Sun News August 9, 2012

Plot to remove Okorocha thickens Page 5

N150

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2430

•An ex-Imo gov coordinating scheme

Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt set for another glory today

Page 56

Satanic cleric

•Arrested one month after wedding

Page 29

Prophet leads robbery gang Imo State Gov., Rochas Okorocha, flanked by Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Rivers State Gov., Rotimi Amaechi (l) and Kaduna State Gov. Patrick Yakowa, during the NGF’s meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

Dana crash

Levi Ajuonuma, Aikhomu’s son, 130 others identified ...As DNA test results Page 6 arrive •16 bodies not known

N150

Collapsed building kills 3 in Abuja

Page 8

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2430

Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt set for another glory today

Page 56

Fresh bomb scare in Sokoto

Pages 7 & 12

•Gunmen kill 2 policemen in Bauchi

•3 suspects arrested over Kogi church massacre •Boko Haram: Traditional rulers meet Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (r), being consoled by Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, during Onwuliri’s first appearance at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday, after the death of her husband in the Dana Air crash.

PHOTO: BAYO OBISESAN

Dana crash

Levi Ajuonuma, Aikhomu’s son, 130 others identified

Page 6

...As DNA test results arrive •16 bodies not identified

Plot to remove Okorocha thickens Page 5

N150

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2430

•An ex-Imo gov coordinating scheme

3 arrested over Kogi church massacre

Pages 7 & 12

Satanic cleric

Page 29

Prophet leads robbery gang •Operates in Lagos, Sagamu, Ogbomoso

•Arrested a month after wedding

Dana crash

Page 6

Levi Ajuonuma, Aikhomu’s son, 130 others identified ...As DNA test results arrive •16 bodies not known Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt set for another glory today Page 56

Page 56

Nurudeen Selim of Nigeria (third right) during the 100 metres hurdles men semifinal race at the London Olympics, yesterday. Selim came fifth and did not qualify for the final.

PHOTO: AYODELE OJO

Pages 7 & 12

3 arrested over Kogi church massacre N150

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2430

...As Yoruba leaders warn against Boko Haram incursion into S’West

Mad woman delivers baby on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Page 8

Satanic cleric

Page 29

Prophet leads robbery gang •Operates in Ogbomoso, Sagamu, Lagos

•Arrested a month after wedding

Dana crash

Page 6

Levi Ajuonuma, Aikhomu’s son, 130 others identified ...As DNA test results arrive •16 bodies not known Nurudeen Selim of Nigeria (third right) during the 100 metres hurdles men semifinal race at the London Olympics, yesterday. Selim came fifth and did not qualify for the final.

PHOTO: AYODELE OJO

Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt set for another glory today Page 56

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Thursday, August 9, 2012, DAILY SUN

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SUNG GIRL

SSS detains, releases el-Rufai From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja The State Security Service (SSS) yesterday detained Mallam Nasir el-Rufai briefly at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who was leaving the country, was detained for 15 minutes by the security operatives.

In a telephone chat with Daily Sun shortly before his departure, the chieftain of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said: “I was detained for 15 minutes and they have returned my passport. I was detained by my usual friends,” he said.

Reasons for detaining el-Rufai was not known as at press time but sources close to the former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said it might be due to his criticisms of the present administration.

Recall that el-Rufai’s criticisms of the Jonathan administration had pitched him against the government.

He had through his weekly column in ThisDay Newspaper, including other media outfits, criticised the administration for alleged inability to tackle insecurity, corruption, unemployment, wastage in government spending and inefficiency. •el-Rufai

I’ll win in October -Gov Mimiko

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ounding spiritual, the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said God had destined him for a second term.

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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.

Name: Anabel Johnson Phone: 08101537718

The guber election will hold in October. Mimiko is the Labour Party’s flag -bearer in the poll.

Making a formal visit to his campaign secretariat for the first time since his adoption by the party as its candidate for the October 20 election, Mimiko said he was fully ready for the campaigns, even as the campaign organisation said full-fledged electioneering for the governor’s second term would commence soon.

The organisation’s Director-General, who is also the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akin Adaramola, stated this while speaking during the governor’s visit to the campaign headquarters at Ijapo in Akure, the state capital.

According to him, “since this organisation’s inauguration, we have embarked on a series of activities to ensure smooth campaign and worthwhile election. You don’t just go out and start running all over the place, you need to plan and very soon, we hit the ground running.”

“We are not following the footsteps of others, everybody has his own approach, our approach is to plan so that when we hit he ground, we will be all over the place.

Adaramola assured that the democratic dividends that had been given to the people of Ondo State in the last three and a half years would be reciprocated by the electorate whom the governor had served tirelessly since his inauguration in 2009.

He thanked Mimiko for yielding to pressure from political and nonpolitical groups to declare for second term. He assured that the organisation had taken the right step that would lead to the governor’s victory at the poll.

Responding, Mimiko told the organisation that he was fully ready for the campaign with divine confidence that he was already marching to victory.

“I want to assure you that I am both physically and psychologically ready for the race, that is the campaign as well as the actual election. I can’t wait for this campaign to start. I am also happy that the wheel of government and that of the campaign organisation was running smoothly while I was away.

“I foresee an exciting time ahead and I am sure this coming campaign will afford us the opportunity to reach out to our people again to let them know what we promised, what we have done and the possibilities ahead of us,” the governor said.

•Mimiko

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L-R: Co-ordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, her counterparts, Dr, Akinwumi Adesina (Agric), Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs) and the Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Lawan Ngama at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Wednesday.

Photo: BAYO OBISESAN

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Rajan Swaroop responding to questions during the Media Roundtable in Lagos, Wednesday. With him are Chief Sales Officer, Mr. Inusa Bello (left), Director, Human Resources, Mr. Jibril Saba and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Deepak Srivasteve.

Photo: MOSHOOD RAJI

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second right), addressing top government Muslim leaders during the Iftar breaking of fast, at the Government House Mosque, Ado-Ekiti, Monday.

COVER

By CHIDI OBINECHE

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grand plot to remove Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, is in the works and it is being co-ordinated by an ex-governor.

The plot was weaved around the crisis between the state government and the chairmen of the local governments, who were sacked by Okorocha, but were returned to office by the Court of Appeal last month.

Determined to sack the governor using the window opened by the crisis, and the controversies surrounding the tenure of the chairmen, the ex-governor sneaked into the state last Thursday and met with members of his party and some council chairmen in his private residence under tight security mounted by over 500 armed policemen.

He informed the meeting that he had been allegedly mandated by the Presidency to coordinate the project.

Sources, who attended the meeting revealed that the ex-governor told the chairmen to get ready to make the state ungovernable by August 8, (yesterday) with an assurance that the Presidency would wade into the resulting chaos by either declaring a state of emergency or have some members of the state House of Assembly moved to Abuja to commence the impeachment process.

He may have told the chairmen to resist leaving office at the expiration of their terms because they would be protected by the police.

“Can you see how the police under the instruction of the Inspector-General [IG] came into the LGA issue and assisted you to forcefully take over the council offices”, he said.

The plot would also lead to the removal of the Speaker, Ben Uwajumogu and key House officials deemed to be supporting the governor.

Daily Sun investigations showed that the fallout of the meeting was responsible for the hardening of position by all the council chairmen who Governor Okorocha invited for a peace meeting in Government House, Owerri recently to discuss the way forward.

The former governor promised the local government chairmen that they would receive a fresh full term if they assist him actualize the plan.

His pledge followed questions by the council helmsmen on why their tenure was reduced

Plot to remove Okorocha thickens •Ex-governor coordinates plan, as APGA flays move to two years instead of three which effectively ended their term on August 8, 2012.

Giving further details of the plot, the ex-governor named the arrow-heads of the plan to include a principal officer of the National Assembly, a serving Senator, a former governorship aspirant and a traditional ruler (names withheld by us).”

The plot was designed to cause mayhem in the local government areas, to trump-up charges against some House members so as to impeach them, and to write petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Imo State officials.

“The ex-governor also boasted to have influenced the setting up of another tribunal on the 2011 governorship poll brought against the election of Governor Okorocha by Chief Ifeanyi Ararume despite the conclusion of the case at the Supreme Court” The former governor boasted that already, he

had influenced the Presidency to send a team from EFCC to Owerri to actualize the agenda.

The state’s chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), Prince Marshal Okoroafor Anyanwu, reacted swiftly, saying that the party was disappointed at the antics of the ex-governor whose actions fall below the standard expected of his political status.

“We have it on record of him boasting that he invested N25 billion on President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign and that he had the backing of the Presidency to remove Governor Okorocha.”

Prince Anyanwu appealed to the President to discourage rumour-mongers, who are feeding the Presidency with false information about Imo. “It is shocking that these men who have clearly been rejected by their people are lowering the dignity of the office of Mr President by forcefully dropping his name in the blind lust

for power and desperation to remove the elected governor of Imo State, because he has refused to share the people’s money.”

Prince Anyanwu urged all men of goodwill and federal authorities to stop the ex-governor from his grand plot to throw Imo into anarchy and take the state several years backward.

“The people of Imo have spoken. They have elected Okorocha as their governor. All the courts including the Supreme Court have validated the election of Okorocha as governor of Imo State.”

The APGA chairman warned that the party will not fold its arms and watch a group of discredited Abuja politicians destroy Imo State and slow down developmental people-oriented programmes of Governor Okorocha.

“If they do not desist, we would be forced to publish the criminal records of these Abujabased politicians for the world to determine the caliber and background of those who now seek to overthrow the elected people’s Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha,” he warned.

National Assembly to get 2013 budget in Sept From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja and Minister of Informationa, Labaran Maku, said the meeting discussed the presentation of he Federal Executive Council (FEC) mid-term fiscal framework on next year’s yesterday approved that the Federal budget.

Maku said the budget was coming early Government submits to the National Assembly the 2013 fiscal framework with because of the President’s determination to projected revenue put at N3.891 trillion, change the circle of budget from mid-April to while expenditure is estimated at N4.929 January 1 because late submission to National Assembly hardly affords them time to contrillion.

The FEC, chaired by President Goodluck clude discussions on them before the end of Jonathan, also considered a memorandum on the first quarter of every year.

Presenting the highlights of the 2013 fiscal the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper which frame-work, Okonjo-Iweala said the budget set the broad framework and priorities of the will be ready next month, while the actual laying would come up in the first week of budget.

The 2013 budget will be submitted to the October.

She said collaboratively, “everybody has National Assembly by the end of September.

Addressing State House correspondents, the agreed that the work for budget for 2013 must Coordinating Minister of the Economy/ start early this year, that is why we have the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- fiscal strategy paper this early. Once we finish Iweala and Minister of State, Yerima Ngama here, we are going to transmit the document to the National Assembly”.

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“The highlights of the budget, the first is that we are working on the basis of crude oil production projection of 2.53 million barrels a day, against 2.48 million barrels a day in 2012 and benchmark price of $75 a barrel against $72 a barrel in 2012.

“This budget is titled: “Fiscal Consolidation with growth.” That means that to continue to manage the budget prudently and transparently and as efficiently as we can, whilst loading the main resources unto that areas that will generate the most growth for the economy.

“So, at the same time, you are holding the budget tight you are loading the resources into key sectors like infrastructure, power, roads, rails, that is fiscal infrastructrue, not growth area like agriculture, water resources, but also into human infrastructure like education and health. And of course, encouraging other sectors like the solid minerals with the potential to create jobs. So that is the basic outline that we will be managing prudently”, she said.

6 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

NEWS

Dana plane crash: List of identified bodies • Names listed under scheduled dates for release from morgue Thursday 9th Aisha Abdu Datoru Abi-kalio Kaltum Abubakar Jonathan Abiodun Ike Abugu Adekunbi Adebiyi OluwaDamilare Abraham Adijolola Yinusa Ahmed Ehime Aikhomu Ehi Joel Ailente Levi Ajuonuma Obinna Akubueze Eliuzabeth Omuluzua Akwueze Martin Alade Mamud Aliyu Joy Allison John Ahmza Amadu RaphealAmiaka Oluwatosin Anibaba Onyeka Chukwuma Anyaene Maimuna Anyaene Roger Aouad Temitope Ariyibi Florence Olusola Arokoyu Friday 10th Iniobon Asuquo Vivian Efiong Atangakak Anthgonia Attah Oseni Georgina Awani Oluwasanmi Awodogan Adfekola Ayoola Adamu Bamiyi EyoBassey Maimunah Noah Maimuna Kamisyonna Ayodeji Cole Ngozi Cole Olumide Coker Ibrahim Damacida Chukwueze Edike Hinwe Dike Mahmud Ahmad Dukawa Jeremiah Edeh Sonny Ehioghae Mecha Eke Chijoke Godwin Eke Rijokochukudi Eldoe Sunday Enuma Ebuka Enuma Adewale Eribake Anjola Fatokun Saturday 11th Ibukunoluwa Fatokun Xie Zhen Feng Dr. Abdu Garba Li Huzhu Walter Hunner Jennifer Ibe Echendu Ibe Jones Ifekawa Obiola Ikpoki Faysal Inusa Ibrahim Jagana Ochigbo Chumbo Farida Shehu Kaifai Fortune David Kolawole David Kolawole Taiwo Lamide Naicha Lilian Las Aruakobe Lawal Ahmed Mbana Eventus Mbong Esther Onyiye Mgbanwa

Adobi Mojekwu Fatimata Mohammed Sarah Mshelia Sunday 12th Istifanus Mutihir Ibrahim Nagidi Ogechi Njoku John Nnadi Kim Noris Peter Nosike Charles Ntoku Anthony Nwaokoagbara Chinwe Obi Emmanuel Obot Stamford Obtrutse Ike Ochonogor Amaka Ojugbana Christopher Ojugbana Monday August 13th Alvana Ojukwu Anthony Okara Chukwuemeka Okere Olakayode Okikiolu Christopher Okocha Patrick Eze Okonji Ezeogbene Okor Ike Okoye Tunji Oloko Banji Olukoya Benson Oluwayomi Celina Onemolease Celestine Onwuliri Ogechi Onyeagochga Chidinmma Onyeagocha Ijeoma Oyuike Ifeanyi Orakwe David Osunbade Saka Otaru Adisa Otegbeye Ugbabio Oyosoro Rajulie Oyosoro Li Rui Sheu Usman Sa’ad Samuel Shaibu Memuna Shaibu Zhao Shutao Femi Stephen Sobowale Oluwakemi Somolu Lauarence Sparagiano Philip Uchegbu Sunday Udoh Widyo Utomo Awyotu Wasa Ruth Wasa Wag Yu Ibrahim Yusuf Ali Yusuf.

• It was gathered that why the names of some victims that have been buried appeared on the list is because samples were collected from all victims for autopsy and DNA tests.

Officials said that it was done not only for identification purposes but also to determine the actual cause of death which would be stated on the death certificate. They argued that it was possible some victims died out of shock in the air before the plane actually crashed.

Officials also said that more names would be released later.

• Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, flanked by Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and his wife, Roli Nere Uduaghan, during the condolence visit of the Rivers State governor to the Uduaghans on the death of their mother-in-law, Madam Rebecca Ayonmike.

Dana crash: 132 bodies identified as DNA results arrive •16 bodies yet to be identified

Petroluem

By AZOMA CHIKWE, National AKEEB ALARAPE and JOB Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Levi Ajuonuma.

OSAZUWA Speaking with newsmen he Deoxyrebonucleic after the meeting, Acid (DNA) test results Commissioner for Health, for the victims of the Lagos State, Dr Idris said: Dana plane crash of June 3 “We have gotten results of the done in the United Kingdom analysis from the UK. We (UK) have arrived the Lagos asked the experts to review State University Teaching the results, the experts have Hospital (LASUTH) with reviewed the results and we 132 bodies identified. felt it is necessary to invite the This was disclosed yester- relatives of the victims and day by the Senior Special brief them.

Assistant on Legal Matters to “Part of the aim is to let Governor Babatunde Fashola them know the processes for of Lagos State, Mr. collection of the bodies. We Akingbolahan Adeniran after will start releasing the bodies a meeting with next of kin tomorrow in batches of 20 to and other relations of the reduce chaos. The other crash victims, held at the important thing for briefing Medical Research Centre of LASUTH, Ikeja.

A Dana plane MD 83 had crashed at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State on June 3, killing By AKEEB ALARAPE all the 153 passengers on board, including the crew and n official of the 10 people on ground. The Federal Airport release of the victims’ bodies Authority of Nigeria was coming 69 days after the (FAAN), Mr. John Ekpe yestragic incident although 25 terday decried poor crowd bodies, which were not burnt, control at the site of the June had earlier been released to 3 plane crash involving a their families.

Adeniran said that at the Dana Aircraft MD 83.

Ekpe, who testified before meeting, relations of the victims had agreed on a sched- a Lagos Coroner making uled dates for the release of inquest into the crash, which killed all the 153 passengers the bodies.

However, Consultant on board and 10 people on Forensic Pathologist and ground, said FAAN as an Chief Examiner, Prof. John agency has no responsibility Obafunwa said 16 bodies for disaster management outcould not be identified proba- side the airport. bly because of heat, mangled According to him, the bodies or the samples collect- National Emergency ed could not match with any Management Agency ( of the charred bodies. Among NEMA) was the authority the identified bodies was that entrusted with the responsiof former general manager, bility of search and rescue Public Relations of Nigeria operation of any disaster and

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them is to acquaint them with the legal issues involved like the issue of next-of-kin.

“For instance, if the nextof-kin is not available, only the person he or she authorizes to collect the body will be attended to. Documents such as international passport, national identity card or driver’s licence will be needed for identification.

“Death certificates will equally be issued for the deceased,’’ he said. Idris also said the bodies would be released in alphabetical order to ease processes.

Meanwhile, the lists of names of the victims who have been identified have been pasted at the Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Morgue and relatives are expected to come with appro-

priate documents to claim the bodies. Obafunwa said bodies would only be released to next of kin who presented necessary documents.

He noted that in cases where the next of kin were not available, the hospital would only release bodies to spouses, parents, siblings, half sisters and nephews who presented legal documents authorised by the next of kin.

According to him, “it is only the next of kin that we are to release the bodies to by law but in cases where they cannot come, we will release to the spouse, parents and siblings in that order but they must come with modes of identification such as passports, drivers’ license which had been authorised by a referee.”

...Blame NEMA for poor crowd control –FAAN

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emergency outside the airport.

Ekpe, who is an Assistant General Manager, Airports Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, however, admitted that none of the rescue agencies in the country had all the equipment needed for their operations.

Recalling the events of the fateful day, Okpe said FAAN rescue team were at the scene of the crash with two fire trucks and a water tanker before any other agency got there but could not access the crash site due to the huge crowd.

He said they recovered dead bodies from the nose of the plane, which was not completely burnt while Julius Berger was called in to help evacuate the affected buildings and wreckages with their

heavy equipment.

A chief fire fighter and Head of Department (HOD), Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services of FAAN, Mr. Sanni Enessi, told the coroner that FAAN has a checklist of agencies it usually call for emergency rescue operation.

While answering questions from counsel, Enessi, however, bemoaned the fact that his team had to shuttle between the scene of the crash and the airport to fetch water, saying there was no source of water either from an open source or from the water cooperation.

The inquest continues tomorrow when the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Total Oil Plc, Forte Oil and two other witnesses are slated for appearance

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012, 7

NEWS

Gunmen kill retired DCP in Lagos

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

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unmen suspected to be assassins on Tuesday shot dead a retired deputy commissioner of police (DCP) at the Unity Estate, Egbeda, Lagos,.

The DCP, Pullen Agbomifo, was shot dead in his residence at about 9.30p.m.

Daily Sun reliably gathered that the gunmen gained entrance into his premises when his driver was entering the compound.

It was gathered that the DCP was on his way back from a trip when the assassins followed him inside the compound and shot at him and his driver.

The DCP was said to have died on the way to the hospital while his driver was in a critical condition in an undisclosed hospital.

A senior police officer at the Idimu Police Station told Daily Sun that at about 9.00 pm, one of the sons of the deceased called to inform that some gunmen had attacked his father.

The officer said the divisional police officer and his team raced to the scene but met the DCP and his driver in the pool of their blood.

He said the police team rushed the duo to the hospital, adding that the doctor on duty confirmed the DCP dead while efforts were made to save the life of the driver.

Confirming the story, the state police spokeswoman, Ngozi Braide said: “The Force was suspecting assassination as nothing was removed from the man.”

She said the police were investigating to unravel the motive of the killers.

CAN commiserates with victims of Okene church incident From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja

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he President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack by gunmen at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene.

Oritsejafor prayed that the Almighty God would grant them the courage to bear the loss.

He also prayed to God to heal those injured during the unfortunate incident.

Oritsejafor said he believed that from the attack, the enemies of Christians had changed tactics from their Sunday attacks on churches to an everyday onslaught.

He urged the leadership of the various churches in Nigeria, to step up security around their churches as they hold their daily devotions, crusades and vigils, while also being security conscious at all times.

Oritsejafor called on the Federal Government to also change its strategies by making the various Joint Task Forces stronger through the provision of additional military and police cover for churches in the northern part of the country and internally, stiffening its intelligence network.

He said CAN had been at the fore-front of those calling on the Federal Government to be decisive, adding that “now is the time to save the church and innocent Nigerians from the attacks of murderous groups who believe that the only way to fight for God is by killing those who are not of the same faith with them and those against their understanding of the Muslim religion.”

It’s time for action, not lamentations, ACN tells Jonathan

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he Action Congress of Nigeria has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately convoke a national conference on the worsening insecurity in the land instead of offering platitudes any time the deadly Boko Haram.

In a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the government must admit that it was not winning the war against terrorism and as such must adopt a completely new strategy. It condemned in very strong terms the recent needless blood letting in Kogi, Sokoto Yobe and Borno states.

“Nigerians today are not safe in their homes, offices, roads or places of worship. Terrorists, kidnappers armed robbers and arsonists have taken complete control of the country and all the government can offer are platitudes,” the party lamented.

The party called on President Jonathan to free himself from self-serving advisers and reach out to all leaders across the nation irrespective of political loyalties, religious or ethnic prejudices to find an urgent solution to the scourge.

It also called on political ethnic or religious leaders to refrain from inflammatory statements as some of these pronoucements had done nothing but fanned the ember of discord.

“The party had watched with utter amazement the superficial approach of government to foster religious harmony, tolerance and peace. Until the president invites people of all shades and opinions from all over the country to tackle the root causes of insecurity, a thousand road shows or breaking of fast by Christian prelates and Muslim imams will not bring us near peaceful co-existence,” the party said.

•Three suspects held in connection with the gun attack on the Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene, Kogi, paraded before newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

Deeper Life massacre: 3 suspects paraded, implicate politicians ...As Canada condemns attack From PAULINUS AIDOGHIE, Abuja and EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

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he Kogi State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested three suspects in connection with the attack on a branch of the Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State by gunmen on Monday night. The suspects were paraded before journalists at the state police command.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Katsina who gave an update of the cold blooded murder of innocent worshipers, disclosed that those arrested included a militant, who sustained gun injuries and was been treated at a private clinic in Ibilo, Edo State, another militant who was providing succour to the injured and a middle aged woman.

The woman was alleged to have aided the escape of the injured militant and took him to Ibilo for treatment under the cover of darkness.

According to the police boss, minutes after the attack, his command got a tip-off, which led to the invasion of the

operational base of the militants responsible for the attack.

He stated that on arrival at the place, a gun battle ensured between his men and the militants, who later escaped.

Kastina added that some of the injured militants were later trailed to Ibilo in Edo State where they fled to for treatment. He explained that it was at that point those paraded were arrested.

The commissioner of police who vowed to arrest those still on the run confirmed that preliminary investigations had implicated some top politicians in Ebiraland over the killing and that they were currently assisting the police to get

to the root of the incident While advising those harbouring the militants or concealing information about their whereabouts, or treating them secretly or in possession of their firearms to report to the police immediately in their own interest.

Kastina warned that the law would not spare anybody implicated in the matter no matter how highly placed in the society.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government had condemned the attack, describing it as cowardly. In a press statement made available to Daily Sun yesterday in Abuja, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, said he was deeply saddened by the

Bomb scare in Sokoto From TUNDE OMOLEHIN, Sokoto

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here was panic in Sokoto, the state capital, yesterday when an object concealed in a black polythene bag was abandoned on Diplomat Road, adjacent to the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The incident, according to residents of the area happened

at about 10:45a.m when a motorcyclist dropped the object suspected to be an improvised explosive device in the middle of the popular road.

In the ensuing confusion, motorists and passersby were forced to abandon the road and other roads that linked the area for fear of being caught in the blast.

The rumour of a ‘bomb’ however, caused sudden stampede and heavy traffic jam

...2 cops in Bauchi From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

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unmen yesterday killed two policemen in Bauchi State along Bauchi-Kano Road while on patrol.

Yesterday’s killings brought to six, the number of policemen killed in the state command in less than two weeks.

The unfortunate develop-

cowardly murder by gunmen of parishioners who were gathered in worship at a church.

“Canada urges all people in Nigeria to work with the Nigerian government to counter terrorism and bring to justice, those responsible for this reprehensible crime.

“No one should have to practise his or her faith in fear.

Canada will continue to stand up for religious freedom,” Baird said.

While extending his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed in the attacks on behalf of all Canadians, the Canadian foreign affairs minister wished all those injured in the attack speedy recovery.

ment came comie few hours after two youths were stabbed to death on Tuesday night at Karofi Madaki area in Bauchi metropolis by Sarasuka (thugs) According to an eyewitness, the two policemen were shot in the head at close range at a checkpoint near Gubi village.

The eyewitness said the policemen were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ABTBUTH) where they later

died.

The Commissioner of Police, Ladan Mohammed, confirmed the death of the cops in a telephone interview with newsmen yesterday.

Ladan lamented the killings of policemen in the command assuring that they had swung into action to forestall further loss of lives of policemen in the command.

while commercial banks quickly shut down and residents were seen scampering for safety.

But the arrival of the antibomb squad from State police command Headquarters who were alerted to the area further heightened the tension when the sound of tear-gas canister fired to disperse the crowded was mistaken for bomb blast.

Rumours of a fresh blast had filtered into the town before the object was later removed from the spot to the state police command for further examination.

Giving an account of the incident, the state Deputy Chairman of PDP, Ibrahim Balarabe Goronyo who was at the scene told newsmen that though there was an object dropped on the middle of the road, he could not ascertain the nature of the object. “We saw a moving motorcyclist dropping the object and the manner it was been dropped could let people to believe it is bomb.

8 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

NEWS Airtel subscribers hit 20m, grows network 31% in 2 yrs

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wo years after it took over an existing network, Airtel Nigeria has grown its subscriber base by 31percent or additional five and half million persons to hit 20 million subscribers.

Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr. Rajan Swaroop disclosed the growth in the company’s numbers and improvement in other indices at a media roundtable yesterday at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

Swaroop said the growth in subscriber numbers at Airtel was one of several indicators of growing customer acceptance and love for the brand that sort as its vision to be the most loved brand in all its markets.

Traffic on the Airtel network grew by 124 percent since the 2010 acquisition by the Bharti Airtel Group. Airtel Nigeria is the lodestar in the 16-country African operations of Bharti Airtel with head office in Nairobi, Kenya.

The growth was also coming on the heels of an investment of $1.2billion (approximately N192billion) within the period, innovations in marketing as well as in the network that have positively influenced the Nigerian telecommunications landscape.

Swaroop disclosed that Airtel had launched nearly 3000 3.75G sites with presence in 150 towns and cities across Nigeria. “The Airtel 3G network is now the largest such network in all of Africa, he further disclosed, as the company connects rural communities with broadband services. Airtel also offers the best Internet experience in Nigeria, the CEO added.”

Airtel is investing in building additional 2000 kilometres to its existing 5000 kilometre fibre transmission network to ensure even deeper market penetration and capacity to handle its rapid subscriber growth. The Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive asserted that the existing network had capacity to take additional 10 million subscribers even as the company increases its capacity rapidly.

Omolayole speaks to AVMCC congregation

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r. Michael Olawole Omolayole, one of the foundation students of the University College, Ibadan, who later became the first Nigerian chairman/managing director of Lever Brothers Nigeria Plc., will be the next guest speaker at he quarterly lecture series at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja.

The lecture, which will be sponsored by the Torchbearers Society, will hold on Sunday, August 12. During the event, Omolayole would be expected to speak on the peculiar ways God had touched his life during the past eight decades plus.

After graduating in Mathematics and Physics from the University College, Ibadan, in 1952, young Michael Omolayole proceeded to Oxford University in 1953 for a post-graduate diploma programme in Education which he completed in 1954.

He returned to Nigeria shortly afterward and was appointed Science master at St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos. Four years later, he gave up teaching to join Lever Brothers Nigeria Plc. as a training manager. Within six years of his career in Lever Brothers Nigeria Plc., he was appointed personnel director.

Seven years later, he was appointed vice-chairman of the company and, to equip him with the appropriate skills and knowledge for the discharge of his new functions and responsibilities, his employers sent him to Harvard Business School in the USA for an advanced management programme.

Shortly after his return from the Harvard Business School, his alma mater (which had then become a full-fledged university) awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in Law (LL.D).

A couple of years later, Omolayole was appointed chairman/managing director of Lever Brothers Nigeria Plc. Contemporaneously, he was chairman or member of the boards of directors of numerous corporate organisations outside Lever Brothers. He was, for example, a director of the UAC of Nigeria Limited from 1969 to 1974, a director and subsequently chairman of the National Bank of Nigeria Limited from 1972 to 1975. He was also chairman of Chemical & Allied Products of Nigeria Limited, chairman of the board of directors of the Ogun State University Investment Company, American International Insurance Company Plc. (AIICO) and BOC Gases Plc. His career of public service also extended to membership of the Federal Government’s Vision 2010 Committee, membership of the Federal Government Committee of 25 in Higher Education in Nigeria. He was chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) from 1971 to 1976, member of council, Centre for Management Development from 1972 to 1975. He is the honorary life president of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (Lagos State branch). He is a member of the United Kingdom Institute of Directors.

• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officers moving the body of a dead victim at the scene of a collapsed building in Dutse, Kubwa Abuja, yesterday. Photo: MUDASHIRU ATANDA.

3 dead as building collapses in Abuja T From FRED ITUA, Abuja

here was pandemonium in the early hours of yesterday when an uncompleted building collapsed in Dutse Alhaji, a suburb town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, killing three people and leaving nine critically injured.

Confirming the incident to journalists in Abuja, the Public Relations Officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Yushau Shuaib, said two dead bodies were initially recovered at the beginning of the rescue operations, but a third person was later confirmed dead by rescue operatives.

According to NEMA, nine persons, who escaped death, but in critical condition were receiving treatment at the Garki General Hospital, Abuja.

Eyewitnesses told Daily Sun that work on the collapsed building had been put on hold for many years. They said the collapse of the building was imminent as there

were cracks on its pillars.

Mr. Nnamdi Okorie, who lived in the neighbourhood told Daily Sun that the building collapsed between 3.30a.m. and 4a.m.

He said for a long time illegal occupants had occupied the building.

Another eyewitness, Mr. Mathias Kaze told Daily Sun that the building housed about 70 artisans who refused to heed the advice to vacate the building.

He further revealed that some of the illegal occupants cheated death as they made

Mad woman delivers baby on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway … Oyo govt takes over treatment From GBENGA ADESUYI, gramme.

After the delivery of the Ibadan baby, a call was put to a top pregnant mad woman functionary in the Oyo State was yesterday deliv- Government who then alerted ered of a baby girl at the Chairman of Oluyole Sanyo Junction, Ibadan along Local Government Area, Alhaji Ayodeji AbassLagos-Ibadan Expressway.

A woman, who was pass- Aleshinloye.

Aleshinloye, while coming by at the time, helped to deliver the baby at about 6 menting on the incident, told journalists that though the a.m.

The woman was said to side of the road where the have moved closer and baby was delivered did not helped the mad woman after belong to his council, he observing that she was in immediately dispatched nurslabour. The baby, it was gath- es to the location to help her ered, weighed 2.8 kilo- complete the process.

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FG restates commitment to sufficiency in rice production by 2015

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he Federal Government has assured Nigerians of its commitment to attain self-sufficiency in food production, particularly, rice by 2015.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, gave the assurance during the commissioning of SKF Farms Cottage Rice Mill at Owode Egba, Ogun State, recently.

The Owode Rice Mill is second of the three pilot cottage rice mills under the rice transformation agenda of the Federal Government being commissioned by the ministry.

narrow escape before the building eventual collapsed.

The Chief Superintendent Officer of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Bwari Area Council, Mr. John Efere, told journalists that rescue operations were still ongoing.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, said under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), the government would encourage private sector to set up cottage rice processing mills across the country.

The SKF Farm Rice Mill is one of the collaborations between the ministry and SKF Farms under the public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the support of the Bank of Industry (BoI).

He expressed hope that the mill would stimulate rice production in the area to generate wealth and increase employ-

ment for the youths.

He explained further that the rice transformation agenda intended to adopt the value chain approach to form nucleus estates around existing rice mills where farmers would be organised in a way they could readily access input such as improved seedlings, fertilizers and modern rice production methods.

Oyemomi explained further that the ministry undertook the project design, equipment and technical support for the cottage rice mill, while the beneficiary provided the land and a commitment fee.

He added that he arrived the scene with an ambulance an hour later and conveyed the mother and the baby to the council’s hospital located near the scene. He had since picked up the bills.

The council boss also hinted that state social welfare workers would take over the case as soon as both mother and child were discharged from the hospital.

The doctor in charge of the hospital, Dr. Babaniji Omosule, disclosed that the delivery was poorly done by the good Samaritan as the umbilical cord was not well cut, adding that the baby looked hungry on arrival while she also confirmed sugar level test conducted on her.

He pointed out that the mother was too weak to breastfeed her at birth.

Omosule further said the team immediately arranged for baby formula (baby food), which she had been taking since then. He said the baby would need drugs because she was delivered in an unhygienic place.

His words: “We were told that she gave birth at about 6 a.m. at Sanyo Junction on the expressway. The person that helped her did not cut the umbilical cord very well. The child looked hungry because she has not been fed. The mother was also too weak to feed her.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012, 9

NEWS Whistle blowers’ll be protected by law, says ICPC boss From FRED ITUA, Abuja

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cting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Nta Ekpo, has assured that good-spirited individuals with useful information on corruption cases would be protected by law.

The ICPC gave this assurance in its determination to encourage members of the public with useful information on corruption cases being perpetuated by government officials to write petitions.

The ICPC boss who made this revelation yesterday when he played host to members of the newly constituted National Complaints Commission (NCC), FCT chapter, said the move became necessary to curb the rising trend of corruption in the country.

He made relevant references to cases of witch-hunting of petitioners by their bosses. He vowed that henceforth, relevant sections of the ICPC Acts would be invoked to protect their identities.

He also revealed that the relevant laws setting up the ICPC empowered it to initiate investigations and prosecution of suspects without any prior petition from members of the public.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Commissioner of NCC, FCT chapter, Egunike Ohaegbu, sought the support of ICPC in providing adequate training for their staffers in the area of investigation.

Lagos traffic law: NURTW, MOALS opt for dialogue

By REMI ADEFULU

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he Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS) have promised to pursue dialogue over the new Lagos Traffic Law. The law came into effect August 2, 2012, after it was signed by the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

Speaking at an interactive session with newsmen yesterday, Lagos NURTW chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, stressed urgent need to take a second look a the law in the interest of the union. According to him, that would be done as a matter of urgency to safeguard the jobs of its teeming members across the state.

“It should be noted that most of our members are daily paid drivers and as such, we appeal to His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to grant us the privilege to collect membership dues from our member-drivers in the motor parks and garages as done throughout the country,” he said.

Agbede stressed that it would be counter-productive to suppress the Lagos NURTW from exercising its privileged right.

Continuing, the union leader who promised that his members would explore dialogue on handling the matter said they needed more parks to carry out their activities in the state. He said the call was expedient in view of the fact that they were forced to use few Lagos roads, while government had failed to provide them motor parks.

His position was echoed by MOALS leader, Comrade Tijani Peki, who called on Governor Fashola to rescue his members and families from joblessness and hunger.

Rights group carpets Lai Mohammed over call for Tukur’s resignation

By ZIKA BOBBY

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human rights and civil society group, Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), has condemned the spokesperson of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed for calling for the resignation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Bamanga Tukur over his son’s role in the ongoing arraignment of the fuel subsidy scam.

Asserting that the accused were innocent until otherwise proven by a competent court of law, the group argued that instead of blackmailing the PDP chief, he should be commended for not interfering in the process before and even after the allegation, adding that with his vantage position, he could have influenced any decision in favour of his son.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, it said the ACN spokesman should not point fingers since the matter was in court.

The statement reads in part: “Our jurisprudence and indeed the constitution presume an accused person innocent until proven guilty by court of competent jurisdiction. Any public figure cannot in all fairness be held criminally responsible for the action of his or her children when such are adults.

“Calling for the resignation of Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, due to action yet unconfirmed by the court is misguided and senseless.

Instead of persecuting Tukur, he should be commended for not interfering with the process.”

“The utterances and actions of some politicians need to be examined. Insanity manifests in different areas especially when a person cannot differentiate between what is real from what is not real or exhibit some behavioural patterns that do not conform to the culture and attitude that is generally acceptable.”

RMG also revealed that it was partnering with the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police to track down some public officials who acquired properties through proxies and to conclude some abandoned cases involving some Nigerian politicians.

•Anyanwu Cyril, representative of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, Perm Sec, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, the Olu of Owode-Egba, and Mrs. Mulikat Oduwusi, Otun Iyaloja, OwodeEgba, during the commissioning of the SKF Farms cottage rice mills at Owode- Egba, Ogun State, recently.

EFCC arraigns 3 bankers, 1 Indian for alleged fraud

By AKEEB ALARAPE

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hree officials of the defunct Bank PHB and Managing Director of Nulec Industries, Mr. Ashok Isran, were yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja over fraud-related offences.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the four persons and their companies on a two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

Aside Isran, also in court were Anayo Nwosu, Olajide Oshodi, Sunny Obazee, Nulec Industries and Bank PHB. They were alleged to have conspired sometime in 2008 ‘with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N855, 000, 000 from Sir Daniel Chukwudozie of Dozzy Oil under the pretence that the said sum represented payment for preference shares of Nulec Industries in an upcoming initial public offer.’

Their offences were said to have contradicted sections 8(a) and 1 (3) as well as section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

After the charges were read to them and pleas taken, prosecution lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs told the court that he was not opposed to their bail but expressed concerns about the second defendant, Isran, who he said has dual citizenships.

He urged the court to impose strict bail conditions that would ensure the pres-

ence of the defendants during trial.

Counsel to Nwosu, Oshodi and Obazee (1st, 3rd and 4th defendants), Mr. Uche Obi also urged the court for strict bail conditions ‘because the defendants want to clear their name and continue with their career.’

Counsel to Isran, Mr. A.A. Badejo called for liberal terms for his client’s bail saying that EFCC had already imposed an administrative bail, which Isran had complied with and was ready to co-operate with the court.

He said the fear of the prosecution lawyer had no ground since Isran voluntari-

ly reported himself to the EFCC after returning from Switzerland where he had gone for the final burial rite of his first son.

Ruling on the bail applications, the trial judge, Justice Habeeb Abiru, demanded a letter of undertaking from the management of the bank to be signed by the Chairman and Managing Director while N100 million would be paid for each of the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants in case of default.

The court ordered that the 2nd defendant (Isran) must not travel out throughout the pendency of his trial, while he was granted bail in the sum of N50million and two sureties in like sum. The

sureties must have landed properties within Lagos and must show evidence of tax payment for two years.

The court also ordered that an EFCC official must verify the means of livelihood of the two sureties.

The defendants were also ordered to deposit their travelling documents with the EFCC after being verified by the High Court Chief Registrar, among other conditions.

The four defendants were remanded in EFCC pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.

Formal trial of the defendants has been fixed for October 22 and 23, 2012.

Okupe to Bakare: Don’t convert pulpit to political podium From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

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he Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, yesterday asked the vice presidential candidate of the Congress for Progress Change (CPC), and Resident Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Pastor Tunde Bakare to stop converting his pulpit to political podium in order to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians.

Okupe while fielding questions from state house correspondents also lambasted former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai over his call for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan if he (the President) could not solve the ongoing security challenges in the country. He said the politics had left el-

Rufai deranged.

Nasir el-Rufai was reported to have made the remarks as violence escalated in the northern part of the country.

Okupe warned against the manipulation of the present security situation in the country by politicians for selfish reasons.

He observed that insurgency, as a phenomenon was difficult to resolve in places where it occurred around the world including Iraq, Iran and the United States of America.

He noted that there were no calls on the leaders of those countries to resign on account of terrorists activities.

According to him, “el-Rufai is my younger brother. I have so much respect for him but politics is more or less derailing or deranging him.

“Everybody knows that insurgency is a very difficult national problem. It is not anything peculiar to Nigeria. No

responsible citizen of any of those countries affected by insurgency before called on their presidents to resign.”

The SSA also faulted the former minister’s criticism of the president’s reliance on citizens for information on terrorists activities, saying that “when he (el-Rufai) talks about intelligence, there is no better security in any country than by the people of the country. It is communal security that will help government and security agencies to rout insurgency.

“If people shielded insurgents, they make the works of security agencies more difficult. Can President Goodluck Jonathan be in Borno and everywhere at the same time?”

He accused politicians of trying to cash in on the situation for their own objectives, adding: “I believe that people just want to play politics.”

10 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

SOUTH SOUTH Obidike’s abduction: Angry doctors take protest to Rivers govt house From CHRIS ANUCHA and TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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octors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching (UPTH), Rivers State, yesterday, made good their vow to shift their protest, over the kidnap of one of their colleagues, Dr Blessing Obidike, to the Brick House (Government House).

The protesting doctors, who were dressed in their professional white overall, stormed the Government House in two luxury buses, a mini bus and many private cars, at exactly 12 noon.

The angry doctors in their hundreds, under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors, UPTH Branch, told Daily Sun that they were at the Government House to press for the release of their colleague, who is also the treasurer of Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch.

The doctors were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read: ’kidnapping is evil’, ‘doctors save lives’, ‘freedom for Dr Blessing Obidike’, ‘say no to kidnapping’, among others.

The protesters, who were later joined by their colleagues from the Rivers State-owned Hospital, Braithwaite Memorial (Specialist) Hospital on solidarity grounds, vowed to continue the protest until the victim was released unconditionally and unhurt.

On hand to receive the doctors on behalf of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, was the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Fortune Duru, who described the kidnap of Obidike as painful. In his address, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Diamond Tamunokuro, expressed sadness over the abduction of the mother of four children, and demanded her release with immediate effect. He lamented that since her kidnap, nobody knew her whereabouts, while the abductors had not bothered to communicate to anyone.

He, however, urged the state government to beef up security, as his members would not take lightly, kidnap of members or inhuman treatment from any quarters.

Tamunokuro was also worried that three doctors had been kidnapped at UPTH in the last six months. “We will not return to work until Dr Obidike is released,” he insisted.

The President of the association further said that the recent development (kidnap of medical doctors) tended to make them believe that, their roles as healthcare providers were no longer being appreciated.

He later handed their protest letter and four placards to the Permanent Secretary. Responding, Duru, who condemned the kidnap of Dr Obidike in strong terms, noted that doctors were not maltreated, even in war zones. He said government would intensify efforts to ensure the release of the victim. He explained that state government had invested large amount of money on security of life and property, and assured that it would not renege on its promise to provide security for the citizens.

MOSOP declaration: Tsav berates FG’s inaction From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano

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ormer commissioner of police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubabar Tsav has faulted the inaction of the Federal Government over the self -government declaration by the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, (MOSOP), Dr Goodluck Diigbo.

Digbo, he insisted, ought to have been arrested and questioned by the State Security Service (SSS) in respect of the August 5 declaration.

The retired police boss, who spoke to Daily Sun on Wednesday in Kano, also reacted angrily to the threats of war by some Niger Delta elements; especially the one by Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Nigeria Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF).

Dokubo had threatened war in Nigeria, in the event anything happened to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, while adding that those seeking to remove the president from office were fanning the embers of war in the country. He accused Northern leaders of encouraging insecurity in the country.

But Tsav expressed that incessant cases of individuals and groups threatening civil war on the country was inimical to the peace of the country as it would serve as precedents for other groups and persons in other region to join the trend.

Tsav maintained that the present security challenges in the North called for the concerted efforts adding that its solution still lied in dialoging with the Boko Haram Sect rather than in accusing the leaders of the North of complicity.

He argued that the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar Adua had extended an olive branch to youths in Niger Delta as a result of which peace was restored in the region, saying same could still work in the present case.

He applauded the new National Security Adviser, Alhaji Sambo Dasuki for visiting some of the affected states to hold talks with their community leaders, adding that though the bombings and killings had not abated, there was hope that his efforts would yield fruits in due course.

•Medical doctors led a peaceful march to the Rivers State Government House yesterday to protest the kidnap of a female physician working with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) who was abducted in Choba area of the state. Photo: OBED MPIEGBULAM.

Chaos in Warri as ex-militants invade NUJ office •Amnesty office disowns protesters, condemns attack From IKENNA EMEWU, Abuja and EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

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here was pandemonium yesterday as hundreds of ex-militants invaded the office of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) at 3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Delta State.

The ex-militants were protesting their unpaid monthly stipend. They came in great numbers including about 17 ladies who said they were sympathising with their husbands.

The rampaging ex-militants said they were trained in the phase two programme of the Amnesty Prgrammme.

Brandishing clubs and kegs of fuel, the ex-militants threatened to burn down the NUJ House because reporters were not on ground to hear their grievances.

The invaders who were chanting war songs threatened to lynch the NUJ Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Michael Ikeogwu, if they set eyes on him.

Ikeogwu was not around when the rampaging ex-militants stormed the union’s office.

They said Ikeogwu failed to ensure their stories were duly used in the press.

A reporter with Galaxy Television, Dele Fasan, who tried to calm the invaders down was manhandled when he hesitated to bring out his camera to record the protest.

The ex-militants gave the Galaxy TV reporter 30 minutes to mobilise other journalists who took cover in the secretariat, failure of which they threatened to torch the union’s building.

When it was 30 minutes and there were no television reporters on ground except the

Galaxy TV, the ex-militants vented their anger on the building, smashing the sliding doors of the NUJ cyber cafe.

They later brought out a keg of fuel threatening to burn the secretariat within 10 minutes except they were filmed.

Not long after, a reporter with the Africa Independent Television, Gbenga Ahmed, came in but before he could ask what was amiss, a lady among the ex-militants gave him a slap from the back for the delay.

They also hit his car severally, almost forcing him out of the vehicle to record them.

They forced the two television reporters to record the violent protest while they locked the union secretariat against other newsmen.

There was a massive traffic gridlock on the 1st and 3rd Marine Gate Roads for hours before a team of soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) came to the rescue.

It took the effort of the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, near Warri, Lt.-Col. Ifeanyi Out who got a distress call from members of the

union for the situation to be quelled.

The ex-militants later fled, some scaling the fence, when the soldiers stormed the scene.

Two of the ex-militants who led the protest, Paul Oniyan and Billy Onaro, were later arrested by soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Amnesty Office has condemned Tuesday’s unprovoked attack on journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Warri, Delta State.

The attack was allegedly carried out by a group that identified itself as former Niger Delta agitators.

A statement issued yesterday by the Amnesty Office Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, dismissed the claim by the protesters that they were owed monthly stipends.

“For purposes of clarification, our records show that the so-called protesters, who claimed to be former agitators under Phase Two of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) are not known to this office. Clearly, they are impostors trying to

reap from the success of the amnesty programme.

“The information we have also shows that this was the same group that attacked the Benin NUJ secretariat last week and made similar claims. This group of people is not part of the Phase Two of the amnesty programme. In reality, they are a part of the numerous groups clamouring to be absorbed into the programme under a third phase.

“The amnesty office is not owing any Niger Delta youth under the PAP as their stipends are paid through their banks from the 25th of every month. The payment process is computerised and no one is paid by hand.”

The amnesty office, however, noted that there was a deliberate campaign of calumny to blackmail the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the PAP, Kingsley Kuku, by some disgruntled elements for reasons best known to them.

“We have resolved to do what is best for the Niger Delta and Nigeria through the PAP. No amount of negative or hate campaign can make us lose focus.”

Ghost worker: Bayelsa govt says First Lady doesn’t collect salary

By FAITH OMORUYI

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he Bayelsa State Government has denied reports that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has been collecting salary or allowance from it.

In a statement signed by media spokesman for the Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Iworiso-Mackson, the state government insisted that contrary to a publication with the title: From Ghost Worker to Permanent Secretary, the First Lady had stopped collecting salary from the state gov-

ernment from the time her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan was the then governor of Bayelsa State.

The statement noted that Mrs. Jonathan still remained a member of staff of the government as she had been on leave of absence.

“The First Lady has not been collecting salary from the Bayelsa State Government as reported. Whatever the underlining objective, the publication obviously wore the toga of political mischief when it also claimed that the former governor, Timpre Sylva, lost to the

incumbent because he ‘yanked’the First Lady’s name from the payroll, labelling her a ghost worker. The Sylva’s twist to the tale is curious but understandable, though essentially misleading and tainted.

“The truth is that the First Lady has since ceased to collect salary or any form of allowance from the state since she became the wife of the then governor of Bayelsa State, though being on leave of absence she remains a member of staff. This point has also been well stated for public clarification.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012, 11

SOUTH EAST Igbo group gives Obi 4 months to conduct LG elections

By FAITH OMORUYI

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pro Eastern group, yesterday issued a four-month ultimatum to Governor Peter Obi to conduct local government elections in Anambra State.

In a statement signed by president of the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), Augustine Chukwudum, the group urged Obi to set up an election timetable and let the elections be conducted before December 2012. But it held that equal opportunities should be given to all the aspirants in the elections and the money from the accrued local government allocation be accounted for.

“NUF has chosen to add its voice to a consensus held among the public parliament and stakeholders that the local government election is long overdue. It is uncalled for and a democratic aberration that Governor Peter Obi who is a big beneficiary of the rule of law and our democratic system will put the system he benefited from in abeyance through the non conduction of local government elections.

“Ndigbo Unity Forum issues a four-month ultimatum to Mr. Peter Obi to do what is right by doing the following: setting up a timetable and make sure that local government election is conducted in the state before December 2012; make sure that the local government allocation which the state has accrued under his administration for the past six years is accounted for and make sure that there is a level playing field for aspirants in the coming elections.”

The group also commended some statesmen from the eastern parts who had been calling for the conduction of local government elections in Anambra state.

Presbyterian Church marks 166th anniversary

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ctivities marking the 166th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Nigeria will kick off on Friday, August 10 at the church’s Parish premises, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement, the Director of Information and Public Affairs of the church, Revd Kalu Eme said the theme of this year’s General Assembly, the 20th in the series, which would run till August 18 under the theme for 2012 which is ‘ARISE and BUILD (Nehemiah 2: 18).’

In line with this, the Church would launch a N500 million project development fund at the opening ceremony of the Assembly on August 11.

The fund would be used to re-build the church’s ‘broken walls,’ that is ailing projects of the church such as hospitals, farms and schools, among others.

Eme said it was necessary to revitalize the ailing projects, which were part of the church’s intervention in the welfare of the communities in which the projects were located. He added that as a strong partner with the government in the provision of infrastructural facilities in fulfillment of its gospel action mission, the church owed it a responsibility to the society in which it operated to bring better living and salvation to the people in accordance with the will of God. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio would be the chief host of the Assembly, while the Prelate of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Most Revd Emele Mba Uka, would moderate the meeting.

NESA kicks off confab to move nation forward From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia

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he Nigerian Economics Students’ Association (NESA), an umbrella body of all Economics students’ associations of private, state and federal universities across the federation has come together to impact positively on the lives of its members.

The conference scheduled to take place at Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, between August 13 and 17, will also be geared towards sensitising the students on the need to contribute to the attainment of economic growth and stability of Nigeria.

Speaking to Daily Sun on the conference, the National President of the association, Ukpai Ukaoha Kalu, said this year’s theme would centre on topical economic and political issues such as the CBN “cashless economy policy” and “fuel subsidy removal; a forward or backward movement to our economic development.”

According to him, the all-important economic summit would feature erudite scholars and seasoned speakers from both within Economics field and beyond.

“They have been engaged from all over the federation to give us the best and all preparations on accommodation of participants have been made,” Kalu said.

“Our median conference took place four years ago in University of Abuja followed by UNIBEN, IMSU and now we are holding it in Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), in Abia State.

• Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha with his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi at the meeting of the Governors’ Forum in Abuja yesterday. Photo: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

Obi not a tribalist –Govt •Debunks Arewa Renaissance’s allegations From GEOFFREY ANYAN- leader, insisting that the state had been and remained one of WU, Awka the most accommodating and nambra State hospitable to non-natives in Government yesterday the country.

Udah, who spoke to Daily debunked a report in one of the national dailies Sun on the issue yesterday alleging that it was harassing said: “It is most surprising and intimidating northerners that people should make that living or doing business in the kind of allegation and I’m happy that he even made refstate.

A national daily (not Daily erence to the visit of Sultan of Sun) had on Tuesday quoted Sokoto some time ago. Yes, I the Chairman of Arewa remembered that there was a Renaissance, an umbrella time, some years ago when body of northerners living in the Sultan came to Anambra Anambra State, Habib State at the executive chamMohammed Farouk as saying that it was only in Anambra that they were being harassed and intimidated, painting the Governor, Mr. Peter Obi as a From OKEY SAMPSON, tribalist.

Aba Farouk was also quoted as saying that the governor he younger brother of a reneged in his promise to former deputy governor relocate them. of Abia State, the late Dr. But in a swift reaction, the Chima Nwafor, Mr. Okey government, through the Nwafor, who was kidnapped Chief Press Secretary to the last weekend has been resgovernor, Mr. Mike Udah, cued. described as wicked and misEqually, three of his abducleading the statements credit- tors including a man said to ed to the Arewa Renaissance be an aide to the late kidnap

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bers of the governor’s office and he told the audience that contrary to the views people have peddled, contrary to some of the ugly stories that he was told about Governor Peter Obi, that this was a man he knew decades before he made that visit and that the governor cannot hot a fly, I’m using his very words.”

Udah said when the governor and the Sultan visited the Bridge Head, the governor said he was not going to make things difficult for any person, “that if the project he

intended to execute was going to impinge negatively on any people, including the Hausas he will make sure they are properly relocated. A parcel of land was offered at Umunya and contrary to this claim that land is not in dispute and if it is, no person has come around to tell the governor.”

The governor’s image maker further said he accompanied the governor on a visit to the Hausa community fortnight ago where Obi took out time to appeal to them and promised to personally join in relocating them.

Kidnapped ex-Abia deputy gov’s brother rescued

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kingpin, Osisikankwu, have been arrested.

Nwafor was kidnapped last Friday evening by a four-man gang in his home-town, Mbutu Umuojima-Ogbu in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area as he returned from work.

It was gathered that his abductors, after gaining entry into his compound, forced him into the boot of his car

New power stations: COREN raises alarm over absence of artisans, technicians From CHIDI NNADI, Enugu

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s the nation intensifies efforts to get the energy sector right, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has expressed fear that the proposed building of new power stations that would help realize the dream may be jeopardized because of the absence of skilled artisans and technicians.

Registrar of the council, Mr Felix Atume raised the alarm yesterday in Enugu during a one-day workshop organized for Engineering Regulation

Monitoring (ERM), chief inspectors, ERM desk officers and COREN zonal officers in the South-East zone.

Atume, who also regretted that Nigerian artisans’ performance was falling in all aspects of technical jobs, noted that the sad development was not noticed in the past when technical schools were well managed.

He pointed out that Technical College, Enugu, which was the centre of excellence in the past, had been abandoned and was in a deplorable state.

He insisted that no nation

could survive by relying entirely on the technical experts of other countries, advising that selection for any project execution should be strictly on merit and devoid of political patronage.

He, however, expressed optimism that the country would be taken to a higher height if its educational facilities were well funded.

According to Atume, the workshop was organized to re-sensitize chief inspectors and zonal officers in the procedure of conducting engineering regulation monitoring.

and escaped through the Owu-Umuidaa Road heading towards Etche in Rivers State.

However, some youths, who witnessed the incident, alerted soldiers of the Ngwa High School Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

Daily Sun gathered that the soldiers pursued the kidnappers to Umuidaa in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area where three of them were arrested and the other two escaped through a nearby bush with the victim.

Nwafor, who was said to have sustained bullet wound in the upper region of his right arm when soldiers engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, was later rescued inside a bush at Amato village in the same local government area.

He is presently recuperating in a private hospital in Aba. When Daily Sun visited the army base in Aba, the officer in charge, Captain Chris Nwogu was said to be away on official duty, but an officer confirmed the development and said efforts were on to get the two fleeing members of

12 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

SOUTH WEST Ondo guber: IGP warns police against compromise From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

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he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday warned officers and men of Ondo State command to desist from being used by politicians to destabilise the October governorship election in the state Abubakar, however, promised the people of the state that adequate security that would allow a peaceful atmosphere during the October 20 governorship election would be provided.

Besides, the IGP also warned political parties to caution their members against heating up polity saying the security operatives are up to the task to forestall election violence in the state Abubakar sounded the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Officers’ Mess in Akure, the state capital.

The IG, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of G Department force at Police Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Abdulraham Akano said he was part of the security officials who led police team to return peace to the state in 1983 posts election violence in the state “We are appealing to politicians not to destroy Ondo State, you cannot be killing the people you want to rule, they are not animals. We have history of political crisis in the state and we are not praying for any political violence again. There will be enough personnel to provide security during the election.

“We have a successful poll in Edo State because police have been rebranded. We are up to the task in Ondo State. We will use force on any political party parading hoodlums, Ondo State people are peace lovers, and we won’t tolerate anybody to take laws into his or her hands. You may know when a war begins, but you make not know when it ends.

“Let us have your campaign programmes so that there will not be any clash of event in order to prevent violence. I am using this opportunity to warn politicians to stop bringing Masquerades to political events.

“We are also aware of the incident which occurred at Irele, I am promising you that the perpetrators of that evil attack will be arrested, no matter highly placed such persons are, we will fish them out and they will be prosecuted,” the IGP said The Residential Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Mr. Akin Orebiyi said the electoral body would not be changing the election date earlier as requested by the Muslims in the state due to Id-Kabir festival in October.

Orebiyi also said the continuous voter registration exercise would not take place in the state until after the governorship election, in order to prevent a reoccurrence of conflict that arose among political parties in Edo State.

The REC asked observation and monitoring organisation wishing to work as election observers and monitors to send their applications directly to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Ogun PDP flays purported congress

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he Adebayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the purported congress held by some people purporting to be members recently.

In a statement, Chief Dayo said for the umpteenth time, these persons have continually resorted to illegalities and blatant disregard for several pronouncements by the courts.

“We recall that six judgments of both the Federal High Courts and state high court have all clearly stated that the Adebayo Dayo-led exco remains the only PDP executives in Ogun State and should act on all affairs of the party until 2016.

“In spite of these judgments, it is unfortunate that some NWC members led by a national officer have connived with these serial contemnors to subvert the law, disobey court orders and continue to create confusion in Ogun PDP; whereas, there ought to be none as these matters have been settled by the law.

“The implication of their actions are such that it made us to put up a poor performance at the LG elections. They have created an air of uncertainty, which is making our party men to become weary and are threatening to leave the party. They have also sold out the party to our rival ACN. “We hereby state that the purported congress they held is unnecessary, illegal, contemptuous, ultra vires and an affront on the rule of law. It won’t stand the test of judicial scrutiny and our party men, the media and general public should disregard these shenanigans.

Finally, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, security agencies, all men of goodwill and the media to call these persons and their collaborators at the national office to order. These impunity must stop and the rule of law must prevail.

We remain unshaken as our executives in the wards, local governments and state levels remains intact, valid and legalbacked until 2016. The latest impostors led by a suspended Senator and his ilk should wait till 2016 if they so desperately seek party office,” the statement said.

•Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun (right), consoling Mrs. Adenike Taiwo (middle), widow of the late Chief Segun Taiwo, the Oluwo of Ake and Chairman, Ogun Central Senatorial District of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), during a visit to the residence of the deceased in Asero, Abeokuta yesterday. With them is a neighbour, Yejide Falode.

Insurgency: Traditional rulers meet, as Yoruba leaders warn against incursion into S’West From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan

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raditional rulers in the country are planning to meet soon over the increasing spate of insurgents’ attacks, which in the last one-week have claimed over 20 lives and left many wounded.

Daily Sun learnt yesterday that the two co-chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, disturbed by the upsurge of violence and attendant security threat in the country, had been in discussion on how the royal fathers could assist government and the nation in stemming the dangerous tide.

To this end, the Ooni, who had been in Geneva and London on a short medical vacation trip had cut short his stay and is expected back in the country by today.

Also, the Sultan, it was learnt, may delay his proposed trip on Umrah (Lesser Hajj) to conclude talks on how to find lasting solution to current siege.

The royal fathers’ position came as leaders of thought in the South-West expressed misgivings over the insurgents’ latest dastardly sortie into Kogi State, on the fringe of their territory, which left 20 Christian worshippers at a branch of Deeper Life Bible Church in Okenne dead and many bloodied.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders and opinion moulders across Yorubaland who spoke with Daily Sun in a reaction to the Kogi attack feared that it might be just a matter of time for the extremists whose heinous activities had been mostly restricted to the North

to come to the South, thus endangering the unity of the country.

They observed that with the intensive bloody attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in the last one-week, Nigeria was facing an undeclared but total war and urged the Federal Government to respond accordingly.

Also, the leaders called on the government to urgently consider strident calls across the polity for a national conference to negotiate the basis of Nigeria union.

The Sectary General of Yoruba Monarchs and South-West Coordinator of the NCTR, the Alayemore of Ido Osun, Osun State, Oba Adedapo Aderemi, told Daily Sun yesterday that the Ooni was on his way back to the country for traditional rulers’ parley after hearing of the Kogi tragedy which capped a week-long string of violence.

“We got this devastating news here on the internet about eight hours ago and felt this is one too many, his royal majesty felt it is imperative for the traditional rulers to dialogue and so decided to cut his stay short,” Oba Aderemi, who was on the trip with the foremost monarch in Yorubaland said.

He added: “Actually he has been in discussion with the Sultan on the situation in the country and I know we may be having an emergency meeting of the council, if not the entire membership, at least the co-chairmen and the coordinators of the zones on how to make recommendations to stop this crisis engulfing and destroying the nation.”

The royal father said although he would not want to preempt the outcome of the meeting, he said: “There is a

need for us to go forward in the pursuit of true federalism and reconsider the proposal for a sovereign national conference. At this point in time, we have to discuss common interests. This is a delicate point in our history. It’s never been this bad.”

But Bishop Gbonigi warned that the fundamentalists would be throwing the nation into full-scale war if they dare push their ‘madness’ to the South.

“I know the devil who is controlling them will want to push them to penetrate, but I’m sure they‘ll think 10 times before they do that because if they do, they would have triggered it. It will be real national war and it will be devastating for all of us. The Niger Delta people know they might do that and are prepared for them.

Although, we, here, in the South-West are accommodating and hospitable, we have prepared too. I want to assure you of that.”

Gbonigi, who was the spirit behind a summit of SouthSouth, South-East and SouthWest leaders in Uyo on July 12, said intelligence had revealed that the extremists were importing arms and ammunition including rocket launchers through the desert and planned to infiltrate and launch attacks on the South through commercial motorcycles riders and Sabo communities, where most northerners lived. But he warned: “If they are so arrogant and selfish and bring it to that they will be surprised. We will let them know we can defend ourselves and prevent them taking our God-given lives. I repeat, it will be devastating for all of us and that is why we’re praying that it will not get to that level.”

Speaking in similar vein, former chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and President of Aladura Worldwide, Dr Olapade Agoro, said the cold blood murder of Christians in Okenne like others before it could plunge the nation into war if not curtailed.

“With this descending down, if care is not taken, the whole country will be engulfed and that is telling us that the position of Mr. President is not safe. And indeed, no Nigerians’ life can be termed to be safe. The president should rise to the occasion and stop playing toddler’s game with the sovereignty of this nation. We have suggested he calls a national conference, but he’s been nonchalant about it.

Those in authority and corridors of power may not realize that the security outfit they imagine is protecting them may be used against them as has been done in Syria.

There’s no escape for any anybody.”

Agoro called for immediate national onslaught “against all forces of insurgency Boko Haram or not,” saying he’s praying that Jonathan would not be the last president of a United Nigeria.

Former secretary of National Council of Yoruba Elders (NYCE), Dr. Kunle Olajide, said the invasion of Kogi was frightening. He called on the Federal Government and the governors of the South-West states to roll out measures to contain the threat. In addition, he wanted the people of the region especially the elite who employed non-natives as security and domestic aides to be security conscious.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012, 13

AREWA Nasarawa PDP to reconcile aggrieved members From ABDULLAHI SHUAIBU, Lafia

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he Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa State has put machinery in place to reconcile the various factions in the party.

The effort was aimed at bringing back into its fold members who felt aggrieved following the outcome of the party’s primaries held before the 2011 general elections and the last congresses.

Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee and former gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Tanko Baba, while submitting the report at the PDP state secretariat Lafia, stressed that the PDP remained the most preferred party in the state. Baba added that “most of the aggrieved members of the PDP regrets whatever actions they took or refused to take that contributed to the failure of PDP in the 2011 general election.”

On May 9, 2012, the Nasarawa State PDP Exco and the State Working Committee inaugurated a reconciliation committee whose term of reference included reconciling all aggrieved members of the party and make recommendations that would help the entire process of party administration in the state.

Baba, who said the committee toured the 13 local government areas of the state added that “the committee has made far reaching recommendations which if implemented should bring about holistic reconciliation and unity within the PDP; reposition it and re-establish its old glory in the state.”

Receiving the report, state Chairman of the party, Chief Yunana K. Iliya, expressed his resolve towards ensuring that the recommendations made by the committee would be fully implemented in the overall interest of the PDP in the state.

Kaduna curfew lifted, Okada movement remains restricted

From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

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aduna State Government yesterday lifted the curfew imposed on the state, while restriction of movement of commercial motorcyclists remains.

The government said the decision to completely lift the curfew, which was imposed after the eruption of reprisal that followed bombing of churches in Kaduna and Zaria on June 10 was in view of the improved security situation in the state.

A statement made available to Daily Sun by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Patrick Ibrahim on Media, Mr. Reuben Buhari, read thus: “In view of improved security situation in Kaduna State, the Security Council of the state met yesterday and after extensive deliberation, decided to completely remove the curfew hours currently in place with effect from today.”

The statement, however, clarified that the restriction of movement of commercial motorcycles, which had been in place before the imposition of curfew was to remain.

According to the statement, “also, Achaba/Okada operators in the state are to adhere strictly to the restriction on their movement which starts by 9p.m. and ends by 6a.m.”

The state government, however, urged all residents of the state to remain law abiding and cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace and security of lives and property.

Food security: FG registers 10m farmers From ATTAHIRU AHMED, Gusau

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s part of its agricultural transformation agenda, the Federal Government yesterday registered about 10 million farmers in the ongoing registration of farmers across the country.

Speaking during the flagging-off of Federal Government’s fertilizer sales in Zamfara State, the state Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Bukkar Shettima disclosed that the objective of getting farmers registered was to ensure that assorted fertilizer reached the grassroots farmers in the country.

The minister, who was represented by the Regional Director, North-West Agricultural Transformation Agenda, Dr.Nyang Leo said the Federal Government had subsidized prices of assorted fertilizer with 25percent aimed at increasing farmers productivity .

He explained that in the ongoing registration of farmers across the country about 10 million farmers had registered while in Zamfara State 91,000 farmers from the grassroots had so far registered with full commitment.

He stressed that the Federal Government had resolved not to do business with anybody on the precurement and distribution of assorted fertilizer. According to him, in the past the distribution of fertilizer was characterised by corruption, it did not reach the real farmers, stressing that the era had ended.

Speaking on the occasion, the state Acting Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala disclosed that the state was highly endowed with agricultural potentials, adding that it was one of the richest states in agricutural production in the country.

• The Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Major-General Henry Ayoola (left), at a parley with youths of Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government Councils in Jos yesterday.

12 feared dead in renewed communal conflict in Benue

From ROSE Makurdi

EJEMBI, day, called on the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Katso to dispatch t least 12 persons were officers and men to the crisis feared dead just as zone to restore law and order property worth mil- in the communities.

In a motion of urgent lions of naira were allegedly destroyed in a renewed com- importance at the floor of the munal clash between inhabi- House, member representing tants of Ojantele and Ijegwu Otukpo/Akpa Constituency, communities in Otukpo and Baba Ode, told the House Obi local government areas that he received a phone call from an anonymous caller of Benue State.

Reliable sources told Daily intimating him that fighting Sun that trouble started in the had erupted between his consleepy communities on stituents and the neighbourTuesday following dispute ing Ijegwu community in Obi over a piece of land adjoining Local Government Area.

The legislator said he the two communities.

In the ensuing fracas, hous- received text messages from es, huts and economic trees were destroyed by the warring communities leaving about 120, 000 inhabitants of the affected communities dis- From AKIN ALOFETEKUN, Minna placed.

Daily Sun also gathered wo cases of wild polio that the Benue State virus have been discovCommissioner for Finance, ered in Niger State.

Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, lost Executive Director of the his cousins in the crisis.

Primary Health Meanwhile, the Benue state State House of Assembly, in a Development Agency, Dr. swift reaction to the renewed Shehu Yabagi, disclosed this conflict at its sitting yester- in Minna in a chat with jour-

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relations, who informed him of the escalation of the crisis leading to the death of his close associates and friends.

He stated further that as at Tuesday night, no fewer than six deaths had been recorded in the crisis, regretting that the peace-loving communities had in the last 10 years intermittently engaged each other in fracas despite efforts to find lasting solution to the dispute.

“The problem we have in this country is that whenever there is crisis anywhere and peace is restored, everyone goes home with no efforts put in to ensure that permanent

peace is restored in the affected area. That is exactly the situation we have found ourselves in this particular case.”

Ode appealed to the House to compel the surveyor general of the state to carry out a proper demarcation of the boundaries of the affected communities as remedy to the dispute.

Also reacting, Mr. Nick Eworo representing Obi Constituency, called on the state government to dust up the report of the panel of enquiry set up in 1996 to investigate the crisis with a view to bringing lasting solution to the crisis.

Wild polio virus found in Niger

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nalists.

He said the first case was reported from Bangi area of Mariga Local Government Area of the state in April while another case was reported last month in Gulbin Boka village of the same local government.

Yabagi said the wild polio virus resurfaced in the state

Kwara gov urges journalists to protect democracy

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he Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged the Nigerian media to be more patriotic, even as they guide and protect jealously the democracy they have laboured for.

The governor, who emphasised that Nigeria was neither a failed state nor about to be one, stated this while receiving in audience at the Government House, the crew of an international film, “Monkey Men,” being shot in the Kwara State capital.

Ahmed, who acknowledged the multifaceted chal-

lenges facing the country, said they could be surmounted by building confidence and instilling the can-do-it philosophy in the citizens rather than creating a state of helplessness.

He said the establishment of a film village at the Kwara State University, Malete, would boost the development of art and entertainment industry in the country and bridge the information gap about Nigeria in the developed world.

The governor said the film village would correct the wrong impression about

crime rate in Nigeria. “For too long,” the governor said, “the bad side of Africa has been over projected in the international media.

I hope this your ‘Monkey Men’ will correct this unfortunate incidence.” He promised to continue promoting arts and entertainment both as a foreign earner and to positively project the country’s image.

Governor Ahmed advised entertainment practitioners in the country to remain role models in the transformation agenda of the current administration.

after it had achieved a feat of three years free status, hinting that a team of experts from the agency had gone to understudy the circumstance behind the new resurgence.

He said one of the polio victims was a child of a nomad Fulani, who had since relocated, adding that his agency had since launched a manhunt for the affected child.

He said the experts deployed in the area had mopped up the area by immunising the children of Gulbin Boka village and the surrounding communities.

“We are reviewing our micro-plan of all the villages and settlements towards ensuring that they are all captured in our map,” he said.

Yabagi explained that the state was working with the two neighbouring states of Kaduna and Zamfara on how to curb the spread of the disease through the border villages and settlements. He said in the last immunisation exercise the state immunised over 2 million children.

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DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

Foreign Affairs Odd World

Fraud scam: Banker in charge of online security faces jail …For stealing £2.4m

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former Lloyds bank boss in charge of online security is facing jail for a £2.4 million fraud scam.

Jessica Harper took the money over a four-year period while working as head of fraud and security for digital banking at Lloyds Banking Group. Her four-year scam was uncovered after an internal review by Lloyds who called in police and Harper was arrested.

The 50-year-old stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court, in London, and showed no emotion as she spoke quietly to plead guilty to the fraud. Harper is believed to have earned around £70,000 a year, but embarked on a scam by submitting false invoices to claim payments to herself totalling £2,463,750. She was dismissed from her job in January this year after the scam was uncovered following an internal review by Lloyds.

Antony Swift, prosecuting said Harper’s crimes were a “very simple fraud” and she admitted what she had done “within 10 minutes” of the first interview with police.

Judge Nicholas LoraineSmith bailed Harper on condition she does not apply for any international travel docu-

ments, lives at her home address and observes a night-time curfew.

Sue Patten, head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Central Fraud Division, said: “The evidence in the case was clear and left Harper with little choice but to plead guilty. In doing so, she has admitted to a huge

breach of trust against her former employer.

“Harper was expected to safeguard the financial interests of the bank. Instead, she submitted false invoices totalling more that £2.4 million over a period of four years. She has also pleaded guilty to laundering the funds of the fraud.” Harper will be sentenced on September 21.

London Olympics: North Korea, Australian paper at ‘war’ .We’re not ‘naughty,’ you are, Pyongyang tells mX

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n Australian newspaper found itself the focus of a 14-paragraph denouncement in the state-run North Korean media agency, KCNA. The North Korean news agency lashed out at mX, a free commuter paper in three Australian cities, calling it sordid, foolish, bullying, degrading, incompetent, pitiful and rogue among other things. So how did a paper that focuses on “fun news, sport and entertainment” earn the verbal wrath of Pyongyang?

Last week, the paper published the Olympics medal standing and differentiated between South Korea and North Korea by calling them respectively “Nice Korea” and “Naughty Korea.” That moniker didn’t sit well with North Korean officials.

KCNA called the paper’s “sordid” behavior a “bullying act little short of insulting the

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The paper’s medal table with the two Koreas made its way through social media, Twitter and Reddit.

“The mX tally received an enormous response online throughout the world and the overwhelming majority of readers and the social and print media community saw it for what was intended - nothing more than a bit of lightheartedness,’’ said its editors.

And then, it reached North Korea.

KCNA’s lengthy statement described the paper of trying to make “its existence known to the world by joining other media in reporting the Olympic news.”

“Many people were unanimous in denouncing the small paper for defaming the mental and moral aspects of the players of the DPRK who earned recognition from several appreciative world famous media,” KCNA wrote.

Road accident: Woman installs inflatable sex doll as speed break

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• Jessica Harpe

n accident blackspot has had the number of crashes reduced after a blow-up sex doll was tied to a tree in a bid to slow drivers down.

Fed-up pensioner Lin Chen bought the doll and dressed it in sexy red undies so motorists would slow down to take a look. She hatched the racy plan after over with its beak. becoming frustrated with the In similar tests, most ani- amount of speeding drivers mals and even small children get confused about the way shaking and noise relate to the presence or absence of a hidden reward. The scientists, led by Dr Christian Schloegl, from the University of Vienna, wrote in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: “Human children solve this task from an age of three to four years, and the birds’ success rate was comparable to those of the threeyear-olds.”

Brainy parrots smarter than children – Report frican grey parrots are smarter than your average two-year-old, according to scientists.

In fact researchers claim to have found that human children only do as well as the parrots from about the age of three. No other animals apart from great apes match the birds’ ability to understand noise-related causal connections.

Researchers tested six African greys housed in a parrot rescue centre in Vienna, Austria. During a series of experiments, the

Olympic spirit of solidarity, friendship and progress and politicizing sports.”

It slammed the “Brisbane Metro” as “hardly known in the world.” It was right about that.

There is no paper by the name of Brisbane Metro.

KCNA incorrectly identified the paper as the Brisbane Metro instead of mX. The three editors of mX, who are based in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, released a joint statement, saying they thought the medal chart “would be a humorous, but harmless way of differentiating between the two, and a reflection on how much of the western world views the two countries.”

The paper is known for its irreverent take, such as a Wednesday piece on who started the phrase OMG (hint: it’s not Paris Hilton) and invites for readers to send a vent of the day.

birds were asked to choose between two closed boxes, one of which held a piece of walnut and rattled when shaken. The other, empty container, could be shaken without making a noise.

The parrots showed they knew how to detect hidden food rattling in a shaken box.

But much more impressively they also worked out almost instantly that if a box was shaken and made no noise, the food must be in the other container. Choices were made by a parrot walking over to a box and turning it

outside her home in Ningbo, in Zhejiang province in eastern China.

The 67-year-old purchased the inflatable sex toy and and added a few slinky additions to ensure it caught the attention of drivers. “There are a set of traffic lights near my house and the cars just shoot through them as fast as they can,” explained Chen. “It’s very dangerous.

“The police aren’t interest-

ed so I bought this doll and tied it to the tree. I thought that drivers would slow down if I could give them something worth looking it.”

Astonished police admit that accident figures have dropped since Chen started to make a dummy of the speeding drivers. “It isn’t a method we would use, but we can’t say it isn’t working,” said a spokesman.

Girl, 6, found clinging to dead body in lake

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nited States police said a 6-year-old girl was pulled to safety after boaters spotted her clinging to a corpse in an upstate New York lake.

Town of Carmel Sgt. John Dearman said three people were fishing in Putnam

County’s Lake Gleneida around 5 p.m. Monday when they saw the girl holding on to an unidentified object in the distance. They soon realized she was clinging to the floating body of a woman in her 50s.

They pulled the girl to safety and called 911. An autopsy

would be performed to determine the woman’s cause of death. The girl was uninjured.

It appeared the two had been wading into the water before the incident. The Journal News reports that the woman was a friend of the girl’s mother. Their names weren’t immediately released.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012,

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Foreign Affairs Ghanaians pay last respects to the late President John Atta Mills

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hana began three days of funeral rites for Mills yesterday, with his body to lie in state ahead of his August 10 burial to be attended by foreign dignitaries. The death of Mills on July 24, five months ahead of polls in which he was to seek re-election, threw the nation into mourning and suspended the presidential campaign in a country that recently joined the ranks of the world’s significant oil producers. Photos:AFP

• A hearse carries the body of the late President John Atta Mills to the parliament in Accra yesterday.

Clinton must urge Nigeria to address violence - HRW

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nited States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should urge Nigeria to address violence by militant Islamist group Boko Haram as well as abuses by the country’s security forces, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

Clinton is due to visit Nigeria and meet with President Goodluck Jonathan today as part of her African tour. The visit comes with Nigeria facing a worsening insurgency by Boko Haram that has left hundreds dead.

“Nigeria is facing a surge of violence and lawlessness that has blighted the lives of thousands of Nigerians,” Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

“Nigeria’s leaders need to confront this violence, whether committed by Boko Haram or the country’s security forces.” The US-based rights group said attacks by Boko Haram have left more than 1,400 people dead in northern and central Nigeria since 2010 Human Rights Watch also

pointed out that security forces have been accused of major abuses which have exacerbated the crisis in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer.

“Security agents have rounded up hundreds of people and routinely detainedthem incommunicado without charge or trial,” its statement said. “Security forces have also been implicated in extrajudicial killings of Boko Haram suspects and other detention-related abuses. The group claims it is

attacking the police in retaliation for security force abuses.”

Human Rights Watch said it had sent a letter to Clinton discussing the issues. It also raised concerns over Nigeria’s inability to stop deadly clashes between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups in the country’s centre as well as its failure to curb deeply rooted corruption.

The country’s 160 million population includes some 250 ethnic groups and is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predomi-

Syrian troops push back rebels in Aleppo offensive

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roops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad assaulted rebel strongholds in Aleppo on Wednesday in one of their biggest ground attacks since rebels seized chunks of Syria’s biggest city three weeks ago.

Assad must win the battle for Aleppo if he is to reassert his authority nationwide, although diverting military forces for an offensive to

regain control there has already allowed rebels to seize large swathes of countryside in the north.

Aleppo, at the heart of Syria’s failing economy, has taken a fearful pounding since the 17-month-old uprising against Assad finally took hold in a city that had stayed mostly aloof.

“We have retreated, get out of here,” a lone rebel fighter

US poll: Obama’s lead over Romney grows …Despite voters’ pessimism • Hundreds of mourners gather to pay last respects

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mericans are increasingly pessimistic about the future but voters do not seem to be holding it against Democratic President Barack Obama, who slightly expanded his lead over Republican rival Mitt Romney this month, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll says.

Three months before the November 6 presidential election, nearly two-thirds of Americans think the country is moving in the wrong direction. Only 31 percent say it is moving in the right direction the lowest number since December 2011.

But Obama’s lead over Romney among registered voters was 49 percent to 42 percent, up slightly from the 6-point advantage the president held

nantly Christian south.

“Despite Nigeria’s tremendous oil wealth, endemic government corruption and poor governance have robbed many Nigerians of their rights to health and education,” the group said.

“These problems are most acute in the north, the country’s poorest region where widespread poverty and unemployment, sustained by corruption, and state-sponsored abuses have created an environment in which militant groups thrive.”

a month earlier over the former Massachusetts governor.

The results of the monthly poll - in which a majority of voters agreed that the economy is the most important problem facing the United States suggest that the Obama campaign’s efforts to paint

Romney as being out of touch with the concerns of middleclass Americans could be preventing the Republican from gaining momentum in the race.

“The overall ‘right track, wrong track’ is worse than last month, the news hasn’t been great lately,” said Ipsos pollster Chris Jackson.

yelled at Reuters journalists as they arrived in Aleppo’s Salaheddine district. Nearby checkpoints that had been manned by rebel fighters for the last week had disappeared. Syrian state television said government forces had pushed into Salaheddine, killing most of the rebels there, and had entered other parts of the city in a new offensive.

It said dozens of “terrorists” were killed in the central district of Bab al-Hadeed, close to Aleppo’s ancient citadel, and Bab al-Nayrab in the southeast.

But a rebel spokesman in Salaheddine, the southern gateway to Aleppo, denied Assad’s troops had taken full control. “Syrian forces are positioned on one side of Salaheddine but they haven’t entered and clashes are continuing,” Abu Mohammed said.

Gunmen attack Ivory Coast army post in latest raid

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unmen attacked a military checkpoint north of Ivory Coast’s main city Abidjan early on yesterday, an army official said, adding to a wave of deadly raids in the country threaten its recovery from a civil war.

The government on Tuesday said militias still loyal to ousted president Laurent Gbagbo were behind

earlier attacks on military and police installations that had killed at least ten soldiers in Abidjan since Sunday, though the army said it was unclear who was behind the most recent raid.

One soldier was missing and another was seriously wounded in Wednesday morning’s attack, which took place at the entrance to Agboville, around 75 km (50

miles) north of Abidjan, said Colonel Moussa Cherif, the Ivorian army’s deputy chief of staff.

“I confirm the attack on a post in Agboville very early this morning by assailants, though we know nothing about their intentions or their identities,” he said. “There is one seriously wounded among the (Ivorian army) and one is missing.

•Former President John Kuffour too

Former President Jerry Rawlings on arrival at the event.

•The presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo leaves after viewing the body

• A man holds a supporter of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in tears after viewing the body

16

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

NewsPlus MIDNIGHT MIRACLE How woman, three kids escaped from collapsed building From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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he believes in miracles and what happened to her was nothing short of a miracle.

But for providence, Mrs Anthonia Ejims and her three children would have been victims of the three-storey building, which collapsed in Port Harcourt recently.

They wouldn’t have escaped it and anybody, who visited the scene of the collapsed building would attest to this. The ruins are there for anybody to see. But today, the mother of three is filled with joy, thanking God that she evacuated her children and removed her vehicle before the building came tumbling down.

Her case would have been worse, as her husband, Cliff, was said to be away when the building came down. His assistance - that is, if he survived - would have been of great importance to his family.

According to Mrs. Ejims, her husband, who works off-shore, was not at home when the building collapsed. It was his absence that prompted her to evacuate the children, who are seven and five and the youngest, who is 33 months, when she noticed cracks on the wall of the building.

“I was sleeping and later woke up only to hear some sounds outside. I thought somebody was stealing something. I looked around the window but did not see anybody. I wanted to go back to bed when my neighbour called me that the building was making some

•Mrs Ejims

•The collapsed building noise. I phoned my husband and he told me to bring out my children.

“I was able to bring out my children, who are seven, five and a year and nine months old.

Immediately I drove the car out, the building went down completely. In fact, I wanted to go back to see if I could bring out some property but the building had gone down.

“What God did was too awe-

•Another section of the collapsed building

some. I don’t deserve it. It was as if God was holding the building, waiting for me to bring everybody out. Everything went down the same time. When I saw things, falling from the building, I knew it was going to fall. It collapsed at about 1am.”

Speaking on what gave her the courage to take the action that she took, Mrs. Ejims said she could not even explain. The woman

recalled that when she returned from work the previous evening, people were still working at the site. The young woman said she expressed worry that work was still going on at that time even as planks littered everywhere. She said while work was going on, water was dripping from the building. She described the foundation of the building as old as her grandfather. According to her, no fewer than 20 persons lived within the compound.

The woman said when the incident occurred, she was initially thinking of the property being destroyed but, after realising the magnitude of what God had done, she acknowledged the awesomeness of God. Her husband, Cliff, who decided to speak with Daily Sun against the counsel of some of his friends (one of whom even insisted that the picture of the collapsed building already taken should be deleted), described the handiwork of God as “miraculous.”

Mr. Ejims expressed gratitude to God for not allowing the tragedy to befall the family. He said though he did not have any premonition of the imminent danger, he was the one that coordinated the Christian programme at his office’s off-

shore fellowship on Friday night.

He said his wife called him at exactly 12:15am, informing him about the condition of the building and he instructed her to take his children out first before any other thing.

According to him, the collapsed building had been under construction for about a year. Mr Ejims stated that they had earlier complained about the foundation of the building to the engineer handling the contract. He said they told him that the foundation of the structure was not strong enough to carry additional compartments, saying the engineer ignored the complaints.

Meanwhile, the engineer, a Ghanaian, disappeared immediately he got news of the collapsed building. Mr Ejims said several attempts he made to get the Ghanaian on phone failed.

While Ejims said that he had forgotten about the property he lost in the incident, he told Daily Sun that he and the owner of the property had reached a consensus.

He added that his elder brother’s building, Mr Anebon Ejims, was also destroyed. “It is a miraculous work of God. You can’t believe that my family members came out of this building.”

The neighbours said some relatives of Ejims family alleged that they had earlier complained to the engineer that the foundation of the building was not strong for a storey building, but he did not heed the advice.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus

•Some of the victims

•Flooded homes From JUDEX OKORO, CALABAR

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cross many communities in the Southern Senatorial Zone of Cross River State, these are not the best of times.

Since flood visited the area last week, killing some persons and rendering thousands homeless. For them, life has not remained the same.

It was a tragic week for indigenes of the area. Six villages were sacked by the flood, which inundated communities at Agwuagun in Biase Local Government Area of the state. By the time the sun rose in the morning and people began to understand the effects of the disaster, three persons had been killed while over 200 farms as well as 80 houses lay in ruins. No fewer than 2, 000 persons were rendered homeless, even as property worth millions of naira was totally destroyed in the raging flood, which wreaked havoc in the area after an allnight downpour.

The communities affected include Emomoro, Egbism, Enoeko, Ase Egwa, Emo Edodi, Pkatim, Iben Abang, Ase Igeni, Emo Eni Kehgho and Itu Agwuagune.

Within the past two weeks, over 35 communities cutting across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State have experienced heavy flooding, causing a great deal of destruction in the affected areas.

Eyewitnesses told the reporter that the torrential rain, which started on the night of Tuesday, July 24, lasted till the wee hours of the following day. By the time the rain stopped, some residents had been swept away by the rampaging flood. It was learnt that a 12-year-old girl, a 70-year old woman and a 55-year-old man were among those swept away by the sudden flood that invaded their homes while they were asleep in the dead of the night.

Efforts by the community divers to rescue the persons or retrieve their bodies, which lasted for about four

God, where do we go now?

Victims cry as flood kills 3, renders thousands homeless in Cross River days, covering over six nautical miles along the Cross River, proved abortive. Till date, the bodies of the three people were yet to be recovered.

When our reporter visited some of the riverine villages, the residents wore mournful looks as they busied themselves salvaging some of their property. Many toured the flooded streets on canoes, retrieving household belongings still floating on the water. Many villagers virtually lived inside canoes and rafters, hoping for the unprecedented flood to recede.

While some of the villagers have relocated with some property they were able to salvage by canoes to safer, higher grounds, most were unable to relocate from the flooded villages. They told our reporter that they were unable to move due to their inability to raise money to erect buildings upland. Others said they were unable to secure temporary accommodation in the area.

Many of the victims are women and children currently living under inhuman conditions. A visit to the communities showed that the victims lack good water, food and medication just as some courageous men among them were seen harvesting premature crops, including cassava and corn, for survival.

At Egbism village, one of the victims, Mr. Ekuma Bassey, now lives inside his canoe. He told the reporter that the flood was the first of its kind

•A collapsed building in Agwagume

in over 10 years, adding that his family had no place to move to as they could not afford to rent a home upland. Bassey, who also said that the market and school in the community had been submerged, said the community was experiencing both economic and social problems. He said crops harvested prematurely could not even be sold. He appealed to the state and federal governments to expedite action on the relocation programme so that the people of the affected communities could have a sense of belonging.

One of the victims, 30-year-old Mr. Unoh Eyama Eko, still had a ‘home,’ if you would refer to what remained of his house as home. He spoke to the reporter from the veranda of his house, half of which had already been swept into the river.

Eyama Eko lamented: “Where would I go with my wife and three children?

Government, please help us. We are dying.”

Another victim, Mrs. Eso Eghe, who lost her entire hair dressing equipment to the raging flood, said she would relocate from the area if she had the means to. She said she was not sure that her home would survive this year’s flooding.

Chief Onun Ogban Bassey, Secretary of the Council of Chiefs of the submerged Imomoro Village, said though flooding had been a perennial issue in the community this year, the

•Gbisim Village submerged by flood last incident had instilled fear in the residents who now believed that they could be swept away someday by floods. Also speaking, Sir Fidelis Efimi, the Onun of Agwagune, another flooded village, said the relocation programme of the federal and Cross River State governments should be expedited, insisting it was the only solution to the perennial flooding and landslide in the area.

While assessing the disaster, Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah advised immediate evacuation of the victims.

He told the residents: “This is no drill. Leave immediately. Do not bother so much about your property.

Safety first.”

•SEMA staff helping a pregnant woman in a canoe

The Director General, who was represented by the Assistant Director (Information) David Akate, advised that the victims could, in the meantime, stay anywhere available upland, including public buildings such as schools and markets. According to him, the three lives so far lost were enough to upset government. He promised that everything would be done to avoid more loss of lives.

The House of Assembly member for Biase, Honourable Ngim Okpo, who also undertook an assessment of the flooded villages, said there was no option but to immediately evacuate the villages.

But when will respite come for the troubled victims and their flooded communities? Big question!

•A flooded farm

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DAILY SUN Thursday August 9, 2012

Growing state of insecurity

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t appears that the government of the day has given up on the insecurity in the country. For some months now, hardly any day passes without an incident of bombing or shooting taking place in Nigeria. In all of this, lives are usually lost and valuable property destroyed.

One of the most recent of such shameful incidents was the one that involved the Zaria residence of Vice President Namadi Sambo. Gunmen riding on a motor cycle attacked the residence and left blood and destruction in their wake. Then came the callous shooting of Christian worshippers at a Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi State that left about 20 people dead.

Nigerians of goodwill have been unanimous in their condemnation of the brigandage and lawlessness that have taken over the country. In fact, two former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, have even expressed concern over the deteriorating state of security in the country.

Regrettably, however, the concerns of Nigerians in this matter have amounted to nothing because the Federal Government of President Goodluck Jonathan does not appear to have an answer to the security challenge. Government has been running from pillar to post, striving fruitlessly to deal with the issue. But rather than make any headway, the menace continues to rear its ugly head.

Only last week, Sokoto State which was hitherto insulated from the insecurity challenge fell to it with the attack of Boko Haram. So far, Yobe and Borno states have become a lost case. Killing and destruction have become permanent features of the two North East states. In fact, the way things stand, the entire northern region of Nigeria appears to have been engulfed by the insecurity perpetrated by the fundamentalist Islamic sect called Boko Haram.

So far, government has proved that it cannot guarantee security of life and property in the country. Its efforts, including the frequent overhaul of the security apparatus, have come to nought. As things stand, the insurgents are having a field day. They are poking fun at government

and its strategies. While government appears to have run out of ideas, the terrorists are waxing stronger by the day. They now dictate the tone and direction of the security in the country.

It is therefore not surprising that Boko Haram, the other day, ordered president Jonathan to embrace Islam and become its ardent faithful if he wants peace in the country. According to the Islamic sect, president Jonathan should either do this or resign as president. The effrontery of the terrorist group can be taken to mean that they are completely in charge of the security or absence of one in Nigeria. They are, by their declaration, jibing at the president. They are saying that having failed to contain them, Mr president should give up and become one of them or throw in the towel.

But the presidency did not help matters. It diminished the office of the president by joining issues with the terrorist group. Government should be reminded that the problem we have on our heads does not call for verbal brickbats. It is about strategy and action. A government that cannot rein in insurgents has failed to live up to its name. What government must therefore do is to avoid being dragged into unnecessary controversy with a faceless group and concentrate instead on how to tame the monster that has been terrorizing the country.

We recognize the concerns of the likes of Babangida and Obasanjo in this matter. But it must be noted that they are not insulated from the present state of insecurity in the country. Under their administrations, youth unemployment reached an all-time high. Discontent and disappointment with the system were rife under their governments. Today, Boko Haram and other forms of militancy are products of those years of bad governance. The two elder statesmen should therefore go beyond lamentation. They should come up with strategies that can bring an end to the insecurity morass in the land.

But whatever helping hand they lend or do not lend, the buck stops on Jonathan’s table. He has a responsibility to secure this country.

COMMENT

Send your short and crisp letters to: letters@sunnewsonline. com.

LETTER State police: Amaechi beware THE demand by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) for state police was supposed to be a good thing, if accepted. But, the avoidable controversy it is now eliciting is rather dangerous for Nigerians coupled with the open anarchical way the governors of the Northern region have betrayed the forum’s unanimous agreement on such a measure.

Hence, Amaechi, chairman of the Forum, should beware!

For those who are not in the-know of what state police means, it i,s in other terms, regarded as community policing. But, for us in Nigeria with states, the governors deemed it fit to use the word state police. Its scope does not vary from the police in our land, so also is the implementation. It is a very important drift in police work.

In the publication, Community Policing, (1990:5), it is regarded as: … a new philosophy of policing, based on the concept that police officers and private citizens working together in creative ways can help solve contemporary community problems related to crime, fear of crime, social and physical disorder, and neighbourhood decay. The philosophy . . . requires that police departments develop a new relationship with the law-abiding

people in the community, allowing them a greater voice in setting local priorities, and involving them in efforts to improve the overall quality of life in their neighbourhoods. It shifts the focus of police work from handling random calls to solving problems.

The above could be what the NGF meant when it said that it was about to find a lasting solution to the country’s security challenges. But, this “country’s security challenge”, as can be seen, is gradually widening and extending to such a reputable organization as the NGF as the Northern governors are opposed to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force.

The communiqué signed by the Northern governors on this issue, without mincing words, is in its entirety a betrayal of the position of the Amaechi-led NGF. And, one wonders what will be the outcome of the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, if the NGF is singing with discordant voices at this stage.

With the refusal of the Northern Governors to support the creation of state police, it means that someone is happy with the insecurity challenges in some states, therefore, the special intervention which the state police could have rendered, will expose a

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lot of things. The change would have been a good thing for police responsibilities, goals, operations, and management. The fear is whether most policemen will change their fundamental approach overnight in the supposed new scheme.

However, since Amaechi can now read the handwriting on the wall in the NGF house, he should know that it will be very hard to reduce the pains and inflammation the state “Nigeria” is causing us.

Nigeria is one, but we have different Nigerians.

That he is the chair of the NGF might not mean that he is loved by all in the NGF. How else would we not agree on this if the Northern governors had the effrontery to thwart a decision the NGF agreed upon and perhaps was nailed by the NGF’s chair, which is always the norm in every meeting? Would they be expunged from the meeting? This is typical as we have seen some of the governors who do not want the collective objectivity of the house, but their biased agenda.

I have always wondered why Nigerians flair up on hearing of any project the government is initiating, through tribal voices, when such project is not initiated by them. Those from the North are especially good at this. Amaechi could see that Nigerians are more happy with their ethnicities than they are with the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any official group representing a collective sense of a group. Nigerians are more comfortable being addressed as Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo or something else than being addressed as Nigerians, as we have seen in the NGF.

Many projects in Nigeria are jamborees, and people from the North don’t tend to believe in any project in Nigeria any longer because a Southerner is the president of the country and the chairman of the NGF. Dichotomy is a dangerous virus eating the fabric of Nigeria. Competence does not mean anything to Nigerian politicians, but zoning. And, this concept is causing the Nigerian state a great deal of damage.

People are killed when it’s not their zone’s time to contest and win an election. Amaechi should beware!

Sometimes I weep, if not always. Many people still see “Nigeria” as titular. They are not happy when they are addressed as Nigerians. They either prefer being addressed as Biafrans, Oduduwans, Arewans, name them. And, this could be what the Northern governors are insinuating: They want Northern Police! Amaechi should know that it’s this virus called dichotomy that has eaten deeply into Nigerians’mentality that I think is responsible for the official thievery among the many politicians in Nigeria. Many of them don’t think that Nigeria is real. So, they thieve owing to their mentality that Nigeria would one day break into pieces.

Amaechi should beware as he goes about the business of the Nigerian Governors’Forum, because President Aguiyi-Ironsi (a Southerner) was killed, and later, Yakubu Gowon-led government massacred the people of the old South-east with dangerous munitions. Yet the North is not happy in Nigeria.

Odimegwu Onwumere, Rivers State CMYK

DAILY SUN

Thursday August 9, 2012

19

Re: Imo embroiled in toxic governance T here have been some reactions, particularly from those who support the Imo State governor, on my piece, ‘Imo Embroiled in Toxic Governance’, thus resulting in this sequel. In that piece, I did state why one could aptly characterize governance in Imo State as toxic.

Expectedly, that prompted some reactions from the governor’s supporters and others.

One of the reactions came from this email address: uzoimo@yahoo.com. The writer stated, “Your “views from America” is nothing but views from ignorance. If you want to know the true situation, come back home and see things for yourself. You cannot be in America and tell me what is happening in Imo state.”

Unfortunately, the writer failed to realize that we now live in a seamless global world aided by cutting edge technology. One does not have to be on the ground to know what is happening there. As a matter of fact, most times, we inform those on the ground what is happening in their local environment.

Fortunately, some of us have developed a hydra-like antenna for gathering and verifying information from home. Our gamut of channels for sourcing information may be unparalleled. Therefore, in most cases, we have realtime information from home as it is developing.

That said, I also stated in my piece that based on the latest information I had, Gov Rochas Okorocha has complied with the court order—reinstating the sacked councils. To that end, Gov Okorocha stated in his July 27th address that his administration respects the rule of law. He claimed, “Let me reiterate that this Government is law-abiding as we believe strongly in the Rule of Law. It is not the intention of this Government to breach any of the provisions of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Interestingly, Gov Rochas Okorocha further told the Imo citizens that he is allowing the LG chairmen to come back and resume their duties. He said, “Let me call on my brothers who are the Council Chairmen to come back and embrace peace for us to work together to better the Imo State of our collective dream and aspiration. Therefore, may I call on the Council Chairmen to commence work and

VIEWS FROM AMERICA

Acho Orabuchi a_orabuchi@yahoo.com drop politics so as to complete their term peacefully for us to conduct the next local government election as soon as possible.”

In his usual flippant demeanor, Okorocha advanced, “Let the Council Chairmen come back and serve their tenure to avoid any form of antagonism. Let me reiterate that the essence of inviting the Council Chairmen is to discuss about their well-being and welfare since they have gotten a judgment from the court. It does not matter anymore how they came to the place as what is important now is that we must work together to move Imo State forward. “One of the things the Council Chairmen will help me to do is to unravel the huge sum of money that was stolen from the coffers of the councils. I am optimistic that they will be my good partners in recovering the whooping sum that disappeared from the Local Government coffers. They will be my good partners in this case and I know they will not let the State down. I hereby request that all Local Government activities should not be derailed.”

Based on the governor’s address, is he truly sincere in making governance less toxic in Imo State? Is governor honest about reinstating the sacked chairmen and councilors? Is he complying with the court order to the letter and spirit of the law? Does Gov Okorocha genuinely want the chairmen to come back and resume their responsibilities? The answers to these questions are not farfetched; they are in the governor’s address. The content of his address is a hoax and it is further from reality.

Sadly, the platitude-filled pronouncements by the governor were merely for public consumption. They were not meant to be carried

out. They, in fact, meant to stem eroding public opinion. Many commentators and Imo indigenes see Gov Okorocha’s present actions as attempts to squelch negative public opinion of him, which is now on the rise based on anecdotal information.

Well, I gathered that Imo is marred with lawlessness emanating from the top—lack of respect for the rule of law, contrary to what the governor is professing. The governor’s latest trick was to send all principal officers in the 27 local government areas on an indefinite compulsory leave/workshop to ensure that the chairmen do not have access to pertinent records. Thus, the chairmen have resumed work on paper, but their work is hampered by the governor’s deception.

Regrettably, the chairmen and councilors are just hanging in there while the principal officers were all sent on an indefinite seminar by the state government. This ploy is aimed at frustrating the chairmen thereby harming the interests of Imo citizens.

Sad still, the chairmen have no access to the LG money to carry out the people’s business.

As I write this piece, the latest LG allocations are being withheld by the state for no reason other than for the governor to have absolute control of the funds. As a result of the governor’s actions, all the activities of the 27 local government areas have been brought to a complete halt. The casualties of the governor’s power game are the citizens of Imo State. This is truly a toxic governance.

In the face of these shenanigans, some people still object to letting the people know the true picture of things in Imo State. They feel that we should not constructively criticize the

governor; we should shout Amen to whatever the governor does. An individual found my piece irritating to him.

In reacting to my story, Jerry Johnson Madu angrily said, “This is really irritating. So because they were elected Local Government chairmen and councilors, they should remain and tarnish the man’s [Okorocha’s] hardwork? It is quite a pity that these guys [LG Chairmen] are back again to frustrate Rochas Okorocha’s government all the way with different types of unnecessary cooked stories from journalists.”

In another response to my article, Callistus Anyama characterized my objective criticism as acidic. He said, “Dear Acho Orabuchi: I have been following your acid criticisms against Gov. Rochas since he became the Gov of Imo State. I support the elimination of the local government chairmen. During Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim’s tenure, a period of 12 years, Ideato South local government chairmen never did anything for the community with the allocations collected from the state.

They hardly reported to duty on any work day.

The days they reported were the days to share LG allocations with their nonsense stakeholders. I strongly believe such were also the case in your LG. If Okorocha does not have access to LG allocations, he will not have enough funds to carry on with the projects he has going on simultaneously in the 27 LGs in Imo State. I don’t care if he [Okorocha] broke any law; Nigeria is a corrupt, lawless and very undemocratic country and needs a radical Governor like Rochas Okorocha.”

Those who reacted negatively never disputed the salient point in my piece, lack of respect for rule of law in Imo State. Rather they seem to acknowledge the abysmal and dysfunctional nature of Imo State government, particularly the local government areas, which heavily impacts negatively Imo citizens. However, the respondents failed to assail the governor for the lawlessness in the state. Nevertheless, to assuage the toxic situation in Imo State, it is incumbent upon the governor to fully comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling without any reservation.

Much ado about impeachment

BY BEN NANAGHAN he 7th Federal House of Representatives came into existence on Monday, June 6, 2011 with a very forceful statement on gross party indiscipline and a yet unrivalled political rebellion.

The house gallery was packed full of influential moneybags including some governors from the opposition states, who came well armed for the election.

And, when the votes were counted, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal had a landslide victory with 252 votes in a house which boasted of 204 PDP members with only156 members of opposition.

Alhaja Mulikat Adeola, who was the government’s or PDP’s candidate, garnered only 90 votes, regrettably losing to Tambuwal who was sponsored by the opposition.

From thence, it became clear that the Federal House of Representatives was a sole creation of Nigeria’s opposition parties. It is, therefore, not surprising that he who pays the piper must not only dictate the tune of the music but also the dance steps.

The Reps have never hidden their utter disdain for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and have never lost grip of their avowed determination to dislodge him from Aso Rock and replace him with someone from the opposition camp.

Tambuwal’s frequent visits to Lagos is an incontrovertible testimony to the grand design.

The Federal House of Representatives has made three serious threats to impeach Mr. President in 2012 alone, but none of them has taken off the ground.

Many observers are now convinced that these constant threats of impeachment are a fraudulent avenue of coercion and blackmail devised by the House to regularly bleed the Presidency of much needed capital for the servicing of Jonathan’s transformational programme which the North has tried to checkmate through the sponsorship of Boko Haram.

In January 2012, during the fuel subsidy strike, the opposition parties with headquarters in Lagos called for a nationwide mobilization for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The House leadership met on a Sunday to plot their mischievous strategy for execution when the House resumed. I do not know if this blackmail yielded dividend in “settlements” but the great

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mobilization for impeachment was consigned to the dustbin of history on resumption of the House.

The second attempt at the impeachment of the President was during the Otuoke Anglican Community Church renovation saga when it was alleged by the opposition that a foreign firm executing a federal government project in Otuoke built a church for President Goodluck Jonathan as gratification for getting the juicy Federal Government contract.

Even though it looked puerile and copiously displayed mental vacuity, the opposition parties insisted that the transnational corporation built theAnglican Community Church and donated it to the president as bribe. It is like building a Catholic Church and giving it to an individual as a gift or bribe. It does not just make sense. This spurious reasoning pattern epitomizes Nigeria’s opposition’s display of political immaturity.

During this period also, a political party from Southern Nigeria called for the president’s impeachment because according to the party, the president’s appointments favoured only Bayelsans.

And, I looked at the whole landscape and I did not find any Bayelsan. The president’s official staff like the Chief of Staff, Aide de Camp (ADC) and his media chief are all not indigenes of Bayelsa State. President Olusegun Obasanjo, throughout his 8-year tenure, made sure that all his Inspectors General of Police were from the Southwest, thereby ending the Northern hegemonic monopoly of the position of the Police Inspector General. President Goodluck Jonathan has been the most liberal and detribalized, even to a fault in terms of federal appointments.

But, those who have vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan have contrived to make his reign a bloody one inspite of his peaceful nature.

And on the 19th July 2012, another impeachment alarm blared again on the floor of the House of Representatives. This time, from the minority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who warned with stern-faced seriousness that, “if by September 18, the budget performance has not improved to 100 percent, we shall begin to invoke and draw up articles of impeachment against the President”. Femi Gbajabiamila talked tough and meant every syllable of his statement.

Despite his tough mien and stance, he failed to

fully understand the spirit and character of the Nigerian constitution. The Nigerian constitution is a very sacred and compact document. It is not a document for trivialities and inanities. In fact, it is not a plaything.

Section 143 (1) of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution states inter alia: The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section. Section 143 (2) states thus: whenever a notice of any allegation in writing is signed by not less that one-third of the members of the National Assembly.

Section 143 (2b) states that the holder of the office of President or Vice President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.

This impeachment plan is a calculated ploy not only to embarrass and ridicule the President but also to impugn the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

And so, what is the gross misconduct on the part of the President in a budget that was even delayed and released by the National Assembly on March 17, 2012 which was signed into law on April 13, 2012. And the threat emanated from the House on July 19, 2012, exactly three months after the budget came into force. Does Hon. Gbajabiamila expect the budget to be 100% implemented in just three months after the President’s final signature?

The legal lifespan of a nation’s budget is normally 12 months, if it is released in January as it is supposed to be. Most economically advanced countries complete their budget rituals early in January of the budget year which takes four quarters to implement.

But, what magic can we expect with our budget which was passed in the 2nd quarter of the budget year? Time there was when our budgets were passed and signed in January of the budget year. But not anymore. A lot of wranglings, horse trading and selfish considerations are always summed up to delay the approval of the budget before signature to give it legal teeth.

Perhaps, the Reps have forgotten that drawing up a budget plan is the easiest aspect of budgeting. Its implementation is another ball game which depends on various factors and circumstances.

For instance, the problems of budget implementation are as varied from one country to the

other, especially in underdeveloped countries.

These include inadequate budget monitoring facilities, lack of proactive planning, long delays in passage between the Presidency, National Assembly and the ministries supplying the data.

Even though all the aforementioned factors play vital roles in budget implementation, budget planning for implementation is the most challenging, especially in developing countries. This is more so because there are no project plans readily available even when budgets have been signed into law. Another vital problem is that project implementation could be more tedious and takes longer time than in the budget plan especially in underdeveloped countries, where infrastructure and budget implementation mechanism are thwarted by underdevelopment and a weak technological base.

However, it is pertinent to state here that those who go to equity must go with clean hands. It is highly regrettable to say that members of the House of Representatives have mostly emeshed themselves in one form of corruption scandal or another.

The most recent cases of scandal and corruption involving Herman Hembe, Farouk Lawan, and most recently, revelation that Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila had a case in court when he was struggling in America. Of course, no house built on a faulty foundation can stand. The present House of Representatives under Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal was built on a fraudulent foundation where so much happened to produce the leadership. Money will continue to be the name of the game in the House of Reps.

Perhaps, they can redeem their pride by taking a cue from the political maturity being daily displayed by the Nigerian Senate. The Nigerian Upper House has demonstrated so much political depth that it stands so tall today as a stabilizing factor in the socio-political development and unity of the Nigerian State.

Senate President, Dr. David Mark, and the Senate leadership have shown great signs of intellectual growth and political maturity in leading the Nigerian Senate to such glorious and lofty heights with members full of integrity and decorum. Kudos to the Senate leadership and the entire senate. Our Reps have a lot to learn from the Senators.

Nanaghan writes via bennanaghan@yahoo.com CMYK

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DAILY SUN Thursday August 9, 2012

IRONSI: A martyr without matters

BY ORI MARTINS

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t is exactly 46 years since Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi was brutally assassinated in Ibadan on July 29, 1966. Deconstructing the Ironsi phenomenon and why he was gruesomely killed in most wicked circumstances might take volumes to discuss. Notwithstanding, it is pertinent to note that a part of the reason Nigeria is still held captive and its inability to realise its potentialities, is the failure of Nigerian government to recognise Ironsi as a national hero who died in his bid to keep Nigeria together as one indivisible entity.

Ironsi came to power after the January 15, 1966 coup designed by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna and masterminded by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu had had a partial success. It is no longer a hidden fact that the coup was carried out by Nigerian Army officers, majority of whom were of Igbo extraction while its main casualties were Northerners, thus the putsch was quickly labelled an Igbo coup. Since it was an incomplete assignment, the coup leaders could not assume duties as they planned (it has been established that the young army officers wanted to hand over Chief Obafemi Awolowo), and the civilians were on the run as well following the death of notable functionaries in government. The rump of what was left of the First Republic led by Senate President, Nwafor Orizu, invited the military, headed by General Ironsi to take over the government. This goes to say that Ironsi democratically came to power as the National Assembly resolved to hand over power to him so as to restore law and order in the country.

As Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, then the 5th Battalion Commandant in Kano and the one who quenched the coup in that ancient city (just as Ironsi and Alexander Madiebo stopped the coup in Lagos and Kaduna respectively) put it: ‘Ironsi decreed a unification.

The North revolted and seized the central government. In the East, I resisted. The West hesitated while the Midwest waited. It is important to note the difference between this second military intervention that propelled General Gowon to power and the original coup, planned and badly executed by Ifeajuna – an intervention that propelled Ironsi to power. Ironsi did not revolt against any constituted authority. His gov-

ernment was legally and formally vested and given specific order to restore peace. The second intervention, on the other hand, was a revolt.

It was illegal, it was unconstitutional and it succeeded partially. The Eastern resistance to it carried on until after the civil war. The victory of Gowon in the civil war completed the coup that brought him to power. This success unfortunately legitimised indiscipline and changed Nigeria most profoundly.’ The point Ojukwu was making was that Ironsi did not plan any coup. He was, rather, legally invited to assume duty as Head of State. Therefore, he did not deserve to die the way he died and why has it not occurred to subsequent Federal Government administrations to accord him his place of honour in Nigeria?

It must be recorded that Ironsi was a victim of betrayal and sabotage; A nationalist who was killed by tribal warlords. The Head of State was a victim of grand conspiracy. In the words of Chucks Iloegbunam, in his book IRONSIDE: ‘The coup of July 29, 1966 was painstakingly planned. It succeeded to the extent it did because of the major role played by betrayal. Those Ironsi trusted most made possible his death and the overthrow of his government.”

Despite Ironsi’s grand patriotism, nationalism and statesmanship, it is surprising that the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to honour him. The reason for this is not far to seek. Ironsi was accused of tribalism, nepotism and favouritism in his appointments to the cabinet, civil service and professional promotions. This was why he was killed and his government overthrown. It is the same reason he has not been honoured. But these were all lies. Ironsi did not favour his Igbo tribesmen or the Eastern region at all as was alleged that he did so using Decree 34. Look at this report. In the Supreme Military Council[SMC], the highest policy making body then, had nine members : Ironsi himself [ East\Igbo]; Chief of Staff, Armed Forces- Babafemi Ogundipe[ West\ Yoruba]; Chief of Army Staff-Yakubu Gowon[ North\Latang]; Head of the Navy-J.E.A. Way[ West\Yoruba]; Head of the Air Force-George Kurubo[East\Ijaw];Military Governor, East-Ojukwu[Igbo]; Military Governor, West-Adekunle Fajuyi [ Yoruba];Military Governor, Mid West- David Ejoor[Urhobo]; Military Governor, North-Hassan Katsina[Hausa]. Where is the evidence that Ironsi favoured the Igbo with all the lucrative posts? The Federal Executive Council [FEC] had the same representation as the SMC up to the point when Gabriel

Onyiuke, the Attorney General who was Igbo and the Police IG, Kam Salem, from the North became members. Yet, it rubbishes the allegation that Ironsi was a tribal leader or one with nepotism tendencies. To Ironsi’s credit and a part of the reason his fellow Igbo vilify him till date, he appointed non-Igbo to juicy positions and he remains the only Head of State or President to have done so or have this patriotic record ever.

No other Nigerian Head of State or President has equalled this record of fairness and balance in the distribution of public appointments.”

Well, there are so many ways to celebrate Ironsi now but recalling the great tribute Ojukwu paid to him in 1986 at the occasion of his 20th memorial anniversary bears repetition here. Ojukwu eulogised Ironsi thus: “He was a gentleman, in that he never, to my knowledge, sought to take undue advantage of any of his comrade-at -arms. As valour was for him an article of faith, esprit de corps was for him as a religion... a way life. In a military career studded with firsts – first Captain, first Major, first ADC to the Governor General of Nigeria, first Equerry to the Queen, first Lt Colonel, first Battalion Commander, first Brigadier, first psc, first IDC, first military attache, to a Nigerian Diplomatic Mission, first Nigerian Commander of a UN Battalion, first Major General – General Ironsi commanded the United Nations Force in the Congo with such distinction that he was awarded international honours by countries grateful for his superb command of their troops during the emergency. It is on record that whilst the world feted this brilliant son of Africa, his own fatherland, Nigeria, found it necessary to demote him to the rank of Brigadier on his return from his triumph.Yes. Ironsi is a martyr without matters; actually without honours. Whereas, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa has been honoured by Nigeria ( his bust in on the N5 note and Race course in Lagos is now named after him); and Murtala Mohammed is equally celebrated as a Nigerian hero ( his image is emblazoned on the N20 naira note and the International Airport in Lagos named after him), none has been done for Ironsi. The Eagle Square, Abuja can be named Aguyi Ironsi Square and it will be a befitting honour to this gallant soldier of repute. That Ironsi is without honours or a national monument is a national tragedy and it must be corrected without delay!

Martins is on the staff of The Sun

PDP’s battle to reclaim Oyo

BY VICTOR AWOYALE t will amount to talking through the nose if one expects that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will easily give up the battle for the retrieve of the Southwest part of the country. If the battle for the reclaim had been fiercest in Oyo State, it was equally understandable. Oyo State, and Ibadan in particular, had always served as the political microscope of the Yoruba.

This is because whatever happens in the state had always had a transferring effect on the rest of Yorubaland because of its “political mirror” status to the geopolitical zone. It may not therefore be out of place if the South-West zone of the PDP decides to exert all its energy towards reclaiming Oyo State, using its state branch as mere catalyst.

It is, therefore, no wonder that the state branch of the party is using every weapon at its arsenal in the reclaim battle. In the course of this desultory battle, the Oyo State PDP had cause to throw decorum, ethics and conventional rules to the winds. One of the legacies which the political icon and hero of democracy, Obafemi Awolowo, left behind for those who care to learn is constructive criticism. As Leader of opposition in the House of Representatives, he had got cause to applaud and praise Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa whenever he found such commendation necessary.

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It was on this basis that his criticisms of government policies always sent jitters down the spines of those concerned.

But, what version of opposition do we have this time around, especially in Oyo State? We now find a situation in which the opposition does not only criticize, but impedes and obstructs government in the smooth running of administration. It is rather unfortunate if some of these so-called criticisms border on inhumanity.

The position of PDP on what has now become perennial flood crises in the state leaves much to be desired. While the whole country was mourning over last year’s August flood disaster, the PDP in the state chose to mock and celebrate the disaster by castigating the state government for neglect and ineptitude. What a comic act! Here was a government that was less than three months old in office being forced to carry the burden of the lack of vision of the previous government of the PDP. The absurdity of the PDP posture can be further exposed by the fact that if the flood had occurred just one hour after Ajimobi was sworn in on May 29, the PDP would have held him liable and responsible. That is the paradox of politics.

The point must be stressed that Ajimobi never claimed to be a rainmaker or priest either before or on his assumption of office as governor. He could not, therefore, have prevented flood or heavy rains

at any time. He could only promise management of such flood from escalating into disaster. Even at that, not as a magician but a scientist guided by good planning. On this aspect, no discerning mind could have scored him low.

It is rather unfortunate that rather than making itself a partner in progress in the process of preventing flood in the state, the PDP had made itself a devil’s advocate. This is because as part of its preventive measures against subsequent flood disaster in the country, the state government immediately after the last year disaster marked some houses for demolition as part of its drainage strategy. But, rather than compliment government efforts, the PDP started a campaign of calumny against the government intention.

To them, the demolition option was anti-people and aimed at dispossessing people of their hard earned shelter. The campaign was so intimidating that the government had to be forced into a vicious circle as far as the demolition exercise is concerned.

The effect of that awful indecision on the part of government was the recent damage leading to some loss of lives. But, even be that as it may, but for the drainage efforts of the present government, the flooding could have been more calamitous.

But, if that campaign of intimidation was limited to the government, it would have been understandable. However, the party seems to have gone

beyond the government as the target of its destructive campaign. To the PDP, the people of Oyo State must pay for pulling itself out of the so-called mainstream even if to the extent of being washed away by flood. A good opposition would have taken advantage of its being the ruling party at the centre by being at the top of the campaign for the release of the Ecological Fund to assist not the government but the people of Oyo State.

On the contrary, however, all legitimate entreaties and overtures made to President Goodluck Jonathan to come to the aid of the people of the state through the Ecological Fund had been ignored. That was in spite of the promise made by the President during his condolence visit to the state after the disaster last year. One does not need any clairvoyance to see the hands of the state or the zonal PDP in that unguarded intransigence.

What the PDP does not seem to understand in that scenario is that rather than worming itself into the heart of the people, it will only succeed in alienating itself and consequently lead to its total extinction not only in Oyo State but in the whole of Yorubaland. If the PDP thinks that it can over-awe the people, nay Yoruba, to submission through deliberately conniving to depopulate or do material physical ecological damage to the people, it better has a rethink.

Awoyale writes from Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Sambo drives success behind the scene

BY ABUBAKAR JIMOH

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here are countless ways of attaining greatness, but any road to reaching one’s maximum potential must be built on a bedrock of respect for the individual, a commitment to excellence, and a rejection of mediocrity,” says former American baseball player, Buck Rodgers.

The above quote aptly captures a role played by a famous personality, humble politician, amiable humanitarian, and accomplished architect, Nigeria’s Vice President and Chairman Governing Council of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Namadi Sambo.

In the last two years, many achievements have been noticed in the area of disaster management in the country.

While it is obvious that the credit for some of the accomplishments in tackling disasters in the country goes to the agency’s management team and staff, only few realise that the successes recorded actually came through some invisible hands on the board or governing council, as the case may be.

Being a participant and contributor to public awareness campaigns on disaster risk reduction in the country, I have seen how volunteers, response agencies and staff of NEMA have collaborated with

relevant stakeholders in the last few years in meeting the mandates of the agency.

It is the collective effort of NEMA that we may have watched on our TV or read on the pages of newspapers. There have been timely intervention efforts made to provide relief for the distressed, including evacuation exercises at odd times and in strange environments.

Similarly, the agency through Sambo’s support has organised regular capacity building exercises across the country.

Now, the question is: how are those tasks accomplished?

The answer is not far-fetched. It is a combination of dialogue and efforts of the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi and Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who is the Chairman of the agency’s Council on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, and always provides the necessary moral and logistic supports to NEMA. As the NEMA’s Chairman of Governing Council, Sambo is credited with the massive sensitization campaign on disaster preparedness and response across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones through the support given to the management of NEMA. His office is also responsible for approval of implementation of DRR pro-

grammes and policies in the country, especially in the area of development of sustainable frameworks for disaster management; institutionalization of early warning mechanism and establishment of Distress Call Centres.

As Chairman of the council and in line with his government’s transformation agenda, Sambo ensures that presidential directives are strictly adhered to, especially when it concerns human lives and property.

It would be recalled that the Presidency, through his office, closely monitors the evacuation of Nigerians from trouble countries. Thousands of stranded Nigerians were evacuated from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya during the Arab spring before the situation became worse in those countries.

In the same realm, he assured Nigerians that the federal government would do everything possible to map the nation’s geographical landscape to address disaster issues in the country. To achieve this objective, he extended NEMA’s collaborative strategy with stakeholders to include Office of Surveyor-General of the Federation.

As we continue to laud NEMA’s outstanding performances under Sani-Sidi, we must also appreciate and acknowledge the leadership dynamism of Vice President and Chairman of the council,

who encouraged swift attention to disaster management in the country.

It will remain solid in the records that we all are living witnesses to the fact that the government has encouraged and supported the participation of local emergency volunteers, including youth corps members and students in a specilised corps on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Apart from the success story of prompt evacuation of Nigerians from troubled nations in response to the various disasters at international level, the government also supports other needy countries.

For instance the government provided relief materials to victims of ammunition depot explosion in Brazzaville. There has been deployment of NEMA officers to Gambia for technical support for the take-off of the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

Meanwhile, those who know Sambo can attest that he has been a man of few words, but full of action. In spite of his rather modest posture, Sambo has intimidating records of private and public service. Therefore, the success story of disaster management at NEMA under the leadership of Vice President Sambo is no doubt a step in the right direction for this regime.

Jimoh writes via abujimoh01@yahoo.com

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

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R YOU S U SEND HOTOS P OLD wosu@yahoo.co.uk phillipn e-mail:

Today in History

WHO suspends Nigeria On this day in August 2003 Nigeria’s voting privileges was suspended at the World Health Organization, WHO, because the Federal Government owe the organization over $1 million.

Voting privileges of countries indebted to WHO are normally suspended at the World Health Assembly, where elections into the organization’s various bodies are held.

Countries that are indebted cannot vote and cannot be voted for.

The World Health Assembly is held every May at the WHO headquarters and at the last Assembly; a new Director-General was elected. Nigeria was disqualified from the voting process.

Renowned physician, Professor Adeoye Lambo had in the past held the office of Deputy Director-General of the body.

Actually, Nigeria got a warning just before the last Assembly when the organisation listed the various years that the country had not been paying its regular budget contribution.

A letter signed by Hilary F. Wild, WHO

2003

Comptroller, just before the Assembly noted that the Executive Board of the WHO early this year, reviewed the status of collection of assessed contributions and found Nigeria to have been caught by the regulation of the body regarding voting rights.

•Traders in Eastern Nigeria in the 60s.

Nigeria-Benin borders shut down 2003

On August 9, 2003 Nigeria shut ure of the country’s president Mathieu its borders with the Republic of Kerekou to tackle growing lawlessness.

Benin indefinitely, citing the fail“In spite of Nigeria’s policy of good neighbourliness... current realities of the new agenda of reform, growth and stability have now compelled Nigeria to close her borders with the Republic of Benin with effect from Saturday, August 9, 2003,” the government said in a statement.

If cross-border crime and clashes are not checked immediately, they will seriously damage relations between the Republic of

Benin and Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo had said in talks at an African Union summit in Maputo last month. The statement said crime had however continued to rise.

“Regrettably... after that meeting and contrary to President Kerekou’s promise, no noticeable action has been taken,” the statement said.

The Nigerian police and immigration officials who arrested dozens of bandits last week along the border said they traced their hideout to a location in Benin.

Atom bomb hits Nagasaki 1945

On this day in August 2003, United States forces dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki - the second such attack on Japan in three days.

The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber at 1102

local time.

It exploded about 1,625 ft (500m) above the ground and is believed to have completely destroyed the city, which is situated on the western side of the Japanese island of Kyushu.

In a statement issued from Guam, General Carl A Spaatz, Commander of the US Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, said: “The second use of the atomic bomb occurred at noon, August 9, at Nagasaki.

“Crew members report good results. No further details will be available until the mission returns.”

American airmen flying many miles from Nagasaki have said smoke from fires in the city was rising 50,000ft (15,240m).

Nagasaki is one of Japan’s most important ports providing vital access to and from Shanghai.

Three days ago a similar device was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on Japan’s largest island, Honshu.

The extent of the damage caused to Hiroshima is not yet known but Japanese broadcasts indicate that “enormous devastation” has been done.

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Fake LASTMA official nabbed

By NGOZI UWUJARE

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he Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man (name witheld), for impersonating as an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), at Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, told Daily Sun that the command had received complaints and petitions that there has been a fake LASTMA officer: “I have to order the officer in charge of SARS, Supol Abba

Kyari, to carry out a surveillance.”

He said SARS officials swung into action and arrested two suspects at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, where they were harrassing and extorting money from motorists: “One of the suspects was wearing LASTMA uniform, while the other was in mufti and they were busy extorting money from motorists.”

He explained that the two suspects were earlier arrested for armed robbery but they denied the allegations but confessed that they were only impersonating as LASTMA officials.

One of the suspects spoke: “I have to work with my colleague (name witheld), as we were doing the illegal business together at Allen Avenue, Ikeja. We impounded vehicles and motorcycles from owners who refused to give us money and we pretended to be LASTMA officials.

“I am not an armed robber as the SARS officials claimed but we were only involved in impersonation of LASTMA officials. I have never carried any gun. I only extorted

money from motorists. We realized that people in uniforms make so much money and we therefore, decided to venture into the business.

“I bought the cloths from the market and we decided to sew the uniform through a friend and I started wearing the uniform for illegal business at Allen Avenue area of Ikeja.”

Manko said that the two suspects are not being treated as armed robbers but are being investigated for impersonating LASTMA officials: “They have confessed to the illegal activity of extorting money under false pretence from motorists.”

He said the command will charge them to court after the completion of investigation.

He urged the public to open their eyes very well so that they will not fall into the hands of dupes.

Pius Anyim to Chair Presentation of book on Telecommunications

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book tilled the making of Nigerian Telecom Industry written by Dr. Idika Ochaa will be presented today at Merit House Abuja.

The book, which is full of facts, figures and telling anecdotes, is an industry memoir that chronicles the pivotal events and moments that engendered the transformation of Nigeria from a telecom lackluster nation in 2001, to a global telecom powerhouse in 2011. During said period, Nigeria surpassed South Africa and rivaled the United States of America in telecoms investment and growth. This remarkable achievement is said to have triggered worldwide interest to know how it was accomplished and what sustained such a decade-long Nigerian success story. The book contains ample commentary on policymaking, regulation, infrastructure landscape, investment profile, market intelligence, consumer protection and similarly oriented topics on Nigerian telecom sector.

The book can also be considered a modest contribution to

Anyim Nigeria’s nation building endeavors. In a certain sense, the book is an effort to highlight what has worked for Nigeria in the telecom sector, and how the widely acclaimed sectoral success may still be improved and replicated in other sectors of the Nigerian system.

Among the dignitaries expected at the event billed to kick off at 10 am this morning include such industry titans at Chief Leo Stan Ekeh who will be the chief Launcher.

Secretary to the Government Senator Pius Anyim Pious will be chairman of the event.

Why we embarked on road show in Lagos - FRSC Unit Commander

By GILBERT EKEZIE

S

ome streets in Lagos Mainland witnessed the presence of members of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Special Marshals and Students from various schools that were on a road show to sensitize motorists on the need to obey traffic rules for safety of their lives and other road users.

The show tagged ‘Our Safety, Our future’, was put together by the Lagos Mainland Unit of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). The participants walked along Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba, Ikorodu Road and other streets within the unit, distributing handbills on road safety precautions to motorists. Safety lectures were also given to the students by professionals to relate the same to their parents. There were also quiz and presentation of gifts to outstanding students.

The Unit Commander, Mr, Arinze Igwe who gave safety tips at the show stressed the need for motorists to be more safety conscious, pointing out that safety comes first in whatever man does in life. He explained that aim of the programme was to sensitize road users to be conscious of their safety. “We are to give you the necessary tips to ensure that you drive thro and fro safely. We have observed that any people involve in accident due to carelessness and ignorance, while others are as a result of total disobedience to traffic rules.

Therefore, we decided to put up this programme to educate them more, so that cases of accidents on our roads would reduce.”

He also observed that since children are very close to their parents and could advise them where necessary, students were invited at the programme, so that they would take the information home. “Children are very close to their parents and caution them sometimes. That is why we decided to use them to pass the information to their parents and we believe that it would go a long way to reducing the accidents on our roads.”

Igwe noted that every road user was a vanguard of Road Safety and therefore should caution anyone found engaging in reckless driving at any point in time. “We should be aware that we are vanguards of Road Safety. Therefore, we should not hesitate to caution anyone suspected to be reckless on the road. We should also report any Corp member found engaging in illegal act.”

Federal Road Safety Corp Lagos Sector Commander, Mr Nseobong Charles Akpabio stated that the show became necessary due to carefree attitude of some road users towards safety rules.

He also maintained that children as future leaders must be involved in road safety projects as that would drive home the ‘catch them young’ phenomenon. “ Children have roles to play in order to become important personalities they are expected to be. We have witnessed cases where a family perished in an accident due to carelessness. So, as children, we want them to help us to educate their parents to always obey the road safety rules. They should not make or receive calls while driving, they should put on seat belt always and avoid over speeding etc.”

Unilever introduces twin Sunlight detergent packs

By BISI OLALEYE

I

n response to feedback received by its teeming customers scattered across the country, Unilever Plc has repackaged and relaunched Sunlight, the first branded soap.

Speaking at the relaunch recently in Lagos, Managing Director, Thabo Mabe noted that the brand has therefore grown tremendously, and has recorded several improvements in its formulation to bolster its cleaning and freshness properties to ensure that it becomes customers choice.

“The improved Sunlight 2 in 1 detergent powder comes with new packaging and additional variant (both with new fragrance) an enhanced mix of this dynamic brand”.

Also speaking, David Okeme, Brand Director of the company disclosed that it was not possible for the old Sunlight to die.

“We are talking about deeper market penetration. For us at Unilever, Sunlight is so important. It is actually at the heart of our business because it is the first brand, which the founders of Unilever launched and we are always nolstagic about the brand. In Nigeria, we launched Sunlight as a detergent powder six years ago and grown rapidly to be a leader.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

23

For Governors to control the police A

siwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the lone voice that clamoured for state police when he held sway as governor of Lagos State. He insisted that something was amiss about a system that made a state governor chief security officer of the state but shifted control of the major security apparatus to other authorities. By that arrangement, he remained a titular security chief, who merely sat on the seat even when the rug was being pulled off his feat. Lagos was at the verge of being a crime haven and the helmsman was miffed that that he had no force to throw at the problem. At some point, he struck a chord with the police and found a way around the challenge. Yet he would have been happierhad he a force under his direct control But his was a lone voice. The political climate weighed against him. His agitation was shrouded in the midst of a struggle with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the control of Lagos State. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, held sway at the centre and effectively led his teams in a deft move to ‘capture’ Lagos. Tinubu stood toe-to-toe with the president and stoutly defended his ‘territory’. Allocations to local councils in Lagos were held back when he ‘stubbornly’created new councils. Tinubu stood his ground.

His agitation wore a political garb and was thus generally misconstrued as political battle, masquerading as credible request. Some, who now vote for in favour of state police, had stridently opposed Tinubu.

Now, the tables have turned. Kidnappings, bomb blasts and sundry security matters, now appearing intractable, have caused many to think again on the matter. On the heels of constitutional review state governors say they now see sense in Tinubu’s agitation.

In a meeting attended by 23 governors and eight deputies, the Nigerian Governors Forum endorsed the call for state and agreed to move for

Alvan Ewuzie

alvanatsun@yahoo.com 07082020392

its inclusion in the constitution. No one stood against it until eight days later when the story changed.

When the Northern Governors Forum met at the Niger State liaison office in Abuja, they shot down the decision. They turned against the move.

They withdrew their support and kicked against state police in the meeting presided over by Niger State Governor, Dr. Ma’azu Aliyu Babangida.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who currently chairs Nigerian Governors Forum, was livid with rage. “My view is the view of the Governors forum. I would not want to hold any view to the contrary… the forum, as at now, is in support of state police.”

Why is the house split down the middle on the matter?

Fears are rife that state police in the hands of a vindictive state chief executive would turn to his private army. Such misgivings are not completely off track. Institutions as State Electoral Commissions give a fair peep into what may become of state police. Someone I know once contested the last local council elections in Imo State. He was a popular grass roots politician in his area. The people wanted him and were ready to support with their votes but one week to the polls, some one in the ruling party that he was running against told him to give up the struggle. He was fighting on the wrong platform and it was impossible for him to emerge chairman of the

SNAP Shots

Gov Amaechi council. He stuck to it put but failed not at the voting centre; he was edged out somewhere else.

The electorate went on a rampage that lasted for three hours but his ambition was thus laid to rest.

How would governors deploy policemen under their control? That question resonates whenever the matter is discussed.

However, the proponents of state police say security challenges have made the move inevitable. Why have Northern governors put

Understanding the workings of CBCIU, Osogbo

P

rince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun State was on May 15, 2007, informed of his appointment as chairman, Board of Trustees of the then proposed Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo (CBCIU), by exMinister of Culture and Tourism, Prof.

Babalola Borisade. Oyinlola embraced the national assignment as a challenge.

Oyinlola had engaged in the construction of a solid foundation for the growth of the culture and tourism sub-sector of the economy of Osun State before he was named chairman of the BoT of CBCIU. The sector was practically dead as at May 29, 2003, when he became governor. He was at the vanguard of successful efforts made to inscribe the Osun-Osogbo Grove as a World Heritage site by UNESCO at its historic meeting held in Durban, South Africa in 2005. He created Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2007.

In line with UNESCO’s policy, Oyinlola took two key steps. He consulted widely and obtained written commitments from several state governors and traditional rulers. Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, gave his support: “The chairman of this new organization is our own dear son, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who has demonstrated an unprecedented love and passion for the development of our rich cultural heritage”.

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi wrote: “Prince Oyinlola has always offered himself as a classical example of Yoruba humility and modesty. His profile both locally and internationally has turned an invaluable asset to the people and government of Osun State.” The late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Oyewale Matanmi, in whose domain the project is sited also wrote: “This development has justified Prince Oyinlola’s place at the forefront of the promotion and cultural revival of Yoruba tradition and culture.” Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, also supported the initiative. Some foreign organizations and research institutions also supported the bold move.

Oyinlola sought the permission of the state House of Assembly to support the CBCIU project through a bill. When it law, it gave backing to the state government to support the Federal

their feet down on the matter in spite of debilitating security situations emanating from their zone?

Some have agued that the governors are worried that the move would bore deep holes in the state budget and this make nonsense of their bid to provide democracy dividends to the people.

Local policemen picked from the vicinity stand good chances of understanding the terrain and countering the terrain. If the governors are minding their pockets, they ought to know that security stands head and shoulders above other provisions. Ultimately, people have to be secure to enjoy other dividends.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi defended the move when he said no governor would be in office forever. If a governor hounds people with state police under his control, he will leave office and feel a taste of his own bitter pills.

The Northern governors have rather moved for an amendment of section 215 of the constitution in a manner that would put the governors in control of the police. But that would be putting their mouth where they have put no money. He who pays the piper has the right to dictate the tune. It beats logic to have the Federal Government pay the police only for the state governors to control them. The Northern governors should put their mouth where they put their money. If they want governors to control the police then, state police is inevitable. Do you hold another view? ble foreign exchange earner.

Osun State stands to gain as it is already doing from the activities of CBCIU. This is why I do not want to believe the story that the state government desires very seriously to convert the structures within the CBCIU to its Ministry of Culture and Tourism. I also do not want to believe that a deep-seated hatred or animosity for Obasanjo and Oyinlola would warrant any ill-conceived step that has great potential of damaging the image of Osun State and by extension Nigeria in the international community.

Let us not turn the institution into the “Centre for International Misunderstanding.” Consider this hypothetical question: Could a corporate organization or government which decides to voluntarily construct and donate physical structures in institutions like Bowen University or Hijjrah University go back there to claim ownership or regard the buildings as part of immovable structures owned by the government? Could the Central Bank of Nigeria or the defunct Afribank storm the University of Ibadan to claim the buildings the organizations donated to the university?

One is sure that with the understanding of the fact that the role of CBCIU goes beyond human races (black or white) would inspire all who mean well to shore up support for the organization to advance the fortunes of humanity. And the effect is bound to trickle down to the host communities. It is expressly stated in the agreements that the state goverment would be requested to support the centre through the provision of financial grants. Nothing has been received as the contribution of the state government since the exit of Oyinlola from office in November 2010.

Rather than attempt to “kill” this budding organization, let us pray that the sterling qualities in the lives of these eminent patriots, Obasanjo and Oyinlola who are giving their time and skills for the advancement of CBCIU would further stimulate all our people to fully support the project. It is very apposite to say that the understanding of the fact that the role of CBCIU goes beyond Osun State and Nigeria to include human races (black or white) should inspire all who mean well to shore up support for the Centre.

Other countries are watching and waiting!

into the management, running and operations of CBCIU. Apparently, it did that in recognition of UNESCO’s power exercised through an international legal framework for the protection of outstanding cultural and natural heritage sites. It was one of the categorical expectations of UNESCO that no government would interfere in the running of CBCIU and that the structures at the Centre would be in place before its commissioning.

Under the regulations guiding the establishment of CBCIU, not even the Federal Government, the major promoter of CBCIU, or the state government, has the right of control over CBCIU. However, both governments are represented on the BoT of CBCIU. In March 2011, Oyinlola offered to show up at the Osun State Governor’s Office to explain and its workings. CBCIU had been Oyinlola CBCIU wrongly listed as a parastatal of the state Ministry Government to promote the project. I remember of Culture and Tourism. No other law or regulathat there were very strong attempts to frustrate tion could supersede or take precedence over the Oyinlola’s moves to support the decision to site constitution of CBCIU lodged with the the project in Nigeria. Former President Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and Olusegun Obasanjo was vilified. Oyinlola was which prescribes how CBCIU should be manequally wrongly accused. Misconceptions arose aged and how its BoT members could be but these were clarified and nullified by removed.

CBCIU is goal-driven. It has premised its UNESCO which approved CBCIU as a category 11 facility, the first of its type on culture in schedule on defending peace in the minds of the people, charting the path for peace, development, Africa. tolerance and dialogue.

The registration of CBCIU has also operated CBCIU as an NGO largely in consonance keys into the manwith the objective of facildates of UNESCO’s itating collaboration of tourism, culture and FEMI ADELEGAN other parts of the world development agenda with Nigeria for developwhich includes “contribution to the creation of a discerning type of ment, within the context of national requirements tourism that recognizes the principles of cultural and international cooperation.

Nigeria became the 58th member-state of diversity, the preservation of fragile cultural and natural resources, their mobilization for sustain- UNESCO on November 14, 1960. CBCIU and able development and poverty alleviation, and the Institute for African Culture and International the expression of socially differentiated cultural Understanding are the first category 11 identities.” The organization is legally empow- UNESCO facilities on culture in Africa. CBCIU ered to draw financial and technical assistance, under the chairmanship of Oyinlola is providing even from the outside world. The UNESCO a platform for a sustainable contribution to the •Adelegan is Secretary, BoT, CBCIU, consultants who visited Osun State twice to con- development of tourism and culture to truly proj- Osogbo, and Principal Secretary to the duct the feasibility studies warned of dire conse- ect the huge culture and tourism potentials of National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic quences should government at any level dabble Nigeria, which aim at making the sector a verita- Party (PDP).

Guest Columnist

24

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Fuel subsidy scam:

By GRACE OKUNROBO

L

ast week, the fuel subsidy scam once again jumped to the front burner with the arraignment in court of the first set of suspects. The suspects are made up of seven oil companies and ten of their directors. The oil firms are Nasaman Oil Services, Eternal Oil and Gas Plc, Nadabo Energy Limited, Pacific Silver Line Limited and Fago Petroluem and Gas Limited.

The directors of the firms include Namman Nasir Ali and Mahmud Tukur, sons of Almadu Ali and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former and present national chairmen of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively, Abdulahi Alao, son of Ibadan businessman, Alhaji Alao Arisekola and Christian Taylor. Others are Ochonogor Alex, Walter Agbasoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Oluwaseun Ogunbambo.

Charged along with them is a staff of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer and a director of accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deloitte.

The suspects face between seven and 20 years jail term if convicted. They would also be expected to cough out N304billion, which was alleged to have been illegally taken from government coffers as fuel subsidy.

Many conclusions have been drawn on the new twist to the fuel subsidy scam. To many people, the arraignment of the suspects in court merely confirms that high profile Nigerians are involved in the corruption riddled subsidy regime. They consider it a high level conspiracy to rip the country off of her hard earned money. On the grounds of the high profile suspects charged with the alleged subsidy fraud, it is in fact being insinuated in many circles that the prosecution may end up being anything but sincere. This view comes against the background that government is always protective of high profile Nigerians.

The inference is that were it not for the outcry over the subsidy scam, nobody, let alone the high profile suspects, would have been arraigned in the first place. And now that the suspects have been arraigned, the prosecution can only be half-hearted. Many believe that the trial may drag on to the point that it would lose steam and eventually die a natural death. But there is a counter position: a source close to the presidency has always maintained that this government is serious about its anti-corruption crusade. This school has said that the administration was determined to use the subsidy fraud trial as a litmus test.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) prosecuting the case appears to be lending credence to this when it said that those already charged only represents the first set of suspects in the subsidy fraud case. The implication is that many more are still dock-bound.

There are also a few committees set up by government to look into the subsidy issue.

One of them chaired by Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede, managing director of Access Bank, only recently submitted its report in which it revealed that 21 companies that participated in subsidy payments were guilty of fraudulent claims. Submitting the final report of the committee, Aig-Imoukhuede said of the N422 billion earlier found to have been unaccounted for, N18billion was actually duplication while only N403billion was verified.

According to him, N21billion was cleared as the sum in contention, the basis for which the committee recommended that the process of recovery should be made.

Now, the good news coming out of all thesethat is, the arraignment of the suspected oil subsidy thieves in court and the verification of the Oil Marketing and Trading (OMT) firms claims- is that we are at least getting somewhere on the scam. Even if government does not achieve more than it has in putting a transparent process in place on the subsidy regime that has cost the country so much, those who may want to commit fraud in the system in future will have a rethink now that all eyes are apparently on how the subsidy is administered.

But beyond all these is that the trial of the suspected subsidy thieves and the committees raised by the federal executive are overshadowing how the process of cleaning the subsidy regime Augean stable started. The institution that first took interest in the subsidy scam was

Can anything good come out of Farouk’s report?

Farouk

Otedola

the House of Representatives. That was immediately after the Federal Government handed Nigerians an unpalatable New Year’s gift on January with the jacking up of petrol pump price from N65 per litre to N140. The subsidy ignited wild protests across the country, which eventually forced government to come down to N97.

Consequently the lawmakers took the gauntlet to unravel the mind-boggling subsidy

money, which allegedly hit a whopping N1.4trillion from less than N300billion a couple of years ago. This development was attributed to sharp practices in the system; and the House of Representatives was determined to get to the root of it all. The lawmakers raised ad-hoc committee headed by Honorable Farouk Lawan with a clear mandate to scrutinise the subsidy regime.

To close watchers of political trends in the

country, it was not for nothing that the lot as to who head the committee fell on Farouk. The petit-size lawmaker from Kano State is not only and experienced lawmaker, but a ranking one for that matter having been in the House since 1999. Fondly called Mr. Integrity, he has reputation going for him. To say the least, Farouk’s chairmanship of the ad-hoc committee was like putting a round peg in a round hole.

The committee rose to the occasion and dug into the subsidy scam. Stakeholders appeared before its public hearing with astounding revelations of how unscrupulous elements stole billions in the name of fuel subsidy. The committee prepared its report that indicted many powerful operators in the system and recommended far-reaching measures to stop the scam.

That was the point at which some of the powerful operators in the subsidy regime so indicted moved to cast aspersion on the report’s integrity. They raked up a bribery saga against the House Committee leadership. Especially, Farouk was accused of accepting bribe to remove the name of an operator from the indicted firms list. Investigation into the allegation is still on; and Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the agencies investigating the scam to dig down to unearth the mischief in the case.

Yet, what many people do not understand is why the oil operator at the centre of the bribery saga, Mr. Femi Otedola, whose company was indicted by the House Committee report did not make the first list of those being prosecuted for the subsidy scam.

With bated breathe, Nigerians are waiting for how the trial will affect him, especially since the EFCC has said more of the subsidy scam suspects will face prosecution. And without prejudice to the bribery saga involving the leadership of the House Committee, which probed the subsidy regime, one dare say the committee, especially Farouk who gave direction to the investigation, deserves some credit for steering a process that got us to the point we are now.

Vilifying Farouk on account of the alleged bribery saga would only give us away as ingrates.

FERMA canvasses maintenance culture as measure against road failure

By NKIRU EVONGWA

I

n finding lasting solution to the problems encountered by the commuter using Sagamu/Ore expressway and other federal roads across Nigeria, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has fashioned out ways of maintaining them to bring relief to all their users.

This disclosure was made by the Managing Director of FERMA, Gabriel Amuchi during the inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation project of Sagamu/Ore/Benin express road.

With him on the tour is the Zonal Coordinator of the agency in Lagos, Engineer Oladipo Oladele Fagbamila, the Zonal Coordinator of the agency in Ogun state, Engineer Mazoya and other key officers of the agency from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states.

The FERMA boss emphasized the importance of that particular road because of the number of people plying it on daily basis as well as its being a link between the west and east stating that “these reasons among others made it necessary for it to be in good condition.”

He assured that proper plans have been put in place for continuous monitoring of the road and other federal roads with a view to identifying bad spots and fixing them immediately maintaining that most of the major federal roads across the country are witnessing lots of abuses from various quarters which have been contributing immensely to their failure.

Amuchi disclosed that federal roads are confronted with various challenges which the agency has been taking pro-active measures in addressing by identifying and fixing the bad spots across the major roads.

This, according to him is to save the lives of those plying the roads and to enhance the economic development of this nation disclosing that at the inception, the agency inherited federal roads that are constructed in the 70s after the civil war and during the oil boom with life spam of about 20 to 25 years.

But due to poor maintenance culture and

exposure to all sorts of traffic in the absence of other transportation system such as rail system and national carrier, in addition to abuses such as spilling petroleum products like Diesel, Petrol, Engine oil, Kerosene and others, majority of these roads collapsed as a result of heavy pressure and abuses on them.

He said immediately the government established FERMA in 2004 as an agency saddling with the mandate of maintaining and fixing of bad spots in all federal roads, it has been battling with the responsibility of recovering, maintaining and retaining these roads through retainancy programme.

Flood threat not yet over - Lagos govt

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

L

agos State Government has called on the residents that flood threat was not yet over, warning that any unhygienic attitude could bring the state down to its knees in an event of any downpour.

The state Commissioner for Information, Lateef Ibirogba, who sounded this note of warning at the weekend, urged the residents to imbibe all the hygienic attitude the government had been hammering all this while, reminding that “dumping refuse into the canals and drainages is tantamount to a suicide mission.”

According to him, nobody could feign ignorance of the fact that “blocking the drainages with illegal structures could result into flood,” saying “it is a simple scientific theory that water will always find its level no matter how.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola, Ibirogba stat-

ed “is all out to make sure that the residents live a comfortable life devoid of disaster,” reasoning that “to complement his efforts along that line, the residents must cooperate to assist him achieve a wonderful life for all.”

On the demolition going on at Makoko, the commissioner made bold to state that “we are not demolishing anybody’s house,” and he challenged anybody with proves that he got approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning to come up with them to show that we have demolished his house illegally.”

Ibirogba said government was only clearing shanties at Makoko because they were not habitable for human beings reminding that, “Fashola has promise from inception of his administration that he would make Lagos residents to live a life befitting human being as it is obtainable elsewhere in the world. Our doors are always open to welcome anybody with genuine complaint.”

Benue youths seek support for Suswam’s administration

T

he President-General of the Benue Youths in Diaspora Association, Comrade Philip Agbese, has described Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State as a true friend of the people that must be supported by all Benue sons and daughters to

succeed.

Agbese, who spoke in Abuja after a stakeholders meeting of the group to discuss the development of the state in recent times, said Suswam’s response to public criticism has disarmed the opposition and civil society group from raising unneces-

sary alarm about developmental issues in the states.

“We in the Diaspora must appreciate the enormous work that the Governor has done in Benue State to ensure that the welfare of the ordinary people is given priority attention.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

25

ArewaReport Boko Haram: How Kaduna district head cheated death thrice in 5 months From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Kaduna

S

lowly but steadily, Boko Haram is taking over the Northern states and Abuja.

This is in spite of stringent measures by security agencies to stave off their attacks and further bombings in the region.

Its presence has been effectively felt in 14 states and Abuja, with the latest addition being the seat of the caliphate, Sokoto, where incidentally the National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), himself a Sokoto prince, hails from.

But while the sustained attacks on other parts of the North seem to be coming from different locations, that of Kaduna appears to be coming from a particular location, called Rigasa, where attempts have been made on the life of the district head, Abduwahab Aliyu, on three different times, in less than five months.

The first attempt was in March, the second in July and the latest on August 2, 2012. The next day, another bomb factory was discovered in the area. The day the factory was discovered was the day a traditional ruler in Postiskum, Yobe State, escaped death by hair’s breath.

Rigasa is, perhaps, one of the single largest settlements within Kaduna metropolis and it is arguably the largest single Ward in the Northern region. The settlement is divided into 13 areas, namely: Nariya, Unguwan Zage-Zage, Rigasa/Makera, Hayin Danmani, Rigasa Danmani, Malamawa, Kwate, Kakora, Mahuta, Mai Giginya, Sabon Garin Rigasa, Rigasa ta Kudu and Rigasa ta Arewa.

However, the area has become a nightmare for security agents and Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa in the last one year.

Although, bomb explosions began in the area in 2011, serial killings became public knowledge in the area in April, with the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Salisu Ahmad. It was closely followed by that of Mohammed Abdulsalam Abubakar of Languages Department, Kaduna Polytechnic.

The most bizarre of all the killings was that of Alhaji Kabiru Kamu Oil, owner of Kamu Oil, in Rigasa. He was killed on Friday, April 6, 2012, on Gwamna Road, Kaduna metropolis at about 8:30pm. Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal that the car used to attack the Kaduna offices of The Sun and ThisDay carried the same number plate with that used in killing Kamu. But the vehicle was not that of the late oil dealer, who was killed close to the residence of his fiancée.

When the Army threatened to pull down the area, if the residents refused to volunteer information on the activities of gunmen, the bandits turned their attention on the traditional rulers in the area, with the district being the number one target.

Suicide bomber dies trying to kill the district head A suicide bomber, allegedly heading for the palace of the district head, was killed at about 10pm, when his bomb exploded on him in Mahuta area of Kaduna metropolis.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdulrazaq Balteh, who confirmed the incident, said no arrests had been made: “To the best of our knowledge, the only person killed was the one that was carrying the explosive device. We have started investigation into the matter.”

The suicide bomber, with some others, had entered the Afaka district of the area to allegedly eliminate the District Head, Aliyu. Youths of the area were said to have mobilised themselves

• Demolished bomb factory in Kaduna and apprehended the suspect and disarmed him.

Unknown to them, however, the suicide bomber had a bomb planted on him.

One of the eyewitnesses said: “The incident happened at about 10pm when some suspicious persons entered the village and some residents questioned them and discovered that they were armed. The youths were able to disarm one of them, who admitted that they were on a mission to kill the village head, for allegedly exposing their members. The other suspects escaped and it was when the people were pursuing them that a bomb exploded on the one, who had been apprehended and he died instantly.”

Another bomb factory demolished Barely 24 hours after that incident, security operatives demolished a suspected bomb factory in the area. The demolition followed an accidental explosion that caused body injury to one of the suspected makers of the bomb.

The explosion was said to have occurred while the makers were putting finishing touch-

es to the bomb. The explosion, which attracted the neighbourhood, was said to have occurred in a house on Sokoto Road by Lokoja Road, Rigasa, Kaduna.

The Army warned landlords in the area to desist from harbouring terrorists as tenants or have their houses demolished. Deputy Army Public Relations, 1 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Colonel Sani K. Usman: “On receipt of information and distress call from some good and well-meaning people at about 2.21am, our troops moved to Taro-Taro

by Abuja Road in Rigasa general area, Kaduna metropolis, and discovered an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making factory where suspected terrorists in the process of coupling the IEDs, accidently detonated some.

“The factory was cordoned and searched and the following items were recovered: IEDs at various stages of development, cans of 33ccl, a sack containing 33ccl empty cans and 2 IEDs packed in fire extinguisher tubes, as well as tim-

ing devices.

“Arrest was made in connection with that.

Some fleeing terrorists fired and wounded two.

The factory was later demolished. I wish to appeal to the public for information and cooperation and also warn that people, particularly landlords should be wary of suspicious tenants and report to security agencies. In line with our policy, any building harbouring such factory or terrorists would be demolished.”

But an eyewitness told Daily Sun: “We heard a loud explosion and immediately suspected it to be a bomb. I pulled my children into the house and we closed our gate because people were trying to come in.

“Later, I opened my gate. I saw one of my neighbours with his face completely burnt that is when I heard that they were making bombs in the house. The people (bomb makers) have been living in the area for about three years now. They are two young men between the ages of 20 and 22 and their mother.”

Man O War takes security parley to Kogi From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

N

otable scholars, lawmakers and politFcians rose from a meeting Tuesday, calling on the Federal Government to expand security outfits in the country so as to put a stop to the current security challenges, claiming lives and property.

The meeting was organised by Man O’War, a paramilitary outfit, to fashion out lasting solution to the perennial security issues, endangering the corporate existence of the country.

Participants were of the view that the Federal Government needed to absorb some paramilitary organisations into the country’s security network to address the challenges.

Emeka Ejoku, member, Abia State House of Assembly, stressed the need for the association to present a bill before the National Assembly to pave way for its official recognition and

absorption by the Federal Government.

Ambassador Eze commended the outfit for its humanitarian services and sought for its government recognition.

Comander-General of the Man O War Association of Nigeria, Dr. Gbenga Oloba, advised the Federal government to rise with all seriousness to the level of insecurity in the country, as that was capable of derailing the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said his organisation organised the meeting so as to have broader views of eminent Nigerians on how to curb the menace of terrorism and cross fertilize ideas on how to move the country forward. He said the organisation is still a voluntary paramilitary organisation, formed to stop anti-social behaviour like child abuse, child trafficking, vandaliaztion, drug abuse and cultism in tertiary institutions among others.

Oloba disclosed that the organisation has

been partnering with other security organisations to control traffic, avert riots, protect government property. He said given the current security challenges, it was more of neccessity for the Federal Government to take over the organisation, just as it did to civil defence corps and convert it to a full paramilitary organisation.

He said the organisation has over 10,000 youths most of who are graduates in all the state formations and are trained to be patriotic citizens. He said that although the operational headquaters of the organisation is in Abuja, they were still faced with accomodation problems, beffitting office accomodation and some operational equipment and called on wealthy Nigerians to come to the aid of the organisation.

The occasion was used to honour members of the board of trustees and patrons of the outfit.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

26

Arewa Report C

hief Gbenga Awoyale is president, Orisun Igbomina, a socio-cultural group in Kwara State. He spoke with LAYI OLANREWAJU, claiming that “opposition is dead in Kwara State in as much as those who call themselves leaders distance themselves from the people.” Exerpts: Kwara House of Assembly re-run election There is no future for opposition politics or parties in the state because the opposition groups are not serious and are very lazy. It is when there is election you will see them. Is that how it should be? Some of the leading lights of opposition in the state like Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mohammed Dele Belgore are far from the people. I once challenged them to mention one or two instances they spent seven days in Kwara. They are busy, fighting themselves on who will be governorship candidate in 2015. The last re-run election was a clear pointer that they were not on ground at all.

Opposition is dead in Kwara State in as much as those who call themselves leaders distance themselves from the people. Ramadam is here, we saw them distributing sugar, milk and rice.

They organised a Ramadan lecture in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, on Wednesday July 25, 2012. Shortly after the lecture and sharing of rice and milk, they left for Lagos that same night. Is that what opposition leaders should do? It is left for them to wake up or the party may go into extinction in the state.

If the opposition parties really want to win elections in the state, they must be consistent and persistent and carry their followers along.

Staying in Abuja or Lagos and you think you can fight a sitting government is a dream. The last re-run election was a test case for those who call themselves leading lights of opposition in the state that you don’t abandon your troops in the middle of battle. Some of them left the state before noon on the day of election. They have to learn a lot of things from our neigbouring states on how to be in opposition party.

Way to eradicate corruption Nigerians need to speak out. Government must establish a strong political will to fight corruption. People who steal in billions do it with impunity while masses wallow in abject poverty. The most painful aspect is the revelation

2015: Opposition is dead in Kwara about fuel subsidy fraud. Money belonging to all of us few individuals are cutting corners with it. Those who commit such atrocities deserve maximum penalty and I hope our judiciary would be alive to their responsibilities this time around. Let whosoever steals our commonwealth be given maximum sentence of jail term.

The fight is not for President Goodluck Jonathan alone, it is a fight in which everybody must be involved. Though this government looks timid in fighting corruption because of obvious reasons. Most of those high brawl cases of corruption are those who are close to government. You can see those arraigned by EFFC. The world is mocking us because this government is paying lip service to fight corruption. I am not thrilled by taken them to court because after the court what next? Nothing. What can make them disappoint some of us is to jail and

• Awoyale

— Awoyale, president, Orisun Igbomina confiscate the properties of those who swindle this country so it would serve as a lesson for others.

Killings in certain parts of the country It is bad and I want to appeal to those behind these killings to have a rethink. What you cannot create and you are destroying. Let them spare this country another war because nobody is sure of why they are fighting for everything is speculation. This is where I want to call on the federal government to put in place measures to dialogue with this group. It is only when you sit at roundtable issues can be ironed out. But these killings are terrible signals to our leaders that if not solved this might be the end of this country.

One of the ways to solve this problem is good governance. People are yet to see the dividend of democracy at the grassroots. Let those in government rule with fear of God. There should be equity, fairness in distribution of our commonwealth.

The nation’s wealth is in few people’s hands. Poverty pervades the land and until this is solved, kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices will continue.

The way our leaders acquire property at the expenses of the masses is massive and they need to put a stop to this, let’s be

BUK students bag environmental award

By SEYE OJO

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ayero University, Kano (BUK), added another feather to its cap recently when it won the Most Environmental Impact Award at the national leadership and entrepreneurial competition, SIFE Challenge, organised by the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Mrs. Natalie Dickson of the First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN), presented a cheque of N250, 000 to the team on behalf of the company at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The award was initiated by the oil and gas company towards environmental sustainability and minimisation of the effect of global warming in Nigeria.

The SIFE team leader in BUK, Mr. Nasir Yahaya, said after receiving the award: “We are very grateful for this award given to us by the FHN. We feel honoured. The project that won the award is the Octapus Project that consists of the Neem, ICS and Hands of Hop.” The projects, according to him, have impacted on positively on members of the local community, adding that their standards of living have been increased. He noted that more than 50 women, who were previously • Yahaya (Right) receiving the award of N250,000 from Natalie Dickson of unskilled, uneducated and economically disadvantaged now earn an average income of FHN N15, 000 every month: “Next year, we will come to the SIFE United States next year.”

“In few months to this time, we are working National Competition to emerge as the Human Resource Associate at the FHN, assiduously to increase the income for the National Champion. This will give us the Mrs. Kike Fajemirokun, disclosed that enviwomen to N20, 000. These women now have opportunity to represent the country at the ronmental responsibility is one of the core pilaccess to good food, good shelter and health- SIFE World Cup. At the SIFE BUK, we care. These women that we have assisted with always go beyond the borders. We have what lars of the company’s CSR policy. This value, our projects can now support child education. it takes to win the SIFE World Cup in the she stated, prompted FHN to sponsor the SIFE environmental sustainability competi-

our brothers’ keepers. Let there be shared prosperity in doing this there will be peace in the country.

Let Jonathan caution his Ministers. They are heating the polity. Jonathan should investigate land allocation in Abuja. The National Assmebly too should as part of its over sight function beam its search light on Abuja land allocation.

The green area Central Area which El Rufai demolished is no longer green as it has been allocated and is being sand filled now. They have allocated the land to the untouchables in the society. Until government is fair to all these security challenges will remain with us.

Jonathan must critically look into this as it is happening in Abuja so is happening in all parts of the country.

Single term of six years for president, governors The suggestion is good, as it will remove the rush for second term and safe us from spending huge sum of money organizing elections every four years. The people’s power to vote out bad leaders will be enhanced. This our system of government is too costly to run. But either six years single term or four years two terms what Nigerians want is good government. It is when a government is not performing that there will be clamour for the tenure of such government to end quick.

But I will advice Jonathan not to try second term in 2015. PDP should look for a better candidate if they want to win in the next general elections. People are tired of this government who promised to transform life but transforming hardship. If PDP fails to yield the clarion call it will be on record that a sitting president loses election. Change must surely come and not through Jonathan as Nigerians are tired of his administration.

tion.

On what gave BUK an edge over the other 35 institutions, Fajemirokun noted: “Their project on cultivation and manipulation of the Neem tree addresses several very important environmental and social factors. First, the potentials of their project to address the challenges of desertification. “Second, the project can combat malaria, which is a social and environmental disease. Also, the project provides a significant social service to vulnerable groups.

“In addition, the project helps inhabitants of the local community to develop a lot of skills.

As a result of the project, many residents of the community are now gainfully employed.

In addition, the students showed great focus, discipline and dedication to their project and in their presentation.”

Fajemirokun said the company has invited the SIFE leaders in BUK and their faculty adviser, Dr. Mukhtaar Haliru, to have a meeting with the FHN’s CSR team. She added that the meeting was necessary to evaluate how the company can support the team to create a sustainable project and possibly replicate the gestures in other communities: “We all have a part to play to minimize the effect of global warming in Nigeria. Global warming is most obviously combated in the BUK Neem tree project, such that, cultivating the Neem tree did not only combat desertification, it also reduces and minimizes emissions.

“At FHN, as an oil company, we believe it is essential for us to focus on oil clean up in the Niger Delta and join with other oil generating stakeholders in the region to tackle the problem.”

BUK also bagged the prize for the first runner up to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), that emerged as the national champion.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

27

INSIGHT EDITED BY HENRY UMAHI

...A Daily SUN Special Investigative Series

By SUNDAY ANI (nichsunny@yahoo.com)

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ll is not well with the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. In the past, it prided itself in its high standards in terms of academic work and general training bequeathed to its students.

Today, the school is a ghost of its glorious past.

To start with, the school is in financial dire straits. While it receives a little over N20 million as monthly subvention from the state government, according to sources, a large chunk of this and other funds, accruing to the school are misapplied. These resulted in the obvious decline in the standard in academic life and character of students and/or graduates the school churn out.

Consequently, in 2011, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) withdrew the accreditation of IMT, citing reckless and uncontrolled admission as one of the many reasons. It was gathered that the institution’s decision to enrol part time students for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme shot up the number of prospective corps members from the school, thereby forcing the NYSC authorities to raise the alarm.

Inside sources disclosed that it was the alarm by the NYSC that forced the NBTE to look into the affairs of the institution. It was then discovered that the school was admitting more students than its capacity and well beyond the NBTE’s requirements. Though that has been resolved and the accreditation restored, many of the factors responsible for that action are yet to be tackled.

The structures at IMT are in a deplorable state. The institution, which was modeled after the famous Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America to

IMT stinks •Contract, admission rackets rock school produce highly skilled professionals in the areas of engineering and arts, is a shadow of itself. It has been allowed to rot progressively in every material particular.

Investigations revealed that what has accounted for the sorry state of the institution is mainly high level of financial corruption, coupled with myriad of other ills such as unqualified part time and full time lecturers, who battle to teach mammoth crowd, which the school admits year in, year out.

The students’ population is such that while lectures are going on, one third of the students would be seated while the rest would perch on the window or stand completely outside the classroom to receive lectures. Oftentimes, most students do not see their lecturers from where they are standing outside, let alone

seeing what the lecturer is writing on the board.

Findings show that departments, which originally should not have more than 200 students in a class, now have about 1, 000 students. Mass Communication is among the affected departments. A female student, who identified herself simply as Lizzy, said: “Schooling in IMT is hard labour. That is the summary of what we go through.”

The decline in the quality of education that students get from IMT and the infrastructural decay that has enveloped the institution did not happen overnight; it was progressive. Each turn of a decade brought in its wake, a lower standard with accompanying population explosion.

Much as successive administrations of the school lacked vision and maintenance culture, the leadership’s ineptitude got to

“The school authority was also alleged to have been spending a total of N1.6 million daily on diesel while the institution had no functional generator.”

its apogee with the turn of last decade.

Investigations have shown that what happened was disheartening. For instance, part-time students were enrolled for the NYSC programme. “The school’s admission process was not organised at all. Part time students are not meant to go for NYSC; they even know that right from the time of admission. But the authority wanted to mobilise them for the scheme and that shot up the number from IMT, forcing the NYSC to raise the alarm. It was the alarm that attracted the attention of the NBTE, which saw what was happening in the system before it decided to withdraw the school’s accreditation. By that action, it means that no graduate from IMT will go for NYSC programme again.”

“Recruitment of unqualified and part time lecturers became order of the day, just as admission no longer had limit.

Students were admitted beyond the capacity of the institution. It was terrible moments for some of us that have stayed here for close to 20 years, seeing the school degenerate to its lowest ebb in terms of quality of its output,” a staff volunteered. ut for the current rector, Professor Mike Iloeje, part of the measures by the state government to forestall such ugly embarrassment in future was his appointment. He said: “The state govern-

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Continued from Page 28

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DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

Insight Continued from Page 27 ment took action about that, part of which was to appoint me as the rector and since I came on board, I have taken successful actions to get NBTE to restore the accreditation that was withdrawn. Whatever was the problem before, I have assured the NBTE that it would not recur and we are now on a clean slate. And when we finish the admission exercise this year, I have agreed with the Executive Secretary of NBTE that he would be kind enough to visit us here to see the way the new IMT is complying with all the requirements.”

Findings have shown that financial recklessness and impropriety also was a trademark of the school authority. It was alleged that about N53 million was spent on procurement of some engineering equipment but no equipment was bought.

The source also alleged that a sum of N30 million was withdrawn from the institution’s account by a former rector even when he was no longer in charge. It was gathered that a former bursar, who is now in the accounting department, R.O. Ugbo, is heading the committee set up by the present rector to investigate the alleged financial misdeeds. he school authority was also alleged to have been spending a total of N1.6 million daily on diesel when the institution had no functional generator. A document obtained by reporter made startling revelations. For instance on January 1, 2011, two different Zenith Bank cheques of N800, 000 each with numbers 0000151 and 0000152 in the name of (withheld by us) were raised to buy diesel for the alleged non-functioning generating set.

Three names through which such cheques were raised prominently featured in the document. The items whose value run into millions of naira, according to the document, included: Examination stationeries, lab consumables, convocation expenses, logistics for visit to the commissioner for education, printing log book, files and memos, etc.

To buttress the allegation, the source informed that the institution borrowed from the Zenith Bank to be able to pay its staff the January, 2012 salary. The source also disclosed that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry has been set up to review the activities of the school.

When the reporter visited the Federal High Court (Court Five), Independence Layout, Enugu, where the panel was sitting to review activities of the former rector, chairman of the IMT Alumni Association, Enugu State chapter, Mr. Nwankwo Peter, submitted that since 1985 when the association came into existence, IMT had been collecting all the alumni levies without remitting it to the association. He said the fee was a one-off payment by all graduating Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) students of the institution and the amount varied at intervals. He said all efforts to let the management understand why the money should be given to the association fell on deaf ears as the management, through the bursar wrote to the association, saying alumni fees was used to increase the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

When the Acting Bursar, Mr. Raphael Ozor was called up by the panel to defend the allegation, he corroborated it. He admitted that since he became the bursar, not even a kobo has been remitted to the association because, according to him, nobody has demanded for such remittance. He said the current alumni fee is N500 per graduating student.

All efforts to speak with the former officials to get their own side of the story failed as their telephone numbers were switched off.

But when our reporter met Prof. Iloeje, he spoke on some of the allegations and

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‘Schooling in IMT is hard labour’

“Findings have shown that financial recklessness and impropriety also was a trademark of the school authority.

It was alleged that about N53 million was spent on procurement of some engineering equipment but no equipment was bought.”

Chime

other issues, affecting the school.

Reacting to the allegation that N53 million was spent on engineering equipment, he said: “Let me assure you that this didn’t happen under my watch and the truth is that you cannot prevent people from stealing. But if it happens under my watch, you will hear what I will do to that person. I cannot say that people will stop stealing because there is a law against stealing but we must enforce the law against the people, who attempt to steal. A Iloeje petition has come to my attention that there was N52.8 million contract award for supply of engineering he rector further said: “Moreover, equipment. I told you that anything I do immediately that petition came to my must be in the public domain. There is a attention, I immediately did on-thereport that there were unacceptable sharp spot check to see if those equipment were practices that characterised the award of there. Let me tell you that I didn’t see 53.2 million contract for the supply of some of the equipment; some are still laboratory equipment. It’s an allegation but immediately I got the petition, what I wrapped in the carton in which they were did was to personally carry out on-thedelivered, showing that some were actually spot assessment. delivered. Those still in the carton were “Towards the close of work on Friday there because I was informed that some of February 17, I received an attached petithe parts that were supposed to make them tion written by one Ugwuozo Augustine, functional were not there in the packages.

Head of Department of Stores, alleging Some were still intact because the instrucsome irregular practices in the supply of tion manuals were not written in English. the said laboratory equipment to IMT. The key officer in that supply was one Why they waited till three years later to (name withheld by us), the former adminiscome and fill my plate with bullshit that trative secretary to the former rector. And I happened in the past is what I can’t tell. was informed that the panel invited him to But since it came to my attention, I candialogue with him on whatever he knew not keep quiet about it. Having done onabout the matter. He came and refused to the-spot assessment, I asked the relevant say anything to the panel. Instead, the folofficers to make their comments and I am lowing day, he brought a court order, stopshifting it to the appropriate committee to ping the panel from even talking about the investigate whether it is a flying allegation or not. But, if at the end of the day, it issue.”

“There is a court order to that effect; I is discovered to be true, they will face the have just sent it to our legal adviser. When music because it is public fund and I a public officer is asked to come and renwon’t keep quiet about it.” der account of his stewardship and he He added that he was surprised at the decides to get a court order, gagging the reaction of an official, who was alleged institution of which he is an employee, you to be involved directly in the supply, when he was summoned by the investiga- can see the kind of thing we are facing here.” tive panel set up by the institution.

Reacting to the allegation that the school

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authority made purchases that didn’t have any voucher, Prof. Iloeje said: “Don’t presume anybody guilty. You must avail everybody the opportunity of fair hearing.

Administration is a continuous process, so any one that comes to my attention, I will treat. If you hear that anybody killed somebody in IMT in 1970 and it has not been reported to the police and you report to the police today and it comes to my attention as the rector, I won’t say because the man was killed in 1970, I won’t look into it; I will immediately take administrative measures to look into it.”

Speaking on the alumni fee, the rector said: “I don’t know anything about that. I think every public officer must be accountable. If the money is meant for alumni, then it must be given to alumni; that is my own view on that. And the alumni have a right to demand for the statement of account. My view, as an administrator of a tertiary institution, is that if the money is dedicated for a particular project, it must be used for that project.”

Commenting on the quality of full-time and part-time lecturers the institution parades, he said: “I am going to revisit the issue of part-time lecturers in IMT. A few people have told me how some people have been part-timing here for upwards of five to six years. My views are totally different; it’s obvious that the allegiance of a part-time lecturer will not be to IMT. We don’t want such arrangement; you are either here or not. So, a situation where over 60 per cent of academic teaching staff in a department is part-timers will not be acceptable to me. I will revisit that issue but maybe, in the second part of this year.”

“In a proper staff audit, if you have read English, you will teach English. The question of somebody who read physics being a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering will not be accepted. We will look at people’s credentials and be able to assign them teaching responsibilities in the areas where they are qualified. More so, I cannot say that I am unaware that the part time appointments have been done as a way to make the ‘boys’ happy. It shouldn’t be so. If somebody is well qualified and you are using him on a part time basis, give him opportunity to be interviewed for a full time appointment, and then his allegiance will be to you. So, I will do that and those people who are really not qualified but who got a part time appointment on a manknow-man basis, I won’t renew it. The current policy as I have instructed the registrar is that we will carry along the present part timers until the end of this academic semester. Then, starting from the second semester, it won’t be fair to let the axe fall on people like that; you have to interpret the law with a human face.”

Reacting to the revelation that the institution’s account was in the red as the former rector did not leave anything in the account, even as his predecessor left a healthy sum for him, he said he was not abreast of the situation.

“If you ask for the audited account of the institution, you will get the accurate details of what happened. That’s the proper document. People can always say he left N1 billion, or N10 billion; I don’t know how much he left; I don’t know how much my immediate predecessor inherited in office. I cannot give account of how he spent the money. You must ask him and then when you do, ask also for the documentation because figures don’t lie. As for the January salary, we have not been able to pay that but I am happy to inform you that we have arranged for a facility from the Zenith Bank and my staff will be paid in the next two or three days.”

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DAILY SUN

29

WATCH

CRIME EDITED BY OLA AGBAJE E-mail: olapen4ever@yahoo.com

Insecurity: Police assure Egun community of safety

By LUKMAN OLABIYI

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From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan ess than a month after tying the nuptial knot with his heart-throb, an Ogbomosho-based prophet has been arrested for alleged armed robbery.

Residents of the ancient Oyo State city were shocked when Prophet Tunde Adeyinka, who also double as prayer warrior, was apprehended by the police.

The satanic cleric who belonged to a white garment church had wedded Bunmi on June 29, 2012, exactly 30 days before he was unmasked.

Crimewatch investigation revealed that Adeyinka until his arrest, headed a deadly eight-man gang that had been terrorizing Ogbomosho and its environs while also wreaking havoc on motorists on LagosIbadan Expressway.

The detectives that arrested the evil prophet from the Ogbomosho Area Command were led by Raimi Saka. When Adekinya’s office and home were searched, weapons including AK 47 rifles, dane gun, pump action rifles, and catridges were recovered.

He allegedly prepared charms for members of his gang before going for any operation. The charms were to protect them from bullets.

The Area Commander for Ogbomoso, Pat Ezeani, told Crimewatch that they received several complaints that Adeyinka had allegedly duped many people which prompted the police to carry out the operation on July 29, 2012 when he was arrested.

He said Adeyinka and his gang may have snatched different cars and killed three policemen in Ogbomoso and collected their AK 47 rifles.

Explaining the operational method of the gang, he said that they would normally come from Abeokuta and assemble in Ogbomoso before operation.

The suspect, 34-year-old Adeyinka, said that he is a prophet in a church. “I go there and pray for people and I have my prayer office at Papa Ajao, Ogbomoso where I pray for people.

“I am an armed robber and have got involved in many robbery operations in Ogbomoso , Sagamu and in Lagos. It was part of the money that I got from operations

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that I used to finance my marriage ceremony in June this year.

“Whenever we want to carry out operation, I will tell my wife that I am going for night vigil and prayers. We have robbed several people in Ogbomoso and snatched cars and we sell them in Lagos.

We have killed three policemen and snatched their rifles.

“My family and that of my wife don’t know that I am a robber.

They all thought that I am a prophet. I deceived my wife that I am a prophet and she didn’t know that I am an armed robber,” he said.

Adeyinka’s wife, Bunmi, said that she was going to church on July 29 when her husband called her •Suspect with recovered guns, charms that policemen had arrested him at his office and that when she got there, she saw him in handcuffs.

“I didn’t understand what was happening until the Area Commander asked my husband to confess what he had done to me. My husband confessed to me that he is an armed robber and that he has an eight-man gang and that they used to rob in Ogbomoso, Sagamu and Lagos. I almost fainted. We had courtship

“My husband confessed to me that he is an armed robber and that he has an eight-man gang and that they used to rob in Ogbomoso, Sagamu and Lagos. I almost fainted. We had courtship for good three years and I didn’t suspect that he was an armed robber”

•CP Tambari for good three years and I didn’t suspect that he was an armed robber,” she said.

The Mohammed Tambari, Commissioner of Police, Oyo State said that the suspects were in police net and that his other gang members were being trailed .

He said after the conclusion of investigation the suspect would be charge to court.

olice have assured the Egun Community in Ado-Odo, Ota, Ogun State of adequate security and justice in carrying out its constitutional duties in the area.

This was disclosed by the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ifeanyi Emenari during a familiarization tour of Idolehin and its neighbouring Egun communities.

During the visit, Egun leaders briefed him of the security crisis in their communities in the recent past, accusing the force of shortchanging them.

They also alleged that the police were being used by some powerful people in Ado-Odo, to intimidate them with a view to displacing them from their villages.

The police chief was surprised by the reception given to him by the Eguns and assured them that during his tenure, as the police chief in the area, he would not condone any injustice or lack of fairness in carrying out his duty.

Emenari solicited for the cooperation of all the communities’ leaders in the area, including their followers, promising them of a change.

“I have zero tolerance for corruption and injustice, I believe in professionalism and best practice of policing in the world.

“The Inspector-General of Police has given order that there must be no kidnapping or any kind of crises in any area and that is the reason am here to seek your cooperation so as to achieve this,” the DPO submitted.

He said the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) that was inaugurated will be reactivated to perfect his strategy for maximum security of the people.

He urged all the communities’ leaders to forward the names of people who are going to be in there vigilante group to his office for immediate approval, while he also implored them not to be taking law into their hands whenever situation arise.

Egun people have been complaining about the periodic killings and kidnapping of their kinsmen by suspected land speculators aided by the police in AdoOdo. On June 29, 2011 a farmer, Abiodun Ogungbe, was abducted less than 48 hours after the naming ceremony of his baby.

His body was found beside the road about an hour later in the evening.

Policemen from Ado-Odo and a traditional ruler in the area were reported to have accompanied Ogungbe’s abductors before his untimely death.

Investigation to his death later took a dramatic turn when the complainants were suddenly turned to accused by the police.

Similarly, few days to the New Year in December 2011, two Egun women were beheaded in another orgy of blood-letting.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

CRIME

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

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•Suspect

BEAST

How I was arrested –Alleged rapist, robber From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan

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youngman has found his way into the net of Anambra State Police command over alleged robbery and sexual assault on two girls.

Simply identified as Oshia, the suspect according to Crimewatch investigation, was a member of a notorious five-man gang that allegedly raped their victims recently before they were rescued in Ogidi area.

Luck however, ran out on Oshia as he was caught in the act while his gang members fled.

The incident happened in Ogidi area in the night after a send-forth party.

The robbers after the operation also raped their victims.

The people were said to have lodged several complaints to the police on the activities of the gang but the armed bandits always escaped with their loots before the arrival of the police.

Recently, the gang went to rob in Ogidi area where they encountered the girls around 9.00p.m.

While the robbers were committing the act, a good Samaritan appeared and quickly mobilized people for a successful rescue operation during which Oshia was apprehended. He was handed over to the policemen at the Ogidi station.

Oshia said that he belonged to a five-man gang of armed robbers and that after robbing their victims, also raped them.

“On that day , we decided to rob at Obosi in different houses but suddenly we saw two girls coming to our direction and we dispossessed them of their handsets and we also decided to rape them. It was during the raping of one of the girls that I was caught in the act by the community members who came to arrest me at the scene of the crime, while the other members of my gang escaped.

“It was my father who made me join the armed robbery gang. My father told me that he couldn’t afford to pay my school fees again. I am from Idimili Local Government Area of Anambra State and I have involved in several armed robbery and rape incidents,” he said.

The good Samaritan who does not want his name in print said that the victims went for a send-forth party in Nkpor and on their return, two of the students encountered armed robbers who robbed them of their handsets and raped one of them.

“I flashed my car light and saw the way they were raping the girls. I had to go back to mobilize people and we went to rescue them and handed over the suspect to the police,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ballah Nasarawa, told Crimewatch that it was quite unfortunate for such an incident to have happened.

He said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

t was a day of reckoning for three men who impersonated as Air Force officers as they were arrested by the police.

The trio were allegedly used by some land speculators to intimidate their rivals.

They were apprehended when they were intimidating an elderly person (names withheld), warning him to leave a parcel of land for his rival or risked the wrath of the Nigeria Air Force. The senior citizen in order to confirm the truth, phoned the Air Force High command .

The command was said to have advised him to call in the police since the suspects were not armed.

The police were said to have raced to the scene where they met the fake Air Force personnel mounting signpost with inscription: “Military Zone, Keep off” and promptly arrested them.

A senior police officer who does not want his name in print told Crimewatch that preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect thrived and sustained their daily living through the dubious act.

He said they made residents of Ikorodu, Abule Egba, Sango Ota in Ogun State and other suburbs to believe that they were soldiers.

He said the suspects were hired for some illegal duties. “They intimidate land owners once they were paid by land speculator or rivals. They also involved themselves in marital disputes and escort drivers carrying contrabands.”

According to the police source, when the police wanted to arrest them, they put up stiff resistance, claiming that they were sol-

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3 fake Air Force officers land selves in soup diers. “They talked convincingly as if they were soldiers but we told them that even though they were Air Force men, they should be in barracks.”

He said when they further resisted arrest, the police had to apply reasonable force on them before they were arrested .

He said the irony was that the people at the scene religiously believed them to be soldiers.

“One of the residents was even shouting at the police to be careful not to cause a repeat of what happened several years ago when Army and the police clashed at Ojuelegba.”

He said he was shocked when on the way to the police command, the men who were proving stubborn started begging that they would pay any amount for their freedom.

The suspects begged our reporter to prevail on the police to let them go.

One of them who simply identified himself as Mike, said “really, we are fake, but it was a senior Air Force officer who gave us the uniform and we have been settling him as he had been backing us.”

Another suspect, who blamed joblessness for their woes, claimed he had a diploma in computer engineering but had no employment.

We lied to police that robbers

•Suspects

By CHRISTOPHER OJI & MARIAM BELLO

F

ive out of the six robbery suspects arrested by the police have denied one of them who was arrested after attacking a female victim.

The five suspects claimed they did not know one of them was an armed robber as they only steal vehicles.

A suspected member of the gang, Maxwell Onachukwu, was arrested after allegedly robbing a female victim simply identified as Queen on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

During interrogation by the police, Unachukwu named five others as members of his gang and the police went after them.

The efforts of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) led by Abba Kiyari paid off as they were arrested.

During investigation, the police discovered that the suspects aside from house to house raiding, allegedly specialised in vehicle theft.

One of the suspects, Shedrack Ugoji, told Crimewatch that he did not know that Unachukwu had a gun. “What we do is to register as drivers in companies and once a vehicle is given to us, we will drive it to our receiver, Uzoma, who will help us to sell the vehicles.”

Ugorji said after giving the vehicles to Uzoma, they would go to any police station and make entry that their vehicles were snatched by robbers at gunpoint.

He said: “After the report, we would go back to our offices and tell them the same stories we told the police and the companies would not suspect us.”

According to him, the last company they deceived was a leasing firm where they were

able to steal three Coaster buses, which Uzoma sold on their behalf. “The buses were brand new ones, each of which values about N12.6 million .”

He revealed that Uzoma gave them N3 million from each, my share was N1.5 million. I don’t know how much he sold them but he told us he sold them for N3 million each.

“As for Maxwell Unachukwu, only God knows how he got the gun he used in robbing the woman. If others went with him, I did not go. What I do is to steal vehicles. I don’t use gun and I don’t have one.”

Unachukwu insisted that he did not rob the woman at gun-point as she alleged. “I only went there to steal and not to rob.

There is a difference between robbery and stealing. I just wanted to steal her car and

CRIME

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Security: We need a national database now – Expert

By OLA AGBAJE

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•Suspects “I have house rent to pay. I have my aged parents to cater for. I still have my siblings and we must survive. If I had a job, I would not have fallen for our Oga who gave us the uniform,” he said.

He begged the police to let him off the hook as he promised, as he was now a repentant man.

However, the Lagos State Commissioner of

Police, Umar Manko said the force was still investigating the suspect.

Manko warned those impersonating security agencies to desist as the police must get them one day and prosecute them.

He also advised parents and guardians to check their children and wards so that they would not be involved in crime.

snatched our vehicles – Company’s drivers arrested for stealing, burglary •Disown gang member found with gun not to rob her. My colleagues including Ugorji, went with me. I am ashamed that they are all denying me.”

The alleged receiver of the stolen vehicles said the vehicles were linked to the gang by one of his friends. “I am a motor mechanic, based in Warri, my friend told me that he was going to help me to get rich quick. He now linked me up to the gang. I was not going for operation with them.

“My role is that whenever they bring vehicles to me, I sell them and give them their own share. I sold the Coasters buses N6.5 million each and I gave my friend N4 million each to share among themselves.

I think why Unachukwu named us as members of his robbery gang was because, there was an argument over his share, he felt cheated,” he said.

•Recovered vehicles

Lagos State police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said one Queen was attacked and robbed on Allen Avenue, Ikeja by armed men led by one Unachukwu now in police net.

Braide said during interrogation, Unachukwu named five others, Uchenna, Ugorji, Uzoma, Abidakun and Akido.

She said the police recovered three Toyota Coaster buses with registration numbers XV 858 GGE, XR 98 KSG and XP 230 KTU and one locally-made gun from the gang.

She said the vehicles were recovered from Delta and Kogi states.

Braide advised companies and individuals to be careful with the type of staff they employ.

he nation’s security situation will be enhanced if a comprehensive national database is built. A forensic investigation expert, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jigsaw, Ahmed Adeneye gave the advice in Lagos.

According to the United Kingdom (UK)trained forensic scientist and lawyer, the nation must commence immediately gradual collation of a national database in which when fully built, would be used for effective crime control in the country.

Adeneye explained that the process of building a national database, requires investment by the government in all sectors of the economy to restore the confidence of foreign investors.

According to Ahmed Adeneye, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jigsaw, a Lagos based forensic investigation and security consulting company, insecurity in the country could be reduced through gradual gathering of a national database which would help in facilitating effective and efficient crime fighting and control.

The United Kingdom trained forensic scientist and lawyer held that government also needs to invest in forensic science in all sectors of the economy to improve security, which will in turn encourage foreign investors of the safety and security of their investments in Nigeria as the country was losing huge foreign investments and exchange to the present insecurity problem. He noted that it is difficult to convince any investor to come and invest money in an insecure environment.

“It’s so easy to build a database. First, you start with the confined environment like the prisons and police stations. Then you take their samples for DNA. During the last elections, some elements of data was taken, therefore, you could go to the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and collect them.

“One of the reasons why the UK database is successful is that once you have a case, you are being arrested, they take your DNA; store it on their data base. That does not mean you are a criminal. Once any serious crime is carried out, they run a DNA test from the samples gathered at the crime scene. Once it matches with that of anybody on the database they start looking for the person, if it does not match, they keep it there.

“If the government could start today, in about one to five years, we would be somewhere. It is like this Boko Haram thing: anywhere there is explosion, any DNA that you can find and an activity you can find from the scene, you could record it. It doesn’t matter whether it happened in Jos, Madugiri or any other place; record it.

Before you know it, we would be making progress. A crime can be committed in Lagos and you find a matching DNA from the national data base in Jos. The moment you match it, you begin to look for the suspect. With this simple scenario that I have given, if we start a national data base, crime rate will reduce and so many crimes will be solved’’, he said.

“So many people believe that forensic science is just to catch criminals but I say no. The greatest advantage is to exonerate the so called people that have been wrongly charged. In the area of job creation, many people will be employed. If the government can tap into the advantages, a lot of jobs will be created. There are so many branches in forensic science; we have investigators, crime scene managers, doc-

•Adeneye ument examiner, the pathologist, the chemistry, the dog handler, up to the photographer and so many other avenues. Investors’ confidence in the country would be restored and they will come here to do business because at that time crime level would be reduced.’’

On the issue of Boko Haram, he said, “Once there is an explosion or any activity carried out by the sect we need an experienced forensic scientist that can go to the scene and get the things that would be needed for proper investigation. For people that know how to handle a crime scene, once they get the things they are looking for, they would take them to the lab and do a crime reconstruction of the scene and you now have enough information to look for the suspects.

“If the government starts the national data base project now in the next one year it will be very easy to track them down.

Sooner or later some of them may need international passports to travel or go to hospitals for treatment, which will require that their details and even blood samples are taken, and then you will now start having names.’’

Adeneye noted that forensic investigation do not really require so much money or a gigantic laboratory to start.

“Forensic investigation is an application of science to matters of law. It is very wide.

For forensic investigation, yes, you have to go to the laboratory at the end of the day but it is not in all cases. We can start from the small scale like in approaching a crime scene, what are the steps because even if you go to the lab once you have missed those activities at the crime scene, there is nothing for the person at the lab to look at.

For instance, in the Funso Williams murder case which can to a zero conclusion at the end of the day was because investigators found a large amount of finger prints at the crime scene. Investigators could not go any further because the crime scene had been polluted. We can start with how to manage a crime scene which we do not need the lab for and then as we go along, we can build on that. The almighty UK where I have lived in the past 18 years also makes mistakes, they still build on what they have, we do not need a gigantic laboratory to start, after all we still have one at Force CID Alagbon which is not operating to its fullest, but we can revive it. I do understand that Lagos State is also planning to build a very big laboratory, my conclusion is that we can start on a low scale and build more on it as we move along,’’ he said.

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Why I wept over my appointment, by Olurode, INEC Commissioner Lai Olurode, a Professor of Sociology from University of Lagos is currently National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with headquarters in Abuja. He is the chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute. The institute is in charge of training and research as well as voter education and other related issues.

In this interview with RAZAQ BAMIDELE, the Iwo, Osun State-born egg head assured Nigerians of getting to electoral Eldorado without a recourse to e-voting system. He also spoke on other sundry issues like the need for a credible voters register, among other national matters as regards conduct of credible elections in the country.

Excerpts: About my appointment into INEC would not know the quality that the appointing authorities were looking for. I just thought that my name came up somewhere and somebody looked at my antecedent, about what one has been doing and capable of doing and decided that one can do a transparent and honest job for the country. We shouldn’t forget that the appointment of both the Chairman and the Federal Commissioners of INEC came at the period that the last elections in this country in 2007 were marred with fraudulent practices; the register was not clean. False results were announced, even when counting was still on and all kinds of allegations, which were confirmed by the elections tribunals in the country. That year’s election was judged as the worst form of election, not only in this country but all over the world and anybody who was part of that election knew very well that it was a do-or-die kind of thing.

So, every stakeholder had become disenchanted with the electoral system. The state itself was unhappy. The electors were unhappy. The political parties and their candidates were not also satisfied with the entire system.

Everybody thought that something has to be done as regards to the appointment to the key offices of the election management board.

I think that led to the public debate and scrutiny and screening of the candidates. The President, I think, did a wonderful thing for this country in my own assessment. At least by promising the country free, fair and credible election. I think, he has done very well by living to the fulfillment of that promise. He cannot be accused of having leverage with the SSS or the state institutions to ensure his victory. He said he would depend only on the goodwill of Nigerian people and the electorate. And I think he told his associates to go to the field and campaign and that the period that elections were won by bureaucracy of the electoral body is gone. This type of person would not go behind the scene to manipulate the electoral bureaucracy to favour him. That is going to be a good thing for Nigeria.

I never applied for the job. Nobody called for application. And where do you drop an unsolicited application? It is like when you want to do a good job, you wouldn’t mind if a surgery is done on you. So, the colour, the tribe or ethnic nationality of the person performing the surgery on you would not count.

What would count, to you, is your life.

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And that is why I think anybody can govern this country once he is competent no matter where he comes from. The challenges of this country are the same for everybody, whether Urobo, Itsekiri, Ibo, Hausa, Fulani or Yoruba. The basic thing is that everybody wants to have access to good education, good roads, good healthcare delivery, decent housing and good job after graduating from school. The critera should be performance.

And that is why some of the countries in the Western World are working. And that is why Barack Obama was able to be crowned President of the United State of America and all the black people are able to raise their heads all over the places.

Why I wept Well, in this kind of situation, there are bound to be some mischief makers. There must have been some people who might have realize that if this guy is in, we may not be able to do what we are used to be doing. For instance, on the field, when you tell people that they are not complying with the electoral rule, they will tell you this is how we have been doing it for years since the first republic without any challenge. So, some people thought that having these guys like Professor Attahiru Jega and some of us there, it would be too difficult for them to have it their fraudulent ways. People who have made their marks in the human rights constituency, who would not do anything that could tarnish their reputation. They know that with these guys, they cannot fracture the electoral processes.

And when you fracture the electoral process, and thus deny the people their voices, you would not be able to gauge what they want, and if their aspirations have been met. And people’s preferences matter, and their desire must go into the calculus of framing policy process. And you need them to express their mind, and the only way to do that is through the ballot box.

They raised all kinds of allegations that were unfounded. I wondered aloud before the senate when I was being screened, how people like the Senate President and other people in government are able to sleep with all the mudslinging! People would just raise an issue out of no issue from nowhere. Somebody said I was a speech writer for former Governor Bisi Akande of Osun State. And the truth of the matter is that I never met Papa Akande until he left office. And it was during my deanship of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University of Lagos when we provided a platform for him to come and address the country on issue of leadership. You cannot take it from Akande that he is an ethical person. He did his best for this country as a leader, and was not found wanting in any respect. We provided a platform. Even, Governor Oyinlola and Chief Bode George too. Other prominent people in this country including Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), the platform was provided for them to talk to Nigerians. They also raised an allegation that I was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

I wept because there was no iota of truth in that. I cannot just understand where that just came from. They made it to the extent that some people bought pages of newspapers to advertise why Lai Olurode should not be

“And I said, what can I give back to the society?

That was my own major pre-occupation. Now, to read in the newspapers all sorts of insinuations that have no iota of truth and that have no basis made me weep.

Really, I wept.”

cleared by the Senate and be appointed as INEC Commissioner. And I wonder why should people do all these and what their objective could be. And I have vowed that any time, any day, that I have an opportunity to do any job for this country, I would do it with all honesty. But I never knew it would be through this. For me, it is not for any monetary gain.

At least I live in my own house, either in Lagos or in my village. And I think God has been so kind to me. In this country, people had given me scholarship for me and my children before. I said what can I give back to the society? That was my own major pre-occupation.

Now, to read in the newspapers all sorts of insinuations that have no iota of truth and that have no basis made me weep. Really, I wept.

Challenges You know, the University is more of theoretical things. You are idealistic. You critique the society. You look at society as state and you are constantly interrogating and questioning. And you always believe that we are not getting it right here. You are more of an academic and partly a social activist in the University. And the University as a citadel of learning is more or less for social activists to dwell in. you are very critical of the society and you hardly see anything good in the society as well as write off the leadership.

But with this kind of opportunity, you are able to leave behind you the world of theory and idealistic world which really could not be the real world the society is really is. The INEC is a completely new phenomenon for me. It is like I went back to school in the INEC. Although I have written a few things about elections, on the state and political parties as a political sociologist. But I have never had any opportunity of blending theoretical perspectives with real practice of managing election. And I never anticipated that the window through which I will be able to see what I will be able to do. What can I leverage election management through functions of things I have been able to do? When the opportunity came, I must say that it was a very rare privileged opportunity to be able to use some of the things you have taught. I have been able to move with the people who have been critical about how the society is. People like the late Chief Gani Fewehinmi (SAN), and few others. I said this is a rare opportunity like a theatre where one is thrown to do an operation.

And working with Attahiru jega and few other Commissioners who came in from diverse callings. They brought all their divergent experiences into the election management.

And we are happy that we have been able to make a modest achievements in the perception of Nigerians towards that election management body. And it showed in the post 2007 election. I think it is not difficult to do. It is like doing the good things you are used to

•Olurode doing. I don’t see myself now sitting with anybody to change result. I will just have to leave the job. That is not possible. All my life, I have been relating in objective things. I have marked students’ essays, I have awarded marks to them even without knowing them. If I have not changed scores for the number of years I spent in the Universoty going to 25 years, I don’t now see myself going into election to be a contradiction. What cannot even be forgiven for changing results or announcing fake results or doing anything to undermine the electoral processes. It would be alien to the life one has lived for years.

However, my greatest fear in the short run is the spectre of democratic reversals. We have recorded some modest gains in the administration of 2011 elections. These may be quickly dissipated going by the barefaced impunity and rascality of some members of the political class. In the long run, I nurse trepidations about the triumph of institutionalization. There seems an aversion, pervasive one at that, against institution building and a preference for strong individuals and arbitrariness. All these can undermine spirit de corps, collective action and thus effectiveness of the commission. These challenges are not insurmountable, though intimidating. The Commission is capable of addressing these negative tendencies that make our elections to go under, and thus rubbish electoral integrity.

On indices of successful elections I think the April 2011 election, I identified five key success factors that appeared to have assisted in delivering to the people free and fair election. The first one to me is the attitude and the body language, the courage of the main principal actors , those who govern the country from the President to Vice President, president of the Senate, House of Representatives speaker, the key leading political actors in the country.

For President Jonathan to tell Nigerians and his party, don’t rig for me. If I win the election, that is okay and if I lose, I go back to my village. That is a very powerful signal and power statement that was communicated to the party agents and party hirelings who might want to convince the President that they are in control of their constituencies and would like to deliver land slide victory for him at all cost. The do or die kind of attitude.

That is like, demystifying election in a way. It is like, look, an incumbent President can lose election and it is not a big deal. And the President went ahead to do his campaign. I think that is an encouraging signal.

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POLITICS...&Polity Anenih ’ll bounce back, says Okiye, former Edo majority leader Frank Okiye was a two-time member of the Edo State House of Assembly and former majority leader. In this interview with NDUBUISI ORJI, he says in spite of the humiliating defeat the PDP suffered in the last governorship election in Edo State, the party’s leader, Chief Anthony Anenih is not finished politically.

He also bares his mind on the Nigerian democracy and the President Goodluck Jonathan administration Excerpts: Anenih not finished politically he fact that the PDP lost the election does not mean the leader (Chief Anthony Anenih) is ruined politically. People must learn to have the spirit of sportsmanship; if we lose election, does not mean any one is ruined, the struggle continues. It is not uhuru.

Ideology can be popular today, tomorrow, it is no longer popular. Nothing is lost.

Thirteen years of democracy in Nigeria I believe in democracy, which gives power to the people to choose how they would be ruled. However, you see, I don’t think Nigerian democracy is peculiar. I am a student of peculiar context in everything you do. Why I agree that democracy as it is defined in the political terrain has fared a little bit well, we have only moved from where we were. We are not near the destination at all. Corruption and indiscipline have pervaded the society.

Except these corruption and indiscipline

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which have overtaken the very fabric of our life are addressed, democracy will become a mirage, arriving at the destination of democracy will remain a mirage in this country.

PDP, not Nigeria’s problem You see the issue of Nigerian problem is not a PDP matter. It is a Nigerian matter. So no body that climbs the rostrum that PDP presently occupies that could have actually done better. I can tell you that. My study of the Nigerian people shows that they are actually the problem. It is not the name that they call PDP. It is the human beings that are there. It is not the issue of political party. Because there is no political party in Nigeria today that has ideological standpoint. They are behaving like Nigerians. So, we as Nigerians should ask ourselves the question if we are really ready to clean ourselves of all the indiscipline and corruption.

I want to give kudos to Obasanjo that has said that majority of the legislators in the national Assembly are rogues. Anybody that says that he is not a rogue that he is a saint let him come out and say that he is a saint. It is an issue of PDP. There are ACN in the National Assembly and other political parties. They are all comrades in the stealing and corruption and indolence.

President Goodluck Jonathan administration Well, transformation as a concept is an abstract concept. You cannot see it. You can only see the operation. So let us still assume

“The fact that the PDP lost the election does not mean the leader (Chief Anthony Anenih) is ruined politically.”

that you need structure to be put in place to implement the transformation agenda. But that any thing physical is on ground yet I will not be party to it in. But I want to believe that probably there is sincerity of that concept but we are yet to see the dividend.

I agree that issues like insecurity, power etc are present in Nigeria. But we are scoring him within the one year in office. What would you have expected anybody to do within the one year when the institution had collapsed completely. So though the impact of the transformation agenda as I said earlier cannot be said to have been felt at the moment. I want to believe that there are attempts to put structures in place, that will help fight corruption and help push the country a little bit further.

The only thing that has been achieved by this administration is that the president is merely moderating the affairs of the country.

We have really not changed anything. I believe that it is the institutions that should have changed. But the institutions are still not strong enough. So they are still manipulated by people within and outside PDP. I think the challenges that the young man

•Okiye met, they are so much that to score him below or above average at this point in time will not be doing him good. He needs to be encouraged to be able to see whether what he is saying is what he is going to deliver.

However, the president has remained consistent in his talking. In my own judgement, within the one year I will be among those who will give him pass mark. He has merely arrived at the average of the Nigerian leader that believes that institutions should rule itself. But very unfortunately, institutions are not strong. People are manipulating them.

That is why his efforts are not pronounced at the moment. But I think he has scored a little bit of an average.

Why we honoured Zik, others – IYM president

•Uko Recently, the Imo Youths Movement (IYM) organised a post humous honours for the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and other Igbo greats. The president of the group, Evangelist Elliot Ukoh, gives reasons for the honour in this interview. CHIDI OBINECHE brings the excerpts.

The IYM recently honoured Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe during your 13th annual convention. What inspired that decision? hank you very much. I wish to begin by commending your newspaper for the very professional manner you guys have been contributing to national development. Please, keep it up. The Great Zik is arguably (with Nelson Mandela) Africa’s greatest gift to the world. He was ahead of his time, a visionary genius, who transformed the continent and left a legacy that is yet to be equalled. He brought light and shone that light so the people could find the way. His commitment to humanity, especially the black man was legendary. His politics of “no permanent enemy” ensured stability and all inclusiveness.

He opened up Igbo land, encouraged communities to build schools and helped found the

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Igbo union. He led a silent literacy revolution that helped Ndigbo perform the feat of catching up with the Yoruba educationally. The Yoruba had graduates over a hundred years ahead of everybody else but between 1937 and 1967 Ndigbo caught up with them. When Zik moved to Nigeria from Accra, Ghana, in 1937, there were only five secondary schools in Igbo land, namely Methodist College Uzuakoli 1923, DMGS Onitsha-1925, fisher Umuahia1929, CKC Onitsha and C.I.C Enugu both 1933. But by 1967 there were 108 secondary schools in Igbo land. The growth was phenomenal. Zik trained so many people so they could work with him. He established over a dozen newspapers, he encouraged town unions to tax themselves and build schools in every community. He transformed this land.

We owe him everything. UNN alone did a huge magic. Zik deserves to be honoured.

Infact Nigeria should set aside every November 16 as Azikiwe day- a national public holiday. The struggle for Nigeria independence would be incomplete without Zik. That is a statement of fact. Do you know that he was Kwame Nkrumah’s mentor? He was Ndigbo’s gift to Africa. We also honoured Dr M.I Okpara, Dr Akanu Ibiam, Chief Dennis Osadebey and the Biafran scientist who performed wonders etc. These great men gave honest, dedicated leadership without enriching themselves. They are heros of all seasons. If our new crop of leaders emulate them, Nigeria would be the better for it.

The IYM has remained very credible and highly respected over the years.

What is the secret?

All Glory goes to God Almighty who founded the IYM and gave the vision to stand up for the truth and equity in order to establish a better nation. Our constant prayer is for grace to remain steadfast and committed to justice and equity. We thank God for his mercies.

Ndigbo are demanding that the presidency of Nigeria should come to the south east next time round. Are Ndigbo truly ready?

My brother, that is a question for our politicians. But truth is: only Igbo presidency will truly heal Nigeria now. Equity enthrones stability and harmony. Ndigbo deserves the presidency. Nobody believes in or have contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria more than Ndigbo. Yes, Ndigbo are ready.

The south east is planning some sort of economic integration, how do you see the state of development in the zone. I mean the performance of the Governors?

These present set of South-East Governors are clearly performing better than their predecessors, but they could do more. The gentle man in Anambra is doing excellently. His state is a very difficult territory. He has restored sanity by dislodging the predatory cabal who held the stage hostage. He is touching every area of development. He has clearly raised the bar in transparent governance. With little resources he has done wonders without borrowing a penny anywhere. His greatest strength is his gift in managing resources well and addressing issues that impact on the lives of the greater majority that is the poor masses in education, health care delivery, Agriculture, infrastructure, wealth creation e.t.c of course the predators would not like him because he would not share the treasury with them at the expense of the good people of the state. He is a great leader of men and manager of resources. Ndigbo are very proud of him.

People would be surprised to hear IYM talk like this. We watched him closely for over six years. And of course people know that IYM are not praise singers. We must encourage others by speaking the truth. Governor Obi is doing extremely well. There are one or two

other governors in the zone who are doing well, by December this year, we will make public their score cards.

The state of the nation Well, President Jonathan is an ok Guy, but his inner circle is not solid. He needs to tighten up and keep his eye on his transformation agenda. I believe he will lift Nigeria up. I don’t want to talk about the security challenges. So much has been said already.

Nigerians must face reality by understanding that our quasi unitary structure is clearly responsible for all our problems including corruption. We must restructure Nigeria along six federating regions. It is the only way out.

It will reduce ethnic and religious tension, check sleaze and encourage diversification of the economy. But another problem behind the present insecurity is that the culture of impurity especially the cold blooded killings have been on for decades without being addressed.

We must as a nation punish people who instigate violence of any sort. No country can survive in an environment of impunity, because it breeds fear, suspicion and hatred and these are the termite that eats up the foundation of the nation. We must do everything to save Nigeria from collapse. Finally, if President Jonathan does not punish corrupt officials he will risk the erosion of confidence Nigerians have in him. It could spell doom for him. He must be firm in punishing persons who loot the treasury.

Former leaders, IBB and OBJ recently signed a joint statement where they insisted that Nigeria’s unity is non negotiable.

What is your comment?

Even though those two gentlemen contributed directly to the problems Nigeria is facing today, I agree with them; we should find a way to genuinely continue to live together.

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The State of Our States

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Special Report

The Mbanefo Report at a glance Yesterday, we served you the first part of what the States Creation,Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee set up by the late General Sani Abacha in 1996 recommended on creation of more local government areas in Kaduna State.Today,we continue with that aspect of the committee’s assignment.

Continued from yesterday KANO STATE POPULATION: 5,632,040

EXISTING LGAs: 34

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 46

REQUESTED: 59 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

1.

BAGWAI

BACWAI

1.

BAGWAI

BAGWAI

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

2.

KIRU

KIRU

2.

KIRU

KIRU

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

3.

BICHI

BICHI

3.

BICHI

BICHI

NO CHANGE EXISTING LGA.

4.

DAMBATTA

DAMBATTA

4.

MAKODA

KOGUNA

MAKODA, KOGUNA, JIBGA, BABBAN RUGA, SABON ROWA, GALORU, KADANDANI, MAITESEDU, SATAME. YAMMAWA, DURMA, WAILARE, DUNAWA, WANGO. BAKARARI, KOREN TABO, TANGAJI, TANGAJIYO, BAREBARI, YANBAWA, HAZO, KAURAKA.

5.

DAMBATTA

DAMBATTA

THE REMAINING PART OF DAMBATTA AFTER MAKODA IS CREATED AS LGA

6.

KODE

KODE

GANO, RUNA, DAMBAGINA, DAN IDRIS, FALLAU, KANTSI, KODE, DAWAKUI, ZOGARAWA, YAR GAYA, JIDO, YANKATSARE KOGAR KAZA, UNGUWAR DUNIYA, KUNKURAWA KAMAGATA.

7.

DAWAKIN KUDU

DAWAKIN KUDU

THE REMAINING PART AFTER KODE IS CREATED AS LGA

5.

DAWAKIN KUDU

DAWAKIN KUDU

6.

DAWAKIN-TOFA

DAWAKIN TOFA

8.

DAWAKIN TOFA

DAWAKIN TOFA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

7.

GABASAWA

GABASAWA

9.

KARMAMI

ZUGACHI

KARMAMI, ZUGACHI, JODA, MAZANTA,KAWO, SANTSI, GUNDUWA, Y ARZABAINA, YANG WAN, WASARDE, WAILARE, TOFA, JIJITAR, GURUMA, GUMAWA

10.

GABASAWA

GAB ASAWA

WHAT REMAINS AFTER KARMAMI IS CREATED AS LGA.

11.

AJINGI

GURDUBA

AJINGI, BALARE, CHULA, DABIN KANAWA DUNDUN, FAGAWA, FULATAN,GAFASA,GULYA, GURDUBA, JIYAYY KADIRI, KARA DAGAJI, KAWARI. KARA MAKAMA, KUNKURAWA SAKALAWA, TORAUKE, URGUWAR BAI YANWAWA.

12.

GAYA

GAYA

THE REMAINING PART AFTER AJINGI IS CREATED AS LGA.

8.

GAYA

GAYA

9.

GEZAWA

GEZAWA

13.

GEZAWA

GEZAWA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

10.

GWARZO

GWARZO

14.

GWARZO

GWARZO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

11.

KANO

KANO CITY

15.

KANO MUNICIPAL

KANO CITY

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA. MUNICIPAL

12.

KARAYE

KARAYE

16.

ROGO

ZAREWA

BARBAJI, BELI, FULATAN, HAGO, KADUNA, KARO. KARSHI, ROGO, RUWANBAGO, ZAMFARAWA. TSARA, BARI. FALGORE, GWANGWAN. JAJAYE, KALEKU, MAKERA, NASSARAWA, RUMA, TSOHUWAR ROGO, ZAREWA

17.

KARAYE

KARAYE

WHAT REMAINS AFTER ROGO GLA IS CREATED.

18.

KUMBOTSO

KUMBOTSO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

13.

KUMBOTSO

KUMBOTSO

DAILY SUN

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

The State of Our States 14.

KURA

KURA

Special Report

19.

GAR UN MALLAM

GARUN MALLAM

CHIROMAWA. GAR UN BABBA, GARUN MALLAM, JOBAWA, KYANFAWA, KADAWA MAKWARO, FARKURAM, RINGIMAWA YADAKWAI.

20.

KURA

KURA

THE REMAINNG PART OF KURA AFTER CREATING GARUN MALLAM AS LGA.

15.

MINJIBIR

MINJIBIR

21.

MINJIBIR

MINJIBIR

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

16.

NASSARAWA

NASSARAWA

22.

NASSARAWA

NASSARAWA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

17.

RANO

RANO

23.

KIBIYA

KIBIYA

KIBIYA, CHALBO, FANCHA, FASI, KADIGAWA, KULUKI, KURE, TARAI, U/LIMAN, U/GAI, BACHA, FARAM, KAHU, KALAMBU. FAMMAR, NARIY A, SHIKE. SARARI, DURBA

24.

RANO

RANO

REMAINING PART AFTER KIBIYA IS CREATED AS LGA

18.

TOFA

TOFA

25.

TOFA

TOFA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

19.

RIMINGADO

RIMINGADO

26.

RIMIN GADO

RIMIN GADO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

20.

WARAWA

WARAWA

27.

WARAWA

WARAWA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

21.

SHANONO

SHANON

28.

SHANONO

SHANONO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

22.

SUMAILA

SUMAILA

29.

RIMI

RIMI

RIMI, MAGAMI, KWAJALE. BAJI. MASU, KANAWA, BANGO, GALA. KA WO, BAGAGARE. GEDlYA, DANDO, F ARINDUTSE, GOMO, DARTS ANA

30.

SUMAILA

SUMAILA

THE BALANCE OF SUMAILA LGA AFTER RIMI IS CREATED.

31.

KACHAKO

KACHAKO

KACHAKO. BIRNIN BAKO. DURBUNDE, D1RIBO, HUGUMA, KA Y ARDA, KARFI, KAFIN LAFIYE, DANBAJAU FARARAWA LANGWAMI SAKAWAYA.

32.

TAKAI

TAKAI

THE REMAINING PART AFTER KACHAKO LGA IS CREATED.

33.

KUNCHI

KUNCHI

KUNCHI DISTRICTS. CHANGE.

34.

TSANYAWA

TSANYAWA

TSANYAWA DISTRICTS.

35.

ALWALI

BURUM BURUM

BABARI. BURUM BURUM. DALAWA. DARIYA, GAZOBI. FALA, RUFAN. FANCHA KALAMBA SAYA-SAYA, DAMBAZAN GANI, GOMO, MASU, MATUGWA AND SIITI AREAS.

36.

TUDUN WADA

TUDUN WADA

THE REMAINING PART AFTER ALWALI IS CREATED AS LGA

23.

24.

25.

TAKAI

TSANYAWA

TUNDUN WADA

TAKAI

TSANYAWA

T/WADA

26.

UNGOGO

UNGOGO

37.

UNDODO

UNGOGO

NO CHANGE. EXISITING LGA.

27.

WUDIL

WUDIL

38.

GARKO

GARKO

BUDA, DAL, GARIN. All, GARKO. GURJIY A, KAFIN MALAMAI, KATINARI, KAWO. KERA, KWAS. KAMIRE. MAIDA, MAKADI, RABA, SANNI, SARINA, TSAKAWAR DAL, YARKA, ZAKARA W A.

39.

WUDIL

WUDIL

THE REMAINING PART AFTER GARKO IS CREATED.

28.

ALBASU

ALBASU

40.

ALBASU

ALBASU

NO CHANGE EXISTING LGA.

29.

DOGUWA

RIRIWAI

41.

DOGUWA

RIRIWAI

NO CHANGE EXISTING LGA.

30.

BEBEJI

BEBEJI

42.

BEBEJI

BEBEJI

NO CHANGE EXISTING LGA.

31.

KABO

KABO

43.

KABO

KABO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

32.

DALA

DALA

44.

DALA

DALA

NO CHANGE EXISTING LGA.

33.

BUNKURE

BUNKURE

45.

BUNKURE

BUNKURE

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

34.

MADOBI

MADOBI

46.

MADOBI

MADOBI

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

To be continued tomorrow

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rethren, we in this part of the world are in the mood of prayer not because it is the season of prayer or we are admonished to pray to the Prayer answering God but because the situation we came to find ourselves demands by its merit a fervent and passionate prayer. This is because we have been boxed into tight corner by circumstances of events of history of our country and we couldn’t help ourselves nor find a rescuer to come to our aid. Our leaders have failed us, society has also failed on its part and government machineries have failed us. Our only option now is to call, pray and supplicate to the Almighty God to intervene in our plight and give answers to our prayers.

Our consolation is that our God is a prayer answering God and we totally rely on Him to give answer to our prayers. He answered the chosen ones in the Bible, such people like Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon and Peter, Paul and Silas.

Psalm 99: 6 says, “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them” When God designs mercy, He puts it into the hearts of His people to pray for the mercy designed. When such a spirit of prayer is poured out, the mercy that it evokes prevails against any judgement meted for the it, thus answer is given to the prayer. These notable chosen people of old made God’s word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer and miracles were wrought at their request.

They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, Jesus Christ our Lord who has greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship Him upon His mercy-seat, let us never forget that He is holy.

As we said last week that no matter your condition, situation, bondage, etc; the same God that answered Moses and the apostles of old is still alive to answer your prayers in Jesus name. Paul and Silas were bound, fettered and tortured yet they prayed and praised God and God heard them and answered them. In any situation, if we can cry to God, He will answer us in Jesus name.

Jere 29:12-14 says, “12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all

Thursday, August 9, 2012

CHOSEN WAY

By PASTOR LAZARUS MOUKA heavenatlast2003@yahoo.com

The prayer answering God (11) the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Approach God with all your heart as it is written and He will cause you to be restored to your former glory.

1Tim. 2: 8 says, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting”.

The above verse captures the position of God as far as prayer is concerned. Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular in the house of prayer, but men must pray every where.

We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether in public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing.

The above verse also made us to understand that if we are to expect answer to our prayer we must ensure that we appear before God with holy hands devoid of any atom of wickedness and doubting. So as you pray ensure that your heart is full of purity devoid of anger and unbelief and the Lord will accede to your request. This is because heartiness and sincerity in seeking God insure a gracious answer.

James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him”.

The Lord answers prayers made with true faith in God. In the above the Scripture shows the good effects of prayer.

The Bible did not ascribe the sick man’s recovery to the oil, but to the prayer. The prayer of faith shall save the sick.

Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”.

All things whatsoever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Jesus here lays down the broad general rule in the application of which we must be guided by.

The rule is, indeed, liberal and gracious. We must not expect to obtain that which it is unlawful for us to desire or which it is unwise for us to seek, nor must we selfishly

run counter to the will of God. I want you to understand that as Christians, true children of the living God, as you pray and believe Him, you will get answers to your petitions in Jesus name. You must therefore keep away from sin or anything that resembles it because it hinders prayers. These sins may be faithlessness, unbelief, unforgiveness, complaining, murmuring, bitterness etc.

Isaiah 59:1-3 says, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness”. No one prays in sin and expects his or her prayers to be answered and so if you must pray, please endeavour as believers to confess and renounce all known and unknown sins, flee from all appearances of evil ensure purity, holiness and He will surely meet you at the points of your needs in Jesus name.

The above scriptures have become necessary given that many have prayed and are still praying without answers to their prayers and hence if you must pray you must do so with purity of heart, holiness and you will be answered by Him. The Lord has assured us that whenever we call upon Him He will answer us as we have seen Matt. 7:7-11 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him? Pray according to the will of the living God and He will give you answers.

Psalm 65:2 says, “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come”. The God whom we serve is a prayer answering God who in addition will answer you speedily as you pray today.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012 41

Radiant Encounter “...The letter killeth but the spirit gives life.” II Cor 3:6

Evang. Femi Olaoluwa

080561568736, 08022556887,

www.radiantencounterfemiblogspot.com; radiantlife@yahoo.com;

E-mail: adorobaba@yahoo.com

21st Century English grammar and usage (55) Integrity on trial “It should be honour enough to be elected to parliament, one did not go there to make money,” so noted the late Enoch Powell, former leader of the British Conservative Party. But in Nigeria, one goes to the National Assembly to make money-easy money! The other day, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo observed that the National Assembly is an arm of government made up of “thieves and armed robbers”! Obj has been vindicated.

In the terminology of television, let us face it.

Like Charity, integrity begins at home. Integrity is not an option. Integrity is not situational.

Integrity must not be compromised. Yes, integrity, like nationhood, is an absolute, not relative.

Besides, there is no half-way house to it. Indeed, it is the standard for upright, honest, godly and correct people. Mr. Integrity are you all ears?

Tell us all the details, we are listening intently!

200 masquerades or 200 masqueraders?

2012 National Yam Festival Igbo Ukwu promises 200 “masquerades” (masqueraders) and over 76 yam species. Have you ever seen 200 “masquerades” (masqueraders), the perceived spirits of the departed ones performing at “a” (one) go? Would you believe that “masquerades” (masqueraders) could be likened to insects or the Yoruba “kokoro”? Well , some “masquerades” (masqueraders), alias Ojuju Calabar or Mmanwu in Igbo, are diurnal while some are nocturnal? - DAILY SUN, JULY 5, 2012 Woman forced to apologise to her rapist. An undergraduate nursing mother claims the police forced her to deny the rape, write letter of apology to the accused “masquerade” (masquerader).

After the young woman was allegedly raped by a masquerade” (masquerader), she was then made to apologise to her rapist, for, wait for it, wrongly accusing him. – DAILY SUN, MAY 31, 2012. Special notes on grammar and usage: At one go”, meaning “with only one attempt”, is a formal (fIxed) idiom. It cannot be changed to “at a go”. Nobody has any license, including journalistic, poetic, editorial or pastoral, to change, alter or rearrange a fixed idiom.

Example: The Celebrator blew out all the candles at one go.

The mask or effigy is the masquerade. The masquerade on its own cannot do anything. But the masquerader, like the Queen, can do no wrong. He has awesome power. He can curse; he can bless, he can dance, eat and drink in the groove, his perpetual habitat. As far as masqueraders are concerned, it is a man’s world.

Masquerade cannot steal or rape, but the masquerader can do one hundred and one things!

From the Onset or from the Outset?

However, Hon. Farouk Lawan’s robust law making career has suffered a jolt with the latest $3million cash-for-clearance bribery allegation “leveled” (levelled) by the businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, who is widely regarded as a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Unknown to Lawan and the Ad HOC Committee, the affected stakeholders were believed to have perfected plans from the “onset” (outset) to fight back in a clinical manner. – THE NATION ON SUNDAY’S cover page, June 17, 2012.

Like Obasanjo said or as Obasanjo said? “like” (AS) former President Olusegun Obasanjo said at the Economic summit, people talk about the risk of doing business in Nigeria but nobody wants to talk about the returns.

We made “a lot of” (many) mistakes but God saw us through. In our sixth month, we almost closed down, - ibid. Notes on grammar and usage: “From the outset”, meaning “from the beginning” is a formal (fixed) phrase/idiom).

E.g. You know what Ronke was like from the outset so you have got yourself to blame. “onset” means attack; vigor oust start (of evil) e.g. at the first onset; the onset of a disease\the onset of fever.

Remember, a hint: “As” is followed by a verb, e.g. As I said yesterday; as OBJ said the other day (not like I said yesterday”, which is a piece of Americanism). The Chief priest of usage. H.W. Fowler, author of A dictionary of Modern English Usage has said it a long time ago that “ a lot” and “lots of” will soon disappear

from the language. Use “many” for countables and “much” for uncountables.

Tribal marks or face marks?

I consider myself lucky, to have escaped “tribal” (face) marks. – THE NATION ON SUNDAY, July 31, 2011. Note on usage; “Tribal marks” is old—fashioned, or dated. You can correctly say or write; face marks or facial marks.

I cannot remember or I do not remember?

I was brought up in an orthodox, Jewish household; but I “cannot even remember” (cannot recollect\recall or don’t even remember) a period in which either ritual or dogma had meaning for me. – Harold Laski, political theorist and educator, usage note: REMEMBER RECOLLECT. To remember is to call to mind what has happened, without any great effort; to recollect is do the same after some effort. Hence, it is usually more proper to say (this is the rule or convention of the language); I do not remember when I said my first word. I cannot recollect the name of my first head teacher in my primary school.

INFORMANT, INFORMER. Informant is one who gives information in general, but an informer is one who makes it his business to detect offenders and lay information against them. E.g. concerning this news, Deborah is my informant, Alhaji Adebisi is a police informer.

The priests of usage (or, usagists) call them synonymous Nouns. They include: Artisan, Artist; Compunction, Remorse; Custom, Habit; House, Home; Thief, Robber; Veracity, Truth; Safety, Security; Admiration, wonder; Answer, Reply, Response, etc.

The mother of or the daddy of?

The “mother” (daddy\grand-daddy) of all credit cards is the human body parts. The tarsus costs N50,000, while the toes and fingers cost N10,000.

The day Disneyland was opening in Orlando, Florida, the Master of “Ceremony” (ceremonies) who introduced Mrs. Disney said to her, “Mrs. Disney, I wish that Walt Disney was around to see this.”

“Congrats” (Congratulations) Asiwaju Tinubu Meanwhile, you are to ensure that further action on the appeals is put on hold pending the determination of the serious allegations “leveled” (levelled) against you and the president of the Court of Appeal, please.

Comprising of or Comprising?

The meeting – The Methodist. Conference – cornexional council- which ended last week in the ancient town of Umuahia, Abia State, also saw the re-election of Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Opoko as the church’s secretary of conference, the creation of three new Dioceses “comprising of” (comprising) Lagos North, Abia East and Ngbo.

– THE NATION, AUGUST 5, 2011; Transformation English abhors “comprising of”!

Everybody can go his or her way or their ways?

If they (the Christians) don’t want us to live together in Nigeria, everybody can go “his\her” (their) ways; we don’t have to live together. – THE NATION’S OP-ED, Page, August 3, 2011. Special notes on grammar and usage: In the 21st Century, you can use “everyone” or everybody” to refer to all the people in the country or in the world, we use “their” for “his or her”, particularly when we use “everybody” or “everyone”. E.g. everyone has their own ideas about Boko Haram. If Christians don’t want us, Muslims, to live together?

Lest we forget, Nigeria became a British protectorate in 1901. And on Sunday, January 1, 1914, the two protectorates, North and South, were amalgamated by the British Governor, General Lord Luggard called it Nigeria (Niger Area) without any form of consultation with the stakeholders, the natives or nationals of Nigeria.

Hence, the late Sultan of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, described the action as “the mistake of 1914”. Was he essentially correct?

And on Sunday, January 1, 2012, President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan removed fuel subsidy as a new year gift to Nigerians, as usual, no consultation. Those two Sundays will remain black as days of infamy in Nigeria’s Political history.

The Church should go back to original gospel –Pastor Nick Medo-Uwa

I

n this ENCOUNTER, Pastor Nick MedoUwa takes a look at the challenge before the Church in winning souls to God’s kingdom and perfecting the saints. The General Overseer of Pentecostal Canaanland Mission, Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos also speaks on his vision and the his churchís forthcoming annual programme: Three Super Sundays from August 29 to August 31, 2012, theme: Recover your Position. Excerpts: “I believe that whatever one becomes or does as children of God had been by divine arrangement before the beginning of the creation. Our Church, Pentecostal Canaanland Mission Inc., popularly known as His People’s Church was established in 1999 with mandate to reach the world for Christ, bring prosperity to the body of Christ and preparing the Saints for the second coming of Christ. To God be the glory, He has made us to experience diverse miracles, signs and wonders as evidences of His favour.

We are known for love, no cultural sentiment, and no tribalism. We recognize and celebrate the grace and gifts of God in the lives of all our members and try as much as possible to put them to use.”

2O12- Super Nights of Wonders In preparation for this years MBER months, we are organizing a Three- Super Sundays, theme: Recover your Position; from August 29 to August 31.He said:” Apart from undiluted word feast, inspiring worship to bless lives, we will feature different packages like- Services like Impartation/anointing, Night of Mantle and Night of Feet Washing.

We are inviting everyone to come and fellowship with us as one family. It is a commission in

which God has mandated us to deliver those that are oppressed under any kind of demonic influences, be it financial or business limitations and stagnancy, barrenness, marital delays and above all and we will minister healing to all kind sof illness.

Message to the Church “I want to admonish my fellow pastors to go back and preach the original gospel to the people to stem moral decadence in Christendom.

We need to remember that apart from our spiritual and physical responsibilities to the Church in our care, we are also the watchers over the nation.

One thing I have come to discover in life is that the decisions you make or refuse to make as a person, will determine the course of your life to a great extent. Until you decide to do something, nothing will change in your life.

Even the Lord God may not do anything for you until you have made up your mind on that particular thing. So, the truth is that when you are claiming to be waiting on God, He is waiting for you to act accordingly.”

Majority or Minority: Where do you belong?

By Pastor ISAAC OGUNDELE

T

ext: Numbers 13:25-33: The above is a paramount question that everybody needs to ask himself or herself in this our contemporary days. In this message, we will look at the characteristics of two groups of people from the Bible: the group of ten,

MISSION BRIEFS

EVOM- FFC 2012: Testimonies of supernatural release

T

he 15th Fuel the Fire Conference of theme: Steadfast, Unmovable and Abounding that took place at Nigerian Youth Camp, Eyenkorin, Ilorin from Friday July13 to Sunday July 16, 2012 attracted unprecedented numbers of participants who enjoyed free registration, food and accommodation.

According to the reports made available to the RADIANT LIFE, the conference witnessed high level of Inspiring highway of Praise, special numbers, Fire contact prayer sessions, personal and general devotion, drama sketch, Groups Interactive Bible Study and anointed message. The host, Bro Shola MikeAgboola revealed that Fuel the Fire Conference 2012 sparked a fire in the lives of the participants and attracted fervent prayers.” We give God the glory that many of the participants testified to the package as powerful and wonderful, highly illuminating and challenging.”

•Note: FFC 2013 comes up July 19 to 21, 2013 at Nigerian Youth Camp, Eyenkorin, Ilorin. Fuel the Fire is an annual Conference of Evangelical Outreach Ministries (EVOM)also the producer of My Conclusion, Waiting for the Time and Gone Back Home and about twenty other anointed films.

which I called majority group and the group Caleb, and Joshua (minority group).

Group Ten- majority Group: They are a set of negative people with a negative mind and a negative confession. Num13: 28.

They see problems instead of solutions.

Num. 13:28, 29. They are weak people because they rely on their strength. Num. 13:31. They are people with evil reports or impossibilities. Num. 13:32.They always see the giants or enemies instead of seeing God. Num.13:33.

Group of Caleb and Joshua (minority group) are people of positive mind and confession.

Num. 14:8. Always see solutions instead of problems. Num. 13:30. Strong people because they relied on God’s strength. Num. 13:30. Full of good reports. Num. 14:6, 7.

Always see God instead of giants or enemies. Num. 14:9. Conclusively, having seen the characteristics of the two groups then, May I ask: which group do you belong?

•For Prayer and Counseling, call: 08057384944; 08065591017 Contact (Word of Hope Ministry Worldwide); Mowe, Ogun State.E—mail: wordofhopem@yahoo.com

Waiting Mothers & Fathers Conference Life gate International Churches Waiting Mothers & Fathers Conference comes up August 12, 2012 (2p.m) @ Intercontinental Garden Hotel, Imabi Road, Amarata, Yenagoa, Balyesa State. Ministering: Bishop Samson Grace

Elohim Convention

Elohim Evangelical Church holds her 12th Convention from August 22- 26, 2012. @ Off LASU – Igando Expressway, lba New Site, Lagos. Theme: Let my people go. Host: Bishop Prophet Jimmy Ebolo.

•Call or send SMS to Evang. Femi Olaoluwa (08056158736) for more information & publication of your Christian films or messages in The Sun.

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DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

Maurice Archibong 3-time winner, travel & tourism reporter of the year actsreview@yahoo.com 08056180050

Travels

President of Benin Republic, Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni (6th from left) with Nigeria’s latest envoy to Cotonou, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin (5th left); Mrs. Cecilia Obisakin (4th left), Pastor Adebamibo Aderinto, NIDO Cotonou Chapter President (3rd left); Alhaji A. A. Lawwal, Minister II and Mr. Ernest Monn, Head of Chancery; both of Nigerian Embassy Cotonou extreme left; Beninese Foreign Minister Nassirou Arifari Bako; Mrs Mariam Bali Diallo, Beninese ex-Foreign Minister and currently Presidential Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs; Director of Presidential Cabinet, Mrs. Eleomore Brun (5th from right); Amb Muftau Oyedekpo Laleye, Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria and Col Amossou, Dep. Director, Military Cabinet (3rd right); Dep. Secretary General in Presidential Cabinet, Madame Ines Aboh Ouossou (4th right); with Director, Africa and Mid-East Dept. Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HE Amb DaSilva Josselino Gboni extreme right.

Amb Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin

th Nigeria’s 10 envoy to Benin Republic assumes duty …But, there is no money kept at any embassy for distressed Nigerians Says Director of Consular Service, Foreign Affairs Hqtrs, Abuja

A

ugust 6, 2012 marked a significant milestone in the diplomatic tie between Nigeria and her immediate neighbour to the West, Benin Republic.

It was on that date, Nigerian Embassy Cotonou had a new ambassador, after more than 16 months under the leadership of three different Charges d’Affaires.

It could be recalled that the immediate-past Nigerian Ambassador to Cotonou, Mr. Lawrence Olayiwola Akindele, passed on in the early hours of February 3, 2011 and that this mission faced several challenges arising from the absence of a substantive envoy there. Cheeringly, however, Nigeria’s latest envoy, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin, formally assumed duty in Cotonou on August 6, 2012.

Until his appointment as Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mr. Obisakin was Director, Foreign Service Inspectorate (FSI) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Ambassador Obisakin was one of 93 new ambassadors, who got their Letters of Credence from President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Aso Villa in Abuja.

Interestingly, Amb Obisakin also doubles as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Although Obisakin had practically relocated to the economic capital of Benin Republic some four weeks earlier, the gentleman was at best Ambassador-Designate since he had not yet presented his papers; until Monday, August 6, 2012. So, finally, after some 16 months without a substantive envoy; Nigerian Embassy

Cotonou now has a full-fledged ambassador in the person of 55-yearold Mr. Obisakin.

Born on February 27, 1957 in the Yoruba spiritual hub of Ile-Ife, Osun State in South-western Nigeria; Ambassador Obisakin is married to Pastor (Mrs.) Cecilia Gbemisola Obisakin. The couple’s union is blessed with four children.

Accompanied by his wife and clad like her in similarly resplendent AsoOke woven in Nigeria’s GreenWhite-Green national colours, Ambassador Obisakin presented his Letter of Credence to President of Benin Republic, Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi on Monday, August 6 in Cotonou.

Alhaji A. A. Lawwal and Mr. Ernest Monn, Minister II and Head of Chancery respectively at Nigerian Embassy Cotonou as well as Pastor Adebamibo Aderinto, President, Cotonou Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO); were among the privileged few that accompanied the envoy to the Beninese Presidency.

The event featured several trappings of a state visit, such as excellent rendition of the National Anthem of Benin and Nigeria by the military band of the host country as well as a guard of honour at the Presidential Villa for Ambassador Obisakin, who is Nigeria’s 10th ambassador to neighbouring Benin Republic since the former French colony, known as Dahomey until 1975; attained independence on August 1, 1960.

Nigeria’s mission opened in the Beninese economic capital in the early 1970s and Ambassador D. D. Obunge was the premiere envoy.

Ambassador Obunge worked at

Nigerian Embassy Cotonou from 1974 to 1976. Obisakin succeeds the late Ambassador Lawrence Olayiwola Akindele, who passed on in 2011 (3 February), while on active service.

Challenges Although His Excellency Dr. Yayi Boni was meeting Obisakin for the first time in the latter’s new capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cotonou, there are grounds to believe the duo had met in the course of work in previous times; when Obisakin served as Presidential Interpreter to various heads of states and Nigerian ministers. Today, Obisakin has risen in stature; and, so has President Yayi Boni for the enviable transformations he has brought and continues to bring to Benin Republic since assuming the office of Chef de l’Etat.

If the warmth and body language that characterised the meeting between President Yayi Boni and Ambassador Obisakin could be taken for mutual preparedness to consolidate on the existing brotherly ties between Nigeria and her immediate neighbour to the west; then more positive strides could be expected in the coming months and years.

It is not for nothing, Beninese Coat of Arms carry the words Fraternite, Justice, Travail. These words, which could be taken for Brotherhood, Justice and Industry characterise the affection between Nigerians and our kiths and kin to the west. Unofficial figures put the population of Nigerians living in Benin Republic at over 1million and colossal volume of trading (albeit largely informal) daily takes place between nationals of both countries.

Moreover, aside being contiguous

L-R: President Yayi Boni receiving the Letters of Credence from Nigeria’s latest envoy to Cotonou, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin.

Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin on red carpet, inspecting a guard of honour mounted for his visit; when he went to present his Letters of Credence to President Yayi Boni. neighbours, geographically, as well as fellow members of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States); Beninese and Nigerians are inextricably bound by ancestral ties. Evidently, therefore, whether in consideration of Africa or Citizen Diplomacy or Economic Diplomacy as Centrepiece of

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy; Benin is very important to Nigeria and vice versa.

Nonetheless, the population of Nigerians living in Benin Republic or passing through to other West African countries is believed to be in the millions. Given the diverse occupations, backgrounds and motive of

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

43

TRAVELS •Continued from Page 36

as Akindele, Obisakin also was once a keen table-tennis player. Like Akindele, Obisakin is also a polyglot. And, evocative of his late colleague, Obisakin is now one of very few Nigerians with residual knowledge of Latin and Greek.

Diplomat, linguist, author, translator, interpreter and minister of God; Obisakin is all of these and more. Obisakin is a vocational pastor and head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s Francophone congregation. With regard to work, Obisakin, like the late Akindele was; is infectiously passionate and meticulous. By some uncanny coincidence, the new Nigerian envoy to Cotonou also served at many of the same stations, where work took Akindele, now of blessed memory.

When it comes to tongues, Obisakin must be something of a deity: He has perfect comprehension of at least four languages. Aside fluency in his mother tongue, Yoruba; and, Nigeria’s lingua franca, English language; Obisakin actually holds a degree in French and Portuguese.

Hear him: “At advanced interpreter’s level, English, French, Portuguese and Yoruba; and, at ‘B’ or working level, Spanish and German.

Also, an average knowledge: Igbo, Latin Greek, Hebrew, Italian and Russian”. Howzat!

In the realm of diplomatic career, with his posting as Nigeria’s envoy to Benin Republic as

some of these migrants and wayfarers; it would be naïve not to expect occasional eruption of certain issues. Indeed, the frequency of such unwholsesome developments could overwhelm the Consular Desk of any nation’s diplomatic mission; and, Nigerian Embassy Cotonou is not an exception in this regard.

Therefore, even when armed with academic and professional competences as well as patriotic zeal and passion for the job; if faced with inadequate funding, a mission’s effort could fall far short of expectations. It is common knowledge among watchers of Nigeria’s Foreign Service that the country’s missions often cannot succour distraught compatriots abroad due to impecuniosities.

The issue of funding is therefore crucial to the proper execution of the task of any Nigerian Embassy, including the one in Cotonou. This cash-strapped situation of Nigeria’s embassies came to light during a visit by members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Diaspora to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Abuja. Speaking inside the Conference Room of the MFA during the legislators’ call, the Director of Consular Services, Ambassador MaiKano had lamented: “As of now, there is no dime voted for Consular Services”.

While explaining that cash crunch is the primary reason many distressed Nigerians cannot find succour from their embassy, this director of consular services had practically emphasised that, there is no vote dedicated to assisting any distraught Nigerian in some foreign land. According to this diplomat, there is a need to change the perception among Nigerians that their embassy is loaded because, “There is no money kept at any embassy for distressed Nigerians”.

Ambassador Obisakin up close Aside numerous other credentials, Obisakin took a post-graduate diploma (PGD) in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College in Abuja in 1997; and, only last year (2011), he earned an MA in Biblical Leadership and Ministry.

That course was steep and featured Concentration in Conflict Management from University of Newburgh in Indiana, USA. Interestingly, this topflight diplomat holds some professional certificates, too. Obisakin holds a UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Certificate in Structure, Drafting and Adoption of UN Resolutions (2007); and, another UNITAR Certificate in Effective R-L: President of Benin Republic, Dr. Thomas Yayi Negotiation in Multilateral Boni with Nigeria’s latest envoy to Cotonou, Conferences (2008).

Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin.

These and other qualifications are ample proofs that Ambassador substantive ambassador, Obisakin, who joined Obisakin brings to his new office enviable train- Nigeria’s Foreign Service, then known as ing and experience money can’t buy. But, Ministry of External Affairs, on 4 August 1981; despite his perspicacity on numerous fronts, has attained professional apogee. He was a Nigeria’s latest ambassador to Cotonou is still member of the pioneer class of 1983 (January to flesh and blood. He is another mortal and must October) at the then nascent Foreign Service have his shortcomings, too. But, with regard to Academy of Nigeria in Lagos. his weaknesses, whatever they may be, we For two years, before proceeding to Nigeria’s would rather leave these to unfold in the course Foreign Service Academy in 1983, Obisakin of time. worked as Third Secretary, Protocol Directorate However, when asked to clue us in on his as Presidential Translator and Interpretor. In the strengths, Obisakin observed that, astounding process, he also served numerous other VIPs in versatility like operating in ten (10) languages; the same capacity. Upon completion of his expertise and considerable experience in training at the Foreign Service academy, International Trade, Disarmament, Peace and Obisakin was sent to Embassy of Nigeria Bern Security Matters, Multilateral Communication, in Switzerland on Attachment Training Public Diplomacy, Conflict Management and Programme from 1983 to 1984.

Mediation as Alternative to Dispute Resolution, As an author Theology and Inter-cultural relations; must rank As author, Obisakin has five books and an among his strong points. academic paper to his credit. The titles of his Obisakin’s hobbies, which include athletics, published works are Dislodging demons: Asysjogging, reading, table-tennis, volleyball, theol- temic approach to deliverance ministration ogy and writing; means that this man’s work (Jerusalem) Yanetz Ltd. 2002; Protocol for life: and what he does for recreation overlap at cer- Guidelines on diplomatic official and social tain points. Interestingly, the new ambassador is matters (Ibadan) Spectrum Books Limited, namesake of his immediate predecessor; for, 2007; God the Holy Spirit: Mystery of apart from their common initials - L.O - both Christianity (Ibadan) Spectrum books Limited, men shared many characteristics.

2007; On the Wings of time, a novel; also pubObisakin is, as Akindele was, enviably versa- lished by Spectrum Books in 2007; Proverbs in tile. And, aside being career diplomats, they communication: A conflict Resolution shared deep interest in sport, languages, dili- Perspective (New York) Triumph Publishing, gence and passion for work; among others. 2010; and, an Academic paper: Interpretation Although he never won as many laurels in sport in diplomacy: A testimonial Approach.

Lagos tourism and Makoko tragedy T here is something definitely wrong with Lagos tourism. It has no face and therefore cannot be placed. Lagos tourism is full of ambiguities and largely driven by flesh and prawn, lacking in absolute wisdom. Specifically, Lagos tourism has no blue print, lacks passionate enthusiasts and apostles with so many confusing minds working at cross-purposes.

Since the advent of this democracy, the operators of relevant ministries saddled with pushing Lagos tourism growth and development have only adopted a cow boy approach, failing in projecting the content and substance of the sector. What we had seen so far were signs of men groping in darkness, professing ignorance and frustration in the midst of tourism plen Let me just put Lagos in perspective for the sake of those who may not understand the purpose of this discuss. The city of Lagos is largely an Aquarian kingdom with the Atlantic Ocean, Lagoon, Streams and inlets providing a veritable pool of marine ecological resources.

From Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and to Badagry, the criss-crossing of the Ocean waters and Lagoon, positions the city as water bed with a stupendous and magnificent gift of nature, largely untapped, abused and neglected.

Culturally, Lagos bursts at seams with manifestingly traditional and historical content that is so rich and significantly endemic.

Everything about the cultural attribute of this city is so unique that even the white invaders couldn’t resist the temptation to exploit and export.

From the Eyo masquerade, the Badagry mystic drum dance and the gregarious multicultural inputs of the Epe/Ikorodu clusters, Lagos shapes a huge pot of cultural complexities. However, the questions begging for answers and to which the Makoko eviction throws up vomit, are the inability of the state to provide an open and verifiable platform that could project today’s Lagos tourism challenges and its future benefits.

Let me again explain. Lagos by virtue of its location and natural tourism gifts has for “effective”, administration, Ministries of Environment, Transport, Waterfront infrastructural development, Waterways management, Tourism, and Home and Culture.

These administrative lines in one way or the order contributes and drives inherent tourism content in their areas of jurisdiction.

For instance, the ministry of environment should provide us a road map of the state of Lagos waters and audit the marine ecological content for tourism development and promotion. In order words, all the ministries and agencies of the state highlighted above are the fulcrum of tourism development in Lagos, nothing less, nothing more.

Unfortunately, the absence of an effective tourism ministry in Lagos, has largely undermined the significance and value of business with bold face foreign exchange status.

Ministry of tourism that acts as a follower and not as a leader in its most manifestingly grandeur, can only watch while a water front agency destroys a tourism settlement or village in the name of securing its water front as a tourism frontier.

I had said it times without number that Lagos despite the

People & Tourism

Frank Meke mekefrank@yahoo.co.uk 08057511885 (sms only)

huge tourism resources has failed to fly in the tourism map of Nigeria because its lacks vision and the will to make a statement. The administration’s tourism agenda is hollow and that’s why it cannot convince anyone that its decision to wipe out the Maroko Village is to create a better tourism environment.

It is important to quickly point out that Makoko can be found in most countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Shanties or the so called slums in other parts of the world as seen as serious tourism economic issues and sincere attention given to its development for the sake urban growth and development, and to a large extent to recreate a living life style culturally significant for the people.

Lagos merchantile expansionist agenda is at variance with this global tourism vision for water based communities which are money spinners as tourists are always thrilled to visit and learn how people could survive living on water. Lagos should tell us how much it generates granting license to underwater sand excavation companies and a true auditing of the state’s ecological resources. To destroy Makoko in the name of mega city project simply puts to lie the intention of the drivers of this initiative since such a grandeur must project and protect different segments of societal needs and aspirations.

God made the poor and warned that the poor must remain with us, so the only way we can address the issue of the poor of Makoko is to main stream their existence which we cannot wish away into whatever tourism future Lagos intends to husband.

I submit that the environmental issue facing this village or settlement is not their making but of the rich in Lagos that throws their rubbish and garbage into Lagos Lagoon. We must understand that water hates rubbish and would return it back to sender. To use this fallout as an excuse to wipe out a settlement which voted during elections in the state and projects no evidence of the gains of democracy is to invite rebellion and resistance.

Time has come for Fashola to do a serious rethink about the future of the poor and water people in Lagos. Where are the plans for Takway Bay and other inlets locations from Ojo to Badagry? Mega Environments as envisaged by water front agency in Lagos can only benefit the rich, but the poor inlets if given a simple touch of development for the sake of tourism, can create a sustainable economy that will help the people and make tax returns to government.

If Lagos would not dream this huge tourism dreams, it will not make any meaningful tourism impact no matter the size of elephantine projects for •Fashola programmed development.

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 9, 2012

ARTS M

inister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, recently paid a working visit to the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Leading other dignitaries like Mallam Kabir Yusuf, General Manager of the theatre complex, Li Bing; Acting Project Manager of CCECC, the Chinese company, building the rail project and Wang Xin, another official of the company, among others around the complex, the minister recalled that sometime in 2010, the Presidency gave its blessings to the project embarked upon by Lagos State Government to build a blue line mass transit station. This is aimed at easing mass transportation challenges in Lagos and its environs. The minister was, therefore, in Lagos to monitor the progress of the project and see what challenges it is facing.

Secondly, Duke hinted that he came to do a fairly detailed appraisal of the theatre complex and its environs. This is in view of the fact that recently, the Federal Government cited the increasing dilapidation of public buildings across the country. As the head of the ministry and in collaboration with other stakeholders, it became expedient for him to come and see to the welfare of the complex.

He addressed the gathering after a closed door meeting with the builders: “You all know the history of the Theatre better than I do and I think time has come for

We must all work to save N’Theatre –Duke the media and stakeholders to raise their voices again, not only for government but corporate Nigeria to see to the renewal of programmes of the National Theatre. It is my belief that nowhere else in West Africa do we have a property the quality and prospect of the National Theatre Nigeria.”

“It is also important at this period which is the eve of the budget implementation process for us to look at the National Theatre. I am a bit flustered when I see that Nigeria’s iconic building has become a den of all kind of activities and the environment has become completely compromised, and its environs have become haven for hoodlums.”

“Even as we begin to look at the celebration of Nigeria’s 100 years in another 24 months, the time to address the dilapidation is now. If we do not do it now, it will be a poor reflection of even our national ethos.”

“The Federal Government has recently expressed alarm at the integrity of very many public buildings across the country and government has called on ministries, departments, agencies and stakeholders to respond to the

urgent need for integrity checks on the status of public buildings right across the country.”

“It is not that the government has not spent money on the theatre these past years but because of the competing demands for other projects of government, adequate financial appropriation has not been accorded the theatre in the past one decade at least. It is therefore of urgent public interest that the National Theatre must receive attention.”

“We must call on corporate Nigeria. There are international brands that are doing their most profitable businesses on the continent.

We urge them to deploy their corporate social responsibilities from other parts of Africa towards the rehabilitation and renewal of the National Theatre. The National Theatre and its environs provide the most attractive real estate for investors, especially in Lagos. We are therefore in dire need for the development of not just the National Theatre but ancillary structures and facilities around it.”

“It is impossible that we’ll stand aside and see such a monumental milestone without an impact on the National Theatre.”

•Duke

Segun Olusola built peace with culture –Prof Tunde Babawale

M

•Prof. Babawale, being received

by Mr Jimi Olusola III

angement of Centre for Black and African Arts an Civilisation (CBAAC), led by Professor Tunde Babawale, recently paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ambassador Segun Olusola at their Lagos residence. The delegation was received by Chief Olusola’s eldest son, Mr. Olujimi Olusola III, and widow of the late culture icon, Mrs. Olusola.

While commiserating with the family, CBAAC Director General stated that Chief Olusola had played his part in life and that others would have to continue from where he stopped. He stated that he (Olusola) left a legacy of using culture as an instrument of diplomacy and his love for peace would be highly missed in Nigeria and Africa.

The CBAAC boss recounted the relationship his organisation had with the late ambassador, which he

believed, would be continued after his demise.

He reiterated the centre’s continued support for the Olusola family, saying ‘CBAAC will continue to support the family, the gallery and African Refugee Foundation in order to continue what Baba loved to do’.

He added that Chief Olusola should be celebrated and not mourned as his legacy has distinguished him.

Prof. Babawale, who also represented the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, on the occasion, expressed the Minister’s condolence to the family.

In his reaction on behalf of the Olusola’s family, Mr. Olujimi Olusola III expressed his appreciation to CBAAC management for the visit. He informed the visitors that his late father left many books and documentation and requested joint effort with CBAAC for preservation of the valuable materials and other works of Arts for the benefit of humanity.

Day Iroko thrilled Islanders at Bistro

By SIMEON MPAMUGOH

T

he ambience was cool, in a quiet corner on Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the location of Bistro Bar and Restaurant.

Dr. Ola Balogun and his Iroko band held an array of mature and sophisticated guests from different walks of life, who graced his live show at the restaurant spellbound. They thronged the venue in search of relaxation, after another work week in the ever busy city of Lagos.

After few minutes’sound check, the stage was electrified with heavy percussions, sound harmony, qualitative orchestra and inspirational lyrics, anchored by Sola Babs, the only female member of the group. Afro-centric music impresario, Dr. Ola Balogun, and his band members were at their best, dishing out tunes with occasional bridges from his repertoire of compositions.

He took absolute charge of the show ensuring symphony in the beats and vocals from the lead singer, Sola Babs whose sonorous voice and regal dance steps were all the guests needed to join others on the dancing floor.

The show was not only entertaining but also provided a platform for Ola Balogun’s commentaries on Nigeria, which he described as a country ruled by perverse, morally bankrupt and corrupt leaders. He added that Nigeria’s plight is that of a nation steeped in corruption. From the open-

ing piece Africa in which he prayed for the continent’s development, he wondered why every African must experience exploits in the land that has already been blessed. (Africa: Ire ni gbogbo wa). Help, I don’t want to suffer again was another lyric he used to call on those in power in Nigeria to work towards ameliorating the sufferings of the people.

On the romantic plane, Balogun and his band performed a remix of the Gbedu Master, Kola Ogunkoya’s Love me jeje, love me tender, which literarily means touch me and love me gently.

Also performed was the late Obiajulu Nwozo’s (MC Loph) lines of Nwababy nye mi ife gi (Young girl give me your love) which was fused in heavy saxophone, Be my lover, Sweet Darling, and a birthday song for his daughter among others. The band went further by paying tributes to Star lager beer, in honour of the brand manager whom Balogun said would have been part of the show but for unavoidable reasons, could not attend. However, popular television personality, Sola Omole was among the quests. The band equally rendered a song entitled Tombo (Palm wine); extolling the medicinal content of the local brew. The song was rendered in different dialects and Ola Balogun also remarked that the brew could serve as an export product, except that there is no sound cultural and export policy in Nigeria.

One striking point about the 13-year old band,

according to Ola Balogun, is that 80 percent of the songs are its original compositions. And all the beats flow on heavy percussion, wedded with sax. A rights activist and social crusader, Balogun noted that music in Nigeria has lost connection with background of the people. His words: “Today’s artistes are playing illiterate music, nursery rhymes with no direction” He berated organizations that endorse such works with huge sums of money adding that no mature mind could spare time and money to listen to such garbage.

UK- based point man of Bistro Bar and

Restaurant, Dr. Joe Akubueze, told Daily Sun that he got into signing a pact with Dr. Ola Balogun and his Iroko Band through a mutual friend. “ He talked to me and I understood the truth in what he was saying and I decided to give it a shot. I have always loved to do anything that has ethnic inclinations. I’m very proud of my heritage as a Nigerian and African in Diaspora,” said Akubueze who maintained that when Dr Ola Balogun approached him, saying Iroko band was Afrocentric, and having watched the band’s live videos, “ I gave it my approval.” he added.

•Iroko band

Thursday, August 9, 2012 DAILY SUN

45

ARTS

When death mocks man

AAF unveils finalists of the National Art Competition

Death’s Laughter, by Femi Dada Adedina,

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By FAITH OMORUYI

H

ow can a man be so good and yet be inherently wicked? How can a nation be so blessed and rich but has majority of its people poor? What makes human beings amass wealth at whatever costs, even at the risk of dying and losing everything they ever had? Why did man come into being? These and other questions came to mind after reading Femi Dada Adedina’s novel, entitled Death’s Laughter.

A social satire that mirrors corruption and the futility of life achievements, the book shows that one cannot really understand a man as the human being remains a complex being with layers of masks on him.

The novel seems to assert that the Yoruba cosmological, religious and cultural beliefs can proffer solutions to the problems, facing individuals, despite the cultural imperialism from the West.

There is infusion of Yoruba expressions, Biblical passages, folk songs, proverbs and tales in the Yoruba language but with English translation in the story and at the beginning of each chapter. Yet the author weaves the story round the technique of stream-of-consciousness, which is shown from the psyche, views and thoughts of the characters. This technique is strengthened when the recalled conversations between characters are italicized and not punctuated. But there is the use of both omniscient and first person narration in the plot of the novel.

The 387-page novel tells the story of Pastor Jude Akanmu Babajide (aka Pastor Jay or inJayte) as he is fondly called by his friends. It also tells the life story of all the characters that have been affected by Babajide either negatively or positively.

The protagonist is the only child of his parents.

His parents had him after much travails, even his mother had been widowed twice before meeting his equally widower father, Venerable Akanji Babajide.

But they died while he was still in secondary school so he was raised by his aunt, Foluke Babajide, whom the writer describes as a clairvoyant. When Jude was born, Foluke saw a vision of Death in the room with the child. In the same way when she went to a spiritualist, she was told that the baby’s father had to be the one to carry a sacrifice on his

behalf so as to prevent his untimely death. But when she informed Venerable Babajide, he refused because he had embraced Christianity.

Jude grew up to be different things to many people. He was the head of a secret cult as an undergraduate but he was equally active in church aside being a brilliant student. He later had two wives who never knew each other until his death in a plane crash, yet he refused to have an affair with his personal assistant, Margaret, in spite of the latter’s efforts to seduce him.

As the Electoral Commissioner who started his career honestly, he seemed to have been forced into corruption by ruthless and powerful men in the society. He had a lot of money in foreign accounts and bought a lot of houses in and out of Nigeria. But he was able to assist many students who were placed on scholarship through his personal efforts.

Meanwhile, Jude’s first wife and banker, Funmi, decides to revenge after discovering that her late husband married another woman who had twins for him. She did this by tracing all his bank accounts and anonymously sending the list of all his assets to the Crime and Corruption Commission so that he could be investigated posthumously. However, Funmi contributed to her husband’s sins because she refused to relocate from Lagos to Abuja following her husband’s transfer to the nation’s capital as head of the Electoral Commission. Meanwhile, the two women and their children stand the risk of losing their husband’s property should the Corrupt Commission decide to frozen all his assets.

The book tries to show the pervading religious hypocrisy, immorality and corruption in the country at all levels. Another subject matter in the book is that death comes in spite of all man’s achievements and aspirations in life.

As if explaining the content of the book pictorially, the human skull on the cover page symbolizes death with a perpetual grin and which is surrounded by a house, car, a bundle of money, wedding rings, a father and his child.

However, the author seems to dash the reader’s hopes when he tells the story of a major character but brings in suspense and never resolves the issue thereby leaving the story hanging. In the end, each of the characters experiences a life that seems to stand on its own. For instance, the captivating story of Francis Buba Usman who used to be an Emir’s

heir, later became a Catholic Reverend Father. The same man later got married, but his story eventually hangs in the air.

Somehow the book’s philosophy on religion could be confusing as it portrays traditionalism as the solution to human problems on one hand, and extreme Christianity on the other. This is noticeable in how atheists like Francis and Margaret change to Christianity.

In spite of this, the novel is likely to keep its reader till the last page as it provides a captivating read.

The book is a breathtaking journey that would take the reader through many twists and turns. It also records a number of typographical errors on page 38 and few grammatical errors in page 43 – “…a none traditional beleiver like my brother” instead of “a non-traditional believer like my brother”; “stoty” (page 165) instead of “story”.

The journey inside the book starts from the 1930s to 1950s down to the 2000s. But definitely, death seems to laugh at all the struggles of man to acquire material and physical wealth when in the end, he would die and leave them all.

Colours of visual images at the NIJ

By SIMEON MPAMUGOH

I

t was a pot pouri of candid shots from the lenses of students of Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ). On completion of their Proficiencies Certificate in Photojournalism (PCPJ), the students exhibited various photographs as part of their graduation ceremony in Ogba, Lagos, recently.

The exhibition was the sixth in the calendar of the course, which started in 2006. Provost of the school, Dr. Lizzy Nkem, while opening the exhibition observed that memories and posterity could only be preserved in a better mould through the works of Photojournalists, adding that with time, Photojournalism would take its rightful place in the media industry.

Explaining the role of photographers Nkem noted that the truth of who carried the ballot box and run during election time can only be told by photo-

journalist. Nkem pointed out that the 2012 exhibition offered the best photographs to look at, as the set is equally the best to have exhibited their works in the history of PCPJ Course in the institution. The provost also commended the commitment and dedication of the exhibitors to learning throughout the four months duration of the programme.

In the same way, Coordinator of the programme, Boye Ola, disclosed that more than 100 graduates have so far been trained on the course, which holds twice in a year. He explained: “There is one for entry-level students, which is designed for those who have knowledge of photography but who want to go into photojournalism. The programme is also called PCPJ1 while the second batch is for those who already have experience in photojournalism, also called PCPJ 2.

Ola disclosed that the objective of the training is to make graduates of the pragramme better Photojournalists in the media adding that the course

•Dr. Lizzy Nken, NIJ Provost (middle) and the exhibitors

concentrates only on Photojournalism. Said he: “ Basically the goal is for PCPJ 1 to be in the media, so that the profession can graduate from mediocrity to more professional and acceptable standards” The Coordinator stated further that it is the desire of the school to get those in the industry to understand the language of photography. He added that every trade has its language, regretting that when it comes to Photojournalists in the newsroom, it I a different kettle of fish. “ Photojournalists are the face of the media through the shots they take and are used in the news media. It is a visual media that gives colleagues in the media leg up. There is always a paradigm shift when people who are knowledgeable come into an organization.

“Some Newspapers have realized the importance of photojournalists. And Nigerian Institute of Journalism is the only school where Photojournalists are trained in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, the industry has not yet been able to accommodate large number of trainees. If the school continues to churn out high number of photojournalists, where would they be absorbed?

“The emphases are more on training new generation of Photojournalists and retraining those who want to be retrained. And those who are already on the beat should improve their act or the new ones would push them out. Time comes when visual storytelling would be more appreciated than what is happening now, which is bellow the pass mark.”

On the how the programme affected the media industry, an Instructor, Gbile Oshadipe, explained that graduates of the programme had won many awards including the Wole Soyinka Awards for Investigative Journalism (WSIJ). The programme has equally helped in creating awareness in the media industry as most Editors now encourage their photojournalists to go for the training at NIJ.

igerian Breweries Plc., in collaboration with the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), will today unveil the 12 finalists for the fifth edition of the annual National Art Competition as well as launch NAC Retreat 2012. This will hold at Abebe Village, Iganmu, Lagos.

The 12 finalists include George Emeka Agbo, Emmanuel Dudu, Chinenye Miriam Emelogu, Joseph Eze, Pris Nzimiro, Francis Umendu Odupute, Zemaye Okediji, Maie Okafor, Folakunle Oshun, Alafuro Sikoki, the duo Papa Omotayo and Folarin Shasanya, and the duo Omoligho Omoye Udenta and Affiko Obadina.

They were selected after a rigorous deliberation of proposals, led

by Professor El Anatsui.

This year’s competition, which is dedicated to artists who reflect on the political, social, economic, environmental, and personal consequences of actions in the country today, had strong, conceptuallydriven entries on the theme, Consequences with emphasis on the processes of artistic creation rather than solely the end product.

This is to reflect the African Artists’ Foundation renewed focus on artistic processes, an agenda, which will be rigorously pursued in the coming years with the theme, Process to Product.

To this end, finalists were expected to take part in an Artist Retreat between 30 July - 4 August 2012 at The White Space (Ikoyi), where they had the opportunity to partake in workshops by leading artists, scholars, and practitioners. The workshop facilitators include Dr. Peju Layiwola, Chike Obeagu, Olu Omada, Ike Francis, Prof. Moyo Okediji, Gerald Chukwuma, Joseph Gergel, and Chike Nwagbogu.

Meanwhile, the final exhibition and judging will take place in early October 2012.

Cash prizes to be won are: N2, 000, 000.00 for 1st prize; N1, 500, 000.00 for 2nd prize and N1, 000, 000.00 for 3rd prize.

The National Art Competition has been proudly sponsored by Nigerian Breweries for the last five years, since the competition’s inception.

The National Art Competition 2012 is proud to partner with The White Space, Ikoyi.

Matthew Umukoro: A harvest of books at UI

T

he formal presentation of four books written by Dr. Matthew Umukoro of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan (UI), will hold on August 31 at the Pope John Paul 11 Centre, UI. The event tagged, Harvest of Books, would launch books with titles: The State Of The Nation; The Performing Artist In Academia; The Art of Scholarship and The Scholarship of Art and Obi & Clara.

Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, former Vice-Chancellor, UI, will chair the occasion; Professor Kola Olu-Owolabi, Dean of Arts, will be Chief Host while Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, Ag, Head of Department of Theatre Arts is the host.

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Confidential memo to young management A The Turf Game

nd you must not let the CEO see or hear about it. If he does, its potency will be watered down. With this epigraph let’s now begin the tale.

I just received an email from my friend, Professor J.A.E. Obuekunnie. Professor JAE, as mutual friends call him, has made tons of money, playing the Chicago Commodity and other bourses. As a poor little boy, JAE left Nigeria to hit New York….ostensibly to pick up the Golden Fleece. One thing led to the other and he never quite returned, as he once promised.

Boy, he says, I have left Nigeria for you guys… come over if you must…. But I tell you America is it… is the real thing… see me, a black boy from provincial Nigeria, I am now able to own a dime...I mean real dime…it is a meritocracy down here.

It is true there is still atavistic racism but immediately one goes beyond that, it’s your value and content, not colour and prejudice that count. Cash is the real colour bar here, I can say. It is the amount of dollars you possess that gives you, the right racial tan or otherwise. The rich are and look cool and lovely and the poor…remain ogres. I am sending this prose-poem I have done… a prose-doggerel, perhaps, but run it, if it is of any use to you or your readers.

You see Wall Street is a jungle and there are no roadmaps….you have to cut your path to the top…. eat or be eaten… of course everybody knows the omnivores do best….

Better than the carnivores or herbivores.

However, despite the absence of road maps, boy, there are signs…and perhaps, to join as one with televangelists…there are wonders too. I tell you as randomly as I remember.

Besides voting right … which means exactly the same as voting with the boss….

There are these tips. In all your conservations that may get to the hearing of the boss, never forget to quote him, the boss. In fact there is an irreverent manual in one company I once worked for in Houston. It reads, truthfully, I dare say; he who quotes the boss is deemed wise and that is company policy.

And for records, I have also seen a variant; he who praises the boss is wise and that is company policy. Now the choice is yours, just before the devil jumps the gun.

Begin and pepper your menu and other presentations, company seminars etc with as the CEO said at his dinner with us, at the paper he presented to visiting American Fortune 500 company ABC, Inc. First he will be happy, you take him serious enough to record his thoughts and commit those to memory and paper. And together with the likes of Confucius, Socrates and the prophets, you have put him in good and excellent company; the company of quotable men. Of course, that historically may be the swankiest club, the quotable quotes men’s club, to belong to. In fact you are re-making him immortal. And his gratefulness will show…unearned and unmerited favors and promotions will come your way. And you may ask yourself, what else is the Grace?

Would a god, forever absent on earth, act amidst us, except through his own viceroy?

And is there greater a viceroy to the gods, than a boss?

And don’t forget you can make up quotes or incidences for him, like disciples, including Plato (he was a dam good jungle playmaker) did for Socrates, or pupils of Confucius did for the master. Put great words in his mouth and make them his own.

It pays better, than for you to play at being wise and quotable yourself; and worse, to the hearing of your boss.

Never quote Socrates to your Boss…. Or even the proverbs of the Bible, or the local variety, save to humour (the Alibabas do well in court and jungle. That explains how a poor Warri boy, rose to be a President’s friend, alongside those of the Transcorpes billionaire types. Humour helps… just keeping the Boss in good and excellent humour, can lead to the greatest dividend or performance bonus payouts ever).

First, it annoys him that you are, or even worse think yourself, so wise and terrific that you don’t yet know, your boss is as wise as Socrates, and as rich as Solomon. That is he is one of the few who will make heaven and

Jimanze Ego-Alowes alowesjimanze@yahoo.com

08033009539

Oteh

Lamido

“Let us end with this poster wisdom I ran into, at a Cincinnati sweatshop: Working hard is a market; being well remunerated, a racket.” as well as having it made on earth. That is, he is a Saint Paul and Lenin rolled into one.

Would a Solomon for instance, take joy in being quoted to, except his own thoughts?

And here is he, richer than Socrates – who begged for bread – and Solomon, who is myth…. Did King Solomon really exist and as embellished by hagiographers? But here is the boss, in flesh and form, and when he speaks, bankers justly tremble. And if for whatever reason he chooses to off- load his shares, a company here and there, might slip into a financial difficulty.

It is true one needs genius and felicity to be quoted, yet quote him if he has none –attribute thoughts and quotes to him and go to town, streaming them on the internet. And next time he is at a Rose garden party, and your name crops up, you will hear him say, that boy is terrific, in fact he is a genius. And that, a boss’s approval, is the greatest certification you need, and not the ones given at Nsukka. At the jungle, Wall Street is one, not even Harvard is any good. The approval of the boss is all.

You see, way down in America, when they started mass manufacturing – the Fords, the General Motors etc, American labour market had a taste for the blue and white collar types. The standard advice then was work

hard, work loyal, innovate and you will get to the top.

It didn’t quite work that way against the permutations of management gurus.

However it was noticed that some less hard working, less innovative, even less loyal, less competent corporate types, rose fastest to the executive floor and even penthouse.

What did they do? You see sometimes history is smarter than prognosis. It was discovered that all those who rose fastest to the Boardrooms, had one thing in common.

They winked at the daughters or nieces of the CEOs and quickly married them, or were plain blood relations.

So young management, what are you waiting for? Or you are working hard at being innovative, that is a slave or even a fool? If already you are no relation of the boss, quickly borrow yourself some suits, buy into the memberships of the right clubs and circles. And next time you drop in to work at your CEOs office, let’s hear her daughter or niece tell him, hi dad/uncle, I feel funny. And the great man will wonder, what? Dad, I don’t just know, if I feeling light or heavy, but there is this bump getting up on my belly….

The old man says, with what…. a baby?

Who is the boy? Who done it? And she coyly

says daddy I don’t know. And later everybody knows.

Of course, you will be moved…. Even pushed – for being a gigolo, an opportunist, all kinds of names. But the great man can’t put up with the scandal that he has a bastard granddaughter or niece in his hands. So you are recalled quietly, and moved to a subsidiary company.

And granddaughters have to live in some comfort. So you are brought back and promoted to the Board. Or how did you think Clinton got to the top, by being brilliant, handsome, with a sweet and ringing voice?

Yes those are corporate assets and if you got them, you can play and leverage those.

Clinton cleverly deployed his fine-face, nopimple status, to woo and quickly marry into the Rodham family. The family is part owner of Wal-Mart and may other great fortunes.

And the rest is history.

And the tale never ends, as it goes on with Arnold Scwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, a niece of the powerful Kennedy clan. And later, Arnold all muscles, borrowed suits and little else, turned up a governor, against the odds. Or rather the terminator, terminated the odds, by a smart walk down the aisle.

Being in love with the CEO’s daughter, is harder work and pays more handsomely than working skins or warts off, ok? Now if your CEO is a fool – quite large swathes of them are, but it is not your calling, to prove or tell so, or even anything. There are so many unproved and un-provable assertions and equations in life. And why must this be different?

A Russian mathematician, Grigori Perelman, just proved one that stood unproved for 300 years and got a million dollars on offer. If you proved yours, what will you get? A sack letter? Even then, your boss is just 50, that is, we are living with his 50 years of lies. So what about? But for the Russian, the ignorance would have lasted 300 years and more. So why hurry. Let your boss reign and die and allow archaeologists prove he was such a damn fool, as they do with Caligula of Rome today. If he is a fool smile, fawn and still quote him – or you will be the greater fool.

That brings us to another virtue, hypocrisy. There is a huge and bullish trade in hypocrites. Yes it is largely a sport market, but there are some futures too. Rookies bother themselves, if I become a hypocrite to serve this CEO, how will I cope with the next? That is elementary.

In fact I do not want to spoil anybody’s breakfast so we won’t name names. But out there in the public space, those who traded on hypocrisy with Gowon, are still at the job, with Jonathan or have passed on the trade to their heirs. A good hypocrite is as innocent as his future, not his past.

But what is wrong with that? A court is not a parish, where honest folks like Adeboye play or pray. A court needs her jesters, fools, backbiters, assassins and hypocrites, all on call, amongst other office holders. They all serve the King and CEO. And who are the hypocrites? They are the smart suited ones, who are quick on smiles. And they are clever enough to believe in nothing else, save the CEO, and his wisdom. When an Editorial Chairman, abandons his keyboards, to serve as a media hypocrite against himself, it is only the lowly and non-bankable conscience of the poor, of the many too many, that pines.

But bull faced hypocrisy, is exactly what the market needs, and pays for at premium rates.

Perhaps, that the poor love their conscience, explains why they are poor in the first place.

So the righteous can rant, about how a guy has compromised his moral hygiene. But what has cleanliness, got to do with being powerful and filthy rich? Practical men, not moralists are the very men that are needed at court. This is the time to play to the rules and not to your wishes. Serve god if you may, but if you must prosper on earth, there are rules. Be a gigolo or the closest you can to it, and trade on lies, even against yourself, and if the chance comes, be a high-priced hypocrite.

Let us end with this poster wisdom I ran into, at a Cincinnati sweat-shop: Working hard is a market; being well remunerated, a racket. Ahiazuwa.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

47

MONEY

Entrepreneur, Property & Investment guide

By LOUIS IBA

T

his is certainly not the best time to invest in Nigeria, and there are even no clearcut signs of better days ahead as the militating factors appear hell-bent not to let go its reign, despite various resuscitation measures by the government.

While investors continue to struggle - or to cope - with the epileptic power supply and poor state of the transport infrastructure, other monsters such as a degenerating credit crunch situation, worsening inflation, the collapse of security in some parts of the country, faulty regulatory institutions, and a rise in unethical practices by employees have all combined to stifle many businesses in the country.

The above scenario, the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said, if left unchecked or allowed to continue into the immediate future, could run Nigeria’s private sector aground, especially operators in the real sector.

The LCCI is the umbrella body for the organized private sector and its President, Chief Goodie Ibru, while unfolding the ‘second quarter business environment report for 2012’ gave more details into the havoc done to the general economy due to the harsh operating environment faced by investors.

Ibru is the chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc. Excerpts: Global economy The exposure of the Nigerian economy to global economic challenges is from two angles – International Trade, especially crude oil sales. The Euro Zone crisis triggered recession in some major economies. Consequently, demand for crude oil declined, so has the price. The Nigerian economy was thus faced with the risk of fiscal shocks because of the heavy dependence on crude oil for revenue and foreign exchange. The second channel of impact is capital flight. In a period of global crisis, there is a flight to safety. The economy is therefore exposed to the risk of capital flight, which also has consequences for the economy.

These shocks are beginning to manifest in the economy as evidenced in the exchange rate depreciation.

Worsening inflation and exchange rate The inflationary situation remains a cause for concern. The rate was 12.6 per cent in January but rose to 12.9 per cent in April. This affected the economy in two major ways: First, it weakens purchasing power and reduces effective demand for goods and services.

Secondly, it increases production cost across all sectors and erodes profit margins.

Afurther depletion of Nigeria’s reserves and the Excess Crude Account (ECA) would undermine investor’s confidence and could trigger capital flight with adverse consequences for the economy. The decline in reserves in recent months have been largely attributed to low accretion as oil prices decline.

Interest rates remained high; naira exchange rate weakened; and inflation continued on an upward swing. The depreciation of the naira against the dollar had negatively impacted on businesses by shooting up production and operating cost as the cost of raw materials and other imported inputs increase. Between January and June, there was an estimated 5 per cent depreciation in the exchange rate of the naira against the dollar. The rate was N157 to the dollar in January and currently ranges from N162 – N165 to the dollar, in the interbank and parallel market.

The depreciation of the naira was majorly caused by declining oil prices and attendant speculative activities. The trend had heightened exchange rate risk for investor, that borrowed offshore funds to finance projects in the country.

Other demerits affecting the economy included inflationary pressures induced by higher production cost; policy response of monetary policy tightening might further increase interest rate; and risk of exchange rate volatility.

Taking a look at the foreign reserves which had dropped from $38.72 billion in May to $36.5 billion in June this year, the Nigerian economy had become so sensitive to developments in the foreign exchange market by virtue of its structure

Our investment climate is harsh, it’s killing many businesses – Ibru

• Goodie Ibru which made it greatly dependent on imports.

The value of robust reserves lies in the confidence it inspires among investors especially foreign investors and international trading partners.

Degenerating credit crunch Investors in Nigeria are having a difficult time accessing credit from local banks and the problem is more profound for investors in the real sector of the economy.

Cost of fund is still generally between 20-25 per cent and not many businesses can generate a return to match this cost.

The summary is that the economy is in a quandary as far as credit conditions for investors are concerned and it will be difficult to stimulate job creating growth if this situation persists.

The prevailing credit situation is a major challenge to investors, and there are three dimensions to the problem: access to credit; cost of credit; and the tenure of credit.

Banks tolerance of manufacturing sector continues to decline, perhaps because of the perception of the sector as very risky.

Many SMEs lack the capacity to package bankable credit requests; some are too small to access credit individually; and many entrepreneurs cannot meet the banks’ credit requirement, especially collateral. The experience of the banks with loan quality of manufacturing and other real sector

investors would not dispose them to give further loans.

Monetary policy tightening of the CBN has pushed up cost of fund. Risk asset provisioning requirements of the CBN is a disincentive to lending; capacity of banks to analyze credit in some sectors is very weak. And examples are Agriculture, ICT, Oil & Gas, Engineering.

The condition was compounded by the fact that government treasury bills and bonds have returns of between 13-16 per cent.

The consequence is that available funds have been mopped up by government. It is clearly more attractive now to invest in government securities than invest in ventures that would create jobs.

Even banks now would rather buy treasury bills and government bonds than give loans to investors. This credit and interest rate structure would continue to create distortions in the economy, which will only perpetuate the phenomenon of jobless growth and further depress the stock market.

Epileptic power situation and security challenges The power situation is still a major problem for business across all sectors. Energy cost remains a major threat to business sustainability. Profit margins are considerably eroded.

The security situation has become a major chal-

lenge for investors. It has affected investors in the following ways: the economy of many of the affected states are on the verge of collapse with implication for investment losses and job losses; hospitality industry in the affected states have been paralyzed; and many investors, especially SMEs, are relocating to other states with the attendant challenges.

The deplorable security situation has also led to the inventory and stocks of many companies being trapped in some locations in the affected states; many firms have lost up to 30 per cent of their sales as they can no longer access most part of the northern market.

Manufacturing firms sourcing raw materials from the north are now facing serious challenges; while projects funded by banks in the affected states are now at risk.

Serious perception problem has been created for the country due to the degenerating security situation; many bank branches have been closed, while the working hours for others have been drastically reduced; sales representatives of many companies have fled the affected states; many projects under construction in the north have been abandoned; and the security budgets have been scaled up by many firms.

The challenge of unfair competition Many sectors of businesses are faced with the problem of unfair competition as a result of the unbridled importation of consumer products into the country. The situation has done considerable damage to the manufacturing sector especially.

The areas of concern include: smuggling, faking and counterfeiting, influx of substandard products, evasion of import duty payment, under invoicing of imports, granting of waivers that are underserved, and tax evasion.

All these contribute to the challenge of uneven playing field for investors in the economy. The policy implication here is the need to strengthen regulatory effectiveness of relevant agencies.

The ills by regulatory agencies The Lagos Chamber received numerous complaints about the activities of regulatory agencies.

These complaints bother on frequent harassment, duplication of oversight functions, extortion, excessive documentation and unwarranted closure of factory premises. Other specific issues are as follows: too many agencies inspecting or certifying manufacturing firms for compliance issues.

These agencies include NAFDAC, SON, LASEPA, NESREA, Federal Ministry of Environment, State Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Waste Water Management Agency etc. We call for coordinated action at the states and federal levels to streamline the activities of these regulatory agencies and minimize the burden they pose to manufacturers and give investors some breathing space.

Investors in the pharmaceutical industry complain of inconsistencies in the classification of ethical and unethical drugs by NAFDAC. They complain as well about excessive documentation.

There was also duplication of functions between the Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Consumer Protection Council. Same scenario is playing out between the national Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). There is need to streamline all these to protect investors from undue irritation.

48

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Diamond Bank shares soar over 2-month high on IFC loan deal …As stocks lose over N71bn

By KELECHI MGBOJI

A

3 kobo gain, or 1.07 percentage gain, in the share price of Diamond Bank Plc. boosted performance of the stock to N2.83 yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). A close at this price is the highest it has recorded in the past 11 weeks.

Following on the news that the World Bank's private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), has concluded a deal to buy $70 million worth of convertible loans from the bank to boost its capital base, investors grabbed 22.8 million units of the stock valued at N64.554 million in 177 deals behind only GT Bank in turnover volume.

However, equities transactions at the Exchange remained bearish despite impressive gains of banking stocks and a good number of others totaling 22 gainers as against 19 stocks that traded at losses dominated by large cap Dangote Cement, Flour Mills, PZ, Presco and Nigerian Breweries.

Huge losses by these large cap stocks forced the benchmark All-Share Index 225.21 basis points or 0.96 per cent down to 23,166.58, from 23,391.79 points recorded the previous day.

Similarly, the market capitalization which measures value of stocks depreciated by N71.68 billion to N7.373 trillion, down from previous day’s bearish close at N7.7.445 tril• L–R: Executive Director, Lagos & South West, Fidelity Bank Plc., Ik Mbagwu; Chief Executive Officer, Citiserve, Lola Ogunbambi; lion.

Divisional Head, International Banking Group, Keystone Bank, Uchenna Okwodu, and Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Ade Shonubi, at the launching of Citiserve OrangeBox Point of Sale (POS) in Lagos, yesterday.

FG approves Single Window Goods clearing system

By ALEX AKAO

T

he Federal Government has announced the approval of the Single Window system of clearing goods at the nation’s ports in order to facilitate international trade and investments.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the sub-regional workshop on Single Window organised by the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

“I am happy to inform the Union of African Shippers’Councils (UASC) that the issue of a Single Window has been championed by the Ministry and its agencies in collaboration with other key agencies like the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission over the years and the Federal government of Nigeria has approved the adoption,” the minster stated.

According to the minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Engr.

Nebolisa Emodi, the “economic development worldwide now hinges on the ability of a nation to trade effectively and efficiently in the global market.”

“It is, however, pertinent to note that the complexity of international trade especially in the areas of procedures for documentation and compliance which differs from one country to the other often put our shippers at a disadvantage due to the intractable challenge of abysmally poor level of trade facilitation,” he said.

Senator Idris however said it was gladdening that “a tool for surmounting the hurdle of poor trade facilitation, which the Single Window has been developed so as to overcome the complex system of data submission and regulatory control by aiming to adopt the single submission of data thereby reducing the current approach and requirements and eliminating existing duplicating data use and redundant regulatory requirements.”

MHS, MWAN to improve capacity building of health workers

By STEVE AGBOTA

M

anaged Health Services Limited (MHS) has entered into partnership with Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in order to provide a health planning and policy workshop for its providers in all the six geopolitical zones.

According to Dr. Patrick Korie, its Managing Director, the workshop, which is free for all doctors and medical workers, will kick off next Tuesday in Lagos.

He explained that it would also empower and expose participants to more training that will enhance their competence in their various fields.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Korie said that the objective of the workshops is to improve the capacity of the health workforce and as well improve the overall health outcome of the

nation. He added that MWAN has the vision of improving the capacity building of health workers, would be providing them with resource persons for the workshops.

He explained that, this is in line with MHS’s mission of provide qualitative and prompt medical services to its customers at the most cost effective price. He stated that it would enhance the attainment of one the objectives of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which is to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to all Nigerians.

The MHS boss explained: “the NHIS in pursuit of achieving the objective of providing and affordable healthcare to all Nigerian have introduced the Voluntary Contributor Social Health Insurance Programme (VCSHIP).This programme is for individuals and organisation that are not having any form of health insurance.”

PHCN workers shun severance pay From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

…Say no to payment under duress

T

• Military seize company hqts

here seems to be no end to the long rift between workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Power over the planned privatization of the power company, as the workers have, yesterday in Abuja, shun government’s severance, pension packages and other actions.

As early as 7 o clock yesterday morning, armed mili-

tary personnel siezed the headquarters of the PHCN, located along Zambezi Street in Maitama. Their presence, according to sources, was preceeded by the arrival of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awoshika, to commence payment of severance allowances to the workers as well as issue them their retirement saving account documents for their pension.

The workers action accord-

ing to the Zonal Organizing Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr. Temple Iworinma, was informed by the fact that the government has failed to follow due process in the whole matter.

Speaking in an interview, Iworinma said: “For the past fourteen months we have been negotiating with the Comrade Hassan Sumonu led committee and there are three

NUEE disrupting retirement benefit to staff – Minister From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

T

he Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, has accused workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) National Union of Electricity Employees ( N U E E ) of planning to disrupt the distribution of retirement benefit and pension letters to workers, yesterday.

The minister in a statement in Abuja wednesday signed by his media adviser, Ogbuagu Anikwe explained that the decision by government was to avail the workers the opportunity to study the contents of every forms being distributed to them and look out for critical issues like possible computational errors and then return them not later than August 10, 2012, with appropriate remarks to the PHCN management.

The statement reads, "management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) this morning began distributing letters to each

PHCN staff member advising him or her on the retirement benefits, in view of the impending privatization of 17 out of the 18 PHCN successor companies.

"Each letter, personally signed by the PHCN Managing Director/Chief Executive, Engr Hussein Labo, stipulates the pension and gratuity, among other benefits, of every employee.

"A look at the computations shows that some PHCN executives will earn as much as N38 million each as retirement benefit, on account of the generous offers which the Government has made to the PHCN staff in recent months.

This considerably huge retirement figure stands in sharp contrast to the N2m which NUEE officials have been alleging will be the maximum amount of money any PHCN employee will receive on retirement.

This figure also shows quite clearly that PHCN employees will get about 400 per cent more than their counterparts in regular public service employment.

It is important to note that the entire severance benefit, calculated at N80 billion, will come from the government treasury.

This is because the PHCN management did not comply with the Pension Reform Act which came into force on July 1, 2004, and which requires every worker to contribute 7.5 per cent of the basic salary towards pension and the employer another 7.5 per cent as individual contribution.

The minister stated that the Unions had insisted that they would rather stay with their Superannuation Scheme (which requires a monthly deduction of 25 per cent of their salary).

However, both the Union and the Management (as joint trustees of the fund) have not been able to account for the deductions. In the absence of funds to implement the Superannuation Scheme, the Government has magnanimously agreed to pay for the PHCN and its 50,000 workforce the outstanding 15 per cent of its pension premiums under the PRA from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2012.

key issues. The issues include the severance pay, the gratuity and the pension of workers. These were supposed to be contained in the report to government to make recommendation, which we still await for it. The permanent secretary of the ministry is the one effecting the payment by hand in cash. This is unacceptable in the first place because this was not part of the initial negotiation,” he stated.

According to him, “There is no aspect of the negotiation that includes the involvement of armed military personnel to take over the headquarters of the PHCN and force workers to sign for stipend as severance pay and accept transfer at gun point.”

To avoid it, Iworinma said the union has asked all workers to shun the pay arrangement and leave the offices since they have been taken over by the military personnel.

Also speaking, the FCT chairman of NUEE, Wisdom Nwanchukwu has expressed worry over the presence of armed personnel in their offices accusing the minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji of planning the whole exercise.

Armed military and personnel had according to sources seized the headquarters of PHCN on Zambezi Street in Maitama as early as 7 o’clock in the morning yesterday in company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awoshika, and ordered workers resuming for duty to sign in and collect their severance packages and collect their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) documents before they are allowed in to the office.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

49

BUSINESS NEWS FG sets aside N20m for take-off of IT outsourcing

By CHARLES NWAOGUJI

only partnership between the government and private sector ederal Government has could exploit the opportunities.

He observed that IT outinjected well over N20 million for the proper sourcing in Nigeria was gradutake-off of Nigeria ally growing and if the sector Association of Information was well governed through the Technology Enabled umbrella body, it would take Outsourcing Companies Nigeria’s economy to the next (NAITEOC), an umbrella level.

Giving an example of Ghana, body of Nigeria Information Technology Development a country where IT enabled outsourcing services has conAgency (NITDA).

Director General of the tributed immensely to Gross agency, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, Domestic Product (GDP) said this became necessary in growth rate of Ghana.

He stated that average GDP order to open doors for enhanced job creation, quick of 4.4 percent over 20 years has source of revenue for Nigeria witnessed a remarkable increase to 5.2 per cent in the and improved performance.

He said: “We will immedi- last three years.

This is because, he said IT ately start working with the stakeholders for the planning enabled outsourcing services and execution of the various have now become the new • Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Rajan Swaroop, speaking on the company’s milestone and activities lined up by the focus for Ghana with their plans during the Media Roundtable, organised and hosted by the company in Lagos, on yesterday. agency for the few months unique potential as harbingers of enhanced job creation and ahead.”

Angaye, who disclosed this accelerated economic growth.

The Director General noted at Stakeholder forum, held recently in Lagos, noted that that IT outsourcing in India has outsourcing of IT products also grown in remarkable pace /services was a big market and since 2001. down recurrent expenditure tation level of the current budg- and job creation.

From ISAAC To achieve this, the resources from 71.47 per cent in 2012 et. The implementation level, as UBA boss advocates strong ethical ANUMIHE, Abuja at June 20, following four of the country will be managed to 68.66 per cent in 2013. standards in banking The memorandum, accord- months of implementation prudently and transparently s part of efforts to ensure that the Federal ing to a statement from the starting from April, is 41.3 per while ensuring priority is given he GMD/CEO UBA Plc., Mr. Phillips Oduoza, says very high to the key growth sectors of the Government delivers Ministry of Finance, which sets cent. ethical standards, supported by robust corporate governance, President Goodluck economy and national security. the broad framework and prioron its promise of presenting is imperative to sustain recent positive developments in the the 2013 Budget by ities of the budget, was submit- Jonathan, who is personally Fundamentally, the focus of Nigerian banking industry. leading the drive for higher perThe UBA boss said this on Tuesday, when the new President and September, this year, the ted to the cabinet by the formance, has been meeting the Federal Government’s proChairman of Council, Mr. Segun Aina, and other executive members Federal Executive Council Coordinating Minister for the with ministers to ensure that the posals on Budget 2013 as reflected in the Medium Term of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), paid a visit to (FEC), yesterday, put the Economy and Minister of Expenditure Framework and the Head Office of the bank in Lagos, as part of the institute’s stake- motion on course by dis- Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- momentum is maintained.

The 2013 Budget proposal is the Fiscal Strategy Paper is that cussing a memorandum on Iweala. holder engagement agenda.

Simultaneously, the Federal anchored on the key goal of the the budget should make practiMr. Oduoza, who noted that the banking industry has been refo- the 2013–2015 Medium cused on real sector growth and development owing the recent regu- Term Expenditure Framework Government is intensifying 2013–2015 Medium Term cal impact on the areas that matlatory reforms, opined that strict adherence to code of ethic will help (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy efforts to ensure further Expenditure Framework – fis- ter most to the Nigerian people Paper, whose aim is to bring improvement in the implemen- cal consolidation with growth – job creation, power supply, sustain the recent gains.

Consequently, he charged the CIBN to continuously drive the adherroads, rail, other infrastructure ence to banking ethics, corporate governance and professionalism in and, of course, agriculture. the banking industry.

To help achieve this central While congratulating the new CIBN President on his recent appointobjective, a key proposal of the ment, Mr. Oduoza said UBA is very eager and willing to partner with mized with the issue of debt profitability were sufficiently Fiscal Strategy Paper is the conCIBN.

By BLAISE UDUNZE “UBA has presence in 19 African countries and operates in key strong to warrant an interna- tinuation of the downward n what is yet another indica- capital rather than equity. financial sectors of the world. Having a very professional and ethical According to him, injecting tional prudent investor like IFC trend in recurrent expenditure tor of its rising credit rating and upward trend in capital workforce is vital to our operations. Our bank has zero tolerance for in the market, Diamond tier-2 capital into the balance to make such investment. unethical behaviour because we believe that capacity building is Bank, on yesterday, was sheet would help the bank to Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor, expenditure.

Specifically, recurrent expenimportant for the growth of the industry,” he added. granted a $70 million 7-year achieve a lower weighted aver- the country Manager, Nigeria In his remarks, the CIBN President, who coincidentally started his convertible department of diture will decline from 71.47 subordinated age cost of capital and boost its Africa banking career in UBA in 1974, said the institute has taken key steps loan by the International capital adequacy ratio (CAR), International Finance per cent in 2012 to 68.66 per to ensure adherence to banking ethics with a view to strengthen Finance Corporation (IFC). while providing a veritable Corporation (IFC), said that the cent in 2013 and continue to Nigeria’s banking industry.

The facility, which is convert- source of funding for cus- approval of the facility was decline in the medium-term.

“At CIBN, we believe in consistent development and adherence to tomers’ business and aid the informed by Diamond Bank’s Within the same period, capital ethics. We started a transformation process about a year ago and have ible, qualifies as the first subor- bank’s expansion plans. commitment towards boosting expenditure is expected to rise dinated Tier-2 instrument in developed a new structure to address the needs of the industry,” he statThe bank’s boss further small and medium enterprises from 28.53 per cent in 2012 to Nigerian banking space, gives ed.

IFC entities the option to con- explained that in this case the funding and which serve as a 31.34 per cent in 2013 and will vert the debts into equity at pre- fundamentals of the bank and standup approval for the leader- continue in like manner in the Delta got N1.2bn for MDGs project medium-term. agreed price per share within its future competitiveness and ship of Dr. Alex Otti. in 2011, says Presidency agreed timelines in the future.

Speaking at the signing of the advocacy visit to Delta State, From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba however decried the lack of inter- agreement in Lagos, the Group Nigerians with their innovative the national grid and that no he sum of est by benefitting communities in Managing Director of the bank, By BISI OLALEYE products. He said that was the single approval has been given Dr. Alex Otti, acknowledged N1,282,818,886 was the execution and protection of irtel Nigeria said it has reason the network has fewer for the installation of a base stareceived by the Delta State MDGs projects and urged the that the facility would go a long tion in Abuja since 2005, all boosted the gross expatriates in the company.

Government for the Millennium state government to assist in way in helping the bank expand He noted that in spite of the these, he said are stalling the domestic product (GDP) Development Goals (MDGs) mobilizing the people towards its retail banking footprint across Nigeria and West Africa, of the country with N189 bil- challenges militating against growth of telecoms in the counprojects in 2011, the Senior ownership of the projects.

“I request that you help direct and strengthen its ability to lion ($1.2 billion) in the last the network, which include try.

Special Assistant to President multiple taxation, sites being He, however, pointed out that Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. the instrument of government grow its micro small and medi- two years.

This was disclosed during a locked up,stolen generators and the network had launched over Precious Gbeneol, has including the media to canvass um enterprises banking busifor community ownership of ness. revealed. media parley with media exec- power generation not being 3,000 3.75G sites in the country He explained that the bank utives in Lagos, yesterday, by adequate, Airtel would contin- as a pointer to the way forward Dr. Gbeneol said the amount MDGs projects so as to allow for was counterpart funded by the sustainability. Kindly use your considered the dollar dominat- the Chief Executive ue to invests in all areas to in data penetration,which will state, noting that three local gov- good offices to impress it upon ed investment appropriate for Officer/Managing Director of maintain and get to the point of inadvertently take over from ernment areas of the state includ- communities that the projects its medium and long-term the company, Mr. Rajan acquiring more market in the voice by 2015. ing Ethiope West, Ukwuani and delivered by the MDGs office funding strategies given the Swaroop, while reeling out the country.

“This network set us apart to them and as such they Swaroop also disclosed that from the challenges of tomorWarri South West got N200 mil- belong need to take ownership for sus- high naira interest rates regime, two year milestone achieved by lion each which was also counter- tainability,” she told Governor dearth of such long term financ- the network. the company spent over N5 bil- row. Already, we had crossed part funded by the state govern- Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was ing in the Nigerian financial The Airtel boss explained lion, about 98 per cent of its the 20million active subscribers ment. markets and the depressed that it was necessary to invest in resources monthly on diesel mark without congestion and present at the ceremony.

According to her, the amount She noted that communities domestic equities market which the country because the world power generation, while reiter- we have our 3.75G presence in was used in executing pro-poor were invited to participate in the would have made local bor- has changed and is still chang- ating that the essence was to more than 75 towns. The truth projects in the areas of health, process of planning, implementa- rowing and equity issuance a ing. As such, it became impera- make the network, the most remains that our subscription water supply, education and envi- tion, evaluation and maintenance lot more expensive. tive to boost the GDP of the loved brand in the country. base has increased by 31 perronment across the 25 local gov- of MDGs projects, urging comOtti noted that the bank’s cur- economy as well as help devel- He harped on the fact that some cent and traffic by 124 percent ernment areas of the state. munities to ensure that the proj- rent capital structure was opti- op, grow and empower parts of the country are not on since acquisition in 2012.

Dr. Gbeneol who spoke at an ects were protected from vandals.

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2013 Budget: FG to scale down recurrent expenditure to 68%

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IFC, Diamond Bank sign $70m convertible subordinated loan

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Airtel invests N189bn in economy

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DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Presidency approved foreign investment roadshow – Aviation minister

By UCHE USIM

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s criticisms trail the foreign investment roadshow embarked upon by the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, and other top government officials, the minister has revealed the trip was housed in the ministry’s roadmap for the transformation of the country’s aviation industry, which was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan in November, last year.

Speaking through one of her media aides, Toyin Okpaise, she described the criticisms as unnecessary as private sector participation is key in achieving long term transformation of the sector.

He described the trip as part of the first phase of a long planned international investment roadshow that takes the team to China, the United States and Canada.

“This investment road show is a key element of the Ministry’s Roadmap for the transformation of the country’s Air Transport Industry.

The Roadmap was put in place and presented for approval by Mr President in November 2012, to set a clear agenda and offer strategic markers and guidelines for the steps to be taken.

“As Nigerians are aware, the first phase of the transformation journey began with the on-going remodelling of the country’s airports, to raise the standards of comfort, safety, security and prestige for Nigerians and foreigners who use our airports.

This remodelling project will cover all 22 airports in the FAAN network when completed,” she explained.

Just last week Thursday, the ministry circulated its transformation model tagged ‘Nigeria Aerotropolis’. The central idea and theme of the

Customs bans SGD Form in clearing goods

By ALEX AKAO

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he Nigeria Customs Service has officially declared the controversial use of Single Goods Declaration (SGD) Form in goods clearing procedure as illegal.

The now rested import clearing document was a mandatory instrument until mid-last year when government introduced an all-out electronic process that seized to recognize the hard copy form.

Controversy had however lately trailed alleged demand for the old document by some customs officials at the imports desks, giving rise to allegations of perpetration of fraud.

Leadership of some clearing agents’ associations had alleged that the illegal demand for the document had continued to thrive because the concerned officers were reaping hugely from the continued sales of the form.

Rising to the occasion, Area Controller of the Apapa Command of the Service, Controller Garko, has last week issued a memo to the aggrieved agents, notifying them of the stoppage.

The memo dated July 24, 2012, wich was personally signed by the Controller with the caption, ‘Stoppage of the use of SGD Form in EClearing Process’, was addressed to the President of the Association of Nigerians licensed Customs Agents (ANELCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu.

The memo read in part “This is to inform you that the old SGD Form is no longer in use in the New Customs eClearance procedure.

Henceforth, all Documentations/Declaration s are to be processed electronically”.

The memo further warned that on no account should any hard copy of the document be requested or tendered, “for whatever reason.”

Aerotropolis concept is to maximize the benefits derivable from the development of carefully planned commercial investments and offerings around airports.

“By so doing, the airports are positioned to contribute optimally to the socio-economic development of Nigeria in much the same way as the National Air Transport industries of countries such as India, South Africa and more recently, Brazil were successfully repositioned. In order to achieve this vision, there is a need for foreign investment and expertise,” he explained.

However, Okpaise lamented that Nigeria neither has the funds nor the required depth of expertise to go the journey alone.

“This is why the investment road show of the Federal Ministry is crucial at this stage of the transformation journey. The aim of the investment road show is to engage with potential investors whom the ministry has been courting for many months, presenting multiple baskets of well-thought out investment propositions for them to consider.

“Apart from the commercial activities around airports and the establishment of an international standard airline, the Ministry is also keenly interested in foreign partners willing to invest in aircraft maintenance organizations and in the training institute in Zaria for the benefit of Nigeria.

“The invitation to members of the two National Assembly Committees on Aviation is intended to involve them in this process as key stakeholders on behalf of the Nigerian people, whom they represent.

It is in furtherance of the need to be transparent and open about this important project for our country,” he added.

The investment road show, he noted, will involve not just various investment fora in the three countries, but also serious discussions with specific companies in the finance and aerospace industries, including CSCEC, ICBC and Hauwei in China, as well as Boeing of the USA and Bombardier of Canada.

London-listed insurance group to open unit in Nigeria

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI Telegraph news agency on Wednesday indicated that he Chief Executive Africa now accounts for Officer of Old Mutual, almost three quarters of the the London-listed insur- group’s profits; a figure that is ance group, Julian Roberts, likely to increase over the has said the firm was con- next few years.

“Our bias toward the higher sidering opening a general insurance unit in Nigeria, growth emerging markets, through its Mutual & and in particular sub-Saharan Federal business, and was Africa, has ensured that we in talks with a life insurer have maintained our momentum, notwithstanding the there.

The Anglo-South African demanding macro-economic insurance group plans to environment. expand to East and West “The growth in these marAfrica’s fastest growing kets is underpinned by a numeconomies despite concerns ber of structural factors: a about the eurozone crisis. growing and sizeable populaInformation from the tion that is entering the formal

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economy for the first time and is keen to protect and increase its wealth and assets; strong domestic GDP growth; growing political stability; and an under penetrated financial services sector,” Roberts said.

Old Mutual posted a £733 million pre-tax profit during the six months ending June 30, compared to £909 million a year earlier. The results were impacted by one-off costs including a £64 million charge relating to its acquisition of insurer Skandia in 2006.

Also, operating profits rose 12per cent of £791 million.

Thursday, August 9, 2012 DAILY SUN 51 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS Liberian refs for Flying Eagles, Tanzania match

Amuneke Football Academy closes shop

•Ngorongoro Heroes storm Nigeria today

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inally, the bubble has burst in the chequered run of an Ikorodu, Lagos-based football academy that was named after the former Super Eagles star, Emmanuel Amuneke, as the businessman-sponsor of the project has thrown in the towel.

Information available to allnigeriasoccer.com reveals that a football scout, whose office is located at Ojuelegba area of Lagos, had mooted the idea of the academy to the soccer-loving businessman three years ago, while opting to use Amuneke's name as a marketable brand for the outfit.

However, with the ex-international stopping short of showing adequate support and attention to the academy, things were bound to get tough, to the extent that the real financier started expressing doubt over the feasibility of the project towards the end of last year.

What started as a lofty venture, with a huge apartment provided by the financier as a camp house and his acceptance to sponsor a couple of lads for trials in Europe, soon turned sour when all dividends promised by the scout failed to materialise.

Ironically, the first batch of players who were taken to Turkey for trials returned home empty handed, efforts to get a better deal for another set in Qatar failed to materialise and the final nail on the venture’s coffin came when some key players were not supported to make their mark in the Under-17 national team, Golden Eaglets, despite the presence of Amuneke as an assistant coach in the squad.

Insiders further revealed that, although the academy's camp at Ikorodu finally reopened at the start of July, after several postponements from the beginning of the year, several players refused to turn up and some new coaches contracted to join the technical crew unceremoniously pulled out.

With the project obviously heading for the rocks, it was learnt on good authority that the financier was left with no choice but to pull out and order that all players vacate the camp.

Gun battle in Lokoja forces Heartland to return home

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poradic heavy gunshots by unknown gunmen around Okene and Lokoja in Kogi State have halted Heartland's journey to Kaduna for the rescheduled Matchday 29 tie against Kaduna United yesterday.

The encounter had been earlier shifted as it was among the rescheduled matches by the league board.

An official of Heartland, Cajetan Nkwopara, said that the team ran into the flurry of gunshots a few kilometres from Okene and its vehicle was forced to make a frantic detour back to Auchi, Edo State.

"We were almost entering Okene when we saw panic-stricken crowd running helter skelter and buses making frantic -U-turn, while others were driving in the opposite direction.

"Initially, nobody could confirm what the problem was and the exact boiling point.

"Later, we were able to scoop that unknown gunmen were firing gunshots close to Okene and Lokoja.

"We were told that no vehicular movement was possible as the unknown gunmen have blocked the highway.

"After waiting for a long time without certainty of a conducive atmosphere to continue on the journey, we called the NPL, informing its officials of our plight.

"Thereafter, we made inquiry at the nearest police station and we were directed to Auchi Divisional Police Station where we made formal complaint.

"We are making efforts to head back to our base to wait for further direction by the NPL," Nkwopara said in a shivering voice.

On Monday night, unknown gunmen invaded the Deeper Life Bible Church, Otite in Okene, Kogi State, killing 16 worshippers on the spot, leaving many injured.

Dolphins urge fans to keep faith

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olphins General Manager, Dumbor Awanen, has urged fans of the club to keep faith and continue to stand by it. Awanen spoke against the back drop of a report suggesting that the team may have thrown away its last league game against Lobi Stars which it lost at home by 2-0.

“It's all rubbish and I believe it is borne out of the fact that Dolphins have not lost a home game in the league for nine years.

“We can attribute that loss to fatigue and then unfair officiating but mostly fatigue,” Awanen said.

He cited the fact that the team had to leave Port Harcourt for Kano on Friday, play on Sunday and then make the trip back to Port Harcourt on Monday only to play again on Wednesday after the long trip.

“The boys did their best but lost to a better side on the day. All those talks about sellout are meant for the rubbish bin.

“The fans must understand that the club values their loyalty and we are asking them now to hang on because this year turned out to be a bad one for us, but we will certainly bounce back next season,” Awanen said.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Orelope Adefulure, with the state Commissioner for Sports, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, addressing the media in London yesterday on the state’s preparation for the forth comming National Sport Festival.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Liberian referees for Sunday's 2013 African Youth Championship qualifying match between Nigeria and Tanzania, taking place in Ilorin.

Jerry Yekeh will be the centre referee, with compatriots Anthony Dopoh, Elisha Johnson and Emmanuel Neewon as 1st Assistant, 2nd assistant and reserve referees respectively.

Moucharaf Anjorin from Benin Republic will be the match commissioner.

Sunday's clash is the return leg of a second round fixture, with the winner going ahead to play the winner of the Congo/South Africa fixture, for a place at the eight-nation 18th African Youth Championship in Algeria next year March. While the Flying Eagles won the first leg in Dar es Salaam 2-1, Congo edged out visitors South Africa 2-1 in Brazzaville and will attempt to keep the advantage when both teams trade tackles in the Rainbow Nation this weekend.

Skinn out for 8 months I

njured Nigerian basketball star, Tony Skinn, will not play until April next year, doctors have ruled after he underwent surgery at Homerton University Specialist Hospital in South East london.

Director of Sports Medicine in the National Sports Commission,

Ogbomosho United gains promotion to Div 1

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gobomoso United , a club campaigning in the amateur division two, has been promoted to division one, the chairman of Ogbomoso North, Honourable Olanrewaju Alabi Oladeji, the new owner of the team has disclosed.

Oladeji, disclosing this on Tuesday, explained that the team which he acquired less than four months ago bagged promotion ticket to amateur division one.

He explained that he took over the team with the aim of enabling young players plying their trade in the team to actualise their dream, noting that most of the players are about 20 years of age and are raring to learn Honourable Oladeji pointed out that the entire coaching crew had also agreed to to work in tandem with him to lift the team beyond its amateur status, stressing that he had already started taking care of the logistics of the team.

The local government boss said that he had already begun looking for sponsors to complement his efforts, so that the team would not hit storming waters when it gets to the premier division

Dr Abdulkadir Muazu, who confirmed the development, said the athlete who copped the injury in the game against Argentina would regain full fitness in April, 2013, even as he thanked God that the surgery was successful.

Abdulkadir was at the hospital on yesterday alongside Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The minister after the visit assured that the commission would make the welfare of athletes a priority, assuring that Skinn would not be abandoned. He

noted that the D'Tigers had, by their Olympic qualification and performance at the Games proper, taken the game of basketball to the next level in Nigeria. He stressed that basketball can now rub shoulders with football in terms of popularity in the country, even as he charged corporate bodies to help develop the game the way corporate bodies developed cricket in India.

"Corporate bodies in Nigeria can not afford to be paying lip service to sports development. I am appealing to them to come

and partner with government in this direction," Abdulahi said.

Skinn, while thanking the minister for his concern, said he was happy to have featured for the country at the Olympics. He thanked Nigerians for their support right from the qualifiers. He advised government to build on the achievements of the team in London. He assured that he would continue to wear the country's jersey and do his best in subsequent international sporting meets.

China wins another gold in table tennis

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hina won another gold medal in a sport it dominates like no other, taking the women's team table tennis title Tuesday with a 3-0 victory against Japan.

Despite the loss, Japan won the silver for its first Olympic medal in table tennis, which entered the Games in 1988.

China has won three gold medals in table tennis at the London Games, along with two silvers. She has also won the men’s gold yesterday against South Korea.

With three Chinese-born players, the Singapore women took the bronze medal, defeating South Korea 3-0.

“The Chinese team is too strong,” said Ai Fukuhara,

Unsettled Martins close to Rubin Kazan exit

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igerian striker, Obafemi Martins, is unsettled and could be very close to parting ways with Russian club, Rubin Kazan, it has been revealed.

The 27-year-old 'Obagoal' still has a year left on his contract with Rubin Kazan, but the striker has said he wished to leave earlier.

He has been back in Nigeria since the start of this week and has refused to deny or confirm whether he is still at the Russian club.

And Rubin Kazan may already have signed a replacement for the striker in Venezuela star, Jose Salomon Rondon, from Spanish club, Malaga, for 13 million Euros.

“He is back in Nigeria since Sunday and has refused to talk about his situation at Rubin Kazan, whether he is still at the

club or he is on his way out,” a close friend revealed.

“He wants to leave now with likely destination being Turkey or Italy.”

Rubin Kazan had high expectations on the Nigerian international when it reportedly splashed 17 million Euros to sign him in August 2010 from German club, Wolfsburg.

He was expected to replace Russia international, Aleksandr Bukharov, who moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg.

However, Martins would later be shipped out on loan to Birmingham City last year and in the close season he has been linked with several clubs including West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League.

It was reported that his high wages blocked a move to West Brom.

Japan's most famous table tennis player.

Table tennis - the Chinese call it pingpong - is China's national pastime, and the country has now won 23 of 27 gold medals since '88, and is almost certain to make it 24 of 28.

After its victory, the Chinese team of Li Xiaoxia, Ding Ning and Guo Yue were ready for some sightseeing.

“I arrived in London more than 10 days ago, but I have not been to any famous places like Big Ben,” Li said.

Coach Shi Zhihao said: “After the Olympics, they can do whatever they want.”

The Chinese women are even more overwhelming than the nation's men. Only three women's teams in the Olympics played without China-born players, or players with roots in China - North Korea, Japan and Egypt.

Li, Ding and Guo represent the new generation, all 24 or younger and the latest in a long line of famous female players.

Li, who also won gold in the singles, is on course to match the record of several national icons.

Zhang Yining won four gold medals in the last two Olympics.

Wang Nan won her four golds in three Olympics - 2000, 2004 and 2008.

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NEWS NEWS

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 9, 2012

SUN SPORTS

Brazil advances to Olympic volleyball semi-finals Team Nigeria, poor return on investments -Udobong

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ydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Anefiok Udobong, has described medal-shy Team Nigeria athletes as poor return on investments.

In an exclusive chat with Daily Sunsports in London Tuesday evening, Udobong not only expressed sadness that athletics, the sport Nigeria was banking on to get unto the medal podium, has not being a fertile ground. He rued the embarrasing manner the Nigerian athletes crashed out of the Games.

Team Nigeria; well so far we haven't won any medal yet, even as the Games is gradually winding up. Apart from athletics where I can give passmark because we have had a couple of performances that got us to the finals, even though we didn't get into the medal range, the other sports, especially basketball and tennis were a huge dissappointment and embarrasment.

To me generally, it is a poor return on investments. Blessing Okagbare : It is not over yet for Blessing in the Olympics.She has got the 4x100 meters relay to focus on. In terms of performance, she is still a young girl in her early 20s. All she needs is encouragement to improve on her performances. Hopefully, there are other young ones such as Ajoke coming up and it is a pointer that athletics still has a bright future if things are properly put into perspectives.

Government’s role in preparing athletes “I don't believe in government dishing out handouts to athletes.

The key to positive result we are all yearning for is youth development as well as training the coaches who manage the athletes.

Exposing the athletes to competitions and training tours will go a long way in helping.

“Giving Athletes 10,000 dollars without engaing them in proper competitions would not help beacuse 90% of them may not use the money judiciously for the purpose it was meant.

“Preparation also encompasses looking at what the athletes do, their medical history, being meticulous about their nutrition, checking on what they eat and drink and knowing the kind of competitions that they should participate without burning them out with irrelevant competitions.

What it means to be an Olympian Honestly, it is not an easy thing, but the joy is when you see people acknowledging you any where they see you because you represented your country well. Competing at the Olympics is tough , belive me, I know how tough it can be. When we won the gold in Sydney, I know how tough and well prepared we were.

Being an Olympian is an honour.

“I am here in London watching the athletes, with nostalgia, trying to out wit on another. I share in their pains and joy because I was once like them. The balm that would soothe whatever pains and agony of long preparations and sacrifices an athlete makes as he or she gets ready for the Olympics is having that medal around your neck no matter the colour.

“I just hope that we will start here and now to redress our attitude to preparations and I sincerely pray that with a little bit of luck, the few events left would put smiles on our faces and give us something to take back home.

OVERALL MEDAL COUNT COUNTRY China United States Great Britain Russia Germany Japan France Australia South Korea Italy Netherlands Canada Hungary New Zealand Belarus

GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL 35 21 19 75 30 19 23 72 22 13 13 48 10 18 20 48 7 15 10 32 3 13 14 30 8 9 11 28 5 12 9 26 12 6 6 24 7 6 4 17 5 4 6 15 1 4 9 14 6 2 3 11 3 2 5 10 3 2 4 9

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urilo Endres scored 14 points and Brazil overpowered Argentina in straight sets yesterday to advance to the men's volleyball semifinals at the London Olympics.

The 25-19, 25-17, 25-20 quarterfinal victory was costly for the top-ranked Brazilians, who lost opposite spiker, Leandro Vissotto Neves, to what appeared to be a groin injury.

Brazil goes on to face the winner of the afternoon match between the United States and Italy in the semifinals on Friday Cristian Poglajen couldn't control Endres' spike for match point. Facundo Conte led No. 8 Argentina with 10 points.

‘I've much to learn’

L

awrence Okoye, all 6ft 6in and 20st of him, finished a disappointing 12th and last in the discus final.

The former rugby union player has a place at St Peter's College, Oxford, to read Law after gaining four ‘A’levels at grade ‘A’or higher, which he might now think twice about taking up.

Okoye came into the competition insisting he wasn't just there for experience and wanted to have something 'special'. He became the first Briton to make the Olympic discus final since 1984 but could only repeat his poor performance in this year's European Championships in Helsinki,

Brazilian team celebrating Finland, in which he also finished last, albeit in horrendous conditions, after failing to throw anywhere near his best.

It is a traumatic business watching Okoye. It took him until his third and final throw to achieve the qualifying standard that earned him a place in Tuesday's final and he began unconvincingly again then, with 61.03m in the first round and a foul in the second.

Dismissed Algerian runner returns to win men's 1,500 final gold

B

ooted from the Olympics on Monday for quitting in the 800 then reinstated hours later via medical review - the Algerian had no problem running to a gold medal in the men's 1,500 meters.

Makhloufi edged the United States' Leonel Manzano and Morocco's Abdalaati Iguider

for the win, crossing the finish line at 3:34.08 and giving Algeria its fifth gold medal in the country's history.

"I was told that racing and competing might be dangerous for me," Makhloufi said of his knee injury that caused him to quit midway through the race. "I was told that by my doctor.

However, I insisted and I wanted

to compete."

Undoubtedly, Monday's 800 meters and Tuesday's 1,500 were a significant contrast in Makhloufi's vigor. On Tuesday he ran a strong race from the start, positioning himself near the front of the pack then charging ahead and taking a commanding lead that he never surrendered, ousting the heavily favoured Kenyans and holding

Attar becomes Saudi first female track Olympian

S

arah Attar became the first female track and field athlete to represent Saudi Arabia at an Olympics when she competed in the 800 meters heats on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, who wore a white head cover, a longsleeved green top and black leggings and sported luminous green running spikes, received a generous ovation from a capac-

ity crowd at the Olympic Stadium as she trailed in last of the eight runners. "It's an incredible experience," Attar, who has dual United States and Saudi citizenship and is a student at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, told reporters. "It is the hugest honour to be here to represent the women of Saudi Arabia.

"It is an historic moment. I hope it will make a difference. It is a huge step forward. It's a really incredible experience."

Attar, who clocked two minutes 44.95 seconds - over 43 seconds behind heat winner, Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya was the second Saudi woman to compete at the Games following judoka, Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had extended a special invitation to Shaherkani and Attar after it pressed Saudi Arabia to end its ban on female participation.

off Manzano, whose late charge made the race seem far closer than it ever was.

Asked how his allegedly balky knee felt Tuesday, Makhloufi smiled. "Any person and every person who wins a race or a competition, forgets about his injuries or his pains," he said. "I forgot about mine."

It was quite the difference from Monday's bizarre 800meter heat. Before that race began, Makhloufi appeared in good spirits, smiling and doing some pre-race hyping for cameras despite speculation about how much effort he would put forth after qualifying for the medal round of the 1,500.

From the start of the 800meter race, Makhloufi appeared to pull back. So much so, a BBC broadcaster couldn't resist taking a jab when Makhloufi nearly stood out of the starting blocks.

"Makhloufi almost took a step backwards at the start there," the commentator jabbed.

Thursday, August 9, 2012 DAILY SUN 53 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Europe my next destination …New Martins set to leave India

N

igerians may have been hearing about a new striking power in India who bears the same surname with Super Eagles’ hitman, Obafemi Martins.The player's full name is Ranti Soleye Martins. A new revelation from the Asian league.

Ranti Martins has been playing with Dempo SC in India since 2004, and he is now the club top scorer.

The Nigerian had put in some inspiring performances which recently led to the speculation that he may be heading to Europe. In 2008, Irish team, Bohemian F.C, offered Ranti a trial but the player did not get a contract.

Martins has been aspiring to play in the national team since he turned full time professional, but he has not been so lucky. He hopes to break that bearer and get a possible call up from the Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi.

Soleye Martins regretted that he didn't have the opportunity to play in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) in his early football career, but he was discovered through school football. “ I went to Anwar-L-Islam College, Agege, where I fea-

tured for the school in the Principal Cup and Shell Cup before moving to Ghana to play for Ashanti Kotoko Junior Academy. It was Ashanti Kotoko that loaned me to King Faisal Babes, a Kumasi Football Club in 2004,”he said.

Speaking on how he moved to India, he said: “ I was invited to the India league by a Nigerian playing for Dembo Sports, Majek Bolaji. He was the club’s captain at that time. It was when I came from Ghana in the 2004/2005 season. He came to me and told me about Indian football and the rest is history.

“I have been playing for Dempo Sports for the past eight seasons; I won the league five times with the club, reaching the semi final stage of the Asian Football Cup (AFC) twice. I have been the League top scorer four times and AFC second top scorer in the 2009/2010 season. It's been a competitive game in India because we have many great players in the league. We have players from Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago and many others. The league is getting better and better now because the organisers are bringing in more big players.

It's been a huge success for me because I received massive sup-

port from the Dempo management and the team's supporters too. I had nice seasons while at Dempo Sports and I will never forget what they've done for me.

I just left the club for another club in the I-league, Prayang United. It was a difficult decision for me to leave Dempo Sports, but in life you have to move on.

Dempo Sports has reduced its budget and I don't think it can match up with my pay package.

My decision to join Prayang United is in line with the team's ambition; again I want a new challenge. I have not played for the team yet, I just signed ahead of the new season. On his dream to

move to Europe he said:”I have an ambition to play in Europe and I hope the opportunity will come at the right time. I love the Spanish league and I love Barcelona because of the way its players display soccer mastery. I just have the hope that this season I can get a chance to play in Europe.

On the possibility of playing for the national team, he said:”I think I can fit into the Super Eagles. It is all about chance and opportunity. Nigerians have good strikers in Osaze Odemwingie, Ike Uche and others. I have my talent and they have theirs. If I have the chance, I can prove my point. I think it's all about having chance to play,”he said.

Keshi kits staff, players

S

uper Eagles’ boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, surprised players and officials of the team on Tuesday afternoon, when he gave each of them surprise gifts that were shipped all the way down from the United States.

Each of the players got the latest brand of Nike boots, while the officials got sparkling canvass of the same brand. When asked about the surprise gifts, Keshi said he was motivating the players and officials for a job so far well done

and to prepare them for the task of qualifying the country for the Nations Cup next year in South Africa and the World Cup in Brazil 2014.

Team Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun, said there could not have been a better way to motivate the coaching and backroom staff as well as the players than what Keshi has done.

“As a professional psychologist, I must say kudos to Keshi for the gifts because even myself has been positively psyched up”, he said.

Martins

54

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Thursday, August 9, 2012 DAILY SUN 55 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Ejikeme Ikwunze The day I resurrected

BY ORI MARTINS

E

jikeme Ikwunze is the Abia Director of Sports, a football diarist and statistician, hence, he is widely known as Mr Football by admirers and readers. A well informed sports commentator, Ikwunze is an author, teacher and a community leader as he is the current president general of his Ohuhu clan in the Umuahia Local Government area of Abia State.

A man of many parts, Ikwunze, who is not given to frivolities, in this interview, revealed that he was traumatised in 2002 when it was announced that he was dead.

'I was seriously ill and when armed robbers killed Ejikeme Nzeh, then Sports Link publisher and Handball Federation of Nigeria chairman, my people mistook him as Ejikeme Ikwunnze and reported me dead to my family. It was traumatic', he noted He commented on other personal, professional and national issues.

WHY PEOPLE CALL ME MR FOOTBALL I can tell you that so many people, especially football fans, do not know my name, even those who are a bit close to me.

This is so because, most football fans especially in the South East and some parts of South-South simply call me Mr Football. I did not give myself the name. I just noticed that soccer fans started calling me Mr Football and I simply game my blessing to it as it tallies with both my hobby and profession. It is very simple to know why the fans were calling me Mr Football.

You know very well that one of the problem of our people and this part of the world is that we hardly keep record and so many times we do not take note of record.

For instance, Enyimba has just defeated Rangers 2-0 in a Premier League game at Aba. You should also know that any encounter between both sides should rightly be regarded as our own version of El Calisico .

I mean any game between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain is always regarded as El Calisico. It very easy now for us to say that Enyimba won 2-0 but in the next 10 years or more or even less than that, will anybody still remember what the result was? Who has taken record of the results of the previous encounters between both sides and even the dates and if possible the names of the match officials? Eventually, this is my area of strength. I take records and I keep records. So, if there is any

misunderstanding or argument among the fans, they start looking for any sports person they will confidently ask about the issues for confirmation and they always come to me and I will provide such answers. Before the era of GSM, the fans used to send letters to me, using my box address or they used to go and wait for me at the Aba, Umuahia or Owerri stadium gates, depending on the one very close to them, hoping that I would come to watch a game there and they would confront me with their questions.

They have done so many times and are still doing it and I always provide them with correct answers and that was why they nicknamed me Mr Football because they said I know everything about football. But it all started on NTA Aba when Paul Ogazi used to anchor its sports programmes.

It was a chance meeting and I was invited to the station for as an analyst during the 1988 Nations Cup in Morocco. I remember that Ogazi and the other guests talked on general issues of the games, while my analysis was based on facts, statistics and figures.

I tell you, most listeners had not heard or seen such things before. All were baffled and I became an instant celebrity.

There was another presenter with NTA Aba Sports known as Okwun Omeaku now late. He was inviting me now and again then to his programme and most of the things I was giving out were new concepts to sports commentary and the fans were thrilled.

It was here that Chuka Momoh invited me to one of his programmes and it was given a wider coverage because it was national, most Nigerians saw it.

When I came back to Aba, most viewers called or wrote that NTA Aba should take me as a regular commentator on sports. It was at this juncture that most of the callers demanded that I should be nicknamed Dr Football or Professor Football but I chose the name Mr Football because I am a simple person.

And I want to commend other Nigerian sports journalists who also keep and take records and I am talking about people like Kunle Solaja of Soccer Star, Kayode Tijani, now an independent presenter, Emeka Obasi, the former sports editor of Champion newspapers, Onochie Anibeze of Vanguard sports and Fabio Lanipekun, a columnist with the Tribune newspapers.

I COOL OFF WITH MY FAMILY The truth, my brother, is that I am a very busy person. As you

Ikwunze

are well aware, I am the Abia State Director of Sports and we are the power house, the engine room of the ministry of sports.

What I mean is that the sports council where I direct affairs produces the materials that the sports ministry promotes and uses for stardom.

It, therefore, means that we do not joke here. We are for serious business.

We are either preparing for one championship or the other and since uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, we work round the clock to produce and prepare our athletes very well.

Rangers now top Nigeria Premier League

E

nugu Rangers have shot back to the top of the Nigeria Premier League after a massive 3-0 home win over Sunshine Stars on yesterday.

Rangers thus regained leadership of the league on account of a better goals difference than Kano Pillars as both teams are tied on 61 points from 36 matches.

The Enugu club has scored 47 goals, same as Pillars, but have conceded 24 goals as against 25 let in by its closest rival.

Lobi Stars now drop to third

place on 60 points with two rounds of matches to be played.

Rangers assistant coach, Monday Odigie, said that his team would now go all the way to be crowned champion.

“The league will go to the wire but in the end, we will prove that though Pillars are good, Rangers are better,” Odigie said.

“Our match at Lobi could go either way, but we will go to Katsina-Ala with very high hopes.

“The fans should continue to come out to support us in our quest to be champions again.”

A16,000-strong crowd at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu did not have to wait for long before the home team took the lead after just seven minutes through Chinedu Sunday.

Midfielder Sunday fired a rocket of a shot from inside the box which gave Sunshine goalkeeper Henry Ayodele no chance.

Ifeanyi Ede doubled Rangers lead a minute into the second half as the fans started chanting “Holy! Holy!! Enugu Rangers, another champion!!!”

Turf Game...

Page 46

Ramadan Talk Prophet Muhammad said: “The most perfect believer is the one with the best manners. The best among you are those who behave best with their wives.”

N150 THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 VOL.6 NO. 2430

Thomas Hobbes lives on L et us return to the basics. By that, I mean the condition of man when he was not governed by law and order. That was man in his rawness. It was a state in which the strong trampled upon the weak. Under that condition, man’s innate bestiality was both at work and at play.

Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher, captured this essential state of man in his political philosophy when he posited that men are essentially selfish. The state of man conceived by Hobbes was one in which every man bothered only about his own survival and was ready to ride roughshod over his fellow to attain his goal. He posits that it was in this state of affairs that men willingly decided to enter into a social contract in order to escape anarchy. In the contract, they submitted and subjected themselves to a sovereign so that law and order would govern their conduct.

This is the origin of government or organized society, according to Hobbes. It is for this reason that we are told that the security of life and property is the primary reason for the existence of government. Any government or sovereign that fails to protect the entities that have surrendered their individual wills to it has therefore failed and does not have any further legitimate claim to being a government or a sovereign.

This brief socio-political excursion is of immediate relevance to the Nigeria of our time. If we take recourse to the Hobbesian postulation, we will have no difficulty in accepting the fact that Nigeria is living in pristine times. We have returned to the age when man was at liberty to assert his natural instincts at the expense of his fellow man. We are back to the age of helplessness when life was nasty and brutish because the strong mercilessly pummeled the weak for the simple reason that there was no sovereign to intervene and call the beast to order. In the Hobbesian State as in today’s Nigeria, man was a loner. He was an isolated being. His existence for the next moment was not guaranteed because there were no rules and laws that could protect him or keep his actions in check.

Until recently, Nigeria could lay claim to being under the control of a sovereign. There was a government in place that ensured the maintenance of law and order. Dissidents were reined in. The sovereign could throw his fangs open and the law breaker would run for cover.

But the story has changed because the nature of the sovereign appears to have changed as well. Or better still, the sovereign does not appear to know how to exercise his authority. He does not seem to recognize the enormity of his powers. Consequently, the smart alecs in the land have infiltrated his ranks. They have eaten deep into his elemental fabric and have stolen the essential ingredients that make the sovereign a force to reckon with. Today, the sovereign is only floating on the surface of reality. He does not have any clue about the way to go.

In the face of the debilitating weakness of the sovereign, the rampaging usurper has turned himself into a tormentor of the system.

He is tormenting not only the sovereign, but the entire citizenry.

AMANZE OBI

BROKEN TONGUES

amaobi@yahoo.co.uk

MD Abubakar, Police IG This unfortunate descent into anarchy is the menace that Nigeria is confronted with today.

Until the advent of the tormentor, Nigeria was not living in such an unenviable state. There was some modicum of law and order. There was a sovereign that whipped erring elements into line.

But the bestial inclination of the tormentor has changed all that. The tormentor has been able to seize the day. It has defied what used to be called law and order in Nigeria. But when it did this, it expected consequences. It thought that the sovereign would break its bones and whip it into line. But the sovereign only issued a threat. Not deterred, the terror gang decided to test the will of the sovereign further. It unleashed more bestiality on the landscape.

The people who were supposed to be protected by the sovereign ran for their dear lives. The sovereign assured them that he would subdue the tormentor. They believed him and began to live a normal life again.

But the tormentor would not let them be. He continued to unleash blood and sorrow. The sovereign has continued to assure and reassure the people. Now, the people no longer know whether to believe him or not.

Meanwhile, more lives are lost everyday through the terror machine of the tormentor. At some point, it became obvious to the tormentor that the sovereign can only bark. It cannot bite.

The tormentor has therefore become more daring. It now makes the sovereign a laughing stock. That was why it told the sovereign the

other day to convert to its faith or resign from the exalted office of the sovereign. The tormentor and his gang said so because they know that the claim the sovereign is making to his office is hollow. It is not backed by power and might. The tormentor and his group even know that the sovereign is at their mercy. They will continue to disorganize his empire at will until such a day they will show him the way out. They know that a disgrace awaits him since he has no powers to curtail their excesses. That is why they are giving him an opportunity for a soft landing. He can become one of them or vacate the office for them.

The tormentor has become so powerful that the land in which the sovereign is supposed to be in charge of has been violently seized from him. The tormentor has broken loose, unleashing terror and blood on the landscape.

The anarchy oozing forth from the tormentor reached its apogee when he turned his terror machine on Christian worship centres. When an army of tormentors opened fire on worshippers at a Christian centre in Adamawa State some months ago, Profressor Wole Soyinka described the incident as a dismal watershed in our national history. Decent minds were shocked that we have descended to the pit of darkness where worshippers could be shot down through the window by unknown assailants. There was shock.

There was disbelief.

But our consternation was to assume the garb of reality and acceptance too soon. The incident became routine. It is now repeated almost every other day.

Christian worshippers are now hunted like animals in parts of northern Nigeria.

But the sovereign who is supposed to rise in their defence looks on and only dishes out hollow assurances.

The bestiality is continuing unabated. Only a few days ago, the town of Okene in Kogi State played host to a new concert of blood. A Christian worship centre was invaded by the tormentor and his gang. About 20 people lay dead in the ambush. That is the routine in the land. That is where we are now.

If Hobbes thought his political philosophy belonged to the past, he must be squirming in his grave now that Nigeria is a living testimony to the state he painted a picture of. In fact, the Nigerian state looks even more parlous than the Hobbesian state.

In their brutish state, the people are asking questions. They want to know for how long they will live with this menace. Will it continue? Will it ever stop? If it continues, what will be their fate and the fate of the land on which they stand?

In the nasty situation, the people no longer know what to say or think. They look like a people in a trance. For them, every day is like a long night of drudgery. In fact, they live their life in the everyday domain. Because tomorrow looks so distant and uncertain, they seem to have abridged the story of their lives.

They now agree, more than ever before, that life in their Nigeria, as in Hobbes imaginary world, is nasty, brutish and short. Indeed, we can safely say that Thomas Hobbes lives on in Nigeria.

You can follow me on Twitter.com/_amanze

200m title: Bolt set for showdown with Blake

U

sain Bolt won yesterday’s second semifinal in 20.18, 0.17 seconds slower than his training partner, Yohan Blake, to set up a final showdown today.

Bolt basically stopped running as he exited the bend, jogging his way down the final 100m as the rest of the field struggled to keep up.

There's an almighty roar in the Olympic Stadium which can only mean one thing - Usain Bolt is ready to repeat his 100m heroics.

It was ridiculously easy for Usain Bolt and worryingly for his rival, the Jamaican, had a blistering start, something which he has struggled with since his disqualification for a false start at last year's World Championships, powering away through the bend before easing off. He said thereafter: "It's all about going through as easy as possible. That was the aim and it went pretty well, so I'm happy. I'm ready, this is my favourite event and I'm looking forward to it. People always doubt the champion but I know what I can do and I don't doubt myself."

It was also a stroll in the park for Yohan Blake, who eased up with 20m to go to take victory. It turns out to be pretty close between the top three, though, with Blake slipping into neutral as Wallace Spearman and Christophe Lemaitre hit top gear.

The trio are separated by 0.02 seconds, but Blake hangs on for victory with Spearman taking the second automatic qualifying spot.

Police comb Eagles camp for bombs

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

I

rked by the worrisome spate of bombing in the country, Nigeria Police Force has for the umpteenth times, combed the vicinity of the Super Eagles camp in Abuja to forestall any form of bomb threat to the lives of the players and officials.

The policemen led by the national team security chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Gideon Akinsola, had flooded the camp with trigger-ready police officers and two patrol vans to ensure that the team was provided with adequate security.

In fact, fielding questions from Daily Sunsports in the team's camp, ACP Akinsola, revealed that apart from the initial sweeping performed by the anti-bomb squad before the team moved into the camp, they had performed several routine screening exercise to ensure that the hotel camp is bomb free, stressing that it was in line with the directive from the IGP Mohammed D. Abubakar.

His words: “We will always ensure that adequate security is provided. We have full personnel on ground in the camp here. We have escort vehicles, armed personnel and the bomb team has just left here after performing the routine bomb screening exercise.

“The regular visit of the anti-bomb squad is the routine security measure. The fact is that the IGP M.D. Abubakar is very enthusiastic about ensuring adequate security for the national teams. In policing, it is natural that wherever there is any major engagement, it is the responsibility of the anti-bomb squad to screen, in and around, the environment”.

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