Sun News - August 13, 2012

Inside

Naira set for highest gain in one year N150

Pages 25 - 40

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2432

NEWS REVIEW

UNN releases postgraduate admission list

Nigeria’s Olympic flop

By DAN ONWUKWE

G

loom and outright lamentation have gripped the nation’s sports sector as the London

2012 Olympics ended yesterday with no medal for Team Nigeria, the nation’s contingent at the Games.

The expression on his face said it all: “If after three years of hard work in train-

ing, this is all I can get, to God be the glory”. While many countries are unexpectedly proud and excited about their performance at the London 2012 Olympics the above quotes from Captain of Team Nigeria, Chika Chukwumerije. Continued on Page 58

T

he University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has released the admission list of successful candidates who applied to pursue postgraduate studies

for doctoral and masters degrees, as well as Postgraduates Diploma (PGD) programmes in the 2012/2013 academic session.

Continued on page 3

INCREDIBLE!

Dead man withdraws cash from bank •Police arrest cashier

Page 6

Goodbye London, welcome Rio de Janeiro

2012 Olympics:

Page 62

General view of the Olympic flame in the foreground during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Setback for Boko Haram Man dies making love to 2 undergraduates in hotel

Page 5

• 22 members killed, 30 arrested Page 10

Setback for Boko Haram N150

• 22 members killed, 30 arrested Page 10

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2432

NEWS REVIEW

UNN releases postgraduate admission list

Nigeria’s Olympic flop

By DAN ONWUKWE

G

loom and outright lamentation have gripped the nation’s sports sector as the London

2012 Olympics ended yesterday with no medal for Team Nigeria, the nation’s contingent at the Games.

The expression on his face said it all: “If after three years of hard work in train-

ing, this is all I can get, to God be the glory”. While many countries are unexpectedly proud and excited about their performance at the London 2012 Olympics the above quotes from Captain of Team Nigeria, Chika Chukwumerije. Continued on Page 58

T

he University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has released the admission list of successful candidates who applied to pursue postgraduate studies

for doctoral and masters degrees, as well as Postgraduates Diploma (PGD) programmes in the 2012/2013 academic session.

Continued on page 3

INCREDIBLE!

Dead man withdraws cash from bank •Police arrest cashier

Page 6

Goodbye London, welcome Rio de Janeiro

Olympics 2012:

Fireworks as London Olympics Games end

Man dies making love to 2 students in hotel Osun Osogbo festival kicks off today

Page 11

Page 5

2

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

Monday, August 13, 2012, DAILY SUN

3

SUNG GIRL

FG should assist entrepreneurs live their dreams –NIPR boss, Ologun …As Lagos chapter visits Dangote Cement

By DAMIETE BRAIDE ne unique thing that I observed today is that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has generated his own power in the cement factory to run the machines. This is necessary given the fact that where we are today, we have to find a way of living above reality, someday, power would come. Where there is a will, there is way, which Dangote has proved.”

These were the words of Lagos State chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) boss, Jide Ologun when he led a delegation on a facility tour of Dangote Cement Works Limited, Ibese in Ibese Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“From this, other industrialists will borrow a leaf and there are so many Nigerians who are interested in the development of this country the government should look into what people are doing and give them the necessary support.”

“Through Dangote’s activities, he has created employment, he has developed the environment and has drawn investors to Nigeria.”

Ologun said it is important to see Nigerians who have decided to add value to what God has given us by refining the natural resources and has made the finished products available to Nigerians.

The NIPR members were taken round the facility and were educated on the various stages of cement production.

Mr. David Essien, an instrumentation engineer, was one of the tour guides in the bus who went with some members round the facility, explaining to them the various processes in the production of cement.

They were received by Sunday Adondua, Deputy General Manager, Production, Mr Esan Sunday, General Manager, Corporate Communications and other officials from Dangote Industries Limited.

In his welcome address, Adondua, an engineer, said that it is good to see NIPR, a professional body pay a visit to the facility because they are here to add more knowledge. “ The cement plant was commissioned in February 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan and it is environmentally friendly. The power is generated within to take care of the power needed to run the factory.

“I will advise other organizations to also pay a facility tour so that they can also know what is on ground. It will be very good for all Nigerians to know what Dangote is doing for Nigerians,” he said.

Also, Mr Sunday, said that the visit is necessary for people as long as it is convenient for them to come and see things for themselves.

“The essence of this visit is to let the Nigerian public know what we are doing especially in the perspective of cement manufacturing. It is also to let them know that Nigeria is so much endowed with natural resources and there is no need we should not advance in terms of achievement like other societies, he concluded.

“O

UNN’s postgraduate admission list out Continued from Page 1

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you consider yourself stunning enough to grace our Page 3?

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

Name:

Joy

Phone:

08073206152

E-mail: momeegy24@yahoo.com

Acting Secretary to the PG School, Mrs R. I. Nzeh, who announced the release of the result at the weekend, said that the admission would be for both regular and sandwich programmes.

The full admission list is published today in Daily Sun. A breakdown of the list showed that a total of 3,661candidates were offered admission for the regular programme and 102 for the sandwich programme.

Mrs Nzeh advised successful candidates to download and print their temporary admission letters from the UNN Postgraduate portal and proceed to the School of Postgraduate Studies with the originals of their credentials for verification.

“Thereafter, they should make e-payment of the necessary fees at the designated banks and return to the web to print the original admission letters and complete the registration of the courses\programmes online,” she said.

She warned that the registration of courses\programmes should not be later than one month from the beginning of the 2012\2013 session.

4

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

Monday, August 13, 2012

DAILY SUN

5

L-R: Bishop of Zonkwa Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Jacob Kwashi, Bishop of Egba, Samuel Ogundeji with the Bishop of Katsina, Jonathan Bamaiyi and the Diocesan Bishop of Kaduna, Josiah Idowu-Fearon at the Diocese of Kaduna’s first session of the 19th Synod thanksgivig service at St. Christopher’s Church, Kaduna, Sunday.

Photo: NAN L-R: Ottun Nurudeen, Executive Director, Training and Operations, Backup Networks Limited, Zack Admani, Regional Sales Manager, UK, Ireland and Africa for Transition Networks, Joy Okorodudu, Business Development Manager, Openmedia Communications Ltd and John Holt Ologbo, MD/CEO, International Telecom Equipment and Cable Company Ltd at the Transition Networks Products Awareness seminar in Lagos recently.

L-R: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, discussing with MD, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dame Remi Oyo when Jega toured facilities at NAN headquaters in Abuja, Sunday.

Photo: NAN

COVER Fatal sex: Man dies during marathon sex with 2 undergraduates in Onitsha From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

A

middle-aged man (names withheld) has collapsed and died while having marathon sex with two undergraduates in one of the hotels in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The deceased had checked into the hotel located at the back of the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha with the two women he met earlier and exchanged phone numbers in the day. While having sex with the girls, he allegedly collapsed and died inside the hotel room.

The man had allegedly pleaded with the women to have sex with them without using condom, which did not go down well with the latter.

However, upon further persuasion and negotiation by the deceased to add more money, one of them agreed while the other refused and allegedly went into the bathroom to take a shower when she noticed that the deceased was already having sex with her partner without condom. She was said to have pushed the man away from the girl before ejaculation after which the deceased started shouting and died a few minutes later.

One of the suspects being detained at the CPS, a pole away from the scene of the incident is a student of Ogwashi Ukwu Polytechnic in Delta State, while the other is from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, also in Anambra State.

According to an eyewitness, who did not want her name in print, the incident occurred in the late hours of Friday when she heard a man shouting on top of his voice inside the hotel room and after a while, he was confirmed dead.

“The man came into the hotel with two girls and checked into one of the rooms, but later I heard him shouting: My head, oh! My head, oh! After a while, I did not hear any-

•Suspects arrested thing again until the police came in and evacuated the body, then arrested the two girls”, whom they believed may have served the man.

The source noted that the hotel management on noticing that the man was dead,

quickly locked the room to prevent the two girls from escaping pending the arrival of the police.

Meanwhile, policemen from the CPS later arrested the suspects. They took the body to an undisclosed mortuary also within the com-

mercial city of Onitsha while investigations continue.

When contacted on his mobile phone, the manager of the hotel, simply identified as Simon, declined comments, but referred our reporter to the police, adding, “the police are already handling it” But the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe, confirmed the incident. He said two suspects have been arrested, while, investigations were on-going.

Why Boko Haram persists, by Danmusa, ex-Deputy Senate President From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

A

s long as there is injustice and a good number of Nigerians living in poverty, Boko Haram and other terror groups would continue to thrive, says former Deputy Senate President Abubakar Mamman Danmusa.

The Second Republic Deputy Senate President, who spoke exclusively to Daily Sun in Katsina, warned that the nation would rather slide towards anarchy than peace, given the level of unbridled corruption and impunity of the perpetrators. He asked: “Who will be surprised there is Boko Haram?”

The septuagenarian from Danmusa, Katsina State, advised that the Jonathan administration should be very tough on the stealing of public funds “that created a fertile ground for anarchy.”

He queried: “Is this the type of society you can have peace? No! You can only have peace if there is justice, but in Nigeria, there is no justice. So, we cannot have peace. Let 100 former heads of state meet and see.

“Unless treasury looters are arrested, tried, convicted and public money recovered from them and visionary leadership with commitment to the welfare of the people takes over, there is no way you can have peace.”

Danmusa, who is former Speaker of the old Kaduna State House of Assembly, advised the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility. According to him, “unless we are ready to do justice and seriously too, we will be consumed by this fire.”

Speaking on the pattern of suicide bombers in the North, he warned that Nigeria could be tottering on the brink of anarchy because of AlQaeda Maghreb and the situations in Libya, Mali and Niger.

His words: “I have seen in one of the writeups in a national daily that many young people from Burkina Faso, from Ivory Coast and from other West African countries, are going to these Mali Islamists and joining their army for Jihad.

Now, this is a serious threat which Niger Republic cannot contain and which certainly Nigeria will be the target.

“If you see all these things, really we are in trouble. So, the only thing we can do to get out of this mess is really to be just, to have responsible leadership and to use the resources for the wellbeing of the people and not to accumulate it.

“For me, I may be wrong, if we are to really have a breakthrough, I think death sentence must be introduced for these looters; anybody who loots should be executed and the money recovered. Don’t mind the outcry from the Western media that would say we are not fol-

lowing due process. We have abnormal problem, therefore, we have to use tough measures to treat it. We have no other way. Nobody is safe.”

Asked if he subscribes to Federal Government having dialogue with Boko Haram, the veteran lawyer retorted: “If America can dialogue with Taliban, if Umaru Musa Yar’Adua can dialogue with Niger Delta militants, why not?”

He also blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for eliciting impeachment threat from the National Assembly, wondering why Jonathan could not approach the lawmakers before the threat was issued to explain why he couldn’t execute the budget estimates he had signed into law.

Danmusa said: “Nobody is above the law; I think really, the way some Nigerians are working with impunity in the running of government is just too much. So, what is the big deal if the National Assembly says if Jonathan does not implement the budget, they will impeach him; it’s no big deal.

“It had happened to Obasanjo; prominent leaders have to intervene before they could stop the lawmakers. So, what is special about it?

There is nothing special,” said the former Speaker of the defunct Kaduna State House of Assembly that impeached Governor Balarabe Musa.

6 DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

NEWS

One killed as cult groups clash in Port Harcourt From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

D

iobu axis in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was last Saturday, thrown into chaos as cult groups engaged one another in a fierce shoot-out.

The incident, which was said to have claimed one life, occurred at about 10:30 p.m. at Urualla/Elechi Beach waterfront in Mile 1, Diobu, in the state capital.

Daily Sun gathered that the hoodlums arrived in two speedboats firing sporadically, but were repelled by a rival cult group.

Also, the cultists were said to have set ablaze some makeshift apartments at the waterfront.

Some residents, who spoke with Daily Sun, said there was pandemonium in the area, as the shoot-out lasted for over 30 minutes.

When the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam (DSP), was contacted, he confirmed the incident and death of a victim.

He said security men were on the trail of the hoodlums.

Nigeria deploys 700 soldiers to Liberia From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

S

even hundred officers and men of the 195 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have been deployed to Liberia on Peace Keeping Mission, with a stern warning against sexual misconduct.

The officers and men were also warned against being disarmed by the criminal elements in the unpredictable mission area.

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Mohammed D. Abubakar gave the warning at the weekend during the graduation ceremony of the troop from a four week pre-deployment Training at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji, near Kaduna.

Represented by the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Brigadier General Saidu Bello, the GOC told the troop to be resolute in dealing with operational matters and ensure with United Nation Mission in Liberia (UNAMIL)’s Rule of Engagement and force protection measures.

“It is important to bring to your attention, the unpredicted brewing violence situation in Liberia which is the fallout of the just concluded general election. You must exercise utmost care, considering the nature and life style of Liberian women.

“I will equally highlight the cultural sensitivity related to the Liberia environment, which requires caution and respect from deployed peacekeepers. In this regard, I you urge to abide by the mission’s do’s and don’t’s,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Major General John Samuel Zaruwa said the troop had adequate level of training to ensure effective performance in any peacekeeping operation theatre.

Ohanaeze inaugurates media forum

By PETER ANOSIKE

O

hanaeze Ndi Igbo, the apex socio-cultural group uniting the Igbo people has formally inaugurated a media arm.

Called the Ohanaeze Media Forum (OMF), the group was set up as the information-disseminating arm of Ndi Igbo, at an elaborate event, which held recently in Lagos, with the mandate to help in repositioning the Igbo race for the challenges of governance, national integration and cultural revival.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, (Lagos and the Diaspora), Chief Oliver Akubueze, while commending the forum, tasked them to use their good offices to further educate the remainder of Nigerians that Ndi Igbo meant well for the generality of the nation, which was why they were seen living and transacting businesses at every nook and cranny of the world. His words: “Today is historic in the life of Ndi Igbo everywhere in the world, because it is the day we have decided to come together to give more bite to our collective desire to become once again relevant in the scheme of things in our country.

“I will congratulate all of you who are the members and remind you that the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, which is the umbrella body of all Igbo people decided to make you a member of the forum because of your professionalism and commitment to the Igbo cause, which you have exhibited over the years. I am happy that this forum is made up of men and women of integrity, whom Ndi Igbo can be proud of.

“The job on your hands is actually a tasking one and Ndi Igbo expect you to use your good office to uplift the place of the Igbo man in Nigeria and the world.

•L-R: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his wife Roli, Mrs Elobe Ebami and husband, Mr Roland Ebami and Mrs Dupe Tuoyo, during the outing/thanksgiving service for the burial of the governor’s mother-In-Law, Madam Rebecca Ayonmike, at First Baptist Church, Warri, yesterday.

Incredible! Dead man withdraws N20,000 from account •Police arrest bank cashier From TONY OSAUZO, Benin

P

olice in Uromi, Edo State have arrested a male cashier (names withheld) with one of the old generation banks in Benin in connection with the killing of the chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Esan North East Local Government Area, Mr Daniel Akhibi.

Akhibi was said to have been shot dead by a six-man armed gang who trailed him to his house in Afuda village, Uromi in an Audi 80 car which bore no registration number.

The suspects, according to the younger brother of the late NUT chairman, Kenneth, later made away

with the deceased’s Mercedes Benz SUV car and mobile phones.

He explained that attempt to save the life of his brother was futile as he gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.

He further explained that his late brother’s car was later recovered the next day, along Poultry Road, oppo-

site the university in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

According to police sources, the arrest of the cashier followed a debit alert of N20,000 on the deceased’s mobile phone, which the police recovered a day after he was murdered.

The cash withdrawal was

Man who buried kidnapped victim alive surrenders to police From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

A

suspected kidnapper, one Emma, 27 has voluntarily surrendered himself to the police in Delta State about eight months after he allegedly buried a kidnapped victim in his custody alive in his compound.

The victim yet to be identified hailed from Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted her on December 31, 2011 in Ughelli.

Ex-lawmaker cautions against govt control of UNESCO centre in Osogbo

By SOLA BALOGUN

F

ormer Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello has advised the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola not to allow himself to be misled into taking hasty and ill-conceived actions by attempting to tamper with the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) established in Osogbo as a UNESCO affiliated institution on culture.

The former speaker gave the charge at the weekend in

said to have aroused curiosity of the Police who immediately swung into action and arrested the cashier who was suspected to have made the withdrawal from the late NUT chairman’s account.

When contacted yesterday, the Edo State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Anthony Airhuoyo (DSP), confirmed the report, say-

Osogbo, noting that the Osun State House of Assembly embarked on what he called a ‘ridiculous’ action in spite of available records in the state legislature which revealed that UNESCO consultants who visited Osun State twice to conduct feasibility studies on the centre warned of dire consequences, should government attempt to control CBCIU. According to Bello, the submission of management expert, Peter F. Drucker that “there is nothing as useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all,”

applies to steps taken on the Centre by the Osun State Government as the documents forwarded to the House of Assembly in year 2008 indicated that “it was one of the categorical expectations of UNESCO that no government would interfere in the running of CBCIU and that the donated structures at the centre would be in place before its commissioning.

“More importantly, international conventions recognize CBCIU as a cultural property which must not be violated,” asserted the former speaker.

Emma, who hails from Owahawa in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, told the police that his soul was troubled t6hat was why he had to surrender himself.

Public Relations Officer of the state police command said the suspect confessed burying the victim alive in his compound when she became weak, adding that his confession led to the arrest of one Kpoure, 31.

Muka said the grave where the victim was allegedly buried had been identified and that the corpse would be exhumed when her relations were identified.

He urged members of the public, whose relations were missing to report to the police area command in Warri.

While reiterating that efforts were in top gear to arrest other members of the gang, the police spokesman informed that the suspects would be arraigned in court soon.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012, 7

NEWS Bakassi: Court ruling ’ll not have negative effect on growth –Imoke

By TOPE ADEBOBOYE

T

he recent ruling of the Supreme Court which allocated 76 disputed oil wells in the Bakassi Peninsula to Akwa Ibom State would have no negative effect on the massive infrastructural developments currently going on in Cross River State.

Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Ricketts, who spoke with select journalists in Lagos at the weekend, said the state did not build its budget on the oil wells, insisting that Cross River would continue to function well with or without them.

According to him, the state government had not derailed in fulfilling its obligations to residents of the state in spite of the ruling. He assured that the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, was passionate about the infrastructural development of the state.

He asserted, however, that the state was convinced that the oil wells would be returned to Cross River in due course even as he maintained that the state was robbed of its inheritance.

“It’s nothing new; we lost them a long time ago. We only went to court to redress the anomaly. But our budget was not built on the oil wells. As far as we are concerned, our developmental strides would continue. e only quarrel with the way and manner the judgement was procured. But we are a very cultured people, a very peaceful people. We know at some point, this would be redressed,” Ricketts said.

While puncturing allegations that his state failed to pursue a political solution of the issue that has generated considerable unease between it and the neighbouring Akwa Ibom State, Ricketts said a political settlement agreed upon by Mr. Donald Duke, former Cross River State governor, and Chief Victor Attah, then his Akwa Ibom counterpart and supervised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was scuttled by the present administration in Akwa Ibom State.

UBA appoints Okwechime, Duke board members

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the appointment of Mrs. Rose Ada Okwechime and Mrs. Owanari Duke to the group board. The appointments, made at a meeting of the Board of Directors held in China on July 13, 2012, brought to four, the number of women on the board of the bank and had received the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Mrs. Rose Ada Okwechime is the Managing Director of Abbey Building Society; a multi-billion naira mortgage institution. She has served as a public company director for over 20 years and her experience of the financial services industry includes services at the Bank of England. Mrs. Okwechime was formerly a non-executive director on the boards of Standard Trust Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. Okwechime is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London; the Institute of Brand Management; the Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria and member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria.

Mrs. Owanari Duke is the former First Lady of Cross River State of Nigeria and a legal practitioner. She is also a specialist in mediation and dispute resolution and philanthropist. Duke has been the Managing Partner of the Law Firm of Duke & Bob-Manuel and also the Executive Chairman of Allied Merchants & Brokers Limited.

N2.5m real estate fraud: Man bags 28 years imprisonment From FRED ITUA, Abuja

J

ustice Sa’ad Mohammed of the Gombe State High Court, Gombe last Friday sentenced one Oluwaseun Abatan, a 34-year-old graduate of Quantity Surveying, to 28 years imprisonment.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Head of Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Abatan, who was first arraigned on June 18, 2009 was convicted on four of the eight-count charge of forgery and obtaining money by false pretence brought against him by the EFCC. The convict was arrested in 2008 following intelligence report on the illegal activities of an Abuja-based company which was defrauding unsuspecting members of the public while masquerading as Real Estate Developers and Business Managers.

Abatan, who claimed to be the General Manager of the outlet in Gombe, lured innocent persons to deposit money with the promise of earning interest of 40 per cent within six weeks on such deposits in the short term, and acquisition of plots of land or houses in the long term.

However, investigations revealed that GINI Limited, which had its head office in Lagos, was incorporated as a trading company that sold mostly domestic consumables.

•L-R: Wife of Secretary of Ekiti State Government, Mrs Modupe Owolabi, President, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria, Alhaja Fausat Yusuf, and wife of the State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the second annual Iftar (breaking of fast) hosted by the governor’s wife at the Government House Mosque/Jibowu Hall and distribution of gifts to Muslim women across the state to mark the holy month of Ramadan

Illiteracy, not an excuse to cause crisis, cleric tells northerners EBILE, State Government’s ongoing response to the compensation of the victims of the last crises he Anglican in the state and also calls on Communion of Kaduna the government to undertake Diocese has faulted the and distribute infrastructural claims in the North that illit- projects and social amenities eracy, unemployment and in the three senatorial zones poverty were responsible for without discrimination or sectional tendencies. various crises in the region.

“Views with concern the To this end, the church urged northern elite to redi- slow pace of implementation rect their energies towards the of the subsidy removal reintotal development of the peo- vestment (SURE) prople and the area, rather than gramme and urges the blaming crises on their socio- Federal Government to accelerate action on its implemeneconomic shortcomings.

The church also called on tation in every respect.

Kaduna State Government to reactivate rapid response task force stations and extend the services to other notorious flashpoints as part of measures to address insecurity in the state.

This was contained in a 10- From FRED ITUA, Abuja point communiqué issued ear gripped residents of yesterday at the first session Jabi Districts of Abuja at of the 19th Synod of the the weekend when offiDiocese and signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. cials of Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

According to the commu- in Nigeria (SAP-CLN) resniqué, “it faults the claims at cued a petty trader from a certain quarters that unem- group of three suspected kidployment, economic back- nappers who attempted to wardness and low-level of strangulate the woman inside education are responsible for a moving taxi.

The victim of the ‘one the spate of crises in the chance’ operation who was North and accordingly called on the totality of the northern rushed to a nearby hospital elite to direct their energies was unconscious for over toward the development of eight hours until she was revived by the medical team the region.

“It notes the violent nature on ground. The lady who of Kaduna responses to reli- later identified herself as gious and political matters Bukky Afolabi stated that she and calls on the Kaduna State trades in herbs popularly Government to reactivate called ‘agbo’ at the Utako rapid response task force sta- Park, Abuja.

The taxi used in the nefaritions and to extend the facili- ous operation had no registraty to other notorious flash- tion plate number but carried points. the side code: FCT/RTS/T “It commends the Kaduna 6902 issued by the Road Traffic Service Department

From NOAH Kaduna

T

“Having considered threats posed by the ongoing terrorist activities of the Boko Haram sect in the bombing, shooting and other forms of destructive attacks on the institutions, citizens and governments of Nigeria find the Synod theme appropriate at this time in its exclusion of terror, violence and compulsion as methods of religious and political persuasion and in its call to proclaim redemption, peace and transformation to the world at large.

“That the victims of these activities cut across the

Christian/Muslims, North/ South, natives/settlers, high/low divides and that the sect excludes in its irrelevant respect for place of worship, holy days and festival, neutral institutions and persons, the Diocese hereby expresses its sympathies and condolences to all surviving victims and families of the bereaved and calls on all Nigerians irrespective of their faiths, tribes and political persuasions to be united against any divisive approach to the confrontation of this evil that has been let loose on the country.”

How officials rescued trader from ‘one chance’ taxi in Abuja

F

of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Grace Adoge, coordinator of SAP-CLN in an interview with journalists said that while their men were on a routine patrol around Jabi, they noticed a woman being held by the neck in the back of a taxi while another pointed a locally made pistol at her.

“The patrol team called the office to alert us of their position and situation but trailed the taxi to a point where it was intercepted by the SAP-CLN bus. Upon sighting the mobile police man attached to the team the taxi driver sped off,” Adoge said.

She said SAP-CLN team chased the taxi through the Mike Akhigbe Way in an attempt to rescue the woman.

According to her, the taxi driver lost control and crashed into the fence of the Jabi police barrack on Emmanuel Adiele Street during the chase.

She said all three occupants of the taxi ran out of the taxi except the woman who was unconscious. She was rescued and taken to the Gwarimpa General Hospital for treatment.

When she regained consciousness the bewildered mother of two said she boarded a taxi from Utako to Karimo after the day’s business when suddenly she was being asked by the other occupants of the taxi to submit all valuables in her possession.

“While I was still amazed at the development one of the men pointed a gun at me as another reached for my neck in an attempt to choke me and the next thing was that I woke up on the hospital bed. That’s all I could remember,” she confided in one of her rescuers.

The matter has been reported to the Gwarimpa Police Station for further investigation.

8 DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

NEWS

George Akume remains senate minority leader –ACN

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria has passed a vote of confidence on its Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, describing the plot to replace him as the handwork of some reactionary and anti-democratic forces in the Senate.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed satisfaction in the manner Senator George Akume has so far, discharged his responsibly as the senate minority leader and reminded all busy bodies that the choice of the minority senate leader was the sole and exclusive preserve of the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria and no amount of horse trading, intrigue or blackmail could change this.

The party absolves its member in the upper chamber of the national assembly from this phantom plot and puts the blame on the doorstep of the leadership of the senate, who would prefer a more pliable and easily compromisable minority leader to our principled and disciplined Senator George Akume.

The plot to remove Senator George Akume according to the party could be ascribed to the battle for the soul of Benue State and even more importantly fear that have gripped the People’s Democratic Party, following the growing popularity and acceptance of the Action Congress of Nigeria all over the country.

The party recalled that only last week, a confused Peoples Democratic Party described the Action Congress of Nigeria as a tribal party. Could a party with a governor from the South South geo-political zone, senators from Benue, Edo and Anambra States, House of Representative members from Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi and Imo states among others be described by right thinking people as a tribal party?

•L–R: Guest lecturer, Ustaz Abdulfatah Adeyemi, Chairman on the occasion, Abubakar Sodangi and special guest, Imam Nurudeen Dindi, at the inauguration of new executives of Abuja Muslim Forum in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

GGAIC Club launched in Lagos

Only 250,000 people can live in Eko Atlantic -Fashola

A

L

new international development club known as GreenGrowth African International Club (GGAI-C) has made its debut in Nigeria.

The club is an initiative of the African Citizens Development Foundation as an off-shot of Rio+20, based on social enterprise principles for equitable distribution of wealth among Africans.

The primary objective of the investment club and its members was to promote a green economy by establishing scores of industries related to environmental protection.

GGAI-C aimed at re-directing the fortunes of the continent. To achieve this, the club aimed to admit active African citizens and other friends of Africa.

According to the Senior Project Development Manager of the African Citizens Development Foundation (ACDF), Ms. Anne Dirkling, who spoke during the launch in Lagos, the foundation had recognised that the greatest misfortune that had befallen Africa and African development was the growing culture of fear among most Africans.

ACDF, which was granted Special Consultative Status of the United Nations since 2009 believed that it was often the fear of the talent possessed by some brilliant African citizens who were considered as threats and potentially intimidating.

This accounts for uncontrollable envy, leading to hatred and deadly conflicts, which subsequently hampers development in the whole of the African region.

Quoting the United Nations’ report that was released on Monday, July 2 during the Earth Summit in Brazil, the ACDF President, Otunba Ajayi-Smith also stated that meeting the entire Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 could only be achieved through global partnerships.

Book on Obasanjo for launch tomorrow

By JIMOH RASAKI

F

ormer president Olusegun Obasanjo will tomorrow be honoured with a book launch in appreciation of his contributions to the development and growth of the Nigerian nation. The book, entitled “Olusegun Obasanjo: Passing the torch” and written by Ambassador Albert Omotayo is also aimed to secure a platform for true leadership in the country.

The book seeks the way forward for better leadership, especially those seeking political offices. It equally hopes to bring about change in book reading and also educating leaders at all levels of government On his book, Omotayo, said the only way of imparting and enlightening the development of leaders in the country was to educate their minds and also their statues to enable them bring a better future to the citizens He also urged leaders in the country to emulate the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo on his contribution to the socio – economics and culture towards improving the performance of leaders.

By FAITH OMORUYI agos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has stated that only 250,000 people can live in the state’s new city under construction, Eko Atlantic after its completion.

The governor stated this while speaking at an event in City Hall, Lagos to mark his 1,900 days in office as governor.

He was represented by Lagos Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye.

According to him, on completion, the new city would accomodate 150,000 commuters daily but that it would not have any form of flooding or any overflowing of water from the atlantic ocean unlike experienced at the Bar Beach coastline along Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

He added that the area reclaimed from the lagoon had been expanded to 3,081,050 square meter as at June, 2012, while the volume of sand pumped has risen to 8,081,050 cubic meters, but

that the overall area for reclamation was 1,037.763 hectares.

Fashola added that the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport(BRT) scheme has helped in reducing traffic congestion.

He noted that 39million

commuters had been transported to various destinations since the scheme commenced five years ago.

He disclosed that BRT would soon get to Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos.

However, he stated that the state was planning to reclaim

UVA plans TIP contest for teenage Nigerians

By SEYE OJO

T

housands of Nigerian teenagers will have the opportunity to develop their innovative skills and win fantastic prizes at the ongoing Teenagers’ Innovation Prize (TIP) tagged: Solving Everyday Problems, organised by a non-profit organisation, the Unveiling Africa Foundation (UVA).

Briefing newsmen on the activities of the foundation, the founder, Miss Chizoba Imoka, disclosed that deadline for submission of entries for the contest has been shifted from the end of this month to November 30 this year.

She explained that the contest is open to Nigerians between the ages of 13 and 19 whether they are in school or not, adding that marginalised, street and homeless teens could participate but must have brains.

Imoka, who was supported by the Chief Executive Officer, W-Holistic Business Solutions, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan and the Chief Operating Officer of the foundation, Miss. Anuoluwa Ishola, stated that the first prize will attract N250,000; second prize will attract N150,000 and third prize N100,000.

“In line with our vision to produce teenagers with com-

AYF condemns Ogoni declaration From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

T

he northern youth association, Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), has joined other Nigerian groups to condemn the declaration of selfindependence by the Ogoni people and other groups making similar move.

AYF stated categorically that the move would end up destroying the steps taken by the President Goodluck Jonathan Government to unite and move Nigeria forward.

According to the forum in

all lands under the flyover bridges from ‘illegal squatters’ and miscreants under its Greening Programme aimed to beautify the environment.

“Today, several thousands of jobs have been created through the various beautification projects,” he said.

a statement made available to Daily Sun by its National President, Alhaji Gambo Gujungu, the problems of Ogoniland could only be solved through dialogue.

Gujungu argued that: “AYF is in support of the governor of Rivers State who spoke on the position of South-South governors on the issue of declaration of State of Ogoniland by the president and spokesman of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).

“Dr. Goodluck Diigbo’s position that ‘self-govern-

ment within Nigeria’ will secure for the Ogoni people, their indigenous rights to enable them meet their needs and interests and finally end ‘internal colonialism’ is uncalled for.

“The utterances of Diigbo and his people are trying only to destroy the good work that Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is doing to unite Nigeria. Every region has its own peculiar problem but Ogoniland’s problem can be solved only through dialogue not by self-declaration of independence,” he explained.

petence in problem solving and critical thinking, UVA took the bold step of scraping its two years old essay contest and replaced it with an innovation contest titled: The Unveiling Africa Foundation Teenagers’ Innovation Prize (TIP),” she said.

The contest, according to her, aims at rewarding African teenagers who go beyond identifying issues in their societies to proffering sustainable solutions to them. She stated that the top 10 winners will be selected through a rigorous process that would involve the creation of a business plan for the proposed idea to further assess the viability of the innovation.

Imoka maintained that teenagers were expected to provide concrete ideas or prototype solutions to identified societal issues. She added that entrepreneurship, business plan and leadership training would be provided to the top 10 contestants. In partnership with the W-Holistic Business Solutions, she said, the top 10 winners would be given the resources and mentorship to start Teen Entrepreneur Web Project. The top three winners will be announced in February 2013.

Her words: “We will go to schools, churches and community platforms to create more awareness.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012, 9

NEWS The Sun, cop receive YODEF award for excellence

By CHINYERE ANYANWU

T

he Sun Newspapers, at the weekend, added another feather to its cap as it bagged an award for excellent journalism practice from the Youth Development and Empowerment Foundation (YODEF), in Lagos.

Also honoured for excellent performance was the Area Commander of Area E, Festac Police Station, ASP Dan Okoro.

Giving the awards at the press briefing to commemorate the United Nations International Youth Day (IYD), the National President of YODEF, Uche Udungwor, said the award was in recognition of the people-oriented and people-friendly brand of journalism practiced by The Sun newspapers and its support for YODEF. He said the The Sun titles had, since inception, given outstanding service to humanity in its mode of reporting, urging that it would not relent in its unique coverage of events.

ASP Okoro, was awarded for his innovative leadership in the police force, especially in the Area E Command.

According to Udungwor, the YODEF leader, Okoro, within his short period of assuming office at the Festac Police Station, turned things around with his people-friendly leadership style.

On hand to receive the award on his behalf was CSP Philip Eze, the assistant area commander of Area E Police Command.

Speaking on the IYD, which is held worldwide every August 12, Udungwor urged “various governments, especially the Nigerian leadership to consider the fact that youths are very critical to the national development and nation-building” and “should therefore form a common synergy with them towards building a better world.”

He enjoined the youths on the other hand to “be focused and be good ambassadors of their immediate families, communities and the nation,” advising them to “shun all forms of violence.

381students graduate from Prison college

By HENRY UTSALO

N

o fewer than 381 students graduated from the Nigeria Prison Service‘s 218th Basic Recruit Course at the Prison Training College, Lagos at the weekend.

The occasion was attended by members of the Lagos Command and some other security agencies including the Director of the State Security Service (SSS).

Although the comptroller general of the NPS was absent on the occasion, he was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Prisons in charge of Administration, Dr. Ekpendu Peters.

Addressing the graduands, Ekpendu said the course was a cardinal career development as it served as a foundation upon which the graduands would build their career as they went ahead in service. He stated that the essence of the course was for them to put the knowledge gained into use in their different stations.

“This course from which you are about to pass out is cardinal to your career development, because it serves as a foundation upon which you will continue to build your career as you journey through this service. It is, therefore, expected that as you leave the training college to your respective stations, you will be able to put into use some of the skills and knowledge imparted to you during this course to be able to treat inmates in our custody,” Ekpendu said.

He further encouraged the graduands to be dutiful, loyal, dedicated and committed to duty as a result of the current security challenges in the country.

Committee on petroleum resources laments loss of revenue

By RACHEL AGUNTA

T

he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (upstream), Saubana Ajibola Muraina, has decried the monumental loss of revenue through stealing of petroleum products by vandals.

He said the Federal Government had suffered incalculable loss of revenue through the unwholesome activities of hoodlums who vandalized petroleum pipelines across the country.

To checkmate the activities of these vandals, Muraina said his committee had fine-tuned the various contracts it had given since the inception of the third republic to wage war against criminal activities.

“This war is against the perpetrators of this dastardly act and must be fought with all arsenals at our disposal,” he said.

Daily Sun gathered that some notable consultants had been engaged to beam searchlight on the activities at the various export terminals, following concerns that the Federal Government was losing substantial revenue from crude oil.

The consultants had identified some black spots where such activities were paramount, while efforts had been perfected to swoop on those found culpable in the crime.

•One of the winners of Hyundai ix35SUV in the ongoing MTN Goodwill Automania Game, Ibrahim Suleiman receiving his car key from the former coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Samson Siasia. With them are Dola Bamigboye, Master Brand Specialist, MTN (second left) and Ibrahim Mohammed Bashir, Senior Manager, Customer Care, North, MTN at NICON Luxury, Abuja recently.

Dankwambo, Onaiyekan, Okoh, others seek end to killings From IHEANACHO what the country needs now,” ple and bomb institutions. He want to see where Christians stressing, “it is only when we recalled that Christianity and and Muslims are living NWOSU, Abuja

E

minent Nigerians and diplomats have expressed concern over the orgy of killings in the country and urged the Federal Government to initiate a dialogue to end the worsening insecurity.

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Primate, Anglican Church, Revd Nicholas Okoh, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Revd John Onaiyekan, Canadian Ambassador, Chris Cootor said the growing insecurity had become worrisome and unbearable and should be tackled through dialogue.

They spoke at the first dialogue and peace Iftar dinner organised by Ufuk Dialogue Foundation and held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and Minister of State For Finance, Yerima Ngama were among the guests.

Dankwambo identified suspicion as a factor fuelling insecurity in the country. He said: “There is a lot of misunderstanding, a lot of suspicion not only among religious lines but among individuals, the only way we can clear this misunderstanding is through dialogue.”

Although the Governor did not define the structure and forms the dialogue would take, he said the situation had come to a point where every effort must be made to provide an atmosphere where Nigerians would discuss how to co habit with one another.

Dankwambo said “there is need for dialogue to take place at every level. That’s

dialogue that we understand ourselves better.”

Echoing the views of Gombe State governor, Bishop Onaiyekan said innocent Nigerians could not continue to be hacked down in the name of religion. Apart from government stepping up effort to halt the trend, he said all hands must be on deck to arrest the situation.

The cleric lamented that religion was now being used as an alibi to kill hapless peo-

Islam had always existed side by side in the country, emphasizing the need for a dialogue to be mounted to educate the people on the need to live in peace.

He said: “I am happy to be here in Iftar Dinner during the Ramadan. What ever we are doing is to spread the message of goodness, neighborliness, brotherhood and sisterhood.

“We will continue to go all over the world and say if you

together in peace and mutual respect, come to Nigeria. I used to say that so many years and I think I can still say so. The average Nigerian Muslims and Christians want to live together and they are doing so. “ These two great religions are able to manage our differences. If we hold onto the common faith, believing only in one God, every other thing can be managed.”

Ondo guber: ACN strategises to neutralise Mimiko’s popularity …Slates mega rally for month end

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

F

eeling uncomfortable with the soaring popularity of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State ahead of the October 20 governorship election, the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has gone back to the drawing board to strategise on how to neutralise the governor’s rising profile before the D-Day. A worried chieftain of the party, who revealed this to Daily Sun in confidence at the weekend in Osogbo, in Osun State said “our leaders are getting scared by the soaring popularity of our major target,” saying “they are of the strong conviction that if nothing concrete is done to arrest the trend, the October 20 election will just be a formality for Mimiko.”

And to avoid “an outright electoral disgrace and disgraceful walkover,” the chieftain disclosed that a “high

power machinery is being set up to work out an effective method to checkmate the rising profile of Mimiko,” confessing that “in fact, the development is giving us political nightmare.”

However, the South-west Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, in an earlier interview with Daily Sun expressed confidence that Ondo State would fall to his party through the ballot box, asserting that “in the coming contest, ACN is the party to beat, power of incumbency or no power of incumbency.”

While admitting that, “we are not underrating any party in the contest,” Afolabi informed that “ACN is always known for its preparedness for any contest in the interest of the Nigerian masses,” enthusing that “our antecedent as the only party with the interest of the masses at heart will easily win the contest for us.”

But Daily Sun can reveal

authoritatively that nocturnal meeting for the ACN game plan had commenced and would be compiled in a booklet to be studied and implemented by a war commander likely to be the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Fayemi, according to Daily Sun investigation, is favoured to handle the propaganda machinery based on his qualification as a renowned international scholar on political warfare.

His terms of reference, Daily Sun further gathered , would include massive media campaign to give Mimiko a run for his money in the media.

Meanwhile, the much postponed planned mega rally of the party has been tentatively slated for this month end in Akure, Ondo State capital, with Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola as master campaigner to be supported by the party’s Campaign Director-General, Tayo Alasoadura.

10 DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

NEWS Ceding of Bakassi: Reps promise to revisit Green Tree Agreement From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

T

he House of Representatives has promised to re-visit the Green Tree Agreement signed between Nigeria and Cameroon.

The GTA was done at Greentree, New York, on June 12, 2006 following the ICJ ruling ceding Bakassi Peninsula to neigbhouring Cameroon in October 10, 210.

While former President Olusegun Obasanjo signed for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Paul Biya signed for the Republic of Cameroon.

With the agreement, Nigeria recognizes the sovereignty of Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula in accordance with the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the matter of land and maritime boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria.

But following agitations by the Bakassi natives and moves to reclaim their territory, the Lower House of the National Assembly, said it has become imperative to take a second look at the controversial agreement.

The Chairman House Committee on Treaty and Agreement, Mr. Yacoob Bush-Alebiosu, who dropped the hint while interacting with the Efik Elders and Leaders Forum in Calabar at the weekend, revealed that because of Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa she is a signatory to more than 200 International treaties of bi-lateral and multilateral nature.

Alebiosu said: “We are here to look into things from Green Tree Agreement point of view to see whether there are in our favour or not and how it affects the people of Bakassi.

“The Committee had visited the affected community and would make recommendations to the House of Representatives.”

We have had allegation of how the agreement has been reached and we have requested for proper documentation for use at the leadership and the entire House of the Representatives.”

House Committee Chairman said Section 12: 1 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulated clearly on the issues of treaties and agreements, saying those that required domestication must be domesticated before it can have the force of Law. “Some treaties require ratification, some domestication, some impose financial obligation on the nation and need to be brought before the National Assembly, while some are agreement restricted within the confines of the executive,’’he said.

Ekwunife weeps over erosion in Anambra From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

T

he House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Environment and Member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife expressed deep emotion over the increasing menace of erosion disaster in Anambra State.

Speaking at Nanka erosion site in Aguata Council Area of Anambra State when she paid unscheduled visit to the site yesterday, the visibly angry Ekwunife expressed fears that the rate at which the erosion was escalating and encroaching into other communities was alarming and a threat to the entire state.

Mrs. Ekwunife further disclosed that most worrisome was the fact that the erosion had grown beyond the control of the contractor currently handling it, adding that it should be declared a special erosion site by the Federal Government.

“The Nanka erosion site should be declared a special project and special funding should be made available to control it because as you have seen, it is encroaching into other nearby communities and if care is not taken, it will sack the entire Anambra State. The project demands special funding from the Ministry of Environment and more competent contractor should be given the project because as it stands now, it has gone beyond the control of the contractor handling it.”

She also disclosed that lack of prompt intervention into the control of the erosion site and other ecological disasters was responsible for the escalation of the erosion in the state, noting that the control of the erosion site could have been done earlier last three years when the disaster had not escalated.

Mrs. Ekwunife said that the Nanka erosion site and other serous active erosion sites within the state and South East in general should be declared special projects to forestall further natural disasters.

“We are going to make sure that Nanka project is considered a special project and special funding mapped out for it because if it is not tackled, it will wipe off the entire Anambra State because it is encroaching into other communities and it is only a company like Julius Berger that can handle it,” she said.

The House Committee Chairman also urged the state government to have good waste management scheme so as to control the disaster that according to her were often man made and called on companies operating in the state to have proper ways of channeling their waste products.

Mr. Ndubuisi Orji, staffer of The Sun Publishing Limited (right), receiving the award of Excellence from the President of the Youth Develoment and Empowerment Foundation Mr.Uche M. Udungwor, on behalf of the Company at a ceremony in commemoration of the International Youth Day in Lagos at the weekend. Watching with interest on (Left),is Chief Jude Eluma. Photo: OLUFEME KAYODE

22 Boko Haram members killed in Borno, Yobe ... 30 arrested From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri

M

en of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, yesterday clamped down on the dreaded Boko Haram in Maiduguri the state capital, killing 20 members even as the JTF killed two others in the Damaturu, Yobe State.

About 30 members of the sect were also said to have been arrested by the JTF during a raid in Damaturu in the early hours of yesterday.

The killing of the sect members on Saturday night according to Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, JTF Field Operation Officer followed by an intelligence report that reached the task force that a meeting by the militia was taking place within the metropolis.

He said the JTF swooped on the Boko Haram men where they were holding the meeting in the night possibly planning for another offensive.

“We got intelligence report that some suspected Boko Haram terrorists were having

a meeting at a particular location in the metropolis. While we were approaching the venue of their meeting, the Boko Haram members opened fire on the JTF which led to the killing of 20 of them. We, however, lost one soldier, while two others sustained injuries,” Ebhaleme explained.

Meanwhile, residents of Damaturu witnessed sporadic gunshots which lasted for about two-and-half hours yesterday morning.

The centre of the gun duel;, Daily Sun gathered, was Bindigari and Pawari wards believed to be the hideouts of the sect in the state capital.

“The fierce clash led to the killing of two Boko Haram suspects,” a military source hinted.

Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed the killings, adding that 30 of the men suspected to be of Boko Haram were arrested.

“The gunmen, as usual, had in early hours of yesterday, (Sunday), engaged our

Past govts laid foundation for Boko Haram –Presbyterian church leader From JOE EFFIONG

T

he Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Prof. Emele Uka, has condemned two former Nigerian leaders, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for their actions, which, he alleged, encouraged the current Boko Haram menace.

Uka who spoke in an interview with Daily Sun after presiding over the opening cere-

mony of the church’s 20th General Assembly held in Uyo last Saturday, said the seed that Babangida sowed by registering Nigeria in Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) even when Nigeria was and is still recognized constitutionally as secular state, is now germinating into Boko Haram.

“The truth of the matter is that this country is supposed to be a secular state where no level of government should establish a religion as a state religion. That is in line with

Delta community leader drowns From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

C

ommunity leader in Abala-Unor community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State has allegedly drowned in River Ezuten when he fell into the river four days ago.

The sudden disappearance of the chief said to be in his eighties, stunned the largely agrarian community which instantly constituted a search party made up of young men as soon as the alarm over the drowning of the octogenarian was raised.

security operatives in the shoot-out in Bindigari and Pawari wards of Damaturu.

The two areas were raided when the gunmen started firing at soldiers for about two hours. There were no casualties on the part of soldiers and police.

But the JTF killed two of the suspects and arrested 30,” he explained.

He said other parts of Damaturu we had remaimed calm, stressing that the security agencies were on top of the situation.

The victim left his home on the fateful day to farm but while he was walking on the edge of Ezute River which had overflowed its banks as a result of heavy rainfall, he missed his step and plunged into the river.

A source said the victim’s case was made worse due to the water hyacinth that had overtaken the river of late which prevented the aged man from swimming to safety.

According to the source, a few persons who were around saw him struggling against the tide and raised alarm

which prompted the constitution of a search party to comb the river for the drowning chief.

However, four days after the search party went into exploration, their efforts were yet to yield results as at the time of filing this report yesterday.

People in the community have practically abandoned their economic activities as they anxiously await the outcome of the search team who come back with disappointing result every evening since the search started.

section 10 of the constitution.

But now we find a systematic violation of this constitutional provision by Moslem leaders.

By that I mean Babangida, Abacha and Murtala.

“It was Babangida that registered this country in the OIC, and unfortunately, during the last meeting of G8 Islamic countries held in Egypt in 2001, Obasanjo identified Nigeria as an Islamic country by attending that meeting.

Now the people feel that Nigeria now is an Islamic country. “An Islamic country does not tolerate another religion; an Islamic country feels it is a sin for it to be ruled by a Christian leader. And that is why they say, for this security challenges to stop Jonathan must convert to Muslim because they don’t see how a Muslim country can be ruled by a Christian.

“To solve the problem, Nigeria must delete itself from the G8 Islamic countries.

Nigeria must return to being a secular state. I challenge the members of the National Assembly; I challenge executive arm why they are there and the constitution is violated and they are not doing anything about it.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012, 11

NEWS

2015 Presidency: Ohanaeze berates Keita over comments

By PETER ANOSIKE

T

he Igbo apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has berated the former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawan Keita for saying that the North would not compromise the 2015 presidency.

According to the President of the Lagos State chapter of the organization, Chief Oliver Akubueze, after President Goodluck Jonathan, the next president of Nigeria must come from Igbo extraction.

Akubueze, who is also the president of Ohanaeze presidents in Diaspora, said Ndigbo would not accept the back seat of leadership after the tenure of the incumbent president.

He said if Keita was really a patriot, he should be more concerned with bringing peace and tranquility in the North, instead of talking about the next president His words: “Well, what I have to say about Lawan Keita’s comment is that he should shut up. He is among the problem of this country because he has failed his generation. His utmost concern should be how to stop the carnage that is going on in the country at present especially in the northern part of the country where he hails from. But for the record purposes, after president Godluck Jonathan, the next president of this country must, I repeat must come from the South-East. We have fought for the peace and unity of this country and we are also ready to fight for justice and equity, Igbo everybody knows are no cowards. So let nobody push us to the wall.”

Osun festival kicks off today From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

A

s the annual Osun Osogbo festival kicks off today in Osogbo, Osun State government has said it has put all machinery in motion to ensure a successful celebration, just as it assures all participants of adequate security during the two-week celebration.

Besides, the state government announced that it would provide free rail service for intending participants from Lagos to Osogbo during the celebration, saying it had committed itself to the provision of free rail service during festive periods.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo yesterday to herald the annual festival, the Special Adviser to the governor on Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Oladipo Soyode said the state government had tarred the roads that lead to the groove for easy access.

He assured that the government had made all necessary arrangements to ensure proper management and control of crowd during the grand finale of the festival, which would hold on August 24.

According to him “the state government has made the environment conducive for social and economic activities, which will translate to economic transformation of the state.

There will be easy flow of traffic, and we appeal to all the tourists from across the world who will participate in the festival to conduct themselves well.”

Research Intelligence magazine, NIIA hold symposium

By AKINSOLA OMIDIRE

R

esearch Inteligence magazine in conjunction with Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) will tomorrow at the auditorium of the institute in Lagos hold a symposium with the theme, “Flow of Trade Between Nigeria and South Korea,” to commemorate the 64th independence anniversary of the country.

A statement signed by Leo Taylor of Research Intelligence magazine, said the symposium would examine the dynamic underpinning the flow of trade between South Korea and Nigeria to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Taylor said South Korea and Nigeria maintained stable relations over the years and this had immensely contributed to the growing presence of South Korea in Nigeria’s economy.” The symposium, planned as a robust discourse under a high profile distinguished audience, would share privileged information on the future of Nigeria-South Korea trade relationship.

“The unprecedented growth of the Korean economy with little or no natural resources is indeed encouraging. It is Nigeria’s desire therefore to replicate this extraordinary growth popularly referred to as the ‘Miracle of the Han River’ in a greater dimension given the enormous natural and human resources Nigeria is endowed with.”

The magazine also commended South Korea’s notable achievements in high-tech, automobile, electronics, manufacturing, shipping, construction, telecommunications and heavy duty firms, among others.

•Beyelsa Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson and the Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Jaroslav Siro, during crucial talks on investment opportunities between Czech and Bayelsa State.

Jonathan’s performance: Okupe says El-Rufai’s statement unfounded From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

T

he Senior Special Assistant to the president on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has described the statement of former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as unfounded and not supported by facts on ground, saying it was, therefore, outright falsehood.

He added that contrary to insinuations on the power situation in the country, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration had not only revived the 10 abandoned NIPP projects but were all within the range of 95-100 per cent completion stage and were awaiting gas supply for which government had taken very concrete steps to address.

He said power generation had improved from under 3000mw in 2011 to 4300MW

by August 2012.

In a statement signed by Olusanya Awosan, media director on behalf of Okupe, he said: “All the fallacies, deceits, misinformation and disinformation about incompetence and non-performance of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s admiration’ as alleged by El-Rufai are ‘unfounded, not supported by facts on ground and are therefore outright falsehood.”

He stated further that the call for concerted efforts to face the challenges confronting the nation does not amount to ‘out sourcing governance’ or ‘begging the opposition for ideas.’

According to Okupe, “it is clear that with the prolonged existence of the fundamental factors of our present challenges, these challenges cannot be resolved by any ‘microwave’ approach but

rather by painstaking analyses, robust planning and precise execution of policies and programmes, all of which this administration has been dutifully engaged in and which positive result are gradually manifesting.

“It is unfortunate that Dr. Okupe’s call for unified disposition in the face of present challenges has been misconstrued by the ‘patriot’ Mallam El Rufai and presented as ‘outsourcing governance’ or ‘begging the opposition for ideas’.

“The fact is that in times of national challenges in any fully integrated society, the elite class; do spontaneously come together in a non-partisan manner to address such

issues of national importance.

“We sympathize with Mallam El Rufai because he is obviously constrained and motivated by the prevailing, fractionalized elite structure in our country; hence his unfortunate misinterpretation of Dr. Okupe’s patriotic call to national duty.

“Our brother should not hide his political frustration and deep seated hatred propelled by other reasons best known to him, in his attempt to demean this administration and discount its unwavering commitment to progress and development,” he said.

The statement noted that, “this administration is not interested in hoodwinking Nigerians with the propagan-

da of fleeting performances, but even within this short period of its existence, and in spite of incessant attacks from certain quarters to frustrate and distract government, President Jonathans administration has engaged in concrete and sustainable socioeconomic deliverables that will transform the Nigerian society.”

Giving a sectoral breakdown of the achievements recorded by the administration so far, Okupe noted that in the power sector, the country had witnessed a steady power supply in the country because of the investments in the sector by the administration.

Resign for the sake of peace, Lam Adesina advises Jonathan From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

F

ormer governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, yesterday, advised President Goodluck Jonathan to resign his appointment as the president of the country for the sake of peace.

The former governor gave the advice on the heels of wanton and senseless killings by the Islamic fundamentalists, Boko Haram in the northern part of the country.

Speaking to journalists after 2012 Ramadan Tafsir Lecture held at the Gbadamosi Olowoporoku Adesina Memorial Mosque, Felele, Ibadan, Adesina observed that the Boko Haram problem was not a religious problem, but political, adding that in every part of the world, the conventional way of removing unwanted leader was through voting.

He noted that a situation

where innocent Nigerians were being killed because the Boko Haram sect did not want President Jonathan was not desirable while urging him to step down.

According to the former governor and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, before the coming of President Jonathan into power, there was relative peace in the country.

He explained that it was clear that it was President Jonathan the group was rejecting.

“After a thorough assessment of the situation, it is my belief that we must achieve peace at this point in time because if there is no peace now, then Nigeria is going to collapse. Therefore, while I am calling on the Boko Haram sect to soft-pedal, I am also calling on President Jonathan to resign as the group is demanding. If his resignation will bring peace in Nigeria, let him resign. To me, it has become clear that peace in

Nigeria may not be achieved

by President Jonathan.

“These Boko Haram sect members are bent on evoking violence on the people of this country but if there is a way by which President Jonathan can stop the Boko Haram let him continue but definitely, I don’t think this thing can continue for any length of time.

Everybody, every peace loving Nigerian is tired of what is happening today. That is why I am saying if his resignation will bring peace in Nigeria let him resign,” Adesina added.

Speaking on the topic, “The Effect of Fundamentalism on Islam,” the Head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdul Rahmon Oloyede, said the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the past few months had proved wrong those associating Boko Haram with Islam, while describing the sect as a tool in the hands of some politicians.

12 DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

NEWS Anglican Bishop laments illegal mining in Ogun From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

B

ishop of the Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria (Diocese of Egba), Rev. Emmanuel Adekunle, has lamented what he described as growing desertification and destruction of communities through illegal mining activities in the state.

Adekunle spoke in a lecture entitled: Restoration of Garden of Eden: Obligations of Faith-Based Organisation in an Increasingly Exploited Urbanized Environment, as part of activities marking the 2012 Jesus Carnival of the Diocese in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The cleric linked the abuse of the environment to the frequent collapse of buildings in the country as planning regulations were often defied.

Specifically, he noticed with dismay, the growing and unchecked activities of illegal miners in Abeokuta and urged the state government to arrest the ugly development. His words: “It is no longer news that our environment is open to relevant serious abuse as building and planning regulations are often defied, resulting in the rearing up of shanties, collapsed buildings, diverse pollution endangering health and others. “Over-stretched infrastructural facilities and encroachment on our natural habitats and vegetation often lead to deforestation, desertification and destruction of our communities by illegal mining activities.”

According to him, a lot had gone wrong with the country, which needed the cooperation of churches “to help put right, using our God-given opportunities.’’

The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Adekunle in his welcome address, said the lecture was organised to tackle serious environmental abuses in the country.

PDP constitutes 5-man reconciliatory committee in Ogun From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

T

he new leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state led by Chief Dipo Odujinrin has constituted a five-man reconciliatory committee.

This was done in its bid to have a formidable party in the state. Odujinrin, who spoke while inaugurating chairmen of the party in the 20 local government areas of the state, said the major assignment of the members was to reconcile aggrieved and members who defected to other parties in the state.

He lamented the party’s dismal performance during the last general elections as well as the recently conducted council polls, expressing the hope that reconciliation of members would make the party stronger.

However, he disclosed that such prospective returnees must abide by the provisions of the party’s constitution.

His words: “As responsible leaders, we have set up a -fivemember Reconciliation Committee to bring back all people who are aggrieved. Even the current governor, is a member of the party and he is welcome to return to the .”

He added: PDP “umbrella” was big enough to accommodate all groups including those who have left and want to come back. By implications and from what happened last Saturday, the owner of the party has returned.

“We are more determined to give purposeful leadership and that why we are begging the people of the state to give us a second chance.”

Odunjirin, who described the ruling ACN as a tenant in the state said the party is now faced with the challenge of returning to the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan on May 29, 2015.

Police nab man over visa scam

By MATTHEW DIKE

A

suspected fraudster, who used the name of United States of American Embassy in Nigeria to perpetrate the act has been arrested by the police.

The suspect, Chinedu, was said to have engaged in an alleged visa scam and other travel documents. Police detectives attached to Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, nabbed the suspect near the embassy at Victoria Island.

The suspect who hails from Enugu State was alleged to have impassonated as a staffer of the embassy before he was apprehended with documents alleged to be fake.

Detectives who pretended to be in need of visa, struck a deal with the suspect as a bait to arrest him.

A detective attached to the SFU disclosed that the commissioner of police in charge of SFU had vowed to rid the country of fraudsters.

The source said apart from fraudsters who dealt on fake travel documents, the recently promoted police boss had promised hard time for other fraudulent characters, who obtained by trick.

• R-L: Primate (Dr) Michael Aniyikaiye, Spiritual Head, New Temple Spiritual C & S Church, Archbishop J. A. Oladipo, National President, Fellowship of Christian Ministers of God and Reverend Abdulsalami, during the golden jubilee celebration of the New Temple Church, held at the church cathedral, Mushin, Lagos recently.

My last encounter with deceased Egba chief, by Alake From MOSHOOD ADE- ed that Oluwo Ake died midnight of that day but, howevBAYO, Abeokuta er, thanked God for his peacehe Alake and paramount ful transition rather than sufruler of Egbaland, Oba fering stroke or becoming Adedotun Gbadebo, has bedridden for life.

He noted that the late Chief revealed his last conversation with the late Action Congress Taiwo and Soyinka had one of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, thing in common in politics, Chief Segun Taiwo, who died which was total commitment to their party despite all odds, last Tuesday.

Taiwo, a kingmaker from unlike some politicians he one of the “Omo Iya Marun’’, described as prostitutes. until his death, was the “I am of the conviction that Oluwo Ake which made him Soyinka still has important one of the Egba chiefs of Oba Gbadebo, the Okukenu IV. Gbadebo who spoke while receiving Asiwaju Kayode Soyinka, a former governor- By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI ship aspirant of the ACN in the state on condolence visit agos residents have in his palace in Abeokuta, appealed to Governor, recalled that Taiwo had been Babatunde Fashola, to conscious of his long-time improve the road infrastrucheart problem. ture in the state as his adminAccording to the monarch, istration marks its 1,900 days the late chief was scheduled in office. to see him the day before his The residents views were death but had complained to sought at different fora him on phone that night that manned by the Lago State he was not feeling comfort- Commissioner for Works, Dr. able.

Obafemi Hamzat, In view of the develop- Commissioner for ment, the Alake told Soyinka Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello that the late chief had to re- and the Attorney-General and schedule his visit to the Commissioner for Justice, palace to the following day Mr. Ade Ipaye, at the week“but death snatched him end when they led other before he could make the members of the Executive visit.’’

Council to the districts to give His words: “He has been account of the governor’s having heart challenges for stewardship in the last 1,900 some time, which he was days in office. They emphaalways conscious of and he sised that the government never toyed with medication. must give priority attention to He always took his medical road infrastructure in the attention as paramount,” the state. royal father stated.

Mr. Kolawole Babatunde, “I recall the night before a resident who lauded the his death; he was to see me in government for the initiative the palace but he called me on of coming down to the area to phone to tell me that he was a showcase government’s little bit tired and could not achievements, added that the make it but would see me the need to feel the impact of following day.” good governance were in the The Egba monarch lament-

T

roles to play in the growth of Ogun State. Just like the late Oluwo of Egba, the two of you are known for politics without bitterness and totally committed to your party in spite of all odds.

“You are known not as politicians who jump from one party to another because of selfish interest and I am of the conviction that your time will come at God’s chosen period because you still have important roles to play for

Egbaland in Ogun State.”

Earlier, Soyinka had paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased where he described him as his sparring partner on the floor of the ACN party secretariat when debating party strategies.

Soyinka described Taiwo as a straightforward and forthright politician “who never minced his words,” but lamented that he as well as other members of the ACN would miss his leadership qualities and styles.

Lagos residents task Fashola on improved road network

L

areas of improved road networks, consideration for employment for youths, among others. He said these would help tackle the challenge of poverty.

“Alimosho, one of the local governments in this district has the largest population in the state and as the local government that produces the largest votes, we demand that it should be given consideration,” he added.

He lamented the state of roads in Baruwa and Adelawa community, saying the people found it difficult to carry out their activities as a result of the situation.

Also, Mrs. Toyin Bakare expressed concern about the state of Ije-Ododo roads in Ijegun axis, saying the only link road in the community was presently in a deplorable state, while calling on the government to give attention.

In his response, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, assured of government’s readiness to provide dividends of democracy for the people.

Bello said dredging was currently ongoing on the Ije-

Ododo roads, adding that construction work would commence as soon as that was completed and the drainages properly fixed.

The commissioner explained that the governor, rather than continue in the usual practice of inviting stakeholders every 100 days to a forum where he would give account of stewardship, decided that in this celebration the cabinet members would meet with the people in their constituencies to give room for a large audience and allow the people air their views.

He said, “during the election, we came to you to ask for your vote but this time, it was necessary for us to come to you and render account of what we have been doing with your tax payers’ money in the last 100 days.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, who gave a sector by sector account of government’s achievements in the area, pointed out that the government had completed 110 capacity maternal and child care complex in Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Isolo and Ifako-Ijaye.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012, 13

NEWS Senator raises alarm over activities of JFT in Kogi From FRED ITUA, Abuja

N

urudeen Abatemi-Usman representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has raised the alarm over several complaints of harassment by the soldiers deployed to restore normalcy.

This was following the successive attacks on the Deeper Life Church in Otite, Okehi Local Government Area, which led to the death of about 20 persons and two soldiers.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Nurudeen, Mr. Michael Jegede, the senator disclosed that he had discussed with leadership of the security agencies. According to him, they had been duly cautioned to concentrate on fishing out the criminals and not to molest innocent citizens.

The statement reads: “In line with the information reaching me concerning the activities of some security agents in my district, I have spoken with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chief of Army Staff (CAS). The CAS said he cautioned his commandant of the men on ground against harassing innocent people.

“Their rule of engagement is to fish out criminals, only, so they assured me. We appeal that our people should remain calm and law-abiding, as we pray for God’s relief and intervention.”

Kwara set to launch SURE-P From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

A

Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) pilot scheme that will create 500 job opportunities for women and youth in Kwara State will be formally launched next month.

The Special Assistant to the state governor on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Zakariyau Babatunde dropped this hint yesterday in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.

According to him, the scheme was designed to eventually create 10, 000 job opportunities for women and youth, urging Kwarans to embrace the programme when fully implemented.

He said six local government areas, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ifelodun, Oke-Ero, Baruten and Patigi would benefit from the pilot phase.

The special assistant also announced that a Central Advisory Committee on Employment Generation had been put in place to assist his office in monitoring and advising various employment agencies in the state such as the Civil Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission and SUBEB on the existing vacancy.

Babatunde also disclosed that in view of the prevailing economic situation across the country, the state government planned to create a youth trust fund comprising credible and well-to-do Kwarans who would generate funds and ideas to assist youth in agriculture, resort centres and training in various fields while the state Governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed would only play advisory role in the scheme.

Katsina to plant 3.5m tree seedlings From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

N

o fewer than three and a half million tree seedlings will be planted this season across Katsina State to check desertification, Governor Ibrahim Shema, has disclosed.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s annual tree planting campaign at Katsina suburbs of Tsanni, Governor Shema revealed that about nine and a half million seedlings had been planted and nurtured by his administration in the past five years to create wood lots.

A break down showed that about 1.5 million tree were planted in 2008, followed by two million in 2009, while in 2010 and 2011, the figure stabilized at three million respectively.

The governor, who announced a reward of a motorcycle for the farmer in each of the seven zones in the state that would be adjudged the best in tree planting this year, said the state administration created a ministry for environment in response to the environmental challenges.

Shema called for collaborative efforts to effectively tackle the problems of desertification, flood and soil degradation within the frontline states in the country, adding that Katsina State recently purchased about 120 trucks for the use of water sanitation departments across the 34 local government areas in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Aminu Ibrahim Safana, revealed that indiscriminate felling of trees resulted to the loss of large hectares of land annually to Sahara desert, while praising the commitment of the present administration to effectively address the issue.

In his remarks, the Transition Committee Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Area, Tasiu Dahiru Dandagoro, assured that the council and people of the area would nurtured trees and others to maturity.

•Men off-loading oranges for sale at Kirfi Market in Bauchi yesterday. Photo: NAN

Police arrest doctor who allegedly removed patient’s kidneys From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

T

he medical doctor, who allegedly removed the kidneys of a patient in a private hospital in Bauchi State has been arrested by the police.

Abubakar Buba from Bununu had his two kidneys removed by the doctor who ran a clinic in Yakubu Wanka.

The patient is now lying critically ill in hospital living on dialysis and doctors say he needs at least N7 million for kidney transplant to survive.

The 23-year-old Abubakar fell ill and was taken to the clinic by his parents but his condition worsened after the doctor carried out an operation on him against his wish.

Narrating his ordeal in his hospital bed at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital where he had been placed on dialysis, Abubakar said the doctor insisted on carrying out the operation even when he and his parents demanded for xray or test before carrying out the operation.

Abubakar told Daily Sun: “I was having headache and stomach pains. When we came here (clinic) from the village I was admitted. After six days I felt stomach pain.

I complained to the doctor that I was having stomach pain. He touched my stomach and told me that I had appendicitis.

“He called me to the theatre room. I was made to lie down on a bed in one of the rooms in the clinic. He touched my stomach by the right side and asked ‘is it here that is paining you?’ I

said no it is the middle of my stomach. He started talking of operation but I said truly I want an x-ray. I don’t want operation but he insisted and carried out the operation.”

His father, Mallam Buba said: “I had only two cows in my house before this problem started. I have sold them and they collected the money from me after the operation.

“They asked me for N10,000 which they said was for drugs. After some time, may be they understood that my son would not survive and I started raising alarm, they now asked us to go to Kano. They refused to send us to Bauchi.

“All my money finished in Kano on his treatment.

From Kano when I could not shoulder the expenses for the treatment, the hospital wrote to Bauchi Teaching Hospital to start the treatment.

“When we came to Bauchi the CMD (chief medical director) asked me for money and I told him I have no money and I don’t have anybody to go to. If it is the wish of Allah, Abubakar will make it. I don’t have money to do case with them.

“For humanity purpose, the CMD ordered that they should start giving my son treatment free of charge before he knows what to do.”

Mohammed Abdullahi Hari, secretary general, Miyetti Allah Cattle

Breeders Association of Nigeria, Bauchi State chapter, said, “what happened to Abubakar was unfortunate.

Some people we suspect to be either ritualists sent their representatives to go and invite people and they charge them exorbitantly for the clinic. We know hospital as a place where humanity is taken care of but this time around they are turning it to something else.”

The police public relations officer, ASP Mohammed Auyo, confirmed to newsmen in a telephone interview that the doctor who removed Abubakar’s kidneys had been arrested and investigation had been launched into the incident.

Benue 2015: Group vows to hand over corrupt politicians to EFCC, ICPC From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi

A

head of the 2015 general elections, a group, G10 Concerned Benue Citizens, has engaged the services of forensic financial experts to, as a matter of urgency, fish out papers of fraudulent dealings of corrupt politicians in Benue State and forward same to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau in the case of serving public officers.

The group also vowed to

stop any corrupt person planning to perpetuate his or her selfish agenda in the state during the forthcoming general elections.

President of the group, Philip Agbese, who stated this while briefing newsmen at weekend on negative signs ahead of the state in 2015 explained that the group was aware that some persons with questionable character, very corrupt background and fraudulent nature had conspired to seize the affairs of the state in 2015.

Agbese, while commending Governor Gabriel Suswam for his developmental strides since coming into office in the last five years alleged that the group of corrupt persons were

planning to achieve their aim through extravagant spending of people’s resources, which they had stockpiled from previous offices they held in and outside the state.

Agbese said the step was to enable the civil society to, on behalf of the masses, “recover the loot from these persons before it is used to enslave us and the future of our children after 2015.”

He disclosed further that the G10 was on the trail of some serving corrupt officers and would bring their files to the open before the general public and anti-graft agencies to do what was right in safeguarding the future of the state and the country at large.

14,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

Foreign Affairs Syrian rebels seek protection of foreign-guarded no-fly zones, safe havens

S

•An Iranian resident from the village of Baje-Baj, near the town of Varzaqan, stands on top of the rubble of his destroyed home yesterday, as rescue workers search for survivors, after twin earthquakes hit northwestern Iran on August 11. Photo: AFP

300 killed in Iran’s twin earthquakes

H

ospitals in northwest Iran struggled to cope with thousands of earthquake victims yesterday as rescuers raced to reach remote villages after two powerful quakes killed nearly 300 people.

Thousands huddled in makeshift camps or slept in the street after Saturday’s quakes in fear of more aftershocks, 60 of which had already struck. A lack of tents and other supplies left them exposed to the night chill, one witness told Reuters. “I saw some people whose entire home was destroyed, and all their livestock killed,” Tahir Sadati, a local photographer, said by telephone. “People need help, they need warm

clothes, more tents, blankets and bread.”

The worst damage and most casualties appeared to have been in rural villages around the towns of Ahar, Varzaghan and Harees, near the major city of Tabriz, Iranian media reported.

Tabriz resident Ahmad, 41, told Reuters his cousin living in a village near Ahar was killed and that his body had already been found.

“Nobody knows what happened to his wife and two daughters,” aged 4 and 7, Ahmad said. “We fear that if rescuers don’t get to them soon, they will lose their lives too if they’re still alive.” But Iranian officials said rescue operations had ended by

4,000 evacuated in Spain forest fires

M

ore than 4,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Spain’s Canary Islands because of forest fires that are difficult to control due to a heatwave and strong winds, authorities said yesterday.

The worst hit-areas are Tenerife, a popular tourist destination, and La Gomera, where temperatures have topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) since Friday, restarting fires that had been put out during the week after destroying more than 3,000 hectares of

land since August 4.

The fires have destroyed 200 hectares of land in Tenerife and 470 hectares in La Gomera since Friday and some roads have been closed on both islands. Other areas, including the northern province of Galicia, have been affected by fires in the past few days.

Spain has already suffered a number of forest fires in various regions this year.

Around 50,000 hectares of land were destroyed in the first five months of 2012, making this year the worst since 2002, according to the Environment Ministry.

Sunday afternoon and that all those trapped beneath the rubble had been freed, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported.

Many villages are hard to reach by road, hindering rescue efforts. Hospitals in Tabriz, Ardabil and other cities nearby took in many of the injured, residents and Iranian media said, and there were long queues of survivors waiting to be treated.

“I wanted to go there last night to help but heard there was bad traffic and that it wasn’t safe enough,” Ahmad said. “People in those villages need help.”

Aidin, a Tabriz resident, said he went to give blood at a local hospital on Saturday

and saw staff struggling to been taken there by their famcope with the influx of ilies, he said, indicating a patients. Most patients had shortage of ambulances.

Egypt‘s army chief sacked

E

gyptian President Mohammed Mursi has ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country’s armed forces, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, a presidential spokesman has said.

No explanation has so far been given. President Mursi, who was elected in June, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Relations between the Brotherhood and the military have been tense since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak last year.

It is not clear whether the president has the power to sack the head of the armed forces, or whether Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi will accept the move.

Before Mr Mursi was sworn in, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) stripped the presidency of many of its powers.

These include matters related to the military, including appointing its leaders and extending their terms in office, Egypt’s interim constitutional declaration stated.

yrian rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad need the protection of foreign-guarded no-fly zones and safe havens near the borders with Jordan and Turkey, a Syrian opposition leader said yesterday.

Battles raged on in the northern city of Aleppo, where tanks, artillery and snipers attacked rebels in the Saif al-Dawla district next to the devastated area of Salaheddine.

Abdelbasset Sida, head of the Syrian National Council, said the United States had realized that the absence of a no-fly zone to counter Assad’s air superiority hindered rebel movements.

He was speaking a day after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her country and Turkey would study a range of possible measures to help Assad’s foes, including a no-fly zone, although she indicated no decisions were necessarily imminent.

“It is one thing to talk about all kinds of potential actions, but you cannot make reasoned decisions without doing intense analysis and operational planning,” she said after meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul.

Though any intervention appears to be a distant prospect, her remarks were nevertheless the closest Washington has come to suggesting direct military action in Syria.

“There are areas that are being liberated,” Sida told Reuters by telephone from Istanbul. “But the problem is the aircraft, in addition to the artillery bombardment, causing killing, destruction.”

He said the establishment of secure areas on the borders with Jordan and Turkey “was an essential thing that would confirm to the regime that its power is diminishing bit by bit”.

China: Top politician’s wife admits killing British businessman •Blames action on mental breakdown

G

u Kailai has admitted murdering British businessman Neil Heywood and blamed her actions on a mental breakdown, Chinese state media report.

The state news agency Xinhua said the wife of former top politician Bo Xilai had apologised for what she described as the “tragedy” of Mr Heywood’s death. She said she would “accept and calmly face any sentence”, the agency added.

Ms Gu was accused of poisoning Mr Heywood with

cution of Ms Gu’s mental health found she had been cyanide last November, at her treated in the past for “chronone-day trial on Thursday. ic insomnia, anxiety and Her aide, Zhang Xiaojun, also admitted his involvement in the murder and said he wanted to apologise to Mr Heywood’s relatives, Xinhua reported in a detailed account of Thursday’s proceedings in court.

The prosecution alleged Ms Gu and her son, Bo Guagua, had fallen out with Mr Heywood over business interests, and Ms Gu had feared Mr Heywood was threatening her son. A study commissioned by the prose• Gu Kailai

depression, and paranoia”, and had received medication including anti-psychotic drugs.

•Neil Heywood

15

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2011

John Evans Atta Mills 1944 - 2012 From MAURICE ARCHIBONG in Accra mauricearchibongtravels@gmail.com

T

he remains of the late immediate-past President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, were buried at Geese Park on Osu Castle Drive in Accra, Friday, August 10, 2012. The burial brought to a close three days of mourning across the old Gold Coast, which featured a climax on Friday, which was declared a public holiday in Ghana.

Unlike Nigerians, who have had to suffer the death of at least three heads of state in office either through military putsch and natural causes, Ghanaians were truly shaken by Atta Mills’ passage; for this was the first time in their modern history that a sitting head of state would die in office. In any case, after President Atta Mills’ transition, Ghana’s national colours of Red, Gold and Green sprang up as flags on vehicles, buildings, billboards and even humans!

For a president, who was frequently vilified by some sections of the Ghanaian media; the overwhelming and infectious out-pouring of affection for the late Prof Atta Mills must have come as a surprise to millions not only in the former Gold Coast but also watchers of Accra across the world.

Approaching the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana’s equivalent of Nigeria’s Eagle Square in Abuja; three flags flying at half-mast aptly captured the picture. Across Ghana, from Accra in the south to Bolgatanga in the north and from Aflao in the east to Elubo in the west, Ghanaians had been in mourning since Atta Mills shocking death.

You’d think that Ghana practically came to a stand-still with three days of mourning after the passage of the late president. In some ways, the country actually came to a stand-still; for example, usually bustling Kaneshie, Makola and Tudu Markets (named for Nigerian sites) held no activity.

At the Accra neighbourhood called Ministries, as this name suggests, is home of several government offices; no business took place. In the same vein, principal roads like Kojo Thompson Avenue and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue threw up scanty human and vehicular traffic compared to the whirr of activities here on normal working days.

However, Ghana did not stand still everywhere because Independence Square practically came to life as it hosted tens of thousands of folks that converged there for the climax of three days’ funeral leading to the burial of the late President Atta Mills. Prior to interment, the presidential funerary cortege went through Old Traffic Lights Junction to the African Liberation Circle, the International Conference Centre Road before berthing at the Cemetery in Osu neighbourhood of the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

At 13.25 hours, a white helicopter flew past the venue as dozens of doves, symbolising peace, were let loose at Independence Square. Although it was well past 2.30pm local time or 14.30 GMT (3.30pm in Nigeria), when the procession to the graveside began; by 6.30am the venue of a requiem mass preceding interment was already packed to overflowing. By 11am, the crowd had apparently become a cause for concern; however, personnel of Ghana’s various security and safety organs creditably rose to the occasion.

The event was attended by numerous heads of state, including Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo and Dr. Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast (Coast d’Ivoire) as well as those of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, France, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, among others; in person or represented by their ambassadors or special envoys.

The ceremony, where Rt. Reverend Prof.

Emmanuel Martey handled the Call to Worship; also featured lighting of the

Ghana’s late president goes home in a blaze of glory

Crowded independence square on Friday August 10

Some of the white bevvies of beauty at Mills burial

Tudu Market 24 hours after Mills burial Yoruba drummers at Mills burila

Perpetual Flame, File-past by heads of state and dignitaries, rendition of Ghana’s National Anthem etc. Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyina took care of the Opening Prayer, while Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle gave the Closing Prayer at the event.

Countless Ghanaians turned out to pay the fabled last respect to Prof Atta Mills.

One of them, who spoke to Daily Sun, is 87-year-old Senior Pastor Daniel Kweku Ankomah. The near nonagenarian, who was born in 1925, and is member of the Church of Christ Spititual Movement; opined that Ghanaians had done well to have turned out in such staggering number to honour the late Atta Mills. Hear him: “We’ve done very well. Ghanaians have done very well to come here in such large number and it makes me happy because Prof Mills was a man of peace”.

We even ran into a Nigerian, Mr. Aliu Abdul Hakeem Akinola, a 31-year-old indigene of Owo Town in Ondo State during Prof Mills’ funeral. As to how he learnt of the transition of the then Ghanaian President, this is what Mr. Akinola had to say: “I heard it over the radio and I was devastated. This happened to be so because it occurred during the first few days of my

Late Prof Mills first-ever trip to this beautiful country.

Although I am Nigerian, I am still sad because Prof Atta Mills was a good man”.

Another respondent was Mr. Isaac Atenga, a 22-year-old cigarette retailer, who hails from Bolgatanga area in Northern Ghana. Speaking to Daily Sun in Accra’s Kwame Nkrumah Circle neighbourhood, Mr. Atenga recalled: “I was here

at my stall, when I heard passersby saying Prof Atta Mills was dead. I was shocked. I am still very sad. But, what can we do; I cannot blame God”. No, you can’t. But, one could not help capturing Ghanaians at their most colourful and most weird with regard to attire during Prof Atta Mills’ funeral.

Aside members of the diplomatic community, other international visitors included pretty white maidens from different European countries as well as a Chinese photojournalist and online publisher, Mr. Li Jong. Mr. Jong, who hails from Liaoning parts of China seemed so happy and to be having a swell time with his camera; we couldn’t hold him down to an interview.

However, there was a tit-for-tat, an eye for an eye; as he shot me, while I gave him one!

Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2008 presidential election Prof Atta Mills, who died on July 24 at the age of 68 years, succeeded Mr. John Kuffuor of the New Progressive Party (NPP) and another election is due in December this year.

16

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

NewsPlus

By FAITH OMORUYI

A

t 16, Godwin Johnson thought he had a bright future spread out ahead of him. An apprentice mechanic, the boy from Benue State believed he would soon complete his training, set up his own workshop and live happily thereafter. Unknown to him, fate had other plans for him.

One morning in the last quarter of 2007, the boy was on his way to work when he was accosted by some gun-toting policemen. He was informed that a friend of his was on the run after allegedly beating his own mother to death. The policemen immediately arrested him and took him to their station.

Johnson would spend the next four and half years in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, even though he was a minor, for a crime he never committed.

The boy was eventually charged with murder and his matter taken to Court 13 of the Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ebute-Meta. The court later remanded the teenager at Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in December 2007, at a time when most of his agemates were gripped by the spirit of Christmas and preparing to celebrate the approaching New Year.

“I thought it was a small issue but I was stunned when I later found myself in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons,” Johnson told this reporter.

The magistrate subsequently referred his case to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. He could not go on trial as he was waiting for the DPP’s next step. But he used the time he spent in the prison positively by training to be a barber.

Reprieve came his way last year when a lawyer working for a non-governmental organization, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, compiled a list of 106 awaiting trial inmates at Kirikiri Prisons who had stayed at the facility for four years and above without trial. Fortunately, Johnson’s name was number 23 on that list.

Adetola-Kazeem filed a suit dated July 12, 2012 on behalf of the inmates before the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, praying that they be released.

Respondents in the suit included the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the state DPP and the Deputy Controller of Prisons at Kirikiri Maximum Prisons.

During the hearing, it was discovered that the DPP had already advised that Johnson be released since March 31, 2009. It was the same in the case of seven other inmates. They included Niyi Isiaka (September 29, 2010); Samuel Mesioye (November 4, 2011); Papy Adeoye (November 4, 2011); Ahmed Lawal (November 4, 2011); Iliasu Jinadu (November 27, 2008), Tunde Osho (November 27, 2008) and Ariyo Oshisanya.

Following the advice of the DPP, Justice Ibironke Harrison recently ordered that Johnson and the other seven be released from prison unconditionally.

After the proceedings, the freed inmates had nothing to give their benefactor, Adetola-Kazeem. But to show their appreciation, they prostrated, thanking him profusely.

Johnson spotted a faded green khaki shirt on dark trousers when the reporter met him after his freedom. His sunken eyes had aged beyond his years.

“I learnt many things from the experience,” he said in smattering English. “One of those things is that I would never wan-

L-R JInadu, Mesioye, Isiaka, Adeoye, Lawal, Osho and Johnson

How we wasted away for years in Kirikiri … And to think the charges against us were merely trumped up, say these men ‘I did not know that the police were looking for those boys who were my customers.

Osho der around aimlessly with friends again or have bad friends. I thank God and I am grateful to our lawyer. I don’t know the lawyer who helped us from Adam.”

On where he would go after leaving the court premises, Johnson said he would go back to his parents who reside in Ogun State and hopefully take up barbing as a profession.

“The only good thing I learnt from this bitter experience is barbing in prison,” he said, smiling shyly. “I am going to take it up after I leave this place. I hope things work well for me. I pray I never go

Johnson through such evil again.”

Most of his fellow lucky inmates lamented that the police were unfair in arresting them for crimes they claimed they never committed.

Tunde Osho said fate had played a mean trick on him. The 40-year-old man who had a wife and a kid claimed that he was apprehended by policemen for armed robbery along with other people when he attended a party in his area.

“I went to a party near my house after I closed from work. I was a welder. I was arrested there and I didn’t have my identi-

All I did was to pump their tyres. How could I have known that they were armed robbers? The police said I conspired with the robbers. They came to arrest me just because of that and charged me with armed robbery. That was how I have been in prison until this moment.’ ty card on me. I was first taken to the State Criminal Investigations Department at Panti before I later landed at Kirikiri Prison.

“Look at me. I have spent five years in prison suffering for something I know nothing about. Ah, I have suffered. I don’t •Continued on page 17

Monday, August 13, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus Agony of an old woman I thought they brought me a Sallah gift, but what I saw was my son’s corpse

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

T

hursday, July 26 was like any other day in the household of Jamiu Tiamiyu, a 47-year-old operator of a commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as okada. He woke up that morning looking forward to having a good outing so as to feed his wife, Suliat and their five children.

Jamiu, popularly called ‘Khalifah’ because of his role as a muezzin (a man that calls Moslems to prayer) at Alubarika Mosque, Ilasamaja, Mushin area of Lagos, never had any premonition that death was lurking around the corner.

By 9pm that day, Khalifah had ended up at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), IdiAraba. Ironically, he was knocked down while carrying two passengers by a bus belonging to the same LUTH. Instantly, the Igbehin-Adun community in Ilasamaja area of Mushin, Lagos where he lived was thrown into mourning as soon as the news of the accident filtered into the area.

Before he was taken to LUTH, residents at the scene of the accident at Ade-Oyo Street, Sadiku, first rushed him and his two passengers to a private hospital in the same bus. But they were referred to LUTH because of the serious nature of their injuries.

But by then, angry youths had deflated the tyres of the bus, and the injured bike operator was rushed to LUTH in a commercial bus, otherwise known as danfo.

This development frightened the bus driver identified as Lanre. He fled the scene.

Sadly, Khalifah died the following day in the hospital from complications arising from the injuries he sustained from the accident.

An eyewitness, who didn’t want his name in print, told our correspondent: “The driver was reckless that night. You wonder why he had to engage in such speed in a narrow street. We just thank God that it was not during the day when school children were on the road. The incident is better imagined. I thought I was watching a movie with the horrible way the driver ran into the motorcyclist and his passengers. I knew the victims would require some miracle to be alive.”

The matter was reported at the Olosan Police Station, Mushin where the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO), Ndukauba

Khalifah’s bike

The LUTH bus Onuma raised two officers to take up the case and tow the vehicle to the station.

Authorities at the teaching hospital have, however, promised to hand the driver over to the police.

Khalifah’s remains have since been buried in his hometown in Oyo State. His aged mum said she initially thought that those who brought the man’s dead body were bringing her some gifts for the Ramadan fast. When she saw her son’s remains inside the vehicle, she almost collapsed.

“God, why my son? I thought they were bringing me a Sallah gift, not knowing they were bringing my son’s dead body to me,” sobbed the old woman.

Dead: Khalifah He was survived by his aged mother, a wife widow, Sulikhat, she was in no and five children, including three mood to speak. “Why me at this boys and two girls. The eldest time,” she wailed. “Why me, and son, Sodiq is 18 while the how do I alone bear the burden youngest girl, Shukrah is seven. of raising these kids?”

When the reporter met his

‘Lessons we learnt in jail’ even know how my child looks like now. My wife comes to visit me in prison sometimes but I am not sure if she knows that I have been freed,” he lamented.

He, however, said that after he leaves the court premises, he would go and join her at Abeokuta, Ogun State where his family resides even as he promised to continue his welding job. For him, he does not want to be in Lagos anymore. He said he has had enough of Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.

Samuel Mesioye, 32, who had been awaiting trial for armed robbery for seven years said he was a victim of circumstance. With a shaky voice, he narrated to Daily Sun how he came under suspicion because some members of an armed robbery gang brought their cars to his vulcanizing stall for repairs.

“I did not know that the police were looking for those boys who were my customers. All I did was to pump their tyres. How could I have known that they were armed robbers? The police said I conspired with the robbers. They came to arrest me just because of that and charged me with armed robbery. That was how I have been in prison until this moment,” he said.

But he was hopeful that he would now put to practise fashion designing, a vocation he learnt while in prison. “I won’t practice vulcanizing again. I am going to start designing clothes for people. That was what I learnt in prison.”

In the case of 29-year-old Iliasu Jinadu, a native of Kwara State, he wished he had never gone to the naming ceremony of his friend’s child on that fateful day in 2007. According to him, it was on his way back that the police arrested him for armed robbery, claiming that some robbers had earlier raided the area.

“On our way back, we met policemen in pursuit of armed robbers who had just raided that area. Immediately they saw us, they arrested us. That was how I entered this predicament.

“From where will I start my life all over again? Prison is a bad place to be in. I cannot tell you the evils I experienced in that place,” he lamented.

His fellow inmate, Louis Adeoye, 30, who is evidently savouring his newfound freedom, vowed that he would make sure that he joins the Nigerian Army. The mechanic said he was returning a motorbike to one of his customers when he was nabbed by policemen for armed robbery in 2005.

“That fateful morning, after returning the bike, I was buying some things at the bus stop when I was arrested. I don’t have parents. They had been dead before the time I was arrested. My sister in Lagos never even came to check on me.

“From here, I am going to Bauchi where my grandfather lives.

When I get there, I will take a form to join the army. I must join the army. I don’t want to ever experience this kind of thing in my life. I thank God for bringing me out of this terrible problem.”

Niyi Isiaka, 36, had been detained since 2007. He told Daily Sun that the police raided all the shops in his area, including his shop. In his words, he was thereafter arrested and charged for armed robbery.

“I was quietly doing my normal work in my carpentry workshop when policemen came to my area in their vans.

They took everyone of us from our shops for no reason.

They said I was an armed robber. Look at me. I had no one to help me, not even parents or a wife. That was how five years of my life were wasted.

I have really suffered for nothing. Thank God this lawyer came to help us, else I would still be suffering till God knows when. But I will go back to my carpentry when I leave here,” Isiaka said.

In spite of the seemingly bleak future lying ahead of them, these inmates expressed gratitude to God and their lawyer for their release. They hoped that life would get better even as they pick up the pieces of their lives.

Mesioye •Continued from page 16

18

DAILY SUN Monday August 13, 2012

The Lagos Road Traffic Law

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, recently took a drastic step in the effort to ease traffic flow and improve road safety in the state with the signing into law of a new traffic legislation. Tagged Lagos Road Traffic Law, the legislation prohibits driving against traffic and eating, smoking or making phone calls while driving. Other offences under the law, which will soon be operational in the state, are refusal to obey traffic lights and road signs, and driving without valid drivers’ licences.

The law also restricts movement of commercial motorcycles known as okada to between 6 a.m and 8 p.m only, while they are banned from major roads such as Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Apapa – Oshodi Expressway, the Victoria Island – Lekki – Epe Expressway and all bridges, such as the Third Mainland Bridge. Articulated vehicles, with the exception of fuel tankers and long passenger buses, are banned from all roads in the state between 6 a.m and 9 p.m., while picking and dropping of passengers at unauthorised places, and sale of alcohol at motor parks, are also proscribed.

Infractions of these provisions attract stiff penalties such as community service, hefty fines, impounding of vehicles and jail terms. These sanctions have since become a subject of controversy in the state.

There is no arguing the fact that Lagos’ legendary intractable traffic gridlocks demand bold action from the state authorities. Traffic hold ups exact a huge toll in the state. They are responsible for avoidable waste of valuable man-hours, and also contribute to rising rates of road accidents.

Traffic jams impact negatively on the health of commuters, even as they constitute a huge drain on the economy. The gridlocks are largely caused by flagrant disregard of traffic laws and ethics, although bad roads and flooding during the raining season also play a role.

The decision to tackle the traffic problem in the state through stiff legislation is, therefore, commendable.

Such laws are unavoidable if the Lagos metropolis, in particular, is not to be ground to a halt by unruly motorists.

But, while it is necessary to guide the conduct of drivers in the state with stringent laws, the sanctions prescribed under the new legislation are draconian. For example, the law provides for a fine of N20,000 for first offenders of some of the provisions, N30,000 for subsequent offences, or three years imprisonment or both subsequently for offenders.

Defaulting articulated vehicles such as trailers will be impounded while drivers of such vehicles will pay N50,000 fine or be liable to imprisonment for six months.

These are unduly harsh provisions. There is no justification at all for impounding of vehicles for traffic offences, because the offender may not necessarily be the owner of the vehicle. It is also improper to impound vehicles from motorists who present fake documents, as the law states, especially when such documents are obtained from the appropriate authorities.

Beyond the stringency of the law, however, is the lack of adequate road signs to guide motorists on use of roads in the state. Astate that wants to enforce severe sanctions for traffic law infractions must provide road signs to guide motorists. Necessary road signs and directions must not only be provided, law enforcement officers in the state must be trained to guide motorists, and not to lay ambush for them as is the practice today.

Law enforcement officers must abide by the law and demonstrate high sense of responsibility in its implementation. The essence of the law should be to ensure road safety and ease traffic flow and not to apprehend offenders in order to extort bribes, or fine or jail them.

This is why the state must not be hasty in implementation of the law. Let all the necessary road signs be put in place. Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) should be properly trained and orientated and motorists educated on the provisions of the law through vigorous enlightenment campaigns.

While we commend some aspects of the law such as the restrictions on operations of commercial motorcyclists and trailers, we are concerned that the new law appears to violate Section 42 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution in that it prescribes for Lagos State a law that is different from those applicable to people in other states. That section of the Constitution states that: “Acitizen of Nigeria of a particular community… shall not, by reason only that he is such a person, be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of any law in force in Nigeria … to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria in other communities … are not made subject.”

Moreover, aspects of the new trafffic law offend the principle of Federalism in that they restrict movement of certain categories of vehicles on mostly Federal roads such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which are not within the jurisdiction of Lagos State government. This is a glaring anomaly.

Beyond enforcement of this law, we advise the Lagos government to put roads in the state in good motorable condition, to reduce traffic gnarls that push motorists into driving against traffic in the first place.

The law, though good in a few aspects, is too draconian. Many of its provisions, especially those relating to jail terms and seizure of vehicles, should be reviewed.

COMMENT

THE DIRECTORATE TONY ONYIMA Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief FEMI ADESINA Deputy MD/Deputy Editor-in-Chief ETHEL NMEZI Executive Director, Finance/Admin ALAN JONES Executive Director, Technical PAUL ONYIA Executive Director Marketing ERIC OSAGIE Executive Director, Special Services EDITORIAL STEVE NWOSU Editor, Daily ONUOHA UKEH Editor, Saturday FUNKE EGBEMODE Editor, Sunday SHOLA OSHUNKEYE, Editor, Magazines ABDULFATAH OLADEINDE Deputy Editor, Daily FEMI ADEOTI Deputy Editor, Daily IKENNA EMEWU Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital BRUCE MALOGO, Deputy Editor, Saturday BEIFOH OSEWELE, Deputy Editor, Magazines EMEKA OKOROANYANWU Group Business Editor CHIDI OBINECHE Political Editor CHRIS ANUCHA Acting Bureau Chief, ( South-South) CHIDI NNADI Bureau Chief, (South-East) YINKA FABOWALE Bureau Chief (South-West) ISMAIL OMIPIDAN Bureau Chief (North-west) EDITORIAL BOARD AMANZE OBI Chairman, Editorial Board CORPORATE SERVICES NETA NWOSU A.G.M. Corporate Services ADVERTISING/MARKETING DEMOLA ABIOYE Business Development Manager NNENA SHUAIB Asst. Manager Business Dev. (Abuja) SALES & OPERATIONS DAMOLA LAJUMOKE AGM, Sales & Operations NWOKOCHA OBI Sales & Distribution Manager REMI QUADRI Manager, Copy Sales FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OBIOMA OGUKWE Accountant JOHNSON OGWUMIKE Internal Audit Manager PATRICK ENILAMA Principal Human Resource Manager IFY ANYALECHI Procurement & General Services Manager

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

LETTER Dame Patience Jonathan as perm sec.

HAVE you ever wondered about the concept of destiny? Sometimes, things occur and we appear to have no control over them. They just happen as if they were meant to be. The palmist will point out that your fortunes are written in the palm of your hands. Palmistry or chiromancy has been practiced from time immemorial. The astrologist will tell you, with the wisdom of Solomon that, “it is all in the stars.”

The tarot card reader will tell you to pick the cards to see the secret of your future.

One could go on and on, naming the different ancient arts of apparently foretelling the future - from clairvoyance to oneiromancy, (by dreams), but by doing so, we will digress. The point I intend to make is that many of us believe in pre-ordination; that we are on God’s given earth for a pur-

pose. A number of religions affirm the concept of divine ordination. The theory of predetermination is a philosophical argument that we can debate endlessly without ever reaching a consensus. However, one thing I can affirm, which I am sure in my mind, is that diligence, hard work and altruism are winning recipes for success and a bright future, whatever one’s station is in life.

It was therefore with a level of bemusement that I read some of the comments in the media that followed the announcement by the Bayelsa State Government of the promotion of 19 new permanent secretaries, including the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. The State Governor remarked that Dame Jonathan’s career path should not be befuddled by her status as the First Lady. He further noted that some civil ser-

vants below her had been made permanent secretaries. Other individuals have come out to defend the position of the Bayelsa State Government and the First Lady. I feel however that Dame Jonathan really needs no defence. Her industry and selfless service speaks volumes. Even her most ardent critic will not deny the fact that she is diligent, hardworking and altruistic. Her indefatigable charitable works, of feeding the poor, giving succor to widows and helping orphans received more prominence when she became the wife of the President.

These are gestures that were extended to the less fortunate while she was in Bayelsa State as the wife of the Governor and as wife of the Deputy Governor. Last year the nation witnessed remarkable leadership skills as Dame Patience mobilized the women folk to exercise their civic right to vote during the general elections. She has

also been a leading advocate for youth and women’s issues, including the 35% affirmative action.

Many self-appointed critics of the First Lady are obviously biased. They see nothing good in what a pro-active, pragmatic woman can accomplish. If they can purge themselves of their prejudice and look at the facts dispassionately - a hard working wife and mother who put her bright career in the State Civil Service on hold to support her spouse; an individual who has demonstrated remarkable organization skills, who is not daunted by challenges, but who rather would find the solution; a woman who has chosen a career path in the state civil service.

Ade Lisa Ketu, Lagos CMYK

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

19

The country's real threat today (1)

O

nce again, we are all being led away from the substance of the issue on the ground and into irrelevant pursuits or shadow - chasing with regard to the on going bombings, shootings and other violent incidents which last week were for example manifested in Okene, Kogi State, last week and elsewhere before Okene.

No one was sure what the next targets of the attackers would be at the time this column was being put together last Thursday.

While Chief Edwin Clark and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.) were squaring up for what appeared like a confrontation (obliviously not in a wrestling ring) to prove or disprove senility, and some other elders from up North and elsewhere were still parroting the amnesty message, it is becoming clearer each day that we have not sufficiently tried to understand what is hitting us; what we are up against, yet.

If what drew the uppercut to Chief Clark's jaw from Babangida's quarters was merely the idea expressed by the Chief that the former Head of State and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces (who happens to be a conspicuous member of the National Council of State today), should in fact lead in the peace overtures to the Boko Haramites wherever located as a prominent citizen and statesman, the assumption was that there would be a common ground on which both sides may reach an agreement. The same applies to those advocating amnesty awards to Boko Haram, as happened with the militants of the Niger Delta, courtesy of the late President, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

But that is precisely the problem….unless we know or categorically confirm the nature of the violent protests by the group which assumed more gory dimensions last year, it can really not be rightly concluded that its members will be ready to reach any settlement, based on those assumptions.

The kinds of demands the Boko Haram people have been making suggest that unlike the Niger Delta militants, they are unlikely to accept what may be interpreted as gratifications from people they consider as infidels or unbelievers. Unless anyone wishes to regard them as jesters, their call on President Good luck

Life and Issues with Tunde Thompson

tunsthompson@yahoo.com

Jonathan to either get converted to Islam or resign, should give an indication of the kind of vision they have for Nigeria, if they have their way - an Islamic Republic, perhaps the biggest in Africa, but definitely in the West African sub - region. The Nigerian Stock Exchange or capital market, is it not already being prepared for that perhaps coincidental situation, dividing the businesses into Sharia - friendly and unfriendly (therefore not worth patronizing), units?

One thinks we need to really try and understand where the Boko Haram sect members are coming from, and what they are trying to do to, and with Nigeria. Without understanding and taking them more seriously (rather than seeing them merely as attackers of churches and mosques and their congregations), the responses to their activities will remain totally inadequate.

Fortunately, some other persons had reflected along those lines and come to some relevant conclusions.

For example, Prof. Louis Rene Beres, Professor of International Law in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University, in a paper on the meaning of Terrorism, focusing on its jurisprudential and definitional clarifications, stated that any use of force by insurgents ''should incorporate requirements of just cause and just means.” Where these two elements … just cause and means…. are absent, “the insurgent use of force should be regarded as terrorism.”

Therefore, those in and out outside the corridors of power in the country and its well wishers around the world, including those who have been applying force in the observed violent ways, will urgently need to determine whether

08056180022

or not the ''cause'' and ''means'' used in pushing the agenda for redress by Boko Haram, are just in any way, particularly in an environment where fundamental human rights have been accepted over the years, or were actively championed by patriotic citizens, even under the most despotic of power manipulators.

Secondly, the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism adopted in 1998 by the Justice Ministers, defines terrorism as follows: ''Any act or threat of violence, whatever its motives or purposes, that occurs in the advancement of an individual or collective criminal agenda and seeking to sow panic among people, causing fear by harming them, or placing their lives, liberty or security in danger, or seeking to cause damage to the environment or to public or private installations or property or to occupying or seizing them, or seeking to jeopardize national resources''. You can relate this to happenings in parts of the country today.

Thirdly, the terrorism theorist Bruce Hoffman was quoted by Steve Coll in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book ''Ghost Wars'', to have compared it with guerrilla warfare thus: '' Terrorism is often confused or equated with…….. guerrilla warfare. This is not surprising, since guerrillas often employ the same tactics (assassination, kidnapping, bombings of pubic-gathering places, hostage-taking, etc.) for the same purposes (to intimidate or coerce, thereby affecting behavior through the arousal of fear) as terrorists.”(p.145).

So, when Babangida said something like he had “no hand in Jonathan's problem” ,he was over-simplifying this new phenomenon in the country. This is not one man's problem; it was

in fact inherited.

Equally pertinent is the likelihood that those behind the current spates of violence in the land may think, as was the case in the year 2002, that they are involved in a “revolution”(with reference to the planned revolt by ranks of the military and police, as carried in the TELL edition of March 12,2002).

As the lawyer Femi Falana (SAN)then and there commented, “A revolution is not a dinner party, as Chairman Mao once said ,it is a total destruction of the existing legal order…..We must avoid chaos, we must avoid disorder that is capable of obstructing the entire democratic process.”

That was 10 years ago, and one hopes that those concerned are listening.

MAIL BAG Police Image Thanks for that write -up on Exhibits and Image of the Police. Going by what we read from the Press: Armed robbery; road accidents, accidental discharge and even bank robbery except in Boko Haram areas, all seemed to have reduced since the new IGP stopped Police road blocks.

One only hopes that the image laundering effort will be sustained in other areas of Police duties. Falana, Akure Otedola, Lawan and the House of Reps The evidence the entire country has is that Otedola said he gave the money.

Lawan, after denial, admitted he received it, to nail Otedola.

The other issues should be unraveled at the court. For the House of Reps. to remove Otedola's companies (Zenon and Synopsis) from the list while in plenary, and also cut short their break only to reconvene and then re-enlist those companies, simply makes the House part of the transaction.

There, they do not have the moral justification to invite Otedola, not to talk of investigating it.

They cannot be a judge in a case in which they are now involved.

2348033358733.

Imo: A commissioner and his disinformation

BY ETHELBERT OKERE n a recent newspaper report, the Imo state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Chinedu Offor, gave reasons why governor Rochas Okorocha, is currently at war with the people of the state over the local government issue. For the avoidance of doubt, let me make it clear that this article is not necessarily informed by the fact that I was part of the previous administration over which the present Governor employed derogatory language to describe.

It is rather because I continue to associate myself with the feeling of all well meaning citizens of Imo state who are daily horrified by the jesting going on in the state in the name of governance. This is more so because as it is now, our dear state is today a subject of caricature by our fellow compatriots across the country who wonder if it is the same Imo whose people are known for tact and sophistication; attributes which are completely lacking among the major dramatis personae that currently preside over the affairs of the state.

Mr. Offor gave three reasons why Governor Okorocha is engaged in this needless war with the people. One, he said, is that the Imo State Electoral Commission which conducted the election that brought the chairmen into office was “illegally” constituted by Okorocha’s predecessor. But curiously, Offor, the “Commissioner for Information” did not explain to Nigerians this illegality.

Instead, he quickly jumped into a second reason namely, that there were two court injunctions against the election but that the then governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, ignored them and went ahead with the election. Offor then concluded that “in the eyes of the law, no council poll took place”.

Now, assuming, without conceding, that his predecessor, as claimed, acted illegally, does that make Governor Okorocha, himself right in right in “the eyes of the law”? Did that warrant his taking the laws into his hands by arrogating to himself powers he does not have? Of course, we need not go far here because the courts, including an Imo state High Court, have told the governor, in unmistaken terms, that he had no powers to dissolve the councils.

In any case, the issue of the so-called court injunctions that were in existence before the conduct of the local government election in July 2010 was well canvassed by the state government itself

I

through its cross-appeal during the trial of the case at the Appeal Court. Still, the Appeal Court in its wisdom gave the ruling in the direction it did.

Certainly, Mr. Offor and Governor Okorocha cannot claim to be more knowledgeable and legally informed than the Justices at the Appeal Court.

The truth is that the Okorocha administration and its spokespersons like Offor are brandishing lies over the matter. There was no court injunction over the local government election of 2010. I challenge them to make public the name of the court that gave the injunction and case number. Did the Imo state government produce the court injunction before the Court of Appeal? And why did the Appeal Court dismiss the state governments’crossappeal which had as its only grounds this matter of injunction?

Even so, the state government’s claim that because it made an appeal to the Supreme Court (if indeed it did), the council chairmen should remain out of office makes no sense, at all, because those who know have since said that the Court of Appeal ruling was declaratory and was emphatic that the chairmen should return to work immediately since Okorocha’s action was null and void ab initio.

It is rather unfortunate that the song and dance by key functionaries of the state government over this so-called appeal at the Supreme Court further ridicule the entire state before the eyes of the rest of Nigeria. When did our dear state become so disoriented from legal and judicial norms and standards?

Next, Offor said Governor Okorocha dissolved the councils because “local governments became a pipe through which billions of naira meant for developmental projects were stolen”. He claimed further that local government funds became funds “for certain individuals who used it to purchase hotels in South Africa, the United Kingdom and mansions in Abuja and Lagos”. Not done, the Commissioner was further quoted as saying that “officials who came into government as church rats with no pedigree became over night billionaires…” and as such “Governor Okorocha had to act, having sworn to uphold the constitution and clean the land by introducing the rescue mission agenda”.

What a poorly articulated line! So, if people stole billions of naira and Governor Okorocha knew it and established the facts, the best way he could “act” was to simply disband the chairmen and allow them to possibly walk away with the billions they stole.

If the council chairmen stole billions of money and today Governor Okorocha is inviting them to lunch to parley over the local government issue, then that is the greatest disservice to the good people of Imo state. That is certainly not how to “clean the land” (witness the very pedestrian, almost fetish language used by Offor). In any case, it is not on record that any of the council chairmen is answering any charges for stealing local government funds.

Governor Okorocha was sworn in on May 29, 2011. By June 6, 2011, barely six days after, he had dissolved the local government councils. Now, if, according to Offor, the reason for that action was that the chairmen stole billions of naira, then the following question arises: Which audit report did the governor rely on in taking that action? Could he have got enough evidence to prove the chairmen’s culpability within a space of six days?

Besides, how much did the chairmen steal? The administration talks about “stolen billions” but where did the billions come from? How much was the allocation to the local governments within the ten months the chairmen were in office? Is it not terrible that a top government functionary, more so one that should inform the people, talks so much off the cuff; finding solace in generalized statements rather than coming up with facts?

As for the issue of those who purchased sky scrappers abroad, that is what Nigerians have been hearing since Governor Okorocha took over the governance of Imo state. Yet, not one single person has been asked to come and account for that by the relevant authorities. Why hasn’t the Okorocha administration been able to make public the locations of the hotels and mansions together with the names of who owns what, more than one year after it began to make these allegations.

The worry, actually, is that a highly cerebral people like Imolites are today saddled with an administration whose operatives have demonstrated crass incapability of distinguishing between street talks and official posturing.

Here is a chief information officer of a state government who sought to clarify issues, at least from point of view of the establishment he serves. But alas, he resorted to employing clichés and bear-parlour gossips as officials position of the government.

Clearly, such phrases as “officials who came into government as church rats…” are too pedestrian and childish to be employed in the official communication of a government.

The commissioner wrote: “As a father, Okorocha sued for peace and invited the chairmen to discussion. But the Abuja-based Taliban who are bent on causing chaos in Imo are asking the chairmen to resist the governor’s peace overtures…”

Of course, the word “Taliban” is a mere platitude and even a misnomer in the Nigerian context.

It is merely used each time Nigerians want to be on the lighter side while discussing the attitude of renegades in sundry places outside Nigeria. For a Commissioner for Information to employ such a language to communicate to the public the position and feeling of the government he serves is perhaps the biggest tragedy to befall a highly sophisticated people like Ndi Imo. It amounts to trivialising an issue which the entire Imo people take very seriously.

Playing the devil’s advocate, let me ask: Is Offor not aware that, as Information Commissioner, opting for gutter, banal language would create the impression that the administration he is serving is so ordinary that it doesn’t matter how it is perceived? Of course, he is not alone. Imo people, nay the entire Nigerians, have since been wondering why several members of the Okorocha cabinet sound so cantankerous and disdainful of sheer decorum. There have been instances when some of them sounded so inchoate over national issues. We saw one during the current saga when an attempt was made to equate the Justice Salami issue with that of the illegal dissolution of local government councils. Clearly, Imo state does not deserve this type of let down.

One wonders who Offor is referring to as “Taliban in Abuja”. Is it Imo state members of the National Assembly who are insistent that their state be properly run, in accordance with the tenets of the rule of law? Is it former public office holders from the state who had distinguished themselves in both private and public engagements? Just who?

Finally, Offor says, the governor “has complied with all known court orders”. But the least informed person resident in Imo state knows that that is a big lie. Up till now, the local government staffers are still under a compulsory leave given to them by the governor. All the official documents and materials needed by the council chairmen to function have been removed by agents of the state government.

Okere writes from Owerri.

CMYK

20

DAILY SUN

Monday August 13, 2012

Ogoniland's automatic autonomy!

“T

hat we believe that the Ogoni people are equal to all other Nigerians that now lord it over the Ogoni by means of indirect internal colonial rule through the corrupt local government system, which violates indigenous rights of the Ogoni people” - Article 40 of Ogoni Autonomy Declaration!

Class, a very newsworthy event happened in our land last week. It needs to serve as a subject for discussion in more than three lecture sessions. It is the Ogoni people of south-south Nigeria (population: 1.2 million) and their declaration of autonomy. Because news happens and develops so fast nowadays and ours, a weekly series, we can't discuss some of them as they get stale or perish even before the next lecture session. That's why we must, again crowd out today, as we have done in the past in order to keep pace with the fast paced news of our immediate world. Yes, I first read of it on the social news network media. The Ogoni Peoples declaration of autonomy was posted unedited verbatim by Yinka Odumakin, the restless fecund, erudite social critic and Publicity Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Is Yinka also not the spokesperson for Afenifere Regeneration Group (ARG) or something like that? My first reaction was to say to myself, that Buhari's Yinka has come again. But, as I scrolled to read and re-read what was posted, I became more immersed.

The Ogoni people again? Was it not the Ogoni people of Ken Saro Wiwa fame? Was it not Ken and seven of his kinsmen who were sent to the guillotine for daring the Nigerian nation? Was it not the Ogoni people that published their Bill of Rights sometime in 1999? Was it not the Ogoni people that won their lawsuit against Shell the other day and were awarded a huge sum in dollars? Was it not the highly blessed but impoverished people of Ogoni? Was it not the Ogoni people who, with others, have suffered visible neglect, ecological disasters, oil spillage, environmental degradation, exploration and exploitation? The Ogoni who patiently had waited for a cheating, looting, depriving, overlording system to self-correct?

Now I said to myself, who is this Dr. Goodluck Diigbo leading the new Ogoni insurrection? Who is this Diigbo leading another insurrection against Nigeria? Reading through a cornucopia of grievances which were so elegantly and eloquently marshaled and presented before the reading public and which has been forwarded to the UN headquarters in New York, one cannot but appreciate the seriousness of this Diigbo and his Ogoni people. Or fail not to note with deep concern that the Ogoni people's declaration is symptomatic of the concerns of all cheated minorities that form the federating units of Nigeria. Coming

Godson OFFOARO Offoaro@yahoo.com 070 251 61236 even on the heels of the Boko Haram insurgency and re-insurgency of the Fulani herdsmen against the people of Berom in Plateau State and Tiv in Benue, makes it a remarkable development in our polity.

Class, “is it not an oxymoron for a unit to declare autonomy within an existing sovereignty?” I had soliloquized after reading through the 40-point grievances of over 2000 words. Nonetheless, I've since come to the conclusion through a self-schooled understanding that those who crafted the declaration know more than I wanted to give them credit for.

They have just declared their independence from Nigeria! Citing relevant UN declarations which Nigeria is signatory to, it appears the Diigbo group has its chivalric path already mapped out for it. If the United States and all the world's remaining superpowers including the G7 Group were signatories, then it's all over for Nigeria and a good development for its components parts seeking to assert their independence! All over because, whether in form of copycat or herd-like followership, other parts of Nigeria which hitherto had cried to high heavens for equity within the cobbled up Nigerian nation and whose voices have been drowned, repressed or conveniently ignored, would now begin to follow the bold and pragmatic footsteps of Dr. Goodluck Diigbo and his MOSOP. And that is the dilemma of Nigeria, because either way, it cannot in good conscience begin to treat the Ogoni people's case in isolation. Certainly, doing anything now to reverse the autonomy-seeking surge would surely be too late in the day. Ogoni land, like all other minority lands which had been pillaged by the rapacious invading federal Nigeria army of occupation, eventually has found its voice. The people who truly own the land from whose wealth Nigeria has appropriated without adequate compensation have risen to say enough. A million soldiers marshaled against the movement will fall on their own swords, because what the Ogoni people have done

whether in the face of God or humanity is bound to be seen as just. Class, now aaall stand!

Class, repeat after me: Nigeria is a goat.

For those of you who are new to this Monday morning lectures, we have had “Nigeria is a goat” as the title in our lecture series over a year and half ago.

Then, we had propounded a thesis that clearly laid to rest, that Nigeria is a country worth dying for or worth uniting for or worth propagating. We also came to the conclusion that the country named Nigeria indeed ought to have been more than a country; we concluded that, there are many nations with parallel interests, co-habiting this geographical expression; that this space is getting narrower and now deserves some tinkering by benevolent forces or through renegotiation.

We sighted too many contradictory interests that bestrode the nation like a choking colossus. That was when Yar'Adua, with his Turai, lived at Aso Rock. It was at the height of the onslaught of the Niger Delta militancy when nobody other than the Joint Task Forces (JTF) assembled by the Federal Government cared enough for Nigeria. Our theory then hinged on and or was derived from a time-tested Igbo aphorism which runs thus: “A goat owned by many people always starves to death.”

Class now; say it after me, “a goat owned by many people dies of starvation.” Nigeria is a goat. Naija na goat, because it is owned by many people. For those who need to know, here is a brief introduction of those who own Nigeria. We begin with the Hausa/Fulani (they think they own it more than anybody else. After all, the area was bequeathed to them by their great grandparents led by a certain pious religious minded conqueror named Alhaji Othman Dan Fodio); they love and preach Nigerian unity so long as they benefit more than a fair share from its natural endowments, especially petroleum resources. There are the Yoruba, who support them so long as Lagos is left alone.

Then, there are fringe members like the Igbo, the Itsekiri, the Bini, the Ijaw, the Nupe, the Tiv, the Igbira; the Igala, the Idoma, the Efik, the Ibibio, the Calabari, the Urhobo, the this, the that. Yes, both mentioned and those not mentioned who own a stake in Nigeria. Ironically, these are stakes that are muted in disquieting disequilibrium in resource management, its control and distribution, which in turn conjure mutual suspicion, hatred and fake nationalism.

Collectively, they all ask for what Nigeria can do for them, not what they can do for Nigeria. Because they do not feel fully taken care of by Nigeria, they resort to self-help. And in the process, they starve Nigeria; and because of internally generated starvation of motherland, Nigeria is dying and will one day die like that goat which is owned by all. That is the reason why the Boko Haram people have no love lost for Nigeria. That is why the Od'ua People's Congress are clandestinely fighting for the glory of their Od'ua Republic and that is the reason the Bakassi people who seem now to be stranded after the World Court ruling at the Hague want to declare their own independence. Class, it is the same reason why the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) is hellbent on securing the independence of Biafra - through a contradictory peaceful means mantra. Whoever secures freedom without a little force or rebellion? Who will take them serious? Who will listen to them without derision?

Now, thanks once more to the social media network that has kept the story alive. Some people on ground zero mindful of their status and Nigeria being their cash cow and delusional, think they could just wish the Ogoni Peoples' declaration of autonomy away by threatening fire and brimstone. Here, I have Governor Chibike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State in mind. In fairness to Governor Amaechi, we must give it to him that no rational being would sit idly by to watch his suzerainty or sovereignty balkanize. That too, has been part or whole of the reason why no president of Nigeria would permit the convocation of a Sovereign Nation Conference in Nigeria as is being demanded by the PRONACO people. Or the reason why, pretend as they want to, no Nigerian government can successfully repress any internally grown movement seeking for one form of autonomy or the other, including the Boko Haram people. Therein lies the Nigerian dilemma!

If it's Monday, it's time to come to class! Now, Claaaasss, aaall staaand! Where is Junaid Mohammed?

Ngige Thundering at 60 T

BY ARINZE IGBOELI oday, Ngige requires no formal introduction at gatherings this diminutive and handsome man of the people is said to possess the goodwill of people in his strides and disposition to the people. He is not the haughty big man, who believes that there is a natural barrier between them and the common folk, who must be treated like some pariah though some of these “big men” were sired by the same common man and women. For Ngige,” Nwanyi ne le oka na aki Oyibo na fia bu kwa nu madu” (The woman who sells corn and coconut at the roadside is important to our society as a governor, senator or local government chairman is, and if he Ngige could emerge to be what he is today out of his humble beginnings then why should he not fraternize with the common people, who have stood with him through thick and thin, while members of the elite have habitually vacillated between principle and their lust for filthy lucre.

Aprogressive with a first class political personality, Ngige’s emergence upon the Nigerian political platform dates back to 2003 when he was shopped out to contest the gubernatorial elections as the PDP’s candidate, at that point in time he was just what the Americans call a regular guy, a green horn in Nigerian politics. His emergence as governor elicited no positive response from the people as they rhetorically asked “Can anything good come from the People’s Democratic Party?” The doubting Toms were jolted out of their carapace of disbelief when Ngige on principle parted ways with the selfstyled godfather, Chris Uba when the latter wanted to seize the resources of Anambra State. The July 10th coup was a reaction to Ngige’s refusal to do business, while troops of lauded this as a brave

decision, few for the sake of politics have sought to paint an ugly fresco about the event,whereas it did the liberation of Anambra people from bad governance certain upstarts have reasoned otherwise. I have earlier written some pieces on this issue, to restate them here will be to lengthen the article.

Senator Ngige at 60 is a symbol of Igbo renaissance; little wonder a former commissioner of his, Chief Charles Amilo has likened him to the former Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Micheal Okpara. In Udobodo’s words “Having being in politics since 1964, I Chief Amilo can without equivocation compare Dr. Chris Ngige with the late MI Okpara. To prove the assertion above it is important to note that while Ngige achieved all that which endeared him to the people in a short and turbulent era of 33 months, building roads, schools, healthcenters, markets and ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens, with a sum of N33 billion Naira, today’s administration cannot account for over two trillion Naira it has received as allocations to the state for six years running. When people start questioning how their common wealth has been spent what they have received is either a flattering material on how they have haphazardly constructed roads or built invisible schools, commissioned empty libraries and ‘one chance’ boreholes. Even their celebrated achievement with the Millennium Development Goals pierces the development sensibilities of Ndi Anambra.

One recalls that during the Ngige tenure, certain Federal roads in Anambra state were deemed as bottle necks, people suffered and spent long hours on roads which naturally shouldn’t take more than ten minutes driving time. The Ngige administration ever responsive

swung into action with the rider that those roads were plied by Ndi Anambra and to continue to wait on the Federal Government to repair the roads while his own people suffered, to sit idle and do nothing wouldn’t have been ideal. I beg then that we compare his administration with this present one, where a milksop like approach to governance obtains, for close to three years the good people of Anambra have known much hardship whilst traversing the Onitsha Awka Expressway. When it became unbearable, many then questioned the Obi’s administration’s apathetic attitude to the problem; he quickly shifted gear and declared to the consternation of all that he was awaiting the permission of the Federal Government to attend to the road!

This further raised the fury of the general public who then reminded the governor that the Ngige administration had done same and had been reimbursed by the Federal Government, wondering why the Obi’s administration was shying away from doing the same. At present, he has obtained the much needed concession and has celebrated such with pomp, propaganda and flair, despite this one can be sure to state that the same mercantilist approach that has witnessed the shoddy construction of roads for the past six years will surely accompany a concession.

Ngige as in the years past and in the years to come will act as a potent influence on the tapestry of Nigeria’s politics, we can only hope that for more years to come he will not only be present with us but will continue to thunder on that it will become clear that the Igbos on one hand and the progressives of Nigeria on the other will find his voice the most persuasive in our time. Happy Birthday sir!

Napoleon writes from Abuja

The tanker fire in Rivers State

BY ABDULWAREES SOLANKE am sad at the metaphor I am using to illustrate the anomie in our land that is pushing citizens to rush into painful, violent deaths or raising misguided elements to visit death on the citizens. I am not heartless in using this metaphor that captures the misfortune in Rivers State from where a huge chunk of the oil we luxuriate in Nigeria comes from. I cry at the incidents in Ahoada and Port Harcourt in the last few days, spelling Armageddon.

Port Harcourt on Fire: 30 feared killed in vessel explosion; JTF sets five petrol tankers ablaze; Tide, Rhythm FM burnt. That was the summary of last Friday disaster in the Rivers State capital, compounding the earlier disaster in Ahoada when a fully loaded petroleum tanker skidded spewing its contents on the road. In the mad rush for the free petroleum gushing from the fallen tanker, hundreds of men, women and children were burnt to nothing. The state, No, the nation is yet to recover from the Ahoada tragedy when another vessel exploded snowballed into an inferno, sending scores of Nigerians to their early graves. In these incidents men, women, children with huge prospects, brilliant future and not cow meat or goat heads were roasted like suya or asun that is the preoccupations of road-side mai suyas or the barbeques grill at the entrance of sumptuous and popu-

I

lar hotels. Underlying the two incidents is the prevalence of poverty and illiteracy in Nigeria, despite the serious efforts that governments at the federal and state levels are making to meet the UN eight Millennium Development Goals which Nigeria swore to ensure by 2015 like other countries who signed up to achieving those goals.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs called the initiative End of Poverty.

Rivers State represents the apple of Nigeria. As the apple of the nation, it also sits on the wealth that makes Nigeria. Rivers is our oil base, our honey pot, our treasure island. Therefore, citizens of Rivers are not supposed to be exposed to any threat or poverty that will push them to commit suicide, obvious self immolation as happened in Ahoada.

Rivers State should have the best of facilities that can cope with disasters. Rivers should not be the city of corruption and a place of insecurity as the presence of JTF in the state illustrates. Despite Rivers wealth, poverty, illiteracy and disease still stalk. Despite the huge investment of the government in infrastructural development, education and public enlightenment, citizens of Rivers who carry elephant meat on their heads are using their toes to dig ant holes. They invite death, on the land and in the creeks in oil bunkering and until the recent past hostage taking which explains the presence of the JTF on their soils.

The tragedy of Port Harcourt is waiting to happen in most Nigerian cities. Some have already tasted it in the flood disasters in Ibadan, in the blood bath on the plateau and in the far north eastern states of Borno and Yobe, or in the fear of Boko Haram that have turned our nation to a killing field.

In all these misfortunes and fears, in all these troubling disasters that are increasing the level of destitution and desolation in our country, one thing is apparent: deficit of good governance which the government of the day is now trying to improve.

When we say deficit, we have not reached the level of failure. For, failure represents inefficacy of tools and approaches of governmental actions while deficit represents lack or insufficiency. So we will take it that governments at every level just need to do more on what they deliver to the citizens.

The major flaw in our governmental system is the wrong appreciation or application of development communication. There is a world of difference between information and communication.

Information is message. Communication is activity. It is engagement. It is involvement. It is sharing knowledge and experience. It is providing choices and option. It is facilitating decision. It is valuebased. It is ceaseless. The cause of the Ahoada tragedy is basically lack of beneficial knowledge.

And knowledge is power. Citizens are not empowered by lack of knowledge of what makes them

make informed decision in the face of risky options in the resolution of individual and socioeconomic crisis. Poverty represents a crisis.

But if people have correct knowledge and information, and are involved in finding solutions to their own problems, they would not behave in inappropriate ways that can compound their social economic crises or threaten their existencely. Most of the crises in our land can be located in our search for easy and cheap way out poverty. Most of the frustration in our land is because we do not have the correct knowledge nor have the correct options and alternatives to solving our problems.

So when plane crashes, people will not rush out to the site with a loot mentality to scavenge.

When loaded oil tanker crashes, people will not rush out with the scoop mentality with buckets and jerry cans. When any disaster happens, people will come out with the mind to save lives and preserve the belongings of victims. When a misfortune befalls, people will not compound the misfortune by exposing themselves to worse dangers as happened in Ahoada when crisis opportunists became roasted beings like SUYA, suya in the Rivers while struggle to have free share of the combustive liquid called petrol.

Solanke wr ites via korewarith@yahoo.com

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

21

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

Today in History

‘GSM operators need N6bn investment’ The Chief Executive Officer of ECONET Wireless Nigeria, Mr. Zachary Wazara on this day in August 2003 said that the four licensed Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM) operators in the country need $6billion investment for the setting up of base station for effective coverage of the entire country.

Wazara gave the indication in Abuja at an interactive session in which he also listed the challenges of GSM operation in the country to include inflation, rising cost, (especially the price of diesel) the depreciating naira and abysmally low transmission capacity.

He said that the current three GSM operators –ECONET, MTN, and NITEL and the • Ghana’s President Kwame Nkrumah’s motorcade driving down Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Idumota in 1959. yet –to-be –launched fourth operator Globacom will each require no less than Troops in East Germany on 4,000 base stations at a unit cost of $375,000 this day in August 1961 sealed to adequately cover the country. the border between East and He however said that this excludes cost of West Berlin, shutting off the from the East. broadcast to the nation this evening: “Now, running emoluments and security among escape route for thousands of refugees Barbed wire fences up to six feet (1.83 as always, we are closely bound to the others. metres) high were put up during the Germans of the Russian zone and East night, and Berliners woke this morning Berlin. to find themselves living in a divided city. “They are and remain our German brothers Train services between the two sectors of and sisters. The Federal Government the city have been cut, and all road traffic remains firmly committed to the goal of German unity.” across the border has been stopped.

Thousands of angry demonstrators quickly There has been outrage from the internagathered on the West Berlin side of the tional community at the abrupt decision to divide. At one crossing point, protesters cut off one side of the city from the other. tried to trample down the barbed wire, only A Foreign Office spokesman in London to be driven back by guards with bayonets. said the restrictions were contrary to the The West German Chancellor, Konrad four-power status of Berlin, and therefore Adenauer, appealed for calm, saying in a illegal.

2003

1961

Berliners wake to divided city

Fidel Castro born On this day in August 1926, Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro was born in the Oriente province of eastern Cuba. The son of a Spanish immigrant who had made a fortune building rail systems to transport sugar cane, Fidel attended Roman Catholic boarding schools in Santiago de Cuba.

He became involved in revolutionary politics while he was a student and in 1947 took part in an abortive attempt by Dominican exiles and Cubans to overthrow Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. In the next year, he took part in urban riots in Bogota, Colombia. The most outstanding feature of his politics during the period was his anti-American beliefs; he was not yet an overt Marxist.

In 1951, he ran for a seat in the Cuban House of Representatives as a member of the reformist Ortodoxo Party, but General Fulgencio Batista seized power in a bloodless coup d’etat before the election could be held. Various groups formed to oppose Batista’s dic-

1926

tatorship, and on July 26, 1953, Castro led some 160 rebels in an attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba–Cuba’s second largest military base. Castro hoped to seize weapons and announce his revolution from the base radio station, but the barracks were heavily defended, and more than half his men were captured or killed in the attempt. Castro was himself arrested and put on trial for conspiring to overthrow the Cuban government.

22

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

ABU VC lauds Dewu’s appointment as new chairman of Governing Council

T

he Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha has commended the appointed of Mohammed Dewu as the new chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

In a statement signed by the vice chancellor’s media aide, M a l Waziri Isa Gwantu, Dewu, by this appointment, replaced the former council chairman, Ambassador Bunu Sheriff Musa.

The vice chancellor described the appointment of the Council’s Chairman as deserving and long awaited because of his wealth of expriences in human management.

Professor Mustapha noted that with appointed of Dewu as chairman of the highest policy and dicision making body, there would be tremendeous changes and development in the institution.

He explained that as one of the longest serving member of the council and Alumnus of the University,the Council Chairman was not unaware of the existing problems and challenges bedeveling the institution.

Professor Mustapha was optimistic that the new council

Mohammed Dewu as the new Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

In a statement signed by the Vice Chancellor’s media aide, M a l Waziri Isa Gwantu, Architect Mohammed Dewu by this •Mustapha

leadership would look into the predicaments and solve them..

He assured the council of the institution’s management full support to move the versity forward and maitain it’s glory world over.

He likewise urged the University community to also support the Council’s leadership as it is a collective responsibility.

ABU VC lauds Dewu’s appointment as new chairman of Govening council.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,Professor Abdullahi Mustapha has commended the appointed of Architect

appointment replaced the former council Chairman,Ambassador Bunu Sheriff Musa.

The Vice Chancellor described the appointment of the Council’s Chairman as deserving and long awaited because of his wealth of expriences in human management.

Monday, August 13, 2012

DAILY SUN

23

POLITICS...&Polity

•Nzeribe •Adebayo

•Muazu At the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, some politicians hugged the limelight and influenced the politics of the country. But 12 years down the line, they have seemingly faded into oblivion, NDUBUISI ORJI writes.

A

t the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, they were all over the places. They hugged the limelight. Almost on daily basis, their faces graced prominent pages in the newspapers and magazines. Just as stories about them occupied prime time on the Federal Government-owned Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and stateowned television stations in their respective states. They were men of power, men whose words carried a lot of weight politically.

They occupied vantage positions in the country’s polity, from where they defined the politics of the nation . While some of them were members of the National Assembly, others were the governors of their respective states. For others, they were the godfathers-the kingmakers and powers behind the throne.

Those who were in the National Assembly were very vocal. They courted controversies in several instances. They took stance on different national issues, fought political battles all in a bid to bolster their careers.

The governors were the lord of the manor in their respective states. Their words were law.

Sycophants made a career of singing their praises. Countless aides fell over themselves to do the bidding of “their Excellencies.” The governors and members of their families rocked the social scene to no end.

•Odili

Where are yesterday’s power players?

Flamboyance was their second nature.

Some of these men, though foisted on their people by godfathers, in 1999, fell out with their benefactors and erected their own political structures, with which they greatly influenced the politics of their states particularly the emergence of the members of the state and National Assemblies from their states and other political office holders.

Today, things are very much different.

Twelve years after these men who once strutted the national scene like colossuses have withered away politically. Prominent among this group of politicians are Lucky Igbinedion, James Ibori, DSP Alamesiegha, Chimaraoke Nnamani, and Attahiru Bafarawa former governors of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu, and Sokoto states respectively. Peter Odili, Adamu Muazu,Segun Osoba, Cornelius Adebayo, erstwhile governors of Rivers, Bauchi Ogun, and Kwara States respectively also belong to this category. Others are former Senate Presidents Adolphus Wabara, Ken Nnamani and former speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Ghali Umar Na’abba, Senators Jim Nwobodo and Arthur Nzeribe.

The former political gladiators Lucky Igbinedion: Igbinedion emerged governor of Edo State in the 1999 governorship election in the state. He was re-elected for second term in 2003. In his eight years tenure as governor of Edo State, Igbinedion was a key player in the politics of the country, particular-

ly in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF), an association of the 36 state governors in the county. He later became the chairman of the body.

The former Edo governor was one of the governors, who stoutly opposed the bid of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to fly the PDP presidential ticket prior to the 2003 presidential election, before they were pacified by the later.

At the height of his reign as governor, Igbinedion, a former local government chairman was touted to be one of the emerging political leaders of the South South geo-political zone. However, at the expiration of his eight year tenure as governor, he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption. He pleaded guilty to the charges laid against him and was convicted.

Since his conviction, the former governor has faded from the political circuit.

James Ibori: Ibori popularly called Odidigbodigbo by his admirers was governor in the oil rich Delta State between 1999-2007.

In his days in power, he was one of those at the forefront of the resource control battle by the Niger Delta governors.

Ibori was the arrow head of the PDP governors that wanted to deny Obasanjo a second term on the platform of the party in 2003.

The former Delta governor played a prominent role in the emergence of late President

“Twelve years after, these men, who once strutted the national scene like colossuses have withered away, politically.”

•Bafarawa

•Nnamani Musa Yar’Adua as president in 2007. In the three years reign of Yar’adua as president, Ibori was one of the most influential men in the country. But following the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as acting President in 2010, the flambouyant governor escaped to Dubai, following a hunt for him by EFCC for corruption charges.

He was extradited from Dubai to the United Kingdom, where he was convicted for corruption. He is presently serving a four year jail term in the UK alongside some members of his family.

DSP Alamesiegha: Alamesiegha was governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 to 2005 when he ran into troubled water. The former governor who in his hey days prided himself as the Governor General of the Ijaw nation was arrested and detained in London for alleged money laundering in 2005. He later escaped into the country to stop an impeachment move against him. His arrival in Nigeria notwithstanding, he was eventually impeached and arrested by the EFCC, making him the first governor to be impeached in the fourth republic.

He was later convicted of corruption and imprisoned, but allowed to go home after a plea bargain. Since his release from prison, he has maintained very low profile politically.

However, he still makes public appearances once in a while.

Chimaroke Nnamani: Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State was one of the most popular governors between 1999 and 2003. A

•Continued on page 24

24

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Politicians on time out •Continued from page 23

highly cerebral politician, Nnamani displaced his godfather, Jim Nwobodo, and erected his own political structure known as Ebe ano. In the 2003 ad 2007 general elections, he ensured that only members of the Ebe ano political family in the state were elected into the state and National Assembly.

In 2007, after his second term as governor, he installed Sullivan Chime as his successor, while he was elected into the Senate. But he later fell out with Chime, who consigned him to the backwaters of the politics of the state.

Attahiru Bafarawa: Bafarawa ruled Sokoto state as governor for eight years on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples

•Naaba

Party(ANPP). In 2007, he founded the Democratic Peoples Party(DPP), on whose platform he contested the 2007 presidential election and failed. He also failed in his bid to install his successor.

Bafarawa later moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) where he sought the party’s ticket for the 2011 presidential election. That expedition was unsuccessful. After that , he retreated from limelight.

Jim Nwobodo: Nwobodo, former governor of old Anambra State was one of the prominent players in the political scene from 1999 to 2003.A former Minister of Sports, Nwobodo, who was elected senator on the PDP platform in 1999 was also the godfather in Enugu politics.

Apart from installing Nnamani as governor, the former Minister controlled majority of the House of Assembly members in the state. But he lost his grip on the politics of the state following his fight with his godson. Since 2003, nothing is heard of him politically.

Arthur Nzeribe: Arthur Nzeribe , a three time senator is one of the most controversial politicians in the fourth republic. Throughout his sojourn in the Senate from 1999 to 2007, Nzeribe was a key player in the politics of the country. He was always in the news for one reason or the other. Nzeribe was part and parcel of the many intrigues and controversies that characterized the fourht and fifth Senate, including the many leadership changes.

It would be recalled that it was Nzeribe who first circulated an impeachment notice against Obasanjo in 2000. But in 2007, he was stopped in his trajectory by his former aide, Senator Osita Izunaso. Izunaso had defeated the Oguta chief in the PDP senatorial primaries for Orlu zone.

After that humiliating defeat, Nzeribe faded from the political radar. His failing health and age had equally not helped matters.

Ghali Na’abba: Ghali Na’abba was elected speaker of the Federal House of Representatives in 1999 after the fall of Salisu Buhari as speaker. He was one of the men that defined the politics of the nation between 1999 to 2003. Throughout his tenure as speaker, N’abba was constantly at logger head with Obasanjo. The House leadership under his watch constantly kept the Obasanjo presidency on its toes. However, the speaker failed to return to the House in 2003.

Since his exit from the House he has maintained a very low political profile.

Ken Nnamani: Nnamani was elected to the Senate for to represent Enugu East in 2003. He became Senate president on April 5, 2005 following the resignation of the then Senate president, Senator Adolphus Wabara. He played a key role in resolving the third term imbroglio at the twilight of the Obasanjo administration.

Nnamani gained national acclaim when the Senate under his leadership threw out the bill that amongst other things was to elongate the tenure of elected public officials. He left office in 2007 and since then he has channelled most of his times the running of his NGO. Adolphus Wabara: Wabara was first elected into the Nigerian Senate in 1999 on the platform of PDP. He was re-elected in 2003 and was subsequently elected Senate President. He was forced to resign as Senate President in 2005 following the bribe for budget saga involving him and former Minister of Education, Professor Fabian Osuji. Since, Wabara left the Senate in 2007, he has been in political hibernation.

Segun Osoba: Osoba, a journalist turned

politician was governor of Ogun State in the botched third republic on the ticket of the SDP. In 1999, he was re-elected as governor of the state on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD). Osoba, alongside four other South West governors was swept out of office in 2003. Apart from being a leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the two time governor is more or less fading from politics.

Cornelius Adebayo: Adebayo was elected as a Senator in 1979 on the platform of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). In 1983 he was elected governor of Kwara state. In June 2003,Adebayo became Minister of Communication during the second tenure of former President Obasanjo in 2003. He was later made of Works. Since he left the Federal Executive Council in 2007, the former Kwara governor has being in limbo.

Peter Odili: Odili, a medical doctor turned politician was governor of River State from 1999 to 2007. Prior to 1999, he was deputy governor of the state in the botched third republic. In the eight years he spent as Rivers State governor, Odili wielded so much power; so much so that he had a complete grip of both the state House of Assembly where his acolyte and present governor of the state, Chibuike Amechi was speaker.

Towards the end his tenure as governor, Odili launched a serious campaign to be the PDP presidential candidate in 2007. Though, the party zoned the position to the North and chose Yar’Adua as its candidate, the former Rivers governor was tipped as the running mate, but he narrowly missed the position.

Since that political misadventure, he has retreated from the political scene.

Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu: Muazu is a two time governor of Bauchi state. At the expiration of his eight years tenure as governor, he campaign vigorously for the PDP presidential ticket in the 2007 general election. He failed to clinch the ticket.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

41

BUSINESS EXTRA Charge operators that owe pilots salaries for criminal negligence -Araba

By UCHE USIM

A

pilot and former Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Adebayo Araba wants the Federal Government to charge airline operators that owe staff salaries for criminal negligence.

This he said will force the operators to either sit up and do things right or simply vacate the scene.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun at the weekend, Capt Araba said it was suicidal to hand over an aircraft for commercial operations to pilots and crew who are unhappy as a result of unpaid salaries.

He said their sad state of mind posed a threat to safety and should not be allowed by the government.

He also pointed out that airlines that are crying of harsh operating environment might be tempted to cut corners, stressing such carriers should have their Air Operators’ Certificate ( AOC ) withdrawn before a catastrophe occurs.

Said Araba: “Any airline complaining of harsh operating environment should have its Air Operators’ Certificate ( AOC ) withdrawn because the airline is telling you categorically that I won’t be able to do maintenance. Now, they’re not doing maintenance because they just want to maximize profit at the expense of lives.

That’s all. That was what we discovered in 2006. In 2006, I had to withdraw the licence of

environment should have its Air Operators’ Certificate ( AOC ) withdrawn because the airline is telling you categorically that I won’t be able to do maintenance. Now, they’re not doing maintenance because they just want to maximize profit at the expense of lives.

That’s all. That was what we discovered in 2006. In 2006, I had to withdraw the licence of an engineer because the guy was trying to convince me about something I’ve been doing for so many years. I asked to see his licence and took it off him and told him you have no business working in this country.

The Chief Executive came and complained and said he was going to the Presidency.

Whether he went or he didn’t go, I wouldn’t know. “All the people that went to the President, he referred them to that committee. You see as it is now, for you to tell the truth, you have to consider so many things. Only very few people tell the truth. Only few can look at their bosses and say what you’re doing is not right because of the fear of the unknown. They fear that if I should tell this man the truth, my job is gone”, he explained.

On operators’call for funding from government, the pilot said extra funding is not the panacea to their woes, as most operators have not shown they are in the business to do the right things.

“Do you know that many people in Nigeria believe that the place where you can make quick money though at the expense of lives is aviation.

CSR: OAU benefits from N10m Chevron grant

By LOUIS IBA

T

en post-graduate students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) are to benefit from a N10million scholarship award from oil multinational, Chevron. A statement by Chevron said award is a tuition scholarship for their Professional Masters Degree Programme in the Department of Geology. At the cheque presentation ceremony held at the Chevron office in Lagos, Supo Shadiya, Director, Chevron/NNPC Joint Venture said; "the Professional Masters in Geosciences is a unique one because it is in partnership with the industry which brings to bear practical knowledge that enables students to participate and gain experience quickly."

He said the company was very pleased to partner with the academia in improving the educational system in OAU and advised the awardees to make the best use of the opportunity. He noted that the process of select ion was very rigorous and the success of this initial scholarship programme would determine if it would be replicated by the

company in other higher institutions. Mrs. Femi Asubiojo, the University Librarian and the leader of the OAU delegation, who received the cheque and responded on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Bamitale Omole, thanked the company for the sponsorship.

She noted that the Professional Masters Degree Programme would allow the students contribute to the development of the country in their respective areas of specialization.

Similarly, Olatunbosun Olatundun, one of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the scholars, thanked Chevron for its contribution to human capacity development. She expressed her commitment and other beneficiaries to working hard to produce excellent results at the end of the programme. The scholarship award is part of Chevron’s Corporate Responsibility programme aimed at human capacity development in the oil and gas industry. The company has multiple scholarship schemes nationwide from which about 6,000 students benefit annually in addition to other support to different tertiary institutions in form of donations of infrastructure, science laboratories, books, computers, among others.

•L-R: Mrs. Olayemi Animashaw, Investment officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor, Country Manager, Nigeria, Africa Development; GMD/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr Alex Otti and the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of the bank, at the signing of the Tier-2 Capital Facility between the bank and IFC recently. Photo: BLAISE UDUNZE

Import duty waiver for local computer manufacturers underway -FG

By BISI OLALEYE

A

s part of its resolve aimed at arresting the influx of foreign computer products into the country to the detriment of locally produced ones, the Federal Government at the weekend disclosed plans to commence a new regime of import duty waivers for imported computer consumables, otherwise known as Completely Knocked Down Systems (CKDS) The Minister of Communication Technology,

Mrs. Omobola Johnson, dropped the hint during a facility tour of the popular computer village in Ikeja, Lagos Speaking during the visit to some key stakeholders, which include Slot Systems Ltd, Mizbeach, IT World Ltd, Brian Computers Limited and Micro Station, Johnson stated that it was pertinent to create more investment opportunities and further grow the economy, hence, the need to commence the implementation of a new duty waiver regime to support local manu-

facturers.

She reiterated her Ministry’s resolve to commence the quick implementation of a zero percent review of duty for such local computer manufacturers as a way of galvanizing the economy.

Responding, Chairman of Slot Systems Limited, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo said the Minister’s visit would go down as the first in history, listing the challenges of the dealers and traders to include; inadequate electricity supply, unwanted vendors who deal in substandard products, and

Retirees want FG to establish pension affairs ministry ...decry non-implementation of 53% pension arrears From DENNIS Abuja

N

MERNYI,

igerian pensioners have asked the Federal Government to establish a separate ministry for Nigerian retirees that would cater for their interests against the current structure where pension related matters are being handled by the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

Addressing the media in Abuja at the weekend, members of the concerned pensioners, led by Mr.Adodo David, queried why the office of the Head of Service is still delaying the payment of the 53 percent arrears to pensioners, which, he said, had been released to the office.

Adodo also alleged that over N16 billion pension fund is still in Union bank on the directives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is yet to be released to the Pension Reform Task Team, urging government to ensure that the money is released to the task team for payment to pensioners.

However, a Joint Committee of Federal Service Pensioners converged on Abuja last week Thursday to protest the delayed payment of their arrears.

But in a swift reaction, the Pension Reform Task Team Information and Media

Relations officer, Mr. Hassan Salihu explained that it has never delayed processing payment to pensioners, saying the Task Team’s job was just to process pensioners’ entitlements in papers by ensuring only genuine pensioners access pension funds.

congestion of the market, while appealing to government to come to their aid, especially in restoring regular electricity supply to the market.

“We spend so much money on fuel to power generators on a daily basis. We need government to help us sanitize the market by getting rid of traders who sell substandard items, because their presence is creating a bad image for the market, which has great potential to boost the Nigerian economy.

“The minister’s visit to Slot Systems is very timely and it goes on to show that we are being recognized for what we have been doing in Nigeria, having understood our business model and we are very happy that the minister can deem it fit to visit us. I think she has been here before. This is the second time she is visiting Computer Village. We are very happy for that," he stated.

Johnson also noted that, though the state government was doing its best to make the market a safe haven to conduct business activities, adding that the market is no doubt congested.

Third Mainland bridge repair to be completed ahead of time -Works Minister

By PETER ANOSIKE

M

inister of Works, A r c h . M i k e Onolemenen has said that the current repairs of some portions of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos would be completed ahead of the November deadline.

Speaking when he came for his first inspection visit to the bridge, last Friday, the Minister expressed happiness with the progress of work on the project.

The Minister said the physical progress on sight was not only in line with government plan, but it meant if contractors were able to sustain the

momentum, the project would be delivered ahead of the scheduled delivery time of November 7, 2012.

His words “ I want to thank Lagosians for their understanding and support of the on-going maintenance of the Third Main land bridge particularly because of the associated pain with the diversion of traffic we had to implement in order to facilitate the completion of the maintenance work on the bridge. We are assuring that the deadline we have given to them for the completion of this project will not change rather we will work hard to see if we can get some mileage and save some couple

of weeks.”

He said that the project was part of government effort to ensure safety of lives and property particularly by motorists that ply the road daily.

The Third Mainland bridge is the singular biggest, longest and most traveled road in the country.

Onelemenen also said that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road would be expanded into an eight lane expressway with anywhere in the world.

“The federal government he said had resolved to complete all the roads that led to refineries and NNPC depots.

42

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 13, 2012

Workforce O

rganised labour has described as an act supporting tyranny, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s statement that it was illegal for the workers of Security and Exchange Commission to join union.

The minister was creditet to have read the riot act to workers of the Security and Exchange Commission when she addressed them on the reinstatement of Ms Aruma Otteh; the Director-General of the Commission.

Comrade Ivor Takor, immediate past President of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), in his reaction to the statement, said the minister’s statement undermined the rights of workers.

He said: “It is shocking to observe the extent to which some government functionaries will go in order to entrench and support tyranny in the workplace. I read on

Unionisation: Labour scores Finance Minister low on SEC workers protest the pages of some newspapers a week ago the riot act read to workers of the Security and Exchange Commission by the Hon. Minister of Finance, when she addressed them on the reinstatement of Ms Aruma Otte; the Director-General of the Commission. She was quoted as having told the workers that it is illegal for them to join unions. I want to believe she was misquoted.”

Comrade Takor,a legal luminary noted that though it is the prerogative of the federal government to determine and appoint who so ever in its view is fit and proper to

head and manage its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs’), the government also has a duty to ensure the protection of the rights of the workers of those MDAs’. He stated that federal government functionaries must be conscious of the fact that the federal government plays a dual role in industrial relations in the country whenever they are making pronouncements on behalf of government on issues affecting workers grievances.

“The first being that of an employer and secondly, that of the custodian, regulator and enforcer of industrial relation laws of

the country. It also acts as mediator and reconciliator during industrial disputes”, he explained.

He stated further: “Reviewing the intimidating working background of our world acclaimed and respected Hon. Minister of Finance, who I hold in high esteem, I believe she already knows and ought that industrial relation practice all over the world, which the International Financial Institutions are just beginning to appreciate, is based on international labour standards”.

NUEE accuses Nnaji, wogu, of intimidation

N

ational Union of Electricity Employees has called on progressive Nigerians and the international community to investigate the current attack and intimidation of PHCN workers and their leaders for daring to ask for their entitlements at the wake of government’s move to privatise the power sector.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Joe Ajaero, he noted that the situation would have been better if the Minister of Power had not been a player and referee in the power sector.

According to him, the recent assault on the staff was carried out last Thursday by

Minister of Power – Prof. Barth Nnaji and his labour counterpart - Emeka Wogu, with former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour - Dr. Agarey and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power - Dr. Awosika when they invaded the corporate headquarters of PHCN with three truck loads of soldiers to force workers to listen to the power minister’s speech at gunpoint.

“The ministers and soldiers, who went in a commando style were rejected audience by the workers. In shame, the Ministers went up to address the Managing Director/CEO and a few Directors of PHCN while the Soldiers who went with them shot open the conference room of

PHCN to enable them gain entrance.”, Ajaero stated.

He went further: “This act of provocation and intimidation coming less than 2weeks after Soldiers from the Presidential guard were mobilized to the Corporate Headquarters of PHCN where they have kept vigil up to this time is an aberration to industrial relations practice globally.

“Besides, the involvement of the Labour Minister in a work place without the social partners in the tripod casts doubt on his continued neutrality as an umpire in Industrial/Labour relations practice in Nigeria”.

He recalled that the Ministers earlier had been talking of dialogue only for them to resort to the use of brutal force.

Comrade Ajaero said that the Union is constrained to lament the use of Military and the use of hundreds of millions of naira scarce revenue of PHCN to induce Soldiers against Nigeria people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the law establishing Nigeria Military did not give it extra responsibility of dabbling into Industrial relations matters”, he said.

The NUEE scribe lamented that it was regrettably that, all these are coming at the point when the Joint Committee on Power

of the National Assembly has intervened to fashion out an amicable solution.

He added,” Besides, the Hassan Sunmonu led Committee set up by the Federal Government is yet to submit its report on Labour Issues in PHCN. “This is the height of arbitrarism ever experienced either in Military or civilian dispensation and is a dangerous signal for our new democracy”.

•Nnaji

Recess: PENGASSAN charges National Assembly to cut short vacation

P

etroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed its disquiet with the attitude adopted by the House of Representatives to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) sent to it by the Presidency..

Speaking on the recess embarked upon by the National Assembly, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, said the parliamentarians need to make some sacrifices including forfeiting part of their vacation to legislate on bills currently in the National Assembly.

He noted that some of the bills have been bedeviled with lots of encumbrances that made them to be at the National Assembly since the inception of the current democratic dispensation.

Comrade Ogun described the action of the legislators as a mark of gross insensitivity to the

Nigerian people and lack of appreciation of the criticality of the oil industry to Nigeria’s economy, adding that the lawmakers consider going on vacation and luxuriating in the fashionable capitals of the developed world rather than seat at their desks and pass this most important piece of legislation to the Nigerian economy.

“Like Nero, our lawmakers think it is more important to fiddle while important issue lie unattended. If our “honourable” members were concerned about the state of the oil industry, the engine of the Nigerian economy, they would have known that no new project has been sanctioned in the industry since PIB was first proposed in 2009 “With new discoveries of hydrocarbons all along the west coast of Africa – Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Liberia as well as on the east coast – Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique not to men-

tion our traditional rivals in the Gulf of Guinea, foreign direct investments have flowed to these new players with none coming our way in Nigeria.”

The PENGASSAN President noted that the unnecessary delay suffered by the Bill in the past led to the various versions in circulation, adding that the Nigerian oil industry has been in a state of suspended animation since 2009 with investors cautious about making investments; industry workers apprehensive about their jobs and the Nigerian people clamouring for the restructuring of the state oil company, NNPC to ensure transparency and deliver more value to Nigerians.

He added that the National Assembly should forgive the lapses of the executive arm for delaying the PIB by one month as promised and in the interest of the Nigerian nation sacrifice part of their vacation and dedicate it to the Bill.

Monday, August 13, 2012 DAILY SUN

The State of Our States

43

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 Lagos State.Today,we continue with that aspect of the committee’s assignment.

Continued from yesterday LAGOS STATE POPULATION: 5,685,781 (1991)

EXISTING LGAs: 15

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 39

REQUESTED: 51 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

6.

IBEJU-LEKKI

AKODO

15.

IBEJU-LEKKI

AKODO

REMAINS AS ONE LGA. INCLUDES: ABIJO, MOPO ONIBEJU, AWOYAYA, ITO OMU, OGUNTEDO, ELEPUTU, LAKOWE, KAJOLA, GBOGIJE IBEJU, DONGO, ABEGEDE, IDIORI, ARAPAGI OLOKO, OKO-OBA, IMALETALAFIA, LALAGASA, ARAROMI TOPE, AJEGBENWA, AGBOWA-ONIBEJU, SAPATI, EFIRAN, IGANDO, AIYETEJU, OFIRAN, ELUJU, ARAROMI, OKUNEGUN, IBEJU, IBA, OGOGORO, OMU, AKODO, OROFUN, ORIMEDU, MAGBON ALADE, MOSA YO, BADORE, IWEREKUN, SOLU, SOLU ALADE, IGANDO ORUDU, IDADO, BEBOJO, OKUNSOLU, IWESO, MUSHIRIKOGO, MOSERE IKOGA, AJIBADE, ADEBA. TIYE, MOBIDO, ILEGE, IDASO, MAGBOSEGUN, IDOTUN OKURAYE, ITOKE, EBUTE KOSU, KOSU, OLOMOWEWE. ONIGANRIGAN I, ONIGANRIGAN II, OSOROKO, EBUTE LEKKI, SIRIWON, IDATA, IGBEKODO, APAKIN, ITAMARUN, ORIY ANRIN, OTOLU, ILOGBO, IGBOLOMI, OKEGELU, FOLU, OKU ISE, AKODOISE, IMEDU, ABAKETA, ODE OMI, MAFOGUNDE, IGBOGUN, OWODE, ISE, OGOGORO, ITA OKO, REFUGE ISLAND.

IKEJA

16.

IKEJA

IKEJA

INCLUDES: OGBA INDUISTRIAL ESTATE, AGIDINGBI, IKEJA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ADEKUNLE VILLAGE, ALAUSA, ONILEKERE, IKEJA, IKEJA DOMESTIC AIRPORT, IKEJA GRA, AGUNDA (AGUDA), OJODU, OM OLE, OKE IRA, OLOWOIRA.

17.

ONIGBONGBO

ONIGBONGBO

INCLUDES: ARMY CANTONMENT, ONIGBONGBO, ILUPEJU DISTRICT (WARD L I), PART OF MARYLAND, OPEBI, OREGUN, OLUSOSUN.

18.

IKORODU

IKORODU

INCLUDES: IKORODU, OJOKORO, ODOGIY AN, ERIKORODO, ITAMAGA, OJOKORO OGONFILE, ONITORO, MAYA, AJEGUNLE, IGBAGA, ITOWOLO, ODO, BABGBELU, IPAKODO, EBUTE IKORODU, ISAWO, MAJIDUN, WUTU

19.

BAIYEKU/IGBOGBO

IGBOGBO

INCLUDES: BAIYEKU, IGBOGBO, IGBORE, ILADO - OGUNU, IGBOKIN, GINTI, ELESIN, IBESHE, IGBAGAN· EYITA, MOWONLA, MOWO, IGBODU, OS OR UN, ILEMERE, ORIPOPO. OF IN ORETA, EWU EBI, ASON.

.

7.

8.

9.

IKEJA

IKORODU

LAGOS ISLAND

IKORODU

20.

IJEDE/IMOTA

IMOTA

INCLUDES: IJEDE, EGBIN, IPAKAN, IGBALU, OKE·LISA, OKO-ITO, OJAGEMO. GBAKATA. OKE·AGBA, EBUTE AJEBO, IDEBI, ABOTO, IMOTA, OKE IRA, IBERE, ONISA. LAYOPE, IDIAGBON, SALABO, ISIU, ARAROMI, OLORUNDA, ELEGINA, AGUNFOYE, OKE ELETA, EWU ELEPE, GBERIGBE, AGURA, FOWORA, GBIGIDAN.

LAGOS

21.

ISALE EKO

INCLUDES: EHINGBETI, OLOWOGBOWO, OFFIN, BALOGUN, OLUWOLE, ISALE-EKO, IDUMOTA/EREKO, ISALE EKO, OKO AWO, ALAGBANOBADINA, IDUNTAFNFHIN IGA, ILUPESI, IDUMAGBO, EBUTE AWO, AGARAWU, ISALE AGBEDE/AROLOYA.

EKO WEST

44

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 13, 2012

The State of Our States

10.

11.

12.

LAGOS MAINLAND

MUSHIN

OJO

ADEKUNLE

MUSHIN

OJO

Special Report

22.

EKO EAST

CITY HALL

INCLUDES: OLOSAN, OLUSHIIKAKAWA, POPO AGUDA, ANIKATAMO, OKOFAJI, EIYEKOLE, ONIKAN/ARAROMI ODO, EPETEDO, SANDGROUSE/LAFIAJI, EPETEDO, OKESUNA/EBUTE ELEFUN, BRAZILIAN QUARTERS, TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE. (RACE COURSE)

23.

EBUTE-METTA

ADEKUNLE

INCLUDES: IJORA, IDDO, OTO, OYINGBO, EBUTE-METTA, ADEKUNLE, MAKOKO, OKO BABA, SANGO, RAILWAY COMPOUND, ABULE NLA, OLALEYE VILLAGE, IPONRI VILLAGE, ILOGBO, SHEMORE, OGBA ELEFO, ALAKA NATIONAL ARTS THEATRE.

24

YABA

YABA

INCLUDES: OJUELEGBA (EASTERN PART), ABALTI BARRACKS, YABA, SABO, PART OF ABULE IJESHA, IGBOBI SABE, PART OF AKOKA, ABULE OJA, BADA VILLAGE, ONITIRI, TATALA, IWAYA, ONIKE, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, OYADIRAN ESTATE, ALAAGO ME1I.

25.

MUSH IN

MUSH IN

INCLUDES: ARMY RESETTLEMENT CENTRE, PAPA AJAO, MATORI INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MUSHIN, IDIORO, IDI ARABA, L.U.T.H., TANIMEDA.

26.

ILUPEJU/ODIOLOWO

ODI-OLOWO

INCLUDES: PALM GROVE ESTATE, ILUPEJU BYE PASS, ILUPEJUINDUSTRIAL & RESIDENTIAL AREA, ILUPEJU VILLAGE, ODI-OLOWO, KAJOLA, ONIPANU, OJUWOYE, ALAKARA, OLORUNSOGO, FADEYI, JIBOWU.

27.

OJO

OJO

INCLUDES: OTO-AWORI, IJANIKIN, ADIO-IJANIKIN, AIYETORO-IJANIKIN, ISHASHI, IBA,IBA HOUSING ESTATE, AGBOROKO, LASU, OKOKOMAIKO, FEDERAL HOUSING SCHEME, ERA, ODANERA, ILOGBO-ELEGBA, ILOGBOAJEGUNLE, ITIRE, KETU-IJANIKIN, MEBAMU, A1ANGBADI, KEMBERI, ILEMBA HAUSA, ALABA, SABO-ONIBA, ILEMBA AWORI, OJOFA-IGBEDE, SHIBIRI, OJO.

28.

FESTAC/ODOFIN

FESTAC TOWN

INCLUDES: ARMY OFFICERS’ VILLAGE, INSTITUTE OF ARMY EDUCATION, VOLSWAGEN, IJAGEMO, ADO SOBA, ARMY CANTONMENT, NATIONAL TRADE FAIR COMPLEX, FESTAC TOWN AGO ILAJE, AMUWO ODOFIN, AMUWO HOUSING ESTATE, AMOWO ODOFIN HOUSING SCHEME

29.

AJEROMIIFELODUN

AJEGUNLE

INCLUDES: ALAKA, MOSAFEJO, LANIYONU, SARI IGANMU, AMUKOKO, AJEGUNLE, AIYETORO, BOUNDARY ALAYABIAGBA, ONIBABA, ALAKOTO, TOLU, COCONUT VILLAGE, ARAROMI, AWODIORA, LAYENI, CARDOSO, ORIDILU, GASKIYA, ARMY SIGNAL SURU BARRACKS.

30.

AMUWO

AMUWO

INCLUDES: OWODE, GEREJE, ONIREKE, ASOGUN, SATELLITE TOWN, IJOGUN EGBA, OLUTI, AGBOJU AMUWO, ONIPAKO, KUJE AMUWO, KIRIKIRI TOWN, IBAFON, KIRIKIRI PRISON YARD, NN BARRACKS, EBUTE OGBO, IMORE, IBASA, IBESHE, OKUN IBESHE, IREDE, IKARE BEACH, IY AGBE SEABEACH ISAHAI.

31.

A WORI RIVERINE (OSELU/ ELETE)

IREWE

INCLUDES: IDOLUWO. ISHAGIRA, EGIRA. EGAN. ALENIKUN. ESE, OFFIN. ITEGBIN, SHIBIRI, ORIWA. EGANOROMI, IGBOLOBI. IGBOLOBI SEA BEACH. OK UN ALAGUNTAN (PORVI), OKOBO SEA BEACH, OKU ELEGBA, DOGBE, IJINMI, OLOMO META, ORUFO, EREKUN, ITOGBESA, OKOLUDU, OJORIN, ORIGELE, ONIGBONGBO, IBODE, PETEPETE, PONPOKUN, AGUNU II, MAROKO, IGBO OJA 11, IGBO OJA I, SEA BEACH, TAFI AWORI, TAFI-HAUSA, MOB A SEA BEACH, TAFI SEA BEACH & IREWE.

To be continued tomorrow

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

45

46

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

47

48

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

49

50

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

51

52

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

53

54

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

55

56

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

57

58

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 13, 2012

Nigeria’s Olympic flop Continued from page 1 summarized the second outing by any Nigerian contingent in the Summer Olympics since 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. Prior to the games, the young Chukwumerije was one promising athlete on whom so many expected to win a medal at the London Olympics. His performance in Beijing Olympics four years ago, where he won a bronze in Taekwando was inch perfect.

And in London, he was a medal hopeful. But at the closing stages of the games, the hope was dashed. This is in spite of the huge investment his father, Senator Uche Chukwumerije made for his training abroad, preparatory for the Olympics. If that is an individual disappointment, the greater tragedy is that Nigeria did not win a single medal at the London 2012 Olympics. This is despite a financial investment of N2.2 billion. Since yesterday when the final curtain was drawn on the Olympics, the question that is been asked is: what went wrong?

How could Nigeria’s performance be going backward, and backward instead of upward and forward?

Four years ago, at the Beijing Olympics in China, Nigeria won three consolatory medals, a silver in male football, and two bronze medals in athletes and Taekwando, won by Blessing Okagbare and Chika Chukwumerije, respectively. While Beijing outing was considered a below average performance so much was expected from the London Summer Games, but nothing achieved in terms of medals.

This much is clear: No more is the Olympics regarded as sporting arena just to take part, not to win.

That was the informal motto at the early stages of the Olympics. Over the years the Games have developed into the “greatest sporting show on earth”.

The pride and image of participating nations are at stake. These are measured by the performances of their contingents on the events to be competed for and medals won. That is why for three weeks, global attention was focused on London. More than anything else, the Olympics represent good platforms for athletes to compete for medals through determination, skill and courage. The London Olympics was exactly 60 years since Nigeria first took part in the global fies-

training regimes ta, except in the 1976 edi- ing tion which Nigeria boy- required to excel in the cotted. But in these six Olympics. All of this is a decades of participation, the sad reflection of the state of London 2012 will go down affairs in Nigeria. In sports, in history as the most unin- the end of every competition marks the beginning of spiring by Nigeria.

Team Nigeria came to the another one in future. But so in Nigeria.

London Games with 57 not sportsmen and women and Preparations begin few participated in 8 sporting months to big competitions events. Every little hope and funds are not released that was raised at the begin- until the rush hour. The ning of the games was N2.2 billion for the games dashed as the games pro- was reportedly released gressed with Nigeria ath- barely two months to the letes failing in both individ- Olympics, according to the ual and group events. Not Sports Minister.

There is a general conseneven in track and field, often Nigeria’s forte could sus that if Nigeria will ever Team Nigeria win a single achieve the feat it did in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in medal. which remains Where did the N2.2 bil- USA lion go? As often with fail- Nigeria’s best outing in the ures of such magnitude, Olympics with six medals, officials are trading blames. two golds, one silver and Excuses have been given. three bronze medals, our Minister of Sports Mallam sports administration must Bolaji Abdullahi readily be overhauled. Stability of admitted failure and policy in sports is essential. advanced reasons for such This is because Nigeria’s dismal performance. major problem in sports is not the availabiliReviewing Team Nigeria’s ty of talents, but performance, during an how to maninteraction with the media s i s age them to be in London, he said, “our y al world-beaters. That inability to win any n A was in clear display in medal is very ws almost all the 8 events e disappointN where Nigeria competed. ing for all A brief review of the Nigerians. But we must have the courage medal table which USA to see it as it is. This is a topped with 47 golds, folclear testimony of how far lowed by China with 38 our sports have fallen golds and Great Britain best behind.” He acknowledged ever performance in the that the necessary lessons Olympics with 29 gold need to be learned from the medals, is a reflection of the failure in London, instead seriousness of those of giving excuses. He nations, especially China added, “when other coun- and Britain emerging as big tries found themselves in sporting nations. In Africa, this kind of situation in the the story of the continent’s past, they used the galva- performance drives home nizing power of disappoint- Nigeria’s big failure as a ment to get down to work.” kick in the stomach. South His reasons will hardly con- Africa and Ethiopia won vince sports loving three golds each, followed Nigerians who feel crestby Kenya with 2 golds, fallen that a tiny country like Gabon made history in Tunisia, Algeria and Gabon the London Olympics with with one gold each.

Nothing short of a coma gold medal.

The alibi offered by the prehensive restructuring of sports minister that coun- sports in the country will tries that did well at the do. It is also time to stop the Olympics where those that politicization of sports in invested heavily in sports the country. In the words of may be true to a certain Nigerian boxing coach at level since good funding is the Game, Mr. Ajani key to good performances Aremu, “all the sports in in big games like the Nigeria have been politiOlympics. But Nigeria’s cized; the administrators flop appears peculiar. don’t always appoint the Preparation and planning best coaches so I was not remain consistently very really surprised that Nigeria poor. Undoubtedly, poor crashed the way we did.” administration has been the What is needed are profesbane of sports in Nigeria. sionals at the helm of sports Naturally, this has taken its administration. However, toll on our sportsmen and for these changes to hapwomen who find it almost pen, experts say the impossible to realize their changes should be handled full potentials. Even with thoroughly and soberly. talents, our athletes are There should be an inquiry often not disciplined into what went wrong in enough to subject them- London. But it should be selves to the often punish- without any witch-hunt.

NEWS DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012 59

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

IAAF Council creates new World Relays competition

T

he IAAF Council has decided to create a new competition called the “IAAF World Relays” with the first edition taking place in Nassau, Bahamas in May 2014 and 2015.

The new two-day competition will bring together the world's best athletes, with a schedule that includes the traditional 4x100m and 4x400m events but also 4x200m, 4x800m and 4x1500m. It is expected that the World Relays will be used to qualify some teams for the World Championships and Olympics.

IAAF President, Lamine Diack, said: “The wonderful athletics competition in London has not only reinforced the appeal of our sport but specifically the popularity of relay races, which the spectators find dramatic and exciting. We are confident that this new special event, at the beginning of the season, will really help us promote the sport further.

We were delighted when the Bahamas stepped forward to play host because the country is passionate about athletics and has a tremendous reputation in the relay races. We have received strong support and financial guarantees from the government of the Bahamas which will help us, together with our partner, the Bahamas AAA to deliver an excellent and exciting product.”

Overall Medal Count Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Country United States China Russia Great Britain Germany Japan Australia France South Korea Italy Netherlands Ukraine Canada Hungary Spain Brazil Cuba Kazakhstan New Zealand Belarus Iran Jamaica Kenya Czech Republic Azerbaijan Poland Romania Denmark Sweden Colombia Ethiopia Georgia Mexico North Korea South Africa

Gold 46 38 24 29 11 7 7 11 13 8 6 6 1 8 3 3 5 7 5 3 4 4 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 3 1 1 4 3

Silver 29 27 25 17 19 14 16 11 8 9 6 5 5 4 10 5 3 1 3 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 5 4 4 3 1 3 3 0 2

Bronze 29 22 33 19 14 17 12 12 7 11 8 9 12 5 4 9 6 5 5 5 3 4 5 3 6 6 2 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 1

Total 104 87 82 65 44 38 35 34 28 28 20 20 18 17 17 17 14 13 13 13 12 12 11 10 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 6 6

Golden Eaglets get new Adidas kits

T

he Golden Eaglets last weekend took delivery of equipment of different shapes and sizes which are mainly the new Adidas kits from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The shipment landed at the team's Princeville Hotel camp much to the delight of officials and players. Mr. Suleiman Abubakar, the co-ordinator of the team, said that the national Under-17 team was well motivated and in good spirit ahead of the forthcoming CAF Under-17 African Youth Championship qualifiers.

Abubakar, who featured for the Nigeria Airways Football Club in his hey-day, said it was imperative for the players to familiarise themselves with whatever they are going to use in future engagements.

“It is necessary that the players are exposed to whatever they are going to use in match situations particularly boots, so that it would not be alien to them,” Abubakar said. “Apart from this, you can see that the players were really excited when they got their stuffs and it would undoubtedly motivate them.”

Players and officials had been provided with kits all along, but the latest arrivals are to replenish the stock of the team. The equipment include playing boots and its accessories, track suits; jerseys among others. Musa Mohammed Shehu, the interim captain of the team, said philosophically that to whom much is given, much is expected, adding that the players considered it a privilege to play for the Golden Eaglets.

“We are happy with all the positive things that have been happening to us since we were picked to play for the Golden Eaglets," the soft-spoken lad said.

“It is a great opportunity to be here and we are really impressed about everything the NFF and our officials are doing for us. We would do our best to win our matches starting with the game against Niger next month,” he stated.

Olympics: NOC in $100,000 grant scandal A

s Team Nigeria completed its participation in the London 2012 Olympic Games without a medal, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) will have to explain how it spent IOC $100,000 grant meant for preparation of the nation's athletes for the London 2012 Olympics.

As the nation reels in the acute pains of missing out on the medals table again in the Olympics, there was suspicion that the nation may have been short changed again on the fund meant for members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prepare athletes for the just concluded Games in London. It was authoritative learnt that the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) headed by Engineer Sani Ndanusa got $100,000 to prepare the nation's athletes for the London Games.

According to Sports Trail checks revealed that the federations in the Olympics (Athletics, Weightlifting, Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling, SlalomCanoe, Basketball) officially did not get a dime from the fund.

The question then is, which federations got the money. Or is it that the money meant for the preparation of the athletes will be made available to the concerned federations after the Games?

An independent check revealed that N2.3billion was released to the National Sports Commission (NSC) by the Federal Government meant for the preparation of the athletes both at home and abroad for the Games.

The question now is, where is the money IOC paid more than six months ago to the NOC? Was the NSC or the Federal Government aware that such money was released to the NOC by the IOC? An e-mail was sent to the President of the NOC, Sani

Ndanusa, on Sunday, 22nd July at 15:24 hours Nigerian time. It reads: “Good day sir, there is a story I am working on which I will seek your clarification.

“This has to do with the money that the IOC normally gives members for the preparation of her athletes for the Olympics. We had two conflicting figures of $100,000 and another, BP250,000. How much did the NOC ge?.

(2) If you may oblige sir, what

did your member federations get? (3) Is it true that no federation got any dime from this money? The allegation is that N100,000 was paid into personal accounts of some federation presidents and not to the federations. Is it true?

(4) Is it also true that members of staff of the NOC have not collected their pay in the last three months?

I will appreciate your response

to these issues.

Wish you a successful outing in the London Olympics.”

As we went to press, no reply was received.

The IOC shares over 90% of its revenues to organisations throughout the Olympic Movement to support the staging of the Olympic Games and to promote the worldwide development of sports. The IOC retains less than 10% of its revenue.

Bartekova, others now members of IOC Athletes Commission

D

anka from Slovakia (shooting), James Tomkins from Australia (rowing), Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe (aquatics) and Tony Estanguet from France (canoe-kayak) have been elected to the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by their peers at the London 2012 Olympic Games for a term of eight years.

During this period, they will also serve as IOC members, bringing the athletes' voice to the heart of the Olympic Movement.

The announcement was made yesterday at London's Olympic Village by Anita DeFrantz, Chairwoman of the Election Committee and IOC member.

The election was held from 16 July to 8 August 2012 in the Olympic Village in London, the Olympic Sailing Village, the Olympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint Village as well as in the five cities playing hos to the football competitions.

Bartekova was elected with 2,295 votes, followed by Tomkins with 1,802 votes.

Coventry received 1,797 votes and Estanguet 1,779.

Biographies of all the candidates can be found here.

The four new members will replace Hicham El Guerrouj, Rania Elwani, Frank Fredericks (former Chairman) and Jan Zelezny, who were elected to the Commission at the Games in

Athens in 2004, and have come to the end of their term of office.

After approval by the IOC Session on 12 August, Bartekova, Tomkins, Coventry and Estanguet were expected to be officially introduced at the Closing Ceremony of the London Olympic Games yesterday.

Cliveland Cavaliars sign Joe Erico's son

By JOE APU

T

he family of formerSuper Eagles’ assistant coach and former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Joe Erico, was in a joyful mood over the weekend when on Firday, NBA side, Cliveland Cavaliers, signed the undrafted rookie center, Michael Erico, for a three-year contract.

An obviously elated Coach Erico, who broke the news to Daily Sunsports at the on-going Nestle Milo Top 50 Basketball Camp organised by Masai Ujiri, said he’s glad and thankful to God that his son has had his dream come true.

The first year of the contract has a partial guarantee, while the last two years are non-guaranteed.

“I'm really happy for my boy and must say that he only needs

to work extra hard to make an impact in the team. It is a good start for him and I thank all the coaches in Nigeria that worked with him before he travelled out to the States. We're indeed very grateful to them all,” Erico said.

Denver Nuggets’ General Manager, Masai Ujiri, while sharing in Erico’s joy, said he’s glad Michael would be starting a career in the NBA, while noting that the the kid would be a future material for the Nigerian senior men's basketball team, the D'Tigers in a short while.

Michael, 24, is 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds. He averaged 9.0 points and 8.8 rebounds as a senior at Temple, but a knee injury eliminated any chance of him being drafted.

He went to summer league with the Cavs and averaged 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds, impressing the coaching staff with his defensive ability.

60

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012,

NEWS DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012 61

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Home Eagles’ star (r) in action

23 Eagles depart for Niamey

N

igeria Football Federation (NFF) at the weekend changed the travel plans of the senior national team by bringing it forward to yesterday evening after considering the logistics and security implications of the team traveling by road through Sokoto to the Nigerien capital, Niamey.

The team comprises 23 players, technical crew and backroom staff eventually left the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport for Niger on yesterday evening for the friendly that will take place on Wednesday in Niamey. Eagles’ spokesman, Ben Alaiya, quoted Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, as saying that the change in plan was both strategic and at a cost to the federation, but added that no matter what, the safety and security of any national team come first on the priority list of the football house. The team is expected to land in Niger yesterday evening and starts training for the friendly today. “We will have, at least, two quality training session to prepare for the match and that will help the boys to be ready for the task ahead and particularly, the upcoming Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia in September”, Big boss Stephen Keshi declared.

Meanwhile, Keshi has released Sunshine Stars’ skipper, Godfrey Oboabona, midfielder Izu Azuka and goalie, Moses Ocheje, to the Akure-based side for its Champions League confrontation against Algerian side, ASO Chlef, on Friday August 17. Only full back, Solomon Kwambe, was retained by Keshi for the game against Niger on Wednesday. All three players are expected to rejoin the team on return from the encounter.

Meanwhile, three exquisite second half goals assists from Shooting Stars of Ibadan midfield ace, Philip Asuquo, was all that Nigeria's Super Eagles needed to overcome a stubborn Prisons FC of Abuja 4-0, in their last tune-up game before their international friendly against the Menas of Niger Republic this Wednesday.

Before Asuquo's introduction

…Keshi frees 3 Sunshine Stars players in the second half, the Eagles parading their first team had managed a lone goal scored in the 13th minute by gangling defender, Azubuike Egwueke, after a well taken corner kick by Solomon Kwambe in the game played at the FIFA Goal Project site in Abuja, Sunday morning. The Prisons team coached by Randy Eotye, had looked the brighter of the two sides in the early part of the game, with its dangerman, Alphonsus Egaji, forcing a double save from first choice goalie, Chigozie Agbim, in as early as the 5th minute.

But the Eagles soon regrouped and unleashed Benjamin Francis, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba and

Uche Kalu on the opposition.

Poor finishing was, however, their undoing until Egwueke's goal. All that changed in the second half when the likes of Solomon Jabason, Sanusi Sanni, Kabir Umar, Femi Ajani, Uzochukwu Ugonna, Ahmed Zango and man-of-the match, Philip Asuquo, stepped into the fray. Asuquo, in particular, seized the midfield from Prisons' Bathlomew Suku, who was having a field day before then and created chance after chance.

His efforts finally paid off in the 70th minute when after superb foot-works in the opponent's area he found Kabir to slot home effortlessly.

Man City wins first season sliverware …Beats Chelsea to secure Community Shield

M

anchester City scored three times within 12 minutes of second-half to beat 10-man Chelsea and win the Community Shield.

Chelsea took the lead before the break when Fernando Torres finished smartly.

But Branislav Ivanovic was sent off moments later for a reckless challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov.

City took advantage as Yaya Toure swept home, Carlos Tevez hit the top corner and Samir Nasri volleyed in and, despite Ryan Bertrand's late tap in, City held on.

Sergio Aguero could have

made it 4-2 a minute from the end, but he missed the target from seven yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Ryan Bertrand scored a consolation for Chelsea in the latter stages but it was not enough to deny City the win.

In a lively season opener, where plenty of players were eager to make their mark, Premier League winner, City, appeared sharper than its opponent, that won both the FA Cup and Champions League last season.

Victory sealed City's first Community Shield for 40 years, having won the FACharity Shield in 1972.

Farah earns Bolt’s respect

M

o Farah basked in the ultimate mark of respect from "living legend" Usain Bolt on Saturday night after completing a stunning long-distance Olympic double.

Bolt performed the Briton's 'Mobot' celebration as he crossed the line to bring Jamaica home to gold in the 4x100 metres relay in a new world record.

That record-breaking run of

36.84 seconds came 75 minutes after Farah had added the 5,000m crown to his 10,000m title, roared on by 80,000 frenzied fans.

"Oh yeah, did you see that?

That was awesome, unbelievable Farah said on Bolt's version of the 'Mobot'.

"It is a big respect, the guy has broken the world record and is doing the 'Mobot'.

"It is unbelievable, who would have thought that? The guy is a legend.

62

NEWS NEWS

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

SUN SPORTS Brazil stuns US volleyball team

T

he U.S. women's volleyball team slowly made their way to the locker room with sullen faces, having lost in the gold medal match forthe second straight Olympic Games.

After the 3-1 victory at Earl's Court on Saturday, the Brazil women tumbled, danced and sang before returning to the locker room.

In the waiting area for the three medal-winning teams, their celebratory songs and hand-claps were deafening.

Back on the court, they never stopped dancing, including on the podium. As each player received her gold, she'd leap around, yell out or simply start dancing to the teammate next to her.

The U.S. players stood stone-faced for the ceremony.

"I did tell them, 'Get your asses down from the podium' or whatever before you celebrate. It's just a respect kind of thing," said Logan Tom, a 4time Olympian for the U.S. "A lot of them are my friends. They celebrated a little differently than I would say Americans do. So, I let it slide," said Tom. "It's their culture. They can celebrate how they want to celebrate."

Danielle Scott-Arruda, the only 5-time U.S. Olympic volleyball player, said the loss was hard to take.

"It's somewhat of a small knife in the stomach, the heart.

Because you want to win. But I respect them.�

Olympic Games

Goodbye London!

By CHIMA JUPADIM

‌Welcome to Rio de Janeiro

O

home with their heads high, as the US athletes made their country proud and topped the medals' table. China consolidated her position as a force, now to be reckoned with in the sporting world by emerging second on the table. The host, Britain, took the third position.

Countries such as Russia, Jamaica, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and others, would be happy for achieving some feat at the London Olympics. These they did by placing their names on the medals' table.

On the other side, most athletes would only go home to rue their poor outing with their countrymen and women, as their only gain at the Games was that 'they also participated' or perhaps, they saw the magnificent London Bridge. Nigerian athletes are in this category.

n the evening of July 27, the world's notable athletes representing their countries and lovers of sports, gathered at the Olympic Stadium in London to witness the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. The occasion lived up to its expectation and proved to be a fanfare many the world over never wanted to miss.

And as the Local Organising Committee for the fiesta promised, the London Games, which formally came to a close last night, truly lived up to its billing.

While Londoners would sit back to count their gains and losses, every other visitor, who came for the Games, would be heading home, some with joy, some with heavy hearts, while others would have mix feelings.

Americans would be heading

None of the more than 80 athletes Nigeria fielded for the 2012 Olympics, lived up to expectation. From Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria's trusted hope in women's 100m and long jump to captain of Team Nigeria, Chika Chukwumerije, a Beijing 2008 bronze medallist in taekwondo, all flopped on the big stage when it mattered most. So, it would not be a surprise if both the athletes and the Nigerian sports officials sneak into the country unheralded as the London jamboree is over.

For some athletes in London, it was a glorious outing.

Jamaican Usain Bolt became a legend at the London Games after becoming the first man in Olympic history to defend his 200m title. He had earlier won gold in the 100m with a new world record. In all, Bolt garnered three gold medals in

London, as he was also a member of the squad that ran the 4x100m for Jamaica, which the country won.

Serena Williams made herself, the US and fans proud once again, when she won gold in the women's singles of the Olympic tennis event and also, won the doubles with her sister, Venus.

Michael Phelps also proved the great swimmer he is, as he added more gold medals to the ones already on his neck to retain his record as the man who has won the highest number of Olympic medals.

However, with the curtain drawn on the London Olympics last night, focus is now on Rio de Janeiro. The next Games comes up in that city of Brazil in the next four year - 2016. So, for every nation, it is yet another four years of preparations for the Olympics. For those who

IOC disqualifies hurdler for anti-doping violation

T

he International Olympic Committee (IOC), disqualified Syrian athlete, Ghfran Almouhamad, from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London for an anti-doping rule violation.

Almouhamad, 23, provided a urine sample on August 3, 2012 in London that indicated the presence of methylhexa-

2012 London Olympics closing ceremony

neamine. The analysis of the B sample confirmed the results of the A sample.

The athlete competed in the women's 400m hurdles event on August 5, and placed eighth in the second heat of the first round. The IOC Disciplinary Commission, composed for this case of Thomas Bach (Chairman), Denis Oswald and Frank Fredericks, decided: I. Ms Ghfran Almouhamad,

Syrian Arab Republic, Athletics: (i) is disqualified from the women's 400m hurdles event of the 2012 London Olympic Games where she placed 8th in the 2nd heat of the 1st round; and (ii) shall have her Olympic identity and accreditation card cancelled and withdrawn immediately.

II. The International

Association of Athletics Federations is requested to modify the results of the abovementioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.

III. The Syrian Olympic Committee shall ensure full implementation of this decision.

IV. This decision shall enter into force immediately.

recorded great feat in London, it is another four years of work to prepare and prove that what they achieved in London was not a fluke. And for those who were in London but did not conquer, it is also another period of proper planning and hard work to prove their mettle in Brazil.

In all, as people ruminate about what happened in London for a while, let's not forget it's now: 'WELCOME TO RIO DE JANERIO 2016!'

50th Anniversary: ABU introduces American football

By BIMBOLA OYESOLA

I

n line with the ongoing preparations to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in a unique way from October 4 - November 42, 2012, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has introduced American football in the university making it the first institution in the country to introduce such a game.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, said ABU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a United Statesbased coordinator of Ejike Foundation recently to introduce the football both as a game and a diploma course in the Physical and Health Education Department of the University.

A statement signed by the Media Adviser to the Vice Chancellor, Mallam Waziri Isa Gwantu, said following the signing of the MOU, the Ejike Foundation recently donated equipment worth over N6 million for the kick off of the training of potential players in the country.

The vice chancellor, who said the university hopes to field an intercollegiate American football team to compete against other universities in due course in Africa, and perhaps, globally, is presently preparing for a coach education programme of study similar to an American College major related to coaching American football.

The statement said following this development in ABU, the trio of Ricardo Dickerson, former football stand out at the University of Maryland/Oakland Raiders, Darryl Hyes, Assistant coach at Shepherd University, West Virginia and Gregory Hendricks, former Professional basketball player and coach in the US, along with the duo of Ejike Ugboaja, Professional basketball player and Nigerian National Basketball team member and Dr. Adamu Ahmed of the ABU, one time national team player and chairman technical committee of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, who is also the current chairman of ABU Sports Committee, have founded the Nigerian Institute of American Football (NIAF).

American football game under the supervision of Dr. Adamu Ahmed, a co-founding member of the NIAF is expected to be among the games to be played during the ABU 50th Anniversary to entertain guests.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 13, 2012

63

Ramadan Talk Prophet Muhammad said: “Teach a boy how to pray when he reaches seven years of age; and punish him by beating (if he neglects it) when he reaches ten years of age.”

N150 MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2432

Olympics fall as metaphor Z

ero is the point no one wants to be.

Zero means bottom, the fllip side of hero, which is the top. Everyone plans to climb from zero to hero, not the other way round. To descend from hero to zero is not funny. Let’s call it what it is: a zeroic fall.

To be at point zero is to fall real low, down the valley. Zero, if you like, is the ultimate crisis point, when you hit nothing.

When you feel nothing. When everything seems to collapse around you at the same time, when you feel you are in dream land, hit by a nightmare.

You have either heard of or read the book, WOMAN AT POINT ZERO, written by the Egyptian author, Nawal El Sadaawi.

You have probably encountered men or women facing the zero points of their lives and felt compassion for them. But, ever seen a country literally at point zero and not doing enough to get out of the rot?

Meet one: Nigeria. Your country, my country, our country is the nation at point zero.

The nation where everything seems to be going wrong at the same time. Of course, no one is happy about this state of affairs.

Neither should anyone gloat over them.

But that shouldn’t stop us from admitting where we are, so we can individually and collectively find a way out of this wilderness we seem to be stuck.

God, what’s happening to our country?

Why is the giant so troubled and afflicted by many troubles? Where are the leaders who will lead us out of our wilderness?

How much trouble can a nation take before it snaps? This is not raising the alarm. This is about facing the reality: our country is wobbling. Things are getting to a dangerous bend. We have to admit it.

As my colleague and friend, Femi Adesina, submitted in his column last Friday, the ugly picture starring us in the face is quite scary. It is the picture of hate and bloodletting. It is the picture of a nation gradually descending into anarchy.

It is the frightening picture of a nation fast disintegrating, while those who should act fast are either pussyfooting or pretending that all is well and wishing the problems away rather than seeking meaningful solutions to the myriad of problems confronting us. The ugly picture presented in Femi’s map clearly shows that the nation is gradually been overrun by insurgents and terrorists. While they have virtually surrounded the northern part of our country, there is the palpable fear of incursion into the south.

And if that happens, what remains of Nigeria? Anarchy. Bedlam. And possibly the feared disintegration.

Think of a nation at point zero and the giant of Africa immediately leaps out. All the demons crawl out of their shells at the same time: ethnic strifes/communal clashes; broken bones and cracked skulls; bomb blasts; worshippers ambushed and butchered by blood-thirsty goons; soldiers

and security agents on peace keeping slaughtered in cold blood. Threats of mutiny and secession. Hunger and destitution. Bribery and corruption in high and low places. Add to the list: disastrous Olympics outing. Let no one beg the issue: our outing was disastrous. We shall return to that shortly. And, of course, a government seemingly unable to respond to the challenges of the time. If these are not signs and manifestations of a nation at point zero, I wonder what else is. How a nation can be facing all these tribulations at the same time and not crumble must remain the12th wonder of our time. God must really love this country!

Unofficial sources confirm that the Nigeria army has deployed its men and officers in at least 33 out of the 36 states of the country. They are either in special security task forces set up by state governments to fight security challenges or deployed outright to combat insurgencies. And we are not officially at war with an enemy country! Unofficial sources also reveal that nation must have lost over 5000 citizens to clashes,the Boko haram onslaught and other violent eruptions since the advent of the present democratic dispensation. Can this be the dividends of democracy for a nation battling poverty and underdevelop-

ment? Certainly not!

I do not know of any better time than now for us to sit round a conference table and have a serious talk with ourselves. I don’t know why anyone should be afraid of a dialogue about the present and future of their country. Let’s face it: our country is deeply polarized along ethnic, regional and religious lines as at today. We must stop deceiving ourselves that we all are speaking with one voice. We have a babel right now. We have conflicting interests. Most of our leaders really do not love this country nor give a damn about one nation. For example, a country desirous of promoting unity and oneness, regional governors’ grouping like northern governors’ forum, southern governors’ forum; south-east governors’ forum, south-west governors’ forum or the south-south governors’ forum, should really have no place! What ought to exist is one governors’ forum. That way leaders can speak with one voice, galvanize their people along patriotic line. Even if there are common economic cum social issues, they can be handled without playing up political divide.

Another otherwise simple issue as the desirability or otherwise of state police has revealed the underbelly of a fractious body.

States creation has become another explo-

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

PHOTO: AYODELE OJO

sive timebomb waiting to explode. How to tackle the common menace of Boko haram has not also enjoyed unanimity of views, greatly revealing biases and tendencies that are shocking. How can a nation afflicted with deep gulfs of interests and conflicts not agree to a national conference to discuss common issues germane to its existence?

Indeed, a nation assailed by issues as enumerated above can not be expected to excel in many endeavours. When your sports men and women are reduced to spectators in the field of play or at best put up performances that win them no medals, it is a veritable sign that all is not well with the country. When over one million students fail woefully at their West African Examination Council outing, you surely know the education sector is sick.

See how a giant was reduced to a dwarf at the gathering of the world’s best sporting countries in London? A giant unable to clinch the smallest bronze at the Olympics.

As I write this piece, I’m watching the closing ceremony of the London Olympics. I am watching and weeping at the same time. I am weeping inside. I am weeping for this great country reduced to Liliputian. I am weeping for our barren outing, in a competition where smaller African countries like Gabon, Egypt and South Africa, have their flags hoisted on the medals table. I am weeping at the embarrassment we have just been subjected at a global fiesta where our green/white flag was muddled in shame and defeat.

Every Nigerian is in pain at our Olympics disastrous outing because we know we could have done better than we did. We know we were once a truly great country in sports. A country that produced Davidson Andeh in boxing; Innocent Egbunike in athletics; Nduka Odizor in tennis; Peter Konyegwachie; Chioma Ajunwa; Mary Onyali; Kanu Nwankwo’s football gold medalists in the same Olympics in 1996; Obisia Nwapa, to mention a few, has been unable to produce a single medalist many years after. What happened is simple: we have simply been regressing, rather than progressing. We have been making progress backwards. We have been suffering leadership deficit and devaluation in all facets. We have been producing leaders that have been systematically killing us, dragging us to point zero.

That is what happened.

Make no mistake about it. We have the men and women who can compete and beat the best in any sporting activity in the world. At least, we saw over 12 Nigerians compete and won gold medals for Great Britain. We saw others wearing the colours of other countries and doing those countries proud. We failed because we didn’t plan to succeed. We failed to plan. We planned to fail. And we got what we planned to achieve.

Published by THE SUN PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, P.M.B. 21776, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 01-8980932, 6211239, Fax: 5895396 Advert Hotline: 01-7900632, 6211236, ABUJA OFFICE: 2nd Floor, Gouba Plaza, Utako District, Phone: 09-8700273-6. ISSN 0795-7475.

All Correspondence to the above mail addresses.

Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU

CMYK