to our survival. If you take out oil revenue, you can see that the net productive base of the economy and GDP is indeed very low – too low to sustain the so-called minimum wage. The President must mobilize and wakeup the nation to go into production of the various agricultural products for which we have natural potential. Finally, the Government should, through PPP arrangements create Petrochemicals and Fertilizer plants to

If you have ever run an SME in Nigeria you would know that the infrastructure you so glibly accord second-tier status are actually the engines that drive job creation. And I don’t mean soft government jobs. The US stimulus failed mainly because their greedy corporations were exporting Americans jobs to Asia. Globalisation just came back to bite its masters. Sam Ukoha, Apapa, Lagos. Your piece on Okonjo-Iweala was perfect and executed with the finesse of an expert. However, in Nigeria today nothing will justify the removal of petroleum subsidy until the twin issues of corruption and looting of the treasury are properly tackled. Subsidy is a drop in the ocean when compared with the loot. The world powers would also assist to tell us what they have seen hidden away under the tents of the Achans of Nigeria (Joshua 7:20-21), and the Rachels of Nigeria would stand up for us to see what they are sitting on (Genesis 31:34). Then and only can anyone talk about removal of oil subsidy. John Jimoh, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State Your piece on Okonjo-Iweala’s magic wand was a wise and intelligent one. Of course Nigerians’ contempt for, and protest against the so-called blueprint of our leaders, are usually motivated by the hypocrisy and self-centeredness of the leaders. Dying first before going to heaven must involve both the leaders and the led; it should not just be for the led alone – as has always been the case here. Whatever economic agenda in which only the common man is required to tighten his belt while the leaders continue to live in affluence resulting in the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer is not acceptable to Nigerians. But having taken a professional look at the rot that is our economy today, and come up with what she thinks is the panacea, Nigerians should be able to support her however bitter the pill may be – knowing her antecedents and patriotism. Emmanuel Egwu, Enugu, Enugu State.

‘’Whatever economic agenda in which only the common man is required to tighten his belt while the leaders continue to live in affluence resulting in the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer is not acceptable to Nigerians.’’

Lekan Otufodunrin lotufodunrin@yahoo.com 08050498530 (SMS only)

Your phone or your life?

LATE evening accident in Sokoto last Wednesday claimed the lives of seven members of a family. Sources according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the teenage driver of the vehicle lost control and hit a tree while answering a telephone call. My sincere condolence to the patriarch of the family, Alhaji Jekada Sifawa who was in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj (Umrah) when the accident happened. It’s really unfortunate that despite repeated warnings by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), many drivers still answer calls while driving. There have been a number of telephone-related accidents in which many lives have been lost. I am also guilty of this violation but I have vowed to stop the practice after reading about the Sokoto accident. I once made a similar vow which I didn’t keep when I read of a driver who killed three persons while sending a text while driving. This time around, I am going to try hard not to use the telephone, not even ear phone while driving. If it is really urgent to take or make a call, drivers have the option of parking to stem the tide of the avoidable accidents like the Sokoto instance. Thank God for mobile phones. It’s supposed to be a technology to enhance communication at the right time not to be a source of grief or distraction as it has become for many Nigerians. Mobile phones have suddenly become an addiction that most of us behave as if we cannot live without it. We have become very indiscipline about the use of mobile phones that we constantly have to be reminded to switch it off at various gatherings, including worship centres, where our full attention is required. Some students no longer concentrate in classes because they have to answer calls, receive or reply text and ping their peeps. Instead of having good night sleep, people now stay awake to take advantage of free calls by the service providers. The consequence is that such people get tired the next morning and want to sleep when they should be awake. I was once on a local flight during which it took a scolding from other passengers to convince a lady to switch off her phone in accordance with the instruction of the air hostess for the plane to take off. At least, for those who are old enough, have we suddenly forgotten that we once lived without this technology? I appreciate the improvement mobile phones has made possible, but it is not worth endangering our lives for. We need to get over the addiction of using the mobile phone when we should not. No call is worth taking or making if it can endanger our lives and that of other road users.

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

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

WO reported incidents clearly shown that crime, even its

violent strain creeping in, is not Nigeria’s biggest problem; it is the lack of will to fight it. One of the two incidents featured a young, compulsive thief in the southern part of the country. The other incident was captured by The Punch newspaper in its edition of Friday, September 2. The rogue in the first case seems to have specialised in breaking into homes and making away with appliances. He reportedly burgled one house after another, managing to amass such a heap of electronics gadgets that he quickly opened a sizeable roadside shop and started selling them. Almost any appliance you dreamed of was there. And the rogue merchant sold on till one of his old victims stopped by and, upon recognizing an item he once bought with hard-earned money, raised the alarm. The police moved in. But, guess what, the burglar-trader was no stranger to the cops. They had arrested him a number of times for burglary, and let him go. And go back he did, to his old business. Last Friday, The Punch led with a report by the Associated Press (AP), a news agency, that Mamman Nur, accused of masterminding the August 26 bombing of the UN office in Abuja, was once arrested back in 2007 but was let go. The paper, quoting AP,

Disturbing security slips Where is the hope that we will ever contain violent crimes, including the latest strand brought on by Boko Haram and its affiliates said Nur and some other “militants” were apprehended with bombs, guns and a very large amount of money. They were detained, it was said, but freed because government was “wary of antagonising powerful interests in the North.”The picture is not quite clear, yet. AP did not name the officer or officers who released Nur and his gang. Nor did it reveal the security agency which arrested the militants. But the reported incident, if it ever took place, should be more disturbing than even the violent crime Nur and company would probably have committed with their bombs and guns. I will explain. Bombs and guns are not the stuff of entertainment. They are lethal instruments deployed for maximum violence. They cause pain

and grief. Thus, violence, even in the planning stage, should be stopped with all the seriousness and resources required, else it will produce unpalatable consequences. The AP report poses questions. If people caught with such dangerous and unauthorised weapons could be let go in the manner Nur and his friends reportedly were, how many more were freed before that incident, or after? Where is the hope that we will ever contain violent crimes, including the latest strand brought on by Boko Haram and its affiliates? Who will save Nigeria? The AP report is as troubling as the incident of the young burglar. You might say the thief poses far less danger than do those who work with bombs and guns. True, the burglar

“Bombs and guns are not the stuff of entertainment. They are lethal instruments deployed for maximum violence. They cause pain and grief. Thus, violence, even in the planning stage, should be stopped with all the seriousness and resources required, else it will produce unpalatable consequences”

probably requires little more than the skill to prize open locked doors, or climb over a high wall. Still, the thief who managed to stack up God knows how many items from God knows how many operations, paints a sorry picture of our policing credentials and methods. Why was he arrested and left to return to burglary? Was he tried in a court and, if found guilty, made to pay for his sin? How did he become a serial burglar? Why wasn’t he monitored? How many others like him have been emptying homes without let? Petty criminals left unchecked naturally graduate to menacing monsters. It should be some odd relief that the burglar stopped merely at putting up his stolen articles for sale. He could have been emboldened to get a gun and return to those homes to demand more from his terrified hosts. When a suicide bomber rammed his car into the UN building in Abuja penultimate Friday, we were all horrified at his dare-devilry as well as the fatalities that followed. When another bomber before him shook the police headquarters, we all shook with shock. Both acts have been justifiably condemned. But how many of us have bothered to ask how the monsters that perpetrated those acts grew? Who pampered them when they were babies and who looked the other way when they came of age and began to strike? There lies the often overlooked danger.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

Libya lessons

N September 1, 1969, a certain Muammar Ghaddafi, then a 27-year old colonel, rolled the tanks across Tripoli, capital of the then fleeing King Idris I, to announce his September 1 bloodless coup he tagged “revolution”. Forty-two years later on September 1, 2011, Ghaddafi, still the eternal colonel, had himself become a fugitive from another set of “revolutionaries”, or more accurately rebels, who have pasted all over the same Tripoli an unflattering poster, bearing an indifferent portrait of the now 69-year old Ghaddafi, declaring the expired revolutionary wanted, dead or alive! Ghaddafi’s parting image is not his glittering health and education programmes, or his ambitious housing for all, or the unprecedented prosperity of Libya under his strong, repressing arms. It is rather the big bin in a deserted Tripoli street, with a giant, defaced Ghaddafi portrait in it: Muammar, the dictator of Tripoli for 42 years, nestles in the dustbin of history! Now, is this the real deal Libya had always deserved but never got; or is it yet another transition to nowhere, as Ghaddafi’s 42-year rule has shown, only for another set of rebels or revolutionaries, sometime in the future, to plot some movement without motion to political stability, only rooted in personal, or at best, group aggrandisement, as the Ghaddafi era has shown? How could any modern state surrender its institutions to a single, power-crazed individual, and allow him to share out prime state resources among his immediate family members; and only remnants to Libyan citizens who, by law, own the wealth? If that was legitimate reason to overthrow King Idris in 1969, it remains a legitimate reason to overthrow Muammar Ghaddafi in 2011. Meanwhile, in the 42-year interlude, what did Libya gain as a state; and what did Libyans gain as citizens? That is the disturbing lesson to be taken from the Ghaddafi fiasco. The tragedy, however, is that in the emotional response to, and shouting at the roof tops at, the overthrow of the Ghaddafi regime, Africa and Africans will, as usual, learn the wrong lessons. It is therefore time to do away with the emotive excitements and take home some sobering lessons, if the African continent were to throw away the toga of social and economic laggards among the global community. The jury is still out on whether or not Ghadaffi handled Libya better than most of his contemporaries,

Other Ghadaffis in Africa, take note! most of them being unmitigated disaster. That is clear from the present beggarly state of most countries in the continent. But for all his monstrous faults, it is clear that Ghaddafi is clearly no less guilty than other African leaders over the personalisation of state resources and institutions. In Uganda, Yoweri Museveni is well and truly on his way to the “Ghaddafisation” of Uganda. His 24-year presidency since 1986, already echoes a life presidency. That is a curious way to go, given that he took power as a guerrilla fighter, after the instability of the post-Idi Amin era. It is no wonder then, that the Museveni government is nervy about an opposition group, which calls itself Activists For Change, ringing out demonstration posters crossing out the fallen long-running rulers of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, thus suggesting Museveni is ripe for the “North Africa” treatment. The government, of course, cracked down to abort the demonstrations. In neighbouring Togo, the late Gnassingbe Eyadema thoroughly personalised the Togolese state, so much so that even six years after his death in 2005 after a 38-year rule, his sons are embroiled in a testy duel for the soul of Togo. Eyadema sons, Kpatcha, a former defence minister, and Essolizam, are facing a coup charge to allegedly overthrow Faure Gnassingbe, the president. The inglorious Eyadema may have personified the state of Togo. But like the glorious King David of Biblical Israel, the sword is not about to depart from the House of Eyadema. Should something give in Togo, though, ECOWAS would bear vicarious guilt. When a rare window

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Festus Eriye •Olayinka Oyegbile Deputy Editor •Associate Editor Taiwo Ogundipe

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

The deplorable condition of Isheri-Osun road

IR: A few weeks to the April 2011 elections, bad roads in Kudebu and Ijegun areas of Lagos State were repaired. Grateful residents of the areas promised to vote for Governor Babatunde Fashola and other candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria in appreciation for the timely intervention. It is in recognition of the responsiveness of the Lagos state government to the people’s plight that I appeal to the State’s Ministry of Works and Transport to intervene in the construction and rehabilitation of Isheri Osun road. About three years ago, the contract for the road was awarded to a construction company called Hi-tech. The project included the construction of the main road and a bridge to ease human and vehicular movement in the area. It is therefore a sad thing that three years after the paper works were done, the project is still in its elementary stage. Apart from giving the area an ugly appearance, the construction site where the contractor’s equipments are kept has also become an impediment to the free flow of traffic. In this rainy season, commercial buses and motorcycles plying that route are usually trapped for hours because of the potholes on the road.

It does not get better during dry season when the muddy road becomes very dusty thereby exposing residents and road users

LEASE, commend Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, which Amaechi is the chairman, for showing concern for the polio victims all over the country and bringing up the issue of polio in what were tagged the one day national campaign against polio. NGF through Amaechi said that it has buckled up to send the polio scourge in the country on errand. But

to catarrh and other air-borne diseases. Although, the clamour for the repair of bad roads in Lagos State is

STRONGLY appeal to road users to always obey traffic laws in order for us to achieve a safer environment. This appeal is coming as a result of this year’s Ed-il- fitri incident which happened at Ojota when a bike man ran into a passenger who was trying to cross the road instead of making use of the pedestrian bridge. Incident of such has been reportedly frequent on this high way due to people’s negligence. The pedestrian Bridge is strictly

opened, at the death of Eyadema, to excoriate his ghost from the Togo state, ECOWAS leaders conspired to re-impose the sickly old order, via a phony election. Even in mighty Nigeria, 150 million-strong and rippling with differing faiths, cultures and peoples in a supposed federal melting pot, no one can swear the state is not the possession of a clique, rather than an equal opportunity project of its mesh of people. Indeed, the bane of nationhood in Nigeria is clearly the eternal stalemate of a few trying to remake state institutions in their infernal images; and the stung majority rallying back through civil society pressure groups and opposition politicians. While the nine-year rule of Gen. Yakubu Gowon could be termed age of innocence, Nigeria came closest to state personalisation during the eight-year stint of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida as self-imposed “military president”, during the stark and despicable despotism of Gen. Sani Abacha, which only aborted at his sudden expiry; and during the imperial presidency of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo who though was elected through two controversial elections, attempted to extend his stay in power by rigging constitutional amendments in the infamous third-term saga. But if anyone thinks that ghost had been banished after the Obasanjo third-term debacle, such a person has clearly not reckoned with the rascality of the subversive clique that acted in the name of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua that tried to illegally block the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan from the Presidency; and even the hare-brained six-year single presidential tenure, which President Jonathan shot virtually from the blues, in the face of more pressing developmental issues. So, others could be impressed by the West, circling over Libya, like vulture over carrion, or Russia and China giving Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) a belated recognition, simply because they cannot afford to be elbowed out of the new Libya gravy. But Nigerians should take the Ghaddafi debacle as a fresh start to vigorously work at deepening state institutions. That should knock out the power clique, resolve the eternal crisis for power in favour of the lawful and legitimate majority, and save Nigeria from a possible future “Ghaddafisation”.

rife, there is an urgent need to repair this particular road. Aside from making life better for residents of the area, it will help dispel rumours that the government did a fast job on the road as a bait to get the votes of people in the area. It would also buttress the commitment of the Lagos state government to ensuring that Lagosians get the dividends of democracy. Abiola Olubusayo afolakeabiola@yahoo.com

Rivers’ paralytic polio it would be better the governors are reminded to start the elimination of the many ‘paralytic polio’ scourge in their different states before coming forward to the entire country. Much ‘paralytic polio’ abound in all facets of governments in the 36 states of the federation. A case study of the much ‘paralytic polio’ abound in Rivers

Need to obey traffic laws

made for the use of people to avoid repeated accident being experienced on various highways across the State. This bridge has been adequately maintained to make it safe for passage and the question to ask is why do people prefer crossing the highway despite the enormous risk it portends? I urge officials of Lagos State Government on the Road, federal Road Safety Corps and the police to please join in the advocacy to stop violating laws at the detriment of their own self. Tosin Adesile, Lagos

State. Amaechi should start to eliminate very fast the acute and devastating disease of ‘promise and fail’ which has caused a virus of disappointment among many Rivers masses. Polio, known as the abbreviation for poliomyelitis, man is the only natural host for the virus. And this is true talk! Amaechi should start to eliminate very fast this virus of ‘promise and fail’ among the majority indigenous contractors which virus has entered our livelihood, environment, sensibility and multiplying in everywhere of our lifestyle. Their greedy virus for selfaggrandizement has entered their blood and has gone damaging our state more intensely and extensively. Our brain and our spinal cord have been invaded by the abandonment of contracts by contractors in Rivers State and our voices seem could not be heard any longer. Odimegwu Onwumere, PortHarcourt

Lessons of Ramadan

HE month of Ramadan has come to an end. The month of Ramadan is described as the holy month when Muslims fast to move closer to Allah. It is also described as the month of abstinence. The month of Ramadan is a month in which the fear of Allah is increased because it is a month where prayers are quickly answered and sins are easily forgiven. It is a month of purity. In the month of Ramadan good deeds such as giving alms (sadaqah) and feeding the poor. Now that the month of Ramadan has finally come to an end, Muslims should continue the good deeds they learnt and practised during the holy month. They must continue to give alms, feed and shelter those who do not have the means to do so. Muslims should also do away with all bad habits they stopped during the month of Ramadan. They should not say because the month of Ramadan is over they can go back to bad habits such as smoking, drinking and fornication. Muslims should continue to pray five times daily and strive to observe the non obligatory fast like fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. We must continue to pray because prayers are not just answered during the month of Ramadan but all through the year. Giwa Rukayat, Lagos

Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

OR too long, the federal government has been engaged in how to dialogue with Boko Haram. The desire for dialogue must have been based on the belief that talking to Boko Haram’s visible leadership would change the ideology of the sect. Most leaders from the North in particular have supported the option of dialogue over and above confronting the group with the same punitive hands that had been used on MASSOB. Now that Boko Haram has internationalised its mission by bombing structures that belong to the United Nations, it should be clear to apostles of dialogue that the issue of Boko Haram is a desperate problem that requires a desperate solution. It is thus not surprising that Abdusalami Abubakar, the head of state that gave the country the 1999 Constitution has now agreed to the call for national conference or dialogue on how to move Nigeria forward or sustain it without balkanizing it. The former head of state deserves special mention for his own political growth. It certainly takes

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

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

T was a defeat far beyond that which U.S President Barak Obama described then as shellacking. This was the equivalent of a disdainful roasting on a cold Sunday afternoon. Manchester United 8, Arsenal 2. No, the defeat alone was not it, but the sheer venom. Sir Alex Ferguson normally gives no quarters nor does he take prisoners as long as it’s one of the big teams in the Premiership but this afternoon when he knew Arsenal was at its very nadir, hobbled not only by a galaxy of injuries but also by an uncharacteristic level of indiscipline which had resulted in two red cards from the previous game, he wanted his wards to inflict maximum punishment on a team majority of who had been psychologically weakened by Wenger’s cynical approach to recruitment throughout the long summer. It was a story foretold and the club’s lacklustre summer engagements had given indications of what to expect. With its lackadaisical approach to off season competitions, especially its woeful Emirates Shield competition where team after team came from behind to even the scores - no thanks to a permanently wobbly back four - Sir Alex must have told his wards to go bury Arsenal. That was exactly what they did. Truth be told, however, Arsenal was clearly unfortunate with the following players on the injury list:Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, new sensation, Gervinho,

Toward a national dialogue The mantra of a country that is indivisible regardless of what the citizens feel is fast outgrowing its usefulness a lot of courage for someone who handed to the country the most pro-unitary constitution to realise that the country needs a dialogue. General Abubakar’s endorsement: “I am in support of those calling for dialogue. Let us sit down and discuss how we can forge ahead as one country. We should realise that the good Lord that brought us together knows what He was doing and we are going to live together” indicates the exponential growth in the General’s political consciousness since he handed over the 1999 Constitution to General Obasanjo. Unlike his cogenerals who authored over the years unitary constitutions that are believed to be No-Go areas for dialogue, General Abubakar appears to have realised that the mantra of a country that is indivisible regardless of what the citizens feel is fast outgrowing its usefulness. There will be a better occasion to assess changes in the political vision of General Abubakar. Today’s focus is on why President Jonathan and his advisers (and bullies?) should outgrow the obsession on dialogue with Boko Haram. The preoccupation that is needed

now is how to arrange a national dialogue to find out how many components of Nigeria are ready to live with Boko Haram and its ideology of bigotry. As this column has observed in the past, Boko Haram is not just a sect of religious fanatics interested in bombing international organisations the group has described as “a partner in the oppression of believers.” From the pattern and spate of bombings by Boko Haram, the sect also relishes bombing innocent Nigerians that do not subscribe to its ideology of hate. Nigeria as a multiethnic and multireligious country cannot afford to wobble under the shadow of an organisation that has engendered more suspicion among ethnic and religious groups. As embarrassing as the inter-ethnic suspicion and violence of Plateau State has become, it is now obvious that Boko Haram has become the worst symbol of hate in a multiethnic nation in which the constituent nationalities have been struggling to identify modalities to determine how best to accommodate each other in one large country that can benefit from its size without

having to fall victim of the centrifugality that its current constitution and political structure have engendered. Those who are leading Nigeria must separate Boko Haram’s international crimes from its national crimes. Nigerian leaders must cooperate with global efforts to fight terrorism. But they must take concrete steps on how to prevent Boko Haram from destroying the territorial unity of Nigeria. The government also needs to know that the sect has already started to destroy emotional and ideological bases for unity in the country. The exodus from Northeastern states of citizens that are scared of the extremism of Boko Haram is one evidence that the country is not as united as it should be. The federal government and its security agencies must not find shelter in scapegoating foreigners. The suggestion in the media that foreigners should be made to carry identification cards with biometric data is good, not only for foreigners but for all nationals. Just as foreigners do not have the right to kill Nigerians, so do Nigerians have no right to kill

fellow Nigerians. Both groups need to be deterred from such heinous acts. While all precautions must be taken to discourage Nigerians seeking material and logistic support from Al Qaeda, there should be no effort to distract attention away from the threat that Boko Haram poses for national unity. It is also myopic to conclude, as some pundits have done, that Boko Haram is an organisation that is being fueled to make Nigeria ungovernable for the sitting president for failing to honour the Zoning Agreement that brought him into national power and prominence in 2007. This may be a part of the goal of the sect, but a major dimension of the sect’s goal (often repressed by those in power) appears to be to coerce Nigerians of all religious persuasions to accept the worldview of Boko Haram. It is time for President Jonathan to drink from the well of wisdom recently dug by General Abubakar on the importance of holding a national dialogue, not with Boko Haram but on problems formented by the sect for ethnic and religious harmony in a country of multiple nationalities and beliefs.

Arsenal is back: Thanks to Manchester United’s mauling Before you could say jack, the man had hauled in five world class players who should be able to turn our season around. Alex Song, Kieran Gibbs, Sebastien Squillaci, irrepressible Jack Wiltshere and Abou Diaby, all first team players and you are bound to ask how unlucky a team can get. It was characteristic Arsene Wenger who later began a regime of rationalising as to how this was injury-induced forgetting he had practically over used these players during the last season. His recitation of mournful complaints in mitigation became so stomach-turning a normally reticent, and new captain, Van Persie, had to ask his gaffer to shove it; asking Wenger to face his troubles squarely. If within us faithful Gunners we could feel that much bereavement, the players must be practically besides themselves with rage at the economist who apparently prefers profits to glory; and who obviously thought little or nothing of the players, the club and its massive world-wide support base. Questions were freely asked as to whether it is blood flowing through the man’s veins or if it was just a question of unconcern. For how long was an individual going to inflict such maximum psychological torture on so many people became an oft asked question. At a point, absconding Nasri even had the temerity to quip that Arsenal could no longer compete and that building the Emirates stadium had landed the club squarely on its back. I have earlier had cause to liken Arsene to Mr Jerry Springer believing he sees the team as no more than Springer’s funny, lurid television programme since it appeared that the way his

team always fell like nine pins towards the end of each season apparently did not get to him to lift a finger. For instance, the last six or so games of the last season saw Arsenal struggle the way I never saw the team do before that even the most unprepossessing teams in the EPL became a real threat. The likes of Stoke, Westbrom etc rode roughshod over Arsenal that you know something just had to give. One other nauseating thing about the coach was that in spite of being aware that both Fabregas and Nasri were on their way out, his gaze never shifted to world class signings especially in the leaking defence nor did he appear to advert his mind to who exactly was going to score the goals with those two gone. Were Arsene Wenger coaching a South American team, he would have long gone to learn barbing afresh if he wanted to keep his life. For how long would a man so heedlessly punish his team’s supporters and, week in, week out burrow endlessly into the self-esteem of his players? Then came the roasting of Sunday 28, August, 2011 and the ever taciturn Wenger , ever the expert at last minute dealings ala Andrey Arshavin in the last season, knew he had to move or be consigned to total irrelevance and become the butt of cruel jokes after so many years of real first class achievements. And moved he did, with uncharacteristic gusto. Before you could say jack, the man had hauled in five world class players who should be able to turn our season around.

And who says the drought is not over? I must say am excited. You cannot feel otherwise with these last minute signings all of who bring something special to the club and all in the right mix that we can legitimately square it up to the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and even Manchester United and Liverpool, both of which had inflicted pain on us earlier in the new season. Here then are snippets of those on who to hoist Arsenal’s unmisplaced hope of a resurrection into glory and winning ways. Andre SANTOS A quality player with the ability to defend well and get forward, the 28-year-old international joins from Fenerbahce where he had been since 2009. He supplanted bulldozing Roberto Carlos at the left-back position in his first season in Turkey and went on to make 52 league appearances. He received his first senior cap for Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup which the country won and has earned a total of 22 caps for his country. MIKEL ARTETA Arteta comes to Arsenal with a wealth of Barclays Premier League experience, having been with Everton since 2005. He should fit in seamlessly into the Arsena’s style of play because he is very much an Arsène Wenger type of player; won’t give up possession easily and moves the ball well just as he is great at setpieces. A creative, passer of the ball

Arteta is seen as Arsene Wenger’s replacement for both Fabregas and Nasri, in the goal scoring department. PER MERTESACKER Here, truly is that widely experienced German stopper who is billed to stop all those forays into our six and the 6’6' centre-back is expected to put that height to great use on both sides of the field, defending as well as scoring. Arsenal’ s defence has been very brittle lately just as it is extremely difficult for the team defending crosses to its goal area. Mertesacker who comes in from Werder Bremen has been capped 75 times for Germany. He comes with vast experience and strength and should add teeth to the fragile defence. YOSSI BENAYOUN The classy Israeli and former Chelsea midfielder is another great buy by Wenger. He has a vast experience of the EPL that should see him come straight into the team to add his, presence, experience and class . Arsene had earlier signed a few others like Gervinho and Chu Young Park who, combining with the likes of faithful captain Van Persie, injury-prone Tomas Rosicky, Andrei Arshavin, electrifying Theo Walcot, gangling Marouane Chamakh and bullish Alex Song with our absolutely brilliant and outstanding Wojciecech Szczesny, together with Lukasz Fabiansky and sure- to- comeback- to form Manuel Almunia tending the goal, should be able to ensure that we do not go empty handed this season..

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Tunji

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

DON’T know how many people are asking themselves (as I am) of how the hitherto Libyan strongman, Muammar Ghadaffi, would be feeling right now in his heart of hearts. This was a man who, only a few years back had the whole of Libya in his pocket, or at least so he thought. Today, he is not better than a fugitive, and in a very short while, there would be a role reversal as he would soon become the rebel in the ongoing attempt to unseat him, and today’s rebel would constitute the new government in that beleaguered country if Ghaddaffi does not tell the remnants of his loyalists still fighting to retain the ancien regime that is about to give way in Libya to cease fire. I said Libya is beleaguered because of the massive damage that has been done to property and public infrastructure and the thousands of lives that had been needlessly wasted as a result of Ghaddafi’s refusal to know that for him, the ovation IS over. In spite of all the atrocities he had committed, it would still have been honourable for Ghadaffi to have stepped down graciously when, early in the year the Libyan people passed a vote of no confidence in him and whatever his regime represents. But he didn’t seize those golden moments to seek a softlanding for himself, and perhaps his immediate family. Perhaps he was haunted by his own past and became afraid of his shadows, and would rather he died fighting than

Postscript, Unlimited! By

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

I’

’M thinking that the detergent advertisements I see on television do not adequately represent the truth at all. Indeed, like all advertisements, the degree of truth in those ads is the only contentious thing for they all, to an ad, constantly turn truth every which way they please. One particular advert so misrepresents the truth that no one can recognize it. Imagine an ad actually showing a mother who smiles indulgently at her child after he has deliberately waded in a murky and muddy football field in a white shirt. Then, in a very relaxed manner, she takes the shirt, dips it into a prepared soapy solution and pats his head in a most motherly fashion as if to say, ‘go on, go get your Sunday best and bring on more dirt!’ I’m thinking three things. One, I usually don’t have a prepared soapy solution on the ready; and two, I cannot find the goodness in me to smile indulgently at a child who has deliberately waded in a murky and muddy football field. Thirdly, why is this ad mother not whipping out her long stick to whip the behind of His Muddy Highness? Cleaning up after someone

Comment & Analysis

Just before Ghadaffi’s fall It would have been honourable to step down graciously suffer any kind of indignity. But with the benefit of hindsight, calling it quits would still have been a more attractive option than the present culde-sac that he has put himself in. Come to think of it, what else does Ghadaffi want? After spending 42 years on a throne which was never his forefathers’ (he came via a coup), he should be power-weary and be in a hurry to leave the seat that many of them always tell us is ‘hot’. It is only in Africa and other parts of the under-developed world that people will fight to the last drop of their blood to remain on a supposedly hot seat. What Ghadafi’s grandstanding has won for him is hatred and more hatred from the Libyan people even as the dislikeand distrust abroad is swelling. He had traumatised his people for years. Now is time to let them go. But he wouldn’t. And that would be his undoing. Without doubt, Ghadaffi has done so much for the Libyan people. Education is free in Libya, from kindergarten to university level. About 270,000 university students pay a tiny annual fee to have access to university that is endowed with huge libraries, and research departments in all kinds of knowledge equipped to the existing

highest international standard. Second, water and electricity are free for Libyan citizens. The regime had invested billions to bring aquifer freshwater from southern Libya’s desert to the coastal regions where the populations are concentrated. The Man Made River is a worldwide acclaimed achievement that would stand as a testimony to Ghaddafi’s huge contribution to the economic development of Libya. Moreover, petrol/gas cost US$75cents per gallon for Libyan citizens just as every Libyan bride is granted about US$90,000 dowry gift by the government, and automatically is eligible for a loan for house purchasing or construction on Islamic loan’s conditions, that is zero interest rate. Health cost is also free for them in highly equipped hospitals and clinics. A leader who has done all these and perhaps more could be asking himself what else the people wanted from him. Freedom. Freedom to decide their fate. That is what the Libyans want; it was the same thing that the Tunisians wanted; it was what also led to the crisis in Egypt. Since Ghaddafi did not give this, it would have been better for him to leave when the ovation is loudest, or

The import of Ghadaffi’s experience should have dawned on the remaining sit-tight leaders in Africa; that they no longer can take the people’s liberty and freedom for granted... Gone were those days when man was led by toys. We need not weep for Ghadaffi because it is late, indeed too late in the day to do that. His comeuppance is nigh.

even when it was there at all. It is Ghadaffi’s greed and lack of contentment that made him to stay put even when the people said they no longer wanted him. And that is why he has to experience what greedy flies that follow dead bodies to the grave experience. I do not know how he would not be consumed and perhaps interred with his regime, given the stage the crisis to remove him has reached; those after him have got to a point of no return and would not beat a retreat until Ghadaffi either surrenders or is captured, dead or alive. The only way he can escape humiliation now is to do what men like him did in the pastcommit suicide. There is no alternative because, given what his people have gone through as a result of his intransigence, they would turn his nostrils to trumpets if he makes himself available to be captured. They may end up giving him the ‘Sergeant Doe treatment’, without anyone shedding tears for him. It is unlikely they would dignify him with the luxury of any court trial, whether in Libya or outside. For the average Libyan, particularly the youth, the only good Muammar Ghaddaffi is a dead one. By now, it should be clear that gone were those days when the internal affairs of a country remain its business alone. This only shows how dynamic things are and vindicates the saying that change is the only thing that is permanent in life. And it cannot be otherwise in a world where other countries have to respond to the humanitarian crisis that may arise whenever any country erupts or implodes. It is not a coincidence that most of the crises that have sacked entire regimes have

occurred in Africa, starting with Tunisia, then Egypt and now Libya (even though this has not completely fallen) with the Syrian monarchy itself now sitting precariously on shifting sand. No doubt more of such governments will still fall; and governments that think they are standing or that such things can never happen in their territories have to be careful. We know that no country in this part of the world is free if we realise that what has now become the wind of change that is blowing across the world was started by that Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire on December 17, 2010, in protest of the confiscation of his wares and the harassment and humiliation that he reported was inflicted on him by a municipal official and her aides. I am sure the official who caused the problem in Tunisia must be regretting whatever led her to do it that day, seeing now the ‘tsunamis’ that have followed and their reverberations in parts of the world. But that is how such crises start; no one takes them serious until it is too late. Not a few people have been sent to untimely graves as a result of sicknesses that they took for granted. The import of Ghadaffi’s experience should have dawned on the remaining sit-tight leaders in Africa; that they no longer can take the people’s liberty and freedom for granted. This is what to expect in a world turned into a global village for people ready to travel on the internet superhighway. Gone were those days when man was led by toys. We need not weep for Ghadaffi because it is late, indeed too late in the day to do that. His comeuppance is nigh.

Cleaning up Nigeria is a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it else, believe me, is no joke. Once, a woman was taken to a fair by her family to relieve her from the drudgery of housewifery. At the fair, she watched as various stands revealed their special antics to the delight of the crowd. She was particularly amused by the food and beverages stand where not very perfect hands attempted to turn out different dishes. The results seemed to receive mixed reactions though but our lady was more tickled by the rest. Asked what was so amusing, she laughed, pointed at the messy tables and floors and stated, ‘I’m glad I’m not the one to clean that up!’ This, however, is nothing compared to cleaning up after a country that is nothing but chaos and disorder physically, socially, politically and on the whole, culturally. Every single table, stand and floor in the land, metaphorically speaking, is dirty, and those in charge appear to be doing nothing. Listen. When I flip through newspapers now, I read columnists who point out to us how they had predicted one thing or the other concerning the state of the nation which, fortuitously or, more often otherwise, comes to pass. ‘When I penned these words …’; ‘I wrote here long ago …’; ‘I re-present here what I wrote long ago and which is still relevant…’. Then I think, what are journalists now: soothsayers,

doomsayers or truthsayers? Then I also think, if journalists are busy predicting the turn of events in the nation, what the deuce are the statesmen doing? I immediately recollect that they are probably busy doing removals work; you know, like removals men who help you move your furniture from point A to B, even if sometimes you have no idea where point B is actually. It is enough that they know where your furniture is. Anyway, Nigeria’s statesmen have taken on the job of the removals men. Rather than remove furniture though, they are removing people. At the behest of the nation’s CJN, the removals men working through the NJC removed the PCA from his seat and got the PFRN to agree with them (please find out what these stand for; I had to). And now everyone is going around MGF (I’ll tell you what that means: moaning, groaning and flabbergasted), Unfortunately, Rome burnt while the removals men were out, removing. The reversal of roles reminds me of the story of a renowned violinist who was approached with a request by the very fond father of a young man. His son was dying but that son had a wish: to be seen playing the violin, which he loved, accompanied in public by the renowned violinist. The father begged, cajoled and threatened until he got his wish for his son. The day of the concert came

and the boy picked up the violin and played, accompanied by the violinist who played the piano. The pianist, of course, had to turn the pages. A reviewer had this to say the next day. ‘There was a strange concert last night in which the man who normally plays the violin played the piano, the one who normally plays the piano turned the pages, and the one who should have turned the pages played the violin.’ Between the statesmen and journalists in Nigeria, we have a strange concert indeed. Every child can tell you what is wrong with this country. Security is on ground zero, roads are nonexistent – hundreds and hundreds of billions go to contractors yearly yet there is nothing to show for it; teachers are not teaching anymore; civil servants are neither civil nor servants; there are too many round pegs in square holes or is it the other way round; transport system in Nigeria is only good for moving dead people around; health services are nonexistent; and most worrisome of all, there is hardly enough electricity or water generated to keep a rat warm or wet. Yet, since the sixties, every single regime that has come has done so under the pretext of wanting to fix these things and clean up the country. The military soon resorted to the might is right ideology that left the rest of us reeling under their very literal blows; religionists are more

into displays of fireworks – all flash; and the politicians lack vision, depth and sound minds. Indeed, nearly all appear to be of unsound minds because they do not seem to possess ideas on how to save this country; they’re just party men and women trading in places. Yet, clean up we must. I think it is time to stop singing that posterity will come to judge us all. As a matter of fact, I think the long awaited posterity has come and it is judging us right now. And it is finding that statesmen are idling and fiddling, journalists are now soothsayers, and the rest of us have folded our arms and are thinking nihil agere delectat: it is a delight to do nothing. For that too, posterity is judging us. It is not a thing of pride to joke that nothing works in this country; truly, it is a thing of sadness; and nothing works because those who should are not. So, I will make my own predictions. I think journalists should become statesmen, and politicians should go to school to become journalists. Then, one day, hopefully, they will transmute to statesmen. Stranger things have happened. ***** All sympathies go to the families of the men and women who died in the bomb blast that occurred in the United Nations building in Abuja. May God comfort the living; and May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Focus

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

The return of ‘wonder banks’ H

E loved to describe it as a ‘’lifetime opportunity’’ to beat poverty. He was keen to take it at all costs. Wale Banjoko, an unemployed graduate, had just been introduced to an irresistible business idea by a longtime friend. All he needed was an initial capital of N10, 000 to make N2, 500 weekly. The 25% profit, according to his friend, would emanate from an Abule Egba, Lagos based firm known as ’Forex and other online transactions’’. In four weeks, Banjoko made N10, 000. He recouped his investment without lifting a finger. It sounded so good that he decided to raise the stakes. Had he invested N50, 000, he would have raked in N12, 500 every week. Buoyed by the prospect of making N50, 000 monthly without ‘’really doing nothing’’, Banjoko plunged right in. He put in N50, 000, expecting the returns. Five months after, Banjoko is yet to receive a dime. Mrs. Rose Moses is always open to creative ideas ‘’that can lead to breakthrough’’. She’s been told by her church almost on a weekly basis that “breakthrough is coming soon”. Therefore, when her brother told her of an investment package that offers 50% profit margin every week, she took it as an answer to prayers of many years. The company, she was told, is a big player in the Oil and Gas sector. With just N200, 000, she would be making N100, 000 every week. N400, 000k in her kitty every month sounds a fabulous offer that only a fool will throw away. The first month went successfully.

Few years after going under following government clampdown on their operations, operators of illegal finance houses popularly known as ‘wonder banks’ are back, reports Sunday Oguntola She raised her investment portfolio to N600, 000 to get a profit of N300, 000 every week. Her plan was to buy a nice Sienna car worth N1.2 million in a month. The car and her money have not surfaced since last January. A distraught Moses was in a pensive mood last week in her Lagos residence. ‘’I have been duped by my brother. My N600, 000 is gone down the drain,’’ she lamented in an encounter with our correspondent. Back and bigger She and Banjoko form the newest victims of illegal fund hedge firms popularly known as ‘’Wonder Banks’’. Investigations revealed that operators of the pyramid schemes clothed in exotic investment propositions like Forex Trading, Fixed Odd Betting and hedge fund investment are back and growing bigger in their transactions. Introduced in early 2006, the operators obtained deposits from unwary members of the public under the pretext of paying back hefty profits. By December 2007 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) clamped down on them, a whooping N150 billion had been lost by unsuspecting depositors. The apex bank went ahead to institute a case against 28 of the wonder

banks with the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST).They include: Art Master & Co. Ltd; Cyber International Ltd; Fortune Access Interlinks Network; Gold Power Unique Services Ltd; Gorutrans Nigeria Co. Ltd; Interglobal Investment Ltd; Money Field Ltd; New Freedom Diversified Investment Ltd; Open Gate Multipurpose Investors Ltd. Others are Orion Express Global Services Ltd; Pennywise Investment Ltd; Positive Move International Nigeria Ltd; Precious Golden Profile; Real and Cool Wealth International Ltd; Shola Olanrewaju Ayinke (Sefteg Nigeria Company); Silvertrust Global Investment; Successpoint International Investment Ltd; Torid Investment Ltd; Treasured Fund Assets Ltd; Vikel Petroleum Ltd; Wealth Concepts Global Ltd; Wealthgate Multibiz Int. Ltd; Wealth Interlink Agency Ltd; Wealth Solution Ltd; Wealth Transfer and Logistic Ltd; Wilson O. Wilson (Doing business in the name and style of Wilamas Ventures); Wisdom Investments Nigeria Ltd; and Nospetco Oil and Gas Ltd. Many operators went underground after the clampdown. Some of the operators went on exile while their accounts were frozen. But knowing Nigerians have short memory, some of them

have found their way back into business. They are back bigger and better. To avoid the tag of ‘wonder banks’, the operators have repackaged and rebranded. They offer newer incentives under ‘better’ schemes. They have neither signposts nor offices. They have devised ingenious ways of hoodwinking unwary depositors. ABC of the new ‘wonder banks’ Investigations revealed that the repackaged ‘wonder banks’ no longer operate from offices. ‘’That is drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Why open an office when all you need is deposit?’’ one of the operators confided last week. He said running an office is not only expensive but risky. ‘’When they need to trace you, an office can easily give you away,’’ he volunteered. To avoid that risk, operators of the pyramid scheme now make full use of marketers. A marketer, findings revealed, is always an ambitious, self-driven goalgetter, usually young and agile well educated young man and women. He or she is briefed to get a minimum of ten depositors weekly. The depositors are expected to register with a form that costs N2, 000, which is always non-refundable. To • Continued on page 18

Focus

• Continued from page 17

drive marketers, each of them is entitled to N500 on every registered form. They are also placed on a weekly transport allowance of N2, 000 each. Monthly salary is between N20, 000-N25, 000 depending on their bargaining power. For many of the largely unemployed marketers, the lure of making an accumulated monthly take-home of N50, 000 or more by just bringing depositors appears irresistible. Findings revealed that most of them are unaware of the intention of the scheme’s sponsors. They only see an opportunity to make cheap money, which they take without fully understanding the economic implications of their seemingly innocuous act. ‘’The truth is that the business cannot run without these marketers. They are the blood of the business. They are the ones who use their connections and contacts to bring depositors to us,’’ another operator admitted. But the operators are smart crooks. They do not recruit the marketers on their own. They leave that to agents. These agents operate more like wholesalers. They recruit marketers and take the proceeds from them for onward delivery to the operators or owners. Relying mainly on their relations and acquaintances, these marketers get to work, bringing fortunes to unscrupulous operators of ‘wonder banks’. Most of them, whose intention is to help their relations beat the poverty lane, easily convince them to sign on. ‘’I have brought not less than 100 people who know me personally to my bedroom,’’ an agent, who simply identified himself as Azeez, said. This tight system is to ensure that should the bubble bursts, there would no be no link whatsoever to the real promoters of the ‘wonder banks’ who are the actual beneficiaries. Only the marketers, and sometimes some greedier agents, are known to the investing public. This way, they quickly disappear to another city or state for another ‘harvest’ as they call it. A location or area of operation, it was gathered, is called ‘farmland’ among them. The tricks behind the offers One common feature of ‘wonder banks’ is fantastic promise of returns on investment in a short period of time. This is a deliberate ploy to whet the greed of Nigerians. ‘’If you tell them they will get N10, 000 every month on N100, 000, they won’t bulge. Nigerians love to invest and recoup in no time. So, you have to promise something big in a short time,’’ an operator disclosed. Besides, the initial capital is always something small or affordable. The idea, findings revealed, is to have a mass appeal. With just N10, 000 or N20, 000, the offer will become accessible to most Nigerians. The mass appeal is also to give the scheme broad support base. A large support base, it was learnt, does not only make it popular but also people-oriented. The impression among most depositors is that ‘wonder banks’ are created to help average Nigerians beat poverty. Nigerians who patronise them are mostly average income-earners or artisans. All of these played out last year in Kaduna when the CBN clamped down on operators in the city. Nine illegal fund managers were affected in the raid. They include: Miriam Moses Nigeria Limited; Konquest Investment Ltd; Global Conquest Ltd; Double Leopard; Desort; Wurricat International Ltd; Disok, Bomikvision Global Ltd and Conevest Ltd. Most people frowned at the clampdown, condemning it as a grand ploy to deny them the opportunity of making it big. They alleged connivance among commercial banks to fight ‘wonder banks’ that kept swelling their ranks. Most people, it was learnt, withdrew deposits from conventional banks to make brisk profits with hedge fund managers. The case of Miriam Moses Nigeria Ltd was very instructive. Most people saw it coming as a big relief. The firm, they said, has been doing what government failed to do for years. The firm was

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

The tricksters are back

•Sanusi

•Waziri

“As I am talking to you I have given over 2000 people, who registered with me, loans to start businesses. They register with N4,600. At the end of the day, I give them N20, 000 as loan. I am out to reduce poverty among the ordinary Nigerians. Not too long ago, I distributed 1,200 bags of rice to widows and widowers. I also spent over N30 million to tar Ira road, in Kaduna metropolis, as part of my social responsibility. I renovated many mosques and churches.’’

granting loans with almost zero interest and engaging in many charitable acts. It donated bags of rice to widows and the poor during one Muslim festival. It also constructed an inner-city road believed to have cost over N10million. The freezing of its operational account, many depositors believe was an act of witch-hunting. ‘’Miriam Moses has succeeded in alleviating poverty among many. He has reduced the level of crime in our community and he has succeeded in putting smiles on the faces of workers of defunct textile factories who were, before his coming, swimming in penury’’, Mama Tom, a popular restaurant operator in Nassarawa Market, Chikun local government area of Kaduna State, said. She went on: “What we want from the government is not the sealing or total closure of these investment houses. We want the government to allow them to continue to operate since they are doing what they, the government could not do. The government should only put in place measures that would not allow these people to run. We want them to remain in business’’. Mohammed Lawal, another investor, urged the CBN to defreeze the accounts of Miriam Moses, so that he can pay his depositors. “They should please defreeze it so that he can pay people. Many borrowed money to invest in the business. The authority concerned should have mercy and defreeze his accounts, because many lives are depending on it,” he said. This groundswell of public sympathy is a result of calculated propaganda by the operators. They knew all along that investing public will always kick whenever government’s hammers fall on them. So, they sell the lies that commercial banks are waging war against them because they are helping many people. CBN branch manager in Kaduna, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Gusau, begged to differ. He said: “They ask innocent Nigerians to bring their deposit and that at the end of 25 or 30 days, they will make 100 or 125 percent profit. What kind of business will yield up to that percentage? ‘’All their activities are illegal and must be addressed. They will run at the end of the day, because what these so called banks are doing is illegal. We did not conspire with any bank. What we did was part of our constitutional function’’. But his explanations fell on deaf ears. Not even after the Chief Executive Officer of Miriam Moses, Mr. Moses Samanja Audu, admitted he was operating without license. “I don t have any grudge with the CBN because I don’t have a license. I am now working hard to secure license so that I can continue operations.” On his line of business, he said: “I am into many businesses. As I am talking to you I have given over 2000 people, who registered with me, loans to start businesses. They register with N4,600. At the end of the day, I give them N20, 000 as loan. I am out to reduce poverty among the ordinary Nigerians. Not too long ago, I distributed 1,200 bags of rice to widows and widowers. I also spent over N30 million to tar Ira road, in Kaduna metropolis, as part of my social responsibility. I renovated many mosques and churches.’’ Audu’s explanation is a clever ploy. Most operators are always eager to highlight how much poverty they have fought. They talk about ‘results’ and ‘testimonials’. These testimonials refer to solicited stories of transformation from a few lucky beneficiaries. When Audu said over 2,000 people have received loans from his firm, he failed to state that over 20,000 others got nothing. Investigations revealed that less than 1% of investors get their proceeds back. Unfortunately, the stories of the operators are told over and over again to convince sceptical investors. Most of the pamphlets distributed to market the illegal investment houses come with testimonies from beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are always the earliest investors. The operators know • Continued on page 56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

PAGE 19

Agony of a humour merchant Page 20

At home in Cape Coast • Front view of the Elmina Castle

ARKNESS suddenly enveloped everywhere in a twinkling of an eye. One was only barely seeing the narrow path and people around. There was an eerie feeling among fellow tourists. But curiosity gained the better part of us. We had been told it would be a worthy expedition. Many had planned for days, even months, to come this far. To turn back would be missing out on a lifetime opportunity. And so we proceeded with our hearts in our mouths. After a few minutes of walking through stones and leaves, we finally arrived at the entrance of the canopy walkway. A security post stood perilously ahead. The guide led us to a wooden stair case, which led to the canopy. Finally, we were on the world-famed canopy walkway. The walkway in Kakum National Park, Cape Coast, Ghana, is the only one in Africa. The others are in China, Peru and Malaysia. Built by two Canadians and six Ghanaians, the walkway has a series of long hanging bridges at 40m (130 ft) height. It passes over seven bridges and runs over a length of 330 m (1,080 ft). But there are two other bridges to the left for those too scared to go all the way. On a first look, tourists are bound to be scared. The canopy sits dangerously right on tall trees. But it is firmly secured by nets and wires. Stepping on the wooden planks is really frightening. The canopy swings from left to right, turning everyone around. The unsteady movements made many screamed. But no matter how unsteady the movements are, the canopy stands firm. It takes less than ten minutes to walk through the canopy. But they can be the best ten minutes of one’s life. As one walked on the trees, different sounds of birds are heard. Varying trees arrayed in majestic beauty were also sighted, making one marvelled at the work of nature. The park, according to its

Sunday Oguntola writes on his visit to places of interest while on a week-long vacation in Cape Coast, Ghana

•A toursist on the canopy walkway

managers, contains rare animals, including the endangered Mona- meerkat , as well as pygmy elephants, forest buffalos, civet cats, a wide array of birds, and over 500 species of butterflies. But not one of these was seen. According to the guide, this is because ‘’wild animals are very shy and do not come out during the day’’. But this little disappointment did not take

the shine off the expedition. Varying shapes and shades of trees are available for inexhaustible observation. The park itself is a beauty to behold. Walking through it reveals the innate ability of man to conquer his environment. Despite the presence of man, serious efforts have been made to preserve the natural ambience of the park. It attracts hundreds of visitors from all over the world

on a daily basis. There is also a sleep-over opportunity in the park for daring tourists who insist on seeing the rare animals. Being in the National Park and going through the canopy walkway remains the most gratifying experience of my visit to Cape Coast. When Shirley Asiedu-Addo, a Ghanaian Journalist-friend I attended a fellowship with in the United States, mooted the idea of coming over to Cape Coast for a get-away, I welcomed it with both hands. I saw an opportunity to be in Ghana for the first time. I had heard so much about the country that I wanted desperately to be there for a first-hand experience. She insisted I must see Kakum Park to really enjoy the trip. So, off I went with my wife and son to explore the beauty of nature. The expedition still makes me shudder with amazement. Seeing the relics of slave trade The following day, Shirley’s cousin and his family took us to the castle in the riverine town of Elmina for a first-hand experience of the savagery of slave trade. Elmina castle, as it is called, was built by Portuguese merchants in 1482. The 529-year-old monument was initially a trading post for commodities such as gold, salt and others in the former Gold Coast region. When the Europeans lost interest in commodities, they took to slave trade, making Elmina castle the most important port in Atlantic slave trade. It is the biggest and oldest slave castle in Africa. It was later seized by the Dutch in 1637 who improved on the facility. In 1871, the British Empire took it over. The smell of fish and salt water filled the air as we approached the castle. Commercial activities, especially in the river banks, made traffic move at snail speed. As one drew closer to the castle, fishing boats formed an imposing sight on both sides. They were also net makers, working frantically on churning out fishing •Continued on page 21

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Life

Agony of a humour A

S if acting a drama, he first peeped into the living room, leaning on his walking stick, before he walked in. In his Ijesha native dialect and intonation still undiminished by his advancement in age, the old man croaked the question: “Who is the man looking for me? What can I do for him?” Not waiting to get a reply, he wobbled into the living room and plonked himself down, still holding his walking stick. This is vintage humour merchant, Pa Moses Olaiya Adejumo, more famously known as Baba Sala, his stage name. He has become old. Age and bad health have taken their fair share of him. His goatee has turned grey, completely unlike what it was during his heyday of acting. He can no longer run around or stand on his feet for long, no thanks to arthritis. Yet, one can still see his protruded tummy and this reminds one of the old hilarious song: Baba Sala, gbendu gbendu ikun bi oya. But the protrusion has fairly reduced. Things have changed. Even his humour bag appears empty; it may be a daunting task to attempt to rib as was his wont before the curtain fell. But looking around the living room one could still see what could revive memories of the good, old times in a visitor who is wellacquainted with Baba Sala. The photographs hung on the wall show him in a colonial coat worn on top of a Yoruba flowing robe, agbada, with a big, long bow tie, and a long tobacco pipe in his mouth at a time he was receiving the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) honour from the former Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, in 1978. Another art work shows the painted picture of him with a big bow tie made of a big plank, and the table clock he loved to use as a wrist watch. That was the quintessential Baba Sala. Other pictures and artworks show where he wore his Aladura church regalia as the head of the church where he worships. Above all, his house is filled with archives where you there are old, long playing records, awards and plaques which he has received. But something ails him; he is not happy with the Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners (ANTP). According to him, the leadership of the association disappointed him as they did not fulfil their promise that he would be given N100,000 every month. In a voice laden with grief and anger, he said: “The ANTP in Lagos called me to Lagos in order to honour me and this was organised by Olayinka Olugbenga, a Lagos-based comedian. There at the celebration they promised to be remitting N100,000 into my account every month in appreciation of my contribution to the theatre in Nigeria. But up till now I have not received a kobo.” He continued “They called a press conference in Lagos and showed my family members – one of my wives and two of my children and my humble self – to the whole world that they were going to assist me. They announced it over the radio too that they would be giving me money every month but up till the present time nothing is forthcoming. In fact, I thought of suing them to court, but my children discouraged me. I am not happy at all. It is like they tricked and deceived me. Whereas many thought they are giving me the money and remitting it into my account every month. The amount they donated for me in Lagos then was not up to one million naira. I am not a beggar. But since they have called me to Lagos and told the whole world that they were going to help me I think it’s something they should fulfil.” But how did he come about his stage name, Baba Sala? Adejumo smiled and adjusted his seat, as he responded to the question from the reporter. “That is a stage name. I have no child or wife that bears the name. I only created it. One of my wives, Wosila, was called Kariile on stage, while the other one was called Iya Sala because she was quarrelsome and used to beat and maltreat me. But Kariile on the other hand used to take care of me. But when Iya Sala left our group to join another theatre group, it created a big gap as all our fans were asking after Iya Sala. That was because her role had become popular. I couldn’t cancel it. Therefore, I created another Iya Sala. That was how the name got stuck with me as Baba Sala, and Iya

Pa Moses Olaiya Adejumo (MON), aka Baba Sala, used to be a popular Yoruba theatre artist. He would have loved to remain prominent in the business, but pirates forced him into an early retirement to his home town, Ilesha, Osun State. Taiwo Abiodun who visited him writes

•Baba Sala in his house

Sala. Unfortunately, I learnt that the woman that first played the role of Iya Sala died recently. I was sad. The humour artist who is now a prophet was in his acting days known for his LP records, which were common then. He has not dispensed with them. He revealed that he still has many of them intact. Sounding businesslike, he said he would be ready to strike a deal with any anybody or marketer who is willing to assist him record his old plates into compact

disk. Asked why he has not thought of this until now, he said: “I am no more a young man. I am 75 years old and cannot be going up and down doing all these now. Now, things have changed and I want any good businessman who is interested in converting my plates into CD to come forward and assist me. I have no money to do all these. Yes, I cannot deceive myself; there is no money to do it. I have been willing to convert it into CD. I still have most of my works to be converted and they are comical, educative and full of sense if you listen to them.

You will laugh and crack your ribs.” Some of his famous recorded works include Orun Moru, Are Agbaye, and Mo se bolatan. Baba Sala is sad that the serious fall in stage plays appears to defy any solution. One of the many stunts Baba Sala pulled in his acting days that thrilled his fans took place on the Third Mainland Bridge. There was a •Continued on page 21 If you have any story, contact Taiwo Abiodun on 08034157684

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Life

merchant

•His collection of awards

heavy traffic snarl and he was accused of contributing to the menace. He was booed, insulted and asked to move his car from where he parked it. He then came out of his car and asked the passers-by and the traffic wardens to help him put it on his head. Baba Sala confirmed the story as he too burst into laughter. He said, “Yes, the story was real. I was driving my Mercedes Benz then. There was a serious traffic jam and the ‘Yellow Fever’ accused me of causing it. I could not imagine how there could be traffic jam since there were fewer vehicles then. I thought of what to do. Then an idea came to me. I came out and moulded some clothes and asked the Yellow Fever to carry it and put it on my head. When they then looked at me very well, asking who could have done that, they later discovered it was me. They all burst into laughter and tendered an apology. I •Continued from page 19

nets. Old and young women were carrying baskets containing fish of different sizes and shapes. Further inside the river were fishermen, casting nets for their spoils. After successfully wedging through the human traffic, the castle appeared majestically on a hilltop. Its white colour certainly had seen better days, but its beauty has not faded. Traders and hawkers welcomed tourists, offering different wares. The narrow gate leading to the castle belies its vastness. On a first look, there isn’t much to the castle. Stepping in, however, offers much insight into the cruelty of slave trade. The female section was the first port of call. Here female slaves were kept in a slightly average room. Over 300 of them were sandwiched into the hall without ventilation and illumination. The section has a large compound from where the Governor through his mansion above can assess female slaves for sexual exploration. “Lucky” female slaves were led to the Governor’s mansion through a wooden stair case. A tiny pathway was created where recalcitrant ones were executed for refusing to see the governor. Many who yielded eventually got pregnant and were sent to the adjoining sections of the town for delivery. Their children grew up to replace them many

then went into the car and drove away. That was in the late 70s.” The discussion shifted to his stolen film which brought him financial ruination. Confirming the disturbing episode, he said he would like to forget it completely. After some persuasion by this reporter, he caved in: “It was Orun Mooru film. It was stolen and we eventually got it. The person that stole it really dealt with me. It landed me in a huge debt. It was a lot of money then. I borrowed money to finance the film. But after producing the film, somebody stole it and that was the beginning of my trouble as I fell into a huge debt. I borrowed the money from the bank. Later, in order to return the money, I sold my house at Mushin, in Lagos. The bank I took the loan from kept on pestering my life. It was not easy. I sold my two storey building. It was my lawyer who

advised me to sell it in order to offset my debt. However, I will not forget people like the late Obafemi Awolowo who assisted me. It was his bank that I used to obtain the loan. I have settled the JMJ Johnson’s children (JMJ of National Council of Nigeria and Camroons). I thank God.” On why he relocated to Ilesha, the old man gazed at the ceiling as if looking for an answer. He thought for a while and said in his native tongue: ule ni ule uje, wa saa pada sule (home is the best, one will still go back home). He added: “when I left Lagos, I relocated to Ibadan where I spent 10 years and from there I retired to my home town, Ilesha. You cannot compare anywhere with your home town. This place is peaceful I must confess.” But has he been doing other business to complement his acting? “Yes, I have a hotel

The thrills, frills of Cape Coast years later. The female room has a narrow entrance, which can only admit one slave at a time. Also in the compound is a deep well, which was abandoned after the Dutch took over for fears that it might have been poisoned. Under the Portuguese, it provided water for domestic use. Another slightly bigger room for women stood right under the governor’s mansion. There, many of them were said to have died from exhaustion. Tied down for many months, many of them lost the stamina to even stand up to excrete or urinate in a plastic provided nearby. So, they just defecated in the room. Till date, the room still reeks of human wastes. The place of no return is right beside the female section. There, slaves deemed fit and strong were moved into waiting ships for the journey to the lands of no return. There is a waiting gate where male and female slaves met for the first time in the castle. This brief meeting turned out to be the last as they were taken to different parts of the world from there. A tiny gate leads straight down to the sea where ships were anchored very close to the fortified castle.

In the same compound lies the Governor’s mansion where opulence and comfort contrasts sharply with the deprivations right under his nose. It is a large expanse of rooms with kitchen, study and a balcony. Close by is the church for worship. The rooms lead to the sea coast where the Governor could easily escape should there be an attack. Right atop his mansion is the watchtower where invading armies could be stopped several miles away. Metal-made missiles and ballistics are strategically placed in different parts of the tower to repeal attacks. This way, the slave masters were able to maintain their tyrannical rule within and outside. The male section was even more insufferable. Deliberate attempts were made to erect smaller gates and stronger security measures to prevent escape. Many of them, according to the guide, died right in the castle. The 529-year-old castle is still a strong edifice. The architectural design remains a masterpiece. The interconnectedness of the rooms and other facilities reveals the ingenuity of the Europeans. One could not but shed some tears for the inhuman

called Alawada Guest House and it is in Ibadan and Ilesha. They are Christian Guest Houses from where I am earning my little income. I also have a church, Cherubim and Seraphim church here at Idasa, in Ilesha, where they give me some allowance for my upkeep,” he revealed happily. When asked whether he responds to those who call him Baba Sala in his church, he laughed and replied, “Ha, ha! No o! They don’t call me Baba Sala in the church o. They call me Baba Aladura,” asking the reporter, “What kind of person are you? But what informed his choice of taking to the pulpit? The man of comedy said he was born into the Cherubim and Seraphim church. According to him, “I was even attending the church when I was acting. It is not new. Now that I am here in my town I am happy. The church is progressing and I am the leader of the church.” Baba Sala recalled that he did not start his early life acting. He started as a musician. He said, “before I started acting I was singing and beating drum. The Afro beat juju King Sunny Ade started his musical career with me before he went to set up his band. I was the one that even taught him how to play guitar. On how he came about the laughterinducing costumes he used, Baba Sala said when he started he had wanted to do something different and unique from what others were doing and therefore had no choice but to go the extra mile. “I designed my costumes by myself and since I am no longer acting due to my poor health and I have no energy again to use them, I have left them for my children. They are the ones using them since many of them are into acting and singing,” he croaked. He also spoke on why he married many wives who gave birth to many children. His words: “I have eight wives and 30 children, which of course was not my fault. When we were still in active play and these girls appeared on stage, parents and the audience called them prostitutes and nobody would like to marry them. So, I decided to marry them.” But whatever good he derived from the polygamous loop, he would not want any of his children to journey along that part. Some of his children, he said, are into music and are showing great promises. For having children who are taking care of him in his old age, Baba Sala has cause to be: “I am happy that my children are really taking care of me. One of them bought a car for me. One of them too works with the Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC). So, I have cause to thank God.” The aged one had his happiest moment. He recalled: “My happiest moment was when I was honoured with the MON honour.” But the fact no cash came with it as it is done now is worrisome to him. “It was after my own set that they started giving those after us cash along with their honours. I am not very close to the present Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, but wherever he is I am begging him to please pay me my dues on the MON,” he quipped. treatment meted out to those Africans as one was conducted round this magnificent castle. There is also the Cape Coast castle, which is slightly smaller than Elmina. It was built by Swedish traders right in the centre of the town. There is more to Cape Coast But Cape Coast is not just about Atlantic slave trade. It has beautiful beaches that attract tourists on a daily basis. The city boasts hundreds of hotels and resort centres catering for tourists’ needs. There are also many departmental stores and local cafeterias. Its good road network makes moving around effortless. The beaches, wild life centres, hotels, and even the serene atmosphere, make the city alluring. Being the former capital of Gold Coast, it has many schools and institutions. Leading the pack is the University of Cape Coast (UCC) founded by the late Kwame Nkrumah. UCC is Ghana’s leading university in teaching and research. There are also many leading schools such as Wesley Girls High School, St. Augustine College, Adisadel College (ADISCO), Aggrey Memorial Senior High School, Ghana National College, Cape Coast Technical Institute and Cape Coast Polytechnics. In all, the serenity of Cape Coast is one good reason why it keeps attracting tourists all round the year. I left feeling good.

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Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER4, 2011

WEIRD INFO www.twitter.com/ritaohai Keeping tabs on people and events in cyber space

VOX POP

• Late Rahma

• Mourning family members

Victim of un house car bomb attack buried in abuja

HERE was free flowing tears and wailing today as the remains of one of the staff of United Nations (UN), Rahma Abdullahi, who lost her life during the last week bomb attack on the headquarters of UN in Nigeria was laid to rest at Gwarinpa burial ground in Abuja. The body of the slain staff was brought by an ambulance from National Hospital around 12.30pm with friends and relatives weeping profusely as the charred body of the victim was lowered in the grave. According to saharareporters.com, the deceased body was said to

have been identified by her head as the remaining part of the body were mutilated beyond recognition as a result of the impact of the bomb. The burial was conducted according to Islamic rites by , Imam Isah Olaofe the Chief Missioner of the Ansarudeen, Abuja Branch. Friends and relatives who could not control their emotions were seen rolling on the ground and raining curses on the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Comments: Fisayo Aladesanmi A victim of an avoidable tragedy.

Umaru For God sake what have the perpetrators of this evil achieved by inflicting pains on the family and friends of the deceased? All those that are involved in this evil will never have peace in their lives. May their generations be cursed for ever. May the perpetrators of this evil never have peace in their lives, and may they and their generation be cursed for life. Olusola Arigbede May the good Lord grant their loved ones fortitude to bear this great loss and may her soul and dat of others rest in perfect peace, Amen.

Man calls his 12 fingers and 12 toes a ‘blessing’

O A N D R I H e r n a n d e z Garrido’s nickname comes from the six perfectly formed fingers on each of his hands and the six impeccable toes on each foot. Hernandez is proud of his extra digits and calls them a blessing, saying they set him apart and enable him to make a living by scrambling up palm trees to cut coconuts and posing for photographs in this eastern Cuban city popular with tourists. One traveler paid $10 for a picture with him, Hernandez said, a bonanza in a country with an average salary of just $20 a month. “It’s thanks to my 24 digits that I’m able to make a living, because I have no fixed job,” Hernandez said. Known as polydactyly, Hernandez’s condition is relatively common, but it’s rare for the extra digits to be so perfect. Anyone who glanced quickly at his hands would be hard-pressed to notice anything different unless they paused and started counting. Hernandez said that as a boy he was visited by a prominent Cuban orthopedist who is also one of Fidel Castro’s doctors, and he declared that in all his years of travel he had never seen such a case of wellformed polydactyly. “He was very impressed when he saw my fingers,” said Hernandez, who is the only one in his family to be born with extra digits. In a part of the world

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where people’s physical traits are often the basis for nicknames — even unflattering ones like “fatty” or “shorty” — “veinticuatro” (“twenty-four” in English) is not an insult but rather a term of endearment, and Hernandez, now 37, said his uniqueness has made him a popular guy. He has a 10-year-old son with a woman who now lives in Havana, and his current girlfriend is expecting his second child. “Since I was young, I understood that it was a privilege to have 24 digits. Nobody has ever discriminated against me for that,” he said. “On the contrary, people admire me and I am very proud. I have a million friends, I live well.” Nevertheless, it occasionally caused confusion growing up. “One day when I was in primary school, a teacher asked me how much was five plus five?” Hernandez recalled. “I was very young, kind of shy, and I didn’t say anything. She told me to

count how many fingers I had, so I answered, “12!” “The teacher was a little upset, but it was the truth,” he said. Hernandez said he hopes he can be an example to children with polydactyly that there’s nothing wrong with them. “I think it’s what God commanded,” he said. “They shouldn’t feel bad about anything, because I think it’s one of the greatest blessings and they’ll be happy in life.” S o u r c www.msnbc.msn.com

DID YOU KNOW... …that a Crocodile’s tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth.? …that a kangaroo can't jump unless its tail is touching the ground? …that a group of owls is called a parliament? …that Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined?

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Isn’t she just cute!!! Notice the make-up on her face and cellphone in her hand. Source: www.facebook.com

23 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

•National Troupe creative children on stage

T is only a few trained adults or those naturally gifted to tolerate and stomach the rascality of kids that really know how to handle them. It is even more difficult or confounding when it comes to making them conform, learn their lines, sing and dance and generally appear on stage to entertain the audience. This was what the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) has been able to do, with the programme, Children’s Creative Station, which just took place at the National Theatre, Lagos. Last weekend was when the over 100 children who participated in this year’s summer creative station mounted the stage to dramatise what they had been taught for about one month. It was not so much as to bring the kids on stage to play roles to impress the audience, but the convincing aspects of what they were able to do to prove that the time spent to put them together wasn’t a waste. They were truly marvelous, creating laughter here and there as they marshaled out their points on stage. The children coming from different backgrounds, schools and locations blended very well. When they went on stage to play Whispers in the Dark written by Noel Greig, not too many people believed they could do it. Although a few of them jumped through their lines and managed to deliver what they were taught, it was clear that many of them showed enough zeal and focus to be good actors and actresses in the future. The programme was a positive diversion to create other avenues for the kids to forget summer coaching. In the areas of dance, drama, singing et al, the likes of Vera Kpere Daibo, who was also outstanding last year, showed that the

In their own world This year’s Children’s Creative Station packaged by the National Troupe of Nigeria, finally berthed at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, last weekend. Edozie Udeze reports. children loved to be their own persons. When Vera stepped onto the stage to sing, her voice, composure and person proved beyond doubts that she is set to be her own person in the future. She’s a great artiste in the making. In order to make the Whispers on the Dark a wonderful show, the National Troupe quickly infused a few side attractions into the programme. It was in that wise that little Uchechi Obiora was discovered. At 6 years of age, Uchechi dances like a professional artiste who does not need too much prodding to demonstrate herself on stage. Her dance style was not only assertive and evocative, her steps were mature and authoritative. Uchechi was eager to convince the audience that she was not forcing herself to be a dancer. For her, it was a natural gift so that when she finished, Martin Adaji, the Artistic Director of the Troupe was moved to take her in his arms and declared, “This is our new sensation, our new discovery. The Troupe knows how to discover new talents and develop them. Uchechi is no exception. We will nurture this dream, for here we have a great dream in her.” At this, Uchechi equally giggled, her eyes darting. Directed by Josephine Igberaese, the play dwells on the essence of story telling, a culture that is fast fading away from our

climes. A certain set of giants, now decreed that stories should no longer be told. But those who were custodians of these stories did not want to succumb to this unfortunate threat. This was what the children dwelt on, devising different modes to tell their stories. Their crafts on stage, their abilities to prove that they could do it, that they could be good actors and actresses was so glaring for all to see. Igberaese and her team were able to hold the kids together. The cohesion was good, even though a lot more should have been done to bridge some loose ends on stage. The set design created by Biodun Abe was what brought out the total beauty of the drama. Abe had carefully set a stage, with water fountain on black rocks. The big layers that served as moonlight platform. The black background was to depict both a village ambience and a sorrowful setting where the kids lived in dread of the giants. The huge frame of the giants depicted on the rock formation was a story on its own. Abe said it was a careful creation just to tell the story. Adorned in their colourful costumes, with the drummers beating to maddening frenzy, the stage was agog with children all over the stage. As this was the second edition of the show, it was possible for the National Troupe to extend its invitation to other states of the Federation. That

indeed gave a true national outlook to the programme participants came from as far as Asaba, Delta State, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Abeokuta, Ogun State and lots more. Adaji said the show is to help make the kids feel a sense of belonging. “In them are hidden talents which we hope to discover and develop. As you can see, we have new sensations here this year,” he finally submitted. Igberaese noted that the time she spent with the kids opened her eyes more to the inner workings of their minds. According to her, “the one month spent will be one of the most memorable times in the lives of the kids. The station is a collection of children from all backgrounds and walks of life. It is hoped that the bond of friendship and teamwork achieved will be lasting and have positive impact on each child,” She affirmed that the dream of the creation of the show is to encourage and nurture talents in young children, who otherwise will not have the avenue to develop their talents outside the walls of a formal school. “Therefore the dream envisaged by the Troupe is that children who are talented will be able to follow their dreams and explore other latent talents, thereby providing the creative industry with fresh and new talents to sustain the fast developing entertainment industry in the various genres of the art,” she said.

Arts

E has a clear mental picture of what he wants to be in life. Not for him the indecision that clutters the minds of many in his age. He is unmistaken about the need to contribute meaningfully to the overall development of mankind. The few roles he has played in life as a young boy stand him out as one whose watchword is excellence. Though he is yet to be inaugurated into the enduring thoughts of William Shakespeare, his notion of ambition tallies with the bard’s – ambition must be made of sterner stuff. That is the story of Ajayi Joshua Ayomide whose performance in the Music Theory exam conducted recently by the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in its May 2011 diet is exceptional. The MUSON Centre has two diets every year. The other diet comes up in November. Among the old and the young candidates who sat for the exam he emerged the best with 100%. His feat was not a product of fluke. Through sheer diligence and solid determination, the auspicious 12-year-old lad was able to achieve the excellence that he learnt should be the aim of every student of King’s College Lagos. A product of good breeding, this JSS1 student of King’s College, Lagos, was effusive in his praise for those he identified as responsible for his outstanding success in the exam. Delivering his words in slow, measured cadences, he said he was grateful to God, his parents and school for being instrumental to his success. “I feel happy and I thank God for enabling my parents and my school to help me. I thank God for my parents who encouraged me to do the exam. I thank my dad who always takes me along with him to his shows. I thank my principal principal ‘Dele Olapeju who always tells us that we are always on top and so we should learn and behave like a King’s man. He tells us that a King’s man is always on top and always scores 100%. Anytime he says this to us I determine in my mind that I will always score 100%,” he chimed. Preparing for the exam wasn’t something that happened in just a week. Accompanying his father to his musical outings and benefitting richly overtime from watching him train candidates for music exams indirectly prepared him for the exam. So, when it was time to participate in the exam, all he did was to pick his father’s brain during the different periods of reading and revision. In his virginal voice, he spoke about this: “Before I went to boarding

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

A King’s man in pursuit of excellence

•Ajayi (left) performing as a lead recorder player

By Ademola Adesola

school, I used to follow my daddy to the classes where he prepared candidates for music exams. He would ask me to sit down there with them and listen to the teaching. I found it interesting anytime I was there in those places. I learnt many things there. I stopped going with him when I went to boarding house. Before I came back from boarding house, my father had already registered me for the music exam. He then gave

•Joshua Ajayi

PHOTO: Olusegun Rapheal

me some past questions and made sure that I answered them. He also revised with me”. Winning laurels in music exam is just not the end for Ayomide. His confidence in the therapeutic power of music is deep. This lead recorder player is convinced that music will play no mean role in helping him succeed in his career. He is very passionate about his ambition of becoming a medical doctor and pastor. Speaking with a sense of confidence, he deadpanned: “Music is part of my best subjects. When I grow up, I

would like to include music in my career. My ambition is to be a medical doctor while a pastor. Music heals both mind and soul. A doctor heals the body and a pastor heals the soul. As a doctor, if I am treating a patient who is not responding to treatment and I try all I know without solution, I can use music. I can sing to the person and the patient will be joyful. I believe such patient may respond to treatment that way”. This explains why he is not flippant with his training as a keyboardist. He is not doing badly in his studies in school. He is known in school for the different roles he plays. If he is not representing the Hyde-Johnson House during inter-house competition, he is certainly participating in debate competition. At the church too where he was a children pastor before he gained admission to King’s College, he takes part in such activities as choreography, drama and preaching. All of these activities, Ayomide observed, would contribute to his emergence as a man of many parts who would be remembered for impacting humanity immensely. His father, Pastor Timilehin Ajayi, said he was thrilled by his son’s performance. Though he didn’t score 100% when he did the same exams many months ago, he maintained that Ayomide is a chip off the old block. “He is taking after me,” he crooned with paternal delight. Confirming his son’s statement, he said, “When he was young, and even before he started his primary school education, I usually take him with me to MUSON Centre for my performances. It’s been in his blood and he has been growing with music. I registered him when he was in boarding house. Fortunately, he had mid-term break then and within one week I prepared him for the MUSON exam. I believe this is just the starting point because he will still need to attain greater height in music in order to complement his life ambition. Pastor Ajayi studied music and he has been actively involved in training people. He is the founder of the private music school called Calvary School of Church Music. Ayomide’s performance in the MUSON exam, he noted, was an attestation to the quality of the training he avails the people he trains. Speaking of his paternal readiness to nurse the seed of music in his son to fruition, the music consultant to King’s College said assuredly: “I will be ready to support him to the best of my ability as much as God will help him. Music will help him to achieve his life ambition. It will not affect his normal academic work”.

CBAAC, UNESCO mark abolition of slave trade

S people and organizations gathered for events in remembrance of Slave Trade and its abolition around the world, Director- General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Professor Tunde Babawale has stressed the need to keep issues of Slave Trade and its reverberating effects on the entire continent in constant focus. In a statement on the occasion of the 2011 International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition, Babawale said the effects of the forced migration and dispersion of Africans outside the continent brought untold hardships not only to direct victims of the dehumanizing trade, but also to their people and entire black race. Babawale, who traced the significance of August 23rd of every year, declared by UNESCO as the International Year for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and Its Abolition, to the 1791 revolt of slaves in Santo Domingo, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said the revolt is an enduring emblem of emancipation all over the world. He noted that while this remembrance brings painful memories, the black race should be consoled by the significant contributions made by slaves and those being made by their descendants to the development of their new environment, the African continent and the entire world. He therefore described the remembrance as an opportunity to reflect deeply on the negative consequences of slavery and slave trade in order to draw attention to the trauma of this past and the imperative of removing every vestige of this trade and its effects from modern societies. The CBAAC DG said one of the factors that fuelled slave trade is the perception of the culture of other people as inferior, especially by those who see others as commodities to be sold into slavery. He therefore encouraged people to understand and appreciate the cultures of one another in order to promote greater understanding. He said this was the focus of his organization and has informed the theme of

the 7th CBAAC International Conference which is, ‘Multiculturalism and the Prospects for Africa and African Diaspora Development’ scheduled for the State University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

HAT is the significance of the symbol of animism in your work where a man kills a leopard and turns out to be a

man? My book is about ordinary people. Those who read the African mythology would find that being alive in Africa is not different from being dead, vice versa. Being seen is not different from not seen. You find those that have the powers turn into leopards, birds (Eye), snakes etc. all those things are acts. The masquerades are acts of the people and by the time you realise how these things are done you find out that it so simple and probably so scientific that anybody could do it. Most of these things you get involved in are termed the ‘child of the devil’. And you take the shortest ticket to hell based on the way we understand religion. You used leopard in your story but there are no leopard in Africa? The cats’ family is a very large one. Many people mistake tiger for leopard. Tigers never lived in Africa. Leopards lived in Africa. That is why I queried a translation in one of Wole Soyinka’s books where he referred to Ekun as tiger because Tiger was never in Africa. But the more we research the more we find some of these things. Maybe because of my interest in the environment and what I write about was how I discover these things. The reason why they lived in Yoruba and Igbo lands and lions in the northern parts is because lion cannot climb trees. Leopards are fond of killing their prey and take up trees to consume it. Those who live in Enugu, Ebonyi, middle belt, lower savannah and some part of the rain forest have the intermingling of lion and leopard and that is where the words in Igbo Odum N’bu Agwu comes from. Odum is the lion and Agwu is the leopard. Lion is the only animal that leopard fears. There is this rapid modernization of Nigeria.

from November 8-10, 2011. The Conference is also CBAAC’s response to the proclamation of Year 2011 as the International Year of People of African Descent by UNESCO. The choice of

Bahia, Professor Babawale said, was also informed by the centrality of the Brazilian city to Africa and African Diaspora History.

The gods are angry Culture activist Odili Ujubuonu is out with Pride of the Spider Clan published by Jalaa Writers’ Collective. He speaks on his book, culture and more with. EVELYN OSAGIE. Since the Igbo worship the earth what would their gods say about Eko Atlantic where they to reclaim land from the sea? 70 per cent of the ways environmental issues are being solved today are actually the traditional ways that Africans solve Eco problems. In Igbo land, there is a place called Obo River in Nnewi area. It is a stretch of about 5 kilometres. It has natural clear water, but the people of that area turned the river into a natural conservation. They don’t fish on, kill crocodiles in, with animals live around or cut trees near the river till date. Once a while, some people float it. And when they do, either a crocodile would bite someone or something strange happens. This is the way they preserve the animals, trees around it. Also when you cut a tree in the traditional Igbo society, especially for economic purpose, you are supposed to replant that tree. For example, for you to tap wine tomorrow, you must replant the one that you cut down today. There are host of others. They deified these rivers and forest, calling them gods but are trying to protect and preserve it and everything that is there. Because in other rivers people can go fish in them but not these rivers, and call them certain names. As far as I am concerned, they relate to environmental issues. The earth was so important that they deified it. You find these elements in my works. The river belongs to the earth because the earth can sack a river and it becomes dry. But when humans begin to reclaim the sea using the earth

to fill it, the gods would be angry. How did you come about this depth in your traditional history; did you grow up in the village? A close friend of mine asked me about some of the epitaph I wrote in my books. I told him I am a conscript of the muse. I did not grow up in the village. This is not part of my immediate experience. I grew up in Lagos. But one day I had an encounter. An old woman appeared to me in my dream and said I should enter a boat. She said to me ‘Come, enter this boat and I would take you to a place where I would show you how to write stories.’ And I said ‘No. I like paddling my boat here. You go. Then, I started writing.’ I am catholic and being catholic I have a lot issues. My father was one of those who brought Catholicism into my family and village. Suddenly we realise that when the white people and priest whom they trained left, our own priest are now the ones destroying shrine our fathers never destroyed. They started seeing witches on tress. And so they went cutting down treeses that have lived long before they were born. They destroyed our mmou (masquerades), cultures and every other aspect of our lives. It was when these things happened, I responded with literature. We are worshippers of Ani, those of my uncles who refused to be Christians when they died had no one to carry out their burial rites. So mine is to retrieve what is being lost and I can never deny my people on what belong to them, even though, I am a son of a difficult experience.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

CIENTISTS have contended that indeed, human activities through the years have affected environment. From bush burning to emission of poisonous gases and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, the earth is threatened by man activities, leading to issues such as desertification, global warming, and even medical problems. But while the causes of these problems have been traced, stemming such environmentally harmful practices has been a constant challenge for mankind. And a crucial part of the clean-up effort is in the area of regulation. Hence, it is in understanding the legal framework surrounding protection of the environment that the book, The Environment: Law and Management in Nigeria, written by Promise Adewusi, a lecturer at University of Lagos, comes in handy. According to the book, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (FEPA Act) of 1988 defines the environment to include ‘... water, air, land and all plants and human beings or animals living therein and the interrelationships which exist among these or any of them.’ With industrialisation and development came waste and effluents which though harmful to the environment were hitherto never paid much attention. For instance it took the 1988 dumping of toxic waste in Koko, Delta State for the country to realise its laws protecting the environment were obsolete. Following from this, the author, who was the immediate past national president of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and deputy president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), identifies and discusses man’s legal responsibilities in protecting the environment. The book delves into the legislations and judicial pronouncement concerning environmental protection starting from the country’s Minerals Act of 1916.

Books

Cleaning the air with laws The author notes that as these laws were passed, they quickly became incapable of meeting the constant challenges posed by man on the environment. When the author discussed the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act of 1979, he writes ‘It is regrettable that the fine imposed for gas flaring under the Act is unimaginably the sum of 2 kobo for every 28.317 scm (standard cubic metre).’ And despite the fact that the Act stipulated that gas flaring should stop by 1984, gas flaring continues till date. In fact, the exploration of oil which is Nigeria’s mainstay has been identified as a source of environmental degradation.’ The author also gives an overview on international laws on environmental protection. He starts his discourse with the London International Convention on Prevention of Sea Pollution which was reached in 1954 and which Nigeria became a signatory to on 22nd April, 1968. The author stated that this act, ‘prompted the Nigerian government to enact certain legislations like Oil in Navigable Waters Act of 1968 which prohibits the discharge of oil pollutants in the sea bed, 30 nautical miles from the contiguous zone.’ He also discusses different international laws, the recent being the Kyoto Protocol which was signed in 1997 by more than 130 countries, including Nigeria. Adewuyi identifies how some legal principles - the principle of Locus Standi, principle of causation, and the principle of restitution in integrum can be legal constraints in pursuing cases related to environmental

Talking poetry D

ENJA Abdullahi, former National General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) is set to present to the public, two of his latest poetry collections, The Talking Drum and A Thousand Years of Thirst. The Talking Drum is a collection of poems written with the young ones in mind. The subjects of the poems cover the rich history, culture and heritage of the people of Nigeria. The book tells our story as a people; our arts, crafts, magic and the splendour of our multicultural heritage. The poems with coloured illustrations are rendered in an enobling and elevated language that will interest school going children and youths in search of appreciative ways they can relate to their cultural heritage. In a A Thousand Years of Thirst, Denja Abdullahi continues his crusade of popularizing poetry with rhythmic story-telling propensities and wonderful navigation around subjects that yield to the intense gaze and somewhat radical defamiliarisation of a tested

poet. A Thousand Years of Thirst indeed creates a thirst in the reader for more poetry which communicates, inspires, elevates and foregrounds the diversity of the human mind and experience as many of the poems in the collection show. The presentation is scheduled to take place on the 15 th of September,2011 at the auditorium of the Raw Material Research and Development Council,17 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Abuja from 10:30am with many literary activities lined up to take place at the event. The occasion is expected to be chaired by Dr Abraham Nwankwo, the Director General of the Debt Management Office and assisted by Dr Wale Okediran, Former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors. The host is Dr Jerry Agada, National President, ANA, and Chief Host being M.M Maidugu, Executive Director/CEO National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja.Among all the other special guests expected at the occasion, distinguished members of the literati and the culture sector where the author belongs are to grace the event.

pollution. Describing how the strict application of the principle of Locus Standi (having ‘’sufficient interest’ over and above that others, worth protecting by the law’) could be evil, the author refers to the case of Jimoh Lawani & Sons V West African Portland Cement Co. Ltd where the defendants contaminated the water source of the plaintiff’s locality by releasing into it, ‘fumes, dust, sewage, and slurries’ which caused ‘death and health complications.’ However, the claims of the plaintiff were thrown out because the ‘plaintiffs were unable to prove that the damage was peculiar to them.’ Perhaps, for easy reference, the book ends with an addendum containing the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, the Federal Environmental Protection Act and even a prototype form A of the National Environment Protection Regulations 1991. Though The Environment: Law and Management in Nigeria offers refreshing titbits of important information about laws regarding the environment, it is hardly a book for leisure reading. It is likely to be favoured among academics and activists, given its stiff writing style, academic presentations, plentiful references couched around a plethora of cases. Title: The Environment: Law and Management in Nigeria Author: Promise A. K. Adewuyi Publishers: Hybrid Consult, Lagos Year of publication: 2011 Number of pages: 315 Reviewer: Joe Agbro Jr.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Arts

1st Chapter The last priest on the run

R. Tench went out to look for his either cylinder, into the blazing Mexican sun and the bleaching dust. A few vultures looked down from the roof with shabby indifference: he wasn’t carrion yet. A faint feeling of rebellion stirred in Mr. Tench’s heart, and he wrenched up a piece of the road with splintering fingernails and tossed it feebly towards them. One rose and flapped across the town: over the tiny plaza, over the bust of an ex-president, ex-general, ex-human being, over the two stalls which sold mineral water, towards the river and the sea. It wouldn’t find anything there: the sharks looked after the carrion on that side, Mr. Tench went on across the plaza. He said ‘Buenos dias’ to a man with a gun who sat in a small patch of shade against a wall. But it wasn’t like England: the man said nothing at all, just stared malevolently up at Mr. Tench, as if he had never had any dealings with the foreigner, as if Mr. Tench were not responsible for his two gold bicuspid teeth. Mr. Tench went sweating by, past the Treasury which had once been a church, towards the quay, Half-way across he suddenly forgot what he had come out for – a glass of mineral water? That

During an anti-clerical purge in one of the southern states of Mexico, he is hunted like a hare. Too human for heroism, too humble for martyrdom, the little worldly ‘whisky priest’ is nevertheless impelled towards his squalid Calvary as much by his own compassion for humanity as by the efforts of his pursuers. was all there was to drink in this prohibition state – except beer, but that was a government monopoly and too expensive except on special occasions. As awful feeling of nausea gripped Mr. Tench in the stomach – it couldn’t have been mineral water he wanted. Of course his either cylinder… the boat was in. He had heard its exultant piping while he lay on his bed after lunch. He passed the barbers’ and two dentists’ and came out between a warehouse and the customs on to the river bank. The river went heavily by towards the sea between the banana plantations; the General Obregon was tied up to the bank, and beer was being unloaded – a hundred cases were already stacked upon the quay. Mr. Tench stood in the shade of the customs house and thought: what am I here for? Memory drained out of him in the heat. He gathered his bile together and spat forlornly into the sun. Then he sat down on a case and waited. Nothing to do. Nobody would come to see him before five. The General Obregon was about thirty yards long. A few

feet of damaged rail, one lifeboat, a bell hanging on a rotten cord, an oil-lamp in the bow, she looked as if she might weather two or three more Atlantic years, if she didn’t strike a Norther in the gulf. That, of course, would be the end of her. It didn’t really matter: everybody was insured when he bought a ticket, automatically. Half adozen passengers leant on the rail, among the hobbled turkeys, and stared at the port, the warehouse, the empty baked street with the dentists and the barbers. Mr. Tench heard a revolver holster creak just behind him and turned his head. A customs officer was watching him angrily. He said something which Mr. Tench did not catch. ‘Pardon me.’ Mr. Tech said. ‘My teeth,’ the customs man said indistinctly. ‘Oh,’ Mr. Tench said, ‘yes, your teeth.’ The man had none: that was why he couldn’t talk clearly. Mr. Tench had removed them all. He was shaken with nausea – something was wrong – worms, dysentery … He said, ‘The set is nearly finished. Tonight,’ he promised wildly.

It was, of course, quite impossible; but that was how one lived, putting off everything. The man was satisfied: he might forget, and in any case what could he do? He had paid in advance. That was the whole world to Mr. Tench: that heat and the forgetting, the putting off till tomorrow, if possible cash down – for what? He stared out over the slow river: the fin of a shark moved like a periscope at the river’s mouth. In the course of years several ships had stranded and they now helped to prop up the bank, the smoke-stacks leaning over like guns pointing at some distant objective across the banana trees and the swamps. Mr. Tench thought: ether cylinder: I nearly forgot. His mouth fell open and he began moodily to count the bottles of Cerveza Moctezuma. A hundred and forty cases. Twelve times a hundred and forty: the heavy phlegm gathered in his mouth: twelve fours are forty-eight. He said aloud in English, ‘My God, a pretty one’: twelve hundred, sixteen hundred and eighty: he

spat, staring with vague interest at a girl in the bows of the General Obregon – a fine thin figure, they were generally so thick, brown eyes, of course, and the inevitable gleam of the gold tooth, but something fresh and young… Sixteen hundred and eighty bottles at a peso a bottle. Somebody whispered in English, ‘What did you say?’ Mr. Tench swiveled round. ‘You English?’ he asked in astonishment, but at the sight of the round and hollow face charred with a three-days’

beard, he altered his question: ‘You speak English?’ Yes, then man said, he spoke a little English. He stood stiffly in the shade, a small man dressed in a shabby dark city suit, carrying a small attaché case. He had a novel under his arm: bits of an amorous scene stuck out, crudely coloured. He said, ‘Excuse me. “I thought just now you were talking to me.’ He had protuberant eyes; he gave an impression of unstable hilarity, as if perhaps he had been celebrating a birthday, alone.

Nobel Greats

Jose‘ Saramago

Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature 1998 “Who with parables sustained by imagination, compassion and irony continually enables us once again to apprehend an elusory reality”

Born: 16 November 1922, Azinhaga, Portugal Died: 18 June 2010, Lanzarote, Spain Residence at the time of the award: Portugal Language: Portuguese

WRITER of prose, from a working-class background, his first major success did not come until he was 60. Since then he has attracted a great deal of attention and frequently been translated. Saramago’s Manual of Painting and Calligraphy: A Novel, which was published as early as 1977, provides a key to what was to come. Its basic theme is the genesis of the artist, of a painter as well as a writer. It can to a great extent be read autobiographically, but in its exuberance it embraces the theme of love, ethical issues, impressions from the author’s travels and reflections on the individual and society. The liberation following the fall of the Salazar regime in 1974 provides an illuminating closing vignette. Saramago’s breakthrough came in 1982 with his novel Baltasar and Blimunda. This is a rich, multifaceted and polysemous text that at the same time has a historical, a social and an individual perspective. The insight and wealth of imagination to which it gives expression is

characteristic of Saramago’s works as a whole. The Italian composer Corghi based his opera “Blimunda” on this novel. One of Saramago’s major achievements is The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, which was published in 1984. Formally the events take place in 1936 in Lisbon during the dictatorship, but there is a skilfully evoked atmosphere of unreality. This is accentuated by the repeated visits made by the dead poet Fernando Pessoa to the protagonist (who is himself one of Pessoa’s creations) and their conversations about the conditions of existence. On his final visit, they leave the world together. The writer uses a typical device in The stone Raft, published in 1986. A series of supernatural events culminates in the severance of the Iberian peninsula so that it starts to float into the Atlantic, initially heading for the Azores. The situation that Saramago devises provides him with ample opportunity to comment, in his own very personal way, on both trivial and important aspects of life and to ironise

about the authorities and politicians, perhaps especially about the major players in power politics. Saramago’s acumen is at the service of wisdom. There is good reason also to mention The History of the Siege of Lisbon (1989), a novel about a novel. The narrative derives from the wilful addition by a proof-reader of the word, an impulse that reverses the course of historical events and at the same time provides the author with scope for his inventiveness and delight in narrative without preventing him from delving deeply. The Gospel According to Jesus Christ from 1991, a novel about the life of Jesus, contains in its outspokenness memorable reflections on important issues. God and the Devil negotiate about evil. Jesus questions his role and challenges God. A recent novel adds appreciably to Saramago’s literary stature. It was published in 1995 and has the title Blindness: A Novel. Its omniscient narrator takes us on a horrific journey through the interface created by individual

human perceptions and the spiritual accretions of civilisation. Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clearsightedness find full expression in this irrationally engaging work. “Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don’t think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.” His most recent novel is All the Names. It deals with a minor official in a population registration office of almost metaphysical dimensions. He becomes obsessed with one of the names and begins to track it down with a tragic conclusion. Saramago’s idiosyncratic development of his own resonant style of fiction gives him a high standing. For all his independence, Saramago invokes tradition in a way that in the current state of things can be described as radical. His oeuvre resembles a series of projects, with each one more or less disavowing the others but all involving a new attempt to come to grips with an elusory reality.

OSAZE’S INJURY SCARE

‘Doctors made mistake’ Pg. 28

WORLD ATHLETICS 2011

British athletes Pg. 46 struggle in Daegu Pg. 28,45

Nation Sunday, September 4, 2011

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

PAGE 27

Pg. 28

Eagles battle Madagascar

•Super Eagles players in training on Friday ahead of today’s clash against Madagascar in Antananarivo

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

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2012 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS...2012 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS...2012 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

OSAZE’S INJURY SCARE

Super Eagles battle ‘Doctors made mistake’ Madagascar for ticket W T •Obafemi Martins

•Finidi George •Obasi Ogbuke •Austine Okocha

Five top Super Eagles’ qualification comebacks T

HE Nigeria Super Eagles go to Madagascar for an African Cup of Nations qualification match in which only a win will suffice in order to sustain hope of playing in next year’s tournament. Nigeria has a huge fixture ahead of it this weekend against Madagascar in an African Cup of Nations qualifier set to take place in Antananarivo. For the Super Eagles to keep hope of automatic qualification alive ahead of their final game against Guinea in October, they need a decisive win against the Barea. The Guineans lead Group B on 10 points and have a home game against Ethiopia on Sunday while the Nigerians with seven points need to win away. Nigeria is used to leaving affairs late during qualification. Goal.com profiles some of the biggest matches in the last two decades in which the west Africans have clawed back from the edge of defeat to secure qualification. 1) Kenya 2-3 Nigeria (2010 World Cup Qualifier) Nigerians had all but given up hope of playing at Africa’s first World Cup in South Africa when the Super Eagles went to Nairobi to play the Harambee Stars. Having slipped to a defeat in Tunis

against Tunisia and conceding a draw against the North Africans in Abuja, Shaibu Amodu’s boys knew that something special was needed in Nairobi. And even though Dennis Oliech struck first for the hosts, Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Ayegbeni soon put the Nigerians ahead. Allan Wanga’s headed goal threw a spanner in the works as Nigeria frantically searched for another goal that would eventually come from Martins. The biggest miracle of the day was that Tunisia were beaten by Mozambique to enable Nigeria go through to their fourth World Cup. 2) Sudan 0-4 Nigeria (2002 World Cup Qualifier) Nigeria needed a win to keep up with Liberia in their World Cup 2002 Group B qualifying round and they did it the hard way on the road, Curling four past Sudan in the battle of Omdurman. Goals from Agustine Okocha, Julius Aghahowa and a Yakubu Ayegbeni brace secured victory for them. The match was so important that the Nigerian federation was reported to have hired a spiritualist to pray for the team. They eventually earned the ticket with a 3-0 home victory over Ghana in Port Harcourt to deny George Weah his closest

opportunity to play at the biggest stage of all at Korea/Japan 2002. 3) Algeria 1-1 Nigeria (1994 World Cup Qualifier) Nigeria was looking for their first ever World Cup ticket when they went to Algiers to challenge the Fennecs. Algeria was already out of contention, leaving Ivory Coast as the team that could benefit from a defeat for the Super Eagles. Clemens Westerhof had his gameplan and it was to secure at least a point. When Finidi George scored for the visitors in the first half, expectations were high. However, an Algerian equaliser in the second half ensured that Nigerians would stay on the edge of their seats until the final whistle and many shed tears as the country finally secured its first ever World Cup qualification. 4) Kenya 0-3 Nigeria (1996 Olympic Qualifier) In the first round of their qualifying campaign for the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, Nigeria worked themselves into a tight corner after a first leg scoreless draw against Kenya in Lagos. The Dream Team needed all the courage they could muster for their return match in order to sail through to the second round. In

a game that was dubbed the Battle of Mombasa, the Nigerians fired three goals past the East Africans in front of a teeming crowd of home fans. Nigeria eventually defeated Egypt and Zimbabwe in the second and third rounds to go to Atlanta, where they eventually won Africa’s first Olympic gold medal in football. It was one of the highlights of Nwankwo Kanu’s awe-inspiring career. 5) Ghana 0-0 Nigeria (2008 Olympic Qualifier) Nigeria fought a hard match in Accra that ensured they qualified for Beijing 2008 before their last game against South Africa in Abuja. Samson Siasia’s Olympic team knew that if they lost the game against their biggest rivals it was going to be the end of their hopes of making it to Beijing. So they piled up in defence to stop a misfiring Asamoah Gyan from scoring. Even though Obinna Nsofor and Chinedu Obasi played mostly in their own half, Dream Team IV heaved a sigh of relief when the referee brought the game to an end inside the silenced Ohene Gyan Stadium. Nigeria went on to defeat South Africa 3-0 in Abuja and eventually finished with a silver medal at the Olympics.

HE Super Eagles will today in Antananarivo battle the Barea of Madagascar in a make or mar African Cup of Nations qualification duel. The Nigerian team made up of foreign based professionals, had since Thursday landed in the Madagascan capital, and perfected strategies ahead of the match. What the Eagles may have as advantage on their part today is that the Madagascan team is made up of players in the U-23 cadre that were drafted as a result of the disbandment of the original senior national team. But how well this will play out for them will depend on the determination of the Nigerian players to ensure that the maximum points at stake do not elude them. With the Syli Stars of Guinea still determined to hold onto the leadership of Group B, siting on the top of the table with 10 points (Before yesterday’s match against Ethiopia), the Eagles should do better than just trying to stay afloat. Currently second on the log with 7 points from 4 matches, Nigeria cannot afford another loss or a draw this afternoon as the Guineas are expected to defeat the Ethiopians to take their total points to thirteen. If Nigeria wins also in Madagascar, it will set the stage for a final showdown in Abuja next month for the sole group ticket to campaign in the African Cup of Nations. Though Madagascar lost the first

By Innocent Amomoh leg in Abuja 0-2 to the Eagles, Nigeria’s unimpressive away run

so far, losing 0-1 to Guinea in Conakry and pulling a 2-2 draw against Ethiopia in Addis –Ababa, may just be what the tiny African country will capitalize on to get the needed result.

EST BROM forward, Peter Osaze Odemwingie will be out for longer than anticipated after the striker admitted the Doctors who certified him fit to play made a mistake, adding that his ankle injury was worse than first thought. The Nigerian international suffered a setback during his

comeback from a foot ailment and missed the Baggies’ home defeat to Stoke in the second match of the season last weekend. The hard-fighting player, who ended last season as team’s top scorer scooping 15 goals, was also ruled out of Nigeria’s Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar, in Antananarivo, and the much talked about

Uganda can end 33-year Nations Cup miss •Osaze Odemwingie

Warriors stick Bafana in crucial AFCON tie Zimbabwe to basics for Liberia B S

AFANA BAFANA coach Pitso Mosimane is sweating the fitness of star striker Katlego Mphela ahead of Sunday’s penultimate Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger. Mphela, Bafana’s third highest scorer of all time, injured his right knee in training on Wednesday and will be handed a late fitness test. The coach will definitely be without Orlando Pirates duo Moeneeb Josephs and Tlou Segolela, with goalkeeper Josephs out with a shoulder injury while Segolela picked up a knock to his knee. Those absentees, plus several others which include Steven Pienaar and Kagiso Dikgacoi, could see Bafana starlets Daylon Claasen and Lehlohonolo Majoro handed a chance to shine this weekend. Defender Morgan Gould believes despite the number of injuries the team have what it takes to earn all three points and take one step closer to the 2012 finals He said: “It’s unfortunate that injuries do happen, and yes, we are a bit shaken by that, but we have a big squad and I believe we still have

international friendly against Argentina. The former Lokomotiv Moscow hitman is still unsure of when he will return to action but is determined to do so as soon as he can. Odemwingie told the Birmingham Mail: “Unfortunately the action hasn’t started for me yet. “Maybe it was a mistake on the part of the medics as well and myself in underestimating the injury. “I played 20 minutes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and did not expect to be out (against Stoke) but it’s unfortunate. “That’s football for you and I will have to keep working hard to make sure I come back to action very soon.”

the ammunition to do what we have to do in Niamey. “They (Niger) should be very physical because we know that they fight for everything. “They will aim for three points on their home ground, and mentally and physically we know they are up to it. “Maybe we need to speak to the team doctor to get us some gum guards because we are going there to fight and could come back with scars. “I don’t mind coming back with scars as long we would have done the job.” Niger, meanwhile, feel South Africa will struggle to cope with the blistering heat in Niamey, with team manager Yaccine Wafy saying: “The temperature can reach up to 42 degrees in Niamey. And I sincerely hope South Africa will be able to cope under the oppressive heat.” He added: “The last time we met South Africa, at the World Cup Mbombela Stadium, our boys were overawed by the setting. And I must confess that some admitted afterwards that the prospect of

facing a squad that included Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored the 2010 World Cup opening goal, was unnerving to most of them.”

•Moeneeb Josephs

IMPLICITY is the buzzword when the Warriors take on Liberia in an all important African Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. Zimbabwe, like their opponents, badly need all three points if they are to keep alive their chances of making it to next year’s finals. Assistant coach Joey Antipas yesterday said that the plan was to play a simple game by sticking to the basics and playing to their own strengths. “We plan to just play a simple game where we will try to play possession football like we did against Mali; we just need to get the points so we are planning on an approach that can ensure a positive result,” said Antipas. “Because of what is at stake this is a match where there will be a lot of pressure, but we are trying to instil the kind of confidence the players had in the last match and we want them to be patient and not rush things.” Antipas said this match would pose a different challenge to that of Mali and they had worked out a plan to curb their opponents who have

quick players in their squad. “We know how to take care of them, we want to deny them the space and possession and then we know if we play to our own strengths we are well equipped to win.” The coaches have a striker conundrum as they are missing the services of their two top marksmen, Knowledge Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi through injury and suspension respectively. But Antipas, while admitting that they will miss the duo, is confident that those replacing them will do the job. “Those are two of our best players and reliable sources of goals but we have made a plan around that problem and we will still play as if they were there. Everyone knows the importance of a win and whoever is fielded on Sunday will know what they need to do.” With five points, two behind leaders Cape Verde who play Mali this weekend, the Warriors have a chance as a win would set them well for the last group game against Cape Verde. A draw in Bamako would be sweet news for the Warriors.

OBILE telephones went on sale for the first time when Uganda last qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations. The ‘Cranes’ went all the way to the 1978 final before failing against hosts Ghana and they can end 33 years in the wilderness by dodging defeat away to Angola Sunday. Coached by Scot Bobby Williamson, Uganda have gathered 10 points from four Group J games and Angola (six), Kenya (four) and Guinea Bissau (three) trail. Goals from David Obua, Andrew Mwesigwa and Geoffrey Ssernunkuma last September enabled Uganda to whip Angola 3-0 during the opening qualifiers for the 2012 tournament. Angola were outclassed on a wet Kampala afternoon and Williamson sensed it will be much tougher for his team in Luanda. “We still have a short distance to travel and the hard bit will be crossing the line,” warned the 49year-old former Kilmarnock and Hibernian coach. “Angola is going to be a tough game because not many national teams win away in Africa. A point will see us through but I hope we can put our opponents on the back foot. Ibrahim Sekagya (centre) plays for Red Bull Salzburg against Juventus in a Europa League match last year “I believe my players are sufficiently experienced and have had enough disappointments in the past not to falter again.” Even a defeat would not spell the end for Uganda—just leave them needing a home win over great regional rivals Kenya during October to secure first place.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Style Watch 29 In-Vogue Social Circuit Oops & Kudos Parade Well-Being Entertainment plus

Agbani Darego gets her groove

back

Interviewed on Page 32

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Agbani Darego and her multi-million deals By Remi Adelowo

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;an eye on celebrities and society people

08023201831(sms only)

A queenly make-over

By Patience Saduwa

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Social Omolola Orelu blazes the fashion trail in Abuja

Matthew Sogunro releases album to mark 25 years in ministry

Bisi Idaomi-Ororo celebrates birthday with friends

Bisi Idaomi-Ororo (Second from right) with some guests at the party

VICTOR OLUWASEGUN (E-mail: thejagu@yahoo.com, Tel: 08032439153)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour Ure's new lease of life

Zainab Marwa still out of circulation

OWER is transient, and so is the position that comes with it. Such is the case of fair-skinned Zainab Marwa, the beautiful ex-wife of retired General Buba Marwa. While her husband was the Military Administrator of Lagos State, she held sway in the social space and lived up to the status of a governor's wife. For the Imo State-born mother of four, life was indeed a roller coaster. Elegant as she was, she was a journalist's favourite any day, and graced the pages of society journals frequently. However, since her marriage to the amiable retired Army General crashed, Zainab has unceremoniously taken a leave of absence from the social arena. While there were a lot of speculations as to her whereabouts, those in the know said she took a step back from the society for health reasons. Many had thought that her exit from the society would be followed by a comeback so powerful it would shake the social firmaments to its roots. However, nothing is yet to be heard, and everyone is wondering where Zainab Marwa is.

Ure

Bimbo Okoya takes a step back

Between Femi Obateru and Gbenga Islander

Okoya

Idunnu Oyebolu's latest moves

KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

For once, Muma Gee did not appear weird, Kudos!

Too loud an outfit. Oops to Emeka Ike

An outfit marred by that exposure up there, Oops to Ifeoma Okeke

Ifeoma Ejenobor looks so gracious and elegant in this simple but nicely put together outfit, Kudos!

More of an owanbe-like stuff but can still pass for an o.k outfit, Kudos to Lola Alao

A real dapper gentleman, Kudos to Francis Duru

Anita Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sunny smile contradicts her indecently exposed cleavage and thighs, Oops!

Simply chic and lovely. Kudos to Tricia Esiegbe

The hairdo and the fitted outfit served her real good. Kudos!

Gaily steps for a stylish babe. Kudos to Anita Igbe

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

VENTS BY OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

08033572821

Tonye Cole, Ibidun Ighodalo float The Nehemiah Project PHOTOS: OLAMIJU ORETOLA

Vixen

Kemi Anazodo

Holy Mallam

Lanre Dasilva-ajayi

Ibidun Ighodalo

Efe Tommy

Ty Bello

Labake Joseph

Ebun Aboderin

Victor Anusim

Iguo Atafo

Waje

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour Lifestyle Health Nutrition Fitness

with Patience Saduwa

08023201831 (sms only) psaduwa@yahoo.com http//edirinsaduwa.blogspot.com

‘Nutrition education is important so people can eat the right foods’ - Longe The relationship between agriculture and nutrition and the ways in which the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable groups in Nigeria - women and children- can be met were the focus of a seminar and workshop organized by The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), in Lagos, recently, which had as theme, “Agriculture for improved Nutrition of Women and Children in Nigeria. Prof. Grace Longe of the Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, a guest speaker at the event, spoke with Gloria Ikegbule on the proper nutrition for women's health, poverty and balanced diet, the connection between lifestyle and diseases among other issues.

HAT are the types of food a woman needs to eat to be wellnourished? There are recommended levels of protein for energy, for micro-nutrient and depending on the age of the child or woman to deal with the weight. You need to have an idea of how much protein you need to eat, or how much carbohydrate you need to eat to meet with your energy requirements. Balanced diet is limited by low income. However, there are varieties of food you can mix in different proportions to get a balanced healthy life. Your energy food, your protein food, and vegetables are combined together so that you can have enough energy, protein, micro-nutrient, vitamins and minerals. Eating carbohydrate alone is not good. You need to balance it. You get energy from eating carbohydrates. And you get amino acid from your protein. Milk, egg, life stocks such as meat, sea foods such as snail and fish are sources of protein. The meat can be from poultry, pork or beef. You also need the plant crops. When you eat any of these, your

food is balanced. For an obese woman, I recommend vegetables and fruits. In Nigeria, we are not good in the consumption of fruits and vegetables compared to other countries in Africa. Even Cameroon is better than us in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Talking about diseases such as obesity,

diabetes and the likes, these are a product of lifestyle as well, not only what you eat. Exercise is one of such lifestyles to imbibe. Meanwhile the cause of diabetes is not food alone. It also has something to do with genes. There is a link with what you have inherited from your parents apart from

food. The low income earners, how do they get to balance their diet? The rich foods are expensive. And that may not reach the low income. But that may not mean they cannot source for other means. There is no doubt about it that your income level affects your dietary composition. Those in the villages get around it. They eat plant food, fish, game animals such as grass-cutter, antelope and some even eat insects and they get protein from it. People in the city don't get this kind of opportunity to get these kinds of food No… they bring them to the city. There is hardly any food type you want that you don't get in Lagos or Ibadan where I stay. Once you have your money and you know where to get them, you will buy them. Apart from that, there are people who are rich but they don't have the knowledge of what to put together thereby they eat the wrong thing. This is why nutrition education is very important. In this case, it is not a problem of money but knowledge. And this is why there are all sorts of diseases like obesity and diabetes.

How germs in the home can affect your health (2)

HE kitchen also was the area of the home in which coliform bacteria was most prevalent particularly on multiple kitchen surfaces, including dish sponges/rags (75 percent), kitchen sinks (45 percent), countertops (32 percent) and cutting boards (18 percent). The high coliform count on these surfaces is likely attributed to an individual's cleaning process. While these surfaces tend to be wiped-down regularly, NSF International's analysis indicates they typically are not being properly disinfected. Sources of coliform can be traced to many food items, including unwashed produce as well as raw meat and poultry. In addition, coliform can be introduced into a kitchen area through improperly washed hands and through contact with household pets, including pet dishes and toys. Coliform and Staph can both cause serious infections in individuals with a compromised immune system, as well as the very young, elderly and pregnant women. Perhaps not as surprising, the NSF survey found the second germiest place in the home was the bathroom, where the toothbrush holder was identified as having the most germs. "The high bacteria levels on and in the toothbrush holder are likely attributed to two causes. First, toothbrush holders are typically situated near the toilet, especially in smaller bathrooms. Flushing of the toilet causes aerosols, containing fecal bacteria, to land on items near the toilet,

thereby potentially contaminating the holder," explained Dr. Donofrio. "Additionally, toothbrush holders often are neglected in the cleaning process, providing an ideal breeding ground for germs. Toothbrush holders should be regularly cleaned in the dishwasher.” Kicking germs out Getting rid of cockroaches in your home is the first step to ridding bacteria causing germs. Reports have shown that cockroaches might be responsible for salmonella, streptococcus and staphylococcus. Also regularly clean floors and surfaces with a disinfectant to kill germs. Drive away or trap rats and mice. Rodents carry harmful bacteria into your home on their hair and in their waste. Use UV water purification systems in your home to kill the common bacteria found in your water. Studies show that disease causing bacteria, such as E.Coli and coliform, have been discovered in water supplies. Eliminate bacteria causing germs in the carpet that come from your pet's urine and feces. Natural products containing enzymes and raw materials are proven best for eating the bacteria that cause unpleasant smells. Wash your foul smelling sponges in the dishwasher with a load of dishes to rid the sponge of bacteria. You can also place sponges in the microwave for one minute. Wipe countertops, refridgerators, trashcans, walls and other surfaces with vinegar and baking soda. Adapted from NSF Newsletter

•The kitchen is often the place where germs are most prevalent in the home.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Relationship

Relationship Deola Ojo 08027454533 (text) pastordeegfc@yahoo.com ’VE done enough internet dating to write a litany about it, and of all the concerns most bothersome and dreary, the promise of meeting an honest person is usually the biggest disappointment of all. What does it mean to be honest when a person is about to meet a complete stranger, and vice versa? This is what it boils down to, and when we step back for a moment and contemplate out own experiences with internet dating, it’s interesting to note that the one thing that is always true about it is that we are strangers to each other. That other person is always a stranger, no matter how the telephone or email conversations went, and no matter how good we feel about the person we are about to meet. One other thing is guaranteed, and that is to say that it’s al-

By Fredric ways a surprise to meet somebody face to face for the first time, and usually but not always, a disappointing surprise. It usually has a lot to do with the pictures a person chooses to depict oneself. It becomes such a boring argument to hear over and over that the picture doesn’t matter. Well, it does. At least at first it does. If a person is lucky enough to get past a few dates with the same person to get to know who that person is under the skin, only then does the picture matter little. Think about it. You are going to have to meet the person on the other end of the phone, eventually, if you mean business. What useful purpose will it serve you if the picture

Will you wear a divorce ring? By Chiara Atik

MAGINE: a man bent on one knee, gazing up into the eyes of a teary-eyed woman. He takes out a velvet jewelry box, opens it, and she gasps. Inside is a diamond ring in the shape of a broken heart. “Darling... will you divorce me?” This backwards scenario may not be as implausible as you think: Alice Kwartler Antiques is now selling an 18-karat gold and diamond “divorce ring”, complete with a solitaire and jagged broken heart. At $3,200, the ring might cost more than many people’s wedding bands, but rather than a symbol of eternal love and commitment, this one’s a symbol of “things didn’t quite work out.” Using rings as a symbol of marital status can be traced back

to ancient times, long before anything other than “death doing you part” was an option. In the modern era, there are three marital statuses: single, married, and divorced. If the whole thing started with a ring, why shouldn’t it end with one? The divorce ring certainly seems like it would be effective in acting as a quick visual clue to let friends and acquaintances know a marriage ended, thus saving a divorced woman the burden of having to laboriously inform everyone she knows. And those who go through particularly painful or drawn-out divorces might use the ring as a sort of “This is what you’re in for” alert to potential suitors: “Yes, I’m single, but I might come with baggage.” Still, others might opt to purchase a similar ring for themselves as a symbol of conquering heartbreak. In the Kwartler ring, for example, the diamond is bursting through the broken heart, as if casting off a shell or cocoon. This same spirit of starting over again is what prompts some women to throw divorce parties, or go on “divorcemoons”. There’s obviously some sort of need for women to reclaim these rituals in the wake of a marriage gone bad, or maybe in an effort to “retrace their steps” backwards to return to singledom.

Big problems with internet dating you choose doesn’t even resemble what you look like in real life? Does that sound cruel? If you think that then think about the way the person you just met feels. I’ll tell you what, it’s not a very good feeling. I’ve heard of people actually walking away from dates when the picture doesn’t match. In fact I’ve heard it often. In my own experience, I don’t walk away from a woman. I try to make the best of the few moments that I just decided it will be with the other person, then I say good-bye and good luck. Being a gentlemen and a genuinely nice guy, I’ll usually offer something like a drink or sometimes even a meal, and some friendly conversation. To me it’s important to understand that even your soon to be forever forgotten date is a human being with feelings, and I try my best not to hurt them, even if the picture is ten, twenty something years old and ten or twenty something or more pounds in person. Another pet peeve for me is when a person’s profile states that she is younger than she really is. Does age really matter ? It does when your dishonest about it, and the same goes for the picture. I’ll tell you a little story about an internet dating experience I had to illustrate for you how dangerous it can be in being dishonest. You may want to ask, dangerous for who? ... after reading this. I once met a woman who stated in her profile that she was ostensibly in her mid-forties. I was already over fifty years old, so it was socially “ appropriate.” The picture she used was that of a halfway decent looking woman in her forties. So her stated age seemed to match her picture. I already knew that the chances were greater than ninety percent that the picture was dishonest, but so what? Most are. You see, I’ve gotten to the point where I take the picture with a grain of salt, but this time,,,,well, you decide. So, we talked on the phone a couple of times and decided to meet. I decided I might as well meet her for a meal so we decided to meet at a restaurant. It doesn’t really matter what restaurant does it? It could have been Burger King. What difference does it make? For me, sitting down for a meal gives two people a chance to talk and feel comfortable. Well, to make this astounding story a bit shorter, I walked into the place and the restaurant’s staff began giggling as I walked in the door. One of them said, still giggling, “You’re date is in the bathroom, she’ll be right

out.” and offered me a table to sit down at. I waited a few minutes, and then much to my absolute amazement walked out of the ladies room, and then over to me an sat down at the same table with me a woman who must have been no younger than ninety years old!! She looked older than my own mother!! This is not a joke. It really happened. Can you imagine what went through my head as I gazed at her in utter disbelief ? She was obviously a bit psychotic, but was I to tell her ? No way. Not my concern. I hope this example has helped to get the point across I’m trying to make. It may be an extreme example, but nevertheless, it shows how important being honest is in dating a stranger. So, who was it more dangerous for? Her, or me? Honesty is extremely important when trying to meet a partner or lover via internet dating, I know for many it’s difficult. We get older. We don’t look as good as we used to. Well, most don’t. I’ve actually met some women who look better in person than the pictures they use, but that’s rare, very rare, and they are usually unaware of it themselves; that they look better in person. The main point is that they are being honest. I’ve met many women through internet dating and I can say that when a woman has been honest with me to begin with, I have respect for her, even if I’m not particularly attracted to her, and yes

I’ve made a few “just friends” through internet dating just by their honesty with me.ad20751e300x100A Whoever we meet through the internet is always a stranger, for a long time. I can’t emphasize that enough. I’m at the stage where I can safely say that it’s just as easy to pick up a woman at the supermarket or pharmacy as it is through the internet. The point is that for some unexplainable reason, it’s much easier for people to break up who meet through the internet than by more traditional ways, through mutual friends, at a party, etc. I’ve been with women, deeply involved in relationships, who simply get up and walk out for no particular reason, as though we had never met at all. I’m sure many people have had similar experiences. A situation like that would almost never happen with someone we know through the traditional grapevine. It’s because we are still perceived by each other as strangers, so it’s easy to just get up and go without any particular concerns for the other. I know there is a point in time in any relationship, whether one from an internet introduction, or mutual friends, or what-not, when we decide that we can really trust each other and are no longer thought of as strangers. That has happened for me once or twice, that’s all, but how many really truly romantic and loving relationships does a person need anyway throughout life?

Holy union of Mubarack Gbaja-biamila and Kehinde Oladoyin at Alausa recently in Lagos

How to know if your guy really loves you

ELATIONSHIP is normally the agreement between of two or more parties. However when it has to do with love, then it is the agreement between two persons. This agreement takes two to work but it is unfortunate that the ladies especially are most times at the receiving end of break up that sometimes occur. In other words, ladies always have the key to any relationship before it begins. Sometimes, immediately the lady accepts the proposal of the other party, the control of the relationship is most times usurped by the guy, because now he doesn’t need to persuade or plead, but rather he commands the lady to comply with every of his action. It is therefore

By Adeosun Taiwo

advisable that before you say ‘YES’ to any guy , you must first be sure of the person and be ready to live with his ways. This is because more often than not, ladies tend to be at the receiving end. They are the ones who give care and love and thereafter get beaten, heartbroken or unloved. This will definitely have future negative consequences on their relationship with other guys. It is important to note that ladies have their own shortcomings. Thus, they also have their roles to play. Some ladies tend to compare guys, weighing the good qualities

of one over the other. Because of the undesirable results this could have on the relationship, there should be no comparison of guys by ladies. For instance, some guys might be gentle others some are not. Ladies should be careful and endeavour to be satisfied with their partners. It may be very difficult to find a guy who will love you the way you are. It would be appropriate to be conscious of yourself and observe if bad and irritating traits can be found in you which could make guys avoid you or even attract the wrong guys. These are some of the ways to know that your guy loves you • If your guy loves you he

will always care for you and not over pamper you. An example of over pampering could be that he does not let you lift a finger to do things. • He will always tell you the truth. This means that he will reveal the kind of person you are to you. For instance, a guy who always tells you when you do not look as good as you should or calmly tells you if you have mouth or body odour. • You will always remain admirable to him even if he sees someone more beautiful than you are. For example, a guy could come across a very attractive lady, but, if he should take a look at his girlfriend’s passport or picture, he

would still feel satisfied and confident about his choice. • He will treat you in a selfless manner. He will get you things without you calling for them because he knows you need them. • He will never raise his finger against you no matter how angry he might be. • He will always correct you whenever you are wrong regardless of the time and pain it will cost him. • He will be interested in your improvement, growth and development. He would never laugh at your failure, sorrows or imperfections. Rather, he would always encourage, challenge and support you

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

BIGSCREEN

Tel: 08077408676

SOUND TRACK

plus

Veteran actor, Chika Okpala of the New Masquerade fame is not a popular face in Nigerian movies. With a career spanning over three decades, Okpala recounts the journey into what has today come to be known as Nollywood. Speaking with VICTOR AKANDE, Entertainment Editor, he talks about his driving force as well as his decision to star in the Kunle Afolayan's flick, Phone Swap.

GISTS

PAGE

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

Stella Damasus rocks Shina Mania

•Stella

I couldn’t marry many wives just to be a filmmaker —Zebrudaya

Bolaji Dawodu returns with Oreofe Olorun

-Continued on Page 42

Entertainment

I couldn’t marry many wives just to be a filmmaker -Continued from Page 41

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

HO LLYWOOD Compiled by DUPE AYINLA

T.I. released from prison

Janet opts out of Michael’s tribute concert

Beyonce reveals baby bump

•Beyonce

Crane over Ghollywood

Van Vicker sets for new record

Baby girl named after Lydia Forson

•Lydia Forson

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Lynn Whitfield storms Nigeria for AFRIFF

CINEMA guide

Cowboys & Aliens

A town in fear

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The bizarre rebellion

â&#x20AC;˘Whitfield

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Tunde Samson launches album

rcy Johnson

•Prince Odianose & Bride Me

•Mercy Johnson & Hubby Prince Odianose

Nnena shows love to kids with Down’s syndrome

•Genevieve w

ith Kenneth O

Shine off Mercy Johnson’s againstall-odds wedding! By Mercy Micheal

In America for GDC showing

konkwo

•Vyonne Nelson, Waje Musician and Empress Njamah

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Do coaches need certificates to practice? (1)

•Christine Ohurougu

WORLD ATHLETICS 2011

British athletes struggle in Daegu B

RITAIN’s athletes endured a deeply disappointing night on day seven of the World Championships in Daegu. All three women competing in the 800m went out in the semi-finals, including 2009 bronze medallist Jenny Meadows. Chris Tomlinson and Goldie Sayers disappointed in the long jump and javelin finals, while Christian Malcolm could not progress from his 200m semi. And GB’s 4x400m team, hopeful of a bronze despite 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene’s absence, came seventh. Greene was down on the starters list to run but decided, after warming up, that he could not do so following his exertions in winning the 400m hurdles - Britain’s only gold medal so far - on Thursday. Nigel Levine rejoined Richard Strachan, Chris Clarke and Martyn Rooney in the quartet, but they were off the pace as the USA won ahead of South Africa - who dropped

•Phillips Idowu

Oscar Pistorius - and Jamaica. Meadows had been touted by GB head coach Charles van Commenee as an outside chance for gold, but after looking in control for 700m she found herself passed by USA’s Maggie Vessey at the death and pushed into third, out of the two automatic qualification slots. The 30-year-old described herself as “devastated” to not even make the final this time. “Looking at the field, apart from Usain Bolt, there’s a great opportunity to get a silver or bronze medal and I think Christian Malcolm will look at that as a lost opportunity. Maybe he got his preparation wrong, who knows? We spoke about experience. Christian has performed in huge finals before. I really don’t know where he goes from here” “The pressure, the stress just got to me towards the end,” she told BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. “I ran 98% of a good race but the last 2% just let me down.” Marilyn Okoro and Emma Jackson also missed out,

although the latter ran a new personal best behind the impressive reigning champion Caster Semenya. Britain’s Helen Clitheroe finished 12th in 12 mins 16.01 secs as Vivian Cheruiyot added a brilliant 5,000m win to her 10,000m title six days ago, Sylvia Kibet making it a Kenyan one-two with Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar in bronze. Clitheroe, 37, ran with the letters ‘TBDD’ written on her hand to remind her to ‘Think, Believe, Dream, Dare’. The European Indoor 3,000m champion said: “I wish I’d been able to hang in there but it’s my second fastest 5,000m in my fifth attempt. In my last two world championships I haven’t made the final but I’ve changed events and made it so that’s something to take out of it.” Her good friend Sayers could manage just 58.18m, six metres down on her season’s best and good enough only for 10th, as the women’s javelin gold was won in sensational fashion by Russia’s Maria

•Malcolm

Abakumova. Continue reading the main story The pressure, the stress just got to me towards the end. I ran 98% of a good race but the last 2% just let me down Abakumova threw a worldleading 71.25m in the second round before the Czech Republic’s Barbora Spotakova hit back with 71.58m, only for the Russian to nail a monstrous 71.99m to snatch back the title. “I’m absolutely devastated,” admitted Sayers afterwards. “I just got way too overexcited. I knew there was a medal there for the taking. Gold and silver are way out there but bronze was there.” And Tomlinson, hindered by a knee injury, finished back in 11th with 7.86m as USA’s Dwight Phillips retained his title with a second round 8.45m. The 29-year-old Briton said: “It’s a car crash. I know I’m in great shape and the body just let me down. “It’s an intense sport and the way I feel at the moment I wish I was a plasterer or something like that.” Malcolm trailed home fifth in the third 200m semi with a poor 20.88 seconds on an evening when Bolt looked every inch the gold medallist in waiting. There was some reason to cheer for British fans, however, with Phillips Idowu reaching the final of the triple jump with a single leap of 17.17m, while Christine Ohuruogu ran a strong first leg as GB qualified easily for Sunday’s women’s 4x400m relay final alongside Nicola Sanders, Lee McConnell and Perri Shakes-Drayton.

N the 27th of August, 2011, a leading Ghanaian footballer was quoted in Nigerian Tribune to have declared that a good Coach does not need a certificate to practice. According to him, all that a coach needs is “understanding of the game and passion for the job” The above statement is very interesting to hear from a renowned footballer or sports man. The question that follows is: will possession of certificates which means acquiring some meaningful level of education that also includes coaching education and training diminish or enhance the capacity of the coach to understand and perform his professional duties? Secondly, is sports knowledge driven? Let me begin by saying that there is a large army of retired footballers who have experienced the game at high levels that do not believe strongly that formal education and hence, acquisition of certificates is necessary for role performance. This creates a vicious circle for football because there seems also to be a large army of footballers who do not even possess credible ordinary level papers. So, if you have uncertificated coaches mentoring illiterate footballers, then where do we go from here? Straightaway, I must put it to Abedi Pele and all other persons who hold this kind of retrogressive position, that it will not help football as a sports activity and a social institution to fulfill its potential in contributing to human and sociocultural development. Football as a form of sports, is not necessarily an end itself but a means to several ends that include social, economic, moral, ethical and cultural values. The outcome of sports including football exceeds the goals scored on the field to include the ramifications of desirable social values associated with it. The recognition and pursuit of these sublime goals in an integrated manner can only be facilitated by properly educated individuals. The other issue provoked by Abedi Pele’s position is whether footballers consider the coaching and management of football as a profession or is it just a trade in which no fundamental principles are required to conduct its affairs? I think that I prefer the status of professionalism for football management and coaching, among others. This is the only way it can be a respectable human and sociocultural activity. Sports, of which football is an integral part, has a loaded epistemological base which provides the resourcefulness for practice and social services in the field. A football coach will be a better human being and professional if he is developed educationally and is able to tap into it and apply it in his work. Considering the role of a coach, he is critically a performance modifier. His main job is to bring out the best possible performance from his athletes or players. He is dealing with human beings in a complex social environment. His works connect with the science, sociology, psychology, philosophy, physiology, biomechanics, politics, kinesiology, history and geography etc. of the game and the operating environment. A coach must be an embodiment of these sources of knowledge from which he draws insights and perspectives to conduct his professional work for the good of sports, athletes and humanity. Techniques and tactics can be improved beyond comprehension by that coach who is deep in these sources of knowledge.

•Abedi Pele

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 , 2011

2011 TABLE OF PRISONERS • Jamaica — 942 • Nigeria — 727 • Ireland — 681 • Poland — 642 • Vietnam — 596 • Pakistan — 440 • Somalia — 433 • Romania — 380 • China — 364 • Lithuania — 361

•Cameron

•Jonathan

Prisoners’ swapping controversy W

HEN the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited Nigeria last month, one of the proposals he tabled before President Goodluck Jonathan was prisoners’ exchange scheme. Under the scheme, nationals of both countries who are serving terms would be repatriated to complete their sentence in their countries. Shortly after the meeting, President Jonathan started working with the Senate to secure the passage of a Bill on the mutual exchange of prisoners; The Bill sent to the Senate seeks to amend the transfer of convicted offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act. Senate Leader, Senator Ndoma-Egba said the bill “was to give effect to the Common Wealth scheme on convicted offenders between Common Wealth countries.’’ However, many Senators opposed the bill on the ground, that the financial implications of transferring prisoners back home would be too much for the country to shoulder. They argued that transferring prisoners from any part of the world back to the country without their consent is an infringement of their rights, adding that citizens convicted abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, would not like to serve their jail terms at home. The bill was later referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters due to the controversy that trailed it. The cost of feeding prisoners Though new in Nigeria, the idea of sending prisoners back to their countries to serve their terms actually started in 2008 in the United Kingdom because the government wanted to cut expenses on prisoners. Cameron’s position, according to The Mail of London, is based on the fact that the number of foreign inmates in British jails is one in seven, and the cost of feeding them is high. He, therefore, wants to send them back to serve their prison terms in their countries of origin. There are currently 11,135 foreign inmates out of a total prison population of more than 85,000. The Mail revealed that it costs the British taxpayer £38,000 (about N9.5 million ) to keep prisoners for a year! This is more than the fees to send a pupil to Eton, Britain’s most elite college!! Numbers of Nigerians in UK prisons With the Senate due to resume its debate of the bill on September 8, investigations have shown that the number of Nigerians in United Kingdom prisons is 614 and not 16,400. Senator Benedict Ayade had during the Senate’s debate said “in the United Kingdom alone, Nigerians serving various prison terms are 16, 4000 in number and it costs the UK government about 1.6 million pounds per day to feed them.” A shocked Senate President David Mark expressed sadness at Ayade’s revelation, “I am

One issue that will engage the Senate when it resume is the controversy on the number of Nigerians in British prisons and whether they should be returned home to serve their terms, Olukayode Thomas reports shocked to hear that there are 16,400 Nigerians in various prisons abroad, this is a thing not to be proud of, we don’t know the authenticity of the figure, but it calls for concern.” Contacted, Alison Walker of the Justice Statistics Analytical Services said as at June 2011, there are only 614 Nigerian prisoners in the United Kingdom. Morris Peter of the same office however directed The Nation to the Ministry’s statistics website which shows that there is total of 85, 523 prisoners in the United Kingdom. Of this figure, 81,354 are male, while 4,169 are female. Figures given by Walker showed the number of Nigerian prisoners in the United Kingdom has dropped from that of last year. The 2010 population of prisoners in the United Kingdom published in The Mail last year showed that Jamaica has the highest number which is 942; Nigeria was second then with 727, Ireland third with 681 and Poland fourth with 642. Other countries in the top bracket include Vietnam with 596, Pakistan 440, Somalia 433, Romania 380, China 364, and Lithuania 361. In a response to inquiries, Adewale Adebajo of the British High Commission, Lagos, confirmed that the figure of 16,400 Nigerian prisoners was incorrectly cited in the Senate. According to an e-mail sent to this reporter, he wrote ‘‘We can confirm that, as at 30 June 2011, 614 Nigerians were detained in UK prisons – less than four per cent of the stated number.’’ Adebajo stated that the High Commission is not aware of any British citizens who are currently in Nigerian prisons, although there may be dual nationals. On the merits and demerits of the agreement for both countries, Adebajo said ‘‘we each have a responsibility for the actions and welfare of our nationals in our respective countries. This agreement would provide an intergovernmental basis for us to carry out our responsibilities towards our nationals in each

other’s prisons, including by allowing for their return to their home country in the event that both of our governments agree. “Any transfers would need to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and both governments would need to agree to a prisoner’s transfer. Transferring prisoners mid-sentence to serve their sentences at home allows receiving authorities to put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to preserve public safety; to rehabilitate closer to friends and family; and to prevent reoffending.’’ He said that the UK and Nigerian governments are working together more than ever on justice sector reform, on human rights issues, and on addressing illegal migration. The Prisoners Transfer Agreement (PTA) would be reciprocal. Prisoners could be transferred in both directions. And any PTA would have to address the issue of “double criminality” – people could only be transferred if the crime of which they had been convicted also constituted a crime in the receiving country Between Jamaica and South Africa While the Nigerian government is receptive to the idea of prisoners’ exchange, the same cannot be said of Jamaica. When Cameron announced that Jamaican prisoners in United Kingdom jails will be sent back home, the government kicked against it, saying it is contrary to the existing arrangements between both nations. The National Security Minister, Dwight Nelson had last year said, “We have an agreement with the United Kingdom and we stand by that agreement. Jamaican laws do not permit people who commit offences within other jurisdictions to serve their sentences in this country.” South Africa has also backed out of an agreement that will allow its citizens serving sentences in other countries to be transferred home. The government’s decision not to sign the agreement angered many citizens as they

“There are however mixed feelings as to how many of the 614 Nigerian prisoners in Britain would elect to come and complete their term at home taking into cognisance the condition of the country’s prisons.”

could not understand why government won’t agree to bring home citizens, who are prisoners in foreign countries, to serve their sentences near their families. They argued that government is well aware that so many South Africans held in foreign jails are poor and are either duped or recruited into the drug trade. The reason they were susceptible in the first place, they argued, is because they were desperate - their families do not have the means to communicate, visit and support them where they are incarcerated far away from home. They posited that government’s policy of not repatriating their citizens back home to serve their sentences is a direct violation of those citizens’ human rights. Nigerian prisoners in Thailand Whereas the prisoner exchange deal is generating controversy today, same could not be said of those who were brought home from Thailand during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. The prisoners who have spent two-thirds of their terms at the Central Maximum Security Prisons in Thailand’s capital Bangkok were repatriated back home. The agreement was reached after a meeting between the then Federal Attorney General Akinlolu Charles Olujimi and his Thai counterpart Kampree Kaocharen. The prisoners were happy to leave Thailand as they wore colourful Nigerian clothes and sandals given to them by the embassy. They thanked the government, especially, the country’s ambassador to Thailand. Ready to receive repatriated prisoners When contacted on the readiness of the Nigerian prison authorities, readiness to cope with the repatriated prisoners, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Alagbon Close, Lagos, Mr. Chuks Njoku, said the prison system can conveniently accommodate them. He added that there are many structures being built by the service in different parts of the country while the existing ones are being improved on. According to him, all the NPS will need is just extra money to feed the new addition to its inmates. He said, ‘‘It is not a new thing, we have done it before and we have the capacity to do it again. Remember that under the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo we received many prisoners from Thailand without any problem. Our facilities are okay.’’ However, investigations around the prisons in Lagos and discussions with some inmates, human rights groups and others revealed that there is still overcrowding in many prisons across the country. ‘‘Things are better in prison now, it is not like before. There is small overcrowding, but not like before, and they are building new structures all over the country. Where there has been great improvement are in the areas of feeding and clothing, and freedom. Prisoners can now play in the open, women now have salon, even the condition of warders have improved tremendously. Before we were like prisoners, but now many of us are buying cars and living well,’’ a group of NPS officials who spoke off record said. They attributed the improved situations of prisons to human rights groups and non government organizations campaign, ‘‘The moment you serve them bad food and the over crowing gets bad, they will tell these organisations, and before you know it, everything will be in the press’’ said the NPS official. There are however mixed feelings as to how many of the 614 Nigerian prisoners in Britain would elect to come and complete their term at home taking into cognisance the condition of the country’s prisons.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

DIS GENERATION

Have Your Say M

ANY respondents find the news of Muammar Gaddafi’s ouster cheery. They have kind words for the plucky rebels and wish the leadership of the National Transitional Council (NTC) success as they work to reorganize Libya. Flipside, there are those who find the actions of the rebels reprehensible. Libya under Gaddafi was economically stable, they argue. These respondents further submit that in spite of the reported antidemocratic stance of the erstwhile Libyan sole ruler, no Nigerian ruler can boast of the kind of feats he has recorded in the crisis-ridden country. These people say they are not persuaded about the seeming altruism of France, Britain and the US towards the Libyan people. They have ulterior motives, they opine. In another breath, there are those with words of caution for the Libyan rebels. Invoking Christopher Okigbo’s ageless verse, Daniel Eluke from Port Harcourt sums it up this way: “Hurrah for thunder as the Elephant has fallen! Those who share the meat, let them remember thunder”. Libyans have the right to change their leaders any time. What is obnoxious in this instance is that it is undemocratic. What is even more disgraceful about the change is that NATO, which is forever baying that Gaddafi’s regime was undemocratic, is actively supporting those who want to overthrow him undemocratically. Well, the rebels who have decided to use the rascally, self-serving NATO to do the right thing the wrong way should prepare for the time NATO will exact its pound of flesh for this so- called help. Prince B. Isong, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Libyan people want to be free and elect their leaders. It isn’t that their economy is not alright, but they are avoiding slavery by the family and close allies of Muammar Gaddafi. See, if this revolution can happen in Libya, it can happen in any part of the world. Muoneke John Chukwumaijem, Nanka, Anambra State. Well, I am deeply happy for the Libyans for the victory they have recorded so far in what can be termed as a “mini revolution” against the oppression and military rule of their former leader, Col. Gaddafi. This will serve as a deterrent to other sit-tight African leaders. Bello-Kazeem, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiiti State. The endgame of Muammar Gaddafi has come. Congratulations to Libyan people. The National Transitional Council must ensure freedom, sovereignty, dignity and glory. Afolayan Olaniyi, Okeigbo, Ondo State. It has been said that political tyrants often despise the tears of the oppressed but they cannot escape their anger. The good people of Libya did well in showing the tyrant the exit door. They should go ahead to erect democratic structures. Remi Adegbola, Ibadan, Oyo State. It clearly shows that any regime can be dethroned by the masses. If a government is not sensitive to public opinion and respect constitutional matter, it will surely go down. Podar Johnson, Jos, Plateau State. Though Gaddafi has overstayed his welcome, it is doubtful whether

How do you view the ongoing efforts by the Libyan people to enthrone a democratic system after bringing down the 42-year regime of Muammar Gaddafi? up and come to the community of democratic nations. Gimbason J.H., Kaduna State.

As Nigerians, we do not possess the pedigree to comment on Libya’s political crises. No matter how bad the 42 years of Gaddafi’s government was, it’s far better than the government we have had since 1970. Ogbueri Japhet, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. any of our so-called democratically elected presidents can provide one tenth of the developmental strides of Gaddafi. Were we to have such a president, he would not be celebrated as the best thing to have happened to Nigeria, and he in turn would, in the euphoria of the praises, attempt to seek amendment to the constitution in such a way as to guarantee his “till-death-comes” kind of reign! Nigeria was wrong to have openly recognised REBELLION! Umar Sanda Galadima, Biu, Borno State. Be informed that the efforts of the Libyans or enemies of Muammar Gaddafi to enthrone a democratic system will surely hit rocks. It is not the people of that country who want Gaddafi’s regime to fall but the socalled Americans. Whether the enemies succeed or not, democracy in Libya will fail. Ekhaletruo M.A Emmanuel, Ilorin, Kwara State. What is happening in Libya is a welcome development. For sit-tight leaders in the world, they should know that anything that has beginning must have an end. This is end of Gaddafi’s regime in Libya. They should give him softlanding — he should be allowed to go into exile in any country he likes. Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State. Nice development, but they need to be extra careful and not pick a tyrant as leader! A stitch in time they say saves nine. Check and balance is also very important so as not to breed another Gaddafi that will be too strong to control and who will not respect the rule of law. But where is Gaddafi? It is not over until he is over. Whether Gaddafi is dead or alive is also important to the New Libya and international peace. Mrs Titi Taiwo, Ibadan, Oyo State. Once upon a time, the Libyan people saw Gaddafi as a saviour. They were deaf to the West when they called for true democracy. They saw America as “ARNA” who should not be listened to. Now, we know that there is no alternative to democracy. What a shame that a Libyan who is 42 years old today has never cast a vote. Middle East, wake

The quest of the Libyans for democratic government is possible if the rebels are still united. I imagine that their salaries that have not been paid for some time now can send wrong signal to the pro-Gaddafi loyalists. Any slight distraction by the rebels can mar their plans. Ayotunde Bamidele, Ibadan, Oyo State. It is an effort in the right direction and the beginning of a new dawn. I rejoice with the people of Libya for replacing darkness with light. Ojoko Ayodeji, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State. If Libyans in spite of the fundamental value the government of Muammar Gaddafi had added to their lives could make this degree of demand on him, there is no gainsaying the fact that the time of reckoning for the barrage of fools and greater fools who make life a horror to Nigerians for Nigeria’s 50 years of nationhood is a matter for conjecture. We pray Libya does not end up having local colonial masters like Nigeria. Okey Okereafor, Owerri, Imo State. The displacement of the Libyan despot is a warning for other African despots. Death, they say, when it strikes a contemporary is a signal for others to be prepared. The Jonathans, the Marks, the Tambuwals and the 36 states governors had better put the welfare of the citizenry into serious considerations lest their fall be greater than those of the Mubaraks and the Gaddafis. Biyi Ogundele, Ore, Ondo State. The sad truth is that in a place without government there will be lawlessness and disorder. Unless we reposition our ourselves, what happened in Libya can also happen here in Nigeria. Jide Obokun, Saki, Oyo State. Although 42-year rule is considered long for one person, no honest Libyan could say he or she was not enjoying a good socioeconomic life. Standard of living of Libyans under Gaddafi was one of the best and highest both in Africa and the world. The truth remains that the violent protests were not engineered by his people but by the

More employees are quitting. Employers must be told why…

It is a healthy development for democracy to be enthroned in Libya. What operated before now as democracy was not properly practised for the benefit of the people. The enthronement of justice and good governance being agitated for is in order. Adi Emma, Minna, Niger State.

•Muammar Gaddafi

By Jennifer Ehidiamen 08054503875 (Sms only)

•Mustafa-Abdel-Jalil, one of the arrowheads of the NTC

“world power”. Whoever the world power goes against even if unethical, the deal will sail through! Quite unfortunate for Gaddafi in spite of his good intention for Libya. The Libyans will realise that after they must have finished pulling down Gaddafi! I can assure you the rebels will be looters for their masters. Democracy is not tantamount to welfare gains! What has become of Iraq today? Saudi Arabia is not practising democracy, yet it is worth living in. Good luck to the Libyan rebels. Gaddafi does not deserve what his people are allowing themselves to be used for against him. Lanre Oseni, Lagos State. Muammar Gaddafi came to power through a revolution some 42 years ago. Within this period, he turned himself into the Alpha and Omega of Libya while interfering in the internal affairs of many other nations. He refused to come to terms with the saying that the only constant thing in life is change; hence one day he would have to go. For failing to listen to the voice of reason from his people calling for change but rather dismissed them as rebels being sponsored by others. He only has himself to blame. One only pities the families that have lost their dear ones and the humanitarian crisis that is resulting there from. Dr Elijah, Benue State. Libyans have been liberated. Democratic system of government is the best thing that will bring peace and stability in that country. A man cannot be on the throne for 42 years as if he is a royal father and thinks it is okay while Libyans detest his rule. The fight to enthrone a democratic system must continue. Victoria Imachukwu, Abuja. The task before the Libyans is a herculean one. Bringing down Gaddafi’s regime is just the first step. Unity of purpose and humility is needed by all the tribes in the country. The regime’s fall is a lesson to all; that real power belongs to the people. Diatah James M., Otukpo, Benue State. Continue on page 52

HEN it comes to our job, sometimes the discomfort we feel at one level is a sign to move on or change our methods of doing things (innovate). However, the rate at which resignation letters are flying left, right and centre these days is alarming. Okay, I admit I have not carried out any public poll to verify how alarming the rate is. But looking at familiar situations, more young people are taking up “Entrepreneurships” than full time employment. Those who work are most likely doing it for the “experience,” with a plan to “start up” something too. In this era of entrepreneurship, will employers be striped bare of all employees? What can make employees stick to their jobs, in good and bad times? What do they really want? In “Who are the digital natives? And what do they want?” Tim Windsor on “Zero Percent Idle,” while drawing a demarcation between this generation and the older generation effortlessly described how this generation is changing work. Windsor gave eight characteristics to help understand the dynamics of this tech savvy generation. Among the list includes the need for freedom of choice and of expression. No doubt, if you work in an environment where your opinion and ideas are always stifled, with no room to tackle this challenge, the next option is to pick up that pen and write a love letter to your Bossaka resignation letter. Corporate integrity and openness are some of the things we often look out for when deciding where to work. Thus, this explains why sometimes people take so long in settling for an employment. You can’t afford to work anywhere. It is in our nature. Work environment should be “entertaining.” This generation knows how to work hard and play hard too. Combining the two makes us more productive. This does not mean we necessarily want to play Dbanj’s “Oliver Twist” loud in the office during a board meeting. It simply means we can adopt a 212-degree attitude towards our work without necessarily panting like someone climbing Mount Everest. “At 211 degrees Fahrenheit water is hot, at 212 degrees it boils. With boiling water comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. The extra degree makes all the differences that separate good from excellence.” The fun space in our work allows us perform excellently. Sometimes employers don’t just get this. They want to see you sweat before they sign that cheque. Most importantly, this generation has a penchant for being innovative in nature. The reason we look unsettled or impatient is because we are constantly seeking innovative ways to collaborate, entertain, learn, and work. As an employer, does your organisation have corporate integrity and openness? Do you encourage employees to give their best without stifling their originality? As an employee, are you committing a 212 degrees-attitude to work? Mutual understanding between employees and employers will help bridge the yawning gap in the marketplace.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Arts Extra

T was a gathering of arty-farty minds from all spheres of life. Not even the torrential and tsunami-like downpour that had resulted in the loss of life and property in Ibadan and its suburbs the previous night debarred them from attending the event. The turnout, though, was slightly affected by it. The outing featured readings, discussions, poetry/ music performances and what could be described as a lecture on the creative enterprise for young writers desirous of producing literary works of enduring values. The event which took place penultimate Saturday at the Treasures4Life Arts Gallery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, was graced by the award-winning poet and scholar of repute, Prof. Remi Raji-Oyelade of the University of Ibadan. He has travelled widely in Africa, Europe and America reading his poems. He served as the Guest Writer to the City of Stockholm, Sweden, in 2005. His volumes of poetry, Harvest of Laughters, published in 1997 won the ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize. His other works include Webs of Remembrance (2001), Shuttlesongs America: A Poetic Guided Tour (2003), Lovesong for My Wasteland (2005) and Gather My Blood Rivers of Song (2009). His works have been translated into French, German, Catalan, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Latvian After several poetry renditions and music performances by some of the upcoming poets and musicians, it was time for the scholar-poet Raji-Oyelade to engage the lively audience. He lauded the founder of Artmosphere, Femi Morgan, and his group members for providing a platform where issues relating to literary matters can be regularly discussed. “It is a very good thing to find an organisation like this. It is not a venture where you are going to make money. It is not a venture where you are going to get contract. It is a venture in which you come together to share ideas with others,” he said. He spoke on matters bordering on the place of imagination in creative writing, the use of language, and the importance of criticism, interspersing these with some personal experiences. He bemoaned the dispiriting increasing lack of serious attention to literary works in the in the country. The Creative Writing teacher identified the overwhelming urge to rush to the printer and the acute lack of patience on the part of many young poets as one of the disturbing factors that hinder them from producing quality works. For him, “Poetry can be compared to the brewing of beer. It must take time to ferment. You must embellish it with ingredients and then you must wait for other people to taste it. There is a part of you that tells you that this line is not perfect yet, that this line is not good enough. That is why you still need to listen to the criticism of others who are around you before you go to publish”. The university teacher observed that the emergence of many social media like Facebook has a negative effect on the power of concentration of many budding artists. He said many young people would just come up with what they wrongly describe as poems, post them on Facebook, and would then go on to proclaim themselves as poets. “You know one of our problems in modern times is that anyone who has finished writing something down, a scribbler; not a writer, wants to publish the next volume of poetry next week. They say, ‘I have written two hundred 200 poems. The problem is that I don’t have a publisher’. But why don’t you leave that out of your mind and do a critic of your works. You will realise that out of the 200 poems you don’t really up to 40 poems. And if you hand it over to critics, to you editor or to a friend who is sincerely critical, those 40 poems may just be 30 poems. So, by the time you come up with those 30 poems, they will stand the test of time,” he admonished. Additionally, the bard recalled that his award-winning first collection of poetry, Harvest of Laughters, spent 15 years with him before it was published. Expatiating on this, he said: “I was in the Osundare Class of 1982 to 1984. And by 1984 you are expected to have come up with a collection. After we handed in our collections and he scored them, some of us decided that we

•Professor Raji-Oyelade (second from left) with some of the participants at the event

An outing with a scholar-poet Artmosphere is an emerging Ibadan-based group devoted to the promotion of arts, especially the poetry genre. An award-winning poet and Professor of Literature, Remi Raji-Oyelade, was the Special Guest Speaker who spoke about creative writing among other pertinent issues to the budding writers and artists who participated in the second edition of the group’s programme. Ademola Adesola reports were going to write more poems using some of the techniques that we had learnt from class. But from 1984 to 1997, which is about a decade, I was working on what I had. That was how long it took me to publish”. He also harped on the necessity for young writers to equip their imaginative powers. “As a writer you need a pen, a paper and then you need your imagination. The pen and the paper, you can actually purchase but imagination is certainly something you need to develop,” he said. He advised them to always pay attention to the minutest detail of their environment so as to improve on their imaginative and creative skills. Poets, he said further, should have penchant for words and must be able to play with words, not forgetting to express their minds with apt words and elegant expressions. In another vein, the aspirant to the office of president of ANA lamented the continuous down-ward slide in the promotion of arts, noting that the poor state

of the nation’s economy, the decline in standard education and the manifest lack of viable institution play pivotal roles in the poor promotion of books. According to him, “We have a ministry of culture, a minister of culture, or chairmen of cultural organisations and commissioners who know next to nothing about how important writing is. Many of them think that the ministry should just gather people together to dance and clap when a visiting president is coming. That is what culture means to them”. He maintained that no genuine development of minds can take place in the country where History and Literature are considered as unimportant, noting that “the humanities is the science of life, which we do not know. Philosophy is in all of the sciences. Isaac Newton, Archimedes, Phythagoras, all of these mathematicians, started as philosophers. But we have minimized the importance of philosophical dissipations in this country; we have killed thinking”.

“ANA is represented across the country. Some are more visible in some states than others, and some more powerful than others. Artmosphere and other new groups could be feeder groups to a larger ANA because we need to connect with writers in other states. You can never have enough literary organisations. It is not like being a member of a political party. In fact, if all political parties were literary organisations, we should be a member of all of them,”

PHOTO: FEMI MORGAN

Raji-Oyelade also expressed displeasure at the inversion of values evident in the country. “In our capital cities and Abuja for instance, all the streets are named after politicians. In Ibadan, you name it after one Alhaji, Alhaja, or pastor, but when you go to France and other cities we like to imitate, they name their cities after great thinkers, historians, poets, and writers”, adding that in Nigeria “you can have subsidy for cars, rice and even garri. But government does not subsidise the importation of books. Even if it is paid for, when it arrives in the post office, you still have to pay once they know it is print. It is an anti-intellectual nation and it is affecting the youths.” The poet who responded to the probing questions asked by the participants equally spoke on his involvement in the race for the top office of ANA. Having served as the Vice-Chairman of ANA in Oyo State, Publicity Secretary, and later as state Chairman in 2000, the aspirant submitted that he has enough experience to discharge quite creditably the duties of the office he is vying for. Training of young writers and confronting the hydra-headed monster of piracy beginning from the national level, according to him, are some of the cardinal objectives he would concentrate on if elected as ANA president. “In my own way, I have encouraged some writers, I have developed some writers and I have introduced writers to international organisations for readings and fellowships. I felt that the good will of one writer cannot last forever. One will retire when one can’t do a lot anymore. So why don’t we do something institutional and then get ANA to be the body supporting budding writers? In 1981, six writers were published by ANA’s then publishing arm, Update Publishers, free of charge. Akpan Eke, Iman Sheik, among others. Most of them still write. We can do the same thing across the country. ANA is represented across the country. Some are more visible in some states than others, and some more powerful than others. Artmosphere and other new groups could be feeder groups to a larger ANA because we need to connect with writers in other states. You can never have enough literary organisations. It is not like being a member of a political party. In fact, if all political parties were literary organisations, we should be a member of all of them,” he chirped. Others who defied the Ibadan August floods to spice up the outing with RajiOyelade are Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, an already published younger creative writer whose published works are used in some schools in the Southwest, Sam Uperi, Senior Consultant to Walk for Life, a social health Non-Governmental Organisation, Victor Mudi, polyglot poet, and Sammy, an upcoming music artist.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Arts & Life

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Genderology

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

With due respect to the female folk, the writer dedicates this piece adapted from the internet to men who, in deciphering the average woman, are always at a loss – doesn’t that go for all men? TO please a woman, a man only NEEDS to be: 1. a friend 2. a companion 3. a lover 4. a brother 5. a father 6. a master 7. a chef 8. an electrician 9. a carpenter 10. a plumber 11. a mechanic 12. a decorator 13. a stylist 14. a sexologist 15. a gynecologist 16. a psychologist 17. a pest exterminator 18. a psychiatrist 19. a healer 20. a good listener 21. an organiser 22. a good father 23. very clean 24. sympathetic 25. athletic 26. warm 27. attentive 28. gallant 29. intelligent 30. funny 31. creative 32. tender 33. strong 34. understanding 35. tolerant 36. prudent 37. ambitious 38. capable 39. courageous 40. determined! 41. true 42. dependable 43. passionate 44. compassionate WITHOUT forgetting to: 1. give her compliments regularly 2. love shopping 3. be honest 4. be very rich 5. not stress her out 6. not look at other girls At the same time you MUST: 1. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself 2. give her lots of time, especially time for herself 3. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes And NEVER fail to remember: 1. birthdays 2. anniversaries 3. arrangements she makes Oh, lest we forget; ladies, to make a man happy, JUST: 1. Show up with an irresistible look 2. Bring something to drink or cook

Think about this!

CHEEK BY JOWL

ONCE a very wealthy man took his son on a trip to the rural area with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” “It was great, Dad,” said the son. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh yes,” said the son. “So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our verandah reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. “We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.” The father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are.”

•Culled from the Internet

Jokes Test Cheater Two young engineers applied for a single position at a computer company. They both had the same qualifications. In order to determine which individual to hire, the applicants were asked to take a test by the Department Manager. Upon completion of the test, both men missed only one of the questions. The manager went to the first applicant and said, “Thank you for your interest, but we’ve decided to give the job to the other applicant.” “And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct,” said the rejected applicant. “Exactly. We have based our decision not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed,” said the manager. “And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?” the rejected applicant inquired. “Simple,” said the manager, “Your fellow applicant put down on question No. 5, ‘I don’t know.’ You put down, ‘Neither do I.’”

SUDOKU

Supermarket Innovation Mike visited a new supermarket that opened near his house. It had an automatic water shower to keep agricultural products fresh. Just before it came on, Mike heard the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain. As he approached the milk counters, he heard cows mooing and experienced the scent of fresh hay. Approaching the egg counter, he heard hens cluck and cackle, and the air was filled with the pleasing aroma of toast bread and eggs frying. The vegetable department featured the smell of fresh buttered corn. He decided to stay away from the toiletry section.

QUOTE Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

—Robert Frost •Culled from the Internet

1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (332) Look at the 3 middle horizontal (DEF) 3x3 boxes. The left box has 9 in cell Dc, while the middle box has its 9 in cell Ed. The right box must, therefore, have its own 9 in row F,

4/9/2011

where there is only 1 vacant space - cell Fi. Thinking along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells. Solution on SATURDAY. Happy Puzzling!

PUZZLE 332

A B 2 C 3 7 8 D 8 3 7 9 E 9 F 1 4 2 G 2 4 5 H 9 1 8 6 I 5 a

1 9 5 3 9 8 2 7 h

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 331

5 3 9 2 4 8 7 1 6

8 4 6 3 7 1 5 2 9

1 7 2 6 5 9 3 8 4

3 5 1 9 2 6 8 4 7

9 6 8 4 1 7 2 3 5

4 2 7 5 8 3 9 6 1

2 8 4 7 6 5 1 9 3

7 1 3 8 9 4 6 5 2

6 9 5 1 3 2 4 7 8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Young Nation

08056745268

Hello children, Hope you are preparing to end your summer lessons? Have fun for the rest of the break.

WORD WHEEL This is an open ended puzzle. How many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram? We’ve found 20, including one nineletter word. Can you do better?

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi 1. I am something, when I’m away, people complain, when I arrive, people run away. What am I? 2. I am something; I have four legs and a flat head, but no hands. What am I? Miss Ajayi is a Basic 5 pupil of Fasta International School, Omole Estate Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos.

WORD SEARCH

United States •A scene of a stage play on ‘integrity’ by students of Lead City High School, Ibadan, Oyo State.

•Miss Ate Joan Ngohide Ogoamaka clocked one recently.

THE MOSQUITO’S PRAYER Our victims who are in bed, We salute you all, for great is your body. Our time has come again, Give us tonight our bloody meal! And forgive us our daily actions, As we forgive those who spray insecticides. Keep us not away by the use of your nets, But deliver us from mosquito coils, For your body is our meal, Now and forever. (Amen). Joshua Ayomide Ajayi J.S.S. 1A King’s College, Annex Victoria Island, Lagos.

WORD WHEEL Nine-letter word: phenomena Other words: amp, ape, heap, hemp, hop, hope, map, mop, mope, nap, nape, open, pan, pane, pea, pen, phone, phoneme, poem

BIRTHDAY

The United States of America (also referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where it's forty-eight and Washington, D.C, the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country also possesses several territories in the Caribbean and Pacific. The United States is officially a secular nation; the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion and forbids the establishment of any religious governance. English is the de facto national language although there is no official language at the federal level, some laws-such as U.S. naturalization requirements. The United States is a multicultural nation, home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and values. Baseball has been regarded as the national sport since the late 19th century, even after being eclipsed in popularity by American football. Basketball and ice hockey are the country's next two leading professional team sports.

ALASKA ARIZONA ARKANSAS CALIFONIA COLORADO FLORIDA GEORGIA

HAWAII IOWA KENTUCKY LOUISIANA MARYLAND NEVADA NEWJERSEY

NEWYORK OHIO OKLAHOMA TENNESSEE TEXAS WASHINGTON

Word search created by Ifeoluwa Onifade Answer to Riddle 1. Rain

2. Table

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

UFF, Puff, Pass! That’s what we say when we’re two or more and sharing a joint. But I don’t think I will be puffing or passing anytime soon. I’ve smoked my last blunt, man. Made a promise I fully intend to keep because it’s a sad day when a mother catches her first child using. And I was caught in the worst way. July 22nd, 2010. I’m alone at home. My father has gone to work. Mom is at her store where she sells provisions. With the house to myself, and no light (Power Holding was holding onto power again), I am quickly bored. I think about going out, but it’s still early and then I remember I still have some weed leftover from the previous day. So, I roll up a really fat one and lock myself up in my toilet with my iPod on full volume. I’m blazing freely, singing along with Fela, when over the blaring of my earphones and my off-key voice; I hear banging on the door and my mother’s voice telling me to come out. I swear about ten times, confused. Thinking, “Should I come out. You can’t stay locked in there forever. What am I going to tell her? Can she smell the smoke?...Cigarettes, Cigarettes. That’s what I’ll say.” So I come out, higher than Bob Marley, looking sheepish and face my mother. The look on her face breaks my heart and through my dilated pupils I can see she already knows. I can’t lie anymore because she’s crying. I hate seeing my mother cry; and it’s worse because I know I am the cause of it. I try to explain to her on bended knees; I beg her to forgive me. I’m not an addict, I say. This is the third time I’m doing this. I only do it when I’m frustrated. It helps take

Shor Shortt Stor Storyy Rita Ohai Rita Ohai

07089069956 (sms only) e-mail: pearlohai@yahoo.com

Puff, Puff, Pass WRITTEN BY OSAS OSAYIWU

my mind off things. She looks at me behind her tears; she wants to believe me but I can see the doubt

in her eyes. So she asks me questions. “Where did you get it from?” I remain silent. “You better start talking”, she

says. She repeats her question. And so I tell her; a guy sells the stuff a couple of streets away. “How much?” she yells. “50 Naira”, I answer. “My God, 50 Naira.” She is getting hysterical now. “You want to ruin your life for just 50 Naira. Can’t you see what you are doing to yourself? You know this thing is dangerous. You watched the film they showed in your school. And yet you chose to smoke igbo……igbo. My God, what will I say? Why are you doing this to me? Why should it be me whose child is smoking igbo? Do you want to destroy your life?” The crying resumes and by this time I am truly sorry. She probably sees this; she is begging me now. “Please don’t ruin your life. Stop following all these boys that you’re

Democratic rule in Libya will be the beginning of a new era as postindependence Libya is yet to see government of the people. Gaddafi was a product of revolution in 1969 and left through revolution but a bloody one this time. Libyans should learn how to adjust to this new system of governance where the will of the majority is supreme and not one man they have been used to. The world should support them for reconstruction and rehabilitation. Dom Ogbeche, Yala, Cross River State. The critics of Gaddafi have to ask: “Is he doing well for his country politically, socially and economically? It is not about his number of years in power, after all it is said that “the devil you know is much better than the angel you think is coming for you”. The critics should know that the West always wants to disorganise the strong parts of Africa so that they will have more access in manipulating African’s activities. Clement, Enugu State.

following. Even if you are not an addict now, before you know it, you’ll become one and be the next naked mad man living under the bridge. Is that what you want?” No, I say. So she makes me promise never to smoke igbo again. And I do. She says I must stop this; that it must be the last time. “Do you need help?” she asks. No, I say. I can handle it. She’s quiet now. I don’t know what to do. She cries some more. And I go to her. Mum, I promise. It will never happen again. And I repeat the same excuses. She has to go back to the store and so she leaves me again. After a while, my ‘highness’ wears off and I wonder if I had been hallucinating the whole time. But I go back to the toilet and see the remaining half of the joint. I flush it down and see it swirl away. No, it was no hallucination. But the experience was surreal, man. By the way, I meant that promise. Never to put my mother through such pain again. Too hard for both of us. … “Guy, na puff puff pass nah. Na you dey always disturb the sequence.” I pass the joint back to my friend. He drags, inhales and then exhales. “ Dude, that’s a stupid story,” he says. Many thanks to our amazing readers who send in their comments. If you are passionate about writing exciting short stories, you can send two copies of your writing samples to pearlohai@yahoo.com. Winning entries will be published once every month. N.B: Each entry must have a minimum of 800 words and a maximum of 1000 words. Credit will be given to each writer for every story published.

Continue from page 48 The “ongoing efforts by Libyan people to enthrone a democratic system after bringing down the 42-year regime of Muammar Gaddafi” come with some didactic lessons for both our leaders and the led. The efforts drive home the truism that however the level of forbearance, no society is contented to forego its basic rights for too long. It also proves the trite saying that those leaders who do not have positive ends are often those who are unable to make a distinction between power and the claims made on its behalf. Such do so to their peril. Anthony N.Z. Sani, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Have Your Say What is your reaction to efforts by Libyans to enthrone a democratic system after bringing down the 42-yearold regime of Muammar Gaddafi? I should like to say that the efforts made so far by the Libyans towards the enthronement of democracy in their country are commendable. Democracy as it is practised in any country across the globe is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But the case of Libya as a country under Col. Gaddafi for almost 42 years was a one-man business. The development should send a very clear message to other world leaders whose countries are still not under the rule of democracy to have a change of heart. Kudos to the Libyan rebels for their bravery. Kamorudeen Oyeniran, Osogbo, Osun State. The ongoing efforts by the Libyan people to enthrone democratic system are a welcome development since democracy promotes freedom. Afolabi Jokanola, Ibadan Poly, Oyo State. There can be no democratic system in Libya. Expect more bloodbaths and more struggles. Sleep has been murdered and there cannot be peace again. Kelechi Okezie, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The efforts of the Libyan people in enthroning a democratic system are

commendable and possible. I wish to say here that it must be done with care and caution. It must not be done with bias and sentiment. The interest of Libyan must be put above individual. Alex Ezomo, Benin City, Edo State. Following the incessant attacks and killings in Tripoli, I’m of the view that the UN should intervene by ensuring a means of resolving the ongoing conflict for the benefit of the masses and not one person. The voice of the people should be given a fair hearing for peace to reign. Okoro Emmanuel Ndubueze, Enugu State. The so-called liberators are actually destroyers and stooges of the West. Give Nigeria a leader like Gaddafi and he will provide us with the basic requirements of life like good roads, constant power and water supply, free education, free health care at all levels, free housing for all families, security and minimal corruption. And I would ask him to be there for many longer years if possible! After all, what is the end purpose of democracy if not the achievement of the above stated objectives? Marcel Duru, Kano State.

Democratic government without positive benefit like our own in Nigeria makes no meaning. Libyans should just pray for good, God-fearing leader. Yinka Afolabi, Minna, Niger State. Freedom all over the world is a cherished ideal, but it carries with it enormous burden and price. Enthroning democratic rule in Libya after ousting Gaddafi will not end slavery and poverty in that country. The new government must eliminate all Western influence that the imperialist masters will bring. France, Britain, and USA all have a common goal in Libya — the exploitation of their abundant natural and human resources in exchange for their epileptic “Aid”. Africas’ problem must be solved by Africans and not by the very people that created same. Jacob Owan, Calabar, Cross River State. Well, the Libyan rebels have done their best: we expect the Transitional Council to liaise with the rebels on the way forward for true democracy (not try plucking unripe mangoes). Obida David, Kubwa, Abuja. Libyans have suffered long enough under the autocratic, despotic and

megalomaniac leader called Muammar Gaddafi. Their freedom/ liberty was completely curtailed through draconian and undemocratic policies fashioned by Gaddafi in pursuance of egoistic agenda and personal aggrandizement. When he was in power, Gaddafi was Libya and Libya was Gaddaffi. With a working democratic structure, the Libyans know that they will have the freedom to choose their leader and will be at liberty to pursue any economic interest. Olaniran Afolabi A., Benin City, Edo State. No man can suppress the freedom of his people; it is like postponing the doomsday. Bala Dele Labinjo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Those the gods want dead they first make mad. As the days of the satanic, mad tyrant called Gaddafi are obviously over, the Libyans should be extremely careful in choosing their next leader to avoid any other worse form of Gaddafi. They should be very careful to avoid playing into the hands of the satanic organisations such as alQaeda, Boko Harram, or any other evil sects. Dr Usman Kuti, Otukpo, Benue State. There is no doubt that the Libyan people are disillusioned with Gaddafi’s autocratic rule which has brought nothing but suppression and nepotism. Thus, I see the ongoing efforts to oust Col. Gaddafi as a laudable step for positive change. Governance is a social contract that must involve the will of the people and that is what democracy stands for. Martins Osamuyi Omoruyi, Benin City, Edo State. Continue on The Nation website: www.thenationlineng.net, click on Sunday Magazine, then Have Your Say

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

MAKINDE

EZEAGU

ADESIDA

AMOLE

I, Nwakoh Opere Abiodun, hereby notify the general public that my name was wrongly spelt as Nwakoh Ukpere Abiodun instead of Nwakoh Opere Abiodun as my correct name. All former documents remain valid. Authority concern take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Makinde Silifat Omobolaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bola Olusola Adewale Oyagbirin. All former documents remain valid. SACRED HEART Hospital and general Public to take note.

ADELAYO

ALESINLOYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelayo Abiodun Ife, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oketola Adejoke Lucky. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OBADINA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obadina Kehinde Joyce, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jerome Kehinde Joyce. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EKANOYE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Funmilayo Adenike Ekanoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Funmilayo Adenike Christiana Animaku. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EKWUDU I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGOCHUKWU COMFORT EKWUDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGOCHUKWU COMFORT EJESIEME. All former documents remain valid. MDCN and general public should please take note.

OKASIA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okasia Anthonia Obiaghelli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifon Anthonia Obiaghelli. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKOLO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Omayemi Okolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mary Omayemi Ajose. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OYEMADE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyemade Ibukunoluwa Ajoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sanni Ibukunoluwa Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ODEDE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODEDE ADESINA OLUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MIKE OLUSOLA ADESINA. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and the general public should please take note.

EZECHUKWU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoma Lawrencia Ezechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ifeoma Lawrencia Ndulue. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public to take note.

OKE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke Adeleye Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunmodede Adeleye Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OLOKUNLADE I, formerly known and addressed as Olokunlade Olufemi Titus, now wish to be known and addressed as Clement Olufemi Titus. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ADEYEMI I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Funmilola Iyabo Adeyemi (Nee Kekereowo), now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Funmilola Iyabo Babatunde. All former documents remain valid. Abeokuta North LGEA and general Public to take note.

AFOLABI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Afolabi Abosede Olufunke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Komolafe Abosede Olufunke. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general Public to take note.

ODUNLAMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odunlami Rafiat Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaofe Rafiat Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State SUBEB and general Public to CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Eyiaro, Iretioluwa Felicia and Eyiaro, Ireti Felicia is the same and one person. All documents bearing the above names remains valid. University of Nigeria, Nsukka and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alesinloye Esther Funmilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawuyi Esther Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OBAFUSO

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Obafuso Olusegun Mathew, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Obhafuoso Segun Mathew Ademola. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

MUSTAPHA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mustapha Fausat Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aluko Fausat Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public to take note.

AJASA I formerly known and adressed as Miss Rachael Adebola Olufunmilayo Ajasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edwards-Taiwo Ruth Funmilayo. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

AGBOOLA I formerly known and adressed as Miss Agboola Mojisola Kemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kemi Olaonipekun Mojisola. All former document remain valid. Eti-Osa East LCDA and general Public should please take note.

OSUJI I formerly known and adressed as Osuji Victoria Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Okere Victoria Chinyere. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

HASSAN I formerly known and adressed as Miss Hassan Karimat Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akanji Karimat Olusola. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general Public should please take note.

AJALA I formerly known and adressed as Joseph Kolawole Ajala, now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Kolawole Jesuloni. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

GIDEON I formerly known and adressed as Miss Ntuen Iniobong Gideon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lawrence Iniobong Gideon. All former document remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State and general Public should please take note. OMORUYI I formerly known and adressed as Miss Omoruyi Glory, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ehimwenma Glory. All former document remain valid. Auchi Polytechnic,NYSC and general Public should please take note.

AKINOLA I formerly known and adressed as Akinola Adeniyi Kamoru, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinola Adeniyi Kamal. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ADIE

Former Adie Jeffery Adie now Ugim-Adie Jeffery Adie, former Adie Carmel-Mary Agbo now Ugim-Adie Carmel-Mary Agbo. Former Adie Edward Angiaigieye now Ugim-Adie Edward Angiaigieye, former Adie Rodney Ugim now Ugim-Adie Rodney Ugim, former Adie Bruno Unimuke now Ugim-Adie Bruno Unimuke All former document remain valid. Greenoak International Schools, Portharcourt, Corona Schools Trust Council, Ikoyi-Lagos, WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, West Virginia University, USA and general Public should please take OFONGO note. I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josphine Inatimi Ofongo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josphine Inatimi Ugonna Eke. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ALAO

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Alao Kemi Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Awojobi Kemi Margaret. All former document remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Odogbolu LGEA and general Public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME DOUGLAS

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinelo Maureen Ezeagu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinelo Maureen Alaneme. All former documents remain valid.General Public to take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesida Adesola Aina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adesanya Adesola Aina. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public to take note.

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Amole Modinat Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alade Modinat Temitope. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

I,formerly known and adressed as Douglas Olaide, now wish to be known and addressed as Akindele Hezekiah Kayode. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

OKUDO

OPETUKI

ARANSIOLA

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Sekunmade Esther Fisayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Egunjobi Esther Fisayo. All former document remain valid. TESCOM, Ogun State and general Public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okudo Ukamaka Perpetual, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyeka Ukamaka Perpetual. All former documents remain valid.General Public to take note.

IKIME I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenejabor Ikime, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghenejabor Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Asaba and general Public to take note.

WORGU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Worgu L. Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Micheal Otunuya L. Patience. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ARIT

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Arit Joseph Ukpabio, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arit Chukwudi Allen. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

AGBOOLA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboola Ruth Omolayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osanaiye Ruth Omolayo. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OLOFIN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oludare Oluyemisi Olofin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oludare Oluyemisi Ilaboya. All former documents remain valid. Eko Hotels and Suits and general Public to take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME That Clem Ojo Imoroa and Clement Ojo Imoroa is one and the same person. I now wish to be addressed as Clem Ojo Imoroa.All former documents remain valid. West London College, 35 North Row Mayfair London, W.I.K. 6BB. U.K. Border Agency. Law Enforcement Agency and general Public to take note.

TALABI I formerly known and adressed as Miss Talabi Aderonke Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Duduyemi Aderonke Abimbola. All former document remain valid. TASUD, Ijagun, NYSC and general Public should please take note.

EWEJE I formerly known and adressed as Miss Eweje Modupe Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elias Modupe Abosede. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ANIFOWOSE I formerly known and adressed as Miss Anifowose Christianah Adekemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oladosu Christianah Adekemi. All former document remain valid. TASUD, Ijagun, NYSC and general Public should please take note.

SHITTU I formerly known and adressed as Miss Shittu Kafayat Mojisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abidogun Kafayat Mojisola. All former document remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Financial Institutions and general Public should please take note.

IBITUNDE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Opetuki Oluranti Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaiya Oluranti Esther. All former documents remain valid. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State and general Public to take note.

OBASSA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obassa Oluwagbemisola Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Makanjuola Oluwagbemisola Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ADEYEMO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemo Funmilayo Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawale Funmilayo Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Teaching Service Commission, Osogbo and general Public to take note.

AROJOJOYE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Arojojoye Mary Tejumade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babatunde Mary Tejumade. All former documents remain valid. Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, University of Ibadan, NYSC and general Public to take note.

GEORGE OKEZIE FAMILY We the family of George Okezie, formerly known and addressed as George Okezie Ukanwa, now wish to be known and addressed as GEORGE OKEZIE. All former documents bearing our former name remain valid. General Public to take note.

GBAJE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Tanda Gbaje wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Joy Tanda Eronmosele. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, NMCN and general public should take note.

ONYEHARA I formerly known and addresses as MISS ONYEHARA VICTORIA AMARACHI , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MUOKWE VICTORIA AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ERHABOR

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Christabel Onovughe Erhabor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Christabel Onovughe Aigbe. All former document remain valid. Delta State University, Abraka, NYSC and general Public should please take note.

ELUFIOYE I,formerly known and adressed as Elufioye Olusegun Olayiwola David, now wish to be known and addressed as Elufioye-Johnson Olusegun Olayiwola David. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

EYONG I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Jenny Iferi Eyong, now wish to be known and addressed as Etini Okoi Jenny. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

EROGUNAYE

I,formerly known and adressed as Oluwafolakemi Erogunaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwafolakemi Mathew. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Monsurat Yetunde Ibitunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Monsurat Yetunde Shobanjo. All former document remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Odogbolu LGEA and general Public should please take note.

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Johnson Taiwo Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olatunji Taiwo Opeyemi. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general Public should please take note.

SAKA

NWOYE

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Saka Rukayat Oriyomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alaga Rukayat Oriyomi. All former document remain valid. SUBEB and general Public should please take note.

ODULAJA I formerly known and adressed as Miss Titilayo Adesola Odulaja, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Titilayo Adesola Ayanfe-Ademola. All former document remain valid. NYSC, TASUED, Ijagun, IjebuOde and general Public should please take note.

JOHNSON

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Nwoye Oluchukwu Linda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okechukwu Oluchukwu Oluchi Linda. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general Public should please take note.

AWOSOLA I,formerly known and adressed as Awosola Akintayo Akintayo Amos, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinola Akintayo Amos. All former document remain valid. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State and general Public should please take note.

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Titilope Oluwaseun Aransiola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rachael Titilope Afolayan. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

OTUN I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Otun Bolaji Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bolaji Helen Audu. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

IRABOR I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Irabor Virginia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eghaghe Erabor Virginic. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

AWOFEKO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Awofeko Funmilola Oluyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunniran Funmilola Oluyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Orubo Tonye Jack and Orubo Tonye Jeseph are one and same person. I now wish to be addressed as Orubo Tonye Jack. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ODILI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Obianauju Odili, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Obianauju Igbongidi. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

SEKUNMADE

ADENIYI I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Adeniyi Aderonke Oluwabusayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sadare Aderonke Oluwabusayo. All former document remain valid. Bedrock International Nur. & Primary School and general Public should please take note.

ODUYEMI

I,formerly known and adressed as Miss Oduyemi Janet Fakanmbi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oduyemi Janet Isikalu. All former document remain valid. Yewa North LGEA, Ayetoro and general Public should please take note.

AGUNLOYE I,formerly known and adressed as Agunloye Helen Gbemisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bickersteth HelenGbemisola. All former document remain valid. Ondo State and general Public should please take note.

OMODARA

I was formerly known and addressed as Mr Omodara Ojo Victor, but now l want the public to addressed and call me MR JEJE OMODARA VICTOR, all the documents bearing the former name hereby valid. The public should take note of this change.

OLATUNJI

EWURUM

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abiodun Abosede Olatunji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abiodun Abosede Ayodele. All former documents remain valid. UITH and general Public to take note.

EBITARI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Emem Utuk James, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emem Augustine Monyei. All former documents remain valid. British Embassy and general Public to take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ewurum Lilian Adaure, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwachukwu Lilian Adaure. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note. I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebitari Abundance Zibokere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebitari Aboundance Oisaoremi Ohiorenoya. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ABISAYO I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Abisayo Mercy Bolanle Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abidakun Mercy Bolanle Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. Ondo State Judiciary and general Public to take note.

ONIMISI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onimisi Toyin Dunsi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Saliu Toyin Dunsin. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OMOJUNIKANBI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omojunikanbi Roseline Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lanwo Roseline Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ODOFIN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Odofin Dupe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajiga Rose Dupe. All former documents remain valid. Nig. Educational Research Development Council, Abuja and general Public to take note.

RAHEEM I formerly known and addressed as Miss Tawakalit Modupe Raheem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Giwa Tawakalit Modupe. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, LASU and general Public to take note.

ADOJUTELEGAN I formerly known and addressed as Adojutelegan Adebola Adedayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adojutelegan Adebola Oladipupo Adedayo. All former documents remain valid. Immigration Service and general

IMAKINI I formerly known and addressed as Tony Imakini, now wish to be known and addressed as Kunle Ajinawo. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

JAMES

OCHULO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ochulo Chinyere Peace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odion Chinyere Peace. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

ODION

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Odion Judith Ebabhiehiele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azaka Judith Ebabhiehiele. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

WUDU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGOCHUKWU COMFORT EKWUDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGOCHUKWU COMFORT EJESIEME. All former documents remain valid. MDCN & The general public should please take note.

ODEDE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODEDE ADESINA OLUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MIKE OLUSOLA ADESINA. All former documents remain valid. UBA and the general public should please take note.

EZEALA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEALA JOVITA NGOZICHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JOVITA NGOZICHUKWU KERIAN. All former documents remain valid. Crown agents Nigeria limited, CIA, NOUN, ESUT and the general public should please take note. ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N3,500.) The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to -gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide. Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

‘Upcoming artistes must be focused’

Beehive of activity/industry

“R

E S T O R E confidence in judiciary, Jonathan charges new CJN” (DAILY SUN Headline, August 30) Jonathan’s new CJN: Restore confidence to (not in) judiciary. “Police arrest prostitute over alleged attempt to burn down church” (Vanguard Headline, August 30) A rewrite: Police arrest prostitute for attempt to raze church. The next five errors are from National Mirror of August 30: “There is no need to foster (foist) caretaker chairman (a caretaker chairman or caretaker chairmen— depending on context).” “The office, located in the popular Ikorodu Road and was a beehive of activities while….” Dosunmu’s campaign office for let: beehive of activity/industry, which means a place full of people who are busy. Never, never activities or industries! “Security experts advocate tougher counter terrorism measures” Community Mirror: counter-terrorism measures. “The implication to (for) the nation’s economy should be considered if….” “But developments within and outside Nigeria has (why the discord?) since made it obsolete.” (National Mirror Energy Week, August 31) “Court of Appeal: A new man at the saddle” (THISDAY Cover Extra Banner, August 27) Highest jurisdiction: in the saddle. THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, August 27, offered readers just two blunders: “…Kogi State has not benefitted Okunland and its people in any way.” Spell-check: benefited. “…your recent conferment of the award of Excellent by the United States Congress.” (Full Page Advertorial by Members of Akwa Ibom State Caucus in National Assembly) Felicitations: Award of Excellence. “Celebrity travel: When the going gets tough, the tough hits (hit) Grenada” (SATURDAY SUN Bold Headline, August 27) Plural: the rough; the tough; the rich; the poor…. “Our dietary patterns have totally collapsed from what it (they) used to be.” (Source: as above) The final gaffe from SATURDAY SUN: “Next week’s question: Tall or

short women, who are more sexy?” My comment on this KISS & TELL issue: who are sexier (not more sexy)? “Consequently, sources said he is (was) receiving treatment abroad.” (Weekend LIFE, August 2729) From SATURDAY PUNCH of August 27 comes the next goof: “Postpregnancy pain makes Victoria Beckham dumps (dump) glamour for comfort.” Weekend Newsstar of August 27 disseminated seven random solecisms: “PDP to protest non conduct (sic) of LG elections in Anambra, passes vote of no confidence on (in) Metuh” “However, Ndukwe who said he never had premonition (a premonition) of his son’s death said it’s (it was) the Lord’s doing.” “Also speaking at (on) the occasion….” The Back Page column concludes the series of improprieties: “In the process (a comma) an incoming (oncoming) bus overran them.” “The pains are better imagine (imagined).” THISDAY of August 28 offered readers three errors: “…nor did she parted (part) ways with him because….” “According to her, driving a nail on (in) the coffin of their union was a decision….” “She said she has (had) moved on with her life….” Next on the infamous list is Sunday Mirror Headline of August 28: “Ahead 2011 Bethel Conference: What Assemblies of God has in stock for Nigeria” Praise & Worship: replace ‘stock’ with ‘store’ for reflective clarity by idyllic mirror standard. Still on the stable of ‘all the facts, all the sides’. NATIONAL MIRROR Editorial of August 26 goofed: “The farmer alerted the government of the discovery following which….” The discovery of crude oil in Kwara State: The farmer alerted the government to (not of) the discovery. “UNN School of PG Studies 2011/2012 PG Admissions (Sanwich Programme) (Half Page Advert, DAILY SUN, August 26) Education in a shambles: sandwich. This explains why a second class upper degree holder in English language could

not spell a word as simple as ‘encounter’ and had to be disqualified by Lagos State Police Commissioner, Yakubu Alkali, in the recent Force recruitment (Vide DAILY SUN Front Page, August 25). Yet another Full Page Advertisement poor copy in THISDAY of August 26: “We heartily congratulate you for (on) this meritorious achievement to the Inner Bar in legal profession.” “It only remain (remains) to be seen if….” (Nigerian Tribune, 26 August) “Exit of a matriach” (Full Page Obituary Announcement, DAILY SUN, August 25) This is slipshoddiness because the computer regulates itself on most spellings: matriarch. “The truth or otherwise of these allegations were put on different occasions to both….” The truth was (not were). “The untimely and avoidable death (which one is timely and avoidable?) is another bloody feather on the cap of drivers of trailers and other haulage vehicles.” Another bloody feather in the cap of drivers…. Please note that it is contradictory and blasphemous to speak or write: “With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we regret to announce the death of our…” It is impossible to be grateful to my Almighty Father and in the same breath express regret, sadness, grief.... If your emotions overwhelm your spirituality and belief in eternal life, then swallow your gratitude. In that case it becomes: “With grouse about the Creator and disappointment in all He stands for, we regret to announce the timely (don’t mind me on this) demise of our breadwinner”! On a serious note: “With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we joyfully/ gladly or happily/ satisfactorily….” “It must also be remembered that the party made an effort to integrate with either of the two parties….” No slovenliness: either of the parties. ‘Either of the two parties’ can lead to lexical turmoil! “They came to enjoy music, not to pay through their noses (the nose) for a few hours of fun.” (Last week’s addendum from Baba Bayo Oguntuase)

OR an industry that is reputed to be growing at a very fast pace and becoming rather very competitive too, the belief among stakeholders in the Yoruba movie industry will be that only flamboyant actors and actresses can turn out to be successful. This belief, however, is but an assumption that does not hold water in some quarters. In a recent chat with The Nation, Olayinka SalamiAzubuike, a fast-rising actress in the industry said that she does not believe that an actress must be flashy before becoming a successful artiste. The actress emphasised that being oneself remains the key to success in the industry. “Most people think that if they don’t expose their bodies or do all sorts of odd things; they won’t get to the top. Doing those things doesn’t mean you will get there. I strongly believe that what will be, will be. So the most important thing is just for you to be yourself”, she said. Expatiating, the SalamiAzubuike, who has produced a number of movies, said that it is true that upcoming artistes often find it difficult to get roles. This, she said, is one of the

By Glory Ikegbule and Omobolanle Oguntoyinbo

reasons she ventured into producing. “Once I produce, I will be able to act in my own movie,” she said. The multi-talented actress who is also a make-up artist stressed the need for professionalism and formal education in the industry. “The industry is not something you jump into. An artist should acquire sound formal education, and complement that with professional courses. There are many institutions from where professional knowledge could be acquired, such as PEFTI, PIFA amongst others”, she noted. Asked how she manages to juggle matrimony, motherhood, business and a nursing profession, SalamiAzubuike, who is billed to premiere her new film later in the month, said that it has been by the grace of God. She was however quick to advise other upcoming artistes not to be intimidated but to keep their heads up high. She said; “many upcoming artistes today have resorted to the bleaching of skins. It is due to the general mentality in the

•Salami-Azubuike Photo: BADE DARAMOLA

industry that only flashy actresses get to the top. But really, there are people in the industry who maintain their natural skin colour and are still successful. So my advice to every upcoming artiste is that they should believe in themselves and just be true to who they are.”

Safety and Security Alert! Modus operandi of and consequences combanting suicide bombings (1) “When men are angry, they commonly act out of revenge and not ambition”. –Aristotle.

ITH the last UN building suicide blast, we earnestly need to determine the best combination of tactics to curb this menace, hence call for optimal counterterrorist actions. History of Suicide Bombing “History reveals suicide terrorism existed since 11th century. The Ismalis-Nizari, adopted a strategy to advance the cause of Islam. Perpetrators perceived deaths as ‘martyrdom’, lives as sacrificial offerings. What is Suicide Bombing? The Institute for CounterTerrorism (ICT) defined as an “operational method where attack depend upon the death of perpetrator is fully aware that if she/he does not kill her/ himself, the planned attack will not be implemented. Why Suicide Bombers? It’s “a synthesis of war and theater.” •A simple and low-cost operation •Increases likelihood of mass casualties •Choose exact time, location, and circumstances of attack. •No fear to immense impact •Inflicts fear, anxiety and produces negative psychology •Attracts wide media coverage •Sensationalism. •Martyrdom as last resort against enemies. •Bring notice to their plight and •Contend effective weapons Abu Shanab, a Hamas leader, stated “all required is a bomb, a detonator, and courage while courage is the scarce resource.” Why female suicide bombers? They use women for: • Tactical advantage • Increased combatants. • Increased publicity equals larger recruits. • Psychological effect.

A training commander of suicide bombers once said, “The body has become our most potent weapon. When we searched for ways to resist, we discovered women had advantage.” Who becomes suicide bomber? Are: •young males and females •average economic status •refugee camps •ignorant or impoverished •avenge Recruitment methods They: •take advantage of women innocence, enthusiasm, distress, thirst for revenge. •get them young, •orphans. Why become suicide bomber? •rewards (houri-el-ein) •motivations •religious duty. •higher order •pleasures. Before Attack They: •receive large sums of money, •improve family’s social status, •enhance reputation. After death •families receive honor •substantial financial rewards •admired and envied •photographs in heroic positions •media provides advertising and recruitment tool. They are trained by: •fundamentalists abroad •agents of Al Qaeda •psychologists and demolition experts •at clandestine centers Course content research reveals: •explosives handling •Kalashnikov •assemblage and dismantle AK-47 & assault rifles, •target practice •theory on “enemy and tactics” •details and outcome of

attacks are dissected, revised, debated and discussed. •6 hours/day minimum on explosives. •bomb belts •explosive drills -strapped around body; strapped to legs, back or abdomen without bulging Implications •Fundamentalist clerics expressed theological dilemmas as Islam forbids it. (inithar). The Koran states: “And do not kill yourself, for God is indeed merciful to you.” Prophet Mohammed, forbade suicide and decreed, “He who drinks poison and kills himself will carry his poison in his hand and drink it in Hell for ever and ever.” •Militant religious leaders asserted, attacks are acts of ‘martyrdom’ (istishhad), as means of last resort. While God punishes those who commit suicide, he rewards the martyr. According to Koran, “Think not of those who are slain in the cause of God as dead. Nay, they are alive in the presence of Lord and granted gifts…” Strategic Assessment Jessica Stern proposes “social contagion:” especially among. •Teenagers, youths whose friend or relatives commits suicide will take part. •Willingness to die & kill others. •“Martyrdom operations” •Heroic recognition Research indicates continued use of tactics and employment of females, this call for comprehensive counter-plan.

•To be continued next week Please send feedbacks, responses, and challenges by sms or e-mail to the undersigned. By: Mr. Timilehin Ajayi (Safety and Security Consultant) E-mail: timilehinajayi@yahoo.com 08095683454, 08075518732

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Y husband, Fidel, was a treasure to me and his children - faithful, honest and true. He was a father and a husband indeed, one in a million. My description about him cannot be best captured in this write up, but Fidel, my gentle husband was a hero; intelligent and humble to a fault. I think of my husband as a great man, who loved me, his children and all people with a passion. He treated everyone the same whether rich or poor, young or old, well or sickly, he cared for them all. He did relate with me affectionately, made great sacrifices to make sure we were happy as a family and showered us with love that was unconditional. Upon meeting Fidel several years ago, it was clear to me that I had found the right man with whom I would spend the rest of my life. We had a lot in common; we loved reading and preferred staying indoors. He was a perfect gentleman; sophisticated and stylish, yet courteous, considerate and always calm. Fidel never raised his voice; nobody could aggravate him. He was eloquent and spoke Queen’s English with perfect diction. And throughout all the challenges which come with every marriage, I remained grateful to God for giving me a man who was dependable, who gave me peace of mind, and who helped to nurture my potential. My husband Fidel was a quintessential journalist; he was passionate about journalism, lived and breathed the profession. We met at “The Mail”, and I marveled at his superior knowledge, wealth of experience and dexterity in writing. He had a first class brain; he was a mobile encyclopedia for us at home, an orator and a role model. In his earlier days at the University of Howard in Washington DC., Fidel had obtained awards for “Outstanding Commentaries”. If a comma was out of place in his writing, Fidel became restless. He was fantastic with words, he wrote excellent, flowing prose. He contributed greatly to the profession before his untimely demise. Fidel was a man who treasured values. He demonstrated transparency and honesty in all his dealings. He was principled and disciplined, but a man of very few words. His decisions were firm and precise. You always knew where he stood on any issue. He was strong in his convictions and it was difficult to change his mind once he took his stance. Taking a quote from Apostle Peter, “A thousand years is like a day, and a day like a thousand years”, it has been a year now since Fidel departed, and it is unbelievable that much time has already gone by. He was really there for me and his children, and I am grateful to God that I was there for him up until his very last moments on earth. Now he is free from all chains of earth and flesh, from the torment and the bruising scars of life, from the treachery and the wickedness of the wicked. He is at peace now and he knows how much I miss him. My heart is heavy. I miss my husband. I miss his companionship, his peaceful way of life. I miss cooking for him though he ate very little. I miss leaving him in the morning and returning to him every evening from work. I miss his comments over my dressing each day before I stepped out of the house to work. I miss sharing the details of my daily professional experiences with him and listening to his wise counsel, I miss him as a father, husband and friend. It was easy to please Fidel. God, why? The memories of him are so vivid and fresh, just like he is right beside me. He had a special way of calling my name, ‘t o y e e e n’. In later years, Fidel chose the way of the cross; the way of mortification and of sacrifice. He modeled his life after the Saints My husband Fidel was a devout and an exemplary Catholic. He lived by the dictates of the word of God, and

Life Extra

My husband, the quintessential journalist Olutoyin, widow of former London Editor of the defunct African Concord, pays tribute to her late husband who was buried a year ago. What life has taught me so far is that choosing to ignore and address certain realities in one’s life is an invitation to disaster. Life itself is not easy but everyone will lose a loved one someday. It already happened to me.

•Late Odum and wife during their church wedding in 1993

never interpreted anything in God’s word out of context, no matter how inconvenient it was for him. He was conservative in his faith and cherished it more than life itself. He did everything in life to honour God; in sleeping, eating, reading, walking, and even in parenting. For as long as I can remember, Fidel did not sleep for more than 4 hours on any night. He said his prayers almost throughout the night, and early in the morning before anyone else woke up, Fidel was already on his knees, praying. Whenever Fidel was praying, nothing else mattered. His phone was always switched off, it was his quiet time with God and nothing would distract him. Fidel loved his children and raised them up to imbibe good moral values. He also loved his roots. He will be remembered by so many women whose mode of dressing he gently corrected. He cherished modesty. He loved purity. He made us laugh at home. Fidel was romantic. He loved jokes and appreciated the time we spent together

as family. He was a very good man. Fidel was a great cook. The passion that gave birth to ‘All Seasons Restaurants’, in the 1990s was innate. My husband prepared the most delicious meals, but only for the poor. Fidel’s culinary skills were polished in the United States where he rose to the position of Sous Chef while working to support himself in school. He loved to cook for the poor all by himself, he would pack the meals decently, add packs of water, drive out and distribute to the beggars all over Lagos. The beggars recognized his car, and they always surged forward on sighting his car; excited, as handicapped as they were, and he never disappointed them. Inspite of my husband’s virtues and goodness, I truly wished he was less adamant and more discerning. I wished he had a fiery, rebellious, aggressive, no-nonsense streak within him; the spirit of a fighter, a conqueror and that of an overcomer. I am sure events would have turned out differently, but my Fidel was too trusting, too loyal, just too

enduring and accepting! His heart was innocent; he did not belong in any way to this wicked part of the sphere. What life has taught me so far is that choosing to ignore and address certain realities in one’s life is an invitation to disaster. Life itself is not easy but everyone will lose a loved one someday. It already happened to me. I am dealing with it, and have reviewed my life and taken steps that are in the best interest of the family. At a time like this when our country is faced with myriads of problems, and the profession of Journalism is going through several challenges, there cannot be a better time for journalists to reflect on the life and times of one of their own, Fidel, and strive to appreciate what he stood for – the truth all the time. For Fidel, it was all about making the society a better place. May Almighty God, whom Fidel wholeheartedly and unashamedly served, continue to have mercy upon his gentle soul. To live in the heart of those who love us is not to die. Oh Fidel, so many hidden things are as clear as crystal to me, and must be clearer to you by now. Indeed, Vengeance is the Lord’s, and He will repay (Romans 12: 19b). My consolation lies in the word of God as stated in 2nd Thessalonians 8-9. Even though the cold hands of death have put asunder what God Almighty joined together, Fidel will live forever in my heart. I will always love him, and will do everything humanly possible to keep his memory alive and to make him proud. I know that the Lord will strengthen me, and grant me the grace and courage to go on with life without him. I seize this opportunity to express my appreciation to everyone who stood by me during my period of bereavement. May Almighty God bless you all and reward you abundantly. For my loving husband Fidel, it was too soon and most unexpected. Good night, beloved, until we meet to part no more. Indeed, my hope is built on nothing else, but Jesus’ blood and righteousness. “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him”. Psalm 18:30.

“Inspite of my husband’s virtues and goodness, I truly wished he was less adamant and more discerning. I wished he had a fiery, rebellious, aggressive, no-nonsense streak within him; the spirit of a fighter, a conqueror and that of an overcomer. I am sure events would have turned out differently, but my Fidel was too trusting, too loyal, just too enduring and accepting! His heart was innocent; he did not belong in any way to this wicked part of the sphere.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Focus

The wonder banks’ secrets

• Continued from page 17

they need to deliver to these early callers to convince others. For example, if 100 people apply for a loan, they are asked to deposit 10% of whatever they want as a proof of commitment. Only about five of them will eventually secure the loan from the pool of funds from others. The others are asked to wait or given something small. Both categories will hit town, telling over 1,000 people how one firm gave them loans without being aware of those unattended to. How many more applicants get loans depend on many factors: The operator may abscond after hitting his target. He may decide to receive more and wait for government officials to come after him. In that circumstance, it is always a win-win situation for him. He tells depositors government has frozen his account, which is why he cannot pay. They believe him and hit hard on government. This is the trick that illegal fund managers have perfected to great effect. This is why they keep smiling to banks while depositors wail. Secrets of their success Early this year, Omu-Aran, a sleepy town in Kwara State, fell for the antics of these smooth operators. In less than one month, they made away with over N300 million from the largely subsistence farmers in the town. When they left, they turned to Offa, also in Kwara State, where they swindled people of over N500 million in less than two months. Principal Private Secretary to the Olofa of Offa, Mr. Tajudeen Oloyede

in a statement said “the palace was sad about the incident that it was after the scam that people informed the palace and if the palace had been informed earlier, the Kabiyesi would have warned the people.” One thing working for the wonder bank operators is their mobility. They are always on the move. At a point, they even migrated to neighbouring countries such as Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, pretending to be running loan and finance firms. But reports said some of them ran into troubled waters because of government’s vigilance and language barrier. ‘’We could not communicate well with the locals, especially in Francophone countries. So we ran for our lives,’’ one of them who was in Togo, confided. When they are caught in one city, they move to another. They drive exotic cars to give people the impression they are successful businessmen out to help others. Investigations revealed that they prefer towns to cities and villages to cities. ‘’This is because our activities are hardly known in these places. For example, how many people in Taraba state have heard of ‘wonder banks’? In Lagos, we can’t hide but over there, we can rule as we want,’’ an operator revealed. Most of their biggest scams, it was learnt, come from towns and villages and not rich cities. The pyramid scheme started off in 2006 in Ibadan before spreading to Osogbo and Iree. Many operators who spoke with our correspondent believe it was only when they came to enlightened cities like Lagos that they were uncovered. However, their mobility would have

amounted to nothing but for the greed of Nigerians. Irewole Adekunle, a financial expert, said the operators are simply capitalising on peoples’ greed. ‘’Everyone knows Nigerians like money. So when a Nigerian is told there is money somewhere, he throws caution to the wind and explores the option. That is the problem with a country that worships money,’’ he said. Another key element to the successful operation of ‘wonder banks’, is the active collaboration of many commercial banks. Most banks, it was learnt, deliberately detail marketers to fish out operators of these illegal finance houses for deposits. The banks need the operators as much as the operators need the depositors. Since their deposits come in large millions, many bank marketers fight to win their accounts. Most operators confirm this to our correspondent. This, they said, explains why deposits are always routed through banks. ‘’If we collect cash, it can raise suspicion. But we use banks to open accounts. The truth is they know what we do and still open the accounts, knowing they would swell with millions in no time,’’ one of them confided. This, they further allege, is because most of the unclaimed deposits end up trapped in banks. Unconfirmed reports said most of the trapped claims might have ended up in private pockets of bankers privy to the transactions. ‘’When we flee, they take over our unclaimed deposits,’’ an operator whose N53 million is trapped in a bank said. In the heat of the last freezing of accounts, many banks negotiated to release a percentage of trapped deposits to few people. Their inability to provide accurate transaction

records, it was gathered, is also affecting government’s commitment to repaying trapped deposits. Most accounts of ‘wonder banks’, it was also discovered, are either unavailable or shrouded in secrecy. But unscrupulous bankers are not only the accomplices. Most policemen also lobby to offer protection to operators of ‘wonder banks’. In Ibadan, many swindled depositors fished the operators out of their hiding places. But to their chagrin, they were let off the hook by policemen. ‘’Many of them bribed the police. Someone I know offered a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) N1 million and was shielded away,’’ Ezekiel Bello, an investor said. Investigations revealed many police officers are in the payroll of ‘wonder banks’ to ward off trouble makers and provide protection. But vigilance remains the biggest weapon of investors against the preying operators. Experts said depositors must find out the status and authenticity of fund managers before parting with their hardearned cash. CBN’s head of Corporate Affairs, Mohammed Abdullahi, warned Nigerians to avoid patronising ‘wonder banks’ ‘’as they are not allowed by law to operate and are not licensed by the CBN’’. He added that ‘’anybody dealing with them is doing so at his or her own risk and regulators may not be obliged to protect them’’. He said this is because patronising them is a ‘’clear case of excessive greed’’. Abdullahi told our correspondent that the apex bank has been working hand in hand with security agencies to arrest operators of ‘wonder banks’ and sealing their offices.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

‘’M

AY we live in interesting times”, so says a Chinese proverb. These are certainly interesting times for most economies across the globe as the fear of an imminent economic recession currently assails the world. Growing concerns about the prospect of a relapse in the global economic recovery have continued to unwind the global financial markets. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, spoke about the fears of many over a possible lull in the world economy in a recent broadcast in Washington, United States of America (USA) where she declared that the global economy was not only growing at an abysmally slow pace but shows signs of recession, which if not checkmated, could spell further doom for the economy still struggling to overcome the hangover of recession in the past few years.

Global financial outlook Major indices of the global financial markets have reverted to the negative with most indices reeling in double-digit negative returns. Besides, nearly all forecasters have downgraded global economic growth forecasts for this year and subsequent period. Societe Generale (GLE) SA recently cut its forecasts for the USA and other economies, downshifting global growth forecast for 2011 and 2012 to 3.9 per cent each as against previous predictions of 4.2 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively. Societe Generale also cut its growth forecast for USA this year from 2.0 per cent to 1.6 per cent while reducing growth outlook for 2012 from 3.0 per cent to 1.8 per cent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index has lost more than $1 trillion since August 5 downgrade of USA’s AAA rating by Standard and Poor’s. The European economies have been enmeshed in sovereign debt crises and the governments are yet to agree on the best possible ways for the resolution of the crises. Societe Generale’s review, the latest in a string of gloomy reports, succinctly captured the general concerns that “damage has already been done to the world economy, and the US and Europe are now growing at close to stall-speed.” Although the report noted that current scenarios might not lead to outright economic recession, many analysts said further reversals in advanced economies may serve as trigger for global economic recession. National economy Nigeria also remains in the throes of the global and national financial crises with government trying to wriggle out of interventions made to secure failing banks. The Nigerian stock market has particularly remained sluggish and weak with the average year to date return hovering above two-digit negative points. Global Intervention However, financial services authorities have adopted proactive measures to strengthen the global financial system and relating national systems in the quest to create what they described as the ‘new global financial system’. Under the auspices of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the global authority saddled with working of the new global financial system, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have been reassessing capital adequacy, clearing and settlement and transactional rules to block loopholes and build additional capacities to withstand shocks. FSB coordinates the work of national

Battle against global recession With national and global economic outlook showing signs of gradual slide towards recession, regulatory authorities across the globe are working themselves into frenzy in order to forestall what analysts describe as a clear and present danger. Assistant Editor, Taofeek Salako, reports

•Angry mob protesting over economic recession in parts of Europe in mid 2009. SOURCE: www.itimes.net

financial authorities and international standard setting bodies as well as develops and promotes the implementation of effective regulatory, supervisory and other financial sector policies in the interest of financial stability. FSB brings together national authorities responsible for financial stability in 24 countries and jurisdictions, international financial institutions, sector-specific international groupings of regulators and supervisors, and committees of central bank experts, thus it provides a wider global forum for dissertation off ideas. Already, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have irrevocably committed themselves to the realisation of the reform of the financial sector with the general consensus and agreement on the full implementation of the Basel III new standards for banks within the agreed timelines. The agreement on the Basel 111 rules marked a significant upscale in the efforts to deal with bubble capital and ensure banks are adequately capitalised to withstand economic shocks. The Basel III rules set new global regulatory standards on bank capital adequacy and liquidity. Based on earlier recommendation of the FSB, the Basel 111 Framework is expected to take effect from the beginning of 2013 and will be progressively phased in by 2019. These

transitional arrangements are to ensure that Basel III can be implemented in all countries without impeding the economic recovery, thus all countries are expected to take the necessary steps to adapt the Basel III agreements to their national laws and regulations in time for an effective implementation in 2013. Chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and President of the Netherlands Bank, Mr. Nout Wellink, described the Basel III Framework as “a landmark achievement that will help protect financial stability and promote sustainable economic growth.” According to him, the higher levels of capital, combined with a global liquidity framework, will significantly reduce the probability and severity of banking crises in the future. The highpoints of Basel 111 Framework included higher and better-quality capital, better risk coverage, introduction of a leverage ratio as a backstop to the risk-based requirement, measures to promote the build up of capital that can be drawn down in periods of stress, and the introduction of two global liquidity standards. Wellink advised against misconceiving the Basel 111 and other global efforts as relevant only to the developed economies. “Some view Basel III as a solution to a

problem they did not cause and which did not affect them. It is true that the crisis had its roots in the United States, and through the imprudent use of complex securitisations by large, complex banks its devastating effects spread to other industrialised countries”, Wellink said, adding: “The current debate over the use of contingent capital or the treatment of systemically important financial institutions (“SIFIs”) might further reinforce the impression that Basel III only targets specific markets or banks. But this is only part of the story. If one looks beyond the ruinous fall-out from the crisis, a careful analysis reveals a series of fundamental shortcomings, any of which could affect all jurisdictions and banking systems.” According to him, some of the failures that characterised this crisis and which Basel III addresses include poor liquidity risk management and insufficient liquidity buffers, despite a global glut of liquidity; too much leverage in the banking system, combined with weak credit underwriting; bank capital that was of inadequate levels and of insufficient quality and serious shortcomings in corporate governance, risk management and market transparency. The G20 November 2011 Summit would also consider ongoing policy work on •Continued on page 58

Business

•Continued from page 57

systemically important financial institutions as scheduled in the FSB work programme for 2011 as well as implementation in an internationally consistent and nondiscriminatory way of the FSB’s recommendations on OTC derivatives and on reducing reliance on credit rating agencies’ ratings. . Also in another move that implies fundamental changes in the Over-theCounter (OTC) market for derivatives, the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) and the technical committee of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) late August released for comment a report on the OTC derivatives data that should be collected, stored and disseminated by trade repositories (TRs). The report was sequel to recommendation by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) that the CPSS and IOSCO should consult with the authorities and the OTC Derivatives Regulators Forum in developing minimum data reporting requirements and standardised formats and the methodology and mechanism for data aggregation on a global basis. Earlier, CPSS and IOSCO principles had issued new and more demanding international standards for payment, clearing and settlement systems. The new standards (called “principles”) are designed to ensure that the essential infrastructure supporting global financial markets is even more robust and thus even better placed to withstand financial shocks than at present. The new standards, are designed to apply to all systemically important payment systems, central securities depositories, securities settlement systems, central counterparties and trade repositories, collectively known as “financial market infrastructures” or “FMIs”. These FMIs collectively record, clear and settle transactions in financial markets. When fully adopted, the new principles will

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Battle against global recession infrastructure that will stand the test of time,” Hoogervorst said. National intervention Already, Nigeria, which chairs the African Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of IOSCO, has reaffirmed its commitments to domesticating changes in international securities and transaction laws. Nigeria is a Signatory A to the IOSCO Memorandum, the premium category of membership for the global securities regulatory body.

•Okonjo-Iweala

•Lagarde

replace the three existing sets of CPSS and CPSS-IOSCO standards, the Core principles for systemically important payment systems (2001); the Recommendations for securities settlement systems (2001); and the Recommendations for central counterparties (2004). According to CPSS and IOSCO, a single set of principles will provide greater consistency in the oversight and regulation of FMIs worldwide. “Robust and efficient FMIs help to ensure that markets continue to function effectively even in times of crisis. They are an essential prerequisite for financial stability,” President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and CPSS Chairman, William Dudley underscored the importance of the new standards. Compared with the current standards,

the new principles introduce more demanding requirements in many important areas including the financial resources and risk management procedures an FMI uses to cope with the default of participants; the mitigation of operational risk; and the links and other interdependencies between FMIs through which operational and financial risks can spread. Chairman of the Netherlands AFM and IOSCO’s Technical Committee, Hans Hoogervorst, noted that FMIs have generally performed well but there were need to incorporate lessons learnt from the recent crisis and from the years of more normal operation in new standards “With these new principles, we believe we have produced a blueprint for the safety and stability of global financial

Compliance with best practices Head of Media, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lanre Oloyi, said Nigerian securities market regulator would stand by its international commitments and obligations. According to him, given the leadership roles of Nigeria in the comity of securities regulators, Nigeria would make earnest moves to domesticate new global requirements while cooperating with the other jurisdictions to ensure the stability of the global market. The global financial system is undoubtedly undergoing a rebirth but the definition of the global system would be determined by the willingness of national authorities to domesticate international standards and cooperate on enforcement of standards. The increasing internationalisation of the Nigerian economy comes with the obligation to synchronise Nigerian financial rules and regulations with the global standards. These prerequisites for internationalisation may mean more hurdles for Nigerian banks, capital market operators and other institutions.

News

•Prof. Pat Utomi and President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko at the 2011 Annual General Meeting and Awards for Professional Excellence held in Lagos recently. PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

•Founder, African Refugees Foundation (AREF), Ambassador Segun Olusola; President, Chief (Mrs) Opral Benson and representative of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Mrs Doyin Odusoga at a forum organised by the Foundation in Lagos. PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

•L-R: The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Orelope Adejoke Adefulire, Permnent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Risikat Akiode and chairman Lagos State Micro-finance Institution (LASMI) Mr. Abiodun Macfoy at the swearing-in of members of the Technical Committee on Empowerment and Loan accessment by Co-operatives in Lagos State recently

•L-R: President, First Eminent Associates, Mr. Kola Anunlopo; Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Mr. Victor Dimka and Chief (Mrs.) Adunni Bankole at the presentation of the Eminent International Gold Award to Mr. Dimka in Lagos recently

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Business

‘Lawyers practising estate agency are quacks’ W

HAT is responsible for the incidence of quacks in the real estate business? That is the greatest challenge in this industry because a lot of people are parading themselves as estate agents. We have estate surveyors and valuers who are the genuine people. However, we can sift the chaff from the grains by ensuring that these people who move about as estate agents are registered. The only way you can curb dubious activities is to register them and have a body to regularly monitor their activities. If an estate surveyor goes into dubious practice there is a body you can report him to. In the case of estate agents, they can change offices and come up with another name. In our profession, and incidentally I was the chairman of the committee that worked on the issue, our recommendation was that because people are too many, it was going to be difficult to stop them. So, we recommended that we should register the National Association of Estate Agents of Nigeria, where we can bring all these people together. Once they have registered, we can set standards for them to practice. Once that is done, we would be able to regulate and monitor their practice. So, if anybody does unholy things you can report them to the body and it would be difficult for such a person to escape but unfortunately we are not getting anywhere because the effort to constitute such a body met challenges. The registration was stalled by the socalled agents themselves because some of them believe that we wanted to eliminate them or push them out of business. We are also trying to see that we can get a bill of the National Assembly for the regulation of the services of the estate agents. This is because everybody is worried; we are worried because they are polluting the industry. So, we are working on a system whereby we can get the government to get the National Assembly to legislate on the worrisome matter. If that is done, I think we would be able to get out of duping of innocent people who are seeking to rent apartments or buy properties. Currently, the law that established the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers does not exclusively preclude others from practicing Estate Agency. It is only valuation they cannot do because it requires a stamp which they don’t have. If there is a law that requires an Estate Surveyor and Valuers to be the sole body to use stamp, on property then it would have been minimised. Though, we are not looking for that because unemployment in the country will increase. In fact, those estate agents are more than us surveyors right now. For instance, there is no law that stops you as a journalist from renting one room as an office and practicing as an estate agent. We have illiterates in the business, they normally start by saying they are rent and debt collectors. Until we have such a law that sanitises the estate agent business, people will continue to fall victims of dubious interlopers who are out to make quick gains from unsuspecting property buyers. In America, you cannot just become an estate agent; you must pass through the necessary training. If you have not been practicing in New York for instance and was coming from Chicago, you would need to sit for another examination in New York. Over there anybody cannot just wake up and claim that he is an estate agent. In Britain that has also been the practice. In other parts of the world, their laws restrict practice, though we are not calling for the outright imposition of such laws but something similar, so that Nigerians would know those they are dealing with when they seek to buy properties or rent apartments. How do these so-called quacks sway their victims? You know in Nigeria anything goes

Chief Kola Akomolede is the Principal Partner, Kola Akomolede and Co., and President of the International Real Estate Federation, Nigeria chapter. In this interview with Musa Odoshimokhe, he speaks on the proliferation of quacks in the real estate sub-sector, among others 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

THE EXECUTIVE

•Akomolede

‘’The definition of quack is somebody who is practicing a profession for which he is not trained or qualified. I did law courses, which does not qualify me as a lawyer. The day I start doing the job of a lawyer places me as a quack. Lawyers practicing estate agency are quacks, just as the architects, accountants and engineers who have become emergency estate agents are quacks’’ because of improper evaluation of properties. These people are not our members so as far as I am concerned they remain quacks. Lawyers that are into estate agency are quacks. The definition of quack is somebody who is practicing a profession for which he is not trained or qualified. I did law courses, which does not qualify me as a lawyer. The day I start doing the job of a lawyer places me as a quack. Lawyers practicing estate agency are quacks, just as the architects, accountants

and engineers who have become emergency estate agents are quacks. These people cannot excel because they are not trained for the job. They can make money but that does not mean they have excelled in the job because they have connections. They can do a lot of things that I am not allowed to do. Some of them collect money from clients, spend it, rent the same house to two or three people, collect money and run away. I cannot do that because the Institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers can de-register me if I err or get involved

in any shady practice. But what are the basic requirements for membership of your body? You have to undergo a course of study in Estate Management either in a university or polytechnic, and because not everybody will have the opportunity of passing through this formal school, you can undertake professional examination conducted by the body. Once you have the basic qualification you can write your exams through the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors, which are in three stages and once you pass through them you can become an estate surveyor. The incident of exorbitant rent is the direct consequence of rising cost of building materials. Do you share the same view? Personally, I have written articles for publication on this matter. Part of the problems leading to undue malpractice is the high cost of materials,which have made them costly. Nigeria is not supposed to have the problem of cement; we have sufficient limestone to boost enough cement and even export for this country. It is really unfortunate that we have not been able to manage the materials at our disposal well. For instance, Nigeria importing petroleum products, this is wrong because we have more than enough crude oil material. Our case is like the proverbial pot maker who himself has no pot. Since there is plenty of limestone then what is our problem? Today, the cement manufacturer has found it difficult to operate at profitable level. They have to sell cement at the same price as imported ones. Imported cement is cheaper than the ones manufactured here because what they spend on diesel is quite high in the country due to lack of power. The cost of funding cement manufacturing is high. You go to the bank to borrow money at 25 per cent interest rate, that means there is already a markup of 25 per cent on your production cost. There are lots of things that government can do. They can help manufacturers of cement out of their predicament. They can give soft loans either from the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank or a special fund with interest rate of two to five per cent or even call it a grant for some time so that they can expand their production. Government should allow the material for the manufacturing of cement into the country. After all, when we started the operation of GSM in the country the operators were allowed to bring in GSM equipment duty-free. Is GSM more important than housing? To me it is not. So, why can’t government do that? In the interim and until local manufacturers are able to beef up their cement, government should allow the importation of cement at duty-free so that people can build houses. When I built my first house cement was sold at N2 per bag and that was about 1990, but that has gone up to N3,000 within this short space of time. It is really unimaginable that the price of cement could go up as high as that. Even sand, wood, other materials are equally expensive and of course, transportation is on the high side. So, the cost of materials for building houses is quite on the high side, this is worrisome. If you could not control the price of sand, wood and cement now you are controlling the price of houses. Even land that government supplies keep increasing. Does it make any sense? The same government that is increasing that rent is introducing land use charge, consent fees and too many charges on land. People go through all these problems and build their houses now you want to peg what they charge. I think we should start from somewhere and government must show example. They should make it easy for people to acquire land and to build houses, then you can now control the rent.

Business Diary

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMER 4, 2011

VOL 1 NO. 026

N reaction to our article on the three new brands of commercial banks launched late last month, many of our readers called for several reasons. While some of them called to simply appreciate our contribution to their general understanding of the need-for for our commercial banks, some others called to ask that we push further our inquest in the direction of Islamic banks. Hmm! Let's leave it all at that for now. However, we did make it clear in our earlier article on the subject of banking that we are not professionals in banking. We like to maintain that caveat, even as we continue in our efforts at asking questions. What we do is try to ask the salient questions concerning those areas or issues we do not have professional competence. Also, we have carefully tried to run away from this issue of Islamic bank(ing) because of the sentiments attached to it. Religious leaders, politicians, lawyers, bankers and so many other groups have written and made speeches concerning this issue, so much so, it has become a means of identification for people you are either for or against Islamic banking; Muslim or Christian. At MC&A Digest, we are committed to our purpose, objective and value-essence to our readers. We shall engage in the discussion or consideration of issues or happenings in so far as such will help us in building a population of better informed consumers in the market place. Where we don't readily have answers due to professional incompetence, we shall ask the right questions. So, on Islamic banking, here we go. When we commented on the three new banks about three weeks back, the objective was to point out the systemic failure of the entire banking and financial system as operated in Nigeria, as it affects growth in the real sense. The indicators for such appraisal are evident in the simple areas of welfare and standard of living. For the common man, he wants food, shelter and cloth, simple. Call it whatever name, the operating financial system must help the ordinary man and woman meet basic needs, otherwise, talk about pattern and nature of banking only leaves a sour taste in the mouth. And that is the stand-point we like to recommend. If we look at these issues attendant upon banking and types of banks from that position, therefore, we shall simply find ourselves speaking with one voice and for same purpose. In reference to our article on banks in Nigeria, we did mention that the last strategic document on national financial growth is the FS 2020, a policy framework drawn to serve as the roadmap towards actualizing the nation's metamorphosis into the status of a developed nation by the year 2020. We also mentioned in that write-up, that that policy document (presented by Professor Charles Soludo, the then CBN Governor) was proudly put to be modeled after Singapore. All of these goes to show some people are really thinking. What we are yet to find out, however, is if Islamic Banking is part of that strategic document or if perhaps SanusiLamidoSanusi made some revisions to include the new banking practice now known as Islamic Banking. However, it is rather unfair on this country Nigeria, for people to be instigating others to vexation by playing up sentiments rather than look at issues objectively. Most of the comments on the emerging banking system have been rather instigating, leaving out real issues of positives and negatives to arrive at whether the decision is good or not. And that is where we at MC&A Digest will like to differ. We must understand the fundamentals and operations of the new banking system being introduced, for fair commentary. So, what really are the issues? In establishing the operational framework for the new banking models, the Central Bank of Nigeria clearly stated the main policy focus is INTEREST-FREE banking. Furthermore, it stated that this novel model (non-interest banking) is broken into two fundamental types as follows: 1. Non-interest financial products and services based on (the) principles of Islamic and commercial jurisprudence 2. Financial products and services based on any other any other established rules and principles. So, put in other way, the CBN is introducing financial

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Our ‘Islamic Banking’ model products and services in Nigeria, such that will be interestfree to the customer. Furthermore, the CBN recognizes interest-free banking in the type that runs on the Islamic principles and laws, and any other such banking model that will run on any other established rules and principles, though not Islam. As a policy statement, this is clear and objective and principle for reasons of operation. The CBN has also explained that the reason for this new banking model is to propel the nation's economic development and promote financial inclusions by introducing alternative (bank) products without undermining any group or interest within the country. We think the above explains the two fundamental types

interest-free banking is broken into. So, individuals are free to patronize interest-free banking institutions, products and services, either as operated within the laws and principles of Islam or according to “any other established rules and principles”, so far as it is INTEREST-FREE. It is at this point of fundamentals that we at MC&A Digest take a position quite different from many others on this issue of Islamic Banking. We as brand managers and commentators on allied issues will not like to bother ourselves with the issue of flavor, as we would rather concern ourselves with the real substance. For the interest of the banking public, our concern is on the interest-free offering of the new banking model. Time and again, people have always questioned the role of banks in the aggregate economic growth of Nigeria and Nigerians. The issues are clear, to the extent that the banks have become traders, property developers, importers and exporters, etc., just so that they make profit for their owners. We challenge managers of any of the 89 banks that were in existence as at the time Soludo became the CBN Governor to come and tell Nigerians any development project they financed either as merchant or commercial bank, way back. Did any of them genuinely finance the establishment of employment-generating manufacturing concern? Talk with any sincere private person with true and genuine investment ideas, but does not have collateral to support

the investment loan assistance for his/her idea, and you will meet with a frustrated person. Whereas we have heard of loans granted friends and associates for no genuine reason, those who truly have genuine investment ideas never get off the ground with their ideas because the banks in Nigeria do not understand such involvement. This situation persists even now, in the midst of all the confusion. The on-going change within the banking industry caught industry players napping. There is confusion within the sector presently because the rules are changing too fast for the flight-in-the-night (ers) to understand. The today banker is driven by an orientation not acceptable to traditional banking roles, so with the reversal of rules, all such practitioners are not too sure what to do. But we must emphasize genuine wealth creation. The CBN has clearly stated that interest-free banking is all about driving economic growth by use of encouraging banking model that will make funds available to investors at no cost to such investors. We do not yet know how such operation will support itself, but we promise to find that out in due course. But is it not really interesting to know that we are gradually moving into an era where farmers can access bank loans free of interest, for instance? Can you imagine how many people would have been living in their own houses if only they were able to access housing loans (even at manageable interest?). In the old order, many people lost their properties to the shylock bank owners for repayment default, not because of just business failure, but bloated interest rates. Because these so-called banks knew no other way of generating profits, they heap it all on the miserable man or woman who manages to secure loans from them. So from the beginning, they look out for those juicy choice properties that far out-value the loan to be so granted, get their prospective victim to sign off such properties before the loan is granted. Now, at the middle of the running agreement, they increase the interest rate, so that the customer now finds it difficult to pay back, and with time the collateral is taken over. What finally happens to such seized properties is anybody's guess, but often times, the bank MD, his/her friends and associates buy such properties at ridiculous price. It was sucha shame. Hence we like to consider the option of INTEREST-FREE banking option. Rather than worry over the Islamic coloration, why don't we look at the possibility of access to interest-free loans and the attendant benefits? We are not unwearied of the many questions manifest with this new learning, but we like to rely on the laws of this great country to protect us from such abuses, if they do occur. This country is a secular state and the constitution says so, so freedom of religion remains the inalienable rights of us all. The beautiful thing again, is that the banking rules from CBN on this issue says interest-free banking, which is the crux of the matter is open to all, either according to Islamic principles and jurisprudence or as operate-able under any other established rules and principles. We think we should consider that a little bit more objectively.

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Firm expands hotel chains in Nigeria

HORNBERRY Africa, which prides itself as Africa’s premier hospitality management and marketing company, has recorded more positive strides in the Nigerian

Stories by Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

hotel and tourism landscape with the recent addition of Penthouse Hotel by Americas Best Inns and Suites, Ikoyi. This is coming shortly

after the recent addition of Juanita Hotel in Port Harcourt and the expected launch of Lekki Oxford Hotel, WestPoint and Savannah Suites later this month and October respectively.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the Managing Director of Thornberry Africa, David Church, said this new deal broadens the array of hotels that the Thornberry brand represents; a portfolio of

•Program Director, Development Communications Network, Akin Jimoh and Representative of Volunteer Service Overseas International, Uganda, Rebecca Nknanfuka during an Organisational Development Assessment workshop in Lagos over the weekend.

Webliquid partners Phillip Consulting on digital marketing

EBLIQUID Nigeria, a leading international digital marketing and advertising consultancy with presence in New York and Lagos is partnering with Phillips Consulting Limited to offer the Nigerian market viable opportunity for professionals to catch up on digital marketing in Nigeria. Founding Partner, Webliquid, Mr. David Shiell made this known during a joint press briefing by the

organisations, where he formally declared their partnership. According to Shiel, people’s ability to communicate, do business, and socialise is now being driven by the power of technology which serves as a funnel that exist through which brands and individuals can intimate clients and the public about what they are doing. This, he stated is different from traditional advertising

which is linear and does not give room for a 2- way communication process. Expatiating, he said: “the ability in digital marketing to segment the market that has never existed in human history. We can re-segment, re-target, we can post topics that are important to you, which is different from someone putting a poster or handbill which does not have the inherent ability to elicit and monitor feedback. Digital and e-commerce

Leolas–Ramas donates gift items to Ijamido Orphanage home

N the spirit of the last Ramadan festival, beverage manufacturing giants, Leolas – Ramas industries Limited has donated several packs of its Leolas Apple, Leolas Lime and Lemon soft drinks and leolas table water to the children of Ijamido Orphanage home, Ota, Ogun State. The donation, according to Mr. Seyi Shodipo, the company’s spokesman and representative of the company’s Managing Director, Prince Lekan Sule, would go a long way in bringing succour to the children as the products were meant for the satisfaction of their yearnings for delightful refreshment and nourishment.

Mr. Shodipo also stated that the programme was put together to not only encourage the children with the company’s products but to also make the children have a sense of belonging. He therefore called on Nigerians to support such ventures to put smiles on the faces of those in such situations, adding that the government alone cannot do it. He stressed the need for Muslims to imbibe the spirit of Ramadan in building the nation and helping the less privileged and the needy in the society, adding that the month offers Muslims a chance to renew their faith. Shodipo urged the children in the home, who are all in different schools

to face their studies squarely so that they can become great in life, stating that education remains the bedrock of development. Pastor Babatunde Willoughby, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Orphanage Home, who received the representatives of the company on behalf of the management and children of the home, said that the gesture was commendable and asked other good – spirited Nigerians to emulate the company. He commended the company’s effort for standing with the less privileged, describing the gesture as a spirit of brotherhood that has been in existence between the company and the society at large.

evolved due to the need for c o m m u n i c a t i o n , distribution, commercial technology, and client’s need to help in addressing the issue of online marketing not just putting up an advert online but engaging the target market in the process.” Digital marketing, Shiell added is on the rise and clients need the expertise of a digital marketing expert, because it is a complex market that needs a 100% dedication regardless of the marketing niche clients may have chosen. Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Foluso Phillips, Executive Chairman and founder of Philip Consulting explained that the euphoria that comes when people are introduced to new innovation but they don’t really know how to utilize that innovation can be met with frustration. “What they do is just throw into the pool anything without real thinking, no real strategy and no real understanding in terms on how some of these tools can deliver real value to them, and that is why such a strong partnership with Webliquid and Philip Consulting is imperative. One of the things we do not yet appreciate as a nation and as a people in terms of our culture is this very powerful means of communication.”

lodges, resorts and other tourist concerns situated in strategic destinations throughout Africa. The Penthouse Hotel and Suites, which is originally owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), according to Church, is also modelled after the Americas Best Inns and Suites, in the US, which has over 100, 000 properties. While commenting on the unique selling points of the Penthouse Hotel, Thornberry boss, who trained in the UK, said, among other things, it has executive suites, 24-hours internet access and has a Lady’s Room, which is one of the flagship products of Thornberry. The General Manager of Penthouse Hotel, Jannie Lombard, who took journalists on a tour of the facility said the hotel is a business-oriented hotel, targeted at serving upwardly mobile executives and other high end individuals. He, however, hinted of plans by the hotel to partner with the Ikoyi Club, to allow customers easy access to outdoor facilities like the gym, swimming pool, among others.

Church, who claimed that his firm has taken over the management of Tinapa resort, in Cross River, said the resort has grown in the last six months since they assumed its management. The hotelier who said his company only selects hotels which meets or exceeds its extensive minimum standards and value experience for both travelers and bookers, further added that each property on the Thornberry list is treated with specific; almost signature approach, “This flows through culinary experience, furnishings and interiors and staff attitude to the highly placed guests.” The company, which currently overseas over 21 projects across the continent including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, among others, first came to Nigeria a little over a year ago and now manages hotels and resorts including Citilodge, Citipark, Tinapa Lakeside and Aqua Vista. While recent deals are Penthouse by Americas Best, Sommerset Hotel, Westpoint Hotel, Lekki Oxford and Savanna Kennan Country Lodge.

Foundation boosts free trade across Africa

N its determination to boost free trade and social enterprise a mong t he youths in Africa, a group, under the aegis of Atlas Global Initiative for Free Trade, Peace, and Prosperity in conjunction with African Liberty Organisation, have since commenced capacity building programmes across the continent. The General Director, Atlas Global Initiative for Free Trade, Peace, and Prosperity, Dr. Tom Palmer, made this known recently when he led a delegation to the corporate Headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper titles. Palmer, who was in company of Mr. Mike Stockford and Mr. Adedayo Thomas, said his organisation, which is a nongovernmental organisation, is desirous of building a crop of citizens in Africa, who have a firm grasp of the salient issues bordering on national, socioeconomic development. One way it has been able to achieve its vision, Palmer said, is through the institution of an essay competition across some

universities, with prize monies and free books on contemporary issues for onward distribution to the varsities of successful winners. “We are determined to train the youths, especially young businessmen and women on the ideology of the free market enterprise, with the ultimate goal of helping these crop of individuals to learn and build skills set which would invariably enrich their lives in general”, Palmer said. Expatiating, Palmer, who is an economist and Vice President, International Programs, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute, said, Atlas has worked with over 30 varsities in Africa namely Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Cote d’ Voire, where much emphasis has been on improving the peoples’ standard of living through the knowledge economy. “What we have done in some of these places is to try to open the minds of the youths by introducing to them books on liberty, freedom and free market economy,” he stressed.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Thousands party in Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square to celebrate end of Gaddafi rule

ENS of thousands of people, mainly women, have thronged Tripoli’s Green Square - now renamed Martyrs’ Square - to fete their new-found freedom after 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. lcstatic residents of the coastal capital chanted repeatedly “now we are free.” Some young women forsook traditional Islamic robes to wear ballgowns, while other youths strutted around in the latest fashions. “Do you feel how the air we breathe is pure?” said Manal Al-Deber, a 35year-old pilot. “We have dreamt of this moment for the past 42 years and now it has become a reality. Today, I no longer dream. Our future is brilliant.” There were no signs of commiseration for Gaddafi, who previously insisted he was loved by his people and decried the anti-regime movement as a Western plot. “Gaddafi has said the people love him,” said Jamal Mansur, who fought to topple the regime. “The people of Tripoli want to show him how they love the revolution.” Others commented how

•Gaddaffi

freely people behaved, in stark contrast to when Gaddafi’s network of spies and informants had stifled free speech. “The people have changed. Earlier they were wary, their faces were horrible,” Ahmed Tarsin, 34, said. “They spent their time asking you who you were and what you wanted. Today they are magnificent and beaming.” The jubilant crowd at Martyrs’ Square in the heart of the city - an area where Gaddafi lived— cried: “Libyans, lift up your heads, you are free!” Others held up the black, green and red flag of the revolution to chants of “God is greatest” - a rally-

ing cry of fighters who spearheaded the campaign to unseat Gaddafi. They also raised US and French flags to show their gratitude for the NATO-led military intervention while mocking Gaddafi by wearing curly wigs. “We will win or we will die” and “Libya is one and united”, read their banners. Interim interior and security minister Ahmed Darrad said fighters from elsewhere who had helped to liberate the capital should now go home. That demand aims to defuse possible tensions between Tripoli’s freshly emerged revolutionaries and the scores of hardened fighters who poured in from other towns to topple Gaddafi’s regime. Flags of the revolution fluttered everywhere and young demonstrators danced to the beat of tambourines. Gaddafi - who would have marked the anniversary of the 1969 coup that brought him to power on Thursday - is effectively a fugitive, but shows no sign of capitulating. He is believed to be in Bani Walid, which is still held by loyalist troops.

UN envoy arrives Libya

PECIAL envoy for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Tripoli yesterday, as the international body and Libya’s new leaders stepped up efforts to bring order and democracy to the country. Ian Martin landed at a military airbase in the capital, after Ban said the world body was ready to assist in re-establishing security following the nearly sevenmonth uprising that ousted Muarmar Gaddafi. “I am here now to discuss with the National Transitional Council how the United Nations can be most helpful in the future,” Martin told reporters on arrival. “I think the future leaders of Libya face a very big challenge, they have already shown the ways in which they are ready to tackle that challenge and it will be the commitment of the United Nations to assist them in any way they ask.” Almost two weeks since anti-Gaddafi forces overran Tripoli, there were signs of life returning to normal in the capital. “We are ready to serve our country again,” said 22year-old officer Abdulkader Ammar, on patrol for the first time since Gaddafi’s fall. “The war is over and we have to go back to work,” Abdullah Turki, a member of the NTC’s stabilisation team told AFP. “It will take time, but it will come, people are eager to participate in rebuilding Libya.” There was still no firm word on the whereabouts of the toppled strongman after he defiantly threatened to

lead a protracted insurgency in audio tapes aired by Arab media on Thursday. The victors extended until next weekend an ultimatum for the surrender of remaining loyalists to give time for negotiations to bear fruit, but moved troops towards Bani Walid, southeast of the capital, where they suspect Gaddafi may have taken refuge. Some 600 men aboard 200 combat vehicles moved to within 20 kilometres (12 miles) of Bani Walid without meeting any opposition, before returning to their base in Misrata, fighters said. Abdulrazzak Naduri, deputy chief of the military council in Tarhuna, between Tripoli and Bani Walid, said tribal chiefs had been given until 0800 GMT Sunday to surrender the town. But NTC head Mustafa Abdel Jalil said in Benghazi that the truce declared until September 10 was in force for everywhere still holding out, including Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha in the south. “We are in a position of strength to enter any city but we want to avoid any bloodshed, especially in sensitive areas such as tribal areas,” he said, adding military deployments would continue during the ceasefire. Naduri said Gaddafi’s son Saadi and his spokesman Mussa Ibrahim were still in Bani Walid, 180 kilometres from Tripoli, but the most prominent son, Seif alIslam, had fled two days ago.

NATO said it had struck targets of proGaddafi forces Friday in the vicinity of Sirte, Bani Walid, and Hun, half-way between Sirte and Sabha in the south. The head of the NTC earlier told dignitaries in Benghazi, Libya’s second city where the uprising began, that it would transfer its headquarters to the capital in the coming days as it moved to return the North African nation to normality. “We will go to Tripoli next week. Tripoli is our capital,” Abdel Jalil said. Bolstered by promises made at an international conference in Paris on Thursday of billions of dollars in cash from unfrozen assets of the Gaddafi regime, the NTC is preparing to implement a road map for establishing democracy. For the first eight months it will lead Libya, during which a council of about 200 people will be directly elected to draft a constitution, NTC representative in Britain Guma al-Gamaty told the BBC on Friday. The draft would be debated and then put to a referendum, he added, referring to plans drawn up in March and refined last month. Within a year of the council being installed, parliamentary and presidential elections would be held. Ban Ki-Moon said in Australia yesterday, “We are working to make sure that the United Nations can respond quickly to requests by the Libyan authorities.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

HY did you choose journalism as a Career? I wanted to be an engineer but my father wanted me to be a pastor. But I ended up becoming a journalist and I spent 10years in it. I worked as a reporter in Daily Service, Ilford Recorder, Daily Times, Sunday Times, Sunday Express and eventually rose to become an Editor of Nigeria Express at the age of 34. My father cautioned me and said the career I was building for myself was dangerous giving examples of Anthony Enahoro who was jailed. But I almost regretted entering the profession when in 1965 I lost my job as an editor. It was then that I realised that the job was not pensionable and no gratuity. When I discovered that the journalism job I was doing was not pensionable I later opted for the civil service in the Ministry of Information which was pensionable. I was the Head of the Cultural Division at the Nigeria Government Federal Ministry of Information, Lagos, between 1966 and 1967. I voluntarily retired in 1976 at the age of 45, after 10years of meritorious service. Later I joined politics and became the Special Adviser to the President on Information matters between December, 1979 and July 1983. It was a good experience. Who are your mentors in Journalism? I love Babatunde Jose, Bisi Onabanjo and Alhaji Lateef Jakande. They are men of integrity. These are the kind of people we are following .We did not know or look at brown envelope. They respected us in those days. As an Editor then, did you meet Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa? I met him when he was Prime Minister. Then he was living opposite Island Club in Ikoyi. I also interviewed him in his house in Bauchi. One day, I met the Sardauna there and I was introduced to him. Sardauna said to him that I was dangerous but Balewa replied that I was not. I did not know what they said, they spoke in Hausa language. I asked Sardauna why, and he replied “They said you are dangerous as an editor. You don’t like this our government at all. I said that is not true, we only publish what is right news. I was so close to Balewa and if anything happened in the government of Balewa, I had access to him. I met the late Nkrumah of Ghana twice. Once when I was a student in London when Ghana became independent in 1957. The other time was when I was an Editor and went to interview him Why did you join NPN instead of UPN, which was perceived than as a Yoruba party? I was one of those invited to the meeting in Ibido [to settle the differences between the two] when we met what we called Southern Ijebu, we also had Ijebu Ode. We planned to settle the quarrel between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Awujale of Ijebuland. At that time I was the General Manager of WADAI shoe factory and the Awujale was the chairman. I was one of those who pressurised Awujale to settle with Awo. Myself, and some elderly people, I said let us strike out the disagreement between the Awujale and Awolowo. Finally, a meeting was scheduled in Bisi Onabanjo’s house on one Friday the date is in the book which the Awujale wrote. Chief Awo and his group were coming to Ijebu Ode. They confirmed the meeting and they called Awujale that they were ready. I was with the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona when they called him. Awujale went inside, dressed up and we left for Bisi Onabanjo’s house. Awujale and Olisa Akinsanya were in the back seat, I was in the front seat. Papa Owodunni, Agboniyan and Fetuga also followed .We got to Bisi Onabanjo’s house and instead of them letting us in they said we should go upstairs .We were packed upstairs , we went to the third floor leading to Bisi Onabanjo’s bedroom. After about 40 to 45 minutes we did not hear anything. Later the Awujale called me and said, “Go down and ask what is happening and I went downstairs. As I opened the door, I heard Odemo of Isara, Oba Adesanya in Yoruba language saying “Ha! , Alade le nda duro loke yen?’’ [You are keeping the monarch in suspense], but I pretended as if I did not hear anything. I prostrated and greeted them. I went and greeted Chief Awolowo. I then went to my oga [Bisi Onabanjo] I said Kabiyesi said what is happening? Bisi Onabanjo replied “I’m coming. Tell Kabiyesi, I’m coming.” When I got upstairs I did not tell Awujale what I heard downstairs because if you want to make peace you don’t fuel it. I said oga loun nbo o [my boss said he’s coming]. You know why I called him my boss? He was my boss in Daily Express. He was the Editor-in-Chief while I was the Editor in 1960. We stayed there for another 20 to 25 minutes all the people with Kabiyesi were urging him to leave. Awujale did not sit down. At that time he was a chain smoker. I went to him and said Kabiyesi, sit down, he said No. Then after another 15minutes Awujale turned to Alhaji Osikoya Agboniyan, M.A. Fetuga, Alhaji

‘Why I retired at 45’ Otunba Timothy Olufunmilopeda Agbasale Adebanjo was the Presidential Adviser for Information during the Second Republic under the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari between 1979 and 1983.He was educated at Ijebu Ode Grammar School and School of Journalism, the Polytechnic Regent Street, London. The former Editor of Daily Express who clocks 80 on Thursday, recounts his life and times to Taiwo Abiodun.

•Chief Adebanjo

J.K. Owodunni, Olisa Akinsanya, and myself and said “Gentlemen what do we do now? We said Kabiyesi, whatever you say now. ’’ Later we left. It was an insult to a royal father, the Hausa will not disrespect their monarch. That was why I decided to join and worked for NPN in the Second Republic. Why did you resign from Shagari’s cabinet? I can say that he was weak. I used to advise him but he would not take to it. You cannot force your President to take your advice. I told him that he did not need any Minister again on Information if he had an adviser on Information and he answered in the affirmative. Until one morning, I think it was when Pope John Paul came to visit Nigeria when in that early morning the President announced that Garba Wushishi was now the Minster of Information. Since that announcement I started keeping my resignation letter in my briefcase. I waited for about two months to handover to Wushsisi. If you look at the record and look at the time Wushsisi was appointed I attended cabinet meetings three or

PHOTO: TAIWO ABIODUN

four times till July 27, 1983 when I resigned. If it were nowadays many would be afraid to leave the post. Can you throw more light on the Akinloye Champagne and Umaru Dikko rice saga? People said Shagari’s regime was corrupt. If you take all the ministers and advisers in that government, you will not find 10per cent of us accused of corruption. The Akinloye Champagne label was a novelty in Nigeria then. But because it was new then they made so much noise about it. If you are doing a birthday party today and if you order bottled water they put your label on it. So it was new then and people misunderstood it. There was low level of corruption then, and people misunderstood Chief A.M.A. Akinloye, the then chairman of the NPN. At the time I disagreed with some polices of government and resigned. They had the right to probe me then. Not only that, when the coup came I’d resigned from the government in July 27, 1983 because I disagreed in principle with some of what Shagari

was doing. After the coup of December 31, 1983, I was detained on the 5th January 1984 in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Ikoyi and Jos. I was released 20months later and when I was before the Justice Uwaifo Panel, I t old him that we have something in journalism called occupational hazard, I regarded it as occupational hazard. It is not everyone that becomes a minister that is corrupt. Did you reconcile with Awolowo thereafter? I later left NPN for UPN. In fact, when I was the adviser under Shagari, and Bisi Onabanjo started his actions against the Awujale, I was in the Federal Government I used all my influence to see that the Awujale got the protection he needed .I made sure that he was not deposed .Since Awujale was not deposed some of the elders who left Ijebu Ode had started making reconciliation with Awujale and Onabanjo. This made Onabanjo to construct the wall of the palace fence because if they did not reconcile then he would not use government money to do it. I also did not want anybody to come and plead with me to return to NPN. Two months before I left the NPN I contacted some of my friends in UPN in confidence, because if I didn’t Awolowo will not come and receive me in Sagamu because I am from Ilowa. I started mending fences with some of my friends in UPN. When I was in NPN, I was contacting them. You know when you are in politics you don’t shut off your friends whether you are in opposition camp or not. When I was in NPN, if there is anything to do with the centre I will help. So, it made my return to them easier. How was your youthful days? I enjoyed myself. I did everything a young man would do. I drank beer. I drank brandy but not in excess. I went to party. But I was doing my job very well. I flirted as a young man too. Even if you didn’t have a woman they will give you or they would call you Kapon, a man who cannot go out with a woman and people believe something is wrong with you. Do you want your children to follow your lifestyle? No! [shouts] They should not make my own mistake. I am telling you, one woman is enough. I mean if you want to live a peaceful life, one woman is enough. You see, in those days nobody regarded polygamy as a serious crime or serious social problem. And I am telling you, one woman is enough for any man but I won’t stop my children if they want. What I tell my children is “Be careful, you might not have my own luck.” When I was a minister or federal adviser and they were issuing tickets for official convoy, the president will say Adebanjo has two wives o!!! It is then they will give me three cards because I had more than one wife, and if you don’t do that they would not have peace of mind at home, you know. I tell my children to copy my good parts and don’t take the wrong one. Do you still take alcohol? Yes, once in a while. Sometimes I take it for fun that is when I am in the company of people. But I will tell you one thing I have never smoked in my life except once and that was in 1952 when I left Grammar school and went to Lagos to work. We went to a party in Yaba, they gave cigarette to everybody and I took one. Immediately I puffed it, it came out from my nose and I started to cough. That was the first and last time I smoked cigarette. At 80, what is your wish now? I am nearer and closer to the grave. I used to say I am just living by His grace. I am still alive may be because He wanted me to correct some of my wrong doings and he gave me second chance. For anybody that is bringing gifts, I don’t need them but I wish they turned the gifts into bags of cement, blocks and other building materials to help me complete the project I am doing. At this point in my life I want everybody to help me complete the project IDOWA project which will be for the children’s Multipurpose Hall and the Vicar’s residence for St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Idowa at an estimated cost of N40million. Any donations will go to the church and I will sell any gift presented to me and the proceeds will go to the church. People should not buy any card for me.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Refuse, excreta take over Oyo town

UTBREAK of cholera epidemic is imminent in the ancient city of Oyo. Our correspondent who went round the town observed heaps of refuse and filthy streets owing to poor waste disposal. Most residential buildings lack toilet facilities, forcing residents to defecate in nearby bushes and streams.

•Blame Alao-Akala for filthiness - council boss From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

These human excreta are accompanied by offensive odour and swarm of house flies. Some public primary schools in Isale Oyo, Ilora, and Sakutu Ogbegbe have been turned into latrines. Residents turn to them

every night to pass out excreta. Pupils and teachers complained that they are forced to clean up the wastes every morning before resumption of studies Igbele, a community of over 20,000 in Atiba Local Government, boasts of only one public toilet.

Young and old residents of the community defecate besides a stream surrounded by heaps of refuse. A garri processing centre stands close to the refuse. The four local governments in Oyo town are Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo –West. Residents wondered why

•A blocked drainage in the town

Market razed in Anambra

RAGEDY struck yesterday at Awka Etiti community in Idemili south council area of Anambra State when fire gutted a section of the community market, destroying goods and property. Eyewitnesses said the inferno started from one of the lock-up shops before spreading to others. They said efforts to put the fire out were unsuccessful. A vigilance group member said they were still battling to put off the fire. He decried the huge loss

From Adimike George, Onitsha

incurred by the traders especially women trading in food items and provisions. Some of the affected traders who spoke to newsmen called on the Town Union government and the State government to come to their aid. They estimated their loss at over N10 million. Police Spokesman in Anambra State , Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, said the State Command was not aware of the incident.

Osun’s relief materials for Oyo flood victims

HE Osun State Government has provided relief materials to assist victims of last week’s flood disaster in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. 500 blankets, 200 mattresses and 50 bags of rice were delivered over the weekend in two trucks to the Central stores at the state secretariat, Agodi. Special adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Hon. Bola Ilori who led the delegation hoped that the materials will assist victims in coping with the aftermath of displacement.

General Manager of Oyo State Environmental Management Agency (OSEMA) Pastor Abiodun Abegunde thanked the delegation for the gestures.

COUNCILLORSHIP candidate under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ojokoro Local Development Council Area (LDCA) of Lagos state, Aramide Adegbite, has praised the leadership of the party for peaceful and transparent conduct of the screening exercise in Ward C. Adegbite said the manner the exercise was conducted ‘’inspired confidence’’ and reassured supporters of

‘ACN is the party to beat’ internal democracy in the party. He spoke yesterday in a parley with newsmen. Adegbite said: ‘’ACN is the party to beat in the LDCA and our ward. This was reinforced by how our leaders went about the screening of candidates. ‘’Candidates left satisfied over the process, which was peaceful and transparent’’. He expressed

confidence that the party would win the forthcoming council polls throughout the state. On his agenda, he pledged to seek the welfare of ‘’residents of Ward C in the LDCA in every way possible’’. Specifically, he said he will work towards youth empowerment, economic development and quality healthcare delivery in the ward if elected.

Compulsory refresher course for Abia teachers

BIA State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Obiageli Philips has directed all teachers in the state to embark on compulsory refresher courses to attain modern

From: Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

teaching techniques for better effectiveness. She gave the order during a retraining workshop for senior

ASUP hails Offa Poly HAIRMAN of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Zone C, Engineer K.O Kadiri, has praised the Management and Governing Council of the Polytechnic for standing by the union in its hour of need. This support, he said, is responsible for the giant strides in the school.

the local councils cannot pool resources together for construction of public toilets. The caretaker chairman of Atiba Local Government, Prince Hakeem Adeyemi, spoke on behalf of the four councils. He blamed filthiness in Oyo town on former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and the immediate past council chairmen for failing to judiciously utilise the monthly federation account allocations received on environmental sanitation. Adeyemi said Akala ordered that waste disposal vehicles meant for the four councils should not be released for political reasons. He revealed: “These waste disposal vehicles were purchased by the former administration with deductions from 33 Local Governments funds in the state. ‘’With the support and cooperation of incumbent governor Abiola Ajimobi, Atiba Local Government has received its own while the three other councils would have theirs very soon.” He promised that VIP toilets would soon in constructed in the four councils and disclosed that the Environmental Health Departments of the councils have been ordered to embark on immediate clearing of refuse and drainage to check the outbreak of cholera.

Kadiri spoke last week at the ASUP meeting in Offa. He said the Rector, Dr M.O. Olatinwo, deserves all the accolades for turning the infrastructures of the school around within a short time. Kadiri said the roadmap initiated by Olatinwo has become a reference point and given

the institution an edge. The ASUP Chairman also praised how the management handled the rationalisation exercise of staff ordered by the Federal Government. He said the exercise would have been more damaging but for the maturity displayed by the council.

secondary school mathematics teachers and distribution of books to selected secondary schools. Philips said that they must embark on the course for the benefit of the state. The workshop was organised for teachers in Abia, Imo and Enugu states by the National Mathematics Centre in collaboration with Education Trust Fund. She said: “We are not comfortable with the quality of teachers we have and need to do something urgently to reposition the education sector. “We need to step up the sector in Abia because if we have poor quality teachers our target will be difficult to achieve”.

Landlord petitions NBA over lawyer-tenant By Sunday Oguntola

LAGOS-based landlord, Mr. Jacob Jeremiah, has petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the alleged refusal of his tenant, a legal practitioner, to vacate a 3-bedroom apartment at Gbagada phase 11 Estate. Jeremiah said his tenant, Mr. Abuchi Anidi, has been in possession of the apartment for two years without paying rent. Anidi, Jeremiah alleged, took possession of the apartment in January 2009 and has not paid subsequent rents since then. He said he was forced to petition the NBA to prevail on Anidi to vacate the apartment for his son, who is currently homeless. Jeremiah said he discontinued a legal action against Anidi because the tenant was frustrating proceedings by filing frivolous applications. He pleaded with the body to call Anidi to order because the property remains his only source of livelihood after retirement. Jeremiah said the lawyertenant had exhausted the six month quit notice had expired in December 2009. He also accused Anidi of owing dues for cleaning, maintenance of roads and provision of security within the estate as well as electricity bills Anidi confirmed expiration of the quit notice when contacted but stated that he had sought for more time to find another apartment. He said the landlord and members of his family had employed untoward tactics to get him out of the apartment but said he kept his cool to avoid troubles. He denied allegations that he had been using his knowledge of law to perpetuate his stay, saying he is neither a judge nor the courts of law. On why he had not left since, Anidi said the quit notice came just before his wife was delivered of a set of twins. He said he spent a lot on the delivery, which is why he has not left. The legal practitioner also blamed the dip in the stock market also affected his fortunes, pleading for more time to sort himself out. He also admitted owing electricity bills, saying he intends to pay soonest.

Church holds revival

HE Christ Apostolic Church, Jesus Is Alive Evangelical Mission, Kogi-Adeleye, Itele, Ogun State has commenced 21days power packed revival tagged: ‘O Lord! Return My Glory’, it began on Monday 29th August with seven days vigil and would end on Sunday 18th September 2011 with a thanksgiving service. The revival, according to the Host Pastor of the Assemble, Pastor Matthew Ajayi Akinbode would feature special prayer for peace to reign supreme in the country, life transforming, breakthrough, songs ministrations among others.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

Federal varsity Ekiti to run two campuses – Fayemi

KITI State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has disclosed that the Federal University allotted to the state will run two campuses in Ikole and Oye Ekiti when it takes off in January 2012. He spoke while presenting the Staff of Office to the new Elekole of Ikole Ekiti and paramount Ruler of Egbeoba Kingdom, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku. Fayemi said: “This may not be the most desirable solutions or expectations of some of the people here present but I believe it represents a win-win solution that is uniquely

…as new Elekole gets Staff of Office From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

Ekiti. “Let me also thank Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for his measured approach and listening ears on this sensitive matter in spite of several attempts to distort the position of the Ekiti State Government”. Fasiku, formerly of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), ascended the throne after his predecessor Oba Adeleye Adetunla died last October. The former Oba reigned

for 52 years. Fasiku thanked President Jonathan and Governor Fayemi for their roles in resolving the many issues on the university. He pledged to allow the fear of God and respect for the community guide his reign. The traditional ruler commended Fayemi for appointing many prominent sons and daughters of the town into positions. He called for more developmental projects in the town. He also appealed that

the Administrative block of the Federal University be sited in Ikole. Prominent traditional rulers at the occasion are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade; Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and other traditional rulers in Ekiti State led by Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi land. Others were: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka ; Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi; Chairman, Ikole Local Government, Mrs Funke Owoseeni, Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr Austin Oniwon, among others.

Scanning of Mark’s ballot papers commences

BOUT 21,000 ballot papers out of the 147,000 votes declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in favour of the Senate President, David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have so far been scanned by finger print experts in Makurdi, Benue state. The scanning of the votes was ordered by the Chairman of the National and State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Ansllem Nwigwe through a motion by the counsel to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Gen Lawrence

Onoja, who is challenging the election of the PDP candidate, Senator David Mark in the Benue -South Senatorial District otherwise known as zone C. The exercise, which started last Thursday in Benue State INEC office in Makurdi, is being undertaken in the open before counsels to INEC, Onoja and Mark. Experts are using four highly cannon machines (scanners) with high degree of precision (accuracy) with results immediately forwarded to the U.K for further forensic analysis.

Council boss seeks re-election

•L-R: Fasiku, Fayemi and his Deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka at the ceremony.

HE outgoing chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos, Hon. Kamal Bayewu, has hinted of plans to seek for re-election under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the forthcoming local government polls scheduled for October. He gave this hint at a formal ceremony organised on his behalf by his campaign organisation, Bayewu Campaign Group 2011 over the weekend. The highlight of the

event was the unveiling of some of the projects embarked upon during Bayewu’s administration in the past few years. Rev. E.O Ayorinde, the chairman Bayewu Campaign Group said some of the few milestones recorded include the provision of good road network, improvement in the education and health sectors. Other achievements, according to him, are in the area of security through the provision of facilities to boost crime prevention as well as welfare for the aged in the community.

‘How poverty is fuelling terrorism’ Ciri Monigold speaks with Sunday Oguntola on the connection between poverty and terrorism

HATis responsible for the spate of violence all over the world and do you think the government is doing much to combat and contend this menace? There are two or more governments in every country of the world: the government in power and the government in waiting. In the developing countries, terrorism or violence escalates during the election periods and could subside or build up depending on who occupies the seat of power. If the stronger criminal elements are shoved out of power, they will use every instrument at their disposal to make the country ungovernable. In the western world, apart from a few skirmishes from unsatisfied citizens, terrorism or violence is mostly a direct reward of the criminality of the western world on the underdeveloped nations. The western nations made their wealth through the exploitation and subjugation of the underdeveloped nations.

Colonialism is a clear prove of this fact. Terrorism under any guise is a demand for liberation. No government in the world is doing anything to contend it and cannot combat it because their demand is normally beyond the government. Why do you say no government can contend or combat it despite counterterrorism measures across the world? That is mere window dressing. I cannot be deceived and no wise person can be deceived by this sham. Sending troops to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya and to other places, bombing a few places, causing civilian causalities has never assuaged or eradicated terrorism. Do you want to tell me that the government does not know the backers of these terrorist cells? Or do not know what to do to stop terrorism? When the head is cut off, the rest of the body becomes useless. Any ground that gives one the impetus to kill another for any reason is certainly not of God. Have you ever

read or heard of where any sitting government prosecuted political vandals during election process? If government cannot prosecute perpetrators of political violence, how would you expect them to catch and prosecute terrorists? Like I said, there are only two methods to stop violence. The first is by ceding political powers to the backers of the terrorist cells. The second is by buying them with enormous money. In either way, the government will remain incapable because head or tail, the government in power loses. Buying them with money? Do you think that money is the main reason for their action? Absolutely! Money is the proximate and remote cause of friction between people, nations, etc. The bilateral relationship between countries is centered in money. You see, money is the source of all things. It is the only apparatus of glamour. There nothing money cannot achieve.

Regrettably, many people all over the world especially Africans do not know this and that is the reason Africa is the headquarters of poverty in the world. Writing the Manual of Money was a big risk, one could say suicidal because we confronted and exposed all methods of money making which were hitherto unknown and which no author on money making has ever had the courage to mention. The book is sold for N10, 000 a copy. Isn’t that too much for •Monigold the largely poor people around? comes The fact is that the Knowledge Manual of Money is worth through information and over that considering the success is a function of information it contains. It superior information and is not a book but a money the application of it. The making machine. It is Manual of Money contains impossible to remain poor superior information. It after studying the Manual will do two things for the of Money and applying the readers: To help him make principles contained in it. money and more and to N10, 000 is not too much prevent him from losing for an individual who the money he has made. Do you know that most wishes to be rich. Why is so much people buy another copy of the Manual of Money for poverty in Africa? Africans do not read. storage after studying it?

At the moment, we are negotiating with companies who want franchise to sell the Manual of Money in different countries of the world. This will reduce violence all over the world. The people that carry out violence are the poor. The rich stay in safe havens with their families and direct these poor folks to perpetrate violence and because these folks are poor, they are indulged for the sake of what to eat. A poor man is a mad man and a mad man is known with violence. If people can afford a little comfort and luxury, they will be too smart to die for themselves, talk less for others.

Monigod is the author of the book: The Manual of Money. It is exclusively sold on order. Sales personnel are on standby round the clock to dispatch your order anywhere in Nigeria, once you call any of the hotlines: 08021039858, 08132229674

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Essay

Libya: A masterful deception An attack by lies precedes the unjust attack by aArms.

HE moment NATO started bombarding his desert nation, Colonel Gaddafi’s days were numbered. Ousted from Tripoli Sirte, the colonel appears to be preparing his last stand in his Sirte hometown, lending epic poignancy to this uneven contest. Unlike most modern leaders who are phlegmatic and seem to lack ample warm blood running through their veins, Gaddafi stands as a flamboyant anachronism, a fading memoir to a time when leaders could be heroic and monstrous at the same time. Gaddafi has been a figure of odd majesty, a larger than life character who now stares into the void called death. He may need but the fingers of a single hand to count his remaining days should he continue to fight the superiority arrayed against him. During his long autocracy, Gaddafi wasted opportunities that would have averted the fate now pursuing him. His misdeeds are numerous like the sands. Yet, he has tried in his own way to build his nation — mostly in his own image. He has been both the worst and best things to happen to Libya. As the father of his country, he has been an abusive yet sometimes generous parent. Thus, his relationships with his people and with Africa are bound in complexities not amenable to a simplistic verdict. The same can be said of the war against him. This struggle has plots within plots. These schemes are as ignoble as the man they have been hatched against. No one need shed tears because Colonel Gaddafi finds himself wedged between home and Hades. Yet we should be vitally concerned about the precedents the war may set. For the most part, Black people support the anti-Gaddafi forces. This is a curious stance. From the onset, the insurgents reveled in slaughtering innocent Blacks in a tireless paroxysm of unbridled racism. Yet, if a prominent Black voice has spoken, it has been to hail the insurgents as democratic revolutionaries. That there is no firm evidence supporting this claim has not precluded its loud, indiscriminant repetition by the global media houses and those minds unduly influenced by whatever spews from these outlets. However, the crude equation that Gaddafi’s despotism means his foes are democratic is a questionable one. It is nothing but a fallacy of false opposites. Most wars have pitted one wretched leader against another. Judging by the rebel’s mistreatment of their Black fellow citizens, this too may be the historically common tussle of the unjust versus the unfair. As such, it is inutile for the ewe and her lamb to celebrate that the wicked shepherd has been chased away by a wolf pack. We face the fretful situation of Black people supporting the insurgency believing it a force for democratic good. This requires sweeping under the liar’s rug a litany of incontrovertible evidence stretching back six months. Insurgents have relished summarily executing multitudes of fellow citizens and immigrants based solely on skin color. Wherever they trekked, anti-Gaddafi forces killed, maimed, imprisoned and evicted Blacks. They bother not to elicit proof of a person’s involvement with Gaddafi. The accused need not possess gun, dagger or even a paperclip with roughened edge. He cannot exculpate; no alibi can overcome the presumption of guilt cast by the hue of his skin. Rebels care little if the man fought for Gaddafi. Allegations about Black mercenaries are to mask a more bilious intent. Among the rebels are abject racists who now are empowered to give life to their hatred by giving death to its objects. These gross injustices are discounted in world capitals as insignificant not because of the low volume of incidents but because of the identity of the victims. If circumstances were different and marauding Black fighters were systematically lynching hundreds of Whites in the name of democracy and justice, the West would not long remain silent or still. The West would lower the hammer of Thor on these “savages” in holy retribution and to deter future transgressions. In Libya, the West cossets those engaged in homicidal racism. Cognizant of the ugly facts, Western governments release more sequestered funds to the rebels and send their oil men and corporate lawyers to get the oil flowing even before the blood is washed from the streets. While turning a blind eye to reality, Western media and governments set upon the fiction of alleging Gaddafi had supplied Viagra to fighters to effectuate a policy of rape. Melded with the fable of massive deployment of Black mercenaries, this falsehood created the image of swarms of armed unchecked Black men failing on defenseless White (albeit Arab) women. Although the accusations proved baseless, imagery was more important than fact. The nightmare of Black men violating White women is an angst-ridden motif in Western social pathos predating Shakespeare’s Othello. Some myths are so compelling that societies may tote them for centuries without them

• Gaddafi By Brian Browne losing evocative force. In the West, this image incensed political constituencies that traditionally would have opposed this martial excursion. The image was craftily fostered by the insurgents because it provided a license to kill Blacks in way that seemed as if crude, wartime justice was being meted. Black Americans over fifty years old should recognize this farce. It was employed to justify the execution of countless Black men during the era of feudal racism in the southern states. Rebels have murdered more Blacks, Libyan and immigrants, than Gaddafi killed protestors prior to the international intervention to stop the despot “from killing his own people.” By murdering Black Libyans, the insurgents apparently have not transgressed the heinous crime of “killing their own people.” Most European leaders see this as a minor irritant. These ignorant but powerful leaders harbor old prejudices against Blacks. They don’t picture Blacks as genuinely Libyans any more than Blacks are genuinely French or British. If it could e done without political costs, they would excise Blacks from their own land. Beyond the confines of sub-Saharan Africa, Black people remain permanent outsiders. The closest personal relationship these European leaders have with a Black is their official engagements with President Obama or the odd encounter with some junior clerical staffer in their office. These leaders reason if Obama is unwilling to kick the chair because of a few dead Blacks, why should they? The financial sector’s factotum in the White House dare not expostulate against the killings lest he be tarred as “too African” in the prelude to a tumultuous election where he will need every White vote he can muster. Consequently, the extrajudicial killing of innocent black people is pardoned as the collateral excess of a democratic eruption. This burlap lie predictably appeases much of the world because they have been conditioned to think little of Blacks. It is chilling that such a theme would suffice to convince most Black people to ignore the depravities visited on Libyan Blacks. Takes racial masochism beyond its acceptable bounds, this means Black people also think very lowly about each other. Black people have focused where the media pointed them instead of on what actually was happening. We have proven too eager to jump in line without thinking about what we are queuing for. We curry others’ approval in futile hope they will regard us as legitimate equals. They will not. The image Blacks hold of the West is a counterfeit gem. One doesn’t learn much about a civilization by listening as it extols itself. To understand culture, better to study what it has done than what it says. Sadly, Blacks have taken a different route by imbibing the West’s image of itself as well as its black impression of Blacks. This compound fracture of reality serves an injurious purpose. Powerful governments regurgitate subjective conclusions that fit their self-image. We indiscriminately consume their perspectives as if consuming fact. Our minds are habitually made for us; our opinions are shaped in distant locations by veiled interests we do not know let alone fathom. This is a rank place to dwell. A just person could well conclude that Gaddafi’s ouster is condign. Gaddafi’s fate is sealed

and thus no longer the crucial issue. The real issue is the journey taken to reach the conclusion. Was the decision reached by leeching on the assertions made by the global powers or was it made by one’s independent analysis of the factors? An objective perspective reveals many complexities, including: First, the assertion that the rebels have the upper hand because they enjoy widespread support is misleading. If posed as a question, it has been rendered unanswerable and largely irrelevant by the decisive nature of NATO’s massive intervention in a minor civil war of no threat to international security. Civil war transmuted into an international war, pitting the world’s largest military alliance against a sparsely populated North African state and its rag-tag army. Gaddafi would have ended the civil war months ago but for NATO. He was on the rostrum of victory when NATO began dropping bombs. NATO has yet to stop despite an estimated 8000 aerial strikes having already occurred. NATO subjected Gaddafi’s regime to a naval blockade and economic sanctions depriving it of billions of dollars, fuel and other materiel needed to prosecute war. Special Forces from NATO countries have been engaged for months in active combat on behalf of the rebels. NATO likewise has supplied arms and money. That the government of a nation with less than seven million people could last so long against an alliance composed of rich nations with their advanced militaries and a combined population of over 700 million is telling. One of NATO’s operative fallacies is the belief that opposition to Gaddafi translates into support for the rebels. It does not. One could dislike Gaddafi yet fear the rebels more. This is likely the situation for Blacks who, citizens and migrants together, constitute one-third of the population. Gaddafi’s tribe is one of the largest and he has substantial support among his kith. It indicates Gaddafi had significant support and the rebels had less than advertised. Despite their best efforts to portray the rebels as liberators, the pictures from Tripoli tell a different tale. The numbers of celebrants in these pictures underwhelm the viewer. The scene appears more subdued than Baghdad after Saddam’s fall. Even now, the rebels cannot best the reduced Gaddafi without NATO assistance. Rebels claim to be giving Gaddafi and followers a cease-fire in consideration of the end of the holy month of Ramadan. They should be careful not to construct a lie around the sacred month. They tarry because they have no stomach for an intense skirmish. During this purported ground cease-fire, NATO daily pounds the Sirte redoubt. Once the bull has been sufficiently crippled, the rebels will rush like salivating jackals toward it. The decisive agency in this war is not the rebel band as shown by the media. The true story is the one rarely shown, that of airplanes dropping NATO ordnance on Gaddafi’s head. Never has such a massive inventory of military hardware been deployed for so long in order to exterminate one man. Bin Laden’s pursuit took longer but the hunt for Gaddafi consumes more resources. While NATO succeeds in midwiving a new Libya government, this escapade also will be recorded as the most capital intensive assassination attempt in human history. Second, the new regime will likely not be as dictatorial as its predecessor. This will be offset by the probable reduction in the standard of living. To ignore Gaddafi’s socio-economic record is to be less than candid. While he squandered money and could have done more, we must admit he did plenty. Life expectancy rivals European standards. Literacy and health care are universal. Housing is cheap and subsidized. Gaddafi embraced large infrastructural projects like the great pipeline bringing water from the large desert aquifer to the coastal cities. All of this made the West nervous, not so much because of what he did but because of how he did it. Gaddafi eschewed the IMF and World Bank. He bucked against the fundaments of the international financial system and its straitjacketing of developing nations by encouraging them to become debtors in currencies not their own. Not beholden to IMF dictates he was able to finance his own projects as he pleased. Gaddafi’s border-line insanity does not connote stupidity. Economically, he pitched his own tent against the wishes and warnings of greater powers; on this score he did so to the general benefit of his people. His successful model will be scraped by the incoming government. Beholden to the North Atlantic nations, the new government will follow the financial advice fed it. Government social programs will be curtailed in the name of fiscal discipline and budgetary restraint. A quasi-capitalist elite will emerge to seize control the economy and travesty the fledg-

ling democracy. Post- Gaddafi Libya will resemble the hurly-burly of oil-rich Russia after the Soviet Union crumbled. Third, the net effect of the war on Africa is uncertain. Gaddafi suborned condemnable rebellions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere in years past. These rebellions costs hundreds of thousands of lives and accomplished nothing but the dissemination of misery. He seemed to have turned from this mad adventurism toward more defensible interactions with Black Africa. He saw Nigeria as rival, thus his spiteful recommendation of dividing Nigeria along regional lines. When spurred by a more visionary spirit, Gaddafi provided generous subvention to other Africa states devoid of the harsh conditions imposed by international financial institutions. Some of this money was squandered by recipient leaders; some of the subsidies hit their beneficial mark. The new government will virtually withdraw Libya from the sub-Saharan diplomatic and economic orbit. The government’s orientation will be decidedly Arab. Migration of Black laborers into Libya will be curtailed as will the flow of bilateral assistance out of it. Nations that relied of Gaddafi’s largesse will feel a mean pinch in their pockets. Leaders of these nations will not reduce their own selfish intake. Thus the funds in their own treasuries devoted to national development will be reduced as the leaders offset what they no longer receive from Tripoli. The average citizens of these nations will suffer. By assisting the rebels, America and NATO have achieved through the side door what had been precluded through the front. America’s Africa Command (Africom) will achieve its long sought permanent base on the continent. Heretofore no African nation had agreed to host Africom. This boycott has effectively ended. Already NATO is establishing a presence in Libya, ostensibly to help with humanitarian assistance and safeguard chemical weapons stockpiles. This is but the prelude to a much greater and long term undertaking. Subtly, the NATO presence will cede to a nearly exclusively American one. This may enhance short-term, anti-terrorism cooperation and benefit. In the longer run, the permanent presence on African soil of a stronger military runs contrary to the interests of those nations aspiring to sub-continental leadership. Those nations will find themselves squeezed from assuming leadership on their own home turf by China economically and America militarily. No matter how hard he tries to hold it up, the sun is setting on Colonel Gaddafi. He cannot will himself to victory. There simply is too much iron and steel aligned against him. But the outcome of this war was not decided in Libya. It was decided in Washington, London and Paris and later endorsed by a pliant UN and gullible world opinion. The view that Gaddafi has overstayed his welcome is a reasonable one. Yet, above all else, the massacre of innocent Blacks should give sub-Saharan Africa and Blacks the world over pause to question whether those ousting him and their Western overlords are the proper replacements. It is not enough just to approve of the operation because one disapproves of Gaddafi. In the affairs of nations, a country must avoid constructing its policies as a means to recompense past wrongs. It must base policy more firmly on the consanguinity of present and future interests. Good policy is rarely obtained through anger or piloted by revenge. It is gained by clarity of thought that essays the proximate context and discerns future trends. Had this war taken place fifteen years ago, abruptly punctuating Gaddafi’s tenure would be a beneficial thing. At the time, he was a berserker in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Africom was not even a notion. The global economy was expanding and recession was invisible. China was not an invading horde on the march in Africa. Times are now more strategically narrow. Despite his many wrongs, Gaddafi served as a useful buffer and radical Pan-Africanist foil against non-African encroachment on the continent. His removal from the scene is not coincidental and may have more to do with future designs on Africa than it does with the situation in Libya. Just when Africa needed as many buffers and radical foils as possible, the most strident one is being erased from the page. This removal will complicate African nations’ desire to chart their own futures according to their own designs. As the sun sets on Gaddafi, one must wonder what the morning shall bring. Hopefully, it will not be the new dawn of an old way of manhandling Africa.

08101159783 (Sms only)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

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INTERVIEW

Living ‘There is no marriage without storms’ coordinator of the Christian Pentecostal Mission Faith National/International (cpm), Rev Mercy Ezekiel, speaks with Charity Williams on her life, ministry, marriage and sundry issues.Excerpts:

By David Oyedepo

The Breakthrough Power Of Vision!

HERE are many people who think that there is nothing good happening for them in their lives, careers, endeavours, pursuits or families. They see themselves as never-do-wells! They see themselves as failures! I want you to know that you do not merely exist on earth by accident. Your being alive is not mere coincidence. Don’t see yourself as someone that is created and abandoned to suffer. Don’t see yourself as a failure. You matter to the Almighty God. You are a child of destiny. What will happen in your life has been predetermined in your favour. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate… them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:29-30). You are a child of destiny and it’s a glorious destiny (2 Peter 1:3). You are not called to shame and reproach; you are called unto glory and virtue. What Is Vision?: In our context, vision is simply the unfolding of God’s plan as it relates to you. Where there is no vision, the people perish… (Proverbs 29:18). The word ‘perish’ in the Kings James version simply means ‘to be stripped of honour and dignity.’ Why you need vision: 1. To recover your honour and dignity. 2. To enjoy the reality of joy unspeakable full of glory. Every visionary is naturally joyful. 3. Divine presence — when you are on course with God’s plan, He guarantees you His companionship. You can’t be in God’s plan and be depressed. His presence forbids that (Psalm 16:11). 4. To avoid being made naked. You need vision to be clothed and to be dignified, because without a vision people are made naked (Hosea 4:6). 5. Vision confers dominion over people by reason of divine backing. No gate can be shut against a man that is walking in the centre of God’s will (Isaiah 45:1-3). 6. Every divine vision enjoys divine provisions (Isaiah 45:3). 7. Every great story in scripture has its foundation in heavenly vision. Think of the great story of Abraham. His trans-generational story had its foundation in heavenly vision (Genesis 12:1-3). 8. To escape being robbed, spoilt, snared in holes and kept in prison houses (Isaiah 42:22). 9. To escape devastations (Jeremiah 2:13-17). Avenues Through Which God’s Plans Are Unveiled: 1. ThroughHis Word: God’sWordrepresentsGod’spropheticagenda for His children. The Bible is the more sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:1921). 2. Through The Ministry Of His Prophet: A prophetic environment like ours is a vision-imparting environment. Hosea 12:10 says: I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. A prophetic environment engenders access to God’s plan. There is something you are born for. When you locate it, your life will have full meaning. What Are The Breakthrough Forces That Characterize Every True Vision? 1. God’s leading: Locating yourself in the centre of God’s plan entitles you to God going before you. As He goes before you, He messes up all barriers on the way (John 10:4-5). 2. God goes with you: God going with you dignifies your journey on earth (John 8:29; Matthew 28:20). It makes you untouchable. 3. God works with you: God works with you to make the accomplishment of the task possible. The Lord working with them, confirming the words with signs following (Mark 16:20). That means, He backs you up in the pursuit of that assignment. 4. God works through you: When you are in pursuit of a heavenly vision, God is committed to working with you to deliver supernatural results. He delivers your path of the duty (John 14:10). 5. Divine covering: Walking in divine plan protects you. You enjoy divine covering (Exodus 23:20). 6. Walking in God’s plan renders your enemies helpless (Psalm 23). Going outside God’s plan makes you vulnerable to the wickedness of the enemy. 7. You are anointed to enjoy divine abundance (Psalm 23:1). You are anointed to excel in your divine assignment. It is not about skill; it is about divine enablement. You are anointed to fill your place. 8. You enjoy peace like a river when you are on God’s plan (Isaiah 66:12). Friend, the power to access divine vision is the exclusive preserve of those who are saved. You are saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your family. You can do so now if you haven’t, as you say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin.Fromtoday,IacceptYouasmyLordandSaviour.NowIknowIamachildofGod. I will continue this teaching next week. May the Almighty God bless you! I am glad to inform you that from December 6-10, 2011 at Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Idiroko Road, Ota, many destinies will be transformed to higher levels of greatness at SHILOH 2011. SHILOH is the annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family worldwide. Don’t miss this special event for anything. Be there! Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Understanding Vision, Understanding Divine Direction and In Pursuit Of Vision. Iknowthisteachinghasblessedyou.Writeandshareyourtestimony withmethrough:BISHOPDAVIDOYEDEPO,FaithTabernacle,Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: bishop@davidoyedepoministries.org

OU are a role model to women across the world, what is the secret of your success? The secret is commitment to God. When you have fellowship with Him, you are focused. A lot of us are not focused, a lot of us start to achieve; so when you start doing something noble you should not look back. So, I laid my hands there and I decided not to look back. I am not telling you it is easy; it is not. It has been rough but God has always been with us. You have a very successful married life. What tips would you give to other married women to build a happy family? That is a very big question. Marriage is from above and it is God that does it, not man. Marriage is not easy. Marriage is you fall for me and I fall for you. I will not say that there are not hard times, there are; but you make up your mind to make it work. That is it. You make up your mind that this thing I am holding it and I will not let it fall. At times you feel like running away when it gets so tough, gets you mad; but when you look back at where you were coming from, you have to hold it on because a lot of blessings are tied to you. So, because of these blessings, you have to continue. Has there been any time you felt like quitting both the

divorce should be accepted a m o n g believers in this present age? Well I wouldn’t say yes, I wouldn’t say no. I don’t need to go into that because I have seen a lot of women die because Bible says no divorce. There was a case of a woman in the U S A. She had five kids and this man had been saying. I would kill you. If you don’t leave me alone

•Ezekiel

ministry and your matrimonial life? Several times. I am not a Spirit. I am a person. At times flesh talks; flesh will want you to get out of it. It is tough. But the Spirit of God will tell you to pipe down and then that boat will not sink, you will relax. There is no marriage without storm, no ministry without shaking. It is just when you know who you are and what you want that you go for it. Today, believers go for divorce even though the Bible forbids it. Do you agree that

I would kill you. And one day he came back, as the lady was sleeping; he took knife and cut her into pieces. The lady died. Today he is in jail. We have what we call staying apart which is not divorce. That is separation, which is not divorce. Instead of you to die, I prefer separation, stay on your own and you keep yourself. Don’t mess up. But if you are that woman that knows you can’t stay without a man, better stay there. But if you know that God has given you the grace, you can stay without a man you know that this will kill

NEWS ‘Islamic Banking is good if…’

HERE is nothing wrong in the establishment of NonInterest Bank, otherwise known as Islamic Bank, as long as it is not funded by government, the Lagos District Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Rev. John Okafor, has stated. He described the hullabaloo over the proposed bank as uncalled for. Okafor spoke with newsmen last week in Lagos. He said:’’Once it meets the stipulations and guidelines of the regulatory body and if government thinks the establishment of this bank would alleviate the masses suffering, then let them issue it a license.

By Segun Odunewu

‘’However it must not be funded by the government

Group concludes prayers for OBJ, IBB

HE World Christian Council Association (WCCA) has ended a seven-day prayer session for warring elder statesmen, former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.) Its national president, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, said the exercise was borne out of concern over the impact of the dispute on Nigeria. He stated that the crisis between the former heads of state portends a threat to the safety of the lives and

WHAT AND WHERE? Methodist church holds convention

RRANGEMENTS have been concluded for the 2011 Diocesan convention of Methodist Church Nigeria, Lagos Mainland. The theme of the convention organised by The Directorate of

so as not to create the wrong impression that certain religion is being favoured. Nigeria is a secular state as guaranteed in the constitution.”

Evangelism and Discipleship arm of the church is “Jesus Christ the Great Healer’’. The Diocesan Bishop Rt.Rev.Oladapo Babalola said there would be prayers for peace in Nigeria during the event.

properties of Nigerians because “where two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” The prayer session focused on forces causing unrest in the country.

Divine Appointment Ministry prays

HE Divine Appointment Ministry AKA Upper Room last week held a 3day fasting and prayer session. Senior Pastor of the church, Reverend Ben Eragbai disclosed that the exercise was to usher in the month of September in grand style. He said: ‘’The need to seek God’s face especially at this period of hazardous happenings cannot be over emphasised. There is the need for protection, promotion and provision. These can only be made possible through prayers to God.’’. Highlights of the exercise include prayer, song ministration and deliverance sessions.

you, better get out. I am not saying you should divorce. You can separate and remain single instead of dying in it. But we have also seen some men of God who divorced their wives and got married to other women while their former wives are still alive. What would you say about that? That is what I am saying; I wouldn’t want to dabble into it because a lot of ministers have been marrying a lot of ladies have been marrying. We all have a choice. I am not saying they will go to heaven. I am not saying they will not go to heaven. You have been in the ministry for 34 years, what has been the challenges? A lot. Number one is being a woman. You notice that in the social world, women are more acceptable than men. In Christendom, it is a taboo which we need to quickly tackle. In the social world, women are more important associates but when you come to the Christian world, they don’t want it. Number two, you have to study. You have to read and be intelligent, because you are a woman and many believe that ministry is for men. So, you have to study, pray and remain commited to the cause of the gospel. What is the secret of your youthful look? I do a lot of exercise and also eat good food. I don’t eat junks. I don’t eat anyhow, I can eat once in a day, though I eat good one. I eat a lot of fruits, I get rid of stress; stress kills. Women are emotional and we die young. Apart from dying young, we get old because of stress. If you know that this world is a passing phase, stress must come and you will know how to manage it. If I have a problem; I think about it and I throw it away and move on because if one dies now, life continues. Now you have been coordinating the operations of CPM worldwide, as a woman, how easy are you finding it? It is just the grace of God. We have a lot of churches outside; it is just the grace of God. If I tell you, you will say it is a lie. Even I don’t know how I am doing it. Many a times my husband will ask me, ‘are you a man or a woman’ Tell us how you began your Christian race and about your upbringing My late uncle, John Oru, was a pastor. He brought me up, it was rough. The devil battled with my destiny; he saw what I was going to be. Somehow, God received our prayers. Was the pastor rich when you met him? You mean my husband? Rich? He was riding a bicycle; he wasn’t rich. He was to preach at a crusade, a friend took me to the place and that was how we met.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Worship

Adeboye meets Israeli’s PM, President · advocates for world peace

ENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called for global enforcement of the various United Nations resolutions for the promotion of culture of peace. He made this call last week at separate meetings

By Sunday Oguntola with agency reports

with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and President Simon Peres. Adeboye said global adoption of the UN resolutions would serve as foundation for the peace

process in the Middle East and other crisis-ridden parts of the world. The meeting was coordinated by the Christ Redeemer Friends Trust (CRFT), an alliance of professionals from the church concerned about peace, reconciliation and advocacy for global peace in London. He said: “A culture of

peace is a way to live together. It requires nonviolence, tolerance and solidarity whilst acknowledging and respecting a variety of traditions. ‘’I have here a list of the numerous United Nations Resolutions on the culture of peace which we believe need to be accepted by the international community – especially the Quartet as the foundation for the peace process in the Middle East and in all areas of conflict.’’ He described the Middle East crisis as transcending politics, saying religious leaders must also be involved in peace-building. “The Middle East conflict is not only about politics – it is also about religious and moral values. The only way to solve it is through education for a culture of peace among all sides to the conflict. This is the challenge for religious leaders, academics and political leaders on all sides of the conflict,’’ he charged.

•Adeboye with Peres during the meeting

‘Why Nigeria is troubled’

RESIDENT of Men of Purpose Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Akin Akande, has attributed the spate of terrorism and insecurity in the nation to the failure of Nigerians to live according to divine dictates. Akande said: ’’The truth is that we have not managed our lives by the directive of God. We have failed to follow the manufacturer’s manual. ‘’Our politicians have ruled our God in governance. Even the church has failed to teach on character and values, hence the people are spiritually bankrupt.’’ He said Nigeria will continue to witness troubles until it returns to God. Akande spoke to reporters last week in Lagos ahead of the 15th conference of the ministry, which holds from September 12-17 in Egbeda, Lagos. The theme of the conference is ‘holding life together’.

Stories By Sunday Oguntola

Akande said the theme is timely because many people are confronted with various life threatening challenges that tear them apart. He indentified some of these problems as “general loss of kingdom values, lack of sense of purpose and direction, natural disasters

and wars, global insecurity, terrorism, global economic crises, sicknesses and diseases, epidemics, pandemics, global food crises, dysfunctional families, juvenile delinquencies, bad leadership, ethnic clashes, religious conflicts and loss of values.” These challenges, he said, require divine intervention and turning back to God. He assured that the conference would focus on

Expert explains Nigeria’s backwardness

HE Osayuwanoba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Lugard Aimiuwu, has advocated part-time tenure for members of the National Assembly. He said the quantum of resources expended on senators and members of the House of Representatives is killing the nation’s economy.

Aimiuwu was guest speaker at the 12 th Mike Okonkwo annual lecture with the theme ‘’survival of the Nigerian state: The Economic and political implications’’, which held last Thursday in Lagos. He said it was regrettable the National Assembly gets 75% of recurrent e x p e n d i t u r e s , wondering”why waste

Cleric seeks support for victims of unrest

HE Executive Director of Voice of Christian Martyrs Nigeria, Rev. Isaac Newton-Wusu, has called on the Christian community to undertake development projects that will ameliorate the suffering of women and children affected by riots in the North. He was reacting to the killing of Christians and burning of churches in the North. Newton-Wusu spoke with newsmen in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. He said: “We may be breeding rebellious and disobedient children when

“bringing life together, redefining the God-factor in destinies, knowing God as the source of everything, giving solution to life’s fundamental questions, knowing God is the answer to every question, re-directing lives to the path of purpose and fulfillment and repositioning people for the best in life and eternity.’’ Akande urged families and government officials to align with God so that He can rule in the affairs of our land.

By Adeola Ogunlade

we exhibit a laid back approach in caring for women and children who have become orphaned and widowed in the ongoing unrest in Nigeria.” He lamented the presence of many children on the streets, especially in the North, saying this portends a serious challenge for the nation’s future. Newton-Wusu said his ministry established a centre to cater for children begging on the streets of Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and other Northern cities.

The centre, he said, has 300 children and widows from the riots in Bauchi, Jos and Kaduna. ‘’Our children here are all victims of various religious riots. They lost one or both parents. We are here today to remember those heroes, who are fathers of our children.” He noted that relief materials will solve the immediate needs of persons affected by religious riots but said provision of support, training and educational development will help them regain their lives. He called for sustained prayers for cessation of religious riots across the nation.

public fund when many areas of our developmental features are in shambles?” The boardroom expert blamed such over bloated overheads for the nation’s backwardness. Tracing the nation’s woes to consistent bad leadership, he lamented that over $400 billion of public funds, enough to turn Nigeria into paradise were siphoned by toxic leaders between 19601999. He said such excessive focus on materialism is why values have become bastardised in the nation. ‘’Ours is a hero-less society. Our grandfather’s heroes are still the only heroes we acknowledge,” he lamented. He called on Nigerians to support the on-going transformation agenda to change the nation. Aimiuwu said: “We must confront the allpervading fundamental demons that are shaping, driving and destroying the economy, our lives and the future generation.”

Making Sense of Life with adeWale Adefuye

“Nabal is his name, and folly goes with him!”

“T

HE buzz word in the country, at the moment, seems to be ‘Fool’. (‘You are a fool!’; ‘... but you are a greater fool!’). Our English word “fool” comes from a Latin word that means ‘bellows’ suggesting that a fool is a “windbag, empty-headed person.” In Hebrew, the original language of most of the Old Testament, there are three basic words for “fool”: kesyl, the dull, stupid fool; ewiyl, the unreasonable and perverted fool; and nabal, the brutish person who is like a stubborn animal. With this background in mind, the question arises: What, on earth, would make a Hebrew family christen their child Nabal? Imagine a Yoruba man name his baby Ode (fool!) Well, a father from the tribe of Judah did. His kid grew to be a successful man but the weight of his name still hung on his neck. He even married an intelligent and goodlooking lady but it never occurred to him to change his name like his famous forbear Jacob (‘cheat’); or pray fervently, like Jabez (‘sorrow’), for the albatross of his name to be upturned. Nabal was a very wealthy man, but he was not generous. David’s men had been a wall of protection for Nabal’s shepherds and flocks. When it was shearing time, a festive event, David and his men hoped to be rewarded for their service. One would think any man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats could easily spare a few animals to feed 600 men who had risked their own lives to guard part of his wealth. So David sent ten of his young men to explain the situation and to ask to be invited to the feast. Nabal refused to listen and “hurled insults at them.” Nabal’s reply infuriated David who immediately swore revenge. Had David succeeded, he would have committed a terrible sin and done great damage to his character and his career. Mercifully, the Lord stopped him. Fortunately, one of Nabal’s aides immediately reported his actions to his wife, Abigail, a wise and prudent woman. In those days, parents arranged marriages for their children, so it was not surprising to see a wise woman married to a foolish man. The servant reported how David and his men had protected the shepherds and their flocks, and how Nabal had refused to repay them. Abigail put together enough food for David’s men but said nothing to her husband. She quickly confessed that her husband was a scoundrel who lived up to his name—fool, and she explained that she had known nothing about David’s request for food. She accepted the blame for “this iniquity”. In the rest of her speech, Abigail focused on David and the Lord and not on David and Nabal, and her emphasis was on David’s future. David was calmed and soon realised that he was in the presence of a remarkable woman. She pointed out that the Lord had stopped David from avenging himself, and David admitted this to be true. Abigail went on to admit that her husband deserved to be judged, but she wanted the Lord to do it, not the king. In fact, she promised that the Lord would judge all the enemies of the king. Abigail reminded David that the Lord had given him “a lasting dynasty”, so he didn’t have to fear the future. David was safe, bound in “the bundle of life” by the Lord; but his enemies would be hurled out like the stone David used when he defeated Goliath. Abigail requested only one thing for herself: that David would remember her when he came into his kingdom. As it turned out, she didn’t wait too long. Wisely, Abigail waited to tell her husband what she had done. The news so stunned him that he suffered a stroke and was in a coma for ten days before he gave up the ghost. He died as he had lived—a fool. Other scriptural definitions of ‘fool’ include: (i) One who has a muddy head and an unclean heart; and, in his darkness, says in his heart, “There is no God,” (ii) Those who acknowledge a God in heaven but give Him nothing to do and no world to govern and (iii) Those who live as if they were persuaded there was no God either to punish or reward. We conclude with Jesus’ definition, as given in that famous parable of The Rich Fool: He is foolish who stores up earthly wealth but does not have a rich relationship with God.

Adapted from a sermon titled, Marks of a Fool, preached in 2003 in Kingsway International Christian Centre, Lagos AdeWale Adefuye, dean of LifeClass, can be reached at dean@lifeclassonline.org; 070 3002 3002 (SMS only)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

News

CHANGE OF NAME

Yabatech Alumni hails Aikhomu

OKANYA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANGELA OKANYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANGELA UGWUANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public

TIJANI I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Tijani Nihwah Abdal, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Moshobalaje Olorunibe Abid’a Ayo. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan, MRTB, FMC, Owo and general public

IROAKAZIE I,formerly known and addressed as MISS IROAKAZIE OLUCHI CHINWENWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIEFULA OLUCHI CHINWENWA. All former documents remain valid.IMSU, NYSC and general public

OBIUKWU

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS OBIUKWU MARY ADAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBODO MARY ADAOBI. All former documents remain valid.Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), NYSC and general public should take

ENEH

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS ENEH ANULIKA ANNASTESIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENEH ANULIKA ANNASTESIA. All former documents remain valid.Federal Polytechnic Oko, NYSC

AGHANWA

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS AGHANWA IFEOMA CHINWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKAKA IFEOMA CHINWE. All former documents remain Valid. Nnamdi Azikiwe University , Awka, Enugu State College of Education Technical

EZINWANYI

l, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezinwanyi. C. Ucheji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs James Charity E. All former documents remain valid. ASUBEB

OKORO

l, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukpai Patience Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ikechukwu Queen Patience. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Sports and general public

ADEBAYO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Deborah Adebayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojo, Blessing Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytehnics, Ado Ekiti and general public should

ONI

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oni Olayemi Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwadishi, Olayemi Florence. All former documents remain valid.The Legal body and general

ABIOLA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abiola, Titilayo Pricilia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Muyiwa Ajayi Titilayo Pricilia.All former documents remain valid. Oceanic bank International and general public

ADEBAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Deborah Adebayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojo, Blessing Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytehnics, Ado Ekiti and general public should

OLUWAFEMI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwafemi Abimbola Bunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afuye Abimbola Bunmi. All former documents remain valid.director general job creation and Employment Agency, First bank plc and general public should take

OJO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Boluwaji Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olasebikan Boluwaji Mary. All former documents remain valid.

OLONIJU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oloniju Feyisayo Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Longe Feyisayo Adenike. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti and

OMOTOYINBO

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotoyinbo Titilayo Yemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Asaolu Titilayo Yemi . All former documents remain valid. Oceanic bank International and

AKWA

I formerly known and addresssed as Dr. Felicia Ojong Akwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. Felicia Obok. All former documents remain valid. UCTH, Calabar, MDCN, NMA, NARD and general

•L-R: The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State and Chairman, Obat oil $ Petroleum, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; Ondo State Commissioner for Works $ Infrastructures, Mr. Adegboye Adegbenro; and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Deji Akinwalere at the installation of Akinwalere as the Rotary President of Akure District...on Friday.

FG urged to tackle security lapses

PORT-HARCOURT based legal practitioner and social critic, Prince Gbogboade Akitoye has condemned the enormous deficiency in the nation’s security system. Akitoye spoke with newsmen in Lagos on his concern for lives that the country has lost to preventable disasters. He said that if the country has shown adequate commitment to the protection of the lives of its citizens, the cases of bomb explosions wouldn’t have occurred stressing that since the problem reared its ugly head no suspect has been brought to book. “ It is sad and ridiculous

that a country like Nigeria should be celebrating criminals by suggesting dialogue with them instead of smoking them out and prosecuting them. Like it operates in civilized societies, it is the duty of security operatives to investigate and identify those behind the bombings, after all, they are not spirits.” he said Citing the recent protest in Britain as an example, he said the Prime Minister took a proactive step by mobilising 16,000 policemen to arrest and put the situation under control. He said the Nigerian security operatives should live up to expectation, considering the tax

payers’ money the government is spending on the security sector. “ It is foolhardy that some Nigerians are suggesting dialogue with the Boko Haram who are wasting human lives and properties across the country when security agents have not thoroughly investigated to determine the real enemy they are facing” he said. Akitoye averred that if amnesty remains the only solution to violence and armed banditry in the country, other groups will equally emerge knowing fully that they will be “appeased and settled.

EMBERS of the A l u m n i Association of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, have added their voices to glowing tributes for the late Chief of General Staff (CGS), Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, who was a student of the institution during the 19541958 set. Speaking during a condolence visit to the widow of the late Admiral, Mrs Rebecca Aikhomu, at their Apapa home, the tenman delegation of the association led by its president, Chief Emma Unachukwu, who was admitted the same year with the ex-CGS, recalled memories of outstanding virtues displayed by the Late Aikhomu. “We have been friends for some 57 years now and I recall that we were both in the cricket team and football team together and had been friends through the four years in Yabatech. Despite the positions of affluence that God has given him after our years in Yabatech, he remained very humble and we maintained our relationship, as he opened his home to me. “The death of Aikhomu is a very big loss and standing here to talk about him in past tense is saddening. He had fought and won many battles in his life time glowingly in this battle, God won and we are here speaking glowingly about him because he left a good name and a good memorial of what hard work is all about. This is a lesson for all of us as we shall be remembered for whatever we do, whether good or bad”, Unachukwu said. Also speaking during

the visit, a member of the association, Pastor Olufemi Martins,described Aikhomu as a man who left behind a life worthy of emulation as he remains one of the few alumnus who, in spite of his position has an open heart and contributed immensely to the development of his alma mater. “Our brother, friend and father played a role worthy of emulation as his contribution to Yabatech as an Alumnus stands out”. The National Secretary of the association, Mr. Yinka Arowolo, described Aikhomu’s contribution to the association as exceptional. “It is not all past alumnus of Yabatech that are accessible but he was exceptional because he had a listening ear. He speaks with you as if you were his natural brother. I never knew him in school because I was of a younger generation, but because of his commitment and good work, he was the first amongst the three that have been honoured as fellows of the institution since it’s establishment”, Arowolo said. The Late Admiral’s family including the widow, his daughter and first Son, Ehime Aikhomu thanked the associates for their visit and informed that the burial is slated to begin on 14th September with a service of songs at the Naval Base, Apapa, Lagos and end on 16th September with funeral and interment at Irrua, Edo State. STOLEN DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public that a letter of allocation issued by LSDPC of a service plot at new OkoOba in the name of Pastor and Mrs. E. Maureen Ovie was stolen along with several other documents on the 16th of June 2010 at Agbado Local Government Development Area. Alimosho, Lagos.

‘Help repair LagosIbadan expressway’

FORMER Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN), has urged the Lagos and Ogun State Governments to repair damaged part of the Lagos/ Ibadan express way. He advised them to stop regarding the road as a “federal property”. Mr. Adesina gave the advice in a lecture titled, “The Medical practice and law, Conflicts and Convergence,” at the 2011 Annual General Meeting/ Scientific Conference of the Ogun State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA). He solicited the support of the Nigeria Medical Association to team up with the Nigeria Bar Association to institute action against the law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic Laws. The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka,

By Tosin Adesile

advised doctors to work more on medical records which had been a major issue in the country. He commended the State NMA and reiterated the government’s effort in the area of health care by rehabilitating 64 health care Centres in the state with at least two in each local government. According to him, he requested for the cooperation of doctors in the state to achieve sustainable heath care delivery. Others at the conference are Provost of NeuroPsychiatrist, Aro represented by Dr Ogunwale, Permanent Secretaries of the ministry of Health and health management Board, Ogun State NMA Chairman, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki, Medical experts, students of medicine and other stakeholders .

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010

NATION SPORT

10TH ALL AFRICAN GAMES

Sport minister charges athletes to excel M

INISTER and C h a i r m a n National Sport Commission (NSC), Yusuf Suleiman has told Nigerian athletes representing the country at the ongoing All African Games (AAG) in Maputo to motivate other Nigerian youths through a successful performance at the games. Speaking to the athletes at a dinner hosted for them by

No goal target for Yakubu at Blackburn

the Nigerian ambassador to Mozambique on Friday, the minister advised them to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, determination, commitment and confidence, qualities which champions and great achievers are known for. He said they have been a source of happiness and pride to all Nigerians through their participation in sport, while challenging them to consider it a privilege to have been selected out of several aspiring athletes in the country.

Corroborating the minister’s view, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji commended the athletes for their good behaviour so far and promised that President Goodluck Jonathan will reward good performance handsomely. While urging the athletes to surpass Nigeria’s performance at the previous edition, Ekeji regretted the cancellation of wrestling and weight lifting which are Nigeria’s strongest points.

Earlier, the Nigeria ambassador told the athletes to be good representatives of Nigeria in and off the field of play. A representative of the athletes, who spoke at the reception, expressed satisfaction with the camping preparation they had, as he promised the team will do Nigeria proud in appreciation of government’s gesture. Meanwhile, the athletes are in very high sprits and ready to compete for laurels as the games begin.

‘T

HE YAK’ Yakubu Aiyegbeni will not set a goal target at new club Blackburn Rovers. The Yak has signed a three-year contract with Rovers after he struggled to pin down a first-team spot at Everton recently. “I won’t want to say that I will score this number of goals or that number of goals, but surely as a professional player I will try to do my best to get many goals for my new club and help to lift them so that we can have a better season than the last one,” said The Yak. “I have been playing in the Premier League for some time now and I know that no season is exactly the same with the previous one, a lot of things can happen differently and you will need lots of luck as well.” He added: “I enjoyed my stay at Everton and I am hoping to enjoy my time here at Blackburn as well. “It is a great football club with a wonderful set up and amazing fans. They have a rich history and don’t forget that they have won the title before although that was a long time ago.” Yakubu has also thrown his weight behind the Super Eagles for their crucial Nations Cup qualifier in Madagascar today. “I want to wish the team the very best of luck. I believe that with the calibre of players in our team we will get the desired results provided we do not under rate our opponents,” he said.

• Aiyegbeni

Super Eagles strikers, Ike Uche (l) and Victor Anichebe celebrate in a recent game.

has said that his team will be playing to defend national honour against the Super Eagles when both teams clash in the Nations Cup qualifiers. Speaking to a national daily in Madagascar, L’Observateur ahead of today’s game Rajaonarisamba said though they have been eliminated from the competition slated for Gabon Equatorial Guinea next year, his ward will not be an easy knot to crack against the more experienced Nigerians. “We are ready. It comes down to defending the honor of the nation and for that we will do our best to win. “Before, it was just me and me alone at the head of the team. But recently, the federation has decided to recall former coach Maurice Mosa to act as a consultant. His presence is crucial in the Barea because of his knowhow and experience,” he said.

He said since the beginning of the preparation for the match against Nigeria, the atmosphere has been splendid, adding that the younger players have integrated easily. On his opinion about today’s match he said: “Nigeria is a very good team. Their midfield is very strong, including Obi Mikel who is always involved in the game all the time. “We will be playing the 44-2 formation, with among

X-EAGLES coach Joe Erico has warned that Nigeria should not underrate Madagascar U23 team as they could pose a serious physical challenge. “I’m not excited to know that Madagascar will line up their Olympic team because these kids will pose a big physical challenge for the older Super Eagles. That means when we jump, these kids will jump and they will be the first to stand up,” said Erico, who was assistant to Shuaibu Amodu. “I remember when we played them in 2001, we barely managed to draw 00 with them at away by playing a mainly homebased defence and in the return leg match, we could only beat them by a goal in Benin. “Our biggest undoing will therefore be to look down on them. We cannot afford that because Nigeria needs the maximum points.” The unkempt and substandard pitch at the Stade Municipal de Mahamasina has also been a big talking point, but Erico insisted that the Eagles are professionals, who should easily adjust. “The pitch has not been good since we last played them there in 2001. The Eagles are professionals

and bad pitch or not, they should be able to get the result they need,” said Erico. The Eagles were Friday forced to slow down on their training on Friday as a result of the terrible condition of the pitch. Coach Samson Siasia took one look at the training pitch in Antananarivo and immediately changed his training programme. And after consulting with his assistants, Siasia promptly changed the training schedule. Rather than have the boys do any serious training, they focused on fitness drills and a dynamics session. That was followed by a head tennis session and rounded off with the team breaking up into two groups to compete in foot tennis. “This is a really bad pitch, but it is similar to what we will find in the main stadium, so we have to make the best use of a bad situation,” Siasia said. “Thank God we came early so we could experience this. “You can’t play good football on a pitch like this.” The squad will train on the match day pitch on Saturday afternoon. The game kicks off by 2:30pm local time (12:30pm Nigeria time) on Sunday.

Enyeama, others undisciplined —Chukwu ORMER Super Eagles

Madagascar:We’ll defend our honour ADAGASCAR coach Franck Rajaonarisamba,

Don’t underrate Madagascar, Erico warns Eagles

others Jean Jacques and Yvan in attack. But as all types of modern systems, this can vary for example to 4-51, with only Yvan in front. This midfield will be shaped to contain very powerful Nigerian players. “As I said before, it comes down to defending the honour of the nation. Whether we are already eliminated or not, it makes no difference. We’ll do the necessary efforts and give 100% of ourselves on Sunday to try to clinch victory,” he said.

coach, Christian Chukwu has termed the act of Eagles’ trio John Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama and Obinna Nsofor as sheer indiscipline. The threesome revolted against the team’s Wednesday night travel schedule to Madagascar for today’s 2012 Africa Cup Nations qualifier in Antananarivo. Instead the three key players opted for a private flight schedule to the match venue on Friday. However, in a stern condemnation of the players’ behaviour, Chukwu, who is a member of NFF technical committee, told SuperSport.com that it is pure indiscipline for the players to dictate traveling schedule for the coach.

“It’s sheer indiscipline if the report is accurate. “It’s for the coach to prepare for his programme and not for the players to call coach and start fixing time and condition for traveling. They are to abide by the coach preparations. “Siasia tabled his programme before the technical committee and the committee gave their approval. “Except Siasia has not been communicating with them, if he did so and we still hear of the dissenting voices from the three players then it must be condemned in its entirety.” Asked whether Siasia should field the trio if they made it to Antananarivo, the former Nigerian defender said that is a decision for Siasia to take.

Mana predicts easy match for Eagles

ETIRED FIFA referee, Dr Alex Mana has predicted an easy match for Super Eagles against their host, the Barea of Madagascar in today’s African Cup of Nations qualifier in Antananarivo. Mana whose optimism is rooted in feelers that the Indian Ocean state will parade the Under-23 team, told SuperSport.com that Eagles must leverage on the opportunity to record a good

victory. “Well, I was thinking that it will be a difficult and dicey match until I heard they are going to field their second team. “If that is the true position and not a gimmick, I think we will win without too much sweat. “Definitely not the one we need to struggle. This game has been given to us on a platter of gold. “This is the time for us to

beat them with as many goals as possible. It is an opportunity to beat them silly. “Our boys should pick the vital points and look forward to the next game against group leaders, Guinea.” The no nonsense referee in his active day said the current situation has rubbished the fear we nursed over their poor pitch. “Of course, we know the

pitch in Madagascar is bad, others teams that played there complained but did we factor it in our planning. The answer is no. “We are damn too lucky; it will be unfortunate if we did not achieve our desired goal. “But next time we must factor pitches into our preparations both for inside and outside matches,” the renowned lecturer at the National Institute for Sports told SuperSport.com.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

QUOTABLE Terrorism has no conscience, it spares no one and we must all stand together against terror to beat its destructive manifestation.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1872

—President Goodluck Jonathan promising to crush terror groups in the country.

CANNOT recollect how many times President Goodluck Jonathan has been wrong on domestic and foreign policy issues since he assumed office. I do not have all the facts and figures. However, he appears to me in general to be seldom right on anything. For instance, he was wrong on his stick-and-carrot approach to the Boko Haram terrorist group, though he is now transforming into a fighter after he and his aides began to understand the nature and course of the extremist group’s fight against the state. But don’t close your bets yet; the president still leaves himself some room to wriggle. He was wrong to have sided with the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloysius Katsina-Alu, against Justice Ayo Salami, President of the Appeal Court (PCA), on a matter so transparent as to make quibbling or error needless. And he was wrong to have ignored the shameful subversion of the democratic process under the former governor of Ogun State, Mr Gbenga Daniel. Those who fear Jonathan would bring his political career to a close on an unending series of wrongs can now heave a sigh of relief that on at least one occasion, the president is eminently right. I refer to his recognition of the Libyan rebels’ National Transitional Council (NTC). I do not know how he arrived at the decision to recognise the Libyan rebels; whether it was thoroughly discussed by his policy team and foreign affairs experts, or whether he was influenced by Western nations. Indeed, given the enthusiastic and almost carefree manner with which he stumbles from one policy mishap to another, Jonathan has never managed to give the impression that deep thinking and discussions attend any of his policies. But whether he gets things right by mistake or gets them wrong by design, what is important today is that he read the Libyan war right. We cannot predict his reaction to criticisms; for on some occasions he caves in too quickly, and on other occasions he stands pat. We must hope that on the Libyan issue, the president keeps his resolve. I have read many analyses of those who oppose Jonathan’s stand on Libya, and I am surprised by their scathing and misleading views. Even the African Union (AU) also proved shockingly negligent in understanding the Libyan crisis, and hypocritical in denouncing Nigeria and the NTC. At the head of the dominant AU position of non-recognition are South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda. South Africa, even under the legendary Nelson Mandela, was never skilful in foreign policy matters. Their worldview is still apparently coloured by the reactionary stand of Western nations against apartheid. It is not unusual to find that country, whether under Mandela,

The nonsense about Libya and imperialism

• Jonathan

•Gaddafi

Thabo Mbeki or Jacob Zuma taking positions that appear Eastern or emblematically socialist. South Africa’s unrealistic and impracticable position is that the NTC must be all-inclusive, almost as if there are no foreign policy experts in the South African Foreign Office. Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, like the African National Congress (ANC), benefited from Libyan help during its liberation war against Ian Smith. Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni is also cast in the same mould, having enjoyed Libyan help in his many troubles with the opposition. In addition, both Mugabe and Museveni have been in office for more than 20 years, and show no sign of leaving anytime soon. To them, Nato involvement in Libya went beyond the United Nations (UN) brief of protecting civilians, while the ousted Col Muammar Gaddafi was a victim of imperialist conspiracy and propaganda. Nigeria is not incommoded by such sentiments as expressed by the South and Central African countries. Rather than receive help from Gaddafi, the former Libyan

strongman had sometimes been a thorn in our flesh with his fiery religious rhetoric and political incitement. Jonathan’s critics say that, among other faults, he was naïve not to see that oil was the major determinant of Western nations’ Libyan policy. Rubbish. The slaughter in Rwanda is still on everyone’s mind. More abusively, they also say he is a stooge of imperialist powers in his hasty recognition of the NTC when the war was yet to be concluded. I cannot recall any other grounds critics offered for disagreeing with Jonathan on Libya. However, it seems to me that some people have not grown beyond the intellectual developments of the 1960s and 1970s. It is not enough to mouth jargons and catch phrases; we must assess countries and issues in relation to new ideas and practices, particularly in view of globalisation. There was a time when military intervention in politics was acceptable, and there was a period in world history when long stay in power with no constitutional limits was also tolerated. Countries and power blocs now influence one another, either economically,

Jonathan finds his voice on Boko Haram

AFTER many months of handwringing and prevarication on the issue of terrorism, especially as it concerns the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, President Goodluck has finally found his voice. It had been reduced to ghostly whispers as the sect intensified its campaign against the state, bombing, shooting, burning and defying. Since the state could not make up its mind how to tackle the menace, the country became polarised into two main camps: one for negotiation, and the other dead set against any dialogue. The pro-dialogue group argued that the Boko haram terrorist campaign was nurtured by poverty and all forms of socioeconomic alienation. It did not occur to them that if that were the case, the terrorists would focus only on the state and all that it represents. Instead religious organisations, innocent citizens, and politicians who chastise them were targeted and destroyed. It also did not occur to the pro-dialogue group that Nigeria was the only country prepared to excuse terrorism and dialogue with terrorists who took lives without any

compunction. Even Pakistan, Egypt and Algeria, to all intents Islamic countries, refused to dialogue with terrorists. I belong to the anti-dialogue group, just like majority of Nigerians, if cursory assessment of general opinion is anything to go by. I had argued that though the sect claimed to be Islamic, it was nonetheless a criminal organisation motivated by considerations that were anything but Islamic. I also condemned politicising the killing of fellow Nigerians and denounced government’s irresponsibly lukewarm attitude to criminal rampage. I was soon proved right when the sect, in addition to killing, began to rob banks under the pretext that majority of depositors were thieves and the banks themselves citadels of corruption. Even when the sect bombed the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Abuja, Jonathan gave a tepid response to the rising menace. The government was unmoved by the damage to our reputation and the fact that no one was caught and punished. Worse, the government defended its security chiefs and then sat

glumly on its buttocks. It has finally taken the bombing of the United Nations House, again in Abuja, and the shame it has brought us in the view of the world, to rouse the president to some measurable ire. Though the president carelessly said the attack seemed to be our turn to suffer, since other countries had similarly suffered, we must be grateful that he now unequivocally appears to recognise that what took place last week at the UN building was condemnable terrorism which he was determined to fight and expose. Jonathan, of course, needs tutorials in shuffling and sacking of his staff; but meanwhile, let us hope his fury will be matched by brilliant action of commensurate amperage. The president may not be adept at walking the talk, or of bridging the gap between theory and practice; however, our consolation is that the situation could have been worse had he persisted in his somnolent approach to urgent state matters or in pandering to those who swaddle terrorism with coats of poverty.

socially, politically, or even militarily. The era in which a leader has limitless powers to do and undo in his country and over his people is disappearing. Gaddafi stayed too long in power to recognise that. It is true Libya is a rather soft target for Nato’s disguised regime change, at least compared with other targets like Syria, which is still boiling, or even Egypt, which sensibly brought its own revolution to a temporary closure. When the UN empowered Nato to protect civilians from the appalling slaughter masterminded by Gaddafi’s family, I knew immediately that was the end of the 42-year regime. First, because Gaddafi could not overpower Nato; and second, because the revolt against his regime was genuinely popular. If the basis of the revolt were mainly economic, it could lose steam along the way. But it was political, and it came entirely from within, inspired by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt. Jonathan’s critics and the AU suggest that Libyans should have been left to sort out their problems without external influence. This suggestion is not only irrational; it is informed by a hidden admiration for what Gaddafi’s sympathisers regard as his long history of anti-imperialist crusade. It is shocking that Gaddafi’s friends ignored the appalling slaughter that took place first in Benghazi and then in other parts of Libya, a slaughter that was targeted against pro-democracy activists, a slaughter that definitely amounts to crimes against humanity. In the struggle for democracy, freedom and other human rights, there are no boundaries among humanity. We are all diminished by one another’s humiliations and sufferings. Surely, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda, of all countries, should know how Libyans feel. Without Nato help, Gaddafi would have made a short work of the protesters and destroyed any ambition for freedom and democracy. Are our analysts so naïve as to disregard this simple fact? There are always pitfalls in regime change. Iraq, for instance, is an example of regime change gone awry. But they’ll get it right. When Tanzania invaded Uganda in 1978 to execute regime change, it was preoccupied with first overthrowing the atrocious Idi Amin regime before worrying about what came next. Uganda slipped into turmoil and civil war after the exit of Idi Amin, a period of turbulence that ended with the emergence of Yoweri Museveni. The same Museveni today finds himself defending Gaddafi and railing against imperialism, though Gaddafi fought on the side of Idi Amin and armed the brute to the teeth during the 1978-1979 war. If we had not secured a democratic change in 1999, there is no telling where we would be, or whether factions in the Nigerian power game would not be asking for and receiving help from unlikely (imperialistic) sources. Definitions and applications of terms and concepts are doubtless shifting. But the world has moved on beyond the point where Jonathan’s critics are marooned. A beleaguered people will seek help anywhere. After all, is it not said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend? It would be irresponsible and heartless for anyone to deny Libyans their moment of pride and victory, notwithstanding their tinderbox of ethnic pastiche – the same worrisome pastiche that unnerved many people about South Sudan’s struggle for independence. The world is now much wiser to the issue of crimes against humanity, against which a leader cannot offer the sovereignty of his country as defence. There is today a minimum point in civilised behaviour below which any country or its leaders must not fall; for the values of freedom, right to life and dignity of our persons are universal, indisputable and inalienable. Jonathan acted right on Libya; he should not be apologetic. Even if he seems to take unsteady and unhurried steps on domestic issues, let him stick to the swift decision he has made on Libya. The usually laggard AU, whose peace moves in Libya were laughable and amateurish, will come round to his side sooner or later.

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