Sun News - October 20, 2012

POLICE RAID UBA’S HOUSE

•Take away documents, 3 posh cars October 20, 2012 **Vol.9 No.512

–PAGE 11

SHOT DEAD •Tragedy hits UNIPORT again as gunmen kill female, ex-students

–PAGE 65

JONATHAN IN FRESH BID FOR 2015 PRESIDENCY •Dickson, Clark, Oyegun lead campaign

From Left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Amb Joy Ogwu and her husband, Dr. Aloysius Ogwu, during the funeral service for the late Regina Maduemezia, mother of Amb. Ogwu, in Asaba, yesterday.

–PAGE 10

River Niger dredging for completion next year –PAGE 11

33 perish as bus plunges into river

•Pregnant woman, 2 others survive

–PAGE 65

33 PERISH AS BUS PLUNGES INTO RIVER October 20, 2012 **Vol.9 No.512

Ondo guber

SOLDIERS, POLICEMEN TAKE OVER •11,000 cops keep watch •Military, para-military personnel also deployed •All eyes on Ondo Central •Factors to determine winner among Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu

•Pregnant woman, 2 others survive –PAGE 65

Dead in Holy land –PAGE 65

•12 Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

–PAGES 12 & 45 - 49

KADUNA TO GET BABY FACTORY

•Where girls with unwanted pregnancies will live, deliver babies •It’s my way of fighting abortion –Ex-lecturer –PAGES 13 - 14

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan at the second distinguished annual lecture to mark General Gowon’s 78th birthday in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

JONATHAN IN FRESH BID FOR 2015 PRESIDENCY

–PAGE 10

DEADLY GANG, ONE MILLION BOYS, FOR TRIAL October 20, 2012 **Vol.9 No.512

•How we nabbed them –AIG –PAGE 6

33 perish as bus plunges into river

–PAGE 65

•Pregnant woman, 2 others survive

WAR ZONE •11,000 cops, soldiers keep watch for Ondo guber •All eyes on Ondo Central •Factors to determine winner among Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu –PAGES 12 & 45 - 49

POLICE RAID UBA’S HOUSE

•Take away documents, 3 posh cars –PAGE 11

MY 8 YEARS BATTLE TO HAVE CHILDREN –CHIOMA AJUNWA –PAGES 29 - 32

12 NIGERIAN PILGRIMS DIE IN SAUDI ARABIA October 20, 2012 **Vol.9 No.512

–PAGE 65

33 perish as bus plunges into river

–PAGE 65

•Pregnant woman, 2 others survive

WAR ZONE •11,000 cops, soldiers keep watch for Ondo guber •Rivers CP takes charge •All eyes on Ondo Central •Factors to determine winner among Mimiko, Oke, Akeredolu

–PAGES 12 & 45 - 49

JONATHAN IN FRESH BID FOR 2015 PRESIDENCY –PAGE 10

Traffic gridlock caused by military men conducting searches in Akure, yesterday. PHOTO: DADA OSASONA

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

SATURDAY SUN

3

SUNG GIRL

ASO ROCK COMES ALIVE AGAIN • As First Lady returns • No trip outside Abuja for now

By JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE

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If yes, sign our consent/release form, send your pix/bio-data to 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estate, Apapa, Lagos.

October 20, 2012

Name: Lina Phone: 08134091509

fter weeks of speculations and insinuations of the whereabouts of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, it was finally settled on Wednesday at 3:39pm when the Nigerian Air Force plane arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. If you mistook the scene at the airport for either a campaign rally or the arrival of the President, or even a carnival you would be forgiven. The first lady alighted from the plane, amid cheers from thousands of Nigerians who came to welcome her.

It was a well-planned event because, as at 10 a.m. the Presidential Wing of the airport was already full to the brim with well wishers who came to welcome her.

The crowd, made up of women groups from across the country, politicians, students, celebrities and friends of the first lady, were in joyous mood, while they wait. The crowd also included governors’ wives, ministers, female legislators, wives of the nation’s security personnel, female groups, youth groups and traditional dancers.

Some of them had their banners welcoming her home, singing, dancing and clapping.

Some of the notable personalities at the airport were, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, Environment Minister Hadiza Mailafia, Education Minister Ruqayyatu Rufai, Labour Minister Emeka Wogu, some ministers of states, wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark.

During her absence, rumours circulated that the first lady underwent cosmetic surgery similar to the one that caused the death of Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. Some stories on social media went to the extent of speculating that she may not survive the surgery because two successive presidential couples did not come out of Aso Rock together. This explains why she said: “They are few Nigerians that are saying whatever they like, but not what God planned because God has a plan for all of us.

And God has said it all that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be with them. And Nigerians gathered and prayed for me and God listened and heard their prayers. So, I thank God for that.

“At the same time, I will use this opportunity to tell those few ones saying that anybody that goes into the villa or Aso Rock will die. They mentioned Abacha; they mentioned Stella Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and other people.

Why didn’t they mention those ones that went there with their families, succeeded and still came out alive?

“We should remember that Aso Rock is the seat of power God has ordained for Nigerians that our leaders should rule from, and rule us right. God is wonderful and His infinite mercies endure.”

On arrival at the presidential villa, President Goodluck Jonathan, his mother, Eunice, the children, and political associates and governor’s wives were on hand again to welcome the her.

Her staff sang in their dialect, clapping and dancing.

The song’s translation means: “Thank you God. You have done us good. Thank God. Lord you have done us good. Thank you.”

They wore printed T-shirts with Mrs Jonathan’s picture and these messages printed on them: “We love you, we miss you, welcome back. May you live long.”

It was followed by a prayer session for the first lady, led by the chaplain of the Aso Rock Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, while the Minister of Environment, Hajiya, Hadiza Mailafia led the Islamic prayers.

On day two of her return, the residence of the first family at the presidential villa in Abuja, which had been silent for more than two months, as a result of the Mrs. Jonathan’s absence on Thursday. became a beehive of activities as several public office holders jostled to see her.

Governors. including Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, ministers, members of the House of Assembly, including Sen. Chris Anyanwu, Sen. Helen Esuene, governors’ wives, including that of Kogi, Benue, Gombe, Abia, Anambra, among others, were also seen leaving the residence.

Also seen lined up to see her were women groups and women umbrella bodies. Efforts to find out if she has any activity lined up soon revealed that she won’t be travelling for now.

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Everyday Living

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•Romance •Society •Life more

ANGUISH TRAILS DEMOLITION OF 500 HOUSES • The untold stoy

Protesters From GODWIN TSA, Abuja

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ays after bulldozers brought down about 500 buildings at the Minanuel Estate, Goza District, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the victims are still in shock.

For those who lost their homes and investments, agony and pain have become their companion.

Agents of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had approved the demolition of the estate, off the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport road, leading to the displacement of over 300 families.

Checks revealed that the estate developer, Minanuel Investment Limited and the subscribers lost over N3billion in one fell swoop.

The affected families had staged a peaceful demonstration in the city, under the auspices of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, who called for the sack of FCT Minister and payment of adequate compensation to all those affected. A visit to the destroyed estate would melt even

Rubbles of the demolished building

the stone-hearted. The once luxury estate has been reduced to a rubbles. The affected families, who cannot come to terms with what happened, were seen standing aside looking at the ruins of their investment and abode.

Last Tuesday, October 16, 2012, a coalition made up of the subscribers, civil rights groups, religious and cultural organisations staged a protest to the National Assembly over the matter. The leadership of the National Assembly must have sensed the gravity of the matter and adopted a method to calm down the highly agitated subscribers and other categories of stakeholders.

While the victims demonstrated, many people had asked: How would 500 houses be destroyed at a go in a country where experts say has over 20 million housing deficit?

Others are wondering why a government agency would destroy an investment said to be worth over N3 billion, in a country that is dire need of investment funds, from both domestic and foreign source and at a time when the country is facing a lot of economic

challenges?

Responding to the presentation made by the protesters, Senator Abu Ibrahim, who received the aggrieved Nigerians on behalf of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, assured them that the upper legislative house would look into the matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Senator Abu Ibrahim disclosed that the Senate had already begun to meet on the issue.

While condemning the authorities of the FCDA for that action, David Mark told the victims that efforts would be made to assuage their suffering.

In a protest letter submitted to the Senator President, read by Mr. Festus Adebayo, one of the subscribers to the houses, the victims demanded adequate compensation. They also called for the prosecution of the FCDA officials, who carried out the exercise and the sack of the minister in change of the federal capital territory, Senator Bala Muhammed and the director of the Development Control Unit of the FCDA, Mr. Yahaya Yusuf.

Saturday Sun gathered that some members of the National Assembly might have actually been in the know concerning the action of the FCDA, amid claims in some quarters that Goza District, where the Minanuel Estate is located, has been allocated to the federal lawmakers. The subscribers to the demolished buildings claimed that they were first alerted over the imminent demolition, following a news report in an Abuja-based radio station, which quoted a senator as saying that the Goza District had been allocated to the federal legislators.

According to the subscribers, they had, on getting wind of that report, contacted the developer, Minanuel Investment Limited, which, in turn got in touch with the Senate Committee Chairman on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi. A meeting was subsequently held between Senator Adeyemi, officials of the FCDA and those of Minanuel Investment Limited after which it was agreed that the latter should return on October 12, 2012 for another meeting with the title and other relevant documents. But that meeting never held, as officials of the FCDA went on rampage on Saturday September 29, 2012, to destroy all the 500 houses in the estate.

The subscribers further argued that while they do not hold brief for the developer, Chief Emmanuel Mbaka, they were “satisfied with his conduct” and were certain that the developer had all the relevant approvals.

According to records, Minanuel Investments Limited acquired the land on which the estate is built from Messrs M.C.R and Associates in 2004. Officials of the company insist that it got all the necessary approvals to develop the land and build the demolished houses.

Although officials of the FCDA have not made any pronouncement since the demonstration in Abuja, not a few people have been asking the question: where were they when the developer started the houses and went from foundation to roofing, only to surface when the houses where ready for occupation?

Besides, some observers have also pointed at the fact that there are adjoining estates in the district, which were left intact by the authorities.

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

EverydayLiving

WAR ON ARMED ROBBERS • 407 suspects in police net • How One Million Boys were arrested • Residents heave sigh of relief

By CHIOMA IGBOKWE and GILBERT EKEZIE

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anity seems to have been restored in the area of Lagos, where a group of criminals popularly known as the One Million Boys operate fearlessly. People residing in the Ajegunle area had complained of violent crimes, including rape and armed robbery, against the gang. The Lagos State command ordered a raid of the area and they successfully restored sanity after many of them were arrested and the others relocated.

Saturday Sun investigation revealed that most of those criminals resided and operated within and around Ajegunle, in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State. The group that has been in existence for years went into hiding due to some strict security measures applied by the community and the police. Those days, the boys, numbering 50 to 60 broke into homes and dished out terrors on residents.

Their initial temporal disappearance from the streets of Ajegunle was celebrated by the residents and many residents that relocated to other areas as a result of the menace returned.

Unfortunately, the boys reappeared last month, in a deadlier manner shortly after they killed one Inspector Taiye Ajetumobi of the anti-robbery section in Area B Police Command. It was gathered that the inspector, who resided in that area, took it upon himself to form a formidable community police that complemented the efforts of the area commander in restoring sanity in the area.

When the gang returned, they wrote residents informing them of possible attack. In fear, residents cooperated with them by always keeping money and valuable handy, which are handed over whenever the gang struck. They have been operating and succeeding until their operation in Agugu Street,

Some of the suspect arrested where they killed a young man, after robbing a resident.

With the boy’s murder, the community could not take it any longer and they sent an SOS to the Commissioner of Police, who directed Area B commander, Apapa to ensure that the security threat was reduced to its barest minimum. So far, the police have been able to arrest about 407 suspected members of the group.

Confirming the arrest, Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, said that the raid was

led by Area B Command Apapa, comprising Apapa, Ajegunle, Tolu, Trinity, Amukoko, Ijora Badia, Layeni and Kirikiri Police divisions.

“The onslaught was led by the Area Commander. Mr. Mohammed Alli, ACP and the various Divisional Police Officers of the command. The crime rate in Ajegunle has been brought down to the “barest minimum” and arrests would become continuous,” he said.

On the possibility of arresting innocent res-

Caught in the act

By OBIDIKE JERRY

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•Two arrested for faking auto accessories

oseph Nwawuo, 33, and Sunday Peter, 43, will have to explain to Ojo Magistrate Court why they should not spend time in prison for allegedly faking some popular automobile accessories. They were said to have been caught faking such products as Auto-Sheck, Abro, Webber and Polyguard brake and clutch fluids in their makeshift factory at Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association Market (ASPANDA), Trade Fair, Lagos.

Until August 29, 2012 Nwawuo and Peter were into manufacturing partnership that produced the fake versions of these popular products. It was a diabolic venture, according to police, that put fast money into their pockets by wreaking havoc to the patents of these popular products and causing pain and death to the unsuspecting buyers who patronized them as genuine products.

But on August 29, a raid by the Trade Fair Police put an end to this devilish enterprise. The duo, according to police source, were caught producing fake versions of the The suspects products in their makeshift factory, consistSheck, Abro, Webber, and Polyguard brake ing of one funnel, a big bottle of colourant, a and clutch fluids by changing the quality or big can of white glue, a big bowl, one buck- efficacy without notice to the purchaser who et and two 25 litres of chemical. believes same to be genuine and thereby The seven-count charge preferred by the committed an offence punishable under secpolice against Nwawuo and Peter before tion 158 (3) (a) of the criminal code of the presiding Magistrate Mr. T.O Shomade, Lagos State law 2011. accused them of willfully adulterating Auto-

Their manufacturing process is very simple. The 25-litre chemical, according to police, is emptied into the big bowl and the colorant is added to proportion to suite the colour of the product being faked.

The resultant solution is carefully scooped into the cans through the funnel. The can is now corked with the help of the glue. The product is neatly packed in the carton, ready for market.

The unsuspecting buyers now pick and use these products, believing them to be the original products. This deception forms the second leg of the charge, which, according to police, is punishable under section 153, (3), (b).

When the case came up on August 4, 2012, the duo pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were granted bail for N50,000 with two sureties. The case was adjourned for October, 19, 2012.

Attempt by Saturday Sun to speak with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trade Fair Police Station, Mr. Robinson Eregare, (SP), was unsuccessful. But a police source confirmed the story. He attributed the success of the operation to the untiring effort of the DPO to rid criminals from the division.

idents, Manko said: “We have reliable people whose duty is to ensure that criminals are sieved out from the crowd and so far the result has been good. I must commend the community for the success of this and I hope other area would understand that the police work would be much easier if community policing is practiced. Other commands are at alert in case some of them who evaded arrest chose to relocate.

“Meanwhile after the screening and proper investigation, all the suspects would be charged to court.”

The development received encomiums and ovations from the residents who are grateful that they can once more sleep with their eyes closed.

Relieved, some residents recalled the ugly experiences in the hands of these criminals.

A resident known as Mama Beji thanked the police for riding the area of these criminals, who had made life difficult for them.

“They visited my compound severally, and for the sake of peace and my life, we keep something for them. If you dare report them to the police, they will know and come back the next day. I bless the man who had the mind to report to the police. I pray that they don’t come back again. Most of the bastard children in this environment belong to this group because they rape the young girls with impunity,” she lamented.

Another resident, who pleaded anonymous, pointed out that carefree attitudes and lack of security consciousness contributed to the massive invasion of the area by hoodlums who are suspected to be living within the area.

“The residents are not security conscious.

They should know many of the boys that are into the acts, but no one is ready to give out information that would help the security operatives to nab them. I could remember that the kind of thing stopped for a long time when the late Bale of Aiyetoro and other community leaders worked with the police and some vigilance groups to fight crime in the area. Then, the vigilantes went from house-to-house to fish out suspected criminals and that made them to flee the area. But when the Baale died, the whole thing changed, though vigilantes were seen operating in some communities then area,” he said.

Another resident, who simply gave his name as Kola, was of the view that criminal activities in the area became so tensed and unimaginable since the killing of a Inspector Taiye Ajetumobi of the anti-robbery section in Area B Police Command. In his words: ”The late Taiye was one of those that helped in fighting crime in our area and after his death in the hands of armed robbers sometime ago, the boys regrouped. During that period, the boys were not able to operate because he knew how and where to get them. He was also part of the vigilance group that ensured the area was safe for both the residents and visitors. When I heard that he had been killed, I knew that these boys would surely return.”

Also reacting, another resident, Mrs. Kaka called on the police and the entire community to work together to tackle the insecurity problem.

“I am ready to give them information so long as my safety is guaranteed. They raped my daughter and she is yet to recover from that terrible experience. For years, they collected money from us for security and nothing was done, but today it is a thing of the past. I pray they will be consistent because as soon as the tension eases out they will surely return again,” she said.

Speaking on the bursting of the group, the Area Commander, Mr. Mohammed Alli, ACP, insisted that the onslaught would continue until the entire Continued on Page 16

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

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EverydayLiving

Bad day for 3 robbery suspects

By GILBERT EKEZIE

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hey were beaten to a pulp and just as the hysterical mob was asking for used tyres and some petrol to burn them, help came.

The three young men said to have robbed a lady, were rescued and taken to police station.

It was about 8.45pm last on Wednesday when Monday Lawrence, Tony Stephen and John Akpan the three robbery suspects were caught between Mile 2 and Suru Bus Stop on Lagos Badagry expressway.

They were members of one of the robbery gangs that terrorise motorists and pedestrians within the Mile 2 area of Lagos, mostly at night.

But this time around, luck ran against them and they were caught after robbing a young lady, Miss Ogechi Ibeagwa at gunpoint across Signals Barracks, close to Mile 2. The young lady was riding on an okada heading to Mile 2 Bus Stop where she said she would board a vehicle to Cele Bus Stop before heading to her residence at Ikotun.

The men between the ages of 27 and 30 had demanded that Ogechi surrender her bag and when she hesitated, they threatened to shoot her dead. Ogechi told Saturday sun that she actually wanted to argue with them, but the okada rider, knowing the implication of what Ogechi wanted to do, advised her to comply.

She obliged. The lady said the okada man had assured her that he would get the men. “They stopped us, one of them raised his shirt and showed me a gun. They later asked me to give them my bag or they would shoot me. I was reluctant but the okada rider carrying me advised me to comply with them and that he will get them. So, I obeyed because the okada rider assured me that he will get them.”

Having collected the bag containing N100,000, bulk recharge cards, Identification cards and other items, the men headed towards Suru Alaba, not knowing that the okada rider and Ogechi, his passenger were

The suspects trailing them. “We were able to mark their faces because they wanted to collect my neck lace. “In an attempt to get them, the okada rider made a U-turn to Suru Bus Stop. When he saw them, he raised the alarm and some people gathered and went after the boys.”

However, aware of the danger of being caught, they took to their heels. But the people chased and caught three of them, while one escaped. The apprehended ones were therefore dragged to Suru Bus Stop where they faced a mob action. They were severely beaten and in the process, they confessed committing the crime.

One of them, Monday, took the mob round

the bus stop at the local gin vendors’ spots with the view to producing the stolen bag, but ended up not doing so. His colleague, Akpan, confessed that their fleeing colleague had the bag.

It took the intervention of some law enforcement agents and other citizens to save them from the mobsters who had arranged to set them ablaze. They were later taken to Layeni Police Station where they were interrogated.

According to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of station, Mr. Chijioke Ndu, CSP, the suspects would be transferred to the Area

Command, Apapa for further investigations.

“After interrogating them, we will transfer them for further investigations.”

Meanwhile, passers-by at the Suru AlabaMile 2 axis, especially at night have been narrating their ugly experiences in the hands of robbers. Two young ladies stated that they had fallen victims of bag snatchers along the road and called for strict security measures.

“Robbers also collected our bags along that road three days ago and since then, we have stopped passing the road at night. In fact the police should do something about the issue,” one of them said.

Mystery fire kills man • Only his room, out of 15 was affected From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna

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elations of Godwin Michael, aged 40, are still wondering how their son, in his prime, got killed by a mystery fire.

The fire had razed only one room apartment at an odd hour, where Godwin was sleeping, without spreading to other rooms in a large compound hosting about 15 rooms.

“This was not an ordinary fire because there was no electricity power supply nor candle light in the room,” one of his relatives said.

Saturday Sun gathered that Godwin Michael, a caretaker of the house hosting about 15 rooms, died last week Tuesday when the fire caught his room at 2.30 am.

When our reporter visited the house on market road in Ungwan Television area of Kaduna metropolis, it was noted that the fire did not spread to any other room, despite the thatched roof that could have accelerated a spread.

The deceased’s younger brother, Monday Michael, told Saturday Sun that the family had surrendered everything to God, even as he pointed out that one of the tenants was suspected to have had hands in the fire incident because of an unguarded utterance and expression of joy over the death of his brother.

Monday, speaking with heavy heart, said

the suspect was reported to the police, but was later released for what the police called lack of evidence linking his alleged utterance with the cause of the death.

As at press time, the deceased’s family members were seen making arrangement for the burial scheduled for Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, just as the body had been deposited at Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital’s mortuary.

The deceased’s brother, Monday, said: “My name is Monday Michael; I am the younger brother of Godwin Michael, who was killed by fire in his room while he was asleep. On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 2.30 am, one of the tenants knocked at my door and woke me up that fire was burning in my elder brother’s room.

“And by the time I got there, we forced the door open, but the fire had already burnt him, and everything in his room.

There was no power supply that day, and there was no burning candle in room. We rushed him to the hospital soon after we quenched the fire in his room. But by 4 pm on that day, he died in the hospital, Saint Gerald Catholic hospital, here in Kaduna.

So for now the body is in the mortuary. But we cannot trace the actual cause of the fire.

“My brother stayed alone in the room; he was not married, and he was jobless at the time of his death. There are up to five rooms seperating my own room and his

and there are more than 15 rooms in the compound.

“There was no quarrel between him and anybody in the compound, but at the time the fire broke in his room, and all the tenants came to put off the fire, we over heard one of the tenants saying that it was his God that caught my brother. He even went ahead to say to the hearing of everybody that had it been that my brother was wearing black or white clothes, the situation would have been worst.

“We later on that day reported the man to the police. The police at Television Garage police out post arrested him. He was later transferred to Sabo Tasha police station, where the man denied making such comment on my brother, even when all the people that heard him testified against him.

And police said there was no evidence linking the man’s statement, that the incident was an act of God. The police now advised him to pack out of the compound immediately, that he should not wait to be given quit notice before he packs out.

“My brother was the caretaker of the house. Since I cannot trace the cause of the fire, I leave everything to God. All his property in the house got burnt. We are still making the arrangement to bury him, either in Kaduna or our home town back in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.”

Michael

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SATURDAY SUN October 20, 2012

Nigeria’s troubling unemployment statistics

T H E D I R E C T O R AT E TONY ONYIMA Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief FEMI ADESINA

EDITORIAL

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igeria’s dire employment crisis was brought to the fore again, recently, when the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Temi Kale, put the number of jobless Nigerians at 20.3 million. Although Kale explained that unemployment rate in the country has reduced over the years, it is still unacceptable that such a large number of Nigerians are jobless and unable to provide their own living. The confirmation by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) that the larger percentage of the employed in Nigeria are youths is also worrisome.

It is unfortunate that Nigeria has been unable to resolve the employment debacle that has been undermining the well-being of many Nigerians for a number of years now. More depressing, still, is the fact that many youths have remained stranded outside the vortex of the nation’s economy. This situation portends disaster for any nation. No country can expect peace and progress when its youths are kept idle, angry and unfulfilled. It is a recipe for social unrest and disaster.

This is even more so as we believe that the figures released by the Statistician-General are grossly understated. The percentage of unemployed Nigerians is likely much higher than we have been told, and the number of youths that are unable to find jobs has already reached dangerous heights. Apart from the unemployed, Nigeria also has a high percentage of the underemployed – that is, those whose income are so low that they cannot afford the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter.

It is bad that the employment crisis in the nation persists in spite of government’s muchvaunted efforts to address it. The Federal Government, in recent years, has come up with different programmes such as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) and Youth Enterprises with Innovation (YOU-WIN), to create jobs for the people. These initiatives have only scratched the surface of the employment problem, they have not significantly improved the situation.

The lesson from this is that the Federal Government, alone, cannot provide employment for the people. Beyond throwing the doors of the civil service open to absorb the army of unemployed Nigerians, which is practically

MISSION ‘To practise journalism in the classical newspaper tradition of presenting the news and features in an exciting style, with impact, objectivity and appeal that generate returns to all stakeholders: the society, the investors and the practitioners’

impossible, the best way government can create jobs is to provide enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. Flourishing private sector initiatives will provide the much-needed employment opportunities. They will do the job better than public initiatives such as YOU-WIN that can only accommodate limited number of people, and are oftentimes bedeviled with nepotism and other patronage.

These schemes are also often not properly managed, and they are largely unsustainable.

They, therefore, cannot achieve appreciable reduction in the number of the unemployed.

Youth employment, in particular, has become a time-bomb for Nigeria. Every year, thousands of graduates of tertiary institutions enter the employment market that is already largely saturated. They fail to get jobs and frustrations set in as they cannot meet their basic needs. The NDE, that should provide training and employment creation opportunities for youths, has not been as vibrant as it was in the early years of its operation. The number of unemployed persons it is able to accommodate under its scheme is too insignificant to make appreciable impact. In addition, Nigerians who should benefit from the services of the organisation are hardly aware of its existence, how much more how to profit from its services. The agency needs to be invigorated and empowered to perform its statutory responsibilities better.

The government also needs to design larger programmes for job creation to complement private sector efforts. In this regard, we have not seen much commitment to the effort to reduce unemployment by the Ministry of Labour.

Ordinarily, this ministry ought to be brimming with initiatives to address this problem. It should not limit its responsibilities to resolving problems with labour unions that were instigated by the government, in the first place. Instead, it should be in the forefront of the efforts to keep Nigerians productively engaged. In addition, all persons and institutions charged with implementation of employment and poverty reduction programmes should be properly monitored to ensure that they remain faithful to the stated objectives. In this 21st century, certain key sectors have been noted to have capacity to absorb job seekers. These include agriculture, industry and technology, especially Information Communication Technology (ICT). Many of our youths who now employ ICT for criminal purposes can be re-oriented towards employment or job creation in that sector.

The Federal Government has proposed to create 320,000 jobs beginning from next year.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the proposal has already been built into the 2013 Appropriation. Although this figure is a far cry from the one million jobs promised annually by the government earlier, we urge that everything necessary should be done to make the fresh promise a reality.

ETHEL NMEZI

Deputy MD/Deputy Editor-in-Chief Executive Director, Finance/Admin

ALAN JONES

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

9

Opinion/Comments

Where Ekiti missed it politically, spiritually

By ADAMS ALADEIJEBI

I

have been following the events in Ekiti State since its creation by the General Sani Abacha administration on October 1, 1996. And I still do follow politically significant events in the state, even when glued to my small radio set at the veranda of my bungalow at Okeruku Quarters, in Ikere Ekiti. I can say, without mincing words, that the fortunes of Ekiti are on a downward slide.

Today, Ekiti is enmeshed in crisis. Teachers have embarked on several industrial actions.

Local government workers are on strike and judicial workers have also laid down their tools. There is a breakdown in virtually all the sectors and a very loud outcry against what some depict as the misdeeds of an inept administration. Even the little that Dr. Kayode Fayemi is credited with doing, the people are not appreciating it. About the much that Engineer Segun Oni did while in office, the people continue to complain.

Though I am not a politician or better still a prophet, just a retired school teacher, I can see clearly that something is spiritually wrong with Ekiti State. It is equally not a fact I can exaggerate. Those of us who understand the politics of governance of the state right from when it was part of the then Ondo State, do understand that the issues at stake transcend Fayemi and Oni and their administrations, and even subsumes what has been cynically depicted as the Ekiti love of intrigues.

Right from the old Ondo State, the impression that other dialectical groups had of the Ekiti character is that it is disorganised, combative and susceptible to all forms of conspiracy. But we as Ekiti people know this is not true. Events in our own exclusive state, howev-

er, tend to affirm the wrong overview of the Ekiti personality by our neighbours.

As a people who are attentive and very protective of our own identity as a group, a very progressive group within the Yoruba ethnic nationality, we sought for autonomy. When eventually Ekiti was created in those turbulent years of the military in government, the atmosphere among the indigenes of the new state, especially the elite, was that of euphoria.

Expectation was high that the new state would grow rapidly and promote, above all, the welfare of its people. Ekiti began as the only homogenous state in the country.

As someone, who rose from being a classroom teacher to a school principal, I have had the honour of not just following closely the political evolution of the then Ondo State, but working with former governors, Papa Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Bamidele Olumilua and their aides. I have observed, despite the nuances of Ondo leaders, the geo-ethnic politics in that state and I can say I am a man laden with experience.

What is more interesting is that Ekiti State started on a high note. As an elderly man, events during the administrations of Otunba Niyi Adebayo and that of Dr. Ayo Fayose are still recent in my recollection. While Adebayo’s government may be described as passive in the provision of welfare services, Fayose’s was proactive. In terms of infrastructure, much of what we regard as the landmark structures in the state are the brainchild of Fayose and this is without patronising anybody because, as I have said, I am not a politician.

These include the dual-carriage way that leads to and from Ado Ekiti to neighbouring towns, especially Ikere, and the ultramodern Governors’ Office, which is easily the best in the South West. The Fayose years may be

termed by the man on the street as the biblical years of plenty for Ekiti people.

All of a sudden, this political poplar, which was destined for greater heights, was eventually uprooted by shrubs all over the place. The removal of Fayose, carried out in a very untidy manner by a conspiratorial few and with the support of a cabal in Abuja, offers the necessary cue to the present crisis in Ekiti State. It was a hatchet job by then lawmakers in the state. But it has also become the cause of disquiet, complaints and weeping all over the same state. Ekiti has sinned and must return to God in repentance. Fayose must be either be restored or at least be reconciled. He was a victim of politics and power-play, treated unfairly by his own people whose interest he had uppermost in his mind.

Is it not instructive that Fayose left office on October 15, 2006; the House of Assembly removed him legally or illegal through what most people perceived as an act that did not follow due process on October 16, 2006; Oni was sacked by the Court of Appeal on the October 15, 2010, exactly four years after Fayose left office; while Fayemi was sworn-in on October 16, 2010, which was exactly four years after Fayose was removed? There lies the spiritual dimension to the challenge of governing Ekiti.

That day, October 16, the day the House of Assembly forcefully removed Fayose, has become the harbinger of every new regime in Ekiti since Fayose. It simply means that even Fayemi will quit office that same October 16, 2014. It would be the day that every successive administration would be sworn-in in Ekiti State on that dateline, as against the May 29 democracy day in other states. It also means that October 15, the day of Fayose’s disappearance, would mark the expiration of the tenure of

every administration in Ekiti State.

These events are no mere chance incidents.

They are no mere coincidence. We are all spiritual beings and we cannot deny the spiritual connotation of what transpired. We cannot deny that injustice was done to Fayose, and the solution to the perennial problem of governance lies in redressing the injustice done to him.

I was still in service when the Fayose crisis began leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and the appointment of a Sole Administrator, in the person of General Tunji Olurin. One of the statements credited to Governor Fayose keeps recurring in my mind for its oracular value. At the stadium during the ceremony to mark World Teachers Day in 2006, the former governor said: “This roof you are about to bring down would collapse on all of us indefinitely.”

The roof has collapsed. The house itself is fast collapsing and the whole of Ekiti is in an uproar. Even the Teachers Day ceremony has set its soul on fire. This year’s ceremony was cancelled by the present government, fallout of the face-off with teachers, while the local government administration has ceased to function for about a month and litigation instituted by the governor. The downward turn in the educational system, has left Ekiti, the fountain of knowledge, in less than four percent pass in science subjects in the recently released Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations.

My message to Ekiti people is precise. We must retrace our steps to that point where we missed it, the forceful removal of Fayose and the consequences spiritually in our tomorrow.

We either do a restitution to reconcile the injustices done to Fayose or the electorate vote him back to complete his tenure.

• Aladeijebi wrote in from Ikere-Ekiti

President Jonathan and his team’s place in history

By JOE OKPALA

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igeria is held back and down by a parasitic culture of people, whose interest is at cross-purpose with genuine national integration and transformational agenda of the Jonathan administration. These shameless groups of people that have pillaged Nigeria’s resources and skewed the institutions of Nigeria in the last 52 years to near comatose and global opprobrium are desperate to halt President Goodluck Jonathan in his track to transform Nigeria and put in place strong institutional frame-work for sustainable political economic growth.

Unless knowledgeable Nigerians, with the fear of God and true patriotic spirit stand up to challenge these black sheep, we can as well bid Nigeria requiem in the near future, as no lie can live forever. God Almighty, who is sovereign Lord and who rules in the affairs of men flexed His Omni powers to halt Nigeria in its wicked way.

By installing Jonathan president, God, as in old times and in ways not easily discernible to mortals, anointed, armed and equipped a comparatively neophyte with a strong sense of mission, courage, and high sense of equity, fairness and justice to wrest power for the good of Nigeria. To give strength to the weak, hope to the hopeless and traumatised voice to the voiceless; to make Nigeria live up to its creed of one nation one destiny.

My reading of Jonathan’s emergence is that it is an act of God, as it is God that really owns power and gives to whom He pleases. He enthrones and dethrones, He lifts up and abuses. Our God is a God of truth and justice. He meets man with equity. Therefore, any attempt to muzzle up Jonathan or to hound him out of office will definitely fail, as it will be stoutly resisted. All attempts to stop him and his people from enjoying eight years of uninterrupted reign of power, unless for reasons of serious misdemeanour, will surely be resisted with serious repercussions for the country, as former President Obasanjo and his people resisted similar wicked plot in recent past. We all have equal stake in this experiment called Nigeria.

Yes; just as the Lord visited Egypt’s Pharaoh

with his strong arm through the instrumentality of Moses to release his people from their bondage and just as He equally set out to regather them from all the nations of the world where He scattered them in the past almost 2, 000 years to plant them back to the land where He promised them, through the instrumentality of Balfour Declaration; so God, in His infinitude, has used as instrument of justice and equity the People Democratic Party (PDP), Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan to bring succour and hope to his oppressed people and Nigeria. Praise to the living God of all mankind. Who can fathom his ways?

The truth is that since Nigeria is one country under one constitution, we are all equal before the law. Nowhere does the constitution of Nigeria confer on some people superiority over others; so the smug superiority, which certain people exhibit is only a figment of their imagination, a bloated of cell, and a serious pathological problem of inadequacies and low selfesteem. This delusion has been boasted by God, who really owns the power and gives to whosoever He pleases.

History is replete with the rise and fall of nations and empires. So, rulership is not the permanent birth right of anybody or any people. In realisation of this fact, the political arithmetic to use Boko Haram as the anvil to revert to the old order, to browbeat and intimidate Nigeria to their whims, will not wash. It is ill advised, reprehensible, beastly and unacceptable and must be strongly resisted by every right thinking and true patriotic Nigerian. Their only goal is to corner Nigeria and use others as pawns to appropriate everything to their whims and their cronies will agree to poodle along.

Scholars and elite that have preference for status symbol over intellectual honesty social climbers that will sell their soul for a mess of porridge or for an invitation to social climbers cocktail party. They want to rule others, but others does not deserve to rule over them unless on the narrow and exclusive terms.

My advice to Jonathan is to remain focused, not to be distracted by the cacophony of unfounded criticism. To keep his eyes at the price of the high calling, as his position demands. To give Nigerians badly needed democracy dividend, as per the recent outcome

of Edo State governorship election, where the people’s choice was made freely and peacefully despite the pressure on him to muzzle up the opposition and install fellow party man. To intensify his well articulated approach to power Nigeria to economic prosperity, regardless of the inanities of PHCN workers, which has started showing some improvements. To continue to assiduously tackle the security issue.

Nigerians are not oblivious of a success through the instrumentality of his new IGP by ordering the dismantling of all road blocks across the country, with its collateral benefits to the economy, whereby a journey that used to take about nine hours has been slashed by 50 percent, not to talk of the sigh of relief, which the traumatised Nigerian road users have heaved since then. To level the playing field, so that every ethnic nationality can stand on the same footing. To liberate Nigeria from the strangle hold, manacles and vestiges of feudal hegemony and behemoth. To power Nigeria to economic prosperity, regardless of the inanities of shameless Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers, conduct a proper, verifiable census using biometric data capturing system and United Nations agencies, to convene a national conference, where constituent nationalities will freely pick their representatives, free from government and party influence and coercion to sit at a round table to determine and chart the right course for Nigeria accord on the principle of self-determination. If he is able to do this, I have no doubt that history will be very kind to you and will adjudge you as one of Nigeria’s all time great. Then 2015 will take care of itself.

The only problem of these people is that they lost over half a century strangle hold on and rudderless, inept leadership of Nigeria, that does not sit well with them. That is the essence of Boko Haram politics. Suddenly, they have become marginalised and pauperised because they are no more helping themselves freely and financing their amorous lifestyle from the Nigerian till, forgetting that in their shameless and mean spirited policy after the war meted out £20 to every deposit of easterners, regardless of how much that was deposited, not minding the fact that not up to 25 percent of the population had no access to bank account

then. Man proposes but God disposes. Mr. President, take note that what makes a great man is courage and his sense of fairness and justice. Your ability to make tough choices and tough decision when at the cross roads regardless of whose ox is gored. This is what will make or mar your presidency.

In all your policies be people-minded; apply soft power; make fair policies that will redistribute the pains and the gains of one nation, one destiny. Recognise and reward hard work, thereby reordering our value system. It is only there and then that Nigerians will come to terms with themselves and deal with each other with some degree of honesty, love and respect, as they realise the adage that says what goes around comes around and that truth is eternal and love is redemptive.

Yes with quiet gradualism and emphatic pertinence, President Jonathan’s integration and transformational agenda will bear deep root and abundant harvest. Sure, that is the pathway for Nigeria. As the souls of those bombed to death in the church of God and Allah’s mosque will groan bitterly in their grave, if we bid a retreat in cowardice and fall for the antics of these cabals. Nigerians must resist the psychological edge, which they dubiously appropriated with the aid of Britain. It’s all about psychological warfare.

Democracy is about participatory and robust discussion of issues and not just winning election and controlling levers of power. The losers equally have a say; democracy guarantees opportunities, not victory. This is time for paradigm shift in our national thinking and approach to issues. We must choose to develop minds over weapons of death, dialogue with each other over mean spirited scheming against each other; to think it out and not fight it out, as an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.

It’s either we willingly live together, like intelligible men and women created in the image and likeness of God in peace and harmony, or we perish, like fools fashioned after the errant and cursed way of Satan the devil.

• Okpala, an analyst and commentator, lives in Lagos.

10

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

National news Kwara police arrest gun manufacturer, 12 others From LAYI OLANREWAJU, bery suspects, including two university final year underIlorin graduates were arrested. The he Kwara State Police final year students (university Command has apprehend- name withheld) alongside ed an Ilorin-based black- another suspect, were arrested smith, who specialised in man- at Ita-Amodu area of Ilorin, on ufacturing AK 47 rifles and September 25, 2012 over illegal possession of firearms that pistols for armed robbers.

The blacksmith, whose include two locally made pisname was given as Joseph tols and fake pieces of N1, 000 Adeoye, was arrested along- denomination.

Though not paraded, the 11 side four-man robbery gang terrorising Alagbado-Sobi area were among the 13 suspects in Ilorin, the state capital. No the PPRO said were arrested.

According to him, “on fewer than eight other robbery suspects were also nabbed by 04/10/2012 at about 16:10 hours, while acting on intellipolice.

The Police Public Relations gence information, our men Officer (PPRO), Fabode from ‘E’ Division, Ilorin Olufemi, made this known arrested one Umar Suleiman, during a press briefing at the Abdulraheem Sakiru with Deputy Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina (right) presenting a copy of the command headquarters in Taiwo Ismaila and after proper Newspaper to Lion Samuel Ekpuk D.G Lions District 404A, during his visit to the publishing Company at Kirikiri Ilorin. Items recovered from search, two locally made pisIndustrial Estate Apapa yesterday.

PHOTO: FESTUS ODOFIN the suspects include 21 mobile tols, live cartridge with two phones, 26 fake pieces of N1, receipt booklets were recov000 note, a pair of Army uni- ered from them.

“After much investigation, form trousers, AK47 rifles, pistols with live cartridges, it was discovered that they charms, receipt booklets, belong to a gang of armed robFrom ADE ALADE, Abuja stamp pad, axes, knifes, cut- bers.”

Speaking on the lasses, blacksmith instruments t a time the North and But I have nothing to do with said: “I have been the nation- and efforts towards bringing and stolen clothes, among oth- Alagbado-Sobi robbery incident, he said the suspects were the South eastern parts second term. Second term is al chairman for years and we the region together, as a stable ers.

Also, no fewer than 11 rob- arrested with two locally made of Nigeria have intensi- for an institution and that’s for are not just returning; we have and united entity, he has pistols and charms. fied their campaign to have the PDP. We are not PDP as a always been there. We have equally been reaching out to the nation’s number one polit- group. Individuals are PDP been visible; it’s just that there prominent leaders across ical seat conceded to their and no other party but we are has been internal division as a other geo-political zones region in 2015, incumbent not as a group. And when result of which we have been through courtesy visits.

When contacted, the President Goodluck Jonathan President Jonathan makes up operating under the canopy of Saturday Sun gathered From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi Permanent Secretary in charge appears bent on having anoth- his mind whether or not to South South leaders and eld- that one of such visits has er shot at the highly coveted contest, when the PDP ers’ forum. But now, we been tentatively scheduled for he office of the of MDGs Bauchi office, Millennium Development Sambo Umaru Jamberi, who position, as a couple of his decides whether he will or he decided to return to the name Lagos, where the governor is Goals (MDGs) in Bauchi was among the staffer under undisputable allies have will not be their candidate, that everybody knows, SSPA expected to confer with forthe tree, declined to state the begun a discreet move to then things will fall into brings all groups in the South mer governor of the state, State has been gutted by fire. cause of the fire.

The fire, which started at actualise the project. place.”

South together for unity and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Jamberi, who refused to Towards this quiet but Saturday Sun gathered that process is ongoing but we who is the national leader of night, affected all the five offices in the building, burning speak directly with journalists, steady move, notable Ijaw that the decision to use the have always been.” the Action Congress of all official documents, files, leader, Chief Edwin Clark, SSPA to launch President He however confirmed Nigeria, which controls five computers and furniture sent the information officer, former Edo State governor, Jonathan’s second term bid that several activities have states in the South West zone Alhaji Umaru, to say that he Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was suggested by Chief been lined up for the SSPA, and Edo State in the South among other valuable items. (the PS) was not competent to Saturday Sun learnt that the and the current governor of Clark, who has never hidden including a General Assembly South, in addition to a large fire affected the store where talk to journalists on the issue.

Bayelsa State, Seriake his support for another term but failed to say for which “The MDGs office is directnumber of federal lawmakers stationery materials, projects Edward Dickson, have, in for the president because the purpose. ly under the Secretary to the in the National Assembly equipment and other things recent weeks, been working group, from its inception, has State Government office and it “You just watch out; we are hard to build a strong South remained in the forefront of already working and you will spread across all the six geo- were kept, including accounts, is only the SSG that can compolitical zones of the country. technical offices and the office South regional campaign for a the campaign for a South see the signs with everyday One of Governor of the Permanent Secretary, ment on the fire incidence,” he retention of the presidential South president until about that passes. We are going to said, and directed the journalseat in the zone in the next two years ago when the Ijaw hold a general assembly soon. Dickson’s top aides, who will who heads the MDGs office.

When our correspondent ists to the SSG office. election. The campaign, leader led a faction to break We will have that within the not want to be named, conWhen our correspondent which is billed to go full blast away from the main body led next two or three months,” he firmed the planned visit, visited the office, behind before the end of this year, by Chief Raymond Dokpesi. stressed. As part of efforts to stressing “I am aware there is Bauchi airport, near Federal went to the state fire service, will start with the General While Oyegun led the Clark smoothen the path for a pending visit to Senator Secretariat complex, the the acting director, Babayo Assembly of the South South faction, the Dokpesi group President Jonathan’s return in Tinubu but where and for staffer were seen under a tree Umar Misau, said they Peoples Assembly, SSPA was led by himself and 2015, Governor Dickson has what purpose is what I cannot trying to sort out a few files received a telephone call at 8: tell you because I don’t have and document recovered from 23pm on the fire outbreak at billed to hold soon. Oyegun as Senator Aniete Okon. not only limited his resources such details as we speak.” the fire. the MDGs office. national chairman is currently The last two months have leading the body, which is still however, witnessed frantic putting its house in order. efforts to reconcile the facSaturday Sun gathered that tions and make the group efforts to provide a common ready for the Jonathan’s projfront and voice for the South ect. Some progress was made From TONY OSAUZO, South region under SSPA on Friday, September 28, Benin execution, prison officials Daniel Nsofor, who also had others were set free. have been intense in the last 2012 when the factions at a Saturday Sun learnt that have prepared the gallows, his death sentence confirmed ollowing Governor two months. harmonisation meeting held Adams Oshiomhole’s waiting for final order for its by the Supreme Court, was the prison authorities, in their When asked about the at Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta signing of death warrants execution. The two convicts, said to have strangled a report to the state governagenda, Oyegun confirmed State agreed to allow Oyegun the development, but denied it emerge as Chairman but of two convicted persons whose sentences were con- woman to death after taking ment concerning the recent jail break at Oko Prison, was for the sole aim of cam- failed to agree on which fac- over murder, the gallows at firmed by the Supreme her money.

Governor Oshiomhole, in Benin, had indicated that the paigning for Jonathan’s sec- tion will produce the secre- the Benin Prison have been Court, are Osaremwinda ond term bid. prepared for their execution. Aiguohian and Daniel exercising his Prerogative of continued imprisonment of tary.

Mercy, was said to have con- condemned persons constiAccording to him, “that’s This is coming at a time Nsofor.

The stalemate notwithAiguohian, who was said sidered the cases of the two tuted great risk, as they have not strictly so, but of course standing, Saturday Sun learnt Edo State Attorney-General we think that a lot of what is that funds were being and Commissioner for to have killed his victim and convicts as too heinous and often been the arrow-head of going on in the country has mobilised by some state gov- Justice, Dr. Osagie dismembered the body, had therefore, signed their death jail break by prisoners.

Meanwhile, Human not been fair to Jonathan and ernors from the region and the Obayuwana has defended described his action in his warrants to enable them face Rights groups, including we think that we too have presidency to enable the body Governor Oshiomhole’s defence, during trial in court, execution by hanging. been part of the problem engage in various activities approval of the execution of as a “mistake,” but the The governor, according Amnesty International, have Governor because we have not stood up that will increase its public the convicts, saying he acted Supreme Court, in affirming to sources, also reviewed the criticised his death sentence in 2004, death sentences of four other Oshiomhole’s signing of the enough, both to support him showing and visibility, with a within the law. and to guide him. And that’s view to properly position it Sources told Saturday Sun said “the like of Aiguohian convicts and commuted the death warrants, saying most what we are trying to do a lit- for the second term campaign. that following the formal belongs to Hades”. sentences of two to life countries, now commute tle bit more forcefully now.

The second convict, imprisonment while the two death sentences to life approval of the convicts’ To explain this, Oyegun

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Jonathan in fresh bid for 2015

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• Clark, Oyegun, Dickson lead onslaught

Fire razes MDG Bauchi office

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Convicted murderers’ execution spot ready • As Edo defends Oshiomhole for signing death warrant

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imprisonment

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

11

National news Police raid Uba’s house, cart away documents, 3 posh cars • We only visited his office, took documents – Police P lain clothed detectives from the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi have stormed the Omole Phase 2 residence of detained Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba and ransacked the whole house.

At the end of the exercise, the team, led by one Supol Soji, was said to have carted away some documents and driven away three posh cars, belonging to the oil magnet.

It was not immediately clear on whose order the team acted, as a statement yesterday quoting his lawyer, Mr. Soro Nwoko, described the action as highly “unprofessional, illegal and uncalled for” and noted that the police operation must have been done with ulterior motive. He demanded that the Inspector General, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, should order investigation into the ‘illegal act.’

Said Nwoko: “Given that the accused person has been in the custody of the police for about 11 days, and a suit challenging their continued detention is currently before a competent court of law, invading his house and confiscating his property, when the court has not given an order to that effect, amounts to an affront on the judiciary and a further violation of the fundamental rights of the detainee, who is still innocent, having not been pronounced guilt by any court of law.

“On whose order did the police confiscate his cars? Is it

on the orders of the InspectorGeneral or the commissioner in charge of the SFU? This is uncalled for because the value of those cars is nothing to compare with the amount they allegedly stole. I can tell you there is more to that and police authorities should call the officers to order because this is becoming humiliation.”

Uba has been in the custody of the SFU since October 9.

He was detained along four management staff of the company, when they went to honour an invitation extended to the company by the police at SFU over allegations of graft brought against his company by the Presidential Committee led by Access Bank CEO, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede, which audited the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy payment scheme to oil importers and marketers.

Also reacting to the unlawful confiscation of Uba’s cars and invasion of his house, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Centre for Truth, Justice and Fair Play (CTJFP), described the development as yet another act of illegality by the police.

The group, in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Nathan Ochuko, noted that the act constitutes a clear violation of the rights of the detained persons, who he described as very reputable Nigerians.

“It is important to note at this point that Aig-

Police kill dare-devil robber in Abuja gun battle •Recover ammunition, phones, laptops From FRED ITUA, Abuja

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uck ran out on an unidentified armed robber in the early hours of yesterday when men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command engaged a gang of robbers in a gun battle. He was killed in the process while two

CORRECTION Last week we mistakenly published the picture of Gen. Andrew Azazi, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) as that of General Alexander Ogomudia, former Chief of Defence Staff to illustrate the latter’s interview. The error is regretted.

–Editor

Gen. Ogomudia

others escaped.

Briefing news in Abuja yesterday, after the raid, the DPO of Wuse Divisional Police Headquarters, CSP Haruna Garuba, stated that they got a call from an anonymous caller at the early hours of yesterday that some robbers were operating at Wuse Area.

He added that he quickly dispatched his men to the scene who engaged the robbers in a gun battle, thereby killing one and two escaped.

He said one SMG rifle and nine ammunitions were recovered from the dead robber.

The owner of the vehicle used by the robbers during the raid also briefed journalists on his ordeal and how the robbers forcefully snatched his car.

“I went to my friend’s place at Area 11 in Abuja at 7am.

The car owner and former NBA chairman in one of the northern states who didn’t want his name published for security reasons stated.

Speaking further, he said: “There was no light in the premises and as I was about to alight from my car, I was approached by three men who forcefully dragged me out of my car. Although I was not shot, my bags and N20, 000 were taken along side with the vehicle.”

Imoukhuede committee recommended 25 firms for further investigations over the subsidy issue. Uba, as we have come to realise, was invited with chieftains of three other oil firms, who refused to show up. We also know that representatives of two of the oil firms were asked to write their statements, after which, the SFU police allowed them to go. But Uba, as a law-abiding

citizen and his team, decided to honour the invitation and are still being held till date.

The question now being asked is whether the other executives have been cleared by the subsidy probe committee. If this is the case, government should come out and make it known to Nigerians. We are demanding an immediate release of Uba and his on bail, because the alleged offence is not a

capital offence or treasonable felony but a bailable one,” CTJFP said.

The CTJFP, statement was signed by its President, Mr. Nathan Ochuko.

Ochuko said: “Uba is a lawabiding citizen. He only returned from a trip that same day and was informed that the SFU invited him and some members staff for questioning in respect of subsidy issues. As

one who had no skeleton in his cupboard, he went there on his own, but because the police still have some issues to resolve, they decided to go before the court to obtain an order to enable them complete their investigation.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of SFU, ASP Ngozi Isitume, said that the police did not raid Uba’s house but visited his office on Wednesday and took away some documents.

Public Relation adviser, Julious Beger Nigeria Mr. Clement Iloba, Author “The Great Fall’ Mrs. Chinyere Obi-Obasi principal Surulere, Secondary School, Mrs. Folasade Arinola Ogunbekun, and Public Relation Officer Julius Beger Nigeria Miss Susan Obi at the Julious Beger writing workshop as part of Literacy Campaign in Lagos yesterday.

River Niger dredging for completion next year From AIDOGHIE PAULI- sheet piling, which is a major component of the project, NUS, in Minna was completed recently.

He revealed that the conhe National Inland Waterways Authority struction of a wharf site, (NIWA) has said that the which is 150 metres off seaentire dredging of lower side, had been carried out in River Niger will be complet- addition to sand filling of about 420,000 cubic metres. ed in March 2013.

Yar’Adua also told the delNIWA Managing Director, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’Adua, egation that NIWA had begun gave the assurance during the discussion with the private National Good Governance sector on how to effectively Tour to Baro Port, Niger utilise the Baro Port, stating that a transport company in State.

Yar’Adua said “at the Lokoja had agreed to conmoment, the dredging is 70 percent completed,” adding that the dredging, which started in 2010, could have been From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, completed by December Lokoja 2012 but work was slowed down due to lack of access ogi State commissioner road to the site and the recent of Police, Mohammed flooding which affected the Musa Katsina, has said pace of work. that contrary to media report He said: “In fact, we actu- he did not order that the state ally slated to complete this House of Assembly be sealed work by December, but up. He said he only directed unfortunately, you are aware that security be beefed around of the unprecedented flood- the assembly complex to foreing which swept almost all stall violence owing to the controversy that trailed the riverine areas.

“The only access road we removal of the speaker.

Addressing newsmen yeswere able to do was washed away. As it is now, some of terday in his office, the CP said the materials cannot be he acted on the petition written brought in until the water by the former speaker, Abdullahi Bello and intellicomes down.

“That is why we have to gence report that some misshift the time for completion. creants were planning to attack We estimate that by March of the House.

He said he immediately 2013, work will be completdrafted a detachment of the ed.” anti-riot policemen to the area, Yar’Adua further said he but was surprised when the was confident about the com- same Bello went to the press to pletion date because the steel allege that he had sealed up the

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struct four barges of 500 tonnes each, which would be deployed to Baro for the transportation of goods through Lokoja to Warri.

Responding, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the dredging of the River Niger, which was conceived in 1954, could not take off until the emergence of Jonathan administration due to instability in governance which was brought about by long years of military rule.

Maku said he was hopeful that upon completion of the project in 2013, the nation would fulfill the aspiration of its founding fathers, especially in the utilisation of inland waterways for the transportation of goods and humans.

Maku revealed that the Federal Executive Council recently awarded a consultancy contract for the design of the dredging of River Benue from Lokoja to Yola in order to boost inland waterways transportation in the country.

I didn’t seal up Kogi Assembly –CP

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complex.

Musa Katsina said the assembly complex was not sealed, as workers and those who have legitimate business to do there were allowed access.

The police boss confirmed that he withdrew police escort of the former speaker based on the letter he received from the clerk of the House, intimating his office of the change of leadership in the House.

He also frowned at the attitude of the former speaker, who wrote another petition urging his office to investigate an allegation of signature forgery against some members, but when invited to shed more light on the allegation, he refused to show up.

The CP stressed that as a chief law officer in the state, he would not fold his arms to allow the break down of law and order and therefore, warned politicians not to drag

him into their face off.

Meanwhile, there was palpable tension in Okene and parts of Ebira land Thursday, as security men swiftly averted what would have been a bloody clash between the supporters of the impeached speaker and that of the new speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal.

The clash was averted when the new speaker paid a courtesy call on the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, as some youths were said to have barricaded the road to prevent his movement.

It was also gathered that the supporters of the new speaker had also gathered at another spot to confront the anti-Lawal supporters when the police swiftly dispersed them with tear gas.

Both the impeached speaker and the current speaker are from Okene Local Government Area.

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

National news ONDO GUBER 2012

11,000 policemen keep watch on Ondo From TUNDE RAHMAN and NGOZI UWUJARE, Akure

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he Nigeria Police yesterday deployed over 11, 000 policemen to various parts of Ondo State ahead of today’s governorship election, with a warning that any policeman found wanting would be punished.

Speaking with Saturday Sun in Akure yesterday, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, who has been redeployed to Ondo State to supervise the election said the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone X1 are also in the state to ensure that security is intact and that a peaceful election is recorded in Ondo State.

He said three state commissioners of police are also heading security arrangement in each of the three senatorial districts.

Indabawa said, in addition to the policemen being deployed, other security agents, such as the Army, Navy and para-military

organisations have also been deployed, warning trouble makers to leave the state, as their activities would not be condoned.

He appealed to the public to be law-abiding, saying they should allow peace to reign during the election, adding that all hands were on deck to ensure peace and order.

He said that the number of policemen deployed is enough to cover all the polling booths as, according to him, the curfew imposed at the border of the state is to ensure that hoodlums are not allowed to operate or bring in ammunition. .

He further advised the residents to obey the order on restriction of movement during the period of election, adding that “fortunately for them, election day is Saturday and it is not an official working day.” People should just carry out their civic responsibility of casting their votes and stay in their houses.”

Indabawa further said that policemen have been given series of lectures on their roles during the election, saying, “any of them found wanting would be adequately punished.

“The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has said that anybody found wanting in his or her duty during this election will be sanctioned. If I am found wanton I will be punished for it. So, in the same way, any officer or rank-andfile that is found wanting during the election monitoring

will not go unpunished .”

Indabawa dismissed the insinuation that there will be ballot boxes snatching, saying, “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, was here on Wednesday and said such an exercise will be void because, according to

him, the ballot papers and boxes as well as result sheets are serialised and so it will be detected if such happens.

“You know we are improving on our elections. The 2011 election was rated better than that of 2007. The last Edo State governorship election was described as the best in Nigerian history. We want to

ensure that this election in Ondo State is better than that of Edo.” AIG Orubebe and DIG Operations, Mr. Leha corroborated all that Indabawa said, as they told Saturday Sun that they were sure of a peaceful election and that people should not be afraid, but should come out and vote.

Sensitive materials for distribution this morning From DURO ADESEKO, Ondo

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o fewer than 48 Independent Electoral Commissioners and 13 Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states will supervise the Ondo State governorship election holding today.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said the officials were sent to ensure that the election holds in a free and fair atmosphere. It is believed that the involvement of the highly placed INEC officials would make today’s election credible.

Sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrived Akure, the

capital of Ondo State on Thursday. Non-sensitive materials were sent to different wards while sensitive materials would be dispatched early this morning.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, told reporters yesterday that all materials for the election were already in his custody and ready for dispatch to all the 18 local government areas in the state.

Orebiyi said election will take place in 307, 000 out of the 309, 000 polling unit. He explained that election will not hold in two polling units because of where to site them.

According to him, “when we were conducting registra-

tion of voters exercise, two particular units in Ese Odo Local Government did not participate in the exercise because the people in the community, within the two polling units, disagreed on where to site the polling units. They did not participate in the registration exercise; so, they cannot come out to vote since their names are not on the voters register.

“We hope that when we commence another registration next year, they would have resolved their differences and join us.”

The REC confirmed that there are 1, 654, 05 registered voters in Ondo and that adequate preparation had been made to ensure that all eligible voters that turn out cast their

votes.

The senior electoral officials drafted to Ondo State were deployed to all local government areas.

The list of the electoral officers and the local government to which they were deployed were made available to newsmen yesterday.

Some of the leaders of the INEC in different local governments are as follows: Edwin Ofor Nwatarah, Akoko (North East); Silvester Okey Ezeani, Akoko (North West), Hadja Amina Zakari, Akoko (South East); Samuel Madaki Usman,Akoko (South West), Ambassador Wali M. A. Amiedi Ikoiwak, Ese Odo and Ihema Iremiren, Ifedore.

Heavy security in Owo •Candidates, parties decline comments From RAZAQ BAMIDELE, Owo

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• Journalists waiting to be accredited at the INEC media centre, ahead of today’s election, in Akure, yesterday.

Boko Haram suspect caught in senator’s house in Maiduguri From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri

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rom Maiduguri, the restive capital of Borno State yesterday came the startling revelation of the arrest of a Boko Haram suspect, one Shuaibu Mohammed Bama at the residence of a serving senator in the metropolis.

Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa through a statement posted to journalists said the task force arrested Shuaibu Mohammed Bama on Thursday at the personal residence of a serving senator and member of the National Assembly along Damboa road, GRA Maiduguri.

“Shuaibu Mohammed Bama

who has been on the wanted list lists of terrorists operating between Bama and Maiduguri was arrested by the Task Force troops in a serving senator’s house along Damboa road, GRA Maiduguri. He is in the custody of JTF and assisting in the investigations and has since made startling revelations,” Lt Col Sagir Musa did not give detail of the arrest of Bama.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 people may have died in Maiduguri and Potiskum, a commercial town in Yobe following various coordinated attacks by the Boko Haram sect.

In Maiduguri, a bomb explosion targeted at the JTF troops around the Hausari ward behind the state specialists hospital was said to have claimed the lives of

the three bombers.

Sporadic shooting by the JTF men followed the explosion, which occurred at about 1.15pm yesterday while Muslims faithful were in various mosques in the city to observe the Friday prayers. Many shops and residences around the scene of the blast were also burnt.

The bomb blast came barely an hour after the killing of a Chinese at a construction site.

The Chinese was killed while working on the construction of a new link road along the popular road yesterday. Some Nigerian workers who also witnessed the incident said the gunmen sneaked into the site and opened fire on the Chinese.

Meanwhile, Potiskum again witnessed another orgy of violence following coordinated

attacks by the militant sect on Thursday evening. Residents said some gunmen in two trucks had taken a position on a major road in the town on Thursday nigh, shooting sporadically and targeting the security forces.

The shooting, sources said led to an all-night fierce confrontation with the security forces, which lasted till Friday morning. Scores were believed to have died in the confrontation. A senior government official was one of the victims in the ensuing gun battle. Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with Saturday Sun but added that he was yet to get full report from the divisional police officer in the town.

wo, hometown of the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday witnessed tight security as soldiers and riot policemen in large numbers stood guard.

Right from Idanre junction, down to the inner city, there were several checkpoints, where vehicles and hand luggage of even passers-by were thoroughly searched by fierce looking and gun-wielding security agents.

The security operatives’presence was more visible at the heart of the ancient town, where the king’s palace, the town hall and the museum are located, just as they were at all the major roundabouts, junctions and road intersections across the metropolis.

Also, several lorry-loads of combat-ready security men patrolled the city, with their deafening sirens sending signals to the residents that there would be no nonsense in today’s election.

Checks revealed that there was near pandemonium in the city on Thursday evening when the movement restriction order by the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar was misinterpreted to mean curfew. Desperation of the residents as well as motorists and commercial motorcycle operators to beat the 6p.m deadline caused a bit of commotion.

The maturity of the security personnel, who handled the sit-

uation with high level of civility and professionalism, gave resident succour.

Saturday Sun observed that in order not to run foul of the electoral law that stops campaigns 48 hours before any election, activities at the political parties and individual candidate’s campaign offices are near zero.

Also, Director-General of the ACN Campaign Organisation, Tayo Alasoadura, refused to pick correspondent’s call. The spokesperson for Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, Idowu Ajanaku, who promised earlier that he would talk to Saturday Sun declined to do so at the end of the day.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Campaign Office in Owo was firmly locked with no official to contact for comments.

There was palpable fear in the air, as residents were of the suspicions that violence might erupt at the end of the day.

There was rumour that all the three major contenders in today’s election had brought in thugs to unleash mayhem on the people if the wind of electoral victory does not blow towards their pay masters. A chieftain of the Labour Party, Dr. Olu Agunloye, allayed fears of the residents, saying “the level of security on ground would discourage that.”

The pioneer Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who spoke with our reporter on Thursday night, was sure that the election would be peaceful, asserting, “you would be embarrassingly disappointed that it would be violence-free.”

Cover Story SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012, PAGE 13

From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna

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former lecturer and a one-time musician, who headed a live musical band to Australia, America and other parts of the world in the late 60s, has said that as part of his campaign against abortion, which started about 24 years ago, he would build a home for ladies carrying unwanted pregnancies, so that they would not fall into the temptation of aborting the babies.

According to Sony Pat-Natson, founder and President of Pro-Life Plus, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), he would continue to lose sleep till abortion is stopped in Nigeria, stressing that termination of pregnancy is a sin and wickedness against God and humanity.

Pat-Natson said he would not buy the idea that motherless babies would contribute to population explosion in the country, saying that the more new births are recorded, the more dead people are replaced.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a former lecturer, School of Management, Kano; former lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; former lecturer, Kaduna Polytechnic, where I spent 29 years before retiring. So, am a retired lecturer and a retired musician. I owned musical band way back in the 60s. I was the first musician to play guitar on NTA, Kaduna. I rode on a donkey to the television house in those days.

As long as live music performance was concerned, I was a household name in the North.

I also travelled as far as Australia and other countries to play music. Bongos Ikwue, the Benue State-born musician, is my childhood friend, and up till today we communicate. I am 70 years old, married with seven children. I speak seven Nigerian languages, which include Idoma. Of course, I am an Idoma by tribe; I speak Tiv, Igala, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulfulde and English language.

What are you doing currently?

Before I retired from the teaching profession, I started something called Pro-Life Plus, a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO). Pro-Life Plus simply means that I support life. I agreed with life, the way God has created it, and I go round the country, giving free lectures on the sanctity of human life, irrespective of religion. When I started it, I was still in the polytechnic. I started giving lectures to all manner of groups, the Muslim boys, the Christian boys, and little by little, I graduated to lecturing nurses, midwives, and medical doctors, especially younger ones on the sanctity of human life. The younger generations, especially the young girls in secondary schools are the target of these lectures. We try to reach out to these girls and teach them about the way of life; so that they don’t make the vital mistake that will eventually set them on a different cause from their ambitions. We distribute all manner of books to churches, Islamic schools, everywhere. So, my NGO is for saving souls.

What course did you teach as a lecturer?

I taught in the secretarial department. I was a specialist in shorthand, teaching shorthand mainly, typing writing, and English language. When you are teaching shorthand, you are also teaching English language.

Shorthand is English, and English is shorthand. So, these were the two major subjects that I taught.

What inspired you to form the NGO? Let me just summarise it by saying it is God. One day, there in the Kaduna Polytechnic, one of my students observed my character. Whatever he saw in me, I don’t know. He wrote something on a piece of paper and gave it to me, saying that we should set aside a day to pray for the souls of aborted babies. The appeal touched my

Natson

MY HOME FOR GIRLS WITH UNWANTED PREGNANCIES WILL FIGHT ABORTION – EX-LECTURER spirit so deeply, and I started meditating. I thought about the souls of aborted babies.

Nobody seems to care that these children have souls, and that the souls are also sinners. The scripture says that we are born guilty and sinners from moment of conception; that is what Christianity teaches me. So, I started having sympathy for these souls that were sent back to where they came from through immorality, abortion and all manner of behaviours. So, I started praying for the aborted souls every day. And little by little,

some students would come to my office to receive advice on the danger of abortion.

Today, it has grown into something that I never expected.

Are you planning an orphanage home?

It is not necessarily an orphanage home. I simply need a place that I can build to help these girls that are driven from homes with pregnancies, a place that I can look after them while I reconcile them with their parents. Some of these parents, out of poverty

live in one or two rooms with many children; so you can imagine how the place will be in the night. The two rooms are just too tight for all of them. So, I actually need a place to accommodate pregnant girls, who are driven away by their parents. I have acquired the land already somewhere in Kaduna; all I need now is money to develop the place. Unfortunately, my pension is not forthcoming. Over a year now, no pension.

And some people see this type of thing as a waste of time; so they will not like to support it. But this is where the real preaching is; this is where to save souls. Many church-

Continued on Page 14

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Cover Story

‘Blame careless parents, poverty for abortion explosion’ Continued from Page 13

as baby killers or murderers that they are.

So, where do you get any records? But some doctors are there who must have taken money from American agencies or foreign agencies to deceive Nigerian authority that abortion can be done by experienced doctors and, therefore, it should be legalised. And abortion is all about terminating the life of an unborn baby. So, they want expert doctors to make money from it. In America, they make massive millions of dollars from abortion.

Now, they want such a thing to be happening in Nigeria too, and even without legalising it. It is already too much. No doctor will want to tell you that he has done up to 50 or 100 abortions, not in Nigeria. So, it is very unfortunate. But I am happy that the National Assembly, sometimes ago, kicked against same sex marriage and abortion.

So, the issues of statistics of abortion, let nobody tell you lies, whether he is a professor in medicine or gyneacology; there is no statistics.

es have invited us for lecture; we showed films on different types of abortion, free of charge, if they like, they support us. This is what we do at Pro-Life Plus, to discourage pregnant girls from doing abortion, and let the baby live. We have been very successful. God knows this. I don’t sleep in order to ensure the success of the programme.

So, by the time we put up the home where we can keep these girls, the job will be easier for us at Pro-Life Plus. And I pray to God to see us through the project.

How old are you, and what do you think is responsible for rapid rise in abortion in the society today?

I am 70 years old now. So many things are responsible for increase in abortion nowadays. In the olden days, there was nothing like Internet browsing and pornography. There was less abortion then; but today only the devil can keep the account of abortion. One of the factors responsible for abortion is poverty; greed is number two; then the rate of immorality, coupled with corruption. In fact, I don’t know how to categorise them; they are so many. Many parents can’t send their children to schools because of poverty. Some of them in schools fall out of schools, and eventually, assisted by Satan, they discovered that they could use their body to make some money through sex. They go into prostitution, and when pregnancy comes, the only answer they use to have is abortion because they don’t want people to know that they have been having sex.

Some parents are also responsible for this abortion explosion. Some of them are so careless about their children, especially parents in one or two bedrooms. When they are doing their thing in the midnight, some of them think that the children are asleep.

Well, actually as they have their rights to do the thing, as Mr. & Mrs., the children are suddenly awake, and even peeping through the other room to see what their parents are doing, and later they try to practise this thing outside. So, attach this one to problem of poverty. Some parents are in one room with about four to five children.

When will they relate as husband and wife in the same room? Government too is, in one-way or another, encouraging abortion because when it is encouraging the use of contraception, it is on the other hand encouraging abortion, should the contraception fails. They don’t want to listen to the message of abstinence, as if they don’t have sex they will fall sick. Let me ask you: have you ever heard that somebody died or rushed to hospital because he or she was not having sex? It can never be. In other words, abstinence never fails. You will not be sick because you have not been having sex. But people are so obsessed that it is sex, sex, sex all over the place. Some men use money to deceive girls of their granddaughters’ age to have sex with them.

A girl that has never seen one thousand naira for a very long time, will succumb if she’s given N5,000. There are so many factors which I cannot say all of them here.

Is condom no longer reliable?

From the viewpoint of Pro-Life Plus, condom is not even good for any true Christian or Muslim. The two religions totally reject the use of condom. Why should you use condom? After all, sex is only for married people; so those using condom are afraid because they know that they are doing something evil. So, why should you use condom with your wife?

Perhaps in the name of the so-called family planning. Family planning is for God to do.

While creating human beings, God Himself created room for possible family planning.

He is a free God. He gave us that freedom, even as He created us to choose when to be

Natson pregnant and when not to be pregnant. He created it in the nature of woman, the time a woman can conceive, and when a woman cannot conceive. And as human beings, we have to have self-discipline to allow your wife to be pregnant when you need a child, and to avoid pregnancy, as you like.

So, the Pro-Life Plus organisation supports natural family planning. God gave us a choice to have a baby or not to have a baby.

He now created a woman with menstrual cycle; so if a woman studies her own menstrual cycle, which differs from woman to woman, a woman can, in agreement with her husband, decide when to have a baby or not. So, a man knows when to meet or keep away from having sex with his wife.

We look at condom as evil because it is a way of destroying the material (sperm) that God uses in creating you and me. Look at the Bible, in Genesis 38: 9-10; you read about somebody called Onan. The Bible said he was allowed to have sex with his late brother’s widow, who cried to God that she didn’t have a child; so Onan, whenever he had sex with this woman, would withdraw from her body and spill the sperm on the ground, killing the sperm and, therefore, destroying God’s instrument for procreation. God saw what he did, and according to the Bible, Onan was struck dead for wasting human seed, which is very precious to God. The condom again, is most unreliable; it is made of latex rubber and latex rubber, by its nature, has holes all over it, invisible to the ordinary eyes. During the use of condom, due to friction, the condom can tear; it can burst; it does leak sometimes, and sometimes it pulls away totally from the penis. And who is that man who will say, oh, this condom has burst, let me put another one before we continue with the sex? No man can do that. When anything goes wrong with the condom, the HIV/AIDS, STD, gonorrhea, pregnancy and many diseases that you are trying to avoid can happen. So, condom again is a way of encouraging immorality, destroying our children all over the place.

With what you are planning, it’s obvious that motherless babies will explode the country’s population?

There is nothing wrong with our population. I just love this question. There is nothing like population explosion; let’s face it;

every day we are killing ourselves; everyday diseases are killing us; people are dying of malaria and HIV everyday; when do we recover from the death of these situations? Some people are saying it is due to poverty. Which poverty? We are not poor.

There is plenty of food for everybody. The only thing that is wrong with us is that you see one person taking away plenty of money that belongs to millions of people.

He will put it in his personal bank account.

For example, if I am given money for feeding you and I, and I put the money into my pocket, how will you not go hungry? You will go starving. So, definitely, there is enough for the over-population. There is enough for everybody God created.

People who are trying to teach Nigerians about over-population are those who simply want to depopulate our country for their own interest. There is food at every moment. We should not allow anybody to hoodwink us about over-population. We have everything in abundance in this country to take care of over-population.

Fear of giving birth to what Nigerian society called bastard often leads most women to commit abortion. What is your advice?

These are situations created by human beings. What is bastard, anyway? A bastard is somebody maybe, who has an unknown father. You can’t call anybody a bastard.

Every child on earth has a father, and you said a woman delivered a bastard only because you don’t know who the father is?

There is no human being on earth who does not have a human father. The father may be somewhere else. The woman maybe hiding the father or the father disappeared into another country. So, the word bastard does not really hold water as far as I am concerned.

What is the record of abortion in Nigeria, either monthly or annually?

We don’t have real data on number of abortion in Nigeria. We know where these abortions are happening; many of them are called clinics. But their right names should be ‘abortuaries.’ In America, where they try to keep statistics of abortions, they are in different categories. Issue of how many abortions in Nigeria, who is keeping records? Even doctors don’t want to keep records because they don’t want to be seen

What will you do if your daughter commits abortion?

If my daughter falls victim of abortion after warning her, God knows that my hands are clean. I did not tell her to do it, I did not show her where to do it. I did not give her money to do it. So, am free. I can never encourage abortion. If I do it, am in for it before God. I have been called names for trying to stop a lady from doing abortion just because I don’t want the baby to be killed.

What mechanism do you put in place to know that your campaign against abortion is succeeding?

I wish you see some of the photographs of my lecture points. The emotions expressed by those who listened to my lectures is more than enough; not only that, I have photographs of children who would have been aborted, but because of Pro-Life talks, they changed their minds. Some years back, I gave a lecture at Saint Paul Catholic Church, Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna here. As a result of that lecture, after sometimes, a reverend father met me at a bookshop; he said, ‘Pat, when are you coming to collect your children from my parish?’ I asked what he meant. He said that after my lecture at the parish some women who wanted to do abortion decided not to. Now they have fine children. He added that one woman was particularly happy and she wanted to see me face-to-face. She had been praying for a baby boy, but she wanted to abort the pregnancy, but my lecture stopped her, and by the time she put to bed, it was a baby boy. So, there are reports from all over the country. I have many pictures of babies that would have been aborted but my lecture prevented the abortion.

However, these pictures are not to be published because they are kids.

What are your challenges in this campaign?

My challenges are many. Some girls are pregnant and they told me that their parents have driven them from home. They don’t have any support; nobody to help them.

Here is Pro-Life Plus without any money, without finance. These girls need to be helped, one way or the other. The government has never given me one kobo since I began this NGO. Sometimes we find these pregnant girls and put them in a place until we are able to reconcile them with their parents. We have to beg some parents to forgive their daughters and not allow them to do abortion. Sometimes I succeed; sometimes I do not. Luckily, we have up to two medical doctors who are Pro-lifers, who do help these pregnant girls with ante-natal medical attention. They have been doing a lot for these girls who are pregnant and do not know where to go; they help them deliver the babies and even give them pocket money. In this regard, I must appreciate Dr. & Mrs. Innocent Okpe, and Dr. Patrick Polyte. These medical doctors have been simply wonderful to my NGO.

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

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SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

By SAM ANOKAM

Polo rewards models with Rolex watches

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he 52nd Independence anniversary of Nigeria may have come and gone, but the way it was celebrated in many places would remain fresh in the memories of thousands of Nigerians for a long time.

One of such memories was the event held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos on October 1. The programme tagged: A Tale of a Dreamer Like Joseph, was organised by the Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos.

Dignitaries from all walks of life, who graced the occasion, were thrilled to a first of its kind opera show that can only be watched on a broadway in New York City or in any other European country.

Most adults could easily recall the ever-classical opera movie, Sound of Music.

For two hours, the gathering were entertained to the life and times of the biblical Joseph, who dreamt that his brothers would bow to him. He was later sold to slavery and ended up in Egypt, where he became the second-in-command to Pharoah. At the end of the day, his dream came true.

It was stage performance at its best. Even when the event, slated for 12 noon, did not start till some minutes past 2pm, the performers lived up to expectation with their theatrics. They were entertained with songs, drama, well choreographed dance, stage balance, costumes, orchestra and a timely interval of songs, appropriate use of lightings and colours when necessary.

Although, the gathering was informed that the show was a copyright of Tim Rice, from the United Kingdom, it was a wellrehearsed coordinated and timed event, what some thought could only be achieved by the whites. At the end of the show, which left the audience sitting at the edge of their seats, from the very beginning till the end, it was a standing ovation for a well-performed event befitting only for the birthday of a wobbling nation at 52.

The play also served as a metaphor for the situation in the country. The opera came with a message of hope that the collective dream of the over 160 million most populous black nation on stable and regular power supply, political stability, eradication of poverty, good road networks, social amenities, qualitative education and other basic infrastructure are achievable.

The opera started in the 16th Century in Italy and later helped in establishing the national identities of great countries, like Germany, France, England and other advanced countries as a whole. It is part of the western classical music tradition in which musicians and singers perform a

By RACHAEL AGUNTA

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olo Limited, sponsor of the recently concluded Elite Model Look Nigeria, 2012, over the weekend, gave the winners of the modeling competition, Moyin Oluwa and Alvin Dayaffin, Rolex wrist watches, one of their brands, as a way of saying well done and encouraging them, as they go into the world of modeling.

According to the Executive Director, Jennifer Obayuwana, Polo is a company that supports beauty.

We are the sole agent and representative of some of the world’s most prestigious brands, such as Vacheron, Constatin, Rolex, Piaget, Hublot, Roger Dubuis, Chopard, Cartier, Frank Muller, Longines, Rado, Balmain, Baume and Mercier and Mont Blanc dramatic work done usually Ewumie did a beautiful job writing instruments and leather goods. We support in a theatrical settings, with as the music conductor. beauty and that is why we the elements of the theatre, For the coordinator, sponsored Elite Model such as acting, scenery, cos- Chinedu Umeh, it was a Looks.” tumes and dance. It is dream come true. He said: She told Saturday Sun accompanied by an orches- “I don’t really have much that Elite Model Looks is a tra or other musical ensem- to say, but it is indeed, a ble. The likes of Handell, dream come true. You don’t good platform for Polo to showcase its brands, since it Mozart among others are get to see things like this is about beauty and it is regarded as masters of this everyday. In all we give willing to identify with art form.

God the glory.” other brands that has to do Saturday Sun learnt that Explaining further, Obi it took three months of Allen, assistant director, has with beauty.

Jennifer said: “Polo is a intense rehearsals of differ- this to say: “It took us three ent forms of characterisacompany that aligns with months of rehearsals and tion, role interpretation, training in singing and singing, dancing and chore- drama. We actually started ography to perfect the in February, but began opera. The large cast properly three months ago. include: Rotimi Victor, who Nigeria is not friendly with By JESSICA OKANU played the role of Joseph; opera, but we had to introAnthony Odichie duce it and you can see the irgin Mary was recent(Pharoah), Okonkwo result yourself. It wasn’t ly at the centre of a Ogechukwu (narrator) and easy as we had to source controversy, as two Mr. Mba (Jacob) among for funds among other residents of Ijegun-Egba, many others. necessities but we thank Satellite Town, Lagos, Babalola Abayomi, Vitus God for making it a reality engaged in a fight. One of the Eze, Paul Asuquo, Anayo for us.” men was said to have said Umeh, Adeshiloye Isaac Popular comedian, Seyi something about the Blessed and Akala Temitope, among Law, also spiced up the Virgin Mary, which the other others, played the roles of event with rib cracking considered blasphemous, Jacob’s sons, as Daniel jokes.

In the brawl, Ikenna and

Opera on biblical Joseph ticket Nigerians

remarkable brands. We support what is good. More so, we want to help in harvesting our people young and giving hope and empowerment to talented youths which is what Elite Looks is all about. Although this is our first time of identifying with Elite, we will continue to support them and other contests that have to do with beauty.”

“Polo has achieved a lot in the 24 years it has been in existence and has acquired the exclusive franchise and sole distributorship rights of Rolex in

Nigeria. We have maintained standard as renowned retailers of some of the world’s most luxurious wrist watches, fine jewelry and leather products and accessories. That was why in February last year, we launched the first fully functional Rolex approved workshop in West Africa.”

Expressing their gratitude, Moyin, 17, and Alvin, 18, thanked Polo and promised to make Nigeria proud as they go to China and Milan, to contest with other winners from other countries.

2 men fight over Virgin Mary

Kunle, on his part, said he only wanted his friend to see reasons with him, but he was adamant.

On what happened, Rev. Fr. Michael A. Obi of Ogoja Diocese, a visiting priest of SS. Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church, Lagos said that Ikenna was only fighting for his faith. He however, said it was not good to fight because it is against the Christian religion.

“The only solution is a proper dialogue between the two called on the residents to always be vigilant conscious of their people involved in the argument,” he said. safety.

Mrs. Mmadu, a non“While we assure the Ajegunle residents of safety, they should be security conscious by reporting suspected criminal Catholic member, said that no one has the right to speak activities. They should also suspect everyone,” he said. against people’s faith.

Meanwhile, On his part, Mr. Obafemi sources revealed that suggested that people should 26 suspects have mind their businesses and confessed being in their God, adding that what the act. Also, it was others do about religion gathered that 14 of should not be their the arrested people headache. are prostitutes, while Sounding unrepentant, 18 are people who Ikenna said: “I am willing to went to enjoy themcause more harm to whoevselves at the Night er that blasphemes against Club.

Virgin Mary.”

“Some of them “The argument of nonhave been freed.

Catholic members has While we are still always giving rise to an uninvestigating others ending argument over the and those indicted years. Songs were even will face the wrath of composed for it to be clearly the law,” the area stated that we don’t worship commander said. but honor Mary.”

Manko

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Kunle exchanged blows. The former had hit the latter in the head, resulting in a gash.

Speaking after they were separated, Ikenna said: “I warned him severally not to blaspheme against my faith, but he continued. He went on to say that we worship Mary instead of God. I am very temperamental, so I could not control my temper and I hit him.”

Community leaders hide information Continued from Page 6 Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area was sanitised of criminals and criminality.

“What we have done was just the beginning; we are ready for them. Since the boys have decided not to allow the residents sleep comfortably, we will battle them until they are no more,” he said.

He hinted that the police were out to locate the criminals’ hideouts and ensure that the bad boys are shown the way out.

“We are on course in our efforts to track down the boys that decided to make lives uncomfortable for the people. Having arrested some of them, we are still working to get others,” the police boss said.

He blamed community leaders in the area for hiding useful information that would assist the police in fighting crime.

He said: “The problem continued because the leadership is bad. They refused to furnish the police with useful information that would help in fighting crime and as a result, the situation got out of hand. We learnt that the so-called One Million Boys had been operating in the area and the residents kept mute.

That was why we called a meeting of all the leaders in the locality to tell them the need to furnish us with useful information that would assist us fight crime.”

Alli assured the residents of adequate security, as the police would continue to visit criminal hideouts in the locality and

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October 20, 2012

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SpecialReport

Flood victims line for relief materials

CRIES AND COMPLAINTS FROM REFUGEE T CAMPS •Shortage of facilities, corruption, poor feeding are common subjects

he flood has fumed and swallowed up life and land.

People have been washed out of their houses and for many, out of their ancestral homes. Now, they are refugees, victims of nature. Across the affected states of Anambra, Delta, Kogi, Rivers, Bayelsa, Bauchi and others, transit camps dot everywhere.

Governments – state and federal – have been roused. Now there is emergency, a big and unprecedented one at that. How to cater for these displaced compatriots has become a major responsibility. However, as best as they know how and as best as they can, both tiers of government have been rallying their supports. Even non-governmental organisations and private Nigerians have also been throwing in their mite.

Now, having been quartered in the camps these past days, how has life been for these unfortunate Nigerians? We went to some of the camps to assess their conditions and the report is a mixed bag.

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October 20, 2012

SpecialReport

In Asaba, camp dwellers dream of home From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

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nitially, there was despair. They had reluctantly abandoned their homes and their property to the flood, occasioned by the overflow of River Niger. The flood had chased them and took over every thing they have worked for, including their farmland. And getting over the disaster has become emotionally tasking.

The disaster, to say the least, was of biblical proportions. Even though they were warned, they obviously under-estimated the enormity of damage that the flood could cause. Now, most of them left their submerged communities with just the clothes on their back. But it has happened. While they count their losses, the victims would have to cope with the situation, somehow, even if not immediately.

Meanwhile, they are in resettlement camps created by the Delta State Government in the affected communities. In the camps, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would have to adjust to the more communal environment where they would have to abide by new set of rules as it affect mostly sanitation and feeding. They have, however, since come to terms with the population congestion associated with camp habitation.

In Asaba, the state capital, there are two camps located at the St. Patrick College and the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE).

At the last count, over 1000 IDPs have registered at the St. Patrick camp while 979 displaced persons are taking refuge at the ICE camp.

Although religious fellowship is allowed, no religious body is, however, allowed to come in to take adherents outside the camp for fellowship. And Paul Orukamaya, a member of the Red Cross organisation, feels that the environment is neither regimental nor semi-regimental.

“They have their rights preserved, there is freedom for them to go and do their businesses during the day. But if anyone is going outside the camp, we have always appealed to them to seek our consent because they are now under the custody of the government and you know that kidnapping is very rampant in the state. At night, we do headcount to ensure that nobody is missing,” he said.

It was gathered that the people are woken up by the sound of a bell at 5.30am for devotion before morning sanitation, which is done at 6am. Sanitation (sweeping of the hostels) is done three times a day while there is a general sanitation on Saturdays. Breakfast is served at 7.30am, lunch by 1pm and dinner by 6pm. But in between meals, children may be lucky to get confectionaries from philanthropic organisations.

But a 52-year-old farmer from Okogbene, Ojukwu Ezimiri, seemed not too satisfied with the feeding arrangement. Ezimiri, who claimed that his farmland, which he invested N52,000, was completely submerged, told Saturday Sun that he had acquired a stove and some pot for preparing meals for his family.

“The food is government food and it will not be like the one that will be prepared by your family. Sometimes, the food does not taste well; too many cooks at the kitchen.

Hence I have bought a stove for my wife so that she can be cooking whatever my family desires to eat at anytime. Anytime I go out, I buy foodstuff for my wife to prepare.

“My farmland was washed away by water.

I paid N52,000 to Ijaw boys to help clear the land and by December, I would have harvested the yams. As it is now, any compensation from government to enable me to start life again will be appreciated,” he said.

Saturday Sun observed that a handful of the families in the camp have resorted to cooking their own food and the Camp Director and the state Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. (Mrs.) Antonia Ashiedu sees nothing wrong with that. She said the people are at liberty to fend for themselves, if they are not satisfied with gov-

•Although they are satisfied with available facilities

Babies also in camp ernment arrangement, which she described as wonderful.

Like Ezimiri, Mr. Moses Oba, a 72-yearold farmer from Oko-Amakom, told Saturday Sun at the St. Patrick camp that he would want to go to his ancestral home when the water finally recedes, saying: “Home is the best, there is nothing like home.” He noted that life at the camp was nice, saying: “I love my government and I love the way they are treating us here.” The flood chased Mr. Oba to Atani where he took refuge at his sister’s house before the flood visited to sack Atani community, displacing the entire household. He, however, stated that he hopes to be back to his home after the flood.

However, the ICE camp has more facilities than any other camp in the state, a situation that makes it more of a therapeutic centre for the displaced victims. The 20-bed mobile hospital, which was commissioned

by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on August 24, 2012, has been deployed to the camp to cater for the health needs of the victims, while skill acquisition centre has also sprung up.

At the hospital, patients keep coming for diagnosis of various ailments. Dr. Ebiakofa Alfred of the state Ministry of Health

informed that about 70 per cent of the cases handled is malaria “because they have been outside in the open air. We also have skin rashes because of the water. We have had cases of cough, diarrhoea and vomiting in children.”

And among the elderly, “we have the usual arthritis and joint pains. We have also treated injuries, which resulted from wading through water. There was a particular one that a fish spike broke into his leg.” He disclosed that contagious cases were usually isolated to prevent an outbreak of epidemic.

Dr. Alfred maintained that the facility had not been overstretched. However, he added that cases that were beyond the facility, are referred “to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and the General Hospital, Okwe. We have even referred a case to as far as the Teaching Hospital in Oghara at the expense of the state government.”

During one of the visits to the ICE camp by our correspondent, children of zero to five years queued up for routine immunisation.

And as expected, the children had since adjusted to camp. They roamed from one end of the camp to the other, engaging in both sporting and social activities.

However, uncomfortable with the roaming

Gov Uduaghan checking a woman’s blood pressure at the camp

and the attendant noise from the playing kids, the Missionaries of Love and Mercy, an off-shoot of Pro Labore Dei International, set up a mini-school system as a temporary educational measure pending when the state government would unfold educational plans for the displaced children.

“We felt that the children are just roaming around and to keep them under control, we have decided to organise them into a minischool to impart useful knowledge to them, pending when government will come up with a formal school session,” Rev. Sis. Stella Maris, coordinator of the missionary body, told Saturday Sun. She urged donors who come with lorryload of food items to also consider donating books, blackboards and other learning aids to uplift the standard of the mini-school, saying that lack of the educational items was the greatest challenge in the system.

According to her, Pro Labore Dei started the skill-acquisition very little but the state government’s swift intervention brought in more equipment for the beneficiaries to help themselves with. The displaced persons are now being imparted with skills in music and drama, hairdressing and barbing, bead-making, tailoring and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“I want to specially thank the state Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. (Mrs.) Antonia Ashiedu, for the enormous support she has given to us. Immediately she was told about the skill-acquisition centre, she intervened and got the government to release more funds for the equipment. Her intervention encouraged me to do more. I am highly impressed with the gesture,” Sis. Maris stated.

Dr. Ashiedu, on her part, said the children were learning very fast, adding that the skillacquisition centre “has been very therapeutic.

The children have used the avenue to learn something and at the same time engage in something.”

According to Dr. Ashiedu, the facilities at the ICE camp would be replicated in other camps across the state by the state government. “The governor has just set this up and it will be replicated in other camps. You will agree with me that it is no mean feat to do this and I dare tell you that this is the only state in Nigeria that has something of this magnitude,” she stated.

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October 20, 2012

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SpecialReport From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

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housands of victims in Bauchi State have been counting their losses in the flood, which ravaged at least 17 out of the 20 local government areas in the state. At the last count, 10 people have died and 132 communities submerged.

The worse hit local governments include Shira, Jammare, Zaki, Gamawa, Alkaleri, Misau and Ningi, where thousands of hectares of farmland, animals and human beings were washed away by the flooding.

No fewer than 470 houses and 400 farmlands in Shira were destroyed, while hundreds of families rendered homeless.

Saturday Sun gathered that the number of houses affected by the flood is increasing even as displaced persons were camped in primary schools and other public buildings in the affected areas.

Several communities in Jammare were cut off following the collapse of the Arobana bridge on the Kari-Misau-Kano federal highway.

In Desina village, a predominantly peasant settlement, 220 houses were destroyed while in Zigau in Shira LGA, over 2,000 farmlands and food crops worth millions of Naira have been washed away.

In villages such as Burshi, Gadai, Mumri, Larabawa, Gaiya, Kwayamri, Gumai, Maiwa with other villages, 6120 houses, 5627 hectres of land and over 2987 house were destroyed in Zaki Local Government Area, alone.

In Bauchi, a baby on the road

Victims accessing a submerged Zaki Iga with canoe

Farmer’s lamentations

Some farmers in Zigau, Shira local government areas, who spoke with our reporter, are yet to ascertain the number of their domestic animals lost in the flood, which include goats, sheep, cows as well as chickens and guinea fowls.

Adamu Usman, 50, a father of 13, told Saturday Sun that the flood washed away his farmland, destroyed everything he has.

A peasant farmer from Yana, the headquartres of Shira Local Government Area of the state, said that the flood destroyed everything in his farm, which he said was about five hectares. His counterpart, Ali Albami, 70, said he also lost everything when the flood overtook his 11 hectares of farm. “The rain also washed away all my animals,” Ali, moaned.

But by far, one of the worst hit in the area was a prominent farmer called Dr Waziri Dogho, whose large farm close to the River Zigai was completely destroyed by the flood. “The situation is pathetic,” said Abba Kyari, the secretary of Shira Local Government Council. “ Over 25 kilometres of land, covering several communities and farmlands were destroyed by the flood,” he said. “This flood that hit Shira is the worst in 45 years,” Kyari added. The Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Maigari Khana commended Governor Isa Yuguda who responded immediately the flood hit parts of the state, thereby alleviating the suffering of the victims.

According to Hansatu Musa, 40-year-old mother of 10, when the rain came, they were sleeping. She said when the water roused the family from sleep, members came out only to discover that all their smaller animals like sheep, goats and fowls had been swept away by the flood. “Luckily, the cattle were not swept away,” Hansatu, a normad, told our correspondent. “My husband and my sons later took them to the main road, where they stayed till daybreak, as water had taken over the place.” As soon as Hansatu and the family vacated their houses, “water came and swept away the huts,” she said.

Baby delivered in floodwater

A husband from Kumu in Shiras Local Government Area of the state has told of how his wife was delivered of a baby boy as the flood sacked their communities.

Abdulkadir Sheu, 25, said: “It was a day I will never forget. She delivered right inside the water as we were running away. She was

Abdukadir, his wife, Aisha who delivered son as flood sacked their community

difficult to reach due to the water level, said that the thousands of victims displaced by the flood need to be resettled as quickly as possible. He made the remark shortly after assessing the extent of damage caused by the overflowing of River Dindima in Alkaleri and Kirfi LGA. The governor lamented that all efforts to rebuild the dam has proved abortive due to lack of commitment from the Federal Government since independence when study was made to construct a multipurpose dam across the river.

He further lamented that every year, colossal loss is made of lives and property through flooding, hinting that efforts must be made to find a lasting solution to the problem. He, however, pointed out that the issue is a collaborative one.

The Bauchi flood

Seven people died in the seven communities of Zaki and Gamawa local government areas of the state. The caretaker committee chairmen of Zaki and Gamawa Local Government areas, Alhaji Muhammad Babaji and Alhaji Kabiru Garba, while conducting the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Aminu Saleh round the affected places, explained that the flood, which covered over 35 kilometres, washed away farmlands, houses and cut off the road linking Ali Adamu Sakwa to Zaki Local Government Area.

The chairmen said the flood was a result in labour and we had to stop for her to deliv- increase him,” he added. of the overflow of River Katagum and many er.” He said his wife, who had a two-year-old displaced persons were sheltered in some pridaughter with him, delivered without the mary schools away from the flooding sites.

We need quick intervention assistance of any midwife or traditional birth Residents of the area told Saturday Sun –Victims appeal to Federal Government attendant. He said Aisha, his wife, never that the flood cannot be unconnected to a attended ante-natal clinic for once. “We spill over of a neighbouring Dam in Kano Victims of the flood disaster want quick thank God that she is alive,” he said. and Jigawa states. Alhaji Saleh commiserated intervention in their plights as they continue The family and villagers of Kumu ran to with the victims on behalf of the Bauchi to entertain fear of getting infected by disthe primary school where they were given State government and explained the readieases from an unhealthy environment. shelter by the government. There, several of ness of the government to assist them.

Hansatu said that after about two weeks in the displaced persons were camped.

He assured that government had directed the camp, they had to move back to rebuild During a visit to the camp, the state goverthe state Emergency Management Agency to their houses destroyed by flood. nor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who toured the immediately send relief materials to the vicaffected areas with difficulties to see the situ- “Government assisted us with food, clothes, tims, adding that government had sent report blankets in camp,” she said. “But we had to ation firsthand, took interest in what was to National Emergency Management Agency come back because it is not easy to live in being cooked in a small pot in the camp in the camp and feed our animals. Government for quick interventions in all the affected Yana. “He opened it and dropped it quickly local government areas in the state. as the lid was hot,” recalled Abdulkadir who should please help us. We need assistance to The Permanent Secretary of Bauchi State recover from this problem,” Hansatu said. also lost all his livestock in the flood. “He Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Isa Muhamadu, 25, showed the reporter asked what the water being boiled was for Mahmud Garba regretted that “we are havand he was told that it was to bathe my wife what used to be his two huts and animal stead. They are now ground zero. “This used ing some challenges but the major problem who delivered as we were running from the to be where my house was,” he told Saturday is operation problem. There is shortage of flood. The governor was touched and he personnel, vehicles and shortage; we need Sun, pointing with a stick. “I don’t know advised that we should not use such hot money to function, need money to fuel the how to start again. I lost everything,” the water. He came in to see my wife and baby vehicles and pay allowances to volunteers as father of two said. and gave us N50,000,” Abdulkadir narrated. well as procure relief materials for the people Governor Isa Yuguda, who went round “We really appreciated his kindness. We pray affected.” the affected places, some of which were very that God will keep him alive, healthy and

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October 20, 2012

SpecialReport

Refugees in their country

Bayelsa camp is woeful, say victims •Tension over food distribution •Outbreak of epidemic imminent From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

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orty-year-old Madam Elizabeth Okodi stood transfixed in the hall looking nowhere in particular. Her eyes were misty and she could hardly speak audibly. “Please, help me, even if it is N100, I have not eaten today,” she muttered.

She is a victim of the flood sweeping through Bayelsa State, which has sacked communities, made many homeless and turned a oncebubbling people destitute.

She and others had expressed happiness when Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, worried about the flood situation in the state, had directed that the Samson Siasia Sports Complex be made the main camp to accommodate people who have been forced to flee their houses as the flood sacked more coastal communities and houses in Yenagoa, the capital city. But things are not turning out as expected.

Mr. Vincent Iyaya, whose house behind St Peters Anglican Church has been completely taken over by flood, lamented the situation on ground at the refugee camp. According to him, it is so bad that the food the government ordered to be served the people is being hoarded.

His words: “I stayed at St Peter’s Anglican Church. Initially, I did not want to leave, but there was no option. I built a platform with blocks to suspend my foam so that we can sleep, but the water did not stop, so we had to leave the house. Some of my property have been kept in the ceiling. My family is with me here.

“The food they are supposed to bring here is being used to punish the people. The little they bring, people fight over it because it wouldn’t go round. I did not have the strength to struggle that is why I am still hungry with my family. My concern now is how we are going to survive here. How we are going to eat is my worry. Government should do something” Mrs. Marian Jephet is in tandem with him, as she believes the response of the Bayelsa State government officials to the

plight of the people at the camp is slow. She expressed sadness that people are left to go hungry while money has been provided for food.

“I was staying at Obele before the flood submerged our house. On Monday, it was 10 pm that they brought food. And what did they bring? Beans and ordinary garri. Is it possible to eat that thing at night? I feel sorry for small children that ate the food. Just now, one of the children was stooling. Why can’t the people they put in charge ensure that the food they bring here go round everybody?

The situation here is unbearable; the condition here is bad.

“The response by government officials is too slow. They should make people comfortable here. They should ensure the food go round and also bring it on time. Now, today is Tuesday and it is almost 1pm, yet the people have not eaten breakfast. Just now a lady collapsed and Government House ambulance has taken her to the hospital. Bayelsa Government officials should be more sensitive to the plight of the people” Regina Tebekemi said it is sad that officials who are expected to treat people equally are being selective in the distribution of food.

Hear her: “I stayed at Swali before the flood took over my house. I have been here for three days now and they told us to register our names, we have done that but the condition is bad here. No food, no response from people.

Even if they come and explain to us that we should bear with them we would understand, it is just as if the people concern do not know what is happening. I have been here with my children, yet there is no food. The officials are being selective and this is making us angry.

“We dey suffer here. We heard that the governor has given more, now we are yet to get anything” Mr. Jacob Koroye explained that the cooks that were deployed to the camp could confirm that people starve. He said it is “only those who have the money to buy expensive food from vendors who have taken over the camp that can say they have eaten.”

Abraham Maku said his concern is for the

women and children who are disadvantaged in the fierce struggle to get things from the officials at the refugee camp. “I have been here since they opened the camp. The condition here is bad. Our mothers and children are suffering. On Monday, when they brought foams, those who could struggle, collected all the foams and left no single one for the women who are here. They do not have where to sleep. As for the food, it is terrible.

My suggestion is that they should share the food on local government basis because the people cooking are being unfair to the people,” he said.

Moses whose wife gave birth one week ago before they were forced to leave their house, was bitter that there was no provision for new born babies, nursing mothers and pregnant women in the camp. According to him, officials are insensitive to the plight of the people.

For Endurance and Daniel, both from Akwa Ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio should come to the aid of citizens of the state residing in Bayelsa. He should arrange to evacuate them from the state, as the condition at the camp is unbearable.

Reign of locusts Refugees at the camp are accusing some top government officials of deliberately frustrating the distribution of food and other basic necessities at the refugee camp. On Monday, October 8, fight broke out at the camp over lack of food and basic necessities. Tension was so high that the refugees started booing and jeering some officials.

Sources said, a top government official, who also doubles as a top official of the Emergency Response Flood Management Committee is said to be unhappy with some top officials of government who are playing hide-and-seek with the funds earlier released for the provision of relief materials.

Ketebu Brown, chairman of the Nigeria Youths Council of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, said the poor condition at the camp is a result of lack experience of the officials on issues like this. He said: “I can see a situation whereby the ordinary Bayelsans are determined to try their best and help themselves.

The condition here is not what they desired, but the people are trying to be orderly as they can. There is poor coordination from the committee set up to tackle the issue. The gov-

ernor is labouring hard day and night to ameliorate the plight of the people. But he lacks people who have the requisite experience, capacity and exposure to handle things like this. If not for some humanitarian organisations that are here because of what they believe in, the situation would have been worse. Ordinarily, these organisations should have been coordinated by the committee and to work out strategies that would help to manage the camp properly. But just look at everywhere, human waste is all over the place; children have started stooling. There is no immediate medical facility to handle issues. The sanitary condition here is poor and these are things voluntary organisations are supposed to handle. But we would still ask the governor to ensure that he does not disappoint the people who voted him into office” An environmentalist and programme officer in Environmental Rights Action office in Yenagoa, Mr Morris Alagoa, expressed shock that the Emergency Response Flood Management Committee is made up of politicians without any representation from the civil society.

He said this could create room for abuse by politicians who would want to politicise every issue and deny the people who have already suffered misfortune. “The governor has set up the Emergency Committee to deal with the flood situation in the state. It was also said that the governor is requesting approval from the House of Assembly to tackle the issue. As good and commendable as this is, it is sad to note that the emergency committee members are all in government and nobody is from the civil society. Whether the members are to work on voluntary basis or not, excluding civil society groups and non-governmental organisations is really regrettable. We are all stakeholders and we have a right to know how our money appropriated for this would be spent.

“Besides, politicians being what they are, might resort to their known antics of denying some communities and people who are affected by the raging flood. The distribution of materials should not be on the basis of where those in government come from because all the affected communities need help and they should receive whatever the government would give them as a way of relief,” said the rights activist.

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October 20, 2012

SpecialReport KOGI

We are fed with biscuits and Indomie –Victim •Toilet facility is horrible, no drugs

Zainab FROM EMMANUEL ADEYEMI Lokoja

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here is a general feeling that government officials and individuals are cashing in on the current flood disaster that affected some parts of Kogi State to enrich themselves, Saturday Sun learnt.

Investigations confirmed that the figures of those affected are grossly amplified, while bogus sums of money are being mentioned as cost needed for intervention purposes. For example, the state government put the numbers of those affected at two million and the cost of monetary value of property destroyed

at over N2 billion. This has been discovered to be over-bloated.

Also, it was observed that there are more than 30 fake refugee camps created across the state, according to one of the flood victims, ostensibly “to divert to private pockets funds and materials meant for the refugees.”

It was also gathered that many of the refugees are still living in pitiable conditions, with some going to bed without meal.

The state government, it is gathered, has received about N1 billion so far as donations, with the Federal Government donating N500 million; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, N430 million and several other donations from corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals. All of these, many victims say, have not had the required impact.

Some of those in the refugee camps spoke Saturday Sun: Zainab Ibrahim, 65 I am a widow with 10 children. I laboured to build a 10-room bungalow at Hausa Street, Adankolo, but all has been washed away by flood.

Our condition in the camp is very bad.

There is not enough to eat; we are fed with three packs of Indomie, for a family of 10.

Johnson Enejo (civil servant), 44 We have been starving here. We only heard of millions being donated to government but none comes to us, except the one personally given to us.

Esther

Adesupo We discovered that some government officials, especially SEMA officials and some other political office holders, are not honest except NEMA and Red Cross officials who are very diligent and helpful.

go to school and we are starving and nowhere to run to.

Esther Omachi, 25 I gave birth also in the camp on Wednesday night. There were no medical people to attend to me; I had to be rushed to Umoru Ndakwo, 25 My father has a seven-room bungalow and Federal Medical Centre by a visitor. The situation here is not conducive at all; we are still I built a three-bedroom house beside it, being fed with bread per family and I have which the flood submerged. We are being fed with biscuits and Indomie with small cup five children plus the new born. of rice. The toilet facility is disheartening and Isaya Isa Chinoko, NEMA official there are no drugs to take care of those that We have been able to effectively render are sick. assistance to flood victims in four areas of interventions, namely: Camp management, Rachael Adesupo, 35 I gave birth to this baby girl two days ago, needs and on-the-spot assessment, provision of relief materials and rescuing operations in it was a good Samaritan who rushed me to collaboration with the Nigeria Inland hospital and paid part of my hospital bill. I Waterways Authority. was given only these two cups of beans to We mobilized our search and rescue feed me and my six children, and we do not department to rescue over 7000 people even know when the next will come. I am trapped in Ibaji Local Government, which is from Ekiti State. the worst hit and we have distributed over N17 million worth of drugs to victims Faith Emmanuel, 28 through the state Ministry of Health.

I was a tenant at Kabawa when the food In spite of the fact that Kogi is classified suddenly came at night. We lost all our propas category ‘A’, we are happy that no death erty to the flood and I had to quickly evacuate my children to the camp. Now, they can’t has been recorded in the state because of our proactive measures.

Anambra: Victims keep trooping into camps •Ask for adequate security From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

A

nguish is the word in the various refugee camps in Anambra State. At St. Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri, Anambra East Council Area, the victims of the flood have continued to count their losses and recount their ordeal even as they plead with the federal and state governments to step up intervention measures.

According to Josiah Onu, “we lost everything and as we are taking refuge here, there is no hope of getting back to our feet again, unless God intervenes. I want to call on the state and federal governments to come to my aid because I just put all the money I had into my business last week when I went to re-stock my shop with drugs worth over N5 million. I stood and watched all that I have ever laboured for destroyed and swept away by the flood.

“Government of the state is trying its best, we are also receiving great assistance from individuals and groups who troop in here to show sympathy and help us with food items, drugs and other consumables, but no place is like home. If I have a choice now, I would love to return to my house because life in this camp is terribly boring.”

For Blikis Ajibola, camp life at St Gregory Catholic Church, Iyiowa Odekpe, is nothing but hell, despite assistance from state government and philanthropists. She narrated her experience since she came to the camp: “I have been living here (her house) with my parents since 12 years ago and this year, we saw this type of thing. We have relocated our mothers and children to this place to seek for refuge because our house is no longer safe. Here we are being fed three times daily but we are not comfortable. But one thing we are sure of is that this condition will not last for ever.”

She further said that conditions in the camps have exposed them to great danger of contracting diseases like cholera and other air and water-borne diseases, calling on public-spirited individuals to constantly help with relevant items. “As you can see, this camp is overpopulated and there are no adequate medical facilities to take care of this crowd and to prevent possible outbreak of epidemics. Some of these people came from different places and backgrounds, some of their children may not be properly immunized and it could affect other chil-

Tents where refugees sleep dren inside this camp. Just recently, one of the children here was rushed to General Hospital in Onitsha because she contracted a disease inside this camp.”

Mr. Obiora Oba said nothing could compare to the sufferings and feelings of the people in the camp. He, therefore, called for reinforcement in the provision of food, security and medical facilities to the various refugee camps scattered all over the state.

According to him, “if there is anything we seriously desire in this camp and the other camps, it is adequate security of the inmates here because criminals could use this situation to unleash evil on the defenceless refugees whose fate is seriously being threatened by the devastating effects of flood. Some of the miscreants in the night try to burgle the camp and steal from the inmates.”

Amarachi Anene, a secondary school student, is at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha camp where she narrated her ordeal since the unfortunate flood which she said sacked her entire community at Umueze Anam, Anambra West council area of Anambra State.

“We no longer go to school because there are no more schools. Our school has been overtaken by flood and there is no way we can be studying inside water.”

Nduoma Duru is one of those at the Ogbaru Council headquarters, Atani camp. She expressed fears that the camps could explode because of the influx of people on a daily basis.

She, like many others, is calling for reinforcement of relief materials and the provision of more refugee camps for the increasing number of displaced persons.

62

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Limelight BIRTHDAY Gowon Yakubu (rtd) GCFR, OFR, elder statesman, former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, is 78.

He holds BA, Ph.D. He attended St. Batholomew’s School (CMS), Wusasa, Zaria (1939-49); Government College (now Balewa College), Zaria (1950-53); enlisted into the Nigerian Army and trained in Officer Cadet Training School, Teshie, Ghana, 1954 and Eaton Hall, Officer Cadet School, Chester, England 1955, among others.

Mimiko Olusegun Rahman, a medical practitioner, politician and administrator, is 58. He holds J.P, B.Sc; M.B; Ch.B. He was born on October 3, 1954. He attended St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Mission Primary School, Aponmu, Akure, 1954. St. Joseph’s College, Ondo (196670); Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji (1971-72); University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife (1972-76).

He started career as a corps member at Nigerian Naval College, NSS, Onura Onwe, Port Harcourt (1981-82) and House Officer, Ondo State Health Management Board, (1982-83), among others.

Onabule Duro, journalist and administrator, is 73 years. He was born on September 27, 1939. He attended C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos (1955-60), College of Journalism, London, 1971. He started his career as reporter, defunct Daily Express (196164); acting Editor, Deputy Editor, Headlines (1978-80) and Features Editor, Editor, National Concord (1980-85), among others.

Wedding A holy wedlock between Ignatius Ikechukwu Ohajuru and Esther Igwe from Abia State will hold on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Dominion City Church, Trans Ekulu, opposite NEPA office, Enugu, by 9 00 am.Reception follows immediately after service at Victoria Suites, Plot SP 4, Nike Lake Resort Road, Enugu.

Ngwa holds meeting Ngwa Cultural and Development Association, Abuja, holds a meeting on November 4 at the usual venue, Wuse zone, 6, Junior Secondary School, beginning at 3pm.

Aniefiok and Precious Ibah during their traditional marriage held in Ideato, Imo State.

Mr. Augustine Obumneme Onyebuchi wedded Evelyn Ngozi Onwukeme, former Super Falcon player recently at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojo Military Cantonment, Lagos L-R: The immediate past district 9110 governor, Rotary International, Kennedy Ejakpomewhe, an awardee and Assistant District governor, Dr. Wale Ogunbadeje Yomi Peters at the just concluded 2012 annual district conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Magashi Bashir Salihi (CFR), Army officer and lawyer, is 63 years. He was born on October 1, 1949. He holds LL.B; B.L. He attended Gideon Makama Primary School, Gwale Senior Primary School, Barewa College, Zaria, Nigerian Defence Academy (1969-71); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (198083); Nigerian Law School (1983-84) and Young Officers Course, Jaji, among others.

Olubusi Elizabeth Olabisi, Ph.D; Insurance Executive, is 70 years. She was born on September 29, 1942. She attended Baptist Girls’ Day School, Ijeun-Likosi, Baptist Girls’ Modern School, IdiAba, Baptist Girls’ High School, Osogbo, East London and Holborn College, 1968; Cambridge University. She started her career as Insurance Executive in 1970 and rose to the rank of Deputy General Manager, among others.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Mr Segun Oloketuyi, Group Managing Director, WEMA Bank Plc, during a thanksgiving service after the funeral service of the late Chief David Falade recently.

Prince Akaranta and parents, Sir & Lady Akaranta and relations

Meeting Old Students Association of Ijaye Ojokoro High School, Ijaye, Lagos, will hold its monthly meeting at the school hall today by 12 noon.

C & S remembers Senior Apostle Awoyemi on Tuesday The children of the late Senior Apostle S.D. Awoyemi, the entire Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria and C&S Church of Christ would on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, hold the 10th year anniversary remembrance for the late chairman, C&S Unification Church of Nigeria (Lagos State chapter) and a co-founder of the C&S Church of Christ (the worshippers).

According to Fummy Awoyemi, daughter of the deceased, the event would start at 4pm with a thanksgiving service and a reception thereafter. The late senior apostle would also be given a post-humous award by the Unification Church of Nigeria while their central choir would dedicate special songs to him among other events for the day.

Some of the Special Guests expected are this Eminence A.O Akinsanya (Supreme head (Olori) C&S Unification Church of Nigeria; his Grace Pro. Dr. E.B Alder Primate/ Spiritual Head (the worshippers), Gen Supt. Ap. E.A Omoshein Deputy Primate/Chairman G.E. C, Snr. Apos. Mother. R. Lanipekun Gen. Sec. G.E.C and some dignitaries from all walks of life.

Redeemed Creation Parish of CCC holds anniversary The Redeemed Creation Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ, Blessed Holy Mary Sanctuary holds its adult anniversary tomorrow.

The anniversary holds at the church’s Mount Sinai Covenant Camp, Mosey Elko (Bijou Lekki).

The theme, according to the maid of the Lord in Charge of the Camp, Pro. Florence “Olufunto Igbala (Pastor Bilewu Oshoffa’s Secretary), is “The Redeemer Harvest.”

Preacher of the day is Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa.

Compiled by VERA WISDOM BASSEY veraokezie@yahoo.com, 08025412518 Kindly send information about your events

63

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Thoughts &Talks

By Ikenna Emewu 07043485015 E-mail: ikeroyale@gmail.com

Mixing Anambra oil with ignorance I

n March 2010, I did a major investigative and on-site report of oil fields in the South East of Nigeria abandoned by the government of Nigeria that has the powers pursuant to the Petroleum Act to tap oil.

In the Anambra East LGA, I visited oil fields in the Anam region from Umueze Anam to Nmiata, Oroma Etiti, Akpu nnunnu, Nzam and the point the state shares borders with Kogi State and partly Uzo Uwani in Enugu State.

The work included the oil and gas finds of the Nsukka region at Eha Alumona, Eha Ndiagu and others. Here even the oil drilling companies were listed, and some natives including traditional rulers took me through a long history of oil and gas find in their areas.

I came in contact with archival materials in the National Archives in Enugu that have documents of oil finds in Edda, present Ebonyi State, and Awgu in Enugu State. The documents are still intact at the archives and there are no disputes to their existence. I found also that the oil finds in Edda in February 1928 is the oldest in Nigerian history. I did a full documentation of the facts in a four-page report of Saturday Sun of March 23, 2010 and would have no space here to repeat the points.

But I feel lost on the reason for the agitation of some people particularly Kogi State and to some extent some in Enugu State over oil exploration in Amabra State that is about to commence after the commissioning of Orient refinery by Mr. President.

I can’t just situate the reason for the argument. Are they arguing as sequel to the commissioning of the Orient refinery that these places in Anambra East LGA are no longer in Anambra State or that there is no oil there? Or is the argument that the forces that deposited oil in Anambra East where the refinery is located and from where the oil will be extracted to run the plant were created in Aso Rock that created a territory called Anambra State?

After asking these questions, I heard some say that the reason Kogi and partly Enugu lay claim to the oil in Anambra is because “oil is like a subterranean river, if they commence extraction in Anambra, the entire ‘river’ of oil underneath will flow towards Anambra and the deposit in Kogi will be depleted.” Some even said that Kogi argues that the ‘head’ of the oil or its source is in their domain, whatever that means.

I must point out some facts here. I am not from Anambra State, but Ebonyi and in fact the Edda oil fields are in my village. But I am arguing this fact based on first hand information I got at the oil fields of the east I did extensive research

on and still have documents as evidence. I remember going to Oroma Etiti and taking photo of a beacon erected by Shell in April 1972 indicating an oil well, and that was in the story I wrote. The natives told me that since then, Shell that did the exploration still pays them compensation annually even prior to extraction.

In fact, the road that runs from Aguleri, over Omambala River through Oroma and up to Abuja passing through Kogi is called Ezi ndi Shell (Shell road) by the natives. That indicates the people have always existed with the knowledge of oil in their domain.

So, if there is oil in Kogi, which is a high possibility, how does the extraction and refining in Anambra infringe on the rights of the Kogi people to have theirs? But for ignorance and the love we have developed and elevated for unnecessary bickering, why would anybody start raising issues from any state over the efforts of Anambra over these years that came to fruition recently.

I am not an expert in oil deposit geology, but I know it is ignorance for anybody to argue that oil deposit has its ‘head’ or ‘source’ somewhere and like a river underneath and if extraction starts somewhere the one at the other end will be depleted.

Where did the canvassers of this opinion get their facts? In our local domain, there is oil in nine states close to the Niger Delta. Pray, where is the ‘head’ or the ‘tail’. Is it in Abia, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo or where? Please, where is the head or tail of the oil mineral deposit of the mid east? It is in Bahrain, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq or in Syria? The oil deposit of Venezuela and Bolivia, please where is the head or tail? That of Alaska and Siberia and Canada down to Arizona in USA, where is the head or the tail?

Why do we turn things otherworldly in Nigeria except for ignorance? The reason northern Nigeria keeps agitating about search for oil in the Chad basin is just because other nations by the Lake Chad shores have found oil deposits. Oil is a geologic formation not circumscribed in reach to the boundary definitions of Aso Rock for a state, therefore the oil seam that manifests in the Anambra East of Anambra State can never be confined to that state alone because it was no created by Aso Rock that created the state and fixed it exclusively in their soil and confines.

If Kogi canvasses the argument of stepping up efforts in their domain to conduct geo-survey of their lands bordering Anam in Anambra, there is nothing lost in that. If Enugu decides to do same, the better for the nation and her economy.

If these states succeed and build refineries like Orient did,

more Nigerians will get jobs and the society will get better.

I have not seen how oil exploration in any of the Niger Delta states has affected the abundance in another, neither has anybody seen how the refinery in Warri, Delta State affected the functioning of that in Eleme, Rivers State. And if by tomorrow Ondo or Akwa Ibom or Imo decides to build a refinery, there would be no loss in any form to the neighbouring state.

I would counsel these agitators to stop this marketing of ignorance because if we take more survey, it is possible to find that the oil in Anam can stretch to Onitsha, Ogbaru, and Oguta to even link with that of Ohaji and Egbema. It is a possibility that the oil is underneath the River Niger and stretches across to Asaba in Delta State and far into the hinterland of Delta. It is a geologic formation, therefore, since these lands are on the same belt – River Niger floodplains, in geologic times, millions of years ago, when the forces or sedimentation that pressed the organic planktonic algae that formed the oil, it would not have discriminated against any of these adjacent lands. In fact, it didn’t do its work with these towns or peoples in contemplation. Let a million flowers blossom and let Kogi or Enugu please give us some break, and do the proper thing.

Let them remove the commodity of ignorance from their shelves and get down to work to find out if the oil stretches to their lands. If they have done that, then, the problem is solved. Let them commence action to have the oil in their lands extracted, refined and sold for prosperity like Anambra has done.

Yes, we are aware that these agitators are attention seeking fellows and not the entire people of these states. So we need some peace in these regions because there is nowhere it is encapsulated in any statute that oil find and exploration must tag trouble and angst along.

Let us rather discuss how to handle more explorations and finds in the Niger River basin and floodplains so we can have more oil fields in these regions, make more revenue and create more alternatives to provide jobs for our people. If we are serious about making good use of the oil, that is the starting point, and we have to play down and in fact, in this matter, do away with the use of thugs and hired crowds that disturb our peace croaking on TV and seeking spaces in newspapers over issues they know nothing about. I insist all these amount to marketing ignorance. Ignorance, for heavens sake, is not good commodity and we refuse to buy it in this particular case in point.

Fond memories of my dad, Sir Marcel Odenigbo

By CHARLES ODENIGBO

I

have always wanted to write something about my dad.

Two months ago, we talked about a documentary, which could be transcribed later, but somehow I kept on getting sidetracked. It seemed like whenever I tried, something always stopped me. Now I know. It wasn’t meant to be. But now, as I think about what I will write, only one thing kept coming to my mind: Legacy.

Papa, as I fondly call you, you told me that you will wait till I come to Enugu, but unlike the you that I know, you passed on and refused to wait! As you will be buried next Friday, October 26, in Ukana, in Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, in my memory, you will always be remembered for the virtues that you taught me.

First, you never joked with your 40 days fasting and prayers every year. This is a virtue that I have also been practising and it has kept me stronger and closer to my God. Secondly, you lived a life of studying and reading.

You taught me to spend 30 percent of my income on books. The result is simply overwhelming. From my teens, I have imbibed this trait and even took a course in speed reading, and today, it has given birth to the Initiative for Reading Culture in Nigeria. Reading is now fun and a way of life for my family and I. Third you taught me to be bold, honest and truthful. Today I am known and respected for my candour, fearlessness and outspokenness. Thank you. Fourth, you transferred the art of diplomacy to me. Today, dealing with adversaries and foes alike without breakdown has become a way of life me.

Odenigbo

Growing up was quite fascinating. We followed you to most of the stations that your organisations posted you.

Lagos. Birnin-Gwari. Okene. Idah. Ajaokuta. Takum.

Jos, etc. Everywhere you went, you touched lives.

Finally, you taught me how to be modest while maintaining balance. You taught me the art of a good conversa-

tionalist. To listen to other people’s opinion. To ensure that I dance always. To the glory of God, my life is balanced and full of dancing. I dance in the Church of God, not minding who is watching. I dance at home by enjoying the music that I buy. I dance when I don’t know what to do and I always get answers. You taught me the secret of Atilogu and how to discern the tunes! Thank you Papa!

Humour, according to you, is the antidote of ulcer, hypertension and related sickness. You never suffered any of the aforementioned. I have never suffered any of them. You said that:”ikolobialism is not by ebukem ibu but by onatum egu!” Thank you. Above all, you insisted that whenever I engaged anyone to work for me, I should ensure that I feed them and pay them what we agree. This has endeared me to my workers. You loved children. And I love my children.

Papa, you ended up being my hero in life and I am thankful that you are a good person for me to call my father. I am also grateful for all the memories that we shared.

My only hope is that I can carry on with your legacy, so that your memory continues. I know that you are happy where you are and I love you and miss you very much and I still think about you and will always think fondly about you. I pray that you will be proud of your son who will do his best in life to keep your memory alive.

Rest in the bosom of the lord!

• Barr Odenigbo lives in Lagos

64

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Yes, there was a country and genocide was real G TOTAL Politics iven the expression of ignorance displayed by Femi FaniKayode and the avalanche of criticism that greeted Achebe’s memoir, there is no question if the book is a success; it is an instant success, for as Malcolm X will say, ‘If you have no critics, you will likely have no success.

In the words of Awolowo, “war is bad, by all means should be avoided . If you saw Kwashiorkor victims you will never want war to be waged.” However, if war is waged, the story must be told for posterity and to ensure it does not happen twice to the same people. No matter how unpalatable or heroic the story of war may be, there are lessons for the survivors.

In this context, one lesson being the suppressed truth that the North backed by the Federal Government who, for over half a century, turned blind eye on the ferocious and savage massacres of southerners, Yoruba inclusive, are the real enemies of one Nigeria. The Igbo and the Yoruba are both victims and mere pawns on the chess board of the crafty feudal players, who erroneously, believed it is their destiny to rule and ruin the Nigeria people forever or nothing else.

I remain convinced that the exaggerated mutual dislike and suspicion between the Igbo and Yoruba is fuelled by the same feudal players and their agents to keep us perpetually apart. The sooner we, the South, realised this and begin our healing and cleansing process the better for us. There is nothing wrong with the Igbo/Yoruba that cannot be perfected with what is right about the Igbo and Yoruba unity. The things wrong about us can form the basis of friendship, hence I urge both sides to have a better appreciation of the pains expressed in Achebe’s memoir, as the anxious word of love from a brother vexed by an incomprehensible family feud and invariably seeking for true fellowship, embrace and sincere handshake of love.

Achebe’s view, in his memoir, about the genocide is neither new nor a personal obsession. It’s an intensification of issues constantly denied but still differently documented by other icons. Prof Wole Soyinka, in his war memoir, ‘The Man Died’, narrated how innocent people, women and children, were shot indiscriminately by a young soldier of the federal side in Asaba and remained free. He said that soldier was then Major Murtala Ramat Muhammed whose face today adorned our currency and national edifices named after, a proof of the Federal Government’s deep seethed tolerance for terrorism and genocide.

Achebe’s forthright narration will not be the last account of the civil war, hence I again urge all witness to the war to also recount their story in a more compelling manner, so as to awaken the dozen consciences of Nigerians and in particular the South West. It’s my honest view that the full reintegration of the South East and Nigeria’s march to greatness will be achieved the moment the new generation of Yoruba people, who, though, may have heard about the Igbo stories, will also begin to feel in their hearts what we the South easterners felt in our heart as a result of the war.

The denial of the genocide against the South East by persons, like Odia Ofeimun is in fact the cruelest aspect of the plot to exterminate the Igbo race, for whoever denies the genocide kills the victim a second time. Ofeimun’s reactions on the scathing remarks against the role of Chief Awolowo vis-a-vis the economic policy of blockade that led to the genocide is understand-

By CLEM AGUIYI

SMS Only: 08034747898 Email: totalpolitics@ymail.com able, yet unjustified. It is understandable that Ofeimun, as Awolowo’s principal secretary, owe a duty of loyalty to the late sage. It is true that in the South West, the name Awolowo is almost like a deity, an avatar but when we are talking of history we are talking of an unbiased account of events where facts matter, unlike politics, where there are plenty of lies. Chief Awolowo was human and not an infallible god. Like most politicians he had his moment of gaffe and may have made mistakes when analysed from hindsight. His justification of blockade and starvation as a legitimate policy of war was one of those difficult moments that put him on the historical radar of genocide.

I do not think that 42 years afterwards that Chief Awolowo will be proud of such policy that targeted and killed over two million people, most of whom were non-combatants and in specific women and children in a war that he didn’t originate, a war that shouldn’t have been fought and also given that the reasons for that war which remain a monumental tragedy are still with us.

Fredrick Fasheun’s characterisation of Achebe, a global icon, as a frustrated person is laughable, as only an envious mind will characterise a man of Achebe’s stature and noble accomplishment as frustrated. Perhaps, Fasheun is only seeking for academic credibility in making his off the mark comments. His irritating reaction, in my view, requires no further refutation.

Femi Fani-Kayode, as usual, didn’t sound believable in his attempt to defend the indefensible, especially where he argued that “Achebe and most Igbo people always conveniently forget to mention the other half of the story,” as, according to him, “if anyone is to be blamed for the hundreds of thousands of Igbo people that died from starvation during the war, it was not Awolowo or Gowon but Col Emeka Ojukwu.”

Nothing can be farther from the truth. Achebe was forthright and unsparing in his relaying of the war. He questioned the rationality behind Ojukwu’s rejection of Nigeria’s Federal Government proposal for road corridor for food and the Nigerian Federal Governments rejection of Ojuwku’s alternative.’ Only Ojukwu’s memoir on the war and Gowon’s eventual

account will resolve this puzzle.

The bitter truth is that, it is difficult to extricate Awolowo and Gowon from the mass starvation to death of millions of Igbo children and women for, according to Duro Onabulue: ‘even if Awolowo was not in position to effect his belief in starvation as a weapon during the war, the facts remain that he publicly took that position and was widely reported in the media. And he could not deny, even after the war, in the face of criticism because the facts were there. His feeble explanation of the event in 1983 was not an outright denial but a rationalisation that he authorised the policy to quickly bring the war to an end. A feat he achieved but at the cost of a colossal human tragedy. Being a major political figure I think Awolowo should have trained his eye on posterity.

In the build up to the World War 11, Adolf Hitler operated a concentration camp under most inhuman condition, including starvation. When the war started, he opened and operated another camp at Belen, mainly for starving hundreds and thousands of Jews and other prisoners of war, but Hitler never officially and publicly hold out starvation as a deliberate or legitimate policy of war. The difference therefore, was that no government official or public office holder ever came out in the history of wars to acknowledge that starvation was being employed as a deliberate and legitimate policy.

The essence of Achebe ‘s memoir is not so much as to denigrate Awolowo or disrobe him as a god in Yoruba mythology or raise another phase of needless rancor with the South West. The book simply spoke to the failures of the federal side to show empathy in the face of humanitarian crisis .

This is why I am yet to make out any head or tale from Ebenezer Babatope’s sequence of frightening lies and pandering flatteries designed to re-launch him in to the Yoruba consciousness. Chief Babatope, for some time now, has become a laughing stock in Yoruba land and walking talking embodiment of everything with which Chief Awolowo would least like to be associated with or what do you make out of a man that is denying a policy Chief Awo himself admitted he authorised but for reasons of expediency. I expect Odia, Femi Fani-Kayode, Babatope and Fredrick Fasheun, despite their enthusiasm in defense of Awolowo, to be courageous to accept, as truth, that the callous starvation to death of non-combatant civilians, mostly women and children inside Biafra, is a fact of history and that such a policy is inhuman. To justify the starvation to death of over two million people is to justify ethnic extermination and nothing else. It also mean former President Charles Taylor of Liberia can justify the amputation of women and children in Sierra Leone. It means Hitler can justify the operation of his concentration camp. To justify the genocide against the Igbo people is equivalent to Germany justifying the Nazi holocaust and to deny that the Igbo didn’t suffer genocide is like anyone denying holocaust.

The war is ended, we the Igbo people have moved on, but, by all means, I believe Achebe’s new book should be read with an open mind and also the analysis of the actions ascribed to respective actors viewed within the context of the time and circumstances. This, in my view, may assist Nigeria and in particular the South West to appreciate the sufferings and pains we, the South easterners, had endured and continue to endure to keep Nigeria one.

Alex Ekwueme: Tribute to statesman at 80

By HENRY UDUTCHAY

D

r Alex Ekwueme, undoubtedly one of the most outstanding contemporary Nigerian leaders, is a man of distinct character and quality whose contributions to national development is well acknowledged. Born on October 21, 1932, in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area in Anambra, he attended the famous King’s College Lagos, where he passed out in December 1949 with Grade One Distinction, scoring the first position in seven out of the nine subjects he offered.

After obtaining his Cambridge school certificate, he worked briefly as a technical assistant/science/mathematics instructor at his alma mater, King’s College, while in the school (1950-1951) he sat for and passed Cambridge Higher School Certificate as a private student in English, Latin, History in the first instance and also, mathematics, Physic and chemistry.

Thereafter in 1952, he taught physics at Hussey College Warri, before travelling to the United States of America to further his education in the United States. He enrolled at the University of Washington for a degree in Architecture and City Planning, as one of the first four Nigerians to be awarded the Fulbright scholarship financed by the United State Department.

While undergoing his study in Architecture, Ekwueme was also studying for a degree in sociology. He graduated in both with flying colours in 1955. At the same time, he sat for B.A degree examination of the University of London as an external candidate in History, philosophy and constitutional Law and passed with second class.

Not relenting in his quest for knowledge and education, Alex, in September 1956, sat for and passed the University of London.

Upon successfully completing his studies overseas, young Alex returned to Nigeria in 1957 and took up employment with Esso West African Inc, in Lagos. Shortly after, precisely on January 2, 1958, he pioneered the establishment of the first privately registered architectural firm in Nigeria known, as Ekwueme Associate, Architects and town planners.

Under Alex Purposeful and astute managerial skill, the organ-

isation rapidly blossomed, became one of the most successfully managed architectural enterprise in Nigeria then. Perhaps, no architectural firm in Nigeria can boost of attaining the height recorded by Ekwueme Associates, which, by 1979, had about 16 functional branch offices spread all over Nigeria until September 30, 1979, when it ceased to exist preparatory to Alex’s entry into Public life on October 1, 1979.

One of the pioneers in the architectural practice in Nigeria, Alex, was elected president of the Nigerian Institute of Architect in 1965. In 1970, he was elected one of the foundation fellows of the institute, while he was elected the president of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria in 1975. He is currently the chairman of the institute board of trustees and a recipient of its Gold medal award.

Still thirsty for more academic laurels, Alex in 1976 capped his numerous academic qualifications with a doctorate degree in Architecture. While undergoing his study for PhD, he also registered for and passed the bachelors of law degree (LL.B) from the University of London in 1978. He was subsequently called to the Law school with Second Class honours, as the best graduating student in the general paper, professional ethics, solicitor’s account and office management.

In 1978, Alex, took a plunge into the murky waters of Nigerian politics, when he became the Vice Presidential Candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) for 1978 Presidential Election. He was the running mate to Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari in the election, which the party won convincingly. As the Vice President, Ekwueme brought his intellectual sagacity and administrative competence to bear in piloting the affairs of the country, especially in stabilising democratic rule after more than one decade of military dictatorship.

Following the inflated military coup in 1983 that swept the reelected Shagari and Ekwueme’s government out of power, Alex was among notable and distinguished political leaders who were hastily thrown into detention camps by the overzealous military junta, which desperately wanted to gain legitimacy by labeling all the politicians as being corrupt. However, as events would

prove later, Alex came out unblemished after undergoing a harrowing and indeed, vindictive military investigation. Indeed, it was discovered that he came out from government poorer than he was. This is the hallmark of a man who has always maintained a high moral threshold.

After a period of political hibernation, during which he went through indebt soul searching after the affairs of Nigeria, Alex bounced into the political firmament when his local government nominated him as a delegate to the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference (NCC) in Abuja. At the conference, he served in the committee of the structure and framework of the constitution. While serving at the committee, he propounded what has now become famously known as political zone structure, which was designed to ensure equitable and balanced distribution of power and resources in the country. Though not many were convinced about the work ability of that theory when Alex propounded it, but today it has become a common phrase in Nigeria’s political lexicon.

Alex also provided the needed leadership that saw G-34 transform into the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) in 1999.

Though he narrowly missed being elected the party’s standardbearer in 1999 presidential election, despite being seen as the best candidate, he was elected the pioneer chairman. He was also the Chairman board of trustees of the party. Not withstanding the injustice done to him at that time by denying him the party’s tickets, Alex has remained uncompromisingly a member of the PDP since inception in 1999.

As he celebrates his 80 years on earth, Alex, who is honored with various titles, including the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), holds the title of Ide of Aguata and Orumba.

He is a respected community leader who has done well for his people in particular and Nigeria in general. Here is a man who has excelled in virtually all spheres of human endeavor yet he remains an embodiment of humility.

• Udutchay, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja; Mobiles: 08067247484

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

65

National news 12 Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

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welve Nigerians have so far died in Saudi Arabia since the transportation of Nigerians to this year’s pilgrimage began on September 19, Dr Aliyu Tanko, the Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission in Mecca, confirmed the death of four pilgrims to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mecca on Thursday.

Tanko said the figure was made up of two pilgrims from Katsina, one each from Sokoto and Ogun, and that they died shortly on arrival in Mecca last week. He, however, did not give further details, but recalled that eight other pilgrims died earlier in Medina. Tanko said that the commission’s three clinics in Mecca and those set up by the various state pilgrims

boards provide effective medical services to Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca.

He urged pilgrims to always seek medical advice before embarking on pilgrimage and warned them against exposing themselves to the harsh weather in the Holy Land.

The coordinator said of the 81,000 Nigerians that had so far arrived in the Holy Land, 60,000 were in Mecca and the rest in Medina. He added that the remaining 14,000 pilgrims of the 95,000 Nigerians performing this year’s pilgrimage were transported to the Holy Land by tour operators. NAN reports that the King Abdulazeez International Airport, Jedda, will be closed to incoming flights today.

From CHRIS ANUCHA & TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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hoba, where the University of Port Harcourt is located, is in the news again, but not for good reason. Again, three youths, one them, a girl, was shot dead Thursday night by gunmen.

The incident occurred at 10 p.m in Rumuchakara, popularly known as Mission Road.

One of the victims was said to have passed out from the compulsory one year National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) the same day. It was gathered that they actually celebrated his successful completion of the NYSC programme and were going home when tragedy struck.

The female victim, whose

33 drown as passenger-bus plunges into river

By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

A

•Pregnant woman among survivors

passenger coaster bus loaded with passengers yesterday, ran-off a dual carriage bridge in Ogbere-Ijebu area of Ogun State and plunged into the river, killing about 33 persons.

The vehicle, which was said to have left Lagos in the early hours of the day, was heading towards Benin, the Edo State capital, for a funeral when it crashed onto the popular J4 River between Ogbere-Ijebu and Sagamu-Ore Expressway.

The Unit Commander, Ijebu-Ode Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Seidu Isha Osilama, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred at about mid-day.

He added that among the survivors of the unfortunate auto mishap was a pregnant woman whom he said hung on a tree branch after bus plunged

into the river.

According to him, the FRSC officials arrived the scene of the accident few minutes after it occurred and they were able to rescue the three survivors because they fell off the bus and landed on tree.

He added that the rescue effort would require crane and divers to ascertain the location of the bus and the passengers inside the water.

Osilama lamented that it would be difficult to ascertain the true figure of casualties, as they were still inside the river as the time he was speaking with the press.

His words: “No one knows the exact number of passengers in the bus or the casualty figure, as they are still in the water. The casualties are more than those who survived’’.

Another FRSC official, who spoke with Saturday Sun on condition of anonymity, said rescue operations were still on

as at late yesterday, causing heavy vehicular hold-up on the busy road.

He failed to disclose the immediate cause or causes of the accident, saying: “What is paramount to us now is how to save lives, which, to an extent, we have been able to do.

“But I can tell you that the accident occurred at Kilometre 56 Ijebu Ode-Ore road. Since it plunged into the river, it made rescue operations difficult, but local divers were mobilized to search the river to rescue survivors.”

A crane was said to have arrived the scene of the accident from Omo Wood Industries to pull out the vehicle from the river. It struggled from 12pm to 6.00p.m, but to no avail.

Saturday Sun learnt that local divers were also too tired to continue the search, while the crane was ordered back to the office by 6.00p.m.

3 shot dead in Choba •Recently passed out corps member, female UNIPORT student included identity could not be ascertained at the time of filing the report is also said to be a student of Port Harcourt.

An eyewitness disclosed that the shooting took place in front of a beer parlour, where the just-passed-out NYSC member and his friends went to clink glasses for being qualified to enter the job market.

Saturday Sun learnt that the trio were already through with the party and were strolling home, when one of them pushed down some roasted plantains, being sold by the road side.

The plantain seller was said to have insisted that they paid for her damaged wares, when some men in a Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) (black) arrived the spot and the occupants pulled their rifles and pumped hot leads into the victims.

The bandits were said to have shot severally at them, and made sure they were dead before speeding off.

Their bodies were removed by the police yesterday and deposited at the morgue for post-mortem.

When contacted, the Public Relations of NYSC, Rivers State, Mr. Benjamin Esan, said the identity of the NYSC member could not be ascertained now.

“It is difficult to know the identity of the victim now, since he just passed out,” he told Saturday Sun. He confirmed the incident, but could not give further explanations.

Meanwhile, the State Security Service (SSS) has arrested another suspect in connection with the murder of four students of the University of

Fulani fury N200 OCTOBER 21, 2012 •VOL. 6 NO. 487

How they beheaded my husband –Widow

Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme @ 80

This is your life Here comes hunger •Bag of onions moves from N5,500 to N30,000 •Bag of garri soars from N6,000 to N15,000 •Fish ponds washed into the ocean in Bayelsa A COLLECTORS’ ITEM

Why I’m still a virgin at 25 –Actress Annabel Zwindila

Port Harcourt, in Aluu community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The suspect, Lucky Agburum, from Obelle in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, was nabbed, at the premises of the state-owned Radio Corporation in Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that the young man is a driver attached to the Corporation’s Transport Section.

Agburum, according to a source, lives in Aluu community and was arrested by SSS at 2p.m, in a party organised

at the radio station premises.

Saturday Sun gathered that the man was on leave when the incident occurred in the area.

It was alleged that he circulated the information about the lynching of the four alleged robbers and made statements that showed that he witnessed the killing.

Four students of UNIPORT namely, Tekena Elkanah, Lloyd Toku Mike, Ugonna Obuzor and Chiadika Biringa were gruesomely killed on October 5, 2012, allegedly by youths in Aluu community.

Gunmen abduct CAP chairman in Bayelsa From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

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unmen yesterday attacked and kidnapped the Bayelsa State chairman of the Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Mr. Deme Ikolomo from his residence in Yenagoa.

This is coming on the heels of accusations and counteraccusations between CAP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the sponsorship of the former legal case against Governor Henry Seriake Dickson at the Supreme Court.

Ikolomo has been in the forefront of those within the party accusing the party leadership of allowing former

Governor Timipre Sylva to allegedly bankroll the legal case against Dickson.

Ikolomo was said to have expressed displeasure with the party leadership for soliciting help from Sylva to raise a legal team to fight Dickson after the Court of Appeal affirmed his election as the duly elected governor of Bayelsa State.

An Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) chieftain, Jeremiah Owoupele, who confirmed the kidnap of Ikolomo said no contact has been made by the kidnappers.

The Police Public Relations Officer however said the Bayelsa State Police command has not been notified about any kidnap incident.

Group condemns NASS frequent sack calls on executive

By VINCENT KALU

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he National Assembly has been called upon to re-prioritise their engagements and face the rigour of making quality legislation that captures the thirst of Nigerians for good governance.

This urgent advise was given

by Congress for National Stability (CONSTAB), a good governance advocacy group against the backdrop of frequent sack calls on the executive arm by the National Assembly.

The group noted that they were flustered if not embarrassed, that in the last six months, NASS has called on the executive arm to sack the CBN governor, the SEC D.G, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, the DG of BPE, Heads of Security Agencies, Ministers of Aviation, Information, and Petroleum, the PPMC boss for orchestrated fuel scarcity in Abuja, and even threatened to impeach the president for good measure.

Within this corresponding time frame, our august law making body have not initiated, passed, or about to pass any law that have transformational capacity to lighten the yoke of the people.

“Given that the integrity of lawmakers lie in the quality of their laws not opportunistic res-

olutions, we call on our lawmakers to re-kit their tools and make haste to generate bills that will strengthen our anti-corruption crusade, invigorate our agriculture, compel maintenance of our highways, make ordinary clean drinking water available, boost security, rather than this frequent sack prescriptions on the executive branch”.

As Nigerians who relish the special tag of being called elected representatives of the people, and whose recall process is virtually impossible despite the hunger and anger of most Nigerians to do just that, they should stop this indulgence and reveling in sack overdose to the detriment of vibrant debates and legislation.

If in case, sackings are the only antidote they know of, then they should open up the National Assembly for a thorough sweep and very necessary sacks. This proper conduct of removing the specks in their own eyes will help to douse the common suspicion that their sack calls are carefully targeted blackmails to induce their lobby.

The groups position made known by their president, Mr. Kingsley J.C. Ugwu noted that they were not averse to incompetent personnel of government being given the booth, but respect must be given to processes and procedure so that condemnations should not be served where commendation is more appropriate.

66

SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

Lawrence Okoye: Exit of Mr Integrity

By FAITH IBEAKANMA

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n a decadent society such as ours where virtues have taken flight and malfeasance of all sorts pervade the landscape, Elder Lawrence Ikechukwu Okoye remained a man of integrity, a man whose conscience could neither be bought nor sold. A community leader, devout Christian and investor in human beings, he was upright, selfless and compassionate till the end. These are attributes of greatness, depth of character that defined his life.

On March 18, he went the way of all men. His transition at the unripe age of 63 came as a rude shock; no one expected it. In fact, the effect was devastating but we are comforted by the fact that he lived a worthy life. On his sick bed, he refreshed his relationship with God, volunteering that he now held nothing against anybody. God knows why he decided to take him at this time when he was beginning to enjoy the fruit of his labour. God knows best; we cannot question Him. And we believe that on the great day of reckoning when the beautiful blue sky shall burst open to reveal the returning Christ, he will be caught up with other saints to enjoy eternal bliss.

Born into late Mazi Egbomba’s family in Umuizim, Ogbaku in Awgu LGA, Enugu State on January 15, 1949, he was the second of six children delivered by the mother, Nwannadiya, into the large family of Egboma Ebia Okoye. He grew up in the loving care of his father and mother who sacrificed every comfort for the care and comfort of their children.

Elder Lawrence I. Okoye spent his early days in the village along with a host of brothers and sisters. He later went to live with a relation in Cameroun and there continued his education. He came back from Cameroun around 1970 and the first place he settled was Ugep in 1972. He later moved from Ugep to Ikom in 1974. He had his first electrical workshop along Calabar Road, Ikom, Cross River State. Daddy got married to Scholarstica from Bashua, Ikom, Cross River State on September 11, 1982 at the Presbyterian Church, Ikom Town Parish, Ikom, Cross River State.

The marriage is blessed with four children, 3 females and a male.

He was a committed and active member of the Presbyterian Church, Ikom, Cross River State and

Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He was ordained an elder in the late 1980s in the Presbyterian Church, Ikom Town Parish. He later moved to the Four-Corners Parish of the Presbyterian Church, Ikom. When he joined the Scriptures Union (SU) in Ikom, his house was the centre of everything. He was a strict disciplinarian but always found time to offer his usual lively humour and motivation.

He was generous and took everyone as his own. It was difficult to have contact with him without picking

•Late Okoye up an enduring attribute from him. He was a workaholic. He did not believe that any task is too difficult to accomplish. He was an incurable optimist; he never lost hope no matter how daunting a challenge might appear. He was so practical. We will miss his wise cracks, full-hearted and infectious laughter.

Daddy’s gracious disposition, winsome accommodation and unpretentious understanding of situation and people, have engraved his memory in the hearts of multitudes. With great gratitude to God and total submission to the sovereign will of God, his indelible legacy will continue to reverberate through untold generation.

All of us have one thing or another to remember him for. All of us have one thing or another to say about him. Your brother, Dr Michael A. Okoye, says he was “not only a brother but also a father, an uncle and a good friend all rolled into one. As a father, he protected me and provided for me especially while I was a student. As an uncle, he supported and encouraged me especially in my formative years. As a brother, we attended fellowships and shared belief in the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour and as a faithful friend, he was there for me in good times and bad times.

I, the first daughter, Faith, am short of words. I can simply describe him as “the dearest daddy in the world”. The only son, Emeka, who calls him his boss, says: “His death has left a vacuum that can never be filled by anyone, his kindness and love for us shows us how he cared about us. He always told me whenever I called him on phone that he was praying for us all, and his word of advise and encouragement kept us strong. He was always a giver. He made sure everyone around him is comfortable even when it means giving his last for us to survive.”

So, we are all celebrating the glorious exit of our dear father, “our prayer is that we will get to meet him again when we meet on the beautiful shore where we shall part no more. God has a reason for everything.

So, in everything we give Him thanks.

Though, we are very devastated by this sudden departure, we are consoled that daddy touched lives.

He will never depart from our hearts. We love him so much.

We have no doubt our good God will grant his gentle soul a peaceful resting place in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

•Ibeakanma is senior pastor, The Master’s Royal Choice Revival Minisries, Ketu, Lagos.

‘We’re worse than refugees, cry Bakassi people’ appeal on the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun by ICJ, as it is the place of the Federal Government to do.” inheritance and added that his intention The lawmakers, who said they were But in what appears as a total support was to spite Cross Riverians because representing 2.3 million Cross River for Federal Government position on not they are seen as peaceful people. indigenes, declared: “Bakassi is our appealing the ruling, the Special Adviser He disclosed that they would go on birthright; we will never let it go.” to former President Olusegun Obasanjo hunger strike with the theme: “Those Odey, who disclosed that he, Imoke on legislative matters, Senator Florence that sold Bakassi should die,” to vent and others were in Abuja earlier to their anger on the issue, saying that fail- Ita-Giwa, said the Federal Government address the issue of ceding of Bakassi to ing to save the situation, National need not ‘waste’ money for appeal Cameroun, said that President Jonathan Assembly should commence impeachinstead use the money to resettle the saw clearly the opinion of majority of displaced Bakassi people at Day Spring ment process against the President for members of the National Assembly, sup- being against the people.

Island. ported it and set up a committee to Senator Ita-Giwa, who stated this durAddressing the 25-member assembly, review it and wondered why the turning a rally held in Calabar, the Cross Governor Liyel Imoke urged Cross around at the dying minute.

Riverians to remain calm and said hope River State capital, said that Nigeria lost Expressing anger, Hon. Jake Otu was not lost. He commended the legisla- Bakassi to Cameroon, the first time 10 Enya, representing Boki State II tors for their collective action, borne out years ago and finally four years ago Constituency, said: “We hope the when the final handover was done at the of concern, as representatives of the Federal Government would heed the people who they have their mandate and government lodge, Calabar. voice of the people and rescind its deci- as well as delineate on things that affect She said that if there were things to sion because Bakassi is an integral part be done to review the matter, it should them. of Cross River State and should not be The governor disclosed that there was have been done four or five years ago, ceded because the right procedure was adding that though Nigerians had shown a clear directive from President not followed. great interest in the Bakassi issue, Goodluck Jonathan when he set up a Hon Agbiji Agbiji, Ikom II, wonthough belatedly, the displaced Bakassi committee to review the ICJ judgment dered how a treaty could be signed and its report has not been released and indigenes were not counting down anything; rather were calling for their resetbetween Nigeria and Cameroun without wondered if the statement on the issue tlement at Day Spring Island. the consent of the National Assembly was that of the Attorney General and According to her: “Today, we are still and reasoned: “Whose interest is the Minister of Justice or the office of the displaced people and displaced people president protecting?”

President.

Agbiji stressed that the president has Imoke enjoined the people to be care- are worse than refugees. For 10 years after the judgment, we have cried; the people’s mandate to protect the ful not to stir the issue and politicise it nation and Bakassi is part of the nation. because of its security implications, say- nobody listened to us. Today, we are Hon Joseph Bassey, Calabar South ing: “Cross River has no cause to file an surprised that two days to the expiraConstituency, said the President •Continued from back page State was playing politics with the people’s

tion, people have gone to court. We appreciate efforts of Cross River State government, but what we want is shelter.

“Many well meaning Nigerians, organisations and groups have severely advocated the revisit of the ICJ judgment. Quite recently, the National Assembly had even passed a resolution asking for a revisit of the judgment.

Ita-Giwa said: “We equally remember that two members of the National Assembly representing Cross River State, namely; Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi and Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, had at different times, moved related motions on the floor of the National Assembly sometimes in 2006.

“As we speak, all these efforts seem to be in futility. While acknowledging these efforts by these spirited Nigerians and the press, for bringing the plight of the Bakassi people to the front burner, we wish this issue of ICJ revisit had come much earlier.”

She said most of the people parading themselves as representatives of the Bakassi people had not been to Bakassi to feel the plight of the displaced and do not have anything in the place.

According to her, in Ikang, claimed to be the new Bakassi settlement, there’s no single Bakassi indigene there, as they have gone to fend for themselves.

SATURDAY SUN October 20, 2012

Sports

67

SATURDAY SUN

CAF Champions League

Sunshine faces Ahly hurdle in Egypt

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Keshi

Ahead South Africa 2013 Nations Cup

Keshi needs to work on Eagles’ lapses – Ike Uche Stories by EMMA NJOKU

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illarreal of Spain forward and Nigeria’s current most consistent scorer, Ikechukwu Uche, was on cloud nine moments after Nigeria’s qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations holding in South Africa after a 6–1 humiliation of Liberia at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar last Saturday.

The light-skinned striker, who came off the bench to score Nigeria’s fifth goal against the visitors, said he and his teammates had every reason to celebrate Nigeria’s qualification for the football party in the Rainbow

Nation early next year, but admitted that there were some loose bolts that needed to be screwed up if the Super Eagles must challenge for the title.

“Yes, we’re all happy. We have every reason to be happy because the team has done well.

We knew how important the match was to all Nigerians, so we came out to do well in the match and we are very happy.”

Asked if the Super Eagles had what it takes to lift the trophy at next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa, the former Granada of Spain forward replied: “I think we can always get better. At the moment, the team has done the most important thing, which is to qualify for

the Nations Cup. “It is now left for the coaches to watch the tapes of all our recent games and see where we did well and where we need to get better. That is their job and if they are able to correct one or two mistakes, the team would be okay.”

On how he has managed to score consistently in virtually all his appearances in the national team, the player said: “It has to do with hard work. However, the most important thing is the team.

“My main aim is to assist the team; if I’m able to score, fine. I play up front and I will always work hard to score. But the most important thing is for the team to

win. Each time I get on the pitch, what goes on in my mind is to help the team and if I’m able to score, fine. But the team remains the most important thing.”

Uche revealed that he and his teammates would not have stopped scoring against the Liberian side if the match had continued, even after the comfortable 6–1 lead.

“The beauty of football is goals. The game is about scoring goals. If we had the opportunity to score more goals against the Liberians, we would have continued scoring. We are satisfied with the number of goals we scored, but we were ready to score more,” he added.

igeria’s last team standing on the continent, Sunshine Stars, will attempt to turn the table against six-time champion, AlAhly of Egypt when both sides clash this weekend in Cairo in the second leg semi-final of this year’s CAF Champions League.

The Nigerian team goes into the decisive clash with delicate 3–3 scores from the first leg encounter at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode a fortnight ago.

But Sunshine’s playmaker, Izu Azuka, is upbeat that his team still has a healthy chance to progress to the final of the tournament after this weekend’s return leg.

“In the game of football, you can never say never because if Al-Ahly could come here and got a draw, nothing stops Sunshine Stars from going to Egypt and beating them. All we need is to work on the mistakes we made in the first leg and then perfect our strategies for the return leg in Egypt,” the inspirational player said.

His coach, Gbenga Ogunbote is no less confident that his team could shock Al-Ahly on its home soil, especially with the encounter that would be decided behind closed doors.

“In the game of football, you can never say never because if Al-Ahly could come here and got a draw, nothing stops Sunshine Stars from going to Egypt and beating them. All we need is to work on the mistakes we made in the first leg and then perfect our strategies for the return leg in Egypt,” the inspirational player said.

His coach, Gbenga Ogunbote

is no less confident that his team could shock Al-Ahly on its home soil, especially with the encounter that would be decided behind closed doors.

“In the game of football, it can never be over until it is over. AlAhly is an experienced side on the continent, no doubt. The team has won the CAF Champions League trophy many times. But for us, it’s our first time of playing in the competition and getting to the semi-final is quite an achievement. That notwithstanding, we will go to Egypt for a fight.

“The fact that the match would be played behind closed doors is good for us. At least, we will not have to cope with their vociferous fans. With that, we can concentrate better and play our normal game,” Ogunbote reasoned.

Sunshine will receive a big boost with the return of captain Godfrey Oboabona. The Super Eagles’ defender, who was on duty for Nigeria in last Saturday’s 6–1 humiliation of Liberia in the last qualifying match for next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa, missed the first leg clash against the Egyptian giants in Ijebu Ode penultimate weekend.

“We really missed the captain in the first leg. His return will no doubt serve as a big boost to the team because of his wealth of experience and organisational ability on the pitch,” the coach enthused.

Other players expected to play key roles towards Sunshine’s survival in Egypt include Ibrahim Ajani, Ukeyima Akombo and goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje.

A lone goal victory or 4–4 draw will see Sunshine to the final of this year’s Champions League.

Super Falcons arrive Ghana

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he Super Falcons of Nigeria arrived in Accra, Ghana yesterday morning, to continue their preparations for the 2012 African Women's Championship (AWC) holding in Equatorial Guinea. The stewards of Lizzy Sport Centre received the team on arrival at Kotoka International Airport.

The Lizzy Sport Center, owned by former France international and Chelsea defender, Marcell Desailly, is complete with accommodation and training facilities for the team.

Falcons will camp at the centre for one week.

Desailly visited the Nigerians, as they had their breakfast to the delight of the players, to ensure that the services being offered were satisfactory. He, thereafter, met with the coaching staff.

Falcons' coach, Kadiri Ikhana, praised the French-

born Ghanaian for investing in a project he described as “world class”, branding Desailly “a genius of his time.

“The facility is fantastic.

This is the first of its kind from a footballer in Africa. I am greatly impressed,” Ikhana said, adding: “I am glad the Nigeria Football Federation chose this place for our training camp.

“The camp is built to standard and we will maximize the one week we have and prepare ourselves adequately for the AWC.” Twenty-three players travelled to Accra for the final round of camping before the team proceeds to Equatorial Guinea to defend the AWC title it won in South Africa in 2010.

Long-serving Falcons' attacker, Perpetua Nkwocha, joined the team at the Abuja International Airport, from her base in Sweden to complete the 23-women squad.

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October 20, 2012 SATURDAY SUN

LEAGUEUNLIMITED ...with EMMA NJOKU 08059423225

Why I parted ways with Gombe United – Ogbe C

oach Bernard Ogbe makes no bones about losing his job as technical adviser of Gombe United.

The veteran tactician told League Unlimited in a telephone chat that he had made up his mind

Ogbe

to quit as the head tactician of the Savannah Scorpions over what he described as difficult working conditions in the past two seasons.

“I don't have any hard feelings towards the management of Gombe United over their decision to contract Maurice Cooreman as new technical adviser of the club. I couldn't have continued with the job under the same condition that I had worked in the last two seasons,” he disclosed.

“As I talk to you, I'm being owed almost 40 per cent of my sign-on fees for the 2010/11 season and not a dime from my sign-on fees for the immediate past season (2011/12) has been paid,” he went on.

“I had earlier informed the

management that except I'm paid, at least, the balance of my financial entitlements for the 2010/11 season, I was not prepared to sign a new contract with the team. Everyone knows about the hazards associated with coaching job, where one traverses the length and breadth of the country on bad roads and with all the security challenges.

Should anything happen to somebody, how would one claim all the accumulated debts owed him? Ogbe wondered.

“Last Monday, when we resumed for the new season, in my address to the players and my assistant coaches, I made my position known to them and informed them about my intention to meet with the chairman to hold talks with him

immediately after the meeting.

But I guess somebody, who is desperate to curry favour, must have gone to the chairman before I got to him, to tell him

the things I said and the ones I did not say,” he regretted.

“Like I said, I have no hard feelings towards the management. I only hope I would be

paid all my entitlements for the period I worked with the club with minimum delay. That's my wish.

Lobi gears up for new season …Stuns Nasarawa Utd in pre-season friendly

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AF Confederation Cup flag bearer, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, on Wednesday, fired a warning shot ahead of the new season, when it stunned returnee Premier League side, Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 in a pre-season friendly encounter at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi.

Two first half goals from ex-Enyimba International striker, Chimaobi Nwaogu and gangling forward, Luther Iorhe, ensured victory for the Makurdi Stars in a match that saw the two goalkeepers on either side pulling fantastic saves throughout the match.

Coach of Nasarawa United, Isaac Danladi, described the performance of his team as encouraging, adding that he and his boys would take a lot of positives from the encounter despite the defeat.

Vice Chairman and Technical Adviser of Lobi, Dominic Iorfa, expressed satisfaction with the performance of his charges, saying that the result portends good things to come in the new season.

“I'm satisfied with the performance of my boys in the friendly match against Nasarawa United. We only trained for two days and they were able to put up such an impressive performance. It is a sign of good things to come in the coming season,” said the former Super Eagles' fast forward who recently returned from holiday in London.

Iorfa played down on insinuations that some key players of the team were on their way to other clubs.

“There's nothing like key players at Lobi Stars. I don't build my team on individual players. We play as a team.

“By the way, about eight players that played in this year's Federation Cup final in Lagos featured in last Wednesday's friendly match

against Nasarawa United. So, I don't know where the rumour about key players leaving Lobi Stars is coming from,” Iorfa wondered.

David Tyavkase of Lobi Stars (l) challenged by Heartland players.

Egwuekwe tips Warri Wolves for league title

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uper Eagles’ towering defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe, says Warri Wolves Football Club has what it takes to lift the Nigeria Premier League trophy in the coming season after the

disappointment of the immediate past season.

Egwuekwe attributed his team’s unimpressive run last term to hard luck, even as he absolved Coach Maurice Cooreman of blame for the club’s uneventful season.

“Sometimes you have

everything in life, but luck may be against you. We had the players and sound technical crew, yet we struggled in both our home and away matches. I just think that luck wasn’t on our side. But I’m trusting in God that the new season would be different,”

he predicted.

“In fact, we have identified all the lapses of last season and we’ve already started working on them. I’m confident that this season, we shall return to where we truly belong.

“Generally, we have a good

2012/13 Season: NPL okays Dec 1 kick off date he board of the …Commends Total Promotions, PZ, IGI, Lucozade Sports Nigeria Premier

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League (NPL) has accepted the December 1, 2012 date recommended by its Secretariat for the commencement of the 2012/13 league season.

Acting Executive Secretary of NPL, Tunji Babalola, who disclosed this in a press statement after the board's meeting on Friday (18/10/12), also said that the

board would recommend the proposed kick off date to the Congress for approval.

Babalola confirmed the November 17, 2012 date for the Annual Congress of the NPL, with the Park View Hotel and Suites in Wuse 1, Abuja, still the tentative venue for the Congress.

The league board expressed appreciation to all

its partners, including PZ, IGI, Lucozade Sports for their support, and looks forward to better partnership in the coming season.

The board, particularly, thanked Total Promotions Nigeria Ltd, its major partner, for its prompt assistance at critical times, thereby ensuring the continuity of the NPL. It also reiterated its

commitment to the terms of agreement with Total Promotions.

Babalola urged the various clubs in the Premier League to ensure adequate preparations ahead of the new season and advised them to pay attention to the details and requirements of registration formalities already sent to the clubs.

‘No missing money in NPL’

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Iorfa

he management of Total Promotions Limited has denied claims in certain quarters that it aided some individuals to defraud the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), insisting that all transactions it had with the league body was documented.

A statement signed by Ola Ayeni of DEI GRATIA Chambers, the representatives of Total Promotions, stated that the organisation would soon issue a detailed press statement to explain its dealings with the

NPL. “We, on behalf of our client, Total Promotions Limited, who, on account of a purported audit report on the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), has become an orphan with illinformed libellous and acrimonious reporting, wish to state that our client, in full consciousness of the large number of related matters in different courts in the country involving the Nigeria Premier League, will soon issue a detailed press statement explaining its role in the Nigeria Premier League

saga; backed with relevant documentary evidence, including request for funds by NPL and formal acknowledgement of payment by NPL,” the law firm wrote.

“In effect, as far as our client is concerned, there is no missing N38million (thirty eight million naira) due to the account of NPL. It suffices to say that our client has always acted with the sole aim of enhancing the game of football via the NPL,” the statement further read.

team that can win the league, and with about four national team players in our fold, we have what it takes to win the league this season,” Egwuekwe insisted.

On whether Coach Cooreman should be held responsible for the team’s poor outing last season, the former OUK United central defender said: “I’ve been with Warri Wolves for quite some time, and I’ve played under many coaches. I don’t see any of them as a bad coach.

“Maurice Cooreman is not a bad coach. But I don’t know what agreement he reached with the commissioner for sports in his contract.

Perhaps, he promised to deliver a trophy or continental ticket at the end of the season.

As far as I’m concerned, he is a very good coach. I like his style of coaching and I really enjoyed playing under him.

Egwuekwe further explained why he and his teammates in the national team could not lift Warri Wolves in the season under review.

“The truth is that those of us in the national team did not play most of the league matches because we were always in the national team camp. In a normal season at Warri Wolves, out of 38 matches, I would play up to 35 games. But last season, I only played 18 matches because I was in the national camp most of the time.

“Our absence really affected the team,” he lamented.

SATURDAY SUN October 20, 2012

69

Fear of Boko Haram

My wife vowed to dump me if I return to Maiduguri – Emeteole explains why he quit El-Kanemi

By EMMA NJOKU

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oach Kelechi Emeteole has revealed why he quit his job as the technical adviser of ElKanemi Warriors of Maiduguri after he guided the club to regain promotion to the Premier League last season.

The seasoned tactician told Saturday Sunsports that his wife and the Council of Chiefs of his autonomous community prevailed on him not to return to Maiduguri following the prevalent insecurity in Borno State and its environs occasioned by the spate of killings by the notorious religious sect, Boko Haram.

Emeteole, who holds a chieftaincy title in his Isiukwuato Community of Abia State, however, confessed that he would miss the management team of the Maiduguri Warriors, whose cooperation he said, largely contributed to the team’s promotion back to the Premier League at the end of last season.

“My wife and the Council of Chiefs in my town prevailed on me not to return to Maiduguri because of the security situation there and in other northern parts of the country due to the spate of killings masterminded by the notorious religious sect, Boko Haram. The elders in my town, friends and well wishers were not left out in the decision that I must not return to Maiduguri,” the man fondly called Caterpillar revealed.

“I had wanted to go back and continue with my job, but my wife threatened to park her things and return to her parents with all our children because, according to her, returning to Maiduguri would mean that I have chosen to commit suicide,” he narrated.

Caterpillar revealed that the chairman of El-Kanemi personally called his wife to plead with her to allow him return to his job, assuring her of her husband’s security in Maiduguri, but she stood her grounds.

“The club chairman requested for my wife’s telephone number to enable him plead with her to allow me to return to Maiduguri, and I obliged him. But all his

entreaties fell on deaf ears, as my wife would not want to hear that I went back to the El-Kanemi job, even for a billion dollars.

“She vehemently refused to conceded to the chairman’s plea, citing the recent killing of ElKanemi Warriors’doctor as well as the attempt on the life of the Shehu of Borno by the members of Boko Haram as reasons for her objection. According to her, if prominent indigenes of Borno State could be attacked, what security would a non-indigene like me claim to have?

“It was a difficult decision for me, but I wouldn’t want a situation whereby I would be blamed dead or alive if something eventually happens to me for insisting on going back to Maiduguri.

“I must, however, confess that I will miss the wonderful management team of El-Kanemi Warriors, particularly the chairman, secretary and the welfare officer. They were all wonderful and highly cooperative.

“The club’s management team remains the best I have worked with so far since my coaching career. They consulted me whenever they wanted to

take any decision that would affect the team and they never interfered with the club’s technical matters. Whenever there was money for the team, they would ensure that the players and officials got their dues.

“At the moment, I am only being owed about 10 per cent of my sign-on fee for last season and they have promised to pay me the balance as soon as possible. I would really miss them and I hope to work with a management team like that again.

“I would have loved to return to El-Kanemi Warriors, but as somebody who does not like interference in technical matters, it would be difficult for me not to step on toes when I take certain decisions that I consider best for the club considering the fact that El-Kanemi will play in the elite division when the new league season kicks off.

“For instance, if I decide to drop some of the indigenous

Lagos Country Club marks World Squash Day

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he Lagos Country Club will today join the squash fraternity across the world to create the biggest match in the history of the game to commemorate the World Squash Day. The match will have two teams playing in one global match to back the sport's bid for a place in the 2020 Olympic Games.

According to Taye Ige, chairman of Lagos Country Club, Squash Section, the club would take part in the match dubbed: 2020 Challenge Match to swell their number in the club and as well, attract new players to the sport.

He explained: “Clubs are invited to field two teams of 20 players, with rival team members playing one game up to 20 points. The scores from every club will count towards an overall global result between Team Squash and Team 2020.”

Ige said that World Squash Day organisers were hopeful that the total figure of competitors would run into hundreds of thousands, which would enable them to break a record of organising the biggest sports

fixture, as well as the biggest squash match in history.

He maintained that in addition to the match, the club would also be organising a number of development activities to attract new players to the exciting game, which is fast gaining popularity across the world.

About 40 players from the club would be taking part in the match.

Emeteole players that fail to measure up to the standard I require for the team’s success in the Premier League, somebody could go and recruit the terror gang to cause some troubles for me. These are some of the fears,” Emeteole regretted.

The former Heartland FC of

Owerri gaffer said he’s, however, available and ready to team up with any ambitious side that might require his services in the coming season.

“I’m ready to work with any club that needs my services. My style is to sit with the management of the club on a round table and discuss what the team’s target

is. I like to know if the management is interested in producing players for sale, winning titles or just playing to make up the numbers.

“It is their target or interest that will determine the way we work and how the team would be funded,” Caterpillar explained.

Fixtures

Premier League

Spanish La Liga

TODAY Tottenham v Chelesa Fulham v Aston Villa Liverpool v Reading Man Utd v Stoke City Swansea v Wigan Athletic West Brom v Man City West Ham v Southampton Norwich v Arsenal

TODAY Malag v Valladolid Real Madrid v Celta Vigo Valencia v Athletic Bilbao Deportivo v Barceona

TOMORROW Sunderland v Newcastle Q PR v Everton

TOMORROW Getafe v Levante Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano Granada v Real Zaragoza Osasuna v Real Betis Real Sociedad v A. Madrid MONDAY Sevilla v Mallorca

Italian Serie A TODAY Juventus v Napoli Lazio v AC Milan TOMORROW Cagliari v Bologna Atalanta v Siena Chievo v Fiorentina

70 SATURDAY SUN

October 20, 2012

SATURDAY SUN,

THE KALU LEADERSHIP SERIES

October 20, 2012

71

OrjiUzorKalu Former governor of Abia State e-mail: okalu@orjikalu.com

Why Igbo ought to be president in 2015 (2)

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clear fact from the effort I made in the first part of this series to list important Igbo sons and daughters that had or have contributed to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria is that it will take over 52 editions of this column to exhaust the list. Honestly, I did not attempt to go beyond the shores of this country to locate and identify the contributions of Igbo in the Diaspora who are individually shaking the foundations of the world with their ingenuity, innovations and competences. But it is important, however, to quickly state that Igbo in the Diaspora repatriate over 2 billion dollars to Nigeria annually. These enormous financial resources contribute significantly to the stimulation of the economy and growth of human development.

Even back home Igbo businessmen and businesswomen contribute immensely to the economic development of Nigeria. As I indicated in the first part of this series, there is no part of the world in which you cannot find Igbo. This is why they are referred to as the salt of the earth. In Nigeria, they are found virtually everywhere, even, in the remotest parts. In Lagos, for instance, Igbo account for over 40 per cent of the monthly revenue accruable to the state from internal sources. They own houses and businesses and pay taxes and rates. Visit the famous Balogun, Idumota, Trade Fair Complex, and Alaba International Markets in Lagos, alone, and you will shudder at the large business concerns Igbo control. I, for one, own businesses and houses in Lagos and contribute to the economic development of Lagos, nay Nigeria. The same situation is obtainable in other major cities and towns in Nigeria where Igbo presence is overwhelming. It is not contestable that of all the ethnic groupings in Nigeria, even in Africa, Igbo are the only ones found in large numbers all over the country, including foreign countries. Did Igbo not settle in Haiti? Are they not in large numbers in the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Spain? I was in China of recent and marvelled at the large presence of Igbo there. They are engaged in meaningful enterprises and contribute to the growth of the Chinese economy. I was in Congo Democratic Republic on the invitation of Igbo business community last week and could not hold back my surprise at the large presence of Igbo. In fact, over 700 of them assembled at the airport to receive me on arrival. From available records, there are over 50,000 of them in DRC. I have done an elaborate survey and wish to state without any equivocation that the number of Igbo in some African countries outstrip the number of other Nigerians that live in them put together. By this, it is not in doubt that the census figures allocated to Igbo after each census exercise were contestable. The population of Igbo at the last count is put at 48 million. If all Igbo home and abroad are counted, the figure will definitely jump.

Look around Igbo land and you will agree that it has a unique identity in Nigeria. It enjoys rich arable soil, generous sunshine, sufficient rain and table land. These factors single them out as a blessed people with enormous potentialities to turn around Nigeria’s comatose economy and haemorrhaging political system if given the chance to direct the affairs of our great nation. In all sincerity, anybody thinking of developing Nigeria without Igbo is daydreaming.

What of natural resources? They abound in commercial quantities. There are numerous mineral resources that abound in commercial quantities in Igbo land, and they include limestone, coal, cashew, palm oil, crude oil, etc.

Without fear of being accused of immodesty, I can say that Nigeria can never be the same without Igbo. This is a verifiable fact. These are people who are broadminded, enterprising, industrious and creative! They take their talents to other places to develop those places. In the north, for example, Igbo have had some communities assigned to them to live in and cultivate. There is a community in Mubi, Adamawa State, where the people of Adazi-Nnukwu (from Anambra State) used to live freely and in peace until the Boko Haram insurgency. They have replicated all they have back home in Adazi in Mubi. This is the patriotic zeal of Igbo. It is not only in Mubi you find this kind of zeal.

Almost all over the north, Igbo live in hamlets they live in and nurture. You find this in great numbers in Kano State of Nigeria.

The Eze Igbo traditional institution was established to give Igbo that reside outside Igbo land a sense of belonging and a central system through which their culture and traditions could be sustained and promoted. Each Eze Igbo is democratically elected to administer the cultural affairs of Igbo in his domain. Through this arrangement, relations between Igbo and their host communities have been enhanced. This goes to show how republican and broadminded Igbo can be.

keep it this time round. After all, he has continually stated that he is yet to decide whether or not to contest in 2015. I am certain he will not contest in 2015, because the odds favour an Igbo Presidency.

Nobody can contest the fact that the inability of Nigeria to reach its full potentialities is as a result of the fact that no Igbo had headed its executive arm of government. Some may downplay this veritable fact, but it is true.

Check it out: Hausa, Yoruba, Middle-Belt and now South-South have run the affairs of Nigeria without much luck. Does justice not demand that we give Igbo a chance to do their bit at the highest level of government in Nigeria? When that has been done, then Nigerians will be in a good position to judge which among them has performed best.

We have experimented with all kinds of government and applied numerous strategies to develop Nigeria to no avail. Why not give Igbo a chance to apply their God-given talents to make Nigeria great?

Those ganging up to stop Igbo from becoming president should bear in mind that they are doing Nigeria a great disservice. The enemies of Igbo always refer to the Nigeria Civil War as their reason for opposing the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction. The proponents of this school of thought are nothing but ethnic jingoists. The reason for going to war was very clear. Igbo went to war to defend themselves from annihilation. Indeed, any other tribe could have done the same thing if found in a similar circumstance.

How can anybody talk about the unity of Nigeria if a section of the country is continualAzikiwe ly and endemically marginalized? The war ended 42 years ago, yet Igbo are still seen as second class citizens. This is the height of It is on record that Igbo are the only tribe in Nigeria that insensitivity! If we truly believe that the war has ended, why has made massive investments where they reside and do not remove every obstacle to the emergence of an Igbo man business. How many non-Igbo own houses in any state in or woman as President? Let me state unequivocally that the Igbo land? But one out of every three houses in Lagos, for instance, is owned by Igbo. What of the so-called abandoned war will end the day an Igbo is sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. properties in Port Harcourt? They were owned by Igbo but Honestly speaking, Igbo have suffered diverse degrees of taken over by their hosts. This unfortunate incident has not deprivations in this country. Apart from being the only dissuaded Igbo from building houses and developing where geopolitical zone with the least number of states, they have they live and do business. This attribute is sufficient to give not been appointed to some sensitive national offices such as Igbo a chance to replicate this rare magnanimity at the Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of national level.

Their contributions to the economy of Nigeria are massive. Defence, Minister of Water Resources, Director-General of the State Security Service, Minister of Works, etc. It was not In Lagos alone, Igbo own and operate large companies that employ thousands of Nigerians and pay huge taxes to the until of recent that some Igbo were appointed to the offices government. Their factories are scattered all over the metrop- of Minister of Foreign Affairs (which Dr. Mrs. Okonjoolis, extending as far as Agbara and Sango Ota in Ogun Iweala occupied for less than 6 months), Chief of Army Staff State. Import and export trade is another area in which they (currently held by Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika), and Chief make reasonable impact on the economy. Out of every 10 of Defence Staff (held of recent by Air Marshall Paul Dike). containers that come into the country, half are associated With three oil-producing states, the South East geo-political directly or indirectly with Igbo. zone is eminently qualified to occupy the lucrative office of Their survivalist instincts have taken them to places where the Minister of Petroleum. ordinarily others dread to go. And when they get to such Among Igbo, there is a greater consciousness to work places they turn them into havens to meet their desires. It is together to achieve the goal of producing the President of when they have developed those places that the indigenes Nigeria in 2015. The highest Igbo socio-cultural body, realise they are non-indigenes and begin to chastise them.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated emphatically that it is the turn This has been the lot of Igbo. of Igbo to produce the President in 2015. They have always Undeterred, they have continued to work for the good of referred to the unwritten agreement reached with President Nigeria, but largely misunderstood, misrepresented, underJonathan in 2011, before the general elections, as the reason publicized, and under-recognised. If anybody contests this for their optimism. Nevertheless, there has never before been assertion, then let him tell us why Igbo have not been given this kind of awareness to produce the president as is the case their fair share in resources and leadership in the corporate now among Igbo. There is no true Igbo man or woman that Nigeria? They are treated like second class citizens in a is opposed to this collective decision. The time has passed nation their forbears spent their time, resources and energy to when Igbo were easily deceived into backing the wrong found. Some of them even paid the supreme price for the horse. This time, we have decided to take our destiny into continued existence of Nigeria. our hands and work in concert with other geo-political zones Nobody is asking that Igbo be given the presidency as a for the realisation of this noble objective. free gift. What we are asking for is justice, equity and fair The single solution to all the numerous religious, tribal, play. Just as the process that smoothened the way for a political and economic problems facing Nigeria is the emerSouth-Southerner to become President of Nigeria for the first gence of a president of Igbo extraction in 2015. I am confitime in 2011, the same gesture can be extended to Igbo, with dent that even the seemingly intractable Boko Haram the active support of President Jonathan, to produce the pres- imbroglio will end the day this dream comes to reality. ident in 2015. I have said it before: there was no way We have abundant first-class, willing, committed and Jonathan would have emerged as President without the suppatriotic brains to discharge this onerous responsibility. All port of Igbo of Southern Nigeria. Igbo agreed in unison in they need is support from all Nigerians.

2011 to back his candidacy with the hope that he would Is it not better for every Nigerian to support the Presidentreciprocate it in 2015. It will amount to a betrayal if he of-Igbo-extraction project than engage in perpetual search for should renege on his word. Agreed some people accuse the the solution to our numerous developmental problems that President of not usually keeping his promises, referring to the are already overwhelming us as a nation?

PDP zoning brouhaha as a case in point, I believe he will Concluded

KALU LEADERSHIP SERIES

WHY IGBO OUGHT TO BE PRESIDENT IN 2015 (2) October 20, 2012 Vol.9 No.512

PAGE 71

WAR DRUM IN BAKASSI From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

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he Bakassi natives have described the final handover of their land to Cameroon as “monumental loss,” saying that the Federal Government has finally sold them away to another country.

Some of the natives, who spoke to Saturday Sun at Ikang, Bakassi Local Government headquarters, Cross River State, expressed shock and disbelief that the Federal Government, which gave them hope, at last made a volte face, on the flimsy excuse that there were no fresh facts to back up the appeal review.

The natives, under the aegis of Bakassi Renewal Movement, lamented that with the inability of the Federal Government to appeal against the International Court of Justice (ICJ), their fate has not only been finally sealed, but also their survival now depends on the Cameroon government, as most of them cannot do without fishing within the Peninsula.

Speaking on behalf of the natives, the spokesman, Comrade Eyo Ndem Bassey, said: “For now, we don’t want to do again; we have been left deserted and rejected with no other hope of reclaiming our father land. Those of us doing business at the peninsula will now pay tax to Cameroon authourities, else we will be deported.”

Ndem Bassey, who claims to a trader at Bakassi, maintained that they were shocked at the attitude of President Goodluck Jonathan on their plights, as Cameroon government, since the ruling in 2002, has been taking good care of their citizens, while they have been left to suffer.

He said: “As we are talking, you can see women and children moving down to the river in readiness to go for their fishing business at the peninsula because we have no way of survival and we will now face realities.

“I can assure you that majority of the people have resolved to go back there and face their trading and fishing business, as we cannot afford to wait for our government.”

In an emotionally laden tone, he said: “We will rather go back to Bakassi and be foreigners than remain at Ikang and die of hunger, since nobody cares. It is now clear that we have no home even in Nigeria.”

Also speaking to Saturday Sun at Ikang, the leader of Bakassi Self-Determination Front, Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku, said the position of Federal Government has just confirmed that Bakassi was sacrificed for personal gains and international politicking and wondered why it should Cross River that will always be the sacrificial lamb.

Oku stated that with what is happening, it is now clear that they may be forced to take the law into their hands, since the government has failed to give them protection and right of self-determination which they are entitled to.

He said: “We the youths will no longer be fooled; it is clear that the game is up. We were expecting a miracle that never came and we have respected our government. Perhaps, now is the time for action.

“We respectfully call on our people in the Northern Bakassi (Akwa, Archibong, etc) and the western Bakassi (Abana, Atabong, Ekpot Abia, etc) to leave those areas as soon as possible, as it would not be safe for anybody to stay there any longer.

“Please, let them know that anybody that refuses to leave these areas mentioned above will do so at his or her own risk.

The time has now come for us to recover our land. There was no ceding ab initio; our National Assembly said so.

“Our right to self-determination is imminent; some will die, but some will leave to reap from our labours.”

Feeling downcast and rejected, the member representing Bakassi in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Saviour Nyong, who described himself as one of the displaced persons from the area, said the Federal Government did not seek their consent before ceding them to Cameroun.

•Indigenes shout as 10-year deadline for appeal expires •Our right to self-determination is imminent –Youth

According to Nyong, “no nation has ever ceded its portion to another without a plebiscite and said the decision of the Federal Government was an international conspiracy against the people of Bakassi and Nigeria which its leadership was part of it.

Nyong noted that the Green Tree Agreement has not been ratified by the National Assembly and that the people of Bakassi have the right to take their destiny in their hands.

Reacting, the Bakassi traditional ruler, HRH Etim Okon Edet, said: “I cannot understand what the Federal Government is up to whether it is the Bakassi in Cameroon that they have finally ceded or the Bakassi in Nigeria constitution they have given away.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation should be able to tell Nigerians what is happening or are they talking about Bakassi in spirit because the president didn’t say anything on October 1, 2012 even when he promised us, during the presidential campaign, that he will look into our case once he was voted into office.”

Expressing shock at the unfolding events after taking over as president, he said: “The people of Bakassi voted for him massively with hope that he will fulfill his promise but here we are and have no even right to vote again as our land and homes have been given away.”

Speaking to newsmen on the state of Bakassi after October 10 in Calabar, the Chairman of non-governmental organization, Cakebird Development Cooperation, Dr. Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu, threatened to join forces with other interest groups to reclaim the territory, adding that ceding the territory could lead to war.

Jideofo-Ogbuagu alleged that the Cameroonian authorities, assisted by foreign powers, would have been preparing itself against any form of perceived interference from Nigeria, lamenting that it was unfortunate that while well-meaning Nigerians were calling for the appeal against the judgment, President Jonathan had succumbed to pressures from past leaders who connived to sell out the Peninsula.

He said: “Assisted by some foreign powers, Cameroon is waiting for action. Whereas, there are powers somewhere

campaigning that the wicked sale of Bakassi should be forgotten. Allowing Bakassi to remain in Cameroon was not why we elected President Jonathan. He must do everything possible to reclaim the territory.

Jideofo-Ogbuagu, whose NGO has been fighting for the reclamation of Bakassi, said: “We, the concerned NGOs will not sit back and watch part of our territory being ceded away; we will combine forces to get it back because no country has ever allowed its people and their natural heritage to be given out illegally as the case of Bakassi.”

In a statement made available to Saturday Sun and signed by the coordinator, Cross River State Political Network, Michael Nku, threatened to resort to arm struggle and Boko Haram tactics.

He said: “We are giving FG up to Wednesday, October 10 to reclaim the affected area or risk the Boko Haram-like terrorism in Cross River State axis of Southern Nigeria. What is happening now is a child’s play because we will ensure that justice is given to us; we will perpetrate more mayhem than what Boko Haram is presently doing in the North.”

According to him, “Bakassi people have always been Cross Riverians and Nigerians, as they speak Efik, bear Efik names common to the state and share in the culture of Efik. At no point did such entity exist in Cameroon.”

“With total abandonment by Nigeria, the youths have threatened to go back to the creeks and render the entire Gulf of Guinea inaccessible to oil and marine exploration activities in collaboration with their Niger Delta compatriots, and their northern sympathisers.”

Protesting against the inability of Federal Government to apply for a review, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have staged a peaceful protest to Governor’s Office, in Calabar and questioned the rationale behind the statement accredited to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, that issues centred on Bakassi following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment were closed.

Continued on Page 66

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