The Nation August 28, 2011

PA GE

Rahman Abdullahi, Adeyemi Osunsanya, David Edward among the dead Nigeria not an isolated case –Jonathan

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Abuja blast: 9 UN staff confirmed dead, dozens hospitalised

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

August 28, 2011

thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Vol.06, No. 1865

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Residents of Apete area of Ibadan cut off due to Friday’s heavy rainfall that washed away the bridge linking the area with other parts of the city yesterday Photo: NAN

Scores feared dead as flood sacks Ibadan –PAGE 4

Police, NEMA confirm 12 dead Death toll higher –Residents

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

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ATO has bombed Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s strongholds - as opposition fighters strengthen their grip on the Libyan capital by moving their political base there.

Warplanes targeted parts of the capital where Gaddafi loyalists remain as the search for the 69-year-old intensifies.

British Tornado jets fired cruise missiles overnight at a headquarters in the leader’s home town of Sirte.

Rumours of Col Gaddafi’s whereabouts continue to swirl among opposition fighters, who spent hours laying siege to a Tripoli apartment block in which he was thought to be hiding.

The leader’s troops staged a counter-attack against rebel forces at Tripoli’s Rixos hotel, where a number of foreign journalists have been staying, and around his compound.

Sky’s Stuart Ramsay, reporting from the area, said: “The government is showing it’s prepared to lead attacks against the rebel unit.”

There are also reports that Gaddafi troops have bombarded Tripoli’s airport, damaging a plane.

The anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council is now being run from the capital, having moved its headquarters there from Benghazi in the East.

It came as the US and South Africa reached a deal to release $1.5bn (£920m) in frozen Libyan assets for humanitarian aid and other civilian needs.

Col Gaddafi has used an audio message on a pro-regime TV station to urge his supporters to rise up.

“Do not leave Tripoli to those rats, kill them, defeat them quickly,” he said. “The enemy is delusional, Nato is retreating.”

His continued defiance came as attempts to end the conflict were frustrated by ongoing resistance from Gaddafi loyalists.

Pockets of pro-regime fighters remain in Tripoli, where rebels have discovered a large ammunition

Gaddafi strongholds bombed as hunt continues

•Rebel fighters seen inside the house of Aisha Gaddafi the daughter of Muammar Gaddafi.

dump in a wooded area around the Rixos Hotel.

And having stormed into the capital on Sunday night and taken over Col Gaddafi’s compound on Tuesday, opposition forces are now set to encounter some of their toughest battles for control as they approach

Sirte, 450km (280 miles) from the capital.

While Col. Gaddafi’s enemies believe he is still in the capital, they fear he could flee through long-prepared escape routes, using tunnels and bunkers, to rally an insurgency.

In a southern district

close to the notorious prison of Abu Salim, rebel forces are continuing a concerted assault, sweeping from house to house and taking prisoners.

And the rebels’ Colonel Hisham Buhagiar said they were targeting several areas

in their hunt for Col Gaddafi.

“We are sending special forces every day to hunt down Gaddafi,” he said.

“We have one unit that does intelligence and other units that hunt him down.”

The UN has called for restraint on both sides amid

reports of abuses. A spokesman said reports of summary killings and torture were currently difficult to verify, but would be investigated.

He said: “We urge all those in positions of authority in Libya, including field commanders, to take active steps to ensure that no crimes, or acts of revenge, are committed.”

Agreements to unfreeze Libyan assets were made as the international face of the NTC, Mahmoud Jibril, warned that stability and security are at risk if rebel salaries, unpaid for four months, are not delivered.

Among the other urgent priorities are collecting weapons, rebuilding a justice system and national army, providing care to the wounded in Libya and abroad, and rebuilding power stations.

Further humanitarian aid was expected to arrive in Tripoli by sea las Friday although there are questions about whether the supplies will get through to where they are needed, as there are no staff in the harbour to unload them.

First death as Hurricane Irene hits US

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HE first fatality has been reported as Hurricane Irene slammed into the North Carolina coast and roars its way towards New York.

Nash County emergency management director Brian Brantley said a man was killed outside his home after he was hit by a large tree branch.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre said the category one hurricane was causing torrential rain up and down North Carolina’s coast.

An estimated 200,000 residents in southern coastal areas of the state are already reported to be without power.

The hurricane is barrelling its way up the east coast towards New York, where a mandatory

evacuation order has been issued.

Around 7,000 flights have been cancelled and all three of the city’s airports have been closed to incoming flights.

President Barack Obama has cut short his holiday by a night. He announced the decision after telling reporters he believes the hurricane could be “extremely dangerous and costly”.

“All indications point to this being a historic hurricane,” Mr Obama said during a news conference at the farm where he has been staying with his family off the Boston coast.

The President urged residents of the eastern US to “take precautions now” ahead of the storm and obey any evacuation

orders.

“If you are in the projected path of this hurricane, you have to take precautions now,” Mr Obama said. “Don’t wait, don’t delay.”

States of emergency have been declared in seven states and evacuation orders in a number of coastal areas with fears of widespread flooding and power cuts.

As well as an evacuation order, New York has shut down the subway system for the first time because of a natural disaster.

It is thought the hurricane could weaken to a tropical storm by the time it hits New England, but the US National Hurricane Centre said that would make little difference in its impact.

Janet Napolitano, US Home-

land Security Secretary, said: “I would advise people not to focus that much on Category one, two or three. If you’re in a hurricane, it’s a big deal.

“This remains a large and dangerous storm.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered around 370,000 people living in low-lying areas of the city to leave their homes.

He told a news conference: “We’ve never done a mandatory evacuation before and we wouldn’t be doing it now if we didn’t think this storm had the potential to be very serious.”

He later added: “Staying behind is dangerous, staying behind is foolish and it’s against the law.”

Mr Bloomberg previously authorised the evacuation of hospitals and other at-risk in-

stitutions in parts of the city.

Bridges have also been ordered to shut down if winds exceed 60mph. Winds topping 100mph have already brought chaos to the Caribbean. US authorities are worried about high winds but also heavy rainfall bringing flashfloods. From the Carolinas to Cape Cod, 55m people are in the storm’s potential path in one of the most densely-populated parts of the country.

Mr Obama’s holiday has been plagued by huge news stories, distracting him from day one. Turmoil on world markets, an earthquake, a momentous revolution and now a hurricane have guaranteed constant distractions for the President as he tried to recover from the summer’s draining political battles in Washington.

CORRECTION Senator Kola Ogunwale is of the Accord Party and not Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as published in our August 21 edition.— Editor

Have Your Say 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?

— 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 AUGUST 28, 2011

Column

Judicial feudalism in Nigeria N IGERIA has never been ruled by a true believer in the democratic credo. It is a lineage of despotism that stretches back to independence and to the colonial foundation of Nigeria.

Goodluck Jonathan is the latest in a long line of Viziers selected to superintend the Nigerian post-colonial collage. No matter the garb our viceroys wear or the creed they profess, the result has always been the same: a deepening of the crisis of the state and the further emasculation of democratic norms.

Unluckily for Goodluck, this situation cannot subsist for much longer.

All evidence and statistics point to the fact that the beast of burden has been straining its leash for quite some time under the torture of its crushing baggage. No one is sure of which straw will break the proverbial camel’s back.

But given Jonathan’s relative inexperience and the lackadaisical flippancy with which he appears to be sleepwalking his way from one avoidable crisis to the other, we may be set for a major rumble in the jungle.

The way and manner Jonathan has endorsed Justice Issa Ayo Salami’s suspension from office, despite the crass illegality and judicial absurdity, leave much to be desired. It does not portray a president interested in deepening democratic norms or expanding the frontiers of the rule of law. Jonathan seems to have acted with the cynical calculations of a political survivalist rather than the ennobling discretion of a statesman interested in civilized procedures and the progress of his nation. Surely, this cannot be part of the transformative leadership Jonathan has promised Nigerians.

Enemies of Nigeria pretending to be friends of Jonathan seem to have

•Salami persuaded him that he should do all that is in his power to avoid Justice Salami at the Appeal Court no matter the damage to the system. The prospects of the fiery, no-nonsense judge tearing into his case with his customary severe frown are enough to put the fear of the lord into any president’s heart, particularly one that seems to enjoy the perquisites of office more than its prerogatives.

Having demonized the poor Justice out of all proportions, the PDP power-mongers are mortally afraid of the monster they have created. But even monsters are entitled to reliefs.

For Jonathan to have relied on the report of an improperly constituted Kangaroo panel, a panel that

willfully and criminally avoided lawful writs and sat without a quorum just to arrive at preordained punishment, is a sure invitation to political anarchy. The Nigerian judiciary has had its moments of low self-esteem, but this is the lowest depths of abject self-abasement it has sunk in its history.

As usual, the grand irony that may escape all the major actors in this deplorable drama is that in its resort to self-help, and in its attempt to shore up the fortunes of the state, the judiciary might have created a major crisis for the state. The subsisting crisis of the Nigerian post-colonial state inheres in the fact that despite the veneer and cosmetics of modernity, it is essentially an authoritarian feudal state which treats its citizens as subjects and one in which a feudalized selectorate replaces the electorate as a succession of strongmen rule and rape the roost.

Ordinarily, there ought to be a major contradiction, indeed a violent anomaly, between judicial feudalism and a modern state. The very notion of judicial feudalism is a stark oxymoron, because the modern judiciary is not an ideological apparatus of the old feudal state. But in all its modern and ancient history the Nigerian judiciary has always acted as a loyal and dependable ally of the feudal state in its struggle and war

Okon in spot-the-fool scam

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S the epic spat between Nigeria’s two leading military Caesars spilled into the public domain and supporters on both sides took up verbal arms on behalf of their soiled and besmirched idols, the gossip class has been enjoying the mutual recrimination and ugly revelations with wild relish. In saloons, lecture theatres and several watering holes, the topic of the moment was about who the real fool was between the two generals. Nigerians love to cock a snook at their former masters, particularly those they believe have shortchanged them. It is even more delicious if the demystification is entirely self-propelled.

As the Battle of the Fools raged, Baba Lekki had joined the fray with all of his mischievous stamina and intellectual gravitas. Weighing in at a public bar at Ojuelegba, the old demon summarized proceedings with epigrammatic brevity and acid wit. “Shut up gentlemen,” Baba Lekki began with caustic authority, “the ignorance of generals is no excuse for general ignorance.”

“Chei, chei, dem Yoruba warlord come kaput dem efulefu generals!”, an Igbo trader exclaimed.

“You see,” the old devil continued with his daring verbal calisthenics, “ a fool among generals can only be a general among fools”. The entire hall exploded with riotous mirth.

“What about witless comedian?” the Igbo trader shouted above the din.

“Ah you see,” Baba Lekki began as a hush fell upon the place. “A witless comedian is a fool without his wits, that is a mad clown. But as the fool in Twelfth Night observed, better a witty fool than a foolish wit”. The applause this time was as thunderous as it was roof-threatening.

It was at this point that Okon chose his carefully calibrated entry.

Trust the ever resourceful carpetbagger to cotton in on the act. While the controversy of fools lasted, Okon had come up with a giant billboard with an artist’s impression of Nigeria’s two most successful political generals and Machiavellian puppeteers squaring up to each other. The one was smiling the crocodile’s smile while the other wore a wolfish grin in all its lupine ferocity. Superimposed on the dual portrait was the poser: Spot the similarities.

The sight of Okon sent Baba lekki into a delinquent dance which ended in a historic rant. “Ah Calabar boy, welcome to the Paradise of Fools. The problems with fools is that they are too full of themselves. Actually, I don’t mind living in a Fools’ paradise. Expectations are low, and the leadership lottery keeps throwing up the same flunkies in different garbs.

The people are afflicted by endemic happiness because the alternative is madness. They put a gloss on every tragedy until tragedy itself is tired and relocates somewhere else.

Overrich come overreach Overrich.”

“Baba, all dat na jaguda grammar. Okon no sabi grammar. The thin I sabi be say as dis time no be April and we no get am for April Fool, dem baba and dem IBB be August Fools,” the mad boy noted with a fiendish scoff.

“O ri yen so oo,” an old Lagosian in the crowd crooned. “ He get one time wey Baba go Onikan museum and he come dey look at dem giant thin and he come think say na dem IBB photo and he come get real mad and him come ask dem why dem put Ibrahim for photo. Naim dem tell am say na mirror him dey look,” Okon continued.

“So Okon for dis dem quarrel who come be the real fool?” Baba pressed on.

“Baba, if two fools come dey fight and you say you wan settle am, na

three fools be dat one ooo,” the crazy boy crowed.

It was at this point that a loud explosion was heard in the distance.

Pandemonium overtook the drinking bar and both philosopher and philosopher apprentice took to their heels.

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu against its own captive citizens.

Rather than helping to deepen democracy and facilitate the rights of humanity in a modern society, the judiciary has proved a willing tool in deepening despotism and strengthening the hands of tyrants.

Such is the anomaly and fundamental absurdity of nationhood in contemporary Nigeria.

If anybody believes that this is a mere hysterical assertion, the concrete facts are sobering enough. In its colonial incarnation, the judiciary was a willing tool in the hands of imperialist interlocutors dishing out improbable punishments to Nigerian freedom fighters while helping to turn the prison yard into the default abode of Nigerian patriots bent on seeing the end of colonial subjugation. The likes of Herbert Macaulay, Mokuwgo Okoye, Raji Abdallah, Bello Ijumu and Anthony Enahoro paid a stiff price for their nationalist recalcitrance.

After independence, the judiciary famously and willingly tied its hand behind its back in order to perpetuate a feudal and tyrannical status quo.

There was the infamous Treasonable Felony trial, the tacit endorsement of ouster clauses by the military which put the judicial nose out of joint, the 12 2/3 chicanery and judgments that cannot be quoted as a legal precedent, the annulment of a presidential election and the murder of its putative winner with the connivance of the bench, the judicially sanctioned state-execution of Kenule Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni nine, the politically motivated endorsement of the fraudulent presidential elections of 2003 and 2007, the arrest of a pending judgment because the interest of a feudal fiefdom may be jeopardized, and now the criminally motivated ouster of a sitting president of the Appeal Court by elements within the judiciary.

Yet, this is not to say that the Nigerian judiciary does not parade its

Some nations do ave ‘em

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ID-MORNING last Thursday as snooper curled up in bed at a JFK airport hotel monitoring the end of Muammar Gaddafi’s historic reign and marveling at the folly of despots, a breaking news intermission came on the screen indicating a rare earth quake in Virginia. It was a powerful tremor which sent the pundits salivating with apocalyptic relish.

But before snooper could finish contemplating the bizarre and savage ways of nature, the bed shifted slightly and yours sincerely was caught in a gentle slide towards eternity. The hotel alarm bugle sounded and a magisterial voice was ordering everybody down to the open park. The earth quake was not confined to Virginia. The tectonic plates shifted as far as Connecticut.

Still wondering whether it was all an engrossing dream, snooper led the pack in a desultory trudge down the stairs from the eleventh floor. It was not a funny spectacle. To come all the way from Africa to achieve volcanic immortality in New York of all places is not a laughing matter.

Mercifully, the tremor had quickly subsided but not without some serious damages to property in Virginia.

But nature was not done yet. The following morning on Friday another breaking news announced that what began as an erratic hurricane targeting some Caribbean islands was now approaching with the full

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force of a category A hurricane and with its sight firmly set on the American eastern coast. New York was in the eye of the storm, as they say.

The handshake was now going beyond the elbow. Snooper began to long for sweet home. At least one can predict the human hurricanes and man-made calamities god has chosen to inflict on Nigeria, but nature was becoming too dangerously unpredictable in these climes. By mid-morning, the entire east coast had been put in emergency overdrive with mandatory evacuation afoot from North Carolina to New Jersey. Snooper was happy to flee New York.

And then by an eerie coincidence another breaking news intruded on the screen. This time around, a suicide bomber had virtually taken down the UN Building in Abuja with casualty soaring every minute. It was now a question of choosing your poison. Nowhere is safe anymore. One must now choose between human catastrophe and natural calamity. We have said it before on this page that the Boko Haram thing presents Nigeria with a security challenge of nightmarish proportions which will task our will and wit. Nigeria is set to become a pawn in the chessboard of international terrorism and counter-terrorism. Poor Goodluck Jonathan has been handed a poisoned chalice.

glorious avatars and immortal icons; men and women of intellectual caliber and moral timber: the CID Taylors, the Agudas, the Oputas, the Aniagolus, the Eshos, the Akanbis and a host of others. For example, it was a female judge, Dolapo Akinsanya, who sacked the Shonekan interim nonsense on the grounds that it had no basis or foundation in the grundnorm. The clearest indication that the Nigerian state does not derive its strength or authority from the rational branch of the judiciary was Shonekan’s warning from Port Harcourt that the judiciary should steer clear of matters above and beyond it. If the political apprentice from UAC was looking over to Abacha for support, the goggled one was already rehearsing his take-over speech.

The point to be made is that every class consists of its dominant faction and dominated fraction. The judiciary is no exception. The dominant faction of the judiciary has been in bed with the dominant state and social order from the amalgamation, thwarting the legitimate aspirations of the Nigerian people in the process and destroying the career of progressive and forward-looking judges within its own profession. As a result of growing disenchantment, significant sections of the Nigerian populace often resort to self-help after they have been victims of electoral robbery.

As it is today, the Nigerian state is neither a modern or modernizing state, nor the nation it forcibly superintends a modern nation or a genuine federation. For the past twenty years, the Nigerian multitude has fought a desperate battle to revalidate their citizenship and to reclaim the stolen sovereignty of the Nigerian electorate. This is where the real war for the transformation of Nigeria is fought and anybody with any genuine transformative agenda for Nigeria ought to know where to pitch their tent. By underwriting the dubious claims of judicial despots, Jonathan has failed the elementary test of any political transformation.

The tragic consequences of this failure will outweigh any immediate political relief accruing from the ouster of Justice Salami. Whatever they claim to be his failings and mortal sins, Salami’s enemies have helped to invest him with the halo of judicial martyrdom by the shabby manner of his dismissal. Whether he goes under or is dramatically rescued, Salami has already joined the judicial Hall of Fame and for a long time to come his implacable gaze of sublime contempt will haunt the gallery of electoral miscreants in this land.

As for Goodluck Jonathan, the honeymoon is all but over. The gale of protests that has greeted his political deviancy may or may not crystallize into a critical mass of national tempest this time around, but it is just a question of time. An idea seems to be taking firm roots among the educated classes of this country that things cannot continue like this. It is either Nigeria transforms voluntarily or it faces an involuntary resolution of its crippling contradictions.

If Jonathan cares to take a closer look at the crowd of protesters this past week, he would have discovered the same forces that had supported his ascendancy against a feudal cabal bent on subverting constitutional rule in the country now inveighing against his own capitulation to judicial feudalism. A presidency which began on a groundswell of national affection and fondness may yet end up in bitterness and bile.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

News IBADAN FLOOD

• People pushing their cars from the flood along NIHORT Idi-Isin road Ibadan

•A workshop along Olugbode in Gbekuba area submarged

•Vehicle destroyed by collapsed fence at Aina Sogbetan street Bodija, Ibadan.

Photos: FEMI ILESANMI

•Resident of some houses salvaging their properties at Odo-Ona area Photos: FEMI ILESANMI

Scores feared dead as flood sacks Ibadan A SIX-HOUR rain at the weekend sacked Ibadan, Oyo State capital with scores feared dead.

As of yesterday night, residents were still count-

ing their losses in the flood disaster that ravaged the ancient city leading to the destruction of property running into billions of Naira.

Hundreds of vehicles were submerged in

Ajimobi cuts short pilgrimage

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OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has cut short his stay in Saudi Arabia to attend to the emergency cause by the Ibadan flood disaster.

His wife, Florence, visited some of the affected areas and commiserated with victims and urged them to be calm, assuring them that the government was already taking urgent steps to address the problem.

She said: “The present administration led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi is people-oriented and sensitive to their welfare. No stone will be left unturned to ensure that lives and property are protected while relief materials and proper medical care will be made available to the affected areas.”

Mrs. Ajimobi said yester-

day when she visited some of the flood ravaged areas that the state government had put in place palliative measures to ameliorate the sufferings of victims.

She visited Apete Bridge behind The Polytechnic Ibadan, which was damaged, by the flood and Babalegba area along Sango Eleyele Road. She also visited Challenge/Orita/OdoOna Road, where some people trapped in the flood were being rescued by volunteers and security personnel.

At the 7-Up-Oluyole Road, which was submerged by the flood, Ajimobi directed her aides to mobilise trucks, canoes and a helicopter for the evacuation of people still trapped in houses that were submerged in the flood.

the flood and many families were displaced.

The most affected places by the flood were Onipepeye section of Old Ife Rd, Oke Ayo, Yemetu, Bodija Estate, Olomi, Eleyele, Apete and Odo Ona-Elewe.

The downpour, which started around 5pm overran and destroyed on Friday night some bridges while some major roads were rendered impassable.

The heavy downpour was like the one that fell in Lagos on July 10, which also shut down the nation’s commercial nerve centre for hours.

Traffic snarls were recorded in virtually all ma-

jor areas of the city. The traffic only began to improve as from 1:00 am yesterday when the rain thawed.

Travellers managed to navigate through Iwo Road, Old Ife Road and Oyo Those passing through the city to other parts of the South West and the Northern part were stranded for the hours that the traffic snarls lasted.

At Apete, the flood sacked the community as the bridge linking it with the city caved in. The narrow bridge linking Odo-Ona Elewe community was also overrun, leaving the road impassable.

At Onipepeye area of Old Ife Road, seven vehi-

cles, including two buses were sub-merged by the flood while 10 others were damaged as they were trapped inside the new petrol station constructed near the stream.

The torrential rain left a tale of woes on the inhabitants of Omi-Adio area of the city as they watched helplessly while the flood swept through their farmlands and sacked many households. Stall owners at the popular market in the area also burst into tears on sighting the level of damage to their wares safely locked up before closing on Friday.

Apart from the devastating impact of the rain , several homes with property

worth several millions of naira were swept away by the heavy flood that accompanied the down pour.

The Magistrate Court located at the heart of the town was not spared as all the surroundings were covered by the rising water level which also destroyed some vital documents in the building.

The night was a black day for fish and poultry farmers as many farmlands were affected by the flood.

Some fish particularly matured and fingerlings were swept away to the main roads from ponds.

The popular Omi-Adio Market, which serves many cities with agricultural products suffered damage when the entire market was swept away, leaving own•Continued on page 65

Oyo Speaker, Akinjide condole with victims

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HE Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly Mrs Monsurat Sunmonu and the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, have commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the flood that ravaged Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Hon Sunmonu said the government would do all it can to bring succour to the affected people and areas.

According to her, the government was committed to the well being of residents and the entire people. She advised the vic-

tims and their families to be calm.

The minister, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Isiaka Kehinde, expressed condolence to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, family and friends of the victims.

“I heard of the sad incident at a time we were brooding over another dastardly act of the bombing of the UN building in Abuja.

“The two grave occurrences at a time we are making concerted efforts to move our beloved countries Nigeria forward are indeed regrettable and disconcerting.

“May the gentle Souls of the Victims rest in peace. I also pray for the bereaved families for the fortitude to bear the great losses. Accept my deepest regrets.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

News

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UN BUILDING BOMB BLAST

US, UN bomb experts to probe blast • Government holds on to victims’ corpses A • UN, FG keep list of casualties under wraps

NTI-BOMB experts from the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Nations have been drafted to probe the bomb explosion at the UN Building in Abuja on Friday.

The Federal Government is, however, still holding on to the corpses of the blast victims until preliminary investigation is completed on Monday.

It was also learnt that forensic analysis of the remains of the Honda Accord of the suicide bomber has started.

Although the list of casualties was kept under wraps, three were unveiled yesterday.

The three victims were a UNDP staff, Rahma Abdullahi; a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert, Adeyemi Osunsanya and a US -based Nigerian medical expert, Dr. David Edward who died on the third floor in the middle of a conference.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that after the initial screening of the UN Building on Friday, antibomb experts from the

• Security beefed up in US, other embassies • NEMA DG aborts trip to lesser Hajj

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Sani Ologun, Abuja

United States, the UK and the UN have been drafted to be part of investigation into the bomb attack.

It was gathered that the international dimension to the investigation has delayed the release of the corpses of the victims.

A top security source said: “Some foreign experts have arrived in Nigeria on yesterday as part of the preliminary investigation into the blast.

“In spite of the fact that the explosion occurred in Nigeria, investigation has assumed international dimension. As I am talking to you, forensic analysis of the wreckage of the car of the suicide bomber was in progress.

“Also, the CCTV at the UN Building is being activated to get the footage of

UN confirms nine staff dead, dozens hospitalised

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HE Nigeria UN Country Team yesterday said it lost nine staff to the Friday suicide bomb explosion at its building in Abuja.

It also admitted that dozens of its staff have been hospitalized for various injuries.

It explained that its figure does not include the deaths of any non-UN staff, including security and visitors.

But the acting Resident Coordinator for the UN System in Nigeria, Mrs. Agathe Lawson said the UN will continue its operations.

The UN made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of anxiety over the actual death toll.

The statement said: “The Nigeria UN Country Team is assessing the full impact of yesterday’s bombing attack of the UN House, and continues with its efforts to ensure that the people affected are receiving medical care and support.

“The UN House in Abuja includes 26 United Nations agencies and about 400 staff. The bomb, which occurred at approximately 10: 20 am on Friday 26 August, caused extensive damage to the entire building.

“The UN is still assessing the human toll. Nine UN staff members are confirmed dead and several dozens are hospitalized with injuries.

“This figure does not include the deaths of any non-

how the bombing was done.

There is no hiding place for these terrorists; they will be unmasked. We will try to make the preliminary investigation as swift as possible.

“The investigators are certainly looking beyond the Boko Haram sect which has claimed responsibility for the Friday blast.

Another government official said: “In line with international best practices, the government will not release the list of casualties until their families have been contacted. Those affected were international civil servants and we cannot just go on air with their list.”

In an enquiry sent to the UNICEF office in New York, a Media Director with the organization, Peter Smerdon, said: “The list of staff will be provided by the office of the UN SecretaryGeneral only after all staff are accounted for or in the case of those killed after all

the next of kin have been informed. Many thanks for your understanding.”

But the ongoing investigation has caused some tension especially among Muslim families, who are desirous of the immediate burial for their loved ones in line with Islamic tenets.

A victim family said: “As Muslims, we do not delay the burial of our people but the government is still holding on to the corpses of our loved ones. They said they will not release the corpses until Monday after preliminary investigation must have ended.

“We are agitated but we hope that the government will not delay the corpses than Monday.”

Latest findings, however, revealed that those worst hit by the blast were staff of UNICEF, WHO, and UNDP. Although the list of casualties was kept under wraps,

three were unveiled yesterday. The three victims were a UNDP staff, Rahma Abduullahi; a WHO expert, Adeyemi Osunsanya and a US -based Nigerian medical expert, Dr. David Edward who died on the third floor in the middle of a conference.

A former Minister, who spoke in confidence on Edward, said: “He was a young and brilliant Nigerian but a US-based medical practitioner (who has a 10-year old son) and who had just flown in from the US for a programme at the UN Building. He was one of the speakers at the conference on the Third Floor of the building when the bomb went off.’’

The UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, confirmed that the agency lost some staff.

He said: “Exactly one week ago, on World Humanitarian Day, we commemorated the bravery of our colleagues who, over the years, had lost their lives or were injured working to save and enhance the lives of children. Sadly, outrageously, today the United

Nations and UNICEF have lost more of our colleagues working in the same cause.

“Here at UNICEF, we join many others in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who were attacked today. This tragic event should remind us all of the courage of so many other aid workers who face similar dangers and who are doing so much for so many around the world.”

As at press time, security has been beefed up at the US Embassy and other Embassies in Abuja.

“Going by the recourse to suicide bombing, the government has decided to take more proactive steps by protecting strategic installations and embark on a 24-hour surveillance of the Federal Capital Territory’’, revealed another source.

Meanwhile, the DirectorGeneral of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi, has cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj as a result of the bomb explosion.

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

UN staff including security and visitors. The casualty numbers may change as the UN continues its assessment and more information flows in from hospitals, staff and their families.

“These deaths and injuries are a grievous blow to the UN family and our national partners. We have lost motivated, bright, selfless people who were working only for the good of Nigeria and the world.

“Our priority now is to ensure those who are injured and the families of those who died are cared for,” said Agathe Lawson, the acting Resident Coordinator for the UN System in Nigeria.

“Our second and urgent priority is to ensure the UN operations continue. We will not be deterred in our mission to work to improve the lives of Nigerians. This is why we are here.”

In order to provide information to staff and their families, the UN Nigeria office has established a 24hour Emergency Helpline.

UN councilors will operate four telephone lines to provide staff and their families’ information and initial counseling.

The UN Helpline phone numbers are: 1. 0810 0154 645 2. 0810 0154 646 3. 0810 0154 650 4. 0810 0154 651

• Soldiers on guard at the UN Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday

Photo: AFP

Jonathan visits UN building, says Nigeria is not an isolated case

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited the United Nations building, scene of the latest bombing incident in the country. He assured that the government was on top of the situation.

He also reiterated that Nigeria was not an isolated case in the act of terrorism.

The bombing of the UN building occurred barely two months after that of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, known as Louis Edet House.

Jonathan, who was dressed in a grey trousers

• Assures that FG is on top of situation From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

and shirt with sleeves rolled up with a face cap, looked highly disturbed and saddened.

The visit lasted about 20minutes. Jonathan arrived the UN building at 12.02 in company of aides and was received on arrival by the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi. He was conducted around the damaged building by Major A.O Kazeem.

Those on the president’s entourage were the Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku; Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru and Ministers of State for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Violet Onwuluri and Olusola Obada respectively.

The president, who later spoke to journalists after observing the damage caused by the blast amidst tight security, said the attack was not only on Nigeria but on

the entire world.

While also assuring that the government was on top of the situation, he added that Nigeria will be working closely with the UN and other world leaders to tackle the menace.

He said, “One thing is very clear: terrorist attack on any individual or any group is a terrorist attack to the rest of the world; it not just about the UN office in Nigeria.

“We will work with the UN and all the world leaders, many of whom have contacted me between yesterday and today.’’

6

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

News

Katsina-Alu: Can the judiciary survive the raging storm?

It is the end of an era for the Nigerian judiciary. Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo, Judiciary Correspondent Kamarudeen Ogundele and Musa Odoshimokhe x-ray the Katsina-Alu reign as Chief Justice of Nigeria, the state of the judiciary today and the danger ahead if stakeholders do not take charge of the reform process

T

HE stormy reign of Aloysius KatsinaAlu as the Chief Justice of Nigeria ends today. He takes his exit even as the storm continues to rage, threatening the ship of state. It has taken the 20-month tenure of the Benue State-born leader of the judiciary to point attention to the defects of the constitution on the administration of the judicial arm of government.

It was Lord Acton who said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The office of CJN is considered one of the most dignifying. Those who crafted the constitution concentrated so much power in the hands of the man at the helm of affairs on the assumption that whoever could make it to the apex at the Supreme Court must be a man of honour, very experienced and one who would do anything to protect his reputation.

Under the constitution, the CJN presides over the Supreme Court that has the last say on matters legal in the country. He is Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) that makes recommendations for appointments of all judicial officers and their discipline. It is almost a regulatory authority for the judiciary. He is also chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee. He therefore seats over the selection of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

The composition of the NJC to which powers of life and death have been conferred by the supre law of the land is also in the hand of the judicial lord. Apart from his deputy who is statutorily the Supreme Court Justice next in rank to him on basis of seniority on the apex court’s Bench, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, all others owe their appointments to the CJN. Five Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the CJN who also has the discretion in picking five State Chief Judges. A Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal and a President of the Customary Court of Appeal are also appointed at the pleasure of the CJN. The only other exceptions are five members of the Nigerian Bar Association who the CJN appoints based on the recommendation of the NBA. The first inkling that things may go awry during the tenure of Justice Katsina_Alu came to the fore at his inauguration. It was a testy moment in the history of the country. Thre was no President, while some argued that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who was then out of the range on the ground of ill-health should be permanently sidelined, replaced by his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, others argued that it would be in bad faith. As almost all things Nigerian, it soon degenerated into ethnic rancour.

In the context, JusticeIdris Legbo Kutigi had to bow out as he attained the mandatory retirement age of 70. Traditionally, the President swears in the CJN. There was no President on seat. It took Kutigi’s ingenuity to fish out a law that empowers the departing CJN to perform the function. To many legal practitioners, it was odd. But, it could not be blamed on the new Chief Justice of Nigeria. He was qualified for the position.

His nomination by the NJC was not in doubt and all had seen him as the CJN in waiting. So, with time, all chose to forget the process of his emergence.

First, his entry into the revered position was dogged by controversy. When his appointment was confirmed by the Senate, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was on medical trip abroad. How would the na-

tion fill the vacancy became an issue because there was no acting President.

Confronted with the dilemma of not having a sitting president to swear him in, and the need to avoid a lacuna in the administration of justice, the judiciary, after a long wait, proffered an ingenious solution.

The then CJN, Idris Kutigi citing the Oaths Act said he could swear his successor in.

Many lawyers who felt the decision was a rape on the constitution threatened to go to the court to challenge the action. It degenerated to altercation between the Bench and bar. After much ado, the decision was allowed to stay in national interest; the judiciary survived the challenges of the time.

But certainly, the controversy that persisted strongly towards the end of his tenure is one that will outlive his reign. It, definitely, will continue to reverberate after his departure.

Katsina-Alu’s face-off with the suspended Court of Appeal President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, over the Sokoto State governorship election petition between the Democratic Peoples Party’s candidate, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Governor Aliyu Wamakko on the 2007 election is the longest running battle in the judiciary.

Lawyers point the way forward Not a few see the suspension of Justice Salami as witch-hunting by the National Judicial Council (NJC) chaired by Katsina-Alu, and a dangerous precedence, injurious to the plan for development of genuine democracy built on pillars of justice delivery and sanctity of the electoral system.

To Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), judging by the allegations of interference and manipulation of the NJC to pervert the cause of justice by ignoring the pendency of a case and evading court service, the judiciary never had it so bad.

“We have not had it so bad. Not in the anal of judiciary. We pray we don’t have such a character again. He is the only CJN who has so many litigations against him. It has been tragic and disastrous. It got to a stage the NBA petitioned on Federal Character over appointment of judges and even threatened to go to court.”

On the feud between the CJN and Justice Salami, Akintola recalled that Justice KatsinaAlu bluntly refused to appear before a neutral committee set up to look into the allegations and counter-allegations. Akintola recalled that: “He (Justice Katsina-Alu) refused to appear before the independent committee.

He even shut out NBA ex-president. This was a committee made up of senior lawyers, some even more experienced than most judges.”

To a respected Ilorin based-lawyer, Mr. Yusuf Alli (SAN), the challenges in the Judiciary are enormous.

“The new CJN should clear the massive rot in the judiciary. He should strive to strengthen the judiciary because it is at its lowest ebb. “He should make us proud that we belong to this noble profession”, he added.

•Katsina-Alu

But, to Lagos lawyer and former West Africa Bar Association (WABA) President, Mr. Femi Falana, Justice Katsina-Alu’s reign was a disaster for the judicial system.

“He came in controversial circumstances, remained in office in controversy and left in controversy.

“But the damage done to the image of the judiciary will be difficult to repair. The confidence of Nigeria people in the Judiciary has been eroded more than ever before. Apart from turning the National Judicial Council (NJC) into a private organisation for waging war against perceived opponents, quality of judges appointed by the NJC left much to be desired.

Falana recalled that Justice Katsina-Alu once prevented a former NBA President, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), from talking at a ceremonial function held at the Supreme Court, Abuja.

“This time the Bar decided to boycott the SAN swearing-in. It was under Kutigi that

“Not a few see the suspension of Justice Salami as witchhunting by the National Judicial Council (NJC) chaired

by Katsina-Alu, and a dangerous precedence, injurious to the plan for development of genuine democracy built on pillars of justice delivery and sanctity of the electoral system.”

the last appointment was made, inaugurated

by Katsina-Alu, why couldn’t he allow his successor to do same; this shows that he was out to confront the Bar. “His successor should embark on thorough cleansing so as to reposition the judiciary.

Besides, the Human Rights Activist lamented the declining quality of judicial officers and alleged corruption in the system.

“Official allegations of gross misconduct against judges were truncated with contempt, while Judges who stood their grounds were hounded. The country’s judiciary needs a courageous leadership that will be prepared to promote the rule of law and judicial independence.

“The outgoing CJN does not believe in the Separation of Power between the Judiciary and the Executive. Cases of corruption in the National Judicial Institute (NJI) which he was the chairman; the N6 billion reported fraud in the NJI was covered up. The abuse of power by CJN had clearly proved the point that it is dangerous to saddle persons who are not committed to rule of law with enormous power.

“Happily for the country, the outgoing CJN by his conduct strengthened the campaign for the amendment of relevant provision of the Constitution to restructure the NJC in a way that serving Judges are not allowed to sit on judgments over themselves and their Continued on page 7

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

News

T

WELVE Nigerian jurists have presided over the Nigerian judiciary as Chief Justices. But, as in all aspects of life, some left their imprints on the sands. By the length of his service and the circumstances of his appointment, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola is a name that no one familiar with the history of the third branch of government can forget.

Appointed as the departure of the British colonial lords appeared imminent in 1958, the Egba-born prince presided for 14 years. He is easily remembered for the role he supposedly played in the Western Region crisis of the First Republic and the non-judicial role of superintending the 1973 census that was a fiasco.

Among lawyers, he is more remembered for the judgment in the Lakanmi case that established that the constitution is superior to any other law. He was also instrumental to the establishment of the Nigerian Law School.

The man who took over from Sir Adetokunbo was a great mind.

Justice Taslim Elias was a giant in many respects. He had a doctorate degree in law, was an academic in England and Nigeria, was, in fact one of the founders of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lagos.

He was at a point the Attorney General of the Federation, a Professor of Law and Dean of Law. He is the only person so far to have moved from Attorney General to the office of Chief Justice. After he was removed by the Murtala administration in 1975, he went to the International Court of Justice to end his career.

Other Chief Justices who were lucky to have supervised the judiciary include Sir Darnley Alexander who succeeded Justice Elias.

He was in office until the military bowed out in 1979.

Justice Atande Fatayi-Williams assumed office in very controversial circumstances in 1979. Rather than adjudicate the Awolowo appeal on the 1979 presidential election petition, Justice Alexander opted to bow out. The Obasanjo government chose Fatayi-Williams , over and above two other names considered. Awolowo interpreted the move as partisan because he felt that Obasanjo who was at the helm of affairs knew that AtandaWilliams had animosity towards him. As expected, the Supreme Court over which he presided threw out Awolowo’s petition and upheld the election of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. The four years the Justice Atanda-Williams presided over

•Uwais

•Bello

Roll call of Chief Justices the Supreme Court coincided with the Sahgari administration as he bowed out in 1983.

George Sodeinde Sowemimo handled the celebrated Treasonable Felony trial of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Till date, many remember him for the famous words “my hands are tied”. He uttered the words as he found Awo guilty and

sent him to jail.

As Chief Justice at a time that the Buhari fire raged, Sowemimo defied the Nigeria Bar association instruction to boycott the Buhari tribunals presided over by military officers. E inaugurated the panels that later found many politicians guilty even when the presiding officers were not qualified under the

law of the land.

He left office in 1985 and was succeeded by Justice Ayo Irikefe who was Chief Justice for two years. Mohammed Bello was next and ruled the waves from 1987 to 1995. It was a time that President Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha controlled national affairs.

The late Chief Bola Ige had this

colleagues because in many cases the basic principle of elementary justice were sacrificed at the altar of personal ego.

“The new CJN should support the call for the whittle down of the power of the NJC, reverse the Justice Salami’s case with a view to withdrawing his purported suspension and to cooperate with the Bench and the Bar so as to promote the administration of Justice in the country and encourage the investigation of the NJI which has been linked with massive corruption in recent time.

“He should ensure that lawyers and intellectuals are invited to join the Supreme Court as was the case in the past, to de-congest the court, and to support the view that Supreme Court should have nothing to do with appeals from governorship appeals because the Supreme

to say of him: “He is the most urbane, most humane and most judge-like judicial officer that Northern Nigeria has produced, and he certainly is one of Nigeria’s best judges.”

By 1995, it was the turn of Justice Muhammed Lawal Uwais.

Under him, there was an attempt to enthrone the rule of law. There were landmark cases and the federal government could not be sure of the decision of the court whenever a high-profile case involving it was instituted. This probably instructed the choice of Justice Uwais to preside over the Electoral Reform panel set up by President Umaru Yar’Adua. He has since been a regular face at for a where the rule of law is discussed.

His exit from office in June 2006 was controversial as he was locked in public dispute with his successor Justice Belgore. The Belgore years kicked off in controversy. He was quoted by newspapers as defending military rule. He said: “Yes, they came to cure a malady in our national development: a malady of ineptitude; a malady of corruption; a malady of divisive tendencies and so many others,” Belgore was in office for about seven months and was succeeded by Justice Legbo Kutigi who also held on for one year. Kutigi’s successor, Justice Katsina-Alu, is bowing out today after 20 months in office.

The man to whom he has transferred the mantle of office is Justice Dahiru Musdapher who also has to quit by July next year.

Supreme Courts in other countries

U

NDER the 1999, the Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and not more than twenty-one justices, appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation by the Senate. Justices of the Supreme Court must be qualified to practice law in Nigeria, and must have been so qualified for a period not less than fifteen years. Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have a mandatory retirement age of 70 years. At the moment, there are only 11 Justices of the apex court, and this includes the new CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher.

BRITAIN The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the supreme court in all matters under English

By Musa Odoshimokhe

law, Northern Irish law and Scottish civil law. It is the court of last resort and highest appellate court in the United Kingdom. However, the High Court of Justiciary remains the Supreme Court for criminal cases in Scotland.

The Supreme Court also has jurisdiction to resolve disputes relating to devolution of power in the United Kingdom and concerning the legal powers of the three devolved governments or laws made by the devolved legislatures.

It assumed the judicial functions of the House of Lords, which were exercised by the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, called “Law Lords”, with 12 professional judges appointed as members.

They carry out it judicial business in the House of Lords.

Due to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, the court is limited in its powers of judicial review, unlike the constitutional courts of some other countries.

This means that it cannot overturn any primary legislation made by Parliament. However, it can overturn secondary legislation if, for example, that legislation is found to be ultra vires of the powers in primary legislation allowing it to be made.

The court is composed of the President and Deputy President and 10 Justices of the Supreme Court. They are not subject to term limits, but may be removed from office on the address of Parliament.

Like all British judges, Supreme Court Justices retire at age 70. The

Can the judiciary survive the raging storm?

• Continued from page 6

7

Court cannot cope with the avalanche of cases.

“There is need to have full compliment of 21 Justices, with that, the court can move fine. The court’s operations should be modernised; internet facilities should be available for filing of processes to avoid travelling long distances to Abuja all the time”, Falana added.

The next phase As Justice Dahiru Musdapher assumes office, the seconds, minutes and hours are counting. What will he make of his period in office?

Will he be a reformer or a conservative? Thurgood Marshall was never a Chief Justice; he was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a height he attained after years of activism. He was respected all round as a lawyer of great and good repute, Solicitor General and, ultimately a judge of the highest court in America.

At his appointment, President Lyndon Johnson said he had no doubt that it was “the right thing to do, the right time to do it and in the right place.” The first African American to sit on that Bench served in that capacity for 24 years.

In Great Britain, the name of Lord Denning who served as Master of the Rolls remains indelible in the records. At death at the age of 100, the Lord Chief Justice had this to say of him: “Lord Denning was the best known and best loved of this, or perhaps many, generations.

In Nigeria, there have been great jurists who never had the opportunity of administering the judiciary.

The names include Justice Chukwudifu Oputa who as Supreme Court Justice was described as the Socrates of the Bench, and Justice Kayode Esho, renowned for being courageous, knowledgeable and decisive.

A time like this calls for a Justice

with an incisive mind, decisive and courageous. There is no doubt that the Augean stable must now be cleansed. Who fits the bill? Justice Musdapher is assuming office. Is he the man the occasion demands having served as Katsina-Alu’s deputy? His time will be up next July. If tradition is followed, the next in rank is Justice Aloma Miriam Mukhtar. She will attain the retirement age on November 20, 1944. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1967, a year ahead of both Justices Katsina-Alu and Musdapher, but elevated to the Bench of the apex court in June 2005. Those who know her say she is independent minded and was one of those who gave the fearless minority judgment that found the 2007 election of Yar’Adua/Jonathan defective.

Who will save the Nigerian judiciary and restore sanity in the allimportant arm of government. The picture is still unfolding.

President and Deputy President of the court are separately appointed to those roles.

AMERICA The Supreme Court in America adjudicates on Acts passed by the Congress. It is to declare whether an act is constitutional. The constitution places the Supreme Court at the head of the federal judicial system. To maintain full judicial independence, the Constitution states, in Article III, that judicial power lies with the Supreme Court and other federal courts established by Congress.

There are two ways in which a case can be referred to the Supreme Court. The first is a direct appeal from the lower federal courts if a constitutional issue is deemed to be involved. The second way is by petitioning for a writ of certiorari.

This means that the records of a case in a lower federal court are sent to the Supreme Court for review. Such a writ can only be granted with the agreement of four justices of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is the only body that has the right to interpret what the Constitution means and it is this right that gives it the power to scrutinise all aspects of government. Ironically this power is not laid down in the Constitution.

Though the Constitution states that the Supreme Court is the most supreme judicial body in America it is vague as to how this role should be put into practice.

CHINA The Organic Law of the Court states that the judicial system shall be composed of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts, in which the three systems is used.

The Supreme Court is the court of last resort for civil and criminal cases. Except for civil cases or petty offences enumerated in Article 376 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, any civil or criminal case may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

8

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

UN BUILDING BOMB BLAST

Babangida, Slyva, Mark others condemn blast F

ORMER military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Governor Timipre Slyva of Bayelsa State, his Kwara State counterpart Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Senate President, David Mark have condemned the weekend bombing of the UN building in Abuja.

In a statement by his media spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, the former leader said the attack was pathetic and disturbing. According to him, ‘’It is very pathetic and disturbing to see this kind of dastardly acts taking place before our very eyes. We have stated in the past that we have to improve on our information gathering methodologies, so that we could arrest this ugly trend once and for all.’’

Calling for extra vigilance on the part of all, Babangida maintained that government alone cannot do everything, adding that the role of the citizenry is more profound in helping government to access information.

Slyva in condemning the action said, “This attack does not speak to any of the myriad problems that face us. Whether as a nation or group, this bombing is simply an unprovoked destruction of life and property” In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, the governor noted:”Democracy offers us limitless avenues for peaceful resolution of our grouses. And President Goodluck Jonathan has been committed to this path of seeking political solution to conflicts since assumption of office. Those behind this monstrous destruction should have

From Jide Orintunsin, Onyedi Ojiabor, Bukola Amusan and Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

availed themselves of the numerous democratic avenues for redressing perceived wrong.”

On his part, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed called on the Federal Government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book to forestall future occurrence.

He, however, prayed God

to grant the repose to the souls of all those that lost their lives and their families the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

The Acting Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto restated the state government’s position calling on President Jonathan to quickly convene a stakeholders’ forum to proffer far reaching solutions to the incessant bombings in the country.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Ibeto said

the spate of bombings in the country have become a national emergency and must be treated as such.

Also, the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the unfortunate incident further indicates that the security situation in the country has degenerated to the extent that everybody is now vulnerable.

He said the underlying cause of these increasing trends of anarchy can only be traced to the failure of governance in the country and

corruption in all sectors of the economy.

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark while positing that suicide bombing was alien to the Nigerian culture, called on those behind the savage act to have a rethink of their actions and toe the path of peace.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark said, “The Federal Government has expressed consistent readiness to redress all contending national issues

•Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, Dr.Aisha Rose Migiro (middle) being received by Special Adviser to Lagos State on Central Business District, Mrs. Derin Disu (right) and others on her arrival at the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

FCT promises to offset bills of bomb blast victims

T

HE Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide has assured that the administration would foot the hospital bills of the victims of the bomb blast that rocked the Abuja office of the United Nations (UN) on Friday. The minister, who visited the victims at the National Hospital and Garki Hospital condemned the act and said, ‘’ We (FCT) have told the National Hospital and the other hospitals where the victims were taken to that we will bear all the expenses necessary to nurse the victims back to health. That is the commitment we have given and all the assistance we can give to the victims and their families, we will.”

While answering questions from journalists on efforts the administration was making to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not take place again in Abuja, Akinjide said the federal government was on top of the situation.

“This is a matter of national security that is being handled at the highest

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

level. All I can say is that the FCT residents should be rest assured that the president of the country is very concerned and we are doing

all we can to ensure that this never happens again.”

In another development, the Head of department, management information services at the National Hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, told journalists

that the 38 victims of the blast who were brought to the hospital were all responding to treatment.

He added that four of them were in the intensive care unit, while a total of 14 corpses from the incident were deposited at

the hospital’s morgue.

Haastrup assured that the hospital had the capacity to manage the patients, and added that medical personnel were working round the clock to ensure that the victims were given the best care possible.

UN Deputy Scribe arrives amidst security

D

EPUTY Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr. AishaRose Migiro yesterday arrived Nigeria through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

Migiro who declined to

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

speak with airport journalists upon arrival, was immediately ushered into the inner wing of the presidential lounge by the Head, Protocol Department of the lounge, Mr.

Afolabi Oduniyi and stern looking security agencies.

Photo journalists were, however, allowed to take pictures of the senior U.N official.

The UN official, whose visit may not be unconnected

Governors’ Forum condemns attacks

T

HE Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has condemned the bomb blast at the United Nations building in Abuja.

The forum in a statement by its Director General, Asishana Okauru described the incident as “an unforgivable crime against humanity.”

The Chairman of the Forum and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Amaechi, described the bombing as “disheartening, senseless and inhuman.”

He reasoned that for anyone to have bombed a complex where work and efforts to make the world a better place are constantly going on does not augur well.

“The idea of any group unleashing violence on fellow human beings because of

certain imperfections does not augur well, not only for the well being of the immediate location and victims but for the entire nation,” NGF Chairman said.

Governor Amaechi also argued that the violence cannot be defended by its perpetrators. He also noted that whatever their grievance might be, the violence unleashed on innocent souls cannot be rationalised.

with Friday bombing of the UN headquarters in Abuja, arrived the lounge at 7:10pm in five-car U.N convoy vehicles while the security personnel took over the strategic locations of the lounge throughout her stay at the lounge.

As at the time of filling in this report, it could not be ascertain where the U.N. Deputy Secretary General was coming from, but unconfirmed report said that she arrived aboard an Emirates Airline.

At around 8:20pm, a UN aircraft with the registration number D-CMAX 452 arrived the presidential lounge's airside to convey the UN deputy secretary general to Abuja.

As at press time, the UN official was still inside the presidential lounge of MMA.

and those behind this barbaric act should accept dialogue and join in the onerous task of maintaining peace in the nation.”

The Yorubas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) described the incident as barbaric.

The Chairman, Yoruba Council of Chiefs in the F.C.T, Oba Ramoni Atanda in a statement, said the attack as well as the previous bomb blasts in the country is alien to any religious faith.

He also prayed for the repose of the soul of those that died, while wishing the wounded victims a quick recovery, just as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has also joined in the condemnation.

Chief Alex Ekiotene, a foremost politician in Ijaw land, said in Yenagoa shortly after the Abuja bombing, that the incident was aimed at drawing back the transformational agenda of President Jonathan.

He expressed dismay that while the President and his team are working on how Nigeria could move forward, some elements are bent on frustrating these efforts.

Also commenting in the same vein, Mr. Emmanuel Owoupele, the IYC spokesman, expressed concern over the insecurity in the country and called for concerted steps to check the tide.

The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) has condemned the attack, it described it as a dastardly act calculated to further tarnish the country’s image among the comity of nations.

A non-governmental organization, Project Hope has called on the nation’s leaders to put a halt to the myriad of challenges confronting the country.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi flayed Friday’s bombing of the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja.

The Governor described the development as a negative signpost for Nigeria, which should necessitate a more serious approach. He enjoined the leadership of the country not to view the dastardly act and the growing spate of violence in the country as purely a local issue.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, expressed “total shock and complete bewilderment” over what it described as “yet another act of terror” unleashed on the United Nations office building in Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali in a statement said the “suicide bombing” which led to the “death of several innocent people” is “another mindless carnage perpetrated by persons whose motives and cause remains a mystery to Nigerians.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

I

NDEED, three months is too short period for the assessment of any government. This fact has become notorious as succeeding administrations, military or civilian, state or federal, have rolled out the drums rather prematurely to celebrate their “achievements”.

I have, however, decided to bring out the fact that the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency is three months old because I also accept the saying that morning shows the day. Yes, we should not be talking about success or failure now. For special reasons, I do not think that it is too early to evaluate the steps already taken by the President because if we wait for much longer, the deed might have been done. Irreversibly.

Unlike Dr. Jonathan’s predecessors, we are actually talking, not about three months, but three months plus 12 plus three. That is, 18 months. He was first sworn-in as Acting President February last year and was upgraded to the status of President following the death of Umaru Yar’Adua in May. Twelve months after, he was inaugurated as the fourth elected President of Nigeria. It is now three months after he took that solemn oath to defend the Constitution and promote the welfare and security of Nigerians. In all the various ways that he has been invested with enormous powers, how has he fared?

In the past three months, what steps has he taken to assure us that he knows the destination to which he is taking us

Politics

Political Politics turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Jonathan: The first three months and has made full provision for the journey?

The President of Nigeria is very powerful. Having fortuitously occupied that office for 15 months before the inauguration of his Presidency on May 29, Dr. Jonathan is not a stranger to the duties. He had time to prepare ahead of the new assignment. He, therefore, ought to have hit the ground running. He has no excuse for failing to lay a good foundation that would indicate the type of edifice he intends to build.

9

The President is also the leader of the ruling party.

How well has he performed this critical role? It is crucial because instability in the party would seep into governance. What is the state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today? Is it in a better shape than it was in May? As Head of State, father of all, the health of all other institutions should interest the President. He is expected to protect the Constitution at all times in all situations and circumstances. But, how have President Jonathan’s actions and/or inactions affected the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary? He is at the centre of the crisis rocking that arm of government. He has troubled the waters and no one knows just how the Katsina-Alu/ Salami feud would end. All credible stakeholders and bodies associated with the Judiciary have condemned the roles that Jonathan/Katsina-Alu played in the saga.

Being an active participant, how can he initiate moves to stem the tide?

As leader of the PDP, he does not seem to know what to do or how to go about doing it. The party came up with a zoning formula, but has failed to come up with a discernible structure. At the moment, there is really no leadership for the ruling party. The substantive National Secretary is the acting National Chairman. A chairman was sacked; his successor in acting capacity has been appointed Defence Minister. As such, there is no substantive chairman, or secretary or auditor. This has generated insipient crisis in the National Assembly. What a peculiar mess?

As Chief Security Officer, Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, I doubt if any Nigerian would give the President a pass mark over how he has reacted to the spate of bombing in many parts of the country. He has returned the same security adviser who worked with him last year and under whom the Boko Haram sore has continued to fester.

Many people who should know have said that at the head of the incompetent way that security matters are being handled is the poor coordination of the security forces.

Then the FEC. What is exciting about the new team? Many of them were retained after the 2010 test run. How does the President hope to be taken as serious when people against whom the EFCC, an executive body, is pressing charges have been appointed ministers?

When he reshuffled his cabinet last year, he asked all the ministers to come up with programme of action within two weeks.

Did they comply? If they did, how well did they execute the programme?

How differently is Professor Ruqayattu running education ministry? Adoke Bello, despite the load of controversy is back in the Justice ministry.

Nigerians want democracy deepened through good governance.

They want a transparent and honest government.

They want openness in the administration of the state.

President Goodluck Jonathan has a duty to strengthen the institutions of state. What he has done in the past three months is to undermine and subvert the democratic process.

There is still time to turn a new page.

God save us. Our President is at it again.

10

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

THE NATION

11

ON SUNDAY

COMMENT and ANALYSIS AUGUST 28, 2011

Okonjo-Iweala and her magic wand Festus Eriye

The medicine the minister is about to dish out might be bitter

efestus2003@yahoo.com 08052135878 (SMS only)

F

ORMER World Bank Managing Director and returnee Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is no doubt a smart woman. She is evidently also a very wise one. The recurring theme of her public comments since assuming office has been “I have no magic wand.”

This deliberate attempt to tamp down expectations is clearly a response to the hype that has trailed her return to the cabinet. It also points to her humility and pragmatism – traits she would need in generous helpings if she is to succeed in her latest tour of duty.

Such is the daunting nature of Nigeria’s economic crisis that the best minds and managers have come away stumped in the last 20 years. However, if there is an individual who can take a good stab at cracking what is on the ground it is OkonjoIweala. It is not just a question of her knowhow, experience or managerial skills. It has more to do with her strength of character.

In an environment where people would die to remain in the federal cabinet, she walked away after disagreeing on policy issues with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Many would have gladly continued in government as Foreign Minister, but for her it was either the job of economy manager or nothing else.

This time around she has even greater chances of success. In her first incarnation as Finance Minister, she was the star of the Economic Management Team, but she had to contend with Obasanjo – the sort of man who would appoint an expert and proceed to dictate to that expert how to do the job.

Jonathan is a different kettle of fish. As he showed through his effusive praise of the former World Bank boss at her swearing-in, and through the powerful coordinating role he has created for her, he is only too glad to stand to one side and let her get on with things.

In her new capacity as Super Minister, Okonjo-Iweala has quickly unveiled her formula for Nigeria’s economic recovery.

Under her direction, the Federal Government would remove subsidy on petroleum products, cut the cost of running Ministries and Departments Agencies (MDAs), and reduce the budget deficit to a manageable level.

Additionally, she has identified building critical infrastructure - especially electric power, roads and rail, job creation, the anti-corruption war, agriculture, manufacturing, fiscal discipline, investment climate reforms, housing, entertainment, as well as oil and gas as sectors requiring urgent attention.

It is hard to fault her analysis. But a cursory glance at what she has unveiled shows her prescriptions are a grab bag of the same old remedies that have been pushed by different administrations at one point or the other.

This is understandable given the strong influence on economic policy over the last

•Okonjo-Iweala

two decades by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank advisers.

Taken together, what Okonjo-Iweala is about to serve up is a grim austerity fare that mixes removal of fuel subsidy with budget cuts as part of a larger drive towards greater fiscal discipline.

Simple arithmetic shows that subsidising petroleum products makes no economic sense. Critically, a growing chorus – including state governors who would like to use the proceeds to meet their minimum wage bill - are lining up behind removal of the subsidies.

Even labour unions agree that they are unsustainable. Where there is divergence is at what point they should be removed. The unions argue that there are no cushions to protect the most vulnerable in society at this point, given that the cost of petroleum products affects pricing in virtually all sectors of the economy.

The question to consider is when would be the appropriate time to act? When would the conditions be ideal - ten or twenty years from now? Would the daily drain not have proven fatal at that point?

The truth is Okonjo-Iweala’s prescriptions would founder or fly not because of the brilliance of her ideas, or the order of her presentation, but only on account of political will. Tougher characters than Jonathan have tried to take away the subsidy and wilted in the face of resolute opposition from the unions and civil society organisations.

Depend on it that when the hour comes there would be strikes, demonstrations, and

all manner of crisis. Both the President and his Finance Minister, now being hailed as some sort of economic Mother Teresa, would be vilified to no end. Would Jonathan be ready to go the whole hog, or crack in the face of another ominous Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mobilisation?

Back in the day when former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nasir ElRufai, kicked off his demolition programme to restore the Abuja Master Plan there was an interesting display of will.

On the first day, as bulldozers sank their teeth into the first set of mansions of the high and mighty, an impassive el-Rufai surveyed the scene with quiet satisfaction. Standing behind him, arms akimbo, was Obasanjo.

The unspoken message was: behind this small man is a very big man; take on him and you take on me. It is that sort of backing that would make the Okonjo-Iweala blueprint work – not just the content.

Ultimately, the government’s dreams of creating jobs would have to go beyond freeing money from petroleum subsidy and cuts in government spending. The age-long structural problems that have produced a mono-cultural oil economy have to be dealt with at a fundamental level.

Even if government spends money building roads and rail, the jobs created would be seasonal and short term or, at best, medium term. The longer term solution rests in policy overhaul that encourages people to start small and medium scale businesses.

There are too many daunting hurdles for would-be entrepreneurs today. Banks won’t lend to them. Even those who manage to raise capital from other sources have to worry about spending millions providing electricity, or paying multi-year rent for business space.

We are not just going to create jobs by cutting overheads and spending on public infrastructure. As the tepid job creation arising from President Barack Obama’s stimulus package has shown, there are no guarantees.

The best bet still remains diversification that revives manufacturing and grows all non-oil sectors of the economy. As new businesses are formed, they would hire people who would earn income and spend it in this economy.

We may not all agree on the way forward, but one thing over which there can be no dispute is that it is time to act. The medicine the minister is about to dish out might be bitter, but rather than spend the next few years arguing we might all be better off swallowing and hoping for the best.

Okonjo-Iweala says she has no magic wand. Subconsciously she understands that Nigerians want to go to heaven without dying: they want magic – a painless solution that delivers an economic Eldorado without birth or growing pains. Unfortunately for us all, the man or woman who can deliver that has not been born.

“Okonjo-Iweala says she has no magic wand.

Subconsciously she understands that Nigerians want to go to heaven without dying: they want magic – a painless solution that delivers an economic Eldorado without birth or growing pains.”

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

Not again!

M

Y first reaction to the alert of the bomb blast at the United Nation’s Building in Abuja last Friday was disbelief. Despite the past bombing incidents in Abuja and other regular cases in other parts of the country, it was hard for me to immediately come to terms with the fact that the security situation in the country has degenerated to the level where the UN Building would be attacked with citizens of many countries working for the various agencies killed and others wounded.

Initially, I was tempted to think that the alert could be false, but as it turned out, it was true and gradually our country is becoming a terrorism-compliant country where bomb can go off any time.

One would have thought that with the assurances given by the government, especially the police authorities whose headquarters office had earlier been attacked, necessary security measures would have been taken to prevent last Friday’s tragic incident that has further damaged the image of the country in the international circles.

Before now there have been reports of joint patrol by military and police on the streets of Abuja, but as it is, they don’t appear to be any match for the terrorists whose grouse or ultimate plan is not clear to us all.

As usual, the Boko Haram group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on the UN Building with a spokesperson whose true identity could not be ascertained by the AFP warning of more attacks.

The security situation is so disturbing that more than ever before there is need for something concrete to be done to prevent our country from sliding into a full-blown terrorist country.

The Federal Government will have to work with the international community on this matter and come up with strategies to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime and restore the confidence of the citizens.

Any attack is condemnable but an attack on the United Nations Building has grave implications for the country as international organisations will be very reluctant to work in Nigeria, thus denying us the benefit of whatever programmes they are involved in.

The belief in international circles has always been that Nigeria is not safe and with last Friday’s incident we have further justified whatever misgivings they have always had about our country.

I am aware of a number of international programmes which normally should have been held in Nigeria by virtue of the place of pride we occupy in Africa but have diplomatically been hosted in other countries in West Africa or elsewhere on the continent.

My condolences to the family of those who lost their loved ones in the attack and those injured. For all the good work done by the UN in Nigeria and globally, the organisation does not deserve this kind of attack. Those behind it should be ashamed of themselves instead of bragging about it.

As the British Foreign Secretary, Mr William Hague, rightly puts it in his reaction to the incident, “Around the world, the UN works for peace, security and international cooperation and an attack on the UN is an attack on these principles.”

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

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Comment & Analysis

EW mortals have tormented the world as much as Libya’s most notorious Army colonel has. Even spelling his name is a challenge the world has not quite overcome. Some call him Moammar Gaddafi. Some replace the ‘o’ in the first name with a ‘u’. Some others say the man is Mu’ammar Qaddafi, some that he is Muammar elQaddafi. Two other versions render the surname separately as Khaddafi and Kadafi. A third even has it as AlGathafi. And, to be sure, the list is not ended.

But everyone seems agreed on one thing: that the days of the strongman are over. One Libyan town fell after another. Misrata, where Gaddafi finished secondary school under a private tutor, crumbled, as did Benghazi where he entered the military academy.

Finally, the rebels swooped on Tripoli, the capital, storming and overrunning the colonel’s compound. Much of the city has reportedly fallen to the antiregime army, although there are pockets of resistance from the strongman’s remaining loyalists. As I tapped out this column, the colonel’s whereabouts were unknown, even as a hefty sum awaited anyone who would provide information leading to his capture, dead or alive. An uncomfortable phase of speculation has crept into the hunt.

Some think the prized prey of the Libyan rebels and coalition forces may be holed up in a fortified bunker in the country, some that he may be inside the hotel where foreign journalists have been held up in Tripoli. Some even ponder a

As a colonel falls Will despots learn from Gaddafi’s end? possibility that the colonel may have slipped out of the country through a tunnel, leaving his pursuers guessing.

No one is sure of anything, except, of course, that the days of one of the world’s troublemakers are over.

But as he falls, African leaders, including aspiring ones, will do well to avoid the terrible ironies that often encircle megalomaniacs like Gaddafi.

They start out well, swaying the people to their side. Then they bolt out in a different direction, not only alienating the people they purportedly came to save but also tormenting them to wit.

Gaddafi swept into power after easing King Idris out of power in 1969 in a bloodless military coup, ending monarchy in Libya. The king was away in Turkey for medical treatment when the then 27-year-old Gaddafi struck. A huge crowd enthusiastically listened to the coup-maker when he addressed them. They hoped he would correct what they had endured under the

monarchy. But Gaddafi, after promptly setting the country’s constitution aside, went ahead to make his own laws, which effectively caged the ordinary Libyans. With cash at his disposal flowing in from the country’s vast oil wells, the colonel grew in confidence, fancying himself variously as the ‘guide of the revolution,’ and even as ‘brother leader,’ although his actions were often less than brotherly. He liked to be called ‘King of kings of Africa’ in spite of the fact that the magnanimity of a true king was alien to him.

According to Gaddafi’s law, dissent was an unforgivable sin. Offenders were publicly hanged and mutilated to send a strong message to other nonconformists. A frightening percentage of the country’s population became his informants. Forming a political party was punished with death, while discussing politics with a foreigner attracted up to three years imprisonment.

“As the rebels silence Colonel Gaddafi for ever in continuation of the raging tornado called the Arab Spring, will other Gaddafis in Africa learn a thing or two? Will they learn, for instance, that if a big crowd welcomed them to power, a larger multitude will more eagerly throw them out when their cups run over?”

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, another earthly immortal, came into power amid popular support. He had fought to push out the colonialists, and was lionised for his efforts, but no sooner had the white man departed than Mugabe plotted how to keep power for life. He brooked no opposition and brutally stifled it. He pocketed the military, the police and, for a good length of time, ensured that the local media was also with him.

Gaddafi did more than that at home, indulging himself with loud and voluminous attire, fanciful young ladies, some called his guards. Power reportedly revolved, essentially, round his relatives, while a good part of the populace bemoaned their tough luck.

There is no space to chronicle his unnecessary interference in other nation’s affairs, including reportedly destabilising a few, not to speak of his terror profile.

But as the rebels silence him for ever in continuation of the raging tornado called the Arab Spring, will other Gaddafis in Africa learn a thing or two?

Will they learn that if a big crowd welcomed them to power, a larger multitude will more eagerly throw them out when their cups run over? Will they ever learn that a time will come when the guns of power will no longer silence a determined people?

As Gaddafi falls, will his little clones in Government Houses, and also in any organisation, learn that for despots, the end sometimes comes with crushing and humiliating finality.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Comment & Analysis

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So long, Katsina-Alu Out-going CJN came in controversial circumstances; leaves in even more controversial circumstances

H

E arrived office on December 31, 2010 in a hail of controversy. He leaves office today, August 28, even in greater controversy, bordering on unflattering flak. That is the tale of Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

CJN Katsina-Alu was, due to the absence of ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua, the first Nigerian CJN to be sworn in by an outgoing CJN, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, which some lawyers kicked, breached the separation of power doctrine, if it was not outright illegal.

That set the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), under Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on the war path, though their ire was directed more at the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa, for allegedly giving the government wrong legal advice on the matter. As a result, though for no fault of his, CJN Katsina-Alu was also the first to co-habitate as CJN – for strictly at that moment he was sworn in, there were two CJNs on the saddle. That perhaps was enough forewarning of the legal aberrations to follow; and of which the outgoing CJN’s tenure boasts not a few.

But if NBA under Akeredolu was on the war path when CJN Katsina-Alu assumed office over the technical dissonance of having two CJNs in office at the same time, the current NBA under Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN, is in a lather of agitation, as the CJN leaves, over real and present danger of judicial anarchy, which the outgoing CJN has somewhat, by commission or omission, managed to conjure.

In perhaps an unprecedented show of open rebellion against the innermost temple of the Bench, the NBA warned all its members, including the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs)-designate, to stay off the induction ceremony, which, for some odd reasons for which the NBA blames the outgoing CJN, clashed with the closing ceremonies of the NBA conference, holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The event eventually held; and it was the last official function by the outgoing CJN. But the unprecedented put-

T

HERE are decades when something happen and there have been weeks when decades happened. To the Polytechnic Ibadan, one of the top polytechnic institutions in West Africa, the decades in the institution are now four while the weeks in it count to be uncountable. The Polytechnic Ibadan which was founded in 1971 with the major priority of enhancing technical capacity of young Nigerians to the development of technological and economical advancement has contributed immensely to the advancement of the country in different sectors.

Federal Polytechnic, Ede and Osun State Polytechnic used to be part of the Polytechnic Ibadan until Osun State was created from Oyo State.

The institution which has produced over 90,000 graduates in all levels of certificates, National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), postgraduate level and in other short programmer courses had numerous trail blazers who are setting the pace in different sectors-oil and gas, telecommunication, banking, media and others both home and in the Diaspora.

The former governor of Ogun

Iweala’s appointment

T

HE Finance Students’ Association (FINSA) University of Ilorin Chapter wish to felicitate and congratulate a noble woman of respect Dr. (Mrs.) Ngosi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the new Minister of Finance by President Goodluck Jonathan.

May the Almighty God grant her the intelligence, strength and answer her prayers to overcome all the challenges against her ambitious plan workout well.

By Comrade Omotosho Hammed Babatunde. University of Ilorin

down by the formal Bar, which conventionally defers to the Bench, was almost akin to the Biblical spiritual ouster of King Saul – though the king was still on the throne, the glory of the office was gone!

For the outgoing CJN, the starkness of the moment was reinforced by the psychological harassment of a pending motion of injunction, on the basis of which the litigant published an advert in a newspaper, urging the CJN to postpone the ceremony, though no court order existed to that effect! That appeared to underscore how low the stock of the office of the CJN had fallen in the eyes of many, including legal practitioners.

But the perceived low stock of the Judiciary, under the leadership of CJN Katsina-Alu, would stem mainly from the rather awkward manner the Salami affair has been handled by the National Judicial Council (NJC), a statutory body which the CJN chairs, but which the outgoing CJN somewhat turned into a brazen oppressive and dictatorial tool, in the desperate bid to remove from office, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, president of the Court of Appeal (PCA).

In achieving that goal, NJC tried every odious trick in the book: the concept of “simple minority” (five out of the eight that voted, out of a 24-member NJC), which was the butt of serious judicial censure during the Olusegun

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

Obasanjo Presidency, when abject minorities in parliament illegally removed governors over bogus corruption charges; the judicial tomfoolery of trying to evade service of court papers like some motor park touts and the rascality of taking a controversial decision, despite eventually acknowledging service and conceding the pendency of a suit; the willful shunting aside of the sub-judice doctrine, the palladium of legal order, which cast a pall on the legal integrity of the highest statutory legal body in the land, with the outgoing CJN unabashedly sitting atop that brazen illegality. And, of course, the repugnancy of brazen injustice where, in a matter involving the outgoing CJN and the PCA, the CJN not only made himself accuser and judge in his own case, he also inspired, from the most objective account of the case at hand, the shopping for charges – any charges at all, no matter how ridiculous – to put the nose of his PCA challenger out of joint.

But the most telling blow to the fledgling democratic polity, from the Salami saga, is the demystification of the NJC as a positive tool for electoral reforms. The Muhammadu Lawal Uwais’s Electoral Reforms Committee (ERC) had recommended the short-listing of the chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other national commissioners by the NJC, with the CJN at its chairman. That recommendation was based on the perceived higher moral authority of the judiciary, and how it can leverage that authority to force fairness and transparency in the electoral system. That dream has proved rather naive, with the grubby behaviour of ranking NJC members.

Still, an era is closing and another is opening. A CJN, for good or for ill, is retiring, but the Judiciary is not about folding up. So long, Katsina-Alu! But we cannot say so long Nigerian Judiciary, except of course, we want anarchy to reign.

That underscores the urgency of fixing the Judiciary.

New CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has his job cut out for him. Will, and can he, rise to the challenge?

Now that Polytechnic Ibadan is 40 State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the present governor of Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the Executive Director of Chemstar Paint PLC, Apostle Remi Awode, the Immediate Past National President of Junior Chamber International(JCI), JCI Ambassador Ayo Abolusodun, fifty percent of honourable members of Oyo State House of Assembly graduated from The Polytechnic Ibadan. These people have contributed one way or the other to the development of the country.

Major sectors like banking and the media consider students from Polytechnic Ibadan to be employed first than their contemporaries from other institutions irrespective of their grades because of the skills and capacity they’ve acquired while in the school.

Now that the institution is 40 years old, more than the ordinary is expected from it, not just producing graduates to fill the labour market but producing world class graduates who will take the bull by the horn and to take Nigeria to greater heights. We are The Polytechnic Ibadan not just a polytechnic, we should be templates and models for other institutions on how to run an efficient higher institution through our systems and strategies. The institution can become the numero uno if only the governing council, management, staff and students work in tandem to ensure a great institution because there are no great institutions in the world, there are only great minds who are only using their great minds with small ideas to produce world class institutions and enterprises. It is not only government subsidies or endowments that built the likes of Harvard, Yale, Princeton even our

acclaimed premier university, University of Ibadan, which is known as the first and the best.

The Polytechnic Ibadan is blessed, blessed with human resources, three satellite campuses to transform the institution, the state and the country. The Faculty of the Environmental studies should be able to proffer a sustainable solution the environment degradation in Oyo State, so also other faculties in the institution.

We can still become an enviable institutional brand that private firms and multinational organizations will want to partner with to become one of the best if most of the moribund policies and strategies can be changed and new developmental ideas of running the institutioninjected, if a substantial amount of money will be expended on research and development to boost inventions and innovations to

contribute to the development of state and to the country at large. Public private initiative should be encouraged for provision of more lecture theaters, hall, and refurbishment of equipment in our other three campuses not just in the main campus.

Additionally, creation of a virtual learning environment that will make students and lecturers to have free internet environment which will enhance access to relevant information should be priority, the library should also be strengthened to ensure a standard one where pertinent information and latest books could be found. Departments and faculties should encourage symposia, lectures, workshop, and seminars like the international conference that was held on new media by the faculty of business and communication studies to drive possibility thinking among the

students and lecturers did not just some inconsequential programmes that some organizations are tagging Amala day, Ankara day which have no meaningful contributing factors to the development of the students let alone the institution. Besides, a formidable alumni council should be formed which every graduating student will want to be part of If the management can put more hands on deck, there will be unified contribution from the staff and this will lead to speedy development of the institution. The students and rectors’ forum should be revitalized again for the smooth running of the institution.

Long live The Polytechnic Ibadan, long live Oyo State and long live Nigeria.

Seye Joseph writes from Department of Mass Communication The Polytechnic Ibadan.

A sanitised environment for unsanitised community

D

URING MR. David Cameron’s working visit to Nigeria and Lagos in July 2011, the British Prime minister confirmed that some areas in Lagos can NOW be compared with some areas of London metropolis. He also explained to His audience that with adequate POLITIVAL WILL, an African leader can govern well as we can now see in Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s governance of Lagos State. Since Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s assumption of office in May 2007, Lagos State had changed from its old dirty and un-attractive Environments to a better place. For example, places like Oshodi, Obalende, Railway-line Agege, Mushil, Ijora and many areas of the

state now wear a new look placing Lagos as truly the centre of excellence and the neatest state in Nigeria.

Having achieved this noble objective through hard work and political will, the state is now faced with un-controlled migration of criminal and lawless Okada Riders who were ejected either from Rivers, Bauchi, Borno, Akwa-Ibom or Abia states of Nigeria plus thousands of Niger Republic citizens who sleep in Markets and Motor parks to commit crimes in Lagos which, according to them, is NO MAN’S LAND. If the above states could technically eject their criminally minded citizens through enactment of bye-laws, Lagos state should also come up with a new habitat bye-law which will reasonably and

effectively control the present ‘’DOUBLE DIGIT’’ migration of these deportees before they settle down to display their lawless habits.

We all know that MAN will naturally migrate to where there is PEACE, WATER, FOOD AND JOB opportunities, but the recent exposure of African youth to Kidnapping, suicide Bombing and murderous activities calls for caution, control and proper monitoring otherwise this sensible programme of the state Government will be seen as investing heavily on cleaning and sanitizing Lagos environments to accommodate ALL ARRIVALS.- STATE. W. A Falana Araromi Oke- Odo market, Lagos.

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Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

W

RITING in 1690 about the place of the law

in governance, the Enlightenment thinker, John Locke, said: “Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.” About one hundred years later, Thomas Paine, the leading American essayist of his time, made a point similar to John Locke’s: In America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.” These thoughts have been seminal to the growth of democracy and the rule of law, not only in the United Kingdom and the United States, but also in other countries that pride themselves as democracies in other parts of the world.

In Germany’s democratic system, the rule of law is called Rechstaat while the French call it Etat de droit (the lawgoverned state). According to Tom Bingham in his book, The Rule of Law, the concept has grown noticeably in many parts of the world that the International Bar Assocation (which includes members of

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

I

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Comment & Analysis

N his seminal contribution to the matter of the moment, the posthaste approval by President Jonathan of the highly irregular, inyour- face, NJC recommendation calling for the sack of the President of the Court of Appeal, the highly regarded Justice Ayo Salami, Professor Akin Oyebode wrote as follows on ekitipanupo@yahoogroups.com: ‘With that decision, President Jonathan has effectively pulled off his mask of an objective, non-partisan statesman and thrown his hat into the ring. How far he is going to go in this hare-brained gambit remains in the womb of time.’

I cannot agree less with the Professor of Jurisprudence, especially as his views pleasantly reminded me of my article of 13 February, 2011, under the above title. I have always believed that if all these judicial brouhaha was not initiated by the president, acting by himself, it was aimed at prospering him all the way to the Presidential Election Tribunal. It should be remembered that as Segun Oni’s chief protagonist towards the Ekiti rerun election, the president must have hated, to his marrows, his man’s ignoble removal, as well as the total defenestration of the PDP in the South-West, especially under his watch as Leader of the party for which reason his Yoruba ‘cousins’ never forgave him. It should equally be remembered that this was at the instance of a courageous Court of Appeal under the leadership of the man they love to hate. Were these not the case, the leader of the world’s largest black country

NJC: The king and the law Why was Salami not allowed to tell his own side of the story before he was suspended? the Nigerian Bar Assocation) published in 2006 The Rule of Law: Perspectives from Around the World. In this book, the rule of law is described as having several features which include “a proper administration of justice that derives from a reliable and qualitative court system with well educated and honest judges, presecutors and advocates.” It is conceivable that it was for the assurance of qualitative judicial administration that the 1999 Constitution made provisions for establishment of National Judicial Council (NJC).

When Goodluck Jonathan ascended the presidency after Yar’Adua’s death, he pledged his commitment to continue with Yar’Adua’s commitment to the rule of law. He could not have done otherwise, particularly that many of his party members did so much to block him from becoming Acting President until after several protests by pro-Rule of Law groups such as Save Nigeria Group (SNG). But it is not clear if commitment to the rule of law is one of the items on President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. If not, the crisis generated by the NJC

should nudge the President to re-affirm his commitment to the rule of law. This reassurance may help to encourage all agencies of government, particularly the judiciary, to provide qualitative administration of justice at all times.

Independence of the judiciary is not only the core value of the system of separation of powers. It is also the best way to get the citizenry to have trust in the system of representative democracy.

Once the people delegate their authority to rule themselves to their representatives, they need the assurance that disputes arising within the society would be adjudged with fairness by independent and honest judges that are immune to any manner of influence from any government agency or individual. The NJC crisis can shake citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.

Even in pre-colonial Africa, the concept of independent judicary was practiced in many African socieites. For example, among Yoruba communities with a common heritage of political values of freedom, fairness, and justice, the Ogboni

served as the judicial arm of government. So independent of the Yoruba executive branch of goveernment was the Ogboni that even reigning monarchs might not know the identities of members of this institution.

It was an institution that could also punish the monarch, but it could not do so until it had engaged in the process of Iwontunwonsi (fair hearing from all sides of a conflict, literally weighing the right and left sides of an issue). It is therefore surprising that the NJC is being accused in 2011 of failure to conduct fair hearing on the Katsina-Alu /Salami conflict.

Why was Salami not allowed to tell his own side of the story before he was suspended?

The ongoing demonstations against the conduct of the NJC must be seen for what it is: a clear recognition by patriots of a step that is injurious to sustaining citizens’ trust in government. The judiciary is like the pillars that hold a house together. If the pillars crash, the house is likely to follow. When it becomes clear to lawyers of all political persuasions (as it has in the decision of the NBA to boycott the induction ceremony for

senior advocates) that the NJC is incapable of providing qualitative administration of justice to even its own members, the signal being sent to the average citizen cannot engender trust in the judiciary, and by extension, in other branches of government.

The solution may not be, as Reuben Abati has said on behalf of the President, to scapegoat President Jonathan for filling a vacuum created by the decision of NJC to suspend Justice Ayo Salami for failing to apologise to the Chief Justice for an offence the former has denied committing. The solution may be to devise means of preventing the NJC from creating credibility crisis for the judiciary. It is likely that the adjudication of the case filed by Salami may end the current crisis in an acceptably just manner. But there is a need to prevent the recurrence of such national embarrassment.

It is crucial that we sustain the rule of law where the law is king in a democratic polity, and not any individual, group of individuals, or agency functioning as king in a democracy.

Weep not for Justice Salami (2) Therefore, weep not for Salami, weep for Nigeria, where anything goes would have acted with greater equanimity in dealing with a recommendation that proceeded from such a judicially gratuitous process.

Happy reading.

‘I wrote here long ago that sitting President Goodluck Jonathan is not contesting the 2011 Presidential elections to lose. Defeat features not at all,in their calculations. Therefore, everything must be done, both within and without the PDP, to ensure that victory. It can bear repetition here that the president has been edged on to contest the election, in spite of the party’s extant zoning policy which naturally disqualifies him being a southerner, by none other than former President Olusegun Obasanjo mainly out of animus for the likes of Ibrahim Babangida, Atiku Abubakar and T.Y Danjuma who, though had all engineered his second coming, but have since become his mortal enemies as a rsult of their role inkilling his Third Term project. Recall that to emasculate Atiku during his administration, former Ekiti state governor Ayo Fayose has alleged that Obasanjo actually begged him to resign over the allegations arising over the Ekiti Poultry Project in order to enable him ( OBJ) muscle out Atiku. He would later accomplish that via his stage-managed PDP de-registration project.

The unremitting assault on Honourable Justice Salami, which reached its crescendo in that advert by the controversial Osun State senator must therefore be seen in this context.

Looking back now, I often do not

know whether to pinch myself whenever I remember the little role I had fortuitously played in landing the highly regarded jurist in this cul de sac Concerned more by the sanctity of the judiciary in any nation, and observing the total absurdity into which some cash and carry judges had rail-roaded the Nigerian judiciary, which left it worse than where the ABNinspired ‘midnight judgment’’ of 1983 from which the unthinking judge never recovered had left it, I had in an article entitled ‘Why Hon Justice Salami Must Assume Jurisdiction In The Ekiti Case’, written, inter alia: ‘. . . the judiciary should be left to swim, or sink, solely on its record of performance, bearing in mind that the institution has become analogous to the Nigerian army which General Salihu, a former Chief of Army staff, once described as an army of anything goes.

By far too many cases are decided in ways that are completely at variance with the facts pleaded that one can only reasonably conclude that the judiciary has a grave job on its hands. Why, for instance, does a judge continue to be assigned these delicate cases when his decisions are being routinely upturned by higher courts? This is why many believe that our courts now operate like cults. Indeed, Nigerians are eagerly waiting for their abracadabra in the Aregbesola Vs Oyinlola case where massive over-voting were not only recorded but in which a huge number of forms EC8A were either non-existent or blank whilst for the same centres , forms EC8B were recorded with votes

as high as 866 as in ward A1, Anthony Primary school , Okuku, where governor Oyinlola hails from.

This is by no means the first time the judiciary would sink this low only that last time around, Justice Abdullahi, as President of the Court of Appeal, quickly waded in by assuming jurisdiction in the Edo and Ondo cases.

That way he was able to mitigate the damage to the judicial institution and going by that precedent, it would appear that the present president of the court, namely, Hon. Justice Salami, already has his job cut out’ I am more euphoric than sad now,that though the poor jurist, who in this season of pillory has had a ‘son’ gifted him through chicanery, stoically carries the can, the Nigerian judiciary was saved from total infamy by his, and his colleagues’ courageous stand.

This latest attempt to finally pulverize Justice Salami in-house-which God forbid – should therefore not surprise any keen observer of the abracadabra going on in the politics of the 2011 elections. Courtesy the Atiku Campaign Organization, Nigerians have become aware of the existence of a document whose progeny, which it credited to the Jonathan group, has not been fully or satisfactorily denied.

Indeed, the latest of Justice Salami’s cross is in total accord with that document which contains the following alleged plans concerning the judiciary, if Jonathan must win the presidential election. The group must: •Identify key national judicial heavy weights

•Get data on all electoral judges and profile them •Cultivate their friendship using influential members to reach them •Create a social forum to network with them •Fund and sustain the relationship with the judiciary •Develop and nurture the judicial process that will be pro-Goodluck Jonathan.

All these in addition to how to mollify INEC, subsume the Nigerian police and complete it with a list of journalists whose minds they intended to bend.

It requires no rocket science to know the fate of a non-complicit Justice Salami in this jigsaw.

Therefore, weep not for Salami, weep for Nigeria, where anything goes’.

It is only appropriate to conclude this article in the words of THE NATION’S Editorial opinion of Thursday, 24 August, 2011: ‘’Still people of goodwill should never lose their heads over this crisis.

The only people enjoying this national disgrace are those who feel they can only thrive when the judiciary is humbled, and they can rig elections, write any outrageous results and get away with it. But they forget that a pacified judiciary is no boost to any one.

Indeed, it is assured anarchy to everyone. That means a lose-lose situation. Anarchy recognizes no courts, no media, no civil society -nor does it recognize even governments.

If they doubt, they should check out the situation in Somalia’

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Tunji

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

O

NE thing about Nigerian governments is their relative predictability, at least since the Ibrahim Babangida era.

When the gap-toothed general began his transition to nowhere, some Nigerians alerted the nation that we should not sleep with our eyes closed because Babangida had a hidden agenda. Indeed, there were at least two words that I recollect were added to our political lexicon in the Babangida years. One was ‘Maradona’, and the other was ‘hidden agenda’.

Neither is complimentary. Both had to do with the doubtful and dubious transition scheme on which the country spent billions of the tax-payers’ money.

In like manner, when his late ‘brother’, General Sani Abacha, seized power illegally from an equally illegal Shonekan administration, not a few Nigerians saw through the deceit that he had no intention of handing over power to the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola. He never did.

And, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo too began scheming for third term, many Nigerians asked us to watch out.

It eventually came to pass, as the former president did everything he could to get for himself another term of four years, to, in their usual language, to ‘enable him complete the good works (read bad works) that he had started’.

Even when Goodluck Jonathan came on board, we began to see early in the day that he would remove fuel subsidy and

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

A

LEXANDER the Great conquered all of the known world, Asia Minor and Major included. That was why he thought he was great. At the zenith of his success, it is natural for a man to look around him, place a foot on a rising, and think he is monarch of all he surveys, including the cat. But, anyone who knows the history of cats knows that the only one who owns the cat is the cat. Now, just who on earth is going to tell the cat owner this? Most times, men who succeed in getting to rule a country think that they are such rare commodities because they are only one of a handful in the entire world who can climb up a greased pole. They forget one very essential point: staying up a greased pole is a lot harder.

Gaddafi forgot.

The story is told of the chief executive who had a poster, large and bold, pasted directly opposite his desk. On the poster, he had caused it to be written thus: ‘I am but a traveler on this chair,

Comment & Analysis

15

Katsina-Alu vs Salami: Wuruwuru to the answer What impunity! Salami’s enemies proved book makers right do some even funnier things.

Those are beginning to manifest now. From whispers that the socalled fuel subsidy would be removed, it is almost becoming a reality with the principal agent employed for that purpose, the new finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala coming straight to say it would be removed.

Now, when the conspiracy against Justice Ayo Salami, President of the Court of Appeal, until he was suspended early last week began, many people said it loud and clear that the aim was to get him out of the way by all means. Those involved, realising that time is no longer on their side, took a crooked path, the kind of path you expect of reprobates.

If Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu is retiring as CJN today, then Salami’s exit must be fast-tracked so he could be out before the CJN’s retirement. Salami’s foes then turned it to ‘roforofo’ fight.

As we know, when the weaker of two persons fighting senses that he has been outsmarted by the stronger person, he resorts to roforofo fight. The bus conductors fight with whatever they could lay their hands on, from screw drivers to pliers and hammers. Ladies sometimes resort to biting. This does not ex-

clude the professionals, be they boxers or wrestlers. Not even footballers are exempted; some of them will go for the leg when they miss the ball. In which case, if you miss the ball, don’t miss the leg.

That was what those who plotted Justice Salami’s fate did; having seen that if they strictly followed the law, they would not be able to achieve their aim, which is to get him out of the way before the retirement of the CJN with whom he has had a running battle over Sokoto State governorship election since early in the year. It then became something like ‘if you meet him, kill him; if you don’t, just hold him by the heels. Yet, these are supposedly learned men, many of them with many years of experience, and they are people who know the law like they do the marks on their palms.

But to know the law and to be led by it is not exactly the same thing; as a matter of fact, those who know the law are the experts in perverting it because they know the loopholes. Except that in the Salami case, the learned justices did a shoddy job of it such that even the uninitiated knew they committed many fouls in the eagerness to kick the PCA out of of-

“As Justice Katsina-Alu retires today, it is important for him to look back and see the state of the Judiciary he is leaving behind. If he has forgotten, he came in as CJN last year under controversial circumstances; he is leaving under even more controversial circumstances. What a way to come and go!’

fice. Unfortunately, the President of the Federal Republic, wasted no time in rubber-stamping the serial illegalities by suspending Salami, when it was public knowledge that the matter was pending in court. It was as if he too had got his pen ready, waiting for the caucus (read the National Judicial Council (NJC) to do its part of the plot so he could do his (that is ratify, what ostensibly came from the NJC).

But it appears they have got to their wits end; unfortunately, the legs of the corpse they buried are still very much outside. An aspect of the whole saga that many people seem to have conveniently forgotten is that this is the continuation of the 2007 elections by some other means and a prelude to the 2015 polls. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has remained sad since Justice Salami’s Court of Appeal rendered the PDP bandits who seized the southwest by the jugular at the polls jobless, especially in Ekiti and Osun states. These were people who stole the Yoruba people’s mandate so brazenly that they were afraid, even of their own shadows, to the extent that they could not even swear in their popularly elected governor in Ekiti State, Segun Oni, in the open. They had to do it in the inner recesses of the Government House. Now that the owners of the government have possessed their possession, the mandate robbers are angry and they do not want to come down alone. Like Samson, they would not mind pulling down the entire country.

And if they can’t, they can at least rubbish the only standing institution that has made them lose

what they stole, that is the Judiciary. And Justice Salami happens to symbolise the stumbling block.

That was why they conjured all manner of tomfoolery and we could see an attempt to turn Nigeria into a banana republic by these disgruntled few who seem to be flying on the wings of Nigeria’s powerful central government.

They have got Justice Salami suspended, but they would have seen how unpopular that action is, even within the legal circles. I know people destined for perdition won’t heed the hunter’s whistle, but it remains to be seen whether the forces of evil and darkness have indeed had the last laugh in this matter.

As Justice Katsina-Alu retires today, it is important for him to look back and see the state of the Judiciary he is leaving behind. If he has forgotten, he came in as CJN last year under controversial circumstances; he is leaving under even more controversial circumstances. What a way to come and go! So, what is the difference between him and some governors who met the state coffers empty and left it empty? What is the difference between the NJC minority (five in a 24-member council) who took what has been ratified as a binding decision even by the President of the Federal Republic and what former President Olusegun Obasanjo condoned when minority elements were removing governors with impunity? It is the height of impunity for people to be second-guessed as was done in the Salami case and to be dead right. Does this not show that Nigerians are stuck with the most of a kind in the PDP? Abraccadabra!

When men think themselves gods… and will one day leave it.’ That might not sound too cheery, but I suppose the poor man may have been thinking: suppose he couldn’t leave the chair and had to be buried with it? One woman was once reported to have loved her 70s Buick so much she never parted with it in life. She cherished it, kept it neatly polished rain or shine, and while she lived, it never so much as had a cough.

She did worry what would become of it after she was gone, though, since no one appeared to have the same passion for it as she did. To make sure the poor thing didn’t suffer in her absence, she stipulated in her will that it be buried with her. At her death, she was gently laid in the back seat of the car and gently lowered into the grave, where, I believe she is riding still.

Back to Gaddafi. Even though he has been around for nearly all the lifetime of more than half of his country’s population, he must have done well enough to have been ignored for a good part of that time. In Nigeria now, I understand that many schools have stopped asking their children to name governors of states and ministers and commissioners for the simple reason that they change so often that it is simply unkind to expect a child to keep up with the change, no matter how intelligent. That is some se-

rious ignoring going on there. For a similar reason, I expect that the Libyan school curriculum must have long since stopped asking children to name the head of state of the country for the fear of receiving a look of boredom from half of them that says, sigh, ‘who else?’, sigh! The other half, after being prompted with things like ‘it starts with a G’, may go ‘G-GG-God?!’ History can be so unkind!

In spite of all Gaddafi did for Libya, he still got the boot for not knowing when he had overstayed his welcome. He actually thought he owned the earth Libyans walked on. Come to think of it, he did strut around the globe a bit like the owner and creator of the universe, until the Americans had a word with him. He reminds me of the story of a Nigerian governor who was said, throughout his stay in his government house, never to have had more than one armchair in his sitting-room. The chair was a throne, placed on a dais. Everyone else stooped or crouched or ate dirt. Things like that should be outlawed. Anyway, the fellow really got swollen beyond human recognition, until he was also booted out.

And here was Gaddafi, who actually affected the lives of the masses with policies that transformed the state when he set out.

I don’t know about now, but I am told that the average Libyan had access to the basics. I guess Nigerian leaders can learn one or two things from this story. We have leaders who have fed fat, and are still feeding fat, on the resources of this country, but have not given anything back other than pain and more pain.

The question is not who owns the earth; I think that was settled a long time ago. The question is how we should use it. I would say circumspectly, really circumspectly. One of the raging arguments going on around me now is what one would do if one got one hundred million Naira, say in a lottery. The conclusion we seem to have reached is that some of us would first go insane over it, and very likely lose it all before sanity returns. Precisely so with our Nigerian leaders: most of them are so not looking beyond the first rush of cash that accosts them when they first get to office, and all they can think of is how to effect changes in their lifestyle.

Gaddafi made such changes, and unfortunately, he had to leave it all behind. So also, many of us forget that all of these things get left behind, if not for vultures then for the real owners to pick, as citizens of Libya went around picking from Gaddafi’s wardrobe. I tell you. I tell you.

I read recently that scientists

have now devised a mattress that can be prompted for time. At a pre-coded time in the morning, it folds itself into two from the centre and forcefully ejects the lazy sleeper who refuses to get out of bed and out of its way. Listen.

Nature has its own way of dislodging its unwanted tenants, ruler or ruled, and it happens one way or another. When the latest play of a renowned playwright was being staged, the audience did not receive its tediousness too kindly. The booing started softly until it ascended into a crescendo such that, were the playwright to be present at the hall, he was likely to have been quartered. What many did not know was that he was present, but he was also one of the booers. Indeed, he was said to have booed louder than any in the hall that night lest he be found out.

That is precisely how it works.

Were Gaddafi to have just rescued the nation when he did, laid the groundwork for a virile future for it and retreated in dignity (the kind Obasanjo had in his first coming) to oversee its growth, he would today be enjoying his sprawling palace. Instead, he lived long enough to see it sacked by his own citizens. Therein lie some lessons for us and our leaders: there cannot be another God around this terrestrial plane, so why bother.

16

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Views

Save the Nigerian judiciary from imminent collapse W

HEREAS it cannot be denied the world over that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

Whereas the National Judiciary Council (NJC) is the body in Nigeria charged with the responsibility for the appointment and discipline of top judicial officers in Nigeria.

Whereas the integrity of the said NJC has definitely been rubbished by its tackless and illegal handling of the controversy between Hon. Justice Katsina Alu, CJN and Hon Justice Isa Salami, the President of the Court of Appeal.

Whereas as a result of this ugly, shameful and unfortunate development, it is now crystal clear that the Nigerian Judiciary is glaringly sick and for it to survive its devastating ailment, it requires a shock therapy.

It is therefore hereby recommended as follows: 1. That all things considered, President Goodluck Jonathan should not accept the recommendation of NJC that Hon. Justice Isa Salami should be retired from office and he should also direct that the suspension imposed on him by the NJC be ignored because both actions were palpably illegal and therefore null and void.

2. That Hon. Justice Katsina Alu should proceed on the natural retirement from 28th August, 2011.

3. That Hon. Justice Isa Salami should be left as the President Court of Appeal till his age of retirement.

4. That the conventional and automatic promotion of the most senior member of the Supreme Court to the post of CJN be stopped and instead, the appointment of the CJN from now on should be made from amongst the members of the Bench, the Bar and the Academia. It is constitutional to do so in view of Section 131(3) of the 1999 Constitution which provides: “ “A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria or

I

N the past several weeks, I have been in engagement with a number of Nigerians who feel patently shortchanged by the auto industry in Nigeria.

They are mainly hardworking men and women, harvesting a litany of afterpurchase woes on account of buying brand new vehicles from the elite corps of the auto dealership system in the country.

Their tales of woes underscore the absence of Consumerism in Nigeria, the paucity of legislative protection for buyers and a gaping deficit in corporate responsibility within the auto sales and servicing sector of the transportation industry.

The trend is simple. A potential buyer pays millions of naira for a brand new car.

He or she takes delivery of his prized possession or the auto dealers make deliveries to a designated spot – a home or an office. Given the security situation in Nigeria in which you simply cannot drive a car from your bedroom to your sitting room without security devices, the proud owner immediately installs a car tracker, a fuel cut-off system or ignition shortcircuiting device in the car. This security consciousness signals the onset of his woes and leads ultimately to a predictable collision between him and the auto dealer in which the dealers would profit to the tunes of hundreds of thousands of naira while the buyers would rue the wisdom in buying the car of his dream.

What happens is usually beyond the ken of the buyer, but well known to the dealers. Many of the new cars, especially those of Japanese and European pedigree, come with a web of electronic sensors that react rashly to non-factory based installations. Potentially, these nonfactory based installations, especially the security devices which are of paramount importance to Nigerians, impair the vehicles’ systems (notably the brakes, airbags, etc.) and immediately trigger-off a number of alerts on the dashboard. What baffles many customers is the reticence among auto dealers in warning against the installations of the security devices,

•Katsina-Alu

By Professor D. A. Ijalaye

The Justice of The Supreme Court, unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner for a period of not less than fifteen years.”

5.

That the NJC recommendation of the appointment of Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher as the next CJN be rejected because of his earlier involvement in the Katsina Alu and Isa Salami Controversy.

6. That President Goodluck Jonathan should now direct the NJC to search for the

•Salami

CJN from amongst the members of The Bench, The Bar and the Academia who have qualified to practise as a legal practitioner for a period of not less than fifteen years in accordance with Section 131(3) of The 1999 Constitution.

7. That in this connection, the following names should be considered: A. The Judiciary (i) Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar of The Supreme Court (ii) Hon. Justice Amina Augie of The Court of Appeal

How auto dealers fleece customers

By Oluwole Agunbiade

knowing full well how valuable and indispensable security devices are to their Nigerian clientele. Rather, the auto dealers, almost vulture-like, patiently wait for the faults to be reported, hide under nebulous clauses in the warranty bonds, and request their customers to pay outrageous costs for the repairs occasioned by the installations.

It is also noteworthy that those exposed to this trend are buyers of top of the range European and Japanese cars from major dealership outlets countrywide. In one of the many cases involved, a purchase was made of an upscale range of Toyota SUV from one of the brands foremost dealers in Lagos. The buyer had, on taking delivery, “secured” the vehicle by installing an ignition short-circuiting device which instantly triggered off warning indicators on the dashboard. On reporting to the dealer, the culprit was identified as the non-factory installed device that purportedly damaged the brake actuator.

The buyer was told that he would require over N500, 000 to repair it. Even though the car was under 200 kilometer usage, he was shocked to learn that his warranty would not cover the repairs. This is just one of such harrowing experiences heaped on Nigerian auto buyers.

One wonders, what is the Corporate Responsibility of auto dealers, particularly those claiming to be direct, and often times, sole representatives of the brand manufacturers? Would such a swindle be allowed in the advanced economies where these cars are produced and in climes with higher consumer

consciousness and corporate responsibility? Is the environment of equipment operation not a factor in corporate responsibility? If yes, why is car theft not a factor in sales of vehicles in Nigeria? Are vehicles in the US and Europe (zones with limited car theft/carjacking) not fitted with manufacturers security devices? Why were cars, especially Toyota brands, recalled in the US and Europe with full refund made to owners on account of faults voluntarily detected by manufacturers? Why do business organizations act as if anything goes in Nigeria? Who regulates the auto industry in here?

These posers have been the focus of agitations among the victims of the auto dealership system in Nigeria. Many believe that the auto dealers are engaged in “Ambush Public Relations” under which buyers are subjected to zero information on their rights through the instrument of warranty bonds that are coded for environments alien to Nigeria.

The warranties issued are direct adoption, rather than adaptation, of the clauses governing purchases in the countries of manufacture. Under this scenario, the warranty bonds are issued merely in fulfillment of legal expectations rather than in furtherance of the rights of consumers to quality services. The warranty bonds are, in essence, booby traps, dripping with exclusion clauses, designed to protect the dealers from liabilities and to expose the buyers to undue risks.

While inundating potential buyers with almost irresistible offers of services and product dependability, it is rather

(iii) Hon. Justice M.A. Owoade of The Court of Appeal B. The Bar (i) Mr. O.C.J. Okocha, SAN (Former President of the Nigerian Bar) (ii) Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, (Former President of the Nigerian Bar) (iii) Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN (Former President of the Nigerian Bar) C. Academia (i) Professor A. O. Popoola, Dean Faculty of Law, OAU, (ii) Professor D.A. Guobadia, Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (iv) Proffessor Akin Oyebode, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.

8. That the President should immediately set up a search committee to advise the NJC in this respect. The following membership is hereby suggested for the Search Committee – (i) Hon. Justice Kayode Esho (Chairman) (ii) Professor Ben. Nwabueze, SAN, Member (iii) Professor A. B. Kasumu, SAN Member (iv) Professor M. A. Ajomo, OFR, Member (v) Emeritus Professor A. A. Adeyemi Member It is strongly submitted that President Goodluck Jonathan should graciously treat this matter with all the urgency it deserves bearing in mind that Edmund Burke has rightly observed – ‘The only things necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” *Emeritus Professor D. A. Ijalaye, (SAN) is of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife wrote this piece before the swearing in of Justice Dalhatu Adamu as the Acting President of Court of Appeal. puzzling that no consciously sustained communications were issued to address the gaping gap between buyers’ basic instinct for security and the sensitivity of modern vehicles to non-factory installed security devices and gadgets. What would it have cost the leading lights of the dealership system to issues public service information in the media to educate potential customers of the risks involved in installing devices (including the ones targeted to prevent carjacking which is a must-install for Nigerians) in their newly acquired assets? Why couldn’t factoryinstalled security systems be offered as added accessories for vehicles destined for Nigeria, given the all-too-well-known security situation in Nigeria? Many still wonder why the auto dealers exploit their customers by making them to pay in excess of hundreds of thousands of naira for repair works which can only be estimated by them without a benefit of third-party evaluation. It is being logically assumed that the tendency to ambush buyers is the product of a mentality, premised on the all-too-Nigerian notion, that if one can afford to pay millions of naira for a vehicle, he would not resist paying another percentage for “forced” repairs.

As the technology powering automobiles advances, there is a need to place the Nigerian auto industry in a corporate responsibility pedestal that mirrors the importance of transportation in the economic and social life of Nigerians. In view of this prospect and given the trend of new vehicles that are suddenly being “repaired” at exorbitant costs ostensibly because of their electronic “brains and hearts,” the Minister for Transportation, Senator Idris Umar, a lawyer and a former law maker, should take a cue from Ralph Nader who cut a niche for himself by promoting corporate responsibility through the instrument of strict regulation of the American auto industry. *Oluwole Agunbiade is a Lagos-ased PR Practitioner.

Focus

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

17

•Michael Obiekeze

The world of Mikel Obi’s father

B

EFORE his kidnap on August 5, 2011, Pa Michael Obiekeze and his wife Roseline, both parents of 10 children including John Michael (popularly known as Mikel Obi), the Chelsea player perhaps lived their lives in anonymity with many not knowing he is the father of the world famous footballer. The parents who hail from Anoicha local government Area of Anambra State have with the event of that day lost their anonymity.

The family which have been living in Jos, the Plateau State capital for many years, have passed through lots of rough times, a fact that could be gleaned from the eyes of Pa Obi. But that was a few years ago before his now world famous son gained fame through the ‘beautiful game’- football. His movement to Europe and the signing of a contract with Chelsea club was the turning point in the life of the family. However, this did not make the family to become loud.

The family however moved out of the rented small room that they were living in

Yusufu Aminu Idegu in Jos and Kolade Adeyemi in Kano, write about the kidnap and eventual rescue of Michael Obiekeze, the father of the world famous Chelsea player, Mikel Obi in the centre of the city around Township Stadium when the son built a duplex for them at the elite Rayfield area of the city.

This is the area where those who have made it in the city now build. It is in the neighbourhood of the Plateau State Government House.

Change of fortune The property in Rayfield is the first ever house owned by the family. Despite the fortune that has smiled on their son in Europe the parents have refused to sit down waiting for him to send money to them. Pa Obi therefore decided to float a transport company while his wife also runs a provision shop in the same premises. The

transport company has at least 30 buses in its fleet. These buses ply various routes across the country on daily basis. Pa Obi started the transport company two years after his son joined Chelsea in England.

Mikel joined Chelsea in 2006.

The transport company is located at Jankwano, in the Gada Biu area of the city and it is directly opposite the Bingham University Hospital (BUTH). It operates under the business name of “God’s time is the Best Transport” .

Daily routine Each morning, the world famous player’s parents move out of their Rayfield duplex to their business premises and return home

after the day’s business. In his words, Pa Obi said, “Each day of my life I wake up early enough to pray with my family. What I do daily is that as soon as I wake up I will ring a bell right from my bedroom; the bell is to wake up the whole family. And they are used to it as soon as they hear the bell they know that daddy has woken up and that it is time for prayers. So all of us will move out to the centre of the house, which is the sitting room. There, we will all pray to God for his blessing. Immediately after the prayers everybody will go and prepare for their daily activities. Those who will go to school will be getting ready, those who will be going to the market, and so on. Myself in particular, I will get ready for my business of the day, after the prayer I got to brush my teeth, take my bath, have my breakfast and move out to my business premises.”

He added that he runs the business himself and he is assisted by his employees • Continued on page 18

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• Continued from page 17

“I normally close from office 6pm everyday and return back home. So I’m not the kind of person that will want to relax all day long. I’ m not used to that kind of life, people think that because I have a son that is a world soccer star and that my son is enough to take care of all my needs. They are right but that is not enough for me to remain idle all day, that was not my orientation I had a very humble beginning and I went through serious hardship to maintain my family, so I m used to struggling all my life, I’m not used to staying in one place from sun rise to sun set. The same applies to my wife.”

To buttress his point the wife Rosaline, interjected, “I have a provision shop at Jankwano and I go there to open my shop every morning and come back home at the end of the day. I don’t need to rest because of my son, I have never rested in my life, I don’t want to be lazy or stay in one place. I’m used to running around in all my life and I’m not tired yet, as soon as there is life I will continue to struggle until I die” According to her, “If we are that rich the way people think we would have sent millions of naira to the kidnappers to release my husband, but God knows we don’t have such money and so God intervened for us and we did not spend money to rescue my husband from kidnappers. The amount they were requesting for is ridiculous even if our son is the president of America, we will not be able to afford the money. How can we get such money?”

Pa Obi who was kidnapped in Jos, Plateau State and taken to Kano by his captors is grateful to god for his intervention.

Meanwhile, resident of Kabuga quarters in the ancient city of Kano were last Monday shocked when news broke that the abducted father Mikel was kept in their neighbourhood.

Kabuga is a district in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State. It is a densely populated area, famous for its cultural and historical heritage. Its gate, Kofar Kabuga, which is as old as Kano itself, was said to be the entry point for British soldiers, when they annexed Kano in the early 1900s, leading to the eventual deterioration of the city walls. Due to the saturated nature of the area, the people of Kano have been spreading to other parts of the city.

Hideout for felons Just few metres from the city walls in Kabuga, is a magnificent building, which seems to be an oasis among the houses in the area. It was in this lonely building that Pa Obi was kept in captivity. The building, which is only linked to other parts of Kabuga by an unpaved road, was where the man the whole world was so anxious about stayed in captivity. He was made to sleep on the floor, with a piece of carton as his

•The room where Pa Obi was detained

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

‘My son’s status not enough for me to be idle’

•Signboard of Obi’s transport company in Jos

mattress, with little or no food to eat. He did not take his bath for ten days, and how he eased himself throughout the harrowing period is still a mystery.

Having been kept in solitary confinement, Pa Obi must have concluded that he may never have the chance to set his eyes on any of his family members including his world famous Chelsea midfield maestro, Mikel. But like the bolt from the sky, freedom suddenly came his way at about 11 o’clock am on Monday, August 22, when a team of detectives led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ocheche Salifu arrived Kano from Plateau State. A dismissed Police Corporal named Jacob Cowmwel, who had earlier been arrested by the Plateau State Police command, was brought down to Kano to track down the remaining kidnappers, who were at that time, unaware that Cowmwel had been in police custody.

During the operation, which was supported

by other detectives from the Kano State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) led by Sergeant Shehu Ibrahim, (who was among the team that nabbed Nigeria’s most wanted criminal, Lawrence Anini).

Cowmwel was in constant touch with the abductors, who told him to meet them at Kwanar Dawaki Motor Park, about 10km from Kano.

The suspected kidnappers later asked Cowmwel to meet them at Angwar Uku Motor Park, which is along Zaria Road in the metropolis, only to later ask him to come over to Kabuga quarters, which is opposite the old campus of Bayero University Kano and beside the Federal College of Education (FCE). It was in this area that the kidnappers were residing, with Pa Obi in their custody. All along, the kidnappers had no knowledge that Cowmwel was communicating with them under the watchful eyes of detectives.

He had told the kidnappers that he would charter a taxi since he has little or no knowledge of Kabuga quarters. This was the strategy employed by the security officers in a deliberate move to close in on the kidnappers. On arrival, the detectives condoned off the entire neighbourhood. On sighting Cowmwel, when he arrived with the detectives, two of the suspected kidnappers appeared, not knowing that he came along with detectives, who immediately arrested one of the kidnappers, leaving the other, later known as Ifeanyi Essiet to take to his heels.

Sergeant Shehu Ibrahim was quick enough to give him a hot chase, covering over three kilometres, before he eventually apprehended him at Tudun Yola Quarters. The detectives, particularly those drawn from the Kano Police Command were undaunted by the resistance put up by the suspected kidnappers, tracing the driver of the suspected abductors, known as Sule Ibrahim, believed to be a Nigerien National, to a hotel in Kano. He was arrested and his M/V 607 Peugeot car used in conveying Pa Obi from Jos to Kano was impounded.

The interrogation of the three arrested suspects by detectives, led to the discovery of the hideout at Kabuga close to Tudun Yola New Layout. Armed with this information, the detectives swooped on the building, and subsequently rescued Pa Obi and arrested the remaining two suspects, including a lady, known as Nkechi Ossai. They were watching over Pa Obi in the building, and waiting for the ransom before nemesis caught up with them.

The five suspects arrested are Nkechi Ossai, Ifeanyi Essient, Ndubuisis Friday, Basil Chukwuma and Nigerien, Sule Ibrahim.

The traumatized father of the footballer, who narrated his ordeal to reporters, said he was subjected to serious inhuman treatment.

“I was taken right deep into the bush, in an isolated area in Jos. I started begging them, yet they beat me mercilessly, kicking me with their boots. There are five of them and they were dressed in military uniform. They pushed me into a vehicle painted in military colour and they also wore military uniforms and drove on high speed. I never knew a vehicle could move as fast as that.”

He is grateful to God for saving his life and showered praises on the police for carrying out the rescue operation, saying that he now has confidence in the ability of the Nigeria Police to tackle crime and criminality in the country, if given the necessary support.

• More on page 56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

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The fate of a guguru seller Page 21

‘You can’t compare my government with that of Fashola’ — Mobolaji Johnson Taiwo Ogundipe, Associate Editor got the first governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) to reminisce about his life and times.

H

E gingerly walked down the stairs from the private living quarters upstairs into the posh and spacious living room downstairs where the journalist was already waiting for him. He supported himself with a walking stick. Although signs of advancedment in age are clearly evident in his appearance and gait, he still retains his famous tall dark good looks. His characteristic soldierly erect figure, however, seems slightly bent and his stern military brogue has been softened by age.

Brigadier-General Mobolaji O. Johnson (rtd), on settling down to an interview and being prodded with the question of how he felt on being appointed the first military governor of Lagos State, would want it to be clearly noted that he was not just that but in addition the first ever governor of the state. He stated: “When you say military governor, you are giving undue emphasis to military regime. I was the first ever governor of the state. The state was created by General Yakubu Gowon on May 27 1967. Lagos State was one of the states he created then. Before then, I was appointed by General Ironsi to be the administrator of the federal capital which was Lagos and its environs then. Lagos was created and the colony provinces of Lagos then were merged together to form the state.

“I took the appointment as a challenge. I made myself open to good ideas that would project the state no matter where they came from, just like Governor Fashola is doing now. I was open-minded and I went for the programmes that were more public-orientated. We started with education by building schools. We established five government colleges in one year – in Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island.

We did things that the public wanted. We had the desire to uplift the society.”

Asked to compare his tenure then with that of the present administration, he said: “I always say comparison is dangerous. There is this Yoruba saying that says Oba mewa, igba mewa (10 kings with their ten different tenures). You cannot compare the Lagos State of those days with the one of today. Take for example the phenomenon of the increase in population. Lagos has really grown. There are some places which they now call parts of Lagos. When I visit such places, I wonder and say, ‘You mean this is part of Lagos State!’ I never knew such places to be parts of Lagos State.”

Reminiscing about the early Lagos and his tenure, he said Eko Bridge was already under construction when he came into office. “But I was taken by it because I believed it would open up the then capital city. Carter Bridge was the only bridge we used to have then. I learnt there was even a protest by some elite in Lagos who objected to the construction of Carter Bridge in that they said you could count on your finger

tips the number of owners of cars and the cars that were using the Carter Bridge then. These elite argued that there was no need to spend so much money on constructing the bridge. Years later Eko Bridge came up. Not long after, the thought of the Third Mainland Bridge came up.”

The Brigadier-General (rtd) said Lagos has really expanded. In his words: “Population was moving from Lagos Island to the Mainland. I remember when Surulere was going to be formed, it was a battle royal. Some people in Olowogbowo area of Lagos Island refused to come to the new place. They said ta lo n bo loke odo (who will want to come to the other side of the river?) People also declined to come to Yaba which used to be called Sadu then. I grew up there in the old Yaba. The new developing places were called New Lagos derogatively. But today you can’t even get a land in Surulere. Some of these developments were of necessity as at time they had to be done.”

He stated further: “The two bridges opened up the new population on the mainland. And because of the increase in population, these areas are now densely populated. There has also been increase in traffic jam. Because of the incessant traffic jams in the city now I am preaching that Lagos should re-expand. I recently told Governor Fashola that we should use the waterways more.

We have not used the waterways enough. From the point where you have Third Mainland toward the back of the campus of the University of Lagos should be sand-filled and turn it to a public motor park. This will enable people who live in such places as Gbagada, Oworonshoki, among other areas, to come by boat to Lagos Island. More of such areas in Lagos should be developed along that line so that we can drastically reduce the traffic gridlock in the city. People will leave their cars in those parking places on the mainland and come by boat to Lagos Island, get down, do all they have to do and then go back to where they parked their vehicles.”

When Mobolaji Johnson was told that such a development might create severe ecological problem according to some experts, he said: “I don’t believe in that. A lot of studies can be done before these projects are embarked upon. The question of Tsunami is a new evolution. I believe in pushing the water elsewhere. It had been moved before. It is question of proper planning.”

Listing some of the landmarks of his administration, he mentioned the setting up of the School Management Board, the Medical Board, the building of Falomo Shopping Centre.

He said the only shopping outlet that was in existence before Falomo was Kingsway Store.

The Falomo Shopping Complex, he said, was built from a makeshift market. He added: “The nurses’ hostel was also built during our time as well as medical officers’ staff quarters. We had

•Mobolaji Johnson

the first strike of the doctors in our hand in 1972.

It was said that the junior doctors were being overworked and had no accommodation. So we had to build the quarters for them.” He then said he could not go on to recollect the projects one after the other.

Mobolaji traces his root (He has comprehensively recorded the story of his life in an autobiography entitled Lagos State – My Life of Service with Integrity, The Making of an ICON) to

the Osholero family of the Egba Igbore ethnic group of Abeokuta into which his grandfather was born. His grandfather had changed his surname from the Osholero family name to Johnson after an English priest, Reverend Johnson who encouraged his dedication towards Christian virtues. Mobolaji Johnson’s father was Joshua Motola Johnson, popularly known as Pappy J, who was born on July 18 1903. Mobolaji said he •Continued on page 20

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Life •Continued from page 19

inherited his good looks from both his grandfather and father who were both tall and handsome. Mobolaji described his father thus: “A fine good-looking man, dapper, a dandy who always turned out very well groomed. His dress sense was articulate as he would normally order his clothes out of European catalogues.”

His mother was a daughter of the well-known late Dudley Coker, a wealthy businessman of Lagos.

Mobolaji was born on February 1936 in the labour room of the famous Dr. Maja’s Clinic in Lagos. He was the third child and boy in the Johnson household. He blossomed as an admirable infant until about 10 months after his birth when he was afflicted by acute diarrhea which threatened his life. His disturbed parents spared no expense and effort in trying to get him cured. They also went beyond the orthodox medical solution, as they engaged a native doctor from Urhobo land in the then Midwestern Region of the country.

After conducting some mysterious acts with incantations, the native doctor reportedly came up with the suggestion that Mobolaji had ‘mysterious company’ whose members wanted to take him away but he was apparently resisting them.

Mobolaji remained fragile for a long time. His mental ability had also been affected. He eventually began to get better and he managed to crawl when he was two years old. He started taking his first steps at the age of three.

A Sierra-Leonean lady who served as nanny to him and his growing siblings started to call him ‘Bol’ because she found his name, Mobolaji tongue twisting. This name later stuck with him even in school. Following his recovery from his illness he started schooling at the age of four at Reagan Memorial Baptist School, Yaba. He became one of the ‘happening boys’ and he bonded with some of his school mates then including Felix Ibru. He admitted, however, that he was not one of the brightest in the class. In his words: “I had been rather slow to pick up new concepts that were being taught; however, once I had understood it, it was firmly sealed in my mind.”

At home he became ‘one of the boys’ with his elder brothers and he joined in with the pranks. He developed a passion for hunting or killing insects. His parents, especially his father, enforced strict discipline on him and his siblings but also ensured that they had some element of fun and family bonding. The evening times were spent with their parents sharing tales of morality with them. Music was also very much part of their life at home as they usually re-hearsed and sang songs with their parents. Both parents also took to acting and they featured in a number of plays.

On discipline, Mobolaji said his father never fell short on the practice of the biblical proverb, “spare the rod, and spoil the child.” He said: “We felt the cane on our bodies, every single one of us. More so, he seemed to have mum’s support all the way because he would say ‘you cannot train a child with two tongues.’ He believed that they ought to be unified in their training approach of the children.”

Mobolaji said there were times when he and his brothers felt that their father was too wicked to be their father.

“As far as Pappy J was concerned, we must get increasingly better grades in school, win scholarship honours, get started early, be good debaters, learn to speak readily on our feet, participate in sporting activities, and be extremely good with household chores… He had a zero tolerance for laxity… He would say, ‘I’m expecting you all to amount to something. I do not want to be a wonderful father of failures.” Mobolaji and his brothers hawked before and after school hours for their mother who made confectionaries for sale to

The making of Mobolaji Johnson

•Mobolaji Johnson

complement what her husband earned as a civil servant working as a lithographer in the Survey Department then.

He left his elementary school at Reagan Memorial Baptist School in 1946 when it was converted into an all girls’ school. He later sat for the transfer examination and gained admission into Yaba Methodist School, Lagos where he said his growth in confidence took a new leap. He joined a group of boys who named themselves the Emo Club. They were into hunting for grasscutters or rabbits. The group, comprising the likes of Felix Ibru, Niyi Olumide, Awo Olukoya, among others, was notorious for encroaching into farms and private lands in Yaba to catch their prey. They used to have field days until one day when they set fire to a bush which snowballed into a wild fire torching the home of a white expatriate. They were reported to their school authorities and they had the beating of their lives.

Mobolaji recalled the occasion: “Sango was the nickname we had given to our headmaster, Mr. Otubaga, at YMS. He was prone to much anger and could be rather irrational from our

point of view. Sango was the ancient and traditional god of thunder in Yoruba land. Mr. Otubaga would lift his cane and shout ‘Sango lo ma pa e’ (Sango the god of thunder will strike you dead) as his cane landed heavily on the culprit. Right there and then at the assembly we got what seemed like live wire shocks as Sango dealt each of us twelve electric blows from his cane.

I thought I was going to die.”

He also recalled another scary experience while hunting rabbits. They usually smoke the rabbit out of their holes. One day they were targeting one.

They had blocked all the exit and entry points except one for the rabbit to be able to gain entrance back into the hole.

He described the process thus: “Once the rabbit was back in its hole, I would lay an ambush for it. I would take position at the expected exit route, and we would then set fire to the hole, by lighting a few wet and dry leaves. The leaves were only intended to smoke the hole, and were thrown into the rabbit hole. Rabbits hate smoke. I would then await its escape. This was my main expertise – no matter how fast or cunning they may be, very few

“The seed of military career was planted in Mobolaji when his father was drafted into the Royal West African Frontier Force, as one of the soldiers who enlisted during the Second World War. Pappy J hung a photograph he took in his full military uniform on the wall in the living room. Mobolaji endlessly admired the picture.”

rabbits escaped my hands.

“On a particular day, as I waited for this rabbit, it was a large poisonous snake that showed up from out of the hole. ‘Oh, my goodness,’ I screamed as I ran for dear life! My friends disappeared quickly out of the farm at a speed that may have qualified for a world record sprint! That was the end of my grass-cutting expeditions.”

He started his secondary education at Hussey College in Warri in the present Delta Stae in 1951. Two years later he transferred to Methodist Boys High School, Lagos.

The seed of military career was planted in Mobolaji when his father was drafted into the Royal West African Frontier Force, as one of the soldiers who enlisted during the Second World War. Pappy J hung a photograph he took in his full military uniform on the wall in the living room.

Mobolaji endlessly admired the picture. He said “I looked at the photo, I saw myself in it. I longed to wear this uniform in my lifetime and become a soldier – I liked the dignity and the sense of protective power vested in anyone that wore such uniform. The more I looked at the photograph, the more zealous I became towards soldiering.”

In the 1950s the Nigeria Army under Sir James Robertson’s tenure as the country’s Governor General published an advertisement requesting for young Nigerians of adventurous spirit who want to help their country. The advertisement indicated that “such young men if they enlist will have an ever rewarding career and a splendid opportunity of becoming the leaders of their own army.” Mobolaji was also exposed to a number of guest speakers who came to give career talks in his school on how to get employment at the various government establishments.

However, at the end of one of those sessions, Mobolaji raised his hand to ask a question wanting to know how to get into military service. His classmates hailed him uproariously.

He sat for Officers’ Cadet Examinations for entry into the military. Meanwhile, he applied for and gained employment with the Lagos City Council (LCC). He was able to purchase a bicycle, a status symbol of that era out of the saving culture that his father had inculcated his imbibed in him. Eventually, when the results of the military examinations were released he failed in a key paper, General Knowledge which was on international topics. This, as he admitted, was a result of his only reading local headlines and sports.

One of the Englishmen who was in charge of admission into the military suggested that he could still go in as a recruit if he was interested, and could later re-sit the officers’ entrance examination. Mobolaji opted for this against the advice of his father who woke him up one night and took him to the balcony to tell him from experience about the grueling hardship a recruit soldier faces.

Mobolaji was not deterred. His father gave him his blessing and some preliminary drilling. He travelled to Ibadan to undergo the recruitment exercise for one week at the Letmauk Barracks in 1958.

His experience at the training ground was so grueling – the recruits slept on narrow planks – to the extent that his mother who came visiting, saw him queue up half-naked and carrying his mess tin like others, was so distressed, burst into tears and begged him to withdraw and return home. He told her: “No, mum. This is where my life is.”

After going through the recruitment process, he was sent to Zaria in the present Kaduna State for training. He was able to stand out as a

sportsman at the training camp and got excused from some of the grueling fatigue exercises because of his sports training activities. During one of the major military sporting competitions, he met and became friend with the future Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who had just returned from training abroad at Eaton Hall Officer Cadet Training School in the United Kingdom. They had both competed against each other in one of the events, discuss-throwing. Ojukwu had admired his sporting skill and advised him: “Stick to your sports game and do your training.”

Mobolaji completed his training after 10 months in December 1958 and emerged as the best all round recruit.

During this training period he had also re-sit and passed the Officers’ Cadet Examination. He was sent to Ghana to be trained as an officer. The training comprised more of academic tutoring as well as a good number of field drills.

Ojukwu came as one of the training facilitators then, and after observing his performances, he offered another piece of advice: “You have the command in you, but you always seem to lay back, lead with the command that is in you.”

He had another session of training in Ghana which he completed in September 1959, and it was meant to prepare a selected few of the trainees for a higher course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He was there from January 1960 to December 1961 and he became a commissioned officer as Second Lieutenant.

He was posted to the 5th Battalion in Kaduna. He had two options for his first military assignment, either to be posted to India as a representative of the Nigerian Army at some military celebration or to The Congo to work with the United Nations Peace Keeping Force. He opted for the latter because, as he said, he “wanted to hear the sound of battle guns and be able to shout orders to my troops.”

He got married on Boxing Day, December 26, 1961 to Obafunmilayo Aganga-Williams. They had met each other during a church service. He had sat in the front row engrossed in the preacher’s sermon. As he tried to adjust his sitting position by stretching his hands, he unknowingly knocked down the bag of one of the two young ladies who were seated on the bench behind his. He apologised. One of the ladies said as she picked up the bag: “Oh, that’s okay Bol-J, don’t worry.”

The lady was a friend of his. The other lady who had the bag that was knocked down was Funmi, a cousin to the other lady. She protested playfully: “Did I hear you say don’t worry Bol-J. Of course he should worry. He has just knocked down a lady’s handbag, hasn’t he?” Mobolaji interacted with the ladies after the service and since then he grew closer to Funmi and their relationship blossomed into marriage.

Mobolaji rose through the ranks in the military and also served in various formations. Following the military incursion into politics, Mobolaji became a key player first as the administrator of Lagos State, and then as military governor.

He was asked by the journalist if he thinks the Nigerian military has been put under permanent check and would no longer make an incursion into governance of the country. He replied: “It is not a question of the military being put under check. It is a question of having the right type of government in place. People should not write off the idea. Nobody wants the military back but when there is a necessity for it you cannot run away from it. They have their own jobs to do. If they are well looked after, their barracks properly developed and they are given the right type of training, they will have no interest in governance. But if you keep having bad government and their welfare is neglected, the military could come back.”

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

21

The fate of a guguru seller Evelyn Osagie met a local popcorn seller with a dream.

M

ANY who grew up in the rustic African setting would not forget

it easily.

It is the local snack with the unique blend of popcorn and groundnut, known popularly in the Southwest as guguru and epa.

Oftentimes, they have savoured the rich taste of the snack without noticing the peddler, who is usually of the feminine gender. And in most cases, they are faceless. However, behind the snack are real people with stories to tell. Raliyat is one of many.

Armed with her snack box, you would find her at festivals across some towns in Osun State making good her trade. She is always there to meet the refreshment needs of the crowd.

Her aim, she said, is to relieve them of boredom, ensuring that at such occasion their mouths are kept busy.

And if you care to listen, you would hear boast of how far the trade had taken her and the calibre of clientele. “I am Raliyat the guguru seller. I am proud of it because it brings joy to the heart of people while eating my snack.

Seeing their mouth move and their faces after selling the guguru to them leaves me with so much joy. I have gone to many places because of this guguru and epa that I am selling. Ah, it has taken me to places o. I have many big people as my customers. I tell you the truth, even royal people, big chiefs, Alhajis, women, men, boys and girls buy my guguru and epa. And they like it. I have sold it to many of them since they were young,” she said in Yoruba language with the aid of an interpreter who is also her customer.

However, in spite of many years in her trade and the places her feet have trodden, hawking her wares, she still has not achieved her dream of financial abundance with the proceeds from sales.

She said: “I don’t like talking about myself so, but I am yet to become wealthy selling it. I had hoped and still hope that one day selling guguru and epa would make me great, I mean, wealthy.

But you can see for yourself how things stand. I don’t know if that would ever happen.”

One would have thought the festive seasons would bring with it a positive twist to her plight, however, Raliyat said it is not so.

“The festival seasons have not made any difference. In fact, I sell a little above what I would normally sell in a normal day. At days when business is good, I sometimes sell up to between N500 and N1,000 daily. But when I calculate the gain in it and the suffering involved it is nothing to go by. One is only trying to make a living in spite of everything. Everything is so expensive – including the corn, groundnut and the wood you would use to cook it. And it is getting worse everyday.”

She lamented that, in spite of the raise in the prizes of raw materials used in making it, her customers are not sympathetic.

She said: “People do not want to understand or hear that things are now expensive. They still

want to buy the same worth of guguru and epa which they have been buying since they were children, thinking they should have the same quantity also. I tell them that things have changed.

But many still do not want to understand. Some would even quarrel or shout at one. And I try not to mind them and pet them that is why you see many people calling for me. I make sure my own is not so small to appease them and keep their patronage because we are many in this trade. Most of all, my customers like me because mine is always fresh. That, I think, is my edge.”

As remote as her trade may seem, the woman is eyeing the new cutting edge technology of the popcorn-making machine, saying owning it would mean a positive change in her business.

“I tell you, most times it’s tiring traveling on foot hawking my wares. I wish I have that machine. I have seen it in Osogbo many times. If I have it now, it would bring a lot of change to my business. If I had it, I would be stationary even when I go to festivals in other places and people would come to respect me more. And it would affect the price of my guguru. But I cannot afford it.”

Asked if she has ever priced it, she said: “No o. How can I when I know I cannot afford it? I know I can learn how to operate it if I am taught because the people using it do not have ten heads.”

Raliyat represents a set of people who are afraid to take risks. In her case, she has seen the new innovation in her trade, admires, desires it, but somehow she lacks the push to seek how to acquire it for fear of being embarrassed and high cost of it.

Meanwhile, the machine costs between N20,000 and N45, 000, depending on where it is being sold and the brand. According to a staff of Adamson Technology, an industrial machinery and Agro Processing, Mr Lucky DanEsenemujor, in Lagos State, it sells between N20,000 and N25,000 while in other parts, including Osun State, it goes for from N30, 000 to N45,000.

Raliyat may not be alone in her fears. Like her, several women involved in such local trades are afraid of new innovations largely because they feel they cannot afford it.

Whereas the capital needed for such ventures may not be as expensive as they think. However expensive, perhaps if they are given some form of empowerment: financially or business trainings locally, Raliyat would have taken the leap and given her business a boost.

Prof. Soji Amire of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, Osun State, posits that as a result of lack of education. With proper education, he said, women like Raliyat can have a broader scope. He called on the government to bring back the defunct Trade Centres established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo across the Southwest.

“The government should bring back the defunct Trade

•Raliyat plying her trade

Centres established by the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo where people like Raliyat are trained in their line of proficiency and helped to broaden their scope of business. Through it people who could not further their education can be trained and move up the ladder to be selfemployed. It formed the thrust of my inaugural lecture entitled: Equlibrum Dynamics in Life and Coterminous Processes. In her case, she would be trained on how to use the pop corn machine and package it well as it is being done by many. And surely that would impact on standard of living.

Women like Raliyat have remained poor and those who make policy and noise about empowerment do not include them. Years from now, if something step is not taken to enlighten and empower her, she would remain in that local scale of the popcorn business. Inflation may catch up with her and her clients would still demand for the same worth as today, perhaps a little higher. And Raliyat would still be struggling.”

In the same vein, the Programme Director, Widening

Scope for Rights and Development (WISCORD), Mrs. Olajumoke Adeyeye, opined that lack of information hampers business prospects of many women at the grassroots.

Her organisation is geared towards economic and financial empowerment of women, particularly those of the grassroots.

She said: “In most cases, people remain at low level because of dearth of information on how they can access resources (intellectually, physically and financially) that would influence their lives positively, as in the case of Raliyat. If she had been informed that she could improve her popcorn business by getting a popcorn machine, she would likely have worked towards saving some resources towards acquiring one for herself.”

She added that for a lasting development, Nigerians should look beyond the government, saying everyone has a role to play.

“We cannot continue to wait for the government for everything, even though the government should be at the forefront of fostering people-oriented

sustainable development in the country. Individuals, groups and civil societies need to rise up for the cause of women like Raliyat. These women make up the majority of population in the rural area and in most cases live unfulfilled lives.

They usually have low access to resources that can improve their lives. We need to develop passion to develop initiatives that can lead to empowerment of these people.

Through this, we will have more people (women, especially) that will be economically, financially and emotionally balanced. This, no doubt, will foster people-oriented sustainable development in the country,” she said.

Raliyat is married with children. She has kept on the tradition of trading in guguru like her forebears. But she added that she would have loved to be educated. “I still thank God for the life he has given me but I wish I had been educated. I feel I would have had a better life. But as I said I thank God for my life. I am still able to make ends meet. And I am making sure that my children are better educated than I. I would love to see them so.”

22

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Living with a hole in the heart T

HE birth of a child in a marriage most times brings joy to the parents. It was such joy that accompanied the David Oluwaferanmi Ajayi’s coming to the world on October 9, 2006. At his birth, “we were so happy,” said Adenike, David’s mother who married Pastor Temidayo Ajayi in April 2005.

Unfortunately, it would not be long before David’s birth became one of worry to the couple who hail from Ilesha, Osun State. In 2008, when David was two years old, Adenike noticed his slow growth but initially attributed his stunted growth to malnutrition.

“The boy was not growing well. He was not eating well.

And everything about him was so slow,” said Adenike.

She also noticed at the time that David’s palms and lips were darkened and his eyes were so red. “And when he walks a bit, he gets tired,” Adenike added.

Over the years, he was treated at different hospitals for different ailments, but the disturbing symptoms remained.

But, in April this year, she decided to take David to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba where she felt she would get a proper diagnosis.

On getting there, “before any tests was carried out on him, the

By Joe Agbro Jr.

doctor said this boy is suffering from heart problems,” said Adenike, who trained as a nurse at LUTH. Nevertheless, a series of tests was carried out on David.

His Packed Cell Volume (PCV) at 78% was high and this amazed the doctor. He was admitted and subjected to further tests. But, it was the ECG test that confirmed his ailment.

In a medical report signed by Dr. E. N. Ekure, a Consultant Paediatrician at LUTH, it was stated that ‘Clinical evaluation of the patient (David Ajayi) showed underweight, bilateral conjuctival injection, central cyanosis, digital clubbing and easy fatigability. Echocardiography revealed Ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia – a form of tetralogy of fallot.’

In plain terms, there is a hole in David’s heart which allows oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to mix. This was responsible for the darkening of his soles, palms, lips and the bluish colour of his tongue.

For David who is currently in nursery 1 and who will be five in October, there is a grave warning.

According to Adenike, the doctors said if this condition is not corrected, it can lead to brain

damage and stroke. As it is now, David needs complete evaluation and an open heart operation to be able to lead a normal life.

Already, his doctor has completed arrangements to have the operation at Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals, India at the cost of N6.5m which includes cost of the operation, transportation, and feeding.

But that sum is a challenge to the Ajayi family that resides at Ikorodu. Currently, Adenike works as a nurse in a private hospital in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos and Temidayo, David’s father is a Pastor. Hence, she and her husband visited the head office of The Nation to make a passionate plea on behalf of their son.

“We can’t afford that amount,” Adenike said, urging well-meaning individuals to come to her son’s aid. “We’ve sold the land we had and our car.” But all that has just helped with taking care of David’s medical bills to this moment.

Members of public interested in helping out can contact David’s father, Temidayo Ajayi on 08037263246 ACCOUNT DETAILS Bank: First Bank Plc. Account Name: Ajayi Temidayo E Account Number: 3010488590

• David

Succour for girl with cancer, Kaosisochukwu S

UCCOUR recently came the way of little Kaosisochukwu Chime who is suffering from a rare form of cancer of the liver.

Kaosisochukwu who is just 4 years old needed N7 million to go for an operation in India. Her plight was highlighted in The Nation on Sunday of July 10,

From Chris Oji, Enugu

2011. Kaosisochukwu and her parents reside in Lagos. But luckily for her, the publication caught the eyes of the Local Government chairman of Udi in Enugu State, Barr. Bona Ude, who immediately felt that the girl must be from his local gov-

ernment, considering her surname.

Ude immediately swung into investigation. And his suspicion was confirmed. And the sum of N1million was approved by the council. The cheque for the amount was presented Tuesday at the Udi council headquarters.

•Chairman, Udi Local Government, Barr. Bona Ude presenting the cheque to Kaosiosochukwu’s parents.

The LG chairman, Ude said he was informed of the plight of the little girl “in the course of reading the story in The Nation of July 10. I found out that the father’s name is Cletus Chime.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no other people in this world that that go by that surname Chime except Udi people.

“So, I immediately picked my phone and dialed his number and spoke with him. He confirmed he is an Udi man staying in Lagos and that Kaosisochukwu has been sick for quite some time and has been diagnosed of having cancer problem. With that information and armed with The Nation publication, I came to the council and informed the F & G, the highest ruling body in the local government that we have a daughter who is sick and that every Nigerian is asked to make a little donation to enable her go to India for treatment.

“So, in view of that, the F&G approved the sum of N1million which we have just presented to the NGO and the parents.”

Also speaking, Dr. Nneka Nwobi who runs the NGO that is championing Kaosisochukwu’s plight, Children Living With Cancer Foundation (CLWCF) said they were called by the Udi LG chairman when he saw the write up. “And after much deliberations, he called us to say that the local government has approved N1million for Kaosisochukwu.

So, this afternoon, we have come to receive the cheque of N1million from the chairman and we are indeed very grateful.”

Nwobi who said she was overwhelmed by the gesture said it was the first time in her five years with the NGO that a local government chairman got in touch with them. “We have done stories on other children who have cancer. We have written to their liaison offices in Lagos, because we are based in Lagos, without getting any response from them. So, coming here for me is like a blessing. I bless the man that had the foresight to even go through the papers and has the heart to call the father of the girl.”

Mr. Cletus Chime, Kaosisochukwu’s father who gave all the glory to God said “To my greatest surprise, all the areas that I expected help never came. But the areas I least expected are the areas I received such marvelous and wonderful help. As a matter of fact, I have never come across the local government chairman.”

He, however, said he is expecting more assistance in order to achieve the N7million target so that his will go for the operation.

TO ASSIST, CONTACT Dr. Nneka Nwobbi: 08033156908 Mr. Cletus Chime: 08038236144 Account Name: Children Living With Cancer Foundation Account Number: 0001180414 Bank: Diamond Bank

23 SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Training them for tomorrow U

NIVERSAL Studios of Art (USA) located at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, is always a beehive of activities. It is one studio where artists are busy all week round working in all genres of the visual art. The studios which began in the 1980s have today produced a lot of artists who have been proving their mettle in their profession.

USA is a classical example of a studio meant as a training ground for artists.

What the pioneer studio artists had in mind was to set the place aside as a rallying point for artists or trainee artists looking for a place to hone their professional skills.

This was why, from inception, the studios deliberately created room for IT students from tertiary institutions looking for an appropriate place to perfect their skills. So far, countless number of such students have passed through the studios and have not only graduated but have been able to start their own studios .

“This idea of having IT students from higher institutions began in 1989,” so said Bunmi Babatunde, chairman of USA artists association. “We saw that students

needed somewhere to gain practical experiences while on their IT and we felt we could be of immense help to them. So whenever they are posted here from their various schools, we accept them, we teach them what they cannot learn in school because school business is more of theories,” Babatunde explained.

Consequently, since 1989, most Fine Arts students from across the nation wish and pray that their school authorities send them to the USA for their IT. Ejoor Wallace, one of the coordinators of the programme for USA explained that the students who come there are purposely exposed to the totality of the visual art so that they can be their own person as soon as they leave school.

According to him, “the students are posted from their schools because of the nature of the programme we have for them.

There is news everywhere that this place is appropriate for training. We train them to learn the real practical things about visual art.”

Walllace also reaffirmed that what the studios artists do is to give the students enough room and exposure by teaching

•The IT students at work

PHOTOS: EDOZIE UDEZE

At the Universal Studios of Art (USA) Iganmu, Lagos, IT students are exposed to the real and practical aspects of visual art. Edozie Udeze reports them how to dwell on all aspects of the art. As this reporter went round the studios, the students were busy painting a set of fruits kept together on a table. That was on the first day of the visit. On the second day, a lady was positioned to stand on one foot in front of them to draw.

The students made sketches of the lady after which she was told to leave so that they could perfect their work and then commence the painting aspect of it. It was real fun and rewarding.

As they drew the lady from various angles, one could notice the level of perfection and finesse and professional acumen in each artist. As they busied themselves, they kept their eyes, their attention and senses glued to the object.

This is one of the privileges they miss in the classroom where their lecturers dwell more on theories and book work.

Everyday each student is meant to experiment on one object or the other. As they draw and paint, they also work in other mediums like sculpture, metal work, ceramics and so on. The work is total and comprehensive although many of them prefer to specialize on painting.

Damian Ifediba, one of the IT students from Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, simply said, “I am here for IT and to learn more about studio arts.

The programme has been able to introduce me to all aspects of what we learnt in the classroom.

The instructors have

enlightened us on what we should be and how the market should be like. They have also taught us how to improve our professional mentality when we leave here.”

Ifediba noted that what he cherished most was that the artists taught them how to use the art to improve the lot of the society. “The artist is a creator in his own way and he helps to reshape the society.

They let us know what art can contribute to the society; what up coming artists can do to contribute to nation building. So far, so good, I hope after here, I will develop more as an artist.”

Ifediba explained that the basic component of the art is drawing.

“Whether you go into ceramics, sculpting or the like, when you leave school, you must have background in drawing. This is why it seems all of us are in it at the moment. Yes, it is what you draw you will present in whatever medium you want to use it.”

He said he has specialised in painting because the usage of acrylic, water colours, pastel and so on, make him glow inwardly.

Above all, the exposure he has got so far has made him to have more flair for painting. “I am excited because my skills have been boosted,” Ifediba said.

As for Oweiware Rita, from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, •Continued from page 24

24

Arts

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Mosaic murals as aesthetics W

HAT is the whole essence of mosaic murals?

Mosaic murals is an aspect of the art where you use mosaic tiles to paint basically on walls.

Mosaic tiles may either be a glass or a ceramics. And the truth is that it makes a building more lively and aesthetically alluring. It makes an environment very beautiful and attractive.

This is why architects, instead of using flat colours on walls, prefer to make use of mosaic murals.

But it seems a bit abstract to the uninitiated, why?

No, Mosaic murals like I said before is just an aspect of the visual art. It is an art form that is used to connect the realism of life and art form. Like the one I did which is like a lineage to the family. They have been into it all their lives. Once any member of the family builds a house, he uses the mosaic art to beautify it.

The signs tell you what is happening inside the building or if you like the content of the house and the type of people who own it. The one I did within the General Hospital Ikeja, has the sign of a mother and child to show you what the house is meant for. There is also the sign of a nurse there.

Before you design the signs what do you do?

Yes, the owner of the house will give you the theme or content to work on. It is based on that that you device your own designs which you first show to him to see if he can give his approval or not. Once he has given his approval, you go back to the workshop to perfect your own art form, create the necessary aesthetics and then go to work.

Mosaic murals seems to be expensive. Why? Yes it is quite expensive and only a few people who have money who really appreciate it.

Mosaic murals is an aspect of the visual art that seems abstract. But Uduh Francis, a muralist, explains to Edozie Udeze the true situation

•Uduh and his works

Not everybody that can afford the art work. It is for those who truly have passion for it and the financial wherewithal for it. It is basically loved by people who, by nature appreciate creativity and can use to create the

necessary effects.

Well, there are also cases where people do not readily have the money but safe towards it, people like this see it as a form of art to give them inner fulfillment and satisfaction.

Mosaic murals has aesthetic values and at the same time enriches the colour and tempo of the environment. Life is all about colours and varieties and that is exactly what mosaic murals does.

Because it is in form of art, it also commands its own attention. It is not like what you have on oil on canvass, or acrylic or pastel. When it is purposely

Nature and colours Continued on page 23

Ogbomosho, Oyo State, who is on a six month industrial training (IT), “We have been able to stretch our hands and that is the beauty of art work. You have to be seen to be doing it; to be drawing, not only theories all the time. The Universal Studios of Art has offered me that rare privilege to draw, to feel like an artist. In fact, I have started to see myself as a studio artist,” she said.

Rita, who said she cannot wait to get contracts to paint for people, was all kudos to the artists who have been teaching them techniques. “You have to learn to be an artist here. There is no doubt about it,” she said.

“Painting is what I have chosen to do because I love nature. I love landscapes. I love Nigerian cultures. I hope by the time I leave here in December I will get a contract in order to make money because what I have learnt here has made me a better artist,” she presented.

In all these, the setting at USA studios is a good tonic for a curious artist. The workshops have an array of works in all categories of the art displayed all

around. In fact, it is an art bazaar of sort where you go to view works in their original habitats.

Artists are seen working in all these categories which also impress the IT students to no end.

The beauty and aesthetics and ambience of USA are what first strike you as soon you set your foot on the premises. Not only that you hear the staccato noises of the chisels and hammers, you notice the somber look of painters in another corner of the premises. So, together the noises and the euphoric nature of painting intermingle to give you an ideal studio parlance.

This happens everyday so that the allure of creativity is kept alive for the whole world to see.

“These and more are parts of what keep the IT students glued to what they do here. They love it, they cherish it a lot,” so said Wallace who was once a trainee student of USA. “It was what I learnt here that helped me to be a better student at Yaba College of Technology, where I studied Fine Arts”, he confessed almost beating his chest to drive home his point.

•Paintings done by the students

done it appeals to the senses. So, instead of having colours on oil on canvass or the like it is done on walls.

It mosaic is done properly it lasts as long as the building is there. That is the difference because where oil on canvass may not last long due to exposure to the weather, mosaic can. Yet, it can be done on any kind of building whether private or public. You can have it on hospital, on schools, on bungalows or storey buildings. The most important thing is that it gives beauty to a building.

It is more advisable to have it on hospital buildings because of its therapeutic nature.

Apart from mosaic, what other form of art do you do?

I specialized in sculpture.

But I am a sculptor and also a muralist. But in all I am an artist and that is what really matters. In school, you go through all and then you specialize in an area you love most or where you feel you can make money. I have been into commissioned works. I did one for Festus Odimegwu, formerly of Nigerian Breweries at his home town in Imo State. I did one in Victoria Island, Lagos, in Calabar, Cross River State. I have one at Margareth Ekpo International Airport, Calabar. They are all sculpture works which adorn these places. They all give me joy when I look around and see the aesthetics they add to the environment and to the society.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Books

25

A research work for all season on comparative study of the use of the English language in various linguistic geographical locations. It is the need to fill this gaping hole in the body of knowledge that inspired the thoroughly scholarly work, Nominal Group in Standard Nigerian and American English,

by Emmanuel Taiwo Babalola, a seasoned scholar whose forte is the very artery of the English language – grammar.

W i t h impressively lucid prose and a superb command of language, the author makes a quality contribution to the development of Standard Nigerian English comparable to the American native Standard

F

OR those who have more than just passing interest in the use of the English language, one of the few most frequently used languages of the world, it is no moot point that many scholars have produced research works that examined the use of the English language in varied human societies across the world, paying serious attention to the rank and roles of the language in the different geographical locations. These scholarly works, some of which focus on the use of the language in the news media, go beyond skirting around such branches of linguistics like psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics and stylistics.

But these works have their limitations in that they mostly focus specifically on either the mother tongue or second language situations.

With their restriction to specific linguistic environments, what we get is little or nothing

English variety. The rare perspective he offers in this comparative study helps to reveal the extent to which the English language used by educated Nigerians is comparable to the variety associated with educated native speakers. What is more engaging about the work is the thorough discussion of the linguistic situation of Nigeria which the author expertly provides. With his conclusion that “the English nominal group has been found to be the grammatical area within the sentence where the potentiality for very versatile and creative use of English can be best achieved”, the author offers invaluable insight into the level of maturity of Standard Nigerian English in comparison to the Standard American native English. Journeying through the worlds of four different prominent news magazines (two each from Nigeria – The Tell and The Newswatch – and the United States of America – The Time and The Newsweek), which

serve as the data for the revealing work, Babalola through his rigorous analysis of some of the essays selected in those news magazines makes it abundantly clear that “standard Nigerian English, in which the nominal group is generally less stylistically exploited and less informative, is clearly yet to attain the same level of syntactic maturity as standard American native English”.

Nominal Group in Standard Nigerian and American English is divided into six chapters, each broken further into smaller units that enable readers to have better understanding of the author’s refreshing analyses. It is a work in which concepts and terms are adequately explained. For instance, Chapter One, entitled “General Introduction”, offers an outline of the book, and explanation of the term “nominal group” which is panoptically explicated in Chapter Three. The former chapter also avails readers of the objectives, the background, and the necessity for the study. The clarity of the justification for the motivation of the study eminently impacts on its credibility. In other words, the viability of the research question of Babalola’s work stands him out as a scholar who strongly loathes any form of acquaintance with intellectual indolence.

Chapter Two equally reveals the intellectual richness and depth of the author. His critical review of relevant scholarly works on the use of English as a native language, the salient distinction between the British and American varieties of English, the concepts of the “Nigerian English” and “Standard Nigerian English”, and the use of the English language in the media, greatly enriches the study. He demonstrates his ability to read and interpret texts closely, and to develop an argument quite clearly. One thing that cannot escape the probing eyes of serious readers of the work is the meaningful panoply of practical demonstrations of what qualifies as relevant literature. How relevant should the pockets of “relevant literatures” assembled for review in a particular study be? This book provides the requisite answer. Indubitably, students who find this aspect of their research works insufferable and punishing have a lot to learn from this aspect of Babalola’s work.

Beyond the outlining of the methodological approach the author used in the overall realization of the work, Chapter Three also

discusses the research data, their collection, the procedures adopted in analyzing them, and the linguistic framework used for the work. All of these are explained with clinical precision.

Such tiresome muddling up that often compete with the loci of commonplace research works has no place in Nominal Group in Standard Nigerian and American English.

The 69 pages of Chapter Four contain the painstaking analysis of the data generated from twenty essays of such columnists like Dare Babarinsa of The Tell magazine, Dan Agbese of The Newswatch, Andrew Purvis of The Time, and Joshua Hammer of The Newsweek. That the author limits himself to the first ten sentences of the five essays from each of the columnists helps to give focus to the work. The analysis carried out here and the discussion of the findings are extremely significant and compelling. This aspect of the wok is a mine of information. The pedagogical skills of the author are fascinatingly brought to bear on the rich discussions resulting from his findings from the data. This is a work that can inspire further interesting research work requiring the assemblage of different data.

While Chapter Five continues the discussion of the previous chapter in dealing essentially with some of the significant stylistic effects of differences in the nominal group structures and structural types in the selected essays, Chapter Six is a brilliant summation of the findings in Chapter Four.

Doubtlessly, scholars, students of English, and even journalists of whatever hue will find this masterful comparative study useful.

Babalola’s research work is for all season – it can be used confidently as stepping stones to further discoveries with regard to the use of Standard English both in Nigeria and in other native-speaker environments like Britain, the United State of America, etc.

Title: Nominal Group in Standard Nigerian and American English (A Systemic Functional Linguistics Description) Author: Emmanuel Taiwo Babalola Page Number: 194 Publisher: VDM Publishing House Ltd, Germany Year of Publication: 2009 Reviewer: Ademola Adesola

Steve Brill’s report card on school reform S

TEVEN Brill is a graduate of Yale Law School and the founder of Court TV, and in his new book, “Class Warfare,” he brings a sharp legal mind to the world of education reform. Like a dogged prosecutor, he mounts a zealous case against America’s teachers’ unions.

From more than 200 interviews, he collects the testimony of idealistic educators, charter school founders, policy gurus, crusading school superintendents and billionaire philanthropists. Through their vivid vignettes, which he pieces together in short chapters with titles like “ ‘Colorado Says Half of You Won’t Graduate’ “ and “A Shriek on Park Avenue,” Brill conveys the epiphanies, setbacks and triumphs of a national reform movement.

Some of his subjects, like Wendy Kopp of Teach for America, are by now household names; others, like Jon Schnur, an adviser to the Clinton and Obama administrations, are more obscure. But in Brill’s telling, they have all come, over some two decades, to distrust or denounce the unions and to promote the same small set of reforms: increasing the number of charter schools and evaluating and improving teacher quality through merit pay and other measures that rely heavily on student test scores.

Throughout, Brill reminds us he’s just an objective reporter. Disinterested, however, is not how he comes across. He recounts an educator’s motto to “teach like your hair’s on fire.” For most of the book, Brill writes like his hair is on fire. His sympathies clearly lie with the unions’ most adamant critics, like Michelle Rhee, the controversial former superintendent of

the District of Columbia public schools, and Joel Klein, the combative exchancellor of the New York City system.

I say this as someone whom Brill might pick for a jury pool. I taught for three years in New York as a charter member of Teach for America and had my own run-ins with the union. (An article I wrote, which praised Kopp’s then--fledgling organization and made some of the same criticisms Brill does, angered my union representative.) This fall, my daughter will be attending public school, and I’ll be teaching at a private, reform--minded urban academy in New Jersey.

Yet, after reading “Class Warfare,” I can’t convict — not least of all because in the book’s final chapter, Brill undercuts much of his witnesses’ prior testimony in an abrupt and jarring about-face. This chapter isn’t wrong. But it underscores a truth Brill spends most of the book trying to avoid: his case is not airtight, and reasonable doubts remain about his subjects’ prescriptions for reform.

Brill’s book grew out of a 2009 New Yorker article about New York’s “rubber rooms,” where some 600 teachers facing disciplinary review had languished, for three years on average, collecting full salaries and accruing pension benefits as their cases snaked through the labyrinthine, contractually mandated system for terminating employees.

Although these men and women represented a minuscule fraction of the city’s 89,000 teachers (and the rubber rooms have since been closed), Brill rightly argues in “Class Warfare” that rules for dismissing ineffective or even grossly negligent teachers are sometimes absurdly

onerous, time consuming and costly to many schools. As he notes, even Albert Shanker, for decades the renowned president of the American Federation of Teachers, used to argue that unions had a vested interest in ridding their ranks of incompetence. Still, until the country’s recent economic collapse, New York’s problem wasn’t just getting rid of teachers; it was also retaining them. Roughly 20 percent quit after their first year alone, and 40 percent after just three years in the system.

Yet Brill wants us to believe that unions are the primary — even sole — cause of failing public schools. But hard evidence for this is scarce. Many of the nation’s worst-performing schools (according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress) are concentrated in Southern and Western right-to-work states, where public sector unions are weakest and collective bargaining enjoys little or no protection. Also, if unions are the primary cause of bad schools, why isn’t labor’s pernicious effect similarly felt in many middle--class suburbs, like Pelham, N.Y., or Montclair, N.J., which have good schools — and strong unions?

More problematic for Brill’s thesis, charter schools, which are typically freed from union rules, haven’t succeeded in the ways their champions once hoped. A small percentage are undeniably superb. But most are not. One particularly rigorous 2009 study, which surveyed approximately half of all charters nationwide and was financed by the pro-charter Walton Family and Michael and Susan Dell Foundations, found that more than 80 percent either do no better, or

actually perform substantially worse, than traditional public schools, a dismal record. The study concluded that “tremendous variation in academic quality among charters is the norm, not the exception.”

Brill obliquely refers to such research in half a sentence. He then counters that other studies have shown better results for charters, without clearly indicating what these studies are or explaining why they should trump a comprehensive, national study. He then points to the “central evidentiary value” of the Knowledge is Power Program, KIPP, the chain of roughly 100 charter schools, founded by two Teach for America alumni, that has produced consistently high student test scores and become a media darling. Yet such exceptions to the rule still don’t explain why, if unions are the crucial variable, a vast majority of charters haven’t equally thrived.

At the heart of Brill’s book is a belief that “truly effective teaching” can “overcome student indifference, parental disengagement and poverty.” For too long, Brill’s reformers argue, union leaders have used such factors to excuse failing teachers protected by tenure. Certainly many adults, not just those in unions, have written off economically disadvantaged or minority students far too readily.

Title: Class Warfare Author: Steven Brill Page Number: 478 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Year of Publication: 2011 Reviewer: Sara Mosle Culled from The New York Times

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Arts

1st Chapter M

ANY years later, as he faced the firing squad Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. At that time Macondo was a village of twenty adobe houses, built on the bank of a river of clear water that ran along a bed of polished stones, which were white and enormous, like prehistoric eggs. The world was so recent that many things lacked names, and in order to indicate them it was necessary to point. Every year during the month of March a family of ragged gypsies would set up their tents near the village, and with a great uproar of the pipes and kettledrums they would display new inventions. First they brought the magnet. A heavy gypsy with an untamed beard and sparrow hands, who introduced himself as Melquiades, put on a bold public demonstration of what he himself called the eight wonder of the learned alchemists of Macedonia.

He went from house to house dragging two metal ingots and everybody was amazed to see pot, pans, tongs, and braziers. tumble down from their places and beams creak from the desperation of nails and

Soul-striking truth This is the rich and lusty story of the rise and fall of the Buendia family. Love and death, war and peace, youth and age -- the noble and stunningly beautyiful story of this family is alive with truth and understanding that strike the soul screws trying to emerge, and even objects that had been lost for a long time appeared from where they had been searched for most and went dragging along in turbulent confusion behind Melquiades’ magical irons. “Things have a life of their own,” the gypsy proclaimed with a harsh accent. “It’s simply a matter of waking up their souls.” Jose Arcadio Buendia, whose unbridled imagination always went beyond the genius of nature and even beyond miracles and magic, thought that it would be possible to make use of that useless invention to extract gold from the bowels of the earth. Melquiade, who was an honest man, warned him: “It won’t work for that.” But Jose Arcadio Buendia at that time did not believe in the honesty of gypsies, so he traded his mule and a pair of goats for the two magnetized ingots.

Ursula Iguaran, his wife who relied on those animals to increase their

poor domestic holdings, was unable to dissuade him. “Very soon we’ll have gold enough and more to pave the floors of the house,” her husband replied. For several months he worked hard to demonstrate the truth of his idea. He explored every inch of the region, even the riverbed, dragging the two iron ingots along and reciting Melquiades’ incantation aloud. The only thing he succeeded in doing was to unearth a suit of fifteenth-century armor which had all of its pieces soldered together with rust and inside of which there was the hollow resonance of an enormous stone-filled gourd. When Jose Arcadio Buendia and the four men of his expedition managed to take the armor apart, they found inside a calcified skeleton with a copper locket containing a woman’s hair around its neck.

In March the gypsies returned. This time they brought a telescope and a

magnifying glass the size of a drum, which they exhibited as the latest discovery of the Jews of Amsterdam. They placed a gypsy woman at one end of the village and set up the telescope at the entrance to the tent. For the price of five reales, people could look into the telescope and see the gypsy woman an arm’s length away. “Science has eliminated distance,” Melquiades proclaimed.

“In a short time, man will be able to see what is happening in any place in the world without leaving his own house.” A burning noonday sun brought out a startling demonstration with the gigantic magnifying glass: they put a pile of dry hay in the middle of the street and set it on fire by concentrating the suns rays. Jose Arcadio Buendia, who had still not been consoled for the failure of his magnets, conceived the idea of using that invention as a weapon of war. Again melquifade tried to dissuade him, but

he finally accepted the two magnetized ingots and three colonial coins in exchange for the magnifying glass, Ursula wept in consternation. That money was from a chest of gold coins that her father had put together over an entire life of privation and that she had buried underneath her bed in hopes of a proper occasion to make use of it. Jose Arcadio Buendia made no atempt to console her, completly absorbed in his

tactical experiments with the abnegation of a scientist and even at the risk of his own life. In an attemp to show the effect of the glass on enemy troops, he exposed himself to the concentration of the sun’s ray and suffered burns which turned into sores that took a long time to heal.Over the protests of his wife, who was alarmed at such a dangrous invention, at one point he was ready to set the house on fire.

Nobel Greats

Dario Fo

Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature 1997 “For his emulation of the jesters of the Middle Ages in scourging authority and upholding the dignity of the downtrodden”

H

Born: 24 March 1926, Leggiuno-Sangiano, Italy Residence at the time of the award: Italy Language: Italian

IS family consisted of: his father Felice, socialist, station master and actor in an amateur theatre company; his mother Pina Rota, a woman of great imagination and talent (in the 1970s her autobiographical account “Il paese delle rane”, telling the history of her home town, was published

by Einaudi); his brother Fulvio and his sister Bianca; and his maternal grandfather, who had a farm in Lomellina, where young Dario spent his childhood vacations.

During Dario’s visits, his grandfather would travel around the countryside selling his produce from a big, horsedrawn wagon. To attract customers he would tell the most amazing stories, and in these stories he would insert news and anecdotes about local events. His satirical and timely chronicles earned him the nickname Bristìn (pepper seed). It was from his grandfather, sitting beside

him on the big wagon, that Dario began to learn the rudiments of narrative rhythm.

Dario spent his childhood moving from one town to another, as his father’s postings were changed at the whim of the railway authorities. But even though the geography remained in a flux, the cultural setting was always the same. As the boy grew, he became schooled in the local narrative tradition. With growing passion, he would sit in the taverns or the piazze and listen tirelessly to the master glass-blowers and fishermen, who - in the oral tradition of the fabulatore would swap tall tales, steeped in pungent political satire.

In 1940 he moved to Milan (commuting from Luino) to study at the Brera Art Academy. After the war, he begins to study architecture at the Polytechnic, but interrupts his studies with only a few exams left to complete his

degree.

Towards the end of the war, Dario is conscripted into the army of the Salo republic. He manages to escape, and spends the last months of the war hidden in an attic store room. His parents are active in the resistance, his father organizing the smuggling of Jewish scientists and escaped British prisoners of war into Switzerland by train; his mother caring for wounded partisans.

At the end of the war, Dario returns to his studies at the Academy of Brera in Milan while attending courses in architecture at the Polytechnic, commuting each day from his home on Lago Maggiore.

1945-41 he turns his attention to stage design and theatre décor. He begins to improvise monologues.

He moves with his family to Milan. Mamma Fo, in order to help her husband put the three children through college, does her best as a shirt-

maker.

For the younger Fos, this is a period of ravenous reading. Gramsci and Marx are devoured along with American novelists and the first translations of Brecht, Mayakovsky and Lorca.

In the immediate postwar years, Italian theatre undergoes a veritable revolution, pushed along mainly by the new phenomenon of piccoli teatri [“small theatres”] that play a key role in developing the idea of a “popular stage”.

Fo is captured by this effervescent movement and proves to be an insatiable theatregoer - even though he usually can’t afford to buy a seat and has to stand through the performances.

Mamma Fo keeps an open mind and an open house for her children’s new acquaintances, among them Emilio Tadini, Alik Cavalieri, Piccoli, Vittorini, Morlotti, Treccani, Crepax, some of them already famous.

Rooney happy with Champions League draw

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Pg. 45

How far can Super Sand Eagles go? Pg. 28

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Osaze fit for Stoke

Pg. 45 •Osaze

Pg. 28

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

NationSport

Osaze fit for Stoke

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

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How far can Super Sand Eagles go?

Tahiti’s warrior men. Despite travelling to Ravenna with the tag of underdogs, they arrive in a blaze of glory and with the wind in their sails, as underlined by captain Naea Bennett: “Before the final we said we would have to be heroes, and I think we were”. So as they prepare to do battle with the greats of the game, the Tiki Toa have the chance to write a bright new chapter in the history of Oceanian beach soccer.

Key players Jonathan Torohia, Naea Bennett, Teiva Izal Qualifying statistics On the qualification trail Tahiti collected two victories, against Fiji and in the final against Solomon Islands, plus one defeat, also against the Solomons. A solid defence and a dangerous forward line formed the bedrock of their campaign, with consistency the added ingredient in their success.

Achievements 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (OFC) Best: WINNERS

By Akeem Lawal

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IGERIA’S national Beach Soccer Team, Super Sand Eagles begins her campaign in this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup against Russia on Friday, September 2nd at the Stadio del Mare in Marina di Ravenna, Italy.

Aside the female teams, the Beach Eagles is perhaps one of the most successful national football teams in the country.

After over three weeks of camping at the Avioje Beach in Badagry, Lagos, 12 out of the 16 players selected by coach Adamu Audu left the shores of the country last Monday for Faro, Portugal, where they are currently putting final torches to their preparation for the World Cup. At the end of their camping in Portugal, only 12 players will make the final cut to the Beach Soccer World Cup as the team is expected to hit Italy on Monday, 29th of this month.

Nigeria have taken part in more FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups than any other African team. The 2011 edition is the Beach Eagles’ fourth campaign, following on from the 2006, 2007 and 2009 instalments.

In the last edition in 2009, Nigeria faced eventual finalists Brazil and Sweden in their opening-round group.

Three of the Nigerians’ five victories in ten matches played came at the 2007 edition, when they won all three of their group games against Argentina, France and United Arab Emirates. The last two of those matches went to penalties.

Team captain, Isiaka Olawale is Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup with nine goals. In each of his country’s three previous campaigns in 2006, 2007 and 2009, Olawale found the net three times.

For record purpose, Nigeria’s Azeez Abu is the youngest player to have taken part in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The Bridge Boys defender made his tournament bow in 2009 against Brazil, aged just 15 years and 169 days.

Nigeria will be campaigning in Group C alongside Russia Tahiti and Venezuela.

Below is the highlight on each team:

NIGERIA The past Nigeria are taking part in their fourth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. At Rio 2006 and the last edition in Dubai in 2009 the Beach Eagles failed to make it past the first stage, despite a clutch of creditable performances and some closely fought games. However, a more impressive performance at Rio 2007 saw them win all three of their group games against the likes of France and Argentina. But it was another South American side, Uruguay, who cut their dream short at the quarter-final stage. In contrast to the last instalment of the global beach soccer showpiece, Nigeria will not be taking part in Ravenna 2011 as continental

VENEZUELA

• Victor Tale of Nigeria leaps over Salah Mohamed of Bahrain during the Group D FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup match between Nigeria and Bahrain in Dubai champions.

The present Built around a core of veterans from the Dubai 2009 campaign, the Nigerian squad arrive in Italy after finishing runners-up in the CAF qualifying tournament held from 16 to 19 June 2011 in Casablanca, Morocco. The Beach Eagles lost the deciding match to Senegal, who have become their arch-adversaries at continental level. Partial consolation came in the form of the top scorers’ crown which went to Isiaka Olawale, whose goals propelled his team to the final.

The future Nigeria are aiming to reassert their supremacy in African beach soccer, after the disappointment of losing the regional final to Senegal. They have a golden opportunity to do so in Ravenna, where head coach Adamu Audu has asked the Nigerian Football Federation to begin the build-up programme slightly earlier than planned, “to prepare us even better for the World Cup, which is a special, much more demanding event.”

Former stars Gabriel Agu, Ifeanyi Onigbo Key player Isiaka Olawale Qualifying statistics Final aside, the Beach Eagles won all their matches in the preliminary tournament, netting 24 goals and conceding 20.

Achievements 2006 Season CAF Beach Soccer Championship: Runner-up

2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Group Stages 2007 Season CAF Beach Soccer Championship: Champions 2007 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Quarterfinals 2009 Season CAF Beach Soccer Championship: Champions 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Group Stages 2011 Season CAF Beach Soccer Championship: Runner-up 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup:

RUSSIA The past Since making their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup debut at Rio 2007, Russia have been Europe’s go-getters, taking giant strides to break into the Old Continent’s elite.

At Marseille 2008 the Russians were thwarted in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Brazil, whereas at the same stage in 2009 in Dubai, an emerging Swiss side proved their undoing in a hardfought contest that went right to the wire.

The present In qualification for Ravenna 2011, Russia steamrollered a path to the semi-finals where they lost by the odd goal to a Portugal team inspired by the irrepressible Madjer. Having savaged Slovakia and Andorra in their opening two matches, the eastern Europeans then conceded an inconsequential

loss to Romania before toying with Turkey in the round of 16. Their ticket to the global showdown was sealed with an 8-4 quarter-final triumph over Spain, in a titanic battle that earned them the moniker “soldiers of the sand.”

The future Having reached the quarter-finals last time around, Russia will not be content with a similar placing this year, eager to confirm their tag as the new continental superpower.

Mikhail Likhachev’s men aim to reach at least the semi-finals, a realistic target considering the unstoppable form of talismanic skipper Ilya Leonov, who was named best player for the second time in the qualifying tournament for Ravenna/Italy 2011.

Key players Ilya Leonov, Dmitry Shishin, Andrey Bukhlitskiy Qualifying statistics In four victories and two defeats on the road to Ravenna, Russia showcased their lethal attacking prowess by firing in 54 goals, 17 more than tournament winners Ukraine.

Achievements 2007 Season EBSL Superfinal, Marseille, France: 3rd Place EBSL Regular Phase Event, Tignes, France: Champions EBSL Regular Phase Event, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy: Champions 2008 Season ESBL Regular Phase Event, Tignes, France: Champions (beaten

France 8–3 in the final) 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Plage du Prado, France: 6th place 2009 Season Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal winners 2010 Season Euro Beach Soccer Cup winners 2011 Season 2011 Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal winners

TAHITI The past It should come as no surprise that beach soccer is played on the stunning shores of French Polynesia’s largest island, and in some style too. Nevertheless, and despite the promise shown by the Tiki Toa or “Warrior Men”, as the national team are known, the discipline is still in its infancy in Tahiti.

The present On 26 February in the idyllic setting of Papeete, Tahiti defied all expectations by wresting the OFC trophy from perennial champions Solomon Islands, thereby booking their ticket to Ravenna 2011. Just a day earlier in the group stage, Fabrice Marchand’s men had been soundly beaten by the same Bilikiki team. It was a whole different story in the decider, however, when the Tahitians revealed a hitherto unseen compactness and fighting spirit to win an absorbing finale that had goals right from the first minute.

The future The future is in the making for

45

The past South America has always been represented by the triumvirate of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup until this year that is, with the Venezuelans breaking through to reach the world finals for the first time in their history.

The present Drawing on a blend of experienced players and new faces, La Vinotinto were the revelations of the South American qualifying competition, held on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach. After clinching second place in Group A and a semi-final slot, they trumped fellow over-achievers Colombia 5-2 in the match for third place to seal a berth at Ravenna 2011.

The future Qualification for the world finals is an achievement in itself for Venezuelan beach soccer, which is building on the progress made by the country’s other national football teams. Drawn into Group C with Nigeria, Russia and Tahiti, the South American new boys, coached

by Robi Cavallo, have set a quarterfinal place as their target.

Key players Centeno, Miguel, Gianluca Qualification statistics Venezuela were handed a stern assignment when they were drawn in the same qualifying section as Peru, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil.

Despite falling to an expected defeat against the reigning world champions and losing on penalties to the Paraguayans, victories over Peru and the fancied Chileans took them through to the last four. Defeat followed to Argentina, but Cavallo’s men recovered to beat Colombia and secure third place at the tournament and with it a ticket to Italy.

Achievements 2000 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Best: Fifth place 2011 CONMEBOL Beach Soccer Championship Best: Third Place

• Shola

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HE Ameobis, Shola and Sammy have been listed in the league clash against Fulham, though elder sibling, Shola may be doubtful according to information gathered from club's web site as he picked up a hip injury.

For younger Ameobi, Sammy his Carling Cup form is a added advantage, coming from the youth side to score a major goal may have helped to break into the first team at Newcastle, as he looks forward to top flight action this season.

With Kick- off time put at 1pm, Newscastle will seek to get their second win of the season, having picked four points from two games which has placed them in the 7th position on the table behind Chelsea.

Defender Joey Barton will unlikely be missing also from the squad that will engage Fulham today as he considers his future.

The 28-year-old has this week undergone a medical at QPR, but is yet to agree to join the promoted club, and manager Alan Pardew does not believe he would be in the right frame of mind to play.

For compatriot Dickson Etuhu, just one point from two matches is not a good start for him and his

Shola Ameobi doubful • Etuhu likely to play Fulham teammates, they will be going full blast against the Toons to correct their poor stake off.

Left out of the Super Eagles list to face Madagascar in the African Cup of Nations and the international friendly against Argentina, Etuhu

C

• Villa-Boas

will be fully concentrated on clubs assignment wiith Fulham to fight for the first maximum points.

With Bobby Zamora and John Arne Riise injured, and coming from their Europa League defeat to Dnipro Friday night, Fulham may not have it too easy edging out the in-form Newcastle side.

may provide the needed tonic for West Bromwich Albion.

The home side are already on a two-game losing streak, going down to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively in the opening weeks, but for Manager Roy Hodgson only a win will make the difference.

The Potters, meanwhile, will hope their Europa League qualification success - a victory over FC Thun on Thursday - will help boost the lukewarm start to their English campaign.

In team news ahead of the clash, Baggies boss Hodgson will have to decide whether to replace the impressive Shane Long with fit-again Peter Odemwingie up front in attack or play both players.

However, today's tussle comes too soon for Zoltan Gera, the midfielder not yet recovered from ankle surgery to return to training.

Tony Pulis will be pleased with the return of Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington, the duo rejoining the Potters squad having both been suspended for the Staffordshire outfit's midweek European triumph.

Jermaine Pennant and Rory Delap will face late fitness tests for the trip, the former withdrawn in the second half of Thursday's game as a precaution while the latter is fighting a hamstring problem.

Sammy Ameobi: Carling Cup goal a dream come through

S

AMMY Ameobi had a dream sub appearance on Thursday, and looked very good out on the left wing, and then he scored a terrific winner for the Magpies with his right foot.

Sammy looks like he may be the real thing and at only 19 years old, he still has lots of time to improve, but don’t be surprised if Shola’s younger brother gets a run-out today afternoon against Fulham, because of his great play where he was able to open up the Scunthorpe defense.

And don’t forget before he scored Sammy had made two great runs down the left wing and centered the ball across the goal only for Dan Gosling and then Leon Best to miss the

Barca won't worry us if we meet, says Villa-Boas HELSEA have what it takes to beat Barcelona, if they eventually find the European champions barring their way in this year's Champions League, accord-

UPER Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie has been declared fully fit by club officials for the redemption clash against Stock City today at home.

The Nigerian internatinal, coming from a nagging ankle strain came in as a substitute against Chelsea in their second league game after missing out in the first match aginst defending Champions, Manchestar United.

Though his effort against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was not good enough to earn his side any point, Osaze will be determined to re-enact his last season's performance when he scooped 15 goals to finish as club's highest scorer.

At the Hawthorns today with both sides in pursuit of their first Premier League win of the season, Osaze's combination with new boy Long,

ing to the boss.

Pep Guadiola's team had an air of invincibility about them in winning this year's competition and they will be the team to avoid in the knockout stages.

But Villas-Boas says there would be no reason to fear them.

“Games can be very unpredictable,” he said.

“I think the [credentials] of Barca is there for everybody to see. Apart from the year when they missed out on the final against Inter Milan, at the moment they are the reference for everybody in terms of quality, in terms of titles. But in two legs, anything can happen.

“You have to believe in what you do and believe in the players that you have. We have top players, so it doesn't mean that it cannot happen for us as well.

You can't measure how far ahead they are, but in any single game, anything can happen.

“We have been present in the Champions League throughout – in semi-finals and a final in past years, but we want to have that breakthrough hopefully this year or in the future.

“Chelsea can beat any team in the world. If I don't believe this, I have to quit the game.”

easiest of chances.

“It was a great experience.” “It was my first Carling Cup game, and to score the winner was a dream come true really.”

“Hopefully, I can build on that.” “The manager just asked me to get on the ball, attack and cause havoc.” “It was a great free-kick from Ryan and it was good for me to get the winning goal.”

“I just cut on to my left foot and I thought I had to hit it.” “You never know what can happen.” “As soon as I hit it, I thought it was going in and when it went in it was a great feeling.”

“It was a great goal to score.” “I could barely breathe on the floor – they were all just piling on top of me!” “There is a great team spirit and hopefully we can take this winning mentality into the Fulham game.”

“I just want to do my best every chance I get and work my hardest.” “I just want to make a difference when I come on, and it was good for the boss

to see what I can do.”

After Sammy’s performance last night he will get more chances, and we look forward to see him get a sub appearance in the second half on Sunday afternoon, and a win against Fulham would make it three wins in a row, so that’s what we’re hoping for on today.

Take another look at Sammy’s great goal last night.

Fulham played in the Ukraine last night and were beaten 1-0 at Dnipro, but still advanced in the Europa Cup, so Newcastle may be a little tired today, but there again, Fulham had a lot more travelling to do for their game.

We will expect a Newcastle win on today, in a game that is again being televised around the world, and if we get the win, things will be buzzing again on Tyneside, despite the negativity around the place, because Joey Barton may be leaving the club.

Rooney happy with Champions League draw

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AYNE Rooney admits he 'can't wait' for the UEFA Champions League to start again after Manchester United were handed a kind looking draw.

United have reached the final in three of the past four seasons but, after beating Chelsea in 2008, were comprehensively outclassed by Barcelona in 2009 and last term.

The draw for the group phase for this season's competition was made on Thursday and United will meet Benfica, Basel and Otelul Galati.

The Red Devils will be expected to comfortably progress to the last 16 and Rooney is eager to get back into European action.

"I think the draw is a good draw for us," tweeted Rooney. "I can't wait for the Champions League to start again."

History United's first game will be away to Benfica on 14th September and defender Rio Ferdinand is expecting a tough test against the Portuguese giants.

Ferdinand commented: "It's a decent draw. Benfica is a tough place to go from past experience - there's great history

between our clubs. Basel and Galati here we come!"

Red Devils striker Michael Owen was also satisfied with the draw and believes winning the three games at Old Trafford will be important.

• Rooney

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011

Big Brother Africa

does not add value to Africans –Former beauty pageant organiser, Dr. Emelia Akpa Dr. Emelia Akpa is the President of the AmericanNigerian International Chamber of Commerce (ANICC). A former beauty pageant organiser in the United States, she is also the owner of a medical institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The beautiful young woman, who was in the country recently to establish a liaison office for ANICC as well as help nurses who intend to work and live in the US to achieve their dreams, spoke with Victor Oluwasegun on her mission and private life Continued on Page 32

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

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Glamour

BBA has no African value Continued from page 29

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OR Owerri, Imo State-born Emelia Akpa, who is the current President of the AmericanNigerian International Chamber of Commerce (ANICC), her long stay in the United States of America has not, in anyway, diminished her love for her country of origin and the desire to assist fellow Nigerians who dream to work in the United States.

For someone, who had her entire pursuits in the US, crowing it with a PhD degree, her strong attachment to Nigeria is quite a surprise to many people. But Akpa does not see this as a big deal. She quips, “Beside the fact Nigeria is my country, it is also a place with immense opportunities and what I'm doing is contribute my little quota to the country's development.''

On her consistent visits to Nigeria, she says: “I have been coming often. I was here last December to February. I have been coming here for the past 15 years on a medical mission, half of which took place in the South East. I also run the American-Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce.

Most times, my visits here are basically to let people know that we exist and see how we can collaborate with agencies and ministries in Nigeria.

Explaining her decision to establish a medical institute in the United States, Akpa said she took the step when she realized that a window of opportunity existed in that specialized area.

She added, “I started out having my own pharmacy. What we did was that

we had a place which was mainly the sister nursing home where we sell and repackage drugs and also I was at the consulting table. But you have to be trained and certified as a nursing assistant to work in this home and when we saw the lack of manpower of CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), it encouraged me to open up a school for that category of medical personnel. So from opening a CNA school for CNA back in 2003, we included other programmes in the Institute. In US, before one could actually set foot in a medical facility and assist the doctor, you need to be trained and certified or licensed and in so many different areas.”

So, specifically, what is Mrs. Akpa doing in Nigeria this time around? “I am here to offer the services we provide at the medical institute and train people.

But I have heard a few people tell me that I know so much about the international nursing examination, and that they want deep knowledge about it and that even most of those who manage to do the qualifying exam failed. So coming from our teaching institution, we thought that it will be a great idea to put a package together whereby we can help facilitate their whole processing, including their study guide and all that. Hopefully, because we are familiar with the system, at least we can help achieve a higher success rate and more people will know more about it.

“Fortunately for us, the exam used to be held only in Ghana, but now thanks to the examining body, we have

about six testing sites here in Nigeria.

We felt it will be a great idea to let Nigerians know that this service is available by CNA medical institute based in Atlanta, Georgia. We are hoping it will serve three purposes: one being you can be given a green card to live in the United States. Second, with the green card, their families can come to US and go to school and this might encourage them to go to nursing school knowing such an opportunity is available. And thirdly and more importantly, is that once some of our nurses have gone abroad and have seen how the protocol of practice is, they can come and give back to the country either by teaching, or setting up their own facilities to re-train nurses. In that way, it may help impact positively on our health care practice here because it is unfortunate that we are number one or two in the world with the worst health care service.

On what the purpose of setting up a liaison office for ANICC in Nigeria is, she explained, “The organisation is such that we are the only chamber that encourages American, Nigerian and other international bodies to join the organization and be able to engage in technology transfer, information transfer, partnering and what have you.

The liaison office will follow the same pattern. We have been getting quite a few people go online and want to join us and many of them from Nigeria who don't actually have access or someone to talk to about the chamber and office to visit, the liaison office will attend to their enquiries. And also to continue

doing what we do which is organizing seminars, workshops and information services, we encourage trade facilitation between the two countries.''

On the distinction between the American-Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce and the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Akpa said, “Ours is the American-Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce duly registered in the US since 1999 and our main objective is to encourage business and trade relationship. We are trying to encourage the Americans to come to Nigeria and do business without fear.''

Speaking on the difficulties encountered by Nigerians to get foreign investors finance their businesses, Akpa disclosed that this should not pose any challenge if people follow the right procedures. She said, “anyone can attract a foreign investor if you prepare a solid business plan. It involves what you do, what the return of investment is and your forecast. I think understanding what will really attract investors would be what our people here in Nigeria should be looking for. It is different in other countries, but in America, they look for a good business plan, which is one of the services we want to bring here. Actually writing a business plan that would attract investors to fund your business is what we are trying to teach here.''

On the home front, Akpa is not faring badly. “I met my husband, a Nigerian, in the US. “I think I got the best of both worlds through my parents. I got great things America could offer and also great things Nigeria could offer. So, I can fit into both systems easily. I met my husband in America through different seminars and workshops we attended and we have three kids.''

Shedding light on how she got involved in organising the Africa-USA beauty pageant in the past, Akpa said, “I had a Cameroonian lady who wanted to launch her Africa-USA pageant.

Someone recommended that she should consult me because I also do a lot of event planning and promotion in the US. So, the lady contacted me and I ended putting everything together for her. It was a competition for winner for a preliminary event, so it included all the African countries. Sometimes, we have up to 20 to 30 countries competing.

I train these ladies on how to walk, talk and how to be very natural about it. I enjoyed it, but it was very demanding.”

Asked of her opinion about the popular Big Brother Africa show, Akpa had nothing but knocks for the reality show. “BBA has not added any value to Africa. It means nothing to me. If people say it is a form of entertainment, then so be it, but I'm the wrong person to be asked that.''

Is Akpa a religious person? “Yes I am. My religious conviction makes me think straight. I am a Catholic. I grew up in very strict Catholic home and I would want my children to grow up in a strong religious path but not necessarily Catholic. It is only a strong religious conviction that keeps one straight in this world.''

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

–an eye on celebrities and society people

By Patience Saduwa

B

Y the time you are reading this, sultry Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson might have gotten married to her heartthrob Prince Odianosen Okojie. We say might because the wedding plans have been trailed by controversy for the past couple of weeks with claims that the fiancé had contracted a marriage earlier with another lady, who is based in Canada.

Expectedly, because of the actress's celebrity status, the rumour mill has been in overdrive with all kinds of comments from olofofos, amebos, aprokos and other members of the busybody club of Nigeria on whether Mercy should go ahead with the wedding or not.

However, a statement from the fiancé a couple of days ago made it clear that the wedding will go ahead, though not on the lavish scale originally planned.

Perhaps, this is to avoid it being disrupted by a women's group, Society for Nigeria Women, which had purportedly written a letter to the church where the wedding was scheduled to take place, threatening to disrupt the ceremony. All this drama was definitely not what the actress had in mind when she began wedding plans some months ago.

Most little girls dream of growing up to meet a 'prince charming' who will sweep her off her feet, walk down the aisle with her and 'they will live happily ever after.' But as this actress must have found out, such things (particularly the 'happily ever after' part), only happen in fairytales or in the make-believe world of movies, a place the actress should be familiar with as a major player in Nollywood.

Indeed, her rise in the industry has been truly meteoric, a situation helped no doubt by her talent as well as what an admirer referred to as her traffic-stopping 'killer curves.'

This is hoping the scandal surrounding her nuptials won't affect her 'reigning queen' position in the industry.

Actresses and foreign-based guys This is not the first time a Nollywood actress is facing this kind of controversy. We remember that about two years ago, actress Ini Edo's wedding plans were almost jeopardised by a lady who claimed Ini's fiancé was engaged to her.

There have been several cases like that involving other actresses in the past. This has left observers wondering why these thespians, with all that they have going for them- looks, fame, some talent etcalways love to get involved with men with a whole lot of baggage of wives (or ex-wives), girlfriends, concubines and children. Besides, many seem to get married only to foreign-based guys. What happened to all the local, eligible bachelors in the country? Are they not good enough? Or are the men scared to get close to these ladies because of their high-profile lifestyles? Whatever.

Anyway, the lesson from this case is that these actresses need to look very carefully, shine their eye, well well before getting into relationships in future. Being in the public eye due to the nature of their job, whatever they do is scrutinized by many who love to stick their nose in the artists’ business.

It was the same sentiments expressed by actor and comedian Victor Osuagwu who advised these actresses to 'look before they leap' when it comes to matters of the heart. As he said: As he said “I think it's high time the ladies set a standard for themselves also and think well. They should know that marriage is a lasting thing not something one should rush into. You have to know the person you want to marry very well.” Enough said.

08023201831(sms only)

Mercy's nuptials

A fairytale gone wrong?

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Glamour

Social Fola Daniel, Insurance Commissioner goes tough

Celebrity Gospel singer, Roseline Jacobs to mark birthday at orphanage home

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OSPEL celebrity singer, Roseline Jacobs has perfected plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday in some of the orphanages in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to her, her love for the less-privileged informed her decision to celebrate her birthday with the children in orphanage home. The pretty gospel crooner, whose songs are enjoying generous airtime in leading radio stations told Social Circuits that she is going to be a year older in a few days time. “I intend to spend quality time with orphans in order to show them love. That is my desire. Seeing the children happy is enough birthday present for me,” she said. However, one question that many are asking is if Roseline is also a seer. Reason? Social Circuits learnt that she told her friends a few days ago that she had a dream that there would be a bomb blast in the FCT, and barely 48 hours after, the United Nations Building blast occurred. She said naturally, this had many people calling her to let her know that what was revealed to her had happened. Should we now call her Josephine? Can she see if we will have peace and stead electricity soon? And lest we forget, how old is Roseline now?

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OLA Daniel the re-appointed Commissioner for Insurance may not provide the businessas-usual kind of leadership that one finds all over the country, he is however hailed as one man that has the political will to make things happen in the Insurance sector. For those who need to know, Fola Daniel has vowed to go tough on some certain fraudulent Nigerians who are causing problems in the insurance sector. He is presently interested in halting the practise whereby licensing offices issue fake insurance policies. Daniel, told Social Circuit that the recent raids of licensing offices in Kano, Lagos and Abuja will be a child's play compared to what will happen soon. “We are going to raid many more licensing offices across the country. And anyone we arrest will be prosecuted,” he said .

Muyiwa Adejokun, Deputy Clerk NASS, wife celebrate new baby

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HE Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Muyiwa Adejokun and his beautiful wife, Kehinde recently had cause to rejoice when they named their new baby boy, Olumuyiwa. The event, which took place at Ajah, near Lekki in Lagos State last Sunday saw many of the DCNA's friends flying in from Abuja.

According to some friends of the celebrants who were at the event, the couple were full of thanksgiving that the baby boy is in a very good state. They were also said to be pleasantly surprised that many friends, family members and well-wishers honoured them by attending the event at short notice. Quite a sizeable number of staff of the National Assembly were also on hand to celebrate with the Adejokuns.

Is Orelekan Runsewe at large?

A Son of the Chief Of Staff to Niger State Governor, Muhammed Kuta Yahaya Jnr. (L) his mum, Hajara during his passing out ceremony from the Nigeria Military School, Zaria recently.

T the moment, the question on the lips of youths in politics in the country is where is Ijebu-Ode born Orelekan Runsewe? The young businessman and politician is one of the well-read, young and dynamic professionals who believe that the country should not be ruled by loafers and miscreants who were elevated into political positions by sycophancy, bootlicking and eye service, but by professionals, intellectuals and thinkers who have other kinds of work experiences than politics. Lekan, who is member of the Abuja-based “Nigerian Professionals Monitoring Politics” has always been of the belief that such quality of people can bring their different mindsets into the political process of making Nigeria evolve into a place where positive dreams can be achieved. Friends of Orelekan are said to be seriously considering putting out a tracer on the young consultant on Information Systems and data management contracts, who had once consulted for some committees at the National Assembly. Orelekan was last known to have worked at the top management level in Young & Bailey, an International Enterprise Content Management Company.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Glamour

35

Toyin Alakiu moves on

Nkechi Okocha goes calm

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F

ORMER Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin (Jay Jay) Okocha, and his wife Nkechi are, without a doubt, one of the most loveable couples in the Lagos social firmament. The couple, who exchanged marital vows over 10 years ago, have made their mark especially in the social scene after the former Bolton Wanderers of England captain quit active football. The former and the latter unarguably rank among the best dressed pair in this part of town. At any function they attend, the couple are always dressed to their hilt. It is no news that Nkechi was more visible on the social scene as opposed to her husband. Just before No.10, a fun spot owned by Okocha was shut down to accommodate an overhaul of its exterior and interior, Nkechi was one of those who saw to its smooth operation. In recent times, however, Nkechi has been missing from the scheme of things. Not only is she barely visible at functions these days, she also seems to have taken a back seat at No. 10, though she is still one of the flower girls of high society.

O say Toyin Alakiu is a happy woman at the moment is to state the obvious. Toyin's joy stems from her eventual separation from her husband, Tayo, about a year ago and she's been over the moon after she dumped her husband like a bad habit. Tayo, a veteran socialite, was a kind of albatross around Toyin's neck. Toyin, the proprietress of Fresh Looks, a popular beauty parlour, has had a running battle with her fun-loving hubby for some time, but was forced to endure his roaming eyes, hoping that the man would change his ways. When that was not to be and there were no signs that he was going to turn a new leaf, she decided to call it quits. Right now, she is presently breathing the fresh air of freedom. Tayo is a very popular man in the Lagos social mileu. His place on the social ladder was further amplified by Fuji music star, K1 De Ultimate, who many years ago dedicated a track in his one albums eulogizing the America returnee's deep pockets and social prowess. His wife was not spared the musical onslaught either. Presently, the news filtering in from the household of the streetwise businessman is that he and his estranged wife have gone their separate ways. Apparently, their well celebrated marriage has run its full course.

Monsuru Owolabi serenades friends

I

F there is something that cannot be taken away from Hon. Monsuru Alao Owolabi, the House of Representatives member representing Lagos Mainland in the National Assembly, it is his affinity with the grassroots. Ever since the hardworking man won the election to represent Lagos Mainland at the National Assembly, the federal constituency has witnessed a great transformation.

The ACN chieftain with a simple and unassuming demeanour after spending just four months in the National Assembly has brought smiles to the faces of the masses in his constituency. During this fasting season, he displayed his magnanimity by distributing foodstuffs to Muslim faithful in his constituency. Presently, those in

the know have revealed that the lawmaker is planning to host friends and family members at the end of the fasting season this week. SC further gathered that ELECTABLE lady cobbler, Tosin Dekalu, is currently off the social top ACN chieftains, socialites, radar. Many have been wondering as to the beautiful dark-skinned fashionistas, politicians, and lady's whereabouts, especially since she has some unfinished busimembers of his constituency will be there to celebrate with ness with society watchers. A few years ago, news made the rounds that the shoe lady was in a steamy romance with Emeka Odogwu, son of billionaire one of their own. businessman, Chief Sunny Odogwu. Since the story broke about three years back, friends and fans of the duo have been watching and listening intently for wedding bells, but the wait seems to be in vain as LOT of people like to call Mobowale while the relationship Biobaku “Mobos�, and that is because of the has been confirmed, success she has recorded after opening her mum is what has been fashion store many years ago. With posh outlets heard. Many would in different parts of Lagos, MOBOS is one shop remember Tosin as the that caters for the needs of the high and very talented entrepremighty, even as there is no denying the fact neur who learnt the shoe that Biobaku has made a fortune from the business as a teenager venture. That business has been good may from her mother, and have informed this hardworking young went further to carve a woman to open another multi-million niche for herself in the outlet in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. In cobbler trade. Right spite of it all, not a few people commend now, the dazzling power Biobaku's humility, which easily endears dresser seems to have her to many. Her in-depth knowledge of retreated into her trends is also a plus, as she is one socialite cocoon, leaving all wonwho has a dress sense equal to none. Fun dering where she is. loving and unpretentious, Biobaku easily While some speculate shies away from the limelight, yet you can't that she has taken a step miss her in a crowd. Her sterling qualities back from the social guarantee that. A celebrity reporter's arena, others believe she favourite any day, she has earned her place in the social firmament. A-listers trust her has gone into hibernaimplicitly, and it is common place to see them as part of her clientele. When it comes to tion to plan for a much dressing well, Mobowale sure holds the magic wand. awaited wedding.

Where is Tosin Dekalu?

D

Mobowale Biobaku's latest moves

A

KAYODE ALFRED

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

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Glamour

Style, panache as Kehinde Kamson celebrates at 50 S

HE is generally acknowledged as one of Nigeria's most accomplished businesswomen. For Mrs Kehinde Kamson, the vivacious boss of fast food giant, Sweet Sensation, it was a day to celebrate a life, laden with triumphs and multiple successes. For years, she had looked forward to this day with a suppressed anxiety. And as the D- day approached, her anxiety became even more palpable. Of course, she had countless reasons to celebrate her golden jubilee. Beside nurturing an infant company to the enviable status of a household brand, Kamson is also Mr and Mrs Kamson at the church service counting her blessings on the homefront.

Penultimate weekend, all roads led to the Methodist Church of The Trinity, Lagos, where friends, associates and family members had gathered for a thanksgiving service to mark the 50th birthday of Kehinde Kamson. The church was filled to the brim. The celebrator-accompanied by her husband and four children-all gaily dressed, was evidently on cloud 9, as she was moved by the sheer number of guests who had come to felicititate with her.

From the church, the celebration train moved in full throttle to the rave event centre, Harbour Point on Victoria Island, Lagos, where a well attended reception took place. That Kamson is a woman of means was proved beyond reasonable doubt as nothing was spared to make her guests comfortable.

With Yewande Zaccheus' event company, eventfully in charge of planning and proceedings, nothing short of a grand outing was achieved.

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L-R: Folorunsho Alakija and Mrs Sola Adeoti

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Adefuluire (middle) and Mr and Mrs Muiz Banire Banire

L-R: Dr. Doyin Abiola and Mrs Teni Aofiyebi

Celebrator, Kehinde Kamson, at the reception

L-R: Ms Lola Adefusika and Otunba Alex Onabanjo

Hon & Mrs Ogunnisi

Mr Bolaji Balogun & wife, Bola

L-R: Mrs Joko Bamiro, Mrs Jibike Onigbanjo and Mrs Funmi Smith

L-R: Dr Ona Ekhomu and Senator Olorunnibe Mamora

L-R: Mrs Ronke Ayuba and Mrs Folake Lapite

L-R: Oba Adedapo Tejuosho Oloris-Labisi, Omolara and Yetunde

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Glamour with Patience Saduwa

Lifestyle Health Nutrition Fitness

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

•Besides being a haven of peace, the home can also be a breeding ground for bacteriacausing germs responsible for many serious infections and diseases.

How germs in the home can affect your health (1) W

hile your home may be your haven of peace and relaxation, it could also be the centre of germs and bacteria. Most times, cleaning and moping only gets rid of surface dirt and grime. To really destroy the germs that cause a number of ailments will require the use of disinfectants and other cleaning agents.

Different sections of the home harbour germs but the most germprone include the kitchen, bathroom and everyday household appliances and furnishings such as the refrigerator, carpets, door knobs, TV remotes, countertops and cutting boards, tooth brush holder, kitchen sinks, toilet bowl and seat, pet bowl, among others. Findings from a survey conducted by NSF International titled, 'Germiest Places in the Home 2011' and

released recently, revealed misconceptions about which household items had the most germs.

Items found in the bathroom were most frequently ranked by survey respondents as being perceived to be the germiest items in the home; however the swab analysis revealed that kitchen items actually had higher germ counts than bathroom items. For example, kitchen items such as the coffee maker reservoirs, countertops and stove knobs actually had higher germ counts than bathroom items, such as the bathroom door knob and light switch.

The findings indicate that there are common misconceptions about where the highest concentration of germs are found in the home. NSF International, an independent public health and safety organization, conducted a swab analysis of

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FROM MY MAILBOX 30 everyday household items in 22 different homes and found that the germiest place in the home is the kitchen, while many people perceive the bathroom to be the room with the most germs.

The study was conducted in an effort to identify germ 'hot spots' in the home.

NSF microbiologists measured the levels of yeast, mold, coliform bacteria (a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. coli and is an indicator of potential fecal contamination) and Staph bacteria.

Surprisingly, the data showed that the germiest item in the kitchen - the germiest overall room in the house - was actually the sponge, ironically the item frequently used to clean dishes and countertops.

"Sponges pick up bacteria during the cleaning process and are typically not properly - or regularly - sanitized before their next use," explained Dr. Rob Donofrio, Director of Microbiology at NSF International and lead researcher for the study. "Additionally, sponges are often wet and left in damp areas in or near the sink, providing optimal conditions for germ growth. They also have many nooks and crannies which can be great places for germs to multiply.”

Adapted from NSF Newsletter •(To be continued next week)

“Please I need wild yam cream” Hi, Patience, Thanks for your article in 'The Nation' titled, 'Wonder hormone for women's health.' I found it very informative and useful. Your 'Wellbeing' column is one of the reasons my family buys your paper every Sunday. Please I want to know how I can get the wild yam cream featured in your article. I need it and I will be grateful if you can direct me to where I can get it to buy. I live in Enugu. Thanks.

Mercy Since the story came out a few weeks ago, I've been inundated with calls and sms from readers on how they can get the cream. I made enquiries at some pharmacies in town but they didn't have it. Maybe you can try to get it online. And anyone with an idea of how one can get the cream and other health products such as cranberry juice, dandelion and garlic tablets that many readers have been asking for should please get in touch with me through sms or email. Thanks.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Relationship

Questions and Responses • Continued from last week I just read your article “Fact or Fiction”. It is really insightful. God bless you.

Thank you and keep reading.

Your write-up, entitled “Fact or Fiction” refers, especially paragraph one. Were you reading books written by Nigerians based on our environment? Please match your essays with situations we can identify with, especially for our uncritical kids. If you must lift a story then change things to agree with what can easily be seen.

This is a rather interesting perspective. I am someone who is passionate about Nigeria. As a Nigerian author who has written up to twenty books of various titles, I definitely encourage adults and children to read books written by Nigerian authors. However, we would be doing our children a disservice if we limit their exposure to books written by Nigerian authors alone. The children of this present generation will compete with other children on a global scale. The earlier we expose them to a wider knowledge about the world at large the better. Yes when I was growing up we had a curriculum in primary school where we read books like Alawiye, but we also read foreign books like Janet and John. I know that people went to different schools back then (late sixties and seventies) but I have noticed that parents who exposed their children to many books, afforded their children a better opportunity. Some of the children I grew up with now live in different nations of the world and I can say that most of them are doing well.

It is easy to prepare our children for a life within Nigerian, but we must go a step further and prepare them to live anywhere in the world. That way, these children can be the best wherever they find themselves in future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue.

Please what do I do, whenever I see my boyfriend around a girl, I am the jealous type that cannot bear such an insult.? Besides, is there any way a guy can claim he loves a girl whereas he still womanizes? Please help me because I love him but I would not want to be fooled by any guy.

A man who loves a lady will devote himself to her. A man who womanizes is not demonstrating

Relationship Deola Ojo 08027454533 (text) pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Re- Fact or Fiction love or commitment to the lady he is in love with. Some men have various reasons why they have more than one girlfriend. A man who has been jilted before may feel that he is better off having two or three girlfriends at the same time. He assumes that it is possible for one of them to break up with him, so that if one jilts him, he has one or two other ladies left. A man may also feel that these ladies are just his friends and that if he has not decided to marry any of them, it is okay to have as many girlfriends as he fancies. Some people would even advice a man to have more than one girlfriend and that a man who has just one girlfriend is not a real man. We need to define relationships. Dating, going out, as well as having boyfriend/girlfriend, are all supposed to be a prelude to marriage. The problem arises when one person just wants to have fun, free sex, or the company of someone of the opposite sex, and the other person is thinking of a relationship that leads to marriage. This is the dilemma in a lot of relationships. A guy may be thinking of having a girlfriend because all his friends have girlfriends and mock him because he does not have a babe. A guy in his late teens or early twenties may not be ready for a serious relationship.

But his friends and family members may think that there is something wrong with him if he does not have a lady he hangs out with.

He may be pressured into a relationship by his peers but he does not have marriage on his mind.

Such men may not really be taking any relationship serious. If this is the case with your boyfriend, there is no point getting yourself hurt.

Just realize that he is not really interested in a serious relationship.

If you are interested in a serious relationship, you may need to look for a man who is likeminded.

I am a girl of 19, my boyfriend has been asking me for sex since two years of friendship. I am a vir-

gin and I do not want it now, but he fails to understand. I do not want to lose him. Please help me.

From as early as JSS 1, boys and girls start writing love letters to one another. They may profess undying love, but many of them are just having what they consider to be innocent fun. A guy of thirteen who had a girlfriend in his school said he had just ditched her because he had heard that she was planning to ditch him and he decided to beat her to it. At this stage of his life, he is certainly not thinking of marriage but feels that it is cool to have a girlfriend. At nineteen, you may not be planning to get married for another four years.

It is important that you keep your virginity until you get married. A man who cannot take no for an answer does not respect you. It is normal for a man to desire sex and noble for a man to restrain himself.

Love waits, if he really loves you the way you love him, he will wait for you. explain to him that you love him, but your virginity is a gift you plan to give to your husband when you get married. Tell him that you hope he can wait until you give him this special package on your honeymoon. If he tells you that it is impossible for any man to wait that long, let him know that many men have done that and he can do it too. By the way, at nineteen there is no proof that this man will ultimately marry you. Please keep your virginity and do not allow him to pressure you to give away something so precious.

I need help from you about relationship. I do not know what to do or how to get into a relationship.

Please tell me what to do, I need help seriously. Thanks.

You start by making friends with a group of people. This group should include both ladies and men. The first prerequisite to having a good relationship is being a good friend. Please order for my books ‘Are you ready to fall in love’

Ms. Esther Gbabo recently got hitched to Mr. John Hunter in Aberdeen Scotland.

and ‘Give me a spouse or I die’.

I have a girl I recently sought for a relationship with. She gave a response that she has heard my request for a relationship and that she is getting to know me. I called her twice every day, I took her on a date twice and she took me to her house and left me at the gate, without even offering me water. She answers my calls as if I am bothering her, although she debunked that, she hardly calls me and that is the concern, because I believe that it should be a two way thing and not a one way relationship.

Kindly advice.

You need to give this relationship some time. You mentioned that you went on a date twice. This indicates that this is a very new relationship. You do not know why the lady did not invite you into her home. While you may assume that it is because she does not like you, there may be so many other reasons. This lady has told you that she is still getting to know you. You really cannot afford to appear petty. She may think that you need to show that you really love her before she starts expressing her affection for you. I would advise you to continue to woo her. Re-

member the adage that says ‘the man that wants to eat the honey in the rock must not regard the axe edge.’

I have been in a relationship with this girl since 1999. But my problem is that she is a muslim. But I love her and she loves me too. But I do not trust her anymore. And since we started dating I have not asked her for sex and she herself has not offered. Could it be that she is doing it outside with another man?

Please I need your help.

There are many different issues to consider when two people who have different religions want to get married to each other. You need to weigh each of these issues carefully before you proceed. It appears as though you are unsure about this lady not because of her religion but because she has not had sex with you. The fact that she is not having sex with you does not mean that she is having sex with someone else. Some men assume that a lady who is having sex with them is also having sex with other men. Other men assume that if a lady is not having sex with them, then she must be having sex with other men. I advice single people to keep sex until after marriage.

Why one-sided love exists

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ECENTLY, I have seen people rush into marriage either because of pressure, age or just wanting to attain that status. Their priorities are not properly defined. They end up settling for what they don’t really desire.

Some are so confused, they don’t even know how they ended up with their spouses.Listening to some people’s experience, they recount how they were advised that being patient, tolerant is a good virtue everyone, especially a woman must have to make a good wife. Such advice makes them very tolerant, till they get married and at some point, just can’t take it anymore.This is becoming a growing trend in most marriages.

Where a spouse is merely enduring or tolerating the other and one is unfortunately busy loving the other. I know a particular relationship where the husband is really trying so hard to make the wife happy at least in his own way (not without the wife noticing though), but it has become so bad that to the wife, even the ‘kindest’ gesture from the husband is annoying, unacceptable or just goes unappreciated.In my opinion, I think there are some factors responsible for one-sided love. I also want to suggest ways to avoid

By Oguntoyinbo Omobolanle

landing in such situation and/or way to make such marriage work.

Peer/family, pressure, body clock, status, social pressure and that silly belief that being married means being happy has a lot to do with this issue. How often do you hear people say such things as:” she is so lucky, she is getting married”?!

Religion is also a problem, especially when you have jobless pastors who will tell someone that their spouse is not right due to some “vision” nonsense and then hook her/him up with some family friend’s child who made a huge donation to his church. Love is non-existant or simply not needed for most therefore how do you expect two people that don’t love one another to last happily ever after?

“What is needed to have a successful marriage” and LOVE is People should get their priorities straight. If there is no love and affection for their partner (to begin with) then there shouldn’t be any talk of marriage. Love is not enough to keep a marriage, but compromise, patience, respect.

Marriage in itself is not the problem it is the people in the marriage that is the problem.

Former Miss Dorcas Owuh and Mr. Gbenga Otu at their wedding ceremony held at Sango, Ogun State, last Saturday.

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

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BIGSCREEN

Tel: 08077408676

SOUND TRACK

plus

’ and MTN Project Fame's ‘darling eph Nollywood heavyweight, Jos in fame Benjamin, started growing he barely two years ago when lar TV emerged as host of the popu ithin a reality talent hunt show. W has short period of time, Joseph g graced the big screens actin like alongside screen goddesses , Genevieve Nnaji, Joke Silva of st Monalisa Chinda, and a ho Actor of others. The City People Best iew with the year 2011, in this interv out his MERCY MICHAEL, talks ab , growing meteoric rise to fame, roles up, among other issues.

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e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

F

—Joseph Benjamin

called up and was like ‘sir, I'm just putting through a courtesy call. I don't know. I just felt like calling you.’ And he said, ‘Joseph, perfect timing, we are shopping for a new host, can you come to the office for an audition?’ I'm like fine, no problem! And when I came, of course I met another set of people and back and forth, couple of calls, and eventually I got the kick.

If you had been turned down again, how would you have taken it?

I would have felt bad again, but I wouldn't have given up because I practice what I preach. I tell people, don't ever give up. Don't allow a ‘no’ hold you back. That ‘no’ might just be the motivating force you need to push you further because you never know when that opportunity will come. So, be prepared in your mind, mentally, physiologically. I always tell people when opportunity meets preparedness, success is inevitable.

All of a sudden, you are Nollywood's dreamboat actor, but it is a road you have walked several times before. So what is the winning formula?

Ok, you got your information. A couple of people actually think that I came from nowhere to be where I am today. In all honesty, I have been there. But like I always say to people, if you haven't gotten those breaks that you need to push you into limelight, then your time hasn't come.

Was it because you wanted to be relevant in Nollywood that you went into being a host on TV? Well, not actually. It is more because I have a flair for it. I am a presenter and an actor. I also do music and I'm a voice over artiste. Someone once asked me which I have the greater passion for. I know I have the greatest passion for music. They are all unique in their own nature. Whichever

PAGE

The Return of Jenifa to premiere in US

, e k o m s t ’ n o Id e z i n a m o w r o drink

N 2009, you bagged your first major TV stride as the host of Project Fame.

That same year you granted an interview to The Nation where you said; “In two years, I see myself as a brand, as a household name…” Two years down the line, all that seems to have come to pass.

What was your conviction then?

You know the saying that goes “be careful what you say, you never can know” wow! This is like two years after, wholesome! Well, my dear, I just felt success inside of me. I couldn't imagine anything less than success. I know that one of the key components of success is having a clear vision of where you are going and if your mind is set on the mark and you can envision it. I don't see anything stopping you once God is behind you. Trust me, you can't achieve anything without Him. He has been my source of motivation and at those times when I felt like giving up, He was always my driving force saying to me, young man, you can't afford to fail.”

Your story sounds all rosy. Did it just fall on your laps? How did it all happen?

Before I got the Project Fame job, I remember I auditioned to host Naija Sings and of course we had a large turnout.

Everyone that mattered in the system was present for that audition. And there was a short list, I made the short list. There were like four of us- IK, myself, Kamal who eventually hosted it, and some other guy called Chris. Honestly, I don't know what the issue was. I don't know why they dropped me and picked Kamal. You know I felt really bad because I am someone who has a great passion for music. I felt that was a great platform for me but it didn't happen. I had auditioned for Project Fame previously, that was in 2008, before Dare hosted it. I had auditioned for it and I

GISTS

come, calling comes with its own demand.

All I just do is fit myself into it and perform to the best of my ability. I won't kill one for the other. I won't suffer one for the other. I didn't get into presenting just to be relevant in Nollywood. I have always been there. As a matter of fact, presenting just came. Maybe what added strength to it is my talent and my experience as a voice over artiste. You know for radio, it's an entirely different ballgame. People get to hear you and they don't see you so you have to sound real.

Typecast is a Nollywood thing. You've already been stereotyped as it is, playing 'Lover Boy' roles. What are your thoughts about it?

Only recently, my manager said to me that ‘Joseph’ we need you to do more of ‘Bad boy’ roles. We even need you to be in an action flick, something that has a lot of adrenaline, from beginning to the end.’

That is what we are working on. We are actually working on some international flicks. Basically, it is all in a bid to enlarge the brand and do away with the norm of being typecast for roles. People will be seeing a little bit of twist to me in the nearest future.

With your rising profile, how are you able to balance work with the home front?

My personal life, family and all have never been public news. I've chosen to keep them out of limelight and keep them out of the public. They have been out of public eye for this long and I want it to stay that way.

Tell us a bit about growing up.

Growing up was very great. I come from a strong Christian background which has rubbed off on me till date. I had a very

-Continued on Page 42

ANS of Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele in the US are in for a good time as Return of Jenifa, is set to premiere first in the United States come September 3, 2011 before the Nigerian premiere of the movie.

Speaking on the American premiere of the movie, Funke Akindele said,”it feels good not only to have “The Return of Jenifa” premiere in the United States but to know that the movie has no geographical limit. Our decision to premiere the movie abroad was strictly based on the demand of the Jenifa fans and that is what makes it all exciting.” she said.

“The United States premiere does not in anyway disturb the Nigerian premiere.

The Return of Jenifa will still be premiered as planned at the Muson Centre in Lagos come September 23, 2011 and will be arriving in cinemas across the county on that day,” she assures fans.

Directed by DJ Tee, The Return of Jenifa resolves the suspense that enveloped Jenifa's exploits. She registered to participate in a dancing competition but when asked to undergo an HIV test as requirement for the competition, Jenifa fled unsure of her status. There is a blatant silence as to the repercussion of Jenifa's excesses, especially her HIV status.

Antar Laniyan, Eldee the Don, Banky W, Denrele, Iyabo Ojo, Ireti Osayemi, Helen Paul, Late Comedian CD John, Omawunmi, Yinka Quadri are some of the finest movie and music artistes in the movie.

•Funke Akindele

Danagog reveals love for Mercy Johnson

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AP artiste, Danagog, has revealed his love for Nolloywood star actress Mercy Johnson in his just released music video. The video which is a track from his last mixtape, "luv&lust" will be premiered on MTV base, Trace Urban, HipTv and other local stations this weekend. 'Mercy Johnson' is coming out as the entertainer rounds up preparations for his first album titled 'funky Friday' which will drop later this year.

According to the artiste, Mercy Johnson is a song that talks about his love for African beauty and the actress represents a true African beauty. He however said the song is dedicated to all African beauty queens.

42

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

HO LLYWOOD

I don’t smoke or drink -Continued from Page 41 wonderful childhood. I was brought up with a silver spoon before the silver spoon began to rust and turned into wooden spoon. So, that face of you eating with the wooden spoon is what makes you (laughs). I'm very bold to tell you how the journey to this point was because I know it will encourage and inspire people that feel they have no hope. They shouldn't think it was all rosy.

There is the rumour that you won't be copresenting with Adaora Oleh on this season of Project Fame. Considering the chemistry between the two of you, how is it going to be without her?

Well, I don't know about that. I haven't heard anything to that effect. I'm going to ask my people to let them fill me in.

What if it turns out to be true?

Well, I doubt if it will be, because we have a contract. I doubt if it will, but if it does happen, of course the show will go on. But I doubt if that will happen because I haven't heard anything like that. If I haven't heard anything like that, definitely it's not going to happen because if that is what the case is, they would have told me so as to prepare myself.

Who would you say inspired you as an actor?

There are lots of people who I would say inspired me internationally. Oh! The list is endless. The likes of Brad Pit, Sean Pell, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Matthew Mahoney, Tyler Perry, and a host of others.

Have you always had female fans before coming into the limelight?

Of course, even in my little capacity, it has been like that. Me being in the limelight even makes it worse.

Have you had a tough time handling the very pushy ones?

The best you can do is give access to everybody. Hey! You can't do without your fans. These are your people. These are the people who encourage you and appreciate what you do. It goes a long way to show how relevant you still are in the system. You have to handle them with a lot of discretion. You can't shove people away. That is how I handle them.

When you heard you were going to be acting alongside Genevieve in Tango With Me, what was your thought?

I was excited. I looked forward to it. This is someone I've always watched on TV. I really appreciate her talent and she's someone I see as one of the thorough people out there. She knows what she is doing. So, I've been really inspired a lot of times by her. I was excited about it.

What was it like working with her because people say different things about her?

I hear that about a lot of these peeps. And I'm like I've worked with these people and none of them have given me an attitude. Away from work, these guys have never given me an attitude. So I don't know where people get their perceptions from.

What is one role you don't see yourself playing?

I definitely can't act nude. It will cause problems for me. How can I sell my market outside (laughs). There are other things I just won't do in a movie. I don't think I can smoke in a movie. I might drink but I can't smoke in a movie. I don't do these things in real life. I know the next thing is that you will ask me if I womanize but I don't womanize either.

Not even for the financial attraction?

Any job that will come will come. Any job that is meant for me, it will come. I don't have to act nude.

What do you do for fun?

Well, some say it is boring. I like to watch films. I like to just go to the cinema, buy my ticket and sit down and watch my movie. I like exploring new places. That is it. I also like to play snooker.

Compiled by DUPE AYINLA

Tests show no hard drugs in Winehouse system

A

MY Winehouse had no hard drugs in her system when she died, and it is still unclear what killed the singer, her family said Tuesday.

The family said in a statement that toxicology tests showed "alcohol was present," but it hasn't yet been determined if it contributed to her death.

The 27-year-old soul diva, who had battled drug and alcohol addiction for years, was found dead in her London home on July 23, and an initial post-mortem failed to determine the cause of death.

A statement released by spokesman Chris Goodman on the family's behalf said "toxicology results returned to

•Winehouse

Did Will Smith walk in on Jada and Marc Anthony?

R

UMOURS they say would never die.

Despite a publicist statement specifically shooting down talk of Jada Pinkett Smith having an affair with Marc Anthony, the latest issue of In Touch Weekly fires off some explosive allegations, namely: Will Smith walked in on his wife and her Hawthorne co-star! Doing

more than rehearsing?

In Touch Weekly report claims this incident took place in August, as Will suspected an affair and secretly flew home from a movie shoot. He walked into his home, saw his wife in the arms of J. Lo's ex and left in tears. Its goes on to state that Will and Jada, who sources say still might separate, have been distant for months.

•Will Smith with Jada

the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy's system at the time of her death."

It said the family awaited the outcome of an inquest that is due to begin in October.

Winehouse's father, Mitch, has said his daughter had beaten her drug dependency three years before her death, but he admitted she was still struggling to control her drinking after several weeks of abstinence.

Mitch Winehouse told mourners at the singer's July 26 funeral that she had said to him, "'Dad I've had enough of drinking, I can't stand the look on you and the family's faces anymore.'"

The Winehouse family announced plans to establish a charitable foundation in the singer's name to help people struggling with addiction, although Mitch Winehouse has said the plans are on hold because someone else had registered the name Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Arnold’s comeback to be filmed in New Mexico

A

RNOLD Schwarzenegger will be making his movie comeback in New Mexico. The Valencia County New-Bulletin reports the movie, "Last Stand", will start filming in Belen, N.M., in October. The movie is a modern day Western about convicts

making their way to the Mexican border through New Mexico after escaping from a prison in Las Vegas, Nev. Location manager, Paul Roberts, said the rest of the casting will be complete in September. It's the first major movie role for the former California governor since

2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." He had a cameo in last summer's "The Expendables."

Schwarzenegger said in May that he was putting his acting projects on hold after disclosing that he fathered a child with a family housekeeper and splitting with •Arnold wife Maria Shriver.

Crane over Ghollywood

A

CCORDING to what we are hearing, Ghanaian's Afro Pop singer Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa, also known as Becca, for some time now has not been getting a fair deal from her management, even though musically she is one of the best in the country.

She can be said to be one of the female artistes in the industry that is not doing well financially.

It has been revealed by Ghanaweb.com that Becca has

•Becca

Could this be true?

Becca beaten by manager not been getting returns for her musical work. And that her manager has also of recent given her some strong hands.

A report has it that Becca has been beaten by her manager.

They were said to have disagreed on a money related

issue. According to our source, in the heat of things, Becca insulted her manager, which infuriated him and fetched Becca some good beatings.

As a result of this incident, it's not clear now the direction of the working relationship between the two.

Kofi Adjorlolo’s fiancee is dead

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EACEFMONLINE.COM has stated that it can confirm that tragedy has hit a renowned Ghanaian actor, Kofi Adjorlolo, following the death of his wife-to-be at a private hospital in Awoshie, a suburb of Accra.

The wife-to-be whose name was given as Miss Charity Nyarko passed away on Monday August 22, 2011. It

was also revealed that the Ghallywood star had planned to marry 49 year old Charity Nyarko in December.

Kofi Adjorlolo confirmed the unfortunate news to Peace FM during the station's Midday Bulletin on Tuesday. “It is true; I lost the woman I have planned to marry after a very longtime.” I had a distress call on Sunday to come home

immediately, because Charity popularly called 'Mother' was in grave danger…When I got home, I saw that she had become very anemic. But after the elder sister who is a retired nurse examined her, it was evident Charity had fibroid so we had to rush her to the Mary Lucy Hospital located at Awoshie Last Stop where she was confirmed dead,” he said.

•Kofi

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

CINEMA guide

BIG

43

PICTURE Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

ABUJA( CEDDI PLAZA)

-The Smurfs Genre Science Fiction -Bad Teacher Genre Comedy and Sequel -The Mirror Boy Genre Drama -Damage(Nig Movie) Genre Drama -The Green Lantern Genre Action/Adventure -Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Genre Action/Adventure

PORT HARCOURT

-ZR-7 (Nig Movie) Genre Drama -The Smurfs Genre Action/Adventure -Captain America: The First Avenger Genre Action/Adventure -Bad Teacher Genre Action/Adventure -The Mirror Boy Genre Drama -The Adjustment Bureau Genre Action/Adventure -Super 8 Genre Action/Adventure

Horrible Bosses Three employees on boss firing mission

A

comedy starring Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, three employees decide that the best way to overcome their difficulties is to murder their overbearing bosses.

For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-toomany drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers...

Permanently.

There's only one problem: even the best laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them.

Nick works in a white-collar job where he must kow-tow to his psychotically domineering boss Dave, Dale is a dental assistant whose sexy superior Julia wants to have sex with him, despite his being engaged, and the happy-go-lucky Kurt has a wonderful boss, Jack, who unfortunately dies and is replaced by his ne'er-do-well cokehead son, Bobby (Colin Farrell). Aggrieved, the three plot to dispose of their aggressors, but things go wrong, unsurprisingly.

If you are looking for a bit of undemanding fun with a few really good laughs, sing up for this movie.

LAGOS

-ZR-7 (Nig Movie) Genre Drama -Rise of the Planet of the Apes Genre Action/Adventure -The Smurfs Genre Science Fiction -Captain America: The First Avenger (Normal) Genre Action/Adventure -Captain America: The First Avenger (3D) Genre Action/Adventure -Bad Teacher Genre Comedy and Sequel -Aarakshan (Indian Movie) Genre Drama -Super 8 Genre Action/Adventure -The Mirror Boy Genre Drama

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Even beasts have conscience

A

single act of both compassion and arrogance leads to a war unlike any other -- and to the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The Oscar-winning visual effects team that brought to life the worlds of Avatar and Lord of the Rings is breaking new ground, creating a CGI ape that delivers a dramatic performance of unprecedented emotion and intelligence, and epic battles on which rest the upended destinies of man and primate.

Directed by Rupert Wyatt, this science-fiction thriller is an emotionally complex story told from the apes' point of view, with some slam-bang action sequences.

James Franco plays a scientist searching for a cure for Alzheimer's, who tests his drugs on a

group of apes. Things go horribly wrong and most of the apes are killed, but he smuggles a surviving chimp into his home and raises it. The chimp, named Caesar, displays great intelligence and ultimately rebels against the scientist. Through the character of Caesar, the filmmaker creates an astonishing, groundbreaking performance of emotional engineering. Caesar is silent for most of the film, but his simian features are lifelike, and his subtle reactions to the world around him are beautifully rendered. The director gives the film a clean, unfussy look that makes it both heartfelt and efficient. The action scenes (particularly a battle between humans and apes on the Golden Gate Bridge) are inventively spectacular, and the story at the movie's core is evocative and engaging.

Wizkid

living large W

IZKID, whose real name is Ayodeji Rasheed Balogun, is no doubt the fastest rising music sensation in the Nigerian music industry.

The artiste, who broke into the industry 2010 after releasing the smash hit singles, Holla at your Boy, Tease me, and the most recent one, Don't dull, that is currently rocking the airwaves has continued to rule his world.

Wizkid, who recently returned from South Africa where he put up a spectacular performance at the just concluded Big Brother Amplified, was at the O. R Tambo International Airport, trudging leisurely behind his entourage who were busy rolling his luggage at the departure wing.

Attesting to his new class as a superstar, Wizkid went ahead to take his eminent position in the Business Class of the South Africa Airways, while his entourage comprising two beautiful young girls and one young man retreated to the Economy class.

Wizkid, a 200 Level student of International Relations at the Leadcity University, took a break from school to concentrate on his musical career and is living up to his status.

Just recently, he was reportedly seen in his Ogudu GRA residence, issuing command to his house help to collect money from his manager, stating that he did not have any local currency on him. There is no doubt that life has been good to the artiste, who is now chauffer-driven around town.

44

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

WAP on set for new series of Thislife

Emuwawon Ibukun Kevin, aka IBK Spaceship Boi, came tops in the justconcluded Don Jazzy's Enigma Beat Competition. In this interview with JENNIFER EHIDIAMEN, the Computer Engineering graduate from Covenant University shares his experience in the competition and his aspiration as a musician.

W

HY did you enter for the Enigma Beat competition?

I entered because it was an opportunity to get God's word out. I entered the competition to inspire that boy and girl who would listen to what I put out. It was a selfless route for me and I am grateful it turned out the way it did.

In retrospect, who was your favourite artiste from the top 10 shortlisted on Don Jazzy's Enigma competition?

Wow! That's a tough one, because everyone had elements in their delivery that was exclusive to them, and I appreciated the individual diversity each time I listened through the top-ten list.

They were all deserving winners, but I can't seem to take a pick.

The track you entered for the competition started with "a toast to the winner." Was that a premonition that you would win?

Yes it was, (Laughs) because winning for me was encapsulated around the fact that a young man or woman would be inspired to dream and become what God wants them to be on earth after they listen to the record. I was positive I had delivered to that effect and shouting out a toast to the ultimate winner in the deity of Christ was to reassure myself that He would bless His people through the work He inspired me to do.

If you had not won the competition, who else do you think deserved to win on the list, aside Teeklef and Opzy?

Like I said earlier, they were all deserving winners. Everyone had what it took to get the number 1 ticket. It could have been anyone on that list, but the author wrote that chapter in my favour and for a very good reason too.

You won the competition with a striking 13,214 Votes, compared to Teeklef's 7,864 Votes and Opzy's 5,746 Votes, what do you think endeared you to the listeners who voted for you?

I would say the message and the way it was delivered. I heard the beat and immediately thought "cinema", hence I introduced the effect elements like the thunder sound, rain, soldier foot stomps, extra vocals to make the intro fuller and an inspiring hook, with the body of the rap focusing on the story of God's salvation told in a manner the rap artiste, Common, did in the song “I used to love her”.

It was different and stood out. For

T

The music industry is still ‘doggy dog…’

—Emuwawon Kevin Winner of Don Jazzy Beat Competition some people, it was a bold step doing what I did. I can't forget a comment from someone on twitter saying "Wow! You spoke about Jesus without saying His name but we all got the message.

That is true creativity." But most importantly, I found favour with God and with the listeners because it was ordained to be, even before I was born.

How was the waiting process, between the time the poll closed on notjustok.com and when the result was announced on Monday?

(Exclaims) It was horrible! Ah! I had to remind myself of God's word that says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request known unto God." It was a true test of selflessness. There were many moments of doubt because I didn't know what it would be judged by. I kept telling myself, "but you are already fulfilled in what you set out to do, which was to inspire people." It wasn't a pleasant waiting moment I must say. But God proved Himself.

Before the Enigma Beat competition, where was IBK Spaceship Boi and now that you won, what next?

Before the competition, I was working on my debut album scheduled to drop sometime in 2012, a current member of bez's band and very well into the business of creating music for other artists, companies and all.

What happens next is obvious to me because I have always been on "what next" since I was born. It is simple, be sensitive to listen and obey Gods voice, because like I said earlier, He is the author and director; I am just an actor with a script He wrote for His play.

Tell us a bit more about life as a music producer and songwriter It's fun having the ability to create; an amazing experience having to go through old records,

redefine the sound and make it fresh for the human ear. "There is nothing new under the sun," King Solomon once said. It is pretty cool being your own boss and pushing yourself to achieve your goals.

You studied Computer Engineering but today you have ventured into music fulltime.

Was this an easy transition?

Music for me has always been my life. I wanted to go to Australia to study Sound Engineering prior to going to Covenant University to study Computer Engineering. There was no transition at all. It was staple right from my tender age. I knew this was what I was going to do and I bless God for all the people that added to me being where I am today.

What is your opinion about the Nigerian music industry and what difference are you bringing on board?

The Nigerian music industry is in transition like most things are in the country. Where our country is today is primarily as a result of the mindset of its people. We hold our future in our hands but its beauty is evident when we commit it to the hands of God. What excites me about the industry is the growing desire for development and improvement in the nature of materials its artistes put out. The industry is still “doggy dog,” but we are getting there. I want to stir up the drive to put out quality products that would inspire my nation and the world at large. Let's make our nation the most desirable place to live in, let's get more youths thinking like job creators and not job seekers. We need more Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) growing to become Conglomerates. Let's work towards setting policies that will be enforced for the growth of the industry. Let's grow, we can do it and we shall. God bless Nigeria!

HE popular Wale Adenuga Production thoughtprovoking television drama tagged Thislife has once again assembled its cast and crew for the production of another series, latching, as usual, on to societal issues of importance.

The production company says it is a double drama deal for the highly rated series, as it is recording two separate stories this time.

WAP is optimistic that both stories will raise the bar in the business of TV drama in Nigeria, without losing its grip on the moral lessons for the benefit of the family and society at large.

Entitled Paradise Lost and Toria's Dilemma, both screenplays were written by the prolific Lamson Yesuf and directed by the highly acclaimed Patience Oghre and are being shot simultaneously on full HD format.

Set in contemporary Benin Kingdom, Paradise Lost which revolves around Eno, a young woman who under the hawk'

eyes of her parents is guided to honour the virtue of womanhood.

The journey was not so smooth as Eno's struggle to become a woman of repute is challenged by societal misconceptions, assumptions and temptations.

The suspense-filled and intriguing story stars Alex Usifo, Rachel Oniga, Nobert Young, Gloria Young, Wole Ojo and many others.

In Toria's Dilemma, the story reaffirms the fact that there is light at the end of dark tunnel.

This is much so when a woman loses her loved ones, battles to overcome illiteracy and becomes elevated to a position of authority.

Here, a pot-pourri of issues on values, ethics and morality leads to a conflict of interests that projects the theme from a human angle.

The drama has Steph Norah, Olumide Bakare, Cassandra Odita, Joke Muyiwa and many other talented actors and actresses on board.

•On set of the drama, Thislife

Lilian Bach re-launches with premiere

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OVIE buffs who have been wondering what's happening to the acting career of Lilian Bach need not wonder anymore as the actress cum producer has recorded yet another feat with the premiere of her latest movie, Eletan (The Deceiver), which was held at the Silverbird Galleria on August 21, 2011.

The premiere which began with a carpet event at 4pm was

•Lilian Bach withYemi Blaq

graced by veterans of the movie world such as Clarion Chukwura, Tunji Bamishigbin, Rosemary Ingbi, Florence Onuma, Kunle Coke among others.

The movie is based on the life of a woman (Lilian Bach), who uses her charming beauty to deceive her husband (Yemi Blaq) and her lover boy in order for them to do her bidding. This situation continues until she meets her waterloo.

When asked to comment on the film, the executive producer, Lilian Bach, replied, “we set out to create a movie that was based on quality and of international standard, and I assure you that when you get back home after watching this movie, you would be all smiles.”

The movie which contains element of drama, suspense and comedy, boasts a seasoned cast which features the likes of Lilian Bach, Yemi Blaq, Ireti Osayemi and Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr. Latin.

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46

THE NATION SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011

CHIEF (DR) PATRICK EKEJI

A

RSENAL follow their most important match of the season with what could be their toughest match of the season—a visit to defending Premier League champion Manchester United.

The Gunners improved on their poor start to the domestic campaign to qualify for the Champions League with Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Udinese, but today’s game at Old Trafford will require yet another improvement in quality.

Criticism of Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger by fans and commentators started over the offseason with the sale of Cesc Fabregas and failure to strengthen the squad.

It intensified with a start to the season that featured a 0-0 draw with Newcastle, a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool and two red cards, but reaching the lucrative Champions League should have at least bought a little breathing space.

Arsenal face tough ManUtd test “Some people questioned our mental strength, but if you look at the game that’s what we showed,” Arsenal captain Robin van Persie said. “Now it’s up to us to show that every three or four days. We have to do that over and over again,

Profile of a Professional Leader in Sports Administration (2)

L • Giggs

that’s just football.

“We can’t live off this night for the rest of the month or the rest of the year.

Now I’m looking forward to Manchester United.”

But Arsenal have lost seven and drawn one of their last eight visits to

Wenger: Man Utd are favourites for the title A

RSÈNE Wenger admits Manchester United are favourites for the Premier League title this season but is confident Arsenal can get a result at Old Trafford today.

Sir Alex Ferguson strengthened his options over the summer with new signings Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea all added to the squad that reached the Champions League Final in May. Victories against West Brom and Tottenham in their opening two games have given the Premier League champions a strong start to the new campaign and Wenger says they are the team to beat.

“They are the favourites because they won it last year and they do not look weaker,” he said. “It is up to us to make sure they do not win it.

“Of course [ w e believe we c a n get the three points].

We have been

very close many times since 2006 and we beat them last year at home so I believe we can do it.

“They have regenerated quite well, compared to last year, and there are still some good, experienced weapons on the bench. Look at last Sunday, for example, when they made the changes they still had Berbatov, Giggs coming on, and Carrick and Park. I would not be surprised if they start against us.“ They were quite good against Tottenham in the last game and they have started stronger than they usually do. On the style of their play I feel they already look ready and fit.

“So it will be an interesting confrontation because we feel physically strong as well. Overall, I hope you will not be disappointed by the quality of the game. We go there to, of course, give absolutely everything.”

Arsène Wenger says that his side’s lack of discipline has hampered them so far this season.

The Gunners will be without suspended trio Gervinho, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong for today’s trip to Old Trafford, and the boss admits that

• Says indiscipline is costing us points red cards have caused his team to surrender valuable points.

“I feel that discipline has cost us a lot since the start of

A

RSENAL trio Alex Song, Gervinho and E m m a n u e l Frimpong are banned for Sunday's trip to Premier League champions Manchester United.

Jack Wilshere saw a specialist on Friday but the club are still waiting for an update on his ankle injury which is expected to keep him out for three more weeks.

Nicklas Bendtner is sidelined with

United, who are in form and share the early season lead after Monday’s 3-0 dismantling of Tottenham.

Arsenal’s poor start threatened to become truly calamitous when Antonio Di Natale’s first-half header pulled Udinese level on aggregate in the Champions League playoff. But Van Persie and Theo Walcott scored and Wojciech Szczesny saved a penalty to take Arsenal through.

“We have been a little bit under pressure and for us not to play the Champions League and with the players who left, that pressure would’ve i n c r e a s e d , understandably,” Wenger

Don't write off Gunners —Giggs

R

YAN Giggs has warned Manchester United not to underestimate Arsenal ahead of their clash at Old Trafford today.

Arsenal are still reeling from the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and had a scare at Udinese on Wednesday night before booking a place in the Champions League group stage.

Arsene Wenger's men have taken just one point from their opening two Premier League games, with many writing off their chances of competing for major honours this term having so far failed to reinvest the big fees they received for their star duo.

But Giggs insists the defending champions would be foolish to take the Gunners lightly this weekend.

Trio banned for United clash

• Wenger

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

an ankle problem and Sebastien Squillaci is also out, along with Kieran Gibbs (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (ankle).

Defender Thomas Vermaelen will have a fitness test on Saturday but is expected to be fit and Laurent Koscielny came through a similar check on his back problem on Friday morning.

"Arsenal are still a quality team with quality players," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"On their day they can beat anyone in Europe. They've proved that for years and years now.

"OK, so they've got a few injuries and a couple of players have left. But they've still got so much quality there.

"They've got a great manager and Arsenal are a great club. So you never underestimate them."

Giggs was a late substitute in Monday night's 3-0 home win against Tottenham, crossing for Wayne Rooney to score the final goal.

And, now in his 20th full season with the Red Devils, the 37-year-old midfielder is aware he will see less game-time this term.

"I'm experienced enough to know I'm not going to start every game or even play every game," he said.

"The thing I want to do is be effective and contribute to the team. As soon as I stop doing that, I'm finished.

"Hopefully, I can just contribute to the team, to the club, whether it be starting a game or coming on and using my experience in games.

AST week, we presented the first instalment of this topic. In this second installment, we will endeavor to continue with the narration on the subject matter.

I will, at this outset not hesitate to tell my readers that Patrick, Chima, Ekeji is a ‘square peg in a square hole’, in terms of his chosen profession and is a representative model for the younger generation who seek and desire what Professor Earle Zeigler referred to as in “developing a life purpose in the profession of sports and physical education.”

In addition to his athletic talents, competitiveness and sports education achievements, Patrick, Chima, Ekeji broadened his education to earn qualifications in (1) Public Relations from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 1990 (2) a post-graduate certificate course in strategic public sector negotiations from the Kennedy School of Government, Harverd University in 2001.

Furthermore, he earned German Football Federation Coaching License (1981) and FIFA Coaching license in 1984. These educational qualifications, no doubt, beefed up his credentials and more adequately prepared him for effective social services delivery. And of course, they do give him more flexibility, wider employment opportunities with reinforced skills, knowledge and creative imagination. It is little surprising that Patrick, Chima, Ekeji, became a much more sought after resource person in public and private sector organizations as shown by this service profile highlighted here.

• Lecturer and Head, Football Department, NIS, 19791984 • Coach of United Nigeria Textile Mills FC, Kaduna, 1986 • Coach of ACB, FC, 1987-1988 • Consultancy services -1988 • Director, Imo State Sports Council1993 • Director of Sports (National Sports Commission) Jan. 1995-Mar. 1995 • Director, planning, Research and Statistics, • Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth DevelopmentMay 1995-1999 • Director, facilities and Stadia development, • Federal Ministry of Sports and social Development – 1999-2001 • Director, Sports Development • Federal Ministry of Sports and social Development 2001 to 2004 • Director, Department of Field Operations NEIC – July 2005- April 2007 • Director, Sports Dev - May 2007-2009 • Chairman, Committee of Experts, African Union Conference of Sports. Minister since 2007 to date.

Considering the foregoing, it seems in controvertible that Chief (Dr) Patrick, Chima, Ekeji is a versatile Sports Administrator and public servant, who has betrode the Nigerian and international sports landscape with remarkable success. He has received service awards and recognitions that include: • Owerri chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Merit Award for Sports Administration Excellence – 1994 • Distinguished Service Award by BOYECE ASSOCIATION, Abuja – 1997 • Imo State Merit Award 2001 • Imo State Merit Award 2003 • National Sports Merit Award 2003 • Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FICAN) • Ph.D Sports Administration of St. Clements University, London – 2007.

He has stable personality, pragmatic in leadership and service to the nation, maintains good human relations and is blessed with a stable and successful family. Chief (Dr) Patrick, Ekeji is a very senior member of the Nigerian Association for Physical and Health Education, Recreation Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD) of which, this writer is the current National President. I personally appreciate his Sterling qualities and professional achievements. I am sure that the younger generation would find so much in him to emulate in their quest to find their bearing within the professional field of physical education and sports. We look forward to his full blown biography in the nearest future.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

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A new dawn in Ogun

AST May 29 was a day many Nigerians looked forward to with a lot of expectations The main reason being the general acceptance of the conduct of the elections that ushered in a new set of leaders across the country.

The people of Ogun State were no less ecstatic about the wind of change blowing across the state. And this is understandable because for a while, many of the other states can be said to have savoured the dividends of democracy under a peaceful atmosphere in the last eight years, the people of Ogun State have not been so lucky.

It’s been one crisis after the other, so much so that the same Ogun State that produced the likes of Obafemi Awolowo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Tai Solarin, MKO Abiola and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka became synonymous with lawlessness and other anti-social behaviours.

The emergence of Senator Ibikunle Amosun was therefore a refreshing breather from the pollution of the last eight years.

Following his landslide victory, Amosun immediately hit the ground running towards actualising his mission of rebuilding Ogun State through a well articulated 5-point programme, which addresses the basic needs of the people.

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered

By Ronke Raji Accountants, Amosun soon embarked on on-the-spot tour of facilities in the state with a view to determining the cost of fixing these facilities which were in a sorry state.

Hospitals no longer dispense drugs due to lack of funding over the years.

Children roamed the streets instead of being in the classrooms as schools have now been commercialised.

Even government agencies could no longer generate any revenue as most of them have been given to private concerns at give-away prices, all in the name of concession agreement.

In spite of this mountain of challenges, Governor Amosun set about delivering his electoral promises meticulously.

The roads were first to receive the attention of the government with the rehabilitation of some township roads across the 20 local government areas of the state, as well as some federal roads that fall within the state including a portion of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

The hospitals also got a boost with the on-going refurbishing of 47 health care health centres across the state.

Given the premium placed on education by the Amosun administration, the government has begun the construction of modern school blocks in 100 schools spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Civil servants in the state are still basking in the euphoria of their new minimum wage of N18,250,which is above the amount recommended by the Minimum Wage Act. In addition to that, the government is about completing the process of creating 10,000 new jobs for unemployed youths in the state.

By the time Governor Amosun came into office, residents of the state were groaning under the scarcity and resultant high cost of kerosene. The governor promptly moved in by flooding the state with kerosene through collaboration with some independent petroleum marketers.

Although, I personally believe that one year is a good time to measure the success or otherwise of any

administration, it is noteworthy that Governor Amosun within his first 100 days in office has started well.

As laudable as these achievements are however, they are by no means the greatest achievements of the Amosun administration in the last 100 days.

The greatest achievement in my reckoning, is the return of normalcy to Ogun State.

Normalcy here is taken to mean that citizens can now move freely in any part of the state without any fear of harassment from any quarters.

This normalcy is manifested in the cordial relationship between the Executive and legislative arms of government.

Now that normalcy has returned to Ogun State, the citizens can now sit back and watch as governor Amosun unfolds his developmental programmes which in four years time should have changed the entire face of the state, given the governor’s almost infectious zeal and commitment to rebuild the state.

•Raji is a media aide to Governor Amosun.

Maximising opportunities in the Niger Delta

T

HE subject of my presentation, “Growth Opportunities for Ijaw Professionals and Business Owners in the Niger Delta” is quite apt at a time Niger Delta has taken the front burner of both local and international discourse, as a region wallowing in pathetic misery and poverty in the midst of plenty.

The issues I will canvass here are not totally new, but by drawing your attention to the obvious, will go a long way to deepen the commitment to our development and our collective aspiration as a people.

This presentation with focus on four key areas, they are: • Investment Opportunities in the Niger Delta.

• The Income Opportunities for Professionals and Business Owners.

• Possible areas of Intervention by Professionals and Business Owners in Bayelsa State.

• And the Bayelsa perspective Investment Opportunities in the Niger Delta Let me begin by taking an overview of some of the investment opportunities that abound in the Niger Delta. Like I said earlier, the Ijaws constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria that occupy the length and breathe of Niger Delta.

The Niger Delta covers a mere 7.5percent of Nigeria’s land mass, but small as it is, the region which is blessed with numerous resources remain the main sustenance of the Nigerian economy since production of crude oil began at Oloibiri in 1956 Bayelsa State, with 400 barrels in 1958 and is currently well over 2.4 million barrels per day.

Since 1970, the region has accounted for more than 75 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings with a conservative estimate of USD 700 billion that has accrued to the country.

Paradoxically, the Niger Delta region represents the worst state of poverty and under development in the third world. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2006 Niger Delta Human Development Report described the area as a place of frustrated expectations.

The direct consequences of these frustrations which we have been contending with over the years took the centre stage in the last ten years with youth restiveness, hostage-taking, pipeline vandalisation and stealing of crude oil.

Interestingly, in 2007 which marks the climax of agitations in the Niger Delta, Late President Umaru Yar’adua and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took the bold initiative to create the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Amnesty Programme, principally to usher in a new regime of peace and security in the region, and to explore the growth opportunities that abound in the region.

The question is; what are these investment or growth opportunities that the Ijaw Professionals and Business Owners can take advantage of apart from the Business of Oil and Gas? This question will definitely remind us of the history of Niger Delta in the pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial era when the region which was

•Sylva Julie Donli known as the oil protectorate was the centre of trade in cash crops such as Palm oil, Fish, Plantain, Banana, Yam, Cassava, Coconuts, and Fruits.

In other words, in addition to oil and gas, there are other key resources in the region with huge investment opportunities. These resources can be summarized and highlighted as follows: AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES i) Fish Farming ii) Salt production iii) Cash crops Oil Palm, Sugar cane, Coconut, Fruits, Cassava, Poultry, Maize, Banana, Yam, Rice, ginger etc.

Apart from direct investment in these resources, you can tap into the commercial potentials of these products by setting up the following agro-allied and medium/small scale industries which are commercially viable.

They are: • Cold rooms for sea foods • Canning industries • Cottage industries • Conditioning centres • Community warehousing According to sources at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria imports about 700,000 metric tones of fertilizer annually with a local demand of 3.4 metric tones. Also, Nigeria is spending an average of USD 375,000,000 on the importation of about 681 metric tones of frozen fish per annum, and at the same time imports 1.5m metric tones of rice per annum.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, with

strategic planning, cooperation and understanding, we can create and take advantage of this large market, and feed not only Nigeria but Africa and the rest of the world. Afterall, we have all it takes to explore the resources that abound in the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta.

Tourism As it is in the rest of the country, the Niger Delta Region’s tourism industry has great potential for attracting foreign investment, with the presence of ecological beaches, Deltaic creeks, the Lake Ifi at Sabagregha Lake Sam at AkumoniOkordia as well as historic festivals.

Others are: • Agro-forest resources e.g Timber, mangrove • Solid Minerals with opportunities to create industries in the area of salt production, sand dredging and fertilizer production.

These natural endowments cannot translate to development without a concerted intervention by both government and individuals.

The Bayelsa Perspective At the level of government, let me briefly consider Bayelsa as a case study because Bayelsa is not only the home of the Ijaws but also richly endowed with natural resources like any other Niger Delta states.

It is a major oil producing state and the cradle of oil industry in the country, contributing well over 30 percent of Nigeria’s Oil Production.

Quite unfortunately, when the Governor of Bayelsa state Chief Timipre Sylva commenced governance on May 29, 2007, there was absolute uncertainty and turbulence as a result of the activities of militancy which were at its peak.

And of course it was a genuine agitation and a rebirth of the Isaac Adaka Boro spirit to give the Ijaw people a true sense of belonging. The Timipre Sylva government was convinced that without peace and security our natural endowments cannot be translated into sustainable development. And he took the following bold initiatives.

• He struck a peace deal with the agitators; culminating in the Amnesty deal.

• He was the first to initiate the process of rehabilitation of the militants.

• Youth empowerment programmes through foreign trainings in skills acquisition in Norway.

• Massive award of foreign scholarship to encourage career development.

• Funding of Niger Delta University which led to the accreditation of several faculties.

• Acquisition of three gas turbine plants to boost energy in the state through the independent power project.

• Completion of world-class cottage hospital at Opolo-Epie, Yenagoa.

• Construction of 50 internal roads in the Yenagoa metropolis.

• Construction of a world class park known as the Isaac Boro Peace Park.

• Acquisition of vehicles to boost transportation in the state.

• Creation of the Due process Bureau to promote transparency and accountability in governance. These are cardinal indices of good governance and are verifiable achievements. As a matter of fact over 70 percent of the projects were awarded to indigenous contractors as a way of empowering our people and avoiding capital flight.

Therefore, I can state here boldly that, the Governor of Bayelsa state has created the enabling environment for all to explore the business opportunities in the state. This is where our distinguished members of the Ijaw Professional Association and business owners must rise to the occasion to take full advantage of these opportunities in Bayelsa state.

Let me also add, that only recently, a plastic manufacturing company was set up as part of the drive for industrialization and empowerment of our youths. This company is begging for your partnership through the public –private partnership arrangement. This is a serious service value that requires the participation of Ijaw professionals so that we can enhance our development profile.

The challenges facing us may be immense, but we should never give up, in our struggle to explore our resources and the opportunities that are steering at us. We should fix our eyes in the future rather than point blames at each other.

We have to create a new era where we should see ourselves actively utilising the rich natural resources that are deposited all over the land and people of the Ijaw Nation.

Donli is Executive Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

48

Have Your Say M

ANY Nigerians, or to humour some commentators, many right-thinking Nigerians, have stridently condemned the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami, by the National Judicial Council (NJC). They didn’t even spare President Goodluck Jonathan who subsequently approved the “illegality” the NJC recommended to him.

Respondents to our question on the issue say much more. Have a ball.

Nothing can be more spurious.

Justice Salami is not one of them and that is the reason why they want to asphyxiate him. But this madness of theirs has no method or else they should have waited for the acerbic petitions of the Ife murder baron, Ekiti and Ondo States electoral dacoits to be buried first. The grumbling of escaped convicts is about to be canonized in Nigeria. Let them tell us Salami’s offence before they continue to banalize the sublime and glorify the bad. They only want to take the honorable justice away from that exalted position and replace him with another that will be ready to do their biddings.

Akinduro, H.O. Okitipupa, Ondo State.

Juistice Salami lacks all it takes to manage his boss. I refer him to read the 48 Laws of Power on how to manage a boss. He’s supposed to be the next Chief Justice. Is this how he will manage the judiciary? I see him as a dissident.

Okezie Emeka, Owerri, Imo State.

The suspension of Justice Salami cannot stand. The NJC members that decided on the matter are comedians.

They breached the law which they are supposed to protect. President Jonathan should ignore them.

Lanre Hammed JP, lbadan, Oyo State.

The insipid verdict of a cabal within the NJC {on the PCA) was a product of months of phenomenal shenanigans and perfidious histrionics aimed at rubbishing a rare professional, an intrepid and incorruptible judge. Obviously, the NJC and its present leadership are lawless and cannot lay claim to honour and integrity. It is not Hon. Ayo Salami that is on trial, it is the judiciary and the administration of justice! The Presidency should overrule the NJC and declare its decision null and void.

Ayo Aregbesola, Ijesa-lsu, Ekiti State.

The CJN and the NJC goofed.

Salami, for now, is the most celebrated and winning member of the Nigerian bench. For Nigeria to be placed in the world’s comity of nations of integrity, judges like this will be tipped for the nation’s number one judiciary job.

How did eight of 24 NJC members goof to that extent? They’re either biased or there’s something fishy about them. Let the committee be sacked for breach of the rule of law.

Modu Chiroma, Abuja.

Justice Salami is getting his welldeserved dessert for his unprecedented serial insubordination. His scandalous conduct in undermining the authority of the CJN calls to question his obviously ill- conceived motives. He cynically spurned an elevation to the Supreme Court. He is discovering too late in the day that he is after all an ordinary employee whose services may be dispensed with by his employer. Stoking media frenzy and exhibitionism has never served anyone and his case cannot be different. If his high moral rectitude cannot coexist with the morass of the judiciary, he should lower his sight and take a bow.

How do you view the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami? hearing the case not to deliver judgement because of an alleged judgement leakage which is nowhere to be found in all the petitions by the parties.

NURA H.M, Sokoto State.

Honestly, the NJC has erred in its decision. I think Justice Salami is being punished because he refused to compromise and heed the wish of the CJN. There is fear that more casualties may happen in the tribunal since he is still in charge. Nigerians will reject and resist the undemocratic action of the NJC. Onah Dom, Yala, Cross River State.

•Katsina-Alu

Let him reflect and show remorse.

Tyozenda Kyado, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

It is appalling that the NJC has brought the judiciary to an all time low by its decision to sacrifice Salami in other to save Katsina-Alu, a CJN whose conduct in the Sokoto’s case is partisan, unethical and corrupt. By this NJC act, the judiciary can no longer be trusted as the last hope of the common man.

John Otaru, Lokoja, Kogi State.

The NJC worked from answer to question! To the CJN and the NJC members, remember the last day of judgement! The out-going CJN is very corrupt! I understand the incoming is worse! God bless NIGERIA!!! Let’s pray for ALLAH’s deliverance or else we are doomed!

Umar Sanda Usman, Biu, Borno State.

It is really a show of shame and a mockery of the entire judiciary. What hope of judicial justice does the common have now?

Emele P. K., Kaduna State.

As Nigerians, the suspension of Hon. Ayo Salami is a big shame to us.

Because he refused to join the bad wagons in the judiciary, they now want to mess up his name. Please and please, the bad wagons should leave Justice Salami alone.

Ekhaletruo M.A Emmanuel, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Everything is political and a bad omen for the judiciary, which is seen as the last hope of the common man.

Eight out of 24 sat and took such weighty decision?

Yinka A., Minna, Niger State.

The NJC action is reckless, stupid and embarrassing. They are selfish set of people that should not be in the Council in the first place. They are an embarrassment to the nation’s judiciary.

Olayinka Salami, Lagos State.

The suspension of Justice Salami by the NJC is an aberration. The Judiciary is finished because they are not sincere. Consequently, I don’t think there is hope for any common person in this country again. Mashood Abiola, Ilorin, kwara State.

•Salami

As sober as a judge is the slogan reserved for the occupiers of the temple of justice. But the litany of litigations has shown that Justice Ayo Salami and Justice Katsina-Alu have become street fighters. They have lost the moral right to continue in the temple. The two of them must go.

Remi Adegbola, Ibadan, Oyo State.

It is unbecoming of a body which, by virtue of its unique position, ought to know better. It is, therefore, regrettable. There is a long line of decision by our superior courts condemning any conduct by a litigant during the pendency of a suit which will have the effect of presenting the court with a fait accompli or rendering its subsequent decision nugatory. That is exactly what happened here - it is indeed unfortunate.

Abubakar Sani, Kano State.

I am not a lawyer, but simple logic quickly exposed the NJC as acting desperately to do a cover up for INJUSTICE and FRAUD. It is evident that members of the apex judicial body are far detached from the growing level of public interest and knowledge about this historic case. It is such a big scandal that easily dwarfs both the privatisation and House Speaker cases, and carrying the potential of triggering the first truly revolutionary mass action in this over-abused nation. Justice Ayo Salami has, clearly not by his own chosen design, become a national hero. His safety should be of concern to all patriots as the stakes are indeed high.

Remi Medupin, Iyamoye, Kogi State.

The suspension brought to the fore the decadence in our society. A society where corrupt people strut about without any check is a failed one. Our Judicial institution has finally collapsed.

Akerele Seyi, Kaduna State.

The suspension of the respected Justice Salami by the NJC is illegal and unconstitutional as only the court of law can determine perjury. It’s also a deliberate attempt to teach a lesson to any incorruptible and steadfast judge like Salami who fails to dance to the tune of highly placed corrupt justices in the country. It is glaring that it’s the CJN who lied on oath by denying the arrest of Sokoto guber verdict while acknowledging directing the panel

The suspension of the PCA, Ayo Salami, is a case of judicial blunder.

How can it be explained that somebody who was not found guilty should apologise to a man who allegedly corrupted his position? Well, I’m not surprised because this is Nigeria, a country of anything goes. If allow to stand it is a farewell to justice, bravery and courage that salami stands for.

Kumuyi O.O, Rufus Giwa Poly, Owo, Ondo State.

Justice Ayo Salami deserves even stiffer penalty. He is arrogantly disrespectful to constituted authority; let him be told that being rude to the Chief Justice of the Nigeria by a supposed learned person of his calibre cannot be viewed lightly.

Dr Usman Kuti, Otukpo, Benue State.

In fact, the purported suspension is void ab-initio. The eight-member panel that sat to determine a matter before the court is not only mischief makers but are also out to destroy the only organ of hope left in this devastated country and that is the Judiciary.

They should bury their heads in shame and be tried for contempt of court.

Oluwole Eludoyin, Ilesa, Osun State.

I condemn the suspension and retirement sanction on Justice Ayo Salami as inadequate. For someone who swore to two conflicting affidavits (one of the two must b a LIE = PERJURY) deserves nothing less than SUSPENSION, DISMISSAL and COURT TRIAL for the offence of perjury.

Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Nigeria is a place where falsehood is privileged over truth and we still expect it to work harmoniously to bring about our good. Justice Salami should just resign his position; he has endeared himself to those of us who still believe the truth rather than falsehood.

Anayo Nwankenta, Aba, Abia State.

Salami should have considered the entire image of the judiciary in the first instance. He took an extreme position by going to court after his petition without exhausting the internal avenue for addressing conflicts within the judiciary. Now the NJC want to ensure that other in his stead don’t take such actions in future. However, their action may be viewed with suspicion. I can see that some opposition politicians are fuelling the crisis to damage the judiciary and discredit the ruling party.

Fabian Ango, Abuja.

I’d rather ask; why is it that Justice Salami is being crucified by the powers-that-be in this country just because he exposed an anti-democratic behaviour of someone whose official position is to preserve that same democracy? When shall we start telling ourselves the basic truth that there are some “holy cows” or untouchables in this “nation” that we have honestly made a facade the democracy we profess? Until we are cured of this debilitating syndrome which is an embodiment of backwardness, we will continue to play to the global gallery at our collective shame and embarrassment. Justice Salami shall be vindicated.

Hillary I. Ekemam, Ph.D., Owerri, Imo State.

As a lawyer, I personally feel very sad and embarrassed at the ‘killhim-by-all-means” posture of the NJC. That it sat without quorum and after being aware, by its own admission, of the pendency of Justice Salami’s suit, is to say the least scandalous. If the Justices Babalakin, Abdullahi and Auta panels are of the consesus that the Sokoto Appeal Panel was not compromised, the proper thing is for the Supreme Court to reverse itself on the issue of unconstitutionally arresting the reserved judgement of the Sokoto Gubernatorial Appeal Panel and not to tell Salami to apologise.

Barr S. E. Irabor, Makurdi, Benue State.

Wonderful! Eight out of 24 members of the NJC do not form a quorum to hold that meeting, not to talk of discussing the issue of Salami’s case. His suspension is a shame to the Nigerian judiciary. The action is a mess of the bench. The rule of law should prevail. That should be reversed in the interest of justice.

Hon. Benjamin Y. Ekom, Washo, Nasarawa State.

If the truth must be told, Justices Katsina-Alu and Ayo Salami cannot be completely exonerated from the allegations against them. Both have brought the Judiciary to a sorry state of disrepute and therefore deserve to be relieved of their positions and responsibilities. But what we are witnessing is that the more powerful among them is mobilising state apparatus to oppress, suppress and subjugate the other, by proxy.

Olaniran Afolabi A., Benin City, Edo State.

Ayo Salami is a victim of politics at the Bench. The NJC is guilty of administrative and judicial rascality. They have no respect for the court. A reasonable judicial counsel ought to stop their actions immediately Salami sued them, but unfortunately they were blinded by their original one- sided interest and bias.

They want to destroy the bar and the bench. The suspension is illegal and unjust.

Greg, Enugu State.

By this development, the judiciary has sold its birthright for a ‘mess of pottage’ as it has helped to steer Nigeria not only to a one-party state but a clique-state! It’s not the honourable PCA that is on trial here but the ‘can of maggots’ called the judiciary. The NJC is a surrogate committee of senile cretins, lilylivered scumbags, contemptuously ignominous judicial scallywags guided only by the politics of the stomach against the ethics of their calling. How then are the men of the NJC different from those of the NURTW? This is the moral tumble to which those eight scallywags have crash-landed the judiciary.

Whatever happens from now on, the honourable PCA remains my hero!

Kayode A, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Continue on page 52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

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ADAGRY community is legendary as the gateway for the inhuman slave trade that ravished this part of Africa as well as a host of ugly wars. The ancient city also serves as the first point at which European missionaries interacted with the people of modern day Nigeria.

Today, the town is a striking place to visit for leisure and education as its wealth of culture, white sands, peaceful water fronts and magnificent coconuts palms are ever ready to tease tourists.

Due to its early exposure to the Western world, Badagry possesses a rich history of foreign as well as indigenous culture. It is well known that the first storey building in Nigeria was built in Badagry, and that the first bible translation into Yoruba language was done in Badagry by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. It is, therefore, no surprise that the indigenes of Badagry decided to institute an annual festival to celebrate their rich history, heritage and origin.

Badagry Festival, which is organised by African Renaissance Foundation (AREFO), is a reminiscent celebration of freedom from the tragedy of slave trade which plagued the community for over 300 hundred years. The event creates an opportunity for the community to atone for the sins of those who shed the blood of their brothers and to cleanse the land.

The cultural fiesta, which is the mother of all festivals in Badagry, is the only event which brings all the quarters of Badagry together in a conglomeration of cultural performances and exhibition.

Every year, without fail it, attracts people from far and near, indigenes and tourists, thus making the ancient town a vibrant tourism destination.

Usually celebrated every August, the 2011 edition of the week-long fiesta boasts various colourful and educative activities, all geared towards promoting unity among Badagry descendants and preserving their cultural heritage.

A solemn ceremony by the chief

Arts Extra

49

Badagry and the big festival

•Scenen from the festival

By Edozie Udeze

priest of Badagry, High Chief Posu, to appease the gods and cleanse the land kicked off the series of activities. The appeasement was

done in the presence of the Akran of Badagry, HRH De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, who declared the festival open. This was followed by a guided tour and lecture to commemorate the Slave Trade Abolition Remembrance Day in

Badagry.

The Gbaji-Yeke water front for the Boat Regatta and water sports.

Here, the prowess of Badagry indigenes on water was tried and tested. According to the organisers, the idea behind the water sports

was to generate a competitive spirit among the youths in the ancient town.

The excitement heightened with the brilliant colours and magical performances of Zangbeto masquerade display which took place in Ajido community, and Vothun masquerade show at the Agasa-Po-Hepo shrine, Ajara Vetho.

The festival climaxed with the Gbenepo Royal Carnival which is regarded as a rare opportunity for Badagry residents to see the Akran and his royal court in communal felicitation as they parade through the town. Other activities that spiced up the festival included painting exhibition and fashion parade put together by the Skills Acquisition Centre, Badagry and a drama performance entitled, Wailings from Badagry.

The festival was rounded off with a colourful grand finale which took place at the Badagry Grammar School Complex on August 6. It was a fulfilling day for the residents of the town as prizes and awards were presented to several individuals and quarters of the community for their outstanding performances in the various exhibitions and competitions.

The Badagry Festival was indeed a recall of the rich cultural heritage of the Egun speaking community, reinventing the town’s cultural history. The festival has shown that Badagry has the potential to become an international tourism destination.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and InterGovernmental Relations, Ashamu Sewanu, reaffirmed the significance of the festival to tourism development in the state.

He assured the community that the state government has plans to partner with AREFO to take the festival to international standards come next year.

Advocacy for effective public presentation

T

HE need for effective public speaking cannot be overemphasized.

Many speech presenters, political aspirants and marketers mess up their messages often time because of their poor presentation skills. To be able to perform creditably well in this all-important act, serious efforts must be made at whatever cost to acquire and hone the skills.

All of this and more formed the nucleus of the speeches and comments made by notable speakers who gathered at the presentation of a book entitled Presentation Skills Simplified, which took place last week at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos. Present at the occasion were Ambassador Segun Olusola, Prof. Pat Utomi (represented by Mr Ubong Essien), Chief Executive Officer Etianzact Nigeria, Mr Valentine Obi (represented by Mr G.A Beecroft), Pastors Joab Ayuba, and Abraham John-Oze. The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, who was to be the Mother of the Day, was absent at the occasion.

The 13-chapter book is a collection of the essential points that are required for anyone who wants to improve their

By Ademola Adesola

presentation skills to take into cognizance. It emphasizes the fact that “acquisition of presentation skills should not be limited to only broadcasters. People, irrespective of their profession or status in the corporate world, should acquire these skills and use them during their day to day interactions with their clients”. The book was reviewed by Mr Adesola Kukoyi.

The book is written by Olawunmi Sola-Otegbeye. A speech presentation training expert, the author is the founder of Voice Clinic, which is a speech presentation and sartorial school currently based in Lagos. The school which was established in 2003 has trained professionals, leaders in the corporate world, teachers and students.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Amb. Segun Olusola praised the author for writing the book. He said he was optimistic that the book would also impact the broadcasting culture just as the author has been untiringly encouraging more effective communication through the training of people at the Voice Clinic. Noting that many political

•Amb. Segun Olusola(m), Mr Ubong Essien (representing Prof. Utomi), and Olawumi Sola-Otegbade, at the book presentation PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

aspirants during election periods perform shoddily while campaigning, he called on the facilitators at the Voice Clinic to “create special session for political aspirants so that we can enjoy them in the way we did Pat Utomi during the campaigns and at other public events”.

Similarly, in his keynote address which centred on the concept of “eloquence”, Prof. Utomi through his representative, Essien, maintained that every public speaker must ensure that they place more priority on their messages rather than on themselves, noting

that such messages must be delivered with clarity. “The message, not the messenger, must be the centre-point. And to be eloquent, you must also be sensitive to the standpoint of the audience,” he said. He equally advised that interferences like “semantic and channel noises” should be avoided in speech presentations.

In the words of the author, the target audience of the book and the Voice Clinic are “the corporate world, the politicians, appointed public officials, and students. I believe that everyone in the corporate world is marketing. So,

whether we are marketing goods or services, we need to speak well with poise and confidence. We say that our message in Voice Clinic is speak well whoever you are, dress well whatever your calling”.

In his presentation of the book, Beecroft harped seriously on the importance of speaking, drawing copiously from biblical accounts in order to substantiate his point.

Arguing that bad public presentations, aided by inelegant words and expressions, can ruin careers, he called on people to give more attention to the acquisition of presentation skills.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Arts & Life

50

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

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

POLITICKLE

Ratcatcher

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

FOREVER associated with puberty – that impressionable period when beliefs and thought patterns are shaped – is, for the man, a tale of near mystic proportions. It was told by the family cook, Zachy. A tall, lean man of little or no pretensions, he was also calm, reserved and articulate. His affectionate relationship with the boy and his brothers was encouraged by a fine culinary sense and secured by a knack for story-telling. Zachy was, in the main, an agreeable fellow. His memorable account of a hunting experience – delivered in typical laid-back style –, was situated in the north of the country, where the chef himself had his origins.

On a dry, dusty day in February with the Harmattan haze hanging lustily about, Zachy narrated, a young boy and his companions combed the grassland on the outskirts of their village for bush rats.

Occasionally, the boys laid traps for the animals but preferred live capture as the game thus caught commanded higher prices in the market. For the boys, the money was often enough to fund a day’s supply of sugar cane, sweet cakes, groundnuts and any other snack in season. Or it fetched an evening’s worth of exciting Indian films at the local Hakuri Cinema.

Drooling over the prospects of a successful hunt, the boys proceeded, as usual, to beat hard upon a series of holes discovered in the ground. Then, while others lit dry sticks and inserted them into one or more openings to ‘smoke’ the rats out, one boy squatted at the mouth of the biggest opening, arms curved and hands cupped to close upon the neck of a frightened and fleeing quarry. The boys called the latter the ratcatcher. For his group, the boy was ratcatcher, with the dexterous application of a stranglehold unrivalled by his peers.

Now, he was poised to reprise the role as the others did their best to rout the prey. It took a while as it sometimes did, but soon, the boy discerned a familiar rustling beneath the soil surface. Muscles taut and eyes wide from a rush of adrenaline, he shaped for the catch but found himself choking a long, thick cobra in a split second.

The others reacted haphazardly. They fled in all directions, dropping sticks, cudgels and cutlasses. But the boy was committed to the grip. Head to head with a deadly serpent, its fangs bared and dripping venom, he held on wildly, desperately.

The other boys, meanwhile, ran on to the village to announce the awful mishap and were immediately made to return with a group of sturdy men. The team came upon the still-squatting figure of the hapless boy with the snake throttled to death. The boy had lapsed into shock.

Spirited to the village by strong and swift limbs, he was luckily revived by the village doctor. The boy stopped hunting for bush rats, but lived to tell the tale. He was Zacky.

More newspaper headlines The following headlines were actually printed in newspapers. The writer intends the statements, as the first installment published here earlier, to draw a smile or two—even at professional expense.

•Miners Refuse to Work after Death •Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents •Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant •War Dims Hope for Peace •Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures •Stolen Painting Found by Tree •Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy •Arson Suspect Held in City Fire •New Vaccine May Contain Rabies •Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges •Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge •New Study of Obesity Looks For Larger Test Group •President Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead •Princess Was Alive Hours Before She Died

QUOTE

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.

There are seven million.

—Walt Streightiff

Jokes Old Explorer A young reporter went to a retirement home to interview an aged but legendary explorer. The reporter asked the old man to tell him the most frightening experience he had ever had.

The old explorer said, “Once I was hunting Bengal tigers in the jungles of India. I was on a narrow path and my faithful native gun bearer was behind me.

Suddenly the largest tiger I have ever seen leaped onto the path in front of us. I turned to get my weapon only to find the native had fled. The tiger leaped toward me with a mighty ROARRRR! I just soiled myself.”

The reporter said, “Under those circumstances anyone would have done the same.”

The old explorer said, “No, not back then – just now when I went ‘ROARRRR!’”

Reasonable Doubt A defendant was on trial for murder.

There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse.

In the defense’s closing statement, the

lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,” the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. “Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom.”

He looked toward the courtroom door.

Members of the jury, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened.

Finally the lawyer said, “Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I, therefore, put it to you that there is reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty.”

The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty.

“But how?” inquired the lawyer. “You must have had some doubt; I saw all of you stare at the door.”

The jury head said: “Oh, we did look. But your client didn’t.”

•Culled from the Internet

SUDOKU ST

1 STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (330) Look at the 3 right vertical (ghi) 3x3 boxes.

The top box has 1 in cell Cg, while the middle box has its 1 in cell Fh. The bottom box must, therefore, have its own 1 in column i, where there are 2 vacant spaces - cells Gi and Hi. But,

28/8/2011

since row H already has 1 in cell Hf, the only space available to accommodate 1 in the bottom box is cell Gi. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Solution on SATURDAY. Happy Puzzling!

PUZZLE 330

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

b

c

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 329

3 9 6 1

1 4 9

8 4 5

2 1 9 2 1 6 4 7

d

e

f

g

h

i

4 9 3 2 7 6 8 1 5

2 6 1 8 5 9 7 4 3

5 7 8 1 3 4 9 2 6

7 3 4 9 1 8 6 5 2

6 8 2 3 4 5 1 7 9

9 1 5 6 2 7 4 3 8

8 4 7 5 9 3 2 6 1

1 5 6 4 8 2 3 9 7

3 2 9 7 6 1 5 8 4

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

51

Young Nation

08056745268

Hello children, Hope you are enjoying your summer lesson while you focus on the next session.

WORD WHEEL This is an openended puzzle. How many words of three or more letters each including the letter at the center of the wheel, can you make from this diagram?

We’ve found 18, including a nine letter word. Can you do better?

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi 1. I love my mother and I always kiss her before my death. What am I? 2. I am a thread that nobody can use for sewing. What am I? Miss Ajayi is a Basic 5 pupil of Fasta International School, Omole Estate Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos.

WORD SEARCH

Currency •Pupils of Evaron School, Surulere, Lagos on excursion to the head office of The Nation Newspapers on Thursday.

PHOTO: JOE AGBRO Jr.

BIRTHDAY

END OF THE YEAR PARTY

Currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply. The other part of a nation's money supply consists of bank deposits (sometimes called deposit money), ownership of which can be transferred by means of cheques, debit cards, or other forms of money transfer. Deposit money and currency are money in the sense that both are acceptable as a means of payment. Money in the form of currency has predominated throughout most of history. Usually (gold or silver) coins of intrinsic value (commodity money) have been the norm.

However, nearly all contemporary money systems are based on fiat money - modern currency has value only by government order (fiat). Usually, the government declares the fiat currency (typically notes and coins issued by the central bank) to be legal tender, making it unlawful to not accept the fiat currency as a means of repayment for all debts, public and private.

•Pupils of Top Talent Nursery and Primary School, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, performing a cultural dance during the school’s End of the Year Party last month

WORD WHEEL Nine-letter word: begetting Other Words: bee, been, beet, beg, beget, begin, beige, being, bent, bet, betting, big, bin, bit, bite, bitten, nib.

•Sope Lawal, pupil of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State

CEDI CENT COLON DALASI DINAR DOLLAR EURO

FRANC KRONE LIRA NAIRA POUND RAND RIAL

RUPEE SHEKEL SHILLING WON YEN YUAN

Word search created by Ifeoluwa Onifade Answer to Riddle 1. Matches Stick

2. Cobweb

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

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011 Continue from page 48

As a legal practitioner, I am disappointed by the action of the members of the NJC by suspending Justice Ayo Salami while an action has been instituted against them, more so when the Council has no constitutional power to do so. By this singular action, it is apparent that there is no love lost between the Council and Justice Salami. But they have compounded our work. How can we convenience our clients that the rule of law is alive in Nigeria?

They are indirectly inviting anarchy by their unconstitutional action. I hope Mr President will not join in this illegality by approving it.

Barr O.O.Olaniran, Osogbo, Osun State.

Have Your Say How do you view the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami? should uphold the law are themselves lawless and should be in jail.

Kolade Ayegbusi, Ode-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Justice Ayo Salami should have known the discipline in the profession and respect his learned seniors. Has he forgotten how many times he threatened the members of the bar in his court? The Chief Justice of the Federation is no mean person in today’s Nigerian political setting. Let him accept his fate in good faith.

Gimbason John, Kaduna State.

I got saddened about the whole drama. Our judicial system needs total revival. I strongly disagree with the suspension; a bad omen to the judiciary.

Hon. Emmanuel Ekwere, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

It’s unfortunate! Just like we’ve judicial precedence, so also the judiciary is setting bad precedence for the younger legal jurists and Nigerian future leaders to follow. The NBA, SAN and other stakeholders should rise up against this issue. The Judiciary should enforce justice and not to support victimization.

Mr. Danjuma Azi, T/Wada, Jos, Plateau State.

What do we expect when criminality is rewarded in Nigeria and uprightness and integrity is a crime? Everyone knows the CJN is wrong by arresting the Sokoto governorship election judgement and the Supreme Court went ahead to kill the case. God has shown us that most of the court judgements we get are fraudulent and we have nothing but some shameless people as members of the NJC. Ochera Ongaji, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

The recent suspension of Justice Ayo Salami from the Court of Appeal is politically motivated. The Judiciary which is known as the hope of the common man has been polluted by disgruntled politicians.

Afolayan Olaniyi, Okeigbo, Ondo State.

Let all Nigerians who love democracy, rule of law, and who believe that the judiciary is the last hope of every Nigerian stand up and defend the man of integrity, Justice Ayo Salami. The enemies of Nigeria are at work. They started with promotion which failed, they wrote petitions against the same man and it failed, they said that courts have no right to declare someone as a governor and this also valid.

Chief Uchenna Okokoba, PHC, Rivers State.

I am somewhat surprised by the decision of the NJC to suspend Justice Salami. I find it unacceptable, unjustifiable and calls for condemnation without equivocation. How can a man be a judge in his own case? Can the court be said to be the hope of the common man if those re-

•Katsina-Alu

sponsible for justice are unjust?

Engr Awwal Hayatu Wakili, Abuja.

Now that the Judiciary has joined the Executive and Legislative arms of Government to betray the Nigerian populace, the Country is finished. So where lies the hope that Nigeria will ever rise up again? No positives!

Henry Ekpe, Owerri, Imo State.

The conflict between the honourable men of the bench is part of the rot in our judiciary, revelations in the Senate and drama between the two old fools, OBJ and IBB. It is not a new thing to Nigerians, it has been an open secret. It is just the beginning of a great journey to the revolution that will happen in Nigeria soon.

Murphy, Ajah, Lagos State.

Critically looking at the “final” suspension procedure, one may ask; whose interest is the suspension serving? The judiciary is crawling, the legislature is simply an economic drain pipe at all levels and the executive is a desert of developmental initiatives. Let’s pray that Arab hurricane does not land here sooner than expected.

Dr. I. A. Okunlola, Ilorin, Kwara State.

It is unfortunate that a black man has no shame irrespective of academic attainment, social status or age. In a civilized society, they would have honourably resigned long before now. The two “gentlemen” have thoroughly embarrassed themselves, the Judiciary and the nation. They should leave the stage with ignominy.

Ededet Eyoma Esq, Calabar, Cross River State.

The suspension of Justice Salami is another painful realization that the guys running our lives for us as a nation are essentially small minds. This is a good example that those who

In Igbo language, “Alu”, whether from Benue or Katsina (as in Katsina-Alu), means abomination or sacrilege. The NJC headed by Katsina-Alu has simply committed sacrilege. Katsina-Alu and all the NJC members know that the suspension of Hon. Justice Salami is tantamount to selfhelp and a total absurdity. It is wholly illegal. Too bad that Alu (sorry, Katsina-Alu) and his ilk are rubbishing what past Chief Justices laboured to achieve.

Barr Roy O.U. Nwaeze, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The problem between the CJN and President of Court of Appeal is most embracing and a minus on the integrity of the judiciary. The NJC has not fared well in this case. The two top judicial officers, KatsinaAlu and Isa Ayo Salami, should be retired to give way for cleansing of the mess they brought to the judiciary. The integrity of our judicial system should not be compromised under any guise.

Ahukanna FC, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

If the conflict between the CJN and PCA is the reason given for the latter’s suspension then the NJC has helped safe Salami’s face. The man (Salami) did not conduct himself well in the Ekiti and Osun appeal cases for reasons most Nigerians now know.

Stephen Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The NJC is only acting out a script written after the Osun and Ekiti governorship verdicts. Obviously the powers that be are not happy with anybody who dares them by saying the truth.

Akin Irewole, Osogbo, Osun State.

It is a high point in the manipulation of justice and barefaced, crude manifestation of might is right. Shame on our Judiciary.

Ifesinachi Uba, Kawo, Kaduna State.

52

powers to stop any court proceedings in any court in the federation, then the committee that recommended the suspension of the PCA has more than erred and should be told so in clear terms.

Iliya Garba, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Most sensitive institutions are drowning. The judiciary which is made up of our learned men is not exempted.

Oil flowed, blood flowed. We are just exchanging monkey for baboon. Babylon is falling.

Sunny Falade, Kuje, Abuja.

It shows that the Judiciary may not be different from other government organs. In that case, it may not be right to see the Judiciary as the hope for the common man.

Alagbawi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

•Salami

The CJN and the NJC should bury their heads in shame; Nigerians are no fools. The PCA should carry on with the struggle. Nigerians are watching.

Are Sam, Oko Oba, Lagos State.

It is a case of let’s take him off so we can install a person that can help those who manipulate election results in the last election.

Mike Momoh, Lagos State.

The NJC cannot be more than Nigeria. The president should be cautious. The NJC should apologise to Nigerians. This is the rule of law through the back door and should not be allowed to stand. Who is afraid of salami?

Shamaki, Kaduna State.

Psalm 94:20 says thus, “You have nothing to do with corrupt judges who plot against good men and sentence innocent to death. But the lord defends me and protects me.” With this as a source of inspiration, Justice Salami needs not fear any foe. No weapon fashioned against him by the NJC will prosper.

Femi Awobote.

Suspend Justice Ayo Salami then you suspend the truth. You allow darkness to prevail.

Pastor Olafisoye, Akure, Ondo State.

The purported suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo, by the NJC without following the due process could be described as an act of illegality of the highest order.

It is unfortunate that the highest judicial body that should be seen upholding the rule of law to the letter is now disobeying the constitution of country.

Kamorudeen Oyeniran, Osogbo, Osun State.

This is a case of injustice. If the CJN has no constitutional

The NJC is being politicized.

The suspension of the in Sokoto State gubernatorial judgement was never in good faith. The CJN has no business, constitutionally, in truncating the work of the Court of Appeal. How do we substantiate good faith?

Oma Usenu, Igbuku.

It’s very unfortunate that people entrusted with our judiciary are messing our country up. It clearly shows that Salami has no respect for the CJN, his suspension is at the right time.

Timothy Terese Avungu, Abuja.

The suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal is rather unfortunate. The NJC ought to have allowed the suit filed by Justice Salami be heard before any disciplinary action was visited on him. May be the NJC doesn’t have confidence in the judiciary which it superintends. The hope Nigerians have in the judiciary is being eroded by this action of the NJC. Jatto Bankole, Abuja.

The purported suspension of the PCA, Justice Ayo Salami, by a Kangaroo court of the NJC which did not form a quorum is a stamp on the desecration of the temple of justice displayed by the CJN Katsina Alu. Benson Nwobum, Abuja.

When the highest body on legal matters decides to become the beacon of illegality, we should know that justice in this nation is attempting suicide.

Who will rescue her? I weep for the judicial system and the nation whose future is bleak because of the thoughtlessness of a few.

Dr Diatah J.M., Otukpo, Benue State.

The case between the NJC and Salami is unfortunate. The body has shown very high level of prejudices and partisanship in the matter. The CJN who arrested the case of Sokoto gubernatorial election should have been the one on suspension rather than Salami who is honest and firm.

John Saaondo, Makurdi, Benue State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011 CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME EPEKIPOLU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Hannah ‘Bunmi Epekipolu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hannah ‘Bunmi Olupinla. All former documents remain valid. RCCG and general Public to take note.

EYONG I formerly known and addressed as Miss Helen Itam Eyong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Helen Joseph Ubi-Oka. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, The Polytechnic, Calabar, NYSC and general Public to take note.

UDENYI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Angela Ogbugula Udenyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Ogbugula Ochugboju. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc. and general Public to take note.

IKOMONI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikomoni Theresa Erezi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theresa Erezi Otite. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary Education Board, Zonal Office, Orerokpe and general Public to take note.

OJO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Abimbola Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atolagbe Abimbola Oluwakemi.

All former documents remain valid.

Teaching Service Commission, Ado Ekiti (TSC) and general Public to take note.

SONEYE

I formerly known and addressed as Soneye Adetutu Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogungbangbe Adetutu Abosede. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public to take note.

INNOCENT I formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Ejeh Innocent, now wish to be known and addressed as Elizabeth Martins Abechi. All former documents remain valid.

Kaduna Polytechnic, NYSC and general Public to take note.

MFAM I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mfam Victoria Ekawa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Tamuno Emmanuel Douglas. All former documents remain valid.

University of Calabar, NYSC and general Public to take note.

UBA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnenna Oriaku Agwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joseph Aso Nnenna Oriaku. All former documents remain valid. Sterling Bank Nig. Plc. and general Public to take note.

ABUONE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABUONE CATHERINE NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AJUORAH CATHERINE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria security & civil defence corps ,National Teachers Institute, Lafia and the general public should please take note.

GEORGE I,formerly known as Miss Amarachi George, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amarachi Chinweuba Wadibia.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKUBANJO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OKUBANJO JIBIKE OLUMIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. ODUKOYA JIBIKE OLUMIDE. All former documents remains valid. Lagos State Government and the General Public should Please take note.

BABAYANJU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Babayanju Ololade Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amusu Lois Ololade Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. Yewa North Local govt. and general Public to take note.

OWOLABI I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS OLUBUNMI ATINUKE OWOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUBUNMI ATINUKE ALLI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

KUJERO I,formerly known and addressed as Mr. KUJERO Sunday Oladimeji now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OLADAPO DAVID OLADIMEJI. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and the general public should please take note.

JEGEDE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss JEGEDE Oluwakemisola Yemi, who got married as Mrs KUJERO now wish to addressed as Mrs Oladapo Oluwakemisola Yemi due to my husband’s change of name.

Directorate of Information & Communication Technology, Ekiti State and the general public should please take note.

FAMAKINWA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwawemimo Olusola Famakinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwawemimo Olusola DavidObisesan. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OLAJIDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiye Oladoyin Olajide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Taiye Oladoyin Alagbe. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

SHEDRACK

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Shedrack Hannah Miller, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hannah Ismaila Adamu Attaboh. All former documents remain valid.

Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) UNIPORT and general Public to take note.

OKWA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Comfort Nneka Okwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Comfort Nneka Adirika. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

EZE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Chidimma Collette, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwaokike Chidimma Collette. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general Public to take note.

ILEOGBEN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Ileogben, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Adegoke. All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

ADEYINKA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyinka Adetutu Adijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Soretire Adetutu Adijat. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

SAOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Saola Ajoke Olasumbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gansallo Ajoke Olasumbo. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

OGUNTAYO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguntayo Oluwaseun Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebambo Oluwaseun Precious. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general Public to take note.

ABU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abu Azimat Lola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amusat Azimat Lola. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State TESCOM and general Public to take note.

AKINOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss AKINOLA TEMITOPE ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. LAWSON TEMITOPE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education, SUBEB, LGEA Alimosho, Housing Estate Primary Sch.Abesan and general public take note.

ANYAHURU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anyahuru, Nmachi Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adaso Precious Nmachi. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public note.

ADEOYE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeoye, Muinat O. Olajumoke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Azeez, Muinat Olajumoke. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADEJARE

I, formerly known as and addressed as Miss Adejare Adesola Modinat , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lamina Adesola Medinah. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AKANBI I formerly known and adressed as Akanbi Muslimat Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as OJIKUTU Muslimat Olajumoke (Mrs.) All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ABDULKADIRI

53 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

KAYODE

AKINSOLA

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Kayode Olasunbo Tiwalola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ademoye Olasunbo Tiwalola. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

OREDIPE

OBASA

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Oredipe Olabisi Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Samuel Olabisi Yetunde. All former document remain valid. Local government Service Commission, Bariga LCDA and general Public should please take note.

OLUDARE

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Ayozie Oluchi Fidelia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obianime Oluchi Fidelia.

All former document remain valid.

Evan Enweren University and general Public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abdulkadiri Mariam Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Isah Mariam Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. Ibadan Polytechnic, LASU and general Public to take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obasa Oluwagbemisola Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Makanjuola Oluwagbemisola Oluwakemi.

All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Oludare Oluyemisi Olofin, now wish to be known and addressed as Oludare Oluyemisi Ilaboya (Mrs.) All former documents remain valid. Eko Hotel & Suites and general Public to take note.

ISIEKWENE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Isiekwene Veronica Isioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunleye Veronica Isioma All former documents remain valid. Ogun State government and 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 Oise. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

AKINOLA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Olusola Akinola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kehinde Olusola Basorun. All former documents remain valid.

University of Ado-Ekiti and general Public to take note.

UKPABIO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Arit Jesoph Ukpabio, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arit Chukwudi Allen. All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

ASOMUGHA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amara Adaobi Asomugha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amara Adaobi Anueyiagu. All former documents remain valid.

UNILAG, Bible Society of Nigeria and general Public to take note.

IBE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibe Chioma Evelyn, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzoma, Chioma Evelyn.

All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

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

General Public to take note.

OGBODO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nneka Faith Ogbodo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nneka Faith Ibe. All former documents remain valid. Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, NYSC and general Public to take note.

AYOZIE

KAMORU I formerly known and adressed as Miss Akinola Adeniyi Kamoru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinola Adeniyi Kamal. All former document remain valid. WAEC, GCE, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Delta State University, PAMMPAP Venture and general Public should please take note.

JODA I formerly known and adressed as Miss Adesola Joda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adesola Adeosun. All former document remain valid. Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and general Public should please take note.

EWEJE

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Adebukunola Omolabake Eweje, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebukunola Omolabake Omotayo. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

YORGU

I formerly known and adressed as Philip Niebari Yorgu, now wish to be known and addressed as Philip Niebari Okwai. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

Gbenga

ONYEBUCHI I formerly known and adressed as Miss Onyebuchi Ifeyinwa Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ebu Ifeyinwa Vivian. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

SHOBOWALE

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Shobowale Aminat Ololade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aminat Shobowale Adeniyi. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ADISA

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Adisa Oluwadamilola Yewande, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owoeye Oluwadamilola Yewande. All former document remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

AJASA

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Rachael Adebola Olufunmilayo Ajasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Efwards-Taiwo Ruth Funmilayo.

All former document remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

OGUNRANTI AGORO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agoro Ganiyatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Saka Ganiyatu Aliyu. All former documents remain valid.

University of Portharcourt, NYSC and general Public to take note.

ETOP I formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Uwem Etop, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Uwem Awolaja. All former documents remain valid.

General Public to take note.

OGWUMOYI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogwumoyi Ndidi Lillian, now wish to be known and addressed as Obuh Ndidi Lillian.

All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

AZUBUINE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Azubuine Justina Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwachukwu Justina Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

I formerly known and adressed as Miss Ogunranti Oluwatoosin Oyeladun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akindipe Oluwatoosin Oyeladun. All former document remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

ORHUE

I formerly known and adressed as Orhue Imuentiyan Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Ezeh Imuentiyan Mary. All former document remain valid.

NYSC, IMT, Enugu and general Public should please take note.

BUSARI

I formerly known and adressed as Mrs Oluwakemi Deborah Busari, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Oluwakemi Deborah Popoola. All former document remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ADEKANMI I formerly known and adressed as Miss Adekanmi Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onokun Kehinde. All former document remain valid.

Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Akure and general Public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinsola, Fayokemi Funmilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adiukwu, Fayokemi Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

JOGBODO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jogbodo, Omolola Anne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olawunmi, Omolola Anne. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Ministry of Education, NYSC and general public should take note.

IDOWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Idowu Abiodun Omotayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osiyale Abiodun Omotayo. All former documents remain valid. Olu Ola Specialist Hospital, Ijebu-Ode and general public should take note.

OREDOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Oredola Adijat Bolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Salauddin Khadijat Bolanle.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OSONUGA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osonuga Mojisola Adeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adenowo Mojisola Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ODOGUN

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Mojisola Rabiat Odogun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mojisola Rabiat Odogun Arotayo. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta and general public should take note.

AKINFOLARIN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinfolarin Bolaji Ajibola Adefunke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekunle Bolaji Ajibola Adefunke. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OVEH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emamefe Ewomazino Oveh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Emamefe Ewomazino Okinedo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AWEFEKO 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.

OMOBHUDE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omobhude Ebehiremen Cordelia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eriakha Ebehiremen Cordelia. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

JAJA

ADEKUNLE

I, formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Jaja Yingigba Chioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs) Akinyemi Yingigha Chiomas. All former documents remain valid.

University of Ibadan and general public should take note.

OREGBESAN

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Joseph Chigozie Nnadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Joseph Chigozie Nwachukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekunle Adetola Wuraola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owolabi Adetola Wuraola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oregbesan Yetunde Oluwarantimi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewole Yetunde Oluwarantimi Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADEBIYI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebiyi Halimat Temitayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shittu Halimat Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

ADESINA

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

ODUFESO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odufeso Oluseyi Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oke Oluseyi Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta, OOU, Ago-Iwoye and general public should take note.

ADEFISOYE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adefisoye Stella Adebimpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekoya Stella Adebimpe. All former documents remain valid.

TASUED, TASCE, Omu-Ijebu and general public should take note.

ONANUSI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onanusi Foluso Dolamu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesanya Foluso Dolamu Adebisi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ODI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Ebube Odi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abesin Shukuralilah Sandra Ebube. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADESIDA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesida Ronke Rosemary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adoh Ibironke Rosemary. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OTANIYI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Otaniyi Rosola Risikat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kareem Rosola Risikat. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, LGEA, Ijebu-Ode and general public should take note.

NNADI

KILANI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kilani Rafat Aduke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arotayo Rafat Aduke. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AKOMOLAFE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akomolafe Modupe Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jayeoba Modupe Comfort. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board and general public should take note.

FALETO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faleto Olufunke Regina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedara Olufunke Regina. All former documents remain valid.

University of Education, Ikere Ekiti and general public should take note.

FASANMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fasanmi Mojisola Temitayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Wakama Mojisola Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local govt. Service Commission and general public should take note.

AYESIMOJU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayesimoju Bosede Janet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olowoyo Bosede Janet. All former documents remain valid.

Authority concerned and general public should take note.

ADEBAYO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Bosede Christianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogakiite Bosede Christianah. All former documents remain valid.

Authority concerned and general public should 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, Email- gbengaodejide @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 AUGUST 28, 2011

54

Fashola’s marching orders

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ATURDAY Tribune Front Page of 24 August vitiated its ‘most informative newspaper’ pay-off line on two occasions: “Oil spill triggers fire outbreak” (Doubledecked Screaming Headline) Tacitly put, ‘outbreak’ is clearly otiose here. Therefore, oil spill triggers fire.

“Salami refuses to handover” The phrasal verb error used to be just hyphenation. Now, it is horrendous (‘handover’) instead of ‘hand over’!

Let the truth, courage and lexical fairness of 1949 still prevail.

“Paucity of funds threaten Egbin power plant” (DAILY SUN Headline, August 22) A recurring case of subjectverb disagreement (S-VD): Paucity of funds threatens….

“OBJ, IBB bite more than they can chew” (THE NATION Back Page Headline, August 22) Both of them bite off more than they can.

“Below are some correspondences from BPE (Bureau of Public Enterprises) to BUA and Council Memo to Mr. President.” (Full Page Ad by the Management of BUA Group, THISDAY, August 18) BPE can of worms: ‘correspondence’ is uncountable.

“Indeed, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said little and done even littler (less)” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY Back Page, July 31) Flashback from Osunkwa K.U. “While trying to locate the address close to a hotel at (on) the outskirts of the town.…”

“Lagosians welcome Fashola’s marching order on tanker drivers along Apapa-Oshodi expressway” Fixed expression: marching orders.

“More grease to your elbow.” More power (not grease!) to the elbow of Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Nigeria’s foremost governor.

“8 policemen arrested over extortion” When will police criminality stop going the rounds? They will always be arrested for (not over) weapon misuse (‘accidental discharge’), extortion and banditry!

“But even at that, labour was not overtly involved in the arrests and detentions that followed” ‘Detention‘ is uncountable.

“In fact, it looks like increase in the prices of petroleum products have (has) become an annual ritual.” Another S-VD

embarrassment.

“Female lawmakers angry over treatment meted to the female minister.”

No chauvinism: meted out to. “…until 1998 when individuals and groups converged in (on) Italy.…”

“I throdded that strange land and it took the grace of God to survive.” What is going on?

‘Throdded’ for ‘trod’?

“Given the fact during the electioneering campaign of 2000 in the US….” Bush’s right steps: ‘electioneering’ indicates ‘campaign.’

‘So, to employ the two words is morphological abuse.

“Unfortunately for the US government, majority (a majority) of the UN members were not.…” “…as the attending leaders would be falling over each other (one another) to get the attention of the world’s number one citizen....” “ S u c c e e d i n g (Successive) governments have shown no inclination to (for) overhauling our antediluvian criminal justice system.”

“A TV footage of the visit showed a heartrending scene of inmates kneeling and wailing and pleading to (with) her to secure their release.”

“By leaving so many frivolous laws on (in) our statute books....”

“One of Nigeria’s finest and pioneer professor (professors) of dentistry.”

“Real development in (on) the African continent cannot be achieved through coups.”

“Nigeria successfully restored Sierra Leone’s president, Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba (another comma) into (to) government after he was deposed by.…”

“Although the government is still settling down into (to) its second term.…”

“Transporters are usually the first to do so making workers spend the lion (lion’s) share of their salary on transportation (why not just transport, which is Standard English; not the excerpted Americanism?)

“I and my wife plotted the scheme which….” No spousal coup, gentlemen: My wife and I plotted the scheme. “ C o m m u n i t y commends Fashola over grassroot (sic) development” The community surely commended the governor

for (not over) grassroots development.

“10 arrested at Apapa Ports over (for) hemp dump.” Fixed expression: ‘arrest’ takes ‘for’ (never ‘over’) always. It is not optional.

“With regards to the first question (a comma, please) the answer will be two-pronged.” Choose between ‘as regards’ and ‘with regard to’, which applies here.

“How I lost my lover to a bossom friend” From the stable of the Flagship: bosom. “ N i g e r i a ’ s speedster…in his hey days” Simply heyday (a word and non-count).

“They came to enjoy music, not pay through their noses (nose) for a few hours of fun.” “…the dead would have done a dance of approval at the befitting honours accorded them by their offsprings.”

‘Offspring’ is uncountable.

“Today, not only is the civil conflict still raging, but the fall-outs of the wars....” ‘Fallout’ is uncountable. “…the prospects of bilateral military cooperation between Nigeria and the US in the troubled spots of West Africa….” One of the fascinating aspects of the English language: trouble spots.

FROM MY INBOX I do enjoy your weekly analysis of grammatical blunders made by our journalists who speak and write the English language as their first language (LI). I want to use this opportunity to commend you for your great critical work that is worthy of emulation.

From Olanrewaju Temitope Adedapo (08156970191) Thanks so much for your weekly WORDSWORTH. Do we still have proofreaders and sub-editors in our newspaper houses?

Some of the everrecurring errors are too basic for the checkers not to notice before publication. I am not a journalist but we were thought all those things in O’ level English language. May be the standard has dropped so much. Our children are in trouble except for the intervention of someone like you. Please, keep it up.

Oladele (08057689906) •Once more, constructive criticisms, observations and comments are welcome.

L-R: Mr. Fatai Olukoga (SAE), Prof. Olumide Ajose (Chairman, Gov. Council), Barr. O. Longe (Deputy Rector) and Dr. A. A. Lawal (Rector).

HE Special Adviser on Education (SAE), to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Fatai Olukoga recently visited the Lagos State Polytechnic.

He visited the Ikorodu campus of the Polytechnic and inspected the on-going and completed projects sponsored by the state government.

The SAE was impressed during the on-the-spot assessment of the projects and hoped to see more during his next visit.

T

Safety and Security Alert!

Application of Non-Lethal Weapons (NLWs) to counter-insurgency

I

NVOLVEMENT of security forces in peacekeeping, law enforcement, humanitarian assistance, and counter-insurgency demand for NLWs with maximum flexibility.

DEFINITION "NLWs are employed to incapacitate personnel, materiel and capability objectives, that could devastate people and equipment, and disable facilities and systems minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel and undesired damage to property and the environment.

Component of NLWs •Intent •Context •Effect Types 1. Kinetic Energy technologies - Batons - Kinetic impact rounds - Baton - wood, plastic, rubber, foam.

- Sponge round - Bean bags - Rubber pellets - Encapsulated - Water canon 2. Direct Energy technologies - Area denial system - Tactical Air Laser - Laser 'Dazzlers' - Energy Projectiles 3. Acoustic technologies - Infrasonic sound - Long range acoustic 4. Electric technologies - Tasers - Stun shield, belts, batons and guns.

5. Chemical and Biological technologies - Sprays, shells, grenades.

- Incapacitants/Sedatives - Anti-materiel (combustion, super- corrosive and embrittling agents) - Anti-traction - Maloderants - Riot control and - Lubricating agents 6. Barriers and Entanglements - Water and Vehicle Stopping Devices (Portable Vehicle Ar resting, Barrier, X-Net, Caltrops) - Personal Entangling Devices 7. Communication systems 8. Information technologies 9. Optical devices

creasing the precision of lethal arms. The cost-effectiveness is not expensive in relation to its potential benefits.

- Restraints by international law. The status of NLWs is ambiguous under international conventions. Careful consideration should be given to the definition of what is and is not prohibited by the Chemical Warfare Convention.

NL technologies are effective in • Low-level conflicts • Management of potential and perils.

• Policy analysis • Military, economic, The term 'weapons of mass prodiplomatic, and political tection' is coming into use where strategy.

NLWs are used as weapons of mass protection and information warMotives for NLWs, when fare to project high-precision power • sniper is hidden in a crowd delivering results that are life conof women and children serving, environmentally friendly, • it's pleasing to enlist allies and fiscally responsible. Such proreluctant to risk vide capabilities that will yield new • regime facing significant supports to diplomacy, a credible internal oppositions, etc. deterrent and expanded ability to meet evolving needs.

Some International laws: - Basic Principles on Use of Force Inherent risks in NLWs - The "slippery slope" might and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. lead to: Eighth UN Congress on Prevention • unintended involvements • understanding of capabilities of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, 27 August-7 September and limitations 1990 • careful identification of - Convention on Prohibition of adversaries Development, Production, Stock• integrated plans piling and Use of Chemical • early consultations - Retaliation. May open door Weapons and on their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Conto warfare, - Proliferation. Security re- vention, CWC) search and development is prone Paris, 13 January 1993; came into to imitations. Some NLWs assem- force on 29 April 1997.

In conclusion, bled for commercials are available Application of NLWs in secuto terrorists and governments. This knowledge should be in secret to rity environment needs continulimit proliferation and retain sur- ous test on viability and reactions to explosives. We need to prises.

- Unrealistic expectations. intensify high level of trainings Expectation of bloodless encoun- and retrainig ters is doomed using NLWs before lethal means, this could exPlease send feedbacks, responses, pose government forces to needand challenges by sms or e-mail to less dangers. They should have the undersigned. adequate lethal weapons available, with authorization to use them as By: Mr. Timilehin Ajayi necessary.

- Cost comparative Effective- (Safety and Security Consultant) E-mail: timilehinajayi@yahoo.com ness. The benefits of NLWs could 08095683454, 08075518732 be achieved quickly by in-

10. Munitions and 11. Non-penetrating projectiles To achieve NLWs’ result, apply Dr. T. Feakin 2006, DICE Equation: - Design - Intention - Content - Effect.

Scope of NLWs are to: - destroy communications - reduce inflammation - "slickums" and "stickums" to impede traffic.

- inhibit movements - inflict obnoxious sounds and smells.

Makinde

Life Extra

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

HE beauty of Durban, a South African province comes alive with a holiday potential that promises a full package of fun, especially when the coastline is a traveller’s choice destination. And if the South Africa Airways (Nigeria)’s special holiday offer must be maximised, then the Durban Beach and environs are perfect for a resort that breaks the unpleasant distance between a Casino that combines choice cinemas, top eateries, fun spots, and weekend clubbing; and the ambiance of multifarious coastline activities, sight-seeing and relaxation.

The last Durban Film Festival gave this reporter an insight into the easy leisure connect that the city is made of, such that after the parade of the various art centres like NuMetro CineCentre (Suncoast), Ster-Kinekor Musgrave, Cinema Noveau Gateway, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (University of KwaZuluNatal), Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre (KwaMashu), and the Royal Hotel which offer venues for festival’s film screenings, an exquisite arena called Moyo provides a fantastic venue for all sorts of parties, no matter the size or class.

Moyo is the Swahili word for soul and a dining experience at the arena has been variously described as an African soulful experience for celebrations like Christmas, New Year’s party... or just a date in Africa.

150 metres into the Indian Ocean, Moyo uShaka, as it is fully called is noted as the only place from where you can view the sunset over the Durban City skyline. The arena is named after the great Chaka Zulu warrior, and thus the managers of the resort have kept a tradition of an African flavour. The experience is nothing short of romantic as the picnicker is caressed by the Saharan breeze and thrilled by the tides slaps wooden floor below his feet and the pier that the restaurant is built on.

With an eclectic range of African cuisine, and a sensory combination of food and wine that appeals to the passion of adventure, a feast that is meant to

experience to the traveller.

Like Moyo, the Durban Beach serves the delicacies of the Indian round the seasons with an outdoor shopping for the arts and craft of Durban, as well as of other provinces and African wares on offer by the various make-shift stalls and hawkers spotting the length and breadth of the coastline.

For a hotspot that is always in season, the location, which is close to a row of other hotels, houses and businesses in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, gives the traveller a convenient switch from work to leisure and rest.

Then of course, either as an onlooker or participant, the sporting activities around the beach offers a spectacular insight into the uniqueness of the Durban Beach. There are surfers clad in swimming suits and brandishing their boards in readiness for a ride on the waves of the Indian Ocean.

There are also joggers and cyclists who come around from the not so distant city centre to burn off the fat, and so are lovebirds who make an open nest of some choice spots. Everybody seems to have a place on the beach; a few kids on skate boards also play around, landing on the soft sand, knowing the crash couldn’t be fatal.

The potpourri of interest on the beach also has a slot for spiritualism, and this comes with some sort of belief in the healing powers of the Indian Ocean. Some travellers were sited washing off their illnesses with faith about the time that some church faithful came out of the water having fetched a handful in bottles for future use.

The beach renders a more pleasant site at night as surrounding light falls on the earth creating interplay with the darkness; it is not surprising that even though the breeze is harsher at this time, some picnickers were just arriving, not for a short stay, but as choice abode for the night.

Indeed, the Durban coastline never sleeps.

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Durban’s coastline that never sleeps There is a triangle of great leisure around the coastline of Durban, a province in South Africa. Victor Akande, Entertainment, Editor who just returned from the Zulu land, was fascinated by the easy connect between the Suncoast Casino, the Moyo uShaka and the sleepless Durban Beach.

•Durban Beach

transport the visitor into an African fantasy is set to roll.

Away from Moyo is the Suncoast Casino which houses the NuMetro CineCentre and other leisure spots that underscore the venue as a gaming, shopping and entertainment Mecca; hence a world of entertainment situated on palm-lined beachfront, along the city’s Golden Mile . This Durban’s largest casino offers travellers a variety of gambling opportunities, a wide choice of fabulous restaurants and retail outlets, movie theatres, top-class entertainment, loads of kids’ entertainment and private beach access where a number of prestigious annual events are held under starlit skies, plus the 165-

room Suncoast Hotel & Towers which forms part of the complex.

And for those moments that an exclusive outdoor relaxation is

sought, the soft sand, soothing distance sun and caressing breeze of the Durban Beach render an ecstasy of nature’s valued

‘My near fatal road block accident’

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ENULTIMATE Friday a family of three , an aged mother and a policeman escaped death in an auto crash that occurred at Eleyegho police check point near Akure Airport .

The woman , Mrs Akinwale was travelling in her Jeep from

Mrs Nike Akinwale, under the threat of being killed at a police roadblock, drove into a bush to avoid killing some policemen. Taiwo Abiodun reports failure. She was screaming on top

Owo , in Ondo State to Lagos with her two children and her aged mother when the Jeep had a brake

•The crashed jeep (inset) Mrs Akinwale

of her voice alerting the drivers coming behind and the policemen at the road block.In order to avoid killing them, she rammed into a nearby bush and hit the tree .

Narrating her story, she said ‘’ I serviced the Jeep and the brake was alright before embarking on the journey to Lagos .My mother was on her way to the International Airport, Ikeja ,Lagos and was to board a flight to the United States of America for medical check up.

On the way I discovered that the brake failed as I applied it. I raised an alarm and was screaming on top of my voice to alert other drivers coming behind.. I asked one of my children to quickly use the back seat belt on my aged mother who was sitting at the back . I peeped through the window and started shouting but the police at the road block cocked their guns , ready to shoot me , thinking I was an armed robber who was pretending and trying to escape. I then quickly had a different thought and rammed into the bush to avoid crushing them. I

would have crushed the Mobile policemen if not for God. Later when the vehicle stopped I discovered that my children had been wounded and my mother too was unconscious ‘’.

She continued: When I asked if any of the Mobile policemen were affected , they said none of them was wounded but I insisted that one of them ran into the direction I ran into .We made a frantic search and later saw one of them lying there, he had been hit. He was then taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where I worked while the Mobile policemen were even surprised seeing how I managed to be at alert and struggling for their survival. I hit my chest against the dashboard, I had severe pains but that was not my concern .I was concerned about the wounded ones. If I die I think it is better for I don’t want to have human blood on my hands. ’’ When The Nation visited the scene of the incident, the three police men who were there when the incident occurred confirmed the story . One of them said ‘’ the woman was screaming and alerting everybody that she had a brake failure. It is true that she alerted everybody but we did not know or believe. It was not her fault

-Courtesy: South African Airways at all. We thank God that our colleague and friend is alive. We will soon go and see him at the hospital’’ When The Nation met the Investigation Police Officer [IPO], he confirmed the story and said his officers told him about the brake failure and how she alerted them and other on coming vehicles.’’ It is not her fault , nobody prays for accident to occur. We thank God that nobody died in the accident. The wounded officer is responding to treatment now. Let us pray for them to get well’’, he said.

When The Nation met Mrs Akinwale in the hospital she was restless as she was going up and down in the hospital premises and was either paying for drugs or for laboratory tests for the victims who were hospitalised.

Once in a while she would soliloquise and shake her head .

She was in a confused state .She looked ruffled as she moved up and down at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo , Ondo State . She kept on praying to God to let her mother and the police officer that were involved in the auto crash to survive.

Her two children were treated and have been discharged while the police officer is now recuperating .The vehicle has been parked at the Iju -Itaogbolu Police Station.

56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Focus

C

AN you share your experience during your captivity?

Not now, I need to rest. You know what I went through for 12 solid days. I need to rest for some days but I will not stop you from doing your job if you promised me you are going to be brief.

Yes sir, it’s going to be brief, just two three questions will do. Thanks for the opportunity. In life is there anything to be compared with freedom?

My son, you are only pulling my legs, you know like I do, there is nothing like freedom. I was denied my freedom for 12 days for not offending anyone. I did not even know those who kidnapped me, so I could not have offended them in any way; but they took me away from my freedom until God used the police to rescue me. I had never been so detained or confined to one place for days in my life. So I know nothing can take the place of freedom in life.

How did it all start? How did they capture you?

They captured me around Abattoir, and that building’s said to belong to the state security services located between Abattoir and Air force barracks. I was returning from my business premises around 7:30pm that very Friday. I was rushing home because I don’t like driving at night.

One vehicle was following me and I did not suspect anything funny because there were hundreds of cars on the road.

So all of a sudden, the vehicle behind my own over took me and at a point, they stopped and one of them came down and stopped me, I stopped. I noticed they were soldiers because they were in army uniform and the Hilux van they were using was that of the special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises. So when I stopped they came to me and said their oga (boss) wanted to see me in the office. I asked why, they said they did not know but that when I meet their oga he will tell me why he sent for me.

Since they were security officers I obeyed them. They asked me to enter their own army vehicle while one of them drove my own. But they never took me to Army Barrack or the STF headquarters, they took me to somewhere else, and because it was dark I did not notice where they were taking me to. At a point they brought another vehicle and they asked me to enter that vehicle, I refused because I wanted know why it was taking too long to get to their oga, when they noticed I was no longer cooperating, they started beating me.

They beat me seriously and bundled me into the strange vehicle and drove off. That was the point the soldiers that picked me handed me over to the real kidnappers. The soldiers were just to facilitate the kidnap. That was when they drove out of Jos to an unknown destination. We travelled very long but I did not know where we were going they were just driving on top t speed, I never knew human being could drive with such speed. I only knew I was in Kano the day the police rescued me if not for 12 days, we were in a forest which I don’t know the location.

At what point did you realize they were kidnappers?

That was the point where the soldiers who picked me handed me over to the unknown people. The handing over took place somewhere in Jos. From then my mind told me these are kidnappers because they never allowed me to have access to my phones, all my two phones were with them, they switched them off completely.

While you were with them all the days did your mind tell you that you would come out alive?

I have that belief because I belief in God Almighty, because of my closeness

•Pa Obi

I wore only pants for 12 days in kidnappers’ bunker —Mikel Obi’s father Yusufu Aminu Idegu spoke with Michael Obiekeze, father of football star, Mikel Obisendwho was recently kidnapped in Jos the money on time they would ask

to God, I belief God would rescue me.

But honestly my initial fear was that I never knew where I was, it was like a bunker, I did not know which part of the world I was then. If not that I strongly belief nothing would happen to me. I was stripped naked; they removed all my dress and left me with pant on. I remained with them with only pant on for the twelve days before I was rescued.

Did they ask you to pay any ransom?

It was the next day they brought me to the place that they started telling me to tell them how I will be able to get money for them to release me. They said I should tell my son to send money fast so that they can release me. After another day they will ask me if my son had sent in the money, I would tell them no, they would say if my son did not

the soldiers to come and pick me from here because they told the soldiers who kidnapped me for them are disturbing them for the money.

How much were they asking your son to bring?

They say is $4milliom, which is about 600 million in naira exchange.

Did you meet any other victims of kidnap where they kept you?

No, I did not see another person there; it was only me and them.

Were they giving you food?

Yes, they gave me food. At times they would ask me what I wanted to eat. They were giving me tea in the morning, in the afternoon they would give me lunch and also in at night.

With what language were they communicating with you?

They said I should tell my son to send money fast so that they can release me. After another day they will ask me if my son has sent in the money, I will tell them no, they will say if my son did not send the money on time they will asked the soldiers to come and pick me from here because they told the soldiers who kidnapped me for them are disturbing them for the money.

They were communicating with me in Igbo language, they speak Igbo fluently.

How were you rescued?

I was just there in the bunker alone, at times their chairman, I mean leader of the gang would come to me to discuss about the money they were expecting from my son. At times they abandoned me and lock me in the room and remained outside. So while I was inside I did not know what was happening outside. I did not know that the police had discovered the place and had come there. The police noticed I was in fear because I started begging him not to kill me. The policeman shouted come out! We are from Jos we came to rescue you, come out and let’s go, I am from Jos it is Tony your son that sent us to come and rescue you, is Tony not your son? I said yes. Carry your clothes and come out.

So when I put on my clothes I came out I now saw that there were many police outside, I saw that they had already arrested the kidnappers. That was when I saw the sun light after twelve days.

As a man of God, if you’re asked to forgive them will you do that?

It is not about forgiveness, my prayer for them is that God should change them from criminal activities and become true children of God in the society. God will forgive them only when they depart from their criminal practice and begin to worship God.

57

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011

In search of sustainable agriculture Worried that the rising cost of staple foods and food shortage are early signs of an imminent food crisis, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, at an interface with stakeholders met in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on how to address this challenge. Daniel Essiet reports

T

HE word “uncertainty” aptly describes the state of the nation’s agricultural sub-sector of the economy, which has remained prostrate these past years. Like a debilitating disease, it seems to have defied all known remedies.

The implication is that farmers and other allied professionals uncertain about the future of agriculture in the country have been leaving farming occupation in droves to what they consider far more lucrative ventures, a development, which has further spelt doom for the nation, as far as food production is concerned.

From available statistics, the country is said to have spent trillions of naira annually on the importation of sundry food items ranging from confectioneries, beverages among other consumables both from sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

The problem

Although a lot of reforms have been introduced in the sector, many of them have not had the desired impact. Prof.

Lateef Sanni, a consultant at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), while attempting a prognosis of the problems bedeviling the sector, blamed it on what he described as the “non pragmatic nature of the agricultural policies in the past”, which in his view, has not only been defective but unable to revamp the sector.

Nigeria, he insists, “needs a strategic vision that is capable of improving comparative advantage, efficient markets at home and/or abroad and environmental sustainability.”

Stakeholders’ intervention

Perhaps, conscious of the enormity of the problems besetting the sector, little wonder various stakeholders came together with an institutional framework that can incentivise and unleash a new change in agriculture. The venue was at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, the citadel of proven scientific advancements in the continent.

Among the roll-call were the farmers and government officials in tow among several other actors in agriculture, especially private companies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) working at the grassroots.

Their terms of reference include but not limited to the following, viz: a review of activities and other milestones in the sector in the past decades.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who set the tone for discussion informed stakeholders that his regime was transformational just as he promised to improve the lives of millions of poor farm households among others.

The objectives of his transformational agenda, the minister underlined, are to enhance increased agricultural

•Yam market at Anam, in Cross River State

productivity, promote commercial agriculture through private sector, improve research and extension service delivery, and promote effective and efficient resource management.

Oil boom doom

Going down memory lane, the Minister recalled that the biggest successes in the sector was during the pre-oil era where produce such as groundnut, palm kernel, cocoa, cotton, maize and rice were national income earners, with each of them contributing at least 50,000 tonnes of export annually.

The oil-boom, he stressed, encouraged a steady drift away from rural to urban areas in search of white collar jobs. This trend, he lamented adversely led to inadequate food production in the country.

From all indications, he noted the nation has not been able to produce enough food to feed her teeming populations and to meet raw material requirements for the industries. This is evidenced by the massive importation of grains and other food items to meet internal demand.

At three per cent, Adesina noted that the budget allocation is seven per cent shy of meeting the Comprehensive Africa

Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) policy framework. CAADP requires that countries signatory to the agreement allocate at least 10 per cent of the national budget to agriculture.

High cost of food importation

Adesina said high food imports have made Nigeria one of the largest food importers in the world, a trend he vowed to reverse.

In 2010 alone, Nigeria spent N635 billion on the importation of wheat, N356 billion on the importation of rice, N217billion on sugar, and N97 billion on fish imports.

Analysis show that Nigeria is spending close to N1.8billion daily on wheat and N1billion daily on rice importation.

He said the new administration was committed to fully implementing the substitution of high quality cassava flour for wheat flour, along with other cereals to save the billions of naira being spent on the importation of wheat.

Minister’s agenda

While lamenting the challenges besetting the sector, which parlous state has had a far reaching but negative impact on productivity and income generation

compared with conditions in Asia, the minister reiterated that he will steer the ministry’s work in line with the four pillars of the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP): agricultural research, improved market access, raising small-holder farmers’ productivity and extending better land management and reliable water distribution systems.

Admittedly, the minister said there are large areas in the country well-suited for the production of major cash crops such as rice, sorghum, tomatoes, maize, cocoa and other agricultural crops, adding that the plan was to strengthen the value chain of these produce and ultimately accelerate productivity.

Given a pragmatic blue print, the minister said staple food crops such as maize, yam, cassava, cocoyam, beans, sorghum, millet etc and livestock could be produced in abundance and rid the nation of hungry as well as create employment.

He said his administration will encouraged field tests of new varieties.

The cassava revolution

He also said that the government would support the use of cassava to meet the growing demand for high quality •Continued on page 58

58

Business

•Continued from page 57

fructose cassava syrup for soft drinks and sweetener industry, and reduce the high cost of import of sugar.

“This would replace, just for nine bottling plants, an equivalent of 75,000 tons of sugar, equivalent to 300,000 tons of fresh cassava roots.

“Second, the use of cassava under the E-10 policy for blending 10% ethanol into petrol will produce one billion litres per year of ethanol. If 30% of cassava was used, this alone will translate into a raw material equivalent of 2 million tons of cassava roots,” he explained.

Consumed by millions of Nigerians, cassava has transited from being a ‘poor man’s crop’ and is now an important industrial crop that provides starch and other products for confectionery, sweeteners, glues, plywood, textiles, paper, biodegradable products, monosodium glutamate, and drugs.

Cassava chips and pellets are used in animal feed and alcohol production.

“Investing in value chain development would ensure food security and jobs,” said Dr. Peter Hartmann, IITA Director General.

In 2002, improved varieties backed by the Presidential Initiative on cassava, which compelled flour millers to include 10 per cent cassava flour in wheat flour helped Nigerian farmers to boost production by 10 million tons between 2002 and 2008. This has helped the country to overtake Thailand as the world’s biggest producer of cassava.

Echoing similar views, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chairman of Thai Farms based in Ogun state,said: “The policy helped Nigeria to save millions of dollars from wheat importation and created jobs for farmers.”

He however, regretted that things have gone pretty bad as farmers say prices have nosedived from a high of

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Boosting food supply brought about transformation of maize production in the northern Guinea savannah while its cassava varieties helped Nigerian farmers boost production by 10 million tons between 2002 and 2008, enabling the country to overtake Thailand as the world’s biggest producer of cassava.

Tackling crisis

N18,000 per tonne in 2010 to N5000 per tonne in 2011.

“Something needs to be done to change this trend. The government of the day should compel flour millers to take cassava flour from farmers. What we need is the political will,” Gbadamosi said.

IITA’s path with agric sector

The minister, who impressed the need for all stakeholders to join hands together in order to “grow the nation’s agric base”, however, acknowledged the role of the IITA to agricultural research in the country, which he said, was worthy of commendation.

“IITA is crucial for Nigeria and we stand ready to support IITA in its important work,” he said.

He said the work of the institute in developing improved maize varieties

food

The minister, who observed that the current increase in food prices had pushed 44 million people into poverty worldwide, however, assured that the ministry will bring together various stakeholders to ensure that the country is self-sufficient in food production.

Role of researchers

Researchers, he maintained, have a duty and responsibility to make research work for the users, adding that his ministry is determined to attempt a paradigm shift as it relates to stakeholders in order to ensure that research outcomes solve the problems of the farming communities.

International collaboration

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said it has formally endorsed the agricultural

transformation agenda of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with a counterpart funding of $75 million.

President of IFAD, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze who visited the Ministry explained that IFAD has always been in the forefront of agricultural transformation globally through strengthening of the value chain to create wealth, employment opportunities and generate income.

He said IFAD intends to use the money to support the agricultural transformation agenda of the Nigerian government to the agricultural value chain for comprehensive agricultural development in the country.

He said: “Nigeria and IFAD have been collaborating on agricultural development in three key areas, which are Community-Based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme (CBARDP); the Community-Based Natural Resources Management Programme (CBNRMP); and the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN).”

These intervention, he said was jointly executed by Nigeria and IFAD with the latter contributing $85 million and the former paying $115 million counterpart funding.

Laudable has this blessed optimism is, analysts have argued that it may take more than cosmetic change to turn the tide in the agriculture sub-sector, which according to them have suffered a lot of privations in the hands of successive regimes in the country.

News

•L-R: Senior Partner, Baker Tilly Nigeria, Mr. Titus Soetan; Manager, Miss Seyi Ogunkolade, Consultant/Facilitator, Mr. Bill Tefford and Mr. Soji, Arimoro, at the International Financial Reporting Standards Workshop organised by the company recently.

PHOTOS: BADE DARAMOLA

•L-R: Consultant Paediatrician University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Adegoke Falade, Medical Director, GSK Plc, Dr. Kunle Oladehin and Senior Manager, Clinical Research & Development Medical Affairs, GSK Biologicals, Beigium, Dr. James Phillip Cruz, at the launching of Synplorie, a vaccine Against Pneumoloccal diseases held in Lagos recently.

•L-R: Dr. Omo Aregbeyen, Past President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, (ICAN), Alhaji Idris Sulaiman; Deputy Registar, Technical, Mr. Asein Abel at a one-day symposium on Federal Government of Nigeria Budget Implementation and its Transformation and Reform Agenda

by ICAN held in Lagos over the weekend.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Leodic Ltd, Mr. Eddy Okeke, CEO, Global Education Network/ ICPM, Dr. Adetunji Haastrup, and Executive Director, Sales and Administration, Leodic Ltd, Chidi Nwanneche at a leadership development training programme for Leodic Staff and Directors held in Lagos.

‘Market share, funds, staffing determine number of branch network’

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

59

‘Market share, funds, staffing determine number of branch network’ Stanbic IBTC Bank, has started a major redefinition and expansion of its business in Nigeria with aggressive nationwide push for retail banking. In this interview with Capital Market Editor, Taofik Salako, Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking (PBB), Jacques Troost outlines the opportunities and strategies driving the repositioning of the bank within the prospects of the financial services sector and the Nigerian economy.

OU have started a major push for the expansion of your market share in Nigeria, what opportunities do you see driving this aggressive positioning?

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment is a huge one and we have just started tapping into it. Many of our new branches are surrounded by SMEs. During the course of this year, we are going to do a lot of work in that segment.

Also, if you look at agriculture in this country, it is big with government investing huge amounts into this sector. We have started to build on this and we are planning to bring more expertise in to grow this business as well. The same with Sharia Banking; CBN has just started licensing banks to do non-interest banking.

Therefore, as we start launching more products into these segments, we are going to need more and more branches in areas where we did not have them before. Banks do not always have the right types of SME products. Launching more products and segments clearly indicates the need for more branches to be able to serve the customer in a much wider segment than we are able to at this stage. This is an ongoing process. In the longer term, we will start getting involved in many more of the segments as we grow the branch network.

Why have you decided to go into full retail banking when you are doing well as a niche banker?

The starting point is that we see ourselves as a universal bank. A universal bank wants to bank all segments, not only the top end but the total market. This is a process because there is still a lot of work to be done in the upper segments.

If you look at salary earners, there is a lot we can do there in terms of new products we can launch, and lots of money that can be extracted into the banking system from the upper segment. There are 24 banks in Nigeria and these banks want to grow their market share and profit base.

But if you look at the market in South Africa and some of the other markets, at one stage, you need to start moving down the pyramid if you want to grow your business. In the next few years, more and more of the banks are going to start playing in some of the lower segments of the pyramid.

For us at this stage, we are playing in the profitable top segments while also doing some learning in the lower segments, so that one day when we need to start playing there, we would have attained the learning to help us find our feet quickly in the market.

With the introduction of less expensive channels such as internet and electronic banking, it was thought that there would be less need for branches but many banks are still angling for more branches, what’s responsible for this?

It has to do with both

Y

psychological and economic needs.

Some years ago, in more developed economies, when they started launching internet banking they started saying we do not need physical footprint anymore, and lots of banks actually reduced their footprint.

But few years later, they started building this footprint again. It is clear that a lot of customers want to see and visit the branch because different customers have different needs.

If you come down to the Nigerian market, it is largely a cash based society. You can have all the very upmarket modern segments and channels such as internet banking, telephone banking and mobile banking, but somewhere in this whole network cash must enter, so you must have cash-in, cash-out abilities.

Therefore, you must have some kind of physical presence to get the cash into the banking system.

You can use the ATMs in a way and that can be used to a point. If we are going to be relevant in this market, if we are going to increase market share, we will have to grow physical footprint, in combination with a lot of other channels. We cannot stop growing physical footprints, or try to replace it with something else.

That is the reason why we believe we must continue to build the physical network as well.

How far do you intend to go in terms of your reported nationwide branch expansion?

The starting point for branch expansion programmes will always be the economic hubs of the country.

In our case, that’s what we are doing.

On top of that we also said we must have representation in all the states.

The starting point last year was to make sure we have a branch in all the states, not only for the retail franchise but for the total bank, pension business and the corporate business.

We opened 80 branches last year.

Also, emerging opportunities may also influence our locations.

Let us take any area where there is a lot of agricultural activity or Sharia activity like the Northern states; clearly we would not have had a customer base there. However, if we are able to launch a non-interest product we would immediately have customers that were not around before, which we were not focusing on. The same applies to agriculture and the SMEs. Let me use a large mobile phone company as an example, the multinational company themselves may never do business in one of the small branches upcountry, but their clients will if we have those branches.

The corporate and investment banking arm may find it difficult selling our services to such a company that has got a big customer need through-out the country if our branches are not there. The game plan is to start planting branches where it is most profitable. But if we call ourselves a universal bank that wants to bank all segments of customers, we

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THE EXECUTIVE

•Troost

“Some of the stuff we are doing is around Esusu, which has huge potential. The challenge now in that market is that we serve that market through an agent network. It is not conventional banking and we are working on our agent model” must reach the potential customer base outside the bigger cities; we want to be their bankers as well.

The benchmark is to open 60 branches this year but we might slow down depending on how quickly we can generate the income to sustain the branches and how quickly we can staff the branches. I do not want to put a number to it but we have a budget for 60 branches. The number of branches that is enough for a bank depends on the market share it wants to achieve.

At this stage, if we are to achieve our projected market share, we will need about 300 to 350 branches.

In 2010, we were planning to do

100 branches, but we reviewed the plan. The challenge is no longer to open the branches because we now know that we can open 100 branches a year, if we want to. The challenge is staffing the branches and to bring them up to productivity. The biggest challenge is the training, so we slowed down at a stage last year when we realised that we were running out of capacity from a people point of view.

One thing the new branches are showing us from a cost point of view is that to make a branch profitable, one of the inputs is the cost of building a branch. If you can reduce this cost,

you can open branches in places where they previously would not have been profitable. I think with the model we played around with last year, we now know that we can build branches at much lower cost than the original branches but at the same quality.

There have been talks of mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry, do you consider inorganic growth as a possible strategy going forward?

Opportunities arise all the time.

To state that we will never look at another bank will be wrong. I think in this market, over the next few years there will be mergers and acquisitions. We will always be looking for opportunities. However, we will do something while we look, which is to grow organically and we know that we can grow 100 branches a year and we will continue to grow organically. We have proved to ourselves that we can do it. We will continue doing that and if an opportunity to acquire another bank arises, we will look at it.

What has been your experience with the lower-end retail banking?

Some of the stuff we are doing is around Esusu, which has huge potential. The challenge now in that market is that we serve that market through an agent network. It is not conventional banking and we are working on our agent model. We are working at making sure that we appoint the right agent and that we pay them the right kind of commissions for the work they do.

We have learnt a lot since going into the pilot phase of Esusu. We are getting better at managing the agent network, understanding them better, and the results have been coming with it. The account opening in the last few months have been phenomenal. The liabilities may seem small but when you put all this together, it actually brings quite a nice liability base to the bank. We are also starting to lend to this segment.

Once again, as a conservative bank, we always go into a pilot phase and this one looks positive.

We are however aware that once when you start lending money, the economics change drastically. From a liability point of view, it may take a much longer time for us to start breaking even in this segment, but it remains a volume business. We need to push the volume, the volumes are out there, it looks positive, and we will continue doing what we are doing.

We definitely believe that Esusu is the first building block in a much bigger picture. It allows cash in cash out at the ground level thus the market place. From there, it can flow to the retailer and then to the wholesaler or distributor and lastly to the big corporate. In such a way, it assists the value chain to become cashless and at the end reduce the cost of cash, which is an expensive commodity in the economy.

60

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Business

Oceanic Bank gives N40 billion to farmers O CEANIC Bank has so far disbursed N40 bil lion as loans to agricultural institutions and the entire value chain with a view to boosting food supply nationwide.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos last week, Head, Agro Allied and Export, Oceanic International Bank, Eyitayo Quadri said apart from the fund which was disbursed

from 2006 to date, the bank has also set aside N20 billion to loan to farmers this year.

Quadri noted that the move is to enhance agricultural sector which is the mainstay of the economy, adding that apart from employing about 70 per cent Nigerians, the sector also contribute over 40 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He stated that the bank is working with farmers in groups and cooperatives to ensure effective utilization of the disbursed loans, He lauded Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s various initiatives such as Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) scheme, stating that it would improve the flow of loanable

funds from banks to farmers and also lower interest rates.

Quadri restated Oceanic Bank’s commitment to providing capital to the entire value chain including mechanization, farming, input, agro-processing and distribution.

“Right now we are looking for the right agriculture institutions or farmers we can finance with our funds and funds that have been made available by the CBN. What we are doing for small farmers is that we have products for state governments that are willing to lend to small cooperatives and small farmers in their states. We

require that the state governments put in place an agency or any mechanism that we can monitor the activities of the cooperatives,” he said.

Also speaking, Head, Development Finance, Felix Oyakhamoh explained that the renewed interest on agricultural funding was informed by the commitment and support of the federal government through the apex bank (CBN) and Ministry of Agriculture to support the sector financing to enhance sustainable economic growth.

“In the past agriculture financing was a problem.

There was the challenge of a

meeting point between financiers and the farmers. They don’t understand each other.

The financial players don’t understand how agric work so they don’t want to put in money. In fact, most of the bad loans in the past were on agriculture so people that got their fingers burnt became skeptical. Agric is a bit technical, poor infrastructure and high risk. The conditions in doing agric finance is getting clearer, the CBN is putting guarantees, putting counterpart funding in place and making the security less than what it used to be so financiers are willing to invest,” he said.

Group offers free medical tests in Ondo

A

•The team from African Business Forum International.

PHOTO: TAIWO ABIODUN

FRICAN Business Forum International [ABOFI], a group of Nigerians of all walks of life, based in the United States of America may have given a new meaning to welfarism judging by their kind gestures towards the less-privileged in the society.

The group, comprising medics of different expertise including a paediatrician, gynaecologist, physicians, psychiatrist, oncologist, haematologists, pharmacists, dentist and general medicine practitioners, among others, were in Ondo state on the invitation of the state government.

Their mission: to render free

Red Cross distributes materials to Jos cholera victims

I

N furtherance of its mandate to provide assistance to people affected by health emergencies in the country, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have commenced the distribution of water treatment tabs, hand soaps and Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) in 6 local

government areas of Plateau states where there were reported cases of cholera recently.

The exercise which was flagged off at LEA Primary school, Zarmaganda in Jos South Local Government area was taken to five other local government areas, namely, Jos North, BarkinLadi, Mangu, Pankshin and Shendam.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy

Head of Health and Care, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Dr Kemi Aderibigbe explained to the community members that they could keep themselves away from diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and others if they drink safe water.

Expatiating, she implored the people to take the cleanliness of their house and environment more seriously than ever

before, adding that they should ensure that heir surroundings are free of refuse and wastes.

In her remarks, the Regional Health Manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Dr Chidimma Aigbe urged the people to keep their environment free of animal and human faeces.

By Taiwo Abiodun

medical services to indigent members of the society. The team subsequently toured about 15 local governments, where they offered free medical services including medical tests and drugs to patients.

Justifying the initiative, the state governor Dr.Olusegun Mimiko, said: “It is the second time this is happening since 2010.

It is a clear manifestation of their love for their fatherland, particularly for the people of Ondo state and for this administration. It is a clarion call for the collective development of our Sunshine state.”

The programme, Governor Mimiko emphasised, “will go a long way in alleviating the health problems of our people. Last year this same group organised a similar programme of which thousands of people benefited from the expertise of the welltrained personnel that participated.”

Among those who benefited from the free medical services include the aged men and women numbering over 6,000 at the State Hospital in Ondo.

Mrs. Remi Duyile, the Special Adviser on International Relations and Diaspora to Governor Mimiko, while also lauding the initiative, said the state government having become convinced of the

inherent benefits, did everything within its powers to facilitate the group from America to Nigeria, especially to Ondo state.

Dr Dayo Adeyanju, the Special Assistant [Health] said the assistance rendered by the team “Is another demonstration of the caring health programme the government has in mind for the people.”

While administering drugs to the beneficiaries, Dr.Cecilia Babalola, also part of the team, implored them to put the drugs into judicious use as well as go for regular check-ups as required.

Mrs. Caroline Iluyomade who was among the beneficiaries praised the state government for bringing the team to Nigeria, saying: “I heard about the free medical service over the radio that is why I am here. We did not pay a kobo for both the tests and drugs and this will go a long way for us.”

An 81year old man, Chief C.C .A Anyongo, who claimed not to have been to the hospital in his life, also lauded the state government for the good gestrure. “I thank Governor Mimiko for initiating this idea. I live in the farm and had never been to the hospital all my life.

Now when they check me the doctor said I had high blood pressure. And I have never heard that before. I’m now waiting for my drugs.”

'Internet is the future of business' Ayoola Benson, a Nigerian based in the UK, is the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Manna Group, which runs online portals dedicated to sales and services across Europe and the West African sub-region. In this interview with Adeola Ogunlade, Benson provides useful insights on the opportunities of global internet trade

C

OULD you tell us about yourself?

I am a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of Associate of Chartered ACCA in UK and a member of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). I also have an MBA from Oxford University in UK and several other qualifications.

I am an investor in e-commerce and my unrelenting pursuit now is to make sure Nigerians are not left behind or isolated in the global internet trade. There are limitless opportunities on the internet and we can redirect the energy of our youths to embrace these opportunities and where there are constraints, we work hard to either remove or ameliorate those constraints through innovative ideas.

What are the opportunities in the

global internet trade?

We have released our highly functional and secure website (www.MannaStores.com) where Nigerians can shop online without the challenges of payment cards acceptability or delivery. The website is already making waves as we have received a lot of orders and a lot of waiting list as I talk to you. This innovation makes the need to waste time and money travelling to buy goods abroad unnecessary and a lot cheaper for retailers of all kinds of products.

What gives you the impression that people need your services when they can buy on the internet themselves?

We enjoy economy of scale in terms of our purchasing logistics and therefore we are able to offer customers quick quality service than they are able to do themselves. There is also a challenge regarding jurisdiction; if a

customer in Nigeria buys from a seller in UK, it is difficult to pursue the seller for a refund if he defaults because of different legal systems and the legal cost of doing so. As a registered company in UK and in Nigeria we can pursue default by sellers in UK to get justice for our customers.

Why did you choose the internet as your vehicle for delivering your services?

The future of businesses is on the internet and the quicker we embrace it the better for our economy. The market reach on the internet is limitless, we have had hundreds of thousands of visitors on our MannaMart classified website in less than six months and even a lot more on our Mannamart.blogspot; it would take years to accomplish that with a lot of advertising budget offline. The era of sellers' market is over and now you have to cater for your customers to build a successful business and the internet allows you to do that effectively through payment convenience and prompt delivery. Customers may now order from the convenience of their homes and expect prompt delivery in a few days at a cheaper price than going to the market directly.

•Benson

Business Diary

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

VOL 1 NO. 025

P

ERHAPS we need to re-enforce the commitment of MC&A Digest, as we continue in our efforts to create a better committee of buyers and sellers. As we have always done, our resolve is to create progressively discerning consumers, buoyed by truth about brands and products. On the other hand, we are also committed to encouraging professionalism among practitioners in brands management for effective customer engagement; strategic planning and effective brand/consumer connect.

This page is over twenty six weeks old (we de clap for ourselves here O). For all we have been doing, we have readers' reaction in appreciation of our efforts to show. Such encouraging remarks/reaction has added to our resolve to pursue our objective. We shall continue in our direction of teaching, enlightening and informing our readers for the good of all.

Just as well we are presently preparing to publish what some of us in-house have called A COMPENDIUM OF THE TRUE PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS in Nigeria, but it is all about our quest for the truth, with an open mind to learn. We ask questions, we have been asking questions and we shall continue to ask questions - with a willing heart to learn. In the course of our questioning and learning, we have learnt so much about the human mind especially as it concerns taking a decision to buy. This is often glibly mentioned as consumer traits and habits among brand managers. But beyond academic exercises, the import a proper understanding of the working of the human mind concerning the issues of choices is so consequential; it deserves a more careful involvement of our attention.

A graphical demonstration of the delicate nature of taking the decision to buy can be more appropriately appreciated from the position of the person who fall victim of fake or adulterated drug. How careful can one really be; in the face of general level awareness of the dangers prevalent, one still has to buy drugs anyway. Armed with the necessary warning signs, such person carefully goes out to buy the genuine drug and yet falls in the hands of fake, AGAIN! Remember we are considering a consumer who already knows he/ she is a possible victim if not careful. The question would be what was such a person really thinking when he/she set out to buy?

Such questions would definitely challenge the average brands manager beyond the limit set by a mere academic question of WHO BUYS. That is the level we want to take the commitment of our practitioners in brands management, for that ideal market situation, as we consider the gamut of interaction and activities within the local pharmaceutical industry.

But this week's focus, for us, is on the emerging general market of supplements within the general healthcare segment. It all exists within healthcare as subsumed albeit vaguely so, within healthcare products market. Characteristic of this local market, consumers are quick to draw (sometimes wrong) conclusions on products with some similarities, no matter how distant, to come to conclusions, no matter the market.

We have discovered that the emerging trend within the broad healthcare products market is for consumers to dangerously mix up the difference between lifestyle products with actual health care products. Furthermore, such lifestyle products are wrongly recommended through word of mouth, by supposedly betterinformed past user, for purposes of managing a given health condition. So, a guy suffer indigestion, a neighbour quickly recommends anything he or she considers the solution without blinking. On and on this goes and today we have untrained pharmacists among us, to whom we must defer if we like to be healthy. Unfortunately, this goes on till disaster strikes and the victim goes down in a hail of debilitating ailments that a simple visit to a doctor would have taken care of.

We found this emerging trend within the BITTERS market, and we asked a few questions. To you the reader, HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BITTERS and which is that brand you for you?

We did ex-ray a particular brand of bitters and came to some interesting conclusions. Our recommendation, as would be made for the benefit of our esteemed read-

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SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Healthy bitters ...Just as well ers below, is based on our findings, but let us put in perspective those basic ingredients that should guide us when we consider BITTERS. From Alomo, to NONI, Swedish, Super, Polza...Bitters brands have all suffered from misunderstanding and misapplication from among target users.

Some users have come to see bitters as good for libido enhancement, some for body cleansing and some others will use bitters as purgatives. In all, the reasons-for is open to individual interpretation, based on (individual) experience. So we went on an excursion on the world of Bitters with EVANS HEALTHY BITTERS. We decided to look at bitters from the standpoint of EVANS HEALTHY BITTERS because its pedigree and

heritage puts a lot on its shoulder in the areas of credibility and the responsibility of delivering on promise. And we learnt so much to pass on, as follows.

Bitters are basically lifestyle products that should originally designed to help healthy living by reason of its being a general system cleansing agent. It is ideally to serve as health tonic with special influence on the body's digestive system. The importance of the ideal Bitter stream through from the beginning to the end of the digestive system, in effect, with all its attendant implication, for a healthy living.

The ideal Bitters should do the following: 1. Serve as a general health tonic to influence the entire metabolic system of the body. The ideal Bitters should stimulate taste buds and increase salivation, for improved and healthy feeding. The formulation of Evans Healthy Bitters, especially conducts the this function, by reason of its 8 unique herbs, which also adds the benefit of broadly enabling a broad health benefit of positively affecting the entire physiology of human body, including improving immunity against anti-bodies.

Driving this benefit a little bit further for the layman's understanding, it is common knowledge that at ailment such as malaria, for instance, one tends to lose appetite.

When that happens, it compounds the dangers because not being able to eat further weakens the body. But with Evans Health Bitters, the whole digestive system is stimulated to secret various digestive juices from the body or-

gans, that triggers food consumption and improved digestion and absorption of nutrients from consumed food, that provide the body with needed energy to fight against infections.

2. Detoxification. Due to its effective stimulation of the body's secretion of enzyme, Healthy Bitters helps healthy metabolism through detoxification. It drives this very important process by stimulating bile production and secretion into the intestine, and this does a lot to detoxification and general cleansing of the metabolic system, removing all unwanted products that could harm our body system.

3. Evans Health Bitters helps body's circulatory system and maintains proper functions of the body's vital organs 4. It increases the body's immune system by its ability to influence the body's over-all metabolic system and increasing immune responses.

5. It can also reduce stress and anxiety, strengthening the body's nervous system.

Generally, Bitters are indicated for poor digestion, weakness due to chronic illness' chronic constipation, loss of energy and vitality, painful digestion, intestinal cramps, excessive gas, irritable bowel syndrome, poor appetite, nutritional deficiency anaemia, immune disorders where nutritional deficiency is present and digestive weakness due to mental overworks and lack of exercise.

It took us some time to catch up with the pace at which the managers of Evans Healthy Bitters went passionate on the need to properly educate the market on the need for bitters and the appreciation of its importance in maintaining healthy living. The worry is more on the dangers of some of these offers in the bitters market leaving the consumers to make all kinds of inferences. Evans Medical will live by the rules as a responsible corporate person, to drive for the ideal. So it has taken a highly demanding Research & Development process to come up with her Healthy Bitters. It is designed to meet all the needs specified in the indications above.

Bitters are not alcoholic products or substitutes. Bitters should not serve as Viagra, for instance, nor should it be considered for drink mixers. Those are the dangers we see in the Bitters market today. Those transport workers are mostly taken in, in some of these misuses, and we find it worrisome that the brands involved take such developments as a definition of comfort zones.

Healthy Bitters is a tonic, no connection with alcohol.

The other beautiful thing about this brand is its pleasant taste. Unlike competition, Healthy Bitters is not bitter.

The bitter taste characteristic of the traditional bitters tends to discourage usage among some TU, so Evans went the extra mile to make her brand pleasant tasting.

Our readers should rest-assured on the quality of our incisive special project on the health drugs market when we shall publish, but in the mean time, we shall be keep asking the questions that will benefit us all. For Bitters, we have established the facts with Evans Healthy Bitters, please be guided in the choices you make, moving forward.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

‘Why Nigerians should embrace Islamic banking’ I

SLAMIC banking otherwise known as noninterest banking has the potential to transform the nation’s banking landscape, the management of El-Ansar Multipurpose Cooperative Society of National Hospital Abuja, has said.

The firm made this submission at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja.

Tagged: ‘Islamic Banking System: A viable option for

By Vincent Nzemeke

Nigerian Economic Transformation Agenda’, it drew participants from all walks of life.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the society, Malam Adio AbdulRasak, said the objective of the workshop is to create awareness on Islamic Banking System (IBS) as well

as underscore the relevance of the IBS to Nigerian economic transformation agenda which is one of the priorities of the Federal Government.

Justifying the need for Islamic banking, AbdulRasak said: “The critical analysis of the Nigerian economy in the past 20 years showed a continuous depression which has defied all

Nigerian economists’ theories thereby suggesting the need for alternative economic system”, adding: “There can never be any alternative economic system, unless we accept Islamic Economic System which is structured to bring out the poor from the hooks of interest, replace poverty with wealth and fight oppressors called capitalists.”

Expatiating, he said:

•Director of Ugbede Medical Clinic, Daniel Usman receiving a consignment of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), hand soaps and water purification tabs from the Deputy Head of Health and Care department, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Dr Kemi Aderibigbe in Jos recently

Intercontinental boosts e-banking

I

NTERCONTINENTAL Bank Plc has raised the bar in e-payment platforms by offering a bouque of services to its growing customers.

In a statement issued by the bank and made available to The Nation, the bank stated that it has issued Hajj international cards for Muslims travelling to the Holy Land, making it a dominant player in the electronic and mobile banking segment of the industry.

“The bank has one of the largest networks of Automated Teller Machines and Point of Sale (POS) terminals in the industry coupled with innovative use of e-payment products, deployment of various card schemes, business and

educational portals, channels schemes and services,” the statement said.

The bank has demonstrated growth in the e-payment business as it processes the highest number of transaction via the switch.

It records bank guarantees availability and up time of 99 per cent with each transaction. It has also demonstrated strong leadership in the use of Verve cards in the industry. All these have earned it positive results.

The Group Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank, Mahmoud Lai Alabi was pleased when the bank was recently awarded the 2011 Best E-Bank of the Year

by Logical Communications Limited.

It emerged winner after it

Second African Brand Conference holds in Ghana

T

HE second edition of the African Brand conference is set to hold in September in Ghana.

This was announced by the Conference Director and Group Publisher of MarketingWorld, Mr. Akin Naphtal.

Naphtal who gave this hint from his base in the UK, said Instinct Wave, publisher of of MarketingWorld, was inspired to repeat the feat, following the huge success the media outfit recorded at its maiden edition held at Central London in August last year.

Tagged: ‘Building Brand

in the New Media Era’, Naphtal further explained, will comprise dynamic content, interesting case studies, research updates, future trends, innovative ideas and networking opportunities.

Chief Marketing Officer MTN Nigeria Mr. Bola Akingbade; Managing Director Samsung Electronics West Africa Mr. Afdhel Aziz; Brand Director, Heineken USA, Sue Omangaa; and Director and founding member of HKLM, Temi Abimbola, will be among the top resource persons at the conference.

•Alabi

acquiring the highest number of other banks’ transactions on its ATMs and equally dispensing the highest number of cash on its ATMs to other banks’ customers.

Besides, the bank’s ATMs accept the highest number of card variants in the Banking industry, with highest number of active Verve Cards on the Interswitch platform.

“To win the award, Intercontinental Bank acquired the highest number of other banks’ transactions on its ATMs. It dispenses the highest number of cash on its ATMs to other Banks’ customers.

The Bank’s ATMs accept the highest number of card variants in the Banking industry. Such cards include verve, Visa, Master Card, Vpay, e-Tranzact. The Bank has the highest number of active Verve Cards on the Interswitch platform, “ the organisers said.

In 2010, the bank garnered

seven awards on e-banking.

It emerged the 2010 Best Mobile Transaction at the annual award ceremony organised by e-Tranzact, after being considered as the most outstanding mobile transaction bank on its platform.

In 2010, investigation carried out revealed that the Bank is still leading in terms of Verve card issuance and usage, which makes it easily the leading bank in ebanking product deployment in the Nigeria.

It emerged as the leading bank in ATM transactions, leading bank in mobile transfer, leading bank in bill payments, leading banking in mobile top up, leading bank Verve card issuance.

The bank was in 2009, awarded winner of the Best e-payment Bank of the Year and Best e-payment Team of the Year awards, organised

by InterSwitch Limited at the Annual Techno Interactive Conference. The bank also won the Postilion’s 2008 and 2009 awards for growth based on the highest percentage growth in transaction volumes.

Mitchell Elegbe, the Managing Director/CEO of InterSwitch explained that the awards were in recognition and celebration of financial and non-financial institutions that have distinguished themselves in the last twelve months in the areas of deployment and usage of e-payment to enhance service delivery to their customers.

“Islamic banking and the finance industry is growing at an annual rate of 20% globally. Many international as well as local institutions have stepped into this multibillion dollar booming industry by establishing their Islamic wings and units, Nigeria should not be an exception to this trend.”

The underlying principle of Islamic banks, he stressed, “is the principle of justice which is an essential requirement for all kinds of Islamic financing. In profit sharing of a financed project, the financier and the beneficiary share the actual or net profit/loss rather than throwing the risk burden only to the entrepreneur. The principle of fairness and justice requires that the actual output of such a project should be fairly distributed among the two parties. If a financier is expecting a claim on profits of a project, he should also carry a proportional share of the loss of that project.

“In contrast with conventional finance methods, Islamic financing is not centered only on credit worthiness and ability to repay the loans and interest; instead the worthiness and profitability of a project are the most important criteria of Islamic financing while the ability to repay the loan is sub-segmented under profitability. One of the unique and salient characteristics of Islamic banks is that the integration of ethical and moral values with its banking operation.

The ethical and moral consideration of Islamic

banks cannot be detached and their behaviors should be consistent with the moral and ethical standards laid down by the Islamic Shari’ah”, he emphasised.

He however, regretted that despite the advantages inherent in Islamic banking “there is still misconception about the Bank from some people. This is unnecessary and uncalled for because ElAnsar Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd National Hospital Abuja is one of few practical examples of Islamic Economic System based organisations that are working in Nigeria today.

There is no need to be deceiving ourselves and the earlier we stop politicizing this issue the better for all of us in this country.”

Dr. Alimi Saeed, the guest speaker, also confirmed that the practice of Islamic banking is not limited to only Arab and Muslim countries but has spread “from East to West, all the way from Indonesia and Malaysia towards Europe and the Americas.”

He said that many conventional banks, including some major multinational western banks have also started using Islamic banking techniques.

“Today, there are over 280 Islamic banks and thousands of financial institutions in 48 countries, whose total deposits have reached about US$870US$970 billion, in addition to over 300 conventional banks, which opened branches, windows or provide Islamic financial products”, Saeed stated.

Expert makes case for staff welfare

E

MPLOYERS of labour have been urged to pay more attention to staff welfare.

Speaking in Lagos, Mr. Lawrence Omidiora, a management expert, made this observation while presenting a paper on management.

Omodiora said with the current pace in brand management and product innovation sweeping across many organisations, there was the preponderance of resources and attention on external public at the expense of internal public.

According to him, many organisations, for want of new brand, corporate or product image and reinvention of their operations and value, expend substantial budget, without a cursory evaluation and estimation of what the employees believe, perceive and, in most cases, say and do both within and outside the premises.

He said many organisations are focused on developing and reinventing their products without a clear understanding of the philosophy and objectives of the goals and visions by the staff through the human resource department.

“Human Resource Management should constantly review its strategic concept in the company’s bid for change with major focus on measurable and innovative skills upgrading through effective training for competitive advantage.”

Making money, Omidiora said, “Is not the ultimate motivator; organisations need to motivate people on a deeper value level. While being competitive and making money is of course the first objective of any business, it is important that the employee determine the extent the company would go in its task to guarantee optimum result to stakeholders.”

He observed that corporate culture is the hidden force that shapes behaviour.

According to him, “Every company has a culture that drives the way its employees behave. When a new person joins an organisation, he will adapt to the prevailing corporate culture in order to integrate with the new work eminent through organised orientation programmes.”

He warned that: “If the culture is poor, rather than bringing a breath of fresh air to the business, he will merely adopt the poor culture that can

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

63

News

64

T

HE last four years were full of complaints by road users in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over what was regarded as poor quality of jobs executed by the outgone administration on road rehabilitation across the city.

Though the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration worked on many roads within its four years, the poor quality of the roads robbed it of the praises it should have received. Several roads, which had degenerated for many years, were taken up and rehabilitated, but many of them gave way to decay after a few months of rehabilitation.

But after a few weeks in the saddle, the new governor stepped forward to stamp his signature of quality leadership promised during campaign.

As the first major project through which many voters may weigh his administration’s performance, Ajimobi was careful to find out the level of decay of the roads by undertaking on-the-spot assessment journeys to some of them, particularly those that gave way to flood last month. Today, some of the roads inspected are wearing new look as the governor launched a rehabilitation exercise that saw Gate-Yidi-Gbagi-Airport road, SecretariatBodija road, Customs-Ikolaba-Government House road, Mokola-Queen.

Cinema road and some roads in Oluyole Estate repaired. The job is being executed by the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA).

In an unusual approach, the workmen first cleared the drainage; an effort that showed how years of refuse dumping and lack of maintenance led to the blockage of water channels thereby piling more pressure on the roads as erosion found alternative ways to escape whenever it rains. Next was the repair of broken drainage before the road repair was undertaken.

The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Engineer Adegoke Adeyemi, said the rehabilitation of the five roads, which he classified as the first phase of the project, would be completed next week to pave way for the second phase. According to him, the second phase, which will include roads in the major zones of Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Ibarapa, would take three weeks to complete.

Adeyemi said several roads across the zones would be taken care of in the next phase, adding that many broken and weak bridges would be reconstructed, particularly after the rainy season.

Adeyemi, however, pointed out that residents and road users need a change of attitude to road usage as he explained that blockage of water chan-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Ibadan roads wear new look With care and precision, Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, is taking his first step forward with quality rehabilitation of dilapidated roads in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, ending a regime of poor job delivery that left motorists facing travel misery. Bisi Oladele reports

•One of the roads under construction in Ibadan. nels, repairing vehicles on the road, indiscriminate cutting of roads and overloaded trailers among others expedite road failures.

He stressed that studies have shown that an overloaded trailer causes as much damage as 5,785 vehicles will cause on the same road. He urged motorists to develop an attitude of protecting the roads by seeing them as belonging to all citizens.

“Apart from the roads, we also want to construct bridges at Foworogi stream in Ogbere/

Muslim area. The job will commence in about two weeks‘ time and it is sure to offer a permanent solution to floods in the area.

“Maintenance is a continuous activity. We expect the intensity of our work to increase after the rainy season,”Adeyemi said. While assuring of his political will to handle such challenges, Ajimobi said: “It’s my his zeal to pave virtually all the whole of Oyo roads with asphalt and ensure enduring roads, I will not mind to hurt those who may stand on the way of progress.”

Acknowledging that lack of political will was part of the problems that militate against sustainable roads in the state, he maintained that once he is able to make the generality of people who voted him into office happy, tackling those who work against the durability of the roads would be a lesser task.

He said his vision of Oyo State roads was one where commuters and drivers commute on the roads without any let and where vehicles seldom have shock absorber challenges. The governor also sought the cooperation and understanding of the citizens in his efforts at changing the state infrastructural landscape, stating that when the rains totally subside, the state would not only witness massive rehabilitation of roads as is being done now but an unprecedented construction of roads in the state.

While approving the second phase of rehabilitation of sixteen more major roads across the state, the governor said that the road rehabilitation exercise were just a tip of the ice-berg in the number of roads that his administration was bent on rehabilitating and constructing.

The governor urged OYSROMA to ensure that quality jobs were done on the road works, saying that it was a short-change of the people whose sweats and patrimony were used to fund the road rehabilitation if roads were constructed every other month.

He urged OYSTROMA to put quality at the back of its mind in delivering on the roads, maintaining that he would not hesitate to cancel any of the jobs that is poorly done.

“The roads are unmotorable; they are bad, due to lack of maintenance. The drainages are filled with refuse and I personally went round to Iwo road, Gate, Ogunpa, Mosfala, Mokola and I found out that virtually all the roads are bad. We therefore feel it is necessary to embark on rehabilitation of these roads,” the governor said.

The OYSROMA boss asked residents and motorists to judge the agency by the quality of their jobs.

Osun Osogbo: Celebrating history, divinity and culture same time inviting good in form of fertility and bountiful harvest.

The four-week festival is usually kick started with holy divination, where high priests in the town, led by the Araba who will consult the Ifa on behalf of the reigning Ataoja in the palace to seek the wisdom of the gods on the festival, after which the Iyere is sung for the monarch to dance round his family compound in company of his oloris. Following the Iyere, is the open declaration of the commencement of the festival, through the Iwo Popo, which sees the Ataoja walks from his palace through the major road to Gbaemu (another royal compound in the town) junction, where he would sit and pray for his subjects, after paying homage to him.

Three days after the Iwo Popo, the ancient lamp called ATUPA OLOJUMERINDINLOGUN, that is the lamp consisting of sixteen faces, is fired up inside the palace square where it burns from night till dawn during which the Ataoja comes out with his oloris to dance with his subjects, symbolising his humility and concern for their well-being. During all these • Cross section of devotees at Osun Osogbo river worship at the shrine during this year’s festival. periods, the focus is on the Ataoja, a symbol of authority and custodian of the people’s

By Oyintiloye Olatunbosun SOGBO, the capital of Osun State was culture. The ATUPA OLOJUMERINDINLOGUN agog again with lovers and admirers of agbara agbo l’osun fi nwe omo re ki dokita o’to was a sixteen-point lamp which was allegedly kept the annual Osun Osogbo festival, which de” (meaning Osun used natural and powerful burning from dusk to dawn to maintain the glory held last week. Of all the internationally celebrated herb mixture to cure her children before the arrival of the place at night. This can be likened to the festival in Nigeria, Osun Osogbo stands out as the of modern medicine). modern day electrification of a community area. most venerated and most attended. It is not only One significant attribute of the festival is that Today the oloris and her descendants and admirers about merry making, but also about the mind, it brings devotees of the deity from all over the are referred to in praise as: -OMO ATUPA heart and divinity of a people, who are bonded by world together annually, from Cuba to Brazil, MERINDINLOGUN TI I TAN L’ OROKI ILE.B’ O unique culture and history.

United States of America to Jamaica, Canada to BA TAN F’ OBA, A TAN F’ OSUN.A TUN TAN The annual festival symbolises the greatness of a Spain. They come together to pay homage to the FUN IRUNMALE, A TAN F’ ENYAN. While this is goddess, who came to the rescue of a people faced goddess, who they believe is the source of life. The on, devotees, admirers, tourists, as well lovers of by famine, barrenness and other form of illness, festival is held usually at the end of every second art work flows into the town anticipating the main took away their suffering and blessed the women quarter of each year with the Osun River being the and final events, where all attention is shifted from with fertility, replaced famine with abundance and centre of activity. The rituals involved, which takes the Ataoja to the calabash-bearing maiden called cure their ill children with the magical powers of a total of four weeks, is also significant because it Arugba; usually a week after the ancient lamp is her herb. This inherent feature reflects in such is believed to be a spiritual medium of cleansing off. eulogy ascribed to the goddess as “seleru agbo the land and ridding it of bad omen and at the Then comes the main event, devotees in their

O

thousands trooped to the groove; tourists, as well as lovers of art join in the procession. The groove, besides being the venue of the final event, also houses the first palace of the Ataoja, it is a site to marvel, as the various art work that beautify the environment is beyond description. People thronged the road leading to the groove, anticipating the passage of the celebrant, the calabash-bearing maiden, Arugba followed by the Ataoja.

At this point, the people are not much interested in the monarch, but the ARUGBA. Unlike in the previous outings, the Ataoja in this case is not leading the procession, but the Arugba, whose appearance from palace road prompt the people into prayers refuting bad for good, as well as hoping that her appearance ushered new things in their lives. This month is significant as the Arugba’s passage to the groove is believed to have ward away the bad omen in the society and rekindle devotees hope for better things in the days ahead.

The prayer continues as everyone the maiden pass along the route pray that their trouble move along the calabash she bears to the shrine and the action would not stop until she enters the shrine and drop it.

After this, attention shifts to the dignitaries that join the Ataoja at the groove, where all the high chiefs come one after the other to pay homage to the Ataoja, who in turn prays for them and also give them token gift symbolising his appreciation of their support and cooperation in helping him to maintain peace in the town for the year.

The festival ends with the return of the entourage from the groove to the palace. However, the traditional rites continue till a week after, as devotees led by the Iya Osun return to the shrine to show appreciation for the mercy she has shown the previous years.

Its uniqueness is also its selling point, which explains the idea behind the state government decision to use it as a pilot project to improve its revenue generation by making it more attractive and endear tourists in their thousands, not only to observe, but also to participate and help them find their path to their root.

Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, Assistant Director.

(Community Forum) Bureau of Communications and strategy, office of the Governor, Osun state.

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011 CHANGE OF NAME OLENLOA

I formerly known and addressed as Olenloa Taibatu Omoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Diko Taibatu Omoro. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EJERE

I formerly known and addressed as Philip Ejere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. John Chukwu Okorie. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That Agba Felix John, Ulang Felix Adie and Jerry Adie refers to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Jerry Adie Felix. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNTAYO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguntayo Oluwaseun Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebambo Oluwaseun Precious. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general public should please take note.

ABU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abu Azimat Lola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amusat Azizat Lola. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general public should please take note.

BABAYANJU

ABISAYO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Babayanju Ololade Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amosu Lois Ololade Adejoke. All former documents remain valid. Yewa North Local govt. and general public should please take note.

MOMOH

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Augustine U., Iwuchukwu and Udemuo Okoli Augustine are one the same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Augustine U. Iwuchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Musili Omolara Momoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olayinka Musili Omolara William. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OMOLE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omole Elizabeth Bamitale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeoye Elizabeth Bamitale. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGELE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogele Efe Judith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dalumo Efe Judith. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DIBIA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that James Nene and James Favour Nene are one the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as James Favour Nene. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that King Aidenoje Ehiguese and Samson Aidenoje Ehiguese are one the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as King Aidenoje Ehiguese. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWOKEOCHA

I formerly known and addressed as Alexander Jideofor Dibia, now wish to be known and addressed as Alexander Anene Eziuzor. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Charity Nwokeocha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Charity Noye J. W. Dickson. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omoniyi Abiola Iranade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adelowo Abiola Iranade. All former documents remain valid.

MDCAN, NMA and general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Imosemi Airenakho Irekhoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Irekhoro Airenakho Adedeji. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., Delta State University and general public should please take note.

OMONIYI

OKESOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okesola Abosede Alice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Taiwo Abosede Alice. All former documents remain valid.

National Open University and general public should please take note.

OYEBADE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyebade Orobosade Adewunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alabi Orobosade Adewunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IMOSEMI

ADEYINKA

SAOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Saola Ajoke Olasumbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Gansallo Ajoke Olasumbo. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OLALEYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaleye Olasunmbo Iyabode, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aje Olasunmbo Iyabode. All former documents remain valid. Keystone Bank Limited and general public should please take note.

AMUSU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mausi Oluwaseun Amusu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Mausi Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

SANI

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS SANI, OIZA HANNAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AJEIGBE, OIZA HANNATU. All former documents remain valid. KADUNA POLY, PTI EFFURUN and general public please note.

EZEME I, formerly known and addressed as EZEME HENRY CHIJIOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKPE HENRY CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLISAEGBO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Francisca Nnenne Olisaegbo, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Francisca Nnenne Onuegbu.All former document remain valid.General public should take note.

OLISAEGBO

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 Azikwe University Awka, Enugu State College of Education Technical and general public take note.

IWUAGWU

I,formely known addressed as IWUAGWU IJEOMA now Mrs NWOGU IJEOMA PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid.

Gen public should take note.

OSUAGWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odoh Grace Kalu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obasi Grace Kalu. All former documents remain valid.ASUBEB and general public should take note.

AKINLADE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyinka Adetutu Adijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Soretire Adetutu Adijat. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ALICHE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS JULIET IFEYINWA ALICHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JULIET IFEYINWA MPAMAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public please note.

UROH

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS OLUBUNMI ATINUKE OWOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUBUNMI ATINUKE ALLI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinlade Kemi Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okpako Oluwakemi Florence.

All former documents remain valid.

Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

OWURI I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS MARY SADE OWURI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARY SADE ALIBALOYE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service; USA citizenship and immigration service and General public please note.

I, formely known addressed as Miss OSUAGWU JUSTINA now Mrs CHUKWUEMEKA JUSTINA UGOCHI. All former documents remain valid. Gen public should take note.

OGUNWALE

OWOLABI

ABUONE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABUONE CATHERINE NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AJUORAH CATHERINE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps ,National Teachers Institute, Lafia and the general public should please take note.

AJIROBA I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS AJIROBA TAIWO OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AYENURO TAIWO OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

BENSON

I, formerly known and addressed as, BENSON BENSON NKAKAT, now wish to be known and addressed as BENSON BENSON HARRISON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OGUCHE I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS SARAH JOSEPH OGUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SARAH AUSTIN UBOH. All former documents remain valid. DIFF Hospital,Abuja and the general public should please take note.

Flood sacks Ibadan

USIFOH

I, formerly known and addressed as, MRS CYNTHIA OMONZELE USIFOH, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS CYNTHIA GLORIA OMONZELE OSHODI. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Immigration Service; USA citizenship and immigration service and General public please note.

DANIEL

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Daniel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Blessing Madukwe. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uroh Christianah Olachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nmugbuo Christiana Olachi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunwale Abidemi Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Malaolu Abidemi Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Ogun State, Yewa North LGEA and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODOH

NWANGWU I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwangwu Comfort Agaezi , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agu Comfort Agaezi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take.

ONWUAGBA

I, formerly known and addressed as Onwuagba Miracle Chukwuemeka, now wish to be known and addressed as Jonathan Miracle Chukwuemeka. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKORO I, formerly known as Miss Ukpai Patience Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ikechukwu Queen Chekwas. All former documents remain valid.

Ministry of Sports and general public should take note.

OKOKO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Oluchi Okoko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Josephine Oluchi Onwuzuruigbo. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

OTU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikwo Otu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ikwo Bassey. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Ajayi Ojo is the same person bearing Ajayi Ojo Oluwafemi. That this confirmation is for the awareness of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and general public should take note.

For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Email- gbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

65

•Continued from page 4

ers to count their losses.

“I could not retrieve anything from my shop. All my wares have been swept off. This is disturbing. It happened the other time but I never knew it would be devastating like this.

“Oh!” a woman simply identified as Iya Sondik who sells food stuffs lamented yesterday.

The Abeokuta-Ibadan Road was also made impassable forcing many motorists to abandon their vehicles and leaving passengers stranded.

At an estate opposite former Nigerian Railway Workers’ Quarters, OmiAdio, many residential buildings were submerged by the flood. At the end of the torrential rain, scores of people were displaced, while many were still scooping water from their various homes.

In Agbowo area of the city, about 24 persons were reportedly killed by the flood. The victims, according to unconfirmed reports, included a final year student of the University of Ibadan.

However, the police and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have confirmed 12 persons dead. Mr Iyiola Akande, the South-West Zonal Director of NEMA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that seven people died and five others were missing in the flood.

He explained that three major bridges also collapsed in the flood that affected 11 local government areas around the capital city.

Similarly, the Police

Spokesman in the state, Mr Femi Okanlawon, said that five people were found dead at Odo-Ona Elewe in Oluyole Local Government Area.

“One aged woman died when a wall fell on her while another old man was found dead at Apata area of Ibadan,” Okanlawon said.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Adeyemo, who visited the Eleyele Dam site to assess the situation, said private helicopters from Lagos were on their way to Ibadan to rescue residents from the roofs of their houses.

He called for urgent Federal Government assistance to deal with the situation, saying that the disaster “is beyond Oyo State Government to handle”.

He said at Apete, one of the worst flooded areas, that the government was making efforts to rescue trapped persons.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, appealed for calm by the residents when she visited Eleyele, another affected area.

She said that government was making efforts to rescue trapped residents.

Meanwhile, the residents of Apete and Oluyole Estate called on PHCN to cut power supply to affected areas because 25 electric poles were submerged in the flood.

Mr Oladipo Kareem, Oyo State Director of Fire Service, told NAN that officials of the service had rescued 28 persons, trapped in the flood.

About 100 houses were also said to have been af-

fected in the area. The victims were said to have been buried along Agbowo River while no fewer than 10 vehicles were said to have been submerged at the stream near Awolowo Junction at Bodija. Several houses and shops were submerged.

The Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Information, Mr Bosun Oladele went round the affected spots yesterday and announced immediate corrective measures being taken to address the catastrophe.

A lot of household items such as mattresses, pillows, clothes and other wares were kept outside yesterday to dry in the sun.

Mr Oladele announced the opening of two relief camps to take care of displaced persons. One will be located at Odo Ona and the other at Apete. Staff of the State Emergency Management Agency would serve relief materials to the displaced estimated to be about 200 as at press time yesterday.

The commissioner also disclosed that the administration had commenced a talk with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Div, Ibadan, for the construction of daily bridges to offer succour for residents of Apete and Olomi/Academy areas of the city.

He said the link road to Parliament Road which was cut off by flood was already being cleared by rescue workers. According to him, policemen have been deployed to provide security in the affected areas.

‘Mimiko should go for second term’

A

COMMISSIONER in Ondo State Teaching Ser vice Commission [TESCOM], Hon. Imisi Ogungbure at the weekend urged the citizenry to impress it on Governor Olusegun Mimiko to run for a second term.

This, according to him, was to engender rapid transformation of the state in the spirit of continuity.

According to him, the Mother and Child Hospital, Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre, Beautification of Akure Township, Granting of Scholarship and Bursary Awards to indigenes of Ondo State Students in institutions of higher learning, and other urban centres developments like Modern Market, Modern

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

garages, Motor park, Automart Centres, Agric Villages, construction of new roads and rehabilitation of the existing ones among others are reasons why he should run for second term.

The commissioner stressed that the on-going projects and those in the pipeline are important for the people of the state to be left uncompleted.

“Continuity is a weapon of further achievements and most suitable and sensible for a government that is performing.

“For instance, the re-articulation of public secondary schools in the state will surely promote and enhance quality

educational delivery to the good people of Ondo State” he said.

He said the introduction of Mega Primary School in our education system would assist the state to regain lost glory and this policy would expose the public to modern teaching and learning process including computer Education, arts, Music and Sciences.

The Commissioner further stressed that since the inception of the present administration, teachers and civil servants are now enjoying regular promotion, prompt payment of salaries and other welfare packages.

He said Mimiko had fulfilled his electioneering campaign to the people of Ilaje nation by embarking on dredging of Ilaje waterways, Extension of National Grid from Mahin Junction enroute, Ebute-Ipare, Ereke, Etikan to zion Pepe-Araromi seaside.

Ogungbure also noted that OSOPADEC had built schools and Health Centres on raft and pile foundation in the riverine communities of Ilaje and Ese-Odo in order to make Education more affordable and accessible to the grassroots people, while absolute peace has been reigning in the state.

66

News

ACN elders endorse aspirant for chairmanship

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Elders Assembly has endorsed the vice chairman of Ifako-Ijaye local government area of Lagos State, Hon. Kayode Aremo, as the chairmanship candidate for the council polls scheduled for October 22.

The elders, who have forwarded the name of Aremo to the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, rejected the second term bid of the chairman, Hon. Demola Doherty, alleging that he has not performed to expectation in office. In the letter dated August 19, 2011, they alleged that the chairman, who was never a politician before assuming office, had no regard for party supremacy, adding he has never promoted the interest of ACN and its members in the council.

Doherty has fired back, saying that certain elements were trying to rubbish his achievements, adding that their plot would fail.

No fewer than 28 elders of the party in the local government signed the letter to Tinubu, copies of which were also sent to the state chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, his deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku and the apex leader, Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat.

The decision to endorse Aremo followed the recommendation of his candidature by the stakeholder forum, comprising party leaders, elected office holders and representatives of women and youths, which met to screen the chairmanship aspirants. At the meeting, Hon. Funke Olaleye was endorsed as his running mate and Mr Nurudeen Akinwumi was recommended for the position of the Secretary to the Local Government.

ACN leaders who served on the screening committee included Hon. Akin Fadayomi, Yomi Ogunnusi, Gboyega Salvador-Adebayo, Dayo Saka Fafunmi, Chief Julius Erinosho and Dr Olu Adewale.

The Chairman of the ACN Elders Forum, Chief Zaccaus Akinde, explained that Aremo has the educational qualification, experience and exposure to pilot the affairs of the council in post-Doherty era.

He said: "Mr Kayode Aremo has been in politics for so many years. He is a university graduate of Political Science. He had contested the chairmanship of Ifako/Ijaye twice. When he lost the first time, he was made the Secretary to the local Government. he was recommended for the chairmanship in 2008, but when he was dropped, he was given the position of vice chairman.

"He is a grassroots man with a lot of goodwill and he has control of the political population in the council. He is tested and trusted, reliable and dependable".

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

N

IGERIA may host the world to a cul tural fiesta 34 years after the celebration of the Festival of Arts and Culture tagged: ‘FESTAC ’77.’

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke gave this hint at this year’s edition of the Osun festival over the weekend.

According to the minister, plans are underway to project diverse cultural heritage of the nation to the outside world as was done during FESTAC ’77.

The Minister also disclosed that the Abuja carnival will be repackaged from being a mere celebration of only Nigeria states but will be elevated to the status of the World Black and Africa Festival of Arts and Culture.

He pledged that the Tourism Ministry will continue to support the annual Osun Osogbo Festival and others, financially.

Chief Duke also said that his Ministry would preserve the cultural heritage sites to make people see culture as an enterprise.

While assuring that the Ministry is set to embark on massive capacity building, Duke disclosed that at least 3,000 cultural entrepreneurs would be trained.

He enjoined the Osun State Government to make a significant contribution to the initiative.

The minister, who called on the youths to ensure that the annual Osun Osogbo festival is preserved, noted that culture is rich and must be elevated to become the biggest festival anywhere in the world.

The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola represented by his deputy, Chief Grace Titilayo LaoyeTomori noted the significant contribution of the late culture icon and Osun devotee, Susanne Wenger popularly called Aduni Olorisa by her teeming admirers to the groove.

Wenger, who died on January 17, 2009, had been devoted to Osun deity since she came to Osogbo in the company of her late husband,

Community marks Umoru’s 2nd memorial anniversary

T

HE second memorial anniversary of the late business mogul and community leader, Alhaji Inu Umoru held yesterday in Warrake, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including family members and former associates of the late philanthropist.

The deceased eldest, Chief Abu Inu Umoru, who recalled fond memories of his father, said: “My father was exemplary in character and outlook. His good legacies are total. Insha Allah, we will continue to sustain the legacies.”

The Chief Imam of Warrake, Alhjahi Kassim Oyarese, also described the late Umoru as “a good man and cheerful giver”, adding: “May God continue to grant him eternal rest.”

Nigeria may host another FESTAC Prof. Ulli Beier, from Austria in the early 50’s.

“Wenger was committed to our culture and the groove from the 50’s. Without her, the groove would not have been accorded the international recognition it now enjoys,” he said.

Aregbesola, who noted the contribution of some artists who have worked for the advancement of the groove and which culminated in the enlisting of Osun groove as an international tourist centre, invited the tourists to take time to visit some of the 63 tourist centres in the state, assuring them of adequate security and hospitality.

He appealed to the Nigerian Tourism Corporation to assist Osun State Government in its bid to develop all the tourist centres across the state.

“At this year festival, more than 5,000 foreign tourists have come and from each of them about $2,500 is expected to go into the economy

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo of Osun State. Also, not less than 800 jobs have been created during this festival, including ones for tour guides.

“Our unique selling advantage is in packaging Osun State as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation and our target market is the Yoruba nation at home and the Diaspora. There are estimated 91 million Yoruba people scattered at home and abroad in West Africa, Brazil, United States, The Caribbean, Europe, Venezuela and Colombia. Of these, our target by 2013 is to bring in traffic of 10,000 tourists and rake in N3.5 billion.

“By 2014, the figure would have jumped to 15,000 and our projected revenue would be N5.6 billion. In 2015, we would have hit the 20,000 mark and attain N7.5 billion in revenue. We are determined to make Osun a tourist haven. We are going

to assist every investor in every way possible,” the governor said.

As part of activities marking the festival, the Osogbo Artists Cooperative, which the international bead painter, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh serves as a patron, held a one day exhibition over the weekend at the Centre For Black Studies and International Understanding, Osogbo.

Participating artists, include two first generation of Osogbo School of Art, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh and Chief Muraina Oyelami and some Osogbo-based upcoming artists like Olajide Sadiq, Kayode Adewumi, Bolanle Oyebanji, Moruf Tiamiyu and others.

Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun flanked by his two oloris and top government officials from Osun, Ogun Oyo and Lagos prayed for the guests, worshippers and people of the state.

Olanipekun praised the

immediate past monarch, late Oba Oyewale Matanmi III, for working assiduously for the recognition and elevation of the groove, saying that it was during his reign that the groove was listed as international tourist centre.

Chief Gani Adams, factional leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) led many members of the group to Osogbo in hired buses and private cars. Majority of them are worshippers of Osun goddess.

Also Eyo Masquerades from Lagos State added colour to the event.

Among the dignitaries whoo graced the occasion include the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Elder Moses Adeyemo, Prince Segun Adesegun, Mrs. Adejoke, Deputy Governor of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, among others.

•Arugba Osun on her way to the shrine in Osogbo yesterday

Abia relocates cattle market, awards N3.8billion contracts T

HE Abia State gov ernment has ap proved the relocation of the cattle market and the abattoir presently situated at the water side area of Aba to IBB Technological Village, to forestall what it described as “the attendant problems” associated with the present location of the market.

Speaking in Umuahia after the state executive council meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Don Ubani said that the state government decided to move the market and the abattoir to help decongest the constant everyday traffic logjam and other problems.

It may be recalled that the cattle market and the abattoir have been a source of constant worry as it contributes to growing health, environmen-

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

tal hazards as well as traffic gridlock in the area.

The planned relocation, many believe, will bring a lot of relief to people within Aba metropolis and its environs.

The market when relocated will have a new

and modern abattoir built for the butchers and the IBB technological village which is very large will be giving out less that 10% of its land to the new cattle market and also help to decongest the area.

Ubani said that the EXCO has also awarded

five contracts worth about N3.8 billion and that one of them is the evacuation of electricity generated at Ohiya 132 KVA power station to the tune of N287 million, stressing that it will extend to Afara, Ubakala, Ntigha, Nkwoegwu and Umuopara.

Fashola wins leadership award

T

HE Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has won the award of Best Governor in Infrastructure and Development at the 5th Leadership Enterprise Awards which held at City Mall over the weekend.

While receiving the award, Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Commerce and

By Joe Agbro, Jnr

Industry, Oluseye Oladejo, commended the organisers for the honour done to him, describing it as a “recognition that will encourage his government to do more.”

He added: “We will improve on the social contract we have with the people of Lagos. This can only be achieved through

consistent provision of infrastructure as well as encouragement of youth development and capacity building.”

He also promised that his administration “would not relent in the provision of massive road construction and other necessary infrastructure that will make Lagos the cynosure of all eyes.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Essay

67

Understanding the coming storm (Final Act) Through wisdom, we learn history’s lessons. By our ignorance, we beg history to be a patient instructor.

AST Sunday, we surveyed how major Western governments had embarked on policies inimical to their welfare.

Beholden to their respective financial sectors, these governments implemented various forms of austerity measures when their economies ailed. Austerity now dissipates the little oxygen left in the room. European economies swoon from asphyxiation. During the week, published data showed that French and German manufacturing had contracted. In the year’s second quarter, the Gallic economy was stagnant. It registered zero percent growth.

Germany fared little better with a rate of 0.1%.

England registered an anemic 0.2%. European credit markets are freezing although the continent sits in the balm of summer. Yields on national bonds are too high for comfort. Europe is one sudden twitch from mishap. If recession were a person, Europe would be staring eyelash to eyelash into its face. Unless Germany reverses course by deciding that it must aid the euro zone’s highly indebted southern periphery, the zone will slide into recession. Given the high exposure of American financial institutions to Europe’s troubles, crisis in Europe would cross the Atlantic at the speed of a telephone call. This could trigger a replication of the worst of the 2008 recession.

Given that frugal Germany now feels the pinch of its own tightening boot due to its economic downturn, Berlin is unlikely to assist its less affluent euro zone colleagues. A financial storm is preparing to rip through Europe and America. Unfortunately, financial storms in these economies do not remain contained in those economies. These events become unwelcome tourists visiting as much of the world as their malignant force allows.

Should western economies teeter, Africa will be challenged. Thus, an important definitional moment shall soon confront the continent. Shall the continent continue to follow the philosophy and policies of western neoclassical economics?

Shall the continent ignore the flames and climb aboard the burning ship just because it is bigger or shall Africa steer her smaller, yet self-owed vessel to safe harbor?

A strange thing has happened in the western nations. It would be a greater oddity should Africa lend herself to what will be recorded as the greatest monument of collective folly to be erected in the past century. Until the past thirty years, Western leaders were sufficiently versed in history so as to take the hogwash about the efficiency of the free market, self-correcting financial systems, the invisible hand and small government with a large grain ok skepticism.

They knew enough about the past not to allow theory to cloud their vision of reality. Western leaders of today are made of lesser timber.

Ignorant of the intricacies of the past, they accepted as an article of faith an economic model without bothering to assess if theory accords with fact. They let unsubstantiated thoughts blind them to actual fact. No matter how exquisitely stated, a theory in disharmony with fact is not theory. It is as much fable as a child’s nursery rhyme or a fisherman’s yarn. Even if promulgated by the most tutored minds in the world, it remains the loaf of ignorance no matter how richly leavened and buttered.

The West has let its free markets misbehave too freely, let its perfect financial systems expose their many imperfections, and allowed the invisible hand to blindly guide the economic system into the gulch. As the financial lender and fiscal spender of last resort, government’s action to stem economic shrinkage is the remaining hope. However, this era’s leaders believe government’s role should be reduced even in these frail times. Because they believe in small government, they shall encounter a large problem.

Had they objectively reviewed history, they would have seen their nation’s economic success what based on massive government intrusion into the economy. The ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that launched the Industrial Age is but half the story regarding England. While the rest of the world might forget, Africa must always remember England grew wealthy from the slave trade. We tend to view slavery as a moral issue, forgetting the economics of the thing. Blacks were not enslaved because their captors were inherently evil. Our people were turned into bondsmen because the profits to be made blinded the traders to all else, thus turning these men evil. By government

•

By Brian Browne decree, it became possible and lucrative to reduce fellow human beings to capital assets, to the equivalent of machinery. Slavery was tantamount reaping a windfall of the best agricultural machinery of that era at a fraction of the true value of that machinery. Even if some Britons were liberal enough to see Blacks as human beings, slavery still amounted to an austere, government-sanctioned suppression of wages and of the freedom of the global labor market. Nothing could be more adverse to the free market than slavery. Yet, upon this institution and the backs of those who would suffer under it would the pylons of Anglo-Saxon capitalism be erected.

The myth of economic rationalism died its most obvious death in the early 19th century in Haiti. As France’s colony, Haiti was considered the most profitable colony on earth. After Blacks freed themselves, the former holding became a pariah worse than any leper. Though perennial rivals, European powers and a fledgling American Republic quickly established a trade embargo against the nation. This was tantamount to a declaration of war. Orthodoxy economic theory cannot remotely explain why nations so willing to trade when Haiti was in the hands of the former masters refused the same trade when that land came into the hands of the former slave. We need not bother reviewing our economics books to make sure we did not gloss over the explanation. We know the answer and it has nothing to do with market theories.

Yes, some will say that was long ago and times have changed. That observation is true but impertinent. Times may have changed but the biases of the rich and powerful shift much slower than the times and the relative position of the poor and suppressed may not have changed at all. Look at Haiti. It remains broken because it has never been given the genuine help to recover from the sabotage done to it.

America is the arch-spokesman for unregulated capitalism. The history of the nation reveals something different. For much of the nation’s history, the American government maintained the highest tariff levels among western nations in order to protect fledging industry from competition with European firms.

Government financed national infrastructural system that would become the envy of the world until it started falling apart due to government neglect during the past thirty years. America’s young government protected local industry and subsidized agriculture. This became known as the “American System” with the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, its architect. While more people know Thomas Jefferson, there was no man more important than Hamilton in laying the ground work for America’s future economic greatness. The American government subdued the Native

Americans, confiscating their lands by force of arms. Active and massive government intervention was vital to the development of American industry and agriculture. In short, the belief that America was built on free markets is as false as it is true.

Back to the here and now. Western leaders have abetted the deterioration of their economies by following theories based on prejudices instead of following theories that distilled insight from actual experience. They have ruined themselves by sacrificing to false totems. To ascend to their accustomed station, they must ruin other nations. Africa beware.

It was not coincidental that British Prime Minister and German Chancellor recently set foot on Africa touting the utility of international trade. They hope Africa also has imbibed the fable of unregulated capitalism. If so, they can get the better of the continent. No nation does well in looking after its interests by blindly following the economic advice of a competitor.

Africa must remember there are no transactions that are solely economic ones. Every economic relationship has a power component. Those ignorant of this fact will eventually be those on the weaker side of the relationship.

Both Merkel and Cameron visited the continent to test whether the goose is ready for plucking. Their nations are on the verge of protracted stagnation. With high levels of consumer debt in England and with German governmental policy suppressing domestic demand, the only way to avoid stagnation is to export their way out of it. The rest of Europe cannot be the dumping ground since Germany’s mercantilist policies have already helped escort these importing, debtor nations to the threshold of insolvency. If left to rely on internal euro zone dynamics for salvation, the European economy would implode like a decrepit building shorn of its pillars. Thus, Germany and England look for relatively virgin territory to exploit. While Africa is a prime victim, it is hardly virgin territory. This is but the newest twist in a game played against this continent for half a millennium.

In general, African economies suffer from structural deflationary pressure on the productive sectors of the economy but from structural inflationary pressure on the consumption side of the equation. The offerings of classical economics provide little clue how to escape this stronghold. Orthodox economists will say Africa has a comparative advantage in exporting raw material because the continent is “rich in natural resources.” These are the things you tell a servant to trick him into believing he is the master of his fate. Africa need not concern itself with comparative advantage in raw material production as much as it should focus on comparable profit or gain from the economic transaction or relationship contemplated. In other words, efficiency of production is not the prime determinant of what one earns. What a nation earns is more dependent on the economic value of the items it produces. In the long-term, a moderately efficient equipment manufacturer will be more prosperous than the most efficient grower of cassava or potatoes. If African nations accept comparative advantage as the golden rule in their trade among nations they have consigned themselves to perpetual thralldom to established manufacturing powers. American in the 19th century ignored this theory as China does now. Both have prospered from their departure from orthodoxy. Africa would do well to learn this lesson of intellectual independence.

To feel comforted by saving the continent is “rich in raw materials” is to extract false comfort and pride from Africa’s relative poverty.

Having raw material has nothing to do with true economic wealth. The very utility and value of these raw materials are determined by economic processes owned and controlled by other nations. The raw materials matter to the extent they fit industrial processes Africa neither authored nor controls. Should certain technological advances take shape or alternate sources be found, the materials lose value. Five hundred years ago, petroleum was of little value.

Fifty years from now, it could revisit the same fate. Every nation that allows its economy to be founded on the export of raw materials to other nations can end up like early 19th century Haiti.

One day its exports are among the world’s most prized. The next day, great powers do not want them for reasons unrelated to pure economic rationality if there is such a thing.

Nations are wealthy to the extent they have the industrial capacity to bend, shape, blend, mix and mold raw material into an object that it was not. Prosperity lies in the value of your human and manufacturing prowess to reconfigure raw material into a finished good desirable and valued in the domestic or international economy. Of course, money can had has been obtained via the sale of raw material. This is the present reality for most of Africa which cannot be amended over night.

Conversely, just because this is how things are does not mean this is as they shall always be.

With every bit of raw material Africa trades away, it also trades away a portion of its chance to turn that resource into a more valuable finished product. Money gained from trading bare raw material is obtained at a hidden cost that impairs future prosperity. To perpetually export raw material as the main plank of a national economy is to fate that economy to be its lesser self.

Of course trade is needed and some degree of foreign investment is welcome as well.

Mainstream theory will tell you the more trade and capital inflows the better. History will tell you to disregard the theory of the thing so that you may look directly at the thing itself.

Throwing Africa’s doors open to all is to open the continent to peonage. Much of the trade and investment that visits will be predatory. It will pervert economic and financial structures in a way that promotes fast profit only to yield harsh costs in the longer term.

Instead of treating as sacred the West’s economic textbooks, Africa must set its own economic policies and processes. This will come hard and with some danger. The two African nations that once defied the global system — Libya and Zimbabwe — have been subdued.

This page will cover Libya is greater detail next week. For the time being, suffice it to say that it is being bombarded by the North Atlantic nations partially because it nationalized oil industry assets and conducted much of its financial transactions in ways contrary what the powers expect from an inferior nation. One no longer hears much about Zimbabwe because it too has been made supine. The story told to us and believed by too many was that by evicting White farmers, Robert Mugabe thrust Zimbabwe into ruinous hyperinflation that killed the currency and nearly the nation. We were told a lie. The underlying cause of the hyperinflation and brunt of the economic damage came not from Mugabe’s’ e policy but from the IMF’s reaction to it. Pressed by Washington and London, the IMF refused to extend or renew Zimbabwe’s loan due to Mugabe’s effrontery. Nevertheless, the IMF demanded Zimbabwe repay the loan, cognizant the nation lacked the hard currency to put the debt to sleep. Forced to pay the loan and cut off from all international financing, Zimbabwe did the only thing it could. It printed more of its own money in order to exchange it for hard currency to pay the debt.

This caused the currency to go into a death spiral but that death was caused more by IMF misanthropy than by Mugabe’s. Mugabe’s policies were wrong-minded but, by themselves, would not have caused such deep injury. Most of the Zimbabwean financial tragedy can be placed at the IMF’s feet. To get out of the death trap, Zimbabwe agreed to abolish its currency. Now the dollar and rand are the nation’s legal tender. After fighting so hard for its economic independence, Zimbabwe has lost it through the back door. Its financial and monetary policies are made more by Washington than by Harare. In essence, Zimbabwe was the victim of an international financial boycott much as Haiti was subjected to a trade boycott two centuries earlier.

African nations walk the tightrope.

Following the dictates of economic orthodoxy is to sign on to modern serfdom. To fight the large economic powers too brashly is to invited destruction in one form or another. The way forward is to learn to compete wisely and prudently so Africa is neither seen as cutting off the West nor its own neck in the process. Perhaps this article was misnamed by subtitling it the “Final Act.” In an important way, freighted economic and financial decisions will soon be made that will cast Africa’s economic trajectory for years to come. This is not the final act. The real drama waits to unfold.

08101159783 (Sms only)

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Worship

Adeboye prays for singles and single parents

Living T Faith

By David Oyedepo

Understanding The Covenant Of Total Health!

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ELCOME to the last segment of this series. Last week, I showed you faith as the key to instant miracle healing. This week, I want to show you what will help you to understand the covenant of total health.

There are no special people with God; there are only people with special insight. That is what makes them appear special, because we serve a covenant-keeping God. God’s Word is the carrier of God’s power. It’s through the Word that we take delivery of our inheritance (Romans 1:16; 2 Peter 1:3). And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching…the power of the Lord was present to heal them (Luke 5:17). The power of God was being transmitted, bringing healing to them. Our inheritance is transmitted through the power of His Word.

We serve a covenant-keeping God. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips (Psalm 89:34). While this earth remains, God’s covenant remains binding.

The Bible is a Book of covenants. All those things stated in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 are based on man cutting a covenant with God. When your part of the covenant is fulfilled, the blessing thereof is sealed and delivered. Every time the condition for a promise is met, it graduates spiritually to a covenant. You need a covenant mentality to command dominion in the affairs of life. The word ‘testament’ simply means ‘covenant.’

What is a covenant?: A covenant is a deal between two parties, to which they subscribe in totality to the terms thereof. God, the Covenantor, is constant; the only variable is the covenantee. When your part if fulfilled, no devil in hell can stop the delivery of your blessings. The revelation of the covenant on any issue puts you supernaturally in command in that area (John 8:32).

How to cut a covenant of total health with God: 1. Living on the Word: Living on the Word is the principal key to cutting a covenant of total health with God (Psalm 89:34).

2. The love of God: Love is presented in 1 John 3:14 -15 as a vital source of life. So, when you begin to operate on the frequency of perfect love, you operate where there is no room for sickness (1 John 4:16-18).

The Holy Ghost is the One who fires the love of God into our hearts, which empowers us to live a super healthy life.

3. Supernatural utterance: Death and life are in the power of the tongue…

(Prov. 18:21). Your well-being is a function of the things that come out of your mouth (Mark 11:23). When the Holy Ghost gives you utterance, heaven will respect it.

God’s principal power channel: God’s principal power channel is the Holy Ghost. According to Jesus’ diagnosis, every sickness is an oppression of the devil (Acts 10:38). Oppression only bows to power (Psalm 66:3).

When Jesus saw Peter’s mother in-law, He stood over her, rebuked the foul spirit of fever and set her free. Jesus could see an oppression behind fever. It takes power for the oppressor to bow. So, the Holy Ghost is God’s principal power channel (Acts 1:8). That is your principal access to the power of God. Where is the power of God?: God’s Word is the custodian of God’s power. The Holy Ghost is the channel to it, while God’s Word is the source. You will access power after the Holy Ghost comes upon you (Acts 1:8). The Holy Ghost is the Messenger and Interpreter of the Word (Malachi 3:1-5). God’s Word is where our total health is domiciled (Psalm 107:20; Proverbs 4:20-22).

What is in the Word that heals and keeps healthy?: 1. Divine life: Life is in the Word, and life is the cure for death. There is the spirit of life in the Word that keeps you actively alive (John 6:63).

So, the more insight we gain, the livelier we become.

2. Divine light: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1: 5). So, the oppressor that operates in the realm of darkness cannot survive this light.

3. Divine medication: For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:22). So, God’s Word is medicinal; it goes to treat your affected parts. So, living on the Word guarantees total health.

4. Joy: Joy is a spiritual therapy for a healthy life. It is a spiritual medicine to the body (Jeremiah 15:16). Those who live on the Word, live above depression.

Friend, the grace for enjoying total health is available, if you are born again. The questions now are: Are you born again? Are you saved? Are you redeemed? Are you a child of God? You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as the Lord of your life. You can be born again now, if you haven’t been, as you say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I cannot help myself. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. Today, Lord Jesus, from today, I accept You as my Lord and my personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. Our midweek services hold on Wednesdays between 6 and 8 p.m. We have four services on Sundays. The first one holds between 6.30 and 8.15 a.m., the second between 8.25 a.m. and 10.10 a.m., the third between 10.20 a.m. and 12.05 p.m. and the fourth between 12.15 and 2.00 p.m.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Keys To Divine Health, Satan Get Lost and The Healing Balm.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: bishop@davidoyedepoministries.org

HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye will on Sunday, September 4, 2011 hold a special interdenominational prayer service for singles and single parents at the RCCG Headquarters’ church (Throne of Grace), on the Redemption Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

The special prayer service tagged, “I Will Make Him an Help-Meet for Him is expected to offer divine solutions to various problems confronting singles, and those waiting on God for their spouse as well as the legion of others battling with unemployment or striving to climb to the next level in their academic pursuit, offices, businesses or other endeavours.

In a statement by Adeboye, signed by the Assistant Pastor In-Charge of the Headquarters’ Church (Throne of Grace), Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, thanked God for a peaceful and successful 59th Annual Convention and appealed to all single men and women who are of marriage age and single parents seeking promotion in life, to endeavour

New Life Miracle Church

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HE New Life Miracle Church is to hold a three-day programme tagged ‘ I Shall Not Want Any Good Thing’.

The programme which will have the General Overseer of the Church Rev Isaac Adefemi Agoye ministering, will be held from September 1- 3 at the Church’s temporary compound, Giwa Junction, via Iju-Agege.

Rev Agoye noted that the programme was divinely inspired and urged everyone to come and encounter God of all possibilities.

CAN president host international convention in Sapele

By Akatakpo Frank

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HE President of the Christian Association Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Orishejafor has pledged to use his ministry to impact positively, Sapele town in Delta State, where he received his new birth at a crusade in 1972.

The CAN president made this pledge to a gathering of ministers of the Gospel at Songhai Delta Amuokpe near Sapele during a breakfast meeting he held with the ministers from various local government councils areas to brief them on his of the up coming crusade at Sapele township stadium.

Ministers expected at the city wide crusade scheduled for February 14- 18 next year include Pastor Shamback , foremost American preacher, Rev. Peter Doseck and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church.

He faulted the Islamic banking by Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi under the guise of non interest banking noting that it is a contravention of the country’s secular Constitution.

By Adeola Ogunlade

to attend en-mass “as the good God will be waiting to break every shackle the devil has put on their ways or had used to bind them”.

The statement reads in part: “We give thanks to the Almighty God for a successful 56th annual convention of the mission. We got to know that God has restored the glory of this nation. The countries that have overtaken this nation,

without doubt, we are going to overtake them. Henceforth Nigeria ceases to crawl, walk, run but will begin to fly with wings like an Eagle.”

Adeboye added that God is willing to heal all the sicknesses of his people but regretted that sin could be a reproach. “Sins can create a barrier to God’s desire to heal his children sometimes, but God can do all things,” he assured.

While calling on all singles and single parents for a joint prayer session to overcome the challenges of life, he stressed that with God’s unchanging nature, his steadfastness guarantees deliverance for his children and saves them from destruction by the devil as the ability to locate God in time of crisis, settles every issue. “God did it for the people of old, He would still do it for the presentday Christians,” he said.

Ositelu unfolds 7-point agenda for Jonathan

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HE 2011 annual Tabieorar Convention of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide was rounded off last Monday with an all night programme held at the church camp ground on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ogere last Monday. Despite the absence of key political actors in the state, the occasion was well attended by thousands of church members from across the country and beyond who defied the late evening showers to partake in the spirit-filled event tagged ‘Overflowing Blessings” The officiating minister and Primate of the church, Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiolu Ositelu in his sermon declared 2012 as the year of reward where only the righteous shall be blessed with overflowing blessings and the wicked rewarded with evil In his address to the nation, the General Superintendent of the 86- year old church posited that the country leaders should imbibe the culture of accountability, transparency and fear of God in the running of affairs of Africa’s most populous country.

Ositelu who maintained that what the nation needs at the moment is righteousness, also iden-

By Taiwo Abiodun

tified seven key issues to move the country forward. These include NYSC, Fiscal federalism, Lagos special status, ICPC-EFCC merger, Non- interest Banking, 6-year single term and the minimum wage.

Taking a retrospective look at the killing of some youth corps members during the April general elections in the North, the cleric suggested that the time is ripe for the “modus operandi”

of the Youth Service scheme to be revisited without necessarily affecting the place of federal character in our polity. While lamenting the spate of general insecurity in the land, Ositelu urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security. His words: “Alternatively, graduates should be allowed to serve in their geographical zones until such time the government is able to provide enough and adequate security in the country.”

World Liberation ministries ordains pastor

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ASTOR Fehintola Sola has been officially inducted as the presiding pastor of the newly commissioned building of World Liberation Ministries in Abeokuta last Saturday.

One of the special guests, zonal coordinating minister of the Gospel Students Fellowship, Abeokuta Pastor Taiwo Salau during the ordination service urged the newly ordained pastor to surrender everything to God and to be more dedicated and committed to the course of the Gospel Meanwhile, a book written

by the newly ordained pastor was launched. The book which is titled ‘Building Spiritual Capacity’ centres on how to live a profitable life and how one can get exposure to secured Christian living.

Also, a new worship building was commissioned for proper service as the mission is set to commence campus fellowships soon. According to Sola who spoke with our reporter, “We are set to start campus fellowship with immediate effect, starting from the tertiary institutions in Abeokuta environs.”

Nigerian Bishop honoured in Ghana

A

N honorary doctorate award was last week conferred on a prominent Christian leader in Akwa Ibom State, Bishop Samuel Akpan.

The European-American University, which conferred the award on Akpan, said it was in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Christianity and humanity in Nigeria and beyond.

Head, Africa Operations of the University, Prof. William

By Sunday Oguntola

Egbuta, who presented the award, in Accra, the capital of Ghana, described Akpan as a compassionate ‘’leader whose contributions cannot be disputed.’’

He urged other Nigerians to take a cue from Akpan’s humility and leave no stone unturned to make the society a better place.

Akpan, a fellow of 16 professional bodies, thanked the University for the Honour.

He pledged to do much more to leave the society much better. ‘’This is certainly a motivation that will always keep me going in my humanitarian efforts,’’ the chairman, governing council of Uyo Business School, stated.

The International coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples’ Forum (ALPF) was surrounded by members of the association who urged him to do much more for societal transformation.

• From left Senior supretendent Joseph Ibikunle and His Emminence Samuel Olusegun PHOTO:BADE DARAMOLA Ajayi at Agelu Jerusalem recently

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

Sport Extra

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

Enyimba secures draw against Raja

Falcons walk tight rope E N

IGERIA's Super Falcons are roped in a difficult situation after Saturday's 2-1 defeat over Cameroon in the women's soccer event of the Olympic qualifier played at the Abuja National Stadium.

Their chances of qualifying for the Summer games in London next year has become very slim.

Reigning African Female Player, Perpetua Nkwocha and Ebere Orji got Nigeria's goals in the second half after a scrappy first half.

Sadly,Onome Ebi got an own goal following a communication breakdown with keeper Precious Dede.

It was the first first leg of the two-legged encounter. The scoreline did not, however, go down well with the scanty crowd who know that a 1-0 victory for Cameroon in Yaounde on October 22 in the return leg will eliminate the Falcons. Nigeria's opening goal was from the penalty spot which looked controversial.

Yesterday's team did not reflect the squad that Nigerians commended for a good outing at the FIFA Women's World Cup staged this June in Germany. The players looked heavy, the defence disorganized and the technical bench short of ideas.

They had no game plan unlike the Cameroonians whose strategy was to

•Beats Cameroon 2-1 •As NFF officials turn to coaches From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, Abuja

frustrate their opponents and secure a draw.

The lack of technical depth forced some of the NFF top officials led by technical committee chairman, Barrister Chris Green to get close to the sidelines to pass instructions.

'We could see that something was amiss in the team and we felt that we had to step in even though we all know that it is the coaches that have the final say.

In the past Nigeria has always walloped Cameroon with goals. Last year's Africa Women Championship in South Africa, they won 5-0 to qualify for the final.

Cameroon are in the race following the disqualification of Equatorial Guinea by FIFA over the ineligibility of some of its players.

'Luckily we have a long time before the return leg so the coaches have to work on the players who were so heavy while some appeared to be injured,' said Green after the game.

Journalists were snubbed

by Falcons head coach, Eucharia Uche, who was approached for interview.

'This was the same thing

Heartland qualifies for final, beat Bayelsa Utd 2 - 1

H •Desire Oparanozie after scoring the second for Nigeria in their 2-1 win over Cameroon in Abuja

Learn from your mistakes •Urges them to study match tape S •Blames Dede for own goal From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, Abuja

know everything,' said the coach.

The coach who was limping while speaking to journalists, said the mistakes observed would help to prepare the team

ahead of the second leg in Cameroon on October 22. The winner would represent Africa at the London Olympics next year June.

Siasia who had watched the girls in training prior to the match acknowledged they were heavy and unfit.

'You do not play a player who is not fit, there are no sentiments.If a player is injured then remove the player and bring in a fitter player instead of keeping the player on the pitch for the full 90 minutes,' added the coach.

Goalkeeper Precious Dede came under knocks from Siasia for the own goal scored

by Onome Ebi.. 'When your defender is challenging for the ball with the striker, the keeper has no business coming out. She should have stayed put but she came out and it happened,'he said.

Ahead of the second leg, Siasia said Falcons must be prepared for a stiff challenge.

Mikel shines as Chelsea beats Norwich 3-1

S

UPER Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi continued his scintillating form as Chelsea claimed their second home win of the season with a 3-1 defeat of Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Nigerian international saw 90 minutes of action as Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring with a strike from distance before an error from Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Hilario gifted the visitors an equaliser through Grant Holt.

But Andres Villas-Boas'

•Drogba to have tests after head injury men pushed on after the setback and were rewarded through a Frank Lampard penalty, before new signing Juan Mata sealed the three points in the closing stages.

No doubt, the win will give Mikel the needed boost to mount the Super Eagles midfield for the allimportant African Cup of Nation encounter against Madagascar September 4, and the international friendly against Argentina.

at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, took the game to Enyimba.

The Nigerian champions defended resolutely with Samuel Tswanya and Markson Ojobo leading by example despite the dashes of the tricky Hassan Souari.

And young goalkeeper Paul Godwin, in for the injured Chijoke Ejoigu, pulled off two saves to ensure he returned to the dressing room by the break with a clean sheet.

Upfront, Enyimba offered the occasional counters led by lone ranger Uche Kalu, who scored one of the two goals that downed the Moroccans in Aba a fortnight ago.

Next month, ‘The People’s Elephant’ travel to Sudan as guests of Al Hilal, before they round off the mini-league stage of this competition with a home game against Cotonsport.

FEDERATION CUP

SIASIA TO FALCONS COACHES

UPER Eagles’ chief coach, Samson Siasia has offerrred a word of advice to his colleagues in the Super Falcons team.

He has asked the women coaches to secure the match tape of yesterday's Olympic qualifier against Cameroon to learn from their mistakes.

'That is the only way they can learn and see where they got it wrong because there is no way you can claim to

she did against Ghana which was an ALL Africa Games qualifier,' a journalist observed.

NYIMBA posted a huge defensive display for a precious point on the road against Raja Casablanca in a CAF Champions League tie late Friday.

The Nigerian champions thus stayed top of Group A with eight points from four matches, while Raja leapfrogged Cotonsport of Cameroon to third place with two points.

On Sunday, Cotonsport host second-placed Al Hilal of Sudan in the northern town of Garoua in continuation of action in Group A. Expectedly, Raja attacked their visitors from the first whistle, but it was the Nigerians who came closest to opening scoring by the sixth minute when Otekpa Eneji’s free kick came off the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.

However, as the game wore on the home team, cheered on by a fair crowd

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba will undergo a full examination after being knocked out during the team’s victory over Norwich.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas said the striker, 33, was showing signs of recovery and praised the doctor for his quick actions on the field.

Drogba went up for an aerial challenge with Norwich goalkeeper John

Ruddy and landed in sickening fashion.

"He'll have a full exam," said Villas-Boas. "He was completely unconscious. The doctor did a great job."

The game was stopped for seven minutes while Drogba was put onto a stretcher and carried off wearing a breathing aid.

The Chelsea boss added: "We hope for his well-being as a person first.

"He is showing progressive signs of recovery but we need a full exam, which is being done."

EARTLAND Football Club of Owerri have qualified for the finals of the Federation Cup, after defeating Bayelsa United Football Club by two goals to one in a tension-soaked match played at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Kano yesterday.

Obinna Nwanchukwu of Heartland opened scoring in the 46th minute from a cannon taken from outside the 18-yard box that beat the Bayelsa goal keeper, Sule Mohammed flat.

The second goal for heartland came in the 61st minute of the match, when substitute Kingsley Salami released a bullet that also caught the Bayelsa goal keeper napping.

However, Bayelsa United got a consolation goal in the 90th minute through substitute Uche Ihuaralam during a goal mouth melee.

Despite their superlative performance, Bayelsa could not convert their several scoring chances, while Heartland on the other hand took their

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano chances, utilizing their experience to overrun their opponents.

The Coach of heartland Football, Ransom Madu, told The NationSport shortly after the match that the qualification of his team for the final of the Federation Cup is a dream come true.

He said his team would prepare vigorously to lift the trophy this time around, so as to justify the huge investment the Imo state Government has made in the club.

The Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United, George Ederekume expressed shock over the loss of the game to Heartland.

He blamed the defeat of his team on the tactical blunder committed by his defense, adding that he would go back to the drawing board and prepare the team for future engagements.

Super sub Kanu scores to save Portsmouth

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ captain, Nwankwo Kanu yesterday helped his Championship club side, Portsmouth secure a vital home draw against Cardiff after being introduced as a substitute in the 80th minute in the English Championship clash at Fratton Park.

Kanu who officially retired from Nigeria’s senior national team last June was still on Portmouth’s bench when Cardiff went ahead in the 71st minute via an Andrew Taylor goal.

And with the home side on the slide to a likely home loss, the Steve Cotterill led Portmouth bench sent Papilo to the field in the 76th minute to make his mark as he replaced

By Olusoji Olukayode Luke Varney. A benchmark result it was indeed that the home side got from the tall, leggy forward. He pulled them back into the game to share in the day’s spoil as he headed home the equalizer.

According to bbc.co.uk: “The Nigerian striker had only been on the pitch for five minutes when Tal Ben-Haim's cross allowed the substitute to head past David Marshall.”

Kanu, Nigeria’s second most capped senior international scored Portsmouth’s only goal against the same opponents in 2008 in the FA Cup final.

Portmouth ran away 1-0 winners that term as a result.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011

News

Abiola’s death: ‘al-Mustapha is a drowning man’ During his trial at the Lagos High Court, former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sanni Abacha, Major Hamza al-Muspaha did not mince words as he told the court that the nation’s immediate past military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has some questions to answer over the death of Chief MKO Abiola. The General has kept sealed lips, but one of his confidants, Muhammadu Shuaibu Badeggi, a former Director-General, Niger State Media Corporation, spoke to Jide Orintunsin on al-Mustapha’s allegations

R

ECENTLY at the Lagos High Court, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Abacha made some startling revelations trying to link General Abdulsalam to the killing of the presumed winner of the June 12 election, Moshood Abiola. As someone very close to the General, what is your reaction to the accusations?

Al-Mustapha has been making up stories since he was arrested. In 2008, he said that Abiola was beaten to death and he even swore to an affidavit to that effect. If Abiola was beaten to death, he would have complained when he met with the team of United States government along with the Nigerian team. The delegation would have seen the signs of beating but there was no sign of beating on his body. It is very funny for al-Mustapha to cook up stories. The stories he tells are just like midnight stories, the tales are like Gulliver’s Travels, James Hardly Chase’s storytelling. For almost four years since Abiola declared himself winner and was arrested and taken prisoner, he was given the same treatment that was given to Steve Biko of South Africa. Abiola was under brutal detention under Abacha, so for al-Mustapha to sing songs of being a family friend to Abiola, it still baffles me because alMustapha has not been able to tell us what happened to Shehu Yar’adua in Enugu prison. He was purportedly said to have malaria and he suddenly

•Badegi

developed kidney complication, have cardiac attack and die only to be rushed to Kastina for burial without performing an autopsy.

Abiola died in the presence of Thomas Prekeley, the Secretary of State of the United States of America who also served as Ambassador of the US to various countries. Thomas is one of the highly respected diplomats in the diplomatic service. He also came along with Mrs. Susan Rice, who was the US Undersecretary for Africa at that time, but is now the

p e r m a n e n t representative of the US to the UK. There was also the US Ambassador to Nigeria at that time, William Caldwell.

These people cannot conspire to poison Abiola; the US has no gain in killing Abiola.

He should tell us how he killed Kudirat Abiola; he should speak of the people he killed when he was in power.

Without holding brief for al-Mustapha, when Abiola was under the custody of Abacha whom alMustapha served, Abiola did not die, Abiola died after Abacha’s death when Abdulsalami was in charge. I believe that was what informed al-Mustapha’s position that Abdulsalami should account for Abiola’s death?

What I am asking you to tell al-Mustapha is that Abiola did not die in isolation as Shehu Yar’adua. Why didn’t he talk of Yar’adua? Abiola never died in isolation, he died of natural causes and death is inevitable.

We must all die someday. What makes Abiola’s death more spectacular is the fact that they are now trying to attribute his death to Abdulsalami as if there was a foul play.

Jonathan appoints Justice Musdapher as acting CJN

J

USTICE Dahiru Musdapher has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The appointment has the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan. He was recommended to the president by the National Judicial Council to take over from Justice Katsina-Alu whose last

Lawmaker urges Boko-Haram to embrace dialogue

T

HE Boko-Haram sect has been urged to sheath their sword and dialogue with appropriate authorities. The appeal was made by a member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, Hon. Robinson Ajiboye. He said the incessant bombing attacks by the group were not only barbaric but also a threat to human activities.

In this regard, Hon. Ajiboye, an ACN member, called for the establishment of state police which he believes will solve the problem of general insecurity in the country.

He condemned the sixyear single term proposal by President Goodluck Jonathan which he describes as unconstitutional.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

days in the office was blighted with controversies.

Katsina-Alu retires today from the bench on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70years.

Musdapher is to occupy the position on acting capacity pending approval of the senate.

He will be sworn in at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja on Monday 29th August, 2011, at 10 am .

According to a statement from the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President’s power was derived from section 231(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The statement reads:

“His Excellency, President Goodluck EbeleJonathan,GCFR has in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 231(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, approved the appointment of Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher, CFR as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pending Senate confirmation.

“The National Judicial Council had recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice DahiruMusdapher,CFRasChief Justice of Nigeria to replace the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice A.I. Katsina-Alu, GCFR who is due to retire from theBenchonSunday28thAugust , 2011, when he attains the mandatory retirement age of 70 years”

Group calls for Salami’s reinstatement

T

Adesile Tosin and Obiajuru Nomso

HE Black Nationalist Movement, a nongovernmental organization sold out to entrenching the rule of Law withinthecountry,hasfaultedthe removal of Justice Ayo salami by theChiefJusticeofNigeria,Justice Katsina -Alu. In a statement signed by its chairman Dr Gbenga Dalley, the group described the removal of the President of the Court of

Appeal as an act of illegality by a kangaroo committee that did not meet the requirements of the law.

“What Justice Kastina -Alu has used the NJC to do is simply a judicialcoup.Inthefirstplacehow can seven members of a-24member board take a decision that is far reaching as to removing the President of the Court of Appeal?Itisunheardofandmust be condemned by right-thinking people,” Dalley said.

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http://www.thenationonlineng.net

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1865

QUOTABLE I strongly condemn the horrific and cowardly attack on the United Nations headquarters building in Abuja, Nigeria which killed and wounded many innocent civilians from Nigeria and around the world.

—United State President, Barack Obama condemning the bomb blast on UN headquarters in Abuja on Friday

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O matter how hard the presidency and aides of President Goodluck Jonathan deny the fact, they are guilty of subterfuge and partisanship in the controversy between the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on one side and the lonely and victimised Justice Ayo Salami, suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), on the other side. In my last piece on this sad and irritating matter I had feared that the NJC would ignore common sense and reasonableness to achieve its predetermined and unlawful goals. I even wondered whether the president, knowing the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, and appreciating the graveness of the office he occupies, would ignore posterity and go ahead to side with the powerful and desperate clique in the NJC. If he went on to do the unthinkable, I concluded, Jonathan would have succeeded in taking a step that would define his presidency for all time and leave a permanent scar on his tenure.

When I penned those words, and in spite of my suspicion that Jonathan had weak knees when it came to his party and its interests, I had held out hope that he would somehow fumble into the right choice, not enthusiastically out of conviction, for that was not in his character, but at least reluctantly out of instinct. My suspicion, it turned out, was entirely misplaced. By announcing an acting president for the Court of Appeal, in line with the recommendation of the NJC acting under the iron fist of Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, the president wittingly gave in to the argument and mischief of the judicial body. And by carefully wording the appointment notice to appear as if he sidestepped both the suspension and retirement of Salami as canvassed by the NJC, the president gave us an unwholesome view of how lightly he esteems his office and with what levity he takes momentous decisions.

Salami had gone to court fearing the rashness of the NJC would hurt his reputation, but the case was yet to be assigned or heard. If the president had waited for a week or two, knowing full well that the case was in court, would justice to the complainant and the defendant be undermined? There was no chance of that happening. But if the president had waited for a week or two until the case was assigned, would the predetermined objectives of the CJN and the covert wish of the presidency and the ruling party be injured? Absolutely. The decision to take a peremptory action on the controversial suspension of the PCA must, therefore, be understood in those contexts. Forget the subterfuge by the NJC sitting without a quorum, and the presidency acting without a sense of history. Forget also the indignation of the president’s spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, as he rails against public reaction, a reaction he snorts is partisan. Forget also the sickening fact that a judicial officer junior to Salami sat with seven other jurists from a 24-member body to take a decision over their senior.

What is most surprising is that the NJC under Katsina-Alu and his proxies cannot fathom the degree of injury it has done itself and the judiciary as a whole.

Since the outgoing CJN took over, and particularly since he caused the Sokoto governorship petition judgement to be arrested, it was clear he had neither the interest of leaving a good legacy nor of being a patriot. It was sufficient for him to rise to the rank of CJN, a position thrust on him solely by his long stay in the Supreme Court and by his seniority. Had he other qualifications known to the judicious and the deep, those credentials would have recommended him to us as a judicial officer destined for greatness and whom we could not but esteem very

NJC/Salami: Mischief everywhere

• Jonathan

•Salami

highly. As it is, Katsina-Alu preferred to leave office on good commons than on good merit.

The president’s seemingly disingenuous intervention in the Salami/ NJC case is still baffling. He argued he was neither suspending nor retiring the PCA, but that he was only acting to fill a lacuna created by the suspension of Salami by the NJC. According to the presidency, Jonathan was satisfied that the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution gave the NJC the power to exercise disciplinary control over judicial officers of the rank of the PCA. Once the NJC communicated to him that it had sanctioned the PCA, the president considered that he had the obligation to ensure there was no vacuum in the Court of Appeal, even if he theoretically disagreed with the judicial body. He was not fussy about whether the NJC followed due process.

The NJC used to be an awe-inspiring body around whose perfumed corridors lesser judicial officers tiptoed reverentially. Katsina-Alu has virtually demystified and destroyed that awe

overnight. The CJN’s detrimental instinct is obviously both a product of his person and his insufficient appreciation of the law beyond its letter. But by far the greater censure goes to the president whose aides and hirelings are now quizzically trying to paint him as neutral in the case. He is most definitely not neutral. The buck stops at his desk; though he has tried unsuccessfully to pass it to both the NJC and Nigerians whom he said were partisan, and to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members whom his aides and party said were instigating the protests over the Salami case. This is unexampled rascality.

The ACN is alleged to be supporting and defending Salami, an observation mischievously celebrated by the ruling party’s supporters and their bought media. But it would have been stupid and cowardly of the ACN not to defend the PCA, for the ruling party flagrantly gave everybody the impression it was persecuting Salami over the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections petitions.

And is the cause not just? Or is everyone defending Salami ACN? It is in fact

Boko Haram menaces Nigeria the more

I

F claims of responsibility for the bombing of the UN House in Abuja by a faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group are verified, we must acknowledge that the Islamic organisation is far more active and clever than it has been given credit. Apart from sundry killings in Borno State where it is most active, the group bombed the Police Headquarters in Abuja a few months ago with devastating consequence on lives and infrastructure.

After more derring-do, it has now almost obliterated the United Nations building in Abuja, again killing scores of innocent people. The group has promised to do worse in the coming weeks.

One of the grudges of the terrorists is that the government had failed to commence dialogue with it. Bombing the UN building is a shocking way to remind the government of that failure.

Sympathisers of Boko Haram have also reminded us of how other countries negotiated with their own terrorists. The parallels the sympathisers drew are suspect, but apparently few seem to care.

Confused and worried by the increasing ferocity of the Boko Haram attacks, the

government sent in more troops to the epicentre of the revolt, while doing little as usual to curb the excesses of security agents. Naturally the problem worsened.

However, the panel set up by the government to look into the Boko Haram menace and to recommend solutions recently announced that it secured audience with some leaders of the group and got their representations. These were the same leaders the security agencies claimed they could not find, let alone arrest. The panel is of course not expected to betray the terror group’s leaders, but it speaks loudly of the collusion and connivance going on in parts of the country. It should not surprise anyone that no former Nigerian leader has come out to clearly denounce Boko Haram. This can’t be because they are afraid; it must be a lack of appreciation of the danger we face as a nation.

I suspect that as the Boko Haram attacks intensify, Jonathan will either dither the more or panic into a weak capitulation. After all, Nigerian leadership is as degraded by lack of courage as by lack of brilliance.

Jonathan and the NJC that are politicising the Salami case by sentimentally seeking to drag the ACN into the fray, while completely avoiding or misinterpreting the provisions of the constitution relevant to the case. It is important for the public to understand that by appointing an acting PCA the president simply surrendered to the wish of the NJC. There is no other way to look at his action other than to say he endorsed the suspension of Salami without saying so openly, and that except the PCA gets a reprieve from the courts, he will stay suspended for a long time in accordance with the desire of the NJC and the covert interest of the presidency and the PDP. It is also important for the public to understand that the Third Schedule of the constitution, which the NJC and the president’s supporters are vigorously celebrating and relying on, cannot be read in isolation of Section 292 of the constitution that spells out how top judicial officers can be removed. Apart from the fact that it is dishonest of the NJC to purport to suspend Salami after all investigations had been carried out, rather than to suspend him before he was investigated, it is egregious subversion of the constitution to misinterpret the constitution at the level of the NJC. As a legal luminary put it, “It is settled that in construing the provisions or section of a statute or indeed the constitution, such provisions or section should not be read in isolation of the other parts of the statute or constitution. In other words, the statute or constitution should be read as a whole in order to determine the intendment of the makers of the statute or constitution.

In this context, it is safe to say that the oft-quoted provisions of Paragraph 21(b) of the Third Schedule cannot be read in total disregard to the provisions of Section 292 of the constitution.”

The Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution gives the NJC power to take action on erring judicial officers. It did not spell out how. The how is contained in Section 292.

Importantly, notwithstanding the agitations of blackmailers, we must not forget that the NJC said it was suspending Salami for misconduct. But it began the persecution of the PCA by first accusing him of lying on oath. When it discovered it would need court pronouncement to establish perjury against him, the offence became refusal to apologise to the CJN. When that also became sticky, the offence metamorphosed into misconduct, which they defined as resorting to media publicity. It is these shifty excuses and unprincipled actions that Jonathan lent his imprimatur.

The CJN is retiring today. He is leaving after desecrating a judicial body handed over to him in good standing and in one piece. He is leaving after exposing the weak underbelly of the Supreme Court in very unflattering ways. Of course he has nothing to lose personally, for he has accreted little by way of fame and reputation in his years on the bench, and will go back to the anonymity from whence he came. But Jonathan is still in office, and will be for about four years.

As he demonstrated in the Ogun State House of Assembly controversy, when he sided with lawless lawmakers to our initial dismay, he seems to have the instinct of siding with lawbreakers when it suits his political goals. Though many of us supported him during the closing years of Umaru Yar’Adua presidency and in the last presidential election, we feared he would lack principles. He has not disappointed us; he has only shown why we must look beyond him for the greatness of our country – as we looked beyond his predecessors who thought leadership was all about the provision of roads and infrastructure.

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Editor - 08050498530, Marketing: 4520939, Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Telephone: 07028105302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN