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Oritsejafor, Muslim leader exchange Bible, Quran, preach peace BY SAM OYEBOKA & JOSEPH ERUNKE
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move towards a better rap proachment between the adherents of Christianity and Islam was initiated at the weekend. A visit of the leadership of a coalition of Muslim youths under the aegis of Amir of Ummah Youth Forum, to fecilitate with the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in Warri, Delta State, led to exchange Holy Bible and Holy Quran by the CAN leader and the organisation leader, Alhaji Murtala Abubakar. Speaking at the event, held in his Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Oritsejafor said the development was a major step towards uniting Christians and Muslims and restore peace to every part of the country. ”I personally believe that there is no religion that preaches violence. I believe very strongly that Islam is a religion of peace, he said, adding that his closeness to many Muslims showed him there were good people, citing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. He therefore appealed to the group to carry the message of peace to every corner of the North when they returned. The CAN president therefore urged the Federal Government to create more jobs for Nigerians, saying such would arrest some of the security challenges the country was facing. He disclosed that Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, which he co-chaired with the Sultan of Sokoto, would intervene in this area. Earlier, leader of the Muslim coalition group, Alhaji Murtala Abubakar, in their mission statement, said they had come to congratulate the CAN leader and use the opportunity to seek for peace in the country.
”Peace is the total strategic principle which our organization stands for. We today bring with us here, the message of peace as the word Islam itself means peace. Your grace, the visit of our delegation here today at this trial moment of Christian/Muslim relationship in Nigeria is historic and it is deliberate. We strongly believe that it is very possible for Muslims and Christians in this country to live in perfect harmony if leaders at all levels discharge their responsibilities with the utmost fear of God to whom we shall all return to give account of our deeds”, Abubakar said.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke declaring Calabar 2012 Carnival open.
Jaji bombings: Military removes two generals Continued from page 1 – Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Kure (equivalent of a major general in the air force), the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Major General Mohammed Isa, Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Infantry, Jaji – just as Sunday Vanguard learnt that the bombs used in the Jaji operation may not have been the usual Improved Explosive Devices (IED). Security sources said preliminary examination of the explosives showed they may have been manufactured in the United States (US) while some of the components were allegedly brought in from Brazil.
Details of bombs place of origin in Story of the Week
SOLUTION
Board of Inquiry
The DHQ said the removal of Kure and Isa followed the Board of Inquiry it raised to unravel the circumstance that led to the Jaji church bombings. No fewer than 17 lives were lost in the twin suicide bombings in the military facility last Sunday. The replacements for the generals were immediately announced. Air Vice Marshal E.E. Osim takes over from Kure as the chief helmsman at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, while Major General K.C. Osuji is the new commander of the Corps of Army Infantry, Jaji. Sunday Vanguard learnt that Kure assumed office at the Command and Staff College only three weeks ago. A statement by the DHQ announcing the removal of Kure and Isa read: “Following the Board of Inquiry raised by the Defence Headquarters to unravel the circumstances that led to the bomb explosions which rocked St Andrew ’s Protestant Church at Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral OS Ibrahim, has directed the Services Headquarters to replace with immediate effect the Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, Air Vice Marshal IA Kure and the Corps Commander, Infantry also located in Jaji, Major General MD Isa. “Air Vice Marshal EE Osim is to replace Air Vice Marshal IA Kure as Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) while Maj Gen KC Osuji will act as Corps Commander, Infantry, Jaji. AVM IA Kure and Maj
Gen MD Isa will be redeployed by their respective services”.
Court martial
Meanwhile, indications emerged, last night, that the military authorities may institute a court martial to prosecute officers charged with the responsibility of securing the Jaji cantonment before it was breached and the church bombed. Towards this end, Sunday Vanguard gathered that more officers particularly those of the Military Police and the Intelligence branch of both the Infantry Corps and the Command and Staff College have been arrested and detained. Military sources said the authorities are particularly irked by the fact that Isa, a tested senior officer and former GOC of 82 Division, who has had brushes with militants, would allow suicide bombers to carry out such attacks on a military church inside the cantonment. In a related development, the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has not been able to embark on border patrol of the country’s porous borders from the air as directed by the Federal Government, because the official transfer process of border patrol to the force has not been completed. Badeh spoke while interacting with Defence Correspondents after declaring open the 2012 Workshop for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Public Relations and Information Personnel in Abuja. He noted that, presently, Nigerian Air force was focused on its maritime patrol duties, while working out means of acquiring equipment for air border patrol operation. He added that, aside the fact that the country’s borders were not well delineated, it is going to be a Herculean task for the force to go into operation, because of its delicate nature, saying, “ we have to be very careful to avoid encroaching into another country ’s airspace”.
Insecurity: Niger Delta summit holds Januar Januaryy BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar
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HE Niger Delta regional summit organized by the Cross River State Government, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to address security challenges in the region, has been postponed to January, 2013. The summit, according to the Security Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, was conceived to address a number of key security challenges in the region especially the challenges of illegal bunkering, piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery. Bassey, in a statement, recalled that the Niger Delta, rich in hydrocarbons from which the nation draws its major revenue, had been afflicted by several security issues.
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My wife is a prostitute — Businessman BY ADEOLA ADENUGA
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Cross River State Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham and Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values leading thousands of people on a 4kilometer walk to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the ongoing Calabar Festival.
35-year-oldwoman urged Grade ‘B’ Customary Court, Orile-Agege to dissolve her 15-year-old marriage on the grounds of her husband’s frequent flogging and threat to life. Meanwhile, the husband, Kazeem Tijani,
Sexual harassment of female students worries Ogun govt BYDAUD OLATUNJI
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GUN State government has expressed worry over the spate of sexual abuse and harassment of female students in the public primary and secondary schools in the state It,however, vowed to
amend the 2004 Child Rights Law to include juvenile law with a view to sanctioning the culprits. The State Commissioner for Women Affairs,Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, stated this while speaking at a one- day orientation programme for teachers and students in
secondary schools on the dimension of genderbased violence. According to her, a Bill that will address the menace both at the house-hold level and in schools has been initiated by the m i n i s t r y . ” We have a Bill that is already with the Ministry of Justice and
it will soon get to the House of Assembly and, by the time they pass it into law come 2013, implementation will help us to eliminate all sorts of discrimination against the girl-child which,in turn, genders equity and equality in the state.
denied the allegation. He also threw a bomb shell: The wife, Bidemi, is a prostitute.. Bidemi, a trader and resident of 5, Powerline Street, Orile Agege, told the court that her husband behaves like animal ”My husband will be mistaken for a beast when he is beating me because he hits anywhere in my body and does not care if the beating results to death”, she said. ”He treated me like a slave when I was in his house. I didn’t have rest of mind. I lived in fear. It seemed my husband derived pleasure in beating me. I can say that he saw it as a thing of joy and you could see this fulfillment in him after beating me”. The mother of three said she left her matrimonial home when
the respondent took a knife and wanted to attack her. ”Thereafter, he always came to my shop to beat me. He promised to kill me for leaving his house”, she added. The applicant pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of the children. Kazeem, a businessman, denied the allegations and informed the court that his wife is a prostitute. The 43-year-old man of 5, James Okiki Street, Orile Agege, alleged that when the woman was in his house, she would go out at will and come back late in the night without explanation about where she went to. Court president, Mr Joseph Adewusi, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case to November 29.
Delta 2015: ‘It is the turn of Delta North’
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social political group, under the aegis of “The Good Governance Group” (G3), has emphasized on the need for Deltans to elect the next governor of the state from among the political elite in the Delta North Senatorial District, saying it will be only by so doing that there can be equity in terms of governance in the state. In a communiqué
released in Sapele, at the end of its meeting held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, the group, headed by Chief Netwon Oboda, said equity is the vehicle to sustain rapid development and peace in any society, noting that they would ensure that Delta North senatorial district produces the next governor of the state come 2015.
The Experience at Tafawa Balewa Square
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HRISTIAN musical concert, tagged, “The Experience”, is back again in its usual venue Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos, where over 500,000 voices will be lifted in praise and hearts united in worship through life music. T h e interdenominational
yearly programme, hosted and organised by the Senior Pastor and founder of the House on the Rock Church Pastor Paul Adefarasin, is an interdenominational gospel concert that features some of the bestknown musical talents within and outside the country.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012 — PAGE 7
Collapse saga at Edo Tribunal:
Odubu threatens to sue Airhiavbere for N100million By SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin-City
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EPUTY Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, has demanded a retraction and an apology from the campaign organization of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recent election in the state, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, and one Osaze Jesuorobo, over an alle-
gation that a man, who collapsed at a sitting of the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was a native doctor brought by the deputy governor to perform voodoo or he will institute N100milllion suit against them. A letter by Odubu’s lawyer, Ken Mozia (SAN), said the statement in question was “actuated by base and inappropriate political motives in view of the
Delta starts post-flooding rehabilitation of victims By EMMA AMAIZE
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OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan will flag-off the post-flooding rehabilitation of flood victims in Delta State tomorrow at Ozoro, with the distribution of inputs, such as seedlings, fingerlings, fishing gears, cassava cuttings and work tools to internally displaced persons, IDPs, who are farmers and artisans. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Warri, has donated relief materials to returnee-flood victims in Warri and promised to foot the surgical bills of a victim, Mr. Peter James, who is suffering from hernia. Mr. James was rushed in a critical condition to the Central Hospital, Warri, before the victims returned home, but president, Rotary Club of Warri, Rotarian Adamson Ejuoneatse-Thompson, who sympathized with
the IDPs said, “We also promise to take up the bill for the surgery of one of the victims, who was rushed to hospital, we are humanitarian people. These items are to augment the need of our brothers and sisters who have been displaced.”
on-going election petition initiated and currently being heard at the said Election Tribunal.” The campaign organization of Airhiavbere had, in a statement signed by Osaze Jesuorob, identified the man who slumped at the tribunal as Israel Odaro from Urhomehe, the same village with the deputy governor, and added that the man was a native doctor. The statement added that the said Odaro died after the incident at the court. But the victim, who spoke to journalists at the Central Hospital, Benin City, where he was being attended to, gave his name as Israel Eyinmosan, an Itsekiri from Delta State and disclosed that he was an epileptic patient since 1984 and was never a native doctor. H e also expressed shock over the claim that he was dead.
Wife of Osun Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (middle); Commissioner for Health, Dr (Mrs) Temitope Ilori (right); wife of Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola (2nd left); Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega (left) and State Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV, Mr. Oladejo Ajibola (2nd right), during the 2012 World Aids Day celebration in Osogbo Osun State, yesterday.
From left: The Social Secretary, Lagos State Medical Guild, Dr Tunde Akeredolu; the Chairman, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote; CEO, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; and the Guild’s Vice Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Ogunbi; at the 2012 Annual General Meeting of Conference of Medical Continuing Education, held at the LCCI Events Centre, CBD, Ikeja, Lagos.
Lagos hosts Digital Dialogue Conference By KAFAYAT TIJANI
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IGITAL Dialogue Nigeria 2012, a
forum aimed at kickstarting the information and education aspects of digital broadcast migration in Nigeria, holds in Lagos between 5 and 6 December. The conference will afford participants the opportunity to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for the digital migration deadline of 2015. A release by the organisers stated: “Following the International Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Union, ITU, meeting in July 2006, Nigeria,
among other countries, was mandated – under the GE06 Agreement – to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting system by the year 2015.
But three years to the deadline, the Nigerian public is hardly aware of the planned migration, even though the Federal Government has given its nod to the ITU pronouncement and agreed to migrate to the new order by 2015”. “The forum, which will bring together digital broadcast experts from the country and abroad, leading
lights in the Nigerian media and other opinion moulders; hopes to expose Nigerians to the process and benefits of digital migrations”. Expected benefits are that digital migration will afford Nigerians better TV viewing experience, in terms of clearer pictures and better signals. It will also bring greater efficiency to spectrum use, boost the potentials of wireless innovation, lead to greater convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting services, among other economic gains.
Security agent confesses in court: In my home, my wife is the boss By ADEOLA ADENUGA
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r, Jimoh Babatunde, a security agent, pleaded with a Lagos Grade ‘B’ Customary Court, sitting in Orile-Agege, to dissolve his five-year-old marriage to his wife, Arike, over alleged threat to life and attacks with dangerous weapons. In short, according to the husband, the wife was the boss at home. The 40-year-old man, who lives at 28, Larunsi Street, Orile-Agege, told
the court that his wife was in the habit of beating him with dangerous weapons. He claimed that his wife was something else at home, adding that she always stripped naked when ever she wanted to fight him, so that he won’t be able to hold her clothes. ”She used many weapons to fight me. She would threaten to kill me if I divorce her; so I left the house last month when I could no longer cope with the situation”, he said. Jimoh also told the court that his marriage with Arike did not produced any issue.
”I have been squatting with my friend since I left my house. I want the court to dissolve the marriage and assure me that
Arike will not kill me thereafter, , the applicant said. The wife did not show up in court to defend herself.
Outrage over suit against Ohanaeze Ndigbo BY EMEKA AGINAM
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embers of Igbo World Assembly (IWA) have condemned in strong terms the law suit instituted by two ex-officials of Ohanaeze Ndigbo against Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying their action was capable of working against the actualisation of the bigger and national Igbo agenda. While throwing their weight behind the structure of Ohanaeze leadership, the IWA members, through their Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and Secretary, Chief Oliver Nwankwo, said that any form of dissgreement should have been through the conflict resolution structure within the constitution of Ohanaeze.
Bamanga Tukur, wife get Ijaw titles NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and his wife, Fatima, have been conferred with the traditional titles of Gankobowei and Gankoboere of Gbaramatu kingdom respectively. Former acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Aginighan, in a statement, said the titles, conferred on them by His Royal Majesty Godwin K Bebenimibo, Ogeh Gbaraun III, Pere of Gbaramatu, have made them join the league of bridge builders and promoters of national unity from the kingdom.
Omolayole Management Lecture
AIESEC Alumni Nigeria hosts the 28th Omolayole Management Lecture on Thursday 6 December, 2012 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The theme is, “The Future of Enterprise in the Age of Collaboration”, while speakers are Alhaji Ahmed Lawan Kuru, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Enterprise Bank Limited and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Ekiti State.
Nigeria Quality Summit
The Nigeria’s business community is in last-minute rush to register for the maiden Nigeria Quality Summit 2012 slated for Thursday, December 6 as several companies and agencies are hastening efforts to participate in what has been dubbed the defining moment in Nigeria’s economic renaissance.Organisations that have paid the participation fee in the last week number more than those who did since registration started two months ago and they include foam, foods and beverages makers, bottling companies, breweries, services providers (telecoms and banks), and some conglomerates.
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Why we passed anti-kidnapping bill — Delta lawmaker BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli
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Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle) cutting the tape to inaugurate the Mother & Child Hospital, in Ondo town. With him from left are, Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, wife of Osemawe of Ondo, Olori Olayinka, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo, Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, from right; wife of Deputy Governor, Alhaja Bejide Olanusi, Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi and wife of the Governor, Olukemi Mimiko.
EMBER repre senting Isoko South Constituency 1 in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Okiemute Essien, has reaffirmed his commitment towards improving the lives of people of his constituency through articulate programmes and projects that would better their lives. Essien, who stated this during his maiden town
1, 000 security operatives for Calabar Carnival BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar
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S Calabar Festival, which lasts 32 days, begins with the tree lighting ceremony, the Cross River State Government has organized a training workshop for over 1,000 security operatives to make the programme success. Speaking at a workshop attended by the police, the army, the navy, Civil Defence, State Security Service, among others, the Security Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, said
the workshop was necessary in view of the number of visitors expected in the state for the programme. Bassey said the state had remained the most peaceful throughout the country and many governors, ambassadors and High Commissioners, the business class from all parts of the world and very important persons are expected to attend the festival and there is the need for the security personnel to be civil and ensure there is no story of violence recorded anywhere. He advised the securi-
ty operatives that will be on duty during the period to display professionalism. The State Security Adviser told the participants not to use long arms during the carnival. Also speaking at the occasion, the Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr. Nzan Ogbe, said the state is regarded as the safest as a result of the collaboration and commitment amongst security agencies in the state. He disclosed that the festival started with the tree lighting ceremony and then the HIV/AIDS walk, saying since 12
years ago when the state started the celebration, it has grown in size and had become a global event.
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HE wife of the gov ernor of the State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, wants recognition of the rights of people living with HIV. The victims, according to her, should not be stigmatised. She spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday, after leading a road show to mark the 2012 World AIDS Day, with the theme, “Getting to Zero”, organised by the Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS. According to her, proper measure must be taken to ensure that no new infections take place by constantly adopting safe attitude and ensuring that no one dies from the scourge again. Mrs Aregbesola stressed: “Let me underscore the point that this target is achievable if all of us work to take positive action individually and encourage ourselves together to stop undesirable attitude that makes the
virus spread. ”Having an HIV today does not have to be a death sentence if we go for early counselling and treatment. This is one of the positive attitudes I urge all of us to adopt from now on in order to reach our zero marks”. … HIV prevalence declines – NMA Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medical
Lekki-Epe Expressway: Tolling starts at TP2 Dec 16
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EKKI Concession Company (LCC) commences tolling at the Conservation Plaza (TP2), the second toll plaza situated along the EtiOsa Lekki-Epe Expressway between Chevron HQ and Oluwa Nisola House, with effect from 12a.m.on Sunday 16, D e c e m b e r 2012, a statement from the company at the weekend said.
Association, NMA, has lauded Nigeria and other countries of the world over what it described as ‘ r e m a r k a b l e achievements’ in the containment of the spread of HIV & AIDS. President of the Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, in a message to mark the day in Abuja, noted that Nigeria has recorded remarkable achievements through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA.
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IGERIANS have demanded transparency and accountability from duty bearers at the process chain of Routine Immunization (RI) in Nigeria. Participants at the Round Table Discussion on Accountability Framework for Routine Immunization (RI) in Nigeria, while making the demand, in Abuja, also called for the estab-
Enabulele stated that recent reports of HIV prevalence in Nigeria which was 4.6 per cent in 2008 has declined to 4.1 percent. … Bayelsa inaugurates diagnosis centre In a related development, Bayelsa State, yesterday, inaugurated the state HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing Centre for effective scientific diagnosis and analysis of the virus.
Archbishop Ajibogun dies at 70
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IS Grace, The Most Revd Patrick Olanrewaju Ajibogun, is dead. He was aged 70. Funeral arrangements for the late cleric will commence from Wednesday 12th December, 2012 at 12 noon with a Commendation Service at United African Methodist Evangelical Church Cathedral, 3, Akinsola Lane, Abule-Ijesha while wake keep takes place Thursday Interment takes place at
ping in the state, Essien maintained that development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security hence the need to ensure that peace prevails in all parts of the state. On his empowerment programme, he said: “I have so far distributed 28 vehicles of different brands, 180 motorcycle, and also given out various sums of money including N100,000 each to 92 persons, N50,000 each to136 persons among others.” He said the gesture was to enable the beneficiaries boost their businesses and other ventures, adding that “more persons will benefit in the second phase as my empowerment programmes cuts across political party lines.”
Nigerians demand accountability in routine immunization
HIV is no death sentence – Aregbesola’s wife By CHIOMA OBINNA & SAMUEL OYANDOGHA, Yenagoa
hall meeting with his constituents in fulfillment of his electioneering campaign promises to the people, said the meeting has provided a platform for him to interact with his people. Addressing the people during the meeting, which attracted leaders of political parties, traditional chiefs, community leaders, professional bodies, women and youth group as well as religious ministers held at the Oleh Civic Centre, Oleh, the lawmaker said he has been able to articulate, on issues affecting his constituency as a lawmaker. Noting that the House recently passed a Bill on Anti-Kidnapping and Terrorism which he cosponsored to check the prevalent rate of kidnap-
his residence on Friday after an Interdenominational Service.
The Most Revd Patrick Olanrewaju Ajibogun
lishment of Ward Development Committee (WDC) in line with the policy on Primary Health Care in the country. They expressed dissatisfaction over the abandoning of guideline and policy on primary health care, adding that inefficiency of Routine Immunization in Nigeria was as result of lack of struc-
tural processes that will ensure accountability. The Director General of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, PHCDA, Dr Ado Mohammed, corroborated views of the discussants that performance in the RI is not encouraging, attributing it to lack of accountability in the system.
Ex-UNIJOS VC honoured BY TAYE OBATERU
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ROFESSOR Sonni Tyoden, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), has been honoured for his contribution to the development of his Mwaghavul community with a chieftaincy title. He was conferred with the traditional title of Jarumi (Koghorong) Mwaghavul by the traditional head, the Miskaham Mwaghavul, Da Nelson Bakfur. It was an outpouring of accolades for the professor of political science who many described as a great ambassador of the Mwaghavul people for doing them proud wherever he had served and especially during his tenure as vice chancellor of UNIJOS. From Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, to Senator Solomon Ewuga, former Works Minister, Dr. Hassan Lawal, and many others, it was all encomiums for Tyoden. Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Salisu Maikasuwa described Tyoden
as a true son of his father and of Nigeria. He described him as a detribalized Nigeria who has built bridges on many fronts. He urged every Nigerian to embrace the virtue of love for fellow Nigerians irrespective of where they come from as Tyoden does. Former minister, Lawal, spoke in similar tone tracing his relationship with Tyoden to his days as a lecturer in UNIJOS. He noted that Tyoden combines talent with character and should consider himself fulfilled with all he has achieved. However, he urged him to take these virtues into politics by seeking elective office.
Prof Sonni Tyoden
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012,PAGE 9
News: Boko Haram on the rampage
"Do I let myself in? All I want is DIALOGUE and the REWARD!"
All letters bearing writers' names and full addresses should be typed and forwarded to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, Kirikiri Canal, P. M. B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail: sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com
Constitutional review: On the non-indigene syndrome Dear Sir,
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HE issue of dichotomy between indigenes and non indigenes in a particular domain in the country has recently become a bane of the society and if the fog covering this phenomenon that has been giving good thinking Nigerians sleepless nights is not cleared, it would continue to be an albatross to investors especially those that are desirous of developing their landed estates for either domestic, commercial or industrial purposes. This is informed by the manner land developers, especially those who are not from the area where their property situate find it extremely difficult to go ahead with their intended projects as a result of incessant harassment and molestation by indigene youths of the area. The youths go about scouting for buildings under constructions and if the owner is not an indigene they would demand for a certain percentage of the purchase price of the land and also known as MARCHING GROUND which is usually outrageous and sometimes beyond the immediate provision of the owner. And if this and other conditions are not met, the owners of the project are beaten up together with their labourers, often times their building materials are carted away by the hoodlums thereby halting the construction work in the site. This heinous act to all intents and purposes is repugnant to good taste
and should be stopped completely as it tends to slow down the pace of development in the country. If a buyer of a piece of land should not develop his land because he is a non indigene, the land should not be sold to him in the first place. People should be allowed to develop their estates as such would help in no small measure to minimize the problem of housing and unemployment in the country. I thank the Rivers State government under the able leadership of Rotimi Amaechi for editing that land
developers should be given the leeway to develop their lands and any person or group of persons found harassing them should be seriously dealt with. This is a right step in the right direction. However, he should be more pragmatic in this regard by setting up a monitoring team to see that people comply with this directive as the ugly trend is still being witnessed in some areas in the state. Against this backdrop, I suggest to the Federal Government to subsume this controversial phenomenon under
the relevant section in the constitution that permits any resident of a town, whether indigene or non-indigene to contest an election so that people can be free to develop their empty lands without harassment from any person or group of persons. If a non indigene can be a Local Government Chairman, there is no reason why a non indigene cannot develop his land unconditionally. Nkemakolam Gabriel Port Harcourt 08072257360
Electricity supply to Awka yet to improve Dear Sir,
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T is very annoying and painful that the same group of Nigerians who have cornered our common patrimony through privatization and ownership of oil blocs and who being so insatiable in primitive acquisition of wealth, by now buying up the assets of PHCN, are yet to make efforts to improve the deteriorating electricity supply in the vast area of Awka I reside! For how long shall we continue to be subjected to a whole day without electricity until the following day when it is our turn to get light and which will never last up to 15 hours? Since the beginning of this month, I have bought 102 liters of diesel at
N160 per liter and the month has not yet ended. I could only afford to run my diesel plant for 6 hours almost on daily basis in the night, because on the day we are supposed to get light, PHCN may decide to switch off our light in the night of that day.
afford to run their giant sound proof generating sets no matter how long power outages last, are not bothered if we have light or not, as the assets of PHCN have now been added to their stupendous and mind-boggling wealth!
Since 2007 when PHCN started giving us light on alternate days during the regime of the late Umar Musa Ya’Adua, I wrote that I felt like flogging those in Aso Rock for their failure to give us constant supply of electricity, but now I feel like frog-jumping and rolling on the ground those Nigerians who have bought over PHCN to prod them into improving electricity supply to Awka and its environs.
They should forever bury their heads in shame that they have brought our country down on her knees and inflicted so much suffering on her citizenry through their unparalleled and unbridled greed, period!
This group of Nigerians who could
Ifeka Okonkwo Plot 44, Ahocol Housing Estate, Phase II, G.R.A Awka.
PAGE 10 —SUNDAY
VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Poverty: Free education for Jonathan at Unijankara -- 1
Charity begins at home The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.Mohandas Gandhi OMETHING happened last week that would have gone under the radar for me, had it not been brought to my attention. The governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, ran an advert in the Vanguard requesting those who wanted to celebrate the anniversary of his tenure not to send gifts or run adverts for him rather they should donate the money that should have been used for the felicitations to Osun feed a school child initiative (OMEAL) and the Osun care for the elderly
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initiative (Agba Osun). Now that is a turn up for the books. I am not a big fan of our crop of politicians but this gesture shows insight, forward and altruistic thinking. The money should be best spent on those that need it the most. Strange but true, those with money tend to give people with money! About time the rich spend their money on helping our nation than trucking it to some off shore abroad. If they have any moral fibre left, they should do the decent things like Dangote: recruit more, invest in people, set up local businesses, and in needed health outposts in the villages. Time after time, we have been made to watch the bad taste of the politicians or the stupendously rich showboating, giving piece meal charity to the staged poor in front of an a r m y o f p a i d photographers.
alleviation, a study revealed that 70 per cent of people lived below the poverty line. The price of crude then was just over $12 per barrel. Today, the price of the commodity hovers around $120per barrel; yet 70 per cent of Nigerians still live below the poverty line. Obviously, wealth, which, incidentally, was created for Nigerians by God, had not reduced poverty. The lesson we want to teach Jonathan at Unijankara addresses the reasons why increased wealth had not reduced poverty. But, because GEJ might not
The appetite of gluttons grows with eating and the PDP is the party of cruel gluttons
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“give a damn” about coming to class to be educated, let me tell him a few things he missed while giving the answer he did to the journalists. First, wealth creation does not, on its own, eradicate or reduce poverty. It helps, but only if accompanied by more equitable distribution of income. Without that, and especially if government policies skew income distribution in favour of the wealthy, then increased income might
mind that is, turns to corruption, then it is easy to understand why Jonathan needs desperately to attend classes; we won’t bring bulahlah like the governor of Sokoto; I promise. In 1970, nobody could have, singlehandedly, embezzled N1 billion naira because the total Federal budget under General Gowon was not up to N1 billion. But, then, only 34% of Nigerians were classified as poor. Under Jonathan,
Our country is facing a dearth of morality and humanity direction and we seem not to want to shift, all we do is victim blaming while the level of existence is so abject. We should hang our heads in shame. We can no longer ignore the obvious; we have lost the moral fibre that binds us and we consistently fail the younger generation and there is no excuse for it if we fail to admit that there is a collective responsibility, that it needs a collective remedy. What is clear is that the Nigerian politicians have failed woefully and Nigerians do not believe that the government is working hard enough to
but it permeates every strata in our country . Yes, I am sure too many are professing their innocence. The politicians and public officials consistently siphon the public coffers, they line their pockets with money that is meant to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.Of course,no wonder people have little faith in their leaders or their fellow citizens. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and admit that this way of life is not working and cannot work From the President and his governors, I often hear but what can we do? Well, do something, anything is better than this. Do what you can, with what you
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leaders who, by the time they rose to the top, had no rudimentary knowledge of economics. So, it is not an insult to GEJ that we are offering him free education at Unijankara to brush up on his economics. If anything, it is an indictment of the economists serving him. Poverty reduction, or alleviation, has been addressed by economists for more than sixty years and it has never been understood to mean that you leave the poor in destitution. That is why, for better, or worse, the poverty level for several years had been pegged at $1 dollar a day – until a few years ago, when it moved to $2 a day. All the efforts aimed at poverty alleviation seek to move as many people as possible above the poverty line irrespective of whether new wealth is created or not; although, it is also true that increasing total aggregate income makes it easier to achieve the goal of poverty alleviation in general. However, one of the problems the world faces, at the moment, is the fact that wealth creation in over twenty years, or more, had only widened the gap between the wealthy and the poor. This includes Nigeria. Back in 1992, at a seminar on poverty
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F you reduce poverty and the person is still poor, you have achieved nothing. I don’t believe in poverty reduction concept. It is more positive to talk about wealth creation”, Jonathan.. Now, I know why we are getting nowhere on poverty reduction or alleviation. The President of Nigeria, who is supposed to lead the fight, knows very little about the whole thing. He might have gone to school without shoes, but he now eats with golden spoons and is forever far removed from poverty. All those who voted for him because of his sob story about his humble beginnings can now go in search of another person to help them. Goodluck here means good luck for only one person and his close associates. For most others, bad luck continues. Only the Presidency knows how those invited for the Media chat are selected. But, the last group, like most of the others before, was short on economics-literate pen-pushers. That suited Jonathan just fine because it allowed him to get away with making a statement which would have made economists hold their heads in horror. Jonathan is only the latest in our series of leading political
actually exacerbate the problem of poverty. That is the Nigerian situation. In 1960, a university professor earned more than a permanent secretary and the Editor of Daily Times took home as much as a Federal Minister. Today, the editor of any paper takes home far less than a state Commissioner; certainly no paper can pay its editors what Ministers truck home and survive for more than six months. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Premier of Western Region, had only two official cars. Today, eight states in the Southwest and South-South have been carved out of the one region and each Governor has a fleet of limousines that would make President Obama look like a pauper. Such obscene distribution of wealth largely explains why 70% remain poor while wealth increases. When the mind, a good
Our country is facing a dearth of morality and humanity direction and we seem not to want to shift, all we do is victim -blaming while the level of existence is so abject
combat to reduce the overwhelm the level of inequality that pervades our country. Nigeria is corrupt, wholesale and endemically corrupt. It had to be said and the blame is squarely at the top,
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have, where you are. How on earth do we re-elect corrupt policitians for abysmal performance? The trust is lacking in our society, we do not trust one another; we definitely do not trust the government. A trust is
one single civil servant, in the pension office, has been accused of embezzling N22 billion. And she is not alone. The entire country is puzzled by how N1.3 trillion disappeared from the treasury on account of fuel supply scams. That is not all. In 1970, the words “Duty Waiver ” would have been regarded as synonyms for “fiscal lunacy”. Since the PDP took control of the Federal government, over N700 ($4.35) billion had been given to wealthy individuals and organizations as “Duty Waiver ”. Jonathan’s government gave out; and the self-righteous former President Obasanjo “dashed” waivers too, (Read my book: PDP: C O R R U P T I O N INCORPORATED, for details). Every single kobo of the money went to the wealthy. With such d e m o n s t r a b l e callousness, avarice and indifference to the plight of the poor, it is clear that even if Nigeria’s GDP were to increase ten-fold, the budget allocation for Food and Welfare in Aso Rock will only climb from NI.34 billion to N13.4 billion. The appetite of gluttons grows with eating and the PDP is the party of cruel gluttons. And Jonathan is President of Nigeria, leading the PDP. Why go on? Our President, will probably only continue to engage in media chats during which he reveals how little or all he knows about this monster problem called poverty alleviation. A LESSON FROM UK ABOUT FIGHTING CORRUPTION “Every country gets the
government it deserves”, Joseph De Maistre, Nigerians deserved Obasanjo, because they had Dr Alex Ekwueme as an alternative in 1999. OBJ gave us a successor who was at death’s door. We deserve, even more, GEJ; because majority of us voted for him – including Obasanjo who is now crying loudest after spilling the national milk himself. When Obasanjo claimed that his successors were not capable of fighting corruption, he was only being economical with the truth – as usual. PDP governments, Federal or state, can never fight corruption because they are responsible for most of it. Last week, a court in the United Kingdom convicted a BritishGhanaian who had been on trial for $2.3 billion fraud which was discovered only last year. In just about one year, the case was over; the accused was off to jail. By contrast, the cases of Nigerian politicians accused of embezzling public funds and bank managers who defrauded their banks and ruined millions of Nigerians, have not proceeded beyond preliminary stage more than four, or even seven, years after. An accused former governor acquitted of all charges in Nigeria was sent to jail for less than one fifth of the charge sheet in London; the “Justice” who delivered that travesty is still on the bench; perhaps in order to deliver more. Yet, Jonathan looked into the television cameras and told Nigerians that his government is fighting corruption. Well, we deserve that insult too.
the building block of a well deed society. In a capricious society like ours this is lacking. The level of corruption is tearing our social, moral fabric apart and had led to lack of trust and confidence in the governed. What we experience instead is perpetual hardship of majority of ordinary citizens. The level of social inequalities is indicative of a corrupt government ,riddled with crime ,inter tribal and religious violence. We need to address corruption because it makes people hopeless of the future though I must say we, as Nigerians, are always hopeful that there would be some divine intervention and Nigeria will improve. But these people have been waiting long and doing nothing to better the lot in the interim. In the meantime can we take some social responsibly by sweeping our corner? Te a c h o u r c h i l d r e n right from wrong, educate our children by being a role model for good and not demand that they comply while we do not. Our nation is
fuel led on jealousy, pride and ignorance because majority of people live without while the few have so much. How do you explain 70 per cent of Federal Government’s revenue going for payment of salaries and entitlement of civil servants, leaving only 30 per cent for development of 167 million Nigerians? Do the maths it add up? There has to be a social change, people must want a change ,the inequality is inhumane and immoral. I read somewhere Aregbesola said: “Nigeria is stranded in the pit bog of avoidable socio-economic challenges because the two core ingredients of democracy outlined in this theme have been either h a l f - h e a r t e d l y appropriated or ignored completely. We are witnesses to the common development in which citizens rejoice openly over the misfortune of public office holders simply because they are convinced that those individuals came into sudden wealth at their expense.” Yes, of course .So why won’t public feel slighted? We need to address this state of impasse if the government and the powerful feel so patriotic and are decent enough.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 11
Do state govts in Nigeria need commissioners? or indeed any cognate service experience does not seem to matter. Everyone gets engaged simply to attract or reward the support of his sponsor otherwise known as godfather. As soon as a Governor stabilizes in office, he drops all the ‘misfits’ instalmentally. Even those who show much promise in the discharge of their duties are
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ECTION 147(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides for the appointment of Federal Ministers while Section 192(1) does same for the appointment of State Commissioners. The objective is to enable the Head of the Executive branch of government to appoint some citizens to assist him in the onerous task of governance. Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State a p p r o p r i a t e l y underscored the logic in July 2011 when he charged his Commissioners at their inauguration “to generate ideas that would propel the speedy growth and ignite fire of confidence in their ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry ”. However, unlike the case of Ministers, the way and manner a Commissioner is appointed and disengaged seems to substantially derogate from the importance of the office. To start with, a Commissioner gets appointed on the basis of political expediency only. Whether or not the appointee has a track record of achievements
that he dropped the Commissioners in charge of Justice and Health because of public criticisms of their handling of strike actions in their sectors. Far from that. Commissioners are neither appointed nor retained in Nigeria to do any meaningful work. Instead, they are essentially mere disposable elements at the whims and caprices of the Almighty Governor. Fortunately, many of them are conscious of this. In August this year for instance, two self
Commissioners are neither appointed nor retained in Nigeria to do any meaningful work. Instead, they are essentially mere disposable elements at the whims and caprices of the Almighty Governor
similarly dropped as soon as their sponsors no longer enjoy the Governor’s attention. It would thus be simplistic for Anambra people to assume that in his last cabinet changes, Governor Peter Obi retained Prof Chinyere Okunna as Commissioner for Economic Planning on the basis of her unquestionable expertise in budgetary matters or
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acclaimed powerful interest groups called for the removal of 2 State Commissioners. While one of them- the Benue House of Assembly demanded the dismissal of Conrad Wergba, the State Commissioner for Information, the otherthe Delta branch of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) called for the sacking of the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary
Sanya Osha and his underground of summer bees different drug lords and their minions as well as policemen both corrupt and upright.” Akpata is moving, drawn towards an exigency, but also in search of survival and community. “Durban was calmer. The first place he went to was a run-down hotel near the beach front. There he found his kind of people. He loved the level of human energy at the beach front. It was not as frenetic as Hillbrow in Johannesburg but there was still a lot of swagger around the city.” His career of forced peregrination mirrors the condition of the boundarysundering Nigerian forced to “escape” into the ubiquitous life of crime and insecurity in Hellish exile. Sanya Osha does not tell us that Jerome Akpata is Nigerian; not in so many words; but we know; we suspect a primary link in some ways with the writer himself who currently lives in South Africa where he teaches Philosophy. The effect is clever although not
too satisfying. Jerome Akpata arrives in South Africa through epic journeying, almost heroic in its meanderings; first because he could not get legal visa from the South
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ANYA Osha’s new novel, An Underground Colony of Summer Beesbegins with Jerome Akpata moving from Johannesburg to Durban. “He had become tired of having to live looking constantly over his shoulder wondering if someone was coming at him with a gun or a blade.” We get thrown into the murkiness of that life of constant terror. We immediately know that Jerome Akpata is one of those fragile, destabilized, and constantly displaced and itinerant citizens of the world. But what is he searching for; why is Jerome Akpata moving from Johannesburg to Durban? He is in search of kinship and community; for a foothold in a slippery, dangerous, and dynamic world; a rapidly changing and mercurial world of drugs, pimps and prostitutes. In Johannesburg “he had to run from street thugs,
In a world of slippery values and powerful transitions, we all become complicit
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African embassy, he ventures by road and traverses many African countries until he arrives in Nairobi. After three months in Nairobi, where he survives hustling and
Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare. Interestingly, the ultimatum given for the removal of the 2 Commissioners did not perturb any of them. Muoboghare, himself a veteran unionist, told the media that “ when the Governor appointed me, he consulted only God. That same God will also tell him when to remove me”. Obviously, it is only the Oracle that seems to have an idea of when and how a Commissioner leaves office in Nigeria. Accordingly, it is wasteful to seek to rationalize the subject. When Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State dropped Bosun Oladele as his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bosun’s constituencythe Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) shouted foul, naively believing that to be retained in office as a Commissioner in the State has anything to do with professional excellence. It is not so. A novice can in reality be in office throughout the tenure of a particular Governor. In Imo State for instance, Commissioner Alex Ogwazuo was redeployed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism because of alleged lack of experience in handling his previous Ministry of Environment. The question whether his alleged inexperience would not also adversely affect his new Ministry was answered by
Governor Rochas Okorocha when he sacked Alex along with 5 other Commissioners in a cabinet reshuffle. The Governor reportedly told journalists during his maiden breakfast meeting with them in Government House, Owerri, that he appointed a Commissioner ‘ who knew neither his left nor his right’. In other words, the Governor gambled. In any case, is there any Commissioner in Nigeria who knows the real difference between the left and the right of his Governor? This is a question that three Commissioners in Ebonyi State would have to ponder over for the next three months. The Commissioners- Dr Ben Igwenyi (Justice and Attorney General); Hon. Chukwuma Nwandugo (Works and Transport) and Chief Hyacinth Ikpor (Culture and Tourism) were suspended from office for three months, a few days ago, for alleged improper dressing to a State function. Governor Martins Elechi was reported to have insisted that for the attitudinal change policy of his government to be imbibed by everyone, the State would “not tolerate any form of indecent dressing from its officials”. While it is safe to assume that the Commissioners especially the one in charge of Culture have an idea of what the Governor has in mind, it would be curious to know what the Attorney General with a rich ‘Law
dress code’ wore to the said function. Never the less, whereas little things sometimes matter a lot, it would have been salutary if the Commissioners were sanctioned for dereliction of duty. Oh yes, it is unfortunate that the public is being made to remember how Nwandugo, the Works and Transport Commissioner dresses instead of his professional insistence on the use of 200 millimeter of stone-base for building the Abakaliki Ring Road for durability. As usual, the official statement on the suspension was sparse as it disclosed neither what the Commissioners wore nor any evidence of previous warnings against their dressing styles. Indeed, what is the dress code of Ebonyi State? From the episode in issue, it obviously cannot be as liberal as that of my State- Edo. Even then, Edo dress code is not known to many. People can only infer from the recent television appearance of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, at the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi that the ‘Comrade dresscode’ can be helpful to those who wish to hold public posts in the State. Painfully however, to adhere to such cosmetics rather than the substance of good performance can trivialize public office in Nigeria. Hence Ebonyi can do without three Commissioners for three months! In reality, can the State not do without any Commissioner for all times?
“hanging about taxi ranks” he sets forth to Dar es Salaam, then Botswana, and then he “slips” into South Africa – broke and certainly distorted. He had no morality left; he found no pity, not on the “brackish streets” where he resorts to selling drugs. Life is tough and he scrounged, and saved, and he became a denizen of the street and its liberal market that sold pleasure and death in a toxic concoction. “The street is a chameleonic ogre that demanded and received innumerable daily sacrifices in blood, sweat and tears each day by heedless acolytes” writes Sanya Osha about that world into which Jerome Akpata is thrust. So Akpata arrives Durban and quickly establishes himself in its drug and prostitution underground. With his savings he buys a bagful of “ rocks” and proceeds to recruit and seduce two women of the streets – the human machines he calls them – in whom he invests to buy and lure the buyers of his drugs. With his partner and sidekick Teddy, Jerome Akpata creates an elaborate and ambitious business plan; efficient in its cold, pragmatic capitalism that dehumanizes its victims moreso by its unequivocal and plain impetus: to make money and survive by the suffering and degeneracy of another; to provide the enabling construct, attitude, consolation and
environment, by which nothing prospers but by the dreary desire for a fix, quick, pointless and cold sex, and a Darwinian impulse that selects its victims. So comes Tina and Zanele in the mix of this ploy, the two women Jerome Akpata lures to his service with a promise to be their protector, and in time, business booms. It is hard and dreary business. It is pitiless in its expectations. Jerome Akpata seduces the girls – his machines to work for him; he is their pimp; he buys them clothes, cheap lingeries, food, and he keeps them off the streets by installing them in his flat, and even cleans up after them. He gives them their “ wake up drugs” and all the time, we sense the utter misery of such left-handed charity; it is not charity borne of kindness or goodwill; it is cold, calculated kindness, almost inhuman in its equanimity. But Jerome Akpata cannot be called evil very easily because we sense the complicated kind of kindness and even a shadow of decency stirring deeper beneath the murk of his own crucial and inexorable survivalist certainties. What the novelist inevitably paints as evil is the pointless force of a society and a world that compels ordinary people into extraordinarily complex forms of negation. In a world of slippery values and powerful transitions, we all become complicit.
Nothing better illustrates the contradiction than the character Babongile, who feels ignored by Akpata. She stages a conflict that wants Jerome Akpata not only to take notice of her, but very clearly seeks an advantage in the relationship. She too is cunning, calculating and xenophobic. “I will fuck you up” she says to Jerome Akpata, “I will go to Home Affairs and tell them that you’re an illegal immigrant and that you sell drugs,” tempting him, and daring him towards violence. But Akpata does not succumb to his innermost human urges to strike out; he takes a rather Zen-like position. “Machines are costly to maintain” he thinks too himself; to him Babongile and the rest of the girls who now work for him – Cindy, Zanele, Tina, are mere objects; his relationship with them is sterile; devoid of redemptive human warmth; he does not even sleep with them because he insists upon a certain contradictory ethical relationship: one does not sleep with his machines. It is bad for business. It is Sanya Osha the philosopher making the philosophical argument, arranging before us, the contradictory elements that forces us to re-examine the meaning of good and bad, and the possible futility of such a proposition in a fragile social order.
PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 2, 2012
Time and transformation at UNILAG stakeholders of the university to take stock of the successes and failures recorded since it was founded in 1962, and make strategic projections into the future for bigger accomplishments. In the life of a human being, 50years mean a lot; but for a tertiary institution like Unilag established to celebrate the best in The True, The Good, and The Beautiful, half a century is a window into the horizon of undetermined possibilities. Two very important positions of responsibility for the
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HILOSOPHERS, from antiquity to the present, have attempted to elucidate abstractly the notion of t i m e . H o w e v e r, advancement in the specialised sciences such as physics and mathematics has vastly improved our understanding and measurement of time as an empirical concept. We shall not in this essay discuss ‘time’ from the arcane portal of philosophy - although that is an exciting undertaking. We shall, instead, examine very briefly some of the agents of positive transformations that are occurring now, and are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, at the University of Lagos (or Unilag), arguably the most prestigious institution of higher learning in Nigeria. It must be stated at the outset that, despite the daunting challenges of university education in Nigeria, authorities of Unilag are poised to consolidate its status as the primus inter pares, among Nigerian universities. This is evident in the series of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Great Unilag which commenced early this year. It is not gainsaid that the golden jubilee celebrations provide a wonderful opportunity for
appointing Prof. Bello the eleventh Vice-Chancellor of the university. Prof. Bello is a gentle, calm, seriousminded and diligent scholar who has cognate administrative experience both within and outside the university system, having served as HOD, Chemical Engineering, member of the Governing Council of some institutions of higher learning, Commissioner for Special Duties, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services). The new Vice-Chancellor is already showing signs that he is a focused team-
I advise him to always insist on merit, excellence and what best serves the interest of the university in all his decisions and undertakings
healthy growth of Unilag should be highlighted at this point. The first one is the ViceChancellorship, presently occupied by Rahamon Adisa Bello, a Professor of Chemical Engineering. The untimely death of muchbeloved former ViceChancellor, Professor Adetokumbo B. Sofoluwe, created a temporary leadership vacuum. But after due selection process, the Governing Council of Great Unilag moved expeditiously to fill it by
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player who is determined to take Unilag to the next level. For example, he has already met with staff unions in the university, as well as with student-leaders drawn from all faculties and College of Medicine to map out strategies for effective collective action geared towards repositioning Unilag. Moreover, he recognises that research is the lifeblood of a world-class university. Therefore, very soon he will establish a Unit to coordinate and promote
Oh for a thousand tongues...
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HE cynics will tell you that the most beautiful one has been born, the greatest letter has been written, the nicest song has been sung. It is a jaded view that there is nothing new under the sun; the universe is in a constant state of evolution, recycling life in a gamut of forms. I don't necessarily agree with them as If that were truly to be the case; there wouldn't be much reason to try, to strive, to want and to hope. Even the most jaded of us hope, in a tight situation, the atheist will even mutter a prayer, hope is like an elixir that keeps us going. Man is a most predictable creature; reacting in much the same way to different situations, pressures and circumstances. We all feel pain, some more than others, for all of our successes and strengths we can't buy our way out of despair and the same
rain that falls on the poor falls on the rich. What doesn't change is our ability to survive despair and destruction and 2012 doesn't change that. It changed many things; mostly for the worse but it cant change the nature of hope, we can still afford that. This year is fast ending and it has been a hard one for most of us in a lot of ways. Financially not many people broke new grounds, if anything it has been a difficult struggle to maintain our old grounds. The landscape of prosperity is a different one than we knew and levels have changed. Mother Nature has also not been a friend to the earth and extreme weather has been a constant threat that has left destruction in its wake; no country has been immune. The floods in particular have taken a toll on all our lives, destroying habitation
and desecrating the world's food supply. So many communities have been displaced and even destroyed. Some say it is the end of the world and at times it does feel like it. We all could write chapters of Lamentations and who could blame us? Surviving this year has been an achievement in itself and I have come up with a new saying. "Only the living can complain". Seriously "only the living can complain"... Life in whatever shape or form is in itself an achievement and even though survival in these trying times calls for creativity and sacrifice, we are still alive. I have never taken personal glory in my writing because the words normally take a direction that is contrary to my thought form and its only when I finish that I can see the story myself. I decided a while back it was the Almighty putting
some mistakes as he moves quickly to translate his lofty ideas for moving the university forward, into reality. Still, I strongly believe that he has the cognitive, affective and spiritual attributes to be one of the great ViceChancellors to have administered Unilag. I advise him to always insist on merit, excellence and what best serves the interest of the university in all his decisions and undertakings. Now, since no single individual, no matter how intelligent and honest can lead in isolation, I urge all members of the university community to support our new VC as he grapples with the challenges of his office. I sincerely wish him a very successful tenure. The second office critical to the prestige and progress of Unilag is that of Dean, Postgraduate School. That position is presently occupied by Prof. Lucian Obinna Chukwu, who has been working tirelessly to positively transform all aspects of postgraduate education in the university. One of the flagship items in Prof. Chukwu’s loaded agenda is the proposed ultra-modern PG building, which will be called ‘The Lighthouse.’ I have seen the 3D model of that building; it is an architectural beauty destined to be the envy of other universities when completed. Prof. Chukwu has been promoting postgraduate programmes in critical sectors of our national life. Also, he has removed most of the bottlenecks associated with admissions, registration by students, and release of results – in these areas the PG School has achieved considerable success in the
application of ICT. The current PG building and its immediate surroundings have been upgraded and beautified, while all statutory organs critical to the smooth functioning of postgraduate programmes have been strengthened to protect them from undue interference and compromise in actualising their mandates. Prof. Chukwu has consistently maintained zero tolerance for corruption: inspite of resistance by certain entrenched interests, he is steadily entrenching the culture of due process and quality assurance in running the PG school. Under his watch, there is a lot of improvement both in streamlining doctorate degree (and other PG) programmes and in staffstudent relationship. There is no doubt that the ‘Dean of Deans’ and his team are transforming the PG School into a world class centre for graduate education. That said, because of the lamentable drop in the quality of doctoral theses in universities throughout the country, Prof. Chukwu should “think out of the box” and put in place effective strategies for weeding out such poor quality work through the Academic Programmes Committee (APC). An increasing number of PG lecturers are simply not doing enough to stop the deluge of poorly conceived and badly written doctoral theses. I know that Prof. Chukwu has what it takes to drastically reduce, if not eliminate completely, rampaging mediocrity stemming from shoddy intellectual auditing at the doctoral level. I wish him well!
me in my place, making sure that I know that I am but a tool in his hands. I don't always get it right but I try to be true to my feelings and my convictions. My thoughts are measured and communicated in as polite a manner as I can manage. I am told I would be a world class writer if I wasn't so religious and I apologise to those I disappoint. I am thankful that writing for me is pure pleasure, I don't make a living from it so I am not under any obligation to people please or pander to convictions not my own.
stant friend, father and Lord. It is a conviction I hold most true, it is a relationship, not religion. It is not structured or protected by laws or regulation that promote personal agendas or aggrandisement. My only expectation is eternity, I have no interest in position or recognition, I certainly have no ambition to use my conviction as a gravy train..
friends. I am thankful for being a part of the vanguard family and I take pride that we are mostly more substance than fluff. Mostly I am thankful to The Lord of Hosts for His gifts that keep on giving, gifts of life, family, opportunities, friends and love. The year is fast ending and while we may not have all we want, we still have life. Given how many people have lost theirs, we really should be thankful for that. I am personally taking one day at a time, thankful for every next breathe, knowing that except for grace I wouldn't even have that. I'm thankful and I am reminded of a hymn "0h for a thousand tongues". I am thankful for anything and everything and I constantly and jokingly remind myself, that only the living can complain.. On my 10th and maybe final anniversary at Vanguard, I wish you well, I pray that your consciousness evolves to a level of gratitude for all that the universe unfolds, that you come into an appreciation of your awesomeness in good and bad times and that for all that you were, all that you are and all you pray to be, you remain forever thankful.....
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PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,
research activities. The Unit, when established, will orchestrate the inflow of research funds into the University of Lagos and ensure that results generated from research activities are used for the betterment of humanity. Cognisant of the need to improve all aspects of academic life at Unilag, Prof. Bello is already working hard to overhaul learning and teaching infrastructure in the university. Also, he intends, within six months, to make Unilag ICT compliant in the storage and retrieval of examination results, which will eliminate delays in processing requests for transcript. By his speech and body language, the new Unilag helmsman is determined to address, in a result-oriented manner, the welfare needs of both staff and students. In that regard, his administration will actively encourage provision of additional accommodation for staff and students through the build, operate and transfer (BOT) mechanism. Aside from these laudable programmes, Prof. Bello is committed to bringing back responsible student unionism in the university, because he knows that a vibrant and focused student union is an incubator of future leaders. As a matter of fact, Prof. Bello’s transformation agenda for Great Unilag cannot be completely captured in one article. Suffice it to say, however, that there are encouraging signs from him that things will get better soon for members of the university community. I know that as a human being, Prof. Bello will make
So here we are again as I start my 10th year of writing and sharing. I had thought my 10 years were up last year but I started at the tale end of
The year is fast ending and while we may not have all we want, we still have life. Given how many people have lost theirs, we really should be thankful for that
I do object to being classified as religious as I believe religion is one of the greatest evils that plague the world. So I am not religious, what I am is a creature totally sold on her maker, that's a relationship, a most intimate and loving relationship. I have pondered severally over my convictions and I concluded that Jesus is the love of my life; a con-
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2004 so I will officially be a decade 1st week of December 2013. I have been on the move across continents lately, so tiredness has been my excuse for missing a few weeks, I do apologise. I am thankful to all the readers who have always shown me kindness and its a pleasant by product of the column that I have also made quite a few
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012 , PAGE 13
FLIP-FLOPPING AND INSECURITY
By Jide Ajani IS Iran funding the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram; or is there any form of foreign funding for the sect, the Under Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnny Carson, was asked during a congressional hearing on the possibility of designating the group a Foreign Terror Organisation, FTO? He did not believe so, he said. This was some time in the middle of the year. But during investigations into the bombing that rocked the military cantonment of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, something frightening was discovered: An explosive that was not the usual Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was believed to have been used. There was also the hint that it was imported. So, the question is: Where did the explosive come from? Let us leave that for now and turn to the issue of ambivalence. In the affairs of men, ambivalence plays the role of a spoiler. It becomes worse when it is seen as the directive principle of governance. Presidential Adviser on Media had said there were back door channels being explored in dialoguing with members of
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Speaking tongue-in-cheek or speaking in tongues? Why President Jonathan must communicate effectively Boko Haram. But his boss hinted of a possibility of not doing any of such; and, therefore, penultimate Friday, news hit town that the Federal Government of Nigeria had placed a bounty on leaders of the group promising about a quarter of a billion naira. 72hours later, the group struck and bombed a church in a prestigious military barracks. Another 24hours after that, they attacked a police station and released some detainees in the process. So, what next? The security nightmare that a flip-flopping Commanderin-Chief creates for heads of security agencies and the endangerment of operatives can be enormous. If the security chiefs understand what they are dealing with, signs coming from the presidency suggest a disconnection between that knowledge and presidential directives. That is what the naked eyes can see. We may never really know what is going on.
For instance, when "Ambassador Anthony Holmes, Deputy to the Commander for Civil Military
We shall deal with these people”, “Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past” – these are statements that President Jonathan has been making since last year Activities (DCMA) of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), revealed that members of Boko Haram are being trained by Al Qaeda in
the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and that they are also believed to have ties to the Somalian militant group al Shabaab", was it not to be expected that this cooperation, combined with the increased sophistication of attacks executed by Boko Haram, should lead to concerns about the sect’s intent and capability? This was part of a report of the American congress on Boko Haram. Again, when in early April, the American and British governments issued a terror alert, the response from the Federal Government of Nigeria could at best have been described as lame. That was not the first time such a response would be made. The government, through its Information and Communication Minister, Labaran Maku, said such alerts coming from America and Britain would only serve to further instill fear in the citizenry; that such do not in any way help to bring calm. But if calm was what the Federal Government was expecting, Boko Haram had its own grand design.
Officials of government had boasted that the activities of Boko Haram would be terminated by June, 2012. The group quickly came out, via a Youtube video, to scoff at government’s boastfulness. It then warned that it did not like the way media houses were misrepresenting its side of the story and that it would strike. Therefore, by mid April, the peace of the land was shattered via the bombings in Jos (where some sports lovers had gone to watch a live football match); Kaduna (where an explosion killed three, injured eight outside ThisDay office); Kano (where a bomb factory was discovered at Haye, a suburb of Hotoro Arewa quarters of Nasarawa Local Government Area); and Abuja (where ThisDay office was bombed). The group sent a clear message to those in government that it is more coordinated than government officials think, or would want Nigerians to believe. One thing, however, that can not be denied – even by those in government - is that the group is far more sophisticated and entrenched than most people would want to admit. Even the attempt at dialogu
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PAGE 14 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
BOMBING IN A MILITARY BASE
Fear grips residents after humiliating terrorist attack *My children do not understand what has happened - Wife of killed soldier BY LUKA BINNIYAT
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e had just been made a Sergeant two months ago. And he had served the Nigeria Army for 19years. That was the once exciting life of Sergeant (Sgt) Emmanuel Stephen. All that gone like a candle light in the wind! Last Tuesday evening, a sombre, small crowd of mourners gathered in front of Sergeant Stephen’s House at Block 87, Other Ranks Quarters, Command and Staff College, Jaji. A few women sobbed quietly inside the small parlour of the man who was simply called Sergeant Emma. In front of the house, his framed portrait hung on a wall facing the gathering. Once in a while, someone would come around, peer into it and exclaim: “My God, I knew him! Oh God”. Sergeant Emma was among the estimated 30 people killed last Sunday, when two suicide bombers detonated their bomb-laden vehicles at the premises of St. Andrew Military Protestant Church, in the Barracks. Sgt Emma’s widow, Mary Sunday, wore dark clothes, and was standing outside, looking somewhat confused when Sunday Vanguard approached her. There was no need to be identified because it was assumed that everybody there were mourners. But then, this conversation ensued: Sunday Vanguard: I have come to say to you how sorry I feel about this, my sister. Mary: I appreciate this, thank you sir. Sunday Vanguard: When is the burial going to take place? Mary: I don’t know. It is only the soldiers that will decide. Till now, no one has said anything to me. Sunday Vanguard: This must be very hard on the kids too; how are they doing? Mary: I am not sure they truly understand what is happening. Even I have not seen the corpse. I have not been allowed to see the corpse. I am so worried. It looks so unreal to me and C M Y K
Jaji military cantonement. (Inset) Scene of the blast and late Sergeant Emmanuel Steven killed inside the church by the first bomb we were about to . . . (a group of sympathisers came and interrupted the conversation) This has been the attitude of the Nigeria Army since the suicide bombers defiled the sanctity of the holy place, killed and maimed worshippers, in such a humiliating manner, in what is considered a fortress. Wallowing from the embarrassment of the attack, Army authorities had since cast an iron curtain of about a 500m radius around the church; clamped a code of silence on even the victims, and would not permit visitors into the barracks to as much as sympathise with the victims, who are mostly soldiers and their dependants. At all the hospitals visited, unfriendly armed soldiers stood guard, screening identification cards before deciding whether to allow non-military visitors in. Journalists were the least wanted around the hospitals. Officials of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA; Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA; and the Red Cross, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, fumed over the Army’s refusal to allow them ascertain the number of casualties and the needed relief materials that would be mobilised. Governor Patrick Yakowa was, last Tuesday, allowed into the barracks with a limited number of cabinet members and a few from the Press Crew around 3pm.
But the Press was barred from following him to the scene of the explosion, as members were diverted into a conference hall about 1km from the bombed church. “Wait here”, one soldier charged. By Wednesday, at the seventh gate of the barracks, visitors were turned back. No one was allowed in without invitation from a soldier residing there. But, as it turned out, there were over 100 entry points into the cantonment; some of them very motor able and unmanned. In fact, investigations revealed that the two cars used by the bombers were driven into the cantonment through one of the several unmanned roads into the barracks from behind, while soldier posted sentry and manned the main gates. Sunday Vanguard explored one of the roads in the company of some others who were
just going to the mammy market for their usual evening rendezvous, by the Demonstration Barracks in the cantonment close to the Zaria Express way. A rail line cuts through the cantonment and is about 3kms in length. “Those people standing in front of that gate are just putting a show to deceive outsiders”, said one of the soldiers. “Anyone can come into this place, anytime, anyhow”. And indeed all those Sunday Vanguard spoke to expressed deep fears about what may come next. “If they want to come here 100 times, they can do that”, said a resident. “We live with our wives and children fully aware that we are now at war with an enemy we are least prepared to fight. “What will it take for the Nigerian Army to fence this barracks”? That was when it actually dawned on Sunday Vanguard
Component of the factory manufactured bomb recovered from the scene of the blast. It has inscriptions showing that it was made in the US, but shipped through Brazil.
that the cantonment was not really fenced. Continuing, the resident said, “most of the time we are outside guarding other places. Now we have to guard our homes, which were once thought to be the safest”. Indeed, respondents to Sunday Vanguard’s inquiries said that the two churches in the cantonment (St. Mathew Catholic Church and St. Andrews Protestant Church) do not have any form of guards or security men as is the case with churches outside. The assumption being that Jaji was very safe. “Every church in Kaduna and even outside this barrack always has armed soldiers and policemen guarding them. Not these ones”, another soldier lamented. Meanwhile, it was gathered that the bombs used were not the usual Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Sunday Vanguard gathered that preliminary examination of some of the components of the bombs showed they were brought in from Brazil. Although it could not be confirmed at press time, there were hints that the bombs were manufactured in the US”. “When I heard the explosion”, said a veteran of the Liberian war, “I knew it was a real bomb”. “I heard the sound about 5kms away. “It was the second blast that was the real bomb. “I saw lightning that afternoon. “Then the ground shock and dust formed like a mushroom shape. “I heard the pandemonium and I began to run to the scene, not sure if another one will come off. “I had to move there in case we were needed for combat. “It turned out to be wicked cowards that had no desire to fight, than die and kill others”. Indeed, the attack in a church inside the cantonment, has not only exposed the vulnerability of the barracks, but has exposed all the weaknesses in the barracks that the military is desperately trying to cover. But the attack is a profound statement, there is no church that cannot be hit in Kaduna, if the terrorists so desire.
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012 , PAGE 15
Buhari would have been a perfect mediator in FG,Boko Haram talks, but .... — Malami
BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North
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bubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nige ria, SAN, was born in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State and has served in various capacities including being a state counsel and magistrate in Kebbi State and teaching law at the Usman Dan Fodio University before going into private legal practice. He currently serves as the National Legal Adviser for Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. But his main interest lies in floating an NGO to help deepen the content of our laws by sponsoring private citizen bills in the National Assembly. In this interview, Malami looks at the menace of corruption in Nigeria and concludes that government is actually promoting graft rather than fighting it. The CPC legal adviser also pleads with President Goodluck Jonathan to take urgent steps to halt the wave of insecurity in the land, if Nigeria must make progress under his leadership. Malami says 2015 presidential race will be determined by the competence of the candidates rather than where they come from. Excerpts: What do you make of the reported choice of General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the CPC in the last election, to mediate in the Boko Haram/ Federal Government talks? Well, you know how complex the Nigerian psyche is when it comes to misinterpretation of issues. But the truth of the matter is that Nigeria is our country, we have no other country. So, we all have a role to play in whichever direction that will sustain its development and for the common good. If not for the misconception that is about to set into the acceptance of the offer by Buhari, I would suggest that the General should consider accepting to mediate. He should see that as a sacrifice by a statesman, a former Head of State and perhaps a saviour that the present circumstance says he is. But, unfortunately, because of the political inclinations that are there and the likely tendencies associated with the opposition and the government in power, the possibility of bringing in some negative colourations into it is there. So, I think it is a personal decision for Buhari to take considering the variables associated with the Nigerian state and his personal political disposition. The CPC recently accused the PDP government of using the Boko Haram insurgency to distract attention of Nigerians so as to gloss over many issues affecting the people. Could there be any truth in that assertion? Well, if you are talking of the PDP as a political institution, the effect has been lost by most Nigerians associated with the party. If you look at C M Y K
*Says Nigeria is promoting, not fighting graft
ABUBAKAR Malami the party’s tactics regarding election rigging, if you take a look at their schemes relating to power and education, one can safely say there is no havoc that PDP as a party cannot bring into the politics of this country. All tools of manipulation are at the disposal of the PDP to play with. So, in all sincerity, it is not out of place for people to make such conjectures associated with the
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cipline? Nothing. So, in all sincerity, the discipline element that Nigeria had over time has deteriorated arising from the manipulations of the PDP. So there is no way you can clear it of blame considering that these things are happening when it is in power. Are you scared seeing the way things are going in the
My personal assessment of it is that the government is actually promoting corruption rather than fighting it
party ’s antecedents and its disposition. The security situation that has set into the country now is unprecedented. It was when the party came to power that the whole security situation degenerated to where we are now. Cast your mind back to when Gen. Buhari was the Head of State. His own War Against Indiscipline instilled discipline in Nigerians to the extent that every citizen was conscious of cleaning their compounds without being told to do so. If I may ask, what was the security cost implication for attaining that high level of dis-
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country? If I tell you I am not worried, I am not sincere. I must say that I am extremely worried about the way this country is going. I am extremely worried because one thing that is visible is that we are drifting into a higher magnitude of insecurity. On daily basis, the same government budgets in and budgets out, expending huge amounts on security without anything to show for it. The key variable for the development of any nation has to do with the protection of lives and property. If you do not have security,
nothing works. If any Nigerian tells you he is not worried about the deteriorating security situation in the country, then he is not telling the truth. Do you think the government was sincere in setting up the Petroluem Revenue Special Task Force given the high drama that played out at the presentation of the report by the committee headed by Nuhu Ribadu? Well, that goes to show the level of the manipulation of the PDP. In whatever comes to play or associated with the nation’s interest, PDP brings in negative manipulations into it. For goodness sake, how can a member of a committee, who claims to have a minority report, simply get up, at the point of the submission of a report, to raise issues arising from it? In the first place, do we even require that report? It is a clear case of distraction by the government. We have a multitude of committees that had identified the lapses in the oil industry. So if government is sincere and is not just trying to deceive the public, why must it not rely on the previous reports and prosecute those
found culpable? Why does it think the Ribadu committee is necessary at this point in time? The truth of the matter is that the institutions of government have not been allowed to work. The police, for instance, are not allowed a free hand to investigate and prosecute offenders or they are compromised to do the bidding of those in government. Oth- er agencies or institutions are compromised and not allowed to deliver. So, for whatever it is, the government is sim-
*Gen Buhari ply interested in taking control of the process so that it can do whatever it wants. That is why the Ribadu committee comes into place. It is perhaps the Ribadu committee has come with some report against the interest of the government and it is looking for a way to rubbish it. That is the logical conclusion and until the government proves otherwise, the nation will hold on to that notion. Ribadu also lamented the other day that his removal from the EFCC was to destroy the commission and frustrate the fight against corruption. Do you think government is serious about Continues on page 16
PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
'Nigeria is promoting, not fighting graft' Continued from page 15 fighting graft in all ramifications? My personal assessment of it is that government is actually promoting corruption rather than fighting it. All these subsidy issues, as far as I am concerned, are self-inflicted. All the lapses noticeable in the oil and gas industry are self inflicted and selfmanipulated. We have perhaps deliberately made our political process highly expensive and then government decided to look for a way to finance the project and the easiest way was to compromise certain people within the industry to create avenues for corruption so that these people will be made to contribute to the finances associated with the running of the expensive electioneering campaigns. Now issues are being exposed because, naturally, you do not expect falsehood to remain forever without being exposed. Government is now looking for ways to distract the public. That is the logical conclusion out of it because, if you look at it, it is inexplicable why Nigeria should lack accountability over the amount of oil it produces daily. Is it possible for us as a nation not to know how much we pay as subsidy and who the beneficiaries are and why we pay them and for what? What are we then talking about? So, in all sincerity, all these things are deliberately manipulated by government to create avenues for corruption to thrive. But then, when the falsehood collapses, government must look for a way out to sustain its image and its perceived goodwill. And in the course of doing so, there should be sacrificial lambs. That is what government is trying to do by sacrificing some of those that it used to commit the monumental infractions in the oil industry. Do you think the setting up of a special court to try corruption can change the situation? Well, to be honest, such an institution will not work fundamentally because government is the promoter of corruption in Nigeria. A special court to try corruption will still be another government instiC M Y K
tution that will not be given a free hand to do its work in attacking corruption. So, without the government being clean in the first place, what you get from its institution will be a reflection of the government itself. What you get from the government institution is what the government is. It is the psyche of the government that moulds its institutions. If the government is insincere in fighting corruption, then the institutions that are put in place will have a free hand in fighting graft. Now the government as an institution is promoting corruption. How then do you expect the institutions put in place to fight corruption to be different? The government will definitely put in place people to dance to its tune. As we say, he who pays the piper calls the tune. That is the circumstance we have found ourselves. There is no sincerity on the part of the government to tackle graft. Whoever is put in such institution would be such elements to compromise their positions in line with the psyche of the government that put them in
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the bondage. A few persons have been manipulating the system over time to their advantage. But, interestingly, the generality of Nigerians is coming out to realise that, look, we can’t take this anymore’. That is perhaps what has given rise to many of the probes you now see taking place in the National Assembly. Definitely, the time has come for us to see the light and the light has started coming and nothing can stop it. Are you not afraid that the National Assembly as an institution of government can also be manipulated? Well, NASS, as an institution, can be manipulated, but then, arising from what they have done over time as manifested in the various probes they have successfully carried out to the admiration of wellmeaning Nigerians, certain level of enlightenment has dawned on the people. It was that initial probe associated with the mismanagement of the oil subsidy that made Nigerians to come out openly and protest. So the era now is changing from that of docility to that of a pro-active citizenry. So, whether the NASS is compromised or not, the right pointer for the direction of this country has started coming
The issue is not about sectional consideration but having the right people in the right place and at the right time regardless of where they come from because we are all Nigerians
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place.
out and nobody can stop it.
But Nigerians have been held captive by the government that controls all levels of governance and it seems there is nothing they can do to change anything in this country. What do you think? The truth of the matter is that we are coming out of the bondage, which the system has subjected Nigerians to in many years. There is no way we can remain in it perpetually. And what we are seeing today arising from the steps that have been taken by institutions of government is an indication that there is hope for this country. The National Assembly itself has started something that can take this country out of the woods. We are definitely getting out of
Who do you think should take Nigerians out the wood come next election? The issue is not about sectional consideration, but having the right people at the right place and at the right time regardless of where they come from because we are all Nigerians. The main consideration should be who is he that has the required credentials, who is he that has required antecedents, background and history associated with effective management of our national resources and the capacity and determination to take us out of the woods? It is not about religion, it is not about region, the state or the ward, but simply about the capacity, the
ABUBAKAR Malami competence and the willingness to take us to the next level.
until we begin to punish infractions no matter who is involved.
Based on the criteria you have enumerated, who do you think should become the next president? The question is pre-emptive because it will depend on who and who have put up themselves up to render service to Nigerians come 2015. And then we will look at their antecedents and determine what they can do.
In other words, even if we change the law daily, it would not work? It will not make any significant impact as long as we do not address the lapses associated with ourselves as a people and as a country. The sincerity and determination required for us to get along as a nation must be there for anything to work well for the nation. These are the key points for consideration for us to make progress and not constitutional amendment.
Many Nigerians believe our problems are caused by a faulty constitution that should be urgently amended. Our problem is not caused in anyway by the constitution. Do not forget that there are great and forward-moving countries that operate without a written constitution, an example is Britain. Is Britain going backwards because its constitution is not written down? Our own is written down and the way things should be done clearly spelt out. But in spite of the specifications by the law, we have deliberately chosen to ingeniously bastardise the provisions of the constitution. The idea of fairness, justice, and due compliance with due process is not taken seriously. What we do is to breach the law with impunity and no amount of constitutional amendment can save the day
What type of government do you think is good enough for this country? You see Federalism as a system is not too bad for this country. Where I feel we failed to get it right is the accumulation of expenses associated with federalism as an institution. It is too costly to manage and too costly to operate. I think that we should continue to operate federalism as an institution, but curtail the level of expenses associated with it. We do not need a fulltime National Assembly since it is a very costly institution. We should make government highly unattractive in terms of minimizing costs associated with it. The expenses associ
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SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012 , PAGE 17
'Nigeria is promoting, not fighting graft' Continued from page 16 ated with the executive as well should be reduced to the barest minimum and the associated executive institutions should be slashed to the lowest level. The responsibilities to such institutions should be clearly spelt out and breaches of any of the assigned duties adequately punished. People are now earning a living out of the inefficiency of the system. Electricity is not being generated as it should be. Those assigned with the responsibility would rather compromise the efficiency of the system so as to raise memo for money to be paid into their private pockets. So responsibilities should be properly assigned and breaches of such roles should be effectively punished. That is the only way we can get out of the woods. Accountability should be strengthened.Crule a state for four years and goes out of office without being made to account for his tenure. All the institutions in the country must be made to be accountable to the people so as to reduce the high level of corruption and the penchant for massive looting of public property by office holders. The expenses for Nigeria’s democracy are too much to bear because the money being unnecessarily expended on elections is enough
should do whatever it takes to ensure that our laws are obeyed for the purpose of curtailing the breaches in the land and punishment meted out against any breach of the law. We should not allow impunity to take over Nigeria. It does not happen anywhere else. No nation makes progress when its laws are being observed in breach.
*Malami to take us to the promised land when translated to developmental issues. Are you suggesting that we should not hold elections? No, but we should make our elections as cheap as possible. How do we achieve that? Look at the way we spend money on elections as if we have no other thing to do in this country. There are laws spelling out the limits of expenditure by politicians, but the laws are merely being observed in breach. So our laws should not be there for cosmetic purposes but should be complied with. We
Do you support the view that the Federal Government should dialogue with Boko Haram as it did with the Niger Delta militants so as to bring about peace in Nigeria? The universal truth is that dialogue remains a weapon that breeds peace regardless of who is involved. Wars have never been a solution to any problem of our time. What war succeeds in doing generally is the loss of lives, economic disintegration and deterioration of infrastructure. So if dialogue will save a life, I think it is worth pursuing regardless of the nature and circumstances of the situation. As far as I am concerned, I believe that whatever it takes to dialogue for the purpose of saving a life, for the purpose of sustaining development and for the purpose of bringing about peace is worth pursuing irrespective of who is involved. It does not cost the nation anything to dialogue.
Speaking tongue-in-cheek or speaking in tongues? Continued from page 13 ing with members of the sect, a move that created a controversial life of its own, was reportedly bungled by the same government. Perhaps vindicating the earlier position of the Boko Haram members that it did not trust government’s move, it was Alhaji Datti Ahmed, the once proposed middle-man for the dialogue in April, who suggested that government sold him out. In an attempt to interview Alhaji Ahmed in April, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that the time for an interview was not then. The elder statesman politely turned down the request, insisting: “I do not want to talk about it, please”. The refrain of President Goodluck Jonathan has always been classic and standard: “We shall deal with these people”, “Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past” – these are statements that President Jonathan has been making since last year. No doubt, there have been successes recorded against members and leaders of the group with arrests and preemptive strikes which create the impression that the group is being weakened by the day. Just lastFriday, the authorities bursted a bomb-making factory in Kaduna However, coordinated attacks by the group, as was the case last Sunday and Monday, are clear unequivocal statements that it is not about to go C M Y K
away. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s approach to the Odi crisis may not have been the best under the circumstance but confirmation of such by another president sends a signal of weakness.
President Goodluck Jonathan
Some Others Do Have Them eration Army, United National LiberaNigeria is not the first and only coun- tion Front, People's Revolutionary Party try to be confronting insurgency. You of Kangleipak; Naga insurgent group have The Revolutionary Armed Forces like NSCN-K and ULFA (anti-talk facof Colombia—People's Army (Spanish: tion) and NDFB, are operating from Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de North East Myanmar. As you have insurgency groups in Colombia, FARC, in Indonesia, so do you Columbia-that is on the have them in the Philverge of total surrender, ippines, but the apafter decades of proach adopted by resistance; the governments of those Palestinian Liberation countries has never Organisation, PLO, is been one of ‘either , adopting a more modor’ but one of resolute erate stance on the isconfidence in the sue of nationhood as power of the state to against HAMAS' hard deal decisively – line position; the Irish which does not necesRepublican Army, IRA, sarily mean cruel enafter many decades of gagement or needless bombing campaigns excessive force. It is and insurgency against about approach. the British government Whereas Barack in Northern Ireland, Obama of America is came to the table to netrying to break the gotiate; the BASQUE Republicans’ position separatist movement on tax cuts and the has not called off its deIGP Abubakar looming fiscal cliff by mand for separation but appealing to members is softening its apof the public to hold proach. People's LibCongress accountable, a move which
But what happens now that the sect is insisting that the talks should take place in far away Saudi Arabia? When dialogue is at stake, whatever is associated with it including the venue and time, are open for negotiations. The essence of dialogue is giving an opening for negotiation and compromises. So if you want dialogue with me in the United Kingdom or the United States and the third party insists to have it in Afghanistan, it is left for all of us to negotiate the venue once we have all agreed to have peace. What would you advise Mr. President to do if you were to be asked to do so? He should address insecurity, which has become a very serious problem in Nigeria today. Insecurity is taking the nation back in terms of development. The security problem is one that is being manipulated for a purpose. Government needs to urgently unmask those behind the insurgency and bring them to account. I just cannot imagine a government operating without the ability to identify those behind the mayhem with all the intelligence and money being appropriated yearly for security. Last year alone we had almost a trillion earmarked for security and nothing concrete came out of it.
seeks to turn the public against hard line Republican legislators, not minding the so-called pledge to Grover Norquist’s Americans For Tax Reforms, the question should be asked of President Goodluck Jonathan: To whom is he appealing, with a view to stemming the tide in the viciousness of Boko Haram’s campaign of violence against his government? The bigger danger is that the economy of the entire North, specifically the north-eastern flank, is becoming nonexistent. The people continue to suffer. The question has often been asked, why is President Jonathan refusing to visit states in that part of the country that have been the brunt of the insurgency? Yet, some of the leaders of those areas, too, including former state governors and serving senators, speak in tongues, and tongue-in-cheek when describing the activities of Boko Haram. And they do so out of fear. Still it is their people who suffer. It was Democrat President Harry Truman who, in frustration, declared: “I sit here (in the Oval Office of the White House) all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have the sense enough to do without my persuading them”. Is it not time the Federal Government of Nigeria and the leaders of the NorthEast and, by extension, the entire North have the good sense to do what is necessary to stop this carnage without being persuaded? This is all about being decisive and resolute, not speaking from both sides of the mouth.
PAGE 18 — SUNDAY
Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Auchi Mayhem: How the attack was hatched *We thought Boko Haram had stormed town – Residents BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City
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T was a well planned operation by bandits. The dare-devil robbers, numbering about 50, stormed Auchi, Edo State, in a bus and three Camry cars loaded with dynamites and bombs. They unleashed mayhem on three new generation banks and one old generation bank. As it seemed, the robbers were familiar with Auchi, buttressing the argument by many that they may have been in town for about two weeks plotting this attack. They started the attack around 6:30 pm when security operatives were either praying in the mosques or handing over to those on night shift. They caught the security operatives in the town by surprise. The Army School of Electrical Engineering is located in Auchi. The robbers immediately stormed the areas they suspected were houses of the army personnel where three soldiers were shot dead. The robbers then organized themselves into groups and were operating simultaneously in their targeted areas. As they shot sporadically in areas suspected to house military men, they bombed the police Area Command office and the Auchi divisional police headquarters. Then they unleashed mayhem on the three banks located along Poly Road and one at Igbe Road. They used dynamites to blow up the ATM machines and the bank buildings in their efforts to loot the banks. While the operations were on, some of the gang members shot ceaselessly. About fifteen persons fell to the bullets including soldiers. The robbers operated for close to three hours without resistance from security agencies. Auchi was under siege for those hours while residents ran to their homes, calling relatives and friends in Benin City that Boko Haram members may have invaded the town. Sunday Vanguard, however, learnt that the bandits could not gain access into the C M Y K
One of the police vehicles burnt by the bandits
Auchi, joined the delegation to the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Alhaji Aliru Momoh. Odubu was shocked, particularly when he was informed that several dead bodies were deposited at the Auchi Central Hospital mortuary. The entire town was thrown into mourning. While speaking at the palace of the Otaru, the Deputy Governor expressed grief over the incident and stressed the need for the Federal Government to equip the police with sophisticated weapons in order to face challenges such as this.
Another vehicle set ablaze during the attack.
vaults of three banks, but were able to gain entrance into one because the staff were still at work. About N3.5million was said to have been carted away from that particular bank. At about 11p.m. on Monday, the Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Hurdi Muhammad, left Benin City for Auchi where he found that his men were now homeless as the Area Command office and the divisional police headquarters were razed. Several patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) within the Area Command and Auchi divisional office were torched. As a matter of fact, it would have been difficult for the
police to chase the robbers because their first move was to set ablaze most of the patrol vehicles parked at the Area Command office. It was, however, said that the robbers were infuriated when the police fired at them, consequently upon which they went back to bomb the Area Command forcing the policemen to take to their heels. The state has been calm since Muhammad was made Acting CP; the Auchi attack was his first baptism of fire. The Edo Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, led a delegation comprising of the heads of security agencies in the state to Auchi on Tuesday morning. Embattled Muhammad, who slept in
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ollowing the attack, soldiers have been stationed at strategic points in Auchi, but there is no much presence of police officers. Sunday Vanguard learnt that policemen in the area now wear mufti for fear of being attacked. The situation is even worse for the police in the area because they no longer have offices to operate from. They now stay under cashew trees. All the banks in Auchi and several shops remained closed late last week, while soldiers were seen at Jattu junction and strategic areas in the town. Economic activities in the area were at the lowest ebb as residents travel to Ekpoma in Edo Central senatorial district for banking transactions due to the refusal of the Bankers Forum in Auchi to resume operations as a result of what they described as
lack of adequate security in the town. The chairman of the Bankers Forum, Auchi branch, Mr Bash Sanusi, who disclosed the resolve of banks in the area not to open to customers, attributed their travail to the inefficiency of the police and other security agencies in Auchi. The security situation in Edo took a dive when some bandits invaded Benin City, the state capital, on Wednesday night, killing a Mobile Police officer and a four-yearold child. The gunmen took over Akpakpava Road at about 7 pm, shot sporadically along the road, and, in the process, abducted a popular estate valuer, Chief Dan Odiete. It was in that melee that a stray bullet killed the four year old girl who was in the car with her mother. The Mobile Police officer was shot by the robbers when he was sighted. The people of the state are worried that even after seventeen lives had been wasted in two days, nobody has been arrested giving the impression that the police and other security agencies have either been overwhelmed or they are helpless. Sunday Vanguard however learnt that Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was out of the country during the Auchi mayhem, was engaged in marathon meetings with security chiefs in Edo with a view to checking the excesses of the hoodlums, particularly now that the Yuletide approaches. C M Y K
SUNDAY
Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 19
JUSTICE AZINGE KIDNAP SAGA LATEST
Police arrest 3 officers, another on the run zJudge resumes sitting after Sunday
Vanguard story zService provider delays investigations – Police Commissioner
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AST week, we pub lished an exclusive sto ry of a judge of a Delta State High Court, Otor-Udu, Justice Flora Azinge, who was prevented from sitting for two months by kidnappers. She was sent a letter for N20 million ransom by a kidnap gang. Accusing fingers were pointed at her police orderly and other police officers, currently cooling off in detention. Following our super story, Justice Azinge has resumed sitting. She started sitting on Wednesday, November 28. This is a follow-up. THE police in Delta State have seized three police officers in connection with the N20 million-ransom demand from a judge of the state High Court, Justice Flora Azinge, which went awry. Mind you, because kidnappers fear no gender or status, Azinge is the daughter of the Premier of the defunct Midwest Region, Chief Dennis Osadebey, The fourth police officer is on the run and the police have mounted a manhunt for him. Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, explained to Sunday Vanguard in Asaba that the police would have completed investigations on the matter, but for the delay by the service provider, which had not made available the call history that was requested from it (See box interview). Sunday Vanguard was abuzz with calls from concerned Deltans who read the story, last week, commending the paper for the in-depth inC M Y K
vestigations on the kidnap saga of the judge. Azinge herself was also inundated with calls from fellow judges, family members and well-wishers. Judge resumes work The judge declined to speak with Sunday Vanguard when we met her, on Monday, November 26, in her court. She did not sit on that day, but two lawyers, national chair of the Human Rights Defenders Organization of Nigeria, HURDON, Sir Casely Omon-Irabor, and national coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Barrister Oghenejabor Ikimi, disclosed that she started sitting on Wednesday. Police officer left duty post to collect ransom
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BY EMMA AMMAIZE
of the devil. Interestingly, he later changed his story, saying he was only passing by at that time. But, he has not been able to give convincing reasons to police authorities on why he left his beat at that time. His colleague, whom he left behind at the beat, gave statement to the effect that he left his gun and did not tell him where he was going. Our dependable source said, “The police officer in question is known as The Don in the kidnap syndicate that wanted to fleece the judge. He introduced himself as The Don and called both the judge and her husband, Mr. Richard Azinge, on several occasions, threatening that harm would come to her if the N20 million ransom
When the judge read the letter, she did not know the sender. It only compounded her day, as the kidnappers left a phone number, which they said would call her later to give her details of how to pay the ransom
Further investigations by Sunday Vanguard showed that the police officer, who was caught by soldiers when he came to pick the N20 million ransom, left his beat at the Federal Prisons, Okere, near Warri, between 10.00 pm and 1.00 am. He was said to have begged an army captain to forgive him when he was caught, pleading that it was the handiwork
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was not paid. “On the day in question, not knowing that soldiers had been alerted, he was told by the husband of the judge on phone that he had collected the money from the bank, but could not come to Hospital Junction, Ekpan, to deliver the money as instructed because he was afraid. He begged to give the money to his houseboy. It was a Wednesday
evening.
* Soldier disguised as houseboy “The houseboy turned out to be an army officer, who was instructed on phone where to bring the money to. At Ekpan, the houseboy was told to go proceed to Ugbuwangue market and warned that he was under watch and in the market, he was told to go to a particular broken-down trailer parked somewhere on the roadside, this was between 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm and drop the money in a bag by the back tyre of the trailer. He also told the houseboy to pack grasses by the side and cover the loot”. The source further revealed: “The Don told the boy to hold the phone very close to his ear. After he confirmed that the houseboy had dropped the ransom, he ordered him to leave the area immediately and switch off his phone. He (The Don) not only switched off his phone, but also wiped out all the calls that were made. “He, however, did not show up at the venue to collect the ransom until about 10.00 pm or so when he left his duty post. It was learnt that as he bent down and lifted the ransom bag, one of the army officers, who laid siege to the area, accosted him and that was how the bubble burst. “As a police officer, he understood the gravity of any text message relating to the judge being found on his phone, so he ensured everything was wiped out to obstruct any trace”. But Commissioner Aduba said whether his calls were wiped out or not,does not
matter, as he was waiting for the call history from the service provider. The police orderly that was the first to be seized also played a very fast one on the judge and her family when the whistle was blown. Those who brought the ransom demand letter left it at the gate of Azinge’s compound and, when the house cleaner brought the letter to her madam, she told her a boy delivered it, but when she asked him whom the sender was, he told her the judge would know after reading the letter in a foolscap paper. Missing phone Unfortunately, when the judge read the letter, she did not know the sender. It only compounded her day, as the kidnappers left a phone number, which they said would call her later to give her details of how to pay the ransom. The judge reported the matter to the police in Warri and was advised to do same in Asaba. It was after this that a man, who identified himself as the leader of the group, The Don,called to tell her that the gang was aware that she went to the police and was just returning from Asaba. She was told not to put her trust in the police or she would live to regret it. “He called up to nine times on Saturday. Madam did not pick the call. On Sunday, he called up to five times. It was just by a stroke of fate that a member of the household suggested that they should call one of the numbers, an Etisalat line. They did”, Sunday
Continues on page 42
PAGE 20 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
BY EMMA AMMAIZE
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ELTA State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba , speaks on how he is fighting kidnappers and why the police would not cover up for any police officer involved in kidnapping or any criminal act in the course of his/her job. Excerpts: There is fear of kidnappers everywhere in Delta State. Can we have some insight into how you are dealing with this menace and other crimes in the state? The fact is that Delta State remains a flashpoint; there is no doubt about that. All the vices are here staring at us – robbery, kidnapping, restiveness on the part of the youths – and, on our part, we are humans, we try to make sure that we bring crime down to a tolerable level. There is nowhere, there is no society that is crime-free, even the United States of America, which is num- Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Delta State Commissioner of Police ber one in violent crimes. On our own part in Delta State, we are doing our best. When I was posted here, the situation I met on ground was terrible and I started on the first day by reorganising the anti-kidnapping team. We organised training for them and our records are there for anybody to see. Let me talk about the EMBER months, we have been able to pick up to 100 suspected criminals, both kidnappers and robbers. We have been able to recover more than 40 assorted rifles. Therefore, what else do you want us to do? And we are connecting with the communities, we are working hand in hand with the vigilante groups; though there are some of them that are good, there are some that are bad. I have always told people, we are not magicians, we are working in synergy with even the military, even though there are hiccups sometimes could not sit for nearly two with those in the junior ranks, months because kidnappers and the Department of State were after her. The shocking Service, DSS, we are all workthing is that some police ofing together. ficers are involved in the synHowever, the fact remains dicate and they are allegedly that idle minds are the devil’s being given cover and a poworkshops. Sometimes, bad lice armourer is on the run people gather them and use because of his involvement in them to commit crimes. Youths, the case. even under aged people, were If there is any problem, you recruited to raid banks; we will blame the society, the rehave arrested students here in cruitment pattern. There is alDelta State. There was one ways that problem. When peotime they struck at Ibusa, it was wanted. There is another where the kingpin trains his ple are recommended by traa real battle, we lost about six graduate of Imo State Univer- boys? ditional rulers, they come into I cannot say that in the me- the force; if they are criminals, officers, but our men fought sity, who made a 2.1 in meback professionally and the chanical engineering, these dia. Nevertheless, what I can you may not know and we robbers saw hell; since then, are the two in that axis, and tell is that this Kelvin recruits have a kind of mechanism there has been peace; all the they are training people. Most undergraduates, graduates, whereby when these people banks are working now, there of the okada people that you Okada riders, and he buys are discovered along the line, is nightlife. If all of us join find around this Kokori axis, motorcycles for them and tu- we throw them out of the force. hands together, we will fight they bought these machines tors them. He has so many The disciplinary procedures for them, we have some of gangs in the state working for are there, but you cannot use the battle together and win. their boys and they are cool- him. There is a network; this them negatively. This is our You said you met a terrible ing off in prison. They were is what I have discovered and own and we have discovered situation. What was the terri- arraigned in court and were we have been finding it diffi- that it is bad. Nobody is covordered to be remanded. cult to get at him because, in ering up anybody; the Inspecble situation? Kidnapping was rampant; There was a gang that we that axis, the moment they see tor General of Police is carrypeople were being picked up traced recently to Agulu in any stranger, they will blow the ing out reformation of the force in the state. Many Indians Anambra State, but they were whistle. However, we have and he has warned us against were picked up and other ex- operating in Ibusa and Og- been able to bulldoze to some being involved in any form of patriates, Warri was upside washi-Uku area of the state. extent; it is in Kelvin’s house criminality. If there is an alledown. Now, the difference is The dare-devil kidnapper, that we picked up the person- gation, we have to investigate clear. The whole thing went who leads the gang, was ar- al assistant to a commissioner properly because we do not down; for more than one rested at Okwe, near Asaba in the Delta State Oil Produc- want a situation where if you month, nothing happened. We and, through him, police lat- ing Areas Development Com- are sent out and arraigned er went to Obomkpa, where a mission, DESOPADEC, who eventually, you go to court and did not record a single case. cripple and his father, both was kidnapped. His (Kelvin) your lawyer will use technicalWho and who have you dis- native doctors that prepare parents are there, but you ities to get the court to bring covered to be responsible for voodoo charms for the vicious know this arrest by proxy, we you back. die-hard gang members, were do not want to be involved in the kidnapping in the state? Therefore, we want to be sure If you say who - members of arrested. I know where you it; otherwise, the person that that we are on the right path, the society, particularly the are heading to, so it is not a is giving everybody headache we have our lawyers. If you youths; if you ask of the axis, question of one particular per- in this state is Kelvin and he talk of the judge, you are sayis from Kokori. the main axis is Kokori and the son, nothing like that. ing some people said the poperson training them is one lice are neck deep; it depends When you talk about trainThere is this case of a judge, on the way you look at it. Kelvin. He is operating from Kokori and has been declared ing, is there a training school Justice Flora Azinge, who When the matter was brought
Most dangerous kidnapper in Delta is from Kokori – Commissioner Aduba *We won’t cover criminals in police uniform
The Inspector General of Police is carrying out reformation of the force and he has warned us about being involved in any form of criminality. If there is allegation, we have to investigate properly
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to my attention, I visited the judge; she is a sister as far as I am concerned and a Nigerian. She was suspecting her orderly, but you know some of the stories, they said his phone was ringing and all that, but the question is, why was he not picked at that particular point in time? Where is the phone? That is what we are saying. The suspicion is there, three people were there, but, at the end of the day, where is this phone? We want to be very thorough in our investigations. The orderly has been arrested. Has he been released? The answer is no. We are working on the phone number in question in this case, you have to work with some of these service providers and this service provider, which I do not want to mention, is causing delay. Otherwise, by now, we would have tidied up our investigations. Because suspicion, no matter how it is, cannot secure conviction in the law court and that is why we want to tread with caution. Now, the second time when they talked about ransom, yes, a policeman, as a matter of fact, was arrested at the scene. And till now, he has not been able to explain why he left his beat, which we established. He left his beat around 10.00 pm and so, he has a question to answer. His phone is with us and we have discovered that everything was wiped out, there is nothing there. And we are working, we are working with the service provider to get the real communication that transpired and do our case.
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SUND AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 21 SUNDA
Are our daughters getting too materialistic?
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UST when you think your life is on an even keel from the turmoil of life, up springs a problem to put a spanner in the cog of your peace. Lilian has definitely had her share of problems. But this last one was really harrowing. A couple of years ago, her first daughter, Becky, got married abroad. It was a surprise as Becky had just graduated and landed a fantastic job. But she was pregnant, an accident and didn’t want the child. Patrick, her daughter ’s lover quickly called Lilian and she made a mad dash to England. Becky confided she wasn’t in love with Patrick. “Why then did you sleep with him” her mother wanted to know. “I liked him at first and the sex was good. But I met someone else who cares for me more than he did.” “1 was flustered”, admitted Lilian. “l didn’t believe I was having this conversation with Becky.
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ow could she trivialize sex like that - hopping from one bed to the other? But she was on the defensive and things could turn nasty if 1 didn’t handle it right. Had she considered the baby she was carrying? ‘It’s not a baby yet,’ she
make love to her. My heart dropped. When a relationship hit that kind of a patch, it’s almost impossible to mend. She was in love with this Ekene who’d spoilt her rotten with his wealth. He didn’t want to make her another wife and she wasn’t looking forward to a permanent relationship.
snorted. ‘And I’m thinking of coming back home to get rid of it. My appointment in the office has just been confirmed and I don’t want to look like an unserious employee.’ ,I told her abortion was out of it. If she didn’t want Patrick, then she would have to have the child out of wedlock. ‘And give birth to a bastard?’ She shrieked. On and on went the argument. In the end, she decided to get married to Patrick which she did before the baby arrived.
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oor Patrick. He ob viously loved being a father to their little girl and couldn’t understand why Becky kept her in care of the nanny hours after she’d finished at the office. He made it an effort to pick up the girl whilst Becky pursued her career. Until it came out that she had another little ‘career ’ she was pursuing with an older man who’d come to settle in Britain. “He was in his late forties”, explained Lilian. “Apparently, he’d known Becky before she got married. As a matter of fact, he was the reason why she wanted to get rid of the baby. A former top dog in government, he’d returned to Britain after he was compulsorily retired - but he’d come back
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loaded to the teeth. He’d lavished gifts - cash and kind - on Becky and made Patrick look like a kept man.
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hen Patrick found out, he was shocked. He knew the man alright, had met him a couple of times in the company of Becky ’s friends and had been introduced as an uncle to one of them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’d actually sat at a dinner party held by this man for a business co lleague. He’ d invited both Patrick and Becky and they gladly accepted to go. ‘What could be going through that dirty old man’s mind as he secretly gloated at me eating the ‘enemy ’s spread?’ Patrick had
asked as he filled me in on my daughter ’s latest shenanigans. I told him not to do a thing until my next visit. “I had to tell Rex (her husband) what was going on in case things got out of hand. He told me to deal with the crisis the best I could. I was really worried about Becky’s recklessness. “When we eventually met, my daughter looked like a model out of the glossy pages of a very expensive magazine. She was happy, that much I could see. Money does that to you, doesn’t it - especially free money! We eventually settled down to discussing her love life. She confessed she no longer loved Patrick and couldn’t bear him to
08052201867(Text Only)
Exercise makes you healthier!
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happened to be dis cussing health with a friend. I mentioned that everyone needed some form of exercise; even the sick. At this my firend shot back that he only needed his food and water to stay healthy. He also didn’t see how an ailing individual could exercise. True, next to air, we must have food and water for life. But it is also true that when the body loses tone on account of insufficient physical activity air, food and water never seem tobe enough. If this trend of lack of muscle tone is allowed to go on, very soon, a lack of zest and drive, and of energy, becomes one’s lot. When we move the body in physical activities, we take in more oxygen by breathing deeper and fuller to balance the outflow of energy. The increased heart rate brought on by exercise also makes the heart itself
stronger, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently. In terms of the sick, such as in the case of someone who is hypertensive, it is known that exercise taken in therapeutic doses is capable of reversing the condition. If exercise tkaen in sensible measures can restore health, then it goes to show that we need it all the time. We need to have a certain amount of physical fitness to keep ailments at bay. Even when sleep has not been as long as we would have it, sometimes we can still instill some exuberance, some vitality into the body by tapping our energy reserves through some simple stretching and flexing exercises. If you can wake up every morning and invoke the discipline to work out the body for as little as 15 to 20 minutes, that, coupled with
good nutrition must guarantee you great vitality. We all have different levels of vigour but the truth is, we can gradually train the body to give more, to do more. Life is for living with enthusiasm, with vitality, with zest, with drive. If you lack these, it’s time to go shopping! We start from here. The shoulders stand Technique: Lying on your back, draw up your knees. Place both hands at the back with thumps to the hipz. Now, with a bit of momentum, hoist the legs up and point the toes skyward. For a beginner a half-minute in this posture will do until over the longrun you can stay for upwards of five minutes. Benefits: The shoulder stand allows the right stimulation for under - or over functioning of the endocrine glands. For in-
stance, under active thyroid can be improved to help stave off excess fat. Vrkasana Standing straight up, help your right foot to your inner left thigh. Clasping your palm, find a focal point and fix the attention there away from your body. The idea is to keep the entire body very still. Benefits: This particular posture helps to calm the nerves and soothes the mind. There’s usually a lot of hopping around trying to stay on one foot but very soon it can be mastered. The “A” head stand For those not capable of doing the full head stand, the abbreviated version called the “A” head stand will suffice. Technique: Stand with feet very wide apart. Now slowly and carefully lower your trunk with your hands planted firmly down on the floor. Now bring your head to rest on the floor and then gently remove both hands from the floor and grasp your ankles.
ll she wanted, she now had. I shook my head sadly. Where did this calculating child come from? She’s mine alright - with features from both her parents. But how did she come to be this hardened and calculating? I felt really sorry for Patrick who obviously loved his daughter to bits. Becky wanted me to take my grand child with me but Patrick refused. Becky had already moved out of their flat and was living with Ekene. What about Ekene’s wife? ‘Wives you mean?’ Patrick asked. ‘I’ve done my home work and the guy has three wives. One lives outside London and the two others are in Nigeria.’ “Becky wasn’t in the least fazed by that. By the time I left, it was obvious her marriage was over. She was happy living on cloud nine with this heartless lover who had more money than sense
Duration: You may stay in this position from 20 seconds to a minute or more as you improve. Benefits: The posture directs blood to the head especially nourishing the brain and the pituitary gland, the master gland, because it has a say in how the other glands should function. The triangle pose Stand with feet wide apart
and conscience. “Months after this incident, Patrick called that Becky was in police custody. Apparently, the first wife, realizing how serious things were getting had gone to Britain to see things for herself. Poor Becky had been assured by Ekene that all the wives knew of her and that it was a matter of time before she became a wife herself. So when Ekene’s wife let herself in with her key, Becky was in the kitchen. Within minutes, they were both having a shouting match and Ekene’s wife gave her the beating of her life.
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ecky caled the po lice on her mobile and both of them were taken to the police station. Ekene’s wife showed thepolice her passport, bearing her matrimonial name ? Becky ’s name was different. By the time Ekene showed up to explain Nigerian `tradition’ to the police, both of them had spent hours behind bars. Ekene then booked Becky into a bed and breakfast pending when hsi wife would go back to Nigeria. But Ekene’s wife had solicited the third wife’s support and had moved her into the flat before she left. I don’t know what faith now awaits Becky.
then turning the trunk to the left bend the left knee to waist level. The right foot should be diagonal to your waist. The knee must be locked. Then spread out the hands on both sides of your body. Benefits: The triangle pose is one great toner of flab about the thighs. It instills great strength in the legs as a whole.
The Triangle Pose
Yoga classes at 32 Ademola Adetokunbo Victoria Island, Lagos, 9.10am on Saturdays
P AGE 22 —SUND AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 2 , 2012 —SUNDA
bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk
08056180152,
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Wlll you ever understand why your mum walked out?
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AYODE had just spent two glori ous months with his mother. It was during the last long vacation and anyway, he was between schools. He’d just finished his JAMB exams and waiting to go to the university. According to him, he needed a change from his old environment and his father. Only 18 years old, his parents separated when he was nine and he’d lived with his dad ever since-along with his two sisters. It was a miracle that his dad agreed to his spending a few months with his mum. “My dad hates mum with a passion,” he said. “At frrst, I used to wonder why he should resent her so, especially since mum is extremely extroverted. I came to the conclusion then, that mum must have done something terrible that neither dad nor herself was prepared to disclose. As we grew older, I began to realize that even a saint would find it hard to live with dad. He expects such high standard from us and sets us lousy examples. For instance, he thinks nothing of leaving us in the house for days on end to go to his crummy seminars with scarely anything to eat in the house. The girlfriends he brings to spend the nights and weekends are something else. I’ve lost count of the different types of meals we have been fed by his ECOW AS (all different tribes and races) girlfriends. “As if that isn’t enough, he has time to keep tabs on mum and her escapades. It was through him I got to know about Saheed, mum’s latest boyfriend. According to dad, Saheed was nothing but
a rogue who’d duped a lot of people to make the kind of money he was now enjoying. As I packed my bag to go to mum’s, dad warned me to have nothing to do with him. If I didn’t feel comfortable in Saheed’s presence, I was to come back pronto! “So it was with great trepidation that I approached this character that mum introduced to me as Saheed. He was tall, slim and quite handsome. Frankly, I was expecting a hoodlum but he looked a complete gentlemen. As we talked and I kept saying ‘Yes, sir, ... :all the time like dad bullied us to do, Saheed said I needn’t do that as it made him feel like a village headmaster. “And did I have a ball with that man! He bought me some hip clothes and even instructed his driver to help me polish up my driving. In weeks, I could really drive properly! My confidence soared and we all laughed and talked like a family. He took us to restaurants and I even went to a night club once. According to Saheed, these were the things I would soon be doing in my new university life, and he didn’t want things to look all new to me. I have a great respect for that man. “I was to go to a friend’s party when I discovered I needed a certain type of shoes and some few things I left at home. Saheed said I could drive his Honda car and asked his driver to sit with me. I felt like I was driving an airplane! My sisters were in when I got home and they squeeled excitedly about me driving a car. Dad peeped out of the bal-
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OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel. Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"
My Lady
I'm scared... I've never been so frighten and sad... Each time I think of you leaving me I become sad,
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cony, then went in. I met him sitting down in the living room with a long scowl. ‘’’Where are your Lplates’, he growled. ‘Are you and that dozy mother of yours aware of the fact that you are also expected by law to have a learner’s permit to drive a car even though a driver is by your side? Or has your mum’s lover bought you a driving licence?’ I was really amazed at how carried away he got. Is this man for real, I thought? He then proceeded to write mum what he said was a stinker. Tharik goodness she just read it, laughed and threw it into the rubbish bin where it belonged. I later sneaked into the kitchen at night to read it. Dad was ranting on about the sorry accidents that were caused by the carelessness of inconsiderate and reckless parents like my mum. I mean can you beat that? A man who scarely gave a hoot about his children’s welfare carrying on about accidents? “I was sorry to go back after those glorious months. But Saheed said I shouldn’t worry, since I would soon be going to the university and living away from home! I have kept the generous money
he gave me in my savings account. Saheed had specifically warned mum not to touch a kobo of it and gave mum money to buy a few things for me to take home with me. “The next day after I arrived home, we were all having corn-flakes and chatting happily when dad came to the dining table. He looked at our bowls and sneered, ‘You know what that is made ofl’ Corn, I answered him, wondering what this was all about. ‘And this?’ he persisted, pointing to his bowl of hot pap. Corn, I answered him. ‘So which is more nourishing, meal made with fresh corn or this synthetic food you are wasting milk and sugar to eat? I suppose all these rubbish came from your dozzy mum? Let me warn you, if you expect all this to continue after you have fmished your stock, you are in for a rude shock .... ‘ “The next day, my sisters washed the lunch plates and he came into the kitchen. ‘What did you do with the piece of meat that I left on my plate?’ he wanted to
and sometimes tears drop down my eyes. I Love you so much I don't want to ever lose you. Diamond necklace are precious pearls that brings beauty to the neck, a smile is a precious act that brings beauty to the face, but you, you are the precious pearls and oinment that brings beauty to my life. Love you with my life. Omorville Umoru omorville@yahoo.com 08062486549
Underlying love
In my thoughts of you there is an underlying love that is present in every word, every glimpse I hope you feel it as I do, for it is what I am and ever I will be. Pasola Fred Obinna
know. ‘It was only bone dad’ , said my elder sister, ‘and I gave it to the dog’. “You gave what to the dog? For your information, that was soft bone, very rich in calcium’. Suddenly, I felt sorry for my sisters. I wouid soon be leaving, but they will be stuck with old misery guts for a long time. I mean to have a talk with mum as soon as I can. If she could, she should take my sisters and spare them the nightmare of living with this ogre: But she had taken us once and dad had raised hell. I guess we are his hostages. But one of these days, we will all be rid of him and he’ll be left with his ulcer!” SINGLES V COUPLES: THE GREAT DEBATE If you’re single you imagine all your problems would be solved if you had a partner. If you’re in a relationship, you might wonder if life would be more exciting on your own. But when it comes to sex, is it better when you’re single or is there something about a relationship that makes sex more intense?
Single sex: Singletons can enjoy casual sex with no strings attached. You can sleep with who you like when you like. You’re free to enjoy the moment and may not think too much about the future. Sex can be spontaneous, carefree and exciting. You can have sex with somebody you know, but sex with a stranger can be more of a thrill as it can be easier to lose your inhibitions. Casual sex is seen as risky and naughty and can give deep physical satisfaction. It can also leave you emotionally empty. They are only lifeaffirming ifboth of you want the same. Be sure to protect yourself and your lovers from sexually-transmitted infection and pregnancy by using good contraception and condoms every time you have sex. Couple sex : Most relationships go through an intense period at first when you can’t keep your hands off each other. Because you’ve invested more in each other emotionally, the sexual highs and sense of fulfillment are immense. But the stakes are high and you risk greater heartache if things go wrong. After about a year, the intensity of sex and the passion changes. You know your partner and it’s difficult to shut out the more mundane things in your life. What you get instead is a sense of satisfaction with life as you feel more secure in your relationship. But you can’t get complacent. Without working at your love life, nights together can soon become mundane and routine.
pasola2007@yahoo.co.uk +2348057161505,+233260947966
Dear Blessing
If people asked why I love you, I would say it's the sway in your hips, the thinkness in your thighs. It's the lust in your lips, the love in your eyes, it's the softness of your skin, the silk in your hair, it's the twist in your walk, it's the sweetness in your talk. It's the way you love me that makes me have you each day. That is what I would say. I love you............... Emma Mine mine4christ@gmail.com 07051037749 Delta State
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 23
FALLOUT OF NIGHTMARE IN BEER PARLOUR:
You can no longer drink anytime you like in Jos zSurvivor: I was trying to take cover
* The Jos killing fields: Gunmen defy security forces?
when a bullet caught me in the buttock zInjured STF official turns suspected assailant
BY TAYE OBATERU/COMFORT ALIFIA & PHILIP EKIGWE
C M Y K
lages in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom local governments. It would be recalled that it was during the mass burial following one of such killings that a senator representing Plateau North District, Dr.Gyang Dantong, and a former Majority Leader of Plateau House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, lost their lives. Monday’s attack again generated tension as villagers took over the Jos-Abuja highway to protest. The protesters barricaded the road for several hours preventing vehicular
,
A night outing after a hard day’s job was what they went for, but it turned out to be a costly one; one that ended in the ricocheting of guns, a blood bath which left 10 dead and several injured. The gunmen were said to have come in a Vectra car at about 8.30pm while customers at the S.K. Beer Parlour, located at Heipang in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, had ordered drinks and were ‘cooling down’. The three men alighted from the car, brought out sophisticated guns from under their long dresses and sprayed people in the bar with bullets before speeding off. When the confusion died down, eight people lay dead; many others were injured. Two of the injured later died in hospital bringing the death toll to 10. One of those killed is a resident of Gombe who was said to have been on a visit to Heipang, where the Yakubu Gowon Airport is sited, for some work and went to the drinking joint to “relax” only to be caught in the fire that snuffed life out of him. His corpse was taken to a mortuary in Makurdi, Benue State from where it was transported to his home Cross River State for burial. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the dastardly act, it is believed to be another in the seemingly unending hostilities between Fulani herdsmen and locals which have resulted in such frequent attacks on vil-
A victim of the latest attack in Jos on his hospital bed
who was allegedly shot in error by one of his co-attackers during the raid on the drinking spot is raising questions. He was reported to have been rushed to hospital with other injured persons, but was discovered to be a “stranger”
The STF member became a suspect because he was found putting on the same dress like the attackers and his presence at the scene is strange to the villagers
movement and holding up travelers on both sides denouncing the shooting at the drinking joint. Although the initial report was that the attack was carried out by uniformed men who came in a Hilux van similar to those used by members of the Special Task Force, STF, maintaining security in the state, reports later confirmed that they actually drove a Vectra car and were not in uniform. However, the identification of a member of the STF, a policeman serving within the local government,
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when sympathizers from the village visited them. Many people thronged the Plateau Specialist Hospital on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of him and it was gathered that he was interrogated by detectives who visited the hospital to ascertain his true identity. Some of them alleged that this was a confirmation of previous allegations that the STF members had become mercenaries paid to attack the people. Based on this, the Chairman of Barkin-Ladi Local Government, Mr. Emmanuel Loman,
said the situation has again raised the need for a through investigation into the alleged involvement of members of the STF who, he said, have been severally implicated in allegedly aiding and abetting the attacks in the area. He therefore called on the Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim, to investigate the matter. “The fear of my people now is that this attack has again confirmed their long held suspicion against the soldiers deployed to Plateau State to safeguard lives and property. I therefore want to strongly appeal to the Chief of the Defense Staff to take over the investigation of this very attack so that justice can be done. The people deserve to know the role of the STF and the involvement of the police corporal in the killing of 10 people in my local government”, he said. “The STF member is known to be one of those serving in STF Sector 7 in Barkin Ladi whose duty post as at the time of the attack is in a village called Tatu-Yelwa which is about two kilometers to Barkin Ladi. He became a suspect because he was found putting on the same dress like the at-
tackers and his presence at the scene is strange to the villagers.” Reacting to the allegation, STF spokesman, Captain Salisu Mustapha, maintained that no member of the task force could be involved in attacking those they were sent to protect, but promised that the allegation will be thoroughly investigated. “I want to assure you that the allegation will spur the STF to intensify investigation and unearth those behind the killings”. Meanwhile, some of the injured currently receiving treatment at the Plateau Specialist Hospital bemoaned the level of insecurity that has made the country unsafe for citizens in separate interviews. To David Waziri, whose buttocks was pierced by a bullet into his pelvic, it was an unforgettable experience. He recounted: “I went out with two of my friends, Anthony and Martins, to eat only to be caught in a rain of bullets that instantly took the life of Martins, who was a contractor with the federal airports authority. I was trying to take cover but was caught by a bullet in the buttocks. I saw three dead bodies and heard that others died in the hospital. Government should do something to stop these unnecessary killings. I do not know the attackers and I have no idea of why they attacked but I thank God that I am alive.” He added that some of those taken to the hospital with him had died while some others had been transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) when their condition became critical. It was equally a lucky escape for Ezekiel Peters, a commercial motor cyclist, who got shot. He told Sunday Vanguard that
Continued from page 25
PAGE 24—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2 2012
Trouble in Ugborodo: How to avert more killings — Emami BY EMMA AMAIZE
S
ome stakeholders share their perspectives in this concluding part of our report on the crisis in Ughorodo, a community in Delta State, which allegedly claimed three lives. THE Akulagba of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, says if the trouble makers in Ugborodo had listened to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, there would not have been been bloodshed. He insists that the police should fish out the perpetrators and sponsors of the November 3 mayhem in Otumara to avert reprisal attack.
Fish out killers
The mindless killing of three law abiding citizens of Ugborodo community was carried out by a few disgruntled elements in the community and the conscious failure of the police on ground in the state to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, who are known members of our community, is disturbing. Suffice it to say that the crisis, which culminated in the incident of Saturday, November, in which some responsible Ugborodo youths were ambushed at Otumara creeks and killed, had been actively supported and encouraged by some prominent leaders of the community, which I am a prominent citizen. These self-styled leaders selfishly encouraged one of the factional leaders to disobey constituted authorities as represented by the governor and His Majesty, the Olu of Warri. These leaders refused to heed the advice of the governor and our monarch that they should toe the path of honour by accepting the legally constituted leadership of the community.
Averting bloodbath
I can tell you that Governor Uduaghan and the Olu of Warri made conscious and spirited efforts to avert the killings by intervening in what started as mere misunderstanding between brothers over the leadership of the community. However, the efforts were thwarted by some leaders of the community, who canvassed and put together an illegal leadership that they actively supported against the wishes of the majority of the Ugborodo people. The governor and our highly respected monarch engaged all stakeholders in Ugborodo in order to engender peace and amicably resolve the impasse, but the leaders consistently incited their illegal group until the Saturday, November 3 murder of the innocent citizens, identified as Gift Bazuaye, Stephen Enase and Andrew.
‘My worry about the police’ I am amazed that only the military in Effurun, 3rd Battalion, Nigerian Army, led by Lt. Col. Ifeanyi out, and probably the Marine Unit of Police in Warri showed meaningful interest by visiting the scene. And also embarked on a manhunt for the perpetrators, who operated from Deghele community, also in Warri South West local government area. I am worried that the Delta State Police Command pretended that it was not aware of the incident, where lives
of three citizens were cut short by some hoodlums and it neither deemed it fit to visit the scene nor search for the killers of the innocent citizens to bring them to book. I believe that the police, by their actions, are deliberately encouraging those whose relations have been killed to take the laws into their hands by embarking on retaliatory actions, which, in the long run, may lead to a total breakdown of law and order before justice is done in this malicious and provocative incident.
Chief Ayiri Emami
Police‘re waiting for my accusers to prove allegations— Ereyitomi
C
HAIRMAN of the Govern ing Council of Ugborodo Community Trust, Ugborodo, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, speaks on how he emerged and the allegations of embezzlement against him. How did you emerge? We are operating the 1996 Constitution as amended. After the expiration of my first tenure in 2011, a meeting was held in the Warri residence of an Itsekiri leader, Pa J.O.S. Ayomike. Mr. David Tonwe was there. Jonwe, Emmanuel Meke and I, three of us were contestants for the chair of the Ugborodo Community Trust. In that meeting, a decision was taken that the 1996 Constitution of the Trust as amended would be used for the election into the Governing Council. The constitution states that no election will be held outside OdeUgborodo. The venue, Ikpere Town Hall is also stated. Nomination for the various offices are usually done by the respective villages, which means one must be nominated by his community before you could come to the central committee, which is the Governing Council. Note what I said that the operating constitution says election will only be held in Ode Ugborodo, you do not sit anywhere and appoint people, saying they are executive members of the Governing Council. The constitution gives room for a second tenure and all the relevant procedures were followed before I was elected for a second tenure. Pa Ayomike told us that rule of law was not followed in your elec-
Chief Thomas Ereyitomi tion? If he is talking about rule of law, rule of law was followed in my election. He should know that there are fundamental things to be done before an election takes place, including a two-week notice that must be given. He, unconstitutionally in his private residence in Warri, constituted an illegal executive of Tonwe and others. Both he and Tonwe know I was duly elected by Ugborodo people. Ajudaibo, which is Tonwe’s community, has three slots in the Governing Council, he was not even nominated by his people. Those nominated by his people are Chief Ayiri Emami, Monday Tenumah and Alfred Ebami, so I do not know the constitution they are using to say that Tonwe who was not nominated by his ward, is the chair of the Governing Council of the Trust. We were told you did not handover when your first tenure expired in 2011? Somebody cannot sit down in his house in Warri and be saying that I did
not hand over. You hand over to the Council of Elders and Ugborodo people at Ode-Ugborodo, which I did, including details of our financial records and stewardship. I must point out that nobody should sit down in his house and expect the Trust to come to account to him in his private residence. No, we made the report to the house at Ugborodo. My executive is the only one that prepared a financial record and presented its stewardship report since the Trust started. What is really at stake in this Ugborodo crisis for I hear the battle is over money and more than N2 billion is involved? Nothing absolutely is at stake. They are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. They wrote a petition to the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police and the EFCC, saying that N700 million, belonging to the community, was misappropriated. We have gone to the police, made statements and shown records of income and expenditure in our past tenure. Allegations You said Pa Ayomike told you over N2 billion, but the police said he told them N700 million. Well, the onus is on him to prove his allegation. But we have made statements to the police as to the money we received in our first tenure, the sources and how it was spent. What we collected, which is documented is not near the N700 million they alleged and the police is waiting for them to tell them where the N400 million difference came from. We have gone to Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt over this matter, the security agents are waiting for them to prove their allegations. Therefore, it is not to make wild allegations, it is to substantiate them.
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 25
Ho w witc hcraf How witchcraf hcraftt killed 7-yr-old daughter – Man, 60
UGBORODO
My hands‘re clean, sa ys says Ton we onw
BY ADEOLA ADENUGA
A
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HAIRMAN of the parallel Ugborodo Community Trust, Mr. David Tonwe, insists on the legitimacy of his mandate and denied being an agent provocateur in the crisis. There is a leadership tussle between you and Chief Thomas Ereyitomi. What are really the issues at stake? There is no leadership tussle in Ugborodo. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi’s tenure as Chairman of Ugborodo Community Trust ended on 27 August, 2011. His refusal to accept the termination of his tenure, after three years and to perpetuate himself in power, is the crux of the matter. The governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has waded into this matter and you were said to have walked out on him. What happened? We received an invitation from the Deputy Governor of Delta State, which was also extended to Thomas Ereyitomi. Ereyitomi did not honour the invitation. The Deputy Governor apologised on his behalf and promised to invite us again. We are still waiting. Why is the intervention of the Olu of War ri not agreeable to you and your group? The invitation of the Olu of Warri of the stakeholders of Ugborodo came while the issue of alleged misappropriation of the Ugborodo Community Trust funds under the leadership of Thomas Ereyitomi was being investigated by the Inspector General of Police and also while the issue of the chairmanship of Ugborodo Community was pending in court. These two major facts were put before the Olu of Warri. The Olu of Warri, as a learned man with many years experience at the Bar, could not have adjudicated and given judgement in favour of Thomas Ereyitomi as they claim on a matter that is clearly sub judice. C M Y K
Another victim of the Jos crisis
60-year-old man urged Orile-Agege Grade ‘B’ Custom ary Court to dissolve his 32-year-old marriage over childlessness, witchcraft and abandonment. Joshua Ajala, a building contractor, who lives at 18 Fashola St., Orile- Agege, told the court that his wife used witchcraft to kill a girl another woman had for him after failing to give him children. Ajala, who burst into tears as he narrated what he claimed to have suffered in the hands of his wife, Dorcas, alleged that three years after their marriage, his wife was not concerned about getting pregnant, as all the efforts by his late mother to get her to take local medication to aid pregnancy proved abortive. ”She eventually got pregnant in 1993. I told her to register in hospital but she said preferred “Ile Alagbo” (traditionalists). The child was dead in her womb before she delivered”. He informed the court that his wife brought two kegs of local medication from her father, gave him one to take and kept the other one for herself, adding that he proached him. The blood took the medication because he desired a child. soaked bandages all over him ”After taking the medication, dach time I wanted to and the agony on his face as make love to my wife, my manhood will become soft; it he tried to talk, however, won’t be able to penetrate,” he said. He claimed that his wife then started telling people spoke volumes of his pains. that he was impotent, saying this was what prompted Apparently worried by the him to have an extra-marital affair. But, according to killings, the Plateau State Pohim, the problem persisted. ”I went to the mountain to lice Command, on Wednespray. Thereafter, I went to the woman I was dating, day, announced a restriction made love to her and she became pregnant”. He said of the operating hours of that when his wife got to know about the extra-marital drinking joints in the state. A affair after the woman had been delivered of a girl, statement by the it’s Public Reshe told him she would have killed the baby while still lations Officer, Mr. Abuh Emin the mother’s womb if she had known. Joshua told manuel, said the move was to the court that he lost the child when she was seven years old. ”My wife was happy about the death of this check the trend of attacks on child; she dressed gorgeously when she went to pay relaxation spots in the state. condolence visit to the woman”, the plaintiff stated. “I Those within the metropolis had hypertension that wanted to lead to stroke as a are now to close by 7p.m. dairesult of the child’s death.”This woman is out to ruin ly until further notice while me. I want the court to dissolve this marriage so that I those in Barkin-Ladi and Riycan be free from her.”In her defence, Dorcas , a resiom local governments are to dent of 4, Ajibode Street, Ajuwon, told the court that close by 6.p.m. she lived with her husband with truthful heart but he paid her with evil.
You can no longer drink anytime you like in Jos Continued from page 23 he took a passenger to the beer parlour and was asked to wait. He said he was about to go in to check for the passenger who did not return on time, only to behold the shooting. “I was about going in when I spotted an Opel car with three people inside. One of them, in a black jacket, alighted from the car, unzipped his jacket and pulled out a long gun with which he sprayed the whole area with bullets. One of the bullets hit me on the thigh”, he narrated. Unlike David and Peters who could recount their ordeals, another victim, Bitrus Bulus, was not audible enough to be heard when Sunday Vanguard ap-
The many colours of Ajodun Ido BY GBENGA ARIYIBI, Ado-Ekiti
A
s the people of Ido-Ekiti, the headquar ters of Ido-Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State, converged in the ancient town to celebrate this year’s annual festival otherwise known as Ajodun Omo Ido, the Olojudo, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, extended his hands of friendship to his opponents and indeed all the sons and daughters of the town. The monarch asked the indegenes to forget their differences and join him to move Ido-Ekiti forward. Speaking during the celebration, tagged Oganganmodu 2012, which coincided with the anniversary of his ascension to the throne, Oba Ilori-Faboro called on his subjects to sink their differences and come together for the development of the town. The monarch, a sailor who retired as a captain, said there was no way there would no be differences, but urged that, in the interest of the community, the people must work for the rapid development of Ido-Ekiti. The Olojudo commended his predecessor,
the late Oba Olayisade, who, according to him, spent about 61 years on the throne for his good leadership qualities,promising to follow his good example. ”This is our own community. Whatever we can do to improve it we must do it and now.” Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Stephen Kolawole Olayokun, spoke on the need to cooperate for the execution of the Ido-Ekiti project in view of the collective dignity attached to it, adding that the reign of the current monarch had brought peace, progress and development to the ancient town. Dignitaries at the occasion include the Caretaker Chairman, Ido-Osi Local Government, Honourable Gbenga Agbeyo; Chairman, Governing Board of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kayode Akinlade, and wife; Chief Rufus Familoni, Chairman, Organising
Committee of the Ido Day 2012; Prof. Kayode Familoni; Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti; Dr. Lawrence Ayodele; and Engr Tope Bejide, the Chairman of Ido-Ekiti Summit. The Eleda of EdaIle, Oba Adeniran Benjamin Oso, also graced the event. About three million naira was raised for the completion of the on-going palace project of the Olojudo. The occasion was also witnessed by dignitaries from within and outside Ekiti State who, well-attired, danced to c h o r e o g r a p h e d * O b a tunes from IloriOlaska culFaboro tural group.
PAGE 26—SUNDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 2, 2012
Email: woman-vista@yahoo.co.uk
(07036819426)
TOURISM: Giving it an attractive image
I
must confess that I was highly surprised to learn from a col league that one-way airfare from Lagos to Abuja is thirty thousand naira (N30,00). It seemed outrageous to me. “You mean thirty thousand return, don’t you?” I asked. “Ah, madam, I can see that you’ve not been up there for a while. Thirty thousand naira return? That was ages ago. It’s thirty thousand to go, and thirty thousand to come back. That was what I paid last week.” “That’s too high for a one hour flight within the country! Why, if you triple the return fare of Lagos/Abuja, you can get a return ticket for a Lagos/London flight. That means it’s becoming cheaper to go holiday abroad, than within the country. That’s sad!” “Of course, it is, madam. Aren’t high airfares, part of the reason that tourism is virtually non-existent in the country, and Nigerians shun local tourism, preferring to go get their money’s worth by holidaying abroad? Add high airfares to very bad roads, high rate of unrest and attacks, criminal activities, poor electricity supply, poor sanitation, and would-be tourists from abroad and within the country, are turned off. We have great sights for tourism, but conditions within the country keep tourists away, even those of us who live here.” “You’re right. I’ve always had a desire to be able to tour all nooks and corners of Nigeria, and get to savour our rich culture, historical sites, landscape, and mix with people of other ethnic groups. This was actually my dream many years ago while a pupil in the northern parts of the country. Travelling by train then to Kaduna and Kano from Oshogbo or Lagos, and seeing the view transit from the Rain Forest with its lush vegetation and thick forests, to the open Savannah grassland where you can see as far as the eye can go, was fantastic. It was exhilarating going on long haul travel then, that could take two days confined to the train, but it was safe even if you got to your destination in the middle of the night.” “Madam, that must have been one tedious journey! Fancy spending two days on a train! These days that wouldn’t be safe at all. Miscreants would get on board, even in the day time, and passengers would be totally at their mercy. It was a relief when buses were introduced to the routes that the trains used to ply. One wants to get from point A to point B by a fastmoving and pleasure means. That’s why airlines will continue to do good business here in spite of the constant hikes of fares. If only the authorities would look into the aviation industry, and make things easier for operators, so that we the passengers can get some relief! I understand that scarcity/high cost of aviation fuel, and other sundry charges by FAAN, and high costs of aircraft maintenance are responsible for fare hikes, and that’s why operators are leaving the field. Cheap fares would
View-Point
Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor
Transport is a big issue we have to address if we want our country to be reckoned with in the Tourism business
NIGERIA-AIRCRAFT leadership.ng
attract good business for Tourism. I agree. Transport is a big issue we have to address if we want our country to be reckoned with in the Tourism business. Some countries in Eastern and Southern Africa thrive on tourism – e.g. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia; and in West Africa, Senegal and the Gambia have their own fair share to boost their countries’ earnings.. Where does that leave Nigeria? Nowhere, and it seems no-one really wants to address this important issue, or perhaps, those who can do something do not have the necessary support from the authorities, who knows? Yet, we have greater sights – nature and historical sites - than some of those countries.
T
here’s so much to be gained when we have a vibrant Tourism. It would create much needed jobs for our young people of all professions. We all would benefit from it as there would be increased sales of our products, both local and imported, as people come here to spend their money. Increased sales means more small-scale industries would be set up to cope with demands. We’ve been told that Nigeria has to explore other avenues of revenue in future, as our oil and gas will not last forever. Now, if we pay good attention to Tourism and lift it to a very high level, it will become a steady source of revenue that will not be exhausted if we maintain high standard. But we have to meet international standard and even exceed it if we can, in order to stay on top of
things. First, our transport system must be overhauled to make it safe, efficient and affordable. Our international airports are very busy by our own standard. In Lagos, for example, every day, tens of full load of planes come and go.
E
verything about this airport is claustrophobic. All the halls need extensive expansion with modern facilities/gadgets to make them healthy, pleasant and safe. Power supply need to be good and stable. On no condition should activities at an airport be halted because of power failure. Standby generators should automatically come on if PHCN fails. Planes should arrive and take off as scheduled, and it should be easy to transit to local flights on arrival. Airport taxis should be clearly marked and supervised by airports authorities. They should have a stall within the airport hall where there would be a well-kept register for all the trips they make. In our big cities, government buses should have their own time of arrival too, so that commuters can plan their day and bus travel. This means that efforts should be made to de-congest the traffic build-up which is prevalent in big towns, and get people moving on. Tour operators who provide transport and guide for visitors around town and to historic sites, should be registered with the government and well guided and supervised, to prevent their duping their clients. Next is the issue of bad roads which prevails in all parts of the country. These should be rehabilitated/repaired on a regular basis, and the network of roads/ buses, clearly defined for easy travel plans. Next is the hospitality industry. All hotels, guest houses, family bed and breakfast outfits everywhere should be registered by the state government and their facilities inspected from time to time to ensure that they meet good hygienic conditions. There should be a directory with all relevant information about Nigeria, including facilities and services offered. The issue of security is a global one, and no country is totally free of criminal activities, still, we should make a huge effort to see that unrest and criminal activities are greatly reduced, so that citizens and visitors feel safe to a certain extent. Let’s face it, no-one would want to go spend his vacation and precious money where he has to sleep with one eye open, on top of services that don’t work and a filthy environment. It goes without saying that sites for tourism should be well-maintained and with adequate and well-informed staff. I’m convinced that we have a lot to attract tourists to this country. It’s left to us to put the right things in place. Seriously.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 27
Email: woman-vista@yahoo.co.uk (07036819426)
A round-table parley with Makoko residents would yield good results—Barr Phil Nneji BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA Concerned about the plight of residents of popular Lagos slum, Makoko, a group of women under the aegis of Gender & Child Care Advancement Initiative-GCCAI, went to the community with some gift items. In this interview with Vista Woman at the event, Barr.(Mrs.)Phil Nneji, Executive Director, GCCAI, debunks the claim that giving aids to people in such communities makes them lazy, and also calls on government to consider having a round table discussion on a viable way forward for Makoko instead of a onesided decision like the demolition exercise with which the community was threatened with months ago. What’s happening here today? E’RE just trying to put some smiles on the faces of the poor and indigent persons in our society. As you can see, there’s abject poverty in this particular area. The choice of this place- Makoko, is because it touches my heart. You can see the environment, detached houses, and a picture of a community in shamble. They are able people, but then, disadvantaged. Most times we might be thinking of putting smiles on the faces of the physically challenged, motherless, and all, but when you look at these people, even in their physical abilities, they are disadvantaged in respect to their environment. I’ve been imagining how they sleep or manage to stay in this environment for one hour, not to mention 24 hours. These people really need help.
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Several groups like yours have been visiting this community with food items and several kinds of aids, but do you think this is the attention they really need; aren’t these making them lazy? Not at all! As you can see, we didn’t come to
Are we seeing you here again after today or are you going to forget about these children? If I would forget about them, I wouldn’t have been here today. I’m a member of the Lagos State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers- FIDA, and during our Law Week recently, we were at Makoko to give pro bono medical and legal services. I however decided that I should do more, and that’s why I decided to go back again to Makoko. Apart from that, I feel these people need something very important, and that’s a habitable environment. I believe something could be done. If we can sand fill some parts of Lekki, Maroko and Dolphin, why can’t we do something about Makoko. This is what one group or individual alone cannot do, and I therefore want to call on government to do something. Talking about sand filling this place, do you realize the structures here are awful? They can also be relocated, but the issue is for government to have a good rapport with members of the community before taking any decision, because they’ve been here for generations. A roundtable discussion would go a
Mrs.Phil Nneji....There is love in sharing.
Most times we might be thinking of putting smiles on the faces of the physically challenged, motherless, and all, but when you look at these people, even in their physical abilities, they are disadvantaged in respect to their environment
them with just food, but with some basic necessities of life like foot wears and clothing for children and mothers. I actually felt bad when I first saw children walking bare-foot in this sort of place. The food is just for them to make merry.
long way because communication matters a lot. Are you saying the government did not carry them along when they last came to demolish the place?
I wouldn’t say they did not carry them along, but my point is, if they had a roundtable discussion with them to find out how they will feel about being relocated to another environment, the move would have been successful. If they say no to being relocated, then government should weigh their points. Talking about sand filling, why can’t groups like yours mobilize other wellmeaning individuals to come in? There’s nothing bad in mobilizing private individuals. The issue is not just about starting from somewhere but about being able to finish. If private individuals can have synergy with government, definitely, something positive would come out of the synergy.
What other societal issues are you concerned about at GCCAI? Most times, we concentrate on the physically challenged, motherless, old people’s homes, and the likes. The focus however changed when I visited this place with my group, FIDA Lagos, like I mentioned earlier. I never knew about the living conditions at Makoko until then! In our own little way, we’ve always tried to put smiles on the faces of indigent members of the society. Your advice to the general public…? There is love in sharing. The good Lord who created each and every one of us did not make a mistake by making some rich and making some poor. So, if you’re well-to-do, you should be able to share; learn to show love and care unto others. Also, always have the golden rule at the back of your mind- do unto others what you want them to do unto you. C M Y K
28 — SUNDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Pr of. TTon on ejuk u giv es daught er in w edloc k Josephine Okoduwa Prof. onyy Af Afejuk ejuku gives daughter wedloc edlock mar ks bir thda marks birthda thdayy at SOS Village
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he erudite Professor of English and Literature, University of Benin, Prof. Anthony Afejuku hosted family, friends and colleagues when he gave the hand of his daughter in marriage to the family of Mr and Mrs Wilfred Okpotse. The couple, who are both Barristers at Law were ushered into matrimony amidst chants and cheers from family members who graced the occasion in great numbers. Photos by Barnabas Uzosike
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hen Josephine Okoduwa (Mrs), added another year recently, she, along with her family and friends decided to share the joyous moment with the children of the SOS Village in Isolo, Lagos. It was a fun filled day as the children were delighted with gifts and packages, especially from the stable of Bobo Foods and Beverage Company who supported the event with their full weight.
The couple, Barr. & Barr.(Mrs.) Okpotse
Prof. & Mrs. Tony Afejuku The celebrant, Mrs Josephine Okoduwa, cutting her birthday cake with S.O.S Village children
Mr & Mrs. Wilfred Okpotse, groom’s parents
Happy Ladies Union, Sapele with bride’s father, Prof. Tony Afejuku
Anambra day in Makurdi ANAMBRA state communities in Makurdi, Benue State recently held their Anambra day/launching of N25M fund raising for their ultra modern Civic Centre in Makurdi. Important dignitaries who graced the occasion include HRM Igwe Michael Nwandu, Chief Tony Ezeokwelume, Snr. Pius Udorgi, Sir and Lady Cletus Anamezeonye,and Chief and Lolo Odinchefu.
L-R: Prof. Tony Afejuku Omatseye
and Hon. Sunny
From left; Mrs Hilda Odiase, Mrs Josephine Okoduwa, celebrant and Engr. Desmond Odiase of Dexdee Fountain
Aragho @ 50 th MRS Rosaline Aragho celebrated her 50 birthday recently and it was an occasion of joy and merriment as her family and friends came together to give her a befitting birthday bash, glamourous and classy.
From right, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Ude
Chief and Lolo Odinchefu, Ugonwanne 1 of Ihiala C M Y K
Mrs Aragho with husband and son
Cross section of the SOS Village children with their Bobo packs
SUNDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012 — 29
ty ffor or Dikio party Blissful union of the Badejos and the Adeguns Dinner par and Iruenabere
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t was a day of harmony, merriment and haute couture when Adeola Abolaji Badejo, daughter of Mr and Rev (Mrs) Badejo walked down the aisle hand-in-hand with Abimbola Oluwaseun Adegun, son of Chief and Mrs Adegun penultimate Saturday. The couple exchanged the matrimonial vows before men of God at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory House, Festac Town, Lagos. Photos by Remi Adebisi
The couple; Mr and Mrs Abimbola Adegun
R-L: Rev. (Mrs) Olubunmi Badejo, bride’s mum with a friend
L-R: Mrs Mary Edwards, Mrs Obilade and Alhaja Nosiru
L-R: Arch. Titilayo Badejo, bride's dad, Mrs Adegun, groom’s mum, the couple, Chief Adegun, groom’s dad and Rev. (Mrs) Bunmi Badejo, bride’s mum.
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oth Barr. Faye Dikio (SAN) and Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenabere (OON) bag Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Officer of the Order of the Niger honours respectively recently and in celebrating the feat their friends held a dinner party to celebrate both industrious men. Photos by Nwankpa Chijioke
R-L: Hon Sam Agwor, presenting a Potrait Photograph to Barr. Faye Dikio (SAN)
Hon. Sam Agwor, Chairman Committee of Friends(R) presenting a Potrait Photograph to AVM Dick Iruenabere(L) while Cdr. Faye Higgwe (2nd left) looks on The couple; Mr and Mrs Abimbola Adegun with officiating ministers
L-R: Decn.Tony Odita, Decn. Dayo Adesola and Asst. Pastor Tolu Adeshina
L-R: AVM Dick Iruenabere; Sam Okonedo and AVM Emmanuel Ozegba
The World is Life Ministry marks 15th anniversary THE founder, members and some invited members of the public came together recently at The Word is Life Ministry’s auditorium, Lagos to celebrate the church’s 15th anniversary. The event which was tagged “Iye ni Oro Na” was observed with thanksgiving session followed by a reception that saw the guests mingled freely in an atmosphere of joy and jubilation.
L-R:Mr. A. Awosope, Pastor F.E. Bamiduro, Founder and Chief Samuel Akeju, representing Otunba Gani Adams OPC leader
[3rd from left] Pastor F.E. Bamiduro, dance with his church members
L-R:Segun Folorunsho, Mr. Adisa Salami, and Mr . Sunny Sowememo C M Y K
PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2 2012
C M Y K
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 31
PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
STORIES CLEMENT
BY
UDEME
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HE commercial banks doing business in Nigeria may lose millions of naira to the new regime stopping them from charging customers N100 for using Automated Teller Machines (ATM) per transaction. Under the outgoing regime, a customer using the ATM of another bank is charged N100 per transaction. The banks, under the Bankers Committee, after a meeting in Abuja, recently opted to stop the fee, saying it was a sacrifice they have to make to ease the pains of their customers. The Group Managing Director, First Bank Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, said the decision will help to increase the patronage of ATMs in the country. He said, “When you use the ATM of a bank other than your bank, there is a charge of N100, which is borne by the account holder. We have decided that we will work out the modality and ensure that with immediate effect we will pass on this cost to respective banks to bear the cost of providing services.” He added, “No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM. The new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off. But for transaction on what we call ‘not on us,’ when you are a customer with First bank, you can use the ATM of a GTB bank, it is free and you will no longer bear any cost”. Sunday Business learnt that the new regime on the ATM will cost the banks a fortune. For instance, Sunday Business gathered that Zenith Bank may lose up to N7million every week on its ATM located at Murtala Mohummed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos. And the bank has scores of ATM located across Lagos State, generating as much money as the one at MMA2, not to talk of others across the country. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has declared that the recent announcement on the suspension of N100 charge was a decision taken by banks and not CBN’s policy as widely speculated in the last two weeks. The removal of ATM charge is coming only few months after CBN warned commercial C M Y K
ATM: Banks to lose millions
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No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM. The new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off Akande....We need a sustainable SME funding scheme
*An Automated Teller Machine....Succour for customers. banks on what it described as arbitrary bank charges on customers. Sunday Business gathered that the banks are going to lose millions of naira monthly once the implemented of this new directive begins. “A female branch manager with Diamond bank, Ojodu, who spoke under anonymity
said, “We are spending so much money just to stay afloat in the business. For instance, we provide electricity daily to run our business, which is taking so much from us. Aside from generating our own power, we spend money to ensure we operate daily with the latest technology and we have a lot of staff to pay salary
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at the end of every month.” “The essence of being in business is to make profit. The banks must improve their margins in order to meet up with daily expenses of running the business. For example, the amount of money we spend in generating electricity alone is telling so much on our overhead cost. So, at the end of the day, we transfer this cost to customers in form of bank charges.” A staff in Zenith bank, Ikeja branch said, “We are going to lose over N7million every
week from our ATM located at MMA2 because that is where we have many transactions daily. For instance, if we have 1,000 ATM transactions in a day, it means we are going lose about N1million. The money we charged for ATM is what we use in maintaining the machines. So, with the new directive, it means the bank is going to bear the cost directly.” A Customer with Zenith Bank, Mr. Saviour Aluede, with Sass Global Limited, who spoke with Sunday Business at MMA2, explained that the banks are yet to implement the new policy. He said, “I just made withdrawal with the Zenith bank ATM and they charged me N100, which means they banks have not started implementing this policy. We are paying so much for bank charges on daily basis, CBN should ensure that the removal of ATM charge is adequately implemented by deposit banks as a way of giving back to the customers.” Mr. Sulayman Bello, an economic expert, who spoke with our correspondent at First bank, Navy Town branch, said the banks are charging customers for every transaction and should be able to remove ATM charge to encourage customers.
Smugglers attack Customs boss at Idiroko
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PPARENTLY the ef forts by Ogun Cus toms Command to build a Customs friendly border like what obtains in developed countries to enhance revenue generation and trade facilitation is yielding positive results in many aspects, but certainly not for some un-repentant smugglers who see illegitimate trade as a big business. This was evident in the attack of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Ogun Command, Comptroller Prince Ade Dosumu, by suspected smugglers while on his way to Lagos . Sunday Business gathered that Dosumu in his convoy of three was attacked along Ajilete/Owode axis of idiroko. The incident started immediately his convoy passed through Ajilete bridge when officers in the escort backup Hilux Jeep, noticed that a dark blue Toyota Celica was racing
recklessly towards the convoy at the rear. The escort vehicles tried to prevent the vehicle from forcefully overtaking the CAC but the occupants speedily manoeuvre and got to the front of the convoy and blocked the convoy with their vehicle. Shocked by the manner in which the smugglers overtook his convoy, the Customs boss instructed his driver to stop and he beckoned on the driver of the offending vehicle to come for him to actually ascertain what the problem was, without knowing that the smugglers had been trailing his convoy from a distance. Suddenly, the hoodlums tried to launch physical attack on the CAC but were timely shoved away from the Controller by his officers. That was not all, the convoy proceeded towards Owode, and a little after the main Owode junction and the road was again blocked with a Jeep and Mercedez 109 by smug-
glers. Hoodlums gathered around the road blockade trying to prevent the CAC’s convoy from passing. Sunday Business gathered that the matter had been reported at Owode police station for further investigation to uncover those behind the attack. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Chike Ngige, who expressed shocked on the attack, explained that the attack may not be un-connected with the seizures of contra-band items and nine vehicles smuggled into the Command by the hoodlums. He said, “Before the attack, our officers had seized some contra-band goods smuggled into the Command. Nine vehicles were also seized from smugglers. About six people specialised in faking Customs documents wee arraigned in court for prosecution. Also, another set of 14 vehicles were seized just two days before that attacks and those seizures were planned and co-ordinated by the CAC
himself. The Command recorded over 120 seizures in the last two weeks, which could be the reason why the smugglers attacked the Controller.” He went on, “The only way out is for smugglers to embrace legitimate trade for sanity to rein in our economic environment. The Command will not hesitate to prosecute those engaging in illegal trade.” A traditional ruler in Owode Community who spoke under anonymity condemned the attack in strong terms, stressing that the smugglers who masterminded the attack are enemy of progress trying to thwart the effort of government in economic development. “People engaged in illegal trade within the border should desist and must not take the peaceful nature of the Controller for granted. We want development in our communities”, he maintained.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 33 BY EMMA AMAIZE
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AST Wednesday, at the Second Annual Capital Market Committee Retreat, in Warri, Delta State, the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, stirred the hornet’s nest when he radically prescribed that government at all levels should sack 50 per cent of their workforce if the burden of paying of workers’ salaries has become so excruciating. Sanusi spoke against the backdrop of complaints that money available to the federal, state and local governments for capital projects was shrinking, while recurrent expenditure was increasing. However, some people, particularly workers, believed that they did not hear him correctly and looked askance as he pontificated. If they thought they did not hear Sanusi correctly, they were mistaken as the stormy petrel intoned, “At the moment, 70 percent of Federal Government’s revenue goes for payment of salaries and entitlement of civil servants, leaving 30 percent for development of 167 million Nigerians. That means that for every naira government earns, 70 kobo is consumed by civil servants. “You have to fire half of the civil service because the revenue government has is supposed to be for 167million Nigerians. Any society where government spends 70 percent of its revenue on its civil service has a problem. It is unsustainable.” Sanusi said the country does not need over 100 senators and about 400 representatives to make laws. According to him, when the expenses of lawmakers, civil services and executive arm of government are calculated, Nigerians would find out that government, lawmakers and civil servants were the ones consuming their revenue. He faulted ‘ wastage’ of funds for the maintenance of 774 local government council chairpersons with aides, councilors and other appendages of the third - tier of government. His asked, “Do we need 774 LGs, do we need 36 states some of which are unviable? Do we need 774 local governments, why not just remove them and have only state governments?” The CBN Governor added: “There are state governors whose monthly allocation is barely enough to pay salaries. I hear such governors complain and I say ‘why complain when the solution is simple?’ It is irresponsible to use all money to pay salaries and wait for another month’s allocation and pay salaries and after four years you would have done nothing.”
50% workforce cut controversy
How Sanusi stoked the fire to Gov Uduaghan’s amazement
From right: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, the Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Rabiu I. Rabiu, Executive Chairman, IRS Airline and Oscar N. Onyema, Chief Executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange during the 2nd Annual Capital Market Retreat in Warri, Delta State.
Uduaghan tackles Sanusi
However, host Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan quickly countered Sanusi, saying that sacking of civil servants was a bitter pill that would worsen the socio-economic problems in the country. To him, the solution canvassed by the CBN chief helmsman was a potential minefield and “a recipe for more trouble”.
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example of Delta State, where tricycles were recently introduced prior to the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles as a means of transportation in Warri, Effurun and Asaba. He told participants at the forum that government took a step to provide the tricycles at subsidized rate to erstwhile commercial motorcycle operators to achieve a seamless change and, at the same time, ensure that the commercial
The burden that will come with mass sack as high as 50% of civil servants in addition to the already saturated unemployment market can be better imagined
Uduaghan asked participants at the retreat to look beyond present problems by properly situating things. According to the governor, the problem of recurrent expenditure started when companies in Nigeria started closing shops thus increasing the problem of unemployment. Uduaghan queried, “Where would the graduates of the schools be absorbed?” He pointed out, “The scenario left government with the only viable option, absorb job seekers”. Uduaghan cited the
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motorcycle operators maintained their jobs. According to the governor, “Before any rational government can embark on retrenchment of workers, it must plan for them by developing infrastructure that will attract investors.” Adding a political twist to the discourse, Uduaghan said,” Sacking of workers would be an unpopular decision … If you advise us to drop workers, many governments will lose the next elections”. He reeled out the efforts of government in strengthening
infrastructure and asked investors to tap into the opportunities that abound in Delta State and help to create jobs. Sanusi had come under fire from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the radical prescription.
NLC hits Sanusi
Speaking through its President, Abdulwahed Omar, the NLC said, “We were not shocked hearing the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, once again displaying his contempt for the working people in Nigeria with his recommendation that the Federal Government should sack 50% of its workforce for the economy to be revived” The statement reads: It has become obvious that there are some individuals parading the corridors of power who are not qualified to be anywhere around organizations saddled with the responsibility of developing policies for national development. Since assumption of office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, all Sanusi’s major pronouncements have been either directly anti people or ruinous to the Nigerian economy.” “The burden of wealth creation in Nigeria, like any other country, has been on workers, while some politicians and economic parasites like Sanusi over consume what the workers sweat to create. Workers are the key driving force of all economies and only a hollow economist like Sanusi will underplay this. “The major problems of the Nigerian economy are corruption and lack of good governance, and until we solve these problems our economy will continue in comatose.
“Today, there are countless probe reports with names of those who swindled our country of several trillions of both naira and other foreign currencies still living in Nigeria either walking freely around the corridors of power or directly holding public or political offices rather than being in jail. “We see in Sanusi an agent of death that must be defeated and crushed before he further destroys the Nigerian economy. “While President Jonathan is promising to create more jobs, Lamido Sanusi is calling for mass sack of civil servants in a country with one of the highest number of unemployed, which has indeed led to gross deprivation and the current state of insecurity in Nigeria. “While we believe the Federal Government will ignore the ranting of this hollow economist, Sanusi has never demonstrated patriotism in all his advice on economic and financial management in Nigeria. “Sanusi’s only understanding of governance is simply about saving money and not saving lives as his proposals are repeatedly devoid of human content and without consideration for the implications on larger society. The burden that will come with mass sack as high as 50% of civil servants in addition to the already saturated unemployment market can better be imagined. Governance is about improving the quality of lives of the people and not destruction of productive lives. “To show how unknowledgeable and unfit he is as a public office holder, Sanusi also called for the scrapping of local governments in Nigeria, a country that runs a federal system, no matter how inefficient the system is. “Local government is an important tier of government in a federal system and what we need is to strengthen the system to enable it deliver good governance to the people, as it is the closest to the grassroots. Rather than removing the tier as proposed by Mallam Sanusi, the local governments require more funding to enable them function properly as required under a federal system. “The truth, which Sanusi as a beneficiary is running away from, is that corruption has become a real burden on the economy and it should be the only priority item on the table of any serious government. Even if you sack all the workers in Nigeria, any amount saved from that will be stolen and the culprits will walk in freedom. “And we need to ask Sanusi how much work he has successfully done in the CBN to reposition it to contemporary realities? He is surrounded with countless aides that are obviously not required by a man who believes that the Nigerian economy runs too high on overhead cost. “It is obvious Sanusi was never qualified for the office of CBN governor in the first instance, and he must be asked to leave the office as he has shown more than enough incompetence and contempt for the Nigerian people,” it stated.
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have one, but since you said you’re shy and have not been interacting as you deem fit with people, you should start with ordinary friendship so that you can study and understand people . This will help you in a relationship, romantic or ordinary , that you will have with people later, particularly romantic ones. Forget about other boys pursuing this girl . Just be your self and enjoy the friendship as it is now .Don’t think of ways of making her yours, or of marriage, etc. People’s feelings change as time
She dresses provocatively! Dear Rebecca
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’M always im pressed by the so lutions you proffer to people’s problems. May God continue to bless you. I’m 24 years old , a part time undergraduate . I have a girlfriend who is 22, who is waiting to gain admission into the university. We’ve been dating for almost two years now and have been getting along with little or no problem . The only problem I’ve always had with her is mode of dressing. I’ve told her times without number that she should dress in a very decent manner. I went to the extent of sending an article to her, explaining why she should dress in a way the society approves of. All this was to avail . She is stubborn and often says that she will only change her mode of dressing at her own convenience. I love her dearly and she loves me too, but I will not mind if this issue brings an end to this relationship. Please aunty, what do you advise I do? G .S.O Lagos REPL Y REPLY
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e always ad vise in this column that if a relationship is not going the way you want it, you should call it quits. Even though this girl not your wife, it is clear that her mode of dressing upsets and embarrasses you. It is difficult to change a human being especially if the person is reluctant to change. Most young people male and female , at any given time , want to dress in outfits they feel is trendy for their generation . Trying to stop some of them , even if you are a parent , is like hitting your head against a brick wall. Sometimes, it is best to say your mind on the issue, and then leave the outcome to the young person concerned . Some girls who insist on wearing skimpy outfits which are topless and very short, may have to learn the hard way when hooligans try to fondle
their breasts at bus stops , or even carry them away to rape. Some are booed as they walk down the streets. Churches preach against such things a lot these days. Again, it depends on what you consider indecent dressing. Some people don’t just want girls to wear trousers of any sort; some don’t want them to wear tight outfits whether African or European; some don’t want short, or sleeveless outfits, etc. “The list of don’ts’ in outfits is quite long in our society where it is believed that it is girls of low morals who wear ‘provocative ‘ outfits, but then, our traditional wear of buba and iro can be provocative, and can turn men on; depending on how she has tied the wrapper. This outfit outlines a woman’s bust and bottom very vividly especially if she is plump, and this can be a greater turn-on for men than tight trousers or skirts’’, a male relation commented. He said that ‘’ in the rural areas , wrapper tied to a woman’s chest is a big turn-on for some men’’ So, if your girl is not walking around halfnaked, tolerate it, for soon, she will outgrow her current ‘indecent’ dressing. If you can’t bear it, then, leave her.
Too tongue-tied to declare my love! Dear Rebecca
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am an undergradu ate of 23 years. As a young man of my age , I feel I am too shy to associate with people despite the nature of my discipline. There is this girl I admire very much who happens to be in the same group with me in church. She’s in a school of nursing. I didn’t know how to tell her I’m in love with her. . Surprisingly, giggling one day, she told me that she loves me. I was too stunned to respond . She
began to confide in me. Recently, there is this other guy who is after her. He is a graduate, she told me that she is not interested in him because he is the only son of his parents and she wouldn’t even like to marry an only son. Aunty , I love her and think she loves me too. Many boys are after her. I love her for her character, not necessarily her beauty . I’m always with her. But how can I tell her of my love for her? Erica, Aba.
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HE problem with most young peo ple is that as soon as they begin interacting with a member of the opposite sex, they want to rush things without studying the person and their own feelings
properly. They want to monopolize each other’s time and feelings, and claim ownership. Very soon , disenchantment begins to creep into the relationship as they don’t really like what they see in each other.
Accusations would fly about and soon the split comes. Now , if they had started off as mere friends , studying each other as they build up a friendship, they would know whether to go into a romantic relationship or not . It may well be that what suits them both is mere friendship. If they acknowledge this, they would continue being friends all their lives. Every admiration of a member of the opposite sex doesn’t have to lead to a romantic relationship. There are some good relationships between men and women , which are not romantic and which are of benefit to their respective families later in life. The fact that this girl told you that she loves you while giggling, does not mean that she wants a romantic relationship right away. At 23, you can
goes on, so it is best to wait until good friendship has built up between you before introducing romance . You can give her a card telling her how you feel if you can’t do so face-to-face. As ordinary friends , both of you can have other members of the opposite sex as friends. Associating with people is a two-way things. . You shouldn’t always wait for people to make friends with you, rather , extend a hand of friendship to responsible boys and girls around you, through greeting and chatting about general things eg studies, traffic, happening around you etc. Meanwhile, please pay more attention to your studies than to any girl, so that you can have good grades at your studies. That should be your priority now, not the declaration of love for any girl.
ing the chase. That said, I think you should give yourself some respect and dignity and leave this girl alone. She clearly is not interested in having a relationship with you or perhaps with any other boy at present. Hence she avoided you for so long and when under pressure from you, she agreed to be your girlfriend. She then warned you that her father is strict and that there should be no ‘nonsense talk’ from you. What she was really saying was that you should not expect intimacy (hug, kisses, etc) from the relationship. It was very wise and fair of her to make clear her terms right from the onset. I’m sure her father
wants her to give her studies all her attention, and not engage in romantic relationships. Respect that. Not every relationship with the opposite sex should involve love making. You are both neighbours since your place of work is in her compound, so just be casual friends, and be satisfied with that.. Look elsewhere for a romantic relationship, but make sure you pay more attention to your job, so that you can know the job well, and be a force to be reckoned with in the field of printing. Yes, it is possible, even though as an apprentice now, you can’t see it happening.
She shows me no enthusiasm! Dear Rebecca
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AM 24, and an ap prentice at a print ing outfit. I met my
girl four years ago. She lives on the premises where I work. After establishing friendship with her for sometime, I told her I would like a relationship with her.After her silence on the issue for two months, I reminded her of my wish again. I gave her a card to express my feelings, but this didn’t help very much. I sent her mail, and she always promised to reply, but didn’t. When I met her later she promised to give an answer the next time we meet. In February, I met her with a girlfriend, I bought them some refreshments, as I normally do with her, and gave
them transport fare. I then reminded her again of my request. Later, she demanded I bought her a face cream. Some days afterwards, she sent me mail saying she had received all my mail and that she accepts to be my friend. But if I want the relationship to last I must not tell her any nonsense. She made mention of the face cream again, which I have since bought. My question is : Does she truly and honestly love me? I’ve asked her what she means by my not talking nonsense to her, but she couldn’t give any explanation. She told me her father is very strict and wouldn’t welcome her speaking to boys on the street. I’ve seen her chatting to two boys on her way back from school,
but I didn’t mention this to her. She doesn’t say anything except ‘good morning’ to me. I’ve asked her if she’s into the relationship under duress. I want to know if her behaviour is due to the fact that I’ve pursued her with much vigour. Do you think she actually loves me or is she just using me? Chidozie, Port Harcourt.
REPL Y REPLY
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DO admire your great patience and determi nation in pursuing this girl. You sound a nice sensible man, and I am sure that you would not chase a girl for that length of time with no encouragement from her, if you were not enjoy-
•All letters for publication on this page should be sent to: Dear Rebecca, Vanguard Media Ltd, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: dearrebecca2@yahoo.com
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 35
Ho w Nigeria, 137 How Nigeria,1 other s vvot ot ed tto o giv e others oted give Palestinians an upgraded status zThe Implications For Palestine,Israel BY WALE AKINOLA with agency report
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HE UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer state a move strongly opposed by Israel and the US. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said this was the “last chance to save the two-state solution” with Israel. Israel’s UN envoy said the bid pushed the peace process “backwards”, while the US said the move was “unfortunate”. The Palestinians can now take part in UN debates and potentially join bodies like the International Criminal Court. The assembly voted 138-9 in favour, with 41 nations abstaining. Nigeria is among the nations that voted in favour of the recognition of Palestine. Hundreds of Palestinians celebrated on the streets of Ramallah, in the West Bank after the result was announced.
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‘Birth certificate’ The parties began in Yasser Arafat Square on Thursday morning - long before the voting. Mr Abbas made his speech in New York just before 23:00 local time as crowds of people waving flags gathered around large screens carrying the live feed. Fireworks erupted in Ramallah with the news of the vote. While Palestinians will see no changes on the ground with immediate effect, the symbolism is all-important. There is also hope that access to UN bodies will bring new rights. A successful ap-
Nigeria is among the nations that voted in favour of the recognition of Palestine. Hundreds of Palestinians celebrated on the streets of Ramallah, in the West Bank after the result was announced
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plication for membership of the International Criminal Court could be used to accuse Israel of war crimes or make other legal claims against it. “Sixty-five years ago on this day, the United Nations Gen-
President Jonathan eral Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and became the birth certificate for Israel,” Mr Abbas said shortly before the vote in New York. “The General Assembly is called upon today to issue a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine,” he said. But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the vote “meaningless”, and said that Mr Abbas’ address in New York had not been “the words of a man who wants peace”. Opponents of the bid say a Palestinian state should emerge only out of bilateral negotiations, as set out in the 1993 Oslo peace accords under which the Palestinian Authority was established. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the vote “unfortunate and counter-productive”, saying it put more obstacles on the path to peace. UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon also called for more talks, saying the resolution underscored the need to re-
President Abbas sume meaningful peace negotiations. The UK abstained from the vote, as did Germany. The Czech Republic, Canada, the Marshall Islands and Panama were among the nations voting with the US and Israel. In the West Bank, crowds celebrated the vote by waving flags and chanting “God is great!” “For the first time, there will be a state called Palestine, with the recognition of the entire world,” Amir Hamdan was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. “Today the world will hear our voice,” he added. Symbolic milestone The Palestinians are seeking UN recognition of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, the lands Israel captured in 1967. While the move is seen as a symbolic milestone in Palestinian ambitions for statehood, the “Yes” vote will also have a practical diplomatic effect, says the BBC’s Barbara Plett, at the UN. The Palestinians hope that access to UN bodies will bring
new rights: A successful application for membership of the ICC could be used to accuse Israel of war crimes or make other legal claims against it. “This is a whole new ballgame now. Israel will be dealing with a member of the international community, a state called Palestine with rights,” senior PLO official Hanan Ashrawi told the BBC. “We will have access to international organisations and agencies and we will take it from there.” There had been lobbying by Israel and the US to try to delay the vote or change the text to obtain guarantees that no international legal action would be taken against Israel. Last year, Mr Abbas asked the UN Security Council to admit the Palestinians as a member state, but that was opposed by the US. Mr Abbas was much criticised by many Palestinians for remaining on the sidelines of the conflict earlier this month in Gaza and efforts to achieve a ceasefire with Israel. His Fatah movement, based in the West Bank, is deeply split from the militant Hamas movement which governs Gaza. Gaza’s Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh said in a statement sent to the BBC that Hamas’ “support for the UN bid is based on the ‘rule of non-recognition of the occupier’... and the right of Palestinians to return to their homeland”. How did key countries vote? •Voted for: France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Turkey, China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria •Voted against: Israel, US, Canada •Abstained: UK, Germany, Australia, Colombia.
Mursi puts Egypt’s new democracy at the cross roads HUGO ODIOGOR
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President Mursi
ive months into Mohammed Mursi’s presidency, Tahrir square is bustling again, with verve and energy, as the scenes, reminiscent of the popular uprising that swept away the country’s last Pharaoh, former President Hosni Mubarak, are on display once more. So far, two people, according to reports, have been killed in the protests which began last week and there were reports of clashes between the protesters and security agents. But hundreds of Egyptians protesting Mursi’s descent into dictatorship have been erecting tents and camps at Tahrir
Square, where they have vowed to remain until Mursi repeals the new decrees that gave him sweeping powers to govern the country. For a country that is yet to find stability after the gale of the Arab Spring that brought its economy to a standstill, Egypt is at the cross roads. The country’s tourism, which is the main revenue earner, has not picked up and the power game between the military and the president was yet to abate when Mursi issued new decrees that sought to give him legislative and judicial powers as the country prepares to introduce a draft constitution. The decrees have strained the al-
ready tenuous relationship between the president and the judges. Although senior judges have been negotiating with Mursi, to rescind the new powers he appropriated. On the street, the protesters want the president to dissolve the cabinet and the Islamist-dominated assembly. The final draft of Egypt’s new constitution was presented on Wednesday, and the document was put to a vote on Thursday, but the work of the Constituent Assembly has been in crisis because some of its members, notably the moderates, Christians and Liberals, walked out of its sittings alleging that the Islamist-dominated assembly was denying them the right to air their voices. C M Y K
PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
It has not been easy for a number of reasons. If you are not from the ‘right part’ of the country, if you don’t speak the ‘ right language’, you won’t get all the support and encouragement. And I have suffered a lot because of that; in fact, I had been a threat to a number of people, chief executives prior to my time. They felt so threatened to the point that they felt if they left me to excel, probably I was going to take their job from them. So there was a lot of victimisation, but the bottom line is that God, who brought me from the dung hill, has made it possible for me to be on this seat at this time and I just thank Him. It has not been easy. There was a period in my life that I was sent packing for 14 months, no salary, nothing! And that was not the first time or the second, but God has been faithful and that is the bottom line. It has not been easy because I didn’t have the desired support, I didn’t have godfathers and I was there suffering, but God has been faithful.
DANGEROUS FLIGHT : I flew plane with water in the engine engine– Chinyere Kalu, first female commercial pilot Being a pacesetter in the aviation sector in Nigeria is no mean feat. But for Captain Chinyere Kalu, the Rector and Chief Instructor at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, being the first female comercial pilot in Nigeria was a natural choice which had the support of her aunt whom she grew up with. Although she says her decision to be a pilot has caused her lots of pains beause some people felt she was a threat to them, she has no regret that she opted to be a pilot. In this interview with BEN AGANDE Chinyere takes us down memory lane and speaks on some of the challenges she has faced in the course of her profession thirty years after she left the aviation school. Excerpts:
fly? No opposition surprisingly. My aunt, who was my mentor, was the first person to travel to the United Kingdom from my village, so she was some kind of a celebrity of her time. So I mentioned the idea of flying to her; she did nursing in the UK; she was a trail blazer so to speak. And having been that exposed, she just felt ‘this is your opportunity, don’t even look back, just make the most of it, grab it’. So she was quite instrumental, encouraging and motivating. And, because she is my mother’s elder sister, and she was more or less the head of the family, she had a lot of influence, so once she had given her blessing, her go-ahead, my mother just said it was fine.
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as there any opposition from your parents when you made that decision to
If you are not from the ‘right part’ of the country, if you don’t speak the ‘right language’, you won’t get all the support and encouragement. And I have suffered a lot because of that; in fact, I had been a threat to a number of people, chief executives prior to my time
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What was the motivating factor that made you go into this male dominated profession at the time? That was about 33 years ago. The motivating factor was the adventurous spirit, to venture out to see what was out there. I felt flying would be challenging and I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing at the
time. I wanted something unique, something special, something challenging, something that would be fulfilling. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to travel all over the world and being paid for it. How has the journey been? I want to thank God in every sense of it.
In all of these, do you sometimes regret you went into the wrong p r o f e s s i o n ? I don’t think that has ever crossed my mind, but what I know did happen was that it kind of discouraged my children and my family members from going into flying from the onset. My daughters, two of them in the United States now, one doing her Ph.D, the other doing her master’s and even my last son would have gone abroad to do one thing or the other. But until I became the Rector and they saw some safe haven to remain and pursue the career, none of us ever thought of going into aviation or flying because it was rough. So God has been good and gracious. Can you share some of those memorable moments you had flying? One of the memorable moments of my life in flying was when I went on my first solo. First solo is the first time a student pilot will take off with an aircraft and land all by himself or herself, without the instructions and the presence of a flight instructor. That I did I think on the 6th of June, 1978. I can remember it clearly. At that time, the set of instructors that we had were semi-military and they could be so harsh and unfriendly. So my instructor said to me, `go, if you like, kill yourself ’. I, as a pilot and as an instructor, will never say that to my students at this point. I will say, `I believe in you, all you need to do is to show me that you can go up and come down on your own. Go ahead, I am praying for you and I know you will succeed’. But he told me, `you can go, if you like, kill yourself’; that was very negative. Well, I did go up and when I went up, instead of being afraid, rigid and timid, I felt so relaxed. I could remember I was singing, flying, just praising God and thanking God. I was not frigid, I was just there doing
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SUND AY SUNDA
my own thing, knowing that this man (I hope he doesn’t get to read this because he is still alive and still very much in the industry) that said I could g up and kill myself if I liked, that was shouting at me was no longer there. I could do what I wanted, fly the way I wanted; of course you have to follow rules and regulations. And I went up and came down. We are supposed to do three circuits, that is land three times and I did that and I was so happy and thankful to God that He made it happen. Another day was when I was flying, I had gone on a cross country and, before you can qualify as a commercial pilot, you have to do a lot of navigations and, at that time, we used to do solo navigations, now we have dual where you have two student-pilots going to fly. One will be in command while the other one will be the co-pilot. But in our own time, it was just one person flying. I had flown to Katsina and, for one reason or the other, I couldn’t locate Katsina and Katsina is close to the borders, so I was afraid and I said, `well, I hope I don’t fly into Niger and they shoot me down `or something like that. So I was so concerned and worried and of course I panicked a bit and, instead of doing what I had been taught to do rigidly, I was now just flying all over the place and not maintaining a constant heading and all that. I was really putting myself into trouble but the truth of it is that God helped me to locate Katsina and from there I was able to get my bearing to the college and nobody knew what had happened. What was the other incident? The other incident I had was on the 6th of October 2006 when I had a plane crash. We had gone up with two girls, twin sisters, and a boy on a flight. I think the exercise they were to do was climbing. It hadn’t been long they started flying when it happened. So we did the normal checks, all the parameters were okay, everything was working fine and then we took off. And because I had taught them some of the exercises, they were doing it themselves and then it got to a point and one of the students said, `Ma, it seems as if our aircraft is losing power’. So I checked and looked at the parameters and they were okay, but from the sound of the engine and the engine indicator (thermometer RPM indicator), I could see that actually we were losing power. So I thought, what do we do? We had practised that over and over, not with this set of students, but, as a pilot, before you graduate, you will do a lot of false landing, engine failure, precautionary landing. We had done a lot of that over and over, but it wasn’t something new, only that this was real, it was no longer stimulated. So when that happened, I took over control from her, obviously I should take over, I was the pilot in command and did all the other checks to see if we didn’t do something right or put something wrongly. I did all that and the power was not being sustained, so I realized that this was for real. So I was composed, I was calm then I decided that we should head towards the air field, that is, coming back to our C M Y K
‘I landed plane on guinea corn field’
Chinyere Kalu....I had close shave with death
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Continued from page 36
Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 37 2012,P
Initially I planned to come back to Zaria to land. I saw that I was too far away I could not make it. So the last decision was for me to land on the guinea corn field and that was where we landed
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airport here. Before then, I had had similar experiences. There was an occasion; I had gone to fly and somehow the engine began coughing, that is disruptive operation. So I decided that, instead of looking for a field to crash land because if you crash land there is a lot of publicity to it, you have to come and explain, NCAA will come in, your license will be suspended, investigation will take place and all that - So its quieter if you can manage it and bring it down but then you shouldn’t risk it in the process of managing it, you don’t want to crash and kill yourself, you still want to come out alive - I started coming back to the field and I was able to make it to the field. That was an incident some years back and, when we landed, we realized that water had entered the engine. We drained and saw half bottle of water from the engine, so it was the water that entered the engine that was making the aircraft to rough run and not to perform well. There was one too that I had and we headed back to the air field; it was moments after we landed that the engine stopped, and when we checked, we saw that the hose was not supplying fuel to the engine, and it had pulled off; so God just helped us to make it. The problem started, I said okay go ahead back to the field. We were heading back to the field when I realised that at the rate we were losing height viz-a-viz the distance to the field I will not be able to make it. So I had to
make alternative decision which is to land on the field. There was a road they were constructing and I decided that I will try and land on the road. But as we were coming in to land on the road we were quite low and, because of the way the road was positioned, I had not positioned myself to land comfortably on the road. When I was approaching the road I discovered there was a house on the right and I said to myself, `If I begin to turn in order to land on the road and I was quite low, chances are that my wings may hit the house and if my wings hit the house, I will lose control and the aircraft is going to crash land and we may sustain injuries’. So, at that point, I saw that beside the house there seemed to be guinea corn field and I decided to land there. That was the last decision because when you have an emergency you keep changing your decision based on how you study the situation. Your situation will determine whether you will carry on with your first decison or you have to revaluate aend make another decision. Initially I planned to come back to Zaria to land. I saw that I was too far away I could not make it. So the last decision was for me to land on the guinea corn field and that was where we landed. We landed very well and I thank God, but on landing I didn’t know there was a hump, it was as we went over that hump that the aircraft sustained some damages, but none of us came out with a scratch, we didn’t even take Panadol. So God did that miracle for me and I thank Him. When that was happening, the twin sisters asked, `Ma, does it mean this is it?’ I said it could be, but call on your God. And the faithful
God remained faithful to us and nothing happened. When we landed, I told them to rush out immediately. We all rushed out because with that impact there could be fire. While this was happening, I had called the tower to give them our situation report and what was happening, so tower was busy calling us but we had rushed out for safety. When we waited for a while and noticed there was no fire, we came back to answer tower and told them our exact location, eventually they came for us. And of course I have had experience of ferrying some of our aircraft from France to Zaria; it was a wonderful experience flying along the west coast of Africa, we landed in Senegal, then Abuja and then eventually in Zaria. It was a beautiful experience. So a lot of beautiful experience. What is the average cost of training a student to become a pilot here? The cost is N7.5 million for the whole period and that is inclusive of feeding and accommodation and, in reality, that is below the cost price because when you talk of International College of Aviation in Ilorin, they charge N10 million excluding feeding and accommodation and then the fuel they use are produced locally compared to ours that we buy from outside the country and we pay about N125,000 per drum. One of your students (Governor Suntai of Taraba State) was involved in a crash? (Cuts in) I wouldn’t want to respond to that. I will want to say that we have had students like Capt. Adoka Rein, he was my own personal student and he is flying and is still flying. He was MD NAMA and now he is flying with Arik Air and a host of them. Yes, we train students, it is the same standard we are maintaining, but anything can happen any time not because of the school. We maintain our standard. NCAA is a regulatory body that checks our standard, so we maintain very high standard and Nigerian pilots trained in this college are among the best in the world. We have very high standard. Do you have foreigners coming here to train? Not again, but there was a time we had students coming from Nyame and they were training basically air traffic controllers. English is aviation language, so they will send them to improve on their proficiency of English and we will test them and give them Category 4 because ICAO stipulates that you must have proficiency level of Category 4 before you can be a controller.
Vanguard , DECEMBER 2, 2012
BY LEKAN BILESANMI
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t was a rough beginning for him. He abandoned school after his father died and took to motorcycle spare parts apprenticeship. After finishing and practising the trade for some time, he moved to the motor parts business. Then he dabbled into bulldozer parts business and equipment leasing. Today, Chief Ben Emeka is the Group Chairman/ Managing Director of New Idea Asphalt Plant Limited and Chiben Oil Company, among others. In the course of his business activities, he educated himself to the university level. Emeka’s philanthropy is legendary. He rebuilt a church for the Anglican Communion in his Umuleri community destroyed during their communal war in the 90s. He is also building roads for the community. Emeka tells his rags-to-riches story. How did it all start? I finished my primary education in 1973, that was at Saint Gabriel Primary School, Otuocha, Umuleri, but, that same year my father died; so, there was no other person to take care of my education, and I had to stop going to school. In the meantime, I sought the assistance of my immediate brother who was based in the North to learn to trade in motorcycle spare parts. I did that for two years. Why motorcycle spare parts? The decision to go into that was taken by my senior brother since our breadwinner, our father, was gone. I had to relocate to Sokoto where he was based to learn the trade under him. It was the only sensible thing to do at that time. If I didn’t want to go hungry , the only option was to run down to Sokoto to learn the trade. This was what I was doing before I began mine in 1975 and, when God started blessing me, in 1980, I moved from motorcycle spare parts to motor spare parts and learnt the trade for another six months before I started mine. I was dealing in Toyota spare parts and, suddenly, this new venture was booming so fast that I thought I should look for a bigger venture and that was how I ventured into bulldozer spare parts, and, just as other ventures were moving, this bulldozer parts business too was moving for me. I was still in Sokoto then. But, in 1990, when the religious crisis in the North was becoming serious, I thought it was best to return to Aba . But while I was doing this business in Sokoto, I was also conscious of the desire to further my education, and that was why I attended private coaching lessons so that I could write my GCE. I passed the GCE at the first sitting. In 1994, I moved down to Port Harcourt where I saw a lot of educational opportunities and that was how I enrolled in the University of Science and Technology for my business administration programme and, after five years, I graduated. After my graduation, I moved from bulldozer spare parts to bulldozer equipment leasing. But, in the course of the leasing, I discovered that majority of the people I was doing business with were construction companies, so the thought came to my mind to float a C M Y K
It was tough burying my mother after Aguleri/ Umuleri war – Emeka z‘My rags-to-riches story’
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P AGE 38—SUND AY PA 38—SUNDA
My mother died in Port Harcourt. I had to bring her over to Port Harcourt because of the war. So she died in exile
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*Emeka....cognate experience was a clog in my wheel of progress many other Ibos. There are so many factors that would make an Ibo man not construction firm. That was how New to marry on time. One of them is Idea Construction Company came about economic factor. He would want to have in 1999. When New Idea came into the a place he can call his home before he construction industry, it was a very can talk about marriage. He would want turbulent challenge for me. Where ever his business to be doing well before I went to bid for jobs , the first thing bringing a woman into the house. But, they would ask was, ‘what have you in my own case, by 27, I had built a done before?’ Unfortunately I had not storey building of four flats. By this time, done any. What I did was to start I was already established financially. So building houses for my friends and a there was nothing left that I should be couple for myself; by so doing, I was waiting for other than a woman to be my gradually building up my C.V and wife. And I am happy I took that finally I was able to break through into decision to marry early because, by the industry by getting a road construc1988, I already had my first son who is tion work from Agip Oil Company now a graduate of civil engineering Nigeria, a two-kilometer road in Aga, from the University of Wales, London. Rivers State. I was given one year to He is currently doing his master’s in complete the road, but, because of the France. My second son, born 1989, is professionals engineers I hired for the a medical student in Hungary. My job and the commitment and zeal we daughter, the third child, just finished showed, we were able to finish it under her youth service. The fourth is six months. And the company was very studying in the UK. The two other happy about the quality and the pace of ones who are the babies of the house the job that they awarded us another are schooling here in Nigeria. That is contract; that was how I had my what early marriage has produced for breakthrough in the construction me. industry. From there, it was no longer a problem of showing what I had done What brought about the idea of before as I was being asked. New Idea building a Cathedral for your Construction Company today is a name church? to be reckoned with in the industry. You may have heard of the Umuleri About 60% of the roads in Abia are and Aguleri communal war in the 90s. being handled by New Idea. Some There was one in 1995 and, in 1999, roads in Imo State were also done by there was another. The one in 1999 New Idea. We have a lot of jobs with was so devastating that every house Federal Road Maintenance Agency, in my community was either burnt or FERMA, a federal agency. pulled down. In the case of the Cathedral , it was not just burnt, it Why I married early? was also pulled down to its foundaI got married in 1986, the same year I tion. And after the war, for three to met my wife. I married early unlike four years, the Anglican Communion
in Umuleri had no place of worship, and it became a painful thing. The vision of doing something about the church came to me one day. God told me in the vision that I should go and build a brand new church and deliver to my people. So, I went to my bishop and the parish priest about the vision even though I didn’t have the money stached somewhere; both men of God and members of the church prayed for me and then handed over the plan of the building of the church to me. And as if that was what God was waiting for before He manifested His will on me, the moment the foundation was laid, I started getting jobs everywhere, from state and federal governments. And I never lacked one kobo from the day we laid the foundation of the building up to the time we handed it over to the church; it was blessings galore. The workers were working day and night, the Cathedral was completed under eleven months because we never stopped work on it even for a day. By 2007, the church was dedicated by the Primate, Church of Nigeria and, today, it is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Niger-West because, when they wanted to create more Dioceses in the Anglican Communion, they found the church as the most suitable to be used as the Cathedral headquarters and all the Cathedral status was given to it. Saddest moment That should be when I lost my mother in 2003. Her death was particularly sad not because she was my mum but also because the communal war made her death worse for me. My mother died in Port Harcourt. I had to bring her over to Port Harcourt because of the war. So she died in exile. But, at the time she died, my house in the village was not conducive for her to be buried there because of the fallouts of the war as, shortly after the war, you would see armed robbers, miscreants all over the place. You could not come to this place easily if you were wealthy. It was a sad moment because there is really nothing more painful than not knowing how to bury your dead. After some months, I had to summon courage, went to the police, they gave me protection, we brought the corpse to the village, the same day, we buried her, and, in the evening of that same day, even with the presence of the police, I had to quickly leave the town because the community was hot at that time. Joyful moments From my story so far, you can see that I am a blessed man. I am a happy person and that is why it gives me joy to give a helping hand whenever I am opportune. There is really nothing that makes me happy more than putting smiles on peoples faces.
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE39
After the floods, the next few months will be hell — Bozimo, ex-police affairs minister!
zSays state police will bring confusion
Alowei Broderick Bozimo is a former Minister of Police Affairs. Bozimo’s farm and his country home in Bomadi, Delta State were washed away by flood. In this interview, he regrets not following the foot steps of his father by building a storey building in the village after seeing the flood take over his building and farm. He also speaks on the security challenges facing the nation and other national issues. Excerpts:
H
ow would you describe the devastating effects of the flooding, particularly in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country? The flood was completely strange, completely out of character and unprecedented. All my life in Ijaw, I have never experienced this kind of environment. When we were young, the annual flood was never as devastating as this; a situation where we had to paddle the canoe to get into our homes, farms destroyed, children exposed to diseases, farmers could hardly see land to process their farm produce, premature harvesting of cassava, it was really serious. I have already appealed to my governor and the Federal Government to do something and luckily one now found that the Federal Government has started putting in place initiatives which are extremely laudable. But one still has reservation as to whether we have the capacity to drive the process to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise. So what do you think we can C M Y K
do now as a nation? I think that, one, we have to be proactive to a certain extent. I recall that the Federal Government put out warnings ahead of this crisis but, you know, for this warning to get down to the grassroots, and for the local communities to appreciate this danger, perhaps the enlightement should have been much more
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BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City
construction of the dams should be looked at, a situation where dams can be overwhelmed is a dangerous situation. So I think that is an aspect the government should look at. Three, our emergency crisis management team should receive adequate training and also government should examine what type of relief materials should be
The entire farms have been destroyed, livestock were washed away, my own farm is gone. So there is serious suffering now in our communities. People are prematurely harvesting their cassava to get food to eat
fierce. In other words, institutions like the National Orientation Agency should have taken this more seriously. Two, from the information gathered, this problem was precipitated by the dams in Cameroun and Kainji; they were threatened so they had to release water out of the system. That explains the excessive flooding. So I suppose the
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given. Of course I understand that mattresses, food stuff are good but, of course, as some body observed, you might find a situation whereby you cannot find firewood or land to cook your rice, so those are areas they should look at. There should be sufficient funding already made available so that the staff of relief organizations like the
Red Cross should receive up to date training so that they are able to mobilize quickly to address some of these problems. Otherwise we will just be throwing good money after the problem and that will not solve the problem. But do you think the money budgeted by the Federal Government so far for flood victims will help solve the problem? Certainly it will help but I don’t believe that it will eradicate the present problems the communities are suffering. Perhaps, the emphasis should be on the best way to address the suffering and the problems resulting from this flooding. It is not necessarily bringing out huge sums of money which may not be properly managed to address the core problems of this crisis of flood. I want to say that in a situation like this. it is even difficult to determine the magnitude of the devastation. I know that the entire Ijaw areas in the Niger Delta was flooded. Like in my own local constituency in Burutu Local Government, the flood affected Gbekorbo town, Okrika, Okwangbe in Ughelli town, we saw Ufukaba in Ughelli South, we saw Ayakromo in Burutu
Local Government, we saw Ezebri my own community, we saw Ogodo bridge in Bomadi Local Government. So I saw massive devastation that the flood has inflicted on the community. The entire farms have been destroyed, livestock were washed away, my own farm is gone. So there is serious suffering now in our communities. People are prematurely harvesting their cassava to get food to eat. That means the next few months will be hell. So, on the whole, I think the entire Niger Delta, principally, riverine communities on the shores of the River Niger, on the shores of the River Forcados, those are the places that have been heavily affected. Another thing is that with the dredging of the River Niger, one expects that there should be a way whereby they can establish embankments, sand filling so that when water comes next time, it will be difficult to get into the villages. That has not happened. I was reliably informed that in my area, the NDDC is in the process of carrying out fore wall protection. If that was in place, it would have helped `but it
Continues on page 40
PAGE 40 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
‘Floods are a double tragedy for N-Delta people’
Bozimo...It is not necessarily bringing out huge sums of money which may not necessarily be properly managed to address the core problems of this crisis of flood
Continued from page 39
I
was confused when I got to my community Honestly, I felt very sad when I got home. But I cannot blame government because the flood was not caused by them, it is a natural disaster. But government has a duty to be prepared for this kind of disaster. For Ijaw people, it is terrible because we have to paddle canoe in the street; so it is double tragedy for the Niger Delta people who are in the shores of the River Niger. So you now commend the wisdom of your father who built a storey building (laughter) I do. It is unfortunate that I am over 70, so it will be difficult for me to start building a storey building now. What my father saw sitting down I could not see it standing on top of the roof. When the flood was building, we started moving to my father’s house but the house got crowded I could not get space there. But I will tell my children; when you come home, `please build storey buildings, don’t build bungalow because it will not work’. As a former Minister of Police Affairs, how do you see our security system? C M Y K
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will not eradicate the problem because I believe that if you don’t sand fill properly, the water can come from behind to cause destruction. Finally, I my self, I have a bungalow in the village because I intend to retire to the village and if you build up stairs, how do you climb into your retirement home? I learnt that from my father, he built his huge up stairs and, when he retired, he climbed up and never came down until he died. So, I decided to learn some lesson from him. But, from this flood experience, what the old man saw sitting down, the son does not see standing up. I can now say that my father had reason to build a storey building. Today people are running to that his storey building for safety while I am wallowing in my bungalow.
I think one has to be careful coming into conclusion that our security apparatus has completely collapsed. I do not subscribe to that. The reason being that the Boko Haram and the general insecurity you see i is not limited to Nigeria. It is every where, in America , Syria , Israel , name it. Even in America, some body will buy a rifle, walk into a school and start shooting people. So I think that it is an endemic problem with humanity. I can’t explain it but it looks like, as the generations develop, all kinds of things happen to human beings and they begin to behave in different ways. Perhaps psychiatrics and criminologists will have to address this problem. But what I know in Nigeria , because of the political situation, the cultural and religious situations, all kinds of factors are
Boko Haram in Borno, the Maitasine kind of people. I remember I went there when they bombed a police station in Borno. Before now, it was completely localized, but you
I learnt that from my father, he built his huge up stairs and, when he retired, he climbed up and never came down until he died
working together to produce this kind of insecurity. And it is not easy for the average government to anticipate all of these and proactively address them. You and I would not have imagined few years ago that this country will start experiencing what other countries have been experiencing like suicide bombing. It is staring us in the face today and it will take time for the security agents to catch up with this phenomenon. I know that when I was Minister of Police Affairs, we had traces of
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can see the thing spreading gradually and the security agents are battling them but at a very heavy cost. Manpower, destruction of lives and property and the general insecurity it has caused. And it is unfortunate that it will affect our economic growth because without peace and security, economic development does not happen robustly. But, with time, I believe that things will settle down, it cannot go on like this forever. But many Nigerians believe that President Goodluck
Jonathan is not doing enough to tackle the security challenges? Any body who holds the view that the president is not doing enough is extremely uncharitable to the position of the president. The president is only one human being, so if you think that the president alone can change every thing, then we don’t understand what is happening. Even a military regime confronted with this kind of problem will be over whelmed not to talk of a civilian president, a young man, an academician who means well for Nigeria . We must sympathize with Jonathan and give him support. As a former Minister of Police Affairs, before we left we have started introducing community policing. Community policing was meant to address this kind of situation. In order words, every Nigerian is his own police man. Every body is his brother ’s keeper, and, of necessity, it is beginning to happen now. To me, community policing addresses this business of state policing because there is no magic about state
police. Just because you turn the name around and call it state police, then the Commissioner of Police in the state becomes the head of his own policing, that will not turn things around. The communities will still have to cooperate with the local police to achieve result. And further more, a state police will not have the resources to have institutions for training police officers like you have centrally. There will be total confusion. All these problems can be taken care of with a robust community policing, there will be no duplication. State police will not solve the problem but will compound it and, with the tendency of most states to be independent, then the kind of complexion of policing that you find from state to state will be determined by the kind of political posture of the governor and that will not augur well for a developing country like ours. When we are more mature as a nation, then we can afford the luxury of a state police but, right now, we are not there yet.
SUNDAY
Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012,PAGE 41
MONARCH RELIVES JESSE RIOT:
human being, I know that it is not good to kill somebody without following due process . That is why I asked the police to take him away and the moment the police took him away, somebody released false information that the man had escaped from the police.
I escaped half naked
*Charred remains of the Idjerhe monarch’s palace
THE Ovie (monarch) of Idjerhe (Jesse) Kingdom in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM, Erhikevwe I, whose palace was razed by irate youths over his refusal to authorize the lynching of a suspected ritualist, on November 13, speaks on how he escaped death by the whiskers . He also sheds light on how he tried to avert the tragedy and the reasons for the vile actions of his adversaries in the kingdom. Excerpt: By Emma Amaize,
Regional Editor, South South
C M Y K
,
O
n November 13, your palace was razed by a mob, did you have any premonition as you woke up that day? I woke up normally without premonition of what later developed. I had plans to go to Asaba to attend the screening for those going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; so when I woke up, I took my bath and we started our early morning devotion. This was about 6.30 am. One Hon Oyibo, who was to travel with me because his car had no spare tyre , came to join us and, while we were in the devotion, somebody ran into the palace to alert me that they had seen the suspect, who had been inflicting machete cuts on persons and running into the bush. He appealed to me for support to enable them capture the suspect in the bush and I alerted some of my chiefs and the police to go to the area. Within 30 minutes, they rushed in that the man had been ar-
The army rescued me from the bush where I hid myself. Eventually, we picked my wife and son and we ended up in Koko, where a Good Samaritan clothed us because we were half-naked
rested and, in a matter of seconds, the entire palace ground had been overtaken by youths, men, women and children. They all came and the suspect was identified as a Jesse person from Ugbomaja waterside. Initially, they had alleged an Hausa man was committing the havoc and I said thank God, we are making progress. By this time, the crowd was surging and I overheard them saying the man must die and they were making all the attempts. I urged the police to take the man away. We had an experience, about a year ago, when one Oyeware
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from Ejenesa village was alleged to have kidnapped a little girl and was brought to my palace. In the process of preliminary interrogation before the police that I invited came, the palace had been taken over by youths, who snatched the suspect from the police and burnt him to death at the roundabout in the town square. So, as I heard them say they were going to kill him, I said this thing was going to happen again and it should not happen in my palace. Remembering not long that we had the Port Harcourt Four and, apart from that, as a king and as
How I escaped Then, they descended on the house, everything and me. The next moment, there was fire in the house, but I managed to escape by scaling a fence of about seven feet. I jumped down and many others, those who came in good fate to see what will happen were involved. Many of them had to scale the fence. At the end of the day, my car, the vehicles of others, who came to my palace, were burnt. The army rescued me from the bush where I hid myself. Eventually, we picked my wife and son and we ended up in Koko, where a Good Samaritan clothed us because we were half-naked, I only escaped with my knickers and T-shirt. I hardly thought that what happened that day would happen. When I heard of the alleged ritualist attacking people on Sunday, I invited palace chiefs against Monday morning to deliberate on the issue and I told the youths to go into the bush and comb all the suspected areas. They complied and one chief brought some traditionalists, who boasted that they could use voodoo powers to track down the suspect. They demanded N40,000, which I gave them. Then, on Monday morning, I asked the chief if the traditionalists and the youths were working together, he told me, yes. While I was expecting to meet with my chiefs as pre-arranged, I was told the youths were advancing to the palace, I was told the traditionalists informed the public that it was the Hausa I allowed to stay in our community that were causing the problem. They invaded my palace with cutlass, battleaxe At the end of the day, the police succeeded in making them to leave because they came in their hundreds brandishing cutlass, battle-axe and throwing stone at the palace. That was Monday, after they had been beaten back; this incident of Tuesday came as a surprise. It came as a surprise because one least expected, they knew the efforts I had put in to ensure that the suspect was arrested, but that being what happened, as a student of history, I know for an event, there must be an immediate and remote causes. Wicked plots against me For the past two months in the community, we have been hearing rumours of the king receiving a bribe of N30 million from SEPLAT. They say they will kill him, they will do that, we will burn his house, etc. Therefore, on November 5, I invited the leaders and representatives of the community to the town hall and briefed them on the correct situation of things. I showed them correspondences to the government and what I had done in respect of the flow station, on which
Continues on page 41
PAGE 42—SUNDAY
Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Continued from page 41
Uduaghan summoned a meeting I told him that my people would not want that, but, by the time this thing happened, government was just trying to act on that letter. Upon my letter, the governor invited the community to meet in Asaba on November 7, but that was not before a lot of harm had been done. All the talks were that the Ovie have been compromised, this and that, even though I set up a committee as demanded by the MoU to look into the issues. The committee I set up had not even reached any agreement with the oil company, but people were already carrying rumours that I had been settled, whereas, there
‘I escaped half naked’ was no iota of truth in the claim. Ajavwini rebellion There is also this Ajavwini community palaver, where somebody was nominated as the chair and the minutes of meeting, where the person was nominated was forwarded to me. A delegation came to brief me for my endorsement. I endorsed the person but some young men, led by one of their leaders and a suspended chief, started to propagate falsehood that the person who was chosen was not a native of Ajavwini and could not act in that position. I felt that they would not know the Ekpe (eldest man) in the community and the elders’ council that introduced him to me. At the end of the day, those youths said they deposed the eldest man, removed his insignia of office and sent them to somebody else to act as Ekpe . Eventually, this eldest man died and the man they took these things to became the defacto head of the community. After sometime, this successor now said it was difficult to brush aside what his predecessor had done and asked that the man who was previously elected as chair should come
traditional process of doing things from the village head to the king, etc.
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they alleged I had been compromised and I told them it could not be. I set up a committee to look into the areas of the oil that was found in our kingdom and to advise the community on the way forward in meeting with SEPLAT. The committee submitted their report on June 23. On June 24, I articulated a letter to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, informing him about a company that was working in our area and confirmed finding oil, but our people want the flow station to be built in our kingdom, not piping our oil to any other place, which the company was contemplating at that time.
For those who burnt my palace, I have forgiven them and I pray that God forgives them too. My major regret is that people lost their lives in this incident, which was avoidable
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for his blessings to run his term. The same group came again to depose this old man and appointed a puppet head of community. This brought a big problem, as the community was factionalized. There was a clash, some were taken away by security agents and, as a kingdom, we felt we could not continue to fold our hands and I summoned a meeting of palace chiefs, where we took some resolutions. We wrote to government to intervene and deal with the persons who were disrupting our age-long
Stoking fire We were expecting to hear from the government on this letter when the police invited the two factions and directed them to mend fences. On October 1, a few of them from both sides met me in the palace and told me that they were working on the advice of the police and were going to their village to work out modalities for peace. However, after some days, what I saw were women from the community, who claimed they came over the leadership of the community, but it was a smokescreen, as they resorted to demonstration, singing songs and putting up shows that were associated with burial rites of somebody who had passed away. In addition, such an exercise is a taboo in the palace and they did that against all advice, setting up fire and all that. They did a lot of abominable things, I called my chiefs, who appealed to them, but they still refused. I called in the police; they came in around 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm, the women were there for more than five-six
hours. Police succeeded in dislodging them. Therefore, it is apparent that some people were using the youths and women to stoke fire in the kingdom. What I lost It is difficult to quantify my loss. I have decided to take it philosophically because I came to this world empty and I do not want to brood over property. I was a civil servant for 36 years and the civil servant, even though they do not have anything, I have assets, I have souvenirs, which, when I see, I feel satisfied. I have many things I inherited from my grandfather, my father, etc, which I cannot regain. In fact, many things I have acquired as a king, treasures, gifts from people and all that. I built my house when I was a civil servant. To be able to build that house now, you will be talking about N30N40 million. I lost two SUVs and other vehicles, properties, documents, my children certificates. As I said, I am taking it philosophically because I know that what I did, I was on the right path and those properties I lost, whatever happens, God is there to provide for me; once there is life, there is hope. Otherwise, what I lost in that place, including my visitors, we are talking about N300 million. I forgive those who burnt my palace For those who burnt my palace, I have forgiven them and I pray that God forgives them too. My major regret is that people lost their lives in this incident, which was avoidable. I pray that God gives their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
Police arrest 3 officers, another on the run
The police ... ready for action against kidnappers
Continued from page 20 Vanguard source narrated. “Behold, it was ringing within the compound. It was traced to the police orderly, who did not pick. The husband of the judge did not believe when he was told and he had to call the number himself. It rang but the orderly still did not pick it and he lured him to do some work in his car, where the phone rang severally. The orderly checked the phone, as it was
ringing nearby, but did not answer the call”. After the incident, the police orderly hid the Etisalat line and, by the time they were invited by the Area Commander, Warri, over the incident, the phone was missing. He initially said it belonged to his brother, that the said brother had traveled and, later, that the phone was lost. Driver arrested The driver of the judge was
overheard by another aide telling somebody on phone that the judge is rich and they would make money if they kidnapped her. This was after he sighted some documents relating to financial transaction regarding to her father ’s estate, of which she is the administrator, in her possession. The judge was alerted and she confronted the driver. He and another former driver of the judge were arrested, but the latter was later released. Who removed orderly’s car? It was days after the police orderly was arrested and it looked as if nothing was forthcoming from the investigations that The Don continued with the ransom demand and was entrapped by the army. Before then, the orderly did not know that he would be
detained in Asaba and parked his car in front of the compound of the judge in Warri. The police asked for the keys of his car, which were seized, but before they could get to the car in Warri, somebody had removed it from where it was parked. It was suspected that at that time, the phone and other incriminating evidence could still be in his car; to play safe, he reportedly called a member of the gang to remove the car. Police officer on the run In the course of our investigations, we discovered that a police officer, said to be supplying guns and bullets to the syndicate, has gone AWOL on the run. He was described as the police armourer, but Commissioner Aduba, who confirmed that the said police officer was actually on the run, said he was not a police armourer, but somebody attached to the armoury. An intriguing thing about all the police officers involved in the sour deal, including the
driver, is that they are all from Agbor and Abavo, Ika axis of the state. Bring perpetrators to book – Omon-Irabor Sir Omon-Irabor said, “Judges are like gods feared by the populace, so when kidnappers or criminals, who, ordinarily are supposed to be very wary of them, begin to send them threat letters or demand for ransom, you know it is not a trivial matter any longer. The question really is: Who are these kidnappers that have the temerity to dare a judge? “No doubt, they must be insiders. Like I said, a judge is an enigma. For the judge to be threatened, it is serious, the police have to sit up and thoroughly investigate this matter. I must, however, add that judges should not, because of this, take any person accused of kidnapping arraigned before them as guilty. They should give them benefit of doubt and ensure fair trial before arriving at any verdict”.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012,PAGE 43
My father gave me the option to study or become useless — Bukola Folayan *’I didn’t choose to rap; rap chose me’
visiting professor to many countries and I could have chosen to be wayward, yet I had to study to become somebody, not just my father ’s child, but my own person! My father didn’t hide those games; he would want you to choose to study or become useless. The choice was ours to make. A lot of the virtues and values I manifest today I owe to proper upbringing, but I played a big role myself because of the choice I made. And that’s what I am today. I was also in girls’ brigade, my mum was the captain, she taught me responsibility. I was in Happiness Club, we were kids singing, my brother started a family singing group Folayan Family Singers! It was quite an experience growing up! What was it like growing up in a university town? No difference from anywhere else! Your choices make up who you ultimately become. Your decision affects your destination. Is BOUQUI a stage name? Yes, Bouqui is a stage name. It is an acronym for Born Once More Unto a Quickened, Unparalleled Image. How have you survived as a female rapper in a male dominated sphere? I am a minister of the gospel of Christ. It knows no gender! Rap is just a tool. I have found my place in d e s t i n y ! Rap music isn’t easy, Why did you choose it? I didn’t choose to rap! Rap chose me! I say this because it really wasn’t difficult adapting to rap. I grew up with
rap music. I said earlier on that my brother had a rap group while we were growing up and l blended doing rap also. Why did you choose gospel rap as against secular rap? In the first place, I don’t sing for people to be thrilled. I am not a comedian, I am a minister, I minister to the needs of people. Doctors minister healing. They give you drugs and injections to get you well... Even when you don’t feel like taking them. There’s a time for thrilling. There’s a time for serious s t u f f . . . . It is who I am, my nature, I cannot be anything other than myself, it is not about rap. It is about using my God-given talent to promote the kingdom I belong to! Isn’t that what we all do? Knowingly or u n k n o w i n g l y . Your hair style, what defined it? It is ‘Bobby’s signature. Bobby has a salon in Surulere, Lagos and I patronize him. He fixes my hair. We haven’t heard anything about your relationship. Are we expecting any news soon on the date? I am not married yet, but I would keep you posted when the time comes. Do not lose hope! We noticed you have been lying low for some time now. What is next from you? I am conserving energy now; activity is not equal to productivity, so all the things that keep people seemingly relevant don’t appeal to me anymore. I am making all my moves count. I am much wiser and my decision making is enhanced, I am working on a double CD : Marks of a General and Eve of Independence. It is winding down and is due out before the end of this year by the special grace of God. What is your advice to upcoming rap artistes, especially females? Do not negotiate your future when you are hungry, do not sell your birthright because of desperation. Do not sell your bodies for a little promotion or promissory promotion ... Be a go getter, don’t let anybody tell you that you cannot achieve it, put your eyes on the mark, build yourself, your character, your principles and values and see the sky as your springboard. What do you want to be remembered for? I want people to remember that l spoke the mind of Christ. It is not about being here and doing any stuff. It is about touching lives.
I don’t sing for people to be thrilled. I am not a comedian, I am a minister, I minister to the needs of people
Bukola Folayan
By Florence Amagiya
B
ukola Folayan, a.k.a BOUQUI, is a renown gospel rapper who has been on her thing for about ten years, but she is still growing strong. The female artiste has taken rap music to the next level in Nigeria and on the foreign scene. She is of the opinion that her music is inspired by God as she sees herself as a minister of the gospel. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, the gospel of Christ, using rap music as a tool and her future. How did you end up becoming a rap artiste? It was not even a profession perse when I started rapping. It was a hobby for a lot of guys I knew. My brother was a rapper for instance and I was only 12 years old when I wrote my first rap. I did not know of any rapper in Nigeria apart from my brother’s group at that time. Anyway, to answer your question, I have always loved rap. I would take my brother’s Walkman and listen to his chrome tapes, Arrested Development, Tribe Called Quest, Nice and Smooth, Kris One, Common, Public Enemy, etc. I followed my heart, my brother initiated and taught me the basics, but like an eagle, I was thrown from the peak of the mountain and I learnt to fly...weather the storm, against all odds, I learnt the art of flying and using the wind to my advantage. Would you say your childhood prepared you for this career? C M Y K
In a way though; in a sort of way, the discouragement gave me fire to press on rather than give up. I saw a picture that I wanted to actualize, I would say, VISION kept me on course. I could not cast off restraint because I BELIEVED I was going somewhere. Tell us about your childhood days as a staff kid in OAUIle- Ife? It was like double edged sword. I was given all l wanted, but l wasn’t spoilt. Yes, l had everything at my beck and call, but I was also disciplined and l was taught self control because of the unbreakable principles l was given by my parents. You know l had all the new games because my dad was a
PAGE 44 --- SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
sameyoboka@yahoo.com
When Warri went agog for Oritsejafor
08023145567 (sms only)
the banks as the upsurge of per-sons from different parts of the country and other countries boosted their sales tremendously. Sellers of religious materials—books including bibles, handcrafts, female head gears, handbags, local dresses, and much more did great business as they virtually took over all the approaches to the Word of Life Bible Church in the neighbourhood. Hotels in Warri were fully booked just as food vendors, eateries, business centres, as well as barbers and fashion houses in the vicinity would have loved to see the programme extended to make way for increased business. The only persons who missed out in action were the ubiquitous motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada. This group of persons, who should be making huge business were no where to be found, no thanks to a governmental policy that banned okada operators from operating in the commercial city of Warri and the state capital, Asaba. Participants complained severally, saying that the tricycles deployed to Warri have not filled the gap left behind by the ban on Okada operators. They therefore appealed to the state government to assist the people of the state by deploying more tricycles to the oil city as soon as possible to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
El-Buba who spoke on behalf of all the northern delegates described the 10-day spiritual fiesta as a tremendous experience. “Well it’s been a tremendous experience because for somebody to be able to clock 40 years in ministry is a tremendous experience in the life of one man that has been consistent. One man that has a proving character, one man that has also shown the way to the younger generation and one man that has been consistent. “It’s one thing to begin a journey; its one thing to come midway and it’s another thing to keep on consistently. And it’s tremendous for me to be here to see the grace of God. It’s just like the days he began, the zeal and the fire in him is like he just began. Truly, this is the beginning of a new beginning,” he stated when asked about his impression about the celebrant. Asked what his message would be for Papa, this is what he said: “Papa, it’s our pride to have you; you are the pride of every true believer. You are the pride of the Church in Nigeria, in Africa. You are the pride of all of us. We look up to the grace of God upon your life. As we imitate the steps of God and the steps you’ve taken, we follow you as you follow the Lord. We are so proud of you. “Actually I was meditating that you still have 40 more years to celebrate and that means that we’ll be around to celebrate with you on your 80th celebration in ministry. Congratulations. We love you so dearly, and the people of Plateau State love you so dearly. The Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. We love you Papa,” ElBuba prayed.
40-YEARS-IN-MINISTRY ANNIVERSARY CAKE: L-R: Delta State Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr. Mike Muddork, President Goodluck Jonathan, celebrant, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, his wife, Pastor Helen Oritsejafor and their children supported by friends and well wishers cutting the anniversary cake. Apart from the present- an upsurge of patients treatment should be free. ITHIN 60 hours two ation of a jet to the cel- during the Jubilee as “We encourage people democratic- ebrant on November 10, delegates from mostly to come for treatment at ally elected presidents of his birthday which was the northern part of the any time of the day at the the Federal Republic of watched by the serv-ing country naturally were clinic,” he said adding Nigeria, one serving and president, and which treated for ailments due that the medical ministry the other retired, visited has generated so much to the change of weather. gives talks on common the oil city of Warri on interest across the natDr. Oru said the clinic medical conditions that account of another pre- ion, there was a present- which is being run by a people very often neglsident, this time the ation of a book written by volunteer medical team ect and could be very president of the Christ- the celebrant, a public attended to some medi- devastating to their ian Association of Niger- lecture on ways to fash- cal emergences by prov- health. “We give such ia, CAN, Pastor Ayodele ion unity among Niger- iding medical services talks to help them better Joseph Oritsejafor. The ians, health and busin- free to all persons, appreciate their medical Tremendous expcharismatic cleric was ess seminars. There were noting that there was no status and prepare them erience, says Procelebrating his birthday, also career counseling major medical situation. on how to better manage phet El-Buba 40 years in ministry, 25th for the youths as well as “The clinic is open to such conditions and live anniversary of his church sessions for the women- all and sundry every quality lives and make A former Islamic cultist as well as the 25th con- folk on how to manage Sunday; and during quality contributions to who experienced convvention of the church their homes. major church progra- their families and the Over 700 delegates mmes such as this Jubi- nation as a whole,” he ersion in 1982 and is the and President Goodluck president/General Jonathan with Delta from 30 states of the lee Word Festival and the stated. Overseer of Evangelical federation in addition to State governor, Dr. services are available for Bible Outreach MiniEmmanuel Uduaghan in several others from nei- everybody irrespective Absence of okada stries in Jos, Prophet Isa ghbouring countries of tow and erstwhile Presiof religion or tribe free of dent Olusegun Obasan- Ghana, Cameroon, Togo charge. Participants didn’t jo reputed to be the pol- and Senegal attended especially those who stop itical god-father of the the programme. have be affected by the traders former visited Warri at change of weather and from different times to felicit- Free medicare others who after long making ate with the celebrant. trips to Warri needed Eminent traditional There was free accom- some medical assistan- brisk business rulers like the Olu of modation and feeding ce,” he stated. Warri and the Orodje of for all the delegates The head of the team Business Okpe, their counterpart throughout the duration emphasized that the from Gbaramatu King- of the event just as they clinic is a full medical persons in dom as well as seasoned got free medicare at the bay that is open for 24 Warri and preachers of the gospel health centre owned by hours to anybody who especially from the local scene as the church. wants to avail him/ all around well as the international According to the head herself of any medicare the Okere, community also partici- of the medical team in at very subsidized rates A j a m i m o pated in the 10-day charge of the church’s at the clinic, pointing out gha, Airport spiritual fiesta that feat- medical ministry which that the church had Road right ured a variety of progra- is different from the decreed that on Sundays up to the mmes for every particip- Eagle Health Clinic, Dr. and during major pro- Ogunu axis *Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and some of his traditional ant. Solomon Oru, there was grammes all medical smiled to chiefs at the occasion.
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SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012 --- PAGE 45
BRIEFLY......BRIEFLY...... Insecurity: Cleric suppor ts supports militar militaryy option
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ESUS says: “It is written in the prophets, ‘and they shall all be taught by God.’” (John 6:45). However, new believers are not allowed to be taught by God. They are quickly indoctrinated in churches where the fear of God is often taught by the commandment of men. (Isaiah 29:13). A s a result, they read the scriptures with minds already made up. They start their walk with Christ with assumptions and presumptions that have nothing to do with the word of God. A prime example is the bogus Christian concept of hell. The idea of God torturing sinners in a fiery furnace for eternity is a staple diet in Christendom. However, it is completely without true biblical foundation. The concept was developed long after the bible was compiled essentially as a manipulative devise for populating the churches. It was then extrapolated into the scriptures by bible translators 1600 years later. The word hell itself had nothing to do originally with a place of torment. It came from the anglosaxon words “helle” which means “a hidden place;” and “helan” which means “to cover or conceal.” Thus, something that covers the head is a “helmet.” “Helliers” “helled a building” by roofing it. Farmers “put potatoes in hell” by burying them in the ground to preserve them in winter. This original meaning was then corrupted by Roman Catholics into a place of fiery eternal torture controlled by demons.
Hellish distortions
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nglish bible writ ers indiscrimi nately translated four different Hebrew and Greek words as “hell,” even though they have different meanings and refer to different things. The first is the Hebrew word “sheol,” which simply means a place that is unseen. Sheol is not exclusively a place of punishment. Faithful Jacob went to sheol. (Genesis 37:35). Righteous Job pleaded to go to sheol. (Job 14:13). David spoke of going to
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TO HELL WITH HELL Sooner, rather than later, hell will disappear forever from the English bible sheol. (Psalm 49:15). Even Jesus went to sheol. (Psalm 16:10). “Hades” is the Greek equivalent of sheol that is also confusingly mistranslated as hell in the English bible. It refers primarily to what is unseen to the natural eye in the grave. Hades is not a place of eternal torment. “Abraham’s bosom,” where righteous Lazarus was carried when he died, was in hades. (Luke 16:23). When Jesus died on the cross, he went to hades. (Acts 2:27-31). Hades is also used with reference to national judgments. Jesus said Capernaum would go down into hades; meaning it would be destroyed. (Matthew 11:23).
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he Greek word, “tartarus,” is also confusingly mistranslated as “hell” in the English bible. The word is used in Greek fiction to denote a temporary prison for fallen angels. It is not applied to human-beings in scripture, and says nothing about the eternal fire and torment commonly associated with the Christian hell. (II Peter 2:4). Lastly, the word “Gehenna” is also mistranslated as hell in the English bible. This is by far the most idiotic mistranslation of all. Gehenna is actually a valley on the outskirts of Jerusalem which operated as a dump for incinerating refuse. This means it did not need to be translated at all. Other areas in the vicinity of Jerusalem, such as Gethsemane and Calvary are not translated. So why have a different rule for Gehenna? On 11 occasions when Jesus referred specifically to Gehenna, it was changed in the English bible to hell. But there is nothing to suggest Gehenna refers to is anything other than the valley outside Jerusalem. Jesus warned those living in the environs of Jerusalem that, unless they repented, their city would be destroyed im-
minently with their dead bodies dumped in Gehenna. That is exactly what happened in AD 70, as the historical record confirms. Imagine me telling people in Lagos that if they are not careful, they will end up in Kirikiri; a notorious prison island. Then translators decide to change my “kirikiri” to “hell.” Would you consider this a faithful translation? Of course, people who lived far away from Jerusalem probably would not have known what Gehenna was, any more than people in Jerusalem would know about Kirikiri. But the truth is that Jesus did not threaten any Gentile with the prospect of Gehenna if he did not repent. Gehenna only has relevance for people living in Jerusalem at a certain time some 2000 years ago. None of the mistranslated hell passages in the bible say anyone of our day can go to the Christian hell. None of them says Satan’s domain is hell, according to popular Christian folklore. Though they speak of men being killed and destroyed in Gehenna, none of them speaks of men being tormented there. In short, Gehenna is not the Christian hell and should never have been translated as such.
Hell fiction
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obody in the bible was ever threatened with eternal torment as Christians are today by pastors. God forgot to mention it to Adam and Eve. Cain killed his brother Abel, but was not threatened with it. (Genesis 4:11-12). Sinners were destroyed by the flood without any warning of endless torment. Nothing was said about it to the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah and Nineveh. Nothing was said because the Christian hell does not exist. It is essentially the product of the evil
By CALEB AYANSINA BUJA - A RETIRED Army Officer and Gen eral Overseer of Christ Victory Life Church, Dr. Napoleon Obayojie has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, warning, however, that any move that would tailor the nation towards one religion should not be tolerated. Obayojie, former aide to Senate President, David Mark, spoke with journalists during his bishopric consecration and dedication of the church auditorium, in Abuja. The cleric, however, supported the use of military force to tackle the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria, adding "there is no way we can separate force from defence. The military can be called upon to defend the nation and through that cause, definitely, there is going to be loss of lives." On the 'Odi option', he said, "I don't think there was any option that would be better than that. For the enemy, they have seen it that Nigeria is not joking. We cannot play and toy with that. "The Federal Government has told us that Boko Haram members are faceless and so they don't have the people to negotiate with. We are preaching peace and there should be peace everywhere. "If Boko Haram members are ready for peace, government should enter into dialogue with them. Nigeria must not be tailored along one particular religion or people. I believe that if we all sit down and reason together, Nigeria will move forward," he said.
imagination of men. Moses threatened the Israelites with every conceivable punishment if they disobeyed God, but completely forgot to mention hell. No disciple of Jesus preached about it. Not once is it mentioned in Paul’s 13 epistles. There is nothing in the scriptures about fiery ovens, bowls of hot oil or torture racks. However, such graphic details are readily found in such Christian folklores as Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and Dante’s “Inferno.” They are also the subject of countless Hollywood horror movies. If we are tempted to use Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus as indicative of the existence of hell, let us recall that this took place in hades; a temporal grave. Jesus says: “The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28-29). Jesus does not indicate how long this resurrection of condemnation will take. But it cannot be eternal because of scriptures indicating there will be a restitution of all things. (Acts 3:21). At the end of time, every knee will bow in worship to God. (Isaiah 45: 23). God is love: he is not hate. It is his mercy, and not his judgment, that endures forever. (Psalm 118:1). Today’s believers are merely the “first-fruits” of salvation. In the ages to come, God promises to return and rebuild the tabernacle of David: “so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord.” (Acts 15:16-17). Christians should not persist in an illogical faith. We cannot insist the penalty for sins is eternal damnation, and then say Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Jesus did not spend eternity in hades. He was only there for three days. Therefore, the growing trend in the more modern translations including King James indicates that sooner, rather than later, hell will disappear forever from the English bible. Hell will go to hell; which is where it truly belongs.
Feso High School wins BSN Bible Quiz
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LESHA, Osun State-based Feso International High School on November 23, who scored 308 points emerged winners of this year’s national secondary school Bible quiz competition organized by The Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. For their efforts, Feso High School received a trophy, a plaque, copies of the Bible and a cash prize of N40,000. ECWA Baba Alhamdu Secondary School, Kano came second with 302 points and received a plaque, copies of the Bible and cash prize of N24,000 while Mary Sumner Juriorate, Okpofe, Imo State came third and got cash prize of N16,000, copies of the Bible. St. John’s College, Jos, Plateau State and Magami Government Secondary School, Jalingo, Taraba State took 4th and 5th positions respectively and got consolation prizes of copies of the Bible. The event took place at The Apostolic Church, district headquarters, Palmgrove, Lagos. The guest speaker, Mr. Babatunde Thomas, managing director/CEO of Legacy Insurance Brokers charged the students to strive to make the difference in their environment. Mr. Thomas urged the students to submit themselves to right attitude which would transform them to people with character. In his welcome address, BSN's Assistant General Secretary, Operations & Programmes, Rev. Dare Ajiboye who represented the General Secretary/ CEO observed that corruption had kept Nigeria in bondage, pointing out that only regenerated youths could deliver the country.
Sope Johnson launches another book
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NEW book titled Covenant: God's pact with mankind will be launched on Tues day at Yetunde's Apartments, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. Time: 11.00 a.m. It is written by the Very Rev. Sope Johnson. Prof. Grace Alele-Williams is expected to be the Chairman at the occasion, while Rev. Canon Emmanuel Fregene is the reviewer. Presenter is Mr. L. Oladipupo Johnson while Mrs. Toyin Olakunrin, Mr. Ademola Akinrenle SAN, Mrs. Funke Osibodu and Dr. Bolu Akin-Olugbade will be co-launchers.
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way to checkmate the activities of some scrupulous individuals who just copy peoples’ jobs and use them for presentations. Most Decorators in Nigeria are very creative and they leave you with this ‘Whoa’ feeling”.
Taiwo and Kehinde Ajao dabbled into Events Organization without planning to; today, the pretty twins have made a mark in the industry and have turned Skot Events into a Reputable Events planning and Management outfit in Lagos. They have successfully, handled major events for companies and individuals in Nigeria. Currently they have a promo running now for Decoration, Food, Drinks, Small Chops and ushers at a highly subsided rate, which will run till the end of February. In this interview, they spoke about their inspiration, challenges and life as Events Planners.
Unique selling point
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Their journey into event management
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ike most young entrepreneurs, Taiwo and Kehinde Ajao’s journey into event management was unplanned. According to Taiwo, “in 2007, a neighbor approached me to supply ushers to an Events Planner (Jibola Ponnle of Stencil Events) who had a need for them. After that, I found myself working for her as an Events Executive for four years, after that we decided to setup ours in 2007”. Speaking on the journey so far, Kehinde noted that it has been very interesting and God has been
Running Skot Events
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xplaining how they run Skot event, Taiwo notes that “ we plan, coordinate, decorate and
•Taiwo and Kehinde Ajao
Meet the dynamic twins who run Skot event provide ushers for events while Kenny does group Aso-ebi for clients.We also recommend good vendors for shows, seminars, weddings, coronation, product launch. AGM’s and so on. For them being biological twins has contributed immensely to the success and growth of their company. As Kehinde states “It has really been an advantage, and the name of the company is a combination of our namesSeun Kehinde and Olamide Taiwo.
High and Low Point
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he duo believes that the handling of late Mark George’s burial, a high profile event was a high point for them. “It was a high profile event and we handled everything from beginning to end” Kehind adds. While their lowest point was the day we had to make alternative arrangement for an outdoor event that had already been fully decorated because of
heavy rainfall. “There was an outdoor event we had decorated and arranged through the night and by the next morning it was raining heavily. We had to start making alternate arrangement for an indoor space” Taiwo notes.
View of event management in Nigeria
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n spite of the fact that event management in Nigeria is a goldmine, Taiwo reveals that without passion it is not
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so faithful. “It wasn’t so easy at the beginning, but as time went on, it became a lot easier. We started fully in 2008. Our first event was for Otunba Micheal Adenuga. We were contracted to supply ushers for the burial of his mum. It was really hectic because the crowd was much but we handled it perfectly. The second then was for Alhaji Saro. It was the wedding ceremony of one of his daughters. It was a total event packaging and we handled everything and ever since it has been fantastic” she explained.
Growth is no doubt is a continuous process, but flashback’s helps to determine how much progress we have made.
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sustainable. “It is a great business, but if you don’t have passion for it; you can’t sustain it. I see the profession going very far and with the Association now, it will go a long
u c c e e d i n g entrepreneurs have unique selling point that enable them survive unfriendly business terrain. For Taiwo, giving detailed attention to things and having wonderful and courteous ushers is vital. Apart from that we also engage in capacity building and trainings, to update our skills and remain relevant in the industry. Presently kehinde is doing an Entrepreneurship Course with the Lagos Bussiness School notes Taiwo Growth is no doubt is a continuous process, but flashback’s helps to determine how much progress we have made. According to the Ajao twins “We have really grown, we are more creative and detailed now, at the beginning, it was tough and a bit challenging getting jobs, but now on the average we do four jobs monthly. Our dream is to be known within and outside the country. We would also love to have more impact in the lives of young people especially young ladies, to get them trained and independent”.
WEDDING MART
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER, 2, 2012, PAGE 47 •Ofure, 24, tall, dark in com-
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readers, in March 2010, we received an invite from a couple in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria to attend their wedding. They wished that we could be a part of their celebration because they had met through the help of the page. Though we could not attend, we were very happy to share in their joy and to know that the purpose of writing this is not lost. We are aware that this couple’s story is not an isolated one. Just as we want to know about your challenges, we would also love to share in joys. So, if you have found your spouse or girlfriend through this link, or your request for sponsorship or networking has been successful, please share your story with us. You can be assured that we will celebrate you with style. Looking forward to read from you. Do have a lovely Sunday! Networking/ SponsorSearching Male ship •Benedict, an up coming art-
ist, needs somebody to sponsor him. 08022828999 •Patrick, 19, from Enugu, needs a nice person to sponsor his university education. 07063893373 •Ada, needs a philanthropist, assistance, to enable her pay up her school and hostel fees, this is her account details Name Nwaokeke Adaeze Ifeoma, Bank Diamond Bank, account No. 0018938398, 08136442047 •Yungmony, 24, a good and hot raper, needs a good record label. 08035432358, youngmoneychibesy@gmail.com facebook@davidchibest •Gina, 18, resides in Abuja, needs financial support, for her education.07067720063
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DISCLAIMER! Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking. Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636
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•Christian, 28, from Delta
state, but resides in Asaba,
needs a God fearing girl, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. 08063587334 •Dave, 31, resides in Warri, needs a caring woman, to be his wife.08133535210 •Olu, 30, resides in Warri, needs a sexy and caring lady, aged 25-40, within Delta state, for a relation ship. 08081785173, 08078918241 •A guy, resides in Lagos state, needs a girl, for a relationship.08139785745, 08066309770 •Henry, employed, from Edo state, needs a God fearing woman, for a serious relationship. 07051118621, 08176241654 •Ben, 34, needs a lady, who resides in Abuja, aged 40 and above, for c o m p a n i o n s h i p . 08032548523 •Queentin, 24, a graduate, from Delta state, needs a beautiful girl, from Benin, for a relationship that will lead to marriage.08136636682 •Dav, 34, employed and resides in Delta state, needs a lady, who is a student in Delta state, who can take care of him, emotionally.07087800555 •Chydo, 32, 5.7ft, resides in Lagos, needs a matured woman, a single mum, divorcee or a widow, who is wealthy, for a secret romantic affair. 08062649851 •Mike, 25, resides in Lagos, needs a lady, aged 30-35. 08184688616, 08061342645 •Kingsley, 26, needs a lady who knows what love is all about.08032289838 •Bright, 23, tall, fair in complexion and sexy, needs a romantic and caring lady, aged 18-26, for a serious relationship.08076359270 •Bruntus, 29, a graduate, from Delta, needs a romantic and sexy lady that is self reliance, aged 33-47, for a reasonable relationship. 07031399915 •James, tall, good looking, an Artist and producer, resides in Lagos state, needs a woman of substance, aged 35-45, for a serious relationship.08067022940 •Friday, 29, tall, handsome and romantic, from Delta state, needs a lady, aged 4550, for a romantic relationship.08034313745,08027068925 •Chidiebere, 25, from Abia state, but resides in Port Harcourt, needs a lady, aged 3060, who is sexy, for a serious relationship.08137657069 •George, 25, handsome, fair in complexion and from Delta state, needs a romantic girl, from either Delta state or Edo state, for a serious relationship.08091714109 •TJ from delta state age 29 years very strong in bed sexually active need a lady 40 years below who is rich enough to take care of a me for relationship that can lead to marriage 08030705236 •Frank, 32, a graduate and resides in Delta state, needs a God fearing and caring lady, aged 25-30, who is educated with a stable income for a serious relationship. 07069673899 •Chris, faithful, devoted and an unemployed graduate, needs a caring and financially endowed, either single or divorced woman, for a relationship, aged 28-50. 0809255643
PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
chimeena@yahoo.com 08026350360
Informal Art Education
…the Harmattan Workshop Experience
Bruce Onobrakpeya (middle) with other guests at the lecture.
One of Prof. Ben Enwonwu's works.
LECTURE
T
HE man Professor Ben Enwonwu, (Member of the British Empire), almost two decades after his transition remains an icon and a reference point in the annals of Visual Arts in Nigeria. Under him I first worked when I left Zaria. Indeed he was truly a mentor and a man whose influence on me remains till today. Through his mentoring, I came to realize the importance and power of mentoring in the lives of young protégés. In one of his last paintings before he died titled Ogolo, Ben seemingly portrayed himself as towering above everyone else in the Visual Arts, which indeed was so. The Ogolo is the Ibo manifestation of the ancestral spirit during festivals. I liken the Ben Enwonwu lectures as the legend’s annual appearance as Ogolo, both to entertain and to instruct. It was from Ogolo that it came into my mind that
,
BY PROF. BRUCE ONOBRAKPEYA
Faces at the lecture.
In one of his last paintings before he died titled Ogolo, Ben seemingly portrayed himself as towering above everyone else in the Visual Arts, which indeed was so
,
one day, I will be painting large pictures, which I have since started to paint. This lecture title, “Informal Art Education through workshops: Lessons
from the Harmattan workshops”, is a tribute to Ben Ewonwu as a teacher, not in the formal education setup, in which he became a professor, but in the informal way in which he used the apprenticeship system to develop budding artists. Fresh from the art school in 1962 I had the privilege of working with Enwonwu in his studio situated at no. 8 Cameron Street Ikoyi. From this experience I resolved to learn further under other masters in both studio and workshop environments. Following this example, as soon as I was able to bear the costs of interns in my studio I began to accept them. This was way back in 1972. So I had students on industrial attachment as well as artist-in-residence scholars writing dissertations for their degrees working in my studio. In time, my studio could not accommodate all the applicants who applied to work with me. This was when the idea of starting a
workshop came to my mind. So my encounter with Ben Enwonwu played a significant role in founding the Harmattan workshop. For the purpose of this lecture, I have defined Informal Education as a relaxed, rather than the ceremonious and stiff set up associated with art schools and academies, with no syllabi or permanent structures or teaching staff. According to Professor John Agberia, notable examples similar to the Harmattan Workshop in Africa, south of the Sahara include, the Cyrene Mission Centre in Zimbabwe, the Poto-poto workshop school established by Pierre Lods, the Poly Street Art Centre started by South African artists. In Nigeria we have the Mbari Art Centre, Owerri, and the Oye Ekiti Wood Carving Cen Continues on page 49
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 49
Choices that make or mar one’s future BY PRISCA SAM-DURU REVIEW
O
BIAGELI’S Choice is the sec ond novel of Katya SamuelAnyagafu. The novel narrates the story of Nkiru and Obiageli who though are blood sisters, have two conflicting characters. The choices they make early in life which are clear portrayals of their natural behaviours are seen as responsible for shaping their future. In the book, Katya a native of Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state who has just graduated from King’s Anchor College, Alimosho Lagos, paints the character, Obiageli, as a stunning beauty and Nkiru’s elder sister whose lifestyle is typical of that of young children of the jet age who are carried away by the razzmatazz of funky lifestyles which are copied from western culture. Major events in the novel begin with Obiageli who has just graduated from teachers training and gets her first suitor Ogadi Okonkwo, the headmaster of the new village model primary school. Ogadi insists on marrying Obiageli despite efforts by his friend to discourage him from marrying her. He falls head over heels in love with her and brings his people to Obiageli’s house to ask her hand in marriage. Obiageli exhibits the height of her ill manner during the introduction ceremony preceding marriage by insulting Ogadi and his people. She further rejects more suitors after that encounter. Nkiru on her part as a humble and homely trained nurse, does not find her sister’s behavior funny. She feels Obiageli is bloated because of her new status as a Grade II teacher. Her priority is happiness which she believes is born by love. Events take another
turn when she finally settles with the same Ogadi whom her sister disgraces. Obiageli eventually moves to Lagos with her uncle Nduka and gets herself entangled with a chronic play boy called Emeka, Nduka’s friend. She forces Emeka into marring her by trapping him with pregnancy. Following the pregnancy, life becomes a living hell for her and she visits Nkiru to seek advice on how to deal with her misfortune and fortunately for her, Nkiru’s intervening advice restores her marriage. Katya through this book has done a great job quite bigger than her age. While some of her mates are obviously living out the lifestyle of Obiageli by craving for worldly materials, she is
busy, burning her midnight candle in an effort geared towards adding quality to the education of her peers. Obiageli’s Choice no doubt, deals with a very topical issue which reemphasises the fact that females who are vulnerable need to be taught to maintain focus, make right choices in life so as to be great women in future. The publication of Katya’s second novel, couldn’t have come at a better time than now when commodification of women is no longer frowned at. Moreso, with the exposures of youths
How not to be a fool at 40 REVIEW
T
Obiageli’s Choice by Katya SamuelAnyagafu. Published by Canal Paper converts limited (A Subsidiary of Vanguard Media Limited), 2012. 143 pages
HE present state of Nigeria’s high rate of unemployment and its resultant increase in dubious crimes committed by young people and children as well as the tendency by Nigerians to pass blames on one another makes Chile Ndukwe’s 35 Years Old Never A Fool At Forty a timely publication. Coming from the stable of Super Treasures Publications, Festac, Lagos, the 144 page book takes the form of a motivational narrative in dealing with the issues of youths and Youths development. Divided into eleven chapters, the book provides a step by step guide on how one can map out or structure one’s targeted goals in life. Written by an energetic and accomplished youth motivational speaker, the book written from wealth of experience gathered in the course of several seminars and youth meetings held in several parts of the country provides a kind of “how to do it “ manual for the teeming Nigerian
…the Harmattan Workshop Experience
youths. Ndukwe’s treatise employs the power of psychology, philosophy, cultural and religious ethics in teaching the reader about how to activate the creative spirit, the only propelling force that can transport one to one’s place of desire. In a simple term, 35 Years Old... can be better be captured in the Obama’s catchy campaign expression ”’ Yes We Can”. The whole philosophy that shapes the entire discourse in this little but very important book is the I can Spirit. It is equally this power to awaken the giant within, that recommends the strength of this rare offering. Topics discussed in Ndukwe’s book include; This Errors Must Be Corrected,, Chart Your Course, Picture Your Future, Use Your Mind, Set the Goal Post and Then, Got Work and The Territory of Self Employment among others. Barring some aviodable typographical errors resulting from poor editorial finishing of the book, one can easily come to the conclusion that this modest effort coming from a young mother of four is quite encouraging and well recommended effort. There is no doubt that reading this little book amounts to a life changing experience, especially for the youths.
formal educational setup is a retreat where artists meet, think, work, experiment and share ideas. They come with the view to develop and sustain their creative endeavors towards the development of the arts, particularly the visual arts. It takes place at the Niger Delta Arts and Cultural Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria.
Continued from page 48 tre established by two Roman Catholic priests, Fathers Sean O’ Mahoney and Kelvin Carroll for the African Missions Society. Others include Mbari Mbayo, Oshogbo, Ori Olokun in Ife, Abuja Pottery, Aftershave in Jos, the Ngala artists in Port Harcourt and those run by Nike Okundaye in Osun, Kogi and Lagos states. These workshops have had a profound effect on the development of the Visual Art on the African continent. Lamidi Fakeye who was named a “Living Art Treasure” before he died in 2010 was a product of the Oye Ekiti workshop. Artists like Twin Seven Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh, Murainoh Oyelami, to mention but few, were some of the great names in Nigerian art discovered and nurtured at the Mbari Mbayo workshops in Oshogbo. I should mention that the famous Shona stone sculptors of Zimbabwe were discovered and developed in a workshop organized by Mr. Mc Ewen, who was
to negative influences through internet facilities one cannot help asking for more of this sort of works from young authors in the likes of Katya who stand the best chance of telling their own stories themselves with a view to influencing their peers positively. This book is a well recommended effort as it has a lot of lessons for the youths; especially with regards to choices that they make in life which either make or mar their future.
Founded in 1998, it was patterned after workshops organized by Ulli Beier at Ibadan, Oshogbo and Ile Ife in Nigeria and the Haystack Mountain School of Arts and Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine, USA. These I attended in the 60s and 70s.
Prof. Onobrakpeya, guest speaker at the lecture. at one time director of the National Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Harmattan Workshop as an in-
The Harmattan workshop is the flagship programme of the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, a registered non governmental organization. This excerpt is taken from a paper titled Informal Art Education Through Workshop: Lessons from the Harmattan Workshops delivered by Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya on the occasion of the 9 th annual Ben Enwonwu distinguished lecture.
35 Years Old Never A Fool At Forty,Super Treasure Publisher, Festac, Lagos, 2012, pp.144
PAGE 50, SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 51
APGA crisis will fizzle away—Umeh BY DAPO AKINREFON
Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in this interview, opens up on the crisis in his party. Excerpts:
Y
OU were alleged to have shunned a stakeholders meeting summoned to resolve the crisis in APGA. Is this true? My attention was drawn to newspaper publications, where it was reported that Governor Rochas Okorocha and I shunned the peace meeting convened at Awka on November 6, 2012. It was reported that a text message was sent to me, notifying me of the meeting, but I deliberately shunned the meeting. I wish to state unequivocally that nobody sent me any text inviting me to any meeting at Government House, Awka for the purpose of pursuing reconciliation in APGA. On November 2, a Friday, I travelled to London to attend the APGA UK chapter convention, scheduled to hold on November 3, and also to honour an invitation of Igbo Union in Oxford for Ojukwu’s birthday, where I was one of the guest speakers. Before my departure on November 2, there was no indication that there would be a meeting anywhere where reconciliation in APGA would be discussed. Because I had planned to make this trip on November 2, I had concluded my travel plans to leave Nigeria that day and to return on Wednesday, November 7. I was therefore shocked when I returned to Nigeria and read in the papers that I was invited to a reconciliation meeting and I shunned it. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Are you saying that the entire episode was a set-up? If Governor Obi wanted to hold a peace meeting, is it through text message that he should invite the National Chairman of his party? It is curious that I was said to have been sent a text message instead of a letter, which any of his aides could have dropped in my house or even putting a call to me either by himself or through any of his aides that there would be a meeting that I was expected to attend. None of these happened. It was, therefore, clear to me that I was not wanted in the meeting. Each camp is tackling the other over crisis in the party. This makes one wonder who is at fault All kinds of things have been done to remove me as the National Chairman of APGA, starting from last year when they sponsored a petition against me to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC thoroughly investigated me, my bank account, everything I had, my transactions as an estate surveyor and valuer. At that time, I was accused of embezzling party funds and living in opulence. The EFCC, after going through records of my income and after justifying all that they found that I had, cleared me of any wrongdoing. The auditors appointed by the party at the convention that held at Awka,
Chief Victor Umeh.... I have never as Chairman of APGA worked against the party or any member.
The EFCC, after going through records of my income and after justifying all that they found that I had, cleared me of any wrongdoing last year, also audited the APGA accounts and returned a verdict of transparent running of the accounts. The INEC appointed auditor that audited the accounts of APGA for 2011 returned the same verdict of the transparent handling of the financial affairs of the party. That is why they no longer talk about my embezzling party funds. What are the issues being canvassed in this crisis? In all the suits against me and sometimes with the National Secretary of the party and sometimes with other national officers of the party, the sole issue that they have been canvassing is that there was no convention that elected me as the National Chairman of APGA and also the other officers of the party. But Nigerians know that on February 10, 2011, at Awka, APGA held a national convention where all the national officers were elected for another four years. At that same convention, APGA adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as our presidential candidate. That convention was monitored by INEC which also produced a report for the convention, approving the convention and election of new officers of the party. The INEC
report is available and it has been tendered in court. That same convention was attended by Governor Obi, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Dr Menakaya. All the people who are now launching attacks against the elected leadership of the party were at that convention, but what they are claiming now is that there was no secret ballot in electing us at that election as enshrined in the party ’s constitution. You do secret ballot when two people are contesting for one position. The officers of the party were elected unopposed at the c o n v e n t i o n . Therefore, there was no need for secret ballot. They are also claiming that we ought to have resigned from office at
least two months before the election. Our constitution provides that an officer is eligible for re-election for another four-year term, but if anybody wants to contest for another office, that person will be required to resign from his present office, two months before the convention. In other words, if the National Secretary wants to run for the office of National Chairman, he will resign as National Secretary to be able to contest as National Chairman at the convention. These were the issues. Are your opponents not aware of these issues you are raising to be the facts? They are aware of all the frivolous actions they are filing in court, but all the efforts are aimed at destroying the party and keeping the party in a manner that it can no longer function. These are actions that they can never win in any court in Nigeria. Why I have taken time to elaborate on this is to show that the people who are destroying the party are the people who are now crying wolf that they want to make peace in APGA. I read in the papers where somebody said I must leave office two months from now; that he had perfected it; that, in two months time, it will be certain that I am no longer the Chairman of APGA. I don’t know whether he will kill me or whether their case will progress from High Court to Court of Appeal, to Supreme Court, within two months, to be able to get rid of me as Chairman of our party. I want to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians, members of our party, both in Nigeria and Diaspora and the Igbo people, that I have devoted all my efforts towards making this party, APGA, succeed. You recall that it was when APGA won the governorship election in Imo and also won majority of the seats in Imo and Anambra State Houses of Assembly, producing House of Representatives members and a senator, that it suddenly occurred to them that I am i n c o m p e t e n t . You are sounding so confident. What
gives you this confidence? I have not seen anything they can do to achieve their wild goose chase in dismantling the leadership of the party because they were part of the creation of the leadership. And I have never as Chairman of APGA worked against the party or any member in any manner whatsoever. Instead, I have devoted my energy to building this party. In 2011, because of our desire to get this party going, I reduced myself to a local government party agent in the governorship election in Imo State to ensure that APGA succeeded. When Chekwas Okorie came to register UPGA, but for my strident efforts in opposing that application, he may have registered UPGA and you would have had APGA and UPGA. All of them would have been hiding their faces in shame. None of them contributed in mounting that challenge to preserve the recognition of APGA. I had to do this. Even when our litigation ended in February 2012, I prepared a position paper on how to rebuild APGA after the end of seven years of litigation with Chekwas Okorie, which I gave to Obi. I gave to Bianca Ojukwu; I gave to Menakaya. All the suggestions that I made on how to rebuild APGA, including the reconstitution of the BOT, are there with them. Because of the war mounted by Okorie, it was impossible to constitute the board. All efforts by our late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to reconstitute it failed because people failed to join because of the war. Has anything been done on the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s ? They have refused to do what is reasonable, claiming to be the people promoting APGA when they are, in fact, by their actions, sabotaging the party. They have instead been clamouring for the restructuring of the party, whatever that means. They want actions outside the provisions of the party. In my position paper, I stated the constitutional constraints that will make dissolution of the party structure impossible; the reason being that these officers have to serve out their fouryear terms. So, I take no blame for what is happening. If there is any reconciliation meeting where the progress of APGA would be discussed, it should be properly convened. People who should attend, should be properly notified and I would be the first person to be there because, one by one, I would look at their faces and tell them what they have been doing which I have refused to tell the public. But, from what we gathered from the grapevines, those in opposition to you seem to be at the vanguard of restoring peace to APGA. Why do you see them in a different light? How can people who are crippling the party with multiple litigations now claim to be looking for peace in the party? I think what is important is that what somebody can do in the dark, he should own up in the daylight. There is no point hiding in the dark and sponsoring evil in the day just to tarnish other people’s image. It is very clear that they don’t want the party to survive anymore, but I assure them that none of their evil plots against this party will succeed because we are united in what we are doing.
PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012 cants without a home to call their own.
Revisiting the Ondo election BY MALAM YEKINI ALLI VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Using the lessons of the Ondo poll to chart the way forward.
O
F the statements made before the Oc tober 20 landmark election in Ondo State, perhaps the most profound and most memorable was Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s declaration that “one of my opponents trust in his principal; the other trusts in his god-father; but I trust in God the Father.” That statement, as symbolic as it was prophetic, aptly captured some of the key issues surrounding the gubernatorial election, whose result, one is forced to agree with the panYoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, signalled the beginning of the liberation of the South-West geopolitical zone from those who seek empires rather than service. If, by now, rather than reflecting on its calamitous failure in Ondo State, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), already showing visible signs of a failed enterprise in the South-West, is still boasting its invincibility and concocting voodoo Mathematics relating to its popularity, the inescapable conclusion which derives from this situation is that it will soon fade completely out of political relevance in the zone. In a profound sense, the les-
sons of October 20 are offered in the conduct of the ACN ahead of the election. First, the party pursued the election within the prism of a non-contextualised and patently false ethnic preachment, namely the need for all parties in the zone
,
VIEWPOINT
As the election got closer, character assassination replaced party manifesto, while the distribution of kerosene, branded recharge cards and, some say, even palm oil, was heightened to sway the electorate
,
to belong to it (ACN) so as to facilitate the economic integration of the zone. However, the fact of Mimiko’s subscription to the same ideal, with practical ideas on how to construct a rail line from Ondo to Lagos and how to pursue common gas projects, a project the Ondo governor properly captured as “leveraging on geographical contiguity,” did not sway the ACN leadership. Rather, his refusal to dump the platform on which he rode to power and join the ACN became a tool for blackmail and character assassination, in which some me-
dia associated with the ACN leadership played a most ignoble role. This was in spite of the fact that the idea of economic integration of the South-West had been emphasised by Mimiko himself long before it became a tool of character assassination in the hands of the ACN. At least six months to the gubernatorial election, some pro-columnists made personal attacks on the Ondo State governor the focus of their critical engagement, fabricating different lies, offering the most farcical explanations and appropriately portraying the man on whose behalf they wrote as a most greedy and selfish power monger.In the project of personal vendetta against Mimiko, the columnists inhabited a world of bloated egos whereby whatever they wrote could not and would not be scrutinized by the Yoruba people. In a most infamous project, the writers labelled Mimiko’s mega schools and Abiye projects as mere cosmetics, drawing ludicrous parallels between Ondo State and Lagos. They claimed that Mimiko had built only “one glorified hospital in Akure” whereas the government had built hospitals across the state and been recognised by the World Bank as operating a model suitable for adoption across Africa. The vendetta got so bad that one of the writers even castigated Mimiko for the over 4,000 Caesarean operations done in the state, claiming that it was a sign of
a failed health system. This is obviously a most wonderful theory that the writer should consider exporting overseas. However, battered by failing governments, thousands of pregnant women from the neighbouring states continue to troop into Ondo State to be part of the good news. As the election got closer, character assassination replaced party manifesto, while the distribution of kerosene, branded recharge cards and, some say, even palm oil, was heightened to sway the electorate. Furthermore, thousands of voter cards were allegedly bought at N10,000 each to reduce the voting strength and weaken the incumbent. Unconfirmed reports indeed say that about N5 million was budgeted for each polling unit in an attempt to capture the state by all means. Instructively, arrests have been made over those who embezzled some of such funds and this information is already in the public domain. As analysts consider the implications of the Ondo governorship election, they are looking at a scenario whereby, from 2015, bullied crowds from other states would take their own destinies in their own hands and install truly progressive governments in the remaining five states of the South-West. These truly progressive governments are expected, for a start, not to embark on the kind of senseless seizure of land and demolitions of market structures without compensation being embarked on by ACN governments in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos, where Makoko residents have been made vagrants and mendi-
Again, however, the Ondo election, though demographically consistent and far beyond judicial revocation, still raises questions of voter apathy about which genuine students of development are most concerned. Just like in the Edo election, only 39.2 per cent of the total registered number of voters participated in the election. Considering that this is the highest figure so far in any election since 1999, there is a strong and urgent need to reassess the nation’s strategies for mass mobilisation. In the October 20 election, about 34,000 Labour Party (LP) votes were said to have been voided when, after actually voting for an unknown party, the PDC, because of the similarity between its logo and the LP logo, these voters realised their error and demanded to be allowed to rectify it, to which the INEC wisely objected. This was, again, the reason that party had over 21,000 votes while its colleagues in irrelevance had 800 or 600. Those21,000 votes were actually cast by illiterate voters who had planned to vote for the LP but could not discern its logo. To rectify this kind of situation, then, the nation obviously needs to key in massively into Onukaogu’s ELE so that the electoral process can become firmer and better, and more reflective of the wishes of the generality of the populace. Unless and until this is done, all the rejoicing over election victories will continue to be circumscribed by the painful facts of voter ignorance. Finally, the election confirms President Goodluck Jonathan’s sincerity. Nigerians should support the president to perform even better. * Alli lives in Akure, Ondo State.
Discipline, Obasanjo and the PDP BY RASHEED OJIKUTU VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Nigeria as the overall loser if political office holders shun decorum.
T
HE patriarchal counseling of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on discipline within the party was widely reported in the media. The advisor is highly qualified for the duty he has undertaken to perform and there is no doubt that very few elders, if any, within that party possess better credentials to do so than the statesman who was with the party at inception and made immense contribution to its growth. The sensibility that prompted Obasanjo’s utterances must have emanated from a long time scrutiny of the conduct of the
members and the need for self-appraisal. As if to reaffirm the decadence and high level of indiscipline in the party, the Publicity Secretary of the Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Waliu Oladipupo was reported in the media to have rebuked the elder statesman saying, “We agree and disagree with the former President……. He is the worst advertisement of the product he is trying to sell. He is not fit to talk of indiscipline in any political setting”. The Yoruba says “Alufa s’oro, ojo ku, O ni Olorun j’eri oun” meaning, “The thunder strikes when the prophet predicts that rain would fall and he says – “God has testified to my statement’”. By his utterances, the Publicity Secretary has inadvertently reaffirmed Obasanjo’s concern about the party. He has shown that he is the bad advertiser of “ a very bad product”. No wonder their political party; the PDP is leading Nigeria to the edge of a bottomless pit. Indeed, there are very few
political parties in the world where an underling in a party
,
VIEWPOINT
The sensibility that prompted Obasanjo’s utterances must have emanated from a long time scrutiny of the conduct of the members and the need for selfappraisal
,
would issue insult on a party leader of Obasanjo’s stature and status without dire repercussion, democracy notwithstanding. It is more disheartening that the Publicity Secretary is Yoruba, a tribe that treasures her senior citizens to an extreme
degree. The party leaders in Ogun State, irrespective of political differences should immediately intercede to ensure that such unquantifiable disregard for our tradition is forthwith abated. If the PDP is so devoid of decency and discipline, it should please, avoid dragging the Yoruba tradition along the path of its destruction. It is sickening to see the level to which Nigeria has degenerated, not only in terms of its socio-economic life but also in the decadence of its culture. The young no longer values the old, forgetting that, sooner than expected, they would also get to that stage of life. According to his media adviser, the President has to reconsider his appearance in the social media – the facebook - because of insults from the citizenry. Senseless and uncensored utterances are the vices of ignorant people who believe that aggressiveness is a way to settle personal scores with people who are divinely
placed above them. One is not advocating that the PDP should not selfdestruct by its lack of discipline but, at the end of it all, our culture should be intact and unadulterated. Chief Obasanjo is a symbol of Africa and the Nigerian nation and dragging him along the path of ridicule and dishonor is itself a dishonor to the African race. He has served Nigeria to the best of his ability and must be accorded the respect that he deserves as a leader. The Yoruba race and the Nigerian nation would be the overall losers if political office holders shun decency and decorum on the field of play as it is being demonstrated in Ogun State by its Publicity Secretary. Unfortunately, these leaders drive the engine of the nation and we do hope that they would not grind it to a halt. * Ojikutu, a professor, is of Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, Akoka
Contribution of not more than 800 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com
SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012, PAGE 53
Okunbo: Honour to whom it is due BY ARGUE ORITZ
TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Awards as incentive to helping humanity.
Capt. Hosa Wells Okunbo
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ITH a constant radi ant look, though a little bit conservative for a man of immense wealth and far reaching connections, Capt. Hosa Wells Okunbo’s amiable demeanour is enough to disabuse the most ill-conceived mind of any immodesty. In a society where love for others, patriotism and discipline exist only on the lips of many, acquaintances of this Edo State born professional and business mogul cum philanthropist imbues patriotic relief. Captain (as he’s popularly called) treats people for who they are and not for what they are as some are wont to do. His philosophy is rested on Aristotle’s iimmortal words: “ without friends no one would choose to live; though he had all other goods”. Little wonder then that he is seen by his associates and friends as a faithful ally and a strong defence. Certainly, this man of peace and goodwill is a treasure to all those that have come across him. Born in Benin City, Edo State capital, this well read scholar, pilot and administrator has used his experience and exposure garnered over the years to venture into the oil sector, energy and entertainment. He started his career as a commercial airline pilot at 21, after successfully completing his studies at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria where he graduated in 1979. He worked as co-pilot at Aero Contractors Limited, and returned to school in 1983 to sharpen his flying skills at ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, United States, where he obtained his Airline Transport Pilot Licence and became a Captain at 25. Subsequently, he flew as Captain with the Intercontinental Airlines and later joined Okada Airline before he retired in 1988 at the age 30 after logging 7,000 hours in flying time. This is a rare achievement in the annals of aviation industry. According to him, he quit flying after he conquered his profession. Okunbo sits on the board of several companies, both in Nigeria and overseas. First, he founded Hoslyn Ventures Nigeria Ltd, an indigenous Oilfield Service Company that was responsible for the Early Production Facility (EPF) project in NNPC/NPDC operations in the late 90s. Like the mustard seed, his net-worth has
grown into a conglomerate of companies. Okunbo is chairman of Ocean Marine Security Ltd., PPP Fluid Mechanics Ltd., Westminster Security Solutions Ltd., Wells Dredging Ltd., and Hoslyn Habitat Ltd. He is also the founder of Wells Property, a company involved in the development of affordable properties for low-income earners and high-net-worth individuals. He is also the chairman of Wells and Jeta Entertainments Ltd., a company that recently produced the movie ‘Black November’. Perhaps his biggest investment so far
,
TRIBUTE
Okunbo is not shy of honours and awards. A peep into his study reveals an array of medals, plaque and certificates from institutions within and outside Nigeria
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may just be in the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd., where he is a Director. Integrated Energy recently won the Ibadan and Yola Power Distribution Companies (DISCOS). As a young businessman, his Hoslyn Ventures was engaged by NNPC to supply production catalyst to its refineries which he satisfactorily did through Akzo Nobel of Netherlands. Speaking to the United Kingdom Guardian newspaper earlier in the year on the movie (Black November; the Struggle for the Niger Delta) he coproduced and financed, Okunbo said that he didn’t want to go down in history as “just another rich merchant” – and so decided to “give something back” to the region that has made him phenomenally wealthy. Today, he has spent over $22m on producing and promoting the film. It premiered at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center last May. The epic movie is written and directed by Jeta Amata, is based on real-life story of the gruesome murder of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa who was executed in 1995 by the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime. It has prominent Hollywood actors, including Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger and Vivica Fox. Okunbo is not shy of honours and awards. A peep into his study reveals an array of medals, plaque and certificates from institutions within and outside Nigeria. The United States Congress in collaboration with African Society Summit, African Diplomatic and US business Community decorated this illustrious Edo son with the ‘2012 African Titan Awards’ in far away, Washington D.C. He was decorated with another feather yesterday, as a proud recipient of the Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa) from the University of Benin. Again, this latest award is for his “…contribution and benevolence to humanity as well as his achievement as an entrepreneur”.
54 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 2, 2012
Eko 2012: Can Lagos host, win? BY OSARETIN EMUZE
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HE much expected 18th National Sports Festival began in Lagos on Tuesday with a colourful opening ceremony as the participating States displayed the best of their culture in the March Past for the biennial event put together in 1973 by the General Yakubu Gowon administration to bring unity to the country after the devastation of the civil war. Lagos hosted the inaugural edition in 1973, went on to host the torch of unity in 1975 and 1989 and has won the festival in the past.
But can they host and win it again? The Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Enitan Oshodi has said Lagos has prepared well to win it as host. He said Lagos’ strength lies in table tennis, weightlifting, swimming, boxing, cycling, the ball games and athletics. Many sceptics have however, ruled out Lagos as one of the winners as they believe Lagos has no team to beat the last winners, Rivers State, runner-up, Delta and Edo, third place finisher. They argue that since Lagos does not poach and cheat, states like Delta and Rivers will —
have upper hand. Aside that, they stressed that Delta and Rivers have prepared hard for the Games. Though the festival will be open to all, Delta and Rivers have the edge because of their large contingents coupled with the fact that they have the athletes to top the festival’s overall medals table. States like Edo and Ondo who picked the third and fourth positions in the Garden City Games may spring surprises, as they are equally good. The only problem that may hinder them is late preparations caused by late release of funds by their respective governors which culminated in poor feeding and welfare and the confusion that almost ground the camps of the States to a halt. While Edo athletes resulted to protesting inhuman treatment in camp, some Ondo athletes allegedly collected their money and traveled abroad thereby depleting Team Ondo.
11-yr-old taekwondoist hails Chukwumerijie
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INNER of the just concluded Chika Chukwumerije Sports foundation Inter-
•Little Nwogo
national Taekwondo champ-ionship in the girls 10-11 category, Sophia Nwogo Chig-ozie, has called for more taekwondo action in the country. Speaking soon after sending all other con-tenders to the cleaners to win the title, the 11 year old scholar of Eaglets International School Owerri, Imo State, thanked Chika Chukwu-merije for organising such a championship which was the
first of its kind in the country and pleaded with other well meaning Nigerians to emulate the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medalist by organising similar competitions for Nigerian youths. Despite fighting with injury to win her fourth taekwondo title, Nwogo hinted that her exploits in the game has just began having drawn inspiration from her parents, Inspector Peter Obi Chigozie and Mrs Chinasa Obi Chigozie, both of the Nigerian Police who are taekwondo practitioners too. Little Nwogo Chigozie believes that more Chika Chukwu-merijes could still be discovered in Nigeria with more competitions like the just concluded CCSF tournament.
Egbuchunam tasks NSC on talent nurturing BY JOHN EGBOKHAN
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HE President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC), Barr. Sam Egbuchunam has tasked the National Sports Commission to ensure that the talents discovered at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, were nurtured to attain greater heights in the future. Speaking during an interview with Sunday Sports Vanguard on the sidelines of the tennis event holding at the club in Onikan, Egbuchunam C M Y K
said that that it was going to amount to a waste of scarce resources and time if exceptional talents at the festival were left to their fate at the end of the Games on January 9. Noting that the problem with Nigerian sports was not the dearth of talents, Egbuchunam observed that what has held our sports down in the years gone by was the absence of a scientific approach to groom talents to the point where they become beaters in their chosen careers. “I have always made the point that the problem
with our sports is not the absence of talents but the fact that our administrators have failed to devise the right approach that would take these talents to the next level of world competitors. “If our administrators are really sincere with sports development, I believe that they need to come to terms with the fact that they have more work to do in terms of ensuring the sustainable grooming of talents discovered at the ongoing festival, so that the objective behind the whole thing would not be killed”.
Eko 2012: Athletes, coaches’ season to make money D
ESPERATION of participating States for medals at the National Sports Festival is expected to reach fever pitch when the athletics events begin next week at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The build up to the festival has been more of ‘horse trading’ for athletes by the States who have no development programmes. They solely rely on poaching already established athletes to pursue their quest for medals. And no doubt the athletes and coaches are the end beneficiaries. “States like Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom have money to throw around. You see them offering as much as one million to athletes to represents them. “There is so much desperation to win medals even as they have not cultivated any d e v e l o p m e n t programme,” said an athletics coach. His views were
corroborated by veteran coach, Lati Obisesan who is coaching athletes for three different states. “What can we do? Since the States are not ready to bring up their own athletes, we have to
make ourselves available and earn some money. As a coach I cannot stop any of my athlete from representing any State that needed his or her services. “But I must say that this is not helpful to the sport.
•Sadjo
Teslim Balogun’s ‘bouncing tracks’ worry officials
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THLETICS officials are not expecting any record breaking performances on the
tracks of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where the athletics event of the Na-
Leave AFN alone, Fasuba tells politicians
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FRICAN 100m record holder, Olusoji Fasuba has urged the government to cede the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to private individuals to manage, if athletics were to be revived in the country. Fasuba, quit the Nigerian athletics scene to join the British Navy after failing to regain his running form due to injury. He argued that the process of athletics administration in Nigeria was too politicised and the country will continue to suffer embarrassments at international events if the trend is not reversed. “The federation must be privately managed, if we are to move forward. This may sound crazy to some
people, but if the sport is rid of politics it would be easy to manage. “The practice of handing picking individuals and former athletes will not help athletics in Nigeria. In the UK, athletics management is solely in private hands and we can all see what they have achieved,” said Fasuba, the only Nigerian male sprinter to finish in the world championships top four. He added that Nigeria was not short of people who could turn athletics around, but government’s reluctance to let go because of the pecuniary gains of certain individuals with vested interests, athlet-ics will continue to be on a downward slide.
tional Sports Festival will hold. According to the vice president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Jide Josiah the tracks are bouncy and uneven and therefore it will not support any spectacular performance. “The Teslim Balogun Stadium tracks are not ideal. They are bouncy, this is because professional advice was not sort when they were being laid. Coupled with the fact that most of the athletes do not have track facilities in their states, it will be difficult to have standard performances,” said the former national sprinter. However, he stated that the federation is ready to deliver a hitch free athletics competition at the Festival. One week of athletics events begin on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, while the field events will hold at the practice pitch of the adjacent National Stadium.
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012 — 55
NPL 2012 Congress to hold in Kano on Dec 6
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IGERIA Premier League (NPL) has announced Thursday, December 6, 2012, as the date for its 2012 Annual Congress. The new date follows the
POWER SHOW... A Lagos weightlifter attempting a lift during competition during the 18th National Sports Festival at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi
clean bill of health given to the league board by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after Thursday’s joint meeting by both bodies where the NPL board satisfactorily responded to the issues raised by the NFF on the Nigeria Premier League. According to the Chairman, Media Sub Committee of the NPL, Joe Amene, the 2012 Annual Congress and Draws for the 2012/2013 league season will hold at the Tahir Hotel in Kano. Delegates are expected to arrive on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 while the Congress and Draws will hold on Thursday, December 6, 2012. Departure date is Friday, December 7, 2012. Amene further explained that the kick-off date for the new season will be decided and announced at the Congress in Kano. While the NPL management board expressed deep appreciation to the NFF for what it described as its fatherly role towards moving the Nigerian League forward, it also
Eko 2012: Nigeria not serious about sports development — Osaile BY JACOB AJOM
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OPULAR boxing promoter and sports critic, Martins Osaele declared that the federal government of Nigeria is not serious in its avowed interest in the development of
sports. Speaking against the background of of a seeming lack luster 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012. Osaile said, “Nigeria is not a serious country. Imagine Jamaica with a population that is not up to that of Lagos state
voted $300 million US Dollars (about N46 billion) while Nigeria’s budget for sports is just N9 billion,” Osaile said, asking, “how do you compete with such a country?” He dismissed as “a huge joke” the Presidential Retreat
Nigeria sports is suffering spiritual attacks — Bazighe BY BEN EFE
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ORMER African champion and national javelin record holder, Pius Bazighe took the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian sports to another dimension, when he declared that spiritual forces were behind maladministration in the country’s sports. Bazighe who is part of Bayelsa State delegation to the National Sports Festival said that things have gone from bad to worst in all levels of sports administration. “Otherwise, how can we explain the rot? We are here for the National Sports Festival, but where is the glamour, where is the competition that was there during our time? “All these things are happening because dark spiritual forces are at work. Right from the Federal to the State level things are not working. “This is because the right people are not put in sports management. How can you appoint someone who read Agriculture as sports commissioner? But even if the right C M Y K
persons get there it seems spiritual forces turn their good intentions into evil. “How do we rate some of our directors who have PHD in sports management yet our sports is camatose? “We really have to do some deliverance if we have to re-
vive our sports,” said athlete who represented Nigeria at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta USA. He also won an Africa Championships 1989 and All Africa Games 1995 gold. He set the current National record 80.08 in 1999.
on Sports held in Abuja last October, saying, “the government is just teasing the public. There is nothing serious about the retreat. They did not say anything new.” He advised the ministry to engage technocrats in the execution of its programmes, “if they want us to takes them serious,” he said. He also queried government’s inability to establish measures that could attract private sector participation in sports development. “There should be tax rebate for companies that sponsor sports and the importation of sports equipment should not attract any tariff at the ports,” he said.
•Maigari, NFF boss thanked all other stakeholders for their understanding and continued support to the board in its effort to take the league to greater heights. Meanwhile, a top official informed on Friday: “We will propose that the league begins on December 21 with the star match, while other games are played the following day.” The NPL congress will take place in Kano on Thursday after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) gave them a goahead in that respect. The congress is expected to deliberate on several vexed issues concerning the league, from title sponsorship to the TV rights of the competition. The fixtures for the new season are also expected to be announced during the congress. Four teams have been promoted from the lower Nigeria National League (NNL), namely Nembe City, Bayelsa United, Nasarawa United and El Kanemi Warriors. Four other teams lost their places in the top flight. They are Jigawa Golden Stars, Niger Tornadoes and Rsing Stars, while Ocean Boys were expelled from the league for not honouring a minimum number of matches. Kano Pillars are the defending champions and along with runners-up Enugu rangers will represent Nigeria in next year ’s CAF Champions League. Lobi Stars, who finished third on the NPL table, will also feature in the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup.
Discordant tunes greet Eko 2012 I
BY JACOB AJOM
T was a case of different strokes for different folks as two leaders of delegations differed in their assessment of the 18th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, five days after its commencement. While one complained of lack of care by the host state, Lagos, the other praised the state to high heavens. Speaking to the media Friday night, Niger State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hassan Abdullaji, lamented that his contingent had not been given the required hospitality expected in a festival of this nature. ‘’Despite the huge
investment that Lagos is quoted to have put into this project, there is no food for team states, the tickets issued for athletes for meals are not served us, no water to drink, facilities are lacking in some sports” However, Benue State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Aondowase Chia has praised the Lagos State Governor for staging a befitting festival, adding that he was impressed with the state of modern facilities he has seen. He said Team Benue is in the festival to improve upon their position at the last festival in Port Harcourt, adding that the
various amounts ranging from N500,000 have been earmarked for athletes that win gold, silver and bronze.
‘’I am satisfied with the facilities on ground. We are here to improve on our former position”, he enthused.
Wheelchair table tennis players in action
SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 2, 2012
African U-17 Championship Qualifier:
Eaglets feeling the heat in Bamako G
OLDEN Eaglets chief coach, Manu Garba admitted that pressure is getting to his team ahead of today’s African Under-17 Championship qualifier against Mali in Bamako. The Eaglets are up against a physical Malian side that have won their games at home with a wide margin and they are hopeful of canceling the 2-0 advantage held by the Nigerian lads from the first leg in Calabar. Coach Garbu, stated that the match will be a test of his team’s character adding that it will be the hardest game of their campaign to qualify for the Morocco 2013 Championship. “The game against Mali on Sunday is our biggest match and we are confident that we will do all our best to win,” said Manu in Bamako. “Whatever we are going through now cannot be compared with our collective efforts over the last months as such we must be extra focused now,” said the coach. Defender Wilfred Ndidi expressed optimism that the Eaglets will emerge unscratched from the game despite the seeming hard conditions. “We know the challenges before us and by the grace of God,
we shall overcome Mali on Sunday,” said defender Wilfred Ndidi, who has played every minute of the Eaglets last five matches. “The weather in Bamako is hot but it can’t be compared with what we had in Niger (Niamey).”
DELTA OF GOOD HOPE ... Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with the State’s athletes during a courtesy visit to their camp at the University of Lagos.
Delta will rule Eko 2012, Uduaghan declares D
ELTA State has taken the driver’s seat at the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival and an elated governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan declared during a surprise visit to Delta State contingent in Lagos, that Delta will win the sports fiesta hands down and dethrone boastful Rivers State. “With God on our side, we hope to win this festival. We have done our estimation and we know the number of gold medals our athletes can win,”said Dr. Uduaghan at the University of Lagos camp of the athletes. He added that all the State’s athletes win or lose, will be en-
titled to their allowances till the end of the festival. He commended Federal Government for throwing subsequent National Festival open. Dr. Uduaghan argued that it was the only way the real essence of the glamorous event could be achieved. “Let me say this, to go forward in the national Festival which I have been advocating first it should be made open and I am happy that it has been made open by the Federal Government. Secondly, that it should be held at the National Stadium Abuja. The Federal Government should take responsibili-
Free reign for dope cheats BY JACOB AJOM
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HE medical commission of Eko 2012 has confirmed that no urine sample has been taken for dope test since the be-
DEADLY PUNCHES... Lagos State [blue], and Kano State [Green] battling it out in the traditional boxing sport ‘Dambe’ PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi
ginning of the games. Sports Vanguard checks at Rowe Park revealed that no athlete has been tested but everything required for such tests was in place. “To the best of my knowledge, no such test has been done,“ a source at the Rowe Park Medical Centre told our reporter, suggesting that, “perhaps they want to start the tests in the second half of the games.” Meanwhile, Leader of the Medical unit at the Rowe Park centre, Dr Adio-Moses told our reporter that only very few injuries have been recorded at the centre since the commencement of the festival. “We only had a case of hypoglycaemia on a Zamfara state basketball player.” He explained that hypoglycaemia is the sudden lowering of glucose content
in the body which results in exhaustion.
ty for this National Sports Festival.” The governor, took time to visits all the venues namely, University of Lagos where he met with the Power lifters, Judo and Chess players. He was also at the National Stadium, Surulere, Teslim Balogun Stadium and Onikan Stadium where he interacted personally with the athletes.
EPL Result West Ham Arsenal Fulham Liverpool Man C. QPR. West Brom Reading
3 Chelsea 1 0 Swansea 2 0 Tottenham 3 1 S’hampton 0 1 Everton 1 1 Aston Villa 1 0 Stoke 1 3 Man U 4
Medals Table State Delta Rivers Lagos Edo Ebonyi Ogun Oyo Cross River Niger Plateau
G 15 13 6 4 3 2 2 2 2 1
S 10 8 5 2 0 7 4 2 2 4
ACROSS 1. Nigerian state (5) 3. African river (7) 7. Near-extinct animal (5) 8. Roof part (5) 9. Greek alphabet (3) 10. Supplement (3) 12. Widespread (4) 14. Replies (7) 17. Let (5) 19. Limbo (3) 20. Donkey (3) 21. Cots (4) 24. Pitcher (4) 26. Reverential fear (3) 27. Goal (3) 28. Peruses (5) 30. Sure (7) 34. Eleven (4) 35. Flying mammal (3) 37. Unwell (3) 38. Hausa boy’s name (5) 39. .Possessor (5) 40. Wearing away (7) 41. Commonplace (5)
B 14 6 7 8 0 7 1 1 0 3
Total 39 27 18 14 3 16 7 5 4 8
DOWN 1. Prevents (6) 2. Church part (4) 3. Queen Amina’s old city (5) 4. Anchors (5) 5. Bird of prey (5) 6. Notions (5 11. Niger-Delta tribe (8) 13. Zealous (5) 15. Nigerian state (8) 16. Bar (3) 18. Vital liquld (5) 21. Animal (5) 22. Therefore (2) 23. Exist (2) 25. Misery (3) 29. Polluted (6) 30. Earnestly wish for (5) 31. Wireless (5) 32. Excuse (5) 33. Synthetic fabric (5) 36. Pie (4)
SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE
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