Theniche august 21 by TheNiche

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August 21, 2016

Vol. 2 No. 49

Abayomi: Tinubu frustrates my Ondo ambition

High cost, legal battle, modern facilities; all mix in new Alade Market

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PAGE 2» SUNDAY WEATHER

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Lagos - 32oC

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Abuja - 31oC

PortHarcourt - 23 C o

Why army goes for Salkida’s jugular What you don’t know about the journalist

Salkida

Usman By Ishaya Ibrahim Acting News Editor

hree people – Ahmed Salkida, Aisha Wakil, and Ahmed Bolori – are the subject of the latest investigation by the military into the abduction of the Chibok girls, but it seems the main target is Salkida. TheNiche learnt that the others were lumped into the mix so as not to alarm

BUSINESS How do experts view Nigeria’s recession? PAGE 51»

Salkida, the journalist with uncommon access to Boko Haram, whose birth name is Daniel John (Salkida being the name of his homestead). At press time, Salkida was yet to return to Nigeria from his base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He requested the army, which declared him wanted, to provide him with a flight ticket to facilitate his trip. It is not clear whether the army would oblige him.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE POLITICS 15» JUDICIARY 25» LIFE 31» FAITH 40» BUSINESS 51» SPORTS 59»

Why declare us wanted? The other two, Bolori and Wakil, who made themselves available to the army, were granted bail 24 hours after being quizzed. Bolori is a native of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) in Borno State and is the coordinator of Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE). He has demanded an apology from

the army for declaring him wanted when they could have easily reached him at his home in Maiduguri. He said the action has caused trauma for him and his family. Wakil, an Igbo lady who converted to Islam in her undergraduate days at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), is a lawyer and member of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful

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Attitude to volunteerism in Nigeria is changing – Modupe Ladipo

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Onovo slams Buhari’s economic policy as reactive

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August 21, 2016

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High cost, legal battle, modern facilities; all mix in new Alade Market Money changers still beckon passersby on Allen Avenue in the nucleus of Ikeja, prostitutes line the road at night; a rendezvous called the University of Suya, a favourite haunt for locals and foreigners, serves sweet meat kebabs 24/7. Tech savvy new generation banks and revamped old brands are everywhere you look, competing for space with sleek clothes shops, electronics stores, hotels, telecom operators, courier firms, newspaper vendors, and makeshift night bukas on the walkway. Two eateries for the middle class, Mama Cass the familiar and Kentucky Fried Chicken the new import from across the Atlantic, remain in their locations. Alade Market – where the naira could buy anything from dollars, pound sterling, euro, to farm produce, books, household items, to electrical gadgets – is, however, gone for good. Reporter MMEDARAMFON UMOREN presents the angst of some traders, the relief of others, and the reason Ikeja Council demolished a landmark on a famous boulevard.

Irresistible N6.9b on the table The agreement between Ikeja Council and Masters Reality has been in place since 2010. The developer will invest an eye-bulging N6.9 billion into the mall on a Build, Own, and Transfer (BOT) basis and manage it for 30 years and make profit. TheNiche discovered from traders still selling in improvised stands on the edges of the closed-off old market that many of them had been part of the illegal occupiers. One said: "Everyone is angry and there's no need talking. We talked and talked and nothing happened. Didn't you see us on your television screen? “We have been forced out

Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren

“Everyone who has a letter of allocation, who is a bonafide owner of a shop, in the [old] Alade Market, they are already getting their shops back, all of them, in the new location. “Once you come with your original letter of allocation or show proof that you are a shop owner in the [old] Alade Market, they will automatically give you a letter for this new place.” of the market unlawfully and it has been demolished. There's nothing left for us to say so, just forget it. Everybody is angry." Rationale for relocation Ikeja Council said the market needed to be relocated because it was not conducive for traders and did not befit a cosmopolitan city. Council Sole Administrator, Abiodun Taiwo, explained that "with the mega status of Ikeja, the old Alade Market can no longer stand the test of time. “Coupled with that, most of the structures in the market failed integrity test hence the need to have them pulled down." He cited the lack of modern facilities in the old market which are provided in the new site. “I wonder how a market like Alade in the heart of Ikeja can function without a car park and having just two units of toilet.” Local Government and Community Affairs Commissioner, Muslim Folami, added that the structure of the old market was obsolete, leaving the government with no choice but to relocate the traders to upgrade the market. He disclosed that he has visited the new site equipped with modern facilities. “We don’t need a ghetto (old Alade Market) in a mega city. Those traders who are still recalcitrant, that is their problem,” he said. Folami’s Special Assistant, Olisemeka Obi, also explained that "the local government

decided to move the market because that place is already constituting a nuisance. “So, instead of allowing the place to deteriorate, they gave this concessionaire the idea to rebuild Alade Market as a big shopping mall with parking lots under."

Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren

raders at the popular Alade Market on Allen Avenue, Ikeja are the latest to be affected by the wave of changes to upgrade slums and shantytowns in the metropolis and the suburbs to the vision of Lagos as a mega city rid of ghettos. It has been a roller coaster ride for the traders since Ikeja Council began to redevelop the market into an upscale shopping mall through a concessionaire, Masters Reality International Concepts Limited. Legal and illegal occupiers of shops in the old Alade Market have, in the process, had their fair share of the stresses and strains of relocation. Legal occupiers can reclaim their shops in the New Alade Market 300 metres down the bend on Obafemi Awolowo Way – close to Allen Junction, like the old market – by showing proof of rent payment. But illegal occupiers are left stranded. Some residents of the vicinity are sympathetic to the traders, others said the relocation was long due as traders flouted environmental cleanliness laws and ghettoised the old trading spot.

Old

New location Construction is still going on in the new market where builders are working on shops and the car park. A large number of shops have been constructed but some have no doors yet. Some traders told TheNiche that there were cases of more than one person paying for and laying claim to a shop in the new location. But the market leaders appeared too busy and husky when their reaction was sought. Obi clarified, however, that the traders are to present their original letter of allocation or any proof of being a shop owner to reclaim a shop. “Instead of chasing people away to start that project, they said let’s build a new market for them. “Everyone who has a letter of allocation, who is a bonafide owner of a shop, in the [old] Alade Market, they are already getting their shops back, all of them, in the new location. “Once you come with your original letter of allocation or show proof that you are a shop owner in the [old] Alade Market, they will automatically give you a letter for this new place," he said. Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said it

is the first time a new market was provided before an old one was pulled down and the relocation is in the interest of all traders affected. “Traders in the old Alade Market are lucky because they are the first set that will be provided with an alternative before the commencement of the redevelopment. “In previous cases, the redevelopment would have started before provision was made for the occupiers," she stressed. The new Alade Market, which sits on 2.5 hectares of land, is described as one of the most modern markets in Lagos. It has 504 lock-up shops, 200 units of open stalls, 20 toilets, 350kva and 150kva generators, a creche, praying ground for both Christians and Muslims, three boreholes, as well as an ample car park that can take up to 350 cars at a time. Taiwo confirmed TinubuOjo’s comments about the uniqueness of the new market at the commissioning on July 22. Said he: "This is the first time

traders will be relocated even to a better market before the old one is pulled down. When we were appointed, [Governor Akinwunmi Ambode] gave us a salient assignment. “He said he wanted a clean market. I believe this market is in tandem with that. He said he wanted a very safe environment. I think this market also has a pass mark in that regard. “And he said he wants a prosperous Lagos and this is a foundation for prosperous traders. Today, we are here to commission what was a dream.” Out of the woods? However, traders are displeased with the arrangement which compels them to pay N150,000 for a shop, bearing in mind that they have the choice of returning to the old location once the mall is completed. Some complained that the rent they paid in the old site which has not expired was not considered. But Tinubu-Ojo enjoined traders still disgruntled about

the development to join hands with the government, the concessionaire, and other traders to take the market to new heights. She assured they would have the opportunity to apply for shops after the redevelopment is completed. Iyaloja of Alade Market, Aina Adenuga, praised Ambode and Ikeja Council for the "systematic, people-friendly approach" to the relocation. "We are happy that the government first provided a better, bigger, and more conducive place for us before asking us to relocate. We are happy to move to the new Alade Market which we see as a movement to our promised land," she said. Thugs and legal battle While some traders are settling gradually into the new location, others have drawn a battle line with the government. Last year, they filed a lawsuit at a Lagos High Court arguing that the government had no

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Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren

Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren

New

Photo: Mmedaramfon Umoren

Future

"The Concerned Traders are never legal occupants of the market because there were never tenancy agreements between the local government and these traders. “They lack legal grounds to either sue the parties or protest the relocation of the market.” legal right to evacuate them as the case was still in court. Some traders alleged that armed thugs invaded the old market to harass them on July 15. Lola Odunsi-Dania, a market leader, said they were making an undertaking with their lawyer when they heard that Masters Reality brought hooligans to the market to terrorise people with planks and all sorts of things. Members of a group called Concerned Traders of Alade Market claimed they bought the shops more than 20 years ago, insisting that the forced relocation violated their rights. Jiti Ogunye, counsel to one of the aggrieved traders' associations, accused the council of conniving with Masters Reality to replace the market with a shopping mall through the backdoor.

He alleged in an open letter to Ambode that council officials had continued to forcefully eject traders from their shops despite a pending lawsuit. "The issues of whether our clients could be relocated from the said land is part of the issues being currently litigated at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division,” he said. "It will, thus, amount to a grave abuse of the rule of law to resort to self-help while the issues are being tried before a competent court of law that is adjudicating the matter. “The law is settled that once a civil matter is placed before a court or judicial tribunal for adjudication, parties to the court action must refrain from doing anything capable of overreaching, undermining or foisting a fait accompli on the court. “Doing so will not only

be tantamount to subverting the rule of law, but also will amount to treating the court with contempt. “No matter the impatience on the part of parties, they are under a legal obligation to await the outcome of the resolution or determination of the issues submitted to the court for adjudication.” Masters Reality Managing Director, Lai Omotola, acknowledged that a court order to maintain status quo ante until the substantive suit is determined was issued, but only after work had started on the project site. He insisted that "the order did not affect our construction work. There is no case of contempt here. Also, the court rejected an application in which the concerned traders were seeking to restrain us from executing the project. The court did not grant the application. "The Concerned Traders are not shop owners in the old Alade Market. They only rented shops from the original allottees and real tenants of the Ikeja Local Government. "So, the Concerned Traders are never legal occupants of the market because there were

never tenancy agreements between the local government and these traders. “They lack legal grounds to either sue the parties or protest the relocation of the market.” Allocation cost A sales girl in the new location, who did not want her name in print, accused market leaders of taking advantage of the transfer to extort money from traders. She said: "God will judge everyone according to his work. The government is no longer concerned with what is going on here. Some people do not have shops which is why they're stationed outside the market. “Even though [Adenuga] is in charge of the distribution, there is no order in this shop allocation matter. "They haven't done any serious work here, but those who had paid rent in the former market and their rent hasn't expired still have to pay the money for a new shop in full. "Also, people we elected to lead us are cheating us just because they need money.” But Tinubu-Ojo assured of

transparency in the system. She explained that the cost of new shops for fresh allottees in the new market differs from that for old allottees in the old market. "The cost of the shop to the original allottees is N150,000. But for fresh traders, the price would differ. The price for the original allottees was for the

purchase of the shop.” Another sales girl disclosed that "shops are sold for N150,000 but that is just for people who already had shops in the former market. “Those who do not have at all pay from N350,000 (the owner of the shop takes N300,000 while the agent takes N50,000).”

"God will judge everyone according to his work. The government is no longer concerned with what is going on here. Some people do not have shops which is why they're stationed outside the market. “Even though [Tinubu-Ojo] is in charge of the distribution, there is no order in this shop allocation matter." New Alade Market • Sits on 2.5 hectares of land • • • • • • • • •

Is one of the most modern markets in Lagos. Has 504 lock-up shops 200 units of open stalls 20 toilets 350kva and 150kva power generators A creche A praying ground for both Christians and Muslims Three boreholes for water supply A car park for 350 cars

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Ishaya Ibrahim Acting News Editor 0807 204 0241 iib1000@yahoo.com

What you don’t know about the Salkida, others

Bolori Wakil

Continues from page 1 Resolution of Security Challenges in the North East. She is married to a High Court judge in Maiduguri. Wakil also wondered why she was declared wanted when she is easily accessible to the army. Former Newswatch Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Yakubu Mohammed said: “As a lay man, I think it was unwise for security to declare potential informants publicly wanted. “In what way can they help the authorities if they have been publicly invited to come and volunteer information? Are they not being put in harm’s way with Boko Haram? “But as it has turned out, these people apparently are not on the run. From what we now know, the security agencies know them and know where they live. “Some of the wanted people have even confirmed their relationship with security agents.” But the army said it declared the three wanted for their alleged links with the jihadists. Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said: “There is no doubt that these individuals have links with Boko Haram Terrorists and have contacts with them. “They must therefore come forward and tell us where the group is keeping the Chibok girls and other abducted persons to enable us rescue them.”

“In what way can they help the authorities if they have been publicly invited to come and volunteer information? Are they not being put in harm’s way with Boko Haram? “But as it has turned out, these people apparently are not on the run. From what we now know, the security agencies know them and know where they live.”

From church to mosque Salkida hails from Borno State. He was born into a Christian family and was a member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). He embraced Islam in the mid 2000s when he met Mohammed Yusuf, the then leader of Boko Haram. Their relationship blossomed. But Salkida was more professional about it – a journalist meeting a source. He interviewed Yusuf in 2006. The respect between them was mutual – one, an idealistic Islamic scholar; the other, a journalist. The man who understands Shekau Through Yusuf, Salkida became an acquaintance of Shekau. He later diagnosed Shekau’s persona in an interview with the BBC. “He is a fearless loner, a complex, paradoxical man – part intellectual, part gangster. “He is one of those who believe that you can sacrifice anything for your belief. He hardly talks, he is fearless.

does not speak English. I used to joke with him that he should teach me Arabic and I would teach him English.” Salkida told the BBC that Shekau has a photographic memory and is well versed in theology. “He is nicknamed Darul Tawheed which translates as a specialist in Tawheed. This is an orthodox doctrine of the uniqueness and oneness of Allah, which is the very cornerstone of Islam.” In 2009, when Boko Haram was rounded up by the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Shekau was thought to have died. Even in 2009, those who knew Shekau said he would have toppled Yusuf, who was slain by the police that year, because Yusuf had resisted the pressure from him to take up arms against the Nigerian state. In 2011, Shekau announced himself alive and declared that he was the leader of the militant Islamist group after taking several jihadist lessons, including making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and the technique of suicide bombing, from Al-Qaida operatives in the Maghreb.

“I can get all the scoops I asked, but out of fear I introduced some reporters or forfeit my scoops to avoid being considered as too close to the sources. “Sadly, that was how I ended up being viewed with suspicion …. I can go to Sambisa [forest] now to interview Shekau at my own risk, is this a journalistic feat or a crime?” He is fluent in his native Kanuri, Hausa and Arabic languages – he

Leading the military to Shekau

Salkida returned again as the go-between Boko Haram and the rest of the world in 2011 when he published the rare picture of the suicide bomber who blew Police Headquarters in Abuja. A PREMIUM TIMES report on August 15, 2016 quoted Salkida as telling Farook Kperogi, an associate professor of journalism at Kennesaw State University, United States, that “I can get all the scoops I asked, but out of fear I introduced some reporters or forfeit my scoops to avoid being considered as too close to the sources. “Sadly, that was how I ended up being viewed with suspicion …. I can go to Sambisa [forest] now to inter-

view Shekau at my own risk, is this a journalistic feat or a crime?” Salkida has refused to divulge his sources of information to the military, a cardinal principle in journalism to “keep the identity of your sources confidential.” He said he had come under threats for not betraying his sources, even when he made it clear that doing so would not end the war. But a source alerted that Salkida may be compelled this time around to disclose the identities of his interview subjects, a move the military hope would lead to the capture of Shekau. “Just like the Barack Obama administration boasts of killing Osama bin Laden, the current administration wants to score that point too in the killing of Shekau,” our source said.

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Abayomi: Tinubu frustrates my Ondo ambition

•Says APC leader knows he can't confront him

Tinubu

By Daniel Kanu

Assistant Politics Editor

wo-time Ondo State governorship also-ran, Tunji Abayomi, is not happy with Bola Tinubu’s towering influence that has extended beyond his domain in Lagos to all the cracks and crevices of the South West. Abayomi, a lawyer and human rights activist, accused Tinubu, a power broker in the All Progressives Congress (APC), of frustrating his ambition to govern Ondo, a historically independent minded state in the zone, like Ekiti. He recently exchanged letters with Tinubu to express displeasure on his imposition of Segun Abraham as the governorship candidate of the APC in the Sunshine state in the election in November. Abayomi told TheNiche in an interview in Lagos that Tinubu’s meddling is not acceptable, alleging that he “wants to frustrate my ambition.’’ Whereas, Abayomi stressed, “the tonic of democracy as I have said in my letter is the right of the people to choose

their leaders.” The problem, in his view, is that Tinubu “thinks he can’t control me so he is preventing me from not getting the ticket and that is why I am writing to him on the danger it portends. “I am fighting against imposition so as to ensure it does not continue. We must fight against it to make sure it does not become a norm. And that is why I should not keep quiet. “We must ensure that the rights of the people are respected. It’s wrong for him to raise a candidate among aspirants.” Abayomi insisted he cannot quit the party because of godfatherism. “No, it’s not likely that I will leave the APC, I have been there for a long time. If I wanted to leave I would have done that a long time ago. “I have no plan of leaving the party. However, I believe that things should be done properly and in accordance with the constitution of the party and the rights of citizens. “You can’t ask people to subject themselves to certain conditions and then you just turn around to take equals unequally. “The whole process is unacceptable to me, that was why

I wrote to him. I find the endorsement inappropriate because it amounts to him constituting government for us, which is contrary to the principles of democracy." Abayomi maintained that Ondo residents have the right to choose rather accept undue endorsement from the outside. “It is the right of the Ondo people to elect, cast their votes to whom they want to represent them against another party, in a political contest. It is my belief that the Ondo governorship primary should be free and fair, devoid of undue influence.” He warned that the interference may not augur well for the state. “Well, if it is not remedied it could be problematic, it could affect the APC’s electoral fortunes but the National Chairman of the party [John OdigieOyegun] I am aware wants to intervene. “He has called a meeting to look into all the issues. I am urging the party to rise up to the challenge so as not to be full of regrets latter.” Abayomi contested the Ondo governorship in 2007 and 2011.

Kwara loses N400m to illegal recruitments

Ebiwe, from Gbaramatu, fears for his life after invasion

•Laments loss of his family

Ebiwe

By Ishaya Ibrahim

Acting News Editor

wo months after the invasion of Gbaramatu, Delta State by the military, a resident, Christian Ebiwe, is yet to locate his family, and he fears for his life.

Ebiwe, who said he worked and settled in Gbaramatu, lamented that his life has not been the same since the invasion, as his mother, wife, and four children are missing and he is out of job. “There are other communities around Gbaramatu, like Oporoza and Ogolagha. “Two months ago, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), started bombing oil wells and pipelines around the areas. A few days after, the Nigerian army came to the community, invaded the area killing and arresting innocent people,” he recalled. “It was alleged that some of the Avenger boys were living in the same compound with me. One night, the army invaded the compound, shooting and killing people around.

“Since then, my family is nowhere to be found, even my aged mother, who came to take care of my sick wife is missing as well. I managed to escape out of the community. “As I am talking to you now, I fear for my life as many able bodied men who could not escape were arrested, and up till now, nobody knows their whereabouts. “There is fear that they may have been killed, as the military continues to deny arresting anybody." Troops invaded Gbaramatu on May 28 to arrest Government Ekpemopolo, also known as Tompolo, believed to be the brain behind the NDA, a new militant group that has been bombing oil installations in the past five months.

in line with the Smart Agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Energy Commissioner, Newworld Safugha, disclosed this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and Bastanchury Power Solutions for the establishment of

an 8.5 megawatts (mw) power plant in Asaba. Safugha expressed delight over the project, noting that it came at a time of decreased power generation for the national grid. He enthused that the additional 8.5mw would help im-

Ahmed

By Ayo Bada

Senior Correspondent

ver N400 million has been lost in Kwara since 2014 due to illegal recruitment of 516 employees by the state Teaching Service Commission (TSC). This is part of the findings of an enquiry instituted by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. Panel Chairman, Yusuf Kawu Daibu, disclosed while presenting

the report to him that the TSC illegally employed 965 personnel instead of the 449 the governor approved in 2014. Daibu said the selection and recruitment were “haphardly done as there were no records of shortlisted candidates or record of an interview panel that should have formed the basis of the final list of those recruited.” The panel recommended, among others, that • The number recruited should be reduced to the original 449 intended, considering “the genuine need” of the TSC for more teachers, especially for mathematics, the core sciences, and English language. • The TSC Act should be reviewed to take care of structural defects. • The oversight function of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development on the TSC should be enforced. • An effective database should be created to monitor entries and exits from the employment of the TSC. Ahmed said the enquiry was part of efforts to boost the qual-

Delta to generate 8.5mw of electricity to feed Asaba By Oye Chukwujekwu Special Correspondent, Asaba

elta State has guaranteed investors of continued partnership to ensure meaningful development

prove electricity supply and the Ministry of Energy would liaise with Bastanchury to ensure it delivers. He thanked Okowa for conceiving the project and assured that the ministry would continue to create schemes beneficial to residents pursuant to

the vision of prosperity for all Deltans as encapsulated in the Smart Agenda. Bastanchury Power Chairman, Goziem Chidi, thanked the government for giving his company the opportunity to showcase its potential, and promised that it would fully

ity of education through judicious use of resources while ensuring quality manpower is recruited. He underscored the critical role of teachers to functional education and human capital development, saying his administration “will continue to ensure that due process is followed in the recruitment of teachers in the TSC and other state-owned educational institutions. “While we have reviewed subvention to some tertiary institutions in line with our emphasis on prudence, our commitment to funding education in a targeted and sustainable fashion remains unwavering.” Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, reiterated that the government will not relent in its effort to clean up the mess created by past administrations. “The present state government will continue to do what is right and give the people of Kwara the dividends of democracy. “We will continue to correct the wrongs of past governments to put smiles on the faces of the people,” he said.

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August 21, 2016

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News Lagos council boss vows to enforce sanitation laws By Ayo Bada

Senior Correspondent

agos Island Council Sole Administrator, Nasiru Musa, has vowed to enforce sanitation laws and spruce up nooks and crannies to make the council one

of the cleanest in the country. He led council officials, including Head of Administration, Olaide Atunrase, and those of the Ministry of the Environment in clearing gutters, drainages, gullies, and street in the Isale-Eko area, especially at the sprawling Dosunmu Market. At the market, one of high density and dirt, Musa ex-

pressed unhappiness with the lackadaisical attitude of contractors in clearing rubbish despite being paid frequently by residents and shop owners. He directed the council head of environment department to write a report and demand a replacement of the contractor, promising that lapses by individuals or

groups will be sanctioned under environmental laws. “We are determined to make Lagos Island the cleanest environment in the state that we all will be proud of and nothing will be spared in efforts at achieving this within the period of this administration in line with directives of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. “We are marshaling all

departments relevant to the environment to double their efforts on Thursdays and Saturdays for the clean up exercise,” he said. Musa, who also monitored the trees planted, expressed satisfaction at the steady growth of the trees on the Oke-Arin/Adeniji Adele corridors and commended the sustenance of cleanliness at

Olusi and Pelewura Markets, which were part of his first exercise. He directed the council engineer to repair damaged gullies, gutters, and other areas around Dosunmu Market where sewage stallers have been broken by heavy duty vehicles. Atunrase promised that all the directives will be promptly effected.

Ikpeazu can’t be distracted, says spokesman

Ikpeazu

By Daniel Kanu

Assistant Politics Editor

bia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, is not distracted from

providing good governance despite the efforts of hecklers. His Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Apollos, who made the point, expressed optimism that the court travail of his boss “can never weaken him rather will strengthen him in his commitment to take the state to the next level of development.” Apollos urged Abians to rise up to the challenge posed by detractors to destroy the peaceful state. He told TheNiche in an interview in Lagos that “given the distinctive nature of the governor, it is not easy to distract him as a person but the state would seem to be losing greatly.

“The only snag is that, in a way, what is happening is delaying some new projects that would have been taken off before now by contractors, banks and some new investors. “They have to wait first to see what is playing out and the state is suffering it. “The court cases have not distracted him. No, not at all. Recently the governor said that personally it is not easy to distract him. And that's true. “If you know him quite well you would understand that he's an easy going person but very focused in whatever he wants to do. “He thinks through his programmes and actions and once he decides to go into them, it is

very difficult to distract him. So he is not distracted.’’ Apollos stressed that Ikpeazu “tries to find the best hands to work with anywhere he goes, so he is not someone you can easily distract because he has his materials.” But he explained that what is happening is costing the state in terms of delaying the progress put in motion. “The road linking the General Assembly office, Aba (Ehere Road) is the 18th road project the governor has completed and commissioned aside others that are nearing completion. “But when you look at where Aba is in terms of infrastructure and you juxtapose it

with what the governor is doing, you will see a state that is now a construction site. “Now the governor said he was going to fix Aba but Abia State allocation cannot fix Aba. He requires goodwill from the private sector and other people to develop the place. “Just a week before this Uche Ogah distraction, the governor flagged off Fox Road. That contract was awarded to Setraco for about N6 billion. “There is an understanding with some banks to mobilise the construction company to site and be giving them something like N100 million every month and the government will be paying back. “This can only be done be-

cause of the trust they have in the integrity of the governor. “The same arrangements we had with Arab Contractors to do Aba Road in Umuahia; we came with the same arrangement to do a flyover at Osisioma. We are also coming with the same arrangement to do Eke Akpara Road. “These were the arrangements that had been put in place with banks. “But with these distractions the banks and investors will be affected and the state will suffer for it. By now we should have been talking about the foundation laying ceremony for Osisioma Bridge and commissioning of more roads.”

Delta seeks electronic library to aid education • Umuseti-Ogbe, Emu-Ebendo settle rift

By kwu

Oye

Special Asaba

ChukwujeCorrespondent,

mbrose Okakwu, special assistant to Delta State governor on library development, has appealed for the establishment of a national and electronic library considering its importance in education. He said as more people now get information on internet and other electronic devices, revenue could be generated from an electronic library. Okakwu disclosed his plan to propose to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to allocate land for the federal government to set up a befitting library to add to the existing ones in the state. He urged Abuja to increase

Delta’s allocation to enable Okowa meet demands, especially the salary payment of teachers and council workers. He said he has been trying to see how the state can establish a well equipped library to help stop the distraction caused by the internet to students whose academic performance has deteriorated. According to him, other public and school libraries will also be upgraded. He expressed appreciation for Okowa’s efforts and prayed for him to finish building a modern central library for the state. He cited the construction of roads in Asaba and urged Okowa to also fulfil his promise to construct a road from Asaba power line to run through Oko community, which will enhance education as well as evacuation of agricultural pro-

duce. Okakwu said Oko can equally be a revenue base with tourism facilities because the town runs along the River Niger that has a beach. In another development, Umuseti-ogbe and Emu-Ebendo communities in Ndokwa West Council have agreed to live in peace after they were urged to always dialogue in resolving their land disputes and shun acts likely to lead to violence. Council Chairman, Ifeanyi Osakwe, gave the charge at a reconciliation meeting in his office in Kwale. He warned both communities to cease hostilities because anyone caught destroying crops or other properties will face the full wrath of the law. He commended the security agencies and other stakehold-

ers for their prompt action in restoring peace to the areas and advised both communities to submit their updated land documents to the office of the secretary to the Local Government Ministry to facilitate final resolution. Others at the meeting who urged both communities not to destroy their age-long peaceful relationship over a piece of land included a member representing Ndokwa West in the state House of Assembly, Azuka Azaka; former Commissioner for Higher Education, Charles Emetulu; and the Oduosa of Utaga-Ogbe, Isaac Obi. They appealed to the communities to operate within the ambit of the law in pursuing their cases. Chief Superintendent of Police, Emmanuel Ogbuanya – who represented the Joint Task

Okakwu Forces (JTF), the Department of Security Services (DSS), and the divisional police officer – advised the elders of the communities to caution their youths against violence. He warned that the security

agencies will prosecute those fanning the embers of discord. Tony Ezukwu of Umüseti and R.A. Opoh of Emu-Ebendo, who spoke on behalf of both communities, commended Osakwe for convening the

Kosoko, Akinola applaud Ambode on development By Daniel Kanu

Assistant Politics Editor

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, is getting more kudos for his commitment to develop all parts of the state. A former lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Oladele Kosoko, gave the latest commendation; joined by a community leader, Enoch

Akinola, who applauded Ambode for making good his promise to upgrade Badagry. Kosoko praised Ambode for holding the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in the ancient city so as to give the constituency a sense of belonging. Ambode had pledged to make Badagry “a flashpoint for developmental projects” and Kosoko said and he has already started with some of the road projects. He noted that Ambode

“inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he promised that the contract for completion would be awarded, and that has been done. “What he did is giving my people a good sense of belonging and we appreciate it. [He] has vowed that his administration would open up Badagry forever and we know he is one that keeps his promise. “He can be rest assured we will give him all the sup-

port he needs from us.” Akinola said Ambode has shown that he is focused on the blueprint to transform the state to the next level of development. “I am happy with his commitment towards the development of Badagry. I am not alone in the excitement but my people too are also happy and together we are grateful to him.” Both Kosoko and Akinola urged Ambode to approve the construction of the road from Aradagun to Imeke

Bridge which leads to the whispering palms. Ambode promised during his tour of Badagry that his administration plans to make Badagry a continental nucleus of tourism in the next 18 to 24 months.

“Our eyes are set on Badagry, we are going to do something there for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever and make the city a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa,’’ he said.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bigwa Joan Uche, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Iyere Joan Uche. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

Notes

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From

Nnanna Okere okere_nnanna@yahoo.com +358 4684 74258

Finland

New Euro 50 note to be in circulation next year

ash-carrying members of the public can look forward to flashing a newly-designed Euro 50 note from next spring. The Eurozone’s re-designed 50-euro note was launched by European Central Bank (ECB) officials last week. The ECB will begin printing the new bills later this year and will put them into circulation from April 2017. The new note is the second in the currency series to be re-designed. A new Euro 5 bill entered circulation in February 2013.

The upgraded design should make the bill safer to use, say ECB officials. Merchants can verify its authenticity by the appearance of a hologram representing the face of Greek mythological figure Europa in a transparent window in the upper corner of the note. Users can also see the hologram from both sides of a genuine bill. It carries a watermark of the same image. The front sports an iridescent green numeral which changes colour to dark blue as it moves. A light strip appears to move as the bill is tilted up and down. The Euro 50 note is the most-

used piece of paper currency in the Eurozone, according to the ECB.

More than nine million of it is in circulation, 45 per cent of all euro bills in use.

Finland to seek EU aid to assist ex-Microsoft workers

Lindstrom

inland plans to apply to the European Union (EU) for money to support Microsoft employees who are laid off in the country. Justice and Employment Minister, Jari Lindstrom, announced that an application will be lodged with the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), an EU organ which provides grants in instances where over 500 people are made redundant by a single company as a result of globalisation. Microsoft announced shut down of its product development operations in Finland, with the loss of 1,350 jobs, part of a string of lay offs by a company which bought struggling former mobile giant Nokia in 2014.

“Services for laid off staff are already being set up immediately, in coordination with the firm’s own support operations and public operations,” Lindstrom said. The EU is expected to reach a decision on the application within six months of submission. Finland has other requests for money pending with the EGF, relating to previous Microsoft sackings. The EGF can fund up to 60 per cent of projects which help axed workers find another job or set up their own businesses. Microsoft is restructuring its mobile phone business, which has resulted in thousands of its staff being fired globally.

Finland and Cuba reach agreement on debt adjustment

bilateral agreement between Finland and Cuba relating to an outstanding payment of EUR 2.95 million payable to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs by Cuba has been signed by both countries in Havana. The agreement concerns the

rearrangement of Finnish development aid granted to Cuba in 1973 and 1976. It was signed by Secretary of State, Peter Stenlund, from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the Cuban Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. The agreement was a part of the

debt adjustment, negotiated within the Paris Club in December 2015, which ensures Cuba pays off its loan of EUR 2.95 million and the contractual interest of about EUR 300,000 within 18 years. The agreement will contribute to the promotion of trade between Finland and Cuba. Another bilateral agreement

relating to an outstanding payment of EUR 37.8 million to the State Guarantee Fund by Cuba was signed in Havana earlier this year. It had accrued from export credit guarantees granted 30 years ago. Finnvera has now made guarantees available for small export transactions with Cuba.

Refugee hands in €150,000 found in wardrobe

refugee from Syria found €150,000 in a secondhand wardrobe he bought. But keeping it for himself would have been a betrayal of his religion, he said. Muhannad M. found the money shortly after he had moved into his new flat in Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, police report. He was able to kit out his new pad thanks largely to money donated through charities, and one of the new furnishings he bought was an old wardrobe. When the 25-year-old cleaned out the wardrobe, he noticed that there was a hidden compartment inside, where two sheets of wood had been screwed together. After he pulled it apart, he was amazed to find savings books worth €100,000 plus €50,000 in cash. “They were all new €500 notes. I thought it was fake money,” he told national newspaper. So he researched online how

to tell real bank notes from fake ones and came to the conclusion that this was the real deal. But rather than keep the cash for himself, he informed the migration authorities, who in turn let the police know. “I am a Muslim. I’m not allowed to keep this money. My religion forbids it,” he explained. “Allah would never allow me to finance my own interests with someone else’s wealth.” “This young man has acted in an exemplary way and deserves great respect,” a police spokesperson said. “It sometimes happens that smaller amounts of money are handed in. But this kind of money is the absolute exception.” Muhannad arrived in Germany in October 2015. The rest of his family are still in Syria, where a civil war has destroyed large parts of the country since it broke out in 2011. The young communications student from Homs isn’t going away completely empty handed,

though. He will receive a finder’s fee of 3 per cent of the value of the money.

Muhannad and the wardrobe

There are more Euro 50 notes in use than there are 5, 10 and 20 bills combined.

The ECB estimates that some 338 million people in Europe use the euro.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enters into force in Finland

he Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol has entered into force in Finland, after the country deposited its instrument of ratification with the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister, Timo Soini, said the entry into force of the Convention and its Protocol was a significant step in strengthening the status of the rights of persons with disabilities, and underscores obligation to promote these rights. He explained that it is particularly important that persons with disabilities are engaged in and heard in matters that concern them. His words: "It is essential to take care that the most vulnerable are also heard both in Finland and in other countries. “The work of the coordination group for international disability policy under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is one way to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in the preparation of Finland's foreign and security policy." Finland has discussed the rights of persons with disabilities in, for example, the UN and the OSCE. It also provides financial support to, among other things, the UN Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) and the activities of the Special Representative to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. "The Convention entered into force and the work will continue on the same lines as the close partnership with Finnish and international disability organisations and associations," Soini disclosed. In a related development, Finland's Aid for Trade has produced good results especially in sectors in which Finland has competitive advantages. Examples of these include water, energy, environment, information communication technology (ICT) and innovations, as well as forestry and fisheries. Finnfund's (Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation) investment portfolio shows good results particularly when measured by employment creation.

Soini Instead, the impact of the business partnership support provider, Finnpartnership, has remained limited. This is concluded in an external evaluation of Finland's AFT, completed recently. Based on the evaluation, Finland's AFT projects have stimulated private sector activities in partner countries, but Finnish companies' participation in business activities in these countries is still at a modest level. Finland's AFT Action Plan (AFT-AP) has not provided guidance to the practical implementation of projects. There is room for improvement in projects' coordination as well. "I agree with the findings of the evaluation in that the participation of private sector actors and interaction between stakeholders engaged in AFT work must be strengthened," disclosed Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Lenita Toivakka. "It is also very important to ensure that the Finnish embassies have sufficient resources for the promotion of economic cooperation in those partner countries in which development cooperation will gradually be replaced by other forms of cooperation." The evaluation assessed Finland's activities on the basis of the AFT-AP, prepared in 2012. Case studies on Finnfund and Finnpartnership were also included in the evaluation. The evaluation was assigned to Finnish Consulting Group (FCG). The international evaluation group consisting of four members was led by Frans van Gerwen.

TheNiche

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PhotoNews

Managing Director of Compact Comminication Ltd, Chuddy Oduenyi (Middle) flanked on the right by MD of TheNiche, Ikechukwu Amaechi; Executive Editor, Oguwike Nwachuku and on the left by Chief Operating Officer/Accountant, Eugene Onyeji, and Editor, Politics/ Features, Emeka Alex Duru, when TheNiche team visited Oduenyi at his GRA, Ikeja, Lagos office...Thursday.

L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Adeyinka Kolawole Sodipo, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, and Chris Ezike, Commissioner of Police, Edo State during Sodipo's visit to Oshiomhole in his office... Wednesday.

August 21, 2016

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday shortly after his victory at the Appeal Court. With him are Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Matins Azubuike (left); Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu (second right) ,and Secretary to the State Government, Eme Okoro Photo Government House Press

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, with supporters of the All Progressives Congress, when the governor led the party's campaign train for Saturday's by-election into Oorelope State Constituency, at Igboho Photo: Oyo State Government

L-R: Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson; Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Wale Oluwo; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Steve Ayorinde and Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs & Investment (Lagos Global), . Ademola Abass ,during a joint Press Conference on plans of the Lagos State Government to embark on multifaceted projects ... Thursday President Muhammadu Buhari (right) welcoming former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired) to his office in Aso Rock ... Thurdsay

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State being accosted by some kids when the governor and his officials went on inspection tour of some streets in Port Harcourt ... Thursday

L-R: Chuks Oliver Enwerem; Chris Asoluka; Felix Chukwu and Ano Anyanwu at this year's Mbaise People's Congress (MPC) Colloquium held at Paragon Hotel Eke Nguru in Aboh Mbaise where Asoluka spoke on 'South East Economic Integration for National Development'

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

Diplomacy

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World indigenous peoples day in the eye of Lagos Igbo To commemorate year 2016 United Nations Declared World Day for Indigenous Peoples which was observed August 9, the Eze Ndigbo of Mushin LGA Lagos state who oversees the welfare of Igbos in that commercial community of Lagos took time off to give the world a peep about the Igbo persona, writes SAM NWOKORO

he United Nations Organization earmarked August 9 every year for the observance of the World Day for Indigenous people. It was a day set aside for nationalities in the world to reflect on their common ancestry and further consolidate the bond among them. In today’s world of commerce and trade, the concept of the day is most profound. The Diasporas use the occasion to address issues concerning them wherever they live. There are thousands of indigenous groups swallowed in the nationality of the about, 169 countries of the United Nations. In Nigeria for example, there are about 250 or more mini nations, that is natives which speak different languages that make up Nigeria, the dominant tribes being Hausa, Ibos and Yorubas. Every tribe has one form of annual or monthly get-together -social event that brings them together. There is the issue of Ibos being one of the major voices of Nigeria’s affairs in Africa and the world forum owing to the role the group played in the attainment of Nigeria’s political independence in 1960. Her son, the late Owelle of Onitsha Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe led the struggle that forced the British colonialist to agree to hold series of conference that led to Nigeria’s political independence in 1960, and afterwards became the first Governor-General and Executive President of the country, after being the first Senate President of Nigeria. Thus in Nigeria, and indeed, Africa, the Ibo race, occupying much of present South East and South-South part of the country are a noted group of people because of their peculiar values and ways of life routed in unpretentious republicanism in a country where cultures and traditions up till now still envelope some peoples from embracing universally appealing ethos. The people are known the world over as the remnant Jews in Africa because of their unadulterated Christian belief and democratic nature that emphasizes plurality, freedom for anyone to hold his or her preferred opinion which he or she believes suits his or her interests, their rugged inclination to commerce and business, even where the opportunities are not available and their love for western education, values and ideals which they believe is Godlike because of its embedded freedoms. They are a people who don’t like to be caged, and who easily blend to different cultures and traditions provided they perceive opportunities for material advancement in such places. This behavior to a large extent has helped the people recover at a surprisingly astonishing speed even after suffering holocaust and pogrom visited on them in Nigeria between July31 1966 and January 1970 civil war with the Nigerian state. The Ibos in Nigeria are respected for their intuitive ability and egalitarian ethos, which make them one of the most adventure-seeking people in the planet earth, for there is no country in the world you cannot find an Ibo man or woman. At the same time, their enterprise ethos incessantly bring them into collision with other peoples in Nigeria and in fact Africa, especially in societies with discriminating institutions, cultures and practices that are not so permissive to ‘outsiders’, such as replete in many parts of Nigeria and Africa. The Ibo man or woman is notable for such characteristics as: industry, competitiveness, honest

yet manipulative, God-fearing and at the same time indignant, especially where there is aberrant state- orchestrated or institutionalized road blocks and bumps in his efforts to advance; when his material interest is at stake. He hardly yields to inferior positions in the contest for social relevance, could be philanthropic and yet prudent in matters of handling money. He is democratic in nature and abhors domination and enslavement. He likes to be independent of any controls that seems to regiment his fancies and efforts at material attainment. All of these and many more characteristics make them easy preys and targets in today’s world. In observance of the day, an Igbo diaspora leader who leads the Ibos in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos state, one of Nigeria’s major commercial hubs, Eze Ndigbo, Dr John C Nwosu shed more light on the Ibos while fielding the following questions: Defining the Igbos: Igbo people are hardworking. They depend on themselves and what they can get for themselves. They are industrious. They don’t take chances. They are good servants. That is why you would see an Ibo apprentice serving his master for upwards of seven years when they have good masters. But that is the area Nigeria misunderstand them. Igbo people are peculiar. He progresses wherever he is.He his somebody that progresses even inside cage. He makes good use of his brain and that is why they are trusted. The Igboman is however not a fantastic politician. They believe much in commerce and training. Why the Indigenous Peoples Day is not so observed by Igbos? Collectively, it may not be observed because, by our nature, we are a very busy people. We might be marking it in our various individual capacities in small units. If not that you are telling me now, our government has not been taking the day seriously. But the only aspect of August that concerns us that we always observe is the August meeting and the Iwa Ji. At this time every year, our Ibo people do travel to their various communities at home for one form of meeting or the or the other, be it Community development meeting, women meeting or youth or age grade meeting. Then the annual Iwa ji, the new yam celebration following suit. So this August, most of our communities have their meeting. It is a very important in the life of Ndigbo in the world. Whether Ndigbo would be better served under a regional government or outside Nigeria? We have come a long way as one Nigeria. What Ndigbo are talking about is fair share, equal right and justice. We want the Federal character in the constitution followed. And not a situation whereby all the political appointments of the Nigerian Government are allocated to only one section of the country. After the civil war, the concept of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation has not been done in any meaningful manner. And government should know that since we agreed to be together, there is no need for separation and

therefore should not act in a way that would provoke agitations for separation. What is good for the geese is also good for the gander. All the appointments show that the South East is lacking. The national cake on the table, you should share it together because wherever we go, we develop that place. We happened to be Nigerians and found ourselves wherever we were in Nigeria because we believed it so from the beginning. In Lags for instance, most of us were born here. Our Children were being born here. In the East there are Hausas too who born and reside there. They are in most cities in the South East and South South, call it the former East. Igbos contribute up to sixty percent development in Lagos. This issue of non-indigene is spurious logic. What makes you a foreigner? I don’t see any sense in it. Are the resources from other parts of the country not used one way or the other in the development of Lagos? There should be no cheating. What we are asking for is fair sharing s that all of us enjoy our oneness in the country. There can be unity and development in diversity if everything is done justly. Rating Present Igbo leaders They are doing their best with the resources at their disposal. You know, there is general economic slowdown. The president has already said we are in a recession. So we would not expect them to do miracle overnight. Although some of them are executing several projects that will improve the quality of life of our people. But the Federal Government should come to their assistance and at least build their own projects and not just focus on only one part of the country. Carry everyone along together. Is there any federal highway in the East that is not important? The Federal Government should treat all the governors equally in attention irrespective of political party difference. Pressing need of Igbo people: What we need most is good environment and unity among our leaders, especially the governors. If they unite and reason together, they can represent us well. And not a situation where they would speaking in different tunes or one person would go and be settled and then he begins to sabotage the other. In appointment, we need fair sharing, equity and the FG to respect federal character. Then on infrastructure, the Second Niger Bridge, we need to see that bridge come through. We need to see work going on that bridge. The roads are still bad. There are still some

roads that cannot lead to the next community. The weed god leaders in Igboland who can represent us well and not those who want to make gain out of any issue. We should not be seen as a divided nation who are easily bought over. So if we come together. We will not have problems. Another area is unemployment. You see a graduate after school doing hawking due to unemployment. Igbos are fine brains. So our leaders should create jobs by creative policies so that this thing graduate unemployment is tamed. About your leadership tenure so far: As Eze Ndigbo Mushin, I understand the wishes and aspiration of my people here and discharging my duties the manner it to be done. Eze Ndigbo was set up outside Igboland to defend and protect our people, and in this palace, we have been doing that, since 2012 I was elected. We have been doing our annual Igbo Day in Mushin to showcase our tradition and culture. And the Igbo people of Mushin has been proud of it because there is a synergy between us here and the traditional institution in Igboland whose leaders we normally invite every year of Igbo Day Mushin and they will grace this year’s occasion in December in December 31. Ant the event has been introduced to the Ministry of arts and culture and the Diaspora. And the Commissioner has indicated interest. We have a team headed by Mr. Chris Mba that introduced the annual event to the five eastern states together, more especially during Christmas holidays so that our people will remember themselves and what we are made of. So this palace is there for ndigbo, for the world to see Igbo culture. If Igbos in Mushin are benefitting from Lagos state N25 billion Entrepreneurship grant: Government has not done much sensitization about it so that our people would participate, like organise Town Hall with traders, traditional leaders and then directive of what will be given. They are supposed to create awareness for us so that we organise our children and lecture them how to benefit or guarantee them so that we will be part and parcel to benefit; then we will know what to do since we now know such plans would benefit our people.so Iam pleading with them to include us, educate us on the way and manner we would be part of that very plan. I don’t think that there is any Igboman that will not like to get it.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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International

Terrorism and Trump Trump’s foreign policy speech offers more insights into the .man than the plan

he foreign policy speech had been billed as a chance for Donald Trump to show that he has sober, workable ideas for fighting the Islamic State (IS) terror network. The property developer ploughed through some proposals that ranged from policies already in place, such as drone strikes on terrorist leaders, to ideas that seemed to bore him as he read them out, such as a presidential commission on radical Islam, including moderate Muslims, which would craft new protocols on tackling extremism for use by local police departments.

Bowing to off-stage pressure from Republican bigwigs, he backed away from his earlier, unconstitutional talk of banning Muslims from entry to America. Instead, he offered a plan for what he called “extreme, extreme vetting” of immigrants, reviving ideological screening tests last seen during the Cold War, under which consular officials and immigration officers would somehow identify those with “hostile attitudes” towards America and its values; anyone who believes that Sharia law should “supplant American law”; or any arrivals who do not “believe in the Constitution or who support bigotry and hatred”;

and ensure that visas only go to those “who we expect to flourish in our country.” To that end, once elected president he would ask the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to draw up a list of regions where “adequate screening” is not possible, and he would suspend immigration from dangerous regions with a “history of exporting terrorism.” He sounded much more excited when his text gave him the chance to engage in personal abuse, accusing Hillary Clinton of wanting to be “America’s Angela Merkel”, claiming that the German chancellor has allowed “massive immigration” bringing “catastrophe” to her country. Trump sounded even happier when peddling conspiracy theories, as when he

flatly declared that Clinton “lacks the mental and physical stamina” to take on IS “and every other challenge we face.” He sounded happiest of all when he congratulated himself for his idea that America should have seized Iraqi oilfields (while shunning all other forms of nation-building in Iraq), leaving behind American troops to guard this war booty. “I said: ‘keep the oil, keep the oil, keep the oil, don’t let somebody else get it’,” Trump said, adding: “In the old days, when we won a war, to the victor belonged the spoils.” The audience in Ohio liked some bits of Trump’s speech, as when he promised to dismantle terror networks in America “viciously if necessary”.

His supporters were quiet through one of the few passages that amounted to a foreign-policy strategy that Trump could realistically deliver as president, possibly because it was a fresh statement of his desire to forge closer links with the authoritarian government of Russia led by President Vladimir Putin, and “find common ground” in the fight against IS and in Syria policy. A short while before Trump’s speech, Clinton, campaigning in the scrappy, blue-collar city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, preemptively mocked her rival for taking so long to reveal his counterterror plans, saying that his secret is that “he has no plan”. Clinton was joined in Scranton by the Vice President, Joe Biden, who condemned Trump’s praise for authoritarian leaders,

saying that the businessman “would have loved Stalin”, and joked that Clinton had forgotten more than Trump and his entire foreign policy staff ever knew about geopolitics. Real Cold War veterans may be forgiven for finding the 2016 election a little odd. The party of Eisenhower and Reagan has nominated a man who calls looting of foreign assets the highest priority for America in war, and who sucks up to Russia. The Democrats are running on their candidate’s national-security credentials. Meanwhile Trump – judged simply as a man standing on a stage – sounds angrier and unhappier every day. This election is not about to grow more inspiring. • Culled from The Economist.

Donald Trump: "We're having a problem"

n a rare show of humility by the boastful billionaire, Donald Trump is acknowledging his presidential campaign faces challenges and could ultimately fall short. The Republican presidential nominee is straying from his signature bravado as he campaigns in the battleground state of Florida, even telling a gathering of evangelical ministers he’s “having a tremendous problem in Utah.” The reality show star acknowledged his lack of political correctness could cost him the election if Americans reject his blunt approach. “We’re having a problem,” Trump told the ministers, adding the next president could get to nominate up to five highcourt justices. “It could cost us the Supreme Court.” After trouncing 16 challengers in the Republican primary, Trump is encountering worrying signs as his campaign moves into the general election. Democrat Hillary Clinton’s lead over Trump in

national polls has widened in recent days, while a growing number of fellow Republicans have declared they won’t support their own party’s nominee. Trump’s exercise in self-awareness is a marked departure from his usual tenor on the campaign trail, where for months at rallies he would tick through poll numbers showing him winning as if they were sports scores of his favourite team. “We’re going to win so big,” Trump told a roaring crowd at the Republican National Convention in July. Yet Trump has been reduced to citing a poll that actually showed him a few points behind Clinton and arguing the race between them was close. Asked how he planned to reverse Clinton’s advantage, Trump said he simply planned to do “the same thing I’m doing right now.” “At the end, it’s either going to work, or I’m going to, you know, I’m going to have a very, very nice, long vacation,” Trump told CNBC. Even while working to

restore confidence in his campaign, Trump appeared to court controversy anew when he said he was open to trying Americans suspected of terrorism at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba. Asked specifically about United States citizens, Trump said he didn’t like that President Barack Obama and others wanted to try them in traditional courts rather than military commissions at Guantanamo Bay. “I would say they could be tried there,” Trump said. “That’ll be fine.” In Utah, typically a reliably Republican state, Trump’s challenges have been particularly striking. The state’s large Mormon population has voiced serious skepticism about Trump, though the state’s GOP governor has endorsed him. “We’ve really been given a false narrative,” Trump said of his struggles in Utah. Yet in other traditionally GOP-leaning states, like Arizona and Georgia, Republicans are concerned

Trump’s unpopularity could give Democrats an improbable victory. Those concerns are compelling enough that dozens of worried Republicans gathered signatures for a letter urging the GOP chairman to stop helping Trump and focus on protecting vulnerable House and Senate candidates. Trump said he wasn’t worried Republicans would cut him off – and threatened to stop fundraising for the party if they do. The billionaire real estate mogul’s unusually candid reflections about the uncertainty of his electoral prospects come as he’s struggling to keep the focus on his opponent – Clinton – and avoid distractions. He had earlier caused a major stir with comments about the Second Amendment that were perceived as advocating violence against Clinton, then faced questions yet again after declaring that Obama was the “founder” of the Islamic State group – a patently false claim. He repeated that claim, then in a tweet, referred to

it as sarcasm. It’s comments like those that Clinton has seized to try to contrast her “serious, steady leadership” with the more volatile approach she says Trump would take to running the country.

“I just do not think insults and bullying is how we are to get things done,” Clinton said as she laid out her economic plan in Warren, Michigan. • Culled from Associated Press, Cosmopolitan

Hillary Clinton opens up a sizeable lead

wo weeks of negative press since the end of the conventions have taken a toll on Donald Trump’s polling numbers. In the latest YouGov survey, Hillary Clinton leads him by 42 per cent to 36 per cent. The six-

point gap is the largest between the candidates since February. In the Midwest, stuffed full of must-win states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Clinton leads Trump by a whacking 15 per cent margin. That does not bode well for the Republicans. Voter preferences tend

to crystallise around a fortnight after the conventions, according to research published by Robert Erikson and Christopher Wlezien. Yet many Americans remain unenthused about either nominee. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party’s candidate, is polling at 9 per cent, more than double his

support in mid-June and the best showing by a third-party candidate in a generation. Significantly, a majority of Johnson’s supporters said they would be voting against Trump or Clinton, rather than for their man. Indeed, the “clothespin vote”, in which voters hold their nose and pick their least-hated option,

appears to be in full vogue. Among Trump’s followers, 44 per cent say they are voting primarily against Clinton; among hers, 36 per cent are mainly galvanised by their dislike of Trump. The intense mutual loathing on display this election becomes crystal clear when examining

voters’ assertions on the character of the candidates. A full third of voters label Clinton as “evil”. But she can take some consolation from the fact that even more, 39 per cent, think the same of her opponent. • Culled from The Economist.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Civil Society Platform

Taking NASS to task on damaged reputation over budget padding

Jibrin

Dogara

The budget padding scandal in the National Assembly has continued to elicit reactions within the polity, including civil society groups who demand thorough investigation by anti-graft agencies, Senior Correspondent, ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA, writes.

n saner climes, the parliament is the eye and voice of the electorate. But those who people Apo legislative quarters in Abuja seem to be giving the parliament a different definition. Consequent upon the allegation by erstwhile chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmunin Jibrin, that Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers of the House padded the 2016 budget to the tune of N481 billion and included N100 billion on constituency projects, contrary to the provisions of 1999 constitution, civil society groups have decried the scandal, and called the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Professor Philip Alston to use his good offices and position to urgently request the leadership of the House of Representatives of Nigeria to explain to Nigerians the alleged deliberate padding of the 2016 budget with N481 billion; removal of essential projects and replacement of such projects with constituency projects, which have not only undermined the fight against corruption in the country but also increased extreme poverty and violations of internationally recognised human rights. The groups also call on the ICPC, Code of

Conduct Bureau and other related statutory bodies to undertake further inquest into the allegations with a view to carrying out in-depth and vigorous investigations within the framework of their enabling laws to get to the root of the matter and bring culprits to book where possible, to serve as a deterrent for the future. The groups are doubtful if the NASS could summon the required courage to investigate herself and sanction errant members and bring such people to book. CISLAC Reacts Reacting to the budget padding, one of the CSOs, Civil Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), charged the National Assembly to come out clean on the various scandals which have continued to bedevil and distract her and continues to dent her image in the estimation of citizens. In an email interview with TheNiche, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) views the recent revelations by the erstwhile Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives as further exposure of the institutional fraud that has characterised the NASS over the years. “We note that such practices have been going on for a long time as the NASS has

been known in the past. And in addition to padding the budget at the point of defence, made dubious inclusions of Constituency Projects, and as well, demanded and received inducement for sectorial allocation. They are also known to have, at some time, allegedly received or demanded for gratifications in exchange for ministerial confirmation and extorted money from MDAs under the guise of oversight functions”. “We find these allegations coming at a time when issues of Senate Rules forgeries are still on-going as one scandal too many trailing the legislative arm and endangering integrity, confidence and honour that is crucial for the legislature to perform and deepen our democracy. The reference to occupants as honourable and distinguished is gradually becoming a mere appellation that is stripped of the attendant respect”, Musa Rafsanjani remarked. CISLAC expressed its disappointment at the belated revelations and allegations made by the ousted Chairman, saying that it became an afterthought and renditions from a disgruntled and outplayed lawmaker who was at the forefront of defending the House when the allegations of budget padding were first made. His belated revelations and allegations calls to question his credibility, patriotism and loyalty to the Nigerian

people who remained silent when he had the opportunity to blow the whistle and now only speaks because he has lost out from benefiting from the process. “We find the practice of Constituency Projects unnecessary, in conflict with the principle of Separation of Powers and a channel for legislative corruption and distraction which can be avoided by simply strengthening relevant institutions and systems for project implementation and service delivery”. The group recalls that, in spite of repeated promises and express commitments from the President of the Senate and Chairman of the NASS to disclose the details of the budget of the Legislature, Nigerians are yet to have access to the information. “We find it ironic that elected representatives are unwilling to make information on how funds appropriated from tax payers’ money are allocated and spent, are made available to the citizens who elected them into office. “We note that these events are a product of failed recruitment process and flawed party processes that have resulted in the emergence of leaders who are unprepared to undertake the challenging art of governance in a diverse environment” CISLAC expressed that such fraudulent

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Civil Society Platform

President Muhammadu Buhari occurrences in the budget processes have been made possible because the nation has abandoned the practice of developing viable Rolling Plans to underpin the budget process and the zero-budget approach. The Medium Term Economic Framework (MTEF) process envisaged under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 have become either ineffective or completely collapsed, creating the loophole for corrupt practices. It demanded that the National Assembly should take advantage of this latest revelation to undertake self-introspection and urgently rise up to cleanse itself and make efforts to redeem its image and reputation which is presently at its lowest ebb. It further demanded NASS to revisit the issue of having members adhere to the Code of Conduct for members as a means of selfregulation of behaviour within their ranks. CISLAC reminds them that the NASS is a major symbol of democracy and as representatives of the people, they should lead by example. Moreover, CISLAC demands for an independent audit of all previous Constituency Project allocations and expenditure to determine impact and value for money as a means of accountability to the Nigerian people. “We call on the NASS to disclose the details of her budget as promised, intensify capacity building for her members on the budget process and quickly pass the NABRO bill into law to provide professional support for the NASS on budget issues. They should introduce a framework for Constituency Accountability for public participation, work with the executive arm to establish a participatory budgetary process based on actual needs assessment and citizens’ input”, the group seeks. ZCC Too Also reacting to the alleged budget padding, Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) put fresh facts before the public concerning what budget padding is, its implications for larger society and that such is a fiscal crime against a country and humanity. In an email interview with ZCC executive director, Adekunle Lukman, he described budget padding as a systemic disease which works like a contagious virus, has capacity to sully MDA’s expenditure plans and records through procurement maneuverings, data mutilation, audit fragmentation, which affects every citizen. Secondly, it eats up scarce resources, causes syphoning and diversion of resources and poor implementation of appropriation plans. “Budget padding is different from “legislative privileges” of nominating constituency projects into the national budget. No one should try to use advocacy jargons to mislead the public. Covetous hypocrisy is a form of corruption” he stressed. Adekunle said budget padding spreads

August 21, 2016

Senate President, Bukola Saraki through fiscal lifelines, assisting individuals and agencies responsible for this malfeasances to hijack budget envelopes, distorting expenditure-plans and cost templates, thereby frustrating the core elements of MDAs’ fiscal architecture and projections within the Medium Term Sector Strategies as encapsulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the very law, passed by Nigeria’s National Assembly. He regretted that such fiscal materials are abused through shrewd expenditure line which has put the lives of millions of ordinary citizens in perpetual sufferings, rather than the expected democratic redemption. According to him, when padding takes place, automatically, several line items have their original cost ballooning beyond actual cost within the MDA’s expenditure plan. Several mutilations take place, leading to sundry “genuine” projects being inserted, irrespective of whether such “projects” were subjected to sectoral strategy cost or not. Obliquely, when such padded items are signed on as national appropriation by Mr. President, the burden of cash for line items are then passed to respective MDAs, who are compelled, bullied and mandated to award jobs for such padded items, be it; consultancy, services or supplies. He urged Nigerians and patriots within the National Assembly to unite and not miss this opportunity of using the embarrassing budget padding scandal in the House of Representatives to demand total overhaul of the entire budgetary processes, breaking undemocratic secrecy vis a vis inclusion and alignment of interests of a few persons within the legislature. “We urge the Executive Arm of government to conduct a pre/post submission situational analysis on the 2016 Appropriation Act. Such will help to identify actual projections submitted, credible constituency projects included and the padded items in question”. “If the budget processes are not reformed, transformed, opened up, re-jigged, made inclusive and all-embracing for the interests of citizens, whose sense of participation have been ignited through this scam, then the opportunity of redeeming the budget process by our democratic generation is gone” Adekunle cautioned. He submitted that Anti-corruption agencies must be allowed to do their work concerning the scam in question, noting that the matter involves billions of naira and some actor’s political future depends largely on it, hence, the thoroughness that the investigation demands cannot be underplayed. He urged Nigerians to keep their eyes open because there may be attempts to compromise investigators. “President Muhammadu Buhari should spare no stone in demanding a thorough investigation. This is not about the independence of any arm of government; after all,

Mr. President may have signed a compromised budget document against his wish “for Nigeria to move forward”, ZCC boss expressed. SERAP’s Position The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) considers the alleged budget padding, diversion of public funds and abuse of office by the leadership of the House of Representatives as amounting to a deliberate retrogressive action, which cannot be justified by reference to the totality of internationally recognised human rights, and in the context of the obligation to fully use the maximum available resources to fulfil and ensure the enjoyment of those rights. TheNiche gathered that SERAP’s Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni petitioned the UN Special Rapporteur and copied Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. SERAP was concerned that the alleged corrupt budget process in the House of Representatives in the context of an economy already weakened by years of large scale corruption will jeopardise sustainable development and hurt ordinary Nigerians who rely on the government to provide basic necessities of life such as water, good roads and electricity. SERAP expressed its serious concern about lack of transparency and accountability of the National Assembly, which is inconsistent with the behaviour of an institution that is constitutionally mandated to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria. The body stressed that this lack of accountability partly explains why ordinary Nigerians do not trust the National Assembly and its ability to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria, and to curb corruption within its system. It posited that the longstanding practice of constituency projects by the National Assembly and the corresponding alleged diversion of public funds have continued to systematically drain the country’s “maximum available resources”, precipitating poverty, and economic crisis which inevitably magnify dispossession, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and insecurity. “Alleged budget padding and abuse of office by the leadership of the House of Representatives in particular and the National Assembly in general have uneven consequences against the vulnerable groups of the society, including the poor, women and children, perpetrating and institutionalising discrimination. By allegedly exploiting public funds for the personal gain of leaders rather than socio-economic development of the country, constituency projects jeopardise the needs and well-be-

ing of future generations as well”, SERAP lamented. According to Mumuni, SERAP was perturbed that in the process of alleged budget padding, the leadership of the House of Representatives will remove key projects such as roads, electricity and/or drastically reduce their costs. These projects ordinarily would have contributed to reducing the effects and consequences of poverty in the country while also enhancing respect for human rights. “We believe that the allegations that the leadership of the House of Representatives worked to abuse the budget process to benefit themselves at the expense of the majority of Nigerians is a fundamental breach of constitutional oath and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Nigeria is a state party, which requires states to use their maximum available resources to promote and secure the enjoyment of basic economic and social rights such as the rights to food, to healthcare, access to quality education and adequate standards of living.” In view of the seriousness of the allegation, SERAP has urged the Special Rapporteur to publicly express concern about the allegations of budget padding, diversion of public funds and abuse of office by the leadership of the House of Representatives; put pressure on the leadership of the House of Representatives to allow for independent and transparent investigation of the allegations of budget padding, diversion of public funds and abuse of office. CNSD calls for Jibrin's prosecution Meanwhile, the Civil Nigeria Society Desk, has called for the immediate prosecution of the Jibrin. The group, in a statement signed by its national co-ordinatoor and secretary, Emeh Friday Eleojo and Zeb Obioma, respectively, alleged that the former House Committee chairman violated a very important portion of the rules guiding the code of conduct of the members and business of the National Assembly – whether in the Senate or in the legislature. The group insisted that Jibrin’s actions amounted to betrayal of trust, backstab, indiscipline, and total disregard of the high values which Nigerians and the Constitution placed on those elected as members of the Nigerian legislature. They regretted that the position of the APC leadership not to sanction Jibrin was in bad taste, “because the Speaker, ab initio, had nothing to worry about. It is Jibrin that should have all the worry to do. He should bear the consequences of his greed and indiscipline. He could not have been ignorant of what he was doing when he almost threw the nation into chaos; with intent to embarrass the executive.”

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August 21, 2016

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News Onovo slams Buhari’s economic policy as reactive Henry Oduah

Reporter

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policy is reactive, and therefore ineffective, says Martin Onovo, the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 election. “It would be easy to get light at the end of the tunnel if only we would be clear with our economic objectives, plan and implement prudently. “But unfortunately, as we said in January, the government has no clear economic direction,” Onovo told TheNiche in an interview in Lagos. “The economic policy is reactive and is principally an incompetent trial and error approach that has

also a deep streak of flip flop.” He noted that Buhari has gone back on campaign promises, recalling that “the government said it would not increase fuel price, but it did by about 70 per cent. “The government said it would not devalue the naira, it has devalued the naira by more than 50 per cent.” The country is in a recession, Onovo stressed, and 22.5 million Nigerians are currently unemployed, the highest figure in 20 years. “So what we have seen is the destruction of the Nigerian economy. We clearly predicted that the APC [All Progressives Congress] was deliberately destroying not only Nigerian economy but also Nigeria as a country. “We said that in January. Today, I don't think anybody can dispute that position because we were very clear.”

Onovo criticised the government for dragging the country into recession with inflation now in double digits, the first time since 2005. “Right now with the level of poverty and inflation in the country with a bag of rice at N18,000 from N8,000 that is more than 100 per cent in a season where the government is unable to pay wages. “You can see the triple tragedy that the APC has brought on the Nigerian people. “You can see the level of poverty, you can see that from your immediate environment, as Rev Fr [Ejike] Mbaka said, the mortuaries are full. “People are dropping dead because of the economic situation. Two people in my neighbourhood have dropped dead and this is the reality of the recession that the incompetence and lack of patriotism of the APC has led Nigeria to.”

Onovo

Chuddy Oduenyi, managing director/chief executive officer, Compact Communications

PARLIAMENT

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

THE GRASSROOTS

INTERVIEWS

Politics

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Big Issue: Placing Nigeria’s precarious condition Emeka Alex Duru Editor, Politics & Features 0805 4103 327 e.duru@thenicheng.com nwaukpala@yahoo.com Daniel Kanu Assistant Editor 0805 618 0203 kanuemperor@yahoo.com d.kanu@thenicheng.com

INTERVIEW

PAGE 20

Chido Onumah: Bold, ingenious leaders can make Nigeria work

PAGE 18»

JUDICIARY

PAGE 25

Ripples over 2016 NBA election

Where Buhari missed it, by Faseun

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Interview August 21, 2016

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Where Buhari missed it, by Faseun

ecently, President Buhari said that Nigeria must be kept one. But some people are saying that his actions are not in alliance with what he’s preaching. How would you react to this? Most Nigerian leaders are insincere with Nigeria. Now, many leaders feel Nigeria must be one but all they do is dividing Nigeria. If Buhari wants Nigeria to be one, it’s up to him, like all other leaders. It is incumbent of him anyway to want Nigeria to remain one because Nigeria as one country voted for him to come and lead us. And since he came to lead us, he should be doing things that should unite us, not divide us. The government as a whole has not been doing anything to keep us (Nigerians) as one. Nigerians want to be one but for God’s sake, when you use someone’s land to appease another person you are not promoting unity. For example, when somebody wins an election and is quickly dismissed from office by somebody who has no claim to victory in that area, that’s not promoting unity. When a judge is asking for a certificate that is not required for an office, that’s not promoting unity. It is up to the leaders to promote, tackle and practice unity. So far, we have not seen that in our leaders. We reported recently an allegation that the president was practising nepotism in his appointments in Aso rock. Some people believe this in itself is corruption. With such baggage, do you think the president can really pursue a transparent anti-corruption agenda? There are various forms of corruption. Corruption is not just stealing money. When you govern with impunity, intimidation, lawlessness, it is also corruption. Unfortunately, Nigerian people tend to think corruption is just when you defraud the nation. When you misgovern, practise injustice, govern with impunity, all these are forms of corruption and I will like to think and really hope that our teachers will teach their pupils in school the various forms of corruption. Money corruption

is not just the only corruption. There is corruption all over the place and Nigerians should frown at all these forms of corruption including greed, ethnicity, all these are forms of corruption and to have the courage to correct Nigerians, you must have the courage to correct yourself. The perception of most Nigerians is that the anti-corruption war is one-sided. Do you share that view? Yes, that’s what I’m seeing. When any struggle is lopsided, it is not a genuine struggle. We were saying that for a government to be a good one, it should not just cow the opposition. Cowing the opposition is not good governance, the opposition must have its own say, that is good governance. The opposition sees what goes on. When a government tries to intimidate the opposition, they cannot govern with justice. Intimidation is injustice, impunity is injustice so let those who come to equity come with clean hands. Are you worried about the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers? I am more worried about what government is doing. When government takes up swords against its own citizens, you’re creating a situation for internal unrest. Nigeria does not need to take up arms against her citizens. Where is persuasion, where is the conference table, where are the elders of the people? Let us exhaust all these, before taking up weapons against the people. Otherwise, you turn Nigeria into a war zone. Boko Haram started with arms against the people, we took up arms against them. (Niger Delta) Avengers criticised the government, they take up arms. It’s not the best approach when we have not exhausted the available approaches. Just recently, the United States warned of possible terror attacks in Lagos state. Does this bother you as a resident of the State? I am worried not just because I live in Lagos state, but because I am a Nigerian. The middle name for Nigeria now is insecurity and we do not plan to dissuade ourselves of this middle name. What we do is pro-

Faseun

mote violence all the time, violence in Ikorodu, in Apapa, in Abia, Ekiti mention it. It’s as if Nigerians don’t have room for peace and a country does not grow in crisis. If you say you want to govern us with democracy, please do just that and let the people copy from you. No leader can govern well without being an icon. You must do what you preach not otherwise. So, we hope and pray that Nigerian leaders will not inculcate violence in us. So far, they have been inculcating violence. All of them, without exception. All they do is violence, violence, violence. Why must they teach us violence? We’re looking forward and looking up to our leaders, it is legitimate that we look up to Buhari, but what we get is violence. What do you expect from violence? Insecurity. That’s why the nation is insecure. Leaders are violent, they’re preaching violence with their attitude and actions. They have no other thing to do but there are better things they can do to make the country better and peaceful. Some people have accused the government of using so much propa-

ganda in running the nation….? (Cuts in) We know they started with propaganda. They carry on with propaganda and propaganda is the only thing they have in view, that’s why when they came, the people were clapping for them. They were cheering them but as they came in, they didn’t keep what they promised. They didn’t show any form of honesty in governance, they didn’t promote justice even in the judiciary. So obviously, propaganda is the order of the day and of course the people had since realised that they didn’t vote for people with propaganda but voted for government to give them good governance and leaders they can copy from but unfortunately, all they’re getting from government is propaganda and the evil effects of propaganda. They said they would make agricultural products very cheap and we ended up with tomatoes going for N500 per plate instead of the usual N200. What is that? Where’s the truth in that? In an agrarian society? A bag of rice that was costing between N4,000-N6000 a year earlier is sold for N17,000 today and even more de-

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August 21, 2016

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Interview

Faseun

pending on where you are buying from, a bag of beans that was sold for N7,000 a year earlier selling for up to N20,000 and the minimum wage is N18,000. Are you optimistic that in the next four years something good would come out of this situation? No, Nigerians are peace loving people otherwise our leaders would not have succeeded in governing us. Judging by their level of ‘I don’t care attitude’, but we still look on because we’re good people. We hope and pray for the head of the government to realise that you don’t leave your name in history through intimidation, but live your name in history through exemplary governance and that’s why we are praying. I personally am praying very hard for him not to listen too intently to those who surround him, who direct him, but listen to critics. Critics are the best friend of any government. He should occasionally listen to what the critics say, don’t disregard them. Critics are like soccer spectators, people who go to the pitch to watch soccer. When they go there, they see the mistakes of players on the field, including mistakes that even the referee may miss. Whenever you hear them hiss, some mistakes have been made. Spectators are the best friends of the referee and the players on the field so, critics are spectators and the best friends of government. It is government with bad agenda or intolerant to alternative views that feels threatened when criticised and tries to hurl critics. Where can you say was the point of departure where Buhari missed it? The point of departure: where people are arrested and kept in hell, in detention without immediate trial. What does our constitution recommend? 48 hours. If you arrest anybody, EFCC, ICTC, the police, nobody should joke with the constitution, you must jealously guard the freedom of the people. And

when the Judiciary makes a pronouncement that is incompatible with our constitution, that’s a point of departure. When you set a bail condition that cannot be met, you deny such person his or her freedom. This is a point of departure and those who are advising the President are not advising honestly on these lines. Those of us who criticise government are the best friends of this administration because I don’t want Buhari to fail. I want the next four years to be the best four years Nigerians ever had but his immediate advisers don’t wish him well that’s why they are turning him right when he should turn left, they’re not advising him well. We pray sooner than later, he will realise that Nigerians love him. If they didn’t love him, they wouldn’t have given him their votes to come back. He says he’s not a general, he was a general and once a general, always a general. So, Buhari is still a general. Let him give up the attitude of generalship and hold on to the prestige of a general in governance. What is your opinion on the restructuring of Nigeria? If we do not restructure Nigeria, this country will not be at peace. Nigeria will not have peace until we have restructuring and the best thing Buhari can do to leave his imprints perpetually in history is to restructure Nigeria. Do you think he should use the report of the National Conference? He will be doing a lot of injury to himself if he does not consider the report of the National Conference. Almost 500 people put heads together and came out with this document, they thought might move Nigeria forward. And, nobody, no matter how brilliant, powerful, or rich can claim to be clever than 170 million people, represented by these 500 people. I think Nigerians together are wiser than Buhari. So he should pay obeisance to what they say. I would advise Buhari to stop encouraging people to count faults for him. What happened in Abia, what is happening in the North east, in Niger Delta etc. can be better addressed using the mirror of justice

instead of all this intimidation and impunity being displayed. He should do more of governing than talking. We thought he (Buhari) was going to do it better which is why we voted for him and he still has time. Three years for a nation is a long time and he should make good use of the three years. There are only 36 governors in Nigeria so we shouldn’t project injustice in the system. Already two of the governors are already crying out that injustice is prevailing in their state. If the Abia majority had cried out, if he allows the people to cry out against Governor Fayose and those issues raised are not well addressed he would be encouraging disorder. I hope and pray that he will allow the governors to govern their states; that is true federalism. Do you think the South West has been well represented in his government? Everybody wants to have the lion share of governance. How do you expect the South Westerners to cry out in his sharing of offices when you have one person holding on to three major ministries? There are many of us, so it’s like a mad dog that barks all the time and I believe in fairness and justice and fair play. I do not think that the South West is well represented. They could get more. Every ethnic group in a Federal system is Oliver Twist, give me all and nobody says he has a fair share. When McMillan left office in Britain other two successors after him were also Scottish yet the Scottish were still crying for secession. So nobody in a federal system would fold his hand and say we have had enough. Although ours is glaring because that’s what we have always known in our political history. What kind of man does Nigeria need to lead? When Nigeria operates a Nigeria where leaders will hit their chest and say ’do what I do, not just what I say’, where a leader will come in and the accident on every road leaves him bleeding. The man we will ask ‘Where does he come from?’ because he’s a man with no ethnic mark. A man that won’t need to go with security escorts will attract the love of his citizens.

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August 21, 2016

Big Issue

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PDP crisis and challenge of opposition politics

Sherrif

Makarfi

Abang

Fortunes of opposition dwindle as cracks in PDP widen, Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU, writes.

Atiku

y the close of last week, it had become apparent that the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had gone beyond what could be dismissed as mere storm in a tea cup. If anything, the impasse had taken more uncertain dimensions and had in the process, put the country’s opposition politics on the cliff. In what appeared more trouble for PDP, its national convention scheduled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Wednesday, August 17, was aborted following the Police

seal-off of the venue. The Police in carrying out the action, said they were acting in line with a ruling, the previous day, in Abuja by Justice Okon Abang, stopping the party from holding its planned convention slated for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium (aka Sharks Stadium) in Port Harcourt. The order had also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to monitor the exercise. Justice Abang, who gave the interim order, said he did so in the interest of justice to both parties in a suit pending before him. Since its woeful outing in the 2015 general elections, PDP had been hit by series of crisis at various levels. Its problems started shortly after the elections when some chieftains of the party, especially from the south, alleged betrayal by their northern counterparts. Fingers were particularly pointed at the then National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, who was accused of secretly working for the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, his fellow northerner, against the candidate of his party, the then President Goodluck Jonathan, who was seeking reelection. The crisis of confidence which expanded with time, saw some key figures in the party pushing for its radical overhaul in a bid to

face the challenges of the future.

tion politics in Nigeria.

Part of their demand was that members of its National Working Committee (NWC), led by Mu’azu should vacate their seats. The agitation eventually led to the resignation of the chairman, barely one month after the elections, though he cited health reasons for the action. Muazu’s resignation paved way for the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, from Rivers state to take over the leadership of the party. Secondus’ tenure was however abridged when a former political adviser to Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, obtained a court ruling sacking him as the acting National Chairman.

But as soon as Sheriff took over the reins of the party, insinuations ran high on his plots to transform into a substantive chairman of the party as a stepping stone towards going for his 2019 presidential ambition. He was later sacked in a controversial National Convention of the party held in Port Harcourt which produced a new Caretaker Committee led by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi. Sheriff however rejected his sack insisting that he remains the Acting National Chairman of the party till 2018. Various court rulings have upheld and also invalidated his removal from office.

Enter Ali Modu Sheriff The ensuing face-off resulted in the emergence of former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, as the Acting National Chairman of the party. Sheriff’s emergence did not go down well with majority of the members. Those opposed to his candidacy for example, had recalled that the former governor had been a member of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) and later All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) the greater part of his political career. Even in the current dispensation, he had had stint with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They had thus argued that being relatively new in the party, entrusting him with such strategic office, would amount to a huge gamble. However, elements in the party who supported his emergence, especially his former governor colleagues and those still in office, were of the view that the former senator had the financial war chest needed for opposi-

Confusion in Port Harcourt It was against this cloudy background that the Port Harcourt convention was trailed by huge apprehension even before the August 17 date. Sheriff had, for instance, before the date, obtained a ruling from a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, nullifying the earlier convention that purportedly removed him from office. In the ruling, Justice Abang, held that the May 21 convention of PDP that set up the Makarfi Committee was illegal and unlawfully constituted. PDP had, remarkably, dismissed the ruling as questionable and strange, accusing the judge of “deliberately engaging in act of derailing the nation’s democracy”. Events, however, began to take uncertain turns for the party when as early as 4.am last Wednesday, combat-ready Policemen and operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS), began to take positions at

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August 21, 2016

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Kwankwaso

strategic locations leading to and outside the venue of the convention. Left without any other action, delegates relocated to the state secretariat of the party in the city, to hold the convention. At the secretariat, located on Aba Road, Makarfi, declared the convention open. The convention approved the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee by 12 months and also increased its membership from seven to 13. This was sequel to a motion moved by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and seconded by a former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina. Markarfi, who addressed the convention after the extension of his committee’s tenure, assured the delegates that his committee would effectively position the party for 2019 and would organise another convention within the period. The convention also stressed that no member of the care taker committee would vie for any national office of the party. With this assurance and other messages of goodwill from the party’s elders, delegates left with some feeling of satisfaction. Or so it seemed.

Obasanjo

Ekwueme

How far can PDP go? But even as members laboured to sell the impression of not bothered by the setback in Rivers, analyst express fears that the untoward development last week, may mark the beginning of the end of the party. PDP chieftains are for example, not known for being effective crisis managers. Rarely had the party resolved issues affecting its members and chapters at any level, without some people being handed the wrong end of the stick. That, on its own, had always had telling effects on the party – often resulting in exodus of members. Back to the ugly past Among concerned PDP members, current developments in the party are bringing to memory petty politics that characterised the party’s 2012 Abuja convention that witnessed the controversial selection of Bamanga Tukur as its national chairman and its heady days after wards. That opaque exercise is what analysts locate as the root of the crisis that led to the party’s poor showing in 2015 elections. At the March 24, 2012, National Convention of the party, major positions were parceled out to favoured candidates of Jonathan in a consensus arrangement that analysts considered highly undemocratic. Curiously, while preparations for the convention peaked, the party hierarchy had sold impressions of a party that had exited from its past that was characterised by intrigues in the conduct of its affair. Even, Jonathan had assured that the party would conduct the exercise in line with standard practice. Though there were doubts in some quarters on him matching his words with actions, there was visible air of enthusiasm among ordinary party members that the years of imposition in its fold were gone. Hopes of a reformed party were however dashed when few hours to the convention, words filtered out that Tukur, Aso Rock candidate, had been selected for the job. His position was merely affirmed at the convention ground. The party never recovered from that outing. Subsequent developments saw it losing five governors on its platform to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that later merged with other parties to form APC. These were Murtala

Amaechi

Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto) and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano). As in 2012, there are already fears of the setback in Port Harcourt affecting the fortunes of the party ahead 2019. Mass movement from the party is already being speculated, within the 12 months that the Makarfi committee would be in the saddle. What lends weight to this fear is the fact of PDP chieftains not having the discipline and temperament for being out of power for too long. “Just as we say of APC currently being held together by their being in power at the national level, what essentially seemed to make PDP appear as a family was because they were in power from 1999 to 2015. Yes, there were some of the members like Alex Ekwueme, Sunday Awoniyi, Abubakar Rimi and others who believed in the party. But many of them are no longer with the party. Some have died, while those who are alive have been clobbered into irrelevance in its activities since the vindictive days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Most of those still remaining in the party now are schemers that are merely fending for themselves on the platform of the party. I see them leaving in the dry days ahead”, volunteered a Senior Lecturer in History at Lagos State University, Ojo. True to his analysis, since PDP lost power to APC last year, key figures in its fold, had dumped it for the APC, while others have decided to quit partisan politics entirely. These include Obasanjo, former Anambra State governor, Jim Nwobodo, Mu’azu, Tukur, former National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinloya among others. Whither the opposition? The fear of more leaving still looms. But the greater concern with the untidy state of affairs in PDP, is that as the party falters, the fortunes of opposition politics will dwindle further. Opposition had scored great feat in the build-up to 2015 general elections when the hitherto strange bed fellows closed ranks for a common agenda – to wrest power from PDP. Before then, enlightened commentators had with benefit of hindsight, taken a look at the opposition political parties and literally dismissed them as lacking in cohesion to carry out the task they had claimed to map out for themselves. The doubt was Jonathan not without facts.

Earlier in the life of the current dispensation for instance, there was the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), an amalgam of over 21 political parties that had come together in what was advertised as an attempt to check the excesses of the PDP. Prominent members of the CNPP were All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Alliance for Democracy, AD, (later Action Congress, AC and eventually (ACN), Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). There were other parties. Though each party had its own agenda and in that case was essentially in competition with one another, they had claimed playing down their individual differences in an effort to provide a united front against the over bearing tendencies of the then ruling PDP. With time however, internal crisis hit most of the CNPP members, paving the way for PDP to coast home to victory in 2003, 2007 and 2011. However, in 2015, ACN, ANPP, CPC and some elements from APGA came together to form APC with which they routed PDP. Hopes had been on the rise that with PDP pledging to play robust opposition politics, APC would be put on its toes. This is especially as critics allege that some of its actions so far, do not portray it as really knowing what it intends to do with power. But with the disturbing dimensions of the PDP crisis, those hopes may end up forlorn.

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August 21, 2016

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Interview Chido Onumah: Bold, ingenious leaders can make Nigeria work A few people are as passionate about Nigeria as Chido Onumah who has not only been to every nook and cranny of the country but also expresses that undying passion in everything he does. The widely-travelled writer and journalist, who unveiled his latest book, We Are All Biafrans, speaks with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, on his ideas for a better Nigeria.

t was at the launch of your book, We Are All Biafrans, that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar unrolled the roadmap, if you like, on how to restructure Nigeria. People have been saying he was only presenting his manifesto for a comeback to power. How do you react to that? The decision to invite him to chair the book launch was based on his antecedents. There is an article in the book that I made reference to him. Interestingly, not a very flattering reference because I called him out on the fact that he made a statement to the effect that he regretted what he did to (Alex) Ekwueme as we were about to head into the next round of transition in 1998 or thereabout. Was that at the PDP Convention in Jos, Plateau State? Yes, in which he thought Ekwueme and others who were pushing for a geo-political restructuring of Nigeria were calling for the balkanisation of Nigeria. And looking back, he realised that his action then wasn’t really in the best interest of the country, so to speak. And he literally was making a public

apology to Ekwueme. And I referenced that. So, when the time came for us to choose who we could bring onboard to give vent to the debate, which has always been there almost since Independence but more recently from 1990 after the (Gideon) Orkar coup that it was clear that this country – we should stop pretending – is not really what it is, we saw him handy. But the idea was to look for somebody with a bit of clout nationally, you know, recognition and so on, who could give vent to this. So it was a chance we took and we decided that since this man made this statement, we should approach him and see if he actually believed in this. You were not kind to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well in the book, and what Atiku said has done well for the book. But do you think Obasanjo could have done better at the launch? I think Obasanjo would have been a terrible candidate for the book launch for so many reasons. Obasanjo believes only about himself and perhaps his circle of friends. If Obasanjo really believed in this country, he had two

Onumah golden opportunities to change Nigeria for the better and he missed those opportunities. First in 1976 as a military officer, he gave us a flawed election, which really set the tone or foundation for what happened subsequently in 1983, which led again to military intervention at the end of 1983. Fast-forward to 1999 with all that the country had gone through, he came and spent eight wasteful years that were almost the years of the locust. Corruption, indiscipline, highhandedness and everything antithetical to democracy was what we witnessed under the reign of Obasanjo. So, sincerely, when I talk about the progress of Nigeria, I hate to speak of Obasanjo in the same sentence. Considering Brexit, do you think Nigeria will disintegrate and what will follow? First of all, let me say I don’t believe in the disintegration of Nigeria. What do I mean by that? Simply, I don’t believe in this country breaking up into tiny bits and pieces partly because it

is almost not doable. Rather, what we may have is a very bloody civil war on our hands because Nigeria is not in a way the United Kingdom (UK). It is different from Nigeria. In as much as we have distinct ethnic groups, there is no equivalency here. It is like comparing oranges to apples. In the case of the UK you have three countries that, for one reason or another, have agreed to be one country; so they may decide to split and go their separate ways because Wales is a distinct nation itself with the Welsh, you have the Irish and English as distinct nations. And if you look at (Obafemi) Awolowo’s theory many years ago about the fact that Nigeria is not a nation in the sense that we don’t have a Nigerian like you have a Welsh, that just gives you an idea of where we stand. So I don’t think Nigeria is going to break up as easily as these other countries. But, I mean, I am just an ordinary writer whose thoughts may not matter at the end of the day. On the

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August 21, 2016

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other hand, it is possible, and that is not to preclude the fact that Nigeria can disintegrate. That I wish that Nigeria does not disintegrate does not mean that Nigeria can’t disintegrate. My argument is that we can’t disintegrate peacefully like these other entities where they could do a referendum because Nigeria is a different kettle of fish completely. Boko Haram is up there causing havoc, there is the Niger Delta Avengers; perhaps the only people not agitating are the people from the Middle Belt of the country... They are. Maybe not violently... Yeah, not violently so far; but at least, notionally they have that concept that they want to. But agitation does not necessarily at the end of the day translate into a republic or the desire for a separate nation on its own. People are agitating in the most part because of the sense of alienation they feel, the sense of inequality, the sense of oppression they feel within a nation. And whether we like it or not, their approach is to say, demand for greater participation, greater involvement. And this is why I think Nigeria is a better place than some of these countries, if our rulers can rise up to the occasion and say let’s do something about this. By that you must be talking about a sovereign national conference, which you also talked about in the book. Do you think that will ever happen considering our antecedence? Let’s not joke about it, let’s not take it lightly. There is nowhere it was written that every country will live forever. We have seen empires come and go.

Nations stand and fall. So, once we have that hindsight, that benefit of history, we will know that there is nothing sacrosanct about Nigeria. Nigeria was created. We know when and why Nigeria was created. My argument is that we need to overcome the reason Nigeria was created. Nigeria was created in the image of the British and for their own interest. Now that you have created Nigeria, Nigerians as a people should re-create Nigeria in the image of Nigeria and for the interest of Nigeria. Once we have it at the back of our minds that the unity of this country is negotiable, that Nigeria is negotiable, which is the title of my second book, it is left for Nigerians to negotiate our collective existence. That is the only way to douse these agitations. As long as we continue to pretend or hide our heads in the sand, it will explode before our very eyes one day and what we would have, rather than the British or Scottish example, will be more of Somalia where you have terrorist groups taking every part of the country they feel they have control over. That is scary. There was a time it was thought that Nigerians would never blow themselves up, but that time has come and gone. There is one strand that runs through much of what I write and that is the issue about our Nigerianess, ever since I was a young person growing up in Lagos. I am from Imo State, but I grew up among Muslim kids from Kwara State. I spoke Yoruba as my first language. I schooled in Calabar (Cross River State) and served in Maiduguri (Borno State), learning Hausa. So, my interest has always been on how to build a Nigeria. From that early age, I saw that much of the problem we were facing as a people was due to crisis of identity, crisis of nationhood; that if we are able to solve this, we can solve so many problems. I have been out of the country for two decades now. I have lived in Ghana, the United States, Canada, Spain. I have taken time to study how people in these different countries relate to one another. I worked in Ghana for three years and I could sense the level of patriotism among Ghanaians. No matter where they come from, there is that feeling of being a Ghanaian. Their leader who emerged at their Independence, Kwame Nkrumah, was able to lay the foundation of putting Ghana first beyond every other thing. You look at the situation in Canada, the same thing. Canada was formed from three or four different confederates. One of the very first things that the Canadian Prime Minister in the government that formed that confederation did was to do a rail line. And the Chinese are complaining because they were the ones that were used to build it. Canada is as big as West Africa from Cameroon to Mauritania, but there is a rail line connecting every part of Canada. So if our rulers had done this (and I prefer to call them rulers rather than leaders), you will find out that at the level of integration now, it would be easy for any man or woman from Sokoto to take the train and come to Aba and stay. When I was in Borno State for my NYSC [National Youth Service Corps], it was still peaceful. It was so much fun and I was hoping and praying because until when I did my NYSC in the old 19-state structure Nigeria, the

old Sokoto (before Zamfara and Kebbi were created) and Borno (before Yobe was created), were the only two states I had not been to because I was very active in the students’ union movement. And I was hoping and praying; in fact, I jubilated when I got Borno as my state of service. When I finished my NYSC, I took a bus from Maiduguri to Sokoto with my luggage, spent two or three days in Sokoto before I travelled to Lagos, just to beat my chest and say I have been to every nook and cranny of this country. So I have taken a lot of interest in Nigeria. I am passionate about this country and have come to the realisation that unless we build a nation out of this contraption that the colonialists handed over to us, whether we are talking about corruption or indiscipline, agitation, violence, those things will continue to be. You are, no doubt, passionate about this country, as you are even married to someone outside your part of the country. Yes, my wife is from Ogun State. If the sovereign national conference (SNG) does not happen any time soon, do you think the alternative is for us to inter-marry, so that very soon we shall all be related and there will be no need to kill one another? I will come to the sovereign national conference, but let me address your question directly. I mentioned a bit of this, if not in the book, maybe in an article I did shortly before the book launch. I think it coincided with my 50th birthday. I was talking about the fact that we have missed an opportunity to build a nation, but it is not too late. First and foremost, we don’t carry a Biafran, Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba passport; we carry a Nigerian passport. So why is it that it is so difficult for us when it comes to operationalising that concept of Nigeria? Everybody slides into their ethnic cocoon, meanwhile, it is Nigeria that brings us together. So I raised some argument because people would want to accuse you and say it is so easy to talk about this, what do you want us to achieve? What stops us, for example, from saying that the government needs to be creative about it and say, let’s give incentive. Some people do it outside the country. In Canada, for example, with a population of 33 million people and a huge landmass, government gives incentives; maybe if you have two to four kids, they can give you special consideration just to encourage people. So, if we want to build national unity, we can do something about it. Okay, for young people out of university, out of secondary school who want to marry, if you marry from a different geo-political zone, you get certain things. The government can encourage you with (some cash). Why don’t you do something like a name project that if you are Igbo, you can give your son or daughter a middle name from some other part of the country? As we do this, a generation or two would have grown Nigerians who really don’t know where they belong other than Nigeria. You see somebody who is Chukwuma and has Aminu as name. As a journalist, I am sure you have experienced this; you write an article and people are attacking you just because of your name; not because

of what you wrote. It is so funny that somebody would ask you, where do you come from? I would say I came from my mother and I never went back there. First of all, they won’t understand what I mean. I am a Nigerian and it doesn’t matter where I come from. I am a human being first and foremost. Is that not enough for you? Why are you asking me? If I go outside this country, they ask me where I come from. I say I am a Canadian and they say, originally, where do you come from? So, because you are black, they want you to say (where you come from), and then I come to Nigeria and somebody asks me the same question, because you want to pigeonhole or define me. Look at the situation in the U.S., where the former president, the older Bush, ran as a congress man, I think from the state of Connecticut. One of the sons became governor in Florida. Another in Texas. There are Nigerians who are born in this country whether in Lagos, Imo or Sokoto, they grew up there and speak the local language as their first language. But when it comes to running for elections or position, people will tell them to go back to their state of origin. Perhaps it is only in Lagos that things are different. Yes, it is a bit liberal in Lagos, but there is also a problem because a lot of people who are born in Lagos, who ought to claim Lagos as a right, are not given the opportunity because their parents are from elsewhere. So that is the challenge. We need to build a nation. It is part of this, what I like to call existential confidence or lack of it, that creates a situation where our governors, ministers and now our army chief buy houses abroad, because nobody believes in Nigeria, particularly the rulers. They don’t believe in this country. There are those who say that Nigeria hasn’t been blessed with leaders (you call them rulers) who have the will... Put all of these together, (you have) a big challenge. Unfortunately, we have this problem of lack of unity and it is now compounded by lack of visionary leaders. We need to have leaders who are creative, who are bold. Somebody like (Ibrahim) Babangida, I think, would have been able to do that. Don’t get me wrong, as far as Africa is concerned, and as far as Nigeria is concerned, I think we needed some level of military rule to help, not because of my liking for military dictatorship, but because of what the colonialists did to this country. This country was held together by iron fist, mangled and everything. So you needed that kind of iron fist to settle it. To that extent, Africa needed military dictatorships at a time. Unfortunately, the military rulers we have had over the years across Africa are the types without political education that Thomas Sankara referenced. A soldier without political education is a political criminal. So you had bandits trained and provided with guns at the expense of the state and they started robbing the state. So it is not as if this country can’t work. Nigeria can work, but we really need the kind of rulers who are bold and ingenious to help put it on the pedestal.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Feature

Clash of Their Excellencies in Ebonyi

Umahi

Elechi

The face-off between immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, and his successor, David Umahi, assumes widening dimensions that create concern to indigenes of the state, Special Correspondent, CHIJIOKE AGWU, reports.

ot many people who knew the level of intimacy and trust that once existed between Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, and his predecessor, Martin Elechi, would ever have imagined the degree of animosity currently existing between them. By 2011 when Elechi needed a second term, Umahi was the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Favoured kid on the block Umahi, an engineer by profession and business tycoon, was said to have performed so creditably in the estimation of Elechi that he preferred him to other politicians from Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone as his running mate. In the race for the post, Umahi beat the likes of Paul Okorie, former Commissioner for Works, and Benjamin Igwenyi, former Attorney General of the state, among others. The impression then was that the former governor, who was relatively aged and not prepared for the rigours of the election, needed a young and intelligent partner with tested capacity for political mobilisation to run with him, so as to be able to counter the formida-

ble alliances by the opposition against him; hence the choice of Umahi. As the state PDP chairman, deputy governorship candidate and chairman of Elechi’s Campaign Organisation, coupled with a promise of succession allegedly made to him by his then boss, Umahi deployed every political arsenal within his reach to prosecute the election, leading to their victory. Elechi was said to be so impressed with the outcome of the exercise that he publicly described his running mate after the election as “all-conquering Dave Umahi”. Determined to stand by his word and reward Umahi for his loyalty and services, Elechi, shortly after the election, allegedly assembled eight local government council chairmen out of the 13 local government areas of the state, under the leadership of the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Lazarus Ogbee, to champion the politics of Umahi taking over from him in 2015. The honeymoon ends However, before the end of first quarter of 2014, signs that the former governor was reconsidering his position on the politics of his succession became clear to watchers of political developments in the state, including Umahi. It

started with a rumour that all efforts by Umahi, then deputy governor, to meet with him (Elechi) for consultation on his governorship ambition were not yielding fruits. Worried by the development, few months before the party primaries, Umahi was compelled to consult Elechi on his ambition via a text message, but, in a reply, the latter distanced himself from the project. Angered by the turn of events, Umahi took a plunge into the governorship race, dismantling every obstacle on his way to pick his party’s ticket. Embarrassed by his deputy’s emergence as the PDP flag-bearer in the state against his will, Elechi proceeded to sack all his appointees suspected of having sympathy with the Umahi’s ambition. The battle begins That was the beginning of the epic political battle and intrigues that have seized Ebonyi. The former governor almost paid dearly for the power game. In the heat of the election, while allegedly plotting to instal his brotherin-law, Edward Nkwegu of Labour Party (LP), Elechi was confronted with impeachable offences by the members of the House of Assembly. But

he denied any wrong doing. Rather, he accused Umahi of being behind his travails, stressing that the impeachable allegations were levelled against him because of his refusal to support and bankroll Umahi’s governorship ambition. But Umahi urged him to leave him out of his predicament, advising him to clear himself of the allegations and stop pointing fingers at him. When Umahi eventually won the governorship election, efforts were made by stakeholders in the state to reconcile him with his former boss. But the efforts failed to yield results, even before the May 29, 2015 hand-over date. The major sign that things were not working out favourably began to emerge days before the hand-over date when Umahi’s campaign organisation – Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation – took to newspaper advertorials to announce that it would not participate in any pre- or post-inauguration programme organised by the out-going Elechi administration. Ever since, it has been accusations, counter-accusations and lamentations galore from both sides. If the governor is not alleging bad governance, misappropriation of funds and outright embezzlement of state funds by his predecessor, the latter would be lamenting

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August 21, 2016

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Nkwegu

maltreatment and misrepresentation of his administration by Umahi and his “team”. He also accuses Umahi and officials of his administration of being behind his ordeals in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Last April, the former governor, in a thanksgiving programme to mark his birthday, which was holding the same day Umahi was burying his mother, Margaret, lashed out at his successor, accusing him of “lacking the spirit of accommodation”. Elechi, who was speaking on the politics of his successor, first time since the end of the election, acknowledged that he promised Umahi that he would hand over to him in 2015. He added that he was sincerely committed to his promise until he discovered that Umahi “lacked certain values required of the occupant of the office of the governor, such as the spirit of tolerance and accommodation”. The former governor noted that he was not regretting his position on the matter, insisting that given the opportunity again, he would do what he did. With that, many thought that their faceoff was over. But when Ebonyians thought that they were going to enjoy a break from the friction between the two elephants, the public was again rattled with another round of lamentations and accusations from the former governor against his successor. Elechi on rampage The former governor had, in a recent private correspondence to his successor, which incidentally got leaked to the public, accused him and his family of plethora of wrongs which included, among others, sponsoring frivolous petitions against him before the anti-graft agencies as well as discrediting and disparaging his administration. Elechi was replying a letter from the governor conveying a Prado jeep bought at the rate of N29 million as Democracy Day gift to him “for his meritorious and selfless services to the state”. The letter was dated June 2, 2016. In it, he thanked the governor for considering him worthy for an award, adding

Ogbee

however that in considering the reasons for which the award was being made, he was at a loss to convince himself that he fitted into the category of those slated for the honour. “First, my role in promotion and sustenance of democracy in Ebonyi State from all indications is the antithesis of what is being practised in the present day Ebonyi State,” Elechi cited as one of the reasons for turning down the offer. He recalled that his administration made impressive impact in the state on manpower development with institutional reforms, attitudinal change philosophy and infrastructural development. He further remarked that when he brought Umahi on board in 2011 as his deputy, he (Umahi) was made the Chairman of the Executive Council Committee on Inspection, during which period he never criticised or condemned the need, quality or pricing of any project undertaken by the administration. “But with your assumption of office on May 29, 2015, every one of my projects had become a subject of public ridicule, outrage and outright condemnation. The only exception is probably the ultra-modern digital radio and television complex which I conceived of and completed from scratch to finish. It is not condemned or criticised because it is an organ by which I am regularly vilified and rubbished. The permanent secretaries I appointed and/or trained have been swept out of office for no known reason. Ebonyi is today the only state being governed without permanent secretaries,” the former governor tasked his successor. He accused the governor and his team of being behind malicious and false petitions against him and two of his children before the EFCC. According to Elechi, with so much calumny, defamation and outpouring of invectives and unabated fresh petitions against him almost on weekly basis, he was at a loss on how and why he was considered worthy of honour by the governor. “Where and what are those ‘meritorious services’ that justify my consider-

Rev. Emmanuel Nshii

ation for a gift of car, when I am being hounded day and night with my children? Is this not the height of contradictions?” he asked Elechi, in conclusion, reminded the governor that for the past 12 months, he had not been paid his salaries and second term severance allowance, which he said were his entitlements under the law of the state and not favour. Umahi fights back Umahi, however, fired back, accusing his predecessor of lying by claiming that he (Umahi) was the Chairman of the Executive Council Committee on Inspection during his second tenure as the governor. He also denied any wrongdoing against his former boss. He rather accused Elechi of using EFCC to distract his government, in addition to other antics. The governor spoke during an agricultural summit with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held at International Conference Centre, Abakaliki, penultimate Thursday. He, however, admitted that he was on occasions drafted to a monitoring team when there were some engineering difficulties in some projects during Elechi’s second tenure, stressing that he saved the state from certain wastes in such instances. For example, Umahi said he saved the state N1.6 billion when he was drafted to Agba Bridge Project, in addition to helping to revive Oferekpe Water Project when it had almost come to a halt. He said it was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG)’s own choice of words to have stated in the government’s letter to the former governor that the car gift was in recognition of his role in the promotion of democracy in Ebonyi and for other meritorious services. He emphasised that the car gifts were meant for former governors (including Sam Egwu, Ogbonnaya Onu) and a former Senate president (Anyim Pius Anyim), and was never for any other reason. Umahi said rejecting the car was not the best, as Elechi had written to him when he assumed office to give his wife two cars which he quickly obliged.

He also faulted the portion of the letter where the former governor said he never advised him, saying: “How can I advise somebody who does not take advice and never changes his mind when he says something?” Umahi said part of the petitions that has made Elechi regular visitor to EFCC was written when both of them were in power and was never from him (Umahi). The governor claimed he had pleaded with EFCC to leave his erstwhile principal because of his old age, with a promise that if there was anywhere they found him wanting in money, he (Umahi) was going to pay. The gesture, he said, was because it was Elechi that brought him to leadership, adding however that his children were not going to benefit from it. “The children should face whatever offence they committed,” Umahi stressed. He explained that the cost of most of the contracts awarded by the former governor were inflated. Umahi wondered why the former governor, whom he served alongside his family as a slave, could be harbouring ill-feelings against him. He added that his commissioners had been regular visitors to Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on the account of trumped up charges by Elechi and his loyalists. He said he was ready to give Elechi peace and expressed his readiness and willingness for a roundtable reconciliation. CAN to the rescue? Expectations, for now, are that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) would intervene in the consuming feud. This is especially as Umahi has given CAN officials the leeway to initiate and mediate in fresh reconciliation moves between him and his former boss. On their own, ordinary citizens of the state are concerned at the dimensions of the impasse between the two leaders, urging them to close ranks and bury their differences for the interest of the state.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

Interview

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My victory plan for Edo guber poll, by Obaseki All Progressives Congress (APC) flag-bearer for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, speaks to Special Correspondent, TITUS OISE, on his preparations for the race and other issues affecting the polity.

Obaseki

unning as a technocrat against the PDP flagbearer, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a core politician, in the September 10 governor-

ship poll Every person is a political animal. To say that I am a technocrat when I have been in the corridors of power and politics in Edo State, I think, is creating the wrong impression. Yes, I have done other things in my life outside politics. I have been an investment banker, asset manager and a stockbroker. I have another address. So, if that is what you are saying, yes I accept, unlike some other people who have done nothing else in their lives except just partisan politics. To that extent, I don’t agree that somebody who has been a partisan politician all his life and done nothing else has advantage. If anything, it is a disadvantage because he cannot offer anything other than raw politics, particularly the politics that has been practised in this republic, which is the politics driven by greed and violence which, I am happy to say, is not what I believe in. Expection on September 10 Come September 10, from what is on the ground, clearly I will win the election. But what I am expecting is that as I go round, I am able to have a better understanding of the needs of our people; I am able to build consensus among Edo people, so that with that consensus we can quickly accelerate

our economic growth. Addressing the issue of absence of industries in Edo We have started already. People just see that the comrade has built infrastructure. But he built the infrastructure for what purpose? We built roads so that we can have access; we built schools so that we can train quality human beings. The reason for building schools is to improve the quality of the human being, for us to have a very productive workforce. The first phase is what the comrade has done, which is laying the foundation for our economic growth. The next phase is where I will take off from which is to begin to attract the investors; continue to ensure that there is security of lives, properties and assets, so that people can come into the state and locate their businesses in the state; produce goods and services in the state using the labour, materials and other resources found in the state. Reconciling with co-aspirants ahead of the election We all have agreed that we are one party. We have all accepted to work together as brothers and sisters. All the aspirants have integrated into my campaign team. They are members of my campaign organisation. They have asked their followers to support me. We are one family. We have spoken with all our followers. If you go to places like Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode and even Edo Central Senatorial District where

some of the aspirants come from, you will find out that we are in sync now, that we are all speaking with one voice. Running with Philip Shaibu, a youth Being a youth is one of the reasons. But if you think about it, he has been part of this administration, part of our government. We started together with the comrade governor (Adams Oshiomhole). We are like two sides of the same coin. While they were focusing more on legislative matters in the legislature, I was with the comrade governor, working on issues on the executive branch. The combination of somebody with his kind of political skills and legislative experience added to my understanding of policy and what to do with such a fantastic combination. When you are planning, you want to bring as much resources to the table as possible. You don’t just go and carry the same type of resources for your use. You will not have that diversity to help you reach out to a much larger audience. We had to think very carefully the type of person to be deputy governor. Achievement as chairman of the state’s economic team What exactly has happened in Edo State which I have not been part of? What are those indelible things that have happened that I have not been part of? Is it sourcing the money required to build everything you see? Is it the groundbreaking Azura Power Plant which is the

only project of its type on the continent today? Is it the 2010 to 2020 economic plan on which the state is running? Is it the financial planning and reform which led the World Bank to offer the state a budget support facility which it has only offered to two states on the continent of Africa? Is it the restructuring leading the state to lend to micro businesses in a sustainable way? I mean, I could go on and on. So, what has happened in the state in the last seven and half years that the economic team has not contributed to? That we are paying salaries today, that we have a robust financial management system that is helping the state to meet its obligations is an output of the work we have done. But we thank God and the comrade governor for being able to provide the leadership for us to do all of that. He set up the economic team in the first place and gave us the latitude to work. The credit goes to him more than me. Assessing Oshiomhole How do you rate a very successful person that Edo people are agreed on in unison? You saw what the market women did for him the other day; coming out to say they want him to be their life patron. How do you rate a man like that? Edo people know that before him there was nothing like him and we just hope that after him we will be able to sustain what he has done. He has been one of the most successful governors of his era. There has been a unanimity on that.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

Judiciary

Onyewuchi Ojinnaka Email: onyewuchi_ojinnaka@yahoo.com 0811 181 3060

Ripples over 2016 NBA election

Gadzama

Alegeh

Ripples over the first Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) electronic voting held July 30, raises the question on whether ‘rigging’ infection associated with the politicians has crept into such a professional body whose members are supposed set standards on electoral matters. Senior Correspondent ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA writes.

he July 30 Nigerian Bar Association election held via electronic voting nationwide and collated at the Association’s head office (NBA House) in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has come and gone but the outcome is still causing ripples within the professional body. After the electronic voting, the Electoral Committee Chairman headed by Kenneth Mozia (SAN) had declared former Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), the winner, having polled 3,055 votes to beat Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) who polled 2,384 votes to emerge as runner-up. Other elected officers are Caleb Gal Dajan, First Vice President; former Chairman of NBA Ikeja branch Monday Ubani, Second Vice President and Benedict Oji, Third Vice President. The trio were returned unopposed. Others include Isiaka Olagunju who polled 2, 721 votes to become General Secretary of the Association. The post of First Assistant Secretary went to Mr. Okey Leo Ohagba; Ugbuji Cecilia Ngede was elected as Second Assistant Secretary; Ado Aisha Abdullahi, Treasurer; Adesina Adegbite, Welfare Secretary; Ngozi Udodi, Financial Secretary; Dorcas Ngwu, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chukwuemeka Mbamala, Assistant Publicity Secretary while Oyeyemi Rafiu Balogun was elected Legal Adviser. Ripples Immediately after the announcement of the result by the electoral chairman, there arose spontaneous reactions from various groups and individual within and outside the body. Reacting to the result after reviewing the situation and circumstances of the election, before and during the elections, Gadzama asked for the cancellation of the polls, complaining that the electronic voting, lacked transparency and therefore not credible. Making their position known on the election, the Joe-Kyari campaign group Director-General, Garba Gajam said "We hereby reject the results of the elections and call for the immediate cancellation of the same for failing to be credible, transparent, free and fair, and for failing to comply with the provisions of the NBA Constitution and the Electoral Guidelines”. "We also call for the conduct of fresh Electronic and not internet elections which will be credible and transparent, free and fair and in compliance with the provisions of the NBA Constitution and the Electoral Guidelines." The campaign team accused the outgoing president Augustine Alegeh of colluding with the Electoral Committee of the NBA on Election Day to ensure Mahmoud's victory. Stakeholders’ React Reacting the outcome of the election and accusation of bias levelled against him, Alegeh, debunked the claim of Gadzama campaign team, saying that it was normal for a loser in every election to feel aggrieved. "We are happy that most of our members are very happy with the conduct of the election, "The Electoral Committee of the NBA conducted an election that was adjudged by most of our members to be transparent, free, fair, and by all means the best election ever conducted in the history of the NBA” he expressed.

"It is not unexpected that Gadzama having lost the election will be bitter. But at the Bar, we are one family, we expect everybody after the election to sheathe their swords and work for the greater interest of the bar. "When Gadzama also lost the election in 2010, he made similar allegation, that the election was moved to Ibadan just to deprive him of the chance of winning”, he further said. The outgoing leadership explained that its adoption of internet voting was to give effect to the dual provisions of universal suffrage and evoting, as contained in Section 9(4) of the 2015 NBA Constitution. A state counsel in the Ministry of Justice who pleaded anonymity posited that the election was marred by irregularities, adding that many people were disenfranchised and a lot of votes were cancelled on flimsy excuses of inability to remember passwords. The cancellation of votes was fatal to the election. He said that he got the record of cancelled votes from NBA, arguing that NBA was not ready for electronic voting. “We are not yet there. We are not yet developed to the stage of voting electronically,’’ he stated, alleging that the first choice of using electronic voting was to disenfranchise lawyers because it was designed to rig the election. Another legal practitioner, Boulevard Aladetoyinbo, however, applauded the election, describing it as a historic feat. According to him, “Internet voting and electronic voting means the same thing. Internet voting works by electronic means. Disenfranchisement was quite different from rigging or irregularities.’’ He averred that the configuration was easy for any voter to acquaint with, adding that voters even had the opportunity to go through candidate’s profile before voting and the result was released within an interval of an hour and thirty minutes. Mr Iniobong Utuk also adjudged the Bar election as a huge success, pointing out that the Association had successfully organised its maiden electronic voting election. He submitted that the election was free and fair, pointing out that it was normal in a democratic process for the aggrieved party to reject the result. On whether the poll was conducted in conformity with NBA constitution, Utuk argued that law did not look at 100 per cent compliance. “It looks at 50 or above per cent compliance because that is a pass mark.” Paul Ananaba (SAN) in his view, said “The profession is an honourable one. We do not engage in undue politicking. We have held elections and A. B. Mahmoud has won. We should not be talking about cancellation of election because it will require resources and time. It will further destabilise the Bar. I will rather urge those who lost to take it in good faith. Even if they have grievances, they should sacrifice them to the Bar”. “Now that we have successfully used the electronic voting system for the first time and sending the message that the future is electronic voting, we should not be seen again, trying to destroy the house we have built. I am happy that Mahmoud is waving the olive branch. That branch should be accepted by all those who lost. Let there be peace” he appealed Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former NBA president also urged Gadzama to concede defeat in the interest of the Association. “As a former President of the NBA, I urge the Gadzama Campaign Organisation to take the election results in good faith. It will not be in our interest to create challenges for our association. The newly introduced

voting system may have had challenges, but it was an innovative easy voting procedure” Agbakoba expressed. Raphael Adewumi, did not see anything wrong in people expressing their grievances in legitimate manners. “We are all lawyers. We encourage citizens to approach the court for redress where they felt wronged. So, why are we afraid to subject ourselves to the same judicial process of seeking redress where some members, who contested elections, felt that the process was not fair, and by that, they have been wronged?, he asked. Acceptance Speech Speaking in Abuja after declaring him winner, Mahmoud welcomed everybody on board saying, “I want to use this medium to appeal to our members, who participated actively in the elections, but who lost, to avoid any form of bitterness and divisive rhetoric. We are all winners. Let us work together to build a brave new Bar. “I do not think there is need for those who are currently uncomfortable with the election outcome to begin to dissipate their energy in contesting the election results, because I know the process was transparent and they cannot prove anything to the contrary. “I must congratulate the NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), for the innovative reforms he introduced into the NBA electoral process, especially in respect of the universal suffrage and e-voting. When the idea of e-voting was first mooted, it seemed unachievable. But as the saying goes, it always seems impossible until it is done. I commend the NBA Electoral Committee for organizing free, fair and credible elections. “I began my campaign by presenting to you an agenda, which encapsulates my vision and mission statement, with a view to enlisting your support to create one of the best Bar Associations in the world. While my vision is that of a brave new Bar, driven by the knowledge and skills of its members, as a veritable agent for national transformation. “My mission statement speaks to the issues relating to regulation, representation, re-engineering and public interest. To deliver on the transformation agenda, I need not only an effective and efficient structure, but also the support and cooperation of all our members, including those, who for some reasons did not support my candidature. I will publish my implementation roadmap upon inauguration. “I wish to reiterate that we shall run our administration on the core values of integrity and ethical lawyering. Every lawyer in Nigeria shall be subjected to ethical scrutiny and all those, who have integrity deficit, shall be exposed and brought to justice. “We shall not condone a situation where the unprofessional attitude of some of our members will contaminate our noble profession. Nigerian lawyers have voted for a brave new Bar and it shall no longer be business as usual, but it will be business unusual,” Mahmoud said. Meanwhile TheNiche gathered that Gadzama had threatened court action if at the expiration 7 days ultimatum given to NBA, it failed or refused to cancel the election. Inauguration Barring any court action, the newly elected executives of NBA would be inaugurated at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2016 (NBA-AGC) holding from August 19-26, 2016, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme “Democracy and Economic Development”

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

Editorial

Another disastrous Olympics outing

igeria has come back from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil empty-handed, just as it did in the London 2102 Olympics. The disastrous outing in Brazil is a sad reflection of the state of the Nigerian state. A country that has all it takes to be a great nation but revels in plumbing the depths of mediocrity. When Nigeria returned from the 2012 Games without a single medal, the refrain among sports administrators was that the lessons would serve the nation well going forward. Never again was the general cry from the Nigerian public, who felt that the country, with a youth population of over 70 million, deserved better than a barren show at the world’s biggest sporting stage. And there was good reason for the outcry. The London Olympic Games was the first competition since the 1988 games in Seoul that Nigeria would participate in without winning a single medal. Following the uproar, then President Goodluck Jonathan convened a sports summit where all the experts pointed at poor preparation and low morale as the reasons for the shameful performance. Four years after that battle cry, nothing has changed. No lessons have been learnt. But it was a disaster clearly foretold. Why would a country of 170 million people continue wallowing in debilitating mediocrity? Mariam Usman, the only female weightlifter who represented Nigeria in Rio, answers. She says: “It is painful to come to the Olympics and see people who are your contemporaries perform better than you; not because you lack the ability but because you were not prepared like them. “An Olympic gold medal doesn’t come cheap …. The people you have to compete with had everything they needed: training grants, competitions and are exposed to the most modern equipment. I had nothing. “You don’t expect such people who have invested so much to lose to one who doesn’t even train adequately.” Usman has vowed never to go for another Olympics unless things change for the better. The question is, will things ever change for the better in Nigeria? It is ironic that Usman admits that as disastrous as the 2012 outing in London Olympics was, she had better training then than in 2016. So, rather than getting better, things got worse between 2012 and 2016 despite the promises. What guarantee is there that the 2020 Olympics in Japan will be better as promised by the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung? To win medals at the Olympics, there must be adequate preparation. The training of athletes is the irreducible minimum requirement. Other countries take four to eight years to prepare. For countries with tunnel vision like Nigeria, 2020 is eons away, but result-oriented ones are even looking beyond that to the 2024 games. Nigeria’s abysmal performance is the natural consequence of inadequate preparation, poor management of athletes themselves and corruption, particularly in the Sports Ministry. It is a national disgrace that the U-23 soccer team on a training tour in Atlanta, United States, could not be airlifted to Rio until a few hours to its opening game against Japan. In fact, it took the benevolence of a foreign airline, Delta Airlines, to do the job on credit. Nigerian athletes participated in the opening ceremonies wearing track suits rather than the special attires displaying our cultural elegance. This, indeed, is a new low. Corruption siphons money voted for sporting activities into private pockets, the reason why the National Stadium, for instance, is in such a sorry state. To win laurels at international sporting events, athletes need to be adequately trained, exposed to modern sporting facilities and encouraged. Sports is now pure science. To compete effectively one needs to be at par with competitors. This kind of exposure and training cannot start when the athletes are already adults. It is sad that hitherto sporting activities aimed at discovering young talents have all been abandoned. Whatever happened to all the inter-house sports and gymnastic displays we had in those days? How many people still reflect on the National University Games (NUGA) of old and the exploits of youths in those games? There is need for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s sports administration. If the Muhammadu Buhari administration knows what it is doing, heads ought to roll. This is the time to declare a state of emergency in sports and follow it through, otherwise 2020 will be another Rio 2016 Olympics just as Rio was just another London 2012 Olympics.

» PoliticsXtra

With Sam Akpe

sidonlookme@yahoo.co.uk 0805 618 0195

We failed in Rio because we planned to fail

sat there, last Wednesday night, with eyes glued to the television set. If I were alone, I would have allowed the tears that gathered like a thick cloud to drop freely. I have been told that crying doesn’t mean weakness. In fact, it’s a healthy business to cry any time need arises. While the game lasted, I came close to doing just that several times; but I was surrounded by people who cared very little about the outcome of the match. One of them was my little boy who was more interested in having the match come to an end so that he could watch his cartoons on Nick Junior Channel. He refused to understand why I should deprive him of such holiday luxury since I returned from church that evening simply because some 22 young men were running around the field kicking a ball. The constant question from him was: Daddy, when will the match end? Talking about crying, how come Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth, is always smiling while running? Okay, let’s put it this way: at the beginning of the race, he would take off with such huge concentration; but just as the long strides propel him towards the finish line, the smile comes. In all his races at the Rio Olympics in Brazil, the man who runs like detonated dynamite, always have time to turn to the nearest opponent and to either chat or smile in victory. He does that with such ease and confidence that you would wonder whether he’s mocking his opponent. The most unbelievable one was when he turned to De Grasse of Canada, in the semi-final of the 200 metres race last week, and did not only smile but seemed to be chatting with him before crossing the victory line. It was as remarkable as it was unthinkable. On Wednesday night, while he smiled his way to victory in the semi-final of the 200 metres race, I was soaked in tension with tears in my eyes. As seconds ticked away, I hoped for a miracle that refused to come.

As minutes sped past, I prayed for a breakthrough; but I knew I was hoping against hope. When the first half of the match ended, I comforted myself with a feeling that having been down three goals to one in the 1996 Olympic soccer semi-final against Brazil, but still returned to win, we could do it again. In the second half of the match, every move by the Nigerian team was thwarted by the Germans. From the midfield to the wings, I could see the never-give-up Nigerian spirit trampled upon by a superior German Machine. If only we had the equaliser, the story would have been different. Still I refused to give up. As the game moved into the final five minutes, I reassured myself that it was not over until it was over. Suddenly, it was over; and I hardly saw it coming. I was so full of hope that I ignored the accelerated efforts by the Germans to wrap up the game with another goal in the victory pack. When the Germans scored the second goal; I told my boy it was time for him to watch his cartoons for just five minutes before going to bed. The miracle goal did come; but it was not in our favour. A few minutes later, despite every effort, the game was over. We lost. They won. A lot of us were actually surprised that the Nigerian Dream Team went that far in the competition. It was not even supposed to qualify for the quarter finals. Here was a team that was stranded in the United States for days because somebody back home refused to do the job he was hired to do. The team finally arrived Brazil seven hours to its first match. Meanwhile, its Japanese opponent had spent days in Rio relaxing, studying videos and preparing on how to rattle the Nigerian team with a record defeat. The Japanese, however, had the shock of their lives when the Nigerian team burst on the scene like wounded lions. The Dream Team went into action with the decision to redeem the battered image

Observations from...

Using Okonjo-Iweala for cheap publicity

“How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.” – Benjamin Disraeli, former British prime minister. “When your success hovers from one person to another, it will definitely get to someone who will regard it as failure.” – Michael Johnson, Nigerian penman. In a publication titled “Those Calling for Okonjo-Iweala’s Sack Are Detractors” the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency in Governance described her critics as people who do not want Nigeria’s economic good. They are not just detractors; they are popularity seekers. Since Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian finance minister, left office over a year ago her name has remained visible across local and international media. While Nigerians and the world still celebrate her, armchair critics, seeing that stories about her generate huge readership, devise a means to gain cheap publicity. They earn copious mention in the media by linking her name to allegations, even those with little or nothing to do with her. These detractors disguise as accountability and transparency advocates, flood the media

with press releases, interviews, and stories of lies, false allegations, sentiments, and defamation. From dragging Okonjo-Iweala to court, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe her, they escalated their drama to asking her to apologise, requesting documents which she no longer has access to, and even accusing her of ‘no answers, no apology’. Their allegation of “missing N30 trillion” and other unfounded accusations have made them one of the popular groups in the country. Their like-minded and myopic followers have increased. Maybe they are even up for potential grants – there is always that possibility. In this day and age where every group or organisation must do everything to stay ahead, it appears that Okonjo-Iweala’s detractors may have struck gold by using the age-old gimmick of defamation. But despite their best and most desperate attempts at ruining her name, she always rises out of the ashes of their lies and slander like a phoenix. • Uzoma Ngozi, social commentator, Lagos. Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ uzoma.ngozi.52

TheNiche on Sunday welcomes letters, maximum 250 words, from readers. Send to oguwikeng@y

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

On the beat Oguwike Nwachuku

oguwikeng@yahoo.com, o.nwachuku@thenicheng. com

Between judiciary and PDP of the nation and prove that individually, we can make all the difference. We were determined and ambitious. Even our opponents, including Nigeria’s minister of sport, were shocked at our performance. We won the match 5-4. In a country governed by people who believe in positive public image of the Nigeria, whoever was responsible for that international scandal in the U.S. should have been home by now; either through resignation or forcefully so. That was one event that took Nigeria many years back in the perception of the right thinking members of the international community. Nigeria is returning from the Rio Olympics empty handed. That again is not surprising. We were not prepared for medals. While other countries were preparing and concentrating on their core areas of competence, we were busy quarrelling while planning how to fail; and failure we have achieved. I recall what a commentator said during the official opening of the games. As soon as the U.S. delegation led by the swimming legend, Michael Phelps, was called, he said (paraphrased): Phelps has won more gold medals in swimming than a country like Nigeria has won in all years of its participation in Olympic events. He was painfully right. That’s why the sports minister should resign; today or be sacked.

“I arrived here as early as 6am with other delegates from our state only to be told we could not go in. We are confused and do not know what is really happening.” The above was how a delegate from Ebonyi State, Mary Onah, expressed her shock over the venue of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was sealed off by the police on Wednesday, August 17. Onah was hardly alone in her perplexity. Her counterpart from Kano State, Mohammed Muntari, expressed similar sentiments, wondering why the convention that all efforts were put in to get things right would be scuttled. Muntari said: “Honestly, I was taken aback when the police prevented us from entering the stadium. We will meet our party leaders to get more briefings on the situation and then know the way forward.” The police, however, justified the seal off based on their knowledge of an order of court stopping the convention. “Our actions are in line with court order; the time we moved in is not relevant. Police have been there and we are always everywhere. “We are always providing security everywhere and it is our primary assignment to make sure everywhere in the state is well secured,” explained Francis Odesanya, the Rivers State police commissioner. For now there is temporary peace while the tension created by the leaders of the PDP in the past few months simmers, giving room for the party’s minders to clear their heads of the fog that has saturated them and

made it impossible for them to think aright. The decision to have the Ahmed Makarfi National Caretaker Committee (NCC) lead the party for one year was not only far reaching but appears commendable as it will give room for all parties to think of how to deal with the myriad problems the PDP leaders created. Critical decisions taken by the delegates after motions were moved and supported include: • Dissolving the earlier agenda to conduct elections into offices to fill the vacuum orchestrated by the expiration of the tenure of the former National Working Committee members. • Ratifying the NCC as constituted at the convention in Port Harcourt on May 21, 2016. • Extending the tenure of the NCC ably led by Makarfi by 12 months, to enable the party resolve all pending legal issues in court. • Increasing the number of the Caretaker Committee members from seven to 13 in order to cater for all the offices available in the NWC and include all the zones of the federation. Indeed, not a few PDP members, nay delegates who were confident that moles had infiltrated the party and ready to sabotage its efforts at repositioning were worried that anything could have prevented them from meeting to elect their new leaders regardless of several court cases. Delegates were cock sure all was well with arrangements in place for the event, and what was more, the reassurance they got from Convention Committee leaders that the court cases initiated by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction to scuttle the exercise

was a charade that would not see the light of the day. How wrong they were! What transpired in Port Harcourt on that fateful day, which left innocent party delegates stranded and confused, was the culmination of judicial rascality and inconsistency by two Federal High Courts, one in Port Harcourt and the other in Abuja; masterminded by selfish and conscienceless politicians. Consider, for example, this statement credited to Sheriff: “When I was governor of Borno State, [Nyesom] Wike was busy carrying papers for [Rotimi] Amaechi. He is an amateur when it comes to national politics. “Money will get you judgment, but truth will ‘abort’ two conventions. That is how powerful I can be.” One event that preceded the botched repeat national convention slated for the Sharks Stadium was the emphatic ruling of Justice Ibrahim Watila of the Federal High Court Port, Harcourt on Tuesday, August 16, ratifying the PDP convention organised by the Makarfi NCC. Watila ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of Security Services (DSS), and the police to provide protection for the exercise in answer to application brought by the National Convention Planning Committee. He took cognizance of his earlier ruling of July 7 that validated the May 21 national convention which was not voided by any appellate court and so was deemed valid and subsisting. Unfortunately, a few hours to the convention, the now popu-

lar Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja hearing Sheriff’s matter kicking against the Markafi committee, and holding claim to being the chairman of the PDP till 2018, barred the Port Harcourt event pending hearing of all substantive cases before him. From the judicial processes in the PDP saga, and as it affects the judges handling the cases, what Nigerians are being served is a dish of cacophony of entrenched interests garnished with the canopy of the rule of law and supremacy of justice. I really pity delegates like Onah and Muntari who were conned into coming to Port Harcourt by PDP leaders “confident” that court had okayed the event. I refuse to agree that such PDP leaders are either politically naïve or completely ignorant of the workings of the judiciary. No. A good number of them have played in the political arena for too long to know when a court order is inevitable. That is part of the stuff the PDP still needs to rid itself of, the knack to deceive members. Often times one wonders if the judiciary is helping to grow or bring Nigeria down. When learned people as they call themselves slide into the arena of deliberate illiteracy due to failure to follow the tenets of the profession, it becomes a challenge to the larger society. If truly we are dealing with learned people and judges in matters as complicated and contentious as the PDP and Sheriff’s cases, there should have been a ready guide in the Supreme Court. Or are we saying that in the

history of the apex court of the country, no such case(s) had come up before? No doubt, Sheriff may be playing politics with the future of the PDP (I have written in this column that he is probably an undertaker to destroy the party), but beyond that, is it possible that he would realise his ambition without the connivance of some judicial officers? When we talk about judicial reform in Nigeria we seem to approach it from peripheral pedestal, ignoring the substance and deep seated challenges that obscure the system. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the judicial reform we tend to ignore is the excesses and foibles of the human capital that are part of the judicial system, and that explains the show of shame we often experience among some senior legal officers. And as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” The National Judicial Commission (NJC) must look into what had happened at the two Federal High Courts manned by Watila and Abang with regard to the festering PDP brouhaha. The chief justice in his capacity as the chairman of NJC should, in this situation, understand that silence is submission, and can lead to bondage. Nigerians have been made victims of wrong thinking and wrong believing about happenings in the judiciary, and if what Zane Baker says is a guide, “don’t allow the behaviour of others destroy your peace of mind” because there is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.

Funny World

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Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikechukwu Amaechi Executive Editor Oguwike Nwachuku Editor, Politics/Features Emeka Duru Editor-at-Large Sam Akpe

Chief Operating Officer / FM Eugene Onyeji Human Resources Manager Kehinde Okeowo Advert Manager Vera Iyere

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Words &Worlds

Remi Sonaiya

Education for Development (1)

his week I have decided to publish a section of a speech I gave at the graduation ceremony of a school in Lagos sometime last July. The topic was on education as a path to development. This week’s contribution is the first instalment; it will be concluded next week. I began the speech with a reflection on the purpose of education. So, what is the purpose of education? What have we brought these young ones here to do in this school? Stuff a whole bunch of facts into their heads? Turn them into robots that can recite multiplication tables? And maybe ensure they have a little fun while at it by surrounding them with all the latest gadgets? Let me quote from my book, A Trust to Earn: Reflections on Life and Leadership in Nigeria (Prestige Publishing, 2010): “Personally, I believe that education’s primary purpose is to make the individual develop the ability to imagine, and to endow him or her with the tools needed to translate that imagination into reality. Someone once said that the purpose of education is to provide the building blocks for change, whether intellectual, social, financial, or just a change of one’s skill level, knowledge or attitude from one perspective or the other. Without the ability to imagine a different state of affairs, change would certainly remain an illusion.” If we accept these definitions, it

Indelible marks

tember of 1972 at Apapa Residence of the Leader of Grail Movement of Nigeria, Chief Adeyemi Lawson. I have since learnt that Mrs. Ayomagbemi and Major Unuigbe who are my friends and agemates received their crosses too on the same day. I was so uplifted by this event that I desired the same experience for everyone I held dear. I quickly recommended the book to my sweetheart at the time, Rosemary Ezenwanyi Nworgu. She has since become a gold cross-bearer whose current duty at the Temple of The Lord on Grailland, Iju, included preparation of the altar for worship. I had believed I was going to get married to her. I allowed myself to be influenced by my elder sister’s appraisal of her father and lost her in the end. In the meantime, she was not psychically prepared for marriage. When she was away for sports against my wish, for she represented University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in sports, I lost interest. My sister’s earlier opinion made me turn my gaze off her. I then involved myself with Edith. Rose herself happily married an engineer,

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(hopefully positive) transformation that is brought about in society as a result of the imaginative and creative endeavours engaged in by the members of that society. Every development begins with somebody waking up one morning (or in the middle of the night) and saying to himself or herself: “What if...?” That question might relate to finding a solution to a nagging problem – “What if one could find a way of keeping mosquitoes and other insects from coming into the house?” That ultimately led to the invention of wire netting for windows and doors. Or it might just be a question of finding a better, easier or more efficient way of doing something. All the developments in the transportation industry – from the bicycle to the automobile, to trains and airplanes – came about basically to solve the problem of moving people faster from one point to another. Another important human trait that fuels development is curiosity: “What if we could cross to the other side of that mountain, or that big river, what would we find there?” Or, “What if there is actually life on other planets?” And so, such curious people begin to explore ways of getting to the other side of the mountain, crossing the great river, reaching the moon. Educational institutions have for centuries acted as catalysts for development, creating the environment needed

for curious and imaginative people to thrive, in the knowledge that the pursuit of their ideas (which might appear to be crazy at first) might lead to discoveries which would be to the overall benefit of the society. Now, the important question for us is: What has happened to us? Why is it that education seems to have failed us? Whereas the standards of education tend to rise in other places, why have ours been falling? Our public educational institutions, which used to be the pride of the nation, are now only a dismal shadow of their former glory. I normally express the opinion that to a large extent the quality of the primary, secondary and tertiary education I received here in Nigeria in the sixties and seventies could compare favourably with that of any other country in the world. And indeed, many Nigerians of my generation have gone on to compete and prove their mettle among their counterparts internationally. It is a known fact that several Nigerians have occupied and still occupy highly influential positions around the world. If we are contributing to the development of international organisations and other countries, why is it that we find ourselves practically on the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of global indices of development? • To be continued

Echoes from my past

Mac Odu certain pharmacist, Mr. Enoch Umeike, and his family shared premises with me at Onike, Yaba. I had taken lease of an outhouse twobedroom bungalow at the rear of his wing of a duplex in which he and his family lived. He had a sister-in-law called Edith Agina. The proximity, I now thought in hindsight, brought us regularly together. My newly-found source of strength, The Grail Message, provided regular basis for meeting and talking. She was interested in reading The Grail Message also. The esteem with which I held anyone who had had a feel of The Grail Message carried me away into the belief that being aware of it was synonymous with having read and assimilated the lessons for real life contained in it. I pushed the relationship with Edith to a point at which discussions on marriage became frequent. I was offered a silver cross in Sep-

becomes clear that education has to do primarily with training, forming, nurturing and transforming the mind, so that the individual is enabled to bring about the kinds of transformation he or she wishes to see in the environment. I believe that the mandate for education was actually given in the Garden of Eden when God gave Adam and Eve dominion over all that He had created, asking them to tend and keep the garden. Our first parents had no teachers; they had to use their minds, their imagination, to figure out what to do with the garden – and maybe that was partly why God had to come on a daily evening visit to see how well they were performing! It would seem, in reality, that this ability to imagine a different world, a different state of affairs, is one that every human being is born with – a God-given gift of creativity, stemming from the fact that we are made “in His image”. Thus, like Him, we are able to “create” things – a poem, a painting, a kite, an airplane, a house, or whatever. Education is, therefore, supposed to serve to guide that innate capacity we have and, in the best of cases, assist the individual in discovering the specific area(s) of human endeavour where he or she is most imaginative or creative. What then is development, and why has it eluded us to a large degree? Development is precisely the

David Nwamara. Part of the problem was that she was slow to respond to the message on account of deep-rooted allegiance to her parental Catholic faith. Perhaps, I was myself too committed to my new style of life to be considerate. In any case, I always felt for her, since our relationship failed, as someone who would have been my partner in this journey through life. I write this in detail because both she and her husband are knowing ones. In fact, I find that I have never lost a friend made in my youth. Obviously, there have been limits to each friendship. However in this case as well as in others, I have continued to find myself still reverencing all those I have had some admiration for. I was immensely spiritually lifted by the event of becoming a knowing one through reading The Message. I found I gained increasing confidence in my mission here in creation. That confidence has not left me till this day. Understanding that what one sowed that he shall reap banished all basis for fear of death or hardship of any type. What determined hardship and fear is that gap created by lack of truth and conviction in one’s thoughts, words

and actions. I was confident when I behaved in total reverence for the truth. That confidence has powered every action of mine since 1972. That was a fulfilling year in my professional life too. I was elected into the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) as an Associate No. 406 in the roll of estate surveyors and valuers in Nigeria. I must recount my experiences in the office of Harriman and Company for the lessons it should bear for professionals of the future. I met my senior colleague (he was ahead of me by one session at the university and was registered before me in the profession), Festus Edomobi, in the practice when I arrived late in 1972 to spearhead the valuation of assets of SPDC. He was a sober professional with attention to detail. I was a rather adventurous professional, willing to create cutting edges in the practice and initiate new attitudes. Against tradition in the practice, I evolved my own method of writing reports and numbering paragraphs in the report. No one noticed the change since Hope Harriman, the boss, was not interested in the details of practice.

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August 21, 2016

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Is this what has become of the PDP?

he story of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s leading opposition political party, is not one that can be exhausted in a setting. This, perhaps, is coincidental; or providential as some say. Just as the party, at its height, had appropriated the claim of the largest political party in Africa, the dimensions of its story have been those of an octopus. Both at its fame and its current lowest point, PDP has always defied precise prediction. But one thing that cannot be contested by even its committed members (assuming there are still some) and its supporters (if there are still), is that the party has become a bungled dream, in a way. Even when it had been thought that managers of the party would learn from its disastrous outing in the last general elections, nothing seems to have been learnt. In the process, the slide continues. If there had been any shred of hope on the party rising from its obviously comatose position, especially at the national level, the confusion that trails its aborted national convention scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has made total nonsense of such. It is in fact, disheartening that when many had thought that PDP would use the convention to put its house in order, the party lived up to what its critics have of late, ascribed to it – a torn umbrella. Even with Senator Ahmed Makarfi and his 12 disciples vowing to restore the party to reposition the party, it is certain that PDP is currently a shadow of its old self. This is, to say the least, piteous. Even without mouthing it, it has become obvious to even any casual observer that

most of the remaining members of the party are merely with their body in it but with their mind elsewhere. Of course, it may be convenient to watch from the sideline and say; ‘it is their thing’. That may be correct. After all, it is not everybody that is a politician. More so, not all the politicians belong to its fold. But whatever any person may make of the current situation in PDP, it points to a sorry tale in the country’s political development. The problem with the developments in the party is not that of losing an election. That, is normal in democracy. After all, the 104-year old African National Congress (ANC), another increasingly mismanaged enterprise, the other day, lost a local election in South Africa. But the sad story in the imminent extinction of the PDP is the sheer inability of the political class to apply the party, while it reigned, in instituting a credible and enduring democratic culture in the land. At its formation on July 29, 1998, the facilitators of PDP were guided by far reaching visions. They had for instance dreamed of a party that would put the Nigerian nation on a new phase of political engineering. Part of their intention was to put in place a political platform that would ensure a “re-creation of civil political institutions, reconciliation of Nigeria, rekindling of the spirit of unity and brotherhood in the polity and the revitalization of powers of the people to build a prosperous industrial democracy”. Propelled by these lofty ideals, the founders of the party had aimed at bringing together all patriotic and like-minded Nigerians into a single formidable party,

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capable of renewing and refocusing the loyalties and productive energies of the nation to work for national reconciliation, economic and social reconstruction, respect for human rights and rule of law and to restructure the country in the true spirit of federalism. Their long term aspiration was to erect a frame work that would ensure a just and equitable distribution of power, resources, wealth and opportunities to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing, rotation of key political offices and equitable devolution of powers to zones, states and local governments so as to create socio-political conditions conducive to national unity and to defend the sanctity of electoral democracy. The encompassing principles of the party were adequately complemented by an embracing motto – Justice, Unity and Progress, while the slogan of the party, instructively acceded “power to the people”. To add up, the PDP had in its fold a generous spread of the nation’s first rate politicians. It also appropriated to itself the tag of the largest party in black Africa. In a way, its claim of greatness paid off handsomely, initially, as it garnered many electoral victories, though, often questionable in some cases. How then did the party get it wrong? And how can it be pulled out of its unceasing drift? These are the questions that many chieftains of the party do not seem to ask themselves or conveniently choose to ignore. This is why PDP has remained a toddler at 18; a scarecrow of sort and indeed, an object of ridicule even among casual political observers. It is the failure to address these questions that has seen the organisation, even

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in its fallen state, still being callously raped by its officials and members who only see in it a platform for attending to personal needs and attaining political offices. This accounts for the nauseating culture of impunity in the party. It was this stinking culture that had seen mere political upstarts who ordinarily should have been at the back stage in the organisation, assuming positions of importance in its affairs. This is why, from the skewed emergence of Olusegun Obasanjo as the party’s presidential candidate in its1998 Jos convention, PDP has not had any transparent primary even in its state chapters. The party has also not had any democratically elected National Chairman since the erstwhile Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and former Plateau State governor, late Solomon Lar, occupied the office in interim capacity. What has rather been the norm is a culture of imposition and absence of internal democracy. The trend, sadly, replicates at the local wings. For a party that advertises eagerness to claw back to power three years ahead, the expectation is that of a radical departure from an ugly past that has not earned it enduring rewards. But that seems farfetched. Rather, what PDP has shown in its botched Port Harcourt convention, is that it is yet to learn from its mistakes. The danger is that All Progressives Congress (APC), may have a free reign in riding roughshod on Nigerians in the absence of a viable alternative. Somehow, the ruling party appears to be enjoying that solo run, hence more than one year after coming to power, it is still confused on what to do. And Nigerians have remained the losers.

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t is a natural expectation that the future should be looked up to with glee. But, first, the future must be defined, worked for, and meticulously prepared for generations yet unborn. So, what is the future of a country? Is it a particular time frame beginning from the date of independence? Is it to be measured by population increase? Or by technological breakthrough? Motivational speakers, and truly speaking, I believe them, insist that the future begins NOW. It is, therefore, repugnant to natural expectation to keep talking of the future without considering the age of the individual or nation. This is the case with Nigeria, necessitating 80-years olds to be talking about the future of our youth population, a repeat of such calls by the same people more than 40 years ago. The case with Nigeria is indulgence in bad habits. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines habit as “a thing that you do often and almost without thinking, especially something that is hard to stop doing.” The New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language defines

it as “a tendency to repeat an act again and again; a behaviour pattern that has a degree of automatism.” It is easy to conclude therefore, that your habit defines your character, personality, acceptability and value. It makes you predictable, defines your level of growth in your vocation, occupation or profession, and for a country, determines your influence and power in the comity of nations. Stephen R. Covey is an authority on the subject of habits, having written bestselling books on the topic. He identifies eight habits of highly effective people. An analysis of each of these habits will help us understand better why we are who we are, and why we are where we are as a nation. Highly effective people are proactive. It means they plan ahead, prepare for possible setbacks and have alternative strategies to overcome the setbacks. For Nigeria, this is far from the truth. Time was when we had enormous wealth, but rather than plan ahead, our leaders only boasted that our problem was not money, but what to do with it. Highly ineffective thinking or just daftness! Nations that have effective leaders begin with the end in mind. They map out the benefit of a project before they embark on it. The expected benefits are meant to augment the existing situation or circumstance, improve the lot of the people and contribute to the economy positively. But in Nigeria, if a project is not abandoned due to bad planning or costing, it is abandoned because it was conceived and started by an opposition party.

Effective leaders put first things first. They analyse situations, prioritise activities and actions and expect a sequence of positive results. For us as a country, we put first things last. We legalise nepotism over and above competence, zoning over qualification, god-fatherism over track record of performance. Any wonder, therefore, that our glory days are far behind us? Countries and nations blessed with highly effective leaders think win/win. They preach and practise politics and leadership of inclusion. Their actions engender patriotism, love for one another and a feeling of equality. Not in Nigeria. The ruling party must crush the opposition; attention is paid to the states that contributed 95 per cent of the votes; those who brought a paltry 5 per cent of the votes will receive commensurate attention. Any person, no matter how brilliant his ideas are, but who does not pass through the demons called godfathers, is frustrated, seen as proud and opinionated and totally and completely shoved out of the way. Effective people and leaders seek first to understand, then to be understood. They appreciate the input of others in order to align their thoughts and plans towards the general will as against the minority will. What of Nigeria? Our leaders do not care about our views and feelings. They promise us what they think we need; not what we ask of them. They are empty skulls, so they lack the capacity of understanding and, therefore, are impossible to be understood. Synergy is a very important habit of effective people and leaders. They collaborate, co-operate with each other, exchange ideas, praise and criticise each other constructively, and are always open to accepting superior views and arguments. For our dear Nigeria, our leaders must work

and walk alone, take the glory for anything and everything, and for them, the fewer the merrier. Another creative habit of highly effective people is to “sharpen the saw.” This means taking a break to re-focus and re-strategise. This habit in itself is positive. In Nigeria, however, the politicians cannot take a break from stealing and looting. Any period for reflection will mean going back on their vow to continuously impoverish us. If our politicians must re-focus, it will be to plan more devastating ways of emptying the treasury. The last habit of highly effective people (according to Stephen R. Covey), is to “find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.” An advice goes thus: “Aspire to inspire others before you expire.” For our leaders, the quicker those opposed to them die, the better for them. To inspire others is a taboo that must not be touched. Nigeria has been groping in the dark for decades of years, and it appears there is no systematic approach to solving problems by our leaders. We call them leaders for lack of better words. Are they parasites? Are they undertakers of our commonwealth? Are they tied to the apron strings of the devil? What can we do to check the downward movement of all the indices for growth and development? A revolution is imminent. Those averse to this are either cowards or partakers in the milking of the country. The thieves amongst us are so proud to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth. Must we continue to watch them have their way? Posterity will not find us worthy to have occupied this geographical space called Nigeria and allowed the plundering of a once-robust country, flowing with bright ideas and opportunities. • To be continued

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August 21, 2016

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FREE SPEECH By Temilade Aruya

uying a piece of land in Lagos State and putting up a structure on same is usually a tall order, no thanks to the belligerent activities of land-grabbers and land speculators popularly known as omo onile who make life unbearable for intending house-owners through their voracious, frivolous demands. There have been many instances where unsuspecting buyers paid for land only to be told to come and pay again to reclaim their land, or settle some aggrieved family members who were not factored into the sharing formula of the previous payment. The omo onile simply have no regard for the law of the land, as they have become a law unto themselves, charging prospective land-owners absurd bills as it pleases them. They also ensure the buyers are not free from their strangulating grip, as they exact different fines on them at every stage of the development of their properties. Prominent among such fines are foundation bill, lintel bill, decking bill, roofing bill, fencing bill and a whole lot more. The value of such bills could sometimes be equivalent to the total value of the land or a little less depending on their scale of relevance and location of the property. In addition, they employ the use of force and threat in collecting these monies from their victims who are at their mercy with no option or defence. Some of their victims have had their structures demolished, as the omo oniles storm their sites

Lagos and the nuisance of land-grabbers

in commando style, wielding harmful weapons and attacking the workers on site. Property owners are often mercilessly beaten up, wounded and forced to stop work until payment is made. Through this trend, land-grabbers have successfully stalled the development of many projects. Consequently, in Lagos, individuals and organisations planning to put up structures have learnt to factor the cost of the urchins into their expenditure. This has not only hindered development; it has also made individuals and organisations to consider relocating to neighbouring states where the activities of land-grabbers are not so pronounced. The activities of land-grabbers are not only illegal, but anathema to society, development, peace and progress. They speculate on land with little or no recourse to land use laws, as they engage in the illegal sale of government land to gullible individuals. They sometimes even dispossess people of lands that are legitimately bought from the government. They also sell lands with no proper planning or cognisance of a mapped out environmental outlay. This is especially so, with new satellite settlements in the state’s suburbs. Some houses within such locations don’t have access roads, as other houses have been erected on their path; more appalling, some are built under high tension power cables. Although some of the notorious omo oniles are known, the society is helpless in dealing with them. To stem the tide of the omo onile nuisance, there is a need for accurate and efficient record-keeping where the history of every property is preserved and conscientiously kept and protected. The courts are

congested with land cases because landed properties are not properly documented. It is not in doubt that the state has recorded enormous loss to the unlawful activities of these hoodlums, most of whom are layabouts, opportunists and exploiters who go about rubbishing the image of the state. It is in order to decisively tackle this nuisance that the state government recently inaugurated a task force to check the menace of land-grabbers in the state. The task force is saddled with the task of reducing to the barest minimum activities of individuals or corporate entities that use force and intimidation to dispossess or prevent people or organisations from acquiring legitimate interest and possession of property acquired through the state government or private transactions. The task force is also empowered to co-ordinate the efforts of various agencies of government charged with enforcing the state government’s rights over lands in Lagos; and to work with all security agencies to ensure enforcement of state government and private property rights in Lagos. The state government has vowed to deploy the full force of the state and the law to tackle the issue permanently, noting that the havoc and chaos being caused by land-grabbers would no longer be tolerated. Consequently, henceforth, any person who uses physical force, threats or arms to dispossess people of their legitimate property will be treated as a criminal in accordance with Sections 52, 53 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which stipulates a two-year jail term for any person found to have forcefully entered a property or dispossessed a legitimate land-owner of his property. According to Section 281 of

the criminal law, land is part of items that can be stolen. Recently, the House of Assembly made good its promise to move against the threat of the omo onile in the state. The House passed a bill to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conduct in relation to landed properties in Lagos and for connected purposes into law. If found guilty, by the provisions of the bill, landgrabbers will face a maximum 21 years and minimum of five years’ imprisonment. The bill, passed at its plenary, after scaling through Third Reading, was later sent to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for assent. The passage of this bill into law is, no doubt, a massive step towards a lasting solution to the activities of the land-grabbers in the state. It is heartwarming that the state government is coming up with the legal and institutional framework to tackle the menace of omo onile once and for all. A society that thrives on lawlessness cannot attract meaningful development and growth. The citizenry, especially masses who daily struggle to make ends meet, would, without a doubt, benefit from this renewed attempt to sanitise the land sector in Lagos. Meanwhile, it is crucial that the state government demonstrates sufficient political will to follow through this fresh process to repose the citizenry’s confidence in the rule of law. On its part, the citizenry must brace up to fully support the government in this new bid to restore law and order in the society.

life choices, generosity and trust. With Denmark taking the lead in this ranking, Switzerland and Iceland are the second and third happiest countries in the world, while Norway, Finland, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Austria and Sweden follow – as fourth to 10th positions, respectively, with the United States of America (U.S.A.) in the 13th position. Out of the 157 countries ranked, Nigeria occupies the 131st position. This means that Nigerians are happier than only 12 countries out of the remaining 156 countries. Indeed! Not a type of score sheet to be happy about. We are suffering, but, certainly, not smiling, as widely portrayed. For when one is being beaten by excruciating sun, one’s frown unveils one’s teeth such that it looks like one is actually smiling. However, the least our government could do to put smiles on the faces of the generality of Nigerians has already been prescribed in Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wherein lies that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Perversely, when a set of people described as herdsmen can wake up one morning and do mini-mini-mani-mo, at which place to kill and destroy speaks volume about how ‘secured’ the life of the average Nigerian really is. Prices of basic commodities such as rice, tomato, yam, garri, kerosene, among others, seem to be romancing the sky – without any corresponding increase in workers’ pay – says a whole lot about how ‘guaranteed’ our welfare truly is. Our naira, which used to be equivalent to the U.S. dollar under Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime, is now at its weakest and volatile state under the same Buhari as civilian President. When one could stay a whole week without power, with only a

comfortable be-careful-how-you-criticisegovernment explanation to the cause of epileptic power supply by a government representative is a big smite on one’s happiness and a promotion of our misery rate. Sincerely, the average Nigerian cares less about who is being investigated for corruption charges or how much is being recovered from the anti-graft war. What he really cares about is his security and welfare. Can he get the best medical attention within this country without having to pay from his nose? Can he get good education for his kids, or scholarship for his kids without knowing one oga-at-thetop, somewhere? Can he comfortably move around for business on good roads? Can he get an appreciable degree of electric power? Can he easily access loans to do business and fulfil his dream of being a successful entrepreneur? Can his child, who has just graduated from college be at the same level with children of the elite when they apply for a job in the public service? Can his income cater for his family’s needs and even enough to take his family on short holiday trip and, occasionally, take his wife out on romantic dates? I am sure there are many other pertinent questions on your mind, but the basic fact remains that not much has been done by government to make Nigerians happy. Nigerians only try to make themselves happy, and the earlier government starts to realise that an unhappy people cannot be properly united and cannot produce good result, the better. The reason the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) got dissolved was that the people were producing more guns than fun, more weapons than food. They were paying more attention to their enemies than the welfare of their people. And, as the late Professor Claude Ake once instructed, man

must eat before he does any other thing. Although man cannot live by bread alone, it is a more profound truth that man cannot live without ‘bread’. As CNN’s Richard Quest once warned, let us “never count dollars before bodies”. No matter how much is being recovered from Buhari’s fight against corruption, his success in that area would be taken with a pinch of salt if the suffering currently staring us in the face continues unabated. It is not the fight against corrupt people that matters; it is about what measure is being put in place to restrict people from engaging in corrupt practices. It is about strengthening and making corruption busters such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the judiciary more independent and impenetrable, and left to do their job – not doing their job for them. This is what President Barack Obama meant when he recommended strong institutions and not strong men. If any single individual can make the EFCC pander to his caprices, it, therefore, means that the fight against corruption is only a waste of time. What government must, however, focus on is how to put smiles on our scowl faces. This, on its own, will translate into providing the necessary morale for the growth and development we need in other areas of our national and private lives, because a happy man produces better result. It does not require a human resources (HR) expert to understand this, still less a sociologist. It needs no rocket scientist to solve this equation.

• Aruya is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Ikeja, Lagos.

Buharinomics and the hedonistic calculus

By Valentine Achum

We must start to place the interest and plights of our suffering people high on top of our action agenda – Jerry J. Rawlings

n chapter four of his book, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, written in 1789, Jeremy Bentham proposed a method of working out the sum total of pleasure and pain produced by an act, and thus the total value of its consequence. He proposed that when determining what action is right in a given situation, we should consider the pleasures and pains resulting from it in respect of their intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity and extent. This idea is a utilitarian principle, which stresses that it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people that is the measure of right and wrong, and that the best moral action is the one that maximises the well-being of sentient entities. This principle is called the hedonistic or felicific calculus. In 2011, exactly 222 years since Bentham propounded this idea, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution inviting member countries to measure the happiness of their citizens to help guide their public policies in responding to what makes their citizens happy. Although, the 2016 World Happiness Report places Denmark as the happiest country in the world, Bhutan – a country in southern Asia – however, became the first country to officially adopt Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as her main development indicator. However, the variables used in ranking countries, according to how happy its citizens are, include GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make

• Achum is a post-graduate student at the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos.

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August 21, 2016

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Jao Havelang colossus

he death of former Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA president, Joao Havelange on Tuesday, August 16 was a big blow not only to the football fraternity but to sports in general. The Brazilian who was the seventh president of the world football governing body from 1974 to 1998, died at the age of 100 years. Soccer’s world governing body, known by the acronym FIFA, after its French name, confirmed his death, at Samaritano Hospital in Rio. He had been hospitalised several times in recent years and was treated for pneumonia last month. His reputation may have been in tatters in his later years, but the stadium in Rio for the track and field events at the 2016 Summer Olympics, built in 2007, was formally named Jao Havelange Olympic Stadium. Organising officials for the Games decided, however, to refer to it simply as “the Olympic Stadium.” Havelange invariably had the last word within FIFA, even when it did not have to be uttered. That was the case in 1995 when he was criticized for visiting Nigeria at the same time that a prominent Nigerian, Ken SaroWiwa, was about to be executed. “I don’t want to make any comparisons with the pope, but he is also criticized from time to time, and his reply is silence,” he was quoted as saying. “I am, too, sometimes criticised, so explanations about such matters are superfluous.” Among his last achievements was to use his clout to help Rio win its bid to host this year’s Olympic Games – the first held in South America. He would be remem-

bered by so many people for so many things as he was so many things to so many people while in active service. He neither drank nor smoked and met with Pope John Paul II on no less than three occasions. He was a Brazilian lawyer, businessman, and former athlete. He was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 1963 until 2011, resigning because of ill health. He represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympics - the year he qualified as a lawyer before his election to the IOC. His tenure as FIFA President is the second longest in FIFA’s history, behind only that of Jules Rimet. He received the title of Honorary President when leaving office, but resigned in April 2013. He succeeded Stanley Rous and was succeeded by Sepp Blatter. He became the first (and, to date, only) non-European to hold the post. He lobbied in 86 different countries for the presidency, often accompanied by Pele. Sports marketer, Patrick Nally said that “Havelange had seen the future...he knew that if he became the president of the only federation already running its own high-profile world championship then he would enjoy huge economic power”. His successor, Sepp Blatter had this to say about Havelange: “He had one idea in his head, to make football a global game with his slogan ‘football is the universal language’, and he succeeded. Former United States secretary of state, Henry Kissinger said of Havelange: “He sees the world through a telescope and not through a microscope”. He served as a member

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of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1963 to 2011. He was the longestserving active member upon his resignation. In July 2012 a Swiss prosecutor’s report revealed that, during his tenure on FIFA’s Executive Committee, he and his son-in-law, Ricardo Teixeira took more than $41 million in bribes in connection with the award of World Cup marketing rights. His resignation from the IOC five years ago avoided an investigation into the ISL allegations, which he had denied. On swimming at the 1936 Olympics, Havelange was part of the Brazilian water polo team at the 1952 Helsinki Games and was chef de mission for the Brazilian delegation at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. And it was as a sports administrator, particularly in football, that Havelange made his mark. As President of the Metropolitan Swimming Federation in Brazil, Havelange became a member of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and joined the Union Cycliste Internationale in 1958. After becoming Vice-President of the Brazilian Sports Confederation, he served as President of the Confederation from 1958 to 1973. Appealing to developing nations, Havelange promised an expanded World Cup, and a youth World Cup that they might be able to host. Threatened by Havelange’s international campaign for the presidency, Rous asked Horst Dassler, then managing Adidas’ French subsidiary to help his campaign. Dassler engaged in intense lobbying of the delegates at the 39th FIFA Congress, where the vote was to be held. The election went to a second round, and Havelange won by sixteen votes. He did not have sufficient money to fund his programme for FIFA, so he sought financial support from Dassler, who wished to supply Adidas branded equipment to the national federations. Supported by sports marketer Patrick Nally, Havelange enlisted Adidas

and Coca-Cola as primary sponsors of FIFA tournaments. The two companies also underwrote the expenses of FIFA tournaments, with Coca-Cola underwriting the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina for $8 million. The support of commercial organisations was crucial to the future of Havelange and FIFA, and provided a model for global sporting federations. Nally stated that “The money we brought into FIFA through Coke was clearly changing the face of the federation. Havelange was building a new international headquarters in Zurich, appointing professional fulltime staff and PR and finance people. FIFA was showing the way. Other federations were watching closely. Many others were eager to follow and quick to fall into the hands of Horst and myself”. The triumvirate of Jao Havelange, Horst Dassler and Patrick Nally would have profound effects on the future of world sport. The sale of television rights increased greatly under his leadership. In 1987 the European rights to the next three FIFA World Cups were sold for $440 million, the nonUnited States rights for the three tournaments from 1998 sold for $2.2 billion. When he was elected president, FIFA’s Zurich headquarters housed just 12 staff members. But that figure increased almost tenfold over the next two decades as FIFA’s organisational responsibilities and commercial interests grew. Under his presidency the FIFA World Cup expanded from 16 to 32 teams, with Havelange overseeing six World Cups during his time in office. Increasing the size of the World Cup to 32 teams gave countries from Asia, Oceania and Africa the chance to shine on the world stage, Cameroon becoming the first African country to reach the quarterfinals in 1990. The FIFA Under-17 World Cup, FIFA Under-20 World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup were all introduced under his tenure.

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August 21, 2016

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nicheEntert

We’re proud to present The Wedding Party to global audience – TIFF

rtistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Cameron Bailey, has said that the festival is proud to present The Wedding Party to a global audience. The declaration was made when the festival announced that the film produced by Elfike Film Collective will premiere on its prestigious opening night as a selection of the Spotlight City to City programme. “We are pleased to welcome The Wedding Party by award-winning filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba, to the festival, and are proud to present it to a global audience,” said Bailey. “Adetiba has delivered an exciting characterdriven film on a grand scale, while putting her own unique spin on a familiar genre.” The film’s Executive Producer, Mo Abudu, said “this will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an international film festival of great repute. TIFF’s selection of The Wedding Party is a true honour. I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival premiere.” Scheduled for Thursday, September 8, the event will hold at the historic Elgin Theatre.

Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the romantic comedy stars Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W and Adesua Etomi. All of them are expected at the premiere. Written by playwright, Tosin Otudeko, and Adetiba, the film is said to be a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, it is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter, about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur, Dozie (Banky W). The couple takes a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a thrilling first night together as husband and wife. Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project, and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community. The 41st TIFF runs from September 8 to 18 in Toronto, Canada. The Lagos International Premiere of The Wedding Party will hold at The Landmark Centre in November 2016.

Etomi

Light in PMAN’s crisis tunnel

he umbrella union for Nigerian musicians, Performing Musicians (Employers) Association of Nigeria (PMAN), may

soon have a breath of fresh air. Leadership tussle, sabotage and even physical threats have bedevilled the association. However, the light has come at the end of the tunnel,

with the court ruling that enthroned the National Caretaker Committee led by Pretty Okafor, which has restored sanity. History was made recently in Abuja, when the Minister of Information

and Culture, Lai Mohammed, enabled an interactive forum and presentation by PMAN leaders on the road map towards placing the showbiz industry where it truly belongs and how to tap from its accruable resources. The minister, who was visibly awe-struck as Okafor reeled out the huge benefits of having a focused and united association with foresighted and intelligent men at the helm of affairs, stated at the end of the presentation, that no stone would be left unturned to right all the wrongs in the system. Describing the delegation as that of the “authentic PMAN”, Mohammed described the estimated N10.3 trillion loss to national and global piracy in the creative industry as unacceptable. The figure, which represented 85 per cent of the N15 trillion worth of the

industry, he added, could turn the economy of the nation around. He frowned at the trend where about 92 per cent of music and video productions by Nigerian artistes were done mostly in South Africa, Europe and America whereas we have good locations for same back home. “I want to assure you that the government would work with the association and provide the enabling environment for the creative industry to thrive, as well as encourage investment therein,” he promised. Mohammed agreed with the recommendations of the association that November 30 should be set aside as ‘Anti-Piracy Day’, adding that both parties would soon converge and announce government’s commitment to fight piracy, protect creative assets and grow revenue in the sector.

One of the ways he hopes to nail the coffin of the monster is through the bar code technology, which the association launched months back. “We would consider the issuance of a standing order to radio, television and telecommunications to cease from using nonbar-coded music or movies,” the minister said. The august presentation tagged ‘PMAN-Buhari Administration: A Partnership for Change’, according to Okafor, is a right step towards fulfilling the federal government’s efforts in the diversification of the economy. “It would strengthen government efforts to discourage international production which is sucking away quality local jobs and revenue to government, as it would earn about N3 trillion in both VAT and taxable income through the partnership,” he stated.

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August 21, 2016

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tainment with Terh Agbedeh

‘Why Lagos was chosen to host third AFRIMA’

agos will host the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for a third time come November. The African Union Commission (AUC) made the announcement on Monday, August 15, in Lagos with officials of the African Union (AU), members of the international committee of AFRIMA, the awards 2015 winners, top government functionaries, stakeholders in the creative/ entertainment industry in Africa, media executives, and music artistes present. AFRIMA 2016 will hold from November 4 to 6. Formally declaring Lagos as the official city to host AFRIMA 2016 edition, AUC’s Head of Culture, Ms. Angela Martins, said taking a decision on the Centre of Excellence was a herculean task because all the cities targeted were equal to the task in terms of infrastructure, tourism potential and richness of culture, but Lagos State has an edge in key areas. The other cities considered are Calabar (Cross River State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and Uyo (Akwa Ibom State). Martins said the AU was pushing forward its developmental agenda and policies through the AFRIMA platform. “Also, in choosing the host city, we considered factors

such as the willingness to create value and deep brand equity not only for Nigerians but Africans. Also, there was the consideration of which state has the most motivation to host AFRIMA in line with its values; which has the strongest vision in tourism, culture and entertainment. Then, the state must have the most adequate facilities, surrounding infrastructure, security and tourist attraction to host the event and should have hosted successful events in the past that attracted both national and/or global audiences as well as government’s responsiveness. It was discovered that Lagos possesses all these factors and we arrived at our decision.” To give the acceptance speech on behalf of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, was the Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola. Ambode expressed delight at emergence of Lagos as the official host city, adding that the state would not only throw its weight behind AFRIMA and partner the AU but also provide facilities to make ‘AFRIMA 3.0’ a success. His words: “I understood that the emergence of the

Africa’s Largest city. This, he stated, will also contribute to growing the Lagos and subsequently Nigerian economy. “The Joburg Shopping Festival is in its third year and growing exponentially. We have already had one of our malls confirm that footfall was up by 3.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, as well as retailers also confirming higher turn-overs,” Sadare quoted Barnard as saying. The Joburg Shopping Festival took place at six malls across Johannesburg: Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, East Rand Mall, Rosebank Mall, Maponya Mall and the Oriental Plaza. Sadare was specifically at the grand prize draw and pop-up showcase of local fashion designers at the end of the festival in Maponya Mall in Soweto, which also had in attendance the immediate past South Africa ConsulGeneral, Ambassador Sam Monaisa. On the final day of the festival, the organisers gave away five Chevrolet Sparks as well as five cash prizes of R25,000 (about

Favourites

Grace Edwin-Okon Song: ‘You are great’ by Steve Crown. Music Video: U’re feeling (Joma ota, no do gra gra for me) by Lagbaja Movie: Sound of Music Book: Not stated

Birthday

Funke Akindele

Born Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele on August 24, 1976, the actress popular as Funke Akindele will be 40 on August 24. The Lagosian came to limelight after featuring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)sponsored sitcom, I Need To Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role and has since conceived and produced a TV hit series titled Jenifa. She obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and got a Law degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos.

Chairperson, AUC Dr. NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma

New Music

‘I Dey Fine’ host city was keenly contested by four states and the transparency shown so far is impressive. With the third edition taking place in Lagos, this will be the first time that AFRIMA will enjoy the full participation of the Lagos State Government.” Explaining why Lagos would support AFRIMA, Governor Ambode said AU’s vision aligns with that of Lagos.

“The reason Lagos State is partnering with AFRIMA should not be far-fetched. More importantly, the vision of AFRIMA is a veritable platform to celebrate the best of talents in African music industry which aligns with the vision of the African Union to foster peace, unity and development through cultural expressions and creative enterprise,” he added.

Inspiro Productions plans Lagos Shopping Festival arring last minute changes, Lagos will early next year hold an international shopping festival modelled after that of Joburg and Dubai. “The maiden Lagos Shopping Festival to be organised by Zeal Drive Limited in conjunction with Inspiro Productions is planned for the first quarter of 2017 shortly after the annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January,” Chief Executive Officer of Inspiro Productions, Ayoola Sadare, said in a statement released to TheNiche. Sadare, who attended this year’s edition of the Joburg Shopping Festival, which took place in South Africa’s shopping capital between July 28 and August 9, stated that he spoke to project director and head of the organising team, Ms. Tiekie Barnard, on the plans to use both the Dubai and Joburg shopping festival models. He explained that there would be necessary adaptations while organising the shopping festival in

Born Victor Akata, MOBO Award-winning artiste and producer popular as Victizzle, is bringing a unique sound to the music scene in 2016. He has been working on material, which he is now ready to unleash on the world. The first of which is his brand new single titled ‘I Dey Fine’, which features fast-rising Ghanaian rapper, Eugy. Produced by his London Boyz collective, the single comes packed with an exciting music video. “The song was birthed out of frustration from past mistakes and experiences of putting my career in the hands of others and waiting on them to help me out; instead, I decided to put things back into my own hands and chase my dream,” he said.

Location

Serpent wraps up shoot in Cape Town Producer Anant Singh has announced the completion of principle photography on the suspense thriller, Serpent in Cape Town, South Africa. Based on a script selected for the Berlinale Official Co-Production Market in 2012, Serpent is helmed by Amanda Evans, who makes her feature directorial debut with the film. Sarah Dumont (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, Don Jon) stars in the film and reunites with Tom Ainsley, best known for his roles in Versailles and The Royals. The cast also includes Skye Russell, Carolyn Forward, Michele Maxwell, Siyabonga Mayola and Andrew Laubscher. Scheduled for a South African release in November, Serpent unfolds during a romantic escape to nature which turns into the ultimate moment of reckoning when a husband and wife are trapped in a tent, with a deadly snake. l-r Tiekie Barnard organiser of Joburg shopping festival and Ayoola Sadare CEO Inspiro Productions N625,000) courtesy of Cadbury. The retailers at the participating malls provided sales and discounts during this time to attract both local shoppers and visitors from across Africa. The event, which is in its third year, is modelled after the world-renowned Dubai Shopping Festival, which attracts millions of shoppers every year. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the Dubai econo-

my. The Joburg Shopping Festival is supported by its headline partners, Gauteng Tourism Authority and the City of Joburg. The objective is to attract tourists to South Africa to spend money and to stay a bit longer to enjoy the wealth of culture, history and experiences that the region has to offer, to boost the tourism and retail sectors, and ultimately the Gauteng economy.

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August 21, 2016

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August 21, 2016

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Close Up

Attitude to volunteerism in Nigeria is changing – Modupe Ladipo A lot of things happen in Nigeria, with people who care about others working tirelessly to improve society’s lot and taking no credit for it. One such person is Dr. Modupe Ladipo, a consultant family physician with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and part of the Mamie Foundation. In this interview with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, in Oke-Ayedun, Ekiti State, where the foundation took part in a medical outreach early this month, she talks about her work.

irst, you must be commended for what you have done. You and your husband are phenomenal, as if you do this every day. Sort of (laughs).

Are the ailments you found here in the course of the outreach different from what you have treated elsewhere in the country? The ailments themselves, if you list them, are not different; but it is the number of people who have a particular ailment that may cause some concern. Especially, we found that a lot of people were hypertensive. And not just hypertensive, but severely hypertensive. Some didn’t even know that they were hypertensive. We had to give some treatment and observe them for about two or three hours before we could even allow them to go home. That means that their blood pressures were very high. We had to do a lot of counselling; how they should modify their lifestyle, their diet, exercise, taking their medication and going for regular check-up. That was the most striking one: hypertension. But all the others are common ailments in the rest of the country: malaria, diabetes, arthritis, cough, catarrh and such ailments. Do you think that if the clinics here were up to standard, these ailments would be the way they are? Well, they may be better controlled. But we may still find the same type of prevalence of the diseases. Some of this non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes are from our lifestyle, and people don’t really pay attention or go to the hospital until they have some symptoms. But as these diseases are

developing, they don’t really have any symptoms. So, the patients stay away and continue with their wrong lifestyle. We have been to the few general hospitals and health centres that they have. The last time we came here, we did our outreach in the health centre, it was well equipped and the personnel were adequate. But, of course, they will only treat people who come; they don’t go out to the community. So it depends also on the awareness of the community. This couldn’t have come at a better time since civil servants have not been paid since January, and the health centres here have been closed for over three weeks. The dentists didn’t get that much patronage during the outreach, a lot of people don’t visit dentists. What do you think can be done to change that? Well, again, it is awareness. Many people take it that dental problems are not something that they should take to the hospital. They have some traditional treatment for toothache and things like that. So they are not really aware.

Ladipo

We didn’t plan to do any surgery because we were spending a short time and we would have to follow up those surgical procedures. Also, because the health centres were not functioning, even when we leave, we have to hand over the cases to some medical personnel to follow up. Since that was not in place, we decided not to perform any surgery. You work with volunteers, mostly, on this outreach. The volunteering culture is absent in this country; young people don’t volunteer that much as they do in other climes. What do you think can be done to change this? Actually, I think it is changing. Maybe from the outlook of the new churches because I know that a lot of churches do go on outreaches; the young people go to schools, they go to help the elderly and so on. So, I think that would change with time because they are finding that they need some purpose to their lives. Since the government is not able to do so much, there is a lot of gap that they can fill.

It’s not just here; even in the cities. And they are afraid, I think, of the dentist because when they see all those tools the dentist uses to drill, chisel and mallet, they are afraid because it is like going for surgery. So the awareness needs to be there, so that people can start from their youth to go to the dentist for a regular check-up. It is not just when they have toothache, so that their dental architecture will remain good for as long as possible.

MAMIE Foundation paid for the drugs on this outing; do you want to tell us how much it cost and if you did it with the help of funding from another organisation(s)? I can’t tell you how much exactly until we get back and compute everything because the (Ala) family and MAMIE Foundation bought different things. But this is out of our pockets. There is no funding as such. We get little donations for the foundation and is not probably enough for all the expenses.

You did no surgery yesterday. Was there no serious situation to warrant that?

Would you like to get funding? Of course, we would like to get donations to further the cause of the founda-

tion. You do quite a lot; readings, scholarships. How is all that work going? Well, it is going well. We have had a few students. In fact, one has qualified as a medical doctor. There are still some in secondary school. For the book club, there was a bit of hiccup to get people together and then the economic situation, the recent petrol crisis and stuff like that. Once there is opportunity, we gather interested people together for book readings. Usually, we choose books written by African authors. The beekeeping is going on and we just harvested some honey in the rural forest where we have a forest conservation just outside Ibadan. That is going on. Where would people find the honey you mentioned? We are trying to set up a cooperative for the villages around that area. So, once they harvest the honey, we will then be able to market it to the people. That is the process where we are at just now; trying to harvest the honey, bottle it, register and get it into the market. The income will be given to these rural women who are tending the beehives, so that they will have some extra income for their families. You work at UCH and are involved with this foundation; how do you manage both. How does it work out? I think it is the grace of God and finding the time. It is not as if the time is there, but we find the time. The date for this outreach, for instance, we have been thinking about it since last year and we just found this little gap where a lot of us could come together. So, we go on with our normal careers and we try and fit in these things. It takes planning.

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August 21, 2016

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Relationship How to find a spouse

he man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord – Proverbs 18:22 (NLT). It is important to get this fact straight – ‘a man finds a wife, NOT a woman finds a husband’. Therefore, it is important for a single lady who is in her marriageable age to position and equip herself to be found by the right man. Hence, the men are the hunters. It is important for you as a man to choose your target carefully. After you must have been so convinced that you are ready and well equipped as a man to start a relationship leading to marriage, you have to be ready to do some of the followings to start with:

to her – remember the recency effect (first impression matters a lot). • Let her know you are interested in her. • Prepare your conversation – indulge in a conversation that interests her. Women like intellectual conversations; talking will break the ice and make her become more comfortable with you. The best way to start a conversation is with a genuine compliment. • Be bold, but not arrogant – interrupt her and get her attention when you see her.

• Be ready to get over any form of past rejection, overcome your shyness and clear your mind.

• Create a conversational connection with her and show her that you are able to understand her; make her see you as a romantic partner. Lots of women love this.

• Think about what you will say

• Be yourself around her – don’t

Tinu Agbabiaka Certified relationship expert

0817 313 7189 info@pclng.org, botl@pclng.org try to be who you are not. • Show that you are well groomed and watch out for the basic hygiene. No woman likes a man with dirty clothes, body odour or with a smelling breath. • When conversing, make eye contact with her. Eyes are capable of showing your deepest emotions, and this makes her feel you are truly flowing with her. But watch out to not stare at her. • Have the right attitude – fearless and not arrogant, convince her that you are confident in your own skin. • Have self confidence, a sense of humour, and self control. • Show her that you are a gentleman – not many men from our day are. Treat her like a princess, respect her for what she is and compliment her.

I want a wife, but don’t know how to go about it Dear Agatha You are a great counsellor; keep it up, dear. I need your help. I will be turning 27 years of age soon and presently not in any relationship. I have been out of relationship for almost a year and a half. It has been a wonderful period for me since it has enabled me to focus on my career without distraction. But despite the relative peace I have enjoyed these past years, I have come to realise the need to be in a relationship that will lead to marriage. My family and colleagues are putting pressure on me, demanding to know

when I would bring a woman home. A lot of people assume I am married because of my nature. I trust God so much that He has always been there for me. God always comes to my aid in times of difficulties. However, there is this guy I met who thinks I am too difficult and stubborn because I don’t accept the kind of relationship they think I want. Unlike most of the guys I know, I belief in marriage and think both partners should respect and value each other. Unlike so many guys my age, my experience with women is limited. I started my first relation-

ship in my final year and when I discovered it wasn’t working between the lady and me; I opted out. I need to be in a relationship but I don’t know how to go about it. Please help me. Confused boy.

Dear confused boy The best place to begin is by having a clear vision of what you want in life. It must be crystal clear to make it possible for you to know the kind of woman you need to help you fulfil the dream.

To achieve this, you must learn to look beyond the physical appearance of the woman you want for a wife. A lot of times, appearances can be very deceptive, and frankly, it takes more than a pretty face to make a marriage work. It takes love, care, tolerance, attention, respect, understanding, patience and responsibility to make a marriage work. For your marriage to work, the desire has to come from deep within you. It has to be something you want because it is the only way to acquire the kind of determination every marriage needs to scale through the difficult

• Do not touch her in an offensive way – touch her slightly on her hands and even shoulders. • Tease her – a woman will be attracted to a man who teases and challenges her. Teasing erases frustration which distracts her attraction. • Be creative – you may buy her a nice gift and be genuine when you give it to her. Lastly, women are attracted to specific, confident traits in men and your behaviour demonstrates them all. So start watching out for what women actually respond to, not what they say they want.

Auntie Agatha 0805 450 0626 (sms only) gathedo@gmail.com

times. You also have to accept one basic truth about life; the imperfection of us all. This is where the sacrifices in marriages grow from. You must at all times be ready to make the sacrifice marriage requires to be stable, and you can only do this for a friend. Therefore, ensure the woman you plan to share your life with is a friend, one who will always have the understanding you need to make your home a happy one. To get that kind of woman, resist the urge of placing sex on the front burner. Begin by offering her friendship before

anything else. This way, you get to know her without the encumbrance of sexual emotions which often stifle a relationship even before it takes off. Above all, learn to be very honest with yourself at all times. What you cannot accept in the long run, don’t – out of fear of losing the affection of a woman – pretend you can; because over time, the issue would make the relationship very difficult to conduct. Just be practical in your search, and above all, entrust God with your dreams. Good luck.

Faith TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Eke pledges to move Presbyterian Church forward By Daniel Kanu

Assistant Politics Editor

Eke and his wife

“Unfortunately, the Gospel we preach today is not the Gospel Jesus handed down to us. Today, the popular theology is prosperity Gospel. The things that saturate our desires and not things that lead to eternal life. “Jesus says we should seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).”

From left (front row) Uka, Osinbajo, Ikpeazu, and

zie Eke emerged prelate/ moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) at the end of the 22nd General Assembly at its Yaba Parish Cathedral in Lagos. He took over from Emele Uka who has completed his two-year tenure. PCN has been in existence for 170 years. Due to the huge number of delegates and guests expected at the assembly, all hotels with good accommodation space in Yaba and its environ were fully booked two weeks before the event. Delegates were drawn from all the synods which comprise West, North, South Central, East Central, Akwa, Mid East, Niger Delta, Calabar, East, and Upper Cross River. Attendees included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Presidential Adviser on Legislative Matters, Ita Enang; and Anya, O. Anya. The theme for this year was “Be Sanctified’’. Osinbajo (a pastor in the Redeemed Church of God) in his keynote address admonished Christians to emulate Jesus Christ and live according to His teachings rather than seeking an easy way out, contrary to the Word of God. He reiterated that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is

contrariness. “It is contrary to what we believe, contrary to the desires of our hearts, and contrary to our individual expectations. “Jesus Christ did not come to preach the Gospel that pleases human sensibilities and desires. For instance, He taught that we should pray for our enemies. This, from human considerations, is difficult, if not impossible. “Man would rather wish that God should punish, and even destroy his enemies. But Jesus taught otherwise. “Unfortunately, the Gospel we preach today is not the Gospel Jesus handed down to us. Today, the popular theology is prosperity Gospel. The things that saturate our desires and not things that lead to eternal life. “Jesus says we should seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).” Ikpeazu, who received an award, praised the exploits of the church as it has greatly witnessed the correct Gospel of Jesus Christ in Nigeria and beyond as well as in many socially-relevant and need-meeting activities. He cited his administration’s performance so far, saying he would ensure Abia is given a developmental dose for its transformation to the next level. “I am specially honoured to be given an award by the PCN for whatever I have achieved. I think I have just begun. There is more ahead to do. “I have restrained myself from accepting any award

Kalu

for whatever achievements God has enabled us to achieve. But I decided to accept this honour because this is the church I love and respect. “I respect the church for all the great things you stand for, particularly the Hope Waddell Training Institution which has remained a pivot in the education subsector of this great country. “As I told the PCN prelate when he called on me at Government House, Umuahia, I see the Hope Waddell University project with the eye of my Hope Waddell Training Institution experience and I am going to key into the university project adequately and effectively.” The programme witnessed the heavy presence of God as holy communion was served. Eke pledged to move the church forward in all its ramification. He prayed for God’s blessings and journey mercies for those who attended the assembly as well as for peace in Nigeria. Eke, who was born on September 25, 1952, hails from Ohafia, Abia State. He was ordained at St Andrew, Uwani Enugu in July 1963 and licensed at Hope Waddell Chapel, Calabar in July 1982. Synod of the West Moderator, Marvelous Kalu, said Eke has distinguished himself in the work of God in the PCN and merits the position. He expressed optimism that Eke’s tenure will be peaceful and fulfilling in God’s vineyard.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

www.thenicheng.com

CCC Ileri Oluwa in harvest of praise for 30th anniversary Adegboyega Oladiran, parochial chairman of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Ileri Oluwa Province Headquarters, Iworo Badagry, Lagos South West, tells Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU, how the 30th anniversary of the church centres on praising God and doing more in the vineyard. The event climaxes today with an adult harvest thanksgiving service and bazaar. Anniversary activities Well we have been preparing for our 30th anniversary as well as adult harvest coming up on August 21, 2016. The theme is “Harvest of Praise’’. It’s a double celebration. The adult harvest is a yearly thing and this year’s adult harvest is encompassed with the 30th anniversary of the sowing of the church. There have been lots of activities like free medical service for the community, night vigils for all groups like women groups, sidemen and sidewomen groups, the shepherds’ wives. A symposium was taken up by the Rector of Celestial School, E.A. Adegoke, with the theme “Where is CCC in God’s plan for the end of age.” Adegoke is a member of the pastor in council which we normally call MPIC. A revival was handled by A.B. Samuel. There was also a children’s quiz which involved both our church and the secular church. We had a prophets’ and prophetess’ night. It was purely a night vigil; there they prayed, delivered messages, and held other spiritual activities. We started on Monday, August 15, with the free medical service as well as the sidemen/women vigil, followed by the symposium on August 16. We had a revival minister on August 17 as well as a Bible quiz. Prophets’ and prophetess’ night was on August 18. On August 19 we visited an orphanage, held the anniversary praise night, and also had a red carpet with the host choir and invited guest artistes performing. On August 20, there was also a red carpet and we had our grand patron, Dele Kosoko, who donated an office complex commissioned by the Pastor of the church and the spiritual head, E.M.F Oshofa. Today [Sunday, August 21], is the proper thanksgiving service where we

will give thanks, give praises, welcome visitors, those from the secular church and the spiritual church, friends and relatives among other guests. Today, for the church, is total celebration. Challenges of the church These days there are challenges in the sense that we Christians believe that we must continue to pray because of the end time. The devil is ruling the world now, and to avoid losing everything we gain in this world and our home in heaven, we must continue to pray, praying without ceasing. There are other challenges not far-fetched. For instance, the economy of the country is a challenge because there are lots of things you want to do – for example giving to the needy, the less privileged something to take home. If not for the economy we would have done far better not only for the orphanage but for other need-meeting and sociallyrelevant challenges. There are spiritual challenges, too. Considering the community and that every member of the church is an individual on his or her own, the challenge of managing human beings is a real burden on the church itself and not only in the secular area. But we thank God that so far so good; the church is growing despite these challenges. We are confident that God will see us through; that is our consolation. Are churches teaching enough against corruption in the country? That is a good question. We will always give God the glory because it’s the end time and the devil is at work and Christians will not rest on their oars in praying. We have a lot of churches and mosques yet the crime rate is very high.

The question now is, ‘Are the churches not doing enough?’ You’ve forgotten that the church itself is made up of individuals from individual families. If we use the Bible to teach or bring up our children, they will toe the line of their parents. Most of us fathers and mothers do not seem to be doing enough. Imagine how most parents are chasing material things just to make ends meet. We go out by 5am and don’t come back home until 11pm or 12 midnight and we never bother what our children are doing. Yet we believe that we are good Christians and Muslims, but in the spiritual realm there are a lot of things parents should do. The church is doing enough given its capacity. The church is made up of individuals from individual homes and that is a big challenge for you and me, not only for the church. We should go back to our basics. That is, the way our own parents brought us up. Africans believe that your child is my child; but nowadays it’s not so common if someone smacks your child and you are told, you won’t bother to find out; instead, you take offence. This has led to a lot of evil things because the problem of individuals relates to that of the church and the problem of the church relates to the global society as a whole. Sometimes I even wonder what would have happened if we did not have churches as we have them today, maybe the situation would have been worse. How Christians can be united regardless of denominations Christians should take humility as a key word. Humility in the sense that when you are humble you teach humility, honesty, sincerity; above all, love. If we Christians accept love as the principle of Jesus Christ we wouldn’t have much headache. But we are not humble and honest with ourselves, and above all, competition has overridden our sense of reasoning. Then we lost love. When love is lost between two people there will be problem. In essence, we Christians should see ourselves first as brothers and sisters and imbibe the teaching of Jesus Christ. In some homes two children from separate families cannot play together, children from different denominations cannot play together; children from two

Oladiran religious groups, like Christians and Muslims, cannot play together. But we have forgotten that we will all report to a single Person, which is God. Will the return of schools to missionaries improve education quality? That’s a political question. My first school was Baptist School and the way we were brought up in the religious school was far better. The teachings were full of morals with sound education that was encompassing. The missionaries actu-

ally played a better part in moulding morality. But this morality has been lost in two ways. First we feel that because of the situation of our country, if you don’t do or indulge in a bad thing you will not rise up or succeed. We must ask if these church organisations are the same as before. Who are those controlling the organisation of the church? How honest, disciplined and committed are they? These are the issues we are contending with. Even when you send your child to a Christian boarding school, don’t be surprised that it’s worse than a secular school in some cases.

But the government too is not doing enough, because most of the people who control these churches still run after government contracts. They form the boards of directors of these schools. The only head of that school is the principal or the pastor who is made head, but all other people who manage those schools seem to come from the secular society. What we need do is allow the Word of God take root in our lives; only then can we do what is expected of us in our schools. It is important that we give attention to moral education in all our schools.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

The temptations of failure (1) (Luke 24:1-12; Hebrews 12:1-4)

lot of times, people come to church for different reasons; some people come for social reasons, but very few people come to church because of the God of the church. A lot of us come to church, hear the word, preach the word; yet many of us do not what we hear and preach, because the word we hear does not find good soil in our spirit. Because of that, a lot of us are in and out of sin, failure, dissatisfaction, frustration, fear and anxiety. Most of the times in our lives, things are not working well. A lot of us never succeed because we do not have the understanding, the discipline to do the right thing at the right time. Life is a delicate balance between success and failure. It takes a lot of hard work, consistency, sacrifice, commitment and determination to succeed. It is only a small mistake, to fail

completely. Our text in Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1b says “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. Why? Because one small mistake in an unguarded moment of weakness can wipe an entire lifetime of extremely good and competent work. A lot of people are running the wrong race, and therefore they are running the race of failure. You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Amen! This is the time of sober reflection. It is very easy to fail; one small mistake can lead to a lifetime of regret. A lot of people take life for granted. We think there is always a tomorrow. We think there is always a second chance. In this life, there is a thin line between success and failure, and we need to be very careful because this world that we live in is merciless. We have a whole bunch of Hosanna Christians; the same people who say to you on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna in the highest”, and when you make one little mistake, they say “Did we not tell you?” Nothing succeeds

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Becoming the best Ituah Ighodalo

Senior Pastor, Trinity House Zion Center e-mail:pastorituah@trinityng.org

like success and nothing fails like failure. Jesus endured the cross. He resisted temptation to the blood in the garden of Gethsemane, meaning it was not easy. He must have wanted to come down from that cross. He must have been tempted by the people on his right side who said to him, “Come down and bring us down also”. And then just before that situation, when he anticipated his problem, the Bible says that “He was praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:3242, Luke 22:39-46 and John 18:1 tell us of their prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was praying against temptation. He was praying not to sin. And sin mentioned simply means disobedience or working against the will of God. A lot of us are in disobedience and working against the will of God. We commit sin with no regard every day. There is a man of God who commits adultery regularly and

Sex and the Leadership Crisis (2) Consequences of Misdirected Sexual Energy Pornography is often connected with organized crime and its harmful activities. The influence of pornography can increase the incidence of rape and destroy healthy relationships, breaking up families and discouraging meaningful connections with others. Because pornography is so prevalent, people begin to emulate the degradation they see, accepting such perversions as normal and justifying all kinds of reprehensible behavior. In addition to pornography, another negative consequence of misused sexual energy is the rapid spread of sexually transmitted diseases around the planet. Each year, millions of new cases of syphilis and gonorrhea appear, and every day several thousand people become infected with the AIDS virus, so that in the next few years untold millions will fall ill. We will remain vulnerable to sexual exploitation and to the temptation of drugs until we find a higher purpose for our lives. A greater understanding of life’s spiritual meaning will ultimately allow us to develop more compassion and selflessness, using the great restorative power of our sexual energies to love

and care for others instead of directing them toward destructive ends. Bisexuality and Homosexuality Another manifestation of the role of sexuality in modern society is homosexuality and the growing number of bisexuals around the world. Of course, we should not be homophobic, nor should we condemn anyone for the choices they make. Everyone is simply looking for love. However, many people, gay or straight, are just avoiding an honest, hopefully spiritual, monogamous relationship. Such people are guided by selfish lust rather than accountable, selfless, and compassionate love. Many straight people are quick to lump all gay people together which is just as absurd as viewing all straight people to be the same. There are many varieties of gay people whose consciousness can vary from the most mundane to the most highly spiritual, just as in the heterosexual community. One of the Vedic texts, the Kama-sutra, includes gay people in the categories of tritiya-prakriti or the “third sex.” A certain, renounced class of these individuals lived in their own villages, practiced celibacy, and were invited to attend or perform at

important gatherings or festivals, and their presence was considered very auspicious. That is their means of livelihood. Such men never become servants or engage themselves in agriculture or business occupations; they simply take charity from neighborhood friends to maintain themselves peacefully. Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 13.106 purport Obtaining the body of a man, a woman, or of the third gender is a choice, but not necessarily a choice made in this lifetime. Everyone who has a material body is a product of karma from a previous lifetime, which involves their choices, experiences, and desires. All of these factors add up directly and indirectly, producing not only our particular bodies but also our psyche, relationships, and field of activities in each incarnation. Some people are born with very unusual configurations of chromosomes or with complex and mixed genital structures. Thus, they come into the world with a certain physical proclivity. Such people as well as all people in general have had their mentality impacted upon by previous experiences in past lives and by critical periods in this lifetime.

regularly comes back to ask God for mercy, and he knows that the next day, he is going to commit the same adultery. People disobey God on a consistent and constant basis. Most of the time, what God wants us to do are things of obedience. If you disobey God, for some people, there might not be a second chance. My question to you is: What could have happened if Jesus had failed? The whole world would have been a failure. (1) We would have been sacrificing bulls and goats on the altar. (2) The Holy Spirit would not have been here with us to perform wonders and miracles. (3) There would have been no power to heal or divine healing. (4) The world would have been in terrible chaos. (5) Life would have been a constant and consistent struggle. (6) We would not have been able to call on the name of

Jesus. (7) There would have been no Christ who is now our advocate. (8) There would have been no power in the Gospel and no hope for the world. (9) It would have been impossible to face tomorrow. I thank God today that Jesus did not fail. Life would have been terrible and unbearable. A lot of us are not in the place where we are supposed to be; we are not in the place of our assignment. We are struggling to meet up with the basic things of life. Each of us has an assignment that has been set before us that the whole world is waiting for. The assignment that was given to Jesus Christ was one that the whole world was waiting for. And if Jesus had failed, the whole world would have failed. A lot of people have failed and they have thrown the whole world into a chaos, and if one of us fails, we will throw a whole generation into chaos. • Continues in next edition.

Self-discovery Kavikarnapura Das

iskcon.lagos@gmail.com 0706 601 1800, 0812 324 5864

Regardless of our hormonal and chromosomal configurations, and our psychological and emotional states, we all have the same choice in this lifetime—to use our body, senses, and mind in love and service to God, or to use them for lust and exploitation. Let us examine a few possible sociological and metaphysical factors that can also play a role in transgender behavior. For many gay males, a factor is their desire to avoid imitating the male role models they witnessed as children. If a boy sees his father showing disrespect for his mother and refusing to support his own children, will he be proud to become a man? When a boy sees his mother crying because her husband has abandoned the family, will that child be eager to become like his father? Most modern cultures are founded upon an autocratic, patriarchal model of human interaction. The normal behavior of males in these systems is to be lords of everything they survey. Such societies encourage men to be ruthless, self-centered, manipulative dictators, despite the wish of many to be kind, compassionate protectors and providers. Men who do not have a wholesome respect for them-

selves can easily succumb to these social pressures by fully embracing “macho” behavior— or totally rejecting it. Even women have internalized this patriarchal pattern; many of them are only too eager to take advantage of others, male and female, for their own personal gain. Regardless of gender, anyone in a position of seniority who lacks love and compassion inevitably becomes an exploiter. Such exploitation perpetuates the patriarchal paradigm that continues to hurt so many of us. Females face so many unnecessary challenges. Many young girls experience abuse and mistreatment just because they are female. The patriarchal culture teaches a young woman not to value her femininity. A woman walking down a street must be vigilant just because she is female. She must be cautious even when greeting or smiling at a man, because he may misinterpret her behavior. She has to be wary when her boss makes certain comments, because he may have another meaning in mind. She may work hard at her job only to discover that she is paid far less than a man doing the same work. Under such a relentless onslaught, how can anyone be happy about being female?

TheNiche

Health www.thenicheng.com

August 21, 2016

Clarifying misconceptions about mental health Medical doctor and mind health consultant, Ayomide Adebayo, considers mental illness through the lens of familiar cultural beliefs. Some myths

ideas…

• If a person has a mental illness that means his or her child will inherit it. • Nursing mothers with mental disorders should not breastfeed. • Don’t marry into a family with a history of mental illness. • We don’t have mental illness in my family. • Mental illness is caused by [intense stressful event].

1. If a person has a mental illness that means their child will inherit it

Making a distinction Most people seem to think of inheritance along the lines of what happens in a condition like sickle cell. In sickle cell, transmission is relatively straightforward: if a parent has the sickle cell gene (S or C), he or she transfers it to the children. If both parents have it, there’s a chance each of their children could have SS. (Of which it’s still a chance, but it’s a relatively high chance, at about 25 per cent for each child if both parents are AS). In most mental disorders, it’s nothing like that. There is almost never a single gene that the disorder can be traced to. Often it’s many genes, and it’s not even that the disorders can be traced to them, but more that they are known to be associated. And in many cases this association is still a subject of study. Also, the chances of inheriting stuff based on available facts are often fractions of one, or single digits at best, and those chances are affected by lots of other stuff that are not genetic, like events surrounding birth and personal experiences. So keeping that in mind, let’s get back to our traditional

That someone has a mental disorder doesn’t mean his or her child will have it, any more than a parent having hypertension or breast cancer guarantees that the children will have it. It does mean they are more likely, but this is relative. That is, if there’s a 1 per cent chance of just anyone having that condition, and a parent having it raises that by fourfold, that’s still comes to a 4 per cent risk. Which is still pretty small. And the risk of the more serious mental health problems is often smaller than 1 per cent. You can’t make such predictions. 2. We don’t have mental illness in my family Sorry to bust your bubble, but you don’t really know, do you? I mean, let’s face it, how well do most of us know our own families? If you’re like most Nigerians, you’ve probably been introduced to some distant cousin or previously unknown uncle as recently as within the last couple years. (Especially when one takes considers the larger polygamous families we often hail from). Of course, part of the issue is our belief that mental health disorders are obvious and we’d know if anyone had one. But that’s simply not the case. Also keep in mind that mental health problems are not exactly a great topic for discussion over lunch.

As I often point out to people, if you had a mental disorder, how much of your family would you want it known to, if you could help it? What makes you think they’d tell you? 3. Don’t marry into a family with a history of mental illness Although it’s true that mental illnesses can be inherited, our ideas of how are often very wrong. In a sense, you could say people don’t mostly get mental illnesses from their parents: they get it from their families. And they don’t mostly get it from one single gene, but from a complex interaction involving a little of everything from multiple genes to early childhood events and life stresses and even protective factors. In other words, the heredity of mental illnesses is so complex, making predictions useless. Which includes marriagerelated predictions. Don’t forget that (a) most of us don’t even know our families, and (b) you’d be amazed how many families have a history of one mental illness or another. Making predictions based on something so complex really is just not very useful. 4. Nursing mothers with a history of mental disorder should not breastfeed There’s no good reason for this. The traditional basis is that breastfeeding may transmit the illness to the child (unless there’s some other reason I’m missing?), but that’s just not real. Genes are the transmitters of inheritable traits, and genes don’t exactly go through breast milk, sorry. It’s really that simple, though. The truth is, given what we know about the benefits of breastfeeding, nursing mothers should breastfeed as soon as they possibly can. Those early days are key and breastfeeding

That someone has a mental disorder doesn’t mean his or her child will have it, any more than a parent having hypertension or breast cancer guarantees that the children will have it. It does mean they are more likely, but this is relative. is a key part of establishing the bond between mother and child. We should be looking for more ways to make that possible, especially for those who find it difficult, not the other way around. That’s why even in nursing mothers who have to be admitted for treatment of mental

illness, you want to see them get well real quick so they can go back to their babies. 5. The mental illness is caused by intense stressful event That word “cause” is a hard word for us doctors to use. And

it’s even harder to use in mental health, where defining a cause is no small matter. To say A caused B is to imply that B would not have happened if not for A. And that’s not something you can often prove in real life. We also know that although mental disorders are largely genetic, a lot more things are involved: events surrounding labour, early childhood experiences, life challenges and adverse events, the nature of families and upbringing, individual personality, and biochemistry.

Officials seal illegal pharmacies, medicine stores in Lagos By Temitope Ojo

he Lagos State Taskforce on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed no fewer than 30 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine shops and confiscated fake drugs worth millions of naira in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Council. Governor Akinwunmi’s Health Adviser, Olufemi Onanu-

ga, said the outlets were sealed off for various infringements of the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine stores. The action is in accordance with Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, Number 25. “The closure is part of the government’s renewed efforts at ridding the state of fake, substandard and illegal drugs’ operators and outlets as well

as ensuring high drug quality through sanitation and streamlining of drug distribution system in the state,” he added. According to him, the raid was necessitated by the persistent defiance of regulations on drug production, importation, manufacture, sales or display for sales, hawking, distribution, adulteration, and possession of drugs by illegal operators. The pharmacies and stores were sealed off for offences ranging from sales of drugs

without licence, failure or refusal to relocate from a market area and adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place, to sales of counterfeit and fake drugs. Onanuga expressed concern over the danger posed by the activities of illegal operators of patent medicine and pharmacy stores, saying it is particularly disheartening that despite the law which outlines requirements for registration and renewal of

pharmaceutical premises, some people still stay on the wrong side of the law. He urged operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores to ensure that their activities are within the law just, and reiterated the government’s commitment to streamlining drug distribution system to ensure the safety of residents. “It is important that operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores operate within the ambit of the law regulating their

operations as the state government would not take it lightly with any operators of pharmaceutical products who disregard the laws of the state.” The raid was conducted in conjunction with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Rapid Response Squad.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Kiddies

Arena

Temitope Ojo ibilade@gmail.com t.adegboye@thenicheng.com 0708 479 6140

Historical personality

Amos Tutuola (1920-1997)

Brain tickler A little girl kicks a soccer ball. It goes 10 feet and comes back to her. How is this possible? (Ever heard of gravity?)

Answer She kicked it up.

I am a sharp looking horse with a flaxen tail. The longer I run the shorter my tail becomes. What am I? Solution Needle

Invention Clock history

n 1577, Jost Burgi invented the minute hand. Burgi's invention was part of a clock made for Tycho Brahe, an astronomer who needed an accurate clock for his stargazing. In 1656, the pendulum was invented by Christian Huygens, making clocks more accurate. In 1504, the first portable (but not very accurate) timepiece was invented in Nuremberg, Germany by Peter Henlein. The first reported person to actually wear a watch on the wrist was the French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). With a piece of string, he attached his pocket watch to his wrist.

mos Tutuola was born in Abeokuta in 1920 where his parents, Charles and Esther, were Yoruba Christian cocoa farmers. When about seven years old, Tutuola became a servant for F. O. Monu, an Igbo man, who sent him to the Salvation Army Primary School in lieu of wages. At age 12 he attended the Anglican Central School, Abeokuta. His brief education was limited to five years (1934 to 1939). When his father died in 1939, Tutuola left school to train as a blacksmith, which trade he practised from 1942 to 1945 for the Royal Air Force in Nigeria. He subsequently tried a number of other vocations, including selling bread and acting as a messenger for the Nigerian Department of Labour. In 1946, Tutuola completed his first full-length book, The Palm-Wine Drinkard, within a few days. In 1947, he married Victoria Alake, with whom he had four sons and four daughters. Despite his short formal education, Tutuola wrote his novels in English. After he had written his first three books and become internationally famous, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Ibadan in 1956 as a storekeeper. Tutuola also became one of the founders of Mbari Club, the writers' and publishers' organisation. In 1979, he held a visiting research fellowship at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife and in 1983 was an associate of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

In retirement he divided his time between residences in Ibadan and Ago-Odo. Tutuola died at the age of 77 on June 8, 1997 from hypertension and diabetes. Many of his papers, letters, and holographic manuscripts have been collected at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas, Austin, United States.

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

August 21, 2016

Kiddies Arena StarKid Name: Victoria Bishi Age: Seven years School: Gem Nursery/Primary School, Omole, Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos Class: Basic 1 Career goal: Pilot Favourite colour: Blue Favourite food: Fried rice and chicken Be our StarKid: Send your child's full-sized photograph and details to ibilade@gmail.com.

Poem

The Brave Girl By A. L. Andresen

Small and light A step farther Not afraid Two steps further Lion and tiger Fear not Three step further She goes in search of the world A proud girl Four step further Unlike anyone else Crocodiles, no problem Five step further Halfway to the moon All alone Armed with thorns from a rose Small summer shoes Home to Mom and Dad\ Six step further Feeling calm harmless of things She is brave The sun dims The evening is approaching A frog croaks Quiet .... quiet as a mouse Fast like the wind she runs across the bridge ..... "Mom I'm home" Be our poet: Send your poems to ibilade@gmail.com.

TheNiche

Arts August 21, 2016

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Zara will enlighten, inspire, instruct – Author

with Terh Agbedeh

REVIEWS&PREVIEWS

lusola Oguche-Agudah, author of the book Zara: Love and Second Chances has said that the book of fiction, her first, will not only enlighten, inspire and instruct, but also do much more for the readers. She was speaking at the end of June during a press briefing that heralded the book presentation on June 26 at Lilygate Hotel, Lekki. “The book is not difficult to read and anybody can read it. I think it is a book that will enlighten, inspire, instruct and make you laugh,” she said. Zara, she stated, is about the relationships in our lives. “It focuses on different relationships; between parents and children, between spouses. Predominantly, it is about marriage, why marriage is what it is, the mistakes that we can easily make and how we can use marriage to help foster a growing community that builds on marriage. So, if you want a strong community, a flourishing, country definitely, you need to work on marriage. Strong marriages build strong children and strong children build strong homes, and of course, the country is made up of strong homes. That is what is predominantly the focus of Zara,” she explained. She said that apart from being a book she wrote because she has a message about marriage; it is also one that can change things for the community, the environment and the country. “We are hoping that people learn from it and do not repeat the mistakes of the past,” she said.

The briefing held at the end of an inspiring first of its kind in West Africa limousine bookstore tour that made stops at Terra Kulture, Laterna Ventures, Hub Media Store and Pattabah bookstores in Lagos. The tour also featured the author giving away copies of her books to people at different locations in Lagos. The book launch event on June 26 featured veteran actress Joke Silva as the reviewer with people from all walks of life in attendance. Among them David Ifezulike (Chairman of Nestle Nigeria PLC), Mrs Mobo Biobaku (CEO Mobos Fashion), Oke Maduewesi (CEO Zarron Cosmetics), Yinka Daramola (Executive Director, Natanel Florens) and a host of others. Oguche-Agudah said at the launch event that she has been writing since she was a young girl and she hopes her writing can entertain, inspire and transform individuals and the society at large. She also used the opportunity of the occasion to launch her Make Your Life Count (MYLC) initiative, whose mission is to inspire, equip and empower individuals to live a life of purpose and impact. The initiative is geared towards building wholesome marriages and grooming children to make a meaningful impact in the world. She hopes to do this by providing tools and resources like training programmes, books, documentaries and movies. To create awareness for the book in the Nigerian market, the author is working with a leading branding and communications firm – Brandzone LLC and Teranova Limited. A series of events that include interviews at leading radio and TV stations and side launches with

The author flanked by Ifezulike (left) and Viviene Shobo (Agusto & Co and chairperson Genesis House a number of partners and NGOs are expected to take place. She is also going to be speaking across the country on issues relating to marriage, relationships and parenting. In addition, Zara has secured a number of leading local brands including Zarron, Mobos, Lilygate Hotel, Pine Tree Organisers, Jeff & O Brien And Natanel Florens as partners with more on the way. What is more, Zara has also collaborated with a leading NGO in Nigeria -Genesis House and a percentage of the proceeds of the book will go

to help commercial sex workers off the street, rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. Published by West Bow Press in the United States, Zara is reprinted in Nigeria by Terra Nova Limited. Oguche-Agudah is a writer, speaker and coach, who specialises in relationship and parenting coaching. She is a trained counsellor and a prolific writer with a weekly column in Businessday Newspaper where she pens her thoughts on parenting in the 21st century.

that rocks their home does not prevent the parents from the love their children enjoy. Kene – their eldest child and son get educated, so as to support the family when he rounds off. This pays off when he teachers Didi Kanu literacy and by the age of six, she could read and write. Ede, the elderly man known in Didi’s home town of Obosi helps to birth her dreams when he tells stories about the singing dwarfs of the North. Dreams from stories one could say and Didi sure dreamt, but hers go a step ahead, as her waking days and sleeping nights get her acquainted with fantastical realities as presented in the work. The City of Strange Smells and Crowded Streets marks another turn in Didi’s life; change envelopes her from Obosi to Lagos where she feels the brief bitter pill of dislike spill on her tongue. The Big Aunty Who Does Not Like Small Children shows how cruelty towards children could damage a child, however Uncle Ikenna and his wife - Aunty Nonye are Didi’s best gifts, but Aunty Nonye’s step-mother known as Big Aunty almost destroys the little heroine, but she failed. One could draw lessons of physical limitations of a child and the need for immeasurable love and protection for the same little one time and again. To Sing or Not To Sing is the fourth chapter that leads to revealing the purpose of Didi’s personality and journey to Lagos. Always resorting to the songs taught her by Ede and the companionship of Kaliko – the dwarf she sees each time her eyes are closed, the heroine leads the pack in this voyage of intrigues; from the familiar to the strange and further into the better-imagined unbelievable. The fifth chapter corroborates the sixth because When Love is Shared and Pain is Spared, then one will have The Sacrifice that Must be Made. From sending Big Aunty away from their home because of her cruelty, to the accident that sends Uncle Ikenna into a comatose; the sudden swings of fate as well as the manipulation of fortune could not be better crafted. How many times one finds strength in the companionship of un-equals may be asked, but the answer is quickly supplied in the close-knit support that

Aunty Nonye gets from little Didi-Kanu. A problem shared may be half-solved, but when the one with whom it is shared is also a witness, then the feelings become cyclical. The near-death situation results in Didi’s unplanned return to the village and as one chosen to explore the depths of the unseen, strengthening the sweetness of seeming realistic fantasies, she is made to ride on the horseback of time, spiraling into the world where there is the unseen eye at the middle of creation. Life has hurdles and Didi encounters hers, because her introduction into another realm in a bid to learn a song needed for the resuscitation of her dear uncle, she faces every kind of test a seeker encounters. The instructive un-raveling in Didi’s cosmic sojourn is her repeated references to what she had seen as well as have been rightly taught by her parents, sibling and her hosts in Lagos. It is this juncture that connotes the realistic experiences of children, demonstrating what has been imbibed overtime when they are alone. From The Keeper’s Searchers Gates to The Oarsmen of The Bottomless Lake; The forever Arguing Fairies of The Perfumed Gardens and The Mountains of The North, she keeps her sanity, expressing her fears and Sticking to theTtruth. She seeks to learn the song that awakens from the Never-Ending Sleep, but the book has only to be read to appreciate the maze of life’s packages for this eight year old. Jude Idada has simply, yet dexterously given to literary enthusiasts and book lovers the world where children live, combining the reality of their fantasies in a situation where innocence can never be corrupted by the neartruths of adulterated adulthood. The pages will unfold in bright colourations, your heart will melt in addictive empathy, the discovery of your childhood will be perfectly entrenched and ultimately, you will be delivered by creative effervescence of this real writer of a fictive piece, in which there is a fictive female character who makes all things real. • Kunnu is a Lagos-based literary scholar.

Un-fettering fetters through innocent interventions Reviewer: Adeniyi Taiwo Kunnu

Book Title: Didi Kanu and the Singing Dwarfs of the North Author: Jude Idada Genre: Children’s Literature Pagination: 252 Publisher: Creoternity Books Year of Publication: 2015

Fantasy beholds reality in the face, laying claim to making it more delightful when presented to readers, very much so in its interesting form. It is even more delightful in experience, when the presentations are made with children in mind, for the worries characterized by adulthood disappear, making enough room for the un-encumbered assimilation of those things, when as children, we love to be regaled by and Didi Kanu christened Odinakachukwu is the eight-year-old heroine of this Children’s Literature, who give us fresh and undeniable perspectives. Didi Kanu and The Singing Dwarfs of The North is the latest book of the Canadian-born Nigerian, Jude Idada, who writes across genres; having won a number of awards within the creative industry, both home and abroad. He thrusts his latest work, not just on the laps of those who read, but on the shelves of those who must realise that reading Children’s Literature, particularly this new piece from him, would better their understanding of the world where children love to be and how they would appreciate their navigation to be achieved. In two hundred and fifty two pages and sixteen chapters, Idada embarks on a chronological story, infusing the needed fictive techniques and spattering splashes of spicy details to whet every reader’s appetite. It is not wrong to say rightly, that children are the primary beneficiaries from this delicious read, but if J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series could have so much patronage, even from adults with penchant for magical fantasies, then this work is shoulders’ equal because its content are effortlessly relatable, characteristically fun and guarantees the ultimate satisfaction derived from a well-cooked meal. The Village of Not Too Happy Beginnings opens the reader up to the background of Didi Kanu, where she is presented as having four siblings besides her parents. Notably, the poverty

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You Will Succeed is a movement’

Olukuade (2nd left), his wife (3rd left) with guests at the Presentation

omide Olukuade has described the public presentation of his book You Will Succeed: Winning Big When Life Offers a Small Chance as destiny unfurling. He was speaking at the event, which took place on July 30 at Freedom Park, Lagos. He said: “It is great that you are all here and it is great because destiny is unfurling. This has gone beyond just writing a book; it is a cause and a movement. In days, weeks and months to come, we will be able to intimate you with what we are doing to take it to the next level. But I can assure you that by the grace of God, what we have anticipated in this book is the material with which revolutions are made of, or if you like, transformations. I believe God that we will be able to use this to transform our youths, and bring about transformation in the destinies of young people." While thanking those who attended

for making out time to be present, he said it is also very much about the older generation. “The way we live our lives, the things we leave undone, the things we feel we are handicapped in doing”. He said he hopes the book will inspire everyone to do the things that they could never do and achieve the results that seem impossible to achieve presently. "One thing we have in mind is for this book to be in the hands of as many young people as possible. It is not just about buying the book, it is about enabling lives, shifting burdens, creating possibilities for as many people as possible. And the earlier they come into contact with the message of this book, the better it will be for our generation and for this nation. We will have a more prosperous nation and that is what we are looking forward to. He said it could mean banding together as the alumni of a particular

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August 21, 2016

school to give back to it, perhaps a thousand copies or more, which will be highly welcomed. “Wherever you can find young people, wherever you can find people that need to be inspired or told that they can become what they were created to be and are able to do what they were created to do, that is where this book should go. “We are soliciting your assistance in this regard so that together we will do the work of transforming this land. It is team work; I have done the writing, some people have done the printing and now it is your job to take it to the next level. I think you will not let the team down. Thank you very much”. Indeed, what the author had to say fired up the guests drawn from all walks of life, who braved the rains that morning to be at the event. They all fully took part in the readings, comments about the author and purchased copies of the book. Through it all, there was the never-ending ‘You will succeed’ refrain to intersperse the activities at the launch. His wife, son, daughter, girls the author is mentoring and brother, himself a writer, all read from the book or commented positively about the person of the author. It was convivial all day with soulful music from the guitar strumming Pneuman.

Far Together: Seventh Gulp Author: Rex E. Odoemenam Reviewer: Mature Tanko Okoduwa Publisher: SeeFar Books Year: 2015 Pages: 208

ex E. Odoemenam has written a timeless book. Freeflowing, sweet and breath-taking, the book is written from the mind of a sage, Ekwedike. The fluidity of the book makes for a continuous longing, not knowing what will happen next in the story. Reading Far Together: Seventh Gulp for the first time, something unique and unusual caught my attention, and curiosity. Unlike most books published by creative writers in Nigeria that usually fall within the three genres of literature: poetry, prose and drama, Far Together: Seventh Gulp is a combination of all and even more. In it, one finds short stories, some linked to become one, review, essay, et cetera. Books like this are normally in the form of anthologies in Nigeria, as the case of Okike that was published for decades at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has published so many titles in this regard, like Volcano of Voices, Camouflage, 25 Nigerian Poets, ANA Review, and others by individuals. Far Together: Seventh Gulp is written in back and forth stance, in a dream-like state, and it has a way of instantly taking the reader on a journey of enquiry, of hoping to fill the void and wanderings: “Still I never did break free from the clutches of my other world activities; my trance, my daylight dream. As I struggled to grab hold of reality” (p.59). The book, autobiographical in nature, is set in the mind of one of the minor characters, Ekwedike, as told by the narrator who

recalls his upbringing under a wise Onyema, the great storyteller. This is evident through the following words: “… it was from this land of my youth – my birth, where I could count my father’s genealogy to the tenth generation that I departed …” (p.94). Onyema happened to be an epitome of a strong African tradition. He has a rich reservoir. Ironically, his wisdom is a far cry to that of Ekwedike, who eats proverbs and blends them so well to give more meaning to the story. This technique helps to set the ball rolling and creates musicality. “Does not the mad person serve a usefulness? Is there no use for madness” (p.67). The above captures what the people of Amala have to say when they send emissaries to the village of Oloko on hearing of the death of Cocoa-yam, upon his falling into their river and his body discovered without some of his genitals. Cocoa-yam’s mother laments: “Is a sick child not a child anymore? Is a sick son not a son anymore? Is a sick person not human anymore? See what they did to me,” she constantly cried resulting in the people of Amala rising to her defence. Those that read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Chimamanda Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and enjoyed them will definitely find pleasure reading Odoemenam’s Far Together: Seventh Gulp because of his choice of English words, interlaced with Igbo language. Like when Onyema pours his anger on Ulonna for coming back late from the church. When the flogging becomes too much for Ulonna to bear, Abiche, Onyema wife, tries in vain to stop him thus: “Biko, Ozuolanu, hapukawanu – please, it is okay, that much you have beaten him is okay” (p.58). The use of “Hah, Chineke” (p.56), “tufiakwa – God forbid” (p.64) are good examples.

This book presentation event will be remembered for a long time to come for many reasons. One such reason is the remarks by the filmmaker Femi Odugbemi shortly after the opening prayer by Ademola Adeoye. Odugbemi started by congratulating Olukuade for bringing to fruition the book he first showed to him as a manuscript. He said he read the manuscript a while ago and had so much to say about it. One of which is that Olukuade managed to establish that almost all of us in Nigeria have disconnected from innovation which drives creativity and that if you do not innovate you cannot be prosperous. While explaining that the kind of education we have obtained over the years tends to make us think that way, he said we are a nation of talkers and we need to translate to a nation of doers. “The kind of people we celebrate have to be people that add value to our lives,” he added. Odugbemi declared that 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population is made up of young people who are growing up by the day. He wondered why we have such a large number of young people and all they talk about are the things that have gone by. He noted that with such a huge number of young people nigeria should be a country with a lot of innovation.

“The gap comes from what they are hearing. We need to change the way we are talking to them,” he said. He said that is where You Will Succeed comes in, as the language with which the author frames the book makes it come across like scripture. “God has blessed Tomide with a special anointing to put words togther- he takes Biblical principles and recasts them in a way that the 60 per cent can begin to understand. I don’t think there is a greater message this country should be hearing and I don’t think there is a better person to be sending this message than Tomide,” Odugbemi stated. While saying that God intended for those present at the event to be there, he said he has ordered his copies and would put them in the hands of 10 young people and bid the guests do the same. “Take the book and find someone you wish well, someone whose thinking you want to take to the next level and give it to that person,” he said. He said the author must make the book an e-book for it to get to as many people as possible. And on his part, he will continue the reading competition he does with young people where he gives them a book and starts reading it as well so that they can have a conversation.

The fluidity of this book is as a result of Ekwedike’s rich reservoir of knowledge, retentive memory and his ability to paint it on a vast canvas narrative that relates to so many of the things that generations both past and present can identify with, relate to and learn from. The descriptive power of the author is never in doubt. With this book, Odoemenam has broken literary barriers. But I strongly believe that Far Together: Seventh Gulp would have made more sense if it reads purely as prose rather than the inclusion of other genres like poetry, review and others that tend to slow down the natural flow of the book – as it creates an unusual pause here and there. However, this book is going to be among the timeless works, in the ranks of the literary heavyweights. So many readers and authors will proudly display this book on their shelves or place it on top of the low drawer beside their bed. • Okoduwa is a Lagos-based writer.

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Temitope Ojo ibilade@gmail.com t.adegboye@thenicheng.com 0708 479 6140

VLISCO rewards loyal customers

LISCO Nigeria rewarded loyal consumers with gift items and prizes at Ikeja City Mall in Lagos as part of activities celebrating 2016 International Women’s Day (IWD). VLISCO Group has been integrated into the African fashion world for over a century by creating, inspiring, and connecting with creative spirit and talent. The company has built an integrated business model and a sustainable relationship with clients and consumers. The relationship has grown over time, entwining the brand into the cultural diversity of West and Central Africa, which allows it to be at the forefront of promoting African print design and fashion both in Africa and the world at large. VLISCO Marketing and Channel Manager, Adaeze Alilonu, said: “This reward is part of VLISCO’s drive to delight consumers and appreciate them for their continuous support and patronage of the VLISCO brand here in Ikeja City Mall. “VLISCO is dedicated to rewarding consumers with greater value, and we will continue to do this with attractive rewards and campaigns throughout the year. “As the world’s leading fabric maker, we believe in giving back to our society, and this reward is certainly a true reflection of our principles. “We came here to thank our customers and encourage them to continue in the patronage of our brands and we promise that loyal consumers would have the opportunity to travel on Dana Airline.”

Alilonu (with microphone) addresses

VLISCO Ambassador, Dotun Akande, and

Customers

VLISCO team

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August 21, 2016

Da Viva unveils designs at AFWN 2016

a Viva fashion brand unveiled a limited edition of pure silk, tye & dye (adire) designs at the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2016. It sponsored five designers (House of Salem, Mcstell, Eminence1129, Nipo Skin, and Asake Oge), each creating 10 fabulous outfits for casual, bridal, haute couture, ready-to-wear for the runway. Da Viva added pure silk to its collection to satisfy customers willing to go the extra mile to look good.

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FOOD &DRINK

Your hand or cutlery, which do you prefer? By Mmedaramfon Umoren

Reporter

eople from various works of life and backgrounds either use their hands to round morsels of food to swallow or use cutlery. Some explain in detail why they prefer to use their hand to eat, others also give reasons why they go for fork and knife.

Ene Akor (who lives in Makurdi)

meeting where the Western manner is required. “Our local African swallow dishes are meant to be eaten in the African manner to really get to enjoy them. “Moreover, isn’t the cutlery meant to be a machine (tool used to make work easier)? “In eating our African dish (swallow) it doesn’t make work easier, so it sadly isn’t a (convenient) machine anymore at that point but an inconvenience. “This is just my experience and my take.”

Femi Bomley (Warri)

“I can’t use cutlery for morsel food [cut a small piece of say, eba, round it in the hand, dip it in soup and swallow it] no matter where I am. “What’s the fun in that? I won’t enjoy myself at all.”

“No way am I eating morsel food with cutlery. I get the proper feel of what I’m eating without cutlery – the modules are precise; hand, throat, and stomach working in accord.”

Mona Udom (Uyo)

Adebowale Debo (Lagos)

“I have no business eating morsel food with cutlery, except my nails are fixed. I won’t enjoy using the cutlery and, sincerely, it won’t satisfy me.”

“I use my hand most times except when I feel really lazy. Maybe it’s placebo effect but swallow tastes so much better with hand.”

Eze Jones (Uyo)

Inyene Pius (Lagos)

“Well, I can use cutlery if it’s a formal setting though I don’t like it.”

“No way am I using cutlery. Tell me, do the Chinese use their hands? Then why should I use chopsticks.”

Felicia Okomo (Port Harcourt) “Using my hand is convenient for me when eating morsel food and I enjoy the meal more because it’s easier to get those trappings (fish, periwinkle, shrimps, stock fish, et cetera) in the soup with my small-sized, beautifully rounded and hole drilled ball of eba/ fufu/poundo yam which is little or almost impossible when using cutlery. “I’d use the cutlery but only if it isn’t possible to use my hand; for instance, if I’m in an official

Francis Umweni (Lagos) “I don’t use cutlery because that would be slow and I was born into a no cutlery using background so I’m not used to it.”

Ofonasaha Akpan (Uyo) “I don’t like the idea of using cutlery because I don’t know how to use it. I wouldn’t want to make a fool of myself.”

Uzoamaka Nduka (Port Harcourt)

“I don’t like using cutlery. There’s no fun in using cutlery to eat morsel food.”

Utiliciouz Usanga (Uyo) “I can’t use cutlery no matter where I am because the fun is in using my hand. “It’s white guys who brought about these formalities and we allowed them at the expense of our culture.”

Uwem Ekaette (Uyo) “It depends on the setting I’m in. I use cutlery and my hand well in eating, and as such, I don’t have any bias against it.”

Mbiata Inyang (Uyo) “I don’t like using cutlery because morsel food is just meant to be eaten using the hands. “After all, when morsel food was discovered, there was no cutlery. That’s the white man’s stuff and I’m not white.”

Olaoluwa Ajide (Lagos) “I hate practising foreign culture. I’m proud to be African. I won’t use cutlery for morsel food no matter where I am.”

Oty Thompson (Uyo) “I don’t eat morsel food with cutlery because that feels strange and I’m not comfortable with it. Come to think of it, my hands just feel better.”

Kemi Alabi (Lagos) “I wouldn’t say I like using cutlery or hate them it, for morsel food. “For me, it comes with feeling. I could choose to use cutlery or my hand any time I feel like it. “But, I’m certain that African men will surely use their hands any time or day.”

Inyene Ikpong (Lagos) “I don’t like using cutlery for morsel food, but I’d use it depending on the environment and my mood. “I may use cutlery at an event because washing my hand afterwards may be another stress entirely.”

Oche Daniel (Abuja) “Me use cutlery for morsel food? “First, it’s a waste of time because my hand will be faster. Second, I don’t know how to use it, and finally, it’s not part of my cultural eating habit.”

Nsy Nsikak (Benin) “If I’m positioned on a dining table where there is cutlery, I would use it to eat. It’s no big deal.”

Uzy Nduka (Port Harcourt) “I don’t like using cutlery for morsel food. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Queen Bestman (Yenagoa) “I feel very comfortable using my hand to eat. Cutlery can’t mould morsel food the way I’d want it.”

Uwem Akpan (Uyo) “I do not like using cutlery for morsel food. I see it as odd, except I find myself where there’s no water to wash my hand or the water is far. “Eating with the hand is African.”

Onyinye Okoye (Lagos) “Why now? I can’t use cutlery to eat morsel food. Who do I want to impress at my own discomfort? No way!”

“I don’t cutlery for morsel food because I wasn’t brought up that way and it’s time consuming. I prefer it natural.”

Yire Ukpong (Asaba) “Using cutlery will not allow me to flow, so I cannot use it.”

Frekus Samuel (Lagos) “I do not use cutlery at all for morsel food. I don’t like it because it’s the white man’s culture. I am black!”

Moses Awolowo (Lagos) “I don’t like using cutlery because it’s not the African way.”

Nathaniel Enobong (Uyo)

Nsikak Nsikak (Abuja)

“I use my hand always because I can swiftly mould and enjoy food more with my hand.”

“If I’m in a formal setting, I’d have no choice but to use it. But if not, why bother?”

Emem Usoro (Calabar)

Steven Abba (Abuja)

“I won’t use it because it’s too stressful.”

Avocado, a delicacy with medicinal properties By Charles Iherejirika

Special Correspondent, Lagos

ruits contain nutrients which are helpful for the wellbeing of the human body. The avocado fruit is no exception. Usually green-skinned and pear-shaped, avocado is a delicacy, foodwise, and is also medicinal. Here are some of its health benefits: High in ‘good’ fat Fat, a mineral needed by the human body, can be dangerous when it is consumed in excess. It is responsible for things like

heart disease and obesity. Avocado contains fat, but it is the “good” one, known as monosaturated fat (fat molecules that have one unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule). When taken in moderation, avocado can help lower cholesterol levels in the human blood which can in turn lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Contains potassium Banana contains a large amount of potassium, but avocado contains even more. Potassium helps maintain electrical gradients in the body cells, and can reduce blood pressure and prevent heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Healthy for the eyes

Avocado contains nutrients called Lutein and Zeaxanthin which are helpful for healthy eyesight. Studies have shown that these nutrients are linked to increased reduction in the risk of cataracts. Relieves symptoms of arthritis Studies have shown that extracts from avocado and soybean oil, called avocado and soybean unsaponifiables, can significantly reduce symptoms of arthritis of the bones, called osteoarthritis. Prevents cancer

Avocado contains many potent antioxidants and phytochemicals as well as vitamins, minerals, fibers, et cetera. Prevents heart disease Heart disease, a most common cause of death in the world, can be greatly reduced by eating avocado. The fruit contains cholesterol, triglyceride, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, and various other properties. Weight loss friendly Avocado contains fiber, an indigestible plant matter that can contribute to weight loss, reduce blood sugar spikes,

BUSINESS UNUSUAL

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FINANCIAL NICHE

PERSONAL FINANCE MARkETING NICHE

PRODUCT OF THE WEEk

ICT

August 21, 2016

BUSINESS

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INFLATION Inflation month RATE Inflation rate

Kelechi Mgboji Assistant Business Editor 0803 469 0996, 0811 181 3047 kckmgboji@yahoo.com Henry Oduah Reporter 0703 390 0277, 0701 403 4845 henryoduah2013@gmail.com

MONEY Broadmoney (M2) 20,721,908.26 SUPPLY Narrow Money (M1) 9,391,866.24 (Trillion)

July 2016 16.5 %

$45.64

PER BARREL

Brent Crude $47.16 PER BARREL

GTBank declares 25k interim dividend, posts N91b profit

Diamond Bank, FCMB target N25bn capital raise over illiquidity

PAGE 54

Gold

COMMODITIES SUMMARY

WTI

Business Extra

Financial Niche

PAGE 53

OIL PRICE INDEX

Silver

PER OZ

$20.280

$1331.7 TROY OZ

Tin

$8.16

Platinum

$1101.0

PER OZ

Nickel

$4.67

Copper

GRADE A

$2.2365

PER LB

Wheat

$434

Lead

Palladium

Exchange Rates

$0.85

$646.15

Cocoa

$3,157

PER OZT

N-$

N-£

N-€

RATE

284

N380.4464 316.944

How do experts view Nigeria’s recession? Nigeria’s inflation rate has climbed to 16.5 per cent. Unemployment is rising, investor confidence is at an all-time low, and the economy is struggling even to crawl. Reporter HENRY ODUAH collates the views of analysts on how the country can climb out of recession.

frica’s second biggest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been in the news since last year over a record 50 per cent decline in petrodollar revenue, now constraining its fiscal managers in financing budget. Many analysts have been talking to investors about what happened to Africa the last time commodity prices crashed back in the 1980s. Nigeria’s GDP growth has collapsed. Real incomes have fallen. Nigerians are now more hurt than most.

Between Adeosun and Emefiele Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, spelt out the condition in somewhat confusing terms when she said

Nigeria is now “technically” under recession. Her statement only added credence to what has been the subject of discussion in the polity. The common man, however, finds the term difficult to grapple with. Economic observers are having a hard time cracking Adeosun’s hard nut. After Adeosun’s appearance at the Senate, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, reportedly told the Upper Chamber in a closed session that Nigeria was experiencing frightening cases of both stagnation and inflation (also known as stagflation) at the same time. But Adeosun’s slightly optimistic approach lightened the mood and tension of the populace who were still trying to swallow Emefiele’s discouraging comment about the economy.

Adeosun She said: “In economic terms, if you have two periods of negative growth, you are technically in a recession. “But I don’t think we should spend too much time on labels; we are in a tough situation, whether you call it recession or not, we are in a tough place, but the most important thing is

that we are going to get out of it. “Technically, we are in recession, but I don’t think we should dwell on definitions. I think we should really dwell on where we are going. “Everything we are doing is moving outside of it, our social intervention programmes have been funded,

"The next year or more will be tough, but we believe Nigeria is better placed than previously to weather this crisis. Indeed, Nigeria has very little oil per capita, so oil was never likely to drive Nigerian growth in the long-term.” those of providing reliefs to the very poorest, right down

Continues on PAGE 52

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Cover

How do experts view Nigeria’s recession? Continued from PAGE 51 to every single local government would be touched by that programme. "We have started and we will continue with it. We are not the only country in recession, many countries are doing far worse than us. “But for Nigeria, what Nigerians want to know is ‘how is that going to affect me?’ and I want to assure everybody that what we are doing is going to work and it is going to turn this economy around.”

Charlie Robertson Charlie Robertson, global chief economist at Renaissance Capital based in Moscow, said the big challenge now for Nigeria’s economic management team is to deliver on promises of diversifying away from oil revenue, at a time when resources are constrained. "The next year or more will be tough, but we believe Nigeria is better placed than previously to weather this crisis. Indeed, Nigeria has very little oil per capita, so oil was never likely to drive Nigerian growth in the long-term. “It is a point recognised by the new APC (All Progressives Congress) government. They want to revitalise agriculture. Their 2016 budget reduces the oil share of government revenues from 2/3 to around 1/3. “The government will advance market friendly reforms in the electricity, mining, and steel sectors, while welcoming foreign investment into ICT and other sectors,” Robertson enthused.

Alex Ibhade Alex Ibhade, analyst at Lagos-based Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset, said: “In a market economy, resources tend to flow to activities that provide the greatest returns for the risks the lender bears. Interest rates serve as market signals of these rates of return. “Although returns will differ across industries, the economy also has a natural rate of interest dependent on factors such as the nation’s rates of savings and investment. “When economic activity weakens, monetary policymakers can push the

interest rate target temporarily below the economy’s natural rate, which lowers the real cost of borrowing. “Several factors have contributed to the contraction in economic growth which we split into: demand side factors and supply side factors. “Demand side factors influence growth of aggregate demand while the supply side incorporates factors such as the cost of doing business. “The cost of doing business in Nigeria is relatively high, perhaps one of the highest in Africa, which supports our argument for a low interest rate regime. “This argument is based on the fact that the cost of capital is a key component of the total cost of product or service delivery. “Hence, the overall high cost of production translates to high consumer prices as these costs are passed on to the final consumers as firms strive to, at the minimum, break even.”

Recession Recession means an economy experiences two consecutive quarters of negative growth as measured by GDP. Activities within an economy experience significant drop and it can last for months.

Inflation Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy. You spend more money to buy fewer goods and services. In June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Consumer Price Index (CPI), a tool for measuring inflation rate for a period, had increased 16.5 per cent, about 0.9 per cent points higher than the 15.6 per cent rate in May. The increase is the highest in 11 years. Inflation rate was 9.2 per cent when President Muhammadu Buhari took over power from former President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2015.

Stagflation Stagflation is when inflation rate is high, unemployment level is steadily high, and economic growth rate

The cost of doing business in Nigeria is relatively high, perhaps one of the highest in Africa, which supports our argument for a low interest rate regime. “This argument is based on the fact that the cost of capital is a key component of the total cost of product or service delivery.”

Emefiele

Aigbokhan brakes. In simple terms, price of goods and services are high, there are no jobs for people to earn money, and the economy crawls sluggishly.

IMF The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) that the Nigerian economy would contract by about 1.8 per cent this year. It said the country was expected to experience the biggest contraction after economic growth projection declined from 2.3 percentage points in 2015 to -1.8 in 2016. It also said the Nigerian economy, projected to grow 1.1 per cent in 2017, was also projected to decline by another 2.4 points in the same year. Its reason for such projections are that the economy is adjusting to foreign exchange (forex) shortages caused by lower oil receipts, low power generation, and weak investor confidence. Globally, the IMF said the economy was projected to grow by 3.1 per cent in 2016 and 3.4 per cent in 2017 representing a 0.1 percentage point reduction for both years relative to its WEO in April. The reduction in global economic growth, it said, is necessitated by growing economic, political, and institutional uncertainty surrounding the unexpected decision of Britain to leave the European Union (EU). In its reaction to the WEO, FBNQuest, the investment banking and assets management wing of First Bank of Nigeria, highlighted India as the fastest

“I am not as pessimistic as the IMF, you know how IMF forecasts do go; sometimes they use them to put pressure on the government to act. So I don’t think Nigeria’s economy will grow at -1.8 per cent. No! things will not be that bad growing economy with a growth rate of 7.4 per cent. India came ahead of its closest rival, China, which reported growth for Q2 2016 of 6.7 per cent yearon-year, ahead of market consensus of 6.6 per cent and unchanged from the previous quarter.

Benchmark rate hike Last month, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to raise the benchmark interest rate – the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) – by 200bps to 14 per cent from 12 per cent, a move seen to attract investible funds. Five members of the MPC voted in favour of the rate hike, three voted in favour of the status quo. The MPC unanimously agreed to maintain all other variables – Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 22.5 per cent, Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30 per cent, and asymmetric corridor at +2 per cent and -5 per cent. Despite being attractive for fixed income investors, the decision to raise MPR came as a surprise to most analysts (10 of 15 economists in a Bloomberg survey predicted no change in the benchmark rate) as the MPC acted decisively in the wake of emergent stagflation. Emefiele acknowledged key themes present at previous MPC meetings, where he highlighted the growth risks raised as well as the

failure to interrupt inflation acceleration when rates were raised in March. However, he stressed that positive real interest rates are required in the economy to support savings and ease the pressure on the naira by reducing its circulation. In addition, higher interest rates should encourage foreign portfolio inflows as the CBN signals its determination to sustain the flexible exchange rate regime.

Vetiva Capital "Weaker global economic performance and a worsening domestic outlook weighed heavily on the deliberations of the MPC. “In light of new threats to global growth (as underlined by downward revisions in the IMF forecasts), many developed markets opted to maintain rates as they confronted sluggish growth and negligible inflation,” said the Michael Famoroti team of economic analysts at Vetiva Capital Management, Lagos.

Nigeria Economic Society Nigeria Economic Society President, Ben Aigbokhan, is confident that the measures being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari would save the economy from further shrinking as predicted by

the IMF. "The government wants to be seen to achieve something and will not allow the economy to be nose-diving as to come to -1.8 per cent in the last quarter of the year. “I think between now and the last quarter the government is going to release some amount of money for the capital projects. "So the government will want to be seen doing something, that is why I’m optimistic that the country will come out of recession,” Aigbokhan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He was not at par with the projections of the IMF for Nigeria, as it sometimes puts up such alarms to put governments on their toes. “I am not as pessimistic as the IMF, you know how IMF forecasts do go; sometimes they use them to put pressure on the government to act. So I don’t think Nigeria’s economy will grow at -1.8 per cent. No! things will not be that bad. “One, oil production is picking up, and the rate of [Niger Delta] Avengers destroying oil pipelines has reduced or at least is reducing. It is reducing with all that but you can see that the economy is still nosediving as much as well. "I don’t think it will be that bad because the government is reacting to the criticisms that it’s receiving lately. I’m not holding forth for the government but I don’t know any reason why it will want to do that. “Also with oil production picking up, some more revenue will be coming in gradually. I don’t expect the government to spend the revenue on social things; it should spend it on developmental projects.”

TheNiche

www.thenicheng.com

Financial Niche T

August 21, 2016

Diamond Bank, FCMB target N25bn capital raise over illiquidity o boost weakening balance sheet and capital adequacy ratios to regulatory minimum, two mid-tier banks - Diamond Bank and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) have concluded plans to raise about N30 billion. Whereas Diamond plans to raise more than N10 billion by assets stripping after huge non-performing loans ate deep into its capital adequacy ratio (CAR), FCMB is looking to raise about N15 billion of Tier II capital to boost its balance sheet. TheNiche learnt from a reliable industry source that Diamond Bank hopes to explore other capital raise options if it fails to raise enough funds after disposing some net worth assets. Similarly, FCMB plans to retain profits in addition to bond sale to boost capital and tap into buffers at its holding company, if necessary.

The implication is that FCMB shareholders may not get any returns on their investment for the 2016 financial year as the bank continues to replenish the reserves from which it draws funds to plug liquidity crisis. Diamond Bank's CAR has deteriorated from about 18.6 per cent to 15.6 per cent, almost 4.6 per cent below regulatory threshold of 20 per cent. Diamond Bank has since 2015 rationalised operations closing down some of its branches, especially those close to each other but relatively less viable to retain branch status, a development that saw about 400 staff out of job. The tier two lender has been heavily exposed to non-performing loans coupled with regulatory headwinds that have swept away public sector deposit since treasury single account (TSA) implementation in September last year. FCMB chief executive offi-

cer, Ladi Balogun, whose term ends next year, disclosed that the bank's fund raising offer would target its retail investors. "For the Tier II we would be looking at anywhere in the range of N10 to 15 billion. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really going to be targeted at retail because we feel that the rates from institutions will be high," he told an analysts' conference call recently. According to him the bank's capital adequacy ratio was close to the regulatory limit of 15 per cent of assets at mid-year, adding that it was undertaking the capital raising to provide an additional cushion. He said the bank was also slowing down loan growth, adding that a rate of increase of 14.8 per cent in the first half was largely due to the 40 per cent drop in the value of the naira against the dollar since the dollar exchange rate peg was removed in June. FCMB had closed 19 branches in the first half of the year to cut costs, and had $225

million in retained earnings. Shares of both banks have taken unprecedented heat at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) following their weakening fundamentals. On Wednesday last week, August 10, FCMB's shares closed at N1.29 per share, down by 3.01 per cent. Price value of the stock has depreciated 21 per cent this year after dropping 32 per cent last year. CBN had warned banks to make extra provisions against their dollar denominated loans in the wake of the sharp fall in the naira since it floated the exchange rate in June. Earlier last week, Reuters quoted Balogun as saying that FCMB's dollar loans were fully covered as of the end of June and that the bank expected to restructure 25 per cent of loans to the oil and gas sector in the third quarter after it restructured 50 per cent of those loans last year. FCMB last week reported a 70.3 per cent rise in its halfyear pretax profit to N16.29

Balogun billion partly due to currency revaluation gains. Balogun said he expected a weaker result in the second half as it increases non-performing loan charges. Only recently, the central bank shored up mid-tier lender, Skye Bank this month with a loan and replaced its

management after its capital fell below levels required by regulators and it has been urging people not to panic about the banking system. FCMB, Diamond Bank, and Unity Bank are among four lenders after Skye Bank which CBN had advised to shore up capital.

Why CBN blacklists WorldRemit, others 6,000 register for e-dividend from $21b diaspora remittances as apathy mars exercise

easons have emerged on why the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) blacklisted unregistered operators of international money transfer. CBN had instructed licensed local correspondent money transfer operators to stop dealing with unlicensed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs). Contrary to speculation that the operators do not have minimum net assets of $1 billion set by CBN, the illegal operators open huge naira accounts with some complicit commercial banks in the country to syphon diaspora remittances to their personal advantage. CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, explained that the fraudulent operators pay customers in Nigeria with local currency and withhold the dollar remittances from coming into the economy through the proper channel. According to the CBN, the $21 billion remittances which ought to come into the economy and boost foreign exchange reserve end up elsewhere. Explaining how the racketeering operators work, Okorafor said "the $21 billion that our people in the diaspora remit home, which should rightly impact our reserves, and put some liquidity into our foreign exchange market, do not get into the economy. "What the illegal operators do is that, when they open naira account in the country, they warehouse the dollar remittances out there and give

instructions for the beneficiaries to be paid in naira back home. "What this means is that this economy has been deprived of the foreign exchange inflow that would have come to boost our reserve and improve liquidity in our foreign exchange market. "So, in essence, the foreign exchange remittances of our people do not have any positive impact on our economy because it is being warehoused out of the economy through the activities of the illegal operators," Okorafor explained. In the light of the development, the apex bank in a circular to the commercial banks Tuesday last week, August 9 directed that all inward transfers must be foreign exchange backed, and the receiving commercial banks would send it to the appropriate quarters to settle little foreign exchange demands. After the circular was issued, the banks who had freely executed business with the illegal operators withdrew patronage to escape CBN sanctions. Okorafor explained that there are only three registered inward money transfer opera-

tors including Western Union, MoneyGram, and Ria, stressing that anybody dealing with unregistered operators is doing so at his or her own risks. "I want to make it clear that CBN has not stopped operations of any licensed operators in this country. Those who are licensed are operating smoothly, and we cannot stand by and watch people sabotage our economy, withhold legitimate foreign exchange that has been remitted by our nationals abroad, and deny the economy of the use of that foreign exchange," Okorafor stated. However, WorldRemit, a major provider but unregistered operator of international money transfer service, has criticised the ban on unlicensed operators from international money transfer services, saying the move would create monopoly in the remittance market. The founder and Chief Executive Officer of WorldRemit, Ismail Ahmed, said the development was "arbitrary, inexplicable and hugely detrimental to the Nigerians in diaspora who rely on hundreds of money transfer companies and banks, providing them with choice, convenience and

competitive pricing.â&#x20AC;? He called for urgent restoration of money transfer channels to Nigerians abroad insisting that allowing only Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria to continue operations unhindered would definitely create a monopoly in the remittance market. Ahmed explained that until now, money transfer operators such as WorldRemit operated via partnerships with licensed local correspondents based in Nigeria, but now, such transactions have been stopped. WorldRemit is a leading online remittance service provider of international money transfers through its mobile apps and web service. With its global headquarters in London, UK, and regional offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, it is doubtful the firm meets CBN guidelines which specify that for any company offering mobile money transfers to be duly licensed in order to protect both customers and the financial system as well as to ensure the credibility of financial transactions, they must have minimum net assets of $1 billion and have been operating for more than 10 years.

eep seated apathy for equities market is threatening ongoing e-dividend registration exercise initiated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to address growing stock of unclaimed dividends. Eight months after the apex regulator of the capital market commenced the exercise only 6,000 domestic investors have registered on the portal as against one million projected on inception in December 2015. SEC Director-General, Mounir Gwarzo has lamented he development, saying, "We are still having issues in respect of e-dividend registration. The report we got recently was very discouraging. Only about 6,000 domestic investors have registered for the e-dividend". He explained that there were issues with Registrars and Banks as they could not come to an agreement on the modalities, stressing that SEC was working closely with the banks and capital market registrars nationwide, to boost the e-dividend registration process in the country. Briefing capital market reporters on the key developments and deliberations made during the Second Quarter Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting in Lagos, Gwarzo explained that a meeting had been held with all the banks represen-

tatives and registrars where it was agreed that both parties appoint e-dividend champions that would help drive the process effectively. The SEC boss further explained that on the part of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS), commitment had been made to assist both party in clarifications when required for the e-dividend registration. Gwarzo added that by June 30, 2017 no capital market registrar will issue dividend warrant again in the country, signaling the era of e-dividend. In view of this, he announced that SEC will underwrite the cost of e-dividend registration till December,2016 and called for maximum support from the media in the area of awareness and sensitisation of the pubic on the gains and essence of the e-dividend registration. Deep seated apathy has kept local investors away from the equities market after scandalous crash of the capital market in 2008 wiped out over N10 trillion of investors' wealth, majority of which losses were recorded by local investors. The crash was largely due to regulatory slumber, sharp practices orchestrated by market operators in active connivance with commercial banks under the watch of the authorities of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) led by Ndi-Okereke Onyiuke as Director General.

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

Business Extra

GTBank declares 25k interim dividend, posts N91b profit

GTBank MD Segun Agbaje By Henry Oduah

Reporter

nvestors in Guaranty Trust Bank are to get 25 kobo interim dividend as the bank posts a N91 billion profit during its

half year (H1) ended June, 30 report released on Wednesday, August 17. The bank’s audited half year (H1) financial results shows positive growth across performance indicators. Gross earnings rose by 37 per cent to N209 billion from N153 billion in 2015. It was driven primarily by growth in fee and commission income as well as foreign exchange earning. While net interest income fell marginally from N80.1 billion to N79.1 billion, impairment charges surged by 530 per cent from N6.0 billion to N37.5 billion. Regardless, noninterest income improved by 160 per cent from N38 billion to N91.4 billion in 2016. Non-interest income was the major boost for the upsurge in earnings, after benefiting from foreign exchange revaluation gains.

As a result, profit before tax rose by 45 per cent to N91.38 billion, up from N63.1 billion in 2015. The bank’s loan book grew by 14 per cent from N1.373 trillion recorded as at December 2015 to N1.562 trillion in June 2016 with corresponding growth in total deposits which increased by 23 per cent to N2.008 trillion from N1.637 trillion in December 2015. Consequently, the bank is proposing interim dividend of 25 kobo per unit of ordinary share to be paid to its shareholders. The bank closed the half year with total assets and contingents of N3.42 trillion and shareholders’ funds of N453 billion, while non-performing loans remained low and within regulatory threshold at 4.39 per cent and with capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 18.25 per cent.

Speaking on the report, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, said: “Going into the year, we knew it would be a challenging year and we prepared for it by focusing on effective management of the balance sheet and adapting our business model to changing market variables. “The quality of our past decisions enabled us navigate the challenges that persisted in the business environment most of the half year period.” Agbaje expressed appreciation to customers for their loyalty, and staff for their hard work and commitment, noting that the current economic realities present some challenges to growth. “We remain committed to our ideals of staying positive, delivering exceptional service to our customers and adding value to all stakeholders.”

Skye Bank is healthy, says CBN Henry Oduah

Reporter

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday, August 17 came out to defend the strength of Skye Bank which many believe is heading towards illiquidity, saying the bank is neither distressed nor liquidated. The apex bank said it was concerned the content of a malicious message urging customers of Skye Bank to pull their deposits or transfer them to other banks based on vile allegation that the commercial bank had been liquidated by the CBN. In a statement signed by its acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, the CBN stated emphatically that “it has not liquidated Skye Bank or any other Deposit Money Bank for that matter.” The statement added: “The Bank also wishes to reiterate its earlier assurance that Skye Bank is not in distress and

remains a healthy bank in the Nigerian banking system. “Indeed, the health of the Nigerian banking system remains strong, all banks in Nigeria are safe and depositors have no cause to fear over their deposits. “While it will be recalled that Skye Bank had corporate governance challenges, the CBN has since taken proactive steps to resolve the issues identified. Indeed, the CBN is satisfied with the efforts of the new management to reposition Skye Bank for effective service delivery. “Accordingly, customers of Skye Bank and other stakeholders are advised to disregard any message purporting a liquidation of the bank.” Consequently, shareholders and economic analysts have lauded the CBN for ensuring the stability and safety of Nigerian banks through proactive measures. President, Renaissance Shareholders’ Association, Olufemi Timothy, said the central bank had acted

responsively and proactively in the last couple of years to protect the shareholders. The shareholder activist who urged Nigerians to decry negative rumour making the rounds, said the interventions of the CBN over the years had ensured that no single Nigerian bank was distressed or in danger of collapse. He said such interventions helped to preserve shareholders’ interest and value. “I can tell you authoritatively that our banks are strong and safe. Despite the global economic recession, and the attendant effect on the financial system, our banks are robust and healthy. The apex bank’s interventions have strengthened our banks,” he said. Also, Biodun Adedipe of Lead Strategist at Adedipe & Associates, commended the resilience of Nigerian banks in the face of a harsh operating environment. Adedipe, an economist said recent reports from the central bank have confirmed the position of analysts that

the banking industry is stable and safe. He said the CBN demonstrated good judgment by intervening where necessary, adding that such interventions have strengthened the industry. It would be recalled that the CBN recently replaced an entire board of Skye Bank over non-performing loans and insider abuses issues. According to sources, Skye bank is riddled with huge non- performing loan assets mostly related to the oil and gas industry. TheNiche learnt that the bank requires fresh injection of capital to bring it back to life. “These cosmetic changes and approach to dealing with very serious regulatory issues would not help the financial system. “The CBN needs to tell Nigerians what the true position of Skye Bank is. Skye Bank is in distress. That is the true position of things,” said the industry source.

Zenith leads 10 Nigerian banks in global ranking

enith Bank has come off strongly once again among 10 Nigerian banks that made the 2016 Top 25 African Banks and Top 1000 World Banks ranking of Financial Times. Seven of the 10 Nigerian banks featured in the top 25 Africa Banks based on their shareholders’ fund. Zenith Bank topped the Nigeria Bank list with $2.837 billion and was ranked the seventh in Africa and 325th globally. First Bank second in Nigeria ($2.036 billion), 11th in Africa, 417th globally. Guaranty Trust Bank third in Nigeria ($1.673 billion), 13th in Africa, 490th in the world. Access Bank fourth in Nigeria ($1.536 billion), 14th in Africa, 522nd in the world. United Bank for Africa fifth in Nigeria ($1.004 billion), 18th in Africa, 670 globally.

Diamond Bank ($912 million) 20th in Africa, 711th in the world. Fidelity Bank ($729 million) 802nd in the world. Ecobank sixth in Africa, 306th in the world. Three banks that were among the top 1000 banks last year dropped out of the ranking this year. From the 13 banks that featured in the ranking in 2015, only 10 made it this time around. A statement issued by The Banker said: “Mirroring the Top 25 African banks ranking in 2015, three South African lenders, Standard Bank, FirstRand and Nedbank, have secured the respective top three positions. “But a closer look at their performance reveals that all of these banks have suffered in the rankings largely as a result of the depreciating rand. “Standard Bank’s total Tier 1 capital in the 2016 edition is $7.48 billion, down from $10.19 billion in the 2015 ranking. In the global

rankings, Africa’s largest bank has now fallen from 123rd place to 160th. “FirstRand fared slightly better, with Tier 1 capital declining marginally from $7.98 billion in the 2015 ranking to $7.18 billion in the 2016 edition. “All six South African banks in this year’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking registered a fall in Tier 1 capital. In each case, this decline was by more than 10 per cent year on year. “For Africa’s other major banking market, Nigeria, it was a similar story. In 2015, 13 lenders from the country were featured in the global ranking. “In 2016 this has fallen to 10, with only two banks, Access Bank and Ecobank Nigeria, registering gains to their Tier 1 capital positions. “This reflects the difficulties faced by the continent’s second biggest oil producer over the re-

view period as low oil prices began to take their toll. “Togo’s Ecobank Transnational has retained its global ranking of 306th and has moved up the regional table one place to sixth. “Beyond these larger markets, some African lenders have performed relatively well in the 2016 rankings. Building on their success in previous years, all three entries from Kenya recorded positive Tier 1 capital growth. “Kenya Commercial Bank and Equity Bank both joined the continent’s Top 25 table in 2016 with a respective 2.24 per cent and 29.82 per cent growth in Tier 1 capital. “The relative strength of this performance can in part be attributed to the performance of the Kenyan shilling in 2015, which declined modestly against the United States dollar relative to many other African currencies."

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ICT education with

Jed Adeyemi 0811 475 8106, 0909 128 6488 jedlafrica@yahoo.com

How to be a successful software developer (2) In the last edition, we started discussing tips on how to be a successful software or web developer. We mentioned attending classes with a trainer, and studying hard on your own to reinforce and support what your trainer teaches you. Studying on your own as a software developer leads to practising or trying out new skills you see in the books. Today, we continue with more tips. Apprenticeship/internship While it is good to attend classes with a trainer and study hard, these are not enough. In this profession, you don’t gain mastery in the class, you gain mastery while working on projects. You won’t get projects as a learner, but you can work on projects of a practising professional as his apprentice. Working on projects translates your lessons in the class and studying into real-life products. Scoring A in the class usually doesn’t necessarily translate into being able to develop a product (a software that can add value to its users). From my experience on the job, there are people who have professional certifications in programming languages but have no product to show for it. Or even with their certification, give them a software development project to do and they are lost on how to start. The reason is that those classes only teach syntax. Mastering syntax alone wouldn’t make you a software developer professionally. To become a professional, you have to transit between the five different stages in the cycle of a software development project (Requirement gathering, Analysis and Design, Implementation, Testing and Deployment). This is only done on real life projects, not in the class. Class learning and studying are good, but they don’t usually translate into expertise on the job on their own. So where do you get expertise on the job as a beginner, learner or prospective professional? It is from apprenticeship/internship. Apprenticeship means you have a master who does and is doing the job (practising the profession), and he assigns you tasks on his projects which you do and deliver on schedule. This is where you learn how to

build a product. This is usually done over multiple projects. This is where your skills are honed for the real world. I suggested in a previous article that a learner/beginner should attend classes with a trainer who has at list one successful product of his own. If he has a product of his own, most likely, he gets jobs/projects to do, and he can easily bring you in on his projects. So, acquiring experience through apprenticeship wouldn’t be a challenge to you. Taking advantage of master on the job like this would add real value to you as a programmer. Apart from perfecting your productive and technical skills, you may also learn from the business angle of the profession as you see him attend to clients and businesses. From experience, I recommend studying and attending classes to build products rather than doing so just to pass a professional certification. Apprenticeship is a way for you to achieve this. The next tip is this Volunteer When you have acquired some level of expertise as a web or software developer, you should aspire to have a product of your own. How do you get a product of your own in the soonest possible time? One way is to do a project for somebody for free. In other words, do a project as a volunteer for somebody or an organisation. Most Nigerians may not think this way, but it is a suggestion that can add real value to you as a web or software developer in your quest to build your credibility in the profession. When you have a successful product of your own, you have a better selling point as a practising professional. Prospective clients want to see samples of your products before they contract you. The businesses you get from the credibility and recommendation you have acquired will soon compensate for the free/volunteer projects you did. It is good to make this forum interactive. Questions are welcome from readers through this email: jedlafrica@yahoo.com. Answers will be provided at the soonest possible time. Next week, we’ll start a new series on how to keep your computer (and devices) new for many years.

M toring www.thenicheng.com

10 most stolen cars

lthough it’s expected that owners and drivers of flashy and ultra-luxurious cars will protect and vigilantly guard their vehicles after parking, it is actually the ‘more common’ makes and models that attract the attention of car thieves on the streets. Popular (and highly dependable) makes and models like Honda Civic and Accord are the common targets by criminals who want to earn quick bucks. These are known for their quality, reliability and high-resale value, thus these makes and models are often on the hot list of criminals, and have been reported by many agencies that track vehicle thefts through the years. But the Civics and the Accords aren’t the only ones targeted by thieves and those who want to earn illegally – here are the other most likely cars that get stolen in United States. 1. Cadillac Escalade High-luxury SUVs and other models will always get the attention of car thieves. And who wouldn’t want to target extreme luxury seen in top sedans and SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade? With a base price of more than $60,000, the latest version of the Escalade showcases tasteful excess in its amenities and design for both the exterior and interior. The drama on the SUV’s exterior is made thanks to the addition of full LED lighting that illuminates the front and rear end including the iconic Cadillac logo. The interior showcases only the best and premium materials, making this a luxury investment that thieves would want to check out. So how attractive is this SUV in the eyes of thieves? According to one recent statistic, the theft odds are pegged at 1 in every 93 units of Cadillac Escalade. 2. Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4WD Known for its excel-

lent towing power and powerful engine, the Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4WD has consistently landed in the list of best trucks in the industry. The pick-up is backed by a 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel that can produce up to 440 horsepower. Inside the truck, the driver is also treated to premium amenities and can accommodate up to six passengers. Thanks to superior towing power, built and comfort, the Ford F-250 is also a thief favourite. There’s a 1 in 103 odds that the Ford F-250 will get stolen. 3. Toyota Camry As the best-selling car in the U.S. for many years, it is only expected that it will be included in the most stolen make and model list. Thanks to a great combination of excellent design. Reliable technologies and responsive handling, the Toyota Camry is a favoured model for all types of car owners and buyers. Since the Toyota Camry is also known for its dependability and highresale value, it is only expected that this is one of the highly-sought after make and model by car thieves and operators. According to police records, the Camry models from 1990-91 are the most frequently stolen model years in the U.S. 4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab With a great resale value and a powerful selection of engines, you’ll definitely expect that the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab will land in the most-wanted list of many car thieves. When there’s a need to tow at least 5000 lbs of load, there’s the 5.3-litre V8 engine to do the work. For tougher hauling tasks in excess of 12,000 pounds, there’s the Silverado 6.2-litre V8 engine. Although the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab isn’t your poster truck when it comes to fuel efficiency, you can be sure that it will work and will definitely appeal among the crooks out there.

5. Infiniti G37 Coupe The Infiniti G37 Coupe is a luxury entrant from a luxury brand and directly competes with MercedesBenz C class coupe, BMW 3-Series convertibles and the Audi A5. Its segment and luxurious trimmings that come with this coupe are reasons for car thieves to target this make and model. According to one research, there is a one in 141 odds that this Infiniti coupe will be stolen. Aside from its luxury packaging, its engine, a 3.5-litre V6 engine, is also another reason why many would want to get their hands on the coupe’s steering wheel.

1. Cadillac Escalade

6. Dodge Full-size Pickup Trucks Through the years, Dodge has been offering full-sized pick-up trucks to compete with high-end and reliable models. Although some of the Dodge trucks have been running ‘under the radar’, still it was enough to push the brand in the customers’ consciousness. One of the best models under the Dodge stable that caught not just the eyes of buyers but also the car thieves is the Dodge Ram 1500. The most recent Dodge Ram truck that caught the imagination of the industry was the fourth generation tweaked for 2000 model year. But according to industry sources, the Dodge pick-ups that are traditionally picked by thieves are the Dodge 2001 to 2005 models.

2. Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4WD

3. Toyota Camry

7. Jeep Grand Cherokee Long desired and appreciated by the moneyed buyers and enthusiasts, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a consistent presence in many listings of popular makes and models targeted by car thieves. The Grand Cherokee is known for off-road power and luxury, and confidently competes with Continues on PAGE 56

4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

5. Infiniti G37 Coupe

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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August 21, 2016

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M toring 10 most stolen cars

6. Dodge full-size pick-up truck

8. Toyota Corolla The name Toyota is known for dependability and reliability, and this is seen in the fleet of cars offered through the years under the Toyota nameplate. A popular member of the fleet is the Toyota Corolla, an affordable compact car that also delivers in the fuel economy department. Thanks to its amazing reliability and familyfriendly price, the Toyota Corolla also figures in the official list of most-targeted makes and models by car thieves.

7. Jeep Grand Cherokee

9. Honda Accord There has to be a Honda on the list, knowing how the company exerted all possible efforts to provide the market with dependable and high-performance cars with great resale value. One of the two Hondas on this list is the Honda Accord, a perennial favourite among car thieves. Usually 1990 to 1997 Accords are the favourite models.

8. Toyota Corolla

10. Honda Civic The other Honda in this list is the Honda Civic, the sporty sibling of the Honda Accord. The Civic is known for its fuel efficiency, top trim options and sporty performance that is hard to match. The 2015 Honda Civic has reaped industry rewards, including a top safety pick and was KBB’s best family car. Thanks to its popularity, the Civic is also targeted by car thieves. According to some industry reports, thieves often target the 1991 to 2000 model years of the Honda Civic. • Culled from www.unlimitedrevs.com

By Jonas Agwu 0805 316 6400 jonasagwu65@yahoo.

Between MADD and FADD

Continued from PAGE 55 Volkswagen Touareg, the Mercedes-Benz MClass and the Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is known to combine on-road driving finesse and off-road capability thus making this model a prized catch among car thieves.

Carmagedeon

9. Honda Accord

10. Honda Civic

andy Lightner of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Rochelle Sobel of the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) are two mothers whose contributions have shaped road safety culture globally. Like every bereaved mother, Lightner and Rochelle could have chosen to grief for life. They could have blamed government failure or hated the drivers that caused them pain. The Almighty God could even have been placed on judgment seat to explain why? Instead, they chose to stand and be counted. I have paid credence to their sad stories and blazing trail globally. This piece is not about both mothers although the roads they have travelled to ensure no mother suffers the same trauma and anguish prompted me to write, hoping that it will provoke the menfolk into active involvement in road safety advocacy in our clime. Every parent’s role is to protect their children. Rochelle and Lightner could not protect theirs, yet they chose to protect others. This I believe should be the commitment of every father, not just to grief but to do something to save other children from the same tragedy. I don’t know if you are a father or mother. I also do not know if you have ever lost a loved one in any of these avoidable road traffic caused mainly by human errors such as excessive speeding, tyre blowout, fatigue, dangerous driving, distraction as a result of use of phone or other impaired driving behaviours. I have lost friends too. These losses did not consign me to a sadist but challenged my commitment to doing more to saving lives. Mothers suffer most when loved ones are lost but I believe that men should play more active roles in safety rather than being docile. Men should take the driver’s seats to help encourage others to action. They should kick a few pebbles, turn a few stones, and eventually have an avalanche of fathers who have chosen to say no to bad and irresponsible driving, according to Lightner. I don’t know if you have been folowing the numerous consultations between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) led by the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, with two big players in the transport sector fleet operators such as Dangote and Peace Mass Transit. I am sure you are conversant with the reasons for these consultations occasioned by increasing road accidents involving these two fleet operations and the need to checkmate bad practices and project best practices. In the recent meeting with Peace Mass Transit, Oyeyemi expressed concern over these trends and challenged the com-

pany to immediately put in place structures to safeguard lives and property. He recalled that between January 2015 and December 2015, eight crashes were recorded by the company’s drivers involving 62 casualties, resulting in seven deaths and 55 injured. This figure sharply increased between January and June this year when 11 crashes were recorded, involving 95 casualties out of which 37 were killed and 58 injured. The irony is that Peace Mass Transit blazed the trail in the use of speed limiters, and in the annual certification programme which requires fleet operators to present their vehicles and drivers as well as open their premises for inspection and certification by the FRSC. Since its inception in 2007, the Road Transport Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) has registered 1,938 fleet operators, inspected terminals of 5,625 fleet operators, and certified 3,704 fleet operators in its annual fleet certification exercise. Over 2,541 fleet operators’ safety managers have been trained, over 5,000 drivers of fleet operators have been certified, and 642 convoy drivers of governors have been trained. Peace Mass Transit was registered with the scheme from inception and has been participating in the annual certification exercise which ensures professionalism in road transport management. Yet the company posted these disturbing crash record. The National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012 enacted by the FRSC deals with specific challenges of road safety. Regulation 198 (1) states that all road transport operators who engage in inter-state road transport services shall establish a safety unit and appoint a safety officer as the head of the unit who shall ensure that operational standards are maintained as prescribed in the regulation. Oyeyemi said the challenge for operators like Peace Mass Transit is for them to put safety measures – such as having competent safety manager/assistants – in all terminals, present drivers for recertification, ensure terminals are conducive for smooth operations, and provide emergency vehicles. The company should present all its drivers and vehicles for recertification and safety audit by the FRSC while its safety managers must ensure speed limiters installed in their vehicles are not tampered with by drivers. It has assured the FRSC that safety measures such as installation of speed limiting device, avoidance of overloading, regular retraining of drivers, and routine vehicle checks are priorities. Fathers must become watchers of these commitments for the safety of their wards through the codename, Fathers Against Drunk Driving (FADD).

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Tourism

Beaches but few bathers; Algeria seeks tourists at a tough time

• Oil slump spurs investment, but neighbours have a headstart • Civil war leaves legacy of `country closed in on itself'

Tourists visit a beach in Tipaza. Photographer: Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images

ith its ancient Roman ruins a n d golden beaches set against the lush hills of western Algeria, Tipaza should be a star of the Mediterranean tourist industry. Its proximity to North Africa’s conflicts, decrepit hotels and erratic water supply help explain why it’s not. Unlike in neighbouring Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria’s attractions were ignored for decades as it lived off its oil and gas, and civil war kept holidaymakers away. Faced with the plunging price of crude, it’s now seeking to tap other assets and build a tourist industry. “The sector was on the fringes of the national economy for many years,” Tourism Minister Amar Ghoul said in an interview in Algiers. “Our mission today is to place it at the heart.” Nearly 1,000 tourist projects worth at least $3.9 billion have been approved, he said. One of the region’s least-vis-

ited countries, there’s enough potential to have lured Intercontinental Group and Holiday Inn this year. But more investment is needed and the drive to catch up is badly timed, as Islamist violence scares people away from the region. “Algeria is only beginning to emerge as a destination, and this new beginning will be especially difficult during a time like this,” said Nadejda Popova, a travel analyst at market research firm, Euromonitor International. “Unfortunately, the circumstances are against them.”

No room Morocco is the best example of what a tourism industry can do for a North African country: it employs 400,000 people there and accounts for about 10 per cent of the $107 billion economy. Algeria’s need for cash is less pressing – it has $158 billion of reserves, amassed from energy exports. Still, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s government

wants new sources of jobs for a youthful population, and revenue for a welfare system that helps keep the peace. Tunisia has also succeeded in building a mass tourism industry, but one that’s in crisis after dozens of holidaymakers were shot dead on a beach by Islamist militants. Egypt has experienced a similar reverse since the Arab Spring of 2011. All those governments have knowhow that Algeria lacks. They use YouTube and Twitter for marketing campaigns, while the website of Algeria’s Tourism Ministry is often offline. And even if tourists do reach the country, there’s a shortage of places for them to stay: the capital, Algiers, has just 19,000 hotel beds. Similar obstacles exist in Tipaza, an hour’s drive west. Besides the region’s natural beauty there’s nothing to attract visitors, provincial Governor Abdelkader Kadi said at a meeting of local leaders. Taps often dry up, hotels and archaeological sites aren’t maintained and the local museum is often closed, he said.

“If we continue like this, no tourist will ever come,” Kadi said. “We all need to change how we do things, and here in Tipaza we have to lead the way.” That requires major investment so even as the government cut spending this year by 9 per cent, it pledged not to ax infrastructure that will support a more diversified economy, including the construction of ports and airports. Didier Boidin, vice president of InterContinental Hotels Group, is among the believers. “It’s a country that has a huge economic and touristic capital,” Boidin said in an interview in Algiers. InterContinental and Holiday Inn will partner to open their first hotel in the capital by March.

Image building The government knows it has to build an image as well as infrastructure. It sponsored Yann ArthusBertrand, the French photographer whose coffee-table book Earth From Above was a bestseller, to film the coun-

try’s snow-capped mountains, Saharan sand dunes and world heritage sites from the sky. Officials say they’re having some success: last year, Algeria recorded 2.7 million arrivals, the most ever. But almost all were Algerian expats, while others were descendants of the so-called pied-noir, French-speaking natives whose families emigrated before the country won independence from France in 1962.

Original sin Algerians endured another brutal conflict more recently, the civil war between Islamists and the army that ended in 2000. Its legacy is a deeper reason why Algeria struggles to attract foreign visitors, said Cherif Amouche, who worked as a tour guide before the industry was decimated by fighting. “Security is important, of course, it’s a consideration for foreign tourists, but in the case of Algeria it isn’t the only one keeping them away,” he said. “Algeria has become a country closed in on itself.” The government must train

more hospitality workers – Algeria has just one state tourism college, though there are also private centres – and ease bureaucracy that makes visa applications long and expensive, Amouche said. The Basilica of St. Augustine illustrates the problem. Perched on a green hill near the eastern coastal town of Annaba and overlooking ancient Roman ruins, it was among the most-visited sites before the civil war. Some pilgrims still come to celebrate the life of St. Augustine, who was born in Algeria in 354 AD and helped formulate the doctrine of original sin. It was empty on a recent Saturday, though, even after the government, with help from France and Pope Benedict XVI, spent $7 million to restore it. Bachir Aami, who lives nearby, said the community was hoping that the investment would revive interest. “It’s been restored but we still haven’t had many visitors,” he said. “Tourists would be so welcome.” • Culled from www.bloomberg.com

The Netherlands, UNWTO partner on religious tourism By Nnanna Okere

Special Correspondent, Helsinki

romotion of religious tourism as an agent for cultural preservation, peace and understanding is the focus of an agreement signed between The Netherlands and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The partnership includes a conference on “Religious Heritage and Tourism: How to increase religious heritage tourism in a changing society” that will hold in October in Utrecht, The Netherlands. It was signed by the Dutch Ambassador to Spain, Matthijs Van Bonzel, and UNWTO Secretary General,

Taleb Rifai, at UNWTO headquarters. Van Bonzel said the agreement and the cooperation within the theme of religious heritage and tourism form “an outstanding chance to profile this fragile heritage internationally as an economic strength and chance.” Rifai explained that “religious tourism is a powerful instrument to raise awareness of our common responsibility in safeguarding this lasting heritage and a key agent of peace, fostering tolerance and understanding between visitors and host communities, in an amalgam of different faiths.” The conference, part of the Dutch Future of Religious Heritage Pro-

gramme, will be organised by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of The Netherlands jointly with the Museum Catharijneconvent. It will be supported by the Centre for Religious Art and Culture (Flanders) and Future for Religious Heritage. “The Netherlands is an excellent example of a country which always looks into the future, searching for innovative approaches to strengthen its tourism. “Utrecht, a city which is a true expression of the cultural richness, religious heritage and diversity of The Netherlands, is the perfect place to organise such an event,” Rifai added.

Rifai

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Aviation

Is there equality in the cockpit? While every other industry has seen exponential advancement in career opportunities for women, only about 6 per cent of the world’s 130,000 airline pilots are female.

n late May 2012, a passenger on Brazil’s Trip Airlines decided that while he was willing to live in a country run by a woman, he should not have to fly in a plane controlled by one. Prior to takeoff, he shouted: “Someone should have told me the captain was a woman. I’m not flying with a female at the controls.” The pilot agreed – and she promptly ejected him from the plane. In the 82 years since Helen Richey became the first female commercial airline pilot in 1934, nearly every industry in the world has seen exponential advancement in career opportunities for women. Yet it seems that females still have trouble achieving equality in the cockpit.

According to estimates from the Federal Aviation Administration, as of 2010 only 6.7 per cent of United States pilots are female. Other organisations such as the International Society of Woman Airline Pilots (ISA) and Women in Aviation (WIA), estimate that only about 3 per cent to 6 per cent of the world’s 130,000 airline pilots — more than 40,000 of which are based in the U.S. — are women. In some parts of the world, the number of female pilots borders on zero: Ghana, a country of 24 million, licensed its first female pilot in 2012. Comparatively, more than 80 per cent of U.S. flight attendants are women. According to Jo Halverson, vice chairwoman of the ISA and an Airbus A320 first officer for United Airlines, the low numbers stem, in part, from the industry’s demanding schedule which requires a lot of time away from family. In addition, much of the world is generations behind the U.S. and Europe in introducing maternity policies for female pilots.

Even in the U.S., Halverson said very little work is being done to make women comfortable in the cockpit. She called the climate at flight schools, where most students are young males, “dismissive and patronising”, and said this is part of the reason that growth in U.S. female pilots has been stagnant for more than a decade. In the 1960s, the number of female pilots grew from 3.6 per cent of all pilots to 4.3 per cent. Yet from 2002 to 2011, the number of female pilots in the U.S. has only risen from 6.5 per cent to 6.7 per cent. The 2010 Teaching Women to Fly Research Project, commissioned by the Wolf Aviation Fund, cited instructor-student communication issues and lack of female mentors among the top barriers that discourage women from learning to fly aeroplanes. Mireille Goyer, the founder of Women of Aviation Week (WAWW), agreed that little is being done to improve women’s comfort in the industry. To change that, WAWW began hosting events that

introduce women to flying, and began listing flight schools that are “perceived as women friendly” on their website. ISA and WIA offer flightrelated scholarships to women and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has started a female mentoring

programme. While much of the world has a long way to go, Halverson said the current work environment in the U.S. and Europe is good, and whatever sexism there is remains mostly under the radar. “We’ve all experienced

it,” Halverson said. “You don’t know sometimes if it’s personality clash or it’s because you’re a woman. But you do feel sometimes you have to be better than average just to be an average pilot.” • Culled from www.bbc. com/travel

Asia, a boom in low-cost flights The large Asian population, combined with a rapidly developing middle class in a period of economic growth, is spurring demand for more and cheaper flights.

sia will see a sizable increase in the number of low-cost carriers flying around the region, offering travellers more options. Three budget carriers recently sprang up in Japan – Peach Aviation, AirAsia Japan and Jetstar Japan, an offshoot off Qantas’ lowbudget Jetstar, all spreading their wings. The Centre for AsiaPacific Aviation estimates that an additional 200 million air passengers (from the roughly 650 million Asia-Pacific air travellers flying four years ago), could be travelling in north Asia each year if the Japan-South Koreanorthern China triangle continues to liberalise its airspace. Don’t expect to see a complete deregulation of Asia’ skies anytime soon, however, with the kind of bargain basement pricing seen in Europe and North America.

The main issue in Asia, when compared to these regions, is that there are no multilateral open-sky agreements. The low-cost model is currently more prevalent in the South Asian market place than the North Asian one, according to the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation. In northeast Asia, lowcost carriers only account for 7 per cent of capacity, while in Southeast Asia they account for one third, and in South Asia it’s close to a half. (Expect to see those percentages increase in the coming months.) However, Japan’s aviation market, one of the most regulated in the region in terms of restrictions on access to the number of airport gates and airline ownership, is embracing the low-cost model of air travel popular in other regions. All Nippon Airways is backing Peach Aviation, which is already flying from Osaka’s Kansai Airport to Fukuoka,

Kagoshima, Nagasaki and Sapporo, and offers fares about one-half those of major airlines. The airline has added Okinawa, and international routes to Hong Kong, Seoul and Taipei. AirAsia Japan operates domestic flights from Tokyo's Narita Airport and international flights. It has the muscle of the region’s biggest low-cost carrier, Kuala-Lumpur based AirAsia, which now dominates this sector in Southeast Asia. Jetstar Japan, a budget venture between Japan

Airlines and Qantas’ lowfare unit, connects Tokyo and Osaka. Expect keen fares going forwards, as Jetstar Japan’s CEO has made promises to local media not to lose a price war. China Eastern Airlines and Qantas have also joined hands to launch a low-cost carrier called Jetstar Hong Kong. This followed in the path of other carriers from the same group, such as Jetstar Pacific, which has setup in Vietnam. But in China, where Spring Airlines is cur-

rently the only mainland low-cost carrier operating international destinations including Hong Kong and Japan, none of the big four mainland operators has a budget airline at present. The current high-priced buses and trains to and from airports is still an issue in Japan and could dampen enthusiasm for any budget air travel. A one-way train fare from central Tokyo to Narita airport by train could cost the same price as a one way budget airline ticket to Hokkaido – roughly 3,000 Yen.

Elsewhere across Asia, Singapore Airlines launched Scoot, which began operations in 2012, flying long-haul across the region from Singapore to Sydney and Australia’s Gold Coast. Other budget airlines are expanding, including Cebu Air, a dominant player in the Philippines. Along with Malaysia’s AirAsia, Singapore’s Tiger Airways and Indonesia’s Lion Air have taken delivery of new planes. • Culled from www.bbc. com

FOOTBALL

TheNiche August 21, 2016

ATHLETICS

BASKETBALL

TENNIS

FLASHBACK

SPORTS

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FOOTBALL Football

FOOTBALL

PAGE 61

Ayo Bada Senior Correspondent 0805 410 3980, 0803 332 2615 ayobad@yahoo.com a.bada@thenicheng.com

PAGE 63

Iwobi to miss Nations Cup qualifier

Football pays tribute to Atkinson

Fans blame Sports Ministry, NFF for U-23 team’s performance

Olympics U23

he Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been blamed for the failure of the Under-23 team to play in the final of this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. The team lost 0-2 to Germany in the second semifinal match. Fans praised the efforts of the players and coaching crew but pointed accusing fingers at the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Solomon Dalung and the NFF under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick. Sports journalist, Desmond Ekwueme, argued that it would have been unfair if Nigerian had won. Said he: “In as much as patrio-

tism is blind-folding us to wish, desire, and pray for our team to beat Germany and possibly win gold, it would be unfair to a wellprepared side like Germany who went into the tournament with maximum concentration to lose to a team still struggling to settle hotel accommodation of just two extra players and four officials who were eventually sent home by Solomon Dalung thus breaking the team's spirit. “God is not a partial Father to answer the prayers of Nigerians who are requesting for Germany to fall to a mentally and financially depleted side. If the team was not mentally unstable it won't have warned a clueless sports minister to stay away from its camp. “On the other hand, maybe the team would have fared bet-

ter if we had the trio of Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Mikel Obi if the three over-aged players rule is still functional. “Perhaps the team may have done better if it had the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Osimhen, and the Arsenal duo of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Nwakali. “That is where Pinnick and his officers failed to persuade the aforementioned players’ clubs to release them for the Olympics. “However, we may not rule out the fact that if the team was adequately prepared and funded by the federal government through the Sports Ministry prior to the Games, it may have spotted its lapses, weaker departments, and possibly players’ quality. “That the team was maximal-

ly distracted by off field issues which grossly affected it is not contestable.” Businessman Olubusola Ogunyale insisted that the Sports Ministry did not do enough to motivate the players. “They abandoned the team when it mattered most and only showed interest when the team got to the semifinal. “I feel sad for the players and the coaching crew because Samson Siasia really tried his best to motivate the players. Mikel also did his best as well as other players. Please blame Dalung and Pinnick.,” Ogunyale said. Atlanta Olympics gold medalist, Dosu Joseph, gave five reasons why the team lost to Germany. According to him, the team lost grip of the midfield as the

Germans dominated all proceedings at the centre and did not give Mikel and others space to operate. “The suspension of Azubuike Okechukwu from playing the match also contributed, as his replacement, Ndifreke Udo, could not fit into his shoes,” Joseph added. “Third, the Germans forced the U-23 side in making too many errors, the confidence of the team dwindled as it never looked like the sparkling side. “The only meaningful chance Nigeria had in the match was Mikel’s brilliant effort in the dying minutes which was forced into a corner after he brilliantly displaced two players, attempted to score against Germany. “Imoh Ezekiel had a good game, Sadiq Umar was isolated

and the worst player of the night, Aminu Umar, was nowhere to be found except when he caused just one anxious moment in the first half. “And finally, with all sincerity, Nigeria could not match the technical master class of the young German side all through the match. “Emmanuel Daniel was brilliant on the night as he forced fine saves from Germany. He was kept busy all through the game, and disappointed after Nigeria’s loss to Germany. “Above all, it was unfortunate that Oghenekaro Etebo’s injury limited Nigeria’s chances in qualifying for the finals, and the jinx on Siasia continues as the highly rated coach has failed again to win on the world stage.”

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August 21, 2016

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Rowing Buhari hails Ukogu’s effort at Rio Olympics

resident Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the spirited effort of Chierika Ukogu for making the country proud at the Rio Olympics in Brazil. "A good one from her and am proud of her effort. I’m equally proud of all our athletes flying the Nigerian flag in Rio. Well done to them all,” Buhari tweeted via his handle @MBuhari. Ukogu finished 20th in the 100m rowing finals. The Nigerian-American did not qualify for a medal but her achievement would shoot up her ranking. She qualified for the final after she finished fourth in the semifinal with a total time of 8:18:55 while in the final she finished with a total time of 7.44.76. Her remarkable journey is nothing short of an inspiration to all. Rowers from Australia,

the United States, and China won gold, silver and bronze respectively. Ukogu made history as the first Nigerian to compete for the rowing event at the Olympic Games. She was born in Pennsylvania, U.S. on October 2, 1992 after her parents migrated from Nigeria. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she studied pre-med, and rowed for Stanford’s women’s crew team till her graduation in 2014. She has been accepted into Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City. She plans to continue schooling after the Olympic. Some analysts have said Ukogu single-handedly created Nigeria’s rowing team. This is not far from the truth. The cost of equipment is quite steep – around N4.8 million in today’s naira.

Golf

reat Britain's Justin Rose became golf's first Olympic champion since 1904 by seeing off Henrik Stenson in a thrilling final round at Rio 2016. Rose, 36, was level with Stenson on 15 under par after 17 holes but the Swede bogeyed the last while Rose sank a birdie putt to win by two shots. The 2013 US Open champion hit a fourunder-par 67 to win on 16 under. Open champion Stenson took silver with a 68, while American Matt Kuchar carded a 63 to claim bronze on 13 under. "That felt better than anything I've ever won," said Rose. "It was the best tournament I've ever done. Hopefully we've shown Brazil what golf is about.

Ukogu She said her ultimate goal is to represent Nigeria at the Olympics, which at 23 years she

has now achieved. Due to a lack of infrastructure, Ukogu had to be selected for the team

for Rio 2016 and also had to fund herself. She started a gofundme campaign in 2015

and raised $15,000 to get herself equipped and transported to Rio.

Rose becomes first Olympic golf champion in 112 years I'm glad it was close. Not for my nerves, for golf." While several other high-profile golfers decided not to compete at the Olympics, Rose had relished the prospect of becoming an Olympian since the moment the sport's return to the Games was confirmed in 2009. Such was his eagerness to be part of the experience, he arrived the week before the Olympics officially started to ensure he was part of the opening ceremony. The Englishman made history by hitting Olympic golf's first holein-one in the opening round and started last Sunday with a one-shot lead, before shooting four birdies and just one bogey on his outward nine. Stenson carded birdies in four of his first 10 holes and drew level with Rose when the leader dropped a shot on the 13th.

Rose It looked like a playoff would be needed to separate them but Rose held his nerve on the

par-five last, chipping his approach to two feet from the hole, while Stenson's spun away to

around 20 feet. The Swede then raced his birdie putt eight feet past the hole and missed

the return to allow Rose the luxury of two putts for victory. He needed just the one.

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August 21, 2016

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Football

Ex-teammate applauds Ezeji

ormer midfielder of now defunct Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Ezeanyi Abraham, has given a thumbs up for Victor Ezeji on his planned testimonial. Abraham, who played alongside Ezeji in his playing days at Sharks, described the striker as a ‘‘hero’’ whose character should be emulated by players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), same as for upcoming footballers. Ezeji, he noted, is a

winner who, during his playing career, always did all he could to push his team to victory, and he will be missed in the league. Said Abraham: “He is a great striker and he is a hero. He is a very generous and nice person also. When it comes to the field of play, he is very serious. He doesn't like losing. “All the time I played with him he has been the highest goal scorer he has always taken the team to

the top. His performance is marvelous. “If there is any player who has played in the local league who deserves to be celebrated, that player is Ezeji. “Yes he deserves it (testimonial) because he has worked so hard, he has built his life to a reputable one and I think he deserves it more than any other person.” The Victor Ezeji Testimonial is expected to hold in December.

Ezeji

Ezeugo remembers Hope appears to return for Heartland Okwaraji, others

ope appears to return for Heartland FC of Owerri as its drive for foreign partners began on a positive note last weekend. A statement from the club said its Chairman, Goodfaith Etuemene, has reported good progress after meeting with some big club owners and managers, among them Sylwiusz Mucha-Orlinski, president of MKS Znicz Pruszkow FC of Poland. “Etuemene is on a jour- Etuemene ney that is taking him from the city of Manchester in United Kingdom to Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Turkey where he has been meeting some of Europe’s club owners and potential investors in the hope of nicking a relationship that can change the financial fortunes of the Naze Millionaires,” the statement read. “On arrival in Warsaw, Poland … [he] held fruitful discussions with MKS Znicz Pruszkow officials which, when actualised, could open an easier gateway of European club transfers for

(left) with Mucha-Orlinski

ugust 12, 1989 was the day Sam Okwaraji slumped and died at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos playing for the senior national team. His teammate and colleague, Emeka Ezeugo, remembers him and recounted how he died. His words: “My national and Olympic Games teammate, Sam Okwaraji, it's been 27 years since

you've been gone. Nigeria may have forgotten you but you’re not forgotten. You’re in my heart forever. “So are Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha, Uche Okafor, Wilfred Agbonebare, and my Class of '94 World Cup teammates. You're not forgotten. Patrick Okala, Osaro Obabaifor, et al. “I will continue to celebrate you guys till the day I die. I still couldn’t cry enough tears, mates, for the befitting burial that Nigeria callously denied

future Heartland players. To us, this is a positive development.” MKS Znicz Pruszkow is the former club of current Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandoski, as well as former Nigerian international, Ifeanyi Ekwueme. Heartland – one of Nigeria’s big clubs – is battling for breath at the lower rung of the premier league table this season but the recent move by Etuemene will inspire hope and confidence in the team to fight for escape from relegation.

Iwobi to miss Nations Cup qualifier

Iwobi

lex Iwobi is likely to miss Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying home game against Taifia Stars of Tanzania on Saturday, September 2. It was learnt that he would be on the sidelines for a month after he picked up a thigh injury during Arsenal’s 3-4 home loss to Liverpool last Sunday. Iwobi, 20, had set up Theo Walcott to score the Gunners’ first goal. But he may also miss the next two Premier League games away at Leicester and Watford. The two-week international break is expected to facilitate his fitness to face Southampton at The Emirates on September 10 and invitation by Nigeria's Coach, Gernot Rohr, for the Russia 2018 World Cup Africa qualifier against Zambia's Chipolopolo on October 3 in Lusaka.

????????

Remembring Okwaraji 27

you all. I miss you a lot. “Our country never comes closer to finding another like you guys. You were gems we never appreciated. So long, icons.” Okwaraji died in the World Cup qualifying game between Nigeria and Angola. Nobody touched him. He suddenly slumped and cried for help but before he was rushed to the hospital, he had given up the ghost. It was one of the saddest days in Nigerian football.

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August 21, 2016

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Athletics

Usain bolts into history

s the king of sprinting and the biggest global star at the Rio Games, Usain Bolt of Jamaica held aloft his index finger, signaling that he was No. 1, during introductions upper Sunday night as a smitten crowd chanted his name. Then Bolt proved it again, winning the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds, a coronation that secured his place as the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the only man or woman to win the Olympic 100 metres three times, which he accomplished at three consecutive Games. His main rival, Justin Gatlin of the United States, the 2004 Olympic champion who later served a suspension for doping and was booed upper Sunday, took the silver medal in 9.89 seconds. Andre De Grasse of Canada won the bronze in 9.91. As the exuberant Bolt ran down Gatlin in the final 40 metres, he pounded his chest. He then blew kisses to the crowd, hugged some spectators and carried a toy Olympic mascot around the track before giving it away. Finally, Bolt struck his signature pose, known as To Di World, cocking an elbow and aiming his fingers toward the sky, as if launching an arrow or a lightning bolt. He is also favoured to win a third straight gold medal at 200 metres in Rio and yet another as the most vital member of Jamaica’s 4x100metre relay team. “Somebody said I can become immortal,” Bolt said. “Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal.” Gracious in defeat, Gatlin said of Bolt, “He rises to the

occasion, he is a great runner.” Even an athlete as great as Bolt, though, can be upstaged on rare occasions. That happened Sunday when Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa set a world record in winning the 400 metres in 43.03 seconds, shattering Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old record of 43.18. Running on the outside in lane 8, where he could not see his competitors, van Niekerk astonishingly shaved more than four-tenths of a second from his previous career best of 43.48 and more than a second from his season’s fastest race before the Olympic final. “I was running completely blind,” van Niekerk said, stunned. “I was out of my mind. I thought I would lose.” Fairly or unfairly, given the tainted state of track and field due to doping, that performance may bring as much skepticism as celebration. For Bolt, upper Sunday’s victory carried both a sense of festivity and farewell. He will turn 30 today as the Rio Games end. He has said repeatedly that these will be his final Olympics. He plans to retire next year after the world track and field championships in London, with one transcendent career goal remaining: to take his world record of 19.19 seconds at 200 metres below the 19-second barrier. The 100 metres “has got to be the most universal event other than the long jump,” said David Wallechinsky, the president of the International Society of Olympic Historians, speaking of Sunday’s victory. “Everyone’s tried it at least once in their lives. To be the best in the Olympics three times in something that everyone has done at least once is incredible.”

When Bolt crossed the line Sunday, it was not with the same astonishment as that night eight years ago at the Beijing Games, when he was new to the public and to the 100 and he finished in 9.69 seconds, easing up and celebrating before the finish but still smashing his own world record. Nor did upper Sunday’s performance match the wonder of the 9.58 that Bolt ran a year later to set the current 100 record at the 2009 world track and field championships in Berlin. As with his victory at the 2012 London Games in 9.63 seconds, winning for Bolt is now more about career achievement, historical standing, and dominance in the biggest moments than mere startling speed. He stacks wins as if they were poker chips. Since he became an otherworldly figure with his performances in 2008, Bolt has won 69 of 74 races. His only truly important defeat came with his elimination on a false start in the 100 at the 2011 world track and field championships in Daegu, South Korea. “It was brilliant,” Bolt said of Sunday’s race. “I didn’t go so fast but I’m so happy I won. I told you guys I was going to do it.” Before the Olympics, Bolt had raced little this season. In recent years, he has become vulnerable to nagging injuries in his back that radiate into the muscles of his legs. He withdrew on July 1 from the final of the 100 at the Jamaican Olympic trials with a slight tear in his left hamstring muscle. But Jamaica’s rules, unlike those of the United States, which require a top-three finish to qualify for the Summer Games, allowed Bolt to

be entered in the Rio Games anyway. Some American sprinters joked at the time that Bolt always seemed to sustain some injury before the Olympics or world championships. Sure, they said, he would be ready for Rio. “It’s a tradition,” Tyson Gay said. But sprinting is a lot like boxing in the sense that they are individual and elemental sports, one man against another with his legs or his fists. Sleights, real or perceived, become dramatically exaggerated. Bolt said he was disappointed by the joking remarks of Gatlin and other Americans, adding: “I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you. It’s one of those things, but I’m looking forward to it, should be exciting and they will feel my full wrath as always.” In the end, the buildup to the Olympic 100 turned out to be more playful than antagonistic. Bolt held a news conference here featuring samba dancers and a Norwegian journalist who broke into a worshipful rap song, saying he hoped that the Jamaican star would again prevail. Bolt said he was surprised to hear Gatlin booed before upper Sunday’s final. As he often does, Bolt reacted relatively slowly to the starting gun, slower than every competitor but one. He is 6-feet-5 inches, and it can take his body sometime to unfurl, like a flag. He also may have grown somewhat cautious after that false start at the 2011 world championships. Once, one false start was permitted. Now, an early lean or even a reaction to the gun in under a tenth of a second, brings

Bolt automatic disqualification. But Bolt’s biggest strength is not the first 50 metres. It is the second 50 metres. He is so tall, his legs so long, that he takes only 40 or 41 strides over 100 metres, where other sprinters might need 43 or 44 or even 46. He also holds his top-end speed better than others. No sprinters speed up at the end of a 100-metre race as it appears they do. That is an optical illusion. The winner is not the person shifting into another gear but the one slowing down the slowest. At the 2015 world track and field championships in Beijing, Gatlin had Bolt beaten

but leaned too early, wobbling with a kind of swimming motion. Bolt caught him at the line, winning by a hundredth of a second. Again on upper Sunday, Gatlin got a quicker start, but Bolt chased him down. “His legacy will depend on what he does with the rest of his life, Wallechinsky, the Olympic historian, said of Bolt. “The best is if he goes around, giving clinics, and travels the world like Muhammad Ali and becomes well known in Africa and Asia and is someone that everybody loves,” he said. “Or he could just have a good time for the rest of his life.”

Carl Lewis raises doubts over Usain Bolt's record-setting performances

Lewis

sain Bolt's reign as the Olympic champion and world record holder in both the 100m and 200m has lasted a mere few weeks before ques-

tions over the veracity of his achievements overtook the fleetfooted Jamaican. And while behind-the-scenes whispers have featured in the wake of all record-setting performances on the track in recent

years, few insiders would give voice to these without a positive drugs test to back up the doubts. However, the absence of a positive test has not stopped Carl Lewis, the retired American sprinter who dominated the sport through much of the 1980s, from expressing strong doubts over Bolt's mesmerising performances in Beijing. Speaking to United States magazine, Sports Illustrated, Lewis based his statements on the relative absence of stringent drug-testing programmes in Bolt's native Jamaica. "No one is accusing anyone. But don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. They (Jamaican track officials) say, ‘Oh, we've been great for the sport.’ No, you have not. No country has had that kind of dominance. “I'm not saying they've done anything for certain. I don't know. But how dare anybody feel that there shouldn't be scru-

tiny, especially in our sport? "The reality is that if I were running now, and had the performances I had in my past, I would expect them to say something. I wouldn't even be offended at the question. “So when people ask me about Bolt, I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period." Lewis, who was cleared of positive tests for stimulants ahead of the 1988 Olympics, added that sprinting's recent past should automatically raise doubts over any extraordinary performance on the track. And Bolt's runs in Beijing were certainly that. "Let's be real. Let me go through the list: Ben Johnson, Justin Gatlin, Tim Montgomery, Tyson Gay and the two Jamaicans. Six people have run under

9.80 legally, three have tested positive, and one had a year out," Lewis said. "Not to say [Bolt] is doing anything, but he's not going to have me saying he's great and then two years later he gets popped. If I don't trust it, what does the public think?" For their part, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) ensured that Jamaican sprinters were chosen for blood-testing in Beijing, but none returned positive tests. Lewis also questioned the performances of Jamaica's female sprinters who like their male compatriots also train in the absence of a random drugtesting programme. "I'm proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug testing programme. Countries like Jamaica do not have a random programme, so they can go months without being tested.

“I'm not saying anyone is on anything, but everyone needs to be on a level playing field. “Veronica Campbell-Brown lives in the United States and has been transparent and consistent. She won the world title last year in the 100 metres and this year can’t even make the (Jamaican) team. “Are you going to tell me that shouldn’t be questioned?” Lewis' comments are likely to cause a stir in Jamaica as well as much of the athletics world but the winner of nine Olympic gold medals is unrepentant. "People forget that I was the first one to speak out about Ben [Johnson], and I got crucified," Lewis said. "A year later, I was a prophet. The athletes have to say, 'No, this isn't right.' They know who's on it. They need to step up." Thus far, no one has; leaving Lewis on his own. • Culled from The Telegraph (UK)

TheNiche

August 21, 2016

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Football

Five lessons from EPL opening matches By Shahan Ahmed

pper Saturday, the English Premier League (EPL) kicked off the 2016-2017 campaign with an exciting start to a season that saw champions Leicester City lose to newly promoted Hull City and saw Pep Guardiola saved by a late own goal in his Premier League debut. Here’s a look at what we’ve learned from the opening weekend.

1. Manchester United is the favourite Jose Mourinho’s men went to Bournemouth and scored three goals to comfortably and convincingly cruise to three points. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in his first Premier League outing, but the Swede has a knack for scoring on debuts: see La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, and Ligue 1. More than any other Premier League side to feature last weekend, the Manchester United dominated the opposition and confidently earned maximum points. Heck, even Wayne Rooney scored. United looked like the best team in the opening weekend, and that was despite world record signing

Paul Pogba not yet being available.

2. Pep Guardiola has his work cut out for him An early goal from the penalty spot and dominance in possession seemed to have Manchester City on its way to a comfortable, though rather unconvincing, 1-0 victory at home against perennial relegation contender Sunderland. However, a second-half Sunderland stunner gave the most famous Spanish import of the new season a peek at the challenges of competing in the Premier League. Guardiola’s side often struggled to create clear cut chances and could have easily lost the match if goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who controversially started in place of Joe Hart, had not come up with big saves. Manchester City will improve, obviously, but the Citizens are a long way from looking like the title favourites based on the evidence of the opening weekend. To further complicate matters, Guardiola faced two extra midweek Champions League playoff fixtures, so his side is already in tough run-in. The first Manchester derby of the season, which will be held at Old Trafford on September 10, should be a key measuring stick for City’s progress and its Pre-

mier League title aspirations.

3. Liverpool, Arsenal not true title contenders Arsenal conceded four goals at home in the opener. Liverpool took a three-goal second half lead at the Emirates Stadium, and in the blink of an eye, Arsenal had found the back of the net two times to cut the margin to only one goal. The Gunners’ comeback stalled and eventually fell short. Arsenal and Liverpool have both bought players that will help their sides, namely Sadio Mane at Liverpool and Granit Xhaka at Arsenal. However, both clubs have failed to properly address all their needs and will both inevitably fall well short of the title. Top four is a race both will be involved in, but these two flawed sides will not collect Premier League silverware this season on the evidence of the opening weekend. Despite the three points, Liverpool still has plenty of problems to address. On the evidence of the opening weekend, Arsenal is even worse off.

4. Leicester City dream season could have a nightmare follow-up The first match of the season featured the Foxes

Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring in front of Mourinho travelling to Hull City and losing 2-1 in what must be considered the shock result of the weekend. Perhaps the most telling aspect of the match was how good a newly promoted, razor-thin squad with a caretaker manager looked against the champions of England. If Leicester City doesn’t improve in a hurry, Claudio Ranieri’s preseason proclamation that his goal is 40 points and safety from relegation may not sound like cute responses that elicit laughter any longer. Riyad Mahrez had a

forgettable outing, Ahmed Musa could not impact the game, and even Leicester’s lone goal came on a dubious call that awarded a penalty when the foul occurred outside the box. Three of the Foxes’ next five matches are against Arsenal, at Liverpool, and at Manchester United, so its fairy tale season could quickly turn into a distant memory. 5. Jermain Defoe is ageless The Sunderland striker scored a goal that put the Manchester City bench and the home supporters

at the Etihad on pins and needles. Jermain Defoe is fast approaching his 34th birthday, and that goal meant that the former West Ham, Tottenham, and Portsmouth forward is one of only eight players to score in 16 Premier League seasons. Defoe served as the saviour of Sunderland in each of his last two seasons, and the opening weekend pointed to the former England international playing a crucial role under new Manager, David Moyes. • Ahmed is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports.

Football pays tribute to Atkinson

Atkinson

he football world has been paying tribute to former Aston Villa forward, Dalian Atkinson, who died at

48 after being hit by a police taser. Atkinson scored the BBC Goal of the Season in 199293 with a mazy run and deft chip against Wimbledon – and won the League Cup

with Villa in 1994. His old Villa Park boss, Ron Atkinson, said his death was "an absolute tragedy". Aston Villa tweeted: "RIP Dalian Atkinson. You'll never be forgotten."

Former Villa defender, Paul McGrath, described him as "a huge part of the Villa family" and "a lovely kid and friend". The Football Association said it was "saddened" by the death of the former England B international. Atkinson began his career at Ipswich and played for Sheffield Wednesday and Real Sociedad in Spain before moving to Villa. He scored 25 league goals for the Birmingham side between 1991 and 1995 then moved to Fenerbahce in Turkey and Manchester City, ending his playing career in South Korea in 2001. Former Villa defender, Ugo Ehiogu, told BBC Radio 5 live: "When I arrived at Villa as a nervous kid he took me under his wing and was a bit of a mentor for me. He was kind-hearted, always had a smile on his face and enjoyed life to the fullest. "He was quick, powerful, he could score a goal and brought some great memories to the clubs he played for. I was privileged to play alongside him. "I spoke to him in June this year and he was in good

spirits. He had maybe fallen on some difficult times but he was a grafter. "He played in Spain, wasn't afraid of challenging himself and pushing himself." Another former Villa teammate, Ian Taylor, said: "Just heard news re my old team mate Dalian. Deepest condolences to his family. Only spoke to him last week as well. Sad sad news." Ron Atkinson added: "He was a really popular player with teammates. He was a really generous lad – sometimes too generous for his own good – but a good lad." Darren Byfield, who began his career at Villa in the 1990s and is now manager of nonleague Redditch, tweeted: "Dalian, what a legend. I really can't believe what I'm hearing, such a nice guy, always had time for the young lads growing up at Villa." Former Liverpool striker, John Aldridge, who played alongside Atkinson in Spain for Real Sociedad in the early 1990s, said: "I'm absolutely gutted to hear the news of Dalian dying. “I can't take it in really – my thoughts are with his family. So sad. RIP my friend.

"I'll always remember when we beat Barca at the Nou Camp 3-1 after they lifted the La Liga trophy. Dalian ran them ragged. What a performance!" Another of his overseas clubs, Turkish outfit, Fenerbahce, said: "We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of our former player, Dalian Atkinson. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." David Hirst, who played alongside Atkinson at Sheffield Wednesday, said: "I saw the news and was thinking they had surely got it wrong. He was a great lad and a great character to have around the place. "On his day he was unplayable and even on an off-day he could be unplayable because of his lightning pace. He was loud and fun to be around. He had an opinion, but who doesn't? It's very sad." Current Villa midfielder, Jack Grealish, 20, said: "RIP Dalian Atkinson. Loved watching videos of him and always remember his great goal vs Wimbledon. My thoughts are with his family & friends."

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21:08:2016

Candour's Niche

Ikechukwu Amaechi ikechukwuamaechi@yahoo.com i.amaechi@thenicheng.com 0805 506 9065

Nigeria as an amusement park

igeria is a huge amusement park. All you need do to have fun is sit back and watch the theatrics of the political gladiators. It is God’s doing, though. Our ability to laugh at our folly and the fact that there are so many clowns out there masquerading as statesmen is, perhaps, the only reason some are still sane. In the face of the pervasive desolation, any iota of bitterness even against those whose cluelessness dug us into this hole would have been suicidal because, as the legendary global statesman, Nelson Mandela, would say, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Why should we commit suicide, which is exactly what those who superintend over our affairs want us to do, having tried every other strategy to accomplish the same goal, including the use of cruel economic policies without much success? Of course, they think we are fools. Far from it, never mind that sometimes we behave in ways that tend to lend credence to their prejudice. But the truth is that they don’t get it, the joke is actually on them. I had a good laugh every day of last week. The shenanigan that involved the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the courts and the unseen hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the icing on the cake. As I watched the drama and the movements in and out of courts with injunctions and counter-injunctions, I couldn’t help but laugh. It was all dejavu.

But what really got me reeling with laughter was the alleged attempt by “mischief makers” to add the name of the Edo State APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, to the ever growing list of leaders without certificates or with unverifiable certificates. Immediately the news broke, my first reaction was, “Oh! My God, not again.” You can then imagine my relief when Obaseki announced to the world that the certificates which he claimed to have lost have, indeed, been found. And guess where? In faraway God’s own country, the United States. While playing host to members of civil society organisations in Edo State on Wednesday, August 17, Obaseki, who looked visibly relieved, gave the wonderful testimony. “My certificate was missing in Lagos during this period so I had to get a sworn affidavit and all the institutions I attended acknowledged that I attended the schools. “However, while the mischief makers in the PDP raised the alarm because they have nothing else to talk about me, my brother in New York read about it and called me to say Godwin your original certificate is here with me. “I said oh my God please send it down. So I have found it. These guys are intimidated by my qualifications, that is why they are running up and down.” Can you beat that? Isn’t Obaseki a fluky guy? He was lucky his brother secured the documents in New York. Imagine those certificates being in Nigeria or in the custody of the Nigerian Military Board, nobody would see them again. President Muhammadu

Buhari is still looking for his, which he left in the custody of the military board. Or, has he seen it? The only snag there is that Obaseki didn’t tell us when the certificate(s) got missing and when, and how he became aware they had disappeared from his Lagos home. How did those very important documents end up in the custody of Obaseki’s brother? Could it be that he actually gave the certificate(s) to his brother knowing how unsafe those documents could be in Nigeria? Maybe he did, but forgot in the heat of politicking. Who says some brothers are not guardian angels? If only Buhari knew, he would have taken wise counsel from Obaseki rather than trusting the military board. And if he did, there wouldn’t have been any need to hire Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) or even dragging elder statesmen from their well-deserved retirement for a photo opportunity as proof of certificate. While I was busy thanking God that Obaseki had found his missing certificates, the story of the dog named Buhari broke. A 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, allowed his excessive admiration for (President) Buhari get him into trouble. Chinakwe loves Buhari to the point of obsession. In fact, he adores the president. And the best way to profess this love openly is to name his pet dog after the president. That is a patriotic act because he had the choice to name his pet dog Obama, Clinton, Bush, Trump or even The Donald. But that would have run against the grain of patriotism.

He is, therefore, as surprised as anybody else why he should be punished rather than being praised for his patriotism. Hear him: “I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero. My admiration for (President) Buhari started far back when he was a military head of state. It continues to date that he is a civilian president. “After reading his dogged fight against corruption, which is like a cankerworm eating into the very existence of this country, I solely decided to rename my beloved dog, which I call Buhari, after him. “I did not know that I was committing an offence for admiring (President) Buhari. I was intimidated and thrown inside the cell with hardened criminals for about three days.” Of course, Chinakwe committed no crime except for the fact that he is a Nigerian and the name of the president is Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from Daura village in Katsina State. In saner climes, who cares what you call your dog, particularly if the bond between you and your pet is as strong as the love and admiration you have for your president. In fact, in such climes, you may have your five-minute fame by being a guest of CNN or the BBC. And your dog will become a celebrity in its own right. In fact, if you are lucky, you may even be invited to the White House, the U.S. seat of power or No 10 Downing Street in London to have dinner with the British Prime Minister. But here, Chinakwe, a father of two from the Niger Delta, who trades in second hands clothing, was incarcer-

ated for three days in a police cell. Meanwhile, his traducers, a Nigerien and Musa, a police sergeant from the North, reportedly placed fatwa on him. But he has himself to blame. He shouldn’t have allowed his love for (President) Buhari, a love that most likely will be unrequited, to put him in trouble. While that controversy was raging, the PDP infuriated the APC by claiming it is on a mission to rescue Nigeria, a claim the APC likened to “the tale of a killer presenting himself as a life saver.” APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, said it was impetuous for the PDP to claim to be on a rescue mission, and reeled out all the “crimes” committed by the opposition party against the Nigerian state in the 16 years it was in power. Then he concluded thus: “This shameless distraction must stop forthwith, and here is serving notice that henceforth, the PDP will no longer have a field day in trying to twist facts and present the Buhari administration, which is on an urgent rescue mission, as the villain.” Again, I had a hearty laugh. How fast roles change. It is instructive that 15 months after coming to power, many Nigerians are no longer sympathetic to APC’s moonlight tales, as reflected in the reaction of most people to the story published by Premium Times, an online newspaper. In Nigeria, the more things change, or the more people claim that things have changed or are changing for the better, the more they remain the same or even worse. Welcome to the ultimate amusement park, where people only survive by having a laugh at their collective folly.

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