National Assembly's N120Bn Budget: Senate heads for stormy session

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PIRATES ATTACK MILITARY BASE

CONFERENCE

Four soldiers, one policeman shot dead

•Gov Seriake’s men, Sylva trade blames

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

tacked the JTF base,” a source in the area said.

The JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Isa Ado, confirmed the attack but said it was unsuccessful as the gunmen were repelled.

Ado, however, said he could not confirm the number of casualty.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that there was an attack by some unknown gunmen on our troops in Nembe and the attack was repelled. You can recall that there have been several attempts to overrun our men in Nembe. Our men are on a hot pursuit of the hoodlums as I speak with you,” he added.

But the police authorities in Bayelsa confirmed the incident which claimed the lives of four soldiers and one policeman attached to the JTF. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the sea pirates carted away two guns and other arms from the base.

Meanwhile, the attack pitted a pro-Governor Seriake Dickson group against former Governor Timipre Sylva.

While the Dickson group accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of masterminding the attack as part of an alleged plot by the Sylva-led APC to create a sense of insecurity in the state ahead of the December 5 governorship election, the former governor, through his Media Adviser, Doifie Buokoribo, said though the accusation was wild, unsubstantiated and irresponsible, the escalation of violence in the state should be put squarely at the doorstep of the state administration.

The Dickson group, in a statement by its leader, Seighfa Tonye-Brown, al-

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HE peace of the coast al town of Nembe, Bayelsa State was violated, Friday night, when some armed men, suspected to be sea pirates, attacked a Joint Task Force JTF base, killing four soldiers and a policeman.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the attack on the JTF facility occurred at about 11.30pm at the Nembe waterway.

Though the motive for the attack could not be immediately ascertained, a security source told our correspondent that the hoodlums might have embarked on the mission with a view to stealing arms to perpetrate their nefarious activities on the waterways.

The incident, the latest in the series of attacks in the state’s troubled creeks, again brought to the fore the dangers faced by travellers plying the waterways.

Boat drivers and their passengers plying the waterways have repeatedly come under attacks with some losing their valuables and lives.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the soldiers were taken unawares by the gunmen who stormed the base in four speedboats and opened fire from two flanks (land and water).

The (hoodlums) took advantage of the dark night to launch the vicious attack and stole rifles of the slain operatives as well as two HP Guns and other arms from the base before disappearing into the mangrove creek.

“We were jolted from our sleep by the sound of heavy gunshots and, when the sound died down, we heard that some sea pirates at-

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

THE FIRST TIME (2)

By Richard Eromonsele

Now,we must realise that we may not succeed the first time we make attempt to do something.What this means is that we should be ready to try harder,again and again, until we get it right.Perfection is obtained through practice.For instance,the first time we try to speak in public,how was the experience like?The first time we try to ride the bicycle,did we enjoy it?The first time we try to drive a car,was it pleasureable?Ask a woman her experience the first time she gave birth,she will tell you it was not what she bargained for.The first time is challenging but, if we endure it,we will live to tell the story.Think about it.

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leged that the Nembe attack was among the plan by the opposition party to unleash, between now and the election, tension and insecurity in the state in order to force the hand of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency and possibly take over the state.

Sylva, in his response, said the present governor should be held responsible for the attack.

“That government has failed woefully in securing lives and property, but instead has overtly and covertly procured and traded in violence to intimidate political opponents and any voice of reason.”

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right), National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (2nd left), and a former National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande (left), during the funeral ceremony for Deaconess Elizabeth Adesola Mamora at the First Baptist Church, Isensi, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State, yesterday.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY N120B BUDGET

Senate heads for stormy session!

Continued from page 1

The budget of the National Assembly for the year was slashed from N150 billion to N120 billion. One of the key recommendations of the Senate Committee is that the red chamber should make its records of finances open to Nigerians.

The Committee was chaired by Senator James Manager.

It was said to have recommended that, in line with the transparency and openness promised by the Senate President in his inaugural speech, details of the finances of the chamber should be made more transparent.

The implication of the recommendation is that details of funds allocated to the Senate, the budget heads and the rate of budget performance will become public knowledge in addition to the breakdown of other funds available so that the public can be aware.

But, ahead of the Tuesday plenary, Sunday Vanguard learnt, at the weekend, that there is a division among senators on whether to adopt the Committee’s recommendation, and this may lead to rancour on the floor of the chamber.

Many senators, particularly the ranking ones, are said to be opposed to opening up of the finances of the Senate for public scrutiny as they argued that it was an unnecessary concession and “mere public relations gimmick”.

Meanwhile, the ‘pro openness’ lawmakers believe that making public the Senate finances is a strong signal that it will be transparent in its financial dealings.

The ‘anti-openness’ senators, it was understood, explained that legislature’s funds are on first line charge which precludes it from any form of control by any executive body or agency, just like the funds budgeted for the judiciary. They further argued that the present position has been maintained since 1999 and it does not contradict any law. So,

they wondered why the need to change a stable process.

The group noted that the Senate would not achieve anything by opening up its financial books for public scrutiny and that the gesture will not change the position and perception of the public that the legislature is a ‘money guzzler’.

“What we need to do is to be more efficient In our legislative duties, particularly the lawmaking and oversight functions. We should also avoid any form of financial scandal or recklessness.

All these university student radicalism is not feasible and will not work. It will not only be counter-productive, it may also backfire”, a second term senator said while opposing the position of the Committee.

The Adhoc Committee , which had ranking Senators Ahmed Sani Yerima as a member, among others, also had younger lawmakers like Dino Melaye and Shehu Sani. The Committee’s work took longer time than earlier allocated in order to balance the views of the various tendencies and came out with a report that is believed to have the possibility of further endearing the Senate to the public.

One of the Like Minds senators, one of the two groups that emerged in the Senate in the wake of the leadership crisis (the other being Unity Forum), who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained why the Tuesday

plenary may be turbulent.

He said: “The Senate President has said it several times to the national and international audiences that the eighth Senate will be transparent, open and comply with international best practices.

“The need to be open and let our financial facts and figures be known to all has become a creed between us and the public. That is one of the new things that will set the eighth Senate apart from the others. We will support our President to achieve this”.

Sources disclosed that the ‘pro-openness’ senators also argued that the recommendation is one of the strongest signals the legislative body can send to the international community, civil society groups and ordinary people that it is ready to do things differently.

“The entire world has bought into the change agenda and one of the key areas of the change agenda is this anti-corruption campaign. You cannot fight corruption except you open up the financial process. We cannot afford to renege on the promise we made from the beginning. How can we conduct oversight investigation on others if we do not start from our own home?

This report is our opportunity to convince the world that the positive change we canvass starts from us”, another of the Like Minds sen-

ators told Sunday Vanguard.

Saraki was said to have been put under pressure by both groups and it was not clear what the Senate President will decide. Sources claimed the groups spent most of the weekend consulting “because the issue of money is a delicate one”.

Senate watchers believe it is in the interest of the Senate for all of them to be on the same page on the issue, particularly, since it will serve common goal. The issue of a more transparent financial process featured prominently in discussions that Saraki and other senators had with some foreign envoys and other groups that had paid courtesy visit on the Senate leadership since June 9 when the legislative body was inaugurated.

In the meantime, Melaye, who is the Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Information and Publicity, last night, said the decision on the Committee on Finance report will be based on the wish of the majority of senators.

To him, democracy is a game of numbers. According to him, while the minority will have its say, the majority would have its way.

“The report is ready and submitted and, when it comes up for deliberation, the session will not be stormy. Democracy is a game of numbers; the minority will have its say, and the majority its way.”

Interest rates under pressure as banks suffer cash crunch

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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NTEREST rates may go up this week following sustained pressure on liquidity (cash availability) in the banking industry last week.

This development, according to financial sector operators, was the direct fallout from two major policies rolled out in the past one week by the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its bid to shore up Naira value against major currencies.

The apex bank had directed banks to stop taking US Dollar deposits in cash. It also mandated the banks to deposit with it the Naira value for their customers’ Dollar demand 48 hours in advance.

These policies, especially the last one, sucked up about N330 billion from the

banks between Wednesday and Thursday, last week, crashing cash surplus in the banks to just N25 billion by Friday as against N360 billion opening cash on Monday.

Already the liquidity crunch has substantially affected the interbank rates at the weekend, rising from less than 10 per cent week’s opening rate Continues on Page 7

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015

Protest rages in Port Harcourt over policeman’s killing of bus driver

The Chief Executive Officer of Infinity Paints,Mr Sehindemi Johnson with Dr(Mrs)Titilayo Anibaba of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, during Infinity Paints Nigeria Limited’s reception of Africa's most preferred paint products of the year 2015.

*CP promises to assist victim’s pregnant wife

By Jimitota Onoyume, Port Harcourt

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ommercial bus driv ers and sympathiz ers, yesterday, continued their protest against the killing of a bus driver, David Legbaraa, on Friday, by a policeman at Whimpy Junction in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State.

A policeman, identified as Sergeant James Imhalu, had allegedly shot dead the bus

driver after ordering him to park from the road. It could not be confirmed if the driver did not comply with the order before the policeman opened fire.

The protesters barricaded the ever busy Ikwerre Road, yesterday, causing a gridlock that spilled over to the Rumuokoru portion of the East West Road.

They set disused tyres on fire at the Whimpy end of Ikwerre Road, denouncing the action

Impunity, imposition and North’s quest for power cost PDP presidency — Babatope

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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member of the Board of Trustees of the Peo ples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, yesterday, in Benin City, declared that the zoning arrangement of the party, jettisoned after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, led to the defeat of the party in the

last presidential election.

He said, therefore, that for the PDP to stand a chance in regaining the presidency in 2019, the party may have to pick its presidential candidate from the North, adding that, apart from impunity and arbitrariness, imposition, allegedly exhibited by the PDP “bureaucracy ahead of the elections, the PDP did not re-

solve the agitation by northern leaders that the presidency should be ceded to the area due to the sudden death of Yar’Adua until the problem consumed the party and made way for the defeat in the 2015 presidential election”.

Babatope, who urged the PDP to imbibe internal democracy and allow the younger generation to take over the

leadership, said, however, that the insinuation that President Muhammadu Buhari may not run in 2019 due to his age “ may become a major problem that may trigger a dangerous split in the party’s arrangement for 2019, and therefore we must be ready for 2019".

The PDP leader spoke, yesterday, while delivering a lec-

ture entitled: “Nigeria’s 16 Years of Democratic Experiment-Which Way Forward?, organized by Edo State New Dawn, a group under the PDP in the state. The event was attended by members of the party mainly from Edo South, led by the leader of the group and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie; High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, chairman of the occasion; Dr Isimeme and Chief Samson Esemuede. Others are PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Solomon Edebiri; Hon.Ifaluyi Isibor and many others.

“Facts remain, however, that we (party elders) made mistakes in the preparations of our party for the elections.

For example, it was wrong for our party’s Board of Trustees not have met when we were engulfed with the party campaigns for the elections. Our party played into the waiting hands of the opposition with this kind of situation,”Babatope stated.

“Any of the political parties in Nigeria that attempts to bring impunity to our system or that attempts to push off the effective voice of the people in the determination of its presidential candidate will kiss the political dust and sentence itself to total failure and collapse”.

In his welcome address, the leader of the New Dawn, Owie, said: “We are asking the 8th National Assembly to urgently commence the amendment of the Constitution which they have done twice to give autonomy to local government councils but unfortunately some House of Assembly that are rubber stamp turned it down because if you don’t have autonomy of the local government, Nigeria can’t develop the rural area.

“In the next line of amendment, any House of Assembly in Nigeria that votes against autonomy of the local government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the ALGON, the market women and men should take possession of the Assembly, they wouldn’t sit until they support the autonomy of local government because enough is enough of destroying that arm”.

On his part, Dokpesi, who explained that the New Dawn in Edo was meant to rebuild the PDP collectively, said members were determined to “reconstruct this party and bring it back to power in Edo in 2016 and at the federal level in 2019”.

of the policeman. The police battled for several hours to clear the road, firing tear gas.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, condemned the action of the police sergeant, saying he had been arrested and full scale investigation was ongoing.

Continuing, the police chief expressed the fear that the protest, which started on Friday, may have been hijacked by cultists and hoodlums, appealing to the protesters to allow peace to reign.

It took an appeal from Governor Nyesom Wike to get the protesters to leave the road.

The governor, who addressed them, assured that the killerpoliceman will not go unpunished.

Meantime, the Commissioner of Police, Ezike, said he had briefed the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, on the incident even as he appealed to officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to prevail on their members to calm down, assuring that the law would take its full course on the issue.

At press time, normalcy had started returning to the area.

PDP crisis: I am the target – Metuh •Says he didn’t work against Jonathan

By Henry Umoru

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ATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, yesterday, that he is the target of some elements within and outside the party because of his readiness to lead a strong opposition against the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government.

Metuh, who described the accusation that he worked against the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan as laughable, vowed that no amount of campaign against him and attack on his person would cow him out of his statutory function as the mouthpiece of the PDP. He claimed to be fully aware of the challenges that come with his new role of providing firm, issue-based opposition, just as he decried the resort to dirty politics by those he described as anti-PDP forces, instead of focusing on issues, adding that their actions were not only shameful, but also a despicable act of cowardice.

A statement yesterday by his Media Assistant, Richard Ihediwa, noted the incessant and unnecessary attacks on Metuh, targeted to cow him out as the mouthpiece of the PDP. “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to place on record that at no time did the National Publicity Secretary receive any money or monies from the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, before, during or after the 2015 campaigns for media and publicity functions or for any other reason whatsoever.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 7

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left) congratulating the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam on his 50th birthday anniversary, during a special session in his honour at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo. With them are, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye (4th left); Former Speakers of the House, Honourable Adejare Bello (left); Professor Mojeed Alabi (2nd left); Speaker, Ogun House of Assembly, Hon. Suraju Adekunbi (2nd right) and his Oyo State counterpart, Hon. Adesina Adeyemo (right), on Friday.

From right: Dr. Rizwan Yousuf, Category Business Manager, Maternal & Infant Nutrition, Nestle Middle East; Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health; Mrs. Marie Owoniyi, Executive External Stakeholder Manager, Nestle; and Dr. Chika Ndiokwelu, immediate past president Nutrition Association of Nigeria, during the Nestle Nig Plc Maternal and Child Nutrition symposium with theme: Tapping into the Window of Opportunity in the 1st 1000 days of Life, at Ilupeju, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Gov Ganduje declares war on Kwankwaso •Blast predecessor over scholarship scheme

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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administration, even as he stressed: “For whatever reasons, the Kwankwaso administration distorted the scholarship programme”.

The enraged governor

HE cold war between Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has degenerated to full blown hostility following the

By Laide Akinboadethreat by the former to Oriere exposed the latter ’s stewardship in office.

HERE is disquiet at Ganduje, who went for University of Abuja, broke when he hosted the leadership of Kano following the decision of students abroad under the the management to introduce aegis of General an examination fees regime Association of Northern under which students doctor of Nigeria Students, based in pursuing Egypt, alleged the philosophy, Ph. D, and distortion of the state masters programmes are to scholarship programme.

The long-time Kwankwaso’s political soul mate declared: “For one year, Kwankwaso did not pay a single kobo as tuition By Princewill Ekwujuru fee for our students studying abroad.

NVEST in market study “Right now, Kano State to unearth the dynamics government owes those consumer students N3 billion, and driving painfully, our revenue is behaviour is critical to client’s dwindling and we would meeting expectation. be cautious in handling the These were the words of situation”.

The new Kano Airtel Marketing Director, strongman revealed that the Dele Anifowose, while delay in the payment of the advising ad agencies on what clients’ expect tuitions fee was caused by the Kwankwaso from them to deliver on projects.

told the leadership of the students: “I’ve decided to let the cat out of the bag so that, as educated people, you would understand

where your problems lies”.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that last Wednesday weekly state executive meeting, presided over by Ganduja, had condemned the failure

of the Kwankwaso administration to fulfill financial obligation to the programme despite the allegation that huge amounts of money in foreign currency were allocated to it by the former regime.

UNIABUJA to charge N200,000 PG exam fees

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pay N200,000 and N150,000, respectively.

A circular to this effect was issued by the Dean, PostGraduate School of the university, Prof. E. J. C. Nwana.

The examination fees, considered arbitrary and exorbitant by students, are separate from the fees charged by the university for

PG courses. The university management also added more than doubled fees for masters from N41,400 (Sciences) and N55,900 (Arts) to N99,500 (Sciences)and N114,000 (Arts).

The increases, according to the circular, took effect from 2014/2015 academic session and school fees are to be paid

every session by the PG students and there will be no clearance if any arrears are unpaid.

Some of the PG students, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, complained bitterly over the charges for external defence of thesis and dissertation as the university had no such fees when they were admitted.

Invest in market survey to understand consumer behavioural patterns, Ad agencies advised

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Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, he said ad agencies need to key into the trend of emerging and developing markets because of their potence in driving global growth.

He quoted a recent survey as indicating that 76 percent of clients strongly want agency (ies) that understand various consumer touch points and how to develop wellintegrated solutions to

Delta gov poll: APC petitions INEC over evidence of staff at tribunal

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in Delta State, Mr. O’tega Emerhor, have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, alleging a plot by

some of its staff to scuttle their petition against the April 11 governorship election in the state.

The APC and its candidate had gone before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting Asaba to challenge the election victory of Governor

Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The petitioners are praying the tribunal to sack Okowa from office, alleging that he emerged from an election that was fraught with manifest irregularities and electoral malpractices.

exploit each channel to maximum effect.

Anifowose also observed that clients now require agencies with greater knowledge of the digital space, thus stating that over 30 percent of marketers

surveyed revealed they are not confident that their current agency is wellpositioned to take their brand through the unchartered waters of online digital marketing and interactive advertising.

Interest rates under pressure as banks suffer cash crunch Continued from page 5 to over 40 per cent by weekend. Usually when pressures mount on interbank interest rates, banks transfer the cost of funds to borrowers.

Bankers told Sunday Vanguard that prime lending rate may hit 20 per cent from average 16 per cent if the pressure continues this week. The shortfall in some banks on their cash reserve requirements (CRR) on Thursday compounded the liquidity shortage in the banking system of Africa’s largest economy.

Some banks, it was learnt,

had to resort to selling down their fixed assets holdings while most of them went to CBN discount window to cover their position as the cash shortage bites hard.

Money market dealers said they expect liquidity to remain tight this week because of expected cashflows into treasury bills at an auction on Wednesday.

However, analysts at Afrinvest Group, a Lagos based investment house, are of the opinion that money market rates may decline only moderately as withdrawals would be made in anticipation of the monthly Nigerian treasury bill auction.

Laws in Nigeria are against the poor - Legal Aid Council

By CALEB AYANSINA

EGAL Aid Council (LAC) has attributed L the inability of Nigerians

to access justice in the country to poverty, lack of access to information and the inherent bias of law against the marginalised people.

The Director General of the LAC, Mrs Joy BobManuel, said the Council had been struggling to cope with its mandate of providing free and quality legal services to the less privileged, whose rights were being violated, due to inadequate staff strength.

Bob-Manuel, speaking at a Round-table on ‘Enhanced Access to Legal Aid for Pretrial Detainees’ through public/private sector partnership, in Abuja, disclosed that with only four lawyers per state, it was inadequate for them to defend all indigent persons in Nigeria.

Capt. Jacob Ekotogbo dies

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APTAIN Jacob Ajinde Ekotogbo is dead. He died in Warri, Delta State, after a brief illness. He was aged 85 years. Until his death, Pa Ekotogbo was a nautical engineering consultant before retiring to become a prominent community leader in Koko, Warri, North Local Government Area of the state.

•Late Pa Ekotogbo

PAGE 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

No hope for these 'swarm' of immigrants I

n May this year I wrote a piece titled "The Mediterranean Shall Not Stand On The Way To 'Promised Land'". It was on the situation of immigrants desperately trying to cross over for a chance of a better life in Europe. The article was prompted by the sympathy for the high rate of deaths recorded in the sea bordering Europe and Africa.

The number of deaths of immigrants enroute to Europe reached the highest in the first quarter of this year.

This is not a surprise considering the fact that their choice of route, the Mediterranean Sea, according to the United Nations, is the most dangerous in the world. If one can say, one good thing that came out of the large number of fatalities reported at sea, was the fact that plight of the immigrants were brought to the attention of the world. Everybody was in and concerned about the "malady" that was consuming tens of lives.

The journey to the "Promised Land" for most of them is usually in two phases. It is like stating the obvious that the two phases are fraught with immense dangers. For these immigrants who come from every corner of the African and Asian continents, particularly Syria, Eriteria, Somalia, Egypt etc, the first hurdle is the journey to the "departing station" - Libya.

Libya has become the converging point for immigrants with dreams that need fulfilment. Although many of them are fleeing from war in their native countries, they feel safe in the North African Libya, which is politically and economically unstable. In Libya, there is no security, but for a set of people, this is no deterrent to running a flourishing business. To them, the state of lawlessness in the country is what is needed to grow a business.

In Libya, people smuggling is a lucrative business.

It has no regulatory or supervisory body. Just like the Mafia, it is a business operated on sheer brute and force. In business when demands exceeds supplies, there is bound to be huge profits. And the "demand" for entry into Europe far exceeds the "supply" by the network of people smugglers. The resultant effect is predictable - these "notorious" business men smile to the banks with huge sacks of foreign currencies paid to them by desperate immigrants and their families. It is a dirty business. But do they care?

There are various “holding” centres in parts of the country that serve as transition camps for the immigrants. The centres are where the "exchanges" are made and "departure" times are decided with "boarding passes" handed over to the immigrants. There is no

need for Customs or Immigrations officials to process them, as all they need is a "stroll" to the sea side, where they are loaded into boats and pushed out into the seas.

When desperation meets exploitation there are no rules to abide with. In this case, the middle point is the safety or otherwise of lives of human beings. The immigrants and the people smugglers are not the best of friends. While one is concerned with the end result, the "businessmen" only need the money and have no care in the world what happens to the immigrants after.

A few months after the international attention one would expect something reasonable to have been done to stem the "drift" and the deaths associated. It is unfortunate that nothing much has changed in the way and manner some of these immigrants still perish at sea. With all the high sounding proposals by the United Nations and the European Commission earlier in the year, there seems to be no end in sight for the daily dangerous trips through the Mediterranean.

There were many humanitarian concerns raised by these bodies, but unfortunately they lack the political will to implement them.

Among the proposals was increased spending on the search and rescue efforts.

After this, there appeared to be a bit of calm on the high seas. One can be forgiven to think that all the immigrants have been successfully shipped to Europe. The media reporting of deaths at sea seized momentarily, while attention was shifted to, according to the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, David Cameron, the "swarm" of immigrants that has laid ambush on Europe.

The immigrants were visible all over Europe trying to scale fences and cross border on foot. They have their dreams and their choices of destination, and

It is saddening that with the sad situation these immigrants are, the fences at the European countries' borders are getting higher, while sniffer dogs parade more frequently than before

no tunnel or barrier would stop them from getting over.

According to latest figures released by the UN, unlike in 2014 when 219,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean to Europe, so far this year 224,000 migrants and refugees had made the journey. The agency reckoned that more than 2100 migrants have died in 2015. These are the recorded deaths.

Last week we were jolted to reality once more. And the attention shifted again to the deadly Mediterranean Sea. The media reported that a boat carrying eight hundred people capsized just a little distance off the coast of Libya. They were not ordinary people, they were immigrants who wanted to sneak into Europe in the cover of the night.

As it is usual, there were casualties. There were aborted dreams, as lifeless bodies lay in the sea, and others were rescued by the Irish navy vessel, the LÉ Niamh.

This news once again renewed the attention of the world to the plights of these immigrants who are fleeing war torn countries in Africa and Asia. Many observers have been asking what the "developed" countries of the world are doing to manage this crisis and possibly find a solution to it. Unfortunately, the European countries that bear the brunt of the immigration debacle, are busy devising new ways to keep the immigrants out of their shores than how to assist them.

It is saddening that with the sad situation these immigrants are, the fences at the European countries' borders are getting higher, while sniffer dogs parade more frequently than before. Rather than come together and decide on a workable plan to end the crisis, they are playing the blame game.

Concerned at the antics of the individual countries, the European Commission last week said: "It is easy to cry in front of your TV set when witnessing these tragedies. It is harder to stand up and take responsibility.

What we need now is the collective courage to follow through with concrete action on words that will otherwise ring empty."

Observers are concerned the international community, especially Europe are not grasping the scale of this situation. Many people have condemned the world leaders for turning blind eyes to the after effect of what they caused in the countries from where these immigrants are running away.

The instability in these countries have been blamed on the activities of these leaders who for selfish reasons had supported insurgencies and rebellion, but are not ready to accept the fall out of their actions.

Where is the hope for these immigrants? May be not on the shores of Europe.

Trust God, be patient Joyful Homes, this week, discusses patience as a key to breakthrough salm 25 verse 2 P states: “ O my God, I trust in You, let me not

be ashamed”. This is according to the T.D. Jakes version. King James version puts it this way: “ Those that put their trust in the Lord shall not be put to shame”.

Do you really trust God? Or, are you waiting because you have tried everything medically possible and merely waiting for the sake of it?

Whatever it is, the waiting period is a time to test one’s faith. It is also a time for patience.

Waiting on the Lord is never so easy.

The one waiting on the Lord must have total trust in Him. Men of God describe the Word of God according to Genesis 1 verse 28, “ Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it “, as a command.

Since it is a command, it must come to fulfillment in your life.

Pastor Samson Ajetunmobi, in a sermon at Harken Unto Me O Lord ( HUMOL), Magodo, attributed the delay in fruitfulness to three factors, the most important of which is “ the rod of oppression”. In other words, some people who should have been fruitful are being oppressed by others for whatever reason. The adversary will do everything to stop human beings from having children.

The essence of patiencePatience is a virtue which everyone trusting God for anything must have. A woman, while giving her testimony at Laughter Foundation, said she was married but her marriage crashed as a result of impatience brought about by the pressure on her husband. She remarried in 2013 and, in 2015, became not mother. Not just a mother but a mother of twins. So why didn’t she have babies in her first marriage?

According to her, doctors attributed her inability to make babies to “ anxiety”. Anyone who fails to be patient may end up becoming a patient. Why? She could develop high blood pressure or some other ailments as a result of anxiety.

Provocation- This is an

issue that anyone trusting God for the fruit of the womb must learn to ignore. Provocation can be from anyone, related by blood or not.

There was the case of two neighbours living in a block of flats.

Mrs. A had children and Mrs. B had none.

Anytime people greeted Mrs. B asking after her children, Mrs. A. was always quick to inform such people that Mrs. B had none. While this continued, Mrs. B remained prayerful and learnt to keep her neighbor at arms length.

After about 15 years, a breakthrough came for Mrs. B and her husband: God blessed them with a baby boy.

Barely two years after, they had a set of twins.

God turned their situation around.

It was now the turn of Mrs. A. to envy her neighbour. Though she had three daughters, she was under pressure to have a son.

The point here is that anyone waiting on the Lord should expect provocation from any

Anyone who fails to be patient may end up becoming a patient. Why? She could develop high blood pressure or some other ailments as a result of anxiety quarters. The important thing is that God should give the grace to overcome such provocation. Again, the key is patience.

Are you regularly provoked because of your situation?

Simply avoid such people or gatherings.

More importantly, when you feel lonely, cry on the Lord.

Let me encourage you with the words of Pastor J.T. Kalejaye, “ Your mockers will soon bow to your maker ”.

As recorded in 1 Samuel, Hannah was provoked sore by her rival, Peninnah . What did Hannah do?

According to the holy Bible, “ Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept “.Then she added a vow.

The story of Hannah

remains one that is still relevant for couples trusting God for the fruit of the womb.

Be steadfast in prayer.

Look unto God. God never fails If medical science has failed you, God can never fail .

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, while preaching at the Redemption Camp, spoke of a woman that the doctors said their investigation showed that her womb had stuck together and, as such, could not carry babies.

She didn’t give up, she took a decision to return to her Maker.

According to Pastor Adeboye, the woman took the doctors report to the altar of her church and, like Hannah, cried unto the Lord.

She probably did this at a time the auditorium was quiet.

The good news is that, this same woman soon became a mother of twins. The truth is that when we think God is coming late, he is working on your big testimony.

Pastor T.D.Jakes, in his sermon, “Letting Go”, stated: “Our faith teaches us to trust God. He doesn’t change but his methods of ministering to you will change over and over again. Do not worry. He will give you what you need”.

Twins arrive at last.

Let me conclude this article with a testimony of Sister T. She had been married for over 10 years without children. The husband bowed to pressure and went to marry another woman in one of the South-South states.

Consequently, he stopped providing for Sister T. He starved her but fellow Christians supported her.

She was mocked and maltreated, but she stuck to her God. She continued to pray and serve the Lord.

God had mercy on her and, now, she has a set of twins; a boy and a girl. We must always remember that whatever is the challenge we face in life, God is able to set us free.

Have you given up?

Please don’t!. God has not forgotten you.

Always bear in mind that God that remembered Sarah, Hannah and Rebecca is still on the throne.

Be cheerful in your spirit, trust God. Your Samuel is on the way. God will surely make you laugh.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 9

Two views about our National Assembly

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used to wonder what people enjoy in the ‘dull’ game of Billiards until last Thursday when a friend persuaded me to accompany him to cheer his cousin who was into a tournament in a recreation centre in our neighbourhood. It turned out to be an evening of no dull moments in which I was thoroughly entertained. The real fun was not the game but an unorganized debate which suddenly evolved between those who hate our legislators with a passion and those who chose to play the devil’s advocate on lawmaking issues. The man who began the entire debate could not be ignored by anyone because of his passion laden submission.

He said he shed tears the week before when he gathered that the legislators who were at loggerheads with themselves over the leadership of both houses of the National Assembly had resolved their differences.

He could not imagine why that should happen adding that once the legislators became united nothing would stop them from teaming-up once again to

The House brushed aside all these weighty allegations and began to examine certain perceived deficiencies in the competence and conditions of service etc of the lady and thereafter, passed a resolution that the President should sack her appropriate our national treasury.

Another member who had posed as a kind of referee in the on-going game and who ordinarily should not have followed the argument cut in to say no one should ever be misled by the well rehearsed happenings in our legislature. According to this second speaker, our legislators who purported to be so angry with each

trade union judging by the way the members muster massive support for one another on any subject. He then went to memory lane to review the famous 2003 case of El Rufai versus two Senators.

What happened then was that El Rufai who was nominated to be a Minister in the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo raised an alarm

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758 opuruiche2000@yahoo.com

the United States, Nigerians have been wondering when he would constitute his cabinet. Nothing prevented him from announcing here in Nigeria the decision to delay the matter for over three months after his inauguration - at least it would minimise speculations and uncertainties concerning when the executive branch of the federal government would be fully constituted according to law. While the constitution did not stipulate any time for an elected President to form an executive council, the President and the Federal Executive Council is the full constitutionally recognised executive arm of the federal government. Therefore, any pronouncement by a sitting President on the matter is significant, for it signals the character and direction of executive authority during his or her tenure. Nigerians elected President Buhari to govern them in concert with members of his cabinet.

Thus, Buhari should have told Nigerians about his decision to postpone such an important constitutional obligation before going to America. His conduct on this issue is a tacit endorsement of the condescending and patronising attitude of American officials towards African countries. That said, despite the current hydraheaded man-made problems facing the country presently, Nigeria remains a potentially great country.

The relationship between her and other countries ought to be based on mutual respect. Meanwhile, the servile pronouncements of President Buhari and exaggerated celebration of his visit to America by his media aides indicate that although Nigeria and the

Going to America: The Buhari-APC style (2)

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or instance, in a meeting he held on July 29 at Blair House in Washington DC with his classmates, members of the US War College class of 1980, the President told them that John Kerry, the American Secretary of State, "read the riot act" to him, Jonathan and Prof. Attahiru Jega, former chairman of INEC. According to Buhari, Kerry reminded them that the election must be free, fair and in line with the Nigerian constitution. That is not all: his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, reports that the President said in that very meeting, "God made me but America made me."Reading through Shehu's presentation of what transpired during the meeting, it is obvious that the Buhari that went to America last month is not really the same Buhari who, as military head of state, dealt with Western powers, particularly Britain, tit for tat during the Umaru Dikko kidnap saga, which implies that most Nigerians who voted for him thinking that the tenaciously patriotic Buhari of 1984 has remained unchanged in that respect might be mistaken.

Besides, by claiming before an American audience that John Kerry "read the riot act" to him and two other principal actors in the last elections, President Buhari created the unflattering impression of a subaltern or

other were merely into shadow boxing to attract attention and no more. He added that the political tension arising from the supposed disagreement among the legislators was only for the purpose of alignments ahead of some juicy assignments. He concluded that since the return of democracy in 1999, the trend has been for legislators to pretend to be at war with themselves while working out their plan of action to join the club of millionaires. A third member popularly known as ‘leader’ then began his lengthy contribution to the debate. He described the National Assembly as a

servant reporting what transpired between him and his master. Worst still, if indeed Buhari said "God made me but America made me," then he unwittingly corroborated the story in certain quarters that Western powers, especially the United States and Britain, were deeply involved in making sure that he won the presidential election - and we know the extent those two countries can go to achieve their strategic objectives.

Anyway, why would a President, a philosopherking, pay tribute to some fictional entity and a foreign country for his electoral success, instead of expressing gratitude to those that truly deserve it, namely, millions of Nigerians who defied serious inconveniences and voted for him on March 28, 2015? In my opinion, irrespective of the largely imaginary benefits of Buhari's adventure in America invented by APC stalwarts and media hirelings, some of the P r e s i d e n t ' s pronouncements, including his persistent mantra about corruption in Nigeria, might have actually degraded the country and impacted negatively on her standing in the comity of nations.

Now, why did President Buhari announce in a foreign country that ministers would be appointed in September?

Before Buhari travelled to

that some specific senators demanded millions of naira from him so as to make his clearance easy. The senate then went ahead to investigate the matter and cleared its affected members while declaring el rufai’s allegation as false.

Well, neither the nation nor the senators themselves believed the ‘findings’ of the senate which explains why the ‘liar ’ ministerial nominee was still cleared.

A few years later, according to the narration, the then Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Aruma Oteh revealed how the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market demanded N44 million from her in two tranches of N39 million and N5 million respectively. She also alleged that the chairman of the committee previously collected an amount of money and a business class ticket to travel to the Dominican Republic for a conference, but that he neither made the trip nor returned the money.

The House brushed aside all these weighty allegations and began to examine certain perceived deficiencies in the competence and conditions of service etc of the lady and thereafter, passed a resolution that the President should sack her.

The House also resolved that should the President fail to comply with its resolution, it would cease to

accord any recognition to Aruma Oteh. Following its discovery on resumption from recess that the lady was still in office, the House re-affirmed its earlier resolution and gave a 14day ultimatum for compliance by the executive. The senior brother of the House-the Senate-eventually waded into the matter like an appeal court and also an umbrella trade union of law makers to resolve that if President Jonathan did not sack Aruma Oteh, it would no longer relate with the commission. Mr. ‘leader ’ ended up with the argument that the national Assembly was of no use adding that its modus operandi is to make both noise and money with no work and that at the tail end it would pass 46 bills in 10minutes as the 7th senate did.

At this point ‘the advocate’, a member known for highlighting the other side to every argument took the floor. He warned members not to compare the present National Assembly especially the senate with its ‘hopeless’ predecessor.

Three pertinent issues according to Mr. Advocate had already been achieved by the Saraki-led Senate, namely: the prompt clearance of service chiefs in support of President Buhari’s anti-terrorism war; the visit of a senate delegation to internally displace persons in the

North-East to empathise with them; and the settingup of a panel to review the bogus salaries of legislators.

Credit according to Mr. Advocate should be given to whom it is due. He was loudly applauded.

Recognising that I was in their midst, the members at this point insisted that I say a few words before leaving.

I thanked them for the honour and told them how impressive their debate was notwithstanding that it had no moderator to determine topic and duration of each contribution.

I enjoined them to take the lead in bringing some sanity to our legislature by encouraging their kith and kin to also unite to make a legislator accountable to his electorate by democratically removing from office any non performing legislator. The way to do this according to sections 69 and 110 of our constitution is to mobilize 50% of the electorates within their locality to sign a petition to the electoral commission recalling such a member from office.

Within 90 days of doing that the legislator would be out of office if a simple majority of voters in the affected locality agrees with the petition in a referendum. This would stop any legislator whose only interest is to fight, scheme, acquire wealth and do nothing to justify the votes that took him to the law making body.

United States may be friends, the relationship is one between unequals, with the latter in a much superior position than the former.

Nothing can be more symbolic of the low status the American establishment accords Nigeria than her occlusion from the African countries President Obama visited shortly after Buhari returned to Nigeria from the United States. Let us face it: mediocre leadership that began since independence has crippled Nigeria. But that does not warrant our President to go abroad and

in APC should take note. It is in agreement with his proNorthern disposition, which was manifest when he was military head of state and chair, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund. Buharimaniacs can waste their energy vituperating against critics of the President's ethnic bias "till kingdom come." The point is that, by proclaiming publicly that he would favour the North because of the impressive votes he received from his fellow Northerners, President Buhari still believes in the atavistic Mosaic law of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" as an administrative strategy in 2015! Of course, Buhari's pro-North predilection is already manifesting in the appointments he has made thus far and in his subterranean support for exclusion of the South East in leadership positions of the National Assembly, although he might try to placate Ndigbo later by offering token appointments to few of them. Ideally, appointment to public offices should be based on merit, not on ethnicity. But meritocracy and intelligent spread of official positions to capture the diverse ethnic configuration of a fractious federation such as ours and give more people a sense of belonging are not mutually exclusive. For every vacant public office, there are qualified Nigerians from each ethnic group who can perform creditably in that position, although the fact that a top official of government is an indigene of a particular ethnic group does not necessarily mean that the ethnic group in question would automatically benefit from such appointment. Anyway, President Buhari should have taken his parochial

logic to its logical conclusion by insisting that his administration would reward constituencies based on their contributions to the national treasury or to the informal economy nationwide.

If he implements the principle of "to each according to its contribution to the federation account," the North will be terribly d i s a d v a n t a g e d economically because it depends heavily on money from crude oil sales and other sources of revenue generated from the South.

At this stage in our historical evolution, Nigerians do not need a President who would reward different parts of the country based merely on the voting pattern. Instead, what they need is a creative political leader who sees the entire country as his constituency and is prepared to do whatever it takes to improve the well-being of the suffering masses. If President Buhari is unable to jettison the mindset he used during electioneering campaigns and replace it with the appropriate attitude for good governance across the country, then Nigerians who expected genuine change from him should prepare their minds for terrible disappointment.

Overall, President Buhari's state visit to the United States is a public relations manoeuvre to create the misleading impression that the new government is working with solid support from the international community led by the United States. Hence, it is extremely doubtful whether the President saw and conquered while there, as my friend, Femi Adesina, claimed gleefully.

Concluded.

Overall, President Buhari’s state visit to the United States is a public relations manoeuvre to create the misleading impression that the new government is working with solid support from the international community led by the United States talk as if Nigeria is the Mecca of corruption and as if he was a factotum sent on an errand and was reporting back to his master. No leader who genuinely respects his country would behave like that.

I am not surprised that President Buhari told journalists while in America that he would reward various parts of Nigeria differently based on the percentage of votes he received from each constituency - Igbo leaders

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUAT 9, 2015 turmoil in 2016. The States would have exhausted the bail out funds.

Monthly allocations to states, which was N111bn in June 2015, compared with N196bn in July 2006, will dwindle further. All the governments will not be able to pay salaries by the

Who is minding the store?

“The United States benchmark West Texas Intermediate for September delivery dived almost 3.0 per cent, shedding $1.40 to close at $47.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.”

Reported by a national daily on August 3, 2015 “I had rather be right than be President.” Henry Clay, 1777-1852, in a letter to Senator Preston of South Carolina in 1839. orget wishing anybody Merry Christmas this year; you might as well also dispense with the Happy New Year greetings for 2016. At the risk of being called, once again, a prophet of doom, let me declare right now that given the trend of crude oil prices, Nigerians are headed for the bleakest Christmas in history, and we stand to start 2016 with the worst economic uncertainty in our history. The situation can only be made worse if

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the Federal Government fails to take urgent steps to address the inevitable economic recession.

Calling for urgency with respect to economic policy and programmes is contrary to the opinions of those in the corridors of power who collectively applaud the measured approach to governance now established. But, history has taught us that saints and fools rush when danger is imminent.

For that reason, at least on economic policy, permit me to register my objection to the conventional wisdom in vogue in Abuja which seems to rest on the assumption that everything will wait for us.

One thing is not waiting; and that is the price of crude oil which could go as low as $40 per barrel

by December. Even before then several things would have happened, harbingers of our inevitable economic

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

Gbese and the Judge: In Defence Of Justice Oloyede

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anguage is a bitch: when it wants it can turn, and twist, and yield contingent meaning often beyond what it sometimes intends. Take the Yoruba name “Aregbesola”: it could be unpacked into three distinct words Are/ Egbe/ Sola – normal short forms that carry the propriety of Yoruba onomastics.

It could also choose to take it all from the middle, and come up with something like “Gbese” as in the Yoruba pejorative, “Oni gbese!”

If you watched the famous ‘70s and ‘80s long running TV series, Masquerade, out of NTV Chanel 6, Aba, you’d have been familiar with a character called “Jegede” – a charming rogue played by the now late Claudius Eke, and his termagant wives, first, Apena, played by the now equally late Christie Essien who went on to pop stardom, and later Ramota played by Vero Njoku, who in heated moments of frustration with her husband, would call him, “oni gbese!” “Ala k’ori!” – such words. Profiteering is “gbese.”

Any governor who does not authorize the payment of the salaries of state workers for upwards of even one month of arear is “oni gbese” – they are profiteers from the adversity of workers vulnerable to their power.

“Gbese” is the free use of trickery, and sharping, in taking advantage of another.

In effect, Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede, of the Osun courts, in pure Yoruba terms has described Governor Rauf Aregbeseola – Gbese for short in this regard – as “oni gbese” who should be investigated for the mismanagement of the resources of Osun state in accordance with section 128 and 129 of the 1999 Federal Constitution. Justice Oloyede submitted her petition to the Osun state House of Assembly to investigate the governor of Osun State on his inability to pay state workers, and about the general financial management of the state under his watch; and to impeach him appropriately following investigation.

The 30-page petition also urged the EFCC to join in the investigation of the governor.

On the possible evidence or grounds for investigations, Judge Oloyede submitted in her petition, “I declare that in addition to the media-hype of Osun’s parlous financial condition, I have firsthand experience.”

This is powerful.The petition pointed the argument made by the governor that salaries cannot be paid from statutory allocations as faulty, and

end of the year. Bad news, you say, but true. You will be advised not to dismiss this warning; because my track records with

even an idiot knows I am not a PDP member.

Like Clay, I will rather be right than Minister or Special Adviser to President. God and my Fellow Nigerians (how many fools make up the 170 million?), even the fools, know that we had been badly governed in the last sixteen years from Obasanjo to Jonathan.

Based on hope rather than collective experience, we voted for change in 2015 and we settled on a leader who majority of us believed will deliver the positive change.

Even the most ardent supporter of President Buhari must acknowledge that he is not an economist.

In fact, like Obasanjo, Yar ’Adua and Jonathan

Contrary to the conventional wisdom peddled in and around Aso Rock, anyone asking Buhari not to speed up on addressing the economic calamity facing us is the saboteur predictions speak for themselves.

“Friends” of the President have dismissed everybody who canvasses for more urgency by classifying them into three groups: job seekers, PDP members who want Buhari to fail and saboteurs. Let me address the first and third because

before him, he would have to rely on those who have a good grasp of the subject.

Being deficient in knowledge of any important subject hampers ALL Presidents and Prime Ministers irrespective of country. With respect to the whole body of knowledge required to govern a State, not to talk of a large

demanded that the House compel the governor to show contrary legal evidence or face impeachment for his incompetence.

The judge’s petition also claims that all funds allocations and expenditures are backed by legislation, and therefore therehas to be, in that regard, clear evidence of misappropriation of funds already approbated to cover state payroll. Inability to pay pensions, salaries and allowances for upwards of 811 months while still enjoying the security allowances of his office is a violation of the governor’s oath of office.

The judge submitted her petition on two very important grounds, as citizen and as judge,neither of which can be divorced from the other, and this is the part that has raised a lot of questions.

The Clerk of the Osun House of Assembly on receipt of the petition promptly passed it to the Speaker of the House, the honorable Najeem Salaam who quickly constituted a panel to ascertain the grounds of the judge’s order or petition, under the chairmanship of the honorable Adegboye Akintunde, representing Oshogbo constituency. What is not clear to me yet is the nature of this House panel: was it an established or standing committee of the house, or was it an extraordinary panel set up primarily for determining the grounds of the petition? In my mind, I think that the speaker, Mr. Salaam, took the appropriate step in entertaining Judge Oloyede’s petition. But I think that establishing an extraordinary panel to examine the nature of that petition was the wrong

move. Oloyede’s petition should have been read in the House, and fully debated; and the Osun State House of Assembly, to whom this petition was directed should have, as a body, mandated the House Judiciary committee to explore the grounds of the Judge’s petition from the bench, and determine its warrants or dismiss it. I think

Judge Oloyede’s petition basically sought to compel members of the Osun House to follow section 188 of the constitution – and make Ogbeni Rauf stop dancing “Skelewu” with the resources of Osun State the panel had a very narrow view of the implications of the Judge’s petition, and bungled it.

The panel reportedly invited Justice Oloyede to submit evidence before it. The judge was right in demonstrating judicial sovereignty and in delegating her lawyers to represent her, in her personal capacity, and to pledge that she would appear before the house panel in her personal capacity to present evidence only on the grounds that she is presented an official refutal by the governor.

Her claims do not seem outlandish.

The claims that governor Aregbesola has (a) not paid public sector salaries, pensions and allowance while he and his deputy, Mrs Tomori continue to draw from their own security

country like Nigeria, we are ALL illiterates. That knowledge deficit is the reason Presidents often fail to foresee danger in a particular area until a crisis becomes a calamity. For instance, Jonathan, not having military training, could not foresee the Boko Haram escalating to the point of claiming four states of Nigeria from him. The same is true of economic crisis – such as the one we now have on our hands which might develop into a calamity; unless URGENT steps are taken.

The report about crude oil delivery prices for September 2015 portends serious consequences for us. In August 2014, the Federal Government and States shared N601.65bn; and that gross revenue included money taken from the Excess Crude Account, ECA. The price of crude oil was over $75 per barrel. In June this year the FG, States and LGs shared a meager $518.5bn, or only 86 per cent of what they got in August last year. Crude prices in May were around $60 per barrel.

Now with crude deliveries for September 2015 down to 63 per cent of last year’s level, and no ECA to cushion the impact of plummeting crude prices, does anybody need to be an economist to know that the FG, States and LGs which shared N111bn for June will collect less in September. Furthermore,

as the price of crude continues its decline, the three tiers of government will continue to receive less.

State governors, like the governor of a South West State who promised to clear salary arrears in three months, are operating in fantasyland, not Nigeria. No State Governor will be in a position to clear arrears of anything (salaries, pensions, gratuities, severance pay, debts etc) this year. If anything they will increasingly find it difficult to pay as and when due – unless urgent steps are taken NOW. Contrary to the conventional wisdom peddled in and around Aso Rock, anyone asking Buhari not to speed up on addressing the economic calamity facing us is the saboteur. While politics, apparently, has consumed the lives of our leaders, they seem to have forgotten that MAN MUST WACK NOW AND ALWAYS. Two political leaders should be saying the Irish prayer everyday, “God save me from my friends, I can take care of my enemies”, the two are: Buhari and Saraki. The two have one thing in common: they are more imperiled by their “friends” than their “enemies”. One man sitting in Otuoke now understands that. Unless urgent steps are taken NOW, most states will literally fold up – for all intents and purposes.

NB: Part 2 of SARAKI ON TIGER’S BACK NEEDS HELP will continue next week.

allowances; (b) that the governor contravened financial laws which make him potentially impeachable given that the funds for workers salaries have already been budgeted and passed by legislation and therefore the governor owes the pubic some explanation with regards to issues of appropriation and misappropriation. The panel dismissed the Judge’s petition on the grounds that it “lacked evidence!” But on what grounds? Because she did not appear personally before the panel. Nigerians must here bear in mind, that Judge Oloyede’s petition speaks to a far more general question about the roles and effectiveness of the various arms of government, and the principle of the separation of powers. Can a judge petition another arm of government to do its job? I think the answer is yes.

Justice Oloyede is correct in issuing a bench petition. But Dr. Itse Sagay, a Senior Advocate, former Professor and Dean of Law at the University of Benin, and Mrs Folake Solanke, also a Senior Advocate, both with distinguished careers in Law, have discountenanced Judge Oloyede’s move as a “reckless descent” from the bench; an“embarrassing and gross ignorance” of her judicial role, and as a result she has compromised the “dignity and sanctity of the judiciary.”

These are tough words, and they seek her sanction by the National Judicial Council. I think the two distinguished lawyers are fundamentally wrong, in their extremely conservative positions, and their literalist, romanticized reading of a

judge’s role in law. Judge Olamide Oloyede is correct in issuing a bench petition to the House of Assembly as both a judge and a citizen. She has called only for the investigation of the governor, and it is within her rights to make such a move, for as long as she does not, when it comes to the judicial panel that would ratify impeachment, should it come to that, exert undue influence. She must recuse herself to foreclose any conflict of interest. As for asking the House to commence investigations that might lead to impeachment, Judge Oloyede has shown what we must all recognize as judicial initiative, stemming from her constitutional role, principally as protector of the rights – both economic and political rights – of the citizen.

Her action cannot be considered unseemly interference, in so far as she did not compromise the process – only that she, bearing the burden of judicial advocacy, seeks to right a possible wrong. That is the sum of her oath as a judge.

Those who are currently calling for sanctions against her for her bold action are the real problems affecting the development of the Nigerian judicial system which requires its judges to be statues of the law, rather than sentient beings, acting like the true Magisters of the law. Judge Oloyede’s petition basically sought to compel members of the Osun House to follow section 188 of the constitution – and make Ogbeni Rauf stop dancing “Skelewu” with the resources of Osun State and the rights of her suffering, unpaid workers. She is to be commended and not sanctioned.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 11

Why I am bent on prosecuting ex-Gov. Chime – Enugu lawyer

• Mr. Ray Nnaji.... I cannot keep quiet seeing things going wrong in the party

BY FRANCIS IGATA

With the renewed vigour showed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, an Enugu based lawyer and former National Auditor, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,Mr. Ray Nnaji, in this interview, alleges that former Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has questions to answer on how he ran the state’s finances.

This is coming on the heels of preliminary investigation conducted by the EFCC on some aides of the former governor.

Excerpts...

May we know why you petitioned the EFCC? petitioned the EFCC when I observed what was going on in the state under former Governor Barrister Sullivan Chime. I was still carrying out my investigation when the House of Assembly under Speaker Eugene Odo came out with a proposal to impeach him listing some impeachable offences including alleged forgery of the supplementary budget.

I heard the governor in the media where he was trying to put up a defense without knowing he was admitting it.

He said that what he did to the budget was to change

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some figures from one sector to the other, but when you do that to such a document, forgery can be alleged. When the budget is signed, not even a coma can be touched; to do that, you must go back to the Assembly. That was where I took it up in addition to other things I discovered; the other things I discovered inlude that, at that time, he was hurriedly putting finishing touches to M-Line, which was the official quarters of the Attorney-General of the state.

When he became AttorneyGeneral, in his characteristic manner, he believed he will be the last person to hold that position in the state; that is why he decided to seek for the monetization of the place. So when he applied for the monetization under Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, it was given to him but he was unable to pay. So when he became governor, he was said to have allocated the place to himself and further acquired other land in that place and expanded it.

So what happened to the petition you wrote to the EFCC? I made it known to the public, in 2008, when I believed he was after me and even declared me wanted. So when I

Anybody who has served the public should be willing to give account of his stewardship.

Look at the situation of Enugu, a debt of over N68bn and the governor is grappling to meet up with financial obligations of the state

petitioned the EFCC, he employed the same tactics he used in 2008; he chased me with the Attorney-General and the police; they called me on phone asking me to come to the state CID over a petition but they refused to disclose the petitioner. I wrote and copied everybody that mattered that he was after me again. I also went to court and, luckily, the court gave an order restraining the police from harassing me and that was why I could move freely. When I found out that the EFCC was not forthcoming, I filed an application for judicial review, asking the court to mandate the EFCC, the Code of Conduct Bureau, Revenue Mobi-

lization Commission, Accountant General of Enugu, to do their duties because I made a request to that effect and nothing had happened. I first of all sought leave of the court which was granted on July 2, 2015 and I have filed the substantive application. But what is holding the matter now is that the court is on vacation because that order for leave attached to the motion, which I must serve on all the parties, was yet to be signed by the judge before he went on vacation. So I am waiting for the judge; once he returns from vacation, it will be signed, then I will serve them and the matter will commence.

The EFCC invited me and, for two hours, I was able to xray most of the things I am telling you now. So the EFCC assured me they would do something but, up till now, I have not seen him invited when other governors are being questioned. That’s the dilemma we are in now but my suit will take care of everything.

But some people believe that the governor did well and that you may be on a vendetta mission?

I am not pursuing this matter to witch hunt; I am doing this because it is incumbent on anyone who is serving the public to render account of his stewardship. I have served; the only thing is that I have never been a governor; I was a local government Chairman in 1997 before Sullivan could think of becoming anything.

I am a founding member of the PDP and I served in the highest echelon of the party, I was a National Auditor. I cannot keep quiet seeing things going wrong in the party; these are part of the things that made our party to lose election. When you see somebody doing bad you must expose that person. On all these things I am saying, let Sullivan come out and say I am telling lies; then we will start from there. Anybody who has served the public should be willing to give account of his stewardship. Look at the situation of Enugu, a debt of over N68bn and the governor is grappling to meet up with financial obligations of the state. Is that how a governor should hand over? Anyone saying it is witch hunting is not even helping the state because we cannot allow such a thing to happen and we shut our mouth.

So what do you want to achieve? Send him to jail?

No, going to jail is not for me to decide; and that is why I added the Attorney General as a party to that suit; and one of the reliefs is for the court to direct the Attorney General to give me a fiat, written authority to prosecute Sullivan Chime if, at the end of the day, the EFCC is reluctant or refuse to prosecute him. As a lawyer, I have the right to a fiat; court orders it; they must give me a fiat and you see me prosecuting him. So it’s not my duty to determine if he will go to jail; my duty is to present; I am not persecuting, I am prosecuting; I am not going back on this. I will see it to the end for others to learn a lesson.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

ATTACKS ON AMAECHI:

The facts

behind the figures F

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

RESH facts have emerged suggesting that the new round of media attacks on former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi may have been the brainchild of perceived political traducers.

The onslaught which borders on some policy actions believed to have been formulated and executed during the administration of Amaechi, seems to have assumed an apprehensive dimension lately.

Irked by the development which they termed pursuance of political vendetta, some concerned indigenes of the state, cautioned against turning history on its head to achieve political objectives.

In sounding this warning, the aborigines, who made known their stance under the auspices of Legacy Group declared that the campaign against Amaechi is to cast him in a bad light before President Muhammadu Buhari.

In fact, in the reckoning of Vivian Ngozika and Kenethy Friday of the group, the prime aim of those behind the media attack is to prevent Amaechi from being considered for a political appointment in this dispensation.

In separate chats with Sunday Vanguard, the duo gave a detailed narrative countering what had been presented to the public as ex-governor Ameachi's alleged misdeeds in office.

Focusing on allegations of poor handling of the state power generation infrastructure and Specialist Hospital project leveled against Amaechi, Ngozika, who is the spokes person for Legacy Group, said: ''There are some basic facts the harbingers of hate and demonisation of Amaechi failed to realise or they intentionally did not want to disclose to the Rivers people. The Amaechi administration inherited power asset of 236MW from plants at Trans Amadi and Obrikom. ''On assumption of office in 2007, the construction of 100MW at Obrikom was ongoing while a 30MW station at Onne was undergoing rehabilitation. The completed plants were operating at 20 percent capacity due to maintenance and transmission challenges. ''In 2010, the Amaechi administration commenced the construction of 180MW power plant at Afam. This green field project that is based on Gas Turbine Technology is known as Afam 1 and contracted to Saipem, an internationally acclaimed power energy company of high repute. Note that the Afam Gas manifold owned by SPDC was already in existence and this project was designed to leverage on that.''

•

Governor Nyesom Wike

''In 2013, the administration commenced the construction of another 180MW at Afam to bring the total capacity there to 360MW. ''With an almost 750MW installed power generation capacity in the state, the Amaechi administration embarked, through a cabinet decision, on the divestiture of 70 percent of the assets across board to ensure sustainability, accountability and efficiency. ''

•Rotimi Amaechi out contractual obligations in other ministries and agencies of government. The government also settled obligations to Shell and AGIP for gas supplies to the power plants. ''Part of the proceeds was injected into the 2014/2015 bud-

T

he government off load ed 70 percent of the as sets to NG Power Consortium, which has consolidated itself as the largest power energy generation company in Nigeria. This company is the core owner and operator of Egbin Power Plant in Lagos.'' ''The NG Power Consortium acquired 541MW, representing 70 percent of the assets at a unit rate of US$800,000.00/MW and this amounted to US$302,400,000.00. The company remitted US$75,600,000.00 representing 25% of the proceeds to the state government in 2013. The balance was remitted in installments over the next one year.''

Still setting the records straight, she added thus: '' All payments in the transaction passed through the Zenith Bank and the records are there for verification purposes. ''The entire transaction complied with standard Due Process provisions from the Cabinet to the Ministry of Power to other agencies of government.''

C

ommenting on part of the proceeds, Ngozika said: ''Part of the proceeds was used to pay Saipem for the construction of Afam (11) plant. It was also used to clear

Nothing projects the lack of understanding of these agents of falsehood than their inability to understand how government projects are valued to determine money for work done

get appropriation.''

To clear doubts regarding the authenticity of her assertion,' Ngozika said: ''The records are in all agencies and parastatals and schedule of the withdrawals are available for the present regime in Port Harcourt to access and be well informed. It is pertinent for the Rivers State government to appreciate that in public financial administration, sources and application of funds is a continuum. '' Every revenue goes into the state coffers and used in appropriation depending on the developmental orientation and agenda of the administration.''

O

n his part, Friday, Leg acy Group's secretary, told Sunday Vanguard that: ''The most laughable allegation by the confused propagandists of the Wike regime is the fruitless attempt at using the CLINORIV Specialist Hospital to smear the image of Amaechi.

Nothing projects the lack of understanding of these agents of falsehood than their inability to understand how government projects are valued to determine money for work done.''

The reason for embarking on the project, he said was: ''To save the government and people the huge amount of money spent in overseas treatment. It was a Public Private Partnership ,PPP, arrangement between the state government and Clinotech Diagnostics and ''Pharmaceuticals Inc, Canada, for the building of a 1,000 room, 12 story specialist hospital in Port Harcourt.''

Continuing, he explained that: ''The government’s equity in the Specialist Hospital is 40 percent.

The state government contributed its equity share of N4.6bn to

demonstrate commitment to the project. ''Clinotech reneged on its commitment of 60 percent equity contribution siting global recession. However, the government carried on with the project because of its significance to the health needs of the state.''

C

laims that not even a sin gle stone had been laid at the proposed site of the hospital till date, were dismissed by Friday.

He said:''This is false, completely malicious and misleading. One wonders if the present administration in Rivers State has bothered to read the project file and visit the project site. ''One can only draw the conclusion that the present administration is unable to carry out due diligence. There is documentation evidencing the actual level and cost of work done on site. There is also evidence of cost of materials, plant and machinery as at March 2010 when Clinotech vacated the site. ''Governor Amaechi personally instigated an investigation into the financial activities of Clinotech in the project.

On March 5, 2010, the governor reported a case of alleged breach of contract and fraudulent diversion of funds to the Commissioner of Police, CP Suleiman Abba.''

In summary, he described the ongoing jabs being thrown at Amaechi as:'' Completely malicious and typical of the present Governor of Rivers State who has no vision to develop the Rivers People, but whose sole agenda is to tarnish the reputation of Chibuike Amaechi.''

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 13

DANIEL MAYUKU: ACKNOWLEDGING A Buhari has not breached Federal QUINTESSENTIAL LEGISLATOR AT 51 Character provisions – Member, partments and agencies acter of a man, and to know

By MICHAEL TIDI (MDAs). Another example who he truly is. We, who have &TSEGBEMI MAYUKU of his towering status as a had the honor to identify with Federal Character Commission do-gooder is the fact that him, can attest that we truly

BY YINKA AJAYI President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to probe the administration of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has been described as a right step in the right direction.

While describing Buhari’s action as being in order, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abayomi Sheba, implored Nigerians not to misconstrue the intention of the president which he said was designed to promote probity and accountability in governance.

The former lawmaker, who is presently Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of the Federal Character Commission, in this interview, speaks on the appointments by Buhari, bail out to states by the Federal Government and the crisis at the National Assembly. Excerpts: s a member of the Federal Character Commission, what is your reaction to appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari because some people felt the appointments were lopsided in favour of a section of the country?

So far, the President has acted well as an experienced administrator by going for the best hands. The appointment of Service Chiefs were purely based on merit. It was devoid of political considerations and ethnic or primordial cleavages. He has not acted contrary to the laws of the land because, less than 5 per cent of the available appointments has been filled. Even as it is there is no geo-political zone that is not represented. By the time all the appointments are made, no states in the federation will be left without representation.

Has the President breached any provision of the law on appointments made so far?

Not yet because appointments into all the available vacancies in the present administration have not been concluded. Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies”. This section was amplified by the provisions in Part 1 (C) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended and made justiceable by the Federal Character Commission (Establishment ,etc.) Act Cap F7 LFN 2004.

The SGF , Chief of Staff , Ministers , Executive Directors, Board members , etc. are yet to be appointed.

Consequently it will prepos-

A

Hon. Abayomi Sheba

The electorates are tired of the infighting in the House. They should get back to the business they are elected to do and that is legislating for good governance terous to draw any conclusion now.

How can fears of the people be allayed that the President has not shown bias in his actions regarding appointment?

The fears of our people can only be allayed by the President through strict adherence to the letters of the 1999 Constitution as amended and all the extant rules and laws that governs appointment to public office in Nigeria. As I said earlier, the President is not a novice, he knows the law and I am sure he will apply it as it is and not as it ought to be.

How can the present crisis rocking the National Assembly be amicably resolved?

My appeal to the principal actors and all the dramatis personae in the National Assembly imbroglio is for them to toe the path of constitutionality and respect the supremacy of the Political Parties that sponsored them . There is no provision yet in our constitution for independent candidacy.

Hence the parties must be respected as it’s the norm in advanced democracy. Take for instance in South Africa, Thabo Mbeki was asked to step down as President by his party, the ANC, and he complied. Parties should be strengthened so that they can maintain discipline.

How can the present crisis rocking the National Assembly be amicably resolved?

The time to work hard is now. They must forget all the bickerings and move on with the job they are elected to do. To whom much is given, much is expected. There are so much to be done . We need laws to tackle corruption , insecurity, kidnapping , armed robbery , banditry, etc. The electorates are tired of the infighting in the House. They should get back to the business they are elected to do and that is legislating for good governance and the well being of Nigeria.

What is your reaction to the President’s failure to constitute cabinet more than two months after assuming office?

The President has not breached any law on this. I am sure that he’s taking his time to have a full grasp of what is on ground before assigning roles to people.

When Presdent Obama was first elected, it took him almost seven months before appointing his cabinet. Ditto President Yaradua in 2007 appointed his ministers almost three months after inauguration. It is better to understand fully what’s on ground before constituting the cabinet than coming in with wrong people. In any case the President has promised to do this in September. So let’s wait for him. Nigeria this time around deserve the best.

The president has dreclared his intention to probe the immediate past administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, what is your view on this?

If we must reckon with what we are reading about the last administration on the social media, I think the era must be probed. How would Ministers be stealing over one million barrels of crude oil per day? If it’s true, it’s scandalous and cruel.

The probe should however be targeted at recovery of our stolen wealth and patrimony. Culprits should be punished according to the laws of the land to serve as deterrent to others.

Salaries and allowances of the nation’s lawmaker has been described as outrageous with some people suggesting a slash in the salaries, what is your opinion on this?

On salaries of NASS members, sincerely speaking nothing is wrong or outrageous with the salaries as proposed by RMFAC. The problem is the bogus allowances injected into the budget when preparing the budget. This must be discouraged by this administration. Nigeria must rise again, because change has come.

What is your advise to the president regarding the issue of corruption, how can it be checkmated?

We must be able to identify the holes and leakages in the system and plug them.

While I urge the President to reward hardwork, industry and good behavior, sanctions must be meted out for any act of impunity and any antisocial acts. We must also strengthen all the anti corruption agencies in the land, and review outdated anticorruption laws.

The recent bail-out to states by the federal government has been attracting mixed reactions, what is your view on it?

It’s a right step in the right direction. Kudos to Mr President. Even Greece was given lifeline recently by the EU. So nothing is wrong with that. But it’s important that States must make judicious use of the money and it must not be diverted. It must be used for the purpose which it was granted. States must also diversify their Internally Generated Revenue mechanism so that they will not always go cap in hand to the federal government.

T

he member represent ing Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Omayone Mayuku, popularly known as Bossman, attained his 51st milestone on the 8th of August, a milestone well-wishers, family members, business and political associates felt would appropriately be celebrated with the presentation of a compendium of essays amongst other celebratory activities. That we should be celebrating Mayuku’s birthday in such a remarkable way, underlines just how much his professional life, social grace and remarkable decency have defined values that those whose lives he has impacted positively upon, all appreciate in the man.

Those who knew him as a law student at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from where he delved into unionism, as well as those who encountered him as a rights activists, campaigner for democracy, and advocate for electoral reforms, all attest to the clarity of his ideas in addition to his commitment to the public good.

Yet, Mayuku is not just an activist and politician. An irrepressible lover of sports, this thoroughbred parliamentarian is an ardent golf player, organizer and sponsor as well.

It was heart- warming, therefore, reading the touching tributes to Mayuku with the essayists attesting to his God-fearing and humanist nature as well as his reliability in good deeds, business and politics, reference being particularly made regarding his legendary philanthropy. A man who keeps recording great achievements that cannot escape the focus of public commentators, coupled with his ranking status as a 4th term legislator, notwithstanding, this true man of means has remained consistently unassuming, a disposition that has informed his remarkable aversion for seeking undue media attention. It is thus noteworthy that in spite of his vast legislative experience garnered over the years, which ordinarily would make most men become vain and conceited, Mayuku on the other hand has incredibly remained steadfastly humble, choosing only to give glory to God in appreciation of his Creator’s exceeding grace.

For us, it is not really surprising that Mayuku has chosen to don the garb of minimalism, which we believe is clearly a product of his humble upbringing, made possible by the discipline of a God-fearing father, mentor, and community leader, the “Ologbotsere of Warri”, late Chief Omayone Mayuku.

For us, the humility, together with other salient qualities of this legal icon and politician of enviable achievements deserve the payment of shimmering tribute to. There are many things we could say to pay tribute to him; he is above 51 after all, which is a whole lot of life lived! It is enough to establish the char-

know him for who he really is, a man whose anniversary is worth celebrating indeed. A man of prodigious intellect, he has shown capacity and dexterity in lawmaking, legislative advocacy and proficiency in building inter-tribal alliances. .

Through legislative advocacy, he can boast of countless quality projects God has used him to attract to Warri South-West constituency of the State. At the last count, Barr. Daniel Mayuku has influenced an impressive number of employment opportunities for his people, both at local government and state ministries, de-

between 2003 and 2014, indigent students across Warri South-West constituency were awarded scholarships from undergraduate to postgraduate programmes in numerous Nigerian universities.

To us, this quintessential legislator remains a beacon of hope, and his birthday affords us the opportunity to celebrate a man who deserves to be celebrated.

HURRAY!!! Bossman is 51, an occasion for which it warms our hearts to say: “Happy Birthday, Hon. (Barr.)Daniel Mayuku!”

Tidi and Mayuku wrote from Warri

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY, Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

The 2 1st anniv er sar thda 21 anniver ersar saryy of the 39th bir birthda thdayy of Ar Arcch Nene Lan Lanvval t was a celebration with style and glamour for the Lanval family as Architect Nene Shikurat Lanval rd st th whose actual birthday anniversary is July 3 , celebrated the 21 anniversary of her 39 birthday on Friday, July 31, 2015 at Lekki plaza in Lagos. Guests had a great time with choice food and drinks and many danced all night

I .

The celebrant and her sons cutting the birthday cake.

Celebrant with her Sister, Mrs. Ireti Kingibe

R-L: Celebrant's son, Saifudeen, celebrant, Arch Nene Lanval, celebrant's son, Kamaldeen and fiancee, Eri.

Celebrant with Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

L-R: Ms Rebecca Osewenghie, Chief Sena Anthony, celebrant, Senator Daisy Danjuma and Mrs Joko Olunloyo.

Celebrant's friends, Mrs Mabel Obi and Mrs Priscilla Soyemi.

L-R: Mrs Philomena Desmond, Chief Bode Emmanuel and celebrant.

L-R: Mrs Fatima Abdulrahman, the celebrant, and Miss Maryam Uwaiz .

Celebrant with her sister, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Mohammed.

L-R: Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), celebrant and Chief Demola Seriki.

R-L: Mrs Rosemary Fowler, Mr Tunde Fowler and Mr Yinka Oniwinde

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 15

WEDDING CEREMONY BET WEEN KIKA CHUKWU OMO VIEFE MARY GARDNER AND EBIPERE KESIEN A EBUW A CLARK BETWEEN KIKACHUKWU OMOVIEFE KESIENA EBUWA The solemnisation of the holy matrimony between Mr. Ebipere Kesiena Ebuwa Clark, son of Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, and former Miss Kikachukwu Omoviefe Mary Gardner, daughter of former Commissioner for Education, Delta State, Dr. (Mrs.) Uvoh Gardner , held at St.Jude’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Delta State, yesterday. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Mr.&Mrs. Ebipere Clark with Mr.&Dr.(Mrs.)Gardner

Mr.&Mrs.Ebipere Clark cutting their wedding cake.

Í

Mr. &Mrs. Ebipere Clark, cutting the cake with Governor Seriake Dickson[left], Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa[ 2nd right] and Mr. Jaji Williams[right], representative of Taraba State Governor.

From right: Delta State Governor, Sen. (Dr.)Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa (r), with Pa &Chief (Mrs.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

Î

Dr.S.O.Olotu in a hand shake with Prof.Gordini.G.Darah while Chief David Akperhe watches.

The couple with the groom’s family.

The couple with their friends as Mr. Ibrahim Clark (third left) proposes the toast.

The groom, fixing the wedding band on his bride, Kikachukwu, while Rev. Fr. Raphael Ogigba directs.

From right: HRM. Engr. Mike Omeru, the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM. Ovie R.L.Ogbon OON JP, Ogoni-Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN (left), and a guest.

The couple with the bride’s family.

Rev.Fr.Raphael Ogigba presenting the mar riage certificate to Mr.&Mrs. Ebipere Clark while Engr.(Barr.)&Mrs. D.Umukoro, sponsors of the wedding support.

From right: Chief(Mrs.) Evelyn Igbafe, the Yeye Ologbosere of Lagos & Executive Director of Poverty Alleviation, Edo State, Hon. (Mrs.) Stella Coker, former Chairman Esan-West LGC, Edo State, Hon.(Mrs.)Becklas Imianovan.S.S.A to Edo State Governor of Women Empowerment, and Hon.(Mrs.)Angelina Aigbokhai, Edo North Senatorial Women Leader.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015

BUHARI AND THE ENTHRONEMENT OF MERITOCRACY

BY ADE OLUWAFAYOSOKANMI

I

F there was any

doubt that the inauguration as Nigeria’s fifth democratically elected President of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state, famed for his integrity, would not lead to a substantial departure from the way Nigeria has been misruled in the last 30 years, such doubts have started melting.

Without prior relationship, Buhari appointed a new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Service Chiefs for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce. If it were to be under a different dispensation, Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, a Major General and the new CDS would by now have been pulled out of the military into retirement. Olonishakin has had opportunities in life to enrich himself as commandant of Army formations but he chose the path of moral rectitude. A story was told of Olonishakin as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals, Apapa and as suddenly, the students realized that their food rations had tripled and they were befuddled.

Olonishakin reportedly told them that he didn’t do anything other than to ensure that the money budgeted for the students’ welfare was judiciously utilized.

When many of his colleagues have mansions in different parts of the country, Olonishakin has only one bungalow at the Redemption Camp on Lagos-Ibadan E x p r e s s w a y .

Olonishakin combines these virtues with his exceptional brilliance and passionate dedication to duty. He is always the best graduating student in the schools he attended.

Those were the sterling qualities Buhari saw in Olonishakin; the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General T.Y. Buratai; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar; and the new National Security Adviser, M a j . - Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.). Monguno, the son of Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, a former Minister for Internal Affairs, Mines and Power, hails from Borno State.

A retired Army officer said about Monguno on TV following his new appointment that he (Monguno) was the military officer every

•Buhari

It is now clear that if the President succeeds in this endeavour, the whole nation wins and, if he loses, God forbid, the nation will suffer the consequences while the oligarchs will continue to ride roughshod over all of us other officer aspired to become.

Just last week, Buhari appointed another brilliant Nigerian, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Virtually every public commentator hailed the appointment because of Kachikwu’s honesty, integrity and excellence. Prior to his appointment, Kachikwu was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil (Africa). He is a first class graduate of law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School.

He also holds masters and doctorate degrees in law from Harvard Law School. He is a dye-inthe-wool philanthropist who has touched the lives of many indigent students.

Like the generals, he did not know Buhari, neither did he have any strong tie that could have swung the

•Kachikwu

appointment in his favour. He is another beneficiary of the era of meritocracy Buhari has enthroned.

As the aphorism goes, morning shows the day. There is every reason to believe that most of the almost 5,000 key federal appointments Buhari will still make will be based on merit. Buhari is putting an end to an era where you can only serve the nation if you have a godfather.

Millions of other Olonishakins, Buratais and Kachikwus in any field of human endeavour across the country can now believe that, without knowing Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Kwakwanso, Bukola Saraki, Ogbonaya Onu or Rotimi Amaechi, they can be appointed into important national

positions on account of the impact they have made in their chosen careers. This singular step will inspire millions of Nigerians, young and old, to work hard. Buhari is leading the revival of the age-long philosophy that hard work and integrity are hugely rewarding. This will have enormous multiplier effect on every aspect of life in the nation. Coupled with the

•Olonishakin

onslaught against graft, indiscipline and extreme corruption spearheaded

by Buhari, there is a wave of optimism sweeping across the nation that the era of impunity we witnessed, particularly in the recent past, could be dead if Buhari sustains the momentum.

It is now clear that if the President succeeds in this endeavour, the whole nation wins and,

ice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbanjo, V yesterday, said the anti -

corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration was not selective, but, a concerted effort to reduce corruption and secure the future of the country.

Osinbajo stated this in an interview with newsmen at the funeral of Elizabeth Adesola Mamora, mother of Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, held at the First Baptist Church, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State.

He faulted those accusing the Buhari administration of targetting only the former appointees of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said, “It is not about a probe of a past government, that’s not what this is about. We are talking about our future, we are

Oluwafayosokanmi is a Lagos-based public affairs analyst.

DSS whisks national yyouth outh leader om leaderss aw awaay fr from for the National mobilised by some elements election venue officials Youth Council of Nigeria, to march on Abuja.

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

O

PERATIVES of the Department of State Service, DSS, and the Nigeria Police, at the weekend, stormed Agura Hotel, Abuja, venue of the election of new

NYCN, and whisked away some leaders of the council.

Although no reason was given by the security agencies for the action, Sunday Vanguard gathered that they acted based on a petition that some youths across the country were being

Buhari not selective in anti-gr af ar anti-graf aftt w war —Osinbajo DAUD OLATUNJI

if he loses, God forbid, the nation will suffer the consequences while the oligarchs will continue to ride roughshod over all of us. It’s time to rally round this unusual leader who has clearly shown his intentions that all he wants to do is to restore the pride and glory of the Nigerian nation.

saying that we must put in place a clear strategy going forward. “It is not just about ensuring that people are made to pay for looting the treasury, our system of justice must be fair to ensure that anybody who does anything that is wrong is brought to account.

“We can’t allow impunity to continue. So it is not about the previous government, its about any form of impunity.”

In recent weeks, critics of

the All Progressives Congress-led government had accused the Presidency of using the Department of Security Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to witch hunt those in the opposition to score political points.

Osinbajo, however, said the position of the critics was far from the truth and that they lacked “proper understanding of the concept the present

Meanwhile, some officials of the union, who escaped the arrest,relocated to another venue at Area 11, where they conducted the election and Ikenga Ugochinyere emerged as the National President of the NYCN.

administration is deploying to make people account for their deeds while in office.”

He said the anti corruption move was a genuine programme aimed at sanitising the country from corruption.

While delivering his sermon, the leader of the Baptist Church in Ogun State, Dr. Segun Jaiyesimi, challenged political leaders to make positive change while in office.

Anambra kingship tussle: Community through screening. exonorates Obiano Aderele said that there

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

manuke community in Anambra State has debunked the allegation that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State supported Alphonsus Ezebuilo or Dennis Ezebuilo in the race for

the Igwe of Amanuke.

Mr Adewale Aderele, counsel to Ezebuilo, said this in a statement in Abuja.

He said that of the two contenders for the kingship, his client emerged as the only candidate having passed

was no tension in the community on the tussle a clear winner emerged after screening by the community elders.

According to him, Ezebuilo had the backing of Obiano contrary to media reports designed to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 17

F

ROM the first time she stepped on the scene, Sandra Ifudu, has looked every inch an ace that would bring home the goods.

Beautiful, captivating with a caressing voice that seems to whisper even when it hits high note, Sandra is armed with a subtle style that is as strong as it is pleasing.

Though she does inspirational songs, she never fails to entertain because of her pseudo-hiphop style that blows hot and cold and delivers rhythmic sensation getting you dancing and hooked on the message it brings along.

She once said she wanted to outdo her aunt, the legendary, Dora Ifudu, and few years down the line, its the cherubic crooner that is very much on her way. With her first single ‘Let it go’, she won a few hearts but with her latest single ‘My Baby’ the

What singing love songs mean to me — Sandra Ifudu Madonna University graduate aptly stamped her name on the face of the music industry, not only as a good singer but one who may one day rule the scene.

“Since I released ‘My Baby’ the response has been great.

I haven’t met one person that has anything bad to say about it. It has all been praises galore” she says While her first single ‘Let it Go’ was a clear inspirational song, ‘My Baby’ is almost an epistle on love. Would one say Sandra is stepping out of

line or going out of character? “I do music based on my mood. It all depends on how I am feeling at a particular time. I am very versatile, so, you can hear pretty much anything from me” she explained.

“The message is simple: love unconditionally. I mean, these days, you find people falling in love and even getting married for the wrong reasons. They fall in love or pretend to be in love because of certain benefits - love should be true and unconditional. In the song, I am in love with a ‘broke’ guy and I am determined to help him succeed. I believe so much in love and through my music I want to promote love because it is what brings true happiness.

•Sandra Ifudu

I don’t want to be compared with other musicians

Couples should have sex as often as possible

as – Bimbo Thom

— Klint Da Drunk

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

C

OMEDIAN and actor, Afaemena Igwemba, known as Klint Da Drunk, in a chat with Potpourri has revealed that he doesn’t want to be compared to other musicians. Recall that,Klint was featured in Nigga Raw’s hit song, Obodo, years back When asked if he is considering venturing into music, he had this to say: “There is one thing about music, I don’t want to be compared with other musicians. If I am going to do anything album-wise, it’s still going to be pure comedy. I am not really so much into that music stuff. If I am going to release an album , I am sure it’s going to be a comedy musical album.”

The entertainer also reveals that he is starting a comedy club and also publishing a magazine.

“Well I am starting my comedy club very soon and it will be on the Island. I have a magazine coming up very soon also, it’s tailored towards enhancing the reading habitsof Nigerians. I have my show coming up soon but still in the pipeline”, he declares

•Klint Da Drunk

B

IG, bold and beautiful aptly describes Bimbo Thomas, the famed ‘Nikky’ in the popular Yoruba blockbuster film ‘Omo Ghetto’ produced by Funke Akindele. She is remembered in the film as a street urchin who would stop at nothing in getting what she wants. But in real life, Bimbo is nothing like ‘Nikky’ the character she portrayed so well.

She is an easy-going person who would bedazzle you with her smiles and courteous manners.

The voluptuous beauty spoke with one of our reporters recently and she let us into her world, a world no one has ever travelled.

She talked sex, life and relationships.

Courteous as she is, the Chief Executive Officer of Bimbally Wine Store is as direct and down-to-earth as any frank person could get.

“I’ve always had guys crushing on me, but I never dated any of them. However I had my first kiss in secondary school few weeks to my final exams. As for my first relationship, it was with a guy called Kumi and we had been friends for a long time before that” she says while narrating her love story She explains she doesn’t jump into relationships even when all the signs are there. She wouldn’t even allow a guy to peck her unless they have been together for a while. “I’ll act as if I can’t read between the lines. I won’t even peck an ordinary friend; it’s that bad”.

She may be slow in getting in the mood but once she does, it appears she loves going straight into the groove as she posits when asked how often couples should have sex.”As often as possible. Maybe four times in a week. If time permits, and we’re not far apart.

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PAGE 18— SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

Genevieve, Rita Dominic, others rock Dry premiere

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

S

TEPHANIE Okereke Linus premiered her movie, Dry, on Sunday,August 2, at the Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos. After a successful screening in Wales, UK, the movie was officially unveiled in Lagos.

The event had top Nigerian entertainers including Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Sola Sobowale, Klint Da Drunk, Chigurl,Mo Abudu, among others in attendance. The movie which is enjoying rave reviews features Stephanie Linus, Olu Jacobs, Tijani Farraga, Hauwa Maina, Rekiya Attah and others.

For the premiere, Genevieve Nnaji and Rita Dominic were the cynosure of all eyes as they stepped out looking stunning on the black carpet. She stuck with pastel colours choosing a pink blouse over pink pants. On the other

hand,Genevieve wore a blend of Gucci,Vuitton and H & M. She wore her hair in a very loose tousled bun and her bold red lip made her look fabulous.

Stephanie Linus also glowed in her black dress, looking beautiful despite her baby bump Before the movie premiere kicked off, guests were rib-cracking jokes of Klint Da Drunk and Chigurl Dry is an inspired true story that follows a trail of Zara’s (played by Stephanie Linus) trip to Africa, her constant turmoil as a result of inexplicable horrors from her childhood, her experiences and heartaches while working with young girls suffering from complications from early childbirth as child brides, against the backdrop of a rich African culture. It is full of intrigue, suspense, unbelievable surprises and the joy of reconciliation that is guaranteed to captivate and engage moviegoers.

•Rita and Stephanie

•Stephanie and hubby

•Genevieve

Ruth Osime and Nkiru Anumudu

‘Bank Club’ lights up Abuja’s night life

B

efore now, Abuja was never known for social activities. It was usually like a ghost town on weekends. Many have however blamed inactivity of the capital city to security perceptions and constant harassment of young girls who are often mistaken for sex workers.

However, there seems a drastic change to the trend following the growing awareness among residents that nightlife is not meant for the riffraffs but responsible people who may need to ease off the stress of the day.

A recent tour of the capital city has

revealed that celebrities have found a highly profile luxurious club, ‘The Bank’ as their most favourite hangout. The Bank club has, as at now, become a showbiz club where celebrities of different status visit.

Investigations revealed that the club is like a rendezvous to many music stars, movie artistes and comedians.

This may not be unconnected to the traffic the club currently enjoys.

At different occasions, the likes of Nigeria’s most popular and celebrated entertainment peers-of-the-realm, 2Baba, Psquare, Iyanya, Davido,

Olamide, Don Jazzy, Basket Mouth and Wizkid, have visited and gotten the best in socializing and expanding their grid.

As at the last count, Dbanj, M.I, Femi Kuti, Wand Coal, Reekado Banks, Phyno, Lil Kesh, Olu Maintain, Uti, Patoranking , I Go Dye, had visited the club, and have testified to the traffic they enjoyed.

Today, socialites and Abuja big boys have found The Bank a place to be on weekends and other days, gradually turning the alleged ghost city to another Las Vegas.

•Sola Sobowale and Stephanie

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SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Scintillating points of Star Music Trek in Makurdi T

he second phase of Star Music Trek 2015, which kicked off at the IBB Square in Makurdi, Benue State, on Saturday August 1, featured epic performances by some of the biggest names in Nigerian music including 2Face, MI, Faze, Yemi Alade, KCee,

Runtown, Dj Neptune, DJ Tony Blaze, and host, Gbenga Adeyinka.

Here are some of the thrilling moments of the night. Sapele hosted leg two of the second phase yesterday.

Runtown flaunts one pack at 2Face homecoming concert

P

op artiste Runtown was so overcome with the reception by the crowd on Saturday, August 1, at Star Music Trek #MakurdiRocks that his shirt found its way off his torso.

On a night when 2Face, Faze, Kcee, Yemi Alade and MI also performed, the singer performed his hit singles ‘Gallardo’, ‘Successful’, ‘The Banger’ and ‘Bend Down Pause’. When he launched into his performance of ‘The Latest’, the crowd went completely berserk, prompting him to whip off his shirt and dance along with the charged vibe at the IBB Square Arena.

Kcee gives out N70k on stage F

ive Star Music recording artiste, Kcee, made headlines again at the weekend when he gave out the sum of N70,000 at the Star Music Trek 2015, #MakurdiRocks concert at IBB Square, Makurdi.

While belting out hits like ‘Pullover’, ‘Limpopo’, ‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘Your Face’ to the delight of the capacity crowd, he decided to put on an impromptu dance contest for members of the audience. The fan who came first in the contest was rewarded with N50,000 on the spot while the second placed fan was given N20,000.

The show, which also featured performances from 2Face, Runtown, Yemi Alade and MI amongst others, was the first of the second phase of this year’s Star Music Trek.

Fan gets MI’s gold watch

L

AST weekend, rap superstar, MI, made the night for a lucky fan at the Star Music Trek 2015 #MakurdiRocks concert at the IBB Square in Makurdi, Benue State, when he gave out his gold MK watch for reciting his lyrics flawlessly.

Performing onstage on a night, which buzzed with performances from names like Yemi Alade, Runtown KCee, Faze and hometown boy, 2Face, MI spotted a fan in the audience singing along perfectly, and invited him onstage to repeat the feat. When he did, the Choc Boi Nation President surprised the entire audience by removing his gold MK watch and gave it to the lucky fan

•Runtown

2Face raised me from grass to grace — D1

By ANOZIE EGOLE

B

ARELY a few years after being at the helm of affairs as the manager for one of the celebrity night clubs, Rumours club, located at Ikeja, D1, has decided to add more feathers to his wing as he recently unveiled a multi-million niara lifestyle saloon which he named TLK Lifestyle Saloon.

In a chat recently, D1 said he decided to open a saloon of high class in order to close the gap that exists between people that live on the Island and those that reside in the mainland. “There is this belief by most people that classy saloons

...as he unveils TLK saloon

and stuffs cannot be found in FESATC. So when I came into the area twelve months ago, after being brought in by 2Face, I decided to bring something classic to FESTAC town. I am not doing it because of profit or gain, but because I want to make a statement.

That is the main reason I named it after the first letters of my names, TLK, which means, Temidayo El-Kafaru Lifestyle.I am not a barber myself, I am Hypertek group general manager.

I run all Rumours night clubs. I am club Rumours boss. I have cut hairs for like of C-billion, Ik Ogbonna, Dotun Omotoye, 2Face, and some others. To

me, it is not all about money, I just want to make a statement in lifestyle within FESTAC and its environs. I just partnered with L’Oreal to give the clients the best. They partnered with me because they saw that in the whole of FESTAC, no saloon is as classy as this. It took a lot of my salaries and personal saving to get something like this. In the next 5 years, I want to see myself as the owner of many clubs and many barbing saloons, but in all these, I can’t stop appreciating 2Face Idibia, he has really helped me from grass to grace,”, he said.

•D1

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PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

What did you learn?

He taught me many camera angles and lighting which is very important.

I learnt a lot from my partner who I was producing with. It was my first time being on set as a producer, putting people together and being in charge of a production. It was successful. I learnt to be calm and much grounded. On the first day of the shoot, I was perturbed whenever something went wrong. From then on, I kept going and learnt to be grounded.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

Memry Savanhu was the cynosure of all eyes when she sashayed into the venue of our interview. Though she is yet to be a household name, the Zimbabwean born actress, who recently relocated to Nigeria, is all set to contribute her quota to the growth of Nollywood. The light skinned actress and filmmaker studied drama in London and also attended the New York Film Academy in Abu Dhabi. In this interview, she explains why she became a filmmaker, being a single parent, working with Rita Dominic, among other issues

What is the difference between Nollywood and the movie industry in Zimbabwe?

Nollywood is the king of movies.

Nollywood is big. It’s not that I don’t love Zimbabwe, we are trying. I am even supposed to shoot a movie there in September. What I have learnt here, I will love to take back and do some films with my Zimbabwean people. I will also love to teach one or two people about film-making.

Why did you decide to be an actress? have always had love for film. I think my first love is actually making films. It’s not that I don’t like acting, but my first love is film-making.

I

What ignited your love for film making?

Seeing a production comes to life or putting up a production, thrills me. I am fulfilled when I see my creativity translated into reality. That is why I love film-making. I am so different from everybody in my family. My entertainment journey started when I was in school. I usually act in school plays and coordinate school assemblies. I just knew I was going to head there. I studied film-making at Abu Dhabi between 2008/2009. I also attended the New York Film Academy.

What is your opinion about filmmakers getting professional training in film-making?

It’s great. Film-making is like any trade. I know so many people in the business who learnt the art of film-making from someone and they are making great movies. I know filmmakers who were not professionally trained when they started out, but they have gone on to take short courses later on. They get the training in order to improve on

Remarriage?

I am not searching - Memry Savanhu, Zimbabwean actress

the areas they are ignorant, in order to produce better films. I think for me, the number one option is to have love for film-making.

Do you think African film-makers are telling good stories?

I think we are telling beautiful stories, our stories are authentic and they are original. We relate to our stories. If you see a Nigerian film, you can pick up the Nigerian culture from it.

You will see it in the dressing and in the food they eat. When you see someone eating Eba and Egusi, this is indicating the African culture in our films. Our films reflect our culture What made you relocate to Nigeria?

Film-making made me come back. I had a bigger opportunity to make films and for my films to sell. I believe this is the place I can grow big and do great.

Do you think Nollywood is where it is supposed to be?

I feel the same way that Nollywood is not where it’s supposed to be. When I say that, I am not saying we are in a bad place, we could be in a much better place. I am using the word “We” because this is home to me. The only problem is that of distributing of our films. Once that is sorted, Nollywood would be on another level. I

Love is a beautiful thing. I want to be in love again because it’s beautiful.

still feel we are doing okay and people are still in business. People are still making money from their films, if they know what they are doing. Right now, there are so many TV stations across Africa. So many people are looking for content. It’s amazing how you make a Nollywood film in English, Igbo or Yoruba and then you find a French speaking country buying it. It is subtitled so their own people can understand. Every African wants to watch Nollywood. When I tell people I live in Nigeria, this is the first reaction I get: “Oh you live in Nigeria? Oh Nollywood!” This shows how big Nollywood is.

How would you rate your first movie production?

It was amazing. The movie is titled The Distance Between directed by Izu Ojukwu my favorite director. I hadn’t gone to a film school, but I knew what I wanted to do. I spoke to Izu Ojukwu and learnt a lot from him before I eventually attended a film school

Tell me about yourself I am a filmmaker and an actress. I started in 2007, so this should be my eighth year in the industry. I am single though. I am not married, I am divorced. But I have got amazing kids. When I had the last one, I actually went back to London and took care of him He is five years old now. I am comfortable now to come out and do my work, rather than just staying at home.

What happened to your marriage?

It just didn’t work out.

Is getting married still in your plans?

Of course; why not? I am still hot. If I get the right person, I might get married again. To be honest, I am not searching. Right now, I am focusing on my work.

Can you tell me about the movies you have starred in?

I have worked with Emem Isong. I did Catwalk in 2010. We just finished Lagos Cougars, the new one. It’s a TV series starring Jocelyn Dumas, Rita Dominic and I. It was a beautiful experience working with these ladies.

It’s amazing. I was excited when I knew Rita is going to be on set. I have learnt a lot from her as well. Rita was always there to explain whenever I had issues with my role.

Who is that Nigerian actor you are looking forward to working with?

I have worked with Rita Dominic and Ramsey Noauh. I will love to work with Genevieve and Omotola.

Their work is amazing. I think they deliver their characters so well.

Sometimes you can actually tell that somebody is acting, but with them, it’s just flawless. I will also love to work with Kanayo O Kanayo What do you think about love?

Love is a beautiful thing. I want to be in love again because it’s beautiful.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 21

What dat es tw o, three mean tto o dates two, a man

BY ONOZURE DANIA

W

hen a man asks you out for a second or third date, all it means is he’s interested in getting to know you better, because he felt a good connection with you on the first date.

N e t w o r k i n g / Sponsorship •Julius, 28, resides in Lagos, needs someone to loan him money to start up a business.08025563772 •Kenneth, lost everything in a fire incident, needs the help of well meaning Nigerians to help him in purchasing a Tricycle, account name Arhagba Okenneth, account number 2 2 6 8 9 8 3 3 5 5 1 1 0 GTBank. 08115081460 •Queen, 20, an orphan, needs God fearing Nigerians to sponsor her education.

08134778523 •Chichi, 30, resides in Lagos, needs well meaning Nigerians to sponsor her in seting up a boutique.

08149707112,08035426066

Links

•Akiz, wants to link up with

his friend Chima.

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08036703491 •Trichia, 30, fair, beautiful, tall, sexy aIfy, 27, dark, tall and very beautiful with a perfect sexual body to satisfy a man who can shower her with love and care needs a matured man aged 50 and above to call her own.

It doesn’t mean that he necessarily wants to be “exclusive” or is thinking “serious relationship. ” He’s still just getting to know you.

He’s enjoying your company, having fun, and starting to wonder about you.

Meanwhile, you are already thinking ahead to the next few months when this is the only man you’re seeing and things are “serious.”

You have already made a decision about this guy, and you don’t even know him that well yet.

07081409657 • Leony, 42, separated, a Christian, employed and resides in Abuja, needs a Christian husband single father or widower.

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Searching Male

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Lagos, needs a lady for a serious relationship.

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07062380784 •Austin, 32, 5.9ft tall, needs a sincere lady, aged 26 and above, for a relationship that will lead to marriage, either divorcee or widow. 08080295756 •Taiwo, 48 a businessman from Osun state, needs a God fearing lady, aged 27-47, for a serious relationship.

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resides in Lagos, needs a God fearing lady, aged 28-48, for a serious relationship.

08064851444 • Emmanuel, resides in Abuja, needs a lady, for a s e r i o u s relationship.07063727636, 07050828828 •Jesse 45, Ibo from Ebonyi state but resides in Lagos, a widower with three kids and a businessman, needs a devout catholic lady from Nasara.08025941983 • Ifeanyi, employed, and resides in Abia state, needs a lady for a serious relationship that can lead to marriage.081694235, 08169423563 •Emmanuel, from Imo state, needs a nice and God fearing lady, for a serious relationship.08034056458 •Ike, 24, resides in Lagos, needs a lady, for a serious relationship.08090783073, 08060251188 •Joachm, 44, a businessman and a widower with three kids, in Abia state, needs a humble and submissive, faithful, caring and devout catholic lady, aged 27-36, for m a r r i a g e .

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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

All you’re doing is going by your “gut feeling” and the chemistry you feel when you’re with him.

So you start acting on that “feeling” and you begin to make certain assumptions about what’s going on between you.

This can send a really bad “vibe” to a guy, especially when you assume you are going to be seeing each other every weekend, when you express your annoyance with

him when he doesn’t call you more often, and when you assume a monogamous relationship instead of actually discussing it, then get furious with him when you discover he’s still dating other women.

This is when a guy will pull away, sometimes for good.

And you’re left wondering, “What happened?!”

needs a beautiful and God fearing employed lady for a serious relationship.

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07033928457,08177202507 • Nathan, 33, educated and resides in Delta state, needs an educated lady, aged 25-36 for marriage.

08027536080,08036685456 • Friday, 36, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a lady for a relationship, that will lead to marriage.

08060247731 •Mekky, needs a tall and slim fit lady for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

08091682147, 08035400384 • Labius, 32 and resides in Lagos, needs a sexy lady, for a relationship.

08033455026 •A guy, 23 and resides, in Warri, needs a mature lady, who is willing to sponsor his education for a relationship. 08142923054 •Frank, 30, tall and nice, needs a beautiful and good hearted lady, aged 20-25, for a relationship. 08131598559, 08092569936, 08065647248 •Osahon, 31, handsome, God fearing, caring and resides in Benin, needs a beautiful, God fearing and caring lady, aged 25-27.08027007040, 08050715969 •Frank, 40, dark in complexion, needs a humble and employed single mother aged 28-35 from Edo state for marriage.

08064747533

mummy.08141798880 •Bright, a student from Abia state, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy, who is fair in complexion, rich and can sponsor his education, for a relationship.

08176258920,08175435759 • Yemi, resides in Sapele, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40 and above within Delta state.08171297230 •Dan, 48, from Warri Delta state, needs a sugar mummy.

07063715571,08085206571 •Priye, 26, dark in complexion, handsome and from Rivers state, needs a sugar mummy, who resides in Yenagoa or PH age and tribe is not a barrier.

08175143022 • Linus, resides in Port Harcourt needs a sugar mummy, aged 45-55, in Port Harcourt. 08179399265 •Paul, 29, tall and dark in complexion, resides in delta state, needs a sexy, busty, clean and well shaped sugar m u m m y. 0 8 0 6 7 0 8 3 8 6 6 , 08132220511 •Michael, 28, handsome, slim and from Port Harcourt, needs a good looking sugar mummy, for a romantic relationship, aged 30-45.

07035477041,08176805591 •Chris, 32, 5.6ft tall, fair in complexion, good looking and loving, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-45, for a relationship.07088604666 •Efe, dark in complexion, slim and employed, needs a tall, busty, sexy and financially ok, sugar mummy, in Edo state, for a romantic relationship.

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•Greg, resides in Delta state,

needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.07063633585 •James, tall, handsome and resides in Benin, needs a sugar •Elvis, 27, tall and handsome, needs a rich sugar mummy, who can take care of him, aged 35-60. 07065877994 • Kingsly, 25, an undergraduate in Delta State, needs a rich and educated sugar mummy, for a relationship. 07017443186 • Tosin, 28 and resides in Ibadan, needs a good sugar

PAGE 22 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

BY DAYO JOHNSON, AKURE

H

IS arrest, escape from police cell and re-arrest is generating controversy.

Wasiu Saka, 30, was a notorious car robber in Ondo State and his mode of operation was to apply as a driver to un-suspecting employers and, after securing employment, abscond with their cars.

After stealing cars from his employers in Lagos State, Saka will drive to Akungba-Akoko, his home town in Ondo State, to show off that he had ‘arrived’ and live big after which he would sell the car at a ridiculous price and return to Lagos for another car theft operation.

He was arrested by detectives from the Ondo State Police Command last month with a Toyota Hiace bus marked, Lagos JJJ 94XD. After interrogation, he reportedly confessed to have stolen the bus from a Good Samaritan who, after listening to his story that he has a family in Ondo State and had been jobless for months and desperately in need of a job to feed his family members, employed him as a driver.

Police sources hinted that Saka had stolen no fewer than four vehicles, including a vehicle belonging to a notable company in Lagos.

After his arrest on June 21, he, however, miraculously escaped from police cell in the night of the second day after the arrest.

His escape caused a stir as the police authorities queried the officers in charge of his case and a standing order was given to smoke him out from his hideout.

The suspect was re-arrested after a manhunt for him yielded result in Akungba-Akoko area.

Upon re-arrest, Saka allegedly confessed that his escape from police cell was made possible with help from some policemen, and that after paying them relocated to Ile-Ife, Osun State to avoid the prying eyes of police detectives.

He alleged that those who aided his escape from police cell also taught him what to do to avoid re-arrest.

Saka alleged that while the police were searching for him, he was in touch with his accomplices from his hideout.

In Ile-Ife, Saka said he continued with his robbery business because, according to him, that was the only business he knew how to do.

He stated that he secured a driving job with one Mrs Rosemary Omotosho whom she took to church on Sunday, July 26, in her Toyota car marked Lagos LSR 68 DH. Speaking exclusively with Sunday Vanguard after he was paraded by the Ondo State Police Command, alongside 36 other suspected criminals terrorizing the state, the suspect Saka said after he dropped his employer in church he fled with the car only to inform her that the vehicle had been stolen.

He said that because Omotosho is rich, he wanted to extort her before selling the car and bolting away.

Five days later, he called her again that some people had recovered the car in Ibadan but were demanding for N35, 000 before they could bring back the car to her.

The employer, according to

•Suspect

I paid N60,000 to escape from police cell — Serial robbery suspect

•’How he robbed employers of their cars’ him, immediately sent a recharge voucher of N10,000 to him to pay.

According to him, he informed the boss that the people insisted that the car would not be released until the balance was paid.

As this went on, he said he relocated to AkungbaAkoko with the car.

Police source said Saka was re-arrested in a beer parlour .

It was gathered that it was while he was being interrogated for the previous alleged crimes that his activities in Ife came to light .However, during interrogation, the suspect alleged that he was able to escape from police cell after settling some policemen with N60,000.

'When I was told that I would be taken to court and may be remanded in Olokuta Prison, I discussed with some policemen on how they could assist me”,he was quoted as saying. “ I later paid them N60, 000 and they facilitated my escape from cell and I fled to Ile-Ife

“When I was told that I would be taken to court and may be remanded in Olokuta Prison, I discussed with some policemen on how they could assist me”,he was quoted as saying. “ I later paid them N60, 000 and they facilitated my escape from cell and I fled to Ile-Ife. Saka described the police allegation that he escaped from cell as unfair, saying he paid his way through.

But two policemen, who reportedly witnessed the interview, were said to have shouted him down, describing him as a chronic liar and notorious car robber who spoke from both sides of the mouth.

They queried how the same policemen he was accusing

of aiding his escape were the ones that re-arrested him.

According to them, the suspect was a drowning man looking for those to pull down and blackmail.

However, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, and the policemen did not say how Saka escaped from police cell but only interested in his re-arrest.

Eke, while speaking on the 37 suspected criminal arrested in July, said the suspect was in the habit of stealing his employers vehicles in Lagos and driving them to AkungbaAkoko to sell only to return to Lagos to look for another driving job and would repeat the same thing to unsuspecting car owners.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 23

Revenge sex is never the smart thing to have!

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EVENGE sex - done purely to get back at someone who’s hurt you - rarely pays off even though it sounds great in theory. Your partner cheated on you; why not get your own back by cheating on them so they can see how it feels to get hurt? Deolu found it out the hard way that bonking other women because his girlfriend hurt him brought him a lot of mystery. “It put me into an awful situation and I don’t know how to get outfit”, he admitted.

“My girlfriend and I have been an item for nine months now and everything was going on well except for one thing - she’s a chronic flirt and she always flirts with one of my best friends who is more good -looking than I am. Her flirting really gets to me that when I met one of her friends at a party where I was very drunk, I flirted with her to get even. The girl ended up following me into an empty bedroom, came onto me and we ended up having sex. I mean, what man wouldn’t if it was offered to him on such a platter? I didn’t really intend taking things that far but I was drunk, like I said earlier, and just went along with it.

“You can then imagine how dumfounded I was when this girl went back to the part and told my girlfriend what happened. Apparently my girlfriend once stole one of her

boyfriends a few years ago and it was pay-back sex for her. Well, it was the same for me - I only did it to get at my girlfriend for flirting with my best friend but now it’s all a mess. I managed to convince my girlfriend that her friend was lying but you can tell she doesn’t trust me anymore.

How I wish I could win her trust back .... “.

Have you ever heard of so much revenge sex going on within a short period?

Deolu slept with .his girlfriend’s friend to get even with her for flirting; the friend slept with Deolu to get even with Deolu’s friend for stealing her boyfriend years before. Just how childish can you get?

Some months back, Ruki was fed up with her partner with whom she had a son, or always breaking their dates. So when Maxwell, the partner broke yet another date, she was boiling mad. “She knows I have a wife at home,” he said sadly, “and I can’t always stick to a scheduled appointment as anything could crop up. To my girlfriend however, whenever I wasn’t with her, I must be having a good romp somewhere else.

“This day in question though, my wife agreed to go to the family function alone and I drove excitedly to my woman’s place. Our

four-year old son would be away at play school, so I was really looking forward to a relaxed afternoon.

When I got to her place, I was surprised her door was opened. So I went in, bounded up he stairs to her bedroom and opened the door. I watched transfixed as I saw this man’s bum in the air making frantic love to the mother of my child!

When she saw me, her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything. I went back downstairs and waited. A few minutes later, she came into the living room where I still sat as if all that was happening had nothing to do with me. Lover-boy must have exited through the kitchen door. ‘’’Why?’ was the heart

The Locust for backpain Technique IE flat on the floor with face down wards and keep the hands by the side of the body with the fingers clenched into fists. Rest the chin on the ground by raising the head. Inhale and stiffen the body by pressing the fists against the floor. Slowly raise the legs as high as possible.

Keep the legs in a straight line, while the two thighs, knees and ankles touch each other. The weight of the legs must fall on the body and hands. Contract the muscles of the buttocks, stretch the muscles of the thighs and further extend the position of the legs.

Retain the posture for a few seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the duration. Concentrate on the upper portion of the body, i.e. above the waist. Slowly lower the legs to the floor and simultaneously exhale. Relax with normal breathing. Repeat the posture two or three times.

Relax in Makarasana.

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Benefits C M Y K

breaking question I asked her. As she babbled on about how she thought I wasn’t coming, how the man was an old friend that just happened along, I took my ear keys and left. I haven’t heard from her since - give her kudos for having a conscience and having the commonsense not to flog a dead horse. I loved that girl, stuck my neck out to have a child with her because she wanted one. Now what? We would eventually get together to discuss the welfare of our son, but I’m pretty certain I’ll never make love fo her again. The site of that bum bouncing away at her will hunt me for a very long time ....”

The practice of this Asana renders the spine supple and elastic. It relieves backache or strain on the spine caused by the hard work, etc. It also

With revenge sex, there is this brief powerful moment just before the deed is done.

Sadly, a lot of people report a long-lasting low the second it’s over. “It’s a cheap, trashy thing to do,” said Mutiat who was once a victim of revenge sex, “and that’s how you feel afterwards. The person you did it with feel used and most decent people feel even worse about themselves. On top of all this, there’s the fact that if there ever was any hope of reunion with the partner you’re trying to get even with, you would have blown it by having sex with someone else, .. “ In Deolu’s case, it wasn’t even ‘an eye for an eye’. His girlfriend merely flirted with a mate he’s clearly jealous of She didn’t kiss him or sleep with him or do anything horrid behind his back. His rushing into fullblown sex with another woman might be either because he was gaggmg for sex or he never really cared for this girlfriend he said he was in love with. He needs to grow up though.

What he did was the stuff of teenagers - not grownups.

Want to find out the type of men you should never date? Here, a sexologist gives you five of them: The Image Guy: He’s got the flash jeep, spends a fortune

tones up the muscles at the back and the intestinal organs in the abdominal region and relieves pain in the lumbar and sacral regions.

on his clothes and only likes to be seen at the ‘in’ places. His girlfriend will be chosen for the very same reason - you’re there simply to make him look good.

The Adrenaline Junkie: If he’s addicted to the rush excitement, not only will you spend all your time watching from the side lines waiting for him to return from his latest adventure, there’s the pressure of constantly delivering his kicks in the bedroom, knowing if you don’t, he’ll just get his thrill from sex on the side.

Bitter Boys:: Between men who bad-mouth all their exes- you’ll be the one that he is badmo.hing to the next girl. It means he’s taken zero responsibility for his contribution to problems and will blame you for everything too.

Mr. Over Confident: If he never, ever seems to get nervous around you, it could mean me that he is not emotionally invested.

A tell tale give away; standard, one-answer suits-all replies to relationship or commitment queries.

Unreliable Man: He never calls when he says he will, turns up late or not at all. Nothing erodes self-confidence faster than a man you can’t rely on.

Locust, you may be dismayed to find that your feet rise only slightly from the floor.

Do not be discouraged.

This will improve rapidly with practice and time.

Lower back is strengthened.

Flexibility of the upper back is improved The Half Locust Both legs are straight Tune the raising and lowering of the leg to the breath.

Chin is stretched forwards.

Above all, it aids digestion and relieves gastric troubles.

Main Benefits: The Locust brings elasticity to the cervical (upper back) region, and strength to the lower back, but it is important to stretch the chin as far forwards as possible if these benefits are to be gained.

When you first attempt the

The Full Locust Legs are kept straight and lifted as high as possible.

Hands are together Elbows are straight, and as close together as possible.

Chin is stretched forwards on the ground

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

P AGE 24 — SUND AY Vanguard , A UGUST 9 , 2015 SUNDA AUGUST

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

When did you realise you were approaching your sell-by-date?!

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id you just suddenly wake up one day, look at yourself in the mirror and say: “My God! I’m getting old!” Or did the realisation creep in on you until you just can’t ignore it? Roli, now in her late 50s used to be a model and now runs her own modelling agency. She told me: “I’ll never forget that incident as long as I live.

I was crossing the road to enter a trendy spa a close friend had just opened in a high-brow shopping mall, when I caught a glimpse of a tubby woman reflected in the spa’s huge windows.

When her strides started to mirror mine, it hit me: she was me!

“I was completely taken aback, and as people walked past me, I stood stock-still in the middle of the road staring at my reflection. I didn’t look tall and thin as I’d always been in my modelling days. On that day, aged 44, I looked dumpy and middleaged. I was only 18 when I first hit the modelling scene, and I soon realised that although I didn’t have perfect features I believed a model should have , with the right poses and with a good photographer drawing attention to my best bits, I could stop traffic! With my long legs and svelte figure, I was very successful. I also had a stint as an air hostess before I set up the agency.

“Marriage and three children followed and the agency thrived. Still, it was a massive shock when I realised I was no longer lean, lithe and youthful – at least in comparison to the way

I’d been. I convinced myself that it must be a bad angle, but in reality, it was the start of a difficult process of coming to terms with ageing throughout my 40s and 50s. I was battling all the time, trying to turn back the clock with all sorts of magical cosmetic potions.

“The turning point was a few years ago, when I was one of the panellists at a modelling contest when another panellist gushed: “You’re Roli, the model, right?’ ‘Why, yes, I said, pleased, I could still be recognised for who I was. `My mum used to be a big fan of yours’, he said, bursting my bubble. It was a stark reminded that I bore only a passing resemblance to the glamourous woman I had been all those decades ago. Thankfully, I’d already learned to have a sense of humour about ageing by that

point. Now, I don’t bother with expensive beauty brands and treatments – I just try to throw my shoulders back, suck everything in and walk with confidence!”

My aha! Moment came a few years ago when I was to launch a collection of my Yours sincerely Column in the Vanguard to mark my 60th birthday. For years, James who ran a fairly successful advertising agency had always joked of what a relationship we could have if given half a chance. It was harmless ribbing of course – but how many of that have often led to torrid relationships?

Anyway, as the day of the launch drew near, I was lucky to run into him. I briefed him about the impending book-launch and the fact it was to mark my 60th. ‘Sixty?’, he howled, his eyes rounding with disbelief.

‘You’re going to be

sixty?’ “Why yes,’ I told him, a bit irritated by now.

‘Anything wrong with that?’

‘Sixty!’ he muttered again. I had to laugh. The poor bloke just had his 50th birthday and to suddenly realise he’d been lusting after a woman almost a decade older must be quite daunting!

Needless to say, he didn’t attend the book launch – but he sent a modest cheque! Would the cheque had been fatter if I’d been his age!?

Kunbi, a journalist said she got her own shocker some ten years ago. “I was 42 and driving to help pick up a friend’s mum when I caught myself in my rear view mirror. There was a crisscross of wrinkles across my forehead and around my eyes. In between my eyebrows there was a great big dip, which made me look permanently angry. My hair was streaked with

The Song in my heart

Y

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"

You are one song that have never run out of tune in my heart. And that's d reason why I searching for d right words to quantify my love for u Co's it's beyond estimation. But d best d mathematician's have come up is infinity. I will always love you till infinity My dear favour Ohagwu.

Akachukwu Ferdinand. 08063819314 akachukwuferdinandc@yahoo.com(BBM Pin23C0E917)

RELATIONSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP

grey. I felt that sort of pit-of-the-stomach horror you have when something hideous happens, like when you suddenly realise your handbag with all your phones, money and house-keys inside it, has been stolen. But what had been stolen were my looks.

“It hadn’t happened overnight of course, but I had been so busy raising four children (one step-child and three of my own) that I hadn’t focused on myself for sometime. At the time it happened, my smallest was seven and I had to take him to school in the mornings.

I finally had time to look in the mirror. I tried to reason that the light was harsh, but the face is that for the first time in my life, I looked old!

“Just the other day, a friend and I were discussing a man she knows who, at the age of 48, has just married a 25-year-old woman.

Rather depressingly, it dawned on me, that given the choice, men of my generation probably don’t want anything to do with women my age.

But, at the same time, I’m a little optimistic about the process. My two daughters are growing up into beautiful young women and my son is thriving.

My own mother is 75 and still having fun.

“I’m also beginning to realise that ageing is all about attitude. Of course you have to look after yourself, but my hope is that if I don’t behave like an old person, I won’t look like one. Because, like it or not, however, much I try to halt the ageing process with creams and potions, diet

and exercise regimes, it will defy me and happen anyway. It is happening now. And there is nothing I can do about it. But being happily married and having children has taken away a lot of the insecurities women have when they ’re young, when we endlessly analyse our looks, worrying about every grey in our hair, because we want the people we fancy to fancy us back. If it means being settled and content, getting older can be a relief ”.

Money well spent?

(Humour) Two women were having lunch at a restaurant and catching up on family news. “I was so sorry to hear that your Johnson had died”, remarked the firs women.

“I hope you’ve been able to carry on with life without him”. “Yes, thank you”, came the reply. “He was such a king and thoughtful man. Do you know that hours before he died, he gave me three envelopes which he told me would ease the burden once he’d gone”.

“How thoughtful!” remarked the first woman. “What was in them?”

“Well, the first had N750,000 to buy a coffin.

The second had N2.5 million in it with a note saying `use this to give me a good send-off ’. And let me tell you, they’ll be talking about his funeral for years to come!” “And what about the third envelope?” “Oh that said `use this cheque for N5 million to buy a nice stone’. So I did”, she said, holding out her finger to show a huge diamond ring, `what do you think of it?”

Friendship is just like business, where we buy and sell. In order word friendship determines the time and period it stays and it stays for a short period. friendship can be broken by distance.

RELATIONSHIP- A true relationship stays for long no matter the distance that come across it. It is a forever game, it can never be wrapped off no matter the problems and troubles that come between them. It even reign in the grave...

CHARLES CHIDUBEM OGBONNA, 08169186581 charlesprince850@yahoo.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 25

KOGI AND BAYELSA GUBER POLLS

INEC’s crisis of legitimacy •Why President Buhari must get this monkey off the Commission’s back

By JIDEAJANI

T

AKEN aback by the spate of criticism of Mr. President, over his appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari as ‘Acting Chairperson’ of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by some of those who lent their support to his blitzkrieg presidential campaign, there is now a necessitating need to examine the arguments against the appointment to find ways of foraging an eschewal that can mitigate the issue from an administrative and legal gaffe to a mere faux pas - if that were to be possible.

C M Y K

First, some have sought administrative precedence to blindside the sticklers for convention and administrative traditions.

In exploring this option, they readily and conveniently though ignorantly - point to the contention for the leadership of the Commission between Barrister Phillip Umeadi and Chief Soyebi in June, 2010, after Professor Maurice Iwu’s tenure was illegally cut short by the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

This must have been a very attractive correlation because it also occurred in a transitional period for the Commission, when Umeadi was replaced

with Soyebi as the Acting Chairperson.

But these are two separate

What we have now is a breach of the law and it needs to be pointed out in no unmissable terms

issues.

Whereas in the case of Umeadi and Soyebi, what the government did was to obey the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Zakari instance is the reverse.

Unfortunately, they need to be reminded that when Soyebi was chosen instead of Umeadi, the Jonathan government merely urged the Commission to comply with the prevailing legal requirement at that time which required that a Chairperson of the Commission shall be 50years and above; and since Umeadi was not 50years then, he was unqualified for the position.

Thus, using that as a pole to lean on is quite unfortunate.

What we have now is a breach of the law and it needs to be pointed out in no unmissable terms.

Then again some have turned to the line of least resistance by pursing hermeneutic averment made on the matter by legal authorities who stated that the President had the power to appoint an ‘Acting Chairperson’ because of the general provisions of Section 318 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

This Section provides that “wherever it is provided that

Continues on page 26

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

Continued from page 25 any authority or person has power to make, recommend or approve an appointment to an office, such power shall be construed as including the power to make, recommend or approve a person for such appointment whether on promotion or otherwise, or to act in any such office”.

This must have been a comforting line of thinking but since the intent was not just in finding justification but in also ensuring that such justification was fool-proof, it becomes necessary to subject this position to legal analytical rigour.

Supreme Court intervention Unfortunately, this line of argument is a general provision, whereas appointments for electoral Commissioners of INEC has been fettered by a specific provision, namely; that it is subject to the provisions of the Constitution; subject to consultation with the Council of State, and subject to Senate confirmation. These explications

by Section 154 (1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, are specific provisions. It is generally considered trite in interpretation of statutes that where there is conflict between general and specific provisions of an enactment(in this instance there is none) but assuming there is one, specific provisions shall prevail over general provision as laid-down by the Supreme Court in several cases, a few of which easily come to aid here.

In Adedayo Vs PDP (2013), 17 NWLR (Pt. 1382) 1 at 95 paragraphs B-C, the Supreme Court had this to say: “The law is well settled that a specific provision prevails over and above that which is general”.

Similarly, in F.B.N. Plc. Vs Maiwada (2013), 5 NWLR (Pt. 1348) 444 at 485 paras. D-E, the Supreme Court said, “The general provision of the law, as in Section 573(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, is subject to the specific provisions of Section 2 (1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act”; and, finally, in Abubakar Vs Nasamu No. 2 (2012), 17 NWLR (Pt. 1330) 523 at 576-577 paragraphs G – A, the Supreme Court said: “From the facts of this matter, the authorities are galore that where there are two provisions - one special and the other general and both covering the same subject matter - the matter falling within the ambit of the special provisions of the enactment are to be governed by the terms of the special provisions as per paragraph 18(1) as an instance.”

The landmark pronouncements of the Supreme Court in the foregoing clearly weigh down the other arguments and have made the task of defending the President’s appointment more difficult.

Destitute of support from the Constitution and any statute,

INEC’s crisis of legitimacy

*Polls ... Questionable issues at electoral body Mrs Zakari’s few supporters sought an escape route around tenureship.

But what could possibly be advanced to justify extending the tenure of Mrs Zakari without traumatizing the laws and normative attributions of INEC? A further foraging of the legislative templates for election governance lent no support, because the Constitution is eloquent in specific directive order, unequivocally, stating in Section 155 (1) (c) “that a person appointed into INEC as aforesaid shall remain a member thereof for a period of five years from the date of his appointment”.

Further, Section 157 (1 & 2) of the Constitution also specifies that the Chairman or any of the members of INEC may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.

That presented more legal mountain climbing for the President because Mrs Zakari was never known before the law to have breached any code, nor was she infirm or unable to discharge her responsibilities.

And were these to have been her portion, there was never a 2/3 majority vote by the Senate.

Left with no other possible constitutional exits, it is quite clear that, legally, no justifications can be brought forward to assist the matter of the President’s appointment of Mrs Zakari as an ‘Acting Chairperson’ of INEC.

All explanatory solicitations so far are nothing but huge mountains because the barriers are against the Constitution which is impossible to impeach.

The only other possible exit may then be an urging to Kelsen’s General Theory of Law and State, hoping to enthusiastically persuade citizens that such breach of the Constitution is prompted by a “”doctrine of recognition through necessity” .

But recognition by necessity must be tested by the principles of legitimacy and efficacy, where an application of the doctrine renders a system inoperative because the system cannot be efficacious or legitimate in acting with de facto

The President should do the constitutional needful and expend energy in making new appointments constitutionally, than defending its breach, a fight that will definitely be a mountain to climb.

rather than de jure authority.

The quorum hurdle Therefore, it is better to revert to the grundnorm, the Constitution.

Further creating an emergency of legitimacy and efficacy are the facts of the Kogi and Bayelsa elections and the contestation of Mrs Zakari’s appointment in court. Given that her tenure lapsed legally since July 21, 2015, there is no platform to fight for her legitimacy which will limit her moral authority to conduct these elections with the required credibility.

Defending her appointment is increasingly becoming tedious.

The President should do the constitutional needful and expend energy in making new appointments constitutionally, than defending its breach, a fight that will definitely be a mountain to climb.

Then there is the issue of quorum.

The 1999 Constitution, as amended, stipulates in Section 159(1) that Commissions, such as INEC, must have a quorum of one third of its members to take important top management decisions. The National Commissioners of INEC are 13, comprising the Chairman and 12 National Commissioners. One third of 13 is not less than five national commissioners.

Consequent upon the death of Prof. Akinola M. Salau, a National Commissioner at INEC, the number of National Commissioners have gone down to four – even without prejudice to the on-going

controversy over the legitimacy of the tenure of the ‘Acting Chairperson’, Mrs. Zakari, a matter that is already the subject of litigation at a federal High Court.

This is because the authentic tenure of Mrs. Zakari, begotten in consultation with the National Council of State and confirmed by the Senate when she was appointed ended on July 21, 2015.

Meanwhile, Section 159 (1) states that “the quorum for a meeting of any of the bodies established by Section 153 of this Constitution shall be not less than one-third of the total number of members of that body at the date of the meeting”.

In the case that the meaning of Section 159 is stretched elastically and crudely, a quorum in the event of a twomember Commission gives the Acting Chairman the latitude to take decisions since one of two is more than one third.

Yet, there are some very important issues for INEC to deal with.

Among the important issues that remain unresolved by the Commission is the delivery of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) of a substantial number of voters. Yet there is the uncoordinated and alleged compromise of outstanding litigations in various tribunals on the results of the just conducted general elections.

Importantly, the Kogi State governorship election is slated for November 21, 2015, and INEC, as presently constituted, runs the risk of taking decisions that would be challenged in court.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 27

CURIOUS INEC CHAIR’S APPOINTMENT

Even lawyers don't agree on Amina Zakari!

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

T

he controversy dogging the appointment of Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by President Muhammadu Buhari, has continued with legal practitioners sharply divided on the matter.

Whereas some of the lawyers who spoke to Sunday Vanguard faulted the appointment which they qualified as an impeachable offence against Buhari, others disagreed, saying the appointment was not in violation of extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The crisis kicked-off almost immediately after the President announced his choice of Zakari as interim replacement for the former INEC boss, Professor Attahiru Jega.

The appointment came notwithstanding the fact that the tenure of the Commissioner of INEC was due to lapse on July 21.

Jega had, on June 31, a day he bowed out of office, formally handed over to another INEC National Commissioner, Amb. Ahmed Wali, to function in acting capacity pending the recommendation and confirmation of a substantive Chairman for the commission .

However, barely eight hours after, Wali, who is due to retire on August 11, took over, an order from the Presidency directed him to relinquish the position to Zakari, who leading opposition voices have insisted is associated with Buhari.

Jega bowed out with six INEC National Commissioners who were appointed the same day with himtheir tenure having expired.

The commissioners were M.K. Hammanga (Adamawa), Dr Ishmael Igbani (Rivers), Prof. Lai Olurode (Osun), Dame Gladys Nwafor (Abia), Mrs Thelma Iremiren (Delta) and Dr Nuru Yakubu (Yobe).

Remarkably, another National Commissioner, Abdulkadir Oniyangi, who was appointed the same time with Zakari, has since July 21, vacated his position, a development that has further raised feathers to the effect that the president may have overreached himself in proclaiming the Chairman of INEC without the consent of the Senate.

How constitutional was the action of Buhari?- This remains the question that has split lawyers.

Specifically, by virtue of the provision of Section 157 (1 &2) of the Constitution, the Chairman or any of the members of INEC may only be appointed by the President acting on an address supported by rd two-thirds (2/3 ) majority of the Senate.

C M Y K

By this argument, it is clear that the appointment of an INEC Chairman or a National Commissioner is illegal, rd without reference to the 2/3 majority of the 109 members of the Senate for any reason whatsoever.

More so, Section 158 (1) of the Constitution forbids premature removal of an INEC National Commissioner for any reason by the President, by providing that “in exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, INEC shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.”

Meantime, legal luminaries who justified Zakari’s appointment, in acting capacity, include constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, who maintained that the appointment was valid and backed by relevant provisions of the Constitution.

“As far as I know, he (Buhari) has only appointed her as acting chairman. It is in an acting capacity, that is all. She was appointed to act when her tenure was still on and from what I gathered, the tenure was terminated by the appointment.

Her tenure, as acting Chairman, is a totally new one and has legal entity.

“The appointment is valid in acting capacity. If she is going to be the Chairman, then, the President has to send her name to the Senate for approval”, Sagay argued.

His position was supported by an Abuja based lawyer, Mr. Oghenovo Otemu, who argued that Section 157 of the Constitution did not cover the appointment of acting Chairman for the INEC, but a substantive Chairman.

He said: “With her tenure having expired, the President was right to have appointed her in acting capacity. If the President wanted, he could have picked anyone from outside the Commission to replace Jega in acting capacity. Mind you, Jega was not even a Commissioner before he was appointed, he came from outside. Since July 21, it could be assumed that Mrs Zakari is someone from outside that has been appointed, just like Jega. I, therefore, think that the Peoples Democratic Party is making a fuss over nothing”.

But constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, maintained that Buhari committed a constitutional blunder in the appointment of Zakari as Acting INEC boss. Akpan said: “There is nothing in the extant and sacrosanct provisions of the 1999 Constitution or any other law, for the time being, in force that supports these sordid and bare faced breaches by the President.

“This President swore to an oath to defend the Constitution and not

•Amina Bala Zakari

It is my view that Mrs. Zakari’s appointment is unconstitutional, void and not supported by any law in operation in Nigeria. In the eyes of the law, it is assumed that there no one heading INEC to flout its provisions. This President rode to power on the promise that he would fight graft and impunity. I hope Nigerians have not been scammed. I hope our dreams of change are not met with nightmares so soon in the day. Whoever is advising the President should be fired because I suspect sabotage.

“Appointment of the INEC Chairman must pass through Senate confirmation and any attempt to circumvent the law is an impeachable offence. Therefore, it is my view that Mrs. Zakari’s appointment is unconstitutional, void and not supported by any law in operation in Nigeria. In the eyes of the law, it is assumed that there no one heading INEC”.

Another lawyer, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezekiel, said the appointment was constitutionally wrong.

“The powers of the President is to

appoint the INEC Chairman, not to appoint an acting INEC Chairman.

Don’t forget that she was an INEC Commissioner and her tenure has lapsed. As it stands now, she is no longer an INEC Commissioner; therefore, legally, she is a private person and, for her appointment to go through, it must follow constitutional requirements. She must pass through screening and confirmation by the Senate.

“From whatever angle you look at it, the appointment did not follow due process. I am not interested about her relationship with the President, those are emotional matters which has no place in law”, Ugochukwu added.

The PDP had criticised Buhari over the appointment, saying Mrs. Zakari secured the job on the coattail of her ‘favourite uncle’ (Buhari).

“The President decided to make a mockery of our laws by appointing his blood relation as the Chairman of INEC and this is the height of nepotism and is indeed the height of corruption”, the opposition party stated. “What is worse than corrupting the electoral process? In fact, we dare say that this is the height of corruption.”

Implying a cobbled arrangement by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, the PDP spoke through its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

It said: “We urge Mr. President to take a critical look at the issue of the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as Acting Chairman of INEC for which our party has severally raised some salient issues why she is not suitable for that position. It is incontrovertible that Mrs. Zakari by virtue of her blood relationship with Mr. President cannot preside over the affairs of the Independent

National Electoral Commission.”

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Mr. EbunOlu Adegboruwa, has gone to court to challenge the constitutionality of Zakari’s appointment.

The plaintiff, in the suit he filed at the Federal High Court, is contending that the appointment was illegal and unconstitutional.

He is praying the court to, among other things, restrain Zakari from presiding over the conduct of any election in Nigeria, including the governorship elections of Kogi and Bayelsa states.

“In the originating summons, I am seeking an order that the President is not entitled to appoint Zakari as acting chairman of INEC and that such appointment is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void”, he stated.

“I am seeking an order that Zakari’s appointment is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“I am also seeking a declaration that effective from July 21, 2015, Zakari ceased to be a National Commissioner or a member of INEC and cannot be appointed as Chairman or acting Chairman of the Commission.” Adegboruwa is praying the court to nullity the appointment of Zakari by the President as the acting Chairman of INEC, being in violation of the 1999 Constitution.

“I am seeking a perpetual injunction restraining her from proceeding with the organisation or conduct or supervision of any election in Nigeria, under her leadership as its acting chairman, in violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999”.

The lawyer, in addition, wants the court to restrain Mrs Zakari from parading herself as acting Chairman or member of INEC.

PAGE 28—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

ENCOUNTER WITH ATTAHIRU JEGA

‘I am relaxed’

BY JIDE AJANI

“When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser” – Socrates

T

hat quotation from Socrates is very true, but between Professor Attahiru Jega, immediate past Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and I, slander was out of it.

The following would demonstrate that.

This was an encounter that could not have been predicted. Not by me; and definitely not by Professor Jega.

Throughout his tenure as INEC Chairman, I never had an encounter with him. Last December, during preparations for the 2015 general elections, a first meeting could have occurred when Jega came to Lagos to brief editors about INEC’s preparations for the polls. But I was away at Oxford University, United Kingdom, for a short executive course on SUSTAINABILITY, arranged by Alim Abubakre’s TEXEM (The Executive Minds) with the university’s Smith’s School of Environmental Studies (SSES).

Why an encounter between Jega and I can be described as coming with a tantalizing outcome is because throughout his tenure, no Nigerian journalist – or any other journalist for that matter anywhere in the world – chose Jega and the processes leading to the 2015 election as a project; and a special one at that. With a total of over 42 exclusive news stories, features (opinion and analysis), most of them splashed on the front page of Sunday Vanguard, and even generating curious observations from colleagues on what appeared to be an addiction, I kept a tab on Jega.

Interestingly, when I started investigating the goings-on at INEC sometime in early 2014, specifically Jega’s attempt to clean the Voter Register, a few colleagues and friends thought it was needless ballyhoo (sensational or noisy publicity) for Jega. A few insinuated that Jega must have paid for the packaging.

C M Y K

Yet, here was a man I had never met, neither had he attempted to reach me through third parties.

Suddenly, Jega’s genuine attempt at cleaning the Voter Register did not go down well with some powerful politicians from the North (and I dare say the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC) – with moles and a few National Commissioners acting a script. Now, whether Jega was in the know or whether these hawks in the Commission were merely playing on Jega’s messianic determination to leave behind an enduring legacy, is a matter of

For a man whose acts of omission and/or commission were constantly within my radar, I was not expecting him to be that pleasant although I did not expect a fight conjecture. But in my view, based on facts and happenings at the Commission and the sometimes funny pronouncements from INEC, I was in no doubt that some people were determined, even much more than Jega, to pollute the process.

The then INEC Chairman had always been very humble enough to admit that mistakes could be and were made. He was always open to rebasing the processes.

But at no time did the focus on Jega shatter imaginations than when 30,000

•Prof Attahiru Jega

Polling Units, PUs, were introduced by the Commission.

Sunday Vanguard broke the story and went to town weekly with analysis of the figures and the seemingly incongruous sharing formula which allocated 21,615 to the North and 8,412 to the South – the PUs were distributed as follows: North West-7,906; North East- 5, 291; North Central-6,318; South East-1, 167; South West- 4, 160 and South-South-3,087.

Worse still, of the 12 states that got over 1,000 PUs, only Lagos State was a southern state.

Jega’s position was that this would make it easier for voters in far-flung deserts of the North to have PUs located closer to their places of abode.

My reading was that whereas this may be true, some officials of the Commission

had their own agenda and were very eager to see it through.

But because Jega was also conscious of public opinion and the desire to ensure that he bequeathed to the nation a lasting legacy, he, after a widely publicised meeting of INEC on Monday, November 10, 2014, sent out a message to Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, across the country announcing the suspension of the exercise.

Jega’s message read: “REC, the Commission met today and reviewed reports from the State Offices on Reconfiguration and Creation of Additional PUs. “The Commission decided, in view of time constraint and the controversy over the matter that is overheating the polity, to:

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 29

“1) Suspend the creation of new PUs until after the 2015 general elections; “2) Continue with the existing practice of using Voting Points to decongest PUs; “3) As much as possible relocate all PUs in unsuitable locations to more suitable locations and; “4) Ensure that as much as possible PUs in open spaces are moved to classrooms or suitable enclosures, such as tents”.

Then came the issues of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, the Card Readers, CRs, and the postponement of the February 14, 2015 elections. The distribution of the PVCs suffered incalculable discounts in the South while it appeared smooth in the North.

Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), went to Chattam House, UK, to seek the postponement of the elections, suggesting that the government of the day wanted to compromise the process. But in truth, was INEC really ready for the elections of February 14? Jega insisted the Commission was ready; but said it could perfect its processes more, given time. No process can be perfect in the affairs of mortal, especially an electoral process in a country like Nigeria; therefore, the argument went, the elections should have held. In the end, again confronted with reality, INEC postponed the elections.

There were even correspondences from INEC to the Management of Vanguard about my stories on the Commission and Jega. But because this was not a sponsored agenda (many thought so), each time INEC raised a flag, the pole on which it was hoisted collapsed because it was weak and facts don’t lie.

So, it was the last thing you expected – meeting Jega; and in London of all places.

Ferragamo boutique and headed for the escalator when the duo walked past me.

After struggling to properly arrange the shopping bags into my two hands for ease of carriage, I looked up so as not to bump into these gentlemen.

The one in suit was ahead to my left while the casually dressed younger chap was on the right.

In an attempt to walk ahead of them, I flashed a rightward glance at the slightly taller man now by my right hand and suspected that he looked like Jega.

Not so sure, I relaxed my pace, slowed down to size him up from behind and quickly caught up with him and gave a slight tap on his left shoulder and the following ensued: Good afternoon Yes, good afternoon You’re Professor Jega Yes (he keeps walking) I thought as much And you are?

My name is Jide Ajani (He stops suddenly, looks straight at you; it was more a stare than a look) Jiideee Ajani of....

(We chorus Sunday Vanguard).

He grabs me by my right shoulder and holds on tight - as if to really size me up.

I cannot here claim to have known what could have been going on in his mind but something in his gaze suggested that he must have been as surprised as I was; that of all places in the world, our first direct contact would be somewhere very far away from Nigeria, at the Westfield Mall in London, UK).

Good afternoon sir Ha, Jide! So this is you Jide.

Good afternoon.

How are you?

(Surprisingly, he was all smiles cheerful even.

For a man whose acts of omission and/or commission were constantly within my radar, I was not expecting him to be that pleasant - although I did not expect a fight. It was a very pleasant surprise.

I’m fine. And you too sir?

I’m good. How do you do?

I’m fine Prof.

Jide, please meet my brother (name withheld).

He has just completed his Ph.D here in the UK. He will be coming back to Nigeria soon to settle and contribute his quota to our nation’s development.

Even if you were a Nigerian, it would have taken a keen observation to have been able to recognize him.

Far out of his sartorial comfort of a simple Kaftan or the familiar three-piece babanriga, Jega was lost in the crowd of shoppers. He wore a dull colour blazer on brownish-grey trousers.

The meeting was at the first floor of the Westfield Mall in London!

I had attended an executive course on Leadership and Human Resource Management at the Aston Business School, Birmingham, the previous week, and had just arrived London, penultimate Monday afternoon; and checked into the Hilton, Kensington. I needed to quickly do some shopping before taking a deserved rest. I had just stepped out of the Salvatore

That’s good sir. (I extend my hand for a handshake with the chap) Looking right, in the direction of his brother, Professor Jega said, This Jide did so many terrible things to me when I was the Chairman of INEC. Haba Prof., I was only doing my job sir.

Come on Jide (Jega, all smiles).

I was merely pulling your legs.

(At that point, I can say here, with some degree of exactitude, that Professor Jega was as surprised as I was. It was very obvious from his disposition. But one fact remained unmistakable: Jega was all smiles - that relates to emotional intelligence, a very large heart.

Then I remembered one minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Godsday Orubebe, who, while results of the presidential election were being collated chose to, in the full glare of global television and cable audience,

made a fool of himself by attempting to disrupt the exercise.

Jega, with equanimity, the type that could only be referenced with virtuous biblical examples, remained unruffled.

He neither challenged Orubebe nor did he appear ruffled by the conduct of the man.

That is what my boss, Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor of the Vanguard Group, would describe as an ample demonstration of unparalleled display of emotional intelligence.

So, with this rare contact with Jega, was he allowing me to ventilate or was his warm embrace genuine?

Jega came across as just a nice, very nice man who, though surprised to see me, did not harbor any ill feelings.

That is the hallmark of a great man).

Prof, how are you?

Jide, I’m fine Yes, you look fine. That’s good to know.

And you also look so relaxed, away from the harried moments of the 2015 elections sir.

Yes, at least you can see I’m relaxed and I’m relaxing.

Indeed you are.

Yes I am I was with your sister at Aston Business School, Birmingham.

(As if in a hurry to stave me off, he started walking and I kept pace with him).

I think it would be very great and nice to sit with you for at least an hour or two; we need to examine and review the 2015 elections and the outcomes.

Yes Jide, that would be nice.

Where are you domiciled that we can meet and do it - Kano or the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

We can arrange the interview.

I agree Prof. Not now though but any time you fix.

Let us look at August. We can sit down in August and have the chat.

Prof., thanks a lot. I feel honoured Thanks Jide (Still overwhelmed by this encounter, I began to walk away; then I instinctively stopped, walked back to him and continued the engagement) Prof. please why don’t you allow your brother take a picture of you and I? Jide, with all these shopping bags you’re carrying?

Prof., no now. I can drop the shopping bags. The photographs would be for my private collection. (To be candid, the shopping bags were about seven).

Private collection?

Yes Prof; private collection.

You Jide! You will publish the photograph (He keeps smiling and laughing)

That was why, in this encounter, he elevated the pedestal of respect he has attained after the 2015 elections by dispelling misconceptions the public were made to believe about him, including the hallow of irredentism My sister?

Yes. (I mention her name) Oh! That’s my eldest daughter She’s your daughter?

Yes, my eldest daughter. She’s leaving, I think, tomorrow I thought she is your sister. She was quiet. But, above all, she was very humble - very, very humble. I’m sure that must have been a function of the type of upbringing she got from you as a good father.

Thank you, Jide I’m leaving tomorrow, Tuesday, too Prof. I just came in from Birmingham this afternoon.

That’s good. And it’s really good seeing you.

Yes o. I can’t believe this too, that I’m meeting with you and that we are meeting here.

Prof., I will not publish. I promise on my honour Jide you will publish Prof., you know if I publish, I would forfeit our August engagement that we are supposed to have; and that would not be honourable.

Jide, let’s leave everything till August Okay Prof. (Meanwhile you are all walking towards the exit, still amazed) Okay Jide Finally, Nigerians owe you. At least we are living peacefully and we still have a nation after the elections.

Thanks Jide. Thanks Professor Jega shared many moments of drama with the expectant Nigerian public while he was INEC Chairman but, in the highs and lows of these moments, he never gave in to bluster or needless speechifying.

That was why, in this encounter, he elevated the pedestal of respect he has attained after the 2015 elections by dispelling misconceptions the public were made to believe about him, including the hallow of irredentism.

He made a calculated handover to Ambassador Wali and conveyed the impression that he took a studied background examination of Mrs Amina Zakari, and, being able to foretell the damage her links with the current leadership can have on the corporate image of INEC, decided to skip her, because the effect will not only harm her previous hard work but will taint the Commission. The controversy about Zakari is still on.

Professor Jega was in Oxford, United Kingdom, recently and, in answering key questions, he showed that he had not lost any of his dignified calm.

This was one encounter that could not have been predicted. But it was a pleasant one.

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SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 33

08116759757

I am paying for my pregnant lover’s traumatic death, Okada rider cries from police custody

•The sad end of errant S/African woman in Nigeria

By Esther Onyegbula

W

hen 28-year-old Izuchukwu Ali, a native of Enugu State, agreed to allow his South African lover, who had accommodation issues, to move into his apartment, located at 15 Eke Madurdi Street, Iba, Lagos, little did he realise that his kind gesture could land him in trouble, let alone police custody.

The commercial motorcycle (aka Okada) operator met Annalise Ukeje about six months ago but his travails started when his pregnant lover took ill and died in an hospital in Lagos on July 8 after he allegedly abandoned her.

It was gathered that before the lovebirds met, Annalise, a mother of three, was married to a Nigerian based in South Africa. The wedding produced two children place to stay and that she before her husband fell sick and would like to stay with me died. pending when she would After the husband’s death, sort out her accommodation Annalise brought the corpse to Nigeria for burial. The burial rites issues. That was how she completed, she begged her in-laws started living with me. to raise money for her air ticket to “We lived together for enable her go back to her country, about two months before South Africa. The in-laws trouble started. It was in the allegedly declined. morning of Sunday, July 5, It was learned that when she when she said she was could no longer endure the going to church; she maltreatment she was allegedly returned after the service. subjected to by her in-laws, she While we were asleep, abandoned her children and ran around 12 midnight, she from the family house. With no woke me up to complain that family in Nigeria, Annalise kept she was having severe pains moving from one place to another, on her hands and other parts drinking and partying. of her body. She said she In the process, she met a man wanted to ease herself and who allegedly impregnated her that I should accompany her and abandoned her. After to the toilet. I obliged. After delivering the baby, she took the easing herself, we slept till child to her in-laws and left him in around 3 a.m., when she their care while continuing her woke me up again. This time lifestyle. It was during this she said her legs were numb period that she met and that she could not feel Izuchukwu. any sensation there anymore.

Full of regrets, Izuchukwu I encouraged her to be narrated his ordeal to patient and that first thing in Sunday Vanguard in police the morning I will take her to custody: “Sometime early the hospital. Very early in the this year, I met a lady called morning of Monday, July 6, Annalise, a South African, I called Annalise’s mother in who became my lover. I South Africa and informed actually met her in an hotel her of what was happening. around Iba New Site, She asked me to give through my friend, who lives Annalise the phone and both in South Africa, when he of them discussed. When came to Nigeria. While we they finished talking, the were dating, the woman told mother asked me to take her me she had issues with her to the nearest hospital and landlord who gave her quit that she will call a pastor to notice and that she had no C M Y K

The commercial motorcycle (aka Okada) operator met Annalise Ukeje about six months ago but his travails started when his pregnant lover took ill and died in an hospital in Lagos on July 8 after he allegedly abandoned her come pray for her in the hospital. Almost immediately, Pastor Helen called me and directed me to take her to Eternal Life Private Hospital in Orile, and that she would be joining us soon. I got a taxi that took the two of us to Orile. When we got there, I paid for the hospital card and the doctor attended to her, he examined her, gave us a report and then referred us to

LUTH. I called Pastor Helen and informed her of the new development, she asked me to take her to LUTH. Unfortunately when we got to LUTH, the doctors were on strike. The hospital personnel we saw advised that we go to the Island Maternity at Marina. But I no longer had money with me. I had exhausted all my money chartering taxi from Iba New Site to Orile and then LUTH. So, there was no way I culd get another taxi to the Island Maternity. I called Pastor Helen again and she said she was coming. Eventually she came in the night; she met us in the hospital premises as Annalise was lying down helplessly unattended to.

Pastor Helen then told me to hold on as it was already late, that first thing the next morning she would send a woman to me to assist me take Annalise to Island Maternity and she left. At this time, Annalise’s condition was deteriorating badly ”.

Denying the allegation that he abandoned Annalise in hospital and ran away, Izuchukwu said: “I did not abandon her. What happened was •The that on suspect Tuesday, July 7, the woman from Pastor Helen came and we took Annalise to Island Marternity.

The woman paid a deposit of N11,000, bought all the things that were required and Annalise was admitted. I stayed in the hospital till the evening before going home to have my bath and change my clothes.

“If I had abandoned her or ran away, I wouldn’t have called Pastor Helen on Wednesday, July 8 when I was going to the hospital to see Annalise.

When I called her, she said I shouldn’t go to the hospital, but come to her house at Ajagbandi, so that both of us would go to the hospital together. I went to her house and we both left for the hospital.

On our way to the hospital, she told me that we should report the case to the police so that we did not get into trouble in case anything happened to Annalise, since the sickness was severe. When we got to Ajangbadi Police Station, the police said we should go back to Ojo since all the parties involved live in Ojo. So we went to Ojo Divisional Police Station. At this time, it was unknown to me that Annalsie had died in the Island Maternity in the early hours of Wednesday. It was when we got to the station that I realized that Annalise had passed on.

Pastor Helen and I were arrested. Later, Helen was granted bail while I was

transferred to Panti.

“Although she was four months pregnant for me, Annalise was not the sickly type; ever since I knew her, she had never fallen sick. If she was the sickly type, there is no way I would have allowed her to live with me. We had plans to get married; we also had plans to travel to South Africa once I was able to raise money to process our traveling documents. All through the period we lived together, I never raised my hand to hit her because we never quarelled. I don’t know anything about her death.

“While I was at the Ojo Police Station, I called Annalise’s mother to inform her that I had been arrested but it was her sister that picked the call. I explained everything to her and she said Annalise’s mother and herself were coming to Nigeria but they haven’t”.

It was learnt that the police are investigation the case to ascertain the culpability of the suspect.

LG bags new rating

F

ollowing the continuous innovations it injected into home appliances, LG was rated as the best washing machine in the highly competitive global market for the 8th consecutive

year.

Addressing news men recently, the General Manager of West Africa operations, Hyunwoo Jung, stated: “LG has been able to dominate the global market through constant development of innovative washing machine technology and design, especially our 6 Motion Direct Drive motor and TurboWash technologies,” he added that: “Innovative features, has continue to be key selling points for LG premium appliances, and customers seem to agree.”He attributed the success of LG washers to innovative advances in washing technology,which, when attached directly to the washer, increases its performance and durability.

The new technology has a touch as delicate as hand washing, helping to reduce wrinkles and damage to clothes. Another important innovation the TurboWash technology, which uses high pressure water particles that dramatically reduce washing time.

The branded front-load washing machines have been recognized globally for its outstanding reliability and durability in Spain, Italy, Australia .

In U.S. Consumer magazine rated LG’s front-loaders as most reliable for six consecutive years through 2014. Germany ’s Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE) has also recognized LG’s front-loaders for its durability.

Mr. Jung stressed that LG plans to continue to take its lead in home laundry with innovative products such as the world’s first front-loading washing machine with twin Wash.

PAGE 34 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015 08116759757

Lagos Pentecostal pastor in divorce mess!

•He is cruel, steals church funds – Wife •‘I am tired of her quarrels, lack of respect for me, ministry, family’

BY DAMILOLA IGBEDION The pastor in-charge, Pentecostal Power and Authority Ministry Worldwide, Mr Kayode Oladoyinbo, and his wife, Christian, are locked in a bitter divorce battle after 11 years of marriage. The union is blessed with three

children, aged 11, 9 and 6, respectively.

Asking an Ojo, Lagos Customary Court to dissolve the marriage, Christian accused her husband of frequent beatings, cruelty, illegal summoning and arrests, lack of care and stealing of the church funds as reasons she wants a divorce.

Accepting the divorce claim instituted by his wife, Kayode said he was fed up with the marriage, accusing the wife of wickedness.

According to the pastor, the wife, sometime in 2009 poured kerosene on him with the aim of setting him ablaze, before he managed to escape. He said, at another occasion, the

Anambra LG chairmen’s wives launch project, magazine

BY TONY NWANKWO It was pomp and celebration as Local Government Executive Chairmen’s Wives Association, Anambra State, in collaboration with representatives of women in Anambra LGAs, in Awka, launched their N200 million 21 Osodieme markets – cum roofing Project in the State.

The event, held at the exclusive Women Development Centre, included and Award conferment /presentation ceremonies.

The event had the State’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, in attendance. She also represented the husband, Governor Willie Obiano at the event. Chief Mrs. Oby Nkem Okeke (Deputy governor’s wife) was also present.

Also present was the former Minster of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, who unveiled the prototype photo of the market together with the Pot Pourri Magazine at the occasion.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady commended the organisers for their untiring efforts to improve the lives of the people of the local governments. She assured them that the government of Anambra State was solidly behind their worthy efforts.

Mrs. Okeke, while

supporting the project advised them to continue to support the government in its quest to provide democracy dividends in the state.

On her part, while unveiling the prototype photo of the project and unveiling the magazine, Mrs. Anenih, recommended the project to other LGA Women Associations across the country.

The Association had earlier praised the governor and on his untiring efforts to alleviate the suffering of the local people in the state. “We

appreciate your commitment and dedication, your active roles and excellent caring family performances, `Willie is Working’”, they sang in unison.

Other dignitaries at the event were Hon. Hillary Udanoh, Anambra East (Chairman at the ocasion); Hon. Chief Ossy Iyiegbu Agbaego, Nnewi South; Hon. Prince Henry Ezenwa, Idemili South; Hon. Barr.

Simon Onuorah Ulichukwudelu, Anambra West; Hon. Chief Emeka B. Onuorah, Njikoka; and former Oyi Chairman, Hon. Okafor Wiper.

From left: Chairpersons, Awka North, Mrs. Rosemary Okonkwo; Onitsha South, Mrs. Uju-Egbuna; Ogbaru, Mrs. Egoyibo Agolua; Nnewi South, Dr. (Mrs) Nneoma Mirian Mbolu Iyiegbu; former Oyi, Mrs. Ogechukwu Okafor; Anambra East, Mrs. Jennifer Udanoh; Idemili South, Barr. Mrs. Ogoo Ezenwa; Orunbna North, Mrs. Chioma Anakwe; Awka South, Mrs. Ngozi Iloh; Idemili North, Mrs. Idemobi Nkeiru; Njikoka, Mrs. Ogechukwu Onuorah, Anaocha PA, Mrs. Chioma Ejiofor; Oyi, Mrs. Oraefo; and Anambra West, Mrs. Obinuju Onuorah.

Onuesoke hails passage of DESOP ADEC Bill DESOPADEC

D

elta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has commended members of the Delta State House of Assembly for the passage of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Bill.

Addressing journalists in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, Onuesoke described DESOPADEC as a ‘sick person’ who required surgery, adding that the amended DESOPADEC Bill would provide the cure for the ailment.

He explained that the amended Bill was lean enough and would be less

expensive to maintain, adding that the chairman and other board members, being part time, may be entitled to sitting allowances only, and therefore more cost effective, if well monitored.

“The commissioners are like watch dogs committed to ensuring that projects approved for their respective constituencies are carried out.

With the pluralistic nature of the state, the Governor, most likely, would ensure that appointments cut across the ethnic divides in the state and that all interests are served and protected”, Onuesoke stressed, adding that the retention of rotation of offices in the commission was an indication that

petitioner attempted to kill him with a knife, saying he took the weapon and fled to safety. On another occasion, Kayode claimed the wife threatened to burn down the church and kill him in the process. He alleged that this prompted his reporting the matter to the Morogbo Police Division, saying she was subsequently arrested. He revealed that under interrogation by the police, the wife confessed that she actually threatened to attack the church, but that she was not serious about it.

The wife, however, pleaded

with the court to stop the husband from intimidating, embarrassing and molesting her, and asked that she is granted the custody of the children of the marriage.

Counsel to Kayode, Mr. Ademola Adedayo, narrated to the court efforts to settle the matter between the couple, saying the efforts proved abortive due to the petitioner, Christian, who remained intransigent.

However, when the Court President, Chief Joesph Ogunmola, asked the parties their final say on the marriage, the wife said she wanted the marriage saved, but her husband insisted that, having come this far, he would want the marriage dissolved. “I want this divorce. I am tired of my wife, her constant quarrels and lack of respect for me, my ministry and my family ”, he said.

Lion District Go debajo Govv. A Adebajo unfolds end-of-life-care agenda •To spend N200m on projects

BY DAMILOLA IGBEDION

L

ion District 404 B-2 Nigeria, under its new District Governor, the first female to be appointed to that office, is set to construct a hospice in AdoEkiti, where special care is to be provided for chronically, terminally ill patients and those in severe pains.

Lion (Dr) Christine Funke Adebajo disclosed this in Lagos at an occasion to herald the ‘New Lions Year’(2015- 2016 Lions Year). The organisation’s second core project for the year, according to her, is a youth empowerment project through the construction and equipping of a water plant ‘to be housed at Ozanam House Complex, Lagos.’

Speaking on the hospice, she explained that it will attend to seriously ill-patients’ symptoms as well as their emotional and spiritual needs.

“Hospice care is end-of-life-care where the patients are given a dignified end.

The health professionals and indeed all care givers in a hospice are carefully trained in the art of compassion, commitment and

•Lion (Dr) Adebajo dedication”, Adebajo stated.

“Location of such facility in AdoEkiti, the capital of Ekiti State, will fill vacuum of care. Suffice it to mention that none of the existing hospitals in Nigeria has this type of facility. When constructed, the facility will also provide referral services for other hospitals in Nigeria”.

On the water project, the District Governor said it will be located in Ozanam House which caters for teenage girls who are victims of unwanted pregnancy mostly through rape, even by close relations.

“The girls will be trained on the production of bottled and sachet water. Those who have the flair can eventually set up small scale outfits. Some of our Leos can also benefit from this project.”

According to Adebajo, District 404 B-2 intends to spend about N200 million to impact on “our community this Lions Year.”

Gynaecology issues: 450 benefit fr om Indian hospital free ser vices from services

BY VICTORIA OJEME

•Onuesoke everyone would come out of this new arrangement smiling.

He praised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for initiating the Bill which has since been passed into law by the House of Assembly. Onuesoke noted that those initially oppose to the amendment of the Bill were not doing it for the interest of oil bearing communities, but for their private agenda, urging Deltans to support the good works of Okowa who mean well for oil bearing communities.

I

ndian specialist hospital in Nigeria, Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, organised a free health check up camp in Abuja, the federal capital city.

The hospital management said the decision to organise the free check up is part of its corporate social responsibility, and to open its services and state of- the art equipment to people, majority of whom could not afford to go abroad for their health challenges..

The hospital’s public relations officer, Alhaji Umaru Jibia, in a statement, said, “The free check up

camp consultation was for the following departments: Dietician consultation/ general physician, eye check, blood sugar, gynaecology consultation and cardiology.

In the last seven months, the hospital has conducted six free health check up camps at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Garki; ECWA Gospel Church, Karu and Sheraton Hotel, with over 450 patients benefiting from free consultation and other services.

The hospital also offers a free first aid assistance to the FCT residents on telephone number 08127777751

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 35 08116759757

NDDC’s medical interventions in Niger Delta I

BY YINKA AJAYI

t is no secret that the bane of our rural healthcare delivery is the lack of basic medical infrastructure and equipment. Thus, the intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in this regard is like rubbing the muchneeded soothing balm on our ailing healthcare delivery system.

The commission has stepped up efforts to assist state governments in the Niger Delta in the provision of necessary equipment and essential drugs.

Apart from equipment and drugs, the commission is also rehabilitating hospitals and health centres as well as building new ones, including two specialist hospitals in Rivers and Cross River states in partnership with private sector service providers. In addition to building health centres, hospitals and residential quarters for medical personnel, the commission is also equipping these medical facilities. According to Dr. George Uzonwanne, the commission’s medical unit head, medical equipment were supplied recently to the Teaching hospitals in Uyo and Calabar, as well as the Cottage Hospital in Ugborodo, Delta State.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2015, the commission donated drugs and medical supplies to hospitals in

The Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, recently donated drugs and medical supplies to hospitals in Bayelsa State. Here, the NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr Solomon Ita,(left) hands over the medical items to the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Brinena Samayin (2nd right).While the Head of NDDC Health Unit, Dr. George Uzonwanne (1st right) looks on.

Bayelsa State as part of its contributions to the provision of quality health care in the 9 states covered by the commission.

Officials of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health received the essential medicines and medical items at a brief ceremony on Tuesday at the Diete-Koki Memorial Hospital, Opolo in Yenagoa. A similar donation was made at the Alaere Alaibe

Memorial health center, Opokuma last week.

The NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr Solomon Ita, who handed over the medical supplies on behalf of the NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sir (Barr.)

Bassey Dan-Abia, said that 6 mobile vaccine cold chains and

one fixed walk-in vaccine cold chain would also be delivered to the state ministry of health for vaccine storage.

He explained that it was part of the efforts of the NDDC to improve health services in the Niger Delta, adding that the commission had also donated hospital equipment to teaching hospitals in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta states.

He commended the Bayelsa State government for its prompt response earlier in the year when it had to contend with cholera outbreak. He recalled that the NDDC did not hesitate to come to the assistance of the government in combating the health challenge. According to him, that intervention helped to save lives in the affected communities. He said that the current batch of drugs was being handed over to complement similar donations in the past.

Receiving the drugs on behalf of the state commissioner for health, Dr Ayibatonye Owei, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Brinena Samayin, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for always coming to the assistance of the state in addressing its health challenges.

He recalled the prompt response of the commission when the state was hit by cholera outbreak. He noted that the commission not only donated drugs, it also

Stree yi tto o spend o aliki treett light light:: Ebon Ebonyi ovver N1b in Abak Abakaliki E

bonyi State government is to spend about N1 billion on the provision of street light at the state capital, Abakaliki.

Disclosing this while commissioning the first phase of the street lighting

project, Governor David Umahi said he was excited seeing light come, on on the sections of the AbakalikiEnugu Highway(between the Peoples Democratic Party state secretariat and Onuebonyi) in the state capital. Umahi explained that the procurement of five generators for the first phase of the project “ was to ensure that every night we have light along this section of the town.” The governor restated his determination to

Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi(in a bowler hat) and Commissioner for Power, Chief Emma Uguru,at the commissioning of the first phase of street lighting project in Abakaliki on Wednesday. reconstruct over 200 kilometers of urban roads, provide water and sanitation facilities in the state capital. He observed that

the state government was reverifying some of the contracts he inherited from the past administration due to its very high cost, hinting that his

Our case for slot in Okowa’s cabinet — Igbide

BY MARY LAWRENCE

Ig

bide Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, with over 10,000 voters and predominantly a Peoples Democratic Party community, has, since 1999, not had any of her indigenes appointed into the state executive nor any aide to any governor taken from the community. Chief Emegrerurhia Adheke, the Otere of Igbide Kingdom, who spoke to our correspondent, said: “Igbide has not had it good with Delta State government in terms of appointment. Igbide is a community with over 10,000 voters and predominantly a PDP area since 1999, yet nobody remembers us for appointments at the state level after elections. I want to also advise our respected governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi

•Chief Akuegha Okowa, that it is only the best we want him to appoint from our kingdom. I know many persons are jostling for positions but the one I feel, if given appointment and will positively affect members of our community, Isoko South Local Government Area and the

state at large, is Chief Nicodemus Akuegha”, he added.

He explained: “Chief Nicodemus Akuegha is a very good man loved by all because of his track record of positively affecting the lives of the Igbide people. He has done a lot for us.

The youths, women and elders of the community love him. As a chief of Igbide, I urge Governor Okowa to appoint him into his cabinet, especially now that the state needs capable hands to support him for speedy development”.

On its part, Isoko South Youths for Good Governance urged Okowa to appoint Okuegha as commissioner because, according to the group, if not for him, PDP couldn’t have won in Igbide.

The group, speaking through Comrade Sunny Onoriode, said: Chief Nicodemus Okuegha is the

administration had terminated most of the traffic light contracts as a result of their high cost.

He however explained that street light projects “ whose contractors were not willing to cooperate with the government will be terminated”.

Umahi stated that supervisors would be appointed to handle the fueling and maintenance of the lighting facilities, and armed security men deployed to protect them against vandalism.

Earlier, , the state Commissioner for Power, Chief Emmanuel Uguru, stated that “the street lighting of the state capital would enhance the social status, economic status and the security of the city”.

people’s servant. His maturity is golden, his leadership ability is tested and proven. He hails from Igbide.

He attended the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun where he obtained his OND in production technology in 1986 and HND in petroleum engineering in 1997. He later proceeded to the University of Abuja where he was awarded a degree in economics and Delta State University, Abraka where he obtained the Master of Energy and Petroleum Economics (MEPE) in 2003. He proceeded to the prestigious Institute of Petroleum, Paris (France) where he got a certificate in petroleum geophysics. He worked at the Department of Petroleum Resources (NNPC Inspectorate) in Nigeria where he retired after 35 years of meritorious service as Head/Manager, Upstream Department.

provided potable water facilities to strike at the root of the disease.

The Medical Director of DieteKoki Memorial Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Ferepigi, thanked the NDDC for assisting the state government to provide quality healthcare for the people. He gave kudos to the commission for its activities in the Niger-Delta, especially in Bayelsa, noting that its interventions were usually timely. He gave assurances that the drugs would be appropriately utilized.

Speaking on the donated items, the Head of NDDC Health Unit, Dr. George Uzonwanne, listed 17 different medicines, worth several millions of naira, as part of the package. The items, he said, included several cartons of deworming tablets, anti-biotic capsules, paediatric medicines, insecticide-treated nets, malaria drugs, among others. According to him, 4 states in the region had so far benefitted from medical support programme.

Privatization Will Bring Out The Best In The Health Sector-NMA

BY VICTORIA OJEME

T

he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that only public – private – partnership (PPP) can revitalized the health sector.

The President of the NMA, Dr Kayode Obembe, who was speaking to journalists in Abuja at the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the FCT Chapter of the association, held under the theme, “Re-designing Medicine,” said there’s element of commitment with privatization.

He said, “The question of PPP is very germane. It is the way forward. The earlier we address it the better for all of us.

“Medical tourism is a torn in our flesh and decadent to the entire health system”.

According to him, banning government officials from seeking medical attention abroad is not the real answer. “There are opportunities in Nigeria to be exploited to the maximum benefit of Nigerians and those areas where we are deficient and where we have specialists somewhere abroad, we should still allow them to go.”

In her remarks, the NMA FCT Chairman, Dr Zainab Mairami, called on the Federal Government to explore the option of encouraging world class medical practice in Nigeria through PPP initiatives.

She said hospitals where Nigerians troop to in developed countries are private sector-driven and that one reassuring fact is that most of those hospitals have Nigerian doctors as their principal doctors. Mairami said the NMA FCT chapter is willing to work with government and non-governmental organizations to bring quality and reliable health c are to Nigerians.

PAGE 36 — SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

The mindset of the enemy

BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE

O

ne of the greatest and most respected modern historians that ever lived, an Englishman by the name of Professor Hugh Trevor-Roper of Oxford University, once described the history of black Africa as being “darkness, nothing but darkness”.

As if that were not bad enough, there was another even more indicting contribution from a famous and wealthy Arab slave trader (who lived in the 18th century) and whose name was Mehtma Mohammed.

He captured and purchased his slaves mainly from what is now West Africa and he transported them through the Sudan to the Arab world and to the Middle East where they spent the rest of their short and brutish lives as slaves. Mohammed said the following about the black African: “These black creatures were born to be in perpetual servitude and were ordained by God to be our slaves forever. They are lazy, greedy, stupid, godless, dirty and, most important of all, they are cowards. When you put the whip to them and hard they line up and will do anything for you.

They and their African brothers who sell them to us have no sense of collective purpose and they think nothing of killing and selling their own kinsmen for a pittance. They have no god and they have no interest in dying for or fighting for anything which is outside their daily feeding. They are docile, lazy, dirty and stupid and that is why I have made so much money from selling them. The most gratifying thing is that even if one of the group shows signs of any potential or hope of being able to be a great leader to the others, they are the ones that will expose him, report him and destroy him just for a few morsels from my table. They present no danger to us.

They are as harmless and fearful as puppies and they only growl like dogs at each other and to no-one else. We will shame them, trade them, own them and rule over them forever.”

These are painful and harsh words coming from this Arab slave-trader.

Yet sadly such views about the African are not limited to the likes of him or indeed to the 18th century.

Permit me to give you just one example.

The following is a speech that was made by former South African President P.W. Botha to his cabinet.

This reprint was written by David

G. Mailu for the Sunday Times, a South African newspaper, dated August 18, 1985. It reads as follows: “Pretoria has been made by the white mind for the white man. We are not obliged even the least to try to prove to anybody and to the blacks that we are superior people. We have demonstrated that to the blacks in a thousand and one ways. The Republic of South Africa that we know of today has not been created by wishful thinking. We have created it at the expense of intelligence, sweat and blood. Were they Afrikaners who tried to eliminate the Australian Aborigines? Are they Afrikaners who discriminate against blacks and call them Niggers in the States?

“Were they Afrikaners who started the slave trade? Where is the black man appreciated? England discriminates against its black and their “Sus” law is out to discipline the blacks. Canada, France, Russia, and Japan all play their discrimination too. Why in the hell then is so much noise made about us? Why are they biased against us? I am simply trying to prove to you all that there is nothing unusual we are doing that the so called civilized worlds are not doing. We are simply an honest people who have come out aloud with a clear philosophy of how we want to live our own white life.

“We do not pretend like other whites that we like blacks. The fact that, Blacks look like human beings and act like human beings do not necessarily make them sensible human beings. Hedgehogs are not porcupines and lizards are not crocodiles simply because they look alike. If God wanted us to be equal to the blacks, he would have created us all of a uniform colour and intellect but he created us differently: Whites, blacks, yellow, rulers and the ruled. Intellectually, we are superior to the blacks; that has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt over the years.

“I believe that the Afrikaner is an honest, God fearing person, who has demonstrated practically the right way of being. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that behind the scenes, Europe, America, Canada, Australia-and all others are behind us in spite of what they say. For diplomatic relations, we all know what language should be used and where. To prove my point, Comrades, does anyone of you know a White country without an investment or interest in South Africa? Who buys our gold? Who buys our diamonds?

Who trades with us? Who is helping

us develop the other nuclear weapon? The very truth is that we are their people and they are our people. It’s a big secret.

“The strength of our economy is backed by America, Britain, Germany. It is our strong conviction, therefore, that the Black is the raw material for the White man. So brothers and sisters, let us join hands together to fight against this black devil. I appeal to all Afrikaners to come out with any creative means of fighting this war.

Surely God cannot forsake his own people whom we are. By now every one of us has seen it practically that the blacks cannot rule themselves.

“Give them guns and they will kill each other. They are good in nothing else but making noise, dancing, marrying many wives and indulging in sex. Let us all accept that the black man is the symbol of poverty, mental inferiority, laziness and emotional incompetence. Isn’t it plausible, therefore, that the white man is created to rule the black man?

Come to think of what would happen one day if you woke up and on the throne sat a Kaffir!

Can you imagine what would happen to our women? Does anyone of you believe that the blacks can rule this country? Hence, we have good reasons to let them all-the Mandelas and the othersrot in prison, and I think we should be commended for having kept them alive in spite of what we have at hand with which to finish them off. I wish to announce a number of new strategies that should be put to use to destroy this black bug. We should now make use of the chemical weapon.

“Priority number one, we should not, by all means, allow any more increases of the black population lest we be choked very soon. I have exciting news that our scientists have come with an efficient stuff. I am sending out more researchers to the field to identify as many venues as possible where the chemical weapons could be employed to combat any further population increases. The hospital is a very strategic opening, for example and should be fully utilized.

Slow killing poisons “The food supply channel should be used. We have enveloped excellent slow killing poisons and fertility destroyers. Our only fear is in case such stuff came into their hands as they are bound to start using it against us if you care to think of the many blacks working for us in our homes. However, we are doing the best we can to make sure that the stuff remains strictly in our hands.

“Secondly, most blacks are vulnerable to money inducements.

I have set aside a special fund to exploit this venue. The old trick of divide and rule is still very valid today. Our experts should work day and night to set the black man against his fellowman. His inferior sense of morals can be exploited beautifully. And here is a creature

that lacks foresight. There is a need for us to combat him in long term projections that he cannot suspect.

The average black does not plan his life beyond a year: that stance, for example, should be exploited. My special department is already working round the clock to come out with a long-term operation blueprint.

“I am also sending a special request to all Afrikaner mothers to double their birth rate. It may be necessary too to set up a population boom industry by putting up centers where we employ and support fully white young men and women to produce children for the nation. We are also investigating the merit of uterus rentals as a possible means of speeding up the growth of our population through surrogate mothers.

“For the time being, we should also engage a higher gear to make sure that black men are separated from

The strength of our economy is backed by America, Britain, Germany. It is our strong conviction, therefore, that the Black is the raw material for the white man

their women and fines imposed upon married wives who bear illegitimate children. I have a committee working on finding better methods of inciting blacks against each other and encouraging murders among themselves.

Murder cases among blacks should bear very little punishment in order to encourage them.

“My scientists have come up with a drug that could be smuggled into their brews to effect slow poisoning results and fertility destruction.

Working through drinks and manufacturing of soft drinks, geared to the blacks, could promote the channels of reducing their population. Ours is not a war that we can use the atomic bomb to destroy the blacks, so we must use our intelligence to effect this. The person-to-person encounter can be very effective.

Sex Mercenary Squad “As the records show that the black man is dying to go to bed with the white woman, here is our unique opportunity. Our Sex Mercenary Squad should go out and camouflage with Apartheid Fighters while doing their operations quietly administering slow killing poison and fertility destroyers to those blacks they thus befriend. We are modifying the Sex Mercenary Squad by introducing white men who should go for the militant black woman and any other vulnerable black woman. We have received a new supply of prostitutes from Europe and America who are desperate and too keen to take up the appointments.

“My latest appeal is that the maternity hospital operations should be intensified. We are not paying those people to help bring black babies to this world but to eliminate them on the very delivery moment. If this department worked very efficiently, a great deal could be achieved’’.

The Nigerian example These are manifestly racist, demonically-inspired and utterly despicable submissions coming from malevolent, evil, dark, twisted, tormented and ignorant souls. They tell us exactly how many of our detractors view us, even up until today, even if they cannot afford to say so openly. And we must also accept the fact that oftentimes our own behaviour confirms these negative stereotypes.

If anyone doubts that just look at the Nigerian example. The truth is that we take pleasure in persecuting, shaming, killing and destroying one another, we enjoy pulling down our brightest and our best, we willfully and consciously promote and celebrate compromise and mediocrity and we are simply not prepared to fight and die for any worthwhile cause or principle, even when it is in our interest so to do.

That is the difference between us and those from other parts of the world. They are ready to pay any price for a better and safer tomorrow for their children but we are not. They will always insist on the best, on enforcing their rights, on jealously guarding their civil liberties, on resisting evil, on fighting persecution and injustice and on preserving the integrity of their civil institutions whilst we are not.

Slavish mindset Instead we are prepared to settle for anything, compromise with anything and take anything from anyone or any institution. If we wish to progress, we must change our attitude, we must discard this slavish mindset and thereby put to shame our detractors and enemies. We must be ready to stand up and insist on our rights and we must be ready to pay the supreme price whilst doing so if that is what is required.

We must dig deep and find the required strength and courage and we must, as a people, rise up to where we belong and become what God wants us to be: a great, beautiful, free, prosperous, educated, respected and strong people. We are no less than that and that is our due. To establish and confirm the glory of our continent and to bring honour, self-respect and dignity to every African: that surely is the challenge of our time.

May God help us to achieve this in our generation and may He put the Mehtma Mohammadu, the Hugh Trevor Ropers and the P.W. Bothas of this world to utter shame.

God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa. *Fani-Kayode was Minister of Aviation under the Obasanjo administration

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 37

Prologue

Economic Eagle Flying with One Wing

BY DELE SOBOWALE

W

e must therefore not shrink from accusing our friends, or praising our enemies; nor need we be afraid of praising or blaming the same people at different times since it is impossible that men who are engaged in public affairs should always be in the right and unlikely they should always be in the wrong (underlining mine). We must therefore detach ourselves from the actors in our story; and apply to them only such statements and judgments as their conduct deserves.” Polybius, c200-118 BC. Polybius, Greek and one of the greatest historians ever in world history, provided me with one of my guiding principles in life, long before I started writing columns. Since then, Professor John Kenneth Galbraith, a Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, had added this: “Those who deal in ideas, if they are wise, must welcome attack. Only a peaceful passage should dismay them for it proves that the ideas do not affect anyone very much.” (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 97).

So attacks are more than welcome.

Then Malvin Kalb capped it all by admonishing media people in these words: “A journalist should be pursuing a fair rendition of truth, without regard to popular moods, the journalist should not be swayed by public opinion, only by the pursuit of truth, as close as he or she can get to it.” (VBQ, p 109). I fully intend to be guided by all the three “heroes” of my life.

The Nigerian economy, as currently operated, is like a crippled eagle flying with one wing. It will never go far. I learnt this lesson in a practical way, in my “country” home in Oyo State, where there is a large orchard and two dogs whose favourite past time is to chase birds coming to feed. Talk of “dogs in a manger”, Juliet and Lucy don’t eat insects and droppings from trees, but they are determined that no bird should eat them either. They have perfected their strategy.

Juliet, the older dog, would drive a bird towards Lucy, who is more agile. Once in a while, they succeed in killing a bird – which they don’t even eat.

One day, I was working in the yard when they went after an eagle which had descended to snatch a lizard. They could not kill it, but they damaged one of its wings. So, instead of soaring to the sky, the poor eagle could just manage to reach the upper branches of a mango tree where it stayed for hours unable to move.

NIGERIA: AFRICA’S EAGLE ECONOMY IN DISTRESS The eagle and its damaged wing is an apt metaphor for the STATE OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY which, having been declared the largest in Africa, should be the Eagle Economy of Africa. Unfortunately, just as economic calamity is around the corner, in the shape of crude oil trending towards US$40 per barrel or worse, the African Eagle Economy is flying with only one wing – the monetary policy which is under the portfolio of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. In reality, at the moment, the CBN Governor has become the economic czar of the Buhari administration

The most recent measures taken by the CBN demonstrate, quite clearly, that our economy operates without a discernible second wing – the fiscal policy - which is supposed to be complementary with the monetary instruments of economic management in its early days. He alone makes the decisions that matter – just as the healthy wing is called upon to work extra hard to lift the bird off the ground.

The most recent measures taken by the CBN demonstrate, quite clearly, that our economy operates without a discernible second wing – the fiscal policy - which is supposed to be complementary with the monetary instruments of economic management. Without listing all, the following measures are now operational:. · Banks listing and publishing the names of delinquent customers. · Closure of domiciliary accounts. · Recovery of excess duty waivers · Tapering of exchange rate · Closure of several Bureau De Change outfits With the exception of the first one, individually and collectively, the other measures are aimed at arresting the free fall of the exchange rate which was N160/US$1 only about ten months ago.

Again, individually, they are steps in the right direction, if stabilizing exchange rate should be our top priority – which is doubtful.

But, collectively, they are strangling an economy already on its knees. No sector of the economy illustrates the downward trend better than the manufacturing businesses. In particular, the food and beverage sub-sector, which is import-dependent, had been experiencing drastic drop in sales and revenue. On Monday, July 27, 2015, a national daily published a report titled, “Naira fall: Consumer goods firms record huge losses”. Another report had it that manufacturers now operate at 50% of installed capacity. That is understandable given the high level of unsold inventory everywhere. That situation is likely to get worse as the year 2015 races to a close for reasons to be disclosed shortly.

Another report informed us that car imports have dropped by 70% on account of high tariff. That is only part of the story - high tariff alone does not discourage imports to

that extent if aggregate disposable income is adequate.

Fuel scarcity promises to be with us for longer than we want as banks, which are themselves in trouble, deny marketers credit. But, if the petroleum sector is showing signs of distress at the filling stations nationwide, they fail to reflect the calamity which had befallen the crude oil producers which have shut down their platforms, sent away their staff, increasingly owe banks money they cannot possibly repay and form the largest group of bank debtors.

Once upon a time, owning and operating an oil well amounted to licence to print your own money. Today, many owners wish they can give them away.

Power sector suffered its first casualty when the Federal Government took over the Yola Distribution Company. It will not be the last DISCO to go under in less than three years of the privatization of the sector. When the Federal Government ordered the DISCOs, in July, to pay debts by July 24, 2015, it was obvious that somebody in Abuja is out of tune with the realities of DISCO life. They not only owe the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, Plc, NBET, billions, which cannot be paid, they owe banks almost as many billions which cannot be redeemed. Again, those who clinked Champagne glasses when they were declared successful bidders for DISCOs two years ago must be forgiven for now wondering if they took leave of their senses when bidding – instead of leaving the money in fixed deposits.

Many are at risk of losing their shirts.

Aviation sub-sector is the Cinderella of the transport sector. But, all of its operators have been living dangerously on hand-outs by government. They have weighed down the Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, with toxic loans which almost crippled the banking sector in 20082010. Even now, they are still ailing and unable to repay. They are once again requesting for more hand-outs. Nobody has any idea where the funds will come from for the bail out.

As if that is not bad news enough, the banks, the providers of credit to all and sundry, are themselves in deep trouble.

Non-performing loans are rising because customers who obtained dollar-denominated loans are having difficulties servicing their loans. So the banking sector is heading for another crisis. Naming delinquent debtors might induce shame but it is unlikely to bring cash which is what the banks need very badly.

FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC SECTOR – SAME BLEAK PICTURE If the private sector presents a bleak picture, the public sector is just as bad. Nigeria’s debt has escalated to N12.12tn or three years annual budget. States owe Nigerian banks N685bn according to the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo.

In June 2015, the 36 states shared N111bn meaning that they owe banks, alone, six months revenue allocation. When the other loans are added, the states will be servicing debt with close to 40% of their revenue from now on. The debt stock is climbing everywhere at the same time that the price of crude is sliding downwards towards US$40 per barrel.

Continues on page 40

PAGE 38 —SUND AY —SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

CBN, money launderers in fierce battle for Naira’s soul EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

he decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to stop importers of certain items, 41 in number, from accessing the foreign exchange market was a declaration of war for the soul of the Naira between the apex bank and money launderers who have almost grounded the economy.

The affected items are rice, cement, clothes, textiles, toothpick, poultry products, eggs, turkey, meat and

processed meat, margarine, palm kernel/ palm oil and vegetable oils, private airplanes/jets, canned fish, incense and wooden doors. Others include soaps and cosmetics, tomato/tomato paste, woven fabrics, table ware, kitchen utensils, furniture, plywood boards and panels, wood particle boards and panels, and glassware. Also on the list are cold rolled steel sheets, galvanised steel sheets, wire mesh, steel nails , roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, enamelware, steel drums, steel pipes, security and razor wire, tiles-vitrified and ceramic, plastic and rubber products, and polypropylene granules.

In an emotion-laden voice, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said it was it a shame for Nigeria to be wasting her scarce foreign exchange on the importation of commodities that she had a comparative advantage in the production.

His words, “At some point, we have to all decide what we really want for our country, and I believe that the time is right for that deep and honest conversation”.

He added that CBN’s analysis of the nation’s economic situation “compelled us to believe that we needed to

The director revealed that, in the first five months of this year, $575 million was spent on the importation of wheat, $ 374 million on fish aggressively begin the process of feeding ourselves by ourselves and producing much of what we need in this country”.

Emefile went on: “Most of you are aware of the often-quoted number of N1.3 trillion which is what we spend, on average, importing rice, fish, sugar, and wheat every year.

“I am saying it is shameful that we have to import toothpick. I am saying that it is shameful for us to import fish in sauce canned fish in sauce and sardine. I am saying it is shameful; before I was born, palm kernel was taken out of Nigeria and taken to another country and, today, we go to that country and import palm oil. It is shameful.

“It is shameful that items that we used

to produce in this country we now begin to import them. It is shameful and we need to stop them. That is what we are saying.

“Only last week, I met the Governor of Kebbi State and he lamented the unfortunate situation in that state where people, our own farmers, have committed themselves to producing rice and have produced paddy and we have paddy glut in Kebbi today.

“As I speak with you, the government has spent its own money buying paddy from the rice farmers, almost 200,000 tons of paddy rice.

“Aside from that, Kebbi farmers have un-purchased paddy rice close to 800, 000 tons. And yet we patronize imported rice. And the rice imported to the country is one that has spent at least seven years in their stores and yet we have rice that is produced today in Nigeria and we are running away from it.

“The only way we can encourage people producing rice to go back to the farms is to do what we have done.”

The CBN boss then asked rhetorically?

“How can we keep complaining about the depreciation of the Naira when all we do as a people is to import everything from ordinary Geisha and toothpicks, to even eggs?”

The Director, Monetary Policy, CBN, Mr Moses Tule, also clarified that the restrictions had become necessary since Nigeria is not earning enough foreign exchange and that it would be foolhardy to continue to make the forex available for everyone including those who only want to waste on the importation of commodities that are not necessary, just because they want to satisfy their ego of using imported goods.

The director revealed that, in the first five months of this year, $575 million was spent on the importation of wheat, $ 374 million on fish.

“It would be wrong to continue with a policy that will keep impoverishing our farmers, local industries and growth of our economy,” Tule said.

“All we are saying is that the CBN does not have enough foreign exchange to service importers of goods that can be locally manufactured.

“Nigeria is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and we signed a treaty to it. The policy is aimed at building our local industries, creating jobs, reducing the pressure and demand for foreign exchange.”

Shortly after the decision banning the items was announced in the last week of June, some persons apparently involved in the importation and other criminally minded elements were said to have gone to work, and mopped-up all the foreign currencies they could find in the parallel market and headed for the borders.

Others headed for the banks to deposit whatever they had bought off from the market.

Attacks on the Naira The CBN was clear in identifying what has been happening at the foreign exchange market as attacks on the Naira. With the continuous increase in the demand for the dollar at a time when the price of the nation’s main foreign exchange earner, crude oil, had nosedived could only point to a directioncrash in the value of the Naira against major foreign currencies.

Attacks against the Naira come from three main sources: Speculators, those who literally steal the nation’s commonwealth and stash their loot abroad and those who import items that the nation does not need, just because of the penchant for foreign goods.

At a point in the nation’s recent history,

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CBN, money launderer ier ce battle ffor or Nair a’s soul laundererss in ffier ierce Naira’s Continued from page 38 every week following the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting (where federation revenue is usually shared among the three tiers of government) used to be a week of mopping-up of foreign currencies, especially at the parallel market.

Government officials, especially at the state level, usually change the Naira allocated to their states and take the money abroad. There have been several cases of governors (especially, those now former), or their family members being caught at the airport or abroad carrying huge amounts of money in foreign currencies (in cash). There are several on-going cases either in the courts or still with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to this effect. It is no secret.

There was case of one of a former governor in a North-Central state who was reportedly caught with such laundered money and pretended that he wanted to use it to buy motorcycles for his state. Indeed he brought back hundreds of motorcycles which were allowed to rot away at the Government House.

Unfortunately for that state, his successor did worse and when he was caught, at a point, he told eagle-eyed security officials he wanted to import pigs. Indeed he imported those pigs as if pigs were the priority of the state. And the people of the state could only ask, why pigs?

Stories of governors and other politicians and members of their families who go abroad to celebrate birthdays or other types of parties are not strange. At such occasions, several aircraft are chartered and the waste of our commonwealth can only be imagined.

Dollarisation of the economy Dollarisation of the economy is another major concern for the apex bank.

Politicians, top civil servants and many other Nigerian elite who don’t export any commodity, whatsoever, are known to have made transacting businesses in foreign currencies, especially the dollar, a matter of status symbol. The problem assumed notoriety in the last 16 years of the civil administration.

At a point, some private schools, departmental stores and even landlords made it mandatory for payments for services to be done in the dollar, thereby rubbishing the Naira. Spraying of the dollar even found its way into the “Owambe” parties in some parts of the country. Right in the rural areas, the display of the dollar, at a point, became the proof of wealth among “those who

The report said that about $129bn of Nigeria’s wealth had been shipped abroad through money laundering and tax evasion in the last ten years have made it”. Several threats from past and present Governors of the CBN fell on deaf ears.

Between January and March this year, in the days preceding the general elections, there were reports of high-level politicians who were moving about dishing out dollars to interest groups while soliciting for votes. Investigations showed that all major political parties were involved.

In the midst of all the attacks on the Naira, the CBN was forced to take some of the current positions but those who have held the nation hostage are kicking.

Upon realizing that the CBN was trying to block them from accessing the foreign exchange market, unscrupulous “businessmen” resorted to carting away all they could through the border.

The apex bank, on July 5, noted that huge foreign exchange was being smuggled out through the borders and threatened to deal with anyone caught in the act.

It, in fact, issued a statement warning that those caught would face dire consequences.

The statement said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) notes with concern the increasing trafficking of huge sums of foreign currency across our borders. This practice is in defiance of the extant dictates of Section 2 (subsection 3-5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) which categorically states that: “Transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of US$10,000.00 or

its equivalent by individuals in or out of the country shall be declared to the Nigerian Customs Service.” (subsection 3) “Any person who falsely declares or fails to make a declaration to the Nigerian Customs Service pursuant to section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, F34, LFN, 2004 is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to forfeit the undeclared funds or negotiable instrument or to imprisonments to term of not less than 2 years or to both,” (subsection 5).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the general public is hereby notified that the CBN (in collaboration with other relevant regulatory and security agencies) will promptly apply appropriate sanctions and penalties for contravention of the provisions of this Act,”.

Nigeria as centre of illicit financial flows Following the Global Financial Integrity Group’s report, which identified Nigeria as one of the 10 countries with highest global illicit financial flows, the CBN was again on its feet to explore ways to address the problem.

The report said that about $129bn of Nigeria’s wealth had been shipped abroad through money laundering and tax evasion in the last ten years.

The capital outflows stemmed from crime, corruption, tax evasion, and other illicit activities. According to the report, it found that, from 2001 to 2010, developing countries lost US$5.86 trillion to illicit outflows.

Earlier in the year, the report of the Thabo Mbeki High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, adopted by African Union Heads of State and Government, at their summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said about $40.9billion (about N6.87trillion) of an estimated $60billion (about N10.08trillion) had been lost through such transfers from Africa are traced to Nigeria.

Faced with the latest report and that of the Mbeki Report, which also nailed Nigeria as country where men and women in positions of privileges impoverish their fellow citizens, by stealing and taking abroad, the commonwealth, the CBN, with the encouragement of the Buhari government I decided to act to save the situation.

The first step the apex bank took was to block Nigerian businesses and individuals that have been stealing the nation’s wealth and stashing same abroad.

The second group are those who use

Nigeria as a route for money laundering.

In the third category are public officers and their private sector collaborators who literally steal funds from Nigeria, go to the parallel foreign exchange market and buy foreign currencies at whatever price and deposit them in their domiciliary accounts.

After some time, they wire the money abroad under various guises. They could pretend to be paying for fictitious imports or school fees of ghost students abroad. The nation would be shocked if the Buhari administration could undertake an audit of Nigerians who own houses they don’t need abroad and don’t earn any income. Some groups of Nigerians and expatriates have been advertising and luring Nigerians to take buy houses in Dubai, the US and in various European countries. All these provide avenues for stealing the nation’s foreign exchange.

Another category involves those into drugs and other illegal trades, using Nigeria as transit a nation, rather than destination.

Penultimate Saturday, CBN issued a statement in which it said it would no longer allow Nigeria to be a centre for illicit financial flow and therefore announced measures aimed at checking the activities of money launderers.

In the statement by the Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Ibrahim Mu’azu, the CBN said it would increase its surveillance to halt activities of those who launder funds from and through Nigeria.

The statement read in part, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) notes with concern a recent report by the Global Financial Integrity group, which ranks Nigeria as one of the 10 largest countries for illicit financial flows in the world.

Although we do not have an independent confirmation of this assertion, the report estimates that about US$15.7 billion of illicit funds go through our system annually.

“In the light of this avoidably negative commentary, we wish to draw the public’s attention to several protocols on illicit fund flows, money laundering, and terrorism financing both in Nigeria and around the world, and warn that the CBN will increase its vigilance to ensure that Nigerian banks are not used as conduits for illicit fund flows, especially in foreign currencies.

“We note and applaud that in line with global best practice, Nigerian banks have started to curtail the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits, much the same way as customers in other countries cannot just walk into banks and make foreign currency cash deposits without

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CBN, money launderer ier ce battle ffor or Nair a’s soul laundererss in ffier ierce Naira’s banking system which aligns with the anti-money laundering stance of the Federal Government, the CBN prohibits, from the date of this circular, the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits by banks,” it said.

Continued from page 39 proper documentation.

“We wish to assure all citizens seeking foreign currencies for legitimate personal and/or business interests that there remains ample opportunity to do so within the law. The CBN’s Foreign Exchange Rules have many windows for accessing foreign exchange for legitimate business as well as for personal commitments including payment of medical bills, school fees, mortgages, demand notes and other bills.

“Also, Bureaux de Change (BDC) services to small - scale users remain valid as long as this is to meet genuine needs, and BDCs’ documentations to the CBN include the customer’s Bank Verification Number (BVN)”.

Banning dollar deposit At a point, the cash foreign currency deposits in the domiciliary accounts of Nigerians were so much that it became a problem to the banks.

Legitimate questions were: how did those domiciliary account holders come about the foreign currency notes when they are not exporters? The answer could either be that they are speculators, hiding the products of corruption or simply money launderers.

For banks, it was a frustrating situation which forced them to stop foreign currency deposits, last week. It was clear for the banks that they were rendering services for which they hadn’t much or any benefit. Banks serve as catalysts for financial services in which they traditionally collect deposits and lend same to those interested in obtaining loans. Their main profits are supposed to come from interests charged on loans.

But they cannot give out loans in foreign currencies.

Sensing that trouble was on the way, those behind the unwholesome attacks on the nation’s economy rose to challenge the banks and the CBN for that decision.

In fact, the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, accused the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of implementing an archaic and communist agenda.

The party said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to bring to the notice of President Muhammadu Buhari that the apparent absence of an economic team in the third month of his administration is leading the country into economic quagmire and doldrums.

“In the past, we had given examples of the devastating effect of lack of an economic team and a clear-cut fiscal policy by this administration as evidenced in the lull and painful decline in the stock market, spiral rate of inflation, the disastrous outing of the government team in bilateral talks during the recent visit to the United States of America and the shambolic state of our economy at present.

“This confusion has been extended to operations and regulations of the foreign exchange transactions in Nigeria wherein the government is making it impossible for honest Nigerians to engage in free trade and regulate their personal activities as guaranteed by the constitution, and this is clearly an agenda to illegally impose a communist economic regime on Nigerians.

“The most disturbing aspect of this communist economic agenda is the illegal and unlawful attempt to repeal the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring And Miscellaneous Provisions Act, otherwise known as Decree No 17 of 1995 and replace it with unilateral imposition of new regulations.

“This Act remains the subsisting law regulating the operations of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria and by its provisions

therefore, Nigerians are empowered to freely open and operate domiciliary accounts.

“As such, any enactment and or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed void.

Thus, the recent foreign exchange transaction restrictions by this government are illegal, unlawful and void. Besides the provisions of the law, the PDP declares this administration’s archaic communist economic agenda as unworkable and unsustainable.”

Some self-styled financial experts claimed the policy would hurt the nation’s economy as it would shoot up inflation. Some claimed that prices of imported goods would not only rise but that the entire economy would be hurt.

What critics of the development failed to tell Nigerians was that the steps were indeed taken to curb the insatiable appetite for imported goods among many

Nigerians.

CBN’s initial reaction was that it supported the banks but that it was out of their own operational decision and not a directive of the apex bank.

However, by Wednesday night, the CBN issued an official statement making it mandatory for banks to comply with the rejection of foreign notes as deposits.

The apex bank gave an official backing to an decision of deposit money banks in the country not to accept further cash deposits of foreign currencies.

“The CBN considers the statement by banks concerning the large volume of foreign currencies in their vaults and their decision to stop accepting foreign currency cash deposits into customers’ domiciliary accounts as a welcome development.

“Therefore, in its continued effort to stop illicit financial flows in the Nigerian

Legitimate transactions The CBN insisted it would continue to support the Federal Government’s fight against money laundering, corruption, and terrorism financing and will block every avenue that may be used for these purposes.

“We will also ensure that persons who venture into currency speculation and currency substitution find it unattractive and dangerous. In these efforts, therefore, we seek the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to make this work for the enhancement of our shared progress, rather than the prosperity of a greedy few amongst us,” it said.

The apex bank, however, assured that people engaged in genuine businesses requiring transfer of funds abroad have no problems. It clarified that it was absolutely unnecessary for Nigerians to maintain dom accounts before they could transact businesses requiring payments abroad.

According to him, all that an individual needed was to ensure that he or she funds the Naira account locally and when the person needs to travel, he go with his electronic payment card and make withdrawals when in the country of destination.

All that the CBN and global financial regulators want, it said, was to enable financial flows to be tracked thereby making illicit financial flows difficult for criminals.

Economic Eagle flying with One Wing Continuef from page 37 There is no need to discuss all the other measures CBN has taken – which will not solve our problems adequately and might even be counter-productive. One thing is clear, monetary policies, however elegantly designed, can never solve most of the problems listed above.

down, can only ignore it if there is any chance that the downward spiral would reverse itself. In 2014 and now, there is no chance that will happen. So, if no action is taken now, the situation will only get worse. Monetary policy will not alone solve the problem.

WAY FORWARD “Cut your coat according to your cloth.”

Two fellows went to the tailor for measurements carrying ten THE REAL PROBLEMS yards and three yards of woolen materials each. The first requested “It’s a matter of cash” - TV Programme in the 1970s. for a three-piece suit. The other, not minding the relative poverty of The Eagle Economy is suffering from insufficient cash and there is his situation, also asked for a three-piece suit. The tailor, with a keen no way the measures introduced by the CBN can infuse more cash into sense of humour, asked the latter, “Where is your grand son for which the system. Monetary policy alone, historically, can only address the suit should be sewn?” symptoms; it seldom touches on the cause(s) of the perceived ailment.

The first step in the fiscal policy measures is for the President and That is why fiscal policies are as vital as monetary instruments if not governors to accept that the Eagle Economy has become a lot poorer more so at a time like this. Of the numerous causes of our present and will remain poor as long as crude sells for less than US$90 – predicament, four are most important. These are: falling price of crude which is now a long time away. and absence of future revenue projection and planning; inadequate The second is to collectively cut their budgets drastically. monitoring of actual performance against budget; corruption and The third is to look inwards for more Internally Generated failure to recognize time as an economic factor. Let us take the last first.

Regular readers of VANGUARD should remember that governments Revenue, IGR, and the fourth is to have a “Team Captain” in charge right away. were warned as far back as December 2013 that crude prices were An indispensable corollary to the call for action now is the need to heading for the basement. The warnings were repeated several times last year. None took the warning serious. The FG and state governors sent to have a team captain leading the economic policy initiative to ensure coherence and compatibility between fiscal and monetary policies. their legislators, who were all economic know-nothings, budgets for It is 24/7 assignment and not a part-time task because the damage 2015 which can not now be implemented because the funds are not, and will not be available this year. Nobody was undertaking projections and to the “Eagle’s wing” is considerable. Those counseling waiting for nobody monitors the actual results versus budget as the year progresses. 100 days or measured steps must tell the rest of Nigeria how they intend to hold the price of crude from going down further and By now, every governor should have revised the budget for 2015 down. imperiling the 2016 budgets of the FG and states as well as the And, any state governor who does not base the 2016 budget on US$40 economy as a whole. Nobody alive can tie up time as an economic per barrel for crude should be called a saboteur. variable. Governments must take measures now or we will all face a Incidentally, nothing illustrates the fantasyland in which some greater problem from January 2016. It is as simple as that. governors reside than the stunt pulled by the governor of Akwa Ibom, Diversification of the Nigerian economy has always been Mr Udom Emmanuel, who took 60 people in a chartered flight to the presented as the Holy Grail of our economic problems; the ultimate US for an event which the deputy governor alone could have attended.

This is an accountant, FCA, who still does not understand that at US$47 solution. But, the United States of America and Europe experienced per barrel, his state will receive in September 2015 less than 50% of what the Great Depression in the 1930s, not because they were monowas allocated in September of 2013. How does monetary policy address product economies, but in spite of being highly diversified. The US eventually climbed out of its hole on account of strong fiscal policy this sort of fiscal recklessness?

Last August, the price of crude oil was about US$80 per barrel; down instruments put in place. At any rate, diversification is a medium (at least five to eight years) or long (ten years or more) term solution. It from US$118 a year before. From May 2014, there had been a steady seldom addresses the welfare of the people immediately or in the decline in the price of crude which was benchmarked in the budget at short term. So, the first ports of call are the immediate and short US$77. Furthermore, the budgeted quantities were never achieved except once in July of the year. Despite the discernible trend downwards, term needs of the people which fiscal policies should address – housing, food, health, transport, power, education and health. The neither the federal nor the state governments revised their budgets short cuts to all these are power and fuel. Improve significantly on downwards; no measures were taken to address the worsening revenue those two, and it matters very little how it is done, and the Eagle situation. By failing to act on time, all were guilty of dereliction of duty Economy is on its way to revival. because any responsible government, faced with the increasing melt-

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NAMING AND SHAMING OF CHRONIC BANK DEBTORS

Exorcising the ghost of banking sector distress!

I

BY UDEME CLEMENT

f the monetary authorities and stakeholders in the financial sector of the economy do not put measures in place urgently to curtail the increase in the volume of huge NonPerforming Loans (NPLs), the banking industry may experience yet another financial crisis capable of making some banks not to stay afloat. Data shows NPLs stand at about 3.3 per cent of the N13trillion industry credit with a set limit of five percent. This implies that NPLs in the country have only 1.7 percent to reach the limit.

Sunday Vanguard, during a visit to some commercial banks in Lagos metropolis, gathered that some individuals and companies were rushing to pay banks their debts, while others, unable to pay immediately, were in the process of re-negotiating their terms of payment with banks to avoid being named and shamed on the pages of national newspapers. A top manager with First Bank, who spoke under anonymity, disclosed that aside corporate organisations and some states currently facing financial crisis, individuals political office holders in the country were also owing banks NPLs. NPLs by states However, the controversy surrounding the issue of NPLs in the financial system took a new dimension with the continuous increase in the amount involved.

Apart from the N490billion published last week, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed that the 36 states were indebted to deposit banks to the tune of over N685billion. This amount does not include the NPLs owed by business men in different sectors including

To prevent sudden systemic stress and another financial crisis capable of crippling the entire financial system, this is the time for deposit banks operating in the country to strengthen their contingency plans to shore up the industry

oil and gas.

Debts by oil and gas companies Aside investors in the real sector, corporate entities, individual public office holders and states, companies and individuals operating in the oil and gas sector are owing banks large sums of money. Some energy companies as well as power firms are said to be owing banks about N5 trillion. Our investigations revealed that the money includes funds obtained between 2013 and 2014.

Some oil marketers, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, explained that oil marketers were making serious efforts to pay banks their debts, saying that some marketers defaulted in the payment because of non-payment of subsidy claims by government. “When most people

are talking about fuel subsidy, what they do not take into consideration is that the oil marketers often borrow such money from banks to fund importation of refined petroleum products into the country. When products are imported into the country and the monetary claims are not paid by government as at when due, the interest on the money accumulates over time. You can see the problem oil marketers are facing also, because you cannot go and tell banks that you will not pay the money along with the interest as government did not pay you on time”, said an independent oil marketers, who spoke under anonymity.

The multiplier effect on other sectors: Some banks managers, who spoke with our correspondent, lamented that huge indebtedness was shrinking the resources of many commercial banks, making it very difficult for them to lend to manufacturers, investors as well as operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who need loans regularly to expand their operations.

They stressed that with huge NPLs, banks may not be able to lend to the critical sectors of the economy where money is needed for developmental projects.

Expert’s perspective: In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, an entrepreneur and operator of SME in Lagos, Mr. Silas Kalu, explained that owners of SMEs are those who will be most affected by the financial issue in the country. He said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other regulatory agencies in the financial sector must act fast to ensure that another financial crisis like what we experienced in 2009 fiscal year does not hit the sector again. Otherwise, the impact will be so severe. With the quantum of NPLs in the system, it is quite

obvious that there is stress in the system already and something must be done to control it.

“Even before the issue of NPLs, banks were reluctant to give SMEs loan, and some that were willing to lend us money gave very stringent conditions, making it almost impossible for us to get loans. So, with what is happening now, it means SMEs may not be able to get credit facility for expansion and start-ups again. Some of us are away that the banking industry is experiencing some problems ranging from NPLs to overregulation. Today, the industry is not competitive enough because only few banks control the entire sector. If you take time to study the activities of banks, you will realise that while many banks are declaring high profits, they are also retrenching their workers at the same time, meaning that something is wrong with the sector.”

The way out: He went on, “To prevent sudden systemic stress and another financial crisis capable of crippling the entire financial system, this is the time for deposit banks operating in the country to strengthen their contingency plans to shore up the industry. Also, it is imperative for banks to go through regular stress test to ensure stability in the industry, while chronic debtors must be compelled to pay their debts. It is important for people to know that being named, shamed in the media as well as subsequent blacklisting from the financial system is not enough to recover debts. The banks have the right to seize whatever such chronic debtors gave as collateral and prosecute them accordingly. My advice is for banks to publish the names of all chronic debtors, so that the whole world will know them. A situation where some names are published and some are withheld is not fair.”

PAGE 42 —SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption is drawing support from unexpected quarters – the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A senior member of the party and two-time governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, tells Buhari to jail those who may be indicted on the looting of the treasury under the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ogbemudia’s statement came on the heels of the President’s claim, last week, that his administration had uncovered some of the banks in which the treasury looters stashed the stolen funds.

Effort to recover the funds was a key leg of Buhari’s recent visit to the United States (US) where he met President Barack Obama and senior American officials to solicit their cooperation, and told his guests that about $150 billion had been stolen from Nigeria over the last four years, especially from the oil industry where transparency is significantly lacking.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who was on the US trip, followed it up, quoting an unnamed official of the American government as saying a minister under the Jonathan administration stole $6 billion.

“All the information we read in the papers, if it is correct that some people looted the treasury under Jonathan, then they should be brought to book.

If they are convicted, they will, certainly, go to jail”, Ogbemudia, also a retired army general, told Sunday Vanguard in an interview.

But he had a caveat: All the allegations of corruption against the Jonathan administration officials should be properly investigated, to ensure the innocent is not unduly labeled a thief.

The PDP leader also spoke on the search for Oshiomhole’s successor, the National Assembly crisis and the war against Boko Haram, among other issues. Excerpts: How is the Edo Mass Movement you launched to search for a credible successor to Gov. Oshiomhole doing?

Edo Mass Movement is in top form, it is in every ward, local government and senatorial district in the state. At the appropriate time, Edo Mass Movement will show what it is capable C M Y K

Buhari will jail Jonathan regime looters —Ogbemudia, opposition PDP leader

of doing at the 2016 gubernatorial election. We did say the other time that we will support any party that has a good candidate.

And if a party produces a candidate that does not meet our standard, we will look elsewhere for a credible one. What we are going to do is that once a political party comes up with its own candidate, we will invite the candidate for a chat, but if in his wisdom he thinks he does not need us, no problem. If he comes, we will interview him and see what he is capable of doing, ensure that he has a good background, that he will not let the people down.

This is because we don’t want anybody that comes after Oshiomhole to mess up the state. The media should help us make sure that when political parties are deciding their candidates, they should

This is because we don’t want anybody that comes after Oshiomhole to mess up the state take into consideration some of the issues we have raised.

Are you looking at the issue of zoning of the governorship to a particular district?

We will not be zoning , we will only interview those that are available. The party has the responsibility of zoning, not EMM because we don’t have the mandate. For example, if ten people come to us and say they are interested in the governorship, we will sit down and chat; at the end of it all, we will make recommendation to the executive of EMM. But, are you still a member of the PDP? Yes I am.

Supposing you find a credible candidate, may be from APGA or APC, will your group endorse that person as the candidate?

If I find any credible candidate from any party, I will recommend to the executive of EMM to inform the people, our supporters and members to assist that party.

But, won’t your party accuse you of anti-party?

Well, we have not defined yet what is anti-party activity; once we define it, I will limit myself to it. The definition has not been brought to my knowledge.

What kind of governor are you searching for?

A remarkable man, a man who thinks of others, just like the current governor, Oshiomhole. One who sees himself as a servant and is prepared to justify his election.

But there is this fear in some quarters that this group may be hijacked by rich guber aspirants?

(Laughter) It is not impossible but it is going to be difficult. I alone don’t make up EMM but we will ensure that does not

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SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 43

Continued from page 42 happen. Now that everybody knows that votes count, they have to defend their votes and give it to whoever they think will appreciate it and will do exactly what he says he is going to do.

Do you have any arrangement with the governor on this issue?

The governor is the leader of this state and, therefore, we will do nothing that will upset his own plans. So we will continue to keep in touch with him.

So what are your expectations in the 2016 guber race in Edo? We want the election of next year to set a good example on how a state can conduct election without leaving emotional scars.

Everybody has to ensure towards peace and we want a transparent election; we don’t want interference from outside, those who are not supposed to take part should not be involved.

We are aware that your party, the PDP, has zoned their guber ticket to Edo South. We also learnt the APC is doing same thing.

How will the EMM come into this situation?

If it is true that the PDP zoned the governorship to Edo South and APC is likely to do same thing, the job of EMM is to see which of the two can represent the interest of the state better, then we will support it. If those two are not satisfactory, then we will put up our own candidate, using another political party.

Many people have accused President Buhari’s administration of being slow. Do you feel the same way?

My impression is that those who are saying it have my sympathy because they have never run government before. If they had been in government, they would have known how difficult it is to put together a sincere administration. Buhari is laying the foundation for a good take off. I know he has not appointed Ministers but Ministers are meant to help the President and, if the President wants to appoint a Minister, he does that for specific purpose. Those blaming him are aware that he said he was going to reduce the Ministries, he has to reduce them first and look for technocrats who can deliver the goods for him.

So this issue that he is slow is rubbish because, tomorrow, if he fails to perform, the same people will blame him. And I know Buhari, he cannot afford to fail Nigerians; so let’s give him a chance.

Some of the Ministers who served under the

*Ogbemudia...Looters must be brought to book

’Finding Boko Haram sponsors is crucial to ending terrorism’ administration of President Goodluck Jonathan have been accused of looting the treasury. Are you comfortable with that, being a leader of the former ruling party?

All the information we read in the papers, if it is correct that some people looted the national treasury under Jonathan, then they should be brought to book. If they are convicted they will certainly, go to jail. But you cannot do that unless you investigate properly; so the Buhari regime should spend time to investigate and not to announce first that a man is a thief only to find out that he is not guilty. That will not help.

Jonathan once described bribery and corruption as petty thief; if that is the new definition, let us see.

This is the first time APC is in government; therefore, all the theories that they have been propounding along the line, this is the time to test them and it will take them time to assemble sufficient evidence of their genuine readiness to govern. I give them one year to prepare and three years to execute. If at the end of four years they encourage the PDP to come back, that will be good.

The EFCC suddenly started biting and we also heard that our refineries will soon start operating in full capacity. How come all these started happening during Buhari’s administration?

Every society, the way the people behave is the evidence of the type of leadership it has. It is a reflection of the quality of the leadership in that nation. If under the last government, the EFCC did not have sufficient urge to act, then we should know why. Now, no body is urging them on and they are working. I think they will continue to do so until

What people call suicide bombers is this: they hire a girl and wrap her with bombs and tell her to walk towards a particular place. They will not tell the girl she will die somebody stops them. We are waiting for evidence amid all the rumours; we are waiting to hear that so so person who stole N10billion, is in custody or he has returned N9billion. It is not sufficient to suspect, you must have concrete evidence because, for too long, people have been suspected and called bad names when in fact they didn’t know anything about what they were being accused of.

Do you approve of the calibre of the Service Chiefs appointed by the President will end Boko Haram and his strategies to fight insurgency?

The sequence of events that have taken place since they started is the right step in the right direction. But our prayer is that the officers assigned to be fighting should have sufficient pressure and sufficient understanding to be able to pursue the objective.

Fighting Boko Haram is not a war; if it were a war, all

you need to do is to drop bombs all over the place, but that is not allowed; so you have to go in and fetch the individuals out and deal with them. But what is more important is the job of the intelligence unit, the operatives; they should go out and identify the man who is supplying arms to Boko Haram. The Boko Haram people are using weapons, arms and ammunition and they waste the ammunition and replace them after they fire.

So they must be buying it from somebody. Which bank is opening the LPO for them or Letter of Credit, or which port are they discharging the arms, or to which airport is the plane bringing the ammunition land. The intelligent unit should find out all these and, once they find the man who is paying the boys, who is supplying the arms, then the war will be over.

But if they allow the man to be hiding, resting, then we are in trouble. There is also this information that when the Boko Haram boys have worked till the end of the month, the leaders organize them to be shot so that they will not get salaries. The person sponsoring these people is a human being, he is a Nigerian, he will be found.

If the person is not found, when the source of the fund is exhausted, there will be nothing left.

How optimistic are you that the Chibok girls will be found?

I am very skeptical about that, but if they are found, they will never be the same again. A lot of transformation may have taken place. Some people also alleged that they could have turned them to suicide bombers, but it depends on the orientation. What people call suicide bombers is this: they hire a girl and wrap her with bombs and tell her to walk towards a particular place. They will not tell the girl she will die. The man who will detonate that bomb will be monitoring the girl, when he feels she has gotten to the centre of the crowd, then he detonates the bomb. The little girl does not know what they want her to do until she goes into flames. The people involved in such operations are the ones our intelligence people should be looking for. They are easy to reach if they go round Burukutu bars and restaurants; such people, when they are drunk, they will start vomiting things to people; that is how we used to arrest such people. I believe that our troops need to work harder, not necessarily fighting, but on intelligence. Girls are better in collecting such information. I know the army has its own intelligence, but the

Department of State Security is the one saddled with this responsibility to fish out people planting bombs through information.

The army does only military intelligence, but the DSS deals more with civilians who are perpetrating this evil.

What is your take on the lingering leadership crisis in the Senate? The House of Reps has been able to resolve its own, but that of the Senate is still there.

What is the way forward?

First, I believe that the way they make their bed is how they will sleep on it. A political party of substance gives instructions to its members. Many years back, many people who were picked to contest elections where made to sign undated resignation letter; so if they misbehave, you just date it. By the time they start explaining that it was not yesterday they signed it, it is already too late. Because political parties don’t do it that way, then these people have the right to do what they like.

They think they are supposed to be independent of the executive and the judiciary, but then the party which put them forward to contest the election must have a say on what they do. So it is wrong for the National Assembly members to think they are completely independent of the political parties that brought them in. In NPN days, I was a member and they put me forward to contest election.

On a D-Day, the Chairman of the party called me to his office and gave me a run down of what I was going to meet and that these are the instructions of the party. The Commissioners, these are what they should do, the Permanent Secretaries, do this and so on. And I looked at it and said there was no problem.

I signed it. When we won, I was reminded that this is what I should be doing and I kept to the instruction, there was no argument. But maybe if I had on that occasion started selecting people on my own, maybe the party would have called me to order. Then everybody respected the Chairman of the party, his words were regarded as the law. So I think the APC leadership should meet more regularly, allow the status quo right now to remain with some modifications. And the party should re-organize itself and get every member of the National Assembly under the APC to sign a document that they will obey the instructions of the party. Whoever says he will not do it, expel him immediately.

C M Y K

P AGE 44 —SUND AY PA —SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

...All about the North

KADUNA

Gov. El-Rufai

Gov. El-Rufai bows to defiant beggars •Tough life inside the destitute camp

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

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he courage of Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Kaduna State governor, to challenge powerful people and institution into a “fight” or in defence of issues is well known. He fought everyone that crossed his path, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Muhammadu Buhari (at one time), former VP Abubakar Atiku; the Senate and now the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. He has sworn to fight the NNPC “until it dies”.

But the downtrodden of Kaduna State, the most disadvantaged - beggars have engaged him in a nerve cracking battle. And they broke him after what can be likened to an eyeball-toeyeball fight.

A blast started it all It all started when, on June 11, 2015, a bomb went off in a crowd of civil servants carrying out salary verification exercise at the Sabon Gari Local Government Secretariat, Zaria, killing 26 and severely injuring 35 others. It would seem that security chiefs may have confided in the governor that either a beggar or a hawker was used to transport the explosives to execute the gory activity.

Livid and, perhaps, out of concern too, El-Rufai placed a ban on begging and

hawking in Kaduna State. He warned beggars to stay away from the streets, saying they, sometimes, innocently, act as courier of bombs for terrorists to attack crowded places. He directed Kaduna State’s relevant agencies to ensure strict adherence to the order. Everyone feared El Rufai, so the order was complied with in the first two days or so.

Calling the bluff A few days later, however, the Kaduna State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Waff Road, Kaduna, was besieged by scores of physically handicapped persons who also came with their dependants.

They came to protest the ban on begging – and to inform the governor about a legal battle he had stirred between them and himself.

The spokesman of the beggars, Abdullahi Jugunu, a visually impaired person, said to live in a descent accommodation, owns a car and speaks good English. He told journalists in Hausa that the governor had over stepped his bounds.

Fumed Jugunu: “Apart from feeling insulted, we will be seeking legal redress against the government, first for defamation of character.”

Threat Last week, another group came to the NUJ Secretariat, in Kaduna, and warned the former Minister

of the Federal Capital Territory that they would destabilize his government.

The beggars, who addressed journalists through the leadership of Kaduna State Beggars Association, said if they knew El Rufai would stop them from begging and would show no care about their welfare afterwards, they would never have voted him in the first place.

Mallam Yahaya Makaho, a visually challenged person, who spoke on behalf of the group, said: “I want to swear on my honour that I personally used my proceeds from begging to canvass for support for El Rufai.

“Now, it would appear that we made a mistake. The new governor wants to bring us down. He does not want us to

live. He has chased us out of the streets and has made no alternative arrangement for our survival.

“Look, some of us here have three or four wives and many children. How can you lock such a man, who must resort to begging because he has found himself incapable of doing any other thing?

“We are asking the governor to rescind this decision now or find ways to meet our basic needs.

“If he refuses to heed this demand, we shall make sure we bring down his government.

“What we will do is to hand him over to the Almighty God, and we know He will remove him the same way He removed his predecessor. We are servants of God, and He always hears our cry.

•Scenes from the beggars camp

“He said during his campaign that he was going to appoint one of us into his government, we are waiting for that. If he had told us he would stop us from begging, there was no way we could have voted him.

“Look at my colleague (pointing to a man suffering from leprosy), there is nothing he can do other than beg”.

Asked how he had survived since the governor order banning begging on Kaduna streets, he said, “I have refused to heed the order. I have been begging in my traditional area in Zaria. After speaking with you, you are going to give us something also. That is part of our mission here. We need

Continues on page 45

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, PPA AGE 45

...All about the North

Tough life inside the destitute camp

Fed Varsity, Katsina lifts school with computers

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•All beggars Continued frompage 44 alms from journalists too”.

Two days later, El Rufai announced the inclusion of a blind man among his new aides.

El Rufai appoints blind man SA A statement by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said Mallam Aliyu Salisu has been appointed as Special Assistant to El Rufai on Disability. Aruwan sad Salisu hails from Sabon Gari, Zaria and holds a diploma in special education from Kaduna Polytechnic and another diploma in guidance and counseling from Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria. The statement added that he is a member of the National Association of the Blind and has worked at the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre. He is the Chairman of the Braille Production Centre in Kaduna.

That was clear victory for the beggars.

Beggars back to the streets And the beggers seemed to have returned to the streets.

Last week, they were everywhere on the streets in Zaria, Saminaka, Kafanchan and in and around most of the mosques and the streets of Kaduna metropolis.

It was hard to believe that there was a government order banning them. And El Rufai did not flex muscles with them this time.

To indicate his surrender, he singled them out for mentioning in his last Wednesday broadcast to the people of the state. The broadcast was an outpouring of bile on the immediate past government over alleged squandering of the resources

of the state. His message to a group he kept referring to as a “minority” was also very discomforting, telling them they were in for hard times.

He then banned the sponsoring of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and Israel, saying N1.7 billion of Kaduna State money was spent on the pilgrimages without impact.

Not a concentration camp Sunday Vanguard visited the colony of beggers on Ilorin Street, Kaduna, last Thursday, to speak to their leaders on how they had been copping since the visit of El Rufai to the place last month.

From a matchbox size, iron-sheet made cubicle, Shehu, a lean, cheery looking lad, sat behind a sewing machine, stitching a piece of cloth as he traded jokes with two other folks at number 35, Ilorin Street, in the heart of Kaduna.

He looked up and recognised Olu Ajayi, Vanguard photo-journalist, and smiled.

“You came to see our chief again?”, he asked and, without waiting for a response, he added, “he is right in”, and ordered one of the young fellows to take us to chief. Both men are cripples, but had left begging after acquiring sewing skills. And they were both some kind of official tailors in the 440-room colony housing a few thousands of men, women and children.

We walked into the open compound to a creepy feeling. People with all kinds of disability packed in a congested compound made of rusted zinc sheets and one block of normal building.

There were able – bodied

children, and women milling around with the disabled persons.

The place evoked the imagination of a concentration camp.

But it was far from that.

Mallam Abdullahi Samaila, 39, the chief we had come to see oversees the affairs of the crippled.

There are chiefs for the blind, the deaf, lepers and so on in the camp

Three wives and 18 children Mallam Abdullahi Samaila, 39, the chief we had come to see oversees the affairs of the crippled. There are chiefs for the blind, the deaf, lepers and so on in the camp.

Ajayi had been around with dignitaries who came to the colony, and he and Samaila had become acquaintances over time.

“I came to this town when I was barely 15”, he said, “and I came from Sokoto to learn the Quran as an Almajiri.

“Since then I have been in this town. I now have three wives and 18 children. I beg to support my family. I have put some of my children in primary schools and some in secondary. I don’t want them to end up like me. But all I can do is to beg and cater for them. I have absolute belief in the power of the Quran and Western education to transform the lives of people to live decently. So, one day, some of my children will also be important people and may even take me out of here”.

7 million Almajiris everywhere And outside the street, you could see the ubiquitous Almajiri - itinerant Quranic pupils barefooted and in tattered clothes clutching their bowls and begging for money or left over food. They are used for menial jobs and hawking. Most were given out by their parents at the age of five to Islamic teachers, and never returned home. In Kaduna, they have become street urchins and are always hostilely treated by society. No one knows their numbers in Kaduna State, but Kano State said, last year, it had about three million beggars including the Almajiris.

he management of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State has donated 20 computers and accessories to Government Day Secondary School, Darawa in Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. James O.I. Ayatse, who presented the computers and 20 UPS to the school said it was part of the university ’s social responsibility.

The Vice Chancellor said the computers would help the students to catch up with the ICT-driven world, especially when the entry examinations like the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are now computerbased.

Ayatse said the Federal University, Dutsin-ma is ICTdriven, explaining that the donation reflected the character of the young institution and commitment to impact positively on the host community as the students would be exposed to the use of computers.

The Vice Chancellor explained that the donation was also meant to strengthen the link between the university and the secondary school community and further appreciated the wonderful relationship with the host community.

To further serve members of the host community, the university Senate established the School of General and Preliminary Studies to run preliminary and remedial studies for the benefit of mainly Katsina State indigenes.

80 percent of students for the two programmes are from Katsina State The Vice Chancellor assured the management of the Government Day Secondary, Darawa that the university would provide manpower to train the students how to use the computers including the staff who are not computer literate.

Earlier, the school Principal, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu Ruma, expressed appreciation to the university. He assured the Vice Chancellor of a more cordial relationship for the development of FUDMA and the host community of Dutsinma Local Government Council.

The students’ representative, Yusuf Zubairu, described the donation as a means of improving the standard of education in the school.

PAGE 46—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015

BAILOUT: The role played by Debt Management Office

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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HE announcement of a bailout package for Nigeria’s 36 states that could no longer meet their statutory financial obligations,

by President Mohammadu Buhari was such a relief to the insolvent states.

However, the issue of internal debts owed to commercial banks, posed a challenge to the prospects of utilizing the funds maximally.

Hence, the palpable fears across the country that the N660bn debt could undermine the rationale for the N804.7bn package.

In that light, the President was apt in approving the proposal by the Debt Management Office (DMO) to restructure the debt, so as to extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures.

Debt-servicing expenditures Essentially, this implies that the states would be left with enough resources, which otherwise would have been removed from their allocations by the banks.

As a result of that, the states now have financial breathing space to carry out their activities in the face of the financial crisis.

An attestation to the benefits of the development was recently disclosed by Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who explained that in a bid to cushion the effects of the financial crunch, the DMO restructured its debts, particularly debt owed to commercial banks with strangulating interest conditionality.

Three-pronged relief package Aside debt restructuring, the bailout came in a three-

pronged relief package to end the plight of workers in the cash strapped states.

Accordingly, the package involves: The sharing of about $2.1billion (N413.7billion) in fresh allocation between the states and the federal government. The money is sourced from recent LNG proceeds to the federation account, and its release okayed by the President.

There is also a Central Bankpackaged special intervention fund that will offer financial aid to the states, ranging from N250bIllion to N300billion. This would be a soft loan available to states to access for the purpose of paying backlog of salaries.

Thirdly, a debt relief programme is proposed by the Debt Management Office, DMO, which will help states restructure their commercial loans, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debtservicing expenditures.

Road to the bailout Findings revealed that the road to the bailout was actually marshalled by the DMO through a proactive strategy proposal to the President.

The DMO had envisaged that by the reduction and extension of the debt servicing obligations, the states will not only receive a breather but also have more funds to attend to urgent needs.

Elated by the development, industry operators have not ceased from commending the President for using the DMO to create financial stability across the states.

Managing Director, Asemota Securities and Loans, Mr. Sunny Iyobosa said: It is gratifying to know that President Buhari’s approval and directive of the involvement of the DMO was sequel to a proactive strategy

Findings revealed that the road to the bailout was actually marshalled by the DMO through a proactive strategy proposal to the President President Buhari proposal by the agency. It spoke well about the current administration. At the time the President drew up this assistance programme, most states were on the verge of bankruptcy with salaries and other financial obligations to their creditors outstanding.’’

On his part, a financial analyst, Mr. Samuel Obafemi, said: “I think the President is on track. The first issue to tackle is the current problem of bankruptcy of the states. Let that be resolved so that there is operational progress across the nation. Then the DMO can enforce refund via a feasible cashin, cash-back system which makes the states know the bail out isn’t a free gift. I think this approach is ingenious and responsible.

Ratification of debts “The DMO is empowered by law to determine the ratification of debts and its nature, so I am certain they have the constitutional power to do same

because Mr President is able to enforce discipline throughout this exercise. In the event of implementation failure, the state Governors should be held responsible.

“In government, one thing is clear, whoever is incompetent will be replaced for results to manifest. President Buhari has preached competence and discipline, so he has got a huge passion to show the way it should be done. DMO is leading the pack.”

Debt recovery and loan management For the DMO to be better positioned for the task ahead in the country ’s struggling economy, Obafemi suggested thus: “DMO should learn about debt recovery and loan management from the private sector. This is even easier if a private sector risk management expert can be recruited into the DMO. Also commenting, Engineer Folaranmi Johnson of Intelisys Nigeria Limited, said the DMO should not be limited to data

collection and management of debt portfolios alone, but should be empowered to create a department that will ensure a fiscal policy and implementation of the loans to ensure that money collected does not go down the drain. He applauded the agency for the useful and timely proposal to Mr. President, through the instrumentality of Office of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. He noted that other agencies of government should be encouraged to stand on its toes to boost efforts of the current administration.

“They should create a department that will have an oversight function in checking the implementation of loans collected, if not, their efforts will be wasted. In this case, corrupt politicians will be checkmated” Desired financial discipline Mr Johnson said that the DMOs are ‘on top in Africa’, especially in terms of policies, adding that, “they started from the scratch and have been able to grow on their own with minimal support from government.’

He is confident that DMO will effectively manage the loans collected by the cash strapped states.

Similarly, a Business Development expert, Mr. David Eliseus, said “I think the DMO is well suited to fulfilling their responsibilities. They have exhibited this capacity overtime even in the midst of very difficult working environment. They should also be allowed to carry out their functions in a swift manner. ‘’Without doubt, we can confidently say that the DMO is efficient and well equipped to do the needful in the management of the portfolio of the states and instill in them a desired discipline to avoid the kind of recklessness that gave rise to the bailout.’’

N474billion on rice importation not good for Nigeria — Ex-LACCIMA boss

BY UDEME CLEMENT

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he former Chairman, Agriculture, Non-oil Export Trade Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (LACCIMA), Dr. Godwin Oyediji, has called on all tiers of government to put measures in place to boost production of rice locally to curtail excessive importation of the item.

Oyediji said this sequel to the declaration by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revealing that Nigeria spent over N474billion on rice importation between 2012 and 2015.

According to him, “Talking about rice production in Nigeria, the major problem is processing this food item, because the challenge is also associated with high cost of

operation. So, some of the things we need now include installation of major equipment and other machines for local farmers to process rice easily in the countr y. This implies that government not only at the federal level, but sub-national governments should give grants to local producers of rice to enhance processing the item locally. Once this is done, we can grow local capacity in rice production to meet the increasing population in the country” He went on, “Nigeria should look at what advanced countries are doing to boost their capacity in rice production to curtail importation. For instance, look at what the United Kingdom (UK) is doing to enhance rice production within their countr y. The government of UK gives

incentives of 50 percent to their local producers of rice to increase the production capacity locally. So, all tiers of government can give grants and other forms of incentives to encourage local producers of rice in the country”.

On if Nigerian farmers have the capability to produce enough rice to meet the increasing demand in the market, he said, “Yes. Currently, we are producing but processing it to the final stage of consumption is a challenge. So, like I said earlier, we need modern and sophisticated equipment to match production and processing of the item like what obtains in advanced countries.”

He continued, “If we are able to achieve this, the rate of rice importation will reduce. This will in turn curtail capital flight from the system. What

people should realise is that we need to look inward to grow our economy in agriculture, manufacturing, human capital development and other aspects we need to move forward as a country.

For instance, we have other food items like apple, yam, cassava, garri, and many other things we can eat. So, why should we depend on importation of what we can even produce locally.

“We need to also change our food orientation and move away from depending on imported food items to eat our own local food. Our parents ate our local food and enjoyed good health better than what we are experiencing now.”

However, the CBN before declaration of over N474billion on rice importation maintained that there was no going back on foreign exchange restriction

for importers of rice, fish and other commodities that should be produced locally. The CBN’s governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, expressed displeasure about the high bill on rice importation, which has resulted in huge unsold stock of paddy rice cultivated by local farmers.

He stressed, “Those thinking that the bank’s decision to ban importers of rice, fish and other items from the official foreign exchange market will be reversed should forget such idea. I am aware that some people got some quotas and they imported large quantities of rice above the quotas they were granted and the Nigeria Customs Service has written them to pay. We are going to enforce it and we will go to the highest level to enforce this to ensure that they pay.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 47

NLC demands suspension of privatization of public assets

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the Federal Government to suspend further privatization of public assets, claiming Nigerians are not reapi ng the promised benefits of improved and cost effective services from the public enterprises already privatised.While contending that its position is premised on the acknowledged global failure of privatised companies, the NLC faction, led by Mr. Joe Ajaero, in a communique, issued at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said: “It is clear that these privatized enterprises like NITEL, PHCN, Ajaokuta and other steel rolling mills are not in a position to provide public-spirited services.

In fact, Nigerians are worse off paying more for poor services and performance.”Lamenting the state of the economy, the communique said: “NEC in session expressed concern that if there is any reason Nigeria is yet to fulfill her development potentials, it is corruption. With over 150 billion dollars stolen and stash in foreign banks, we need not search further for any other reason for the perennial decay and the sorry state of

critical infrastructure. NEC expressed support for President Muhammed Buhari in his effort to seek international support to ensure repatriation of the stolen wealth from Nigeria and bring to book everyone found culpable.

Beyond the recovery of stolen wealth, we urge the present administration to strengthen the anti-corruption agencies, such as the EFCC and ICPC and also carry out reforms in the justice administration system such that corruption cases can be quickly dispensed with.”NEC in session noted with pains that all economic indices indicate that the economy is in recession with falling oil revenue, the fluctuating foreign exchange rate, rising inflation, gradual decline in the GDP growth rate, declining household income, increasing unemployment and much more.

NEC in Ssssion opined that it is time to rethink our economic development strategy from foreign reserve guzzling import dependent framework to a system that will deliberately stimulate and promote sustainable productive activities in agriculture and manufacturing geared towards exportation of made in Nigeria made products” .It added: “NEC in session reiterates that the development of the real sector, particularly the iron, steel and automobile,

mining, textile and garment segments, is quite critical for the creation of mass decent jobs, elimination of poverty and building a virile and sustainable economy. The congress therefore commits to engaging the present administration on these issues through campaigns and policy advocacy. NEC in session further demanded a macro-economic policy regime that will address stability in the currency exchange regime, progressive tax administration and the management of customs and excise duties in manners that will promote local production of goods and services.”

While demanding an end to the perceived destructive regime of duty waivers, it stated: “The intractable problem of petroleum supply and pricing cannot be simplistically solved by ‘ removal’ of petroleum subsidy on supply that is largely dependent on importation of refined petroleum products that are subjected to fluctuating international pricing and benchmarked on Dolla-Naira exchange rate.The problem is much deeper and interconnected but it is important,that we address the benefit of local production and refining of crude oil to meet local consumption needs in the short term and position for export of refined

petroleum products in the long term. ”NEC in session therefore resolved that the Buhari administration must deal decisively with the deep rooted m i s m a n a g e m e n t , maladministration, wastages and corruption in the petroleum industry and particularly in the NNPC. The NNPC must be restructured to deliver efficient and cost effective services like its counterpart in Brazil, the PETROBAS. NEC in session therefore called on the new government to commence the reform of the oil and gas sector with the immediate passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The PIB is expected to bring into the sector the much anticipated reforms that will make the oil industry more accountable, transparent and yield the maximum returns to the country, investors and generate further investments in the oil and gas sector.”The communique decried the level of insecurity in the country.

It said: “NEC-in-session observed that there seems to be increased spate of bombings in the North East as witnessed in the Sallah day bombings in Damaturu and the twin bombings in Gombe resulting in multiple deaths. NEC in session commiserates with the Nigeria

Union of Teachers on the unfortunate loss of scores of lives of teachers in the recent bombing during teachers verification exercise in Zaria, Kaduna State.

This incident, once again, demonstrates the fact that workers and ordinary Nigerians are the victims of terror.

Consequently, we demand payment of compensation to the families of the deceased. “NEC in Session commended the military and the combined ECOWAS forces for the excellent job they are doing in ridding our country of terrorism notwithstanding the renewed onslaught by the insurgents.

NEC in session further cautioned that the current state of insurgency in Nigeria is not a normal warfare.

The congress therefore calls for greater collaboration between nations, communities and the security forces in information and intelligence gathering.”NEC in session therefore urged President Buhari to restructure the security architecture in a manner that our security system will address new dimensions of kidnapping and terrorism as witnessed in the south east and north east in recent years. NEC in session further called on the federal government to adopt a two pronged approach of dealing with the problem at the root by decisively taking action and developing policies and programmes to revitalize local industries and promote value adding processes in agriculture as a way of addressing the high level of unemployment and poverty in the country.”

Samsung UHD TV: A fusion of architecture, art and technology

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amsung Electronics, reputed for being at the vanguard of striving to inspire the world and shape the future with transformative ideas and cutting-edge technologies by redefining the world of consumer electronics, has recently launched a number of smart TVs to wide acclaim.

However, the launch of the world’s first curved UltraHigh Definition Television, the UHD TV, is primed to give a mind-blowing TV experience and provide consumers with easy access to rich content, and an array of choice much more than ever before. The TV comes in size range of 55", 65", 78" and 88".

The new SUHD TV, which comes in two models - the JS9500 and JS9000, highlights the most refined television experience ever because in addition to adopting the latest technology that is synonymous with Samsung’s smart TVs, for movie buffs who enjoy hi-fi and appreciate the theatre feel, it comes with a sensational picture quality which provides stunning contrast and striking brightness.

Interestingly, the TV comes with a re-mastering engineering, which has the ability to automatically analyse the brightness of images in order to minimise power consumption, while expressing excellent contrast levels, making it two and a

half times brighter than a conventional TV with twice the colour adjustment points.

A brightness that is also a power saver!

The technology powering the SUHD TV is robust and gives the viewer an experience synonymous with being in a movie theatre. This is because the TV’s eco-friendly nanocrystal semi-conductor transmits different colours of light, depending on their size, in order to ensure the highest purity and light efficiency

available beyond what other TVs can deliver. “Samsung continues to provide consumers with innovation that take entertainment to the next level, with the valueadded benefits included in the pre-order purchase so users can enjoy the very best inhome entertainment,” said Brovo Kim, Managing Director, Samsung West Africa.

Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of the SUHD TV is the ingenuity displayed by the

manufacturers in fusing art, architecture and technology as well as enhancing it with several modern and subtle features. This is why the new SUHD TV, when installed in the home, performs dual functions: A beautiful piece of art and also provides the home with an awesome entertainment experience.

Other features include an enhanced smart hub with a fast play and return octa-core processor. This allows for viewers to pause, fast-play or

stop a programme if they have to leave home.

Notwithstanding that, the Easy Sharing feature makes it easy to share content between the TV and a smart device so that even if the viewer pauses or stops a programme, he can continue to view the progamme on another device simply by picking on the signal through the Quick Connect feature. This also works in reverse: you can watch content of your mobile device on the smart TV.

Entrepreneurship backbone of economic devt — Emokpae

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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ntrepreneurship has the potential to play a key role in economic development through technological innovation and managerial breakthrough despite challenges and has capacity to provide 76 percent national employment.

These were the words of Chairman, Havilah Open Door Group, Dr. Osaren Emokpae, when Sunday Vanguard accosted him with the challenges of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, where he said entrepreneurs are clearly the backbone of every economy providing an average of 97 percent of the total jobs, as well as 76 percent of total employment in the country.

Thus in a nutshell means that SMEs have the potential to become the catalyst for growth

in developing and underdeveloped economies, thus noting that entrepreneurship has to do with socio-economic growth and equity in the distribution of the fruit/ product of growth.

Enumerating the challenges in

what he described as entrepreneurship and national development, he said challenges facing entrepreneurs differ from one region to the other, but that the conceptual challenges facing SMEs are relative and depends on both the geographical

location and the nature of the economic activity being performed.

He however stated that there are similarities in challenges they face in developed, emerging and underdeveloped economies of the world.

Campaigners take to streets in support of finance summit

BY CHRIS ONUOHA

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uman right activists and the action/2015 Nigeria coalition gathered in Lagos in support of thousands of campaigners around the world to call for governments to fund essential services, honour their aid commitments and crack down on tax evaders.

Issues campaigned for includes increased public financial resources towards climate change, the health sector, girl and

women rights, child welfare, increased finances for development. Also, demand for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public budgets in Nigeria was on focus.

The action/2015 coalition, one of the world’s largest civil society campaigns, led the demonstrations held at Planet One Hotel in Lagos and streets around Ikeja Lagos recently as part of the organisation’s move on the eve of the “third Financing

for Development Summit” held in Addis Ababa in July, 2015 at which heads of state and finance ministers are being called upon to fund the next 15 years of Sustainable Development and long-term action on climate change.

The campaign featured activists like Ben Fot, Jane Ilori, Director One Campaign, and celebrities like music stars - MI, Timi Dakolo, Nike Laoye, and Marvelous including students from several schools in Lagos.

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015 sam.eyoboka@gmail.com

08023145567 (sms only)

Testimonies galore at RCCG convention ...ordains 1,184 pastors to end convention

BY SAM EYOBOKA AND OLAYINKA LATONA

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HE 63rd annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, with a theme, “The All-Sufficient God”, comes to a fitting end today with the promotion of 1,184 assistant pastors to the rank of pastors to feel gaps created by the phenomenal growth of the church across the nations of the world.

The number of pastors this year is slightly higher than the figure of 1,125 of last year and their ordination and a charge by a senior minister signals the end of the convention which General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye recently reminded Nigerians that when the church was still very small he predicted that it would play host to presidents and big time leaders but his listeners’ response was subdued.

“I moved further to say that God said presidents will be members of the church. They will be ushers but the members then found it difficult to swallow that but mark my words, whenever God speaks, the Holy Spirit sanctioned it”, he said matter of factly at a recent Church programme subtly telling doubting Thomases that those prophecies are already manifesting.

One of the highpoints of this year’s annual convention of the church tagged; “The AllSufficient God” were two remarkable testimonies given by two high profile officials of government, giving credence to the fact that the church’s influence is waxing stronger and stronger.

Recall that current Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is a senior pastor with the church.

Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Nigeria’s 16th Chief of Defence Staff and Benue State governor, Deacon Samuel Ortom who attended the Holy Ghost service of the convention in company of the Vice President and the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, gave testimonies of how their respective elevations were products of Pastor Adeboye’s prophetic utterances. Whereas the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff ’s recent elevation was prophesied

by Adeboye at the July Holy Ghost service on July 3 and his appointment was announced 10 days after, that of Ortom was a direct prayer from the man of God. “In May Holy Ghost service, our Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo thanked the Lord for victory during the general elections. In June Holy Ghost service, the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was also here to bless God for victory. In July Holy Ghost service during Daddy’s ministration, he declared that somebody’s level was about to change and I am here to announce that the prophecy was fulfilled in my life. I am here to bless the name of the Lord because He has

A man healed of stroke praising God during the Redeemed Christian Church of God 63rd Annual Convention held at the Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan expressway, headquarters of the church on Friday. Photos Lamidi Bamidele

Cross section of traditional rulers at the convention changed my level,” the CDS testified.

Ortom’s testimony was as intriguing as it was inspiring. He was written off in 1979 when he dropped out of school in Form Four, worked in a motor park but managed to upgrade himself educationally before delving into the murky waters of politics and rose through the ranks. He resigned his ministerial appointment after Pastor Adeboye prayed for him ending the supplication, saying “my testimony was that in 1979, I dropped out of school in Form Two. At the same time, I met the All Sufficient God. Today through tutorials and distance learning, I have a Ph.D. “I started working in motor park as motor park tout but through the grace of God, I went through series of leadership positions at the local, state and federal levels; the recent one was being a Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

Before contesting the last election, I came to the camp with my pastor for God’s direction and I was asked to go ahead. I told Daddy Adeboye about my intention and he prayed for me, and I still remember the last statement of our daddy. He said: ‘God give me a testimony that May 29, 2015 that my son will be sworn in as the governor of Benue state.’ After passing through various trials, he usually told me that all will be well and today I am the governor of

Benue State,” he narrated.

There were several mind boggling testimonies of the goodness of God in the lives of people. Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole also traced his latest success in politics to his association with the ministry of pastor Adeboye, saying: “The journey of my life in politics as a pastor started 15 years ago.

Exactly eight years ago, I contested a primary election, I won but the ticket was taken. But I remember that Daddy Adeboye said that God is aware of our tribulations; God is with us and that at the end of the journey there will be victory. I contested again and to the glory of Lord, on June 5, 2015, I was elected the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly.”

Deaconess Oguntade Grace from Lagos Province 22 also declared: “I have been waiting on the Lord for 20 years for the fruit of the womb but last year Daddy G.O. came to our Province 22 in Ikorodu and publicly express surprise as he was not scheduled to visit another church.

“Immediately, I told my husband that Daddy was there for our miracle and shortly after the visit, the womb that doctors said cannot carry a pregnancy carried, not only one, but twins. This is marvelous work of the Lord in my family.”

Brother Olubunmi Ayodele’s aunty was also delivered of a set

of twins after 16 years of years of barrenness. “I came to the 2014 convention with a prayer request on behalf of my aunty who has been looking for the fruit of the womb for the past 16 years. I prayed at the auditorium altar and God instructed me to walk round the camp seven times and I was afraid if I could do it but God helped me. Few months after she got pregnant and delivered twins.”

Mrs. Treasure Bello from Delta Province 4 said: “As a teenager, I was possessed by marine spirit but because I renounced and rejected them when I gave my life to Jesus Christ, they tormented me, made me deaf, dumb and paralyzed. My parish pastor came to me, prayed for me and I vomited two keys and since that day I was totally delivered.”

One other feature of Friday’s miracle service was the prayer for all nations of the world especially nations passing through crises and various socio-political challenges, which was handled by the wife of the General Overseer, Pastor Folu Adeboye. The woman of God said Nigeria is lacking lots of things due to sin and that without the help of the All Sufficent God, the giant of Africa can do nothing and therefore urged the congregation to pray against the plagues of sin, corruption, darkness working against the progress of the country.

Leaders occupying place of authority including kings were not left out in the prayer, as the people prayed for divine wisdom and knowledge for the nation’s leaders to rule according to God’s instruction so that Nigeria can move from obscurity to greatness.

“Lord let Your light shine wherever darkness is hibernating in our nation, we cancel any iota of darkness, we challenge them in Jesus’ name. Those in authority from the kings to our president, we concel any power that will not allow them to do God’s will. We pray they will rule with the fear of God for us to live abundant lives, have more than enough so that our nation can move forward and attain her greatness. We are tired of stagnation. God open the gates of heaven and let there be rain of peace and joy.”

Also speaking at the convention, Rev. Joe Olaiya of Living Faith Foundation who preached at one of plenary sessions told our reporter in an interview that Nigeria needs faith and love to overcome the current challenges. Said he: “We need faith, love and truth. Have faith in God. What you want to do to others make sure it is what you want people to do to you. Be truthful and fair. Once we do that, we won’t have problems in life.

“The challenge is that the Church must know that the signs of the last days are complete, with the gay factor being acceptable to leaders of the world, it just shows that the days of Sodom and Gomorrah are here. If you want to know, judgment and rapture are close at hand. It’s better for the Church to wake up and get its harvest and be ready,” Olaiya stated.

Before his main message titled, “The All-Sufficient God”, Pastor Adeboye announced to the mammoth crowd of worshippers that 81 babies had been delivered during the convention, 41 of them being male and the rest 40 females.

He maintained that “God is sufficient for all our needs; physical needs because He is the God of all flesh if only we believe in Him. He is more than sufficent for material, emotional, needs. He is the only One who has the ability to promote man, He can pick someone from the dunghill and set him among princes in the palace. He is able to save to the uttermost end, He also has the ability to pick the worst person to be an Apostle of the gospel.”

One of the expectations of worshippers was to host the convention at the new Arena but Pastor Adeboye told the participants that it was not ready due to the paucity of funds and appealled to his friends, children and supporters to support him to complete of the 9 kilometre square Arena located at Simawa area of Ogun State.

“The new arena is yet to be completed because there is no money. All the people that promised big money have not shown up and I believe they will show up one day,” Daddy G.O. said, adding “for the first time in my life, I am almost becoming a begger. I have never asked for offering online. I did not know how to do fine bara, it is just circumstances beyond my control.”

Adeboye went ahead to appeal for more support for the project, stressing that God will keep on providing for the needs of the congregation and expressed optimism that the arena will be available for use during the December Holy Ghost congress.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015, PAGE 49

DON’T believe the lie: all men pray. There is no man on earth who does not pray; even atheists do. Put him in a particular space where he is confronted with his humanity and man will cry out for help in prayer. He might not know who he is praying to, but he will ask for a deliverer. However, there is only one deliverer: God. When the storm came upon the boat carrying Jonah to Tarshish, everybody started calling on their god. The shipmaster woke Jonah up.

He said to him: “How can you be sleeping at a time like this? Call upon your god.” He did not know who Jonah’s God was. It made no difference to him if Jonah was an idolworshipper. Just call upon your god. Maybe your god will be the Lord.

Emergency God Find an atheist who has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and ask if you can pray for him. He is now more than likely to answer yes. When adversity comes, when we are at the limits of our endurance, we seek a higher power. When we are at a dead end, we are forced to acknowledge there is someone greater than we are. The psalmist says: “From the ends of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2).

Man, at his most fundamental, is a worshipper. There is a

THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER longing of the heart and it is for God. There is a yearning at the depth of the soul for God. Whether we recognise it or not, this cry of the psalmist belongs to all men: “My soul thirsts for (God). My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. ” Jesus says: “Everyone who drinks of this (natural) water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 3:13-14).

It does not matter if we are kings or presidents or heavyweight boxing champions; in certain situations, we are confronted with our mortality. In certain difficulties, we are forced to recognise our inadequacy and helplessness. Man is so vulnerable, he can be killed by a mere mosquito. We all know this in our heart of hearts.

As a result, when we are confronted with our limitations, there is a silent cry for God. Nahum says:

Emmanuel Igein’s old man knelt down to pray for his family. Right in the middle of the prayer, the Lord called him home.

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble.” (Nahum 1:7). I know I cannot handle things by myself. I know I cannot defend myself. I know there are so many things beyond my ability and science. I know I need God. Even if God did not exist, we would still need him. That is the reason why some create him. When we don’t know him, we fabricate God and say he is an idol. We say he is the sun or the moon or the stars.

We just need a Saviour. We are desperate for a helper.

We seek refuge from the storms of life; shelter from the rain; shade from the sun. When there is an accident, we need a doctor.

When there is famine, we need food. When we are cold, we need a blanket.

God is all these and more.

He is our shelter; he is our doctor; he is our food and our drink; he is our refuge and strength. The canopy over our head.

Rattlesnakes A man wanted nothing to do with God. He disliked churches and Christians. He made sure his sons, Tom, Dick and Harry, would have nothing to do with believers.

One day, surprisingly; a local minister was called to his house. A rattlesnake had bitten Tom. The doctor had done all he could, but to no avail. So the man; the atheist, called the minister as a last resort.

So the minister prayed: “Father, I thank you for sending a rattlesnake to bite Tom; for this is the first time his father has ever acknowledged that he needs you. I pray for two more rattlesnakes to bite Dick and Harry as well, so that they too may receive this blessing.

And Lord, I pray for a very big rattlesnake to bite the old man himself, so that he too will know what it means to have you.

For this cause, “Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1). Man is blessed by trouble. Anything and everything that makes a man get down on his knees and call upon the name of the Lord is a blessng. Thus says the Lord: “Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honour me.”

(Psalm 50:15).

Hunger for God Prayer is hunger for God. It is a yearning for fulfilment.

Prayer is the soul reaching for solace. It is a cry for safety; a desire for embrace; a longing for rest. Prayer is the Prodigal Son hankering to return home. It is drowning man crying out for help. It is man at the end of his rope, longing for the peace of death.

Prayer is natural to limited man. When a man ceases to breathe, he dies physically.

When he stops praying, he dies spiritually. In this world, there are many dead men walking.

One thing is certain: there is strength in prayer. James says: “The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. Elijah

Okogie, Martins applaud Buhari’s govt •As Lagos Archdiocese launches social media platform

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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ATHOLIC Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins and Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie have commended the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption in the country, saying he should not leave any stone unturned and must not spare anyone found guilty.

The clerics made the call during a media chat after the third anniversary of Archbishop Martins’ enthronement as Archbishop of Lagos and the formal unveiling of Catholic Agora, the archdiocese’s social media platform.

Commenting on reports that the President, after a visit to the USA, now has a list of top Nigerians believed to have siphoned the nation’s wealth, Martins said Mr. President should quickly go into action by investigating those involved and if found guilty, the president should bring them to justice. He stressed that no one must be spared, no matter how highly placed, to serve as deterrent to others, arguing that it is not enough to jail the culprits.

“What is more important is repatriation of the ill-gotten wealth to the coffers of the nation,” he added, advising the federal government to block all loopholes to avoid future occurrences.

was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months. He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:16-18).

Prayer is inviting the intervention of the Almighty into our situations and circumstances. It is so powerful, it has divided the seas; moved mountains; stilled raging storms; shut up the mouths of lions; raised the dead back to life.

Prayer is one of the greatest privileges God has given to man. John says: “We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered.” (I John 5:15).

It is time to pray; it always is. It is time to lay hold on God. It is time to prevail with the Almighty. Jesus says we must always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1). We need to pray so we do not fall into temptation. We need to pray to stand in the gap for others. We need to pray to enter into God’s rest.

Emmanuel Igein’s old man knelt down to pray for his family, as he did dutifully every morning. In the middle of the prayer, he suddenly stopped. It took a while for his loved ones to realise what happened.

Right in the middle of the prayer, the Lord called him home. He went to be with the Lord.

justifies this call. On the performance of President Buhari in office, Cardinal Okogie said the president has done well in his short period in office, acknowledging that slow and steady President Buhari will win the race. He argued that Buhari needs time to pick out and tackle squarely, the enormous rot he met on ground.

VIFA marks 30th anniversary

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Also commenting on the recent accusation made against 19 state governments by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on their failure to pay over N400 million owed the examination body as payment for exam fees of students, the Archbishop urged states to be prudent in their spending and seek ways to diversify their revenues.

He lamented that the nation’s

Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie

economy has degenerated for state governments to have taken the duty of paying their citizens’ exam fees as against the responsibility of the parents.

“From indications, the states would continue to be broke unless they make concerted and purposeful effort to prudently manage their resources and diversify their revenue generation drives,” the archbishop counseled.

While calling on the President to take critical step to reposition the economy, the cleric also appealed to him to grant clemency to the soldiers court-martialed by the military last year for refusal to obey their superiors’ orders, stating that the recent revelation of the immediate past Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd.) that the Nigerian Army has been ill-equipped

ELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is expected to be the special guest of honour at the five-day events marking the 30th anniversary of Victory International Family Assembly (VIFA), Sapele, commencing on Wednesday at the church headquarters, along New Ogorode Road.

A release signed by the chairman and the secretary of the anniversary planning committee, Pastor Blessing Umokoro, and Deacon Olawole Cole respectively, says the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rev. Felix Omobude, will be guest speaker while the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya is expected to be the guest of honour. Founder of the church, ArchBishop Moses Grandeur, is Chief Host in the events tagged, “Great Unlimited,” while other speakers include, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, Apostle Hal T. Best, Bishop John Odiete and Joan Paul Momodu, adding that the ceremony will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service at 9am prompt on Sunday.

Page 50 — SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

Toyin Saraki and the conspiracy theory VIEWPOINT

By Funmi Olaiya

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

When an anti-graft agency politicises investigation

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RS Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, was, recently, the guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged case of corruption.

The visit was in connection with her alleged involvement in a multimillion Naira misappropriation of bank loan and laundering of funds from the Kwara State government while her husband served as the governor of the state.

Meanwhile, the circumstances of the investigation show that the motive is to put a tar on the Senate

VIEWPOINT

By Olanrewaju Akano

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The battle for ministerial appointment

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OR those who think they should be regarded as the owners of the All Progressive Congress, APC, they need some rethinking. There is so much to learn form the arrogance of power displayed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. If the leaders - not those inebriated by the title, national leader - of APC want to be seen to be responsible and responsive, one of the first things that they need to do is to strip their party of the toga of godfatherism.

Following from this, the leadership should close ranks and adopt a more united front because there is a Yoruba saying, ‘enikan kii je awa de’ (no one person adopts the pronoun ‘WE’).

This has become pertinent in the

VIEWPOINT

By Tajudeen Kareem

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Searchlight on an agency’s sixpoint agenda

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HE wind of change is blowing gently in the land, and understandably so. Our countrymen and women, aided by the power of the mass, more appropriately, social media, have created the ‘commentary frenzy’, throwing darts in all directions, ostensibly helping the new administration at the centre in search of saints to run the government, its various agencies and organs.

Idealists will describe this euphoric mood as an attempt to put new wine in old bottles. To ponder, can all the men and women inherited by President Muhammadu Buhari be ‘sinners’ and ‘rogues’ unfit for public office?

Certainly such thinking is myopic.

Granted, many have abused the trust for selfless service, productivity and pursuit of national interest. Not a few men and women in public office have achieved some notable feats in their own little way of contributing to the success of government and advancing national interest.

When critics, busy bodies and selfappointed analysts are wont to pull him down, those eyeing the seat of

President after he won the battle for the top office of the National Assembly, to the consternation and embarrassment of those opposed to his bid, especially some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Many Nigerians are questioning the timing of the investigation.

But it would appear Mrs Saraki has nothing to hide about the issues raised by the EFCC interrogators which bordered on the payments from the copyright from the publication of the Personal Health Record, which she co-authored with a publisher (copy from her WBFA – Well-Being Foundation Africa).

Additionally, it was discovered that the invitation letter from the EFCC was not signed by the agency’s Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde.

The letter was signed by one Mr

Adegbite, who, interestingly, hails from the South-West.

In essence, Lamorde was not in the picture of the EFCC investigation of the Senate President.

Curiousity, while the media was awash with stories that the petition was authored by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara

But institutions of state, like the EFCC, one of the agencies with the mandate to stem corruption, should not become a tool to witch hunt opponents

Era of crumbling cookies light of the dangerous and deadly moves in some quarters with the sole aim of knocking off some perceived renegades from the yetto-be compiled ministerial list.

Nothing lasts forever, not the least power. It is transient. Part of the lessons leaders of APC should learn can be drawn from the mismanagement of the processes it attempted to engage in producing the leadership of the National Assembly. It lost to Bukola Saraki in the Senate and could not get

Till date, the defection of then five serving governors to the APC is seen as the final straw that broke the pillars of the PDP

Femi Gbajabiamila to be Speaker or even Deputy Speaker. Indeed it had to take a special plea to allow him become Leader of the House.

It was a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who, in the euphoria of his days in office, boasted that his party’s grip on political power was going to last for six decades.

In his vague thinking, there was nothing that could have stopped PDP if we were able to control the line-up. As infamous as it sounded, the 60-year rule phrase later became a maxim for party members even in the last presidential election campaign.

It was in this illusion that the party that prided itself as the largest in Africa lost its firm hold on power following the electoral success of President Muhammadu Buhari.

What followed was the sight of the PDP becoming a living dead.

State, the party dismissed the claim.

Who then wrote the petition?

President Muhammadu Buhari has resolved to go after Nigerians who looted the nation’s treasury following which the anti-corruption war must be fought with vigor.

But institutions of state, like the EFCC, one of the agencies with the mandate to stem corruption, should not become a tool to witch hunt opponents.

In the Toyin Saraki case, it is easy to deduce that some chieftains of the APC are neck deep in the gangup.

We are all living witnesses to the crisis that erupted during the election of principal officers of the National Assembly which saw Bukola Saraki beating, in the race for the Senate President, the candidate package by some APC leaders as the party’s nominee, and The PDP designed its own misfortune by orchestrating injustice within its fold.

This decimation, after 16 years in power, was not just a common happenstance, as Nigerians were witnesses to the efforts of some progressive minded hitherto PDP members.

Till date, the defection of then five serving governors to the APC is seen as the final straw that broke the pillars of the PDP. In addition to the governors, who were then regarded as renegades, were the likes of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

This postulation is one that may not be easy to puncture, given that even some die hard PDP members had acknowledged the exit as the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Even though the ACN bloc in the APC impacted meaningfully to the success of the party at the polls, the bandwagon effect occasioned by the defection of the five governors, contributed immensely.

for which the leaders have vowed to take their pound of flesh from the Senate President.

Infact, anaysts are reading meaning into the EFCC/Toyin Saraki saga vis-a-vis the National Assembly election crisis and are stretching the issue as far back as the rivalry between Otunba Ojora, Mrs. Saraki’s father, and the Oba Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos, an ally of Bola Tinubu, one of the APC leaders opposed to Bukola Saraki’s Senate Presidency.

The question: Why drag a woman into issues she knows nothing about?

In the wake of the EFCC/Toyin Saraki saga, many Nigerians agree that it would do the anti-graft agency so much good to look into corruption allegations levelled against high profile Nigerians, especially Tinubu, in the run up to the 2015 general elections.

•Olaiya, a business tycoon, is resident in L agos.

An indepth look at the election results, as obtained from the Independent Electoral Commission, would further say volumes regarding how the PDP was decimated by those who defected to APC. Those carrying on as if they own the APC should understand that without the five PDP governors who defected, BUHARI could not have won. So, in dealing with fellow politicians - including but not limited to Babatunde FASHOLA and Kayode Fayemi, who are now being hounded - caution and good sense must prevail.

Because in choosing battle, people need to be careful. For all of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories in battle, the only one that rings out is the defeat at Waterloo. Already, the Senate presidency and speakership have been lost. The fight over ministerial list from South West is the next battle.

There is need for good sense lest the dust may be kissed again.

•Akano is resident in Ibadan

Dikko Abdullahi’s Midas touch at Customs the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service have acclaimed the incumbent helmsman, Dikko Inde Abdullahi for his outstanding achievements in office including his record-breaking feats revenue- generation for government and the improvement in the welfare of men and officers under him.

For instance, one Onu Okorie, writing in the National Pilot newspaper, last week, canvassed the replacement of Mr. Inde Abdullahi even as he acknowledged that “Dikko’s administration started off on a sound footing, improving the welfare of officers and men of the Service and developing capacity and increasing revenue collected”.

Indeed, it is on record at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, that CG Inde Abdullahi, upon assumption of office, took deliberate and ingenious steps to block all avenues of revenue leakage. He did not work alone but fired the enthusiasm and commitment of officers in various commands across the country. The result is the astronomical increase in revenue from about N30 billion in August, 2009, to a monthly average of N100 billion. A complimentary feat is the spectacular seizure of contrabands by eagle-eyed Customs men borders.

Every officer and staff of the Nigeria Customs Service can today testify to the efficacy of Mr. Abdullahi’s six-point agenda which was designed to re-position the Service as a modern, efficient, transparent and result-oriented organization. The philosophy of the schema is focused on maximizing the potentials of the Customs through capacity building. This gave birth to a new department of human resources development to engage in massive training and retraining of officers and men with the cardinal mandate to restore and enhance professionalism and productivity. Record indicates that about 8,000 senior and 10,000 junior staff of various departments

The campaign on moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the Customs was a deliberate rebranding strategy introduced by Mr. Abdullahi to create a significant awareness on behavioural reform

of the Service have been trained locally and abroad. The trainings, which are still on-going, cover areas like Enforcement and Drugs, Tariff and Trade, Accounts and Audit, Human Resources, Asycuda ++ and many more.

The campaign on moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the Customs was a deliberate rebranding strategy introduced by Mr. Abdullahi to create a significant awareness on behavioural reform.

The result is the display of high sense of responsibility and diligence, punctuality and neatness, respect and discipline among officers.

Staffers now attest to the fact that a uniform Code of the Provost Unit is applicable across the country, and implemented without bias.

The incumbent CG is passionate about staff welfare for officers and men of the Customs. He introduced and successfully accomplished 100% increase in salary and allowances across board from January, 2010. Many operational vehicles were provided just as befitting residential houses were provided in Kuje, Abuja. The Customs Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society board was inaugurated in April, 2010 while the Custom Officers Wife Association was energized to empower more members and promote self-reliance.

The electronic collection platform was strengthened through the introduction of Pre Arrival Assessment Report to facilitate trade by ensuring that cargoes go through fast clearance. Major aspects such as Manifest, Payment, Notification and Release are now done on the electronic platform, all in the bid to engender prompt service- delivery and efficiency.

The frequent participation of the NCS in conferences and seminar under the auspices of the World Customs Organization has culminated in the promotion of international best practices and procedures in Customs formalities and processes. In 2011, Nigeria hosted the Policy Commission meeting of the WCO in Abuja, further consolidating her position in Customs community.

Without gainsaying the fact, the Nigeria Customs Service under Mr. Abdullahi has fostered mutual understanding between the Service and the general public by opening up of its activities, plans and policies.

The CG should be commended for keeping an open door policy with all stakeholders. No doubt, he has traversed all zones and command on a continual basis to give the Service a human face.

•Kareem is a policy analyst based in Abuja.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015, Page

VIEWPOINT

By Preye Aganaba

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Time for sober reflection and stock taking

S

OMETIME in February 2014, as we finalized plans to move the APC into Bayelsa State, a brief meeting was held among former Governor Timipre Sylva, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe (the APC interim chairman as he then was) and myself in a location in Port- Harcourt. The timetable for the ward registration of new members was out, but we had no secretariat. So, we agreed to do something to change this situation by giving the party an edifice that will serve both as its Bayelsa administrative headquarters and a concrete symbol of its presence in the state.

Sylva provided a property for us to site the office in; but it was sealed by the the PDP led Bayelsa government which claimed ownership of the said property. It must be recalled that the same building was previously used as a campaign office for the Goodluck Jonathan campaign in 2011 under then Gov Sylva. We got another property – a one-time secretariat of the PDP in 2003 – which I personally paid for. Still, it was raided and eventually sealed by the state governor through his then Chief of Staff (who, incidentally, has just joined

VIEWPOINT

By Edward Onyejuwe

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Lingering issues in a gubernatorial election

S

INCE after the 2015 general elections, the mainstream and social media have been awash with malignant publications on Dame Gesila Khan, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Rivers State.

Ordinarily, as one of the few women Resident Electoral Commissioners in the country, it is expected that Khan should be eulogized for succeeding in the coordination of elections in places regarded as hot political beds in the nation.

Before her deployment to Rivers, she was the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State.

In Delta, she successfully conducted the senatorial byeelection in Delta Central, widely described as a difficult and

VIEWPOINT

By Innocent Esewezie

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

The life and times of a great wife and mother

I

NDEED life is a stage; we act and leave. But Honey, you left the stage too early.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; the death of a beloved wife is an amputation.

Honey, you were strong and loving. The fact of your absence keeps hitting me like a blow to the chest and I weep alone. I weep because, you, so loving, kind and passionate, should not have a life so brief.

Neby, your memories will continue to linger even though

51

Bayelsa APC journey and new rules of engagement in N-Delta our party, and now the new bride of the party).

In both cases, the raiders of our secretariat were aided by the Bayelsa State Police Command.

This was even amplified by the estate agent who was rudely told it was an “order from above” by the police commissioner. Like a choir singing from the same wellrehearsed hymn book, that same week, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) issued a statement

How do people eat their cake and still hope and want to have same which has been eaten?

How do you lose a national election out of your sheer ineptitude and still want to control the system by seeking undue “relevance “ through the backdoor using platforms provided by socio cultural and pressure groups which have no political affiliation

proclaiming Bayelsa a PDP state and asking APC members to limit their activities to the North. This was followed by similar press statements from a plethora of government funded and aided groups from the region and state.

As if in a competition to be the most vocal anti-APC folks around, elements from various exmilitant groups, the Ijaw National Congress, etc, all joined the fray and issued statements declaring their unalloyed support for the PDP and reinforcing the persona non-grata status of the APC in the state and region.

Against this backdrop, on the eve of our ward registration, we were faced with the daunting and distracting task of searching for a yet another secretariat. But, I had an ace up my sleeves.

Unknown to both our detractors and friends, I had also rented a third property as a backup plan.

Having secured a secretariat against stiff opposition, we were still faced with the challenge of security. The Bayelsa police claimed to be working with a mandate “from above “ to frustrate our efforts aimed at planting our party in the state. So, they were not an option to trust

our security with. The morning after I disclosed the new office space I had secured, the party chairman, Chief Tiwei and I conferred and were able to make alternative security arrangements .

We must recall that the Kaiama Declaration gave birth to the IYC and other affiliate groups like Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) down the line. These groups were supposed to be nonpartisan. In fairness to them, most were non-partisan until the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Given the foregoing, it was wrong for the leadership of the IYC, INC, a faction of MEND, elders and opinion leaders in the state to mortgage the destiny of our people at the altar of political expediency by tying our collective future to the apron string of a political party or politician. I hold that this was wrong then, and it still remains wrong today. I find it even harder to believe that today, after committing such atrocious blunder, that this same leadership has made available its platform to the losing party in the

Rivers polls: In defence of REC Khan volatile terrain.

The question that should be agitating the minds of Nigerians is why should a hard working and committed woman be singled out to be vilified by persons who felt she was an obstacle to actualizing their self serving motives at the just concluded elections in Rivers?

It is on record that despite various investigations into her activities during and after the elections, nothing incriminating has been recorded against her.

To clear doubts, Professor Jega, the immediate past INEC boss, also sent another set of commissioners to conduct the governorship election in that state. The team returned to Abuja without indicting her.

Not withstanding, she has continued to be insulted on the pages of newspapers and the social media. The role of the

Resident Electoral Commissioner is supervisory.

He does not collate results neither does he supervise or oversee a local government area to generate results. Furthermore, he does not appoint a returning

Before her deployment to Rivers, she was the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State

officer for elections. All he does is to ensure that election materials are effectively distributed to the polling units.

That puts a question mark on the name calling, insults and allegations and counterallegations that have trailed Khan.

It is only natural that where there is a contest, only one winner emerges and that is why it is unacceptable for some group of persons to apportion blame where it should not exist. No matter the insinuations that people would make for the failure to achieve their selfish motives, Khan has stood out as one of those few women that should be accorded national respect.

She transversed all the local government areas of Rivers to educate people on the need to participate in the election. A person who had no motive to

Neby Favour Esewezie: A fallen icon your flesh is no more. I wish you could come back even as a shadow. My greatest achievement was my ability to convince you to marry me;

Then one Sunday morning when the angels were congregating, you left this sinful world to be with your co- angels

you were my bone, always on your knees for me before God. Death has dealt a big blow on me. I saw you in excruciating pains and was helpless, but you gave me hope by fighting back to live. You fought gallantly. My greatest desire was to see you out of that sick bed. Then one Sunday morning when the angels were congregating, you left this sinful world to be with your co- angels. Honey, angels don’t die, they live perpetually. Live on my angel, my best friend, my confidant, my soul mate and my dear wife until we meet

again to part no more.

It is difficult to believe that it is now sun set at dawn for a woman of valour; one that remained faithful, supportive and committed to the marriage institution.

Neby, I am yet to put myself together since the news of your demise became a reality. We met and came together as one in marriage and started our joint life. With your death, I am left alone to hug only your memory and legacy.

However, I still give thanks to God for the wonderful, good and exemplary life worthy of emulation you lived. God

general elections in an attempt to surreptitiously set agenda for the new ruling party and government. Where else in the world can this happen? How do people eat their cake and still hope and want to have same which has been eaten? How do you lose a national election out of your sheer ineptitude and still want to control the system by seeking undue “ relevance “ through the backdoor using platforms provided by socio cultural and pressure groups which have no political affiliation, but made the mistake of dabbling into partisan politics in the last elections? After such a major faux pas, what we expect from these people is deep sober reflection and stock taking. This should be a period of soul searching in order to reinvent, restrategise and acquire new engagement tools required to chart a new course for the people they claim to represent.

•Aganaba, a public affairs commentator, was APC candidate for Bayelsa Central senatorial zone in the 2015 elections. He can be reached on preyeaganaba@yahoo.com conduct a credible election would not take such pains. That is why the castigation and peddling of false allegations against Khan should stop.

Persons who feel aggrieved on the outcome of 2015 elections in Rivers should seek redress through the tribunal and spare Khan mudslinging.

Using security agencies to intimidate the INEC staff in Rivers is uncalled for and, if not checked, could snowball into crisis. Indeed, if Khan had performed so poorly, why did Jega, who is acclaimed to have conducted free and fair 2015 elections, not redeploy her?

The time has come for concerted efforts to grow the nation’s democracy to be an international example. Name calling, mudslinging, as presently done with Khan, will do no good our political growth.

•Onyejuwe, a public affair analyst, is resident in Obiaruku, Delta State.

Almighty gave you to me to love and to hold for these past years, but now it has pleased Him to take you away. Neby my love, you were more than just a wife. You showed love, peace, understanding, inspiration, tolerance and, above all, dedication with the fear of God in all your 40 years of sojourn on earth.

As the activities for the burial of your mortal body begins on August 13, we take solace and pray God to grant your soul eternal rest.

Rest in peace the woman of my heart.

Je nke oma.

•Hon. Ezewezie was husband of the deceased.

PAGE52—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

Corruption, lack of justice forced me out of Nigeria —Blackman AkeebKareem

By JAPHET ALAKAM MUSIC

It was like a beautiful homecoming for once famous Afro folk singer, composer, guitarist and band leader from 60’s to the ’80s , Akeeb Kareem popularly known as Blackman Kareem as he made a surprise appearance at a concert put together by the Beautiful Nubia, where he performed alongside others to the admiration of his fans who trooped out to welcome him.

The venue was the Eniobanke Art Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, and as expected fans who have longed to see him after over 30 years since he left the country, were not disappointed as he performed some of his old hits to their delight. Though, he is no longer playing the folk songs as he is now into gospel music, but his voice and the lyrics were enough to remind many of the great Ameboism fame.

But he was not alone at the show, as the likes of Chris Ajilo, Larry Williams, Obadika brass band and Segun Akinlolu, aka The Beautiful Nubia and his Roots Renaissance Band performed too, but in what looked like a collaboration between the ancient and the modern, Akeeb was able to release some of his famous songs in Yoruba and Twi languages.

It was a wonderful night as people especially lovers of good music stayed tuned in the night and enjoyed the melodies from the masters. The atmosphere was nice, while the moon provided the light, the cool breeze and with the special palm wine which kept many busy throughout the night.

Blackman Kareem one of the Afro pop singers that made considerable impact as a singer, had a brilliant musical career but his relocation to Europe sort of closed a chapter in the musical scope of Nigeria.

After the performance, Sunday Art had a chat with him and in the course of the discussion, Blackman who just clocked 69 revealed why he relocated to Europe at the height of his popularity, how things have been since then and why he abandoned his root music for gospel music.

“Part of what made me leave the country is the same thing that is still happening to you and me. In this nation we don’t recognize people who are doing great work in their different departments.”

According to him, “t was a painful encounter I had with a certain Nigerian records company(names withheld) that forced me to leave Nigeria. When I started my music career in the 1960s, I started recording with the defunct EMI, a company run

by Europeans. At that time, every time the company sold our records in any part of the world, we received cheques or statements confirming the sales and given details of where they were sold, as well as how many records were sold and every kobo earned. The same thing happened when I left EMI for Decca.

That was the story, until, a Nigerian businessman who owned a recording company approached me and asked why we were still recording our works with European companies instead of the ones belonging to fellow Nigerians. So I joined and

recorded one of my best album , titled Amebo, it did not only become an instant hit in Nigeria, it was also well received in other parts of Africa and that happens to be the biggest mistake of my musical career.

“The album was the first that I recorded with an indigenous records company in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a dime for my labour and creativity. I didn’t get any message or letters from the company, even when my record sold like hot cake in the market.

It sold so well that, at a point, people started calling me ‘Amebo man’, instead of Blackman.

“When I went to the records

When I went to the records company to find out why they had delayed in payibg my due royalty, I got the shock of my life, they told me that Amebo did not sell company to find out why they had delayed in paying me my due royalty, I got the shock of my life.

They told me that Amebo did not sell. After that experience, I learnt a lesson that if you want to progress, you have to look elsewhere, so when the opportunity came up I did not hesitate to leave the country.

“I was planning to leave the country to go to America, and

•Blackman Akeeb Kareem, Beautiful Nubia and Chris Agilo on stage then I got an invitation from France, Paris in 1984 they wanted my band to perform, when I got there, I only sang in the hotel where I was staying, I had not yet performed for what they called me for, they were screaming “ what a wonderful voice” I got a recording company which recorded my song in ’84. It went straight to the top 10 in France 1984.

You know, music is an International language, whatever language you sing in, if the rhythm or melody is good, it will sell, so I just phoned my wife and told her to come and join me. I did not come back for 25years.

That marked the beginning of Blackman Kareem’s sojourn overseas. Looking at the past 31 years, the singer said he had no regrets for leaving Nigeria. In Europe, he claimed, his music was well received – especially by predominantly white audiences – and he was opportune to work in

an environment that was more enabling and conducive than what he left behind back home.”

Akeeb who only came home because his mother-in-law turned 80, also revealed how he became a Christian over there.

After being a devout Muslim for 51 years, a pastor friend of mine asked me to pray with him sometime in 1997. In the process, I had a vision without even closing my eyes. I heard the voice of God telling me to leave what I was doing, stop singing in hotels or parties and to serve him and that he will give me three things. Peace of mind, Joy and happiness beyond human comprehension. “It was a physical experience. I heard the voice as though I was listening to a visible human being. After that experience, I converted to Christianity and quit playing secular music. I became an evangelist. From that day, I have

a full time ministry known as Abeeb Kareem Media Ministry and I have been touring parts of the world, preaching the word of God. On his performance with Beautiful Nubia in Canada.

I was invited to minister in Canada for two weeks, then by the grace of God, when I got there, I stayed for three months.

In Nigeria, when you are talking about the musicians who are still seriously trying in African music, he is one, so I respect him. When I got to Canada, I told him I was in Canada and during my ministration, we met and he told me about the show and we performed together in Canada last year. After that, he said we have to come home and sing together. I have not performed in Nigeria for 34 years, but Beautiful Nubia won’t leave me alone.

Lagos st or old with aplomb in Baron of Broad Stree stor oryy ttold Streett

By CHRIS ONUOHA BOOK READING

I

t was another gathering of celebrities, poets and book lovers as a new novel, “Baron of Broad Street” weaved around two adventurous youths with an opposing conqueror doctrine but solidly united in optimism was unveiled to the public last week in Lagos.

The Lounge Bar, Victoria Island, Lagos venue of the event witnessed a convergence of personalities, among whom are the foremost playwright Odia Ofeimun, Toni Kan, ace comedian Teju ‘Babyface’ Oyelakin, Nabila Lester, an American film producer,Dapo Paul Akintunde, Designer and Tolu Ogunlesi the anchorman and many others.

‘Baron of Broad Street’, written by El Nukoya, a contemporary Nigerian writer whose debut ‘Nine Lives’ won the ANA-Jacaranda Prize for Prose, made an impressive entrant into the book lovers’ sphere with this fascinating thriller as he explains the wits and intrigues of life associated with such a creative work to the audience.

Award winning author Toni Kan who read a piece from the book, said it is a morality tale because it riffs on the binary of good versus evil while showing how every evil deed meets its comeuppance. Kan who described it as a Lagos novel, a tourist’s wet dream, said El Nukoya in writing about Broad Street outlines that business precinct with very broad

•Teju Baby Face and El Nukoya strokes with easily indentifiable landmarks rearing up in your vision as you read; from the Cathedral to the NPA building from Idumota to Sangrouse, he maps the city with words in place of the cartographers lines.

But the major attraction of the book reading session was when Teju Baby face, who engaged the author in an incisive session of narratives with a direct insight towards the idea and making of such a thriller. He pried to know from the author if he ever experienced what his idea represents or a mere imaginative fiction. But ElNukoya while responding allayed the curiosity, saying-having the sameness species around the corner as neigbhours, makes it easy to decipher one or two life experiences from them and built on it.

The author said it is a pure creative fiction drawn and enhanced from life around the Lagos city and also his upbringing in Ibadan. According to him, “Best ideas never warn you, never announce or say when they come. The best is to capture it when it comes” Published by CG & S Books, Lagos, 2015, with 354 pages, the book has a glossary page of meticulously used Yoruba language and uniquely

designed hard cover, that lends to somewhat, alluring yet engaging masterpiece that painted not only the Lagos story but, perhaps, the fascinating side of every successful person in Lagos who – one way or the other encountered similar inspiring challenges, in a more thrilling way, full of suspense.

From the book, the author narrated how, Disun Falodun and his friend Ige Olukayode, two boys that grew up within the squeeze and squalor of Makoko, weaved with other challenging issues related to chances of survival in life.

“Disun is the optimistic of the duo,

resolute in his faith in a fair chance of success, his ordinary background notwithstanding. Ige his friend, on the hand – held by radical, vibrant mind, reasons that the expectation of a fair chance was utopian, as he entrenches himself in the belief that the only reliable choices open to them were illicit.

Both set out on a life journey, after making a silent bet regarding which of their opposed doctrines is superior.

However, the real challenge for success lies on the relentless pressures that it exerts on the purity of a soul.”

The entrant of the story possessed the sameness of the famous rested NTA’s “Cockcrow at Dawn” drama. With early rise pleasantries, a new dawn unfolds into new beginning, new experience, uncertainties that evolves into certainty built on focused aspiration and expectations. The more unique click is the story of Ige’s birth complex and evil spirited in nature who, privy of his birth circumstance basked in this perverse glory “My karma is strong, you treat me unjustly – you attract great calamity upon yourself”. Perhaps, seen as more reason his resolute and resilience is obvious.

El-Nukoya vividly paints the intriguing picture of the complexities of life; ambition, conscience, friendship, pranks and necessity - romance inclusive, as seen both in traditional and modern society .

The author said he has always been fascinated with digging into the life of successful people and knowing how and what made them rich. He said, “Creativity or genius can come from either of the divide, what propels them is the quest for success”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015 — PAGE 53

C M Y K

PAGE 54 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 9, 2015

C M Y K

S UNDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, AUGUST 9 , 2015, PAGE 55

All Africa Games: Tosin Oke serves ‘quit notice’

BY BEN EFE African triple jump champion, Tosin Oke has dropped a hint that he might miss the All Africa Games billed for September 419 in Congo-Brazzaville because he is being owed outstanding competition and travel allowances by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Oke, who won the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold in New Delhi, India, the 2012 and 2014 African Championships for Nigeria stated that he had to reorder his priorities as

Nigerian officials are not forthcoming with support for the past two years. The Londonbased triple jumper is the man to beat at the All Africa Games and his absence could as well mean a loss a gold medal for the country.

“There is a possibility I won’t be at the All Africa Games. This is because I have not received any form of funding from Nigeria for the past two years.

I even had to pay my way to Warri for the trials and there is no sign that my outstanding expenses would be paid,” said

Oke. He added that he had no regrets representing Nigeria and would even reconsider his stance, if there was any sign that he will be reimbursed.

“I made up my mind to represent this country. But I may have to reorder my priorities however, I am open to talks with the AFN. I could still be in Congo, if things take a turn for the better,” said the athlete.

His 16.98m jump achieved at the All Nigeria Championships in Warri is the top mark in African this season. Jonathan

Adamu backs Kalu for FIFA Presidency

F

ORMER CAF and FIFA Executive Committee member, Dr. Amos Adamu, has thrown his weight behind the candidacy of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who during the week declared his intention to contest for the vacant FIFA presidency position.

Dr. Adamu, who spoke from his base in Lagos stated that, the intention of Dr. Orji Kalu to contest for the FIFA presidency is a good development for Africa and the world at large.

“It is not out of place to have an African FIFA president as the opportunity has created itself. Dr. Kalu is highly qualified for the position as it takes someone with clout, great personality and managerial acumen to occupy such position as big as the president of FIFA. Kalu has all these, so why not support him for the big assignment.

“I want to call on the relevant Nigerian sports authorities to support the candidacy of Orji Kalu, as he is good for the job. I have been in CAF and FIFA before and I know how it works. I can say authoritatively that Kalu is good for the job and if we all put our weights behind him he

Continues from B/P

Ifeanyi Ubah have not won at home in their last two games, losing 2-1 to Kwara United in a week 18 game and drawing 1-1 with Abia Warriors in a week 20 game.

The hosts will be eager to end their winless run, which has now stretched to four games.

Sunshine striker Kingsley Eduwo has said they aim to win on the road.

“There are no easy games, we are going for the three points at stake in the game because we want to remain on top,” he declared.

Second-placed Enyimba are on 38 points and will look to upstage Sunshine Stars at the C M Y K

would emerge victorious.”

Adamu, who is also a former Director-General of the National Sports Commission, noted that, Orji Kalu’s qualification for the topmost FIFA job is not in doubt.

“He did the magic through Enyimba FC when he propelled the team to Nigeria’s first ever CAF Champions League title.

He helped the team to win a second title in a competition that had been elusive to Nigeria.

“If he is given the opportunity to serve in FIFA as president he

•Orji Kalu would achieve greatly in global football with Africa getting the most of it in the area of development.

Drack of Mauritius has the second best jump of 16.96m, South Africa’s Godfrey Mokena with 16. 85m and Olu

Continues from B/P

Fourth from left: Rep. Special Olympics Africa Region, Misan Eresanara; Board Member, Special Olympics Nigeria, Engr. Charles Yele Akindayomi; MD, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Adeola Adetunji; Chairman, Victor Osibodu; Director, Clem Ugorji; Naomi Saliu-Lawal; Fumito Agusto with Nigeria's Unified Soccer Team during the reception held for the 2015 Special Olympics Nigeria Team in Lagos recently.

Sunshine top when they host Lobi Stars in Aba on Sunday.

Three points for the Aba landlords will take them to 41 points and lead if Sunshine lost.

Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas said that he expects a tough game against Lobi.

“I know that Lobi has been doing well lately, so I am expecting a very tough game against them,” he offered.

“It’s not always easy playing teams battling to stay up, but we are up to the task of claiming the three points.”

Warri Wolves, on the other hand, will top the table if they won at Giwa FC and Sunshine

Stars as well as Enyimba lose.

Currently on 36 points, another three points take them to 39 points for them to top with superior goal advantage.

Wolves have been on fine form and will be a handful for Giwa.

But Giwa FC official, Sammy Adesoji told AfricanFootball.com that Warri Wolves should forget getting any point off the home team.

“We are battle ready for the game. Three points is at stake, that’s what we will play for and that’s what we will get.

Wolves should forget getting any points from this game,” Adesoji said.

Ighalo

Ross Barkley ’s fine effort levelled the scores after the break, but sub Ighalo restored the lead with a well-taken shot from just outside the box after he displaced two defenders on his path.

Aruna Kone had the last laugh though, dispatching an equaliser from the right side of Watford’s box to salvage a point late on– but it was a point which Watford can take bags full of encouragement from.

Ighalo scored 18 goals in Watford’s quest for promotion last season. It remained to be seen if he can re-enact his goal haul in the premier league.

“I thank God for the goal and I am very happy to score on my EPL first game. I dedicate it to God because I have vowed to always give him the glory. And

by God grace is one of the many goals to come.

“Well, the draw is okay against a good side like Everton but three points would have been better,” he said.

Defending champions, Chelsea

Continues from B/P

Olamigoke of Nigeria with 16.80m are the other athletes who could make podium performance at the AAG.

were made to sweat by Swansea at Stamford Bridge after keeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off for fouling Bafetimbi Gomis at the edge of the box. Brazilian ace Oscar scored the Blues’ first goal of their title defence in the 23rd minute as his deep free-kick evaded everyone and crept past Lukasz Fabianski.

But Andre Ayew levelled the scores just six minutes later after re-adjusting well to pounce on the rebound of a Bafetimbi Gomis header.

The lead didn’t last long, however - Chelsea were back ahead 90 seconds later.

A Willian cross took a terribly unlucky deflection before looping over Fabianksi’s head and into the net.

The game’s huge turning point came in the 52nd minute when Gomis was wiped out by Courtois when clean through on goal. The Belgian was dismissed from the field of play and replaced by Asmir Begovic.

Gomis dispatched the penalty confidently.

Wenger

argument that Arsenal can mount a serious championship challenge this time around.

Alexis Sanchez is not yet fully fit after his Copa America exertions with Chile, while Jack Wilshere’s fractured foot rules him out of the opening day, but Wenger was bullish over his side’s prospects when he spoke to the media on Friday.

“I’m ready for a fight and motivated to start well,” the Arsenal manager said. “One of our targets is to start strong and we had good preparation, so that should give us confidence.

“Last season after 12 games we were 15 points behind Chelsea and in the next 26 we took 58 points and Chelsea 55, so that means we missed our start of the season last year.

“Let’s [try] to start strong this season. I believe we have the needed ingredients but we have a tricky start - two derbies and Liverpool in the first three games.

Our target is very high, we want to fight for the Premier League.

“That’s our ambition - to win the Premier League. But we have to sustain that with performance and fighting spirit in every game.”

Tanzania clash Continues from B/P

Iheanacho has been in blistering form for the Citizens in pre-season, scoring twice in five appearances.

The former Flying Eagles attacking midfielder has also been promoted to the first team squad for the coming Premier League season.

“I don’t know and if I do, I won’t share with you,” Oliseh told Goal. “But there will be lots of surprises in the squad for the Euro-based players. We have a target which is to win in Dar es Salaam,” he added.

The former national team skipper handed fresh call-ups to seven new players for the

upcoming away fixture against Tanzania, overlooking notable names such as Azubuike Egwuekwe, Rabiu Ali, Daniel Akpeyi and a host of others in his new look home-based Super Eagles squad.

Oliseh also revealed that his meeting with Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe, was fruitful but was quick to add that nothing is guaranteed at least for now confirming Goal’s earlier report regarding the availability of the Liverpool winger for Nigeria this year.

“We still have to make him see why Nigeria is a better option for him. Talks are still on as regards that.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 9, 2015

Ighalo in flying start for Watford ...As Chelsea slip at Stamford Bridge volleying a loose ball

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UPER Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo made a flying start to his English Premiership campaign with Watford in their opening game of the 2015/16 season against Everton yesterday.

Ighalo, came off the bench to put Watford ahead after the home team had cancelled Miguel Layun ‘s goal that gave the new comers a reason to believe.

Layun was the man to open the scoring with less than quarter-of-anhour played, half-

into the far corner to hand the Hornets the lead.

Continues on page 55

GOAL! Odion Ighalo fires Watford back into a 2-1 lead with a low strike to beat Tim Howard after 83 minutes at Goodison Park

Tanzania clash: Expect surprises on list of foreign pros — Oliseh

Sunshine, Enyimba, Wolves N battle for top spot

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EADERS Sunshine Stars, Enyimba and Warri Wolves will battle for the top spot on the Nigeria league table today when Week 22 round of matches are played across the nation.

‘Akure Gunners’ Sunshine Stars, who lead the pack with 39 points, will face FC IfeanyiUbah away in search of three points to keep their leadership position.

Three points from this game will take them to 42 points and keep their top spot.

Continues on page 55

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IGERIA coach Sunday Oliseh has said that there will be a few surprises when his list of foreignbased professionals to tackle Tanzania next month is released in coming weeks.

While reassuring that standard won’t be compromised, he also revealed how difficult it was for him pruning down the names of short listed

foreign-based players from 72 to 23.

The coach, who expects stiff competition when camping kicks off in Abuja in a fortnight, refused to confirm or deny if Manchester City ’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho will be considered in his ‘surprise list’.

Continues on page 55

I’m ready for a fight – Wenger Arsene Wenger says his side must hit the ground running if they are to realise their Barclays Premier League ambitions this term.

The first London derby of GRITTY: Action involving Kwara Utd and Dolphins the season takes place at the Emirates Stadium today, as in Ilorin Arsenal host CROSS WORD PUZZLE West Ham DOWN U n i t e d .

ACROSS 5 6 1. Governor of Sokoto State 1. Sample (5) Goalkeeper 2. Niger state town (4) (8) Petr Cech is 3. Observe (5) 5. Assistant (4) 4. Lecture (6) 9 10 7. Praise (5) Wenger’s only 5. Everyone (3) 8. Upright (4) recruit during 12 6. Use (6) 9. Lantern (4) 10. Inquires (4) the close11. Tradition (6) 12. Carpet (3) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) season but 14.

Colour (6) 17 18 19 15. Exclamation (2) impressive 15. Resistance unit (3) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 23 17. Coax (4) warm-up 18. Agent (3) 19. Rollicked (6) 20. Glitters (6) displays, 21. Hatchet (3) 24. Forward (5) 25 26 including 22. Satisfied (4) 25. Nigerian state (6) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) t h e i r 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) Community 27 .

African country (6) 31 32 33 31. Perform (2) 28. Endure (4) Shield victory 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 35 29. Child (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) over Chelsea, 30. Spoke (6) 36. Vow (4) 38 have added 31.

Adorn (5) 38. Musical quality (4) 33. Baking chambers (5) weight to the 39. Inclination (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 40. Eager (4) Continues on 37. Possessed (3) 41. Damages (8) pg 55 See solution on page 5

•Iheanacho

Results Man United Bournemouth Norwich City Everton Leicester City Chelsea

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Tottenham Aston Villa Crystal Palace Watford Sunderland Swansea

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Fixtures NPFL Enyimba FC Taraba Sharks Ifeanyiubah Giwa FC Dolphins El-Kanemi Wikki Heartland Bayelsa

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Lobi Stars Akwa United Rangers Sunshine Stars Warri Wolves Abia Warriors Kwara United Nasarawa 3SC Pillars

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EPL Arsenal Newcastle Stoke City

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West Ham Southampton Liverpool

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