Dare-Devils in Edo: Gunmen sack police station, steal arms, attack bank by Vanguard Media Limited

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Robbers kill 400-level student in Minna

RMED robbers shot and killed a 400-level student of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna in the early hours of yesterday, according to the Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The incident occurred when the victim, simply identified as Emmanuel, attempted to stop them from robbing another student in their rented apartment in the Zarumai ward of Minna. The robbers were said to have shot Emmanuel when he opened the door of his apartment to help his neighbour. “The robbers were trying to force a door open, and the female student shouted for help, to which the victim responded, thus leading to the unfortunate incident. “The robbers fled the scene immediately,” one of the late student’s school mates and neighbour told NAN. Another student, Susan Ofuako, who lives in the compound, told reporters that she heard a gunshot and the voice of Emmanuel, pleading for help.

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“He called for our help and we couldn’t come to his rescue because we were afraid,” she said. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Richard Oguche, confirmed the story, saying the police

had since swung into action and have promised to unravel those behind the act. “We have launched a manhunt for the fleeing robbers and we are working hard towards arresting them,” he said.

FG urged to promote engineering profession

Fellow of the Ni geria Society of E n g i n e e r s (FNSE), Engr. Chiyerem Winston Wamuo, has urged the Federal Government to give the engineering profession its pride of place if it hopes to develop as a nation, just as Engr. Vincent Okpalauwaekwe, FNSE, lamented that a society produces its caliber of engineers. Wamuo spoke in Warri, yesterday, in a paper on Building Services Engineering at a Public Lecture Series which preceded the feting of new Fellows of the NSE/ special induction ceremony organized by the Engr Ugochukwu Nzurumike-led Warri Branch

of NSE. According to Wamuo, Building Services Engineering is a novel field and is “ responsible for the electrical, mechanical, health and safety aspects of new buildings, ensuring that these services perform effectively and efficiently”.

BY CALEB AYANSINA

INISTER of Trade and In vestment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, says N25 billion has been set aside by the Federal Government as revolving loan for transporters across the country to buy buses under the Mass Transit Project. Also, the Director General of National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal, said they had eight manufacturers to produce of 250 buses each per year, to complement government efforts on effective transport system in Nigeria. Aganga, who is the Chairman of the Technical Implementation Committee on Mass Transit Pro gramme, stated this at a workshop on mass transit framework, roadmap and financing options in Abuja. According to him, gov-

Local manufacturers to produce 2,000 mass transit buses ernment is not going to run the buses, but to provide the enabling environme nt and the regulatory framework for private sector to operate. “We started the mass transit revolving loan with N10 billion. This year we have added another N15 billion which is about N25 billion. This is the fund available to transporters to buy their buses, but they will repay back the loan since it is a revolving loan so that we can keep on recycling at least for now. “But the most important thing is that we are prioritizing, buying those buses from local manufacturers. As a result of

Ido inaugurates planning committee

HE 2012 Ido Day Planning and Im plementation Committee will be inaugurated on May 19, at Oba’s palace. The Committee, jointly established by Ido Ekiti Summit and the Ido Progres-

sive Union, shall be inaugurated by the Chairman, Ido Ekiti Summit, Engr. (Chief) Babatope Bejide, with royal blessings from HRM Oba (Capt.) Ayorinde IloriFaboro, the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti. “Members of the Com-

mittee to be inaugurated, Ido Ekiti Summit and Ido Progressive Union have been duly informed. Full and prompt attendance shall be appreciated. Support for one’s town is service for a worthy cause”, Bejide said in a statement.

that, we shall see more bus manufacturers now establishing in Nigeria and seeing the current ones employing more people. That is the way we want to move forward.” He added that state government and the private sector have a strong role to play, saying that is why the federal government considered them as strong partners to make transport more affordable and to create job opportunities through the involvement of local bus manufacturers. Also speaking at the workshop, Jalal said the National Automatic Council had discussed with the Infrastructure Bank on the aspect of financing mass transit programme, but each state analysis will determine the level of finance. The DG noted that the 250 buses each per year to be produced by eight manufacturers will complement the government efforts on mass transit.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 — PAGE 5

Dele, Bola Ige’s brother, slumps during ‘birthday ceremony,’dies BY OLA AJAYI

From left: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, during the joint Ogun and Lagos States polio awarness campaign in Ogijo, border between the two states yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

IR Dele Ige, the younger brother of the slain Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Chief Bola Ige, is dead. The Ibadan-based businessman reportedly slumped yesterday; all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. When Sunday Vanguard called Muyiwa Ige, the son of the former minister, who is the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning in Osun State, he confirmed his uncle’s death but added that he did not have the details. Muyiwa Ige said, “I can confirm that he is dead. But that is all that I can tell you for now. I heard that he slumped and died while trying to deliver a birthday speech. I am on my way to Ibadan. I can’t say much

until I get to his residence.’’ When he was called about an hour later, he said, “But I can say that his death marked the end of a lineage of Ige family because he was the last man.” When asked further what could have killed Sir Ige, he added, “ I am just getting to Ibadan now from Osun State. All I was told was that he slumped at my cousin’s birthday, Akin Ige. He slumped when he stood up to speak. That is what I have for now. I will soon go to his residence and see things for myself ”. Akin Ige was said to be celebrating his 60th birth anniversary in Ibadan when the incident happened. When he slumped, the late Ige, was said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he was confirmed dead. Before his death, he was the proprietor

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Gunmen sack police station, steal arms Continued from page 1 the gunmen’s firepower, took to their heels, the police said they repelled the attack.The gunmen were said to have entered the armoury, took arms and attacked two generation banks. However, the robbery bid was reportedly foiled by members of a vigilance group who mobilised to stop the gunmen. Scene of terror was Igarra in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. The incident happened on Friday night. An account claimed the policemen at the station fled on sighting the gunmen numbering over ten with AK 47 rifles and dynamites, making it possible for the gunmen to gain entry into their armory and allegedly went away with three guns. The gunmen, after attacking the police station, according to the account, stormed the two generation banks but met resistance from members of the vigilance group and youths in the area who mobilized to stop them from robbing the banks.

One of the gunmen was said to have sustained gun shot wounds from the security men attached to the bank.

wo members of the vigi lance group, identified as Kehinde Julius and Eshovo Ukonga, also reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the battle with the gunmen. An eye witness narrated: “The gunmen came, threw dynamites at the police station and took guns from the armoury. Some of them proceeded to the banks while others stood along the road and were shooting sporadically, but they could not gain access into the bank and one of them was shot. “The others snatched a jeep with which they escaped and later dropped off the driver along the way. But the one with gunshot wounds and another member of the gang escaped into the cave in the Igarra hills. Their blood stains were used to trail them into the cave and, in the process, they shot two of our boys (vigilance group). But they are still believed to be hiding in the cave

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while others have escaped”. Another account said the armed gang, on arriving the area, divided themselves into two groups. While one group allegedly invaded the police station, the other went to one of the banks frantically trying to gain access into the banking hall. But a combined team of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from Ibilo and Auchi rose to the challenge and engaged the gunmen in a shoot out. While the fierce exchange of fire was on, the gunmen were said to have been forced to abandon their plan to rob the banks and took to their heels. olice sources said the op eration may not be unconnected with the movement of huge sums of money from Benin and Auchi branch of one of the banks into the Igarra branch on Friday evening, adding that some staff of the bank must have knowledge of the robbery. Edo State police commissioner, Olayinka Balogun, confirmed the gunmen attack but said the attackers did not gain entry into the armoury. “Yes they invaded the police station but they met resistance. Their plan was to attack the two banks located opposite each other, but they were also resisted there. “We recovered three AK 47 rifles, a locally made explosive and two vehicles; a Toyota Sienna and Camry. We suspect that two of them are hiding in the cave. We saw their blood stained clothes, we are sure they are still hiding in the cave. We are firing teargas into the cave to smoke them out”, he said.

‘It was a siege’

lso giving his own ac count of the incident, the transition chairman of Akoko Edo LGA, Anslem Agbabi, described the gunmen’s operation as a siege on Igara. “I called the Area Command and all of us were making efforts to stop them. I was the one that told the police to go and make a roadblock so that

they will not escape because our vigilance group was at alert”, he told Sunday Vanguard, last night. The council boss went on: “When they arrived at the police station, they opened fire unexpectedly. But the policemen at the bank opened fire on the robbers. There was serious exchange of fire at this point. One of the robbers fell down. They now ran to Ajegunle junction but, by that time, I had informed the DPO at Ibillo to mobilize his people. So when they got there, they opened fire and there was an exchange of fire again because the police had blocked the road already . “As

they were chasing them, the robbers stopped and transferred their men from their Toyota Camry to the jeep which they snatched. As they were doing that, they discovered that another one died in the jeep. They passed through Lampese to Kogi. The other ones that could not enter the vehicle ran into the cave. Igarra youths entered the bush this (yesterday) morning and saw their blood. Either two or three of the robbers should be in the cave now. We are still searching for them. The police tried in this operation even though they earlier attacked their station”.

Jonathan lashes at those pursuing divisive agenda BY TAYE OBATERU

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday threw darts at those fanning the embers of sectionalism in the country, warning that progress will leave them behind. In a message to the 25th convocation of the University of Jos, the president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chief Ezenwo Wike, said in a world where nations were making progress by turning their diversity to strength, those moving against this tide would be left behind. According to him, “the nations that prosper are those that embrace their diversity and turn it into a source of strength. Societies are doomed when the people cling to the divisive superstition that their humanity is defined solely by the tight circle of those who share their world view. ”While we hack at each other and waste precious energy seeking revenge for perceived wrongs, the rest of the world keeps progressing. It is my belief that the forces of positive change are at work even here in this country and we can no more resist it than re-

sist the gift of life itself. ”The progress of this nation will not yield to obsolete and destructive dogmas. Progress will leave behind those who cling to practices, which are already dying; practices that divide and set us back as a united people.” Jonathan commended University of Jos for her consistency in producing graduates annually despite the security challenges of the environment and reaffirmed the commitment of the administration to improving the condition of universities in the countr y. He said the on going needs assessment of universities being undertaken by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund would be followed by an upgrade of infrastructure, provision of modern teaching aids, improved facilities for students and decent office accommodation for staff. He appealed to Nigerians to bear with temporary pains that might come with some of the administration’s policies in the bid to transform the country, noting, “any action taken by government is targeted at promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of Nig e r i a n s . ”

PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

1.1 million Nigerians are blind — Ophthalmologist BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar

Profesor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Alabata, Abeokuta receives Ogun State Correspondents Chapel (NUJ) Good Administrator Award from Hon. Adijat Adeleye Oladapo at a short ceremony held at the Chapel Secretariat NUD Road, Abeokuta yesterday, while Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, Chapel Chairman watches. Photo By Wumi Akinola.

consultant oph thalmologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Dr. Bassey Etim, has said that there are an estimated 1.13 million Nigerians from 40 years and above that are currently blind. Etim stated this in Calabar, Cross River State, at a training workshop on ‘Low Vision’ for optometrists, ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses organised by the National Eye Health Programme in conjunction with the International Centre for Eye-

care Education. According to him, out of the figure, the NorthWest geo-political zone has the highest number of blind adults (28.6 per cent), being the zone with the largest population. He also said that about 2.7 million adults were estimated to have moderate visual impairment with an additional 400, 000 persons being severely visually impaired, thus bringing to a total of 4.25 million adults in Nigeria that are either visually impaired or blind.

Why we relocated Abia traders – Govt

5,700 candidates jostle for admission A into Unity Schools

BY ANAYO OKOLI

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

VER 5,700 candi dates, yesterday, sat for the 2012/2013 common entrance examination into Federal Government Colleges, otherwise known as Unity Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as the Federal Government scored the National Examinations Council, NECO, high on the peaceful conduct of the examination. The NECO officer in charge of FCT, Mr. Mustapha Abdul, while on inspection of some of the centres in Abuja, said the council had been able to perfect problematic areas of the past. Abdul disclosed that over 5,700 candidates sat for the examination in

FCT. He said the greatest challenge in the past was “the pressure from parents who felt Junior cannot do it and so we have to assist him. But we always advised parents to leave Junior alone. Junior can

even do it better than mommy or daddy”. The examination in Abuja was peaceful and orderly. The examination started at exactly 9.40 a.m. as scheduled as all the materials and invigilators arrived early at the examination centres.

Abdul assured that the results would be released by NECO to the Federal Ministry of Education by Tuesday. Commenting on the examination, Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who also monitored the exercise, scored NECO high.

Oyo empowers women with generators, freezers Mrs. Ajimobi, while der to enable them to con-

IFE of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, at the week-end, distributed empowerment materials to 198 women across the state as part of the efforts to develop the women economically and make them self-reliant. The items distributed included deep freezers, generating sets and cash.

speaking at the occasion, described women as agents of change, urging them not to make themselves redundant but to always strive to make positive impact not only in their respective families, but also in the society at large. She said that the empowerment of women had become necessary in or-

tribute their own quota to the development of the state. Mrs. Ajimobi commended the state government through the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation for striving to empower women and take them above poverty level.

The ophthalmologist described low vision as a condition of diminished vision which is uncorrectable by standard glasses, contact lens, medication or surgery, adding that it disrupts a person’s ability to perform common age appropriate visual tasks. According to him, in Nigeria, untreated cataract is the commonest cause of low vision and blindness, stressing that 84 per cent of visual impairment in Nigeria was either preventable or had treatable causes.

BIA State Govern ment has said that it carried along the traders in the markets being relocated to new places, explaining that they were in the picture of the programme right from the inception of the idea of the relocation the markets. The government said the pockets of protests were expected as part of human nature but insisted that it took the traders into confidence before the relocation exercise commenced. There had been protests from some traders who were resisting the relocation plan.

According to the Special Adviser to Governor Theodore Orji on Project Monitoring, Sir Pat Mgbemena, it is natural for human beings to resist change but “government will appeal to them to cooperate and move into the new markets ones they are ready”. Mgbemena, who is also the chairman of Industrial Market Relocation Committee, explained that the new markets would be in the best interest of the traders, and expressed hope that when the markets are ready and they move in, they would see the benefit and definitely appreciate the government’s vision.

...Gives motor park touts quit notice

HE new Abia State commissioner for transport, Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, has warned touts operating in motor parks in the state to steer clear of the state and federal roads and parks, saying that government would not tolerate them. Ukpai said the touts had been found to be extorting money from motorists operating or passing

through the state in the name of collecting revenue for the state government. The commissioner said the touts end up tarnishing the image of the state government and without paying any kobo into the coffers of the government. According to him, the government would send those involved in the act to court.

Dele, Bola Ige’s brother, slumps during ‘birthday ceremony,’dies Continued from page 5 ,Tilbury Construction Company. The son of the deceased, Mr. Kunle Ige, said when his father slumped, he rushed him to the University College Hospital where he was confirmed dead. He de-

scribed his father ’s death as very painful. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described his death as devastating. The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, commiserated with the Ige family from Esa-Oke, Osun State.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 — PAGE 7

Gov’s wife rescues 150 abandoned children BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar

IFE of Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, says one of her pet projects, Mother Against Child Abandonment, MACA, rescued over 150 abandoned children. Speaking on the awards, including Tourism Personality of the year 2011, bestowed on her at different times between 2010 and 2012 for her service to humanity, Mrs. Imoke said MACA was established to take care of abandoned babies and teenage pregnant girls who have been kicked out of their homes. She said, “MACA takes in vulnerable teenage girls that get pregnant, because they get pregnant and are kicked out

of their home, so they have the babies and dump them. So we bring them in and counsel them, teach them skills to live independently forever and we encourage them to go back into society and make something of themselves.” She expressed gratitude for the organizations that found her worthy for the awards, and said she and her team remained committed to deploying their resources and time to shaping the lives of people who God created but, for one reason or the other, found themselves in difficult circumstances. Speaking after presenting the Tourism Personality Award to the First Lady, the Project Director of African Quarterly Magazine, Mr. Ikechi Uko, said the threat of insecurity in the country and other troubled parts

of the world had not directly affected tourism development. Uko said that the rationale behind the award was the efforts of the governor ’s wife towards the development of tourism in the countr y, adding that the award was normally given to a best person or product that has the best impact in a particular year. He said that for 2011 there were different people and products, adding that the best tourism product out of Nigeria was Carnival Calabar with the governor’s wife being the driving spirit behind it. According to him, “The Carnival Festival was the best tourism product out of Nigeria in 2011. I can tell you from experience because I attend all the festivals in the country.”

AMB. GABRIEL OLUSANYA’S BURIAL

Dr. Olaoluwa Olusanya (left) and mother, Mrs Megan Rose Olusanya during the funeral service for late Prof (Amb.) Gabriel Olakunle Olusanya at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos yesterday. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye

Fuel subsidy probe: ‘It’s unfair for Nigerians to pay N97’ BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin

INORITY Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr Samson Osagie, yesterday, declared that Nigerians do not deserve to pay N97 per liter of fuel, saying that the alleged fraud uncovered by the House perpetrated by the operators of the nation’s oil industry, especially the down stream sector, was a declaration of war on Nigerians. Osagie, representing Uhumwonde/Orhiomnwon Federal Constituency of Edo State, vowed that the House would not rest on its oars until the Federal Government implements its recommendations on reforms in the sector. His words: “Most of the recommendations we have made are recommendations for reforms in the sector. And some of them, those reform strategies are already being put in place. All we can say is that we will continue to monitor the implementation of those recommendations. It will be impossible for me to predict how Nigerians and the House of Representatives that are on the same page

on this matter, will react if government refuses to listen to the voice of the people as spoken by the House of Representatives. “The president knows how critical this sector is. For us and for most Nigerians, I believe that Nigerians have no business paying N97 for fuel given the level of corruption that we have exposed. Because what is simply happening is that the down stream sector was highly abused, a lot of our resources were taken away

under circumstances that were questionable. “Imagine one of the items in the report, where, from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, N999 million was paid 128 times, amounting to N127 billion. These are things we can sleep over. Whether it is PPPRA, whether it is the CBN or the Office of the AG, we have said that this is what happened. We have a collective duty both Nigerians and government to find out what these payments were meant for”.

Dr K.B. David-West (left) and Prof. J.P Clark during the burial service.

‘We don’t want a repeat of the 1983 violence in Ondo’ digbos, the Mbadiwes, let BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

HEAD of the gov ernorship election in Ondo State, the immediate

Izon warns against threat of violence in Delta the wrath of the elders of BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

OORDINATOR of Delta State Izon Communities, Chief Bare Etolor, yesterday, warned youths of Ijaw ethnic nationality against issuing out threat to any ethnic group and perpetrating violence in the state. Giving the warning in a statement, Etolor said any youth or group found issuing threat to an other ethnic group would incur

Izon council. Noting that such erring persons, group or community would not enjoy the support and sympathy of Izon people, he condemned acts aimed at that could possibly lead to another round of ethnic crisis in the state, “be it in the water-ways or on land.” Etolor, who is the immediate past chairman, Izon council of Elders in the state, recalled that “the last celebration of the 20th Year Anniversary of the creation of Delta State,

held at Bomadi, an Ijaw town, almost all the ethinic groups, including Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw and others participated in the boat regatta. The event was peaceful and interesting. “Those who have political misunderstanding with their representatives in government should settle their grievances with government,” saying that the Izon council of traditional rulers were shocked over the action of some persons who wanted to cause chaos recently in the state.”

past Secretary to State Government (SSG), Hon Isaac Kekemeke, has warned against heating up of the polity. Instead, he advised politicians from the political parties to work together for the development of the state and not for selfish interests. Kekemeke spoke in Akure during the award presentation ceremony of the 5th edition of the Hon D. I Kekemeke essay competition for secondary school students in Ondo State. ”We don’t want a repeat of the 1983 violence in the state, we can work together if we don’t have ulterior motive, we don’t need violence,” he stated. ”What we need in the state is people who can speak, people who have ideas, who can speak with the market women, youths and the masses. “Let us replace the Oka-

us stop using thugs, let there be peaceful politics, our people deserve peace and not violence”. Kekemeke said the essay competition was to provide a platform for students to meet elderly people that had achieved in their fields. He expressed delight that the programme was yielding the desired result as the celebrated best student in West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Tolulope Falokun, was a star prize winner of the competition. Also speaking, the state Education Commissioner, Hon Aderemi Olatubora, said the state was making progress in the education sector. Master Adejoro Adeboye of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi Akoko came first in the JSS category while Ayodele Abiola of Aquinas College Akure came first in the SSS category.

PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

Salami: Rights group wants Jonathan to consider nagging issues •Banjo congratulates PCA BY VINCENT UJUMADU

HUMAN rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, INTERSOCIETY, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that certain critical issues bordering on constitutional provisions needed to be addressed before acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, that Justice Isa Salami, President of the Court of Appeal be reinstated. In a statement in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, the group’s chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, observed that one of the critical constitutional issues bordered on Salami’s statutory age of retirement of 70years or his mandatory 35 years of service in civil service, adding that ordinary Nigerians need-

ed to be put in the common knowledge of the event. According to the group, during the Katsina AluSalami scandal in 2011, it was clearly stated and it became a public knowledge that Salami and Justice Aloysius Katsina Alu were called to the Bar same time and that in terms of age of retirement from the Bench, Salami was few months younger in the Bench than Katsina-Alu, who retired in the third quarter of 2011, adding that what it meant was that both were due for retirement in 2011. Meanwhile, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo has congratulated Salami on the NJC recommendation to reinstate him. “Truth has prevailed”, the former gubernatorial candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) said in a statement. “The good spirit of Nigeria stood by Justice Salami and prevented the enemy of progress from

Strike: Federal hospitals in Lagos grounded BY CHIOMA OBINNA

EDERAL health workers in Lagos under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, at the weekend, made good their threat to join the strike by their colleagues nationwide even as Lagos Stateowned hospitals are shut down following the faceoff between doctors and the state government. Consequently, public health services in the state are grounded. JOHESU had declared an indefinite strike over a 10- point demand after a failed meeting with the Federal Ministry of Health representatives. At the premises of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON, while other federal health facilities within the Medical Compound, Yaba, were under lock and key, some of the workers of the institute were seen working. A mild drama ensued when members of the Health Workers Union, Lagos State Branch, in company of journalists, arrived at the premises to monitor compliance of the strike. The peaceful monitoring C M Y K

of the workers strike almost took a violent dimension when the leaders of the health workers accused the Director General of the institute, Prince Oritsejone Oghifo, of intimidating the workers with sack should they join other workers in the nationwide strike. Reacting to the allegation, Oghifo, in a letter, questioned the health workers on why they should commit his staff to a nationwide strike without allowing due process. Other health workers in Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, amongst others, complied with the strike directive. Conducting striking health workers and journalists round the facilities in Lagos to debunk the statement credited to the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, that workers were at work, the Chairman, Medical Health Workers, Lagos State Branch, Comrade Ibe Stephen Nwokenta, stated that there was going back on their decision to join the strike until their demands are met.

having the last smile. Justice Salami must now inculcate uprightness, probity and principles into his children and every one he comes in contact with. He must remember today in his life sojourn and must do more for Nigeria and posterity”, Banjo stated. “President Jonathan must prove his patriotism by not upturning the verdict having attained his objective. Justice Salami must be immediately allowed to resume his office”.

From left: Prof. Linus Ilika; , Gov. Obi; a nurse; Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor; Obi’s daughter, Amaka; Obi’s wife, Margaret and Igwe Gibson Nwosu of Awka during the flag-off of campaign for the eradication of polio at the Regina Ceali hospital, Awka, yesterday.

UNILAG VC suffers heart attack twice in 24 hrs; dies at 62 BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

HE Nigerian aca demic community was yesterday morning thrown into mourning following the death of the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe. In a telephone conversation with Sunday Vanguard, the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Professor Kayode Amund, said Sofoluwe, 62, who was in his second year of his fiveyear tenure, had a heart attack in his office, Friday night, and was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He suffered another attack before he gave up the ghost early yesterday.

In a statement announcing the demise, the university authorities said: “The entire university management deeply regrets to announce the sudden death of the Vice Chancellor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, in the early hours of Saturday, 12th May 2012. “The university community in particular staff and students are advised to pray along with the family for the repose of the soul. A condolence register has been opened at the Senate House for messages to the amiable accomplished scholar and astute administrator. Further announcement will follow in due course.”

‘Sad loss for Ni-

geria’

Reacting to the death of Sofoluwa, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof John Obafunwa, described the deceased as a humble and easy-going man who refused to wear the toga of Unilag VC. “It is a sad loss for the education system because he was a great man. We were together about three weeks ago and he was a very humble man who you can talk to for advice and share experiences with,” Obafunwa stated. “Management and students of LASU received the news of his death with shock and we pray to God to give some comfort to his family to bear the loss because he will be greatly missed.” National Association of

Nigerian Students, NANS, also described the death of the late VC as a national loss, particularly to Nigerian students. According to the National President, NANS, Comrade Dauda Mohammed, “Prof. Sofoluwa died at the very period that our recent interactions with him had already started yielding positive results in the interest of Nigerian students, especially with his determination to reinstate a democratic Students’ Union to UNILAG after over a decade of proscription. “Our condolence, therefore, goes to his immediate family and the entire university community over this great loss. He will surely be greatly missed by us all. Adieu dear VC.”

‘East–West Coastal Road “ll accelerate devt of Niger Delta’

IGER Delta Renewal Group (NDRG), a non-governmental organization, has said that one of the fastest means of developing the Niger Delta region is through the East – West Coastal Road Project which has been on the drawing board since 1998. The group, in a statement signed by its national president, Isaac Opelle, said the project, which construction experts put its cost at N1.8tr, will lead to the acceleration of the development of the Niger Delta region. “ This road is crucial not only because of the vital communication links that it would provide, but the

wider benefits also acting as a catalyst in the development of the region and unlocking the vast tourism potentials and abundant opportunities in the region. “The Coastal Road will help immeasurably in opening up of the Niger Delta region’s economic potentials, assist in dousing the severity which encumber the movement of goods and enable the people to improve their living standards,” it said. It quoted recent studies as revealing that the road project will create employment for over 11,000 peple in the region during the construction period.

Also, Opelle, while quoting the experts at a workshop, held late last year, said that even while it is yet to take off, Nigeria has already started reaping its benefits. “ For the first time in the history of Nigeria, local experts are given a chance to contribute to national development and this has created jobs, built local capacities and enhanced technology transfer.” “The construction of the coastal road from Calabar to Lagos will engender a genuine feeling of national integration in the people of the Niger Delta Region who have always felt marginalized in na-

tional developmental programmes. “ It will encourage the creation of ecosanctuaries where people will experience natural encounter with wild life in a regenerating ecosystem. This will bring about tremendous development in the area and engender employment opportunities in tourism. “ It will display the first set of Nigeria’s monumental bridge structures. This will automatically give a permanent seat to Nigeria in the elite club of nations with iconic structures which will give massive added flavor to tourism.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 — PAGE 9

Accept FG’s invitation for dialogue, Owie tells Boko Haram BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ORMER chief whip of the Sen ate, Senator Rowland Owie, has commended the resolve of the Federal Government to dialogue with Boko Haram and urged the sect members to lay down their arms in the interest of peace. Owie, who declared that the Federal Government’s declaration came as a relief to many Nigerians who fear that the nation may be heading to disintegration, expressed his belief that dialogue will bring to an end to the crisis just as it happened during the crisis in the creeks of the Niger Delta. His words: “I congratulate Jonathan and the Federal Government for choosing to open up once more the option of dialogue with Boko

Haram. I have always believed that force won’t solve the problem of Boko Haram as love is the only cure for hate. I

wish to also appeal to the Boko Haram to go back to the negotiating table and state their case.”

Egypt funeral turns happy after dead man awakes BY TONY NWANKWO WITH AGENCY REPORTS

HE funeral of a 28 year-old waiter in southern Egypt turned into a celebration when he woke up after being declared dead. Hospital officials had pronounced dead Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi, who came from the village of Naga al-Simman in the southern province of Luxor, after he suffered a heart attack while working. His family says griev-

ing relatives took him home and, according to Islamic tradition, washed his body and prepared him for burial Friday evening. A doctor sent to sign the death certificate found it strange that his body was warm. At closer observation she discovered he was still alive. His mother fainted upon hearing the good news. With the doctor’s assistance, both al-Nubi and his mother were awakened and soon were celebrating with guests.

From right; Mrs. Bolajoke Bayo-Ajayi, Marketing Flavor, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Segun Fayose, Head of Corporate Communications, MultiChoice Nigeria and Ms. Juniper Musa, Acquisition Manager , AfricaMagic, during the Press Briefing on live screening of Big Brother Africa, season 7 tagged “Stargame” , held at Oniru Estate, Lagos .

Bayelsa youths urged to shun cultism BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

EOPLE of Bayelsa State have been advised to shun all acts of cultism as the new regime in the state has no tolerance for criminality or any form of unlawful activity. The Nembe Elite Youths Group (NEYG), which gave this advice at a media chat in Port Harcourt , commended the governor, Seriake Dickson, for his reformative agenda, noting the newly signed Secret Cult Societies and Similar Activities Prohibition Law as an indication of a season of peace and economic growth. National Chairman of the NEYG, Prince Godswill, said the people of Bayelsa had endured a period of terror, executed by violent persons, but said the new law had come to change that for the better. According to Prince, this was a time for all youths in the state, especially those who had previously given themselves to violence and terrorism, to refocus, turn a new leaf and take advantage of the era of peace and growth that is just coming in. “While we call on our brothers and sisters at home to turn away from cultism and all forms of violence, and urge them to embrace peace and the development that will come with it, we are also calling on security agents and other arms of the executive to key into the governor ’s dream and effectively do their duty in this war against cultism.

“This is a new era, the one that promises to take Bayelsa to the glory land indeed and make every son and daughter of our blessed state proud again wherever we find ourselves. “ We want to specifically commend His Excellency, Governor Seriake Dick-

son, for his vision for our state, especially for the teeming youths. We as a youth organization are pledging our support, promising to continue to be good and positive examples to those coming behind us”.

Community leaders commend Delta council chairman BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

HE Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council of Delta State, Hon. Christopher Okafor, has been commended for putting smiles on the faces of the citizens of the area. Community leaders described the council chairman as a man of the people who has used his position to bring development to the area. They cited the ongoing tarring of link roads in Ibusa, construction of

drainages, the multi million Eke market, the rehabilitation of abandoned projects as well as the rehabilitation work in progress in the Local Government Area which include Atuma, Akwukwu-Igbo, Illah, Okpanam, Ugbolu, Aninwalo and Ebu saying that the abandoned health centres and generating set attached to health centres in some communities are now also receiving the attention of the council chairman and remarked that the gesture was in line with the three point agenda of Governor Uduaghan.

3 killed in Kogi shooting

N the story with the above title published on April 29, 2012, Alhaji Adamu Enape was quoted to have confirmed the shooting. It has since come to our knowledge that our reporter did not buttress nor confirm the story. The error is regretted. – Editor.

From right: Mr Bunmi Akintelure, Vice Principal; Mrs Olufunke FowlerAmba, Director of the College; Mr Francis Fasuyi, Director of Studies and Mr Babatunde Olabintan, registrar, during the 6th Annual Essay Mathematics & Art Competition of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls at the College premises, Lagos yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

The children of the late Mrs B.N.Moore with their wives during the burial ceremonies of their mother,Mrs. Caroline.U.Moore at Nimo, in Anambra State.

Kogi speaker warns criminals

R I M I N A L LY minded persons in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State have been warned to either relocate from the area or be ready to face the full wrath of the law. This warning was

handed down by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly , Rt. Hon Abdullahi Bello, at a security awareness campaign at Okene. The Speaker said government, in collaboration with the five local governments councils in the

area, had resolved not to condone acts of criminality. He advised the people to always volunteer in formation on the movements of persons of doubtful character to the police.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

THIS SEGMENT PRESENTS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS, IN A MANNER NEVER BEFORE EXPLORED, ON CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY MATTERS. THIS IS DEPARTMENT 'C'

Boko Haram: More Muslims are killed than Christians —Joji, Arewa chief z‘No religion to blame for Islamist insurgency’ zSays disunity in the North threatens Nigeria

Captain Mohammed Joji, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways and Secretary-General, Airline Operators in Nigeria (AON), is the newly appointed Arewa Consultative Forum’s (ACF) Strategy Committee Chairman. The Chairman, Skypower Express Airways spoke with Sunday Vanguard at his Kaduna office on why no religious group should be blamed for the security challenges currently faced by the country but recommended that the two major religious groups in the North should unite and provide solution. Excerpts:

hat role are you supposed to play as Chairman, ACF’s Strategy Committee? In ACF, we have subcommittees. Strategy Committee is one of them and I was appointed as the Chairman. What we are charged to do is to see how we can make the North to live together whether you are Christian or Muslim. We are to work it out how we can make other Nigerians to live together in one Nigeria. In Strategy Committee, we are to find out what our problems are and what we can do to solve those problems. It is in our interest that we live together in harmony within ourselves and in the rest of the country. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Ayo Oritshajefor, insinuated the Boko Haram as Northern agenda to wipe out Christians in Nigeria. Isn’t the time ripe for you, the Northern leaders, to speak out on this matter: I mean what is your reaction to that? It is wrong because this problem is our general problem. They are killing both Muslims and Christians. Isn’t it? So, we Muslims too in the North are affected by the Boko Haram situation. The last bombing in Kaduna,

which killed many Okada riders, affected Muslims largely because majority of Okada riders in Kaduna are Muslims. In Yobe market this morning (Thursday 3/5/2012), sixteen people were killed. Is Yobe a Christian dominated state? 95 percent of Yobe people are Muslims and so it means many of the attacks that, that state has suffered affected Muslims the more even though we don’t cry out like the Christians do. But there are others who are neither Muslims nor Christians who have also been badly affected. So it would be unfair for one religious group to blame another for a problem that affects all of us as a people. Let us be careful. It was gathered that Boko Haram was the result of bad leadership in a particular state of the North. Do you agree and, if you agree, why has that led to the serious security situation that we have had and what is the way out?

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

dependence day bombing that killed both Christians and Muslims, was that Boko Haram? The bombings, maiming, killings and kidnapping in the Niger Delta, are they Boko Haram? So let us stop giving prominence to religion as responsible for the problems. I have been hearing this CAN president always trying to cause war in Nigeria. Let him be assured that if the war starts in the country, he himself cannot survive it. All the time you are drumming war, but, if it comes, you cannot survive it. That is not what we need to help this country as a people and as a system. Whatever the situation, our duty as religious or regional leaders, is to find way of dousing the fire not to add fuel to it. If our government doesn’t have rest of mind to administer our affairs, we too cannot live well and, so, the earlier we

We Muslims too in the North are affected by the Boko Haram situation. The last bombing in Kaduna, which killed many Okada riders, affected Muslims largely because majority of Okada riders in Kaduna are Muslims

That is why I am asking people who are using religion to divide the North to stop it. Politicians always use religion to divide the people. It is those who cannot win elections that always try to create problems under the disguise of religion whereas we never had religious problem in this country. What we have had has always been political problem. Did you read what Okah, the independence day bombing suspect, said and it was reported in the papers yesterday (2/5/ 2012), he was even blaming the government for the bombings in the country? The in-

changed our attitude to crisis management in this country the better. We have a common problem in Nigeria today and that problem is the problem of insecurity.

et’s solve this problem collectively because both Christians and Muslims are being killed every day; even more Muslims are killed than Christians. Go and find out. Look at Jos where even the flesh of human beings are eaten; many things happen that you don’t even know. Whose flesh are they eating there? They are not eating

the flesh of Christians; of course it is the flesh of Muslims they are eating there! Go and find out. So, where is that hatred coming from? For somebody or some people to sit down and blame one religion for this problem is pure nonsense. What we need to do is for both of us, the two major religious groups in the North, to sit down and provide solution. I can tell you that, if both of us sit down together in the North today and talk these things over, the security problem in the North will vanish.

ut people themselves are not helping matters because even armed robbery situation has been linked with Boko Haram and, if we want our government to really succeed in their efforts to tackle the security problems, we should feed them with correct information. If you have incident of political assassination, they say Boko Haram. That is what we have seen. So, why don’t we sit down to look at the issue and find out who are the people using this issue (Boko Haram) to divide this country? We can get to the root of the problem if we want to. The reason it drags, as it has become, is because people, instead of facing the reality are just beating about the bush taking joy in blaming Islam or the North whereas the problem is far beyond that. We should therefore be careful about the unwarranted utterances like that of the CAN president. How do you view the Federal Government efforts at solving the insecurity

problem? I have no comment on that. You should go back and ask General Azazi, the National Security Adviser (NSA). He may have a solution to that problem going by what he said in the papers. It is beyond our reasoning. If the NSA could come out to say what he said, it means that the problem can even be solved by the NSA himself (if allowed to do so). If the government listens to him, that means we are coming near the solution because he was accusing even the security agencies. Do you remember they said why should the State Security Service (SSS) report to the NSA and why the police should report to the Police Service Commission? Were they not reporting to the Ministry of Interior before? Anywhere you go in the world, the police and other security agencies are under the Ministry of Interior. Isn’t it? This political divide in order to create jobs for some people and cause problems for the other is very wrong. Why should you pitcht one security agency against another? True, all the road blocks mounted by the police never worked except that they were causing hardship for the people; even at that, what you can do is surcharge the police if it is not performing up to standard, not to bring it down completely. The military has been brought into the situation as a last resort. Now that you have brought them at this point, if the whole system collapses, who will you blame. ? So, we got everything

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 11

TIT-BITS ON POLITICS Anambra Labour P ar ty vvot ot es Par arty otes for internal democracy

Jonathan’s Presidency hasn't met expectations of Niger Deltans — Former IYC Boss BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

n this interview Dr Chris Ekiyor former president Ijaw Youth Council descries the slow pace of development in the Niger Delta region where President Goodluck Jonathan hails from. He says the Jonathan’s presidency has not met the aspirations of the region, in terms of providing infrastructure, tackling the problem of gas flare.creating empowerment opportunities for youths in the region to end militancy. Excepts: Infrastructure in Niger Delta I have always said that the expectations of the Niger Deltans as they relate to the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan have not been met. The pace of work going on in the region today is not different from what it was in the past. The East- West road work is so slow, I cannot understand why, though the President is also involved in other development programmes all over the country. There is the power programme, there is an improvement in the power sector . However the basic infrastructure expected in the region is yet to be in place. The people the President has appointed in the region should deliver on their part . The governors should also get involved. The coastal road is a long term plan so let's focus on the East West road. We also expect the Minister of Petroleum to find a common ground with the international oil companies, IOCs to tackle environment challenges in the region. Take the issue of gas flare. If any government that had come could not do anything, I expect this government to address the problem because the President’s area is affected. This government should tackle employment generation, gas flaring , beautiful programmes have been drawn but time is not anybody’s friend. Poverty in Niger Delta

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI & AKOMA CHINWEOKE

EWLY elected executive members of the Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party has challenged its members to go the extra mile to ensure excellent leadership in the state. At a briefing shortly after a congress in the state, the new secretary general, Hon, Basil Iwuoba, thanked the members for believing in the party, but reminded them that work has just began as they have to go in for massive enlightenment and mobilization to position the party for successful outings. He enjoined members to work hard so that the party would be the one to beat in the state but pointed out that the feat could only be achieved if all members have confidence in the executive. Iwuoba promised that the executive will encourage internal democracy in the party and called on market women, traders, professionals, workers and students to embrace the party. “From the ward level, local government areas to the state level, the party conducted and concluded a successful state party congress that led to the emergence of Jude Ezenwafor as the state chairman, Hon Basil Iwuoba state secretary, Rich Ejike Onuorah P.R.O, Hon. Nestor Okolo Deputy Chairman, Anambra North, Hon Sam Oraegbunam Deputy Chairman Anambra central and Hon Luke Ezeanokwasi, Deputy Chairman, Anambra South,” he added.

Edo 2012: ‘Propaganda, blackmail won’t help the PDP’

Ekiyor...Amnesty has brought a lot of peace in the region

The government is misplacing amnesty for employment generation for the region. Amnesty is for a class of people, ex combatants but the area has about 10 million Niger Delta youths that are unemployed yet are qualified. The government has addressed 26,000 combatants, it should go beyond the combatants to do more. The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC , Niger Delta Ministry, Ministry of Labour and Productivity should help to tackle the problem of unemployment in the region. State government must generate empowerment programmes , peace in the region is not all about creating opportunity for oil exploration and production in the area. People should have jobs. Employments should be created. Government should look at employment generation, look beyond the amnesty to achieve this. The amnesty has brought a lot of peace in the region. The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta should be given the mandate to create opportunities for non militants in the region. Attack on Anglican church It is only under President Goodluck Jonathan that most people want to find fault with everything he does. The President is one who has continually made sure everything he does is in the public domain. The nature of some

Nigerians is that when a man is in power he tries to gratify himself but in this case it is not so. People send cows to those in government but this is a different scenario. A company that has done so much job in Bayelsa felt they should give back to society and they gave a church. For want of what to do some have called it a bribe. It is embarrassing. In United Kingdom, the Ijaw foundation decided that since there is a university in Otueke they would support it. They set up an endowment fund. We all donated to the university. If the company says the President worships in a small church they chose to upgrade it, what is wrong? The President does not live in the church so the church is for the worshippers. Some have said the President has a bill of one billion for meal for the year. It is for all that visits the villa for the year. How much can the President eat alone? Let us be rational in our arguments and attacks sometimes. Boko Haram Book Haram for me is more of politics than security. There are those who have not come to terms that Goodluck Jonathan is President. It is painful that those dying are Nigerians. What is happening now is not different from what happened during the civil war. The difference is that people are more mature. The security needs to do more.

he Director of Media and Publicity of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation (OSO), Prince Kassim Afegbua, has stated that intimidation, blackmail and propaganda cannot see PDP through in the forthcoming July 14 election in Edo State. Afegbua, who stated this in an interview, observed that the level of bare-faced intimidation, propaganda and deliberate mischief of the PDP called for worry by all well-meaning Edo people who are deserving of good governance and accountable leadership. According to him, the level of security breaches in the State and the news flying around town about intended assassinations and politically motivated killings are serious issues that should be dealt with by all. “I am yet to reconcile why people, particularly the opposition party, would feel that the only way to get electoral support is by propaganda and deliberate blackmail. It is worrisome that in the age of ideas when political office seekers should dwell more on blueprint, what you hear of are mundane and very pedestrian issues that cannot add value to the collective well-being of the people”, he said. Afegbua noted that what the PDP should concern itself about was how to sell their manifestoes to the the people rather than waste precious time and resources discussing about petty issues, raising alarm where none exists and charging up the atmosphere as if it was a do-or-die affair. “We are disturbed by the growing trend in the state and the level of security breaches we see everyday as a deliberate orchestration by those who want to seize governance by force. While the president of the country had given a directive to resolve the issue of the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, the PDP at the national level had exonerated its party at the state level of any complicity in the incident, knowing full well that is the party in government at the centre. How do you then go about investigating such a scenario with such policy statement from the PDP hierarchy?.” Explaining that the Action Congress of Nigeria would dwell more on issue-based campaigns because of the numerous achievements of the Comrade Governor, Prince Afegbua noted that the ACN had no cause to panic at the election bear-

Ndigbo needs roadmap for 20 15 – Youths coalition 201 BY ANAYO OKOLI

group, Coalition of Igbo Youths Assembly [CIYA], says any Igbo man aspiring to lead Ndigbo must show proven commitment to the cause of Ndigbo, saying that time was gone when any person comes out to claim leadership of Ndigbo. The group said its position became necessary in view of the experience of Ndigbo in the past. It noted with regret that while other ethnic groups are speaking with one voice and trying to find the way forward, Ndigbo are still speaking from different sides of their mouths. Speaking after their meeting held in Umuahia, the President General of the CIYA, Mr. Innocent Madu, said that there was need for Ndigbo to come together and find a road map for the 2015. According to Madu, other ethnic groups are busy strategizing for the 2015 yet Ndigbo are yet to articulate themselves.

PAGE 12â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

So that was the environment we found ourselves, going to school under the trees, under some shades. Life Is A Tragedy For Those Who Feel, And A Comedy For Those Who Think â&#x20AC;&#x201D;JEAN DE LA BRU-

Ekweremadu...I am really grateful to the society and the people of Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to serve

How we pulled through the civil war years, by Ike Ekweremadu L

awyer and lawmaker, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was in characteristically amiable mood penultimate Wednesday when the team of Sunday Vanguard reporters arrived his Apo residence that morning. As Deputy President of the Senate and concurrently Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, it was not surprising that a visitors from within and outside the country including lawmakers were all about the residence. In between attending to his guests, Senator Ekweremadu who turned 50 yesterday spoke to Sunday Vanguard on his odyssey from the remote village of Amachara Mpu in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, through the thick and thin of the extremism of post 1999 politics in Enugu State to his present duties as Deputy President of the Senate. A former lecturer in Constitutional Law, Ekweremadu was at one time executive chairman of Aninri Local Government Area and subsequently Chief of Staff, in the Chimaroke Nnamani administration in Enugu and then Secretary to the Government of Enugu State. In 2003, he was elected senator to represent Enugu West Senatorial District. In

zOn Constitution Review: No no-go areas this time zGovt. needs superior intelligence to combat terrorism 2007 he was re-elected by the same constituency and on top of that he was elected unopposed as the Deputy President of the Senate. In that period as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Ekweremadu led the senate to the first alteration of the 1999 constitution. In 2011 Ekweremadu was reelected by the Enugu West Senatorial district to the senate and also re-elected as the Deputy President of the Senate. An additional feather to his cap was his recent election as Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, the regional parliamentary body that sits in Abuja. Excerpts: At 50 what is your assessment of the little boy, Ike from Amachara Mpu? Well if you look back at 50 years, it was like it was just yesterday. I want to thank God for the modest achievements I have recorded these past 50 years. And if you recall that the beginning of these 50 years was also around the time we had the civil war. I was born barely 4 years before the war started. At that age there was hardly anything you could do in terms of contributing to the war. It was just that one was like a victim.

Running from place to place, hiding from the battle and also you know inconveniencing your parents because they also were trying to protect you. After that, by the time the war was over, all the schools had been shattered, hospitals shattered, markets shattered, all the infrastructure were gone and that was the time

EMMANUEL AZIKEN & HENRY UMORU

I was born barely 4 years before the war started. At that age one was like a victim. Running from place to place, hiding from the battle

people like us grew up. So that was the environment we found ourselves, going to school under the trees, under some shades.

security, but by the grace of God we were able to pull through those tough periods and then move through school and by the grace of God we are able to find ourselves where we are today. It has been a busy 50 years from the onset till now. Do you think Nigeria has done you well?

t was really tough at that beginning. Economically, it was tough. Socially, it was tough. There was no basic infrastructure and then of course, most people who came back from the war, soldiers, who were disengaged from the war took to armed robbery. So there was also in-

Sure, the society has done a lot in my life and that is why I try as much as possible in everything I do, to also find time to give back to the society. From my humble beginning from my village, I was able to go through the local government being elected as chairman, got up to the state became SSG to the government, and came to the centre to be number two lawmaker in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So what more can one expect from his coun-

try? So I am really grateful to the society and the people of Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to serve.

id Nigeria do well to other members of your generation? Well, they have created the platform for everybody to thrive, for you to take up the opportunity, to hold on to the opportunity and make the best use of the opportunity. And when opportunity comes, not everybody will take the full advantage of in to the same degree. Maybe some people did not take the full advantage of the opportunity the system and our society created. If the society gave you the platform to develop yourself how do you react to claims that those of you in leadership helped by society are not showing the same gesture to the future generation? Well the platform we are talking about, it is just the basic opportunity of life. At least there was a school to attend, there was a university to attend, and there was a court for me to go to when I graduated as a lawyer for me to practice my profession; not that I had scholarship at any point, not that the society pro Continues on page 13

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 13

gion and as whatever you want to call it. They will now form the core federating units of the country so that they can undertake major regional projects and be able to stand on their own like strong federal states all over the world. Life Is A Tragedy For Those Who Feel, And A Comedy For Those Who Think —JEAN DE LA BRUYERE

Ekweremadu......I was born barely 4 years before the war started

Govt. needs superior intelligence to combat terrorism vided any social safety net for me and indeed for any person. The thing I am talking about is that right now, finding myself in a peculiar position, I have gone through some of these things struggling to be where I am today and by the help of the platform which the society provided, I believe it is also incumbent on me and the rest of us who have found ourselves in the position of leadership, also to give back to the society in various degrees.

verybody has his own perception of what he needs to do in terms of contributing to the society. And of course, we are like players in the field; everybody has a particular role to play. So I believe that since I found myself in the parliament, I can safely say that Nigeria parliamentarians have contributed their own quota towards giving back to the society in terms of quality of legislation that emanated from the various parliaments especially when you note that the parliament has suffered a lot of setbacks because of the military interventions within this period that I am talking about. Besides learning under trees what unique things marked your growing up that you have not told Nigerians? Like I said, after the war, it was very hectic for those of us, (Cuts in) Did you have shoes to wear? C M Y K

Yes, of course, I had shoes but not all this kind of shoes you wear… (general laughter.) It was really tough; the whole Southeast was affected by the war because that was the centre of the war. So it was expected that those of us who grew up within that period had a rough time. You are chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, is the committee working in tandem with the equivalent committee in the House of Representatives? I have made that position that we are ready to work with the House of Representatives and I have spoken personally and directly with the Speaker and he welcomed the idea. But we are going to have a formal response from them in that regard, and we expect to work with them and like I said, it’s going to be cheaper for the country and it is going to save everybody time and it is going to bring even more intellectual variety because the more, the merrier. Two heads they say are usually better than one. So I would like to work with them. Are you ready to make sacrifices in terms of position, cochairmanship and so on? Are you ready to serve under the deputy speaker? I don’t mind serving under the deputy speaker but, I am sure he will not like me to serve under him! With regards to the constitution review, I would like to know your focus this time. Are there no-go-areas?

First of all, there is no go area. We are going to look at all sectors. One of the issues in constitution review is that of state creation and considering your own presentation in Canada, about the issue, about the burden of government. What direction do you think your committee will go? You have to take it from two levels. First of all, there is injustice and imbalance in those states that were created in the past. So people are agitating for those imbalances to be cor-

Continued from page 12

ut as long as we are splitting, we are weakening the ability of those states to perform their responsibility as federating units. They will now continue to depend at the centre. So if you bring them together in clusters and so that they can now have muscle to begin to tackle some of the responsibilities of governance today, it is going to be much easier for everybody. How do you feel that some of your resolutions in the Senate are not implemented? Well, again we have to go back again to the constitution. The constitution in section 88 gives us over sight powers to do investigations. But specifically it now said those investigations should be for the purposes of exposing corruption and for purposes of amending the extant legislations. So that is where the problem started. So the executive at the different levels, they understand clearly that in fact all our resolutions, technically are not binding but to me they are persuasive. So a listening government should be able to take this seriously because when a whole senate and the House of Representative take up an issue and come up with a resolution it should be substantively persuasive. But the framers of the constitution in their own wisdom did not want it to be binding. But if you compare it with the American constitution, their resolutions are binding if it receives the requisite votes, which is equal to a vote necessary to pass legislation. In fact some of their legislations are sent to the president for assent and when that happens, it becomes binding. So

I have made that position clear that we are ready to work with the House of Representatives and I have spoken personally and directly with the Speaker

rected, those injustices to be corrected and so we are going to address that.

he second level of it is the systemic failure I talked about; even when we create all the states there is still need for us to review the structure of our federalism. So that is why we need to begin to think about a long term plan, how to restructure our federalism even when we are creating states so that we don’t have cluster of states coming together as provinces, as re-

we are also proposing to bring about a legislation that will make some of our legislations binding if they receive a particular quantity of votes from both senates and the House of Representatives. You are talking about the executive not implementing your resolutions, but the Senate itself has refused to consider a number of committee reports from some of its own committees? I am sure you are aware in the sixth and seventh senate, there was no committee em-

powered to carry out public hearing on any issue that has not been reported to us. I am not aware of anyone that was reported to us that we didn’t decide on it. What of that of agriculture, the food crisis? I think what happened with the food crisis was that it was overtaken by events. When it came was the time of the problem of Yar ’adua’s illness and all that and we couldn’t take it. But if you would recall that of aviation which Senator Ude chaired, we took a concrete decision, it was carried to conclusion. The one for FCT, which Senator Sodangi chaired, we also concluded it and likewise the report on the sale of public enterprises by the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE. Why is the Senate always going back to the BPE? Is it targeted at Mallam Nasir ElRufai? We never targeted El-Rufai. He was not the only person who headed the BPE; I am sure you are aware of that. So it is a public duty that called for it because these were public enterprises that were meant to provide jobs to a number of Nigerians and because they were weak, government decided at that point to commercialize some, to sell some, so that they will be viable and be able to sustain the vision of creating jobs for our people and some things happened that most of those visions were never realized.

ven after the Senate resolution that the government take all steps to end the spate of insecurity in the country the problem is still persisting. What is happening? The principal purpose of government is the protection of lives and property of individuals. So we still maintain our stand that government should do everything. I am sure you will also recall that I said in that session that funding is not an issue, it is an issue of ideas. So we are determined to support the government in every way including appropriation to ensure that the security challenge is dealt with adequately. It is not only Boko Haram, I am sure that you are aware that there is a resurgence of kidnapping in the Southeast, armed robbery is also coming back. So government needs to really put a lot of resources to ensure that these things are suppressed once and for all. I am sure you know the implication of what it is to us as a country. All the bad names it is giving us, scaring away investors and giving our children the psychology of growing up under such circumstances; it is enormous, so it should be a priority for us as a country now. Everything that has to be done including collaborating with other countries. We need to engage those who have

Continues on page 14

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 Continued from page 13 experience in such situations to come and support us. It is not something to be proud of, it is something to be ashamed of if only to invite people to support us and help us in this situation. So we need to get everybody on board.

believe that everybody should have equal access to resources, equal access to education, equal access to amenities and equal distribution of these things across the places that should have those opportunities. And so this was what led to my setting up of my foundation. Basically, I believe that even as I am in government, there are certain things that are difficult for me to get the government to do. With my own little resources, I can be able to do those ones even at a small scale and it will make a whole lot of dif-

Life Is A Tragedy For Those Who Feel, And A Comedy For Those Who Think —JEAN DE LA BRUYERE

Ekweremadu... My father died a fulfilled man

Constitution Review: No no-go areas this time ference in the lives of the people. Because as a parliamentarian, it is very difficult for me to say to government go and give scholarship to so and so people in my area. But I can use part of my resources to get these things done. As somebody who is in government, it is difficult for me to say, government you must go to educate those who are not opportune to go to school but I can spend some my resources to create adult literacy programme so that those men and woman can read and write. So some of these things are

his is a globalised world, so we need as much support as we can and government should not be ashamed about asking for support and help to get this thing sorted out. Do you think the administration has the capacity to handle the insecurity problem in the country? I am not in the position to make such a judgment. Let me also say that the challenge we are having is novel, except maybe for kidnapping which has been with us and then robbery. But the terrorist part of it is taking new dimensions every day. Look at what happened in Kano two weeks ago (BUK). It was not just about bombing, but this one, they threw bomb and people were running and they were shooting at them; so it has taken a very dangerous dimension. So it is more like overwhelming the government, so the government needs also to step up. If you have to curtail them, you have to come with a superior intelligence to do deal with this. You are 50. Are you a happy man? I am. What is your philosophy about life? Secondly, what prompted you to establish the Ikeoha Foundation? Let me start with the first one. I believe that as a person, it is difficult for you to be happy and fulfilled when your neighbours, your friends, your colleagues are not happy and they are not fulfilled. If you want to get happiness for yourself, you must get happiness around you. That is the only way such happiness that you have can be sustained. So I believe in giving back to the society, I believe in helping people to survive. I believe in helping people to have the same opportunity that I had. I believe in giving back to the society as much as possible so that the society will be a better place for everybody. I believe in equal opportunities for everyone. I don’t believe in exclusion.

have attempted some positions that you didn’t get. How did you feel? Personally, I believe in destiny, so that is just the thing. I don’t worry about any situation. I hardly aspired for positions. Most of the things I received as positions, I never aspired genuinely for them. They came naturally. The very few things I attempted to do myself never worked. When I became a local government chairman, I wasn’t planning to be a local government chairman; we went to ask for the creation of our local government, I was the sec-

Most of the things I received as positions, I never aspired genuinely for them. They came naturally. The very few things I attempted to do myself never worked

things that actually motivated me into setting up the foundation through which we have been able to settle our young men and women, support our widows, support women to ensure they have decent living and be able to have access to education because without education there is nothing you can do in this modern world. We need to also get them up to date, with the modern technology. So these are the issues that led to the setting up of the Ikeoha Foundation. As a politician, you must

retary of the committee; I was obliged to make the presentation even with other elders of the area who were with me. So God blessed our efforts, we got the local government, I went back to my practice, one day they came to me and appealed that I should run for the chairmanship and I became the chairman. And that was how I was conscripted into the race, as it were and by the grace of God I won. Even when I was appointed chief of staff in Enugu, you know I was the first person to be made Chief

of Staff (by the state government). There was no such thing in my card at all. And when I became Secretary to the state government, it took the governor days to convince me to accept the job, he is still alive; you can go and ask him.

ven coming to the sen ate, I was one of the last people that entered the race, I was not planning to become a Senator. And even when I became the deputy Senate president, I am sure you are aware I was unopposed, it wasn’t as if I went struggling with anybody. My colleagues in their own wisdom gave me the privilege of being the deputy president of their senate for two consecutive times. So basically, I concern myself as a child of destiny. As Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament how do you feel with the return of military rule in some ECOWAS countries? Thank you so much. I find it very embarrassing, I find it very disturbing because by the time I took office as the speaker, one of the things I praised was the fact that within the sub region, we were free from military coups, we were free from military dictatorship and that democracy was alive and thriving, though nascent. I praised the Nigeria government for the last election which was adjudged to be free and fair. I also praised the people of Ghana for their attainment in terms of democracy.

But as a setback, you’ve seen what has happened in Mali and what is going on in Guinea Bissau. Strangely enough, when I was the deputy Speaker of that parliament, we had similar a issue in Niger and I chaired the committee that intervened in the parliament at the time. So now that I am the speaker, for us to be witnessing military coming back to governance in Africa, in West Africa basically, is of much embarrassment to me and we are going to take it very seriously when we resume in May. So these are some of the things that will engage the parliament during the next session. But I am happy that the authority of the Heads of State and the Commission is dealing with it adequately. As we speak, the authority of heads of state have met severally on the subject and they have also set up the committee, comprising the Chiefs of Defence of various member states to work out modalities to send soldiers to intervene in those two places so that they will be able to bring back democracy to those places.

ou recently lost your dad. Would you say that he died truly satisfied? On a last note, I would like to say he died a fulfilled man because he saw all of us grow and he also witnessed the transformation we were able to bring to his domain as the Royal Highness of Anekeoji Mpu Autonomous Community.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 15

I used to be ashamed of my boobs — Foluke Daramola never speak English better than an average English man. And with all due respects, I know when it comes to speaking in English and I am quite fluent. It is just an added advantage to be able to do both very well. Like what I was thought in International Relations one must bring his/her culture to light

These days there seems to be a trend where the Igbos tend to aggregate together and vice-verse for the Yorubas. Yorubas tend to produce their own films while the Igbos do likewise. What is you take on this? Really there seems to be a subtle segregation in the industry and this phenomenon is something of an environmental issue and it cuts across every work in Nigeria. Segregation between the Yorubas and the Igbos in the industry is just a very subtle one but when you are a true professional you don’t restrict your-

Heard you had a birthday shindig recently, how old did you celebrate? Let’s just say I celebrated hitting my early thirties but it was not just a birthday celebration I also celebrated my graduation. I just got my Masters from the University of Lagos in International Law and Diplomacy. My first degree was in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. How has life been as a single mother? It’s been challenging, interesting and nice. It has made me more independent-minded, more focused and more conscious of the fact that I have people that look up to C M Y K

me in every aspect of life and it is something that has matured me a lot.

You once said immaturity ruined your marriage. Are you saying you are more matured to deal with it now? My marriage is not something I like to talk about. As far as I am concerned is long gone. It broke up 4 years ago, so going back and forth, makes me sound like a broken record and besides, it makes me look like I don’t have anything interesting happening in my life. It is not something I like to dwell on. When it comes to marriage it is not just about you and the man alone, there are kids involved. So I like to keep that part of me away from what am doing. But what have you learnt from it all and life generally? Like my Pastor, Pastor Adeyemi would say, do not look to the material things to make you happy. True happiness comes from within. For me, I have come to appreciate life, appreciate God from the perspective of values I have been able to impart in other lives, especially the younger ones and into humanity as a whole If the opportunity comes, would you settle down again? Let me ask you something; I

oluke Daramola may just be push ing along in her early 30s but more than 15 years of those years have been spent in the glare of cameras and lights of the movie industry, where she has not just made good a flourishing career for herself but has become something of a veteran. At an event recently in Lagos the starry-eyed mother of two spoke with Ayo Onikoyi on variety of issues. Excerpts:

When it comes to marriage it is not just about you and the man alone, there are kids involved

have kids, my daughter is 7 and my son is 5 and the kind of job I do, the showbiz job is so demanding and time-consuming. If I now decide I want to combine that with marriage now, do you think I would make a success story of it?

Well, different things work for different people Yeah, yeah why I am asking is because for me I have so much on my hands. I want to pick up another Masters and I want to do my PhD. Really, the least thing on my mind is marriage. Not because I don’t have my relationship, in fact I have somebody that is very close to my heart but the least thing on my mind right now is marriage. You started with Englishspeaking films but now tend to do more of Yoruba-speaking films. Why so? Yes I started with English and I still do English. For over two years now I have been running my T.V. Serial which is currently running on 8 channels across the country. But one thing you cannot take away is what one of my lecturers used to say that you can

self. Even if there is segregation you have to ask yourself which way do I swing and still thrive. They say you just launched an NGO. What is it all about? It is really not an NGO it is my talk-show. I believe is a talk-show enhancing NGO where people are given opportunity to come and express themselves and be celebrated . It is not an NGO it is a platform for people to help people who need help. Like I said before I would like to be remembered as a person who has imparted positively to humanity.

What work have you done recently? Apart from my TV Serial (Tag Team) I have not done any movie. After Wakati Eda which has been over 3 years ago I have not done any movie. So how else do you earn your living? I do a bit of consulting and motivational speaking. I still run my TV Serial and I do a minor business on the side. Who do you enjoy working with in the industry? I have had reasons to work with professionals that I would love to work with again. I have worked with Uncle Tunde Kelani, Tajudeen Adepetu, Tade Ogidan, Uncle Olu Jacobs, RMD.

PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

The family in International Relations and Global Harmony (2)

he complexity and incredible diversity of family life indicates that none of these questions has an easy, straightforward answer. Scholars that approach some of these issues from a metaphysical cum religious point of view, such as the NeoThomists, posit either the overarching commands of a deity as the foundation of familyhood. For others, it is the biological attributes such as physical resemblance, blood or genes that have preeminence. Marxists give primacy to economic factors like family property, inheritance, income, and division of work and resources. A political approach to the problem typically attends to the power relations within the family, together with their regulation by the state, whilst a psychological approach considers affection, identification, intimacy

and emotional needs as morally decisive. Even, there is a narrative approach which stresses the role of remembering and revision of family stories as the cornerstone of moral education and definition of family ties. These perspectives are not incompatible, but they tend to favour different moral theories. For instance, the economic, political and p s y c h o l o g i c a l perspectives complement

F anyone had asked me what I was like as a child I would have answered that I was an almost model child. I would have told of how I was reserved and respectful and how I was so afraid of getting punished that I hardly ever got into trouble. I barely have any scars on my body and its a testament that I wasn’t rough or prone to fights. I always said I would have an easy time of parenting if I had children that were like me and while I do have such children I am not finding parenting as easy as I thought. If anything I am feeling very sorry for my mother for having to deal with me. I assumed that rough children who broke things, were loud and disrespectful were the bane of families but I am finding out that children who live inside of their heads, who don’t say

much and have the attention span of a fly is just as much a challenge! There is no feeling as frustrating as not being able to reach a person who is right there in front of you; who is nodding yes to all questions and yet is miles away in their mind! Not too long ago, a friend of mine reported me to a family member for deliberately blanking them out. Blanking people out is simply looking at them and pointedly ignoring all they are saying; they only realise you are not paying attention when you don’t reply or blink even when they wave. At such times, I physically have to be prodded or yelled at before I am startled back to attention.

one another and may blend well with consequentialist ethical theory, whereas there is nothing that prevents an exponent of the religious approach from accepting the narrative approach both of which are compatible with different versions of deontological moral theories. It is generally accepted that

must have been a mine field for family members to navigate as not only did I blank them out all the time, I would always burst into tears

when they shouted at me or hit me to get my attention. I listened to my own voice yelling at my son to stop looking at me like that and I was thinking Karma had come to roost in my house. To everyone there I was being unreasonable after all the poor boy was standing respectfully looking at me and listening to me. It wasn’t till I asked him to repeat what I just said that they realised he hadn’t heard a word I said. Just like his mother; he had perfected the art of retreating to a place in his mind where no one could disturb his peace.

his means that the kind of family in which a child is brought up goes a long way in determining the kind of adult that child would become later in life. Thus, it is very important that parents should have the right balance of good health, knowledge, moral and spiritual insight to rear their

Some degree of discipline must be inculcated in the young so that they would grow to become responsible citizens

debbiemoments@gmail.com

Raising me

he problem with that was that just like me, his teachers couldn’t get his attention on subjects that he didn’t like. I had just finished administering some spanking when I came to the realisation that I was raising myself. I sat down with my better half and began to confess to behaviour that were a lot worse than the ones I was yelling about and I

children. Any dysfunctional family, a family in which there is constant vitriolic quarrels among the parents, one in which the atmosphere of peace and love is lacking, whether polygamous or monogamous, is not good for children. This is because children bet he was happy to be my husband and not my father!!! The imagination is the most powerful tool of the human mind and I have often found myself preferring to live in its beauty than in reality. I loved reading; in a book I could escape to lands far away, be beautiful, strong and rich; everything I wasn’t in my reality. I grew up in a large family of people with larger than life

hence preferable, to families formed by single, remarried or homoerotic parents, or with the help of gamete donors or gestational (maternal) surrogates?

B V I O U S LY , inspite of the social system in a given country, particularly in advanced societies with welfare programmes for taking care of infants, parents are duty-bound to provide for their children until the latter can live on their own; likewise children are expected to help their parents and look after them in old age. Thorough investigation of the nature of family relationships throws up certain important questions. These include: Are obligations to children more important than other family obligations? Is blood relation stronger than a relation acquired through marriage? Whatever their origin, do family obligations supersede obligations to friends, neighbours, and other citizens? On what ground(s) may friends, neighbours and the state violate family privacy? What is the connection between love and loyalty, on one hand, and family feeling and moral ties, on the other? Finally, is the traditional heterosexual family morally superior, and

the family constitutes the first socialising unit for a human being. Similarly, after the emergence of psychoanalysis as a respectable school of thought in psychology, the importance of family in the character formation of a person cannot be overestimated, given the recognition that early childhood experiences provide the foundation upon which character is built.

exposed to such situation will be adversely affected by the polluted p s y c h o l o g i c a l atmosphere in the home. Because children naturally and spontaneously absorb important cognitive, psychological and spiritual cues from their parents, they are likely to assimilate patterns of behaviour exhibited by the latter. In a home where the parents are at peace with each other and have the requisite knowledge about how to inculcate the right thought-habits and moral values into their children, the probability that the latter will grow up and become responsible citizens of the community is high. In conservative homes, some parents still use corporal punishment in training their children. However, it has been shown by experts in childhood education and psychology that excessive use of that method is counterproductive and could harm the child physically, mentally and emotionally. Children brought up in a highly restrictive and rigid environment tend to become either excessively rebellious ortimid and hypocritical adults lacking in selfconfidence and critical attitude.

his is particularly true in a hyperreligious family where both parents are devout believers convinced that strict adherence to the authoritarian morality create activities just to get me up. Many years later I understand how worrying it is to raise a child that would rather retreat to some corner than share the family fun and participate with their full attention to education and even reality.

had always thought the sometimes unprovoked and regular physical battering I suffered as a child was

An abused child either grows up to be an abuser or a defender and preventer of abuse

personalities. I stuttered and could not find my voice so I found refuge in literature that gave me expression. I felt inconsequential and irrelevant so I withdrew from everyone. I could never understand why my mother was always on my case; anytime I sat down to day dream she would yell at me and find me something to do, sometimes she would add to my chores or even

contained in either the Holy Bible or the Holy Koran, rather than acceptance of a rational moral code based on scientific knowledge of the human condition and love, is the best way to bring up a child.That excessive use of the rod associated with authoritarian upbringing hardly produces the kind of children parents would be proud of does not imply that discipline is not necessary in the upbringing of children. It is generally acknowledged that children, left to themselves, will not cultivate the habits required for a happy and fulfilled life. As a result, some degree of discipline must be inculcated in the young so that they would grow to become responsible citizens.The habits and mode of life a child imbibed, and continues to imbibe, from the family are c o n s o l i d a t e d , complemented, and modified by education, both formal and informal, which constitutes an important component in the total personality and character structure of the child. Still the family is fundamental, because it provides the substructure on which further learning is based. That is why children from families where the appropriate physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual environments for the unfolding of their latent productive powers are absent usually do not do well in school. reality. I am revising my erstwhile opinion to leave room for the possibility that this may just be a personality trait. An abused child either grows up to be an abuser or a defender and preventer of abuse. In my case I would say I was the latter so I am as certain as can possibly be that no abuse occurs in my home. Yet here I am looking most times into the blank gaze of a child that would rather create comics in the exercise books meant for the maths homework.

responsible for my nature; in a large compound, many things happen that the parents cant always prevent. Feeding and providing for that compound means tempers are flared and many things occurred that would not be the norm. I had always thought I developed a coping mechanism of shutting people out to get away from the not always so pleasant

am pretty sure I am raising a genius who will probably write a best seller judging by the intelligence thats very easy to see. What I need to figure out is a way to maintain and nurture the creativity while keeping his feet firmly planted in reality. It shouldn’t be a problem; after all I am familiar with the tell tale signs of floating from reality; I still do it. I will be employing not only patience but constant prayers, I shall also be begging God’s forgiveness for all my mother ’s frustrations over me. I now know that her life wasn’t a picnic in many ways; it couldn’t have been, she was raising me; just like I a m .

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 17

“The only battle that counts is the last battle” Richard Neustadt, in POWER AND PRESIDENTS.

AST week I ended this series by stating that President Jonathan does not know those behind the Boko Haram threat; neither does the National Security Adviser, NSA. They don’t know, not because they are incompetent or lack the will, as some have asserted but because we are engaged in a guerilla war in which the opponents of government forces know the JTF and Police but the forces cannot readily identify the terrorists. And, they are difficult to identify because they dress, talk and generally behave like the rest of society and they live among us using us as human shields. That has been the nature of terrorist groups from time immemorial. In a pitched battle, the front line is known and the enemy can easily be separated from the civilian population. In a guerilla war, everywhere is the battle front. That explains why the media, of whom I am a part, has also suddenly found itself in the trenches. Not surprising to me, we don’t know the enemy either because they move about in various disguises which the security forces cannot readily unmask. A suicide bomber, until he delivers his deadly message, looks like anybody else. Furthermore, governments seldom receive any help in fishing out the culprits for three main reasons. First, most people who might know the terrorists but who are not members of the group are mortally afraid; they know too well the consequences to themselves if they are known, or even suspected to be government informers. Second, many don’t trust government officials not to disclose their identity – especially as Jonathan admitted “there are Boko Harams in my government”. Why take a risk when the person to whom you report might be a sympathizer of Boko Haram? Third, some people actually want the government to fail and if this is the way, so be it. Most of the rest of us are just indifferent to the plight of government; we sit around, wring our hands and condemn. That has been the lot of governments caught in this trap whether self-induced or not.

Unlike you, by the end of the first year in office, several of Johnson’s initiatives were already being implemented. Yours remain just talk

I have stated these truths so bluntly because given our deep frustration and our fears, we want solutions, we want immediate results and most importantly, we want somebody to blame. The President is the first fall guy under the circumstances. But, in order to assign blame to him, with a clear conscience, we first of all need to write a script, even if a false one, claiming that “he knows the terrorists and their sponsors”. It is unfair to the President. Let me quickly provide two historical examples and we can close the subject.

he Tamil Tigers were a guerilla group terrorizing their own country for over twenty five years on account of a secessionist bid. During the time, more than four Presidents ruled the country; each one inheriting the problem until the leader of the terrorists was killed last year. That was when the bloodshed ended. Nobody asked the Presidents to resign just because they could not eradicate the rebels. Similarly, Morocco in Africa fought several decades of ferocious war with terrorists before the rebellion was put down. Again, nobody asked the government to quit on account of that. The problem here to me is clear. We no longer teach or read history. If we do we would

C M Y K

be able to undertake comparative analysis of events and base our utterances on better knowledge instead of sentiments. Finally, don’t forget, I did not vote for Jonathan; you probably did against my advice. I shouldn’t be the one defending him; you should be the ones supporting him. But, the truth must be told. Jonathan and the NSA should not resign on account of Boko Haram – unless someone can point to a replacement who is guaranteed to bring the mayhem to an end in a short time. This time, as always, telling the bitter truth is not just a duty fulfilled; it is a pleasure. Dear President; Try the Lyndon Johnson Option – 1 “Reputation of itself does not persuade, but it can make persuasion easier, or harder, or impossible”. Richard Neustadt in POWER AND PRESIDENTS First of all, the question that should come to your mind is: who is Lyndon Johnson? Well, he happens to be a late United States President, who came into power under almost similar circumstances like you, Mr. President. Johnson was Vice-President to President John Kennedy, 1917-1963, the 35 th President of the United States when he was assassinated in November 1963 with over a year to go on his first term in office. Johnson, like you, was sworn in to complete Kennedy’s term. Again, like you, he sought for election in his own right in 1964 and was overwhelmingly re-elected. Again, like you with your transformation agenda (whatever that means), Johnson embarked on his GREAT SOCIETY programme. There the similarities end.

ohnson’s programme was the most comprehensive in the nation’s history for a first term, and last term, president. Unlike you, by the end of the first year in office, several of Johnson’s initiatives were already being implemented. Yours remain just talk. Few Nigerians know what the whole “she-bang” is all about. Even your Ministers don’t know, so everything anyone does, however foolish, is presented as part of the transformation agenda. The loquacious Minister of Power promised 5,000MW of power by December 2011; he failed; he announces that his next muddle is part of the agenda. Two Ministers, Finance and Petroleum, attempted to bamboozle Nigerians that there was N1.3 trillion subsidy; it turned out there was over N1.5 trillion fraud. They also told us the SURE document, resulting from this attempted swindle, was part of the transformation agenda also. In two years on the saddle, Johnson had established a blazing record of achievements – many of which survived till today. In two years, your government has failed to deliver more electricity consistently than it met there. And pensioners are now farther away from payday than before – but civil servants, under you, smile all the way to the bank and their wardrobes – with loot!! Try opening the newspapers any day Sir. From the front page, it is scandal and mayhem. That was not the way Johnson did it. That is why America is great. Just two years, Sir! Yet for all his social and economic achievements, Johnson found himself with a nation divided by the Viet Nam war and by racial unrest. Violence consumed American cities and president himself became the central topic on the national agenda. His decision on the war, made with good intentions, became one of the major points for violent civil unrest. Eventually, a point was reached when Johnson, although entitled to go for a second term, and would have clinched his party’s ticket, had to decide whether to go or not. To his everlasting glory, Johnson decided and announced in unequivocal terms that he would not seek re-election.

The act of giving soaps and deodorant, a top and a pair of underpants, cap or hat. In the last decade she started from 100 shoe boxes to 10,000 shoeboxes a year! People heard about her charity they told their friends , who told their friends and it grew from there. Some of these children are now giving back by extending this brand of kindness to others.

DENRELE ANIMASAUN FROM LONDON

We all have the means to bestow on others the most lavish gifts; love, joy, peace, hope, kindness, acceptance, encouragement, laughter, forgiveness, time. There is not enough money to buy them and not too little money to give them. The more you spend, the wealthier you ast month Marks & Spencer, one become; yet nothing will cost you of the largest retail companies more than what you freely possess in the UK, launched its Shwopping campaign. The idea is to encourage to give. -Eden Elliot

HE British are well known for donating to good causes at home and abroad. They give old furniture, clothes, books, and miscellaneous to charity. All these donations are given then sold to the public by the charity shops then the proceeds is then used to help the poor and the disadvantaged. Even in this recession times, the British are giving and they keep on giving. Over the years, they raised millions and millions of pounds to helped refugees in the Sudan, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. They help across the globe to support subsistence farmers get fair price for their produce. They have set up training for street children, former prostitutes and marginalised women.

Why President, NSA must not resign –3

In these hard times, Food banks help prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. A simple box of food makes a big difference

Why is this relevant? It is important to know that giving helps the giver as well as the receiver. I am not talking of handing out one- off several bags of rice , a box of stationery , with the photographers on toe to record the spectacle. Far from it. Giving is much more than that and it should form part of our psyche.

I know there are many unsung heroes and heroines in Nigeria who are giving without fanfare, pomp and pageantry. I know people who send clothes, shoes and books home to be distributed amongst the less privileged . People who send home hospital equipments, give financial assistance to school to furnish their libraries, labs and sports halls. I have heard of health professionals giving time to help out in their communities. I have seen firsthand a group of retired nurses, fund raising yearly to provide scholarships, run an orphanage and provide pipe borne water system in their villages in Nigeria. We should all attempt to emulate these amazing selfless individuals who through their generosity transform lives. I once had the opportunity of meeting an inspiring woman, Maria who had a dream to transform the lives of children in her village in Brazil. She realised her dream by donating gift in a shoe box. In every shoebox she placed a pair of slippers, tooth brush, tooth paste, a book, a comb, sample-size shampoos,

people to bring old garments into stores when they buy new ones, to reduce the one billion items chucked into UK landfill each year. More crucially, the old clothes will be sold or recycled by Oxfam, which already offers a £5 voucher to people bringing old M&S clothes into its charity shops. In recession pressed UK, about 3 million people live below poverty line. They go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. There are people volunteering at the entrance of food store ,raising awareness about shopping for extra food item and giving it to the food bank. Food is also collected at ‘Supermarket Collections’: These are events held at supermarkets where volunteers give shoppers a ‘foodbank shopping list’ and ask them to buy an extra item or two for local people in crisis. . All food is donated by the public and sorted by volunteers. In these hard times, Food banks help prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. A simple box of food makes a big difference. They now work in partnership with faith groups and communities to distribute all food donations to those in need. So far there is over 200 food banks and there are plans to have one in every town .Frontline care professionals, such as doctors and social workers, identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher. They then, receive three days of nutritionally balanced, nonperishable food in exchange for their food voucher. Food banks also make time to chat and to signpost clients to other helpful services. Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. The food banks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK.

ast year, the food bank fed 128,687 people nationwide, L 100% more than the previous year. Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to food banks for help. This is admirable considering that the country is considered one of the richest in the world. So as you know charity begins at home. If you could, today have a rummage through your closets, garage, rooms and collect all your old, unwanted clothes, shoes, toys, books or other items. They could be of use to others. Better still, make up a box of promise, get your children to help, fill it with the essentials like pencils, erasers, a book, crayons, pass it on to a school where it can be distributed to those in need. A random act of kindness is so good for your emotional well being. Even in hard times , it is so important that we reach out and do whatever we can to help those less fortunate. “The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service”- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-1882.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 the security personnel who mounted the barricades. The particular challenge which such check points are designed to address may therefore not be easy for a layman like this writer to comprehend.

Nigeria’s legion of notorious facts hardly develop because of the notorious fact that State Governors divert local government resources into other uses. That is not the only notorious fact in our clime. Indeed that Nigeria has a legion of notorious facts is itself a notorious fact going by the legal definition of notorious facts as issues

ULIUS, my brother, says he is justifiably upset with me for staying back in Abuja instead of returning to our home town-Benin Cityafter retiring from the Public Service. He imagines that if every Benin citizen in Diaspora declines to return home, our city may shortly become a ghost town. Whereas the argument looks logical, it loses sight of the fact that Benin City can hardly be deserted by virtue of the daily influx of migrants from the adjourning villages into the city. To live in Benin City appears to be the goal of the average Benin citizen. Even local government officials whether elected, appointed or imposed who ought to facilitate development in the villages operate from Benin City. Representatives of our Oba who are mandated to traditionally superintend over the villages do likewise. Regrettably, the hope that the villages may soon develop to attract the return of those who left or to dissuade other indigenes from “checking out” are quite slim as successive Edo State governments have a city mentality that once some work is in progress in the urban areas all is well. The problem is not restricted to Edo State as many Nigerian villages can

refuted it perhaps to avoid the wrath of some authorities. However, both the alleged author of the statement and his aides who refuted it as well as the authorities who were uncomfortable with it know it to be true. Many Nigerians would also recognize the statement to be true because it is a

Nigeria would love to emulate other nations which always exclude dubious characters from top political positions but intelligence failure would make that a hard nut to crack

which require no proof because they are too easy and obvious to know. Even those who dispute them know in their hearts that such facts are irrefutable.

good example is a report credited to the Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna a few days ago that intelligence failure accounts for the nation’s inability to withstand its current security challenges. Although it was neither a new point nor one that needed proof, the aides of the Commandant later

notorious fact that we are combating our current security challenges such as ‘Bombings’ with 19 th Century weapons and strategies. For instance, make shift security check points mounted with the use of broken pillars and blocks in several locations across the country are not quite different from the heap of stones with which my ancestors-the warriors of ancient Benin- sought to stop the British invaders in 1897. Yet, a suicide bomber can, in the twinkle of an eye, kill himself and everybody in the long queues around the check points including

Wind of change over the West government in power and who are necessarily blind to the nature of power itself, would finally rise even in mild public protest against their economic condition? Is this the sign of things to come? Europe, now laboring under the current malaise of capitalism provides the true picture of what it means to be under real pressure. Last week, French voters sent a clear and untrammelled message in electing the Socialist Mr. Francois Hollande and in booting the irascible Sarkozy out of office, that the French public has had it with p r i v a t i z a t i o n , deregulation, and the tightening of the public purse. To paraphrase a rather pithy statement in the London New Statesman, the French public is showing us the way again to the revolutionary road. The road towards regaining the agency of the public voice. I think the New Statesmanmissed the

point: the street protests in Africa in the 1980s and 1990s were the early precursors of what is now only just happening in Europe.

t is just simply ironic that Western Europe is only just beginning to

OTHING yet speaks more volubly and very pointedly about the crisis of late capitalism than the images out of London this past week, of off-duty English policemen joining in the street protests against the proposed austerity measures by the government of the United Kingdom. These stolid defenders of the establishment, who are also about to be cut to fit the size of public government, have made it quite clear, that a reduction of the sort proposed by the Cameron government in the UK under its proposed austerity measures may endanger civil government and public safety, and may in fact torpedo the government. But I’m drawn more to the stark symbolism of it. Who, as my African-American homies would say, have thunk it? Who would have thought that policemen, that institution often associated with any

o start with, I only have some knowledge of Journalism, Law and Management but nothing about security. Indeed, the most dangerous weapon available to me is a kitchen knife making me incompetent to evaluate our security managers. Yet, there is some inexplicable suspicion in my sub consciousness that the difference between our security managers and myself may not be much. Hence, I wondered aloud last Tuesday at the CivilMilitary Relations Seminar in Jos why we have so much mundane, manual and cumbersome physical security structure in Nigeria when many other nations have since gone digital in this age of technology. For analysts like me therefore, intelligence failure is an inevitable consequence of our type of security framework. Whether a commandant also says it or not is irrelevant. The ordinary citizen is also likely to have the same feeling because it is difficult to appreciate the trial and error method of determining which vehicles are searched at check points. What appears obvious is that any well dressed fellow in a new or expensive vehicle is not searched.

ther routine security assignments which serve as ample evidence of intelligence failure in our country include the clearance of politicians to

Fund and the World Bank became a major campaign issue in the elections that year. The great Zik, in fact called the austerity measures, “otanisi” and the NPP, his party was a great opponent of the measures adopted and proposed by the NPN government.

he NPP laid out a broad, alternative economic plan, and campaigned on the stimulation of growth through the injection of capital to public services,

Nigeria’s economy has since been held hostage by the international system and any prospect of sustainable and humane growth has been compromised

taste the bitter medicine of austerity and deregulation to which most of the economies in Africa was subjected in the 1980s and the 1990s, and which still has lingering effects to date on the growth and development in Africa. I will use the specific example of Nigeria. In 1983, the austerity measures forced on the Shagari regime by the International Monetary

a new tax regime, and a reform of the national revenue system. To be fair, the Shagari administration rejected much of the pressure by the international system, freshly under the impetus of the new “Reaganomics,” and adopted what we may now even consider to be limited measures rather than go full throttle towards austerity and deregulation as required

contest elections in which several negative revelations about a candidate come to light only at the end of the election. Of course, Nigeria would love to emulate other nations which always exclude dubious characters from top political positions but intelligence failure would make that a hard nut to crack.

ven if our security o p e r a t i v e s successfully gather some useful data, the political class has more than enough resources to ‘kill’ any report thereby confirming that there is a strong correlation between politics and crime in Nigeria. It was thus refreshing to read the comments of the different people who condemned General Owoeye Azazi, the National Security Adviser (NSA) for attributing our current security challenges to the Zoning principle of the ruling People’s Democratic (PDP). While there is some logic in the argument that the NSA should not have publicly condemned the ruling party which appointed him into office, everyone seems to forget that the inability of the nation to overcome its challenges derogates from the personal sterling qualities of Azazi who by any standard is not a man of mean achievements. A former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Azazi had served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) soon after holding office as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna Meanwhile those who think Azazi should have channeled his opinion through establishment procedures are unaware that in government, the so

by the international hawks. He did not last too long. The military struck and under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari attempted to roll back and renegotiate some of the prescriptions. General Buhari did not last for too long either before Ibrahim Babangida and his group struck. Under Babangida, Nigeria became a full laboratory for the economic measures of the IMF and the World Bank which today has much of Europe up in arms against their c o n s e r v a t i v e governments. With three neo-conservative economists – Kalu Idika Kalu, Chu Okongwu and Olu Falae - Babangida’s “three horsemen of the apocalypse” crafted a most destructive economic system that foreclosed the gains of decolonization, and subjected an entire generation to terrifying poverty even as it made only a handful extremely rich.

igeria’s economy has since been held hostage by the international system and any prospect of sustainable and humane growth has been compromised ever since, for indeed, Babangida’s

called internal channels are easily exhausted in the unending communication of the deaf posture of the public service. In any case whether the statement by General Azazi was decent or not amounts to shadow chasing. The real issue is its veracity which no one questioned because it is a notorious fact. It is indeed a notorious fact that ethnicity which zoning is all about is one of the ‘settled’ issues of our federalism. If not, our successive Presidents would not have had to often abandon the state house to go to their ‘places’ to register and to vote during elections. It was for the same over-all importance of ethnicity that Abia state disengaged from its public service more than 1,800 fellow Ibo workers of Anambra State origin. It also explains why the indigene-settler imbroglio in Plateau state degenerated to what it has become.

here is thus no need to fight the NSA over a notorious fact. To do so is to refuse to recognize the many realities of Nigeria which constitute its legion of notorious facts. Among them are the following: every year the Nigerian budget must be delayed; the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) must organize an annual strike action; voting by under aged voters takes place in every Nigerian election; Nigerian judges corruptly pervert the course of justice; traditional rulers honour questionable characters with chieftaincy titles while some Nigerian journalists collect brown envelope to manipulate news. These are facts that require no proof.

policies were pursued without “a human face” to quote the very words of Obasanjo’s critique of it. Ironically, those policies were later pursued to its logical conclusion by Olusegun Obasanjo himself, who in his second coming took Nigeria deeper into the belly of the beast. To understand the fullest dimension of what has taken place in Nigeria from 1968 to date, all any thinking and literate Nigerian needs to do is pick up a copy of John Perkin’s intriguing book, The Confessions of an Economic Hit man.The puzzles – including the current crisis in the oil sector, the moves to privatize and deregulate the power sector and other areas of the public system, the cuts in subsidies, the huge level of unemployment and the mindless level of profits in the hands of a few individuals to whom Nigeria’s public investments were sold for a song – all will fall in place. Nigeria, like other newly developing African economies, was forced to drink this poisoned chalice by the World Bank and the IMF especially in the 1980s. But it does seem that the poisoned hand has inexorably reached the European mouth.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 19

Should I tell him about the other man? Dear Rebecca

am 25, I’m doing my youth service. I’m in love with a man who loves me too. I suspect he might want to propose to me soon. My problem isn’t that I can’t accept him, but I had once had a forced sexual intercourse with a man whom I now found out to be a good friend of his and with whom he does business sometimes. I am now in a dilemma. I take telephone messages from the man for my boyfriend when he is not at home, but he doesn’t know I am the one. I don’t know whether to go and beg this man who lives in another state not to let the cat out of the bag, or to call it quits with my boyfriend which would even be more difficult. But I can’t afford to lose my boyfriend. The other man has two wives and I was not aware of this during our short fling. He does not visit my boyfriend and he has no idea about our relationship. My boyfriend talks about him a lot and seems to like him. Please help. Valerie, Abuja.

REPL Y REPLY

suggest you apply to this problem, a popu lar American saying, ‘If it ain’t broken, don’t mend it’. Unsolicited confession can sometimes do more harm that good, so, if your boyfriend has not demanded that you tell him about all the boys who have dated you in the past, and those you have had sex with, I think it is wise to keep your mouth shut and stop fretting or feeling guilty about anything. Unwisely, you had sex with the other man; well, all that is in the past, so leave it there. If you had sex with him in a moment of weakness when you had already started going steady with your present boyfriend, then you are guilty and should worry. But from your mail, that is not the case. So, relax and enjoy your relationship with your present boyfriend. If you panic and you go beg the other man not to reveal your past association, then you would be putting yourself in his power. He may demand sex from you as payment. In your fear, you may agree but you will never find peace again, as he may keep demanding payment over and over again. If your boyfriend gets to know that you had

a relationship with the other man in the past, admit it, but emphasize that it was nothing deep. If he asks why you didn’t tell him, say that the matter did not arise and you didn’t want to attach any importance to something that was trivial. If the other man turns up unexpectedly and discovers you at your boyfriend’s place, greet him politely and leave both of them together. Be cool. Don’t show any sign of guilt or fear, not even if you have to sit with them. Don’t allow him to draw you into a conversation of

familiarity. My guess is that he will not try anything nasty. As for your boyfriend, if he really loves you, he wouldn’t worry about the friends you had in the past, unless you were promiscuous and he is afraid you would make an unfaithful wife. It is what you are to him now that matters. Er, did you say that you take your boyfriend’s calls when he’s away from home? Does that mean that you’re living with him and playing

‘wife’ to him in all areas of life? What if that marriage proposal doesn’t come from him as you’re expecting, since he’s already enjoying you as a ‘ wife’ free of charge? What if at the end of it all he feels you’re not the ideal lady for him to marry? I may be wrong, but many men respect more, those girls who are not readily available to them. I know that youth corpers’ accommodation is not usually the best, but you don’t have to go play housekeeper to this man who you’re neither engaged nor married to. Think about this.

Help! Girls reject me! Dear Rebecca

AM a 24 year old undergraduate. My problem is getting a girl as my intimate friend (girlfriend). Whenever I try to woo a girl, they always turn me down and this is affecting me seriously. I dont have a girlfriend and have never fallen in love. Each time I make an effort it never works for me. I aways feel upset whenever I see my friends or younger guys having about two or three girlfriends. I feel ashamed of myself. I don’t know if I use the wrong words when I communicate with girls, or they don’t find me attractive enough for t h e m . O r, perhaps, I don’t have enough money to woo them.I’ve decided to forget about girls or anything to do with them because whenever they turn me down, I really feel distressed. What can be wrong with me? Please I need your a d v i c e . Lola, Abuja.

REPL Y REPLY

AM sorry that you feel this way about not having a girlfriend. You’re not alone, because out there, there are many boys and girls who are wondering why members of the opposite sex are not attracted to them. Let me assure you that your inability to have girls as friends is not due

to your looks, social status, or lack of adequate money with which to woo a girl. There are many decent girls who are not looking for these things as a condition for making friends with a boy. What many girls want in a boy are - cleanliness, politeness, self-respect, a responsible attitude to life, kindness, patience, tolerance and a good sense of humour. I don’t know how your approach has been, but it may have been too

brash and intense, and it may have put the girls you approached off. It is not advisable to see girls as things you have to conquer to show that you’re a successful human being. You cannot force another human being to like or respect you.

aving a girlfriend is not a certificate to carry around. I know that some young people consider it an achievement, but it isn’’t. Marriage at the right time, is an achievement, though. That is, when it comes after you’ve completed your studies, established yourself in a job or career, saved up and are ready to share your life with a wife and children. Getting married to a lady you love and who loves you back, is then an achievement. Just going about having girls,or competing with other boys to see who can have the most girlfriends to parade about with, is childish, immature, and totally undesir-

able. So, stop envying boys who are constantly parading girls about. Responsible girls who are also sensible, wouldn’t want to have anything to do with such boys.

responsible boy starts out making casual friends with girls around him who respond to him positively. This means, you start off with casual greetings when you meet girls on the campus, in church, in the neighbourhood, etc. You just greet politely as you pass them by, and move on. You don’t see a girl and then tell her straightaway that you like her and want her as your girlfriend. You will only get a refusal on the spot, or some telling-off. After several times of greeting a girl, if she responds well to these greetings, you may one day stop for a very casual chat. If it is on the campus, you can ask about her studies first, and then later about her friends, family, and other student issues. If she continues to respond well to you, you can offer to exchange novels, magazines, cds.

f she accepts these, you can stop for a longer while to ask if she had had time to read the novel, magazine, etc, and you can both discuss this. Now don’t make it a point to do all this in full view of people in order to show them that you have got a girl. That’s wrong. The girl is not your girlfriend, only a casual

friend. So, you don’t get upset if you see her in the company of other boys, and you certainly don’t rush around telling people that she’s your girlfriend. Many boys lose good friendship with girls because of this attitude of bragging. Have several girls that you relate to in a casual manner like this. As you stop to chat and interact with them, you all become friends. If a girl doesn’t respond well to your greetings, don’t worry and don’t pursue her or force friendship on her.

ust greet politely when you meet and move on, as a well-manner young person should do. As you interact with the girls who are friendly with you, you will have the opportunity to study and understand girls more, and this will help you when you want to start dating later, as you would know the type that you like to have a relationship with. These girls will have other boys as friends too, or may even have boyfriends. This shouldn’t bother you. Just be satisfied with being a casual friend. This gives you confidence in relating with girls. At a point, when there’s a girl you’re interested in romantically among these girls, you may tell her in a friendly manner that you would want her for a girlfriend. If you

can’t tell her face to face, send her a card to express your feelings. If she says ‘no’, accept, and continue being her casual friend. Relax. As time goes on, you’re bound to find one who would want to be your girlfriend. When you do, don’t start behaving as if you own her. Don’t insist on hugging her, holding her hands. Let the friendship develop well first before you try these. There should be no demand for sex. You don’t own her body. Treat her with respect. On birthdays, give only the presents that you can afford. Don’t brag or try to play ‘big’.

decent girl doesn’t ask her boyfriend for money. Real cleanliness of a good wash of the body, and clean clothes, socks and shoes, help a lot. Girls may not want to near a boy who has smelly mouth, or body odour. They won’t tell you. They’ll just avoid you, even if you’re handsome and have all the money in the world. Now, concentrate more on your studies than on girls. You need to make very good grades in order to stand a chance of landing a good job later, by the grace of God. If you have a girl on the campus, encourage her to take her studies seriously too. Good luck.

•All letters for publication on this page should be sent to: Dear Rebecca, Vanguard Media Ltd, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: dearrebecca2@yahoo.com

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Mr. Nice Guy Vs. Mr. Love Rat - Who wins?

HY do most women fall head-long for love rats but turn up their nose at Mr. Nice Guy, who like the proverbial bitter pill, might do them a world of good? ‘Love rats can pull off the cheesiest chat-up line as if they really mean it”, says Sarah, a relationship expert. “In the early stages, when they’re trying to win you over they have a knack of making you feel incredibly special and absolutely fascinating. Unlike most men, they are not shy of using three little words you long to hear, usually within a short time of knowing you. So, it’s not surprising that they have great success with woman. But with this success comes danger. One woman is never enough. “They love the thrill of the chase and the triumph of conquest much more than they will ever love you. Marriage doesn’t stop them - and if you’re unlucky enough to be wed to one, you will have ceased to feel special a long time ago. A love rat rarely wastes his charm on his wife ... “ This past Valentine’s Day must have opened the eyes of a lot of love-sick women to the antics of the love rats in their lives. Some years back, I was already settled in the late evening, some goodies on

a plate and a nice video playing when a loud courier man bellowed my name. Irritated, I came to the door and there he was a wilting bouquet in his hand with a balloon attached to it almost as withered as the flowers. “Valentine’s present for you madam,” he announced, expecting me to jump for joy maybe? I looked at the sender ’s name and laughed. He was a good friend. We’d joked so often about getting together, we’d practically became like good friends, so why was he sending me flowers? And at this time of the night? Then it clicked. The clever rogue had probably meant the present for another victim. Did she ask it should be sent back to him? Not wanting to waste his money, he’d ordered the flowers to be delivered to me rather then ending up in the rubbish bin where they belong!

his year, Kate thought she had a lovely Valentine outing planned with Greg, her partner of two years. “We were to go to a posh night club after a lavish dinner,” she said. A dentist in her own private business, you would think she’d be experienced enough to spot a

guy a chance, even if the spark isn’t there.

love rat a mile off and make a run for it. “Come the afternoon, he called personally at the clinic, looking very upset,” Kate said. “His mother had been rushed to the hospital after suffering yet another stroke, he said. She’d had one a couple of years back but was now in a bad shape after a relapse. Presenting me with flowers and a box of chocolates, he promised to try and make it back in time for our planned evening, if he couldn’t, he’d make it up to me the following Saturday. “He didn’t make it back and two days later, a friend called that Greg was spotted in a night club with a stunning date. I was really upset. I went to his flat the next day and his servant let me in. He was having a nap on the couch in the living room, his phone

next to him. The temptation was too much. I hurried to the toilet and went through his messages. The same number kept coming up, so I sent a text: How are you? The phone beeped a reply immediately. ‘Fine sweetheart. Still savouring last Saturday! I sent another message:{This is Greg’s girlfriend.’ Immediately the phone rang. “We need to talk”, a woman’s voice answered. I told her I was on my way to the clinic, gave her the address then threw Greg’s phone on the couch next to him.

inda was a good looking legal secretary who told me she’d been with Greg for two years - same as me! The cad had strung both of us along. When he gave excuses to me, he was with her. When he gave excuses to her, he was

Good posture through the years wait till you have attained the same age as Methuselah. This means that we owe it to ourselves to start to keep the body healthy very early in

Y yoga teacher was of the opinion that old age sets in when one throws away good posture to the winds. He would say “do your exercise regularly to avoid that sort of stiftness which starts from the nape to the neck down to the heels of the feet.’‘ I, myself, have found out through the years of teaching Yoga to others that even a little boy of less than six years could be incapable of doing the head-to-knee posture, whereas, someone of 30 who exercises regularly has no problem with the same posture. That fact drives home the point that the deteriorating of the tone of the muscles can occur even while a child is growing up. Loss of muscle tone will not C M Y K

to get them to exercise. Children almost always learn by example. Seeing their parents exercise will in most cases inspire them to follow lead. Typical of this situ-

INBOX

This exercise will strengthen the spine and expel fatigue in the small of the back

life. Parents should, therefore, realise the importance of fitness not only for themselves but also for those that they bring into the world to delight their days on earth! Parents do not have to breathe down the necks of their children

ation was what existed between my own Yoga teacher and his children. He would tell me that because his children thought most of the exercises were funny, they would want to join in the fun by doing them too. The end result being

that his children of both genders became very good at doing the exercises, enjoying all the therapeutic benefits of the practices. He would tell me, for instance, that none of his daughters suffered from period pains or had problems at child delivery. And, he would put all that down to their practice of Yoga. After a few weeks of Yoga classes, I once told a group of ladies that one of the benefits of the head-toknee posture was that of painless periods and one of them said, ‘’no wonder, I have not had to take pain relievers for some time now

with me - and he’d taken us on similar romantic outings. By the time she left, my head was reeling, I had been with Greg for two years and I thought we were going to spend our lives together. We are both single parents and I thought he would be as eager to settle down as I was ... “ So what can you do if you recognize you have a fatal attraction to love rats? According to Sarah, ‘’Nobody quite understands how it is that within a second of meeting a man, a part of us knows he will not fit with our programming, even ifhe’s a stranger. Yet it happens all the time. Learning to feel better about yourself and dealing with whatever is unresolved from the past is part of the process of weaning yourself off love rats. The other way forward is to give the nice

during my periods. I see,’ I want the reader to know that this was an honest-to-God incidence. For a good posture, which means an absence of a round back, the following exercise is to be practised. Lie flat on the back raising the legs vertically and making sure the small of the back remains on the ground. Now, while you

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Leg Raise

here are many women out there having their hearts broken by love rats, yet they give the brush-off to the kind of men they say they are looking for. ‘He’s very nice, they say. ‘In every other way he would be perfect, but there’s no chemistry, I wish I could fancy him, but I don’t”. Once you understand that, you realize for you the spark is a warning sign - that the man who triggers it is likely to be bad for you and an unsuitable partner. Then you can experiment and try dating that nice man for a while. Without the spark, you won’t be tempted to fall into bed with him immediately, that’s a good thing. “You’ll get to know him first and discover whether you have important things in common, such as values, interests and what you want out of life. If he’s interesting and fun to be with as well, you’ll find there is a more enduring kind of chemistry - one that grows as you begin to feel safe, appreciated, loved and able to trust him. In the end that’s even sexier than the spark ignited when your eyes meet across a crowded room ...

breathe in, bring down the right leg to the right side of the body to touch the floor. Exhale and raise again upwards. Thrice in all. Repeat with the left leg to the left side of the body. For the stronger individuals doing the exercise with both legs at the same time is encouraged. This exercise will strengthen the spine and expel fatigue in the small of the back.

SUND AY Vanguard , MA Y 13, 2012, PAGE 21 MAY SUNDA bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

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SMS only

Enstranged half siblings

ENNY, a 46-yearold mother of four was relaxing one serene Sunday morning engrossed in her favourite Sunday newspaper when she turned the pages and saw it. An extensive interview with her “husband”, the father of all her children. Her heart pounding, she skipped through the interview, anxious to find out how he tackled questions about his family. “How many children do you have?” the interviewer had asked, “Three lovely boys,” was her husband’s answer. He then proceeded to mention their names, their ages and a glowing account of the wonderful contribution his wife has made to his life and career in the thirty odd years they ’d been married. Benny burnt with anger and the embarrassing humiliation of his denial of her children. She mentally envisaged her friends reading the same interview and probably sniggering at her humiliation. What kind of a spineless man has she saddled herself with? Yet, she had the world at her feet when she met him. She was a fresh graduate who’d done her youth service in his office. He was a renowned achiever who immediately swept her off her feet. Expensive meals and fancy nights-out in swanky hotel rooms followed – and he generously paid for holidays in places she’d once read about.

hen Benny dis covered she was pregnant just after her service year, she wanted an abortion and was sure her man would agree. She already had a fiance’lined up. In fact, they worked in the same office courtesy of her fi-

ance’s dad. “But Yemi, my husband, absolutely refused for me to have an abortion,” Benny continued, ? was surprised. He’d never fed me any derogatory stories about his wife. But he wanted ‘our ’ baby as he put it, and immediately asked me to move into one of his vacant apartments. We had a native and customs’ do, and that was it, I was a married woman! He was overjoyed when the baby was a girl and her naming ceremony was done with most of his relatives present. Over the years, I’ve had three more children two girls and a boy.

e is also a marvel lous provider but I have since removed the rose-co loured glasses I wore when we first met. The wife knows of me and my children, but has bluntly refused to acknowledge my existence. Nor the existence of two other women he’d since had children with after me. When I first’became aware of his other women, who he’d discretely hidden from me, I played the detective. Most of the children looked like him-his genes are that strong. I won’t bore you with the humiliating methods I used to trace the other kids, but they were his kids all right - no doubt about it. “When I finally confronted him, he didn’t deny it. It was then he told me that all his children would never want for anything, that it was a good thing I was a successful woman in my own right. What was more, I should consider the house we live in as my children’s. If any of us three ‘ wives’ entertained any idea of being publicly acknowledged and which might lead to his embarrassment, we should forget it. He was

lage head and he confirmed what we were told. That for reasons best known to my father, he had decided to keep his other family secret because he’d once recklessly promised mum, he wouldn’t marry a second wife. He confirmed that the three children had already been provided for financially. That they showed up at the funeral was because they wanted to say goodbye to their father and probably make their presence felt as rightful children of the deceased.

a public figure, and no woman would pull him down. I was thoroughly disillusioned after the outburst. Is he the only public figure with more than one wife? My children are now in their teens and can read the newspapers. How on earth was I to explain this type of humiliation to them? I quickly hid the papers so none of them would read the interview but naturally, one of my first daughter ’s friends had happily brought a copy to show her in school the next day, in case she hadn’t seen it.

ut my daughter didn’t feel as embarrassed as I thought she would be. Apparently, her school also has its share of children like her and they discuss things like that in the school all of the time. She told me to ignore her father, that though he was a good provider, she never really liked his wife. That on rare occasions the children had visited, she always regarded them like a bad smell. I’d protested about such visits in the past, but Yemi had insisted. One would have thought he would at least publicly acknowledge his children -

but there he was, admitting to having only three children when he has at least eleven.” Gani’s father, an industrialist, was in his late eighties when he died. He’d always been the right hand man of their town’s ruler and it was only fitting that he was taken home for his final rest. The five children spared no expense at the funeral, after all, their departed father not only left millions, he’d made sure there would be ready cash for his funeral before the Will was read. “Because of the anticipated crowd from Lagos and Ibadan alone,” Gani said, “ we decided to have the funeral reception in a school compound and we really made a carnival of it. Most of our dad’s close relations had their own canopies and there was this one almost as huge as the one we had. Much later, it became obvious that the group under the canopy wasn’t particularly friendly but we just ignored them as they weren’t people we readily recognised. Apart from a sophisti-

with different-similiar character, love has made us to become one flesh. My love, as long as we love eachother, nothing can seperate us. As for me, I know I will never ever leave you, Omorville omorville@gmail.com, 08062486549

OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel. Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"

My Queen

Love brings two different beings together. We are from different state; different culture, different height, C M Y K

The power of love

There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer; no disease that enough love will not heal; no door that enough love will not open; no gulf that enough love will not bridge; no wall that enough love will not throw down; no sin that enough love will not redeem... It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble; how hopeless the outlook; how muddled the tangle; how great the mistake.

cated band from Lagos, we had a local one too for the benefit of the locals. As soon as it was the local band’s turn to entertain, three guests from the big canopy - a man and two women wearing the same lace material danced arrogantly towards the dance floor. The band leader started singling their praises and sympathising with them on the loss of their father. In seconds, their guests had stormed the dance floor, spraying like mad. Curiously, some of us went near the dance floor and were virtually elbowed out of the place. I was annoyed. We’d paid for the entertainers and had the right to control them. So I stopped the band.

he place was agog with gossip. It was then we learnt that the three ‘mourners’ were my dad’s children by a woman who lived locally. In fact, the mighty house they lived in was dad’s and before he died, he had ‘settled’ their side of the family so there wouldn’t be any confusion when he was eventually buried. The next day, I went to see the vil-

was a bit confused. We had a half-brother and sisters that we have just discovered, who were very hostile to us. When I eventually broached the subject of reconciliation with our mother and my other siblings, they were against it, they said I should leave things as dad intended them to be. Why take on responsibilities that were never ours in the first place? If an olive branch were to be offered, it should be from the secret ‘family ’. I guess I felt some sort of sympathy for my half-siblings because I remarried after my divorce and have two children by my second husband. He was already married with children when I met him, yet he was man enough to introduce me to his wife. She might not like who I represent, but she knows of the children too. If a woman is good enough for you to have children with, she should be good enough for her and her children to be publicly acknowledged. It is a spineless man that hides his offspring because of a society that doesn’t give a hoot about what you do”.

A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world Chris Onunaku dekris4real@gmail.com 08032988826/08184844015.

I love you

We were not born together, we didn't grow up together, we are not related in anyway, but love - a spiritual connective force- brought us together. Now I can't live without you "a stranger" A stranger now the most valuable person in my life. I love you... Kiss!! Kelechi Ndubisi (KC) kconeofafrica@gmail.com, 08032900530

P AGE 22—SUND AY V ANGU ARD, MA Y 13, 2012 PA 22—SUNDA VANGU ANGUARD, MAY

SUNDAY

Health Report

Rheumatic Heart Disease: A forgotten BY CHIOMA OBINNA '

ABRIEL 5 was brilliant. At age 2, he was already in Kin dergarten 2. His parents cherish him. Every morning, his mother, a full time house wife takes him to school along with his sibling. One morning, she noticed Gabriel was running temperature. As the day went by, he started coughing and wheezing. His mother him to the hospital where he was treated for malaria. Days later, he developed sore throat and the parents continued to manage him in one of the private hospitals around their community. But as time went by, his situation worsened. Further medical investigations revealed that he had developed an acute Rheumatic Heart Disease, RHD. It could immediately have been prevented or stopped by administration of Penicillin. Rheumatic Heart Disease is caused by an infection with streptococcal bacteria, responsible for strep throat infections. For some reason, after the streptococcal infection, the immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissue and inflammation occurs in multiple. Medical experts say streptococcal bacteria caused more damage on his heart apparently due to late presentation and the inability of the physician who initially handled his case to diagnose him properly. Although, he could have been helped, Gabriel never lived to tell his story as the doctors lamented that surgery could do little or nothing to save him. Gabriel died as a result of a disease that could be simply prevented and treated if surgery or drugs were readily available. Few weeks before his death, he was having regular palpitation, wheezing, coughing, and often losing concentration and sometimes fatigued. His beautiful skin gave way for pale looks. His condition required early diagnosis, prevention and intervention. If there had been greater efforts aimed at detecting the first signs of the disease which include; chest pain palpitations, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, leg swelling, foot swelling, faintness, fainting excessive sweating and fatigue, in Gabriel, his case would have not been progressed. According to the experts, all Gabriel required was a monthly dosage of penicillin and adequate clinical monitoring. But for the fact that Gabriel lives in a country where Rheumatic Heart Disease has been forgotten, there was no hope. Yet the disorder continues to wreck havoc on the population. Gabriel case is one out of the three deaths in the world today as a result of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that one in five children with RHD will die by the age of 15 and almost 4-in-5 will die by age 25 in most Africa countries. Neglected disease of poverty Nearly forgotten in developed countries where it has been almost entirely eliminated, RHD, according to the World Heart Federation, WHF, remains the most common cardiovascular disease of children and young people in developing countries like Nigeria. But unfortunately, the awareness about the disease remains poor. Although, the disease has continued to be the agony of Africans, little or nothing is being done to eliminate the disease. Reports from WHF show that: “It affects over 15 million people around the world and kills hundreds of thousands every year. Africa has the largest

Kanu Nwankwo and some children that survived heart diseases.

number of children with the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is little access to the treatment that could enable them to survive and live normal lives; over a million children are estimated to suffer from the debilitating and often fatal condition”. Investigations have shown a sharp rise in the incidence of heart related ailment. Many have blamed it on dietary factors, stress, pollution, and smoking, diseases such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. New preliminary findings presented at the just- concluded 2012 World Con-

gress of Cardiology, WCC, in Dubai, revealed that RHD is significantly under-treated in Africa and Nigeria inclusive. The study showed that across the African and Indian regions that patients are not receiving the surgery they need, secondary prevention with penicillin – to prevent further attacks of rheumatic fever – is being underutilized and many patients are unaware of their target anti-coagulation levels. Across the African and Indian regions included in the study it was revealed that patients are not receiving the sur-

gery they need, secondary prevention with penicillin – to prevent further attacks of rheumatic fever – is being under-utilized and many patients are unaware of their target anti-coagulation levels. In the study, only 41 per cent of patients enrolled in the study had received surgery. More than 85 per cent of the enrolling centres do not have surgery available on a regular basis for RHD patients. Nearly one-quarter of all patients (22 per cent) were in atrial fibrillation and of these patients, only 65 per cent were receiving necessary anti-coagulant therapy. The study results further showed that only 36 per cent of patients with moderate or severe disease and only 20 per cent of those that have undergone valve replacement surgery are receiving secondary prophylaxis with penicillin. Crises of CVDs However, the increasing global crisis

in Non-Communicable Diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, etc according to experts pose a major threat to UN development goals including poverty reduction, health equity, economic stability, and human security. In Africa, cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of mortality and the first under the age of 50 years. Statistics have shown that RHD is a major cause of heart failure in Nigeria and other African countries. According to experts, CVDs have reached near epidemic with RHD still major causes of mortality and morbidity in Nigeria and other African countries. For in-

SUND AY V ANGU ARD, MA Y 13, 2012, P AGE 23 SUNDA VANGU ANGUARD, MAY PA

SUNDAY Health Report

health crisis stance, of the estimated 16.6 million deaths attributed to CVDs worldwide, 80 per cent is in developing countries like Nigeria. Studies have also found that RHD is worst in pregnant women as it increases the risk of maternal and fetal complications. In Nigeria it is said to be another factor fueling maternal mortality in the country. Another study in Senegal reports that 47 per cent of pregnant women with Mitral stenosis died in the peri- partum period. The mortality rate for the total group was 34 per cent and foetal loss was 33 per cent However, the crisis situation of RHD took centre stage at the just concluded 2012 World Congress of Cardiology, WCC, organised by the World Heart Federation, WHF, in Dubai last week. The World Congress of Cardiology is the international platform for the cardiology community. From the numerous scientific sessions on the various cardiovascular diseases, the 10,500 delegates that attended the congress from the latest scientific developments in the cardiology field agreed that the time to act was now. However, the hope of Nigerians including other African countries that are currently being ravaged by RHD was risen with the new target by the world to reduce premature cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in 2025 The targets, tagged; “2525”, includes

Statistics have shown that RHD is a major cause of heart failure in Nigeria and other African countries

reduction of RHD in African countries. President of the World Heart Federation, WHF, Sydney Smith said that the WHF is uniting the CVD community to reach the World Health Organization mortality target. The “2525” tends to achieve the target through raising the priority of CV health on global agenda; global advocacy and leadership, heart healthy diet and physical activity for all, improve recognition & control of high blood pressure globally as well as advance a tobacco-free world amongst others.

Reeling out global statistics on CVD, he said: “Cardiovascular disease and stroke is the leading cause of deaths in the world today, particularly in the developing countries. By “By 2020 there will be slight rise of six million deaths in developed countries while more than doubling by 19 million in developing countries.” Smith who lamented that 80 per cent will occur in developing countries reiterated that the United Nations recently adopted Non Communicable diseases as a special focus said the time to act is now. Gaps in treatment However, some of the cardiologists who spoke Sunday Vanguard blamed the crises states of the disease in Africa on gaps in recommended treatment guidelines. According to a Paediatric Cardiologist, Red Cross Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Liesl Züklhe, who noted poor commitments on the part of African leaders, said only 30 per cent of patients in Africa has access to the secondary prophylaxis, penicillin used to prevent the disease from spreading. According to her, “To tackle the disease, there is need to address these gaps by detect the first signs of the disease, investigations should be done properly, need to establish RHD surveillance system for better documentation, screening programmes must be performed among elementary school children by echocardiography. Other remedies she offered include; great efforts should be done to implement primary and secondary prevention programmes for rheumatic fever and RHD including establishing health educational programmes through different media. Advanced cardiac centers must be established throughout the country to facilitate accessibility to appropriate management including interventional therapies with less effort and free of charge.” Without doubt, appropriate public health control programmes and optimal medical care reduce the burden of disease. WHF has launched a project to strengthen the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) in Africa. It is setting up demonstration sites in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa. It has also established a global Centre of Excellence for the control of rheumatic heart disease. Meant to be a resource for health practitioners and policy-makers in countries like Nigeria where the disease is still common, the web-based centre makes available tools and training materials developed in its demonstration projects.

Youths under the aegis of Concerned Rivers youths protest in Port Harcourt weekend, calling for thorough probe of petroleum subsidy regime.

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD,MAY 13, 2012

Re: Cashless economy & our rights View-Point S man /the canoe man who lives on water most of the time to be banksavvy enough to have an ATM card for making purchases? Should he be refused sale of the diesel with which he runs his boat, which is the source of his means of livelihood, because he has no card to use? Wouldn’t that affect his life and the lives of his dependants? This is not a case of the man having no money with which to make a purchase, but rather, that of his mode of purchase being rejected! I’m not a lawyer, but in enlightened societies, the man can sue for discrimination which has caused damage to his general well-being. His lawyer can claim that the man’s life became endangered because of the refusal to accept his cash and

Helen Ovbiagele

sell him diesel. I hope the management of that outfit will reverse their decision immediately. - Seun, Abuja.’ “Madam, this sort of elitist attitude is bad for a country where there’s such a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Why should anyone who sells to the public reject cash for sales? I was baffled when I read your piece. Next, they would be rejecting our currency and asking us to buy with foreign currencies. However, if they must have their customers use their ATM cards, they should make it an option, not mandatory for all sales. That way, there would be some pumps for cash as well. Thank you for the write-up, madam. - Simeon, Warri.’ We thank all those who wrote in.

Woman Editor

C M Y K

EVERAL readers who reacted to this write-up were astounded that a Nigerian fuel company could request that only customers with ATM cards can buy diesel from its outlet. Some believe that it’s an attempt to further lengthen the distance between the rich and the poor in Nigeria, and make the latter feel inferior and ineffective. Two readers, however, feel that the company has the right to demand payment in whatever form it deems fit, since there’s no legislation about this. A reader thinks that diesel outlet should be shut down immediately for undermining the buying rights of Nigerians with its elitist attitude. “Madam, if this piece had appeared in a less known newspaper, I wouldn’t have believed the writer. But, to a certain extent, many contents of your paper can be considered credible. My point is, how can an indigenous oil company, run by a Nigerian, require only ATM card for payment? It is very unrealistic because this company must be very aware of the level of literacy in this country, and also, how little exposed to the banking system are the core of its citizens. How many people have this plastic card, even in the big cities? I think it’s an infringement on our rights as citizens of this country if we’re refused service because we can only pay by cash. I hope the relevant bodies are going to do something to arrest this silly attitude of an organization that should know better. Thanks, madam. - Oke, Lagos.’ “Helen, thank you for writing on this ‘upstairs, downstairs’ attitude of that diesel outlet in Ikoyi. I had actually been refused the sale of diesel there because I wasn’t willing to use my ATM card to pay. This was in spite of the fact that I’ve been a regular customer there for several years and I’m well-known to the attendants there. They told me that they were no longer permitted to accept cash by their management. I asked why and they were vague in their answer. I found their attitude ridiculous and very unreasonable, but what can one do? Where does one go to report? I had to go buy diesel elsewhere. I’m glad you went through the same experience too, and you made it a point to create an awareness of this nonsense of a mode of selling to the public. Nnenna, Ikoyi, Lagos.’ “Mrs. Ovbiagele, I’m not holding brief for the organization in question, but since there’s no law yet stipulating that cash must never be rejected for payment for goods/services in Nigeria, I don’t think we should castigate that fuel company for opting for payment with ATM card, after years of accepting cash. They must have a very good reason for the change. Those customers who cannot comply can take their custom elsewhere. However, I do agree with you that a sign regarding this new mode of payment should be prominently displayed at the entrance to that filling station. Thus, buyers would know whether they want to do business there or not. - Nat, Ibadan.’ “Ma, I hope by now the regulators of oil marketing must have done something concrete to get that diesel marketer to reverse its decision, and allow cash for purchase. After reading your write-up, I went to an outlet of that company on the Oshodi/Apapa expressway to find out if I would receive the same treatment. The attendants accepted cash from me. When I told them about your experience, they agreed that they had received similar instruction from their management, but in their own case, they should refuse cash after 7pm. I suppose the step is to forestall being robbed. A way around that is

How can an indigenous oil company, run by a Nigerian, require only ATM card for payment? It is very unrealistic because this company must be very aware of the level of literacy in this country

for the cashier to be behind a bullet-proof glass window overlooking the service area, and customers can go pay, and then submit a stamped copy of the receipt to the attendants before they’re sold fuel. It involves some paperwork, but it’s faster than waiting in line for your ATM card to be processed before you’re attended to. It also works well for accountability at the end of the day, as you can see at a glance, how much fuel had been sold. Thanks. Ipade, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.’ ‘Thanks. Your article is interesting. The issue is, our policymakers do not have any love or consideration for the end user. How can our uneducated brothers and sisters operate the ATM card? Many customers are frustrated. My bank gave me ATM by force and deducted 600 naira without my permission. The Central Bank of Nigeria is not monitoring our banks. The ATM may not be working. When you withdraw twenty thousand naira, the bank automatically deducts one hundred naira when they do not pay you any interest. There is a great need for consumer-protection in this country. - Akwaeke.’ ‘In my opinion, madam, that diesel outlet was just being snobbish in demanding that their goods be paid for only with the ATM card. Don’t they realize that more than half the population of this country do not have bank accounts, let alone have ATM cards? Do you really expect the fisher-

India fashion week Kangana Ranaut at wills

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 25

Drama in palace ...as mob seizes monarch's crown

Palace scribe and Secretary of Efut Combined Assembly, Ndabo Godwin Bassey

arly that fateful day, there was no inkling of violence to take place at the palace of the Muri Munene of the Efut nation and the paramount ruler of Calabar South LGA,Cross River State. The Muri Munene, Munene Efiong Mbukpa; the palace scribe and secretary of Efut Combined Assembly, Ndabo Godwin Bassey ;and some other members of the people were at the palace while artisans were doing some repair jobs at the palace gates. Suddenly, there was the baring of siren heralding the convoy of the men of the state Department of Public Transportation, DOPT, comprising of the army, navy and police, in a pick-up van, followed by a bus conveying fierce looking young men. The soldiers shot sporadically into the air while the occupants of the bus came down to forcefully open the gates that had been locked as the repairs were going on. There was resistance from the palace guard and the Munene’s driver, but the duo were over powered. The palace scribe, who was at one end of the palace, jumped over the wall for safety. As the shooting was going on outside the gates, some traditionally C M Y K

dressed men,said to be kingmakers opposed to the Munene, walked into the palace chanting slogans, signaling that they had taken over the palace. Watching in amazement the purported takeover of the palace, Mbukpa attempted to put up resistance, but the young men with the alleged kingmakers descended on him, removed his crown and collected his phones.They

eating grass. Initially, some onlookers suspected that the youths were suffering from epilepsy, but it was realized that what they put in their bodies was tormenting them. The spokesman for the group that came to sack the palace, however, denied that they entered the palace with force, claiming that their position was that Mbukpa, who he described as an imposter, should not parade

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, CALABAR

The Muri Munene and leader of Efut nation, Munene Efiong Mbukpa

Watching in amazement the purported takeover of the palace, Mbukpa attempted to put up resistance, but the young men with the alleged kingmakers descended on him, removed his crown and collected his phones

then allegedly went inside the palace, destroyed the royal stool, broke the monarch's portrait and carted away some vital documents in the office of the palace scribe which was broken into.. H o w e v e r, there was a drama as the young men, who had allegedly prepared themselves with native concoction known as ‘odeshi’ and ready to crush any opposition to the palace takeover,fell down and started

himself as the paramount ruler of the area.

e said, “The people that entered here first were the army, t h e D O P T (Department of Public Transportation). Nobody can say that we entered here with thugs. We would not have invited the army if we wanted to enter here with thugs. “ We would not have invited the police, the army and the navy. Why should we invite them but because we wanted

peace and sanity that is why they entered first, they were here before we came". The timely arrival of the State Security Adviser, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, and the Commanding Officer, NNS Victory, Navy Commodore Kingdom Itoko, with heavily armed soldiers suspected to be members of the newly commissioned Quick Intervention Squad saved what could have snowballed into a serious crisis following alleged plans of reprisal attacks by some youths, who were not happy over the treatment meted out to Mbukpa. The SSA ordered the kingmakers who had taken control of the palace to the office of the State Commissioner of Police. Narrating his ordeal, the embattled paramount ruler said that the youths, who, he alleged, were sponsored by one of the claimants to the stool, with the backing of a highly placed government official came, with the cover of the DOPT and got him beaten, collected his cell phones, destroyed his royal stool, collected his crown and carted away documents. To forestall the escalation of the crisis in the area, the state government sealed the palace with heavily armed security personnel stationed there. The kingmakers were arrested and detained for alleged attempted murder and

charged to court but they have been placed on bail. Meanwhile, the Efut Combined Assembly, the body saddled with the responsibility for the selection of the Munene,has condemned the sealing of the palace which they claimed was built by them without any contributions from government, arguing that what government should have done was to either use the security guarding the palace to protect the Munene or find alternative place for the monarch. But the State Security Adviser,Bassey, defended the government action. "The place was locked to maintain the peace and douse tension. Different levels of investigations are currently ongoing and, as soon as we conclude that, the palace will be reopened. Remember too that the matter is already being treated as a criminal matter in court. But, the bottom line is to maintain the peace and order as well as avert bloodshed."

n an interview, Mbukpa said he got an intelligence report that the palace was going to be attacked by one of the claimants to the throne and that, in the morning of April 25, he got another report that those behind the alleged planned attack were meeting. He said that he alerted the State Security Service, the police and the State Security Adviser. “ We were in the palace when we saw the NTA crew that said they were directed to come and cover an event in the palace.When I told them that there were no events taking place there, they insisted that they were invited to cover the event. As I was discussing with them, I heard siren, I thought it was a boost to tell any body planning to attack the palace to stay away as I had informed the SSS, the DPO Mbukpa and the SSA to His Excellency.But that was in the contrary. I saw the DOPT people, I went outside to see what was happening, I saw a bus with the youths and the kingmakers.. “They kicked the gates and they were forcefully opened. Thank God the SSS and the DPO were there.The next thing I heard was,' this is him, kill him'.They beat up the palace guard and my driver, they held my neck, jacked me up and tried to suffocate me. It was the DPO Mbukpa that sent armed police men when I was already down, that was what had saved me. Then again the State Security Adviser came with armed men and chased the youths away,” the monarch said.

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012

Country News BY SAM EYOBOKA

hey had barely slept when signs of trouble manifested at about 2 a.m. The wife, a light sleeper, heard an unusual sound at the gates to their premises, peeped out and saw some fully armed persons opening the gate. That marked the beginning of the horrifying night for the Arhere family at their Refinery Road, Warri, Delta State residence on Friday, March 30. The family head, Chief Richard Mejere Arhere, was not only shot by the armed men and left to die in the presence of the wife, they also took time off to entertain themselves with drinks from the family fridge. To Maureen, the wife, the killing is reminiscent of the murder of his father, Chief Lawson Onokpasa, in Aghardo, Ughelli LGA, Delta State, five years earlier in the presence of her mother and herself by yet-to-be-identified merchants of death who invaded their residence. Narrating the incident of March 30 to Sunday Vanguard, the widow, now left to cater for four children, could not hold back tears. “That very night, my husband returned from an outing with his twin brother a little late because of a religious programme that obstructed movement on their way back. When I called him at about 10.00 p.m. he said he was in a

A widow's horrifying night •`Assailants were drinking while my husband battled for life'

he suspected robbers, according to her, spent over one hour in the premises while they were pleading with them to take it easy, “that the door was already opened but, unknown to us, they were breaking the wall and not the iron door. They asked me to open the door which I did and I was begging them not to shoot. They were six in number but four of them entered while two others stayed at the passage, apparently keeping watch. They instructed me to lie face down and my husband was pleading with them, saying he

would cooperate and give them anything they wanted. I was there on the ground praying God to take control. “As my husband was pleading with them, one of them said he was talking too much and he shot him. I could not see what happened because I was lying face down but I felt my husband slumped to the ground. I started shouting `Jesus'. I heard footsteps moving to my kitchen and they opened the fridge and took out drinks which they drank while my husband was bleeding profusely on the floor. “When they finished, they asked me what I had to entertain them and I went to my husband’s room and gave them two foreign wines. They drank one there and left with the other. They asked me to lock the doors with a stern warning that if I shouted, they would come back and finish me.” Knowing that time was not on her side, she made for her room where she could peep through her windows to observe whether they had gone and she saw them entering the neighbouring compound. Still afraid that they could return to make good their threat.

one caterpillar and no pay loaders. The caterpillar started digging out mud and broke down after the first two kilometres of the seven kilometres road that terminates in the community. The people waited patiently hoping the equipment could be repaired or another brought to site, but nothing happened. They were however surprised to watch the caterpillar towed away and construction workers abandon site. Meanwhile, the initial caterpillar work had further destroyed the portion, making it impassable to vehicular and even Okada traffic. The road has remained in that state for over three years now. A communique issued at the end of the IAPU meeting advised the people to remain calm while union officials sort out the problem with the agencies concerned. When contacted, Engr. Obeka of NDDC said he had no capacity to comment on the Idima road project. Asked for a link with

NDDC Abia coordinator, Rogers Nwachukwu, Obeka switched off. The people had hoped that when the Abia State representative on the newly inaugurated governing board of NDDC, Mr. Alloysius Nwagboso, said he was going to ensure that the right things were done to bring lasting development to the people of Abia State, he was speaking for all. Speaking at Ukwa West and Osisioma LGAs, Nwagboso said: “The whole essence of NDDC building a project in any oil producing communities is for them to benefit … but we have to get it right because if things are not well captured in the designs, then it becomes a problem for the contractor to pay compensation for items not included in the contract sum”. Idima is not asking for compensation, they just need a passable road to and from their community. Hopefully, there could be a rethink in the appropriate quarters.

Brig. General Dominic Oneya. She kept making the calls until the hoodlums entered their apartment. “I tried my mum’s number too and it was not going.” She was gripped with fear and not knowing what else to do as the hoodlums started “breaking into our compound and I was afraid that they would soon enter our flat. My husband tried to pacify me, saying I should not panic since he had some money in his room. Truly, he went into his room and brought out N100,000 and I brought out another N30,000 and my laptop.”

Mr & Mrs Arhere barbing saloon and would soon be home and truly he got back at about 11.00 p.m. He took his bath and ate and we went to bed shortly after,” she stated. Then the gunmen invasion. And being the first person in the family to notice them, she added: “I ran out to inform my husband that armed robbers had entered and we immediately put off all

the lights in the house.”

ccording to her, the intruders started breaking into their neighbour ’s apartment downstairs while she was busy calling people on phone to inform them about the development but many of the contacts were not reachable including an uncle, retired

The Abia controversial road BY TONY NWANKWO

ontroversy is trailing the one kilometre road being constructed in Idima Abam, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In May, last year, the NDDC had come to pour gravel on a kilometre of the community's 13-kilometre road. The road, the fabled Omenuko Road of historic times, runs from Bende through a stretch of seven kilometres to Idima Abam and runs northwards across Igwu River to Ndi Ememe where it links through Ndi Oji Abam across Akpanabo River to Arochukwu. The construction of the road has been under discussion from God knows when! So when the NDDC workers came with their gravel, they chose this single kilometer that ends in the centre of the community. Within 20 days and three rainfalls, the gravel were swept down the erosion laden town. Without constructing any gutters, the gravel rested on

people's homes, churches, stores and farms. All enquiries on how a government agency known for its thoroughness in handling even gigantic projects could descend to picking a kilometer of road and not showing the masterpiece construction it is known for, met a brickwall. The Idima Abam Progressive Union, IAPU, saddled with the responsibility of discussing the issue, said their visits to the offices of NDDC yielded nothing. Even workers handling the project kept sealed lips on who actually was the contractor. However, in December, last year, the national chairman of the union, Chief Jones Oti Okorie, said he finally made contact with the Project Offices of the NDDC,OkeIkpe, Ukwa West, where he was shown a document purporting to cover the Idima Abam road project and with a kilometer as sample. Based on the complaints of the gravel flow, the workers returned to site, this time to construct gutters.

They constructed the gutters on both sides of a road that is so narrow. The contractor just dug up the ground for the gutters. As it stands now, it is impossible for two cars coming in opposite direction to pass through without collision, particularly at the ime ogo. Analysts are worried that with no designs or plans, project officers simply neglected the oft known criteria of pulling down structures to create space for a proper road construction. This means the ancient footpaths which developed into roads the community forefathers created, when even motoring was a luxury, is being retained. This elicited the gathering of the community's elite last Easter to discuss the issue. At the meeting, the onus fell on Ezeogo, Chief Uduma Kalu, to clarify the position of the project. According to the traditional ruler, the Abia State government had come to construct the road from the Bende end, but brought only

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 27

M A I L B A G

All letters bearing writers' names and full addresses should be typed and forwarded to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, Kirikiri Canal, P. M. B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail: sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com

The need to diversify Nigerian economy Dear Sir,

S the over-dependence on oil is culminating into crisis in Nigeria, like - insecurity, unemployment, poverty, bombing, killings, massive corruption, bad leadership, among other vices, the country must diversify its economy, as it has great potentials of being one of the leading economies in the world. Nigeria must be ready to attract investment through structural reforms This will ensure access and equity for the small and medium enterprises (SMES)and making them to compete in the local, as well as among global economies. Nigeria must critically adopt adequate policy strategies within the context of its domestic potentials and external relations, to embrace the promises of globalization for sustainable democracy … the experiences of India, South-Korea, Brazil, Malaysia and Singapore are prime examples. Our political leaders must fear and trust in God and be politically willing, and committed. Corruption must be checked, poverty reduction programmes must be made to work. Nigerians must learn to adhere strictly to the rules of democracy. The international community should appreciate our efforts and extend good gestures, in improving the economic well-being of all Nigerians.” On the bane of the nation’s development, we have lack of fear of God, greed, unrighteousness, callousness and covetousness. Also, ministers-of-God should not keep quiet to burning issues in the country. We should contribute and help build Nigeria among the political class because the corruption in the country if not curbed, the nation cannot make any headway. Nigerian businessmen are advised to embrace manufacturing of goods for local consumption and export, while government should improve on power supply. Nigeria has no business talking about scarcity of food, the only reason we are C M Y K

complaining is that we are not doing the right thing. Before the discovery of oil, agriculture had always been the height of economic growth and development because farmers were encouraged by the government, but reverse is the case now. Also, the low employment level in the country and poverty could be solved through agriculture investments, by all

tiers of government and other stakeholders. As a matter of fact, the only thing any government can do to make people happy is to provide food for its people, so, agriculture sector is the engine room. – The public should not be an end in itself. It is held in trust for the common good and not to terrorise or kill innocent citizens. Violence is not

what we should celebrate. Violence is the argument of the person who has run out of logic. Politics should be about dialogue, issues, campaigns and not violence. Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade – Joel (Sekunderin) General Overseer, The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM), 08057741511, 08033733470

Open letter to Governor Abiola Ajimobi Dear Sir,

N behalf of thousands of citizens residing in Ona Ara, Egbeda, Oluyole local government areas of the state and other adjoining settlements, we want to put on record the positive impact of developmental projects being put in place by the Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi administration. We commend His Excellency and members of his team. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, we are now making a passionate appeal to the Governor in the area of road construction. The roads in question are existing roads which were once repaired but are now in deplorable state. One of such is the AkanranKajola Road in Ona Ara local government. Similarly we earnestly seek your excellency’s prompt intervention in the annexation of Odeyale – Ajia road with Egbeda junction in Egbeda local government. If this is done, the present gridlock occasioned by heavy traffick congestion along AmulokoJegede-Olunloyo road will ease out. We also want our governor to consider seriously annexing Amuloko area with Ayegun in Oluyole local government. Sir, it is on record that the former administration of elderstateman, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina fixed the Odeyaje-Ajia road up to Egbeda.

At present, the once motorable link road is unmotorable. Please do something on this. There is yet another economically important road that requires urgent rehabilitation. By this, we mean if Akanran-Kajola road is rehabilitated it will greatly help in transporting foodstuff and other agro products from the farms to the urban centres. If this is done, post harvest losses will be drastically be curtailed thus increasing supply and guaranteeing meaningful return on

investment which will in turn impact positively on food security. While we pledge our continued loyalty to your purpose driven administration, we pray for outstanding success and divine guidance during your tenure. Long live Oyo State, long live Nigeria! Chief Emmanuel FolorunsoOgunnaike (MFR) Chairman/MD, FOL-HOPE AGRIC Services, Ibadan, Nigeria, 07027278394.

An appeal to Gov Uduaghan Dear Sir,

HE residents of Ekete waterside in War ri, in Udu local government area of Delta State highly commend the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and his lieutenants on the efforts they have made so far to reconstruct the Ekete waterside road which was before now rough and rugged. The residents are full of smiles and gratitude for such a unique development. According to them, the road, if completed would be a-state-of-the earth edifice. We the landlords and tenants and other users of the road say: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Nevertheless, we call on you to look into the sister Orhuwhorun road which is about going into dilapidation. The ruggedness of the road, especially around the round about/Jigbale market is posing a great problem to the users, especially motorists who find it extremely difficult to reach their destination on time due to incessant gridlock. We therefore appeal to you to subsume the road (Orhuwhorun) in the Ekete waterside contract so that the contracting company would visit it as soon as they are through with the Ekete water side job Once again, thank you for job well done. Nkemakolam Gabriel Warri , 08072257360.

28 —SUNDAY, Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012

Grand burial rites of Segun Adeniyi’s mother in-law With Ayo Onikoyi

08033286159

Deluxe wedding of Funsho Oladimeji’s daughter

L-R: Mr and Mrs Funsho Oladimeji; bride's parents Deaconess Lydia Aladejana (middle) and Elder and Deaconess David Frank, groom's parents

R-L:Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, Perm. Sec., Ministry of Education, Lagos State; Mrs Sewanu Amosu, Dir. of Education; Mrs E A Adelakun and Chief (Mrs) Ayo Akintuyi

Mr Jimoh Makanjuola Dansu and his wife Ayodele

unsho Oladimeji, a renowned estate surveyor and valuer and his inlaws, family of Elder and Deaconess David Sunday Frank dazzled Lagosians last Saturday when their children; Miss Olubunmi Oluwakemi Oladimeji and Olawale Olushola were joined in a Holy matrimony at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja. Notable personalities from the public and private sectors graced the event. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

The new Couple, Mr and Mrs Olawale Frank

R-L: Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi; Mr. Oyewumi Tomoki and Mr. Dan Onaolapo

uneral service for Late Mrs Ibiyemi Folasade, mother in-law to Mr Segun Adeniyi Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers recently took place at Ebenezer African Church Cathedral, Ibadan while the reception held at the Jogor centre. Several notable media executives were on hand to commemorate with Adeniyi and the family of his wife. Photos by Dare Fasube

R-L;Mr Segun Adeniyi, Mrs Oluwatosin Adeniyi, Abolade Salami and Ajibola Idowu.

R-L: Taiwo Ajibola, Engr. Salami O. Tunjiand Mrs Ronke Kosoko.

R-L:Mr Gbenga Adefaye; President NGE, Mr Tony Chiejina of Dangote group and Mr Waziri Adio.

Funeral mass for late Lady Florence Ojo

he quiet town of Opopogbooro in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state woke up to influx of people from far and wide on Friday, April 20th as notable government officials, captains of industry, royal fathers and others converged on the town for the funeral mass of Lady Florence Bukunola Ojo at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Even the governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi joined the family and well-wishers in saying the final farewell to the woman described by associates as warm, humble and kindhearted.

L-R: Elder Olagoke Ojo and the Governor of Ekiti State, Gov. Kayode Fayemi C M Y K

L-R:Mrs. Nkem Dibia, AGM, Chams Mobile and Mrs. Anire Celey-Okogun, MD, Chanelle Microfinance Bank

Children of the deceased and other guests

SUNDAY, Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012 — 29

CAC inducts Oluwadare District Superintendent

t was another historic event for the Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Agege district, when Prophet (Dr) S.K. Abiara, the General Evangelist, inaugurated the district and inducted Pastor Emmanuel Folorunsho Oluwadare as the District Superitendent on Sunday, 6th of May 2012. According to the General Evangelist the choice of Pastor Oluwadare became necessary given his track record of honesty, godliness and vision for the church. Oluwadare, a former banker and civil servant, who started his sojourn in the vineyard of the Lord in 1980, in his acceptance speech thank God and implored God’s guidance in deliverance of his duties. Members of the CAC worldwide from far and wide graced the memorable occasion. Photos by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

With Ayo Onikoyi

08033286159

Lush-plush union of Nosa Osawe and Esohe Omorere

he families of Hon. Ambrose Osawe, former member, House of Representatives and that of Mr. E.K. treated the people of Benin City, Edo state to a spectacle of splendour and style when their children; Nosa Edosa Osawe and Esohe Omorere were joined together as man and wife at the First African Church Mission, Ebenezer Cathedral on 26th of April .The traditional engagement took place earlier on 24th and it only set the stage for the razzmatazz to come. Many eminent Nigerians graced the glamorous event. Photos By Barnabas Uzosike

Hon. and Mrs Ambrose Osawe, groom’s parents

The happy couple; Nosa Edosa Osawe and Esohe Omorere

Prophet Samuel Abiara (c), Gen. Evangelist CAC Worldwide flanked by Pastor Funsho Oginni (l) and Pastor Segun Akinrinade(r)

Pastor and Mrs Ken Okungbowa, sponsors

Mr And Mrs E.K. Omorere, the bride’s parents

L-R:Pastor & Evang (Mrs) Emmanuel Oluwadare with Pastor & Evang (Mrs) S . F Alayande, Zonal Chairman, CAC, Lagos State

L-R:Chief John Oyegun, former Edo state Governor and Chief Inneh.

Amudah marks 60 L-R: Pastor & Evang (Mrs) Emmanuel Oluwadare with Iya Ijo, CAC Agbala Itura, Oke-Odo Agege

L-R:Pastor M . O Ojo, Pastor Muyiwa Oshati and Pastor Fela Keshinro C M Y K

Justice S.O. Uwaifo (Rtd) and wife

Opone celebrates 50

SPECIAL Adviser to the Osun state governor on Works and Transport, Engr. Sabitu Amudah was joined by other top state government functionaries in Iwo recently to celebrate his 60th birthday

PATRICIA Opone, wife of Chief Johnson Opone, an auditor of many years standing celebrated her 50th birthday in grand style on April 24th at the Ibis Hotel, Lagos. Family and friends joined her in the celebration

L-R:Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Osun Dep. Gov, SA to the Gov. on Works and Transport, Engr. Sabitu Amudah (celebrant) and his wife, SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti

L-R: Engr. Tony Ezeuku, his wife; the celebrant, Mrs Patricia Opone, her husband, Chief Johnson Opone and Chief George Okpala

PAGE 30—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 31

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ited

tu Ye i nd e

08074109057

Wedding dresses and bridal gown trends Family of the week and tiers are charming and whimsical expressions of femininity. These gorgeous additions will showcase your unique personality and provide stylish wedding flair. They are ideal for second marriages too as they add a youthful touch to your wedding gown.

Strapless Wedding Dresses

Strapless wedding dresses continue to dominate the bridal bridal gown market. Sophisticated and elegant, they emit a hint of sexiness and sensuality. Strapless dresses are flattering to most figures, allow freedom of movement and work well with nearly all styles of weddings. Add a little antique lace for a vintage wedding or team it with some contemporary jewellery for a modern touch. For a timeless outfit, there are so many Nigerian bridal couture designer who make emphasis on silhouette, construction and texture; with every fold, every hem, every sparkling bead lovingly handstitched, you’ll know that a wedding dress from Catherine is a spectacular, original creation.

By E STHER ESTHER ONYEGBULA

Wedding Dresses with Ribbon Details

Many of the latest bridal couture designs feature wedding dresses with ribbon detailing. Satin sashes tied at the waist are huge at the moment as is ribbon crisscrossing its way dramatically down the back of your dress.

Dress

It’s back! Figure-hugging at the bodice, hips and thighs, the Mermaid wedding dress then flairs out, giving brides a mermaid-like silhouette. It’s not a wedding dress style for the faint-hearted but if you can pull it off, you’ll look curvy and luscious on your wedding day.

of Glamour

It’s all about simple wedding dresses with attention focused on the little details. Brides are glamming up their dresses with metallic thread embroidery, trails of tiny buttons and rhinestone buckles.

Feminine and Flirty WedThe Mermaid Wedding Dress- ding Dresses Wedding es with Touches Bows, feathers, ruffles

Tea-length Wedding Dresses

For a sophisticated and contemporary look, go for tea-length wedding dresses. Falling between the bottom of the knee and the bottom of the calf, it’s the preferred length of bridal designers this season. Ideal for semi-formal or casual weddings, they suit most figures and inspire romance and fun.

Child Dedication

It was indeed a grand day of celebration for the family of Mr. and Mrs Abass-Alesh Kolawole who recently celebrated the christening of their son Master Abulazeez, Oluwagbotemi- Alao. Special thanks to everyone who through their love and support made the event a success.

Choosing the right wedding jewelery There’s an extremely fine line between looking gorgeous and looking garish on your wedding day. The one mistake you can make is choosing the wrong wedding jewelery. However, there are a few simple rules you can follow so that you’ll bling rather than blind everyone walking down the aisle.

Less is more

Matching earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets look great in a jeweler’s window but will look overdone on a bride. Choose two of the three wedding accessories only. If you’re wearing a heavily beaded or sequined gown

then choose only one item and make sure that it’s a plainer piece.

Style the piece to your dress

Choose your gown first and then your wedding jewelery to complement it. Vintage dresses just cry out to be teamed with romantic, antique jewelery just as modern dresses need to be accessorised with contemporary pieces.

Match the jewelery to the beading

If your wedding dress features Austrian Swarovski

crystals then feature the same crystals in your wedding jewellery. Likewise, if you’re gown has seeded pearls sewn onto the fabric then match it with pearl earrings or pearl hair pieces.

Balance the necklace to the neckline

Strapless gowns expose a lot of skin so an elaborate drop necklace will complement the dress and prevent brides from looking too bare. For a Vneckline or sweetheart neckline, wear a V or Yshaped necklace. If your dress has a high neckline or an intricately beaded neckline, skip the necklace altogether

WEDDING & VOWS HELP LINE

Set to take that great walk with the one you love? Do you have any problem with any aspect of your wedding plans and preparation? Do you wish to know about all the nittygritty of wedding plans why don’t you ask us. Wedding and vows will answer all your questions with the help of seasoned professionals. Our address is weddings and vows,

C M Y K

and wear a striking headpiece or chandelier earrings.

Go with

faux!

Weddings are expensive enough without having to finance real jewels. It’s actually fashionable now to wear costume jewelery providing that

it’s tasteful - so have fun with faux on your wedding day. Costume jewelers will manufacture to order so you can create your dream wedding jewelery without breaking the bank.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 33

Restoration of uniform societies would help restore morals — Mrs Brodie-Mends

*Fadekemi Brodie-Mends

HE is an indefatigable woman! At age 65, Mrs.Christiana Fadekemi BrodieMends (nee Bailey) is still seriously engaging girls in Girls Brigade at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Lagos where she is the Captain. She’s of the opinion that in the early days when children were actively engaged in uniform societies, they were well-mannered than in this generation where they are left idle. Mrs.Brodie-Mends whose romance with uniform societies dates back to her second year in primary school at age 8, sees no end to her determination to groom young girls. This grandmother who also initiated the inauguration of a Red Cross Society in her first year at the Anglican Girls Grammar School in Lagos, was recently honoured with a Performance Merit Award by the Cathedral Church of Christ alongside a few others for her contribution to the development of the girlchild. It would also be recalled that in 2007, Mrs.Brodie-Mends was given a Merit Award for Commitment and Service by the Lagos Chapter of the YWCA. In a recent chat with Vista Woman, she suggested the need to revive uniform societies so as to promote character-moulding in young people, and also bothered on the over-complexity of the current procedure for gaining admission into our tertiary institutions of learning. Her words: children during holidays, organise excursions, vocational skills acquisition, etc.

JAMB, Post-JAMB

Good old days

HINGS were much more better when we were young because we had very vibrant uniform societies like the Red Cross, Girls Brigade, Boys’ Scout, Girls’ Guild, Man O’ War, etc. that actively engaged us. It’s however sad that things have changed, and young people are left to wonder aimlessly during their free hours. That’s why they now seem to be more daring and violent! I could remember how I enrolled as a junior member of the Red Cross Society when they came to my school, Christ Church Cathedral School, when I was in Primary 2 at age eight. Thereon, when I proceeded to the Anglican Girls Grammar School in Surulere, Lagos, I personally initiated the establishment of a Red Cross Society in the school. I could remember that at weekends when we had nothing doing at home, we would go to the Island Maternity, Polo Club at Falomo, etc. based on listing, to do social work. We were taught a lot of things and also how to wait to see what is happening whenever we see a crowd, so that we could file reports to the police or for our own use as a group. As a Red Cross member also, you cannot drop a piece of paper on the floor and walk past it. You will be sanctioned!

Responsibility for parents

I do not know if the advent of not using cane is what is making children to be wild or because economic pressure is preventing parents from having a close relationship with their children these days, but I know for sure that the restoration of uniform societies would help restore morals. I however believe parents have a lot to do with this generation, and I strongly feel they ’re not being brought up in the way of the Lord from their early age.

Need for life-changing activities

Inspiring programmes are there in churches, and parents could get their children involved in them so that they are not idle. That was why when I became the Captain in the Girls Brigade in my church, Cathedral Church of Christ in Lagos, in 2006, I decided to reinforce lifechanging activities in line with our four square programme in Girls Brigade; spiritual, physical, education and service. Our aim is to mould children and lead them to Christ. We have children from age five to eight who we call ‘Explorers’, age nine to eleven called ‘Junior ’, age twelve to fourteen called ‘Senior’ and fifteen to eighteen called ‘Brigadier ’. I believe the sky is the limit for any girl that imbibes our teachings. As part of our activities, we organise free summer school for

By JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

ne issue that has however been a burden to us is the educational system in the country. This is actually where most girls get themselves mixed-up! During our days, we only had to apply to higher institutions that we wanted to attend, and that was all. But now, JAMB will jam these children, and Post-JAMB too will do its own! It’s frustrating because it puts them in a dilemma and leaves them confused about the next step of their lives! For instance we presently have two

Parents believe that paying their child’s school is the issue. Therefore, they just give them their school fees and do not even bother to find out how their children fare or behave while at school!

bright girls who have not been able to gain admission into any higher institutions because even when they succeeded in their JAMB, the Post Jamb stood as a problem. That’s a serious issue which I believe Nigerian government has to look into because it is stressing and making young people lose focus! We eventually had to enrol one of the girls in an Accounting School here in Lagos since that’s her course of choice. We also enrolled the other girl at Home Science Training Centre where she went to learn pastries. I advise that government addresses the issue of JAMB. It is either JAMB is scraped and universities are left alone to conduct their exams, or the Post JAMB is scraped so that children are not made to suffer so much!

Watching over children at school

Another issue that has been a concern to me is the careless attitude of parents towards their children. Parents believe that paying their child’s school is the issue. Therefore, they just give them their school fees and do not even bother to find out how their children fare or behave while at school! This happens mostly in the universities! No child is too big to talk to, and parents must know this. When my children were still growing up, I ensured I knew about their welfare at every point in time, and I made friends with their teachers and lecturers! We have to grow along with these children as they grow, but more importantly, we have to know how to balance it up. When you are too harsh on them, they run away from you!

Career background

My working life began at the Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited in 1974. I voluntarily retired from there in 1994 after which I delved into creche teaching. C M Y K

PAGE 34 — SUND AY V ANGU ARD, MA Y 13, 2012 SUNDA VANGU ANGUARD, MAY

Will Okwagbe provide tonic for Church unity? By SAM EYOBOKA

HE motto of the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN which was established in 1976 was derived from the Bible book of John 16:6: 'That they my be one,' but sadly Christendom in the country is perhaps one of the most disunited organization on Planet Earth. The reason is not far fetched. For too long the Church neglected the true foundation of the faith and celebrated and influenced b temporal and mundane inducements until it was invariably sandwitched betwixt the Devil and the deep blue sea as faithful saints are now being daily maimed and martyed. As far back as 1991, a missionary couple, Edwin and Jody Mitchell had alerted the world and warned church leaders in Nigeria of diabolical plans and satanic activities aimed at world take over by both the Roman Catholic Industry and the Islamic Confederacy but what did the Nigerian Church? Nothing! It became obvious that something needed to happen to cause a shaking in the Church to bring the giant back to the true foundation—the message of the Cross.

ome church leaders who received copies of the warning of the current holocaust, instead of

joining forces to declare a solemn assembly to pray against a systematic religious cleansing, deluded themselves believing that the more the secret is revealed, the more powerless their plan would be, and continued to build empires with donations from the sponsors of the satanic moves. The turning point is now. It’s now time for an Asuza-type revival in the Church; thanks to Boko Haram. It was therefore gratifying to see Christian leaders from the 17 states that make up southern Nigeria gather the other day under an umbrella to be known as Southern CAN to break all walls of Jerico and fight for the survival of the Church of God.

ut, by far the most gratifying news coming from the Church was one event that took place in Okwagbe in Delta State penultimate Saturday that went almost unnoticed. It reminds one of the Azusa Street Revival on April 14, 1906 which gave rise to modern day Pentecostal movement. Okwagbe is an Urhobo town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State with two sub regions; Okwagbe Inland and Okwagbe Waterside, near Warri. It is two towns in one; Okwagbe Inland and Okwagbe Waterside. It is a commercial town located along River Forcados almost midway between Bomadi and

*Papa and Mama Oritsejafor watching the different choir ministrations at the revival programme in Okwagbe.

Burutu. It has the largest local market in Ughelli South LGA. The hospitality of the people, the commercialization and security of the town as well as the abundant opportunities for investment in it has attracted many people to settle in the town. A revival programme by the Covenant Teaching Centre of Word of Life Bible Church in Okwagbe on April 21, 2012 with a simple theme: 'Bring it to him' was attended by all church denominations in the twin town. The St Patrick Catholic Church, Baba Ido Memorial Baptist Church, Christ Salvation Ministry sent in their different choirs to minister at the programme among others. Ughelli South branch chairman of CAN, Anglican Bishop Arhawharen was accompanied by other executive officers to grace the occasion. In his remark, he extolled the virtues of the national president of the umbrella body of Christians in the country, saying "Papa is a lion of Africa."

n behalf of CAN in Ughelli South, he appealed to Pastor Oritsejafor to prevail on the indigenes of the area in high public places to remember their roots and attract government presence to the area. In the same vaein, the chairman of Okwagbe Inland, Mr. Patrick Kpaive described Oritsejafor as a great advocate of Africa, not forgetting to remind him that the community had been building a town hall since 1975. "We believe, Papa, that with your prayers today it will soon be completed," he appealed. Before preaching the sermon of the day, the national president of CAN, Pastor Oritsejafor used the occasion to lament the spate of insecurity in parts of the North, expressing happinness about the mammoth crowd of other ministers of the gospel at the event. He was particularly impressed by the ministration of the Catholic Church choir, saying: “When you begin to see all churches together like this then you know that the coming Jesus Christ is near. When all churches begin to come together then you know nothing

...Cleric out with book for mind change

ASTOR Emmanuel Adebiyi, a minister in The Apostolic Church, Nigeria recen-tly released a book titled; Repositioning for positive change, to address people's mindset towards C M Y K

achieving their purpose and goals in life report OLAYINKA LATONA and DAVID OSO. The book, the first from the man of God, is an inspirational work that reaches out to Muslims, Christians as well as

unbelievers to help the reader reposition his/her mindset towards a positive change in the society. At the public presentation, the author revealed that the book is a dream he had nurtured

L-R: Chief Charley Ogbire, HRM Owhowho II Okobaro of

Ughievwen Kingdom, Matthew Edirin Egbi, his wife, Felicia Egbi and Chief Baudju Yokoto dancing like Biblical King David during the occasion.

*A cross section of participants at the Covenant Teaching Centre in Okwagbe, Delta State. is impossible. The Bible said when there is unity in the Church then God commands blessing." He explained that when there is unity in the Church, God would be moved to command blessing.

n the North, he continued, "where some people perpetuate evil, they don’t ask whether you are a Catholic or Pentecostal; they bomb any church in view and the bomb will not *CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor select a particular set and the traditional ruler of Ughievwen of people to kill. Ra- Kingdom, HRM Owhowho II Okobaro of ther, they kill or inju- Ughievwen Kingdom, Matthew Edirin Egbi in a warm embrace after the event. re those around. "The last terrible one that happened in Kaduna "We cannot stop worshippwas targeted at the various ing God because of terrorists. churches on the street inclu- Let us therefore put aside our ding ECWA but vigilant Chri- differences and fight together. stians stopped him at the en- We need to wake up from our trance to the street and so end- slumber to our collective resed up bombing a cluster of ponsibilty in unity," he explOkada riders," he added. ained, noting that the impOritsejafor therefore appea- ression being created in the led to Christians in any part international community sugof the country not be annoyed gests that it is the Nigerian if they asked to pack their cars Christians that are the aggreaway from their church premi- ssors. ses. over the years, explaining that it was inspired God. The cleric advised Nigerian youths to shun all forms of evil practices and redirect their mind-sets towards positive ventures that will change the country for better. Reviewer of the book, Mr. Akindeji Ogunbode noted that

the work will go a long way in helping Nigerians, especially the youths in reshaping their mind towards maintaining good moral and imbibing godly values, pointing out that “if Nigerian youths can read the book their thinking would definitely be repositioned positively.”

SUND AY V ANGU ARD, MA Y 13, 2012--- P AGE 35 SUNDA VANGU ANGUARD, MAY PA

Onaiyekan, Umeh charge youths on creativity

CHRISTIANS MAKE TERRIBLE HUSBANDS

WAS a loving hus band until I be came a “born again” Christian. Then I discovered certain things written by Paul in the bible appointing me the head of my wife. I eagerly accepted the appointment. Jesus reveals that the worst kind of evil is the one which is presumed to have a religious sanction. I might be a murderer but in my heart-of-hearts I know it is wrong to kill. However, if the church convinces me that by killing men I am doing the work of God, then I can kill with gusto and without any conscience. Paul say: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24). Even though this is addressed to wives and not to husbands, it was music to my ears. I thanked God that he deemed it fit to make me head and not tail. As far as I was concerned, it gave me the divine sanction to lord it over my wife. Those who know my wife will immediately recognise that such presumed lordship would be fiercely contested. It took a few battle-scars and the tutelage of the Holy Spirit for me to recognise this scripture which gave me putative authority over my wife “in everything” is morally and spiritually bankrupt.

Pauline fallacy

n classically Pauline fashion, the scripture is full of inherent contradictions. Christian wives cannot say Jesus is Lord on the one hand (I Corinthians 8:6); and say husband is Lord on the other. Jesus says: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” (MatC M Y K

Let a man go and work in the Ministry of Finance and tell Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that “the head of woman is man.” thew 6:24). It is fundamentally irreverent for Paul to ascribe equal status to the husband “as to the Lord” in the life of the wife. Paul says: “I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (I Corinthians 11:3). This is preposterous. It is not only unscriptural, it is unworkable. In the Old Testament, Deborah was a judge in Israel. (Judges 4:4-7). This made her the head of all the men by divine sanction. Today, let a man go and work in Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance and tell the female Minister; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that “the head of woman is man.” He will not last on the job.

homes, the abuse of wives by husbands is rampant. The Christian husband asserts his “Paul-given” right to control his wife’s life. He uses Pauline scriptures and chauvinistic church doctrine to enforce his presumptive right to tell her what to do. He demands her unquestioning submission to his whims and caprices. There is often little or no mutuality or loving consideration here. It is either his way or the highway. When the Christian man marries, he does not only marry a wife. He marries a cook, a washer-woman, a sex-slave and a maid, all in one Pauline package for the fee of a dowry. Every morning, he wakes up saying: “Thank you, Jesus!”

esus would never make the man the head of the woman. That would displace God; the one and only head Jesus prescribes for everybody. Indeed, Jesus does not give authority to a man over another human-being. He says to his disciples: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you.” (Matthew 20:25-26). T h e only authority Jesus gives his disciples is over demons: “I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19).

ut it is all thanks to Paul that many a Christian husband believes his wife’s feelings and opinions are inconsequential. He may discredit them on principle or specifically because “Adam was not deceived, but the woman.” (1 Timothy 2:14). O r, he may give lip-service to respecting her views, but later disparage them as “emotional and not logical.” Thereby, the Christian wife, who has been ransomed by Christ, is put back into bondage. She is constrained to dissociate from certain friends and family-members because of the need to keep “His Majesty ” happy. She avoids some of her favourite activities for the sake of “keeping the peace.” If she objects to her Lord-husband’s heavy-handedness, she is castigated as “rebellious,” and “spiritually immature.” If she questions his opinions and decisions or disagrees with them, his lordship might just beat her up so that “the will of God”

Matrimonial dictatorship Paul is in error and he leads many Christian men into error. He has created a situation where, in Christian

may be done in her life. But it is not the will of God that the wife should play second-fiddle to her husband. It is the will of Paul. It is the will of God that all men and women should submit to God. Marriage is not about doing of the will of the husband. It is about the doing of the will of God. The Christian husband who operates on the premise of my will be done has set up himself for a cantankerous marriage.

Servant husbands

et me speak di rectly to my pow er-drunk husband colleagues who would have me excommunicated for daring to love our female adversaries. No matter the forcefulness of your dictatorship at home, I assure you your wife resents you. She may be kneeling down for you on the outside, but she is standing up to you on the inside. If you would just take the time to study the words of Jesus, you would see that your house is built on sand. Sooner than later, it will fall. Even if the husband were to be the head of his wife; that would still not be to his advantage. A Christian head is different from a secular head. Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:2728). This means even Paul’s position ends up making the husband the servant of his wife. When there was disagreement between Abraham and Sarah over Ishmael, God did not take sides with Abraham as some bogus head of his wife. God declared his own overriding will, which happened to agree with Sarah and not with Abraham. (Genesis 21:9-12). That is the role of God in the Christian home. Every decision is referred and deferred to him. Because we fail to understand this, Christian men make lousy husbands. If you don’t agree with me, you don’t need to argue. Just prove me wrong in your home.

BUJA – CATHOLIC Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Rev. John Onaiyekan has admonished Nigerian youths to be creative and more innovative to add value to their lives and the society reports CALEB AYANSINA. The national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh advised the government to be alive with its responsibility while urging the youths to be honest and industrious in all their endeavours, not using the present economic situation in the country as an excuse to remain stagnant. The two men were speaking at the launching of the N500 million National Youth Centre by the Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria, CYON, in Abuja. Onaiyekan commended the Catholic Youths for deeming it fit to build an edifice that would add value to their future, noting that such a centre will help in addressing youth unemployment in the country. Continuing, he said: “They should not keep waiting for the future; they must live now for the present and do something with themselves. They must go beyond complaining and take concrete actions and refuse to allow anybody to kill your dreams”. Chief Umeh, in his words, maintained that what the nation invests in the youths today would determine what we get in the future, noting that, some parents have failed in their responsibility all in the name of civilization.

First Lady donates church to RCCG

ENUE State first lady, Arc. (Mrs.) Yemisi Suswam has donated a 300-seater church building to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Anyii in Logo local government area of Benue State in commemoration of her 45th birthday anniversary, reports PETER DURU. Speaking at the dedication of the building which attracted top government functionaries including the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom and Governor Gabriel Suswam, Mrs. Suswam urged Nigerians to pray for peace in the country, noting that the donation was in fulfillment of a pledge she made to God. According to her: "Sometime ago I ran to God for something with a vow to show appreciation. He kept his word and did it for me. The church building is my own part of the vow. Actually the church is an inspiration from God. "Most importantly, it is a sober moment in the country and that is why I have chosen this manner of celebration to mark my 45th birthday celebration. With all the challenges that we are facing; I know that I have a God, be it in good season or bad season. Bombs here and there, one thing is for sure, it is only God that has the solution to any problem," the first lady stated.

Fashola for Lagos West Synod

HE opening session of the first session of the 5th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, comes up on the May 16, 2012, at 4.00 p.m. The presentation/ launching of the Bishop’s Presidential Address follows the following day at 11.00 a.m. Dignitaries expected at the Synod include the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, his deputy, commissioners, traditional rulers, captains of industry, as well as delegates and visitors from within and outside the Diocese.

Koh speaks at May AiMP

HE May edition of AiMP Series holds on Sat urday, June 2, 2012 at 5:30 pm at the Oceanview Restaurants, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island. This special session of the AiMP Series holds in partnership with Africa Centre of Theological Studies (ACTS) and will feature Dr. Victor Koh as the keynote speaker. Dr. Koh who was born in Singapore in 1949 travels extensively giving lectures in the areas of Organizational Development and National Transformation.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

f heaven knows no rage like a woman scorned, members of the House of Representatives’ ad-hoc Committee probing the near collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market, saw first hand last week, the rage that can be displayed by big ladies who chose to go after one another’s jugular. This was no ordinary rage. As she did during the very first hearing of the probe panel where she failed to respond to questions regarding what some described as ostentatious living at the expense of government, but instead discloed that committee members had demanded bribe from her, last Monday, Madam Arunma Oteh, Director General, DG, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, shocked members of the probe panel when she made startling revelations of how the immediate past leadership of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, which Director General was Prof. Ndi OkerekeOnyuike, mis-classified expenditure, lavished millions of naira on the purchase of a yacht, bought Rolex wrist watches for tens of millions of naira as gifts for awards of long service to NSE board members and staff, among others. The revelations were mouth watering and those who had already taken keen interests in the probe wanted to know what Onyuike’s response would be. Mind you, the successor to Onyuike, Onyeama, was also on hand to make a presentation but never really dwelt on the tenure of his predecessor. Now, why Oteh made it her responsibility – even bounding duty - to go after Onyuike may yet be unknown. But when Onyuike stormed the panel the following day with her massive frame to not only deny the allegations but level her own, members watched in amazement and amusement because she made her presentation like an anchor on one of the Comedy Central series. (See Box) Infact the on-going probe took another dimension last Wednesday when executive commissioners of SEC, gave their DG a raw deal. In what could be described as a unanimous verdict against Oteh, the commissioners of the Exchange told the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives that the management of SEC operated like a one-man show. The commissioners disC M Y K

Arunma Oteh Vs Ndi Okereke-Onyuike...

CAPITAL MARKET PROBE

War of the ladies zYou are on your own, commissioners tell Oteh zProduce my documents now, Okereke-Onyuike asks Oteh zIntrigues, allegations and counter allegations trail SEC

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

Prior to that, the Director, Human Resources, Useni Dauda, had told the panel that due process was not followed in the recruitment of some contract staff

agreed on a number of issues. They alleged that the DG's administrative style had eroded confidence in the commission and caused the regulatory agency to remain unproductive. The former DG of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, had on Tuesday, alleged that Oteh used unidentified policemen to burgle her office in August last year.

he said all the docu ments pertaining to the roadmap pursuant to making

the Nigerian stock market ranked as one of the best in the world were all carted away. She told the bewildered panelists that as a "Prof my presentation would have taken the form of a booklet but here I am with a mere 13 page paper. ”All the same”, she said, “I know that I do have a retentive memory". This was followed by a resounding applause from the audience. Oteh, who arrived the venue on Wednesday at about 9.45am, was made to tender an unreserved apology for her

failure to appear on Tuesday. Before the commencement of proceedings, she apologized to the committee for her failure to appear the previous day. She explained that the action was as a result of her meeting with the National Economic Management Team chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan. She came along with her management team, a team that nailed her.

he DG’s appearance was sequel to the threat by the committee on Tuesday to arrest her if she failed to come in person on Wednesday to clear the air on some knotty issues. The first indication that all was not well and would not be well between Oteh and members of the executive management started when the latter group denied knowledge of the processes that led to the engagement of two staff of

ACCESS Bank Plc on secondment by the SEC boss. They claimed that Oteh did not carry them along in taking the decision. Their claim was contrary to an earlier statement by the DG that the issue was discussed and agreed upon by the executive management. Prior to that, the Director, Human Resources, Useni Dauda, had told the panel that due process was not followed in the recruitment of some contract staff. He said the staff were brought by Oteh upon assumption of office and were yet to get the endorsement of the executive committee. He also refused to deny the allegation that the contract of the staff was renewed despite the advice of the audit department to the contrary.

teh defended her action saying that steps were being taken to ratify the appointment of the staff. She declined response to the question on why she renewed the appointment of the staff inspite of the advice to the contrary. In a similar fashion the Executive Management also disagreed with the SEC boss on the road map document currently being implemented in the capital market. Oteh had told the panel that the document which captured how the capital market in Nigeria would be raised to a world class standard had the input of stakeholders and the manContinues on page 37

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 37

Produce my documents now, Okereke-Onyuike asks Oteh Continued from page 36 agement. But in their reaction the SEC commissioners, five in number said the document was neither discussed at the management meeting nor given to them individually for their input. The Commissioner in charge of Legal Services, Mr. Charles Udora, caused an uproar when he shouted that nobody had ever approached him over the document. “I do not know anything about the document. Nobody sought my input or attention on the roadmap”, he stated.

zDaisy

was nothing wrong in engaging contract staff by the commission, he, however, maintained that efforts are not being made by the current leadership to properly guide the staff in manner that they would be beneficial to the organisation. Udora’s short address elicited applause. Ekina also spoke in similar manner. She said that staff morale in the commission was low due to the seeming whimsical treatment they get from the leadership. She said “What I can confirm is that the morale is low, there is mistrust among the staff ”.

zLawal Sani Stores

Ekineh

he five commissioners equally denied being involved in the organisation and celebration of the Project 50, a golden jubilee celebration to mark 50 years of the existence of SEC. One after the other they described as untrue earlier claim by Oteh that the celebration, which was chaired by her, had the support and participation of the management and staff of the commission. Daisy Ekinah, a commissioner in charge of operations who had served the commission for 30years, however shot a salvo, when she alleged that outside a presentation she wrote for her on the roadmap to becoming a world class Capital Market, that Ms. Oteh read at NESG programme, she never had any link with the project. Also, Mr. Udora claimed ignorance but indicted the Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, over sale of Intercontinental Bank and

zEric Elujeka

zUdora Charles

clearance of Union Bank, Plc, to have a co-investor. The panel had grilled Oteh over donations by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and some private organisations for the celebration, a claim the SEC boss denied. Hon Bimbo Daramola, ACN Ekiti, who anchored the question and answer session, however, in-

sisted that all the necessary documents pertaining to the involvement of all the organisations’ donations must be tendered before the committee by Oteh. Stressing further, on the mistrust and infighting in the commission Ekina and Udora said that the staff was disenchanted with the goings-on in

the organisation. Udora said the loss of trust in the leadership of SEC has resulted in the staff exhibiting indifference on matters concerning the commission. He said “Our staff is no longer killing themselves for the organisation because they feel they are not recognised”. Although he said that there

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

ast Monday, Madam Oteh had shocked members of the probe panel when she made startling revelations of how the immediate past leadership of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, which Director General was Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, mis-classified expenditure, lavished millions of naira on the purchase of a yacht, bought Rolex wrist watches for tens of millions of naira as gifts for awards of long service to NSE, among others. But Onyuike stormed the panel the following day to deny the allegations but instead leveled her own, which were even more startling. But after the session, the badly dazed Oteh refused to join issues with members of the executive management. Instead she insisted that she was focused on the transformation of the capital market. Well, some focus; some transformation. The hearing continues.

All members of my NSE board were bigger than me, but not in size — Okereke-Onyuike I ate private money, not public funds

Former Director General of Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, last Tuesday at the on-going Public Hearing on the near collapse of the Capital Market stunned the audience when she declared that the money she spent was the money of a private concern. In her words: "It was our money I ate not public money, it was the money of a private concern so what is wrong with that. "I was not seen on the street of New York but on a trading floor in a stock market where I was invited home to help develop the stock market in Nigeria". Mean Madam, this was a reference to Oteh.

in the SEC, Onyuike set the hall reeling with laughter when she said her mission to Harvard University is to go and teach not to learn. Here in Nigeria when I go to Nnsukka I equally go and teach, others go there to learn. "I go to these places to teach free of charge and no strings attached”, she thundered, her massive frame giving effect to her every word. Onyuike had appealed to the committee members that because her office was burgled and her documents carted away, her presentation which would have been in a booklet form and "not these pieces of paper”, did not betray any emotions. "It is unfortunate that I have to write all these from my head because I do have a retentive memory”, Onyuike explained.

Others go to Harvard to learn but All members of my NSE board were I go there to teach bigger than me, but not in size Apparently referring to her female counterpart

C M Y K

Standing at almost 1.89m, Onyuike continued

with her rib cracking jokes when she said all members of her board at the NSE were financial big wigs like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Femi Otedola and a host of others. But before the audience could begin to think of the stupenduous wealth of those she mention, Onyuike quickly added, for obvious effect, that "they are big men but not bigger than me in size. Look at the board today who are the big men there now."

Purchase of 165 Rolex wrist watches

Okereka-Onyuike did not mince words on the alleged purchase of 165 wrist watches at N185million when she declared that they were used to honour staff who had worked for the Exchange for 48years. According to her, they were long service awards for staff who had served the commission since inception in 1960. She said some of the "staff like Chief Ogiri and others who had passed on got awards which members of their families collected on their behalf.

PAGE 38—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

STORY IN BRIEF

The alarming rate of the perversion of justice in Nigeria and the angst of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, and Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Lawal Gunmi, is presented in this report. Their positions are corroborated by the observations of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA/ BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ustice according to John Rawls is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought! Virtue connotes a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good and therefore valued as a foundation of principle. The opposite of virtue is “vice,” which unfortunately has permeated the hallowed chambers of the judicial temples in the country. Whereas “Boni judicis est ampliare justitiam,” is a Latin maxim that says “It is the duty of a good judge to make precedents which amplify justice,” “Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus, aut differemus rectum vel justitian,” means “ we will sell to none, we will deny to none, we will delay to none, either equity or justice.” It is no longer news that several well meaning judicial egg-heads in the country had in recent times, raised alarm over the depreciating standard of justice administration in the country. Primarily, the judiciary ought to be the bastion of hope for the common man, however, where even the common man expresses reservation in the ability of the so called “custodians of the law”, to guarantee him free and fair judgment, indeed, takes the national flag to half mast. Little wonder why the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, in a speech he delivered at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, on May 7, stressed that C M Y K

JUSTICE FOR SALE IN NIGERIA

How some retired and serving judges, senior lawyers pervert justice

Justice Dahiru Musdapher some judges in the country lack “integrity, honesty, knowledge of the law, willingness to listen, sense of fair play, patience and humility.” All these from the CJN! Though this allegation, coming from the number one judicial officer in the country, succinctly captured the sorry state our justice sector wallows in presently, it is further worrisome that the hidden skeletons in our jurisprudence is being laid bare by foreign judicial authorities. A classical example was the case of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, who was declared innocent at home and found guilty abroad on the same sets of primary facts.

owever, should we re ally castigate the actors in our judicial landscape or should we blame the environment within which they work? Could the Judge that freed the convicted ex-governor have acted otherwise, taking into cognizance the fact that the Nigerian judiciary is only independent when it comes to a judge choosing the colour of shoe to wear to court? Who okays the remuneration of Judges? What was the status of the accused person in the administration of that time? Nevertheless, is there any justification for judges that pervert the course of justice to favour a crony? I say NO! It is an elementary maxim in law that “Justitia non novit patrem nec matrem; solum verrtatem spectat justitia,” implying that Justice knows neither father nor mother but looks to the truth alone.

Chief J.B Daudu Except our judges enthrone the principle of “Quod ad jus nattrale attinet omnes homines aequales sunt, meaning “All men are equal as far as the natural law is concerned,” our legal system will continue to suffer intense bashing abroad. Addressing judges that came for the conference at the NJI, the CJN, who never ceases to express his concern

over the state of the nation’s judicial system, said: “as your lordships are aware, the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers is divided into Rules 1 to 3. Rule 1 deal with the avoidance of impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all the activities of a judicial officer and Rule 2 deals with the adjudicative and administrative duties of a judicial officer. Finally, Rule 3 provides guidelines that regulate the extra-judicial activities of a judicial officer in order to maximize the risk of conflict with the duties of his office. “It then follows that judicial officers must imbibe all the essential qualities of a good judge such as integrity, honesty, knowledge of the law, willingness to listen, empathy, sense of fair play, patience and humility. “These and many more are the hallmarks of a good judge. These attributes are sadly lacking amongst some judges

and generally in Nigeria’s public life. “Therefore, if any of these standards are detracted from, the high regard in which a judge is held within the society is diminished, and the likelihood of his pronouncements to be viewed with utmost levity by the public is undoubted, thereby making him unfit for that exalted position in the hallowed chambers of justice. “My lords, if the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers are obeyed to the letter, we would not be battling to extricate the judiciary from some of the rot and prevailing iniquities which it has unfortunately enmeshed itself in,”

ccentuating the stance of the CJN, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Lawal Gunmi, who spoke at the commissioning of the International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, (ICAMA), on May 8, blamed the dwindling state of foreign investment in the country on insidious level of corruption in the judiciary, insisting that our justice sector ranked among the worst in the world. Justice Gunmi, stressed that lack of timely, predictable and affordable access to justice was having negative toll on the confidence both citizens and foreigners have in the Nigerian judiciary.

Policy on sickle-cell coming - Sen. Dantong BY TAYE OBATERU

hairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Gyang Dantong has said the National Assembly would work hard to have a national policy on the management and control of sickle cell anemia in place to reverse the negative toga of Nigeria being the capital of the disease in the world. He said while delivering a distinguished alumni lecture at the University of Jos that whereas it might the difficult to enforce a legislation on the control of the disease which he described as worse than HIV/AIDS, such a policy would go a long way. Dantong who is the senator representing Plateau North District delivered a paper entitled: "Sickle Cell Anaemia: A Genetic Disease of Public Health Concern." He said the National Assembly would make efforts to have a national policy in place towards reversing the current prevalence rate of 20 per one thousand births and the unenviable situation of contributing about 150 thousand of the 200 thousand annual cases recored in Africa.

"We must intensify counseling of intending couple in churches, mosques, courts and other places where marriages are conducted. Research centers should be created at every local government area for early detection, proper management and care. "Screening of all new born babies should be carried out by the use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) while bone marrow transplant centers be available at every national geographical zone", he said. The senator also recommended advocacy at all levels through drama, lectures and public discussions in cities and villages as well as free medical treatment for children under five years which he said was a component of the National Health Bill. He later announced various donations to the Faculty of Medical Dr. Sciences and the Gyang Department of The- Dantong atre and Film Arts of the university.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 39

Indigenes demand state status for Abuja

EMMA UJAH,

Abuja Bureau Chief

he Original Inhabit ants Development As sociation of Abuja, OIDA, a group representing all the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has called for a state status for the nation’s capital. OIDA President, Pastor Danladi Jeji, said in Abuja, that the original settlers had been unfairly treated by the federation, having been turned into a people without constitutional right of state of origin and denied land ownership. His words, “as a people let down by the Nigerian federation with our basic constitutional/fundamental rights to citizenship of a state and ownership of land usurped, we are grateful that other Nigerians are beginning to see the light that Late General Murtala Mohammed was sold a BIG lie and misled by the Justice Akinnola Aguda Panel that the entire 8,000 square kilometres landmass known as the FCT was “Virgin” with no indigenous people.

Late General Murtala Mohammed ...misled by the Justice Akinnola Aguda Panel “We beg to ask that if the FCT did not have indigenous persons as the constitution may want Nigerians to believe, then why was there a resettlement policy which the Federal Government has consistently remained inconsistent in its implementation thereby leading to the policy being discarded and replaced with an integration policy?” Pastor Jeji said that more

By Henry Umoru

Senate and the review of the 1999 Constitution

How far can it go this time? A

fter becoming almost a stillborn, the issue of constitution review has once again come to the front burner at the National Assembly. In fact, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, penultimate week promised that all things being equal, an amendment to the 1999 Constitution will be ready in July, 2013. The Senate, it appears, is back, ready to settle down and do serious business, apparently with what could be termed renewed vigour to give Nigeria a new constituC M Y K

tion. This seriousness first reared its head when Senate President, David Mark had, at the beginning of the Seventh Senate, said that constitution amendment remained one of the priorities of the Senate, adding, ‘’let me note that constitution amendment remains one of the top priorities of the Seventh Senate. Our success in the electoral reforms is now obvious and has been widely acknowledged after the 2011 general election. I congratulate members of the Sixth National Assembly once

than 90 per cent of Abuja indigenes are yet to be resettled, a situation he said has made life extremely difficult to the rural poor whose farm land are being taken away from them by estate developers. “The people of FCT whose major preoccupation is farming have had their farmlands and homes taken over by the Nigerian Government thereby leaving us without any adequate means of livelihood which would have been taken care of if we were initially compensated FULLY and at our own terms as enshrined in Chapter IV, Section 44, Subsection (1b) of the 1999 Constitution. “Contrary to speculations in the media, mischief making by some politicians and arm-chair critics, the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to fully compensate over ninety (90) per cent of the original inhabitants whose lands were forcefully taken for

again, for breaking the jinx of constitution amendment in Nigeria. The onus is therefore on us to build on this success. We shall endeavour to produce a workable constitution that will stand the test of time.” Areas to revisit in the amendment he Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Constitution Review Committee will revisit the fundamental issues of state creation, local government system, devolution of powers, revenue allocation, State police, State Independent National Electoral Commissions, uniform minimum wage, Fiscal Responsibility, Joint account, among other contentious, but important issues.

Who are these Committee members from the Senate? he Committee is headed by the Ekweremadu and his counterpart from the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha. The list is made up of one member from each of the 36 states of the federation and representatives of all the six geo-political zones. For added measure, all the female senators were included.

the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory. We stand to be corrected by any documentary evidence either by the government or any group”, he insisted.

n a memorandum sent to the National Assembly, according the OIDA president, specific prayers of the indigenes asked that a Federal Capital City be carved out of the current FCT and the remaining part declared a state. “Since the Federal Government has not fully compensated the over 1.5 million original inhabitants spread in 858 villages and towns within the territory, and due to a couple of court judgments which say “the Federal Government cannot claim ownership of lands in the FCT which have not been duly compensated to the original inhabitants in line with the customary title deeds of land

Other members are, Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Bello Mohammed Tukur, Chris Ngige, Ita Enang, Abdul Ningi, Heineken Lokpobiri, Barnabas Gemade, Ahmed Zannah, Victor Ndoma Egba, James Manager, Christopher Nwankwo, Odion Ugbesia, Anthony Adeniyi, Ayogu Eze, Joshua Lidani, Chris Anyanwu, Abdulaziz Usman, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Bello Gwarzo, Abu Ibrahim, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Smart Adeyemi, Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi, Ganiyu Solomon, Suleiman Adokwe, Dahiru Awaisu Kuta and Adegbenga Kaka. Others are Senators Boluwaji Kunlere, Sola Adeyeye, Olufemi Lanlehin, Joshua Dariye, Magnus Abe, Umaru Dahiru, Abubakar Tutare Umar, Alkali Jajere, Ahmed Sani, Philip Aduda, Nkechi Nwaogu, Helen Esuene, Nenadi Usman, Oluremi Tinubu, Zaynab Kure, Aisha Al-hassan, George Akume, Ayoola Agboola and Mohammed Saleh. While speaking on the commencement of the exercise last week, Ekweremadu said, “Give and take, our estimation is that by July, 2013, we will be able to conclude another set of constitutional amend-

ownership,” we the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory will like to put the country on notice in the following areas: “That while we shall still concede the 1,600 square kilometres of the Federal Capital City as drawn out in the Abuja Masterplan to Nigeria as the capital city of the nation, we are asking for the remaining 6,400 square kilometres of the larger Federal Capital Territory to be declared a state status for the original inhabitants of the territory. When done, this will be in tandem with what was done for Lagos in 1967 where General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) declared the entire Lagos Island and surrounding environs as the nation’s capital while Lagos Mainland was carved out and declared a state with the capital located in Ikeja, after being merged with certain parts of the old Western Region.

ment. We even thought we can move faster than that but we are going to engage in other national assignments, we are going to engage the 2013 budget which I suppose will come in September and then ensure that the other legislations did not suffer, so when we put all these things together, we believe that July 2013 will be an appropriate time to deliver the next set of amendment.’’ Will the Senate/ House put behind them the issue of ego? ow that the National Assembly is set for the job, it is hoped that the problem of egocentricism will not set in with regard to who chairs or whether the problem of seniority will not set in between the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker and then make the very serious national assignment suffer discounts on account of that as was the case in the past. Ekweremadu at the briefing had promised that the Senate will work with the House of Representatives in the amendment of the constitution and thus put to rest fears of possible ‘fight’ between the Senate and the House of Representatives when the issue of Chairman, Co- Chairman comes up.

PAGE 40â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

2015 ON THEIR MINDS (1) STORY IN BRIEF This is a build up to President Goodluck Jonathan's first year in office as an elected leader. But there appears to be a stasis in the affairs of the nation, occasionally shattered by the bombing raids of insurgents. Yet, the political class is enmeshed in a controversy about succession come 2015. Worse, the body language still Mr. President and his minders suggests that it could be a go for him. This piece is an exploratory voyage on possible scenarios and outcomes, particularly in the power struggle to come between the North and Jonathan over zoning, within the context of the report that Nigeria risks disintegration either by 2015 or by 2030.And whereas Mr. President has declared that they should let him focus on development issues for now, those who would benefit from his decision to contest or not are still on the prowl C M Y K

President Jonathan and the succession debate zOptions before Mr. President, PDP and opposition parties BY JIDE AJANI JONATHAN'S VOTE FOR ZONING IN 2002

e would have been awe struck. Late on the night of Decem ber 2, 2002, when then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, representing his boss, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, sat in that conference room of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, he could not have known that the events of that night would play a significant role in his evolution later in life - that was

the day he participated in, and voted for the retention of the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, restating that the South would have eight years after which the North would have its own eight years of presidential power. But events were to both collaborate in favour of and conspire against Jonathan some 10 years later - it had to do with the propriety or otherwise of his aspiration as a contender in the presidential race of his party in January 2011. Jonathan got the ticket of his party and went on to win the presidential elections of 2011. There endeth the easy part. Just before the elections and immedi-

ately after, those who promised that Jonathan's tenure as President and Commmander-in-Chief would be hellish have since been keeping their promise. Today, the agitation is already on for which section of the country would produce the president in 2015, barely a year into a four-year tenure.

2015 AND DISINTEGRATION

Yes, 2015. That is the year that was initially predicted as Nigeria's year of doom, when disintegration is expected to set into the affairs of the nation. But it has been again reviewed to 2030. According to a report emanating from Continues on page 41

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 , PAGE 41

Continued from page 40 the United States of America, "Nigeria (is expected to) be engaged in multipartite civil war like it happened in Lebanon in 1975 and Somalia in 1991 before its final disintegration in 2030, a report by the United States military experts released by the Centre for Strategy and Technology, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama has said. "The report, written by five US military scholars and entitled “Failed State 2030: Nigeria – A case study” and dated February 2011, is one of the many periodic scenario building analyses undertaken by the US military think tanks on the future of countries within the sphere of economic interests of the US. ""In the 156-page latest report, the US Air Force officers posit that “Nigeria’s lack of unifying national identity, history of corrupt governance, religious and cultural schisms, and shifting demographics may cause the state, over time, to break apart.”" "In the case of Nigeria in 2030, the experts believed that Nigeria’s “history of tribal and religious conflicts, endemic corruption at all levels of government, poor national planning, uneven development, social disorder, rampant criminality, violent insurgency, and terminal weak governance provides an environment that could portend imminent collapse and failure.”"

Options before Mr. President, PDP and opposition parties

President Jonathan... body language confusing

Atiku Abubakar.... considerably influential

Still

n earlier report had been re leased during the administration of former President Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Obasanjo by the US National Intelligence Council, where the US intelligence experts predicted Nigeria’s collapse in 2015. The consolation, which former Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, agreed with in a separate interview, is that ""the military scholars explained that the security report is “not a specific prediction of the future or a depiction of a state of affairs that will and must occur ” but “a discussion of how the trends occurring in Nigeria since its birth as a nation in 1960 could, under the right conditions, lead to its failure.”That is where Akinyemi comes in. In an interview with Sunday Vanguard on a separate issue, Akinyemi pointed out that "Nigeria should be eternally thankful to the United States of America, USA, for alerting us on the impending danger", adding that "the wise thing for us to do as a people who want to be seen as wise is to act now and not attack the messenger". Alarmingly, the report concludes that “fragmentation of the Nigerian body politic could create conditions for a multipartite civil war, mirroring in some ways the events in Lebanon in

IN PART 2 NEXT WEEK zIS IT A COINCIDENCE THAT 2015, WHICH WAS PREDICTED AS NIGERIA'S YEAR OF DISINTEGRATION, IS ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR? zWHAT ABOUT THE NEW DATE OF 2030?

Muhammadu Buhari... never-saydie - to contest again?

Attahiru Jega... will 2015 elections not be scientifically rigged again?

1975 and Somalia in 1991. The report however said that “Nigeria’s 250 million people, 350 different ethnicities, and religious differences can, under the right circumstances, cause the nation to shatter in an instant.”" But can anyone say with certainty that politicians in Nigeria are behaving wisely

And whereas President Jonathan attempted to douse the tension at the PDP National Convention, when in a speech delivered by his deputy, Vice President Namadi Sambo, pontificating that the party could be torn apart by the 2015 succession battle, another attempt to draw the attention of Nige-

z WHEN

CORRIDORS OF POWER?

WOULD 2015 BE ON PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S MIND SINCE IT IS NOT ON HIS MIND NOW?

zHOW DOES HE PLAN TO CONTAIN THE EXCESSES OF THOSE AROUND HIM WHO SEE IN 2015 THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN RELEVANT BY REMAINING IN THE

AVERTING DOOM

zHOW DOES THE NORTH PLAN TO

RESPOND TO THE 2015 CHALLENGE?

zWOULD

THE INSURGENCY GOING ON IN NORTHERN NIGERIA HAVE BEEN CONTAINED BY THEN?

rians to the needless distraction that the matter was becoming penultimate Saturday left gaps in the statement from his office. The statement had categorically stated:"What began as an irritating distraction some months ago, appears to have now assumed a life of its own, dominating political discourse in the country, with all kinds of mischiefmakers and opportunists latching on to it, to heat up the polity unnecessarily. The pointless, diversionary and very distractive hue and cry about the President’s alleged ambition to seek a second term in office is becoming increasingly disturbing by the day with headlines such as “JONATHAN’S 2015 AMBITION CAN BREAK UP NIGERIA” and “JONATHAN’S 2015 AMBITION FUELING INSECURITY,” now regular fare in our newspapers and on the internet. "For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, President Jonathan wishes to reiterate that his primary concern and the focus of all his efforts now, just about a year into the four-year tenure for which he was elected in April 2011, is to deliver on his promise of positive national transformation. "The President’s sole preoccupation as the nation moves towards the first anniversary of his administration on May 29, 2012 is to continue to give effective and purposeful leadership that will steer Nigeria towards overcoming its immediate security and developmental challenges. Nothing could be farther from President Jonathan’s mind at this point in time than the 2015 elections. The President has definitely not directed or authorized any individual or group to launch any campaign on his behalf. "President Jonathan urges the political class and the Nigerian mass media, once again, to focus on the immediate priority of protecting, preserving and consolidating democratic governance in Nigeria, and giving the nation’s current crop of elected leaders at all levels the opportunity to deliver on their promises to the people without the distraction of an unending campaign for future elections". The statement was signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati. Even with the statement from Jonathan's office, it may appear as though a separate life is being incubated for 2015. CONTINUES NEXT WEEK zWHO ARE THOSE WHO CONSTITUTE THE EMERGING POWER BLOCKS IN THE NORTH AND IN THE SOUTH? zWHAT HAPPENS TO THE OPPO-

SITION POLITICAL PARTIES AND WHAT SORT OF CHALLENGE WOULD THEY POSE?

PAGE 42, SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

2015: Jonathan made no commitment to the North —Orubebe 'Let Nigerians decide' projects. What are the new projects your ministry will embark upon this year? As a ministry we are not likely to do new projects this year. Our concentration is on how we are going to complete the projects that we started in 2009/2011. Our desire is to complete these projects How do you feel when you are being accused of non-performance by some stakeholders in the region despite these achievements you have enumerated?

BY WALE AKINOLA The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, joins the debate on whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan should seek re-election in 2015,saying the issue is for Nigerians to decide. The minister also speaks on the mandate of his ministry, Boko Haram and the politics of his home state,Delta.

AN you identify some of your achievements as the Minister of Niger Delta

Affairs? Our mandate as given by this government is to fast track development in the Niger Delta and coordinate developmental activities in the region and provide a new thinking, new frameworks on the way forward for peace and security in the Niger Delta. That was why when the ministry was created the first thing we did was to work with all the security agencies, the state governors and local government chairmen to bring to pass the current peace we are enjoying in the Niger Delta. The ministry led the delegation, went round all the creeks of the Niger Delta and eventually amnesty came. Today, every Nigerian knows about the benefits of amnesty as a programme. As a ministry, we have also put up a programme for youths generally in the region, providing some sorts of engagement for the nonmilitant youths in the Niger Delta and so far about 721 youths are being trained within and outside the country, some in oil and gas, some in maritime, some in agriculture, tourism and ICT. Now talking about the East/West Road, it is a project that was awarded in 2006 and then it was in the hands

of the Federal Ministry of Works. But by 2009, the government felt that there was need to fast track the completion of the project. Subsequently, the project was transferred to our ministry. As at that time, it was 10 per cent completion but a lot of things were not right with the project, it was when we took over that the issues of designing and feasibility study were taken care of. The budgeting for the project started effectively from 2009. That is why as a ministry we have backlog of liabilities and activities concerning the road. But today, the project has budget head and Mr. President has directed that it has to be completed by December 2014. Right now, most of the youths from the Niger Delta and other parts of the country are trained outside Nigeria and the thinking of the ministry is that we would save a lot of money and also add to development if the youths are trained within the country. And so the ministry is constructing nine world-class training centres in the nine states of the region, one in each of the states. We have also done a lot of environmental and erosion projects, a good number of them have been completed. We also have other adjoining road projects, about eight of them, that have reached advanced stages of completion. And then, most importantly, the ministry is today working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), various stakeholders and development partners. We are providing development frameworks and the essence is to ensure that the activities and the resources of the various development agencies and governments are harnessed so that we avoid wastage and duplication of

appreciate the concern of people that are making comments. Expectedly, anybody from the Niger Delta and even Nigeria expect certain visible things must be seen now. But people must also realise that development takes time. This ministry came into being in 2009 and of course, there has to be planning, there has to be activities. And these projects must start from somewhere. As I said, it will take some time but I believe that as from late 2013, when most of these projects

Elder Godsday Orubebe

Expectedly, anybody from the Niger Delta and even Nigeria expect certain visible things must be seen now. But people must also realise that development takes time

would be commissioned, people will then appreciate what we are doing. Do you have the required funding for the execution of the mandate of the ministry?

What are the challenges facing the ministry? The challenges are quite enormous. The first challenge I can tell you is probably the development of the area in terms of what contractors face in our various sites. Most of the time, we are intervening for contractors to go and work. I think that there is need for all stakeholders to appeal to our people to allow contractors to work in our sites. Of course the issue of funds is another challenge, reasonable funds are needed for the development of the Niger Delta. The funds are not enough, that is a very big challenge. The other one is the terrain of the Niger Delta, it is a very harsh terrain and so a lot of funds are needed for the development of the area. Whereas it is easy to do certain projects in other areas, it is difficult in the Niger Delta. For instance if you are constructing a road, you first of all, you have to develop an earth road before you can think of constructing the main asphalt road that they are expecting. These are some of the artificial and natural challenges that we are

o ministry has the required funding. What is important is planning and utilizing effectively what you have in your hand. But as a ministry, we are going out with what we have and expect that by the new thinking, the way we are working with the development partners and others because the reality of the issue is that the government alone cannot develop the Niger Delta and so we are bringing in development partners and we are working together under the leadership of the UNDP.

facing in the ministry. There was this idea of bringing the NDDC under your ministry. Has the idea been jettisoned? You know recently the President put up a committee, the Oronsaye Committee and the committee is rationalizing agencies and what have you and I think that some of these issues that are pending will be resolved by the time the government starts to implement the white that will come out of the committee’s recommendations. There are still pockets of agitations in the Niger Delta, especially by some militants who claimed that they were not absorbed into the amnesty programme after they have disarmed. Is there anything being planned to accommodate them?

I think that two things are fundamental here. We must get them very clear. If something is not good, we must say it is not good, if something is good, we must say it is good. If something is not right, you must say it is not right and if it is right, you must say it is right. The amnesty programme today is being supervised by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta but because I have followed it up from the beginning, I know a lot about the amnesty programme. When amnesty was announced, there was a time frame that was given and within that time frame, people were expected to buy into it. Most of the people who are agitating here and there today are people who did not buy into the amnesty programme as at that time. So, number one, they are not part of the amnesty programme. If for any reason they never declared before the time, I think they should appeal in a way to the government instead of creating problems. And I want to add that everybody from the Niger Delta today must be thanking God and be praying for Mr. President because this is an opportunity that is very rare. If you don’t allow development to take place in that place, if you don’t allow peace to reign in that place to enable development and productive activities to take place after this time, we probably may not have the opportunity to regret. Today, we have a president from the region, this is the time all of us must join hands with him, pray for him to be able to make the needed reasonable contributions towards the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria generally. How do you react to the views of some sections of the Niger Delta that the region is yet to gain anything from Jonathan’s presidency? The views are wrong. Even at the level of the ministry, I just highlighted certain things to you, other ministries are doing their own. There are a lot that is being done in the Niger Delta. Take for instance education, we have one additional federal university in the region. We have a number of polytechnics that have been established in the Niger Delta. People sit down, just in their homes and probably when they want something and they have not got it, they speak from their personal in

Continues on page 43

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 , PAGE 43

2015: Jonathan made no commitment to the North —Orubebe terests. So many things are being put in place and as I always said it is not a question where within one month, you sleep and wake up and you see the kind of development you have in London in a place. It takes time. There is no country in the world that has developed within a short period. Development is a gradual process and I think that people should allow Mr. President to develop the region. ow do you react to the H view that Jonathan is too slow?

When people talk about slow, how do you describe somebody being slow? The crash programme we have run in this country have always taken us nowhere. In this country, we have gone into projects without planning, without articulating what we should do, the benefits available from projects. We have always rushed into everything. That is why today we have not got power in Nigeria after spending billions of dollars. But Mr. President has said that anything we want to do in this country must be done well, we have to plan towards it, we have to know how we are going to do it and we have to know who should do it. My appeal to Nigerians is that we must have patience and understand the transformation agenda of Mr. President and I am very definite that under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria will come out of the woods. Leaders of some ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta have accused the Federal Government of treating the region as being synonymous with the Ijaw with all major appointments and projects being given to only the Ijaw group. Specifically, the Itsekiri ethnic group has accused your ministry in particular of not putting any project in their area. How do you react to this? That probably may be the thinking of some few persons who probably on a personal note want to criticize the government because in one form or the other as individuals they did not get benefit from government. In Delta State, take for instance, the Itsekiri area that you mentioned when we came on board, the first state office for the Ministry of Niger Delta was earmarked for the Itsekiri area. That project was initiated for that place and the budget and everything were sent to the National Assembly. It came back without a vote, that is why that project was not done. There are environmental and canalization projects that are going on in Itsekiri axis of the Niger Delta. . The ministry has tried as much as possible to reflect generally every area. Now the government of Goodluck Jonathan has the Petroleum University in Effurun, that is not in the Ijaw area. Every federal ministry is doing projects in so many areas in the Niger Delta. What about appointment into key positions? They talked about

the appointment of Ijaw persons as ministers of petroleum and Niger Delta Affairs. I come from Delta State and a minister is supposed to come from Bayelsa State. And so if a minister from Bayelsa State is an Ijaw and a minister from Delta State is an Ijaw, we should not be treated as the same people. Every minister is treated on the basis of the state that he comes from. There are other areas where you have the same tribe in all the offices. For goodness sake, we are only two Ijaw people. If you want to use the word tribe, we are only two Ijaw people and we have 42 ministers. We have had situations where Ijaw people were not ministers and we did not complain. The important thing is that we should see ourselves as one and work with one another for the development of the region. The Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State is also complaining that your ministerial slot ought to have been given to an Urhobo man this time around. Their argument is that the Ijaw have got a slot in Bayelsa State. Are you aware of this? hy? What are the rea sons? We are talking about state. When the Ijaw people were not governors of Delta State and an Urhobo man became governor of the state, we worked with them. We did not complain. We worked for them and we voted for them. Are you satisfied with the level of peace in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State now? I am reasonably satisfied with the peace that we now enjoy in the PDP in Delta State and I think the governor has done very well. We have agreed to work with the governor and frankly too I think we have altogether worked very well. I think what is important now is for us to build on what we have found and in moving forward, building a very solid cooperation so that peace will continue to reign in the state. Are you aware that some members are still aggrieved by the outcome of the reconciliation? For instance your former colleague in the federal cabinet, Chief Kenneth Gbagi and yourself have engaged in verbal altercations over the outcome of the congress. Gbagi has no business complaining because during the congress I went to my ward but he did not go to his ward. He did not go to his local government. He was not found anywhere. Anybody who did not participate in the congresses, in the election, has no business to complain. We all agree to work together and if Gbagi was not there, it is unfortunate. PDP cannot wait for him. But today I can tell you that we are working very well with the governor and we are moving PDP forward in Delta State. With the fact that you still have some aggrieved persons within the party, what is the way forward?Today, we have the state executive in place, it is their duty to work round everybody to ensure permanent peace. PDP is a very big family,

Elder Godsday Orubebe it is in the interest of all of us to see that the state executive works with everybody, brings everybody on board for the larger PDP. re you not bothered that A Boko Haram is overwhelming the Federal Govern-

ment and it is becoming an embarrassment to this country? What I will say is that we have a national problem and I think that it is time that the whole country should file behind Mr. Presi-

Continued from page 42

moured 2015 second term aspiration of President Jonathan? I think they are clear issues. Boko Haram started long before Dr. Jonathan became President. While President Yar’Adua was alive, Boko Haram was in existence. It has got nothing to do with 2015. That time that Boko Haram came up, what were they fighting for? When President Yar’Adua was on board and Boko Haram came up, was there anything like 2015? There was nothing like 2015. Boko Haram started during the time of President Yar’Adua. As at that time there was no issue of 2015 and for anybody to say it is because of 2015 that Boko Haram came into being is total fallacy, it is not true. They have their own programmes and agenda, it is a mere coincidence that it is happening at this time but Mr. President is on top of the situation

2015 is purely a political issue, it has got nothing to do with the crisis and the political issues in Nigeria are always defined by the desire of the people to have good government

dent to ensure that the crisis is resolved and I think that it is a wake- up call for everybody to understand that it not about sitting at a place and accusing the government of not doing anything. I think that it is a problem for everybody and we are all expected to play one role or the other to see that the problem is put behind us. Every household leader, every local government leader, every state leader and every national leader should be concerned about it. Boko Haram is a new phenomenon that has come to play and government is doing everything it can to see that it comes to an end. My position is that we should work together as brothers to ensure that there is peace in this country. That is the only way we can move forward and I think that the security agencies are doing their best to ensure that the issue of Boko Haram is put behind us. Do you share the views of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi, that the Boko Haram was rooted in the undemocratic practices in PDP and response to the ru-

and very soon it will be a thing of the past. Will the issue of Boko Haram likely affect the chances of a South/South person angling for the presidency of the country in 2015? think we should separate the I crisis and 2015. 2015 is purely a political issue, it has got noth-

ing to do with the crisis and the political issues in Nigeria are always defined by the desire of the people to have good government and I think Nigeria has come of age and what Nigerians appreciate is to have good government. Let us separate these things. In 2015, Nigerians are looking towards having a president they can trust, a president that can deliver, that is what Nigerians are looking for. Nigerians are not looking for a sectional president anymore, they want a president that can put food on the table of the poor, a president that can listen to the people. Does Jonathan fit into this? Yes, of course, he is. It is the people that will decide. If you say Jonathan fits and a

lot of Nigerians believe that the country is drifting under his w a t c h . . . . . . . . . Drifting to where? We have always had crisis in this country. This is not the first time we are having this type of crisis. We have had crisis of various dimensions, some in the West, some in the East, some in the Niger Delta and now in the North. I don’t think this is the first time we are having this kind of serious crisis in Nigeria. We have had crisis in Nigeria when oil production went down to almost a zero level. That was a very serious economic crisis that we had but we overcame it. We have the crisis of OPC, we have crisis of MASSOB in the East, Maitsaine in the North etc. I don’t think Nigeria is drifting. I think that it is one of these crises and we will overcome it and Mr. President is on top of the situation. Some ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta are in the vanguard of a second term campaign for Jonathan. Specifically, Asari Dokubo and Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, have insisted that Jonathan has the right to seek re-election. Do you share the same sentiments and do you believe they are doing the right thing? As a journalist what do you think of it? But it is your opinion that I am asking for. What is your opinion? ou as a journalist who is Y open to the law of the land, does it stop Jonathan if he wants

to? It is two things we must get clear from here. Every Nigerian is entitled to run for the presidency of this country. Every Nigerian when you fit into the regulations that are set for somebody to run for the presidency , now the constitution allows President Jonathan to run for a second term but the issue of whether he will run or he will not run is a personal decision. But the constitution permits him to run in 2015 if he wants to run. But it is a personal issue. The decision is personal to him. He has not told any Nigerian, he has not told anybody that he wants to run in 2015. Today, Mr. President is faced with the burden of how to provide power for this country, to fix our roads, to develop agriculture to a reasonable level, to provide food on the table of the poor, to move Nigeria from where we are, that is the burden of Mr. President. He is bothered about how he can achieve these for Nigerians. He has not told anybody about 2015. Do you support the ex-militant leaders that Jonathan can contest 2015? He has the right if he wishes. He is not stopped by the constitution but that is his personal decision. Are you aware of any commitment by President Jonathan to any individual or group, especially in the North, before the 2011 election, that he would not seek a second term ticket in 2015? I am not aware of any commitment he made to anybody or group but all what I know when he decided to run for presidency in 2011 he called us together and told us that he was running for the presidency of this country for 2011. So, we mobilised ourselves and worked for him and today he is there. That is the story. I don’t know about any meeting anywhere where he made commitment to anybody or any group. I am not aware of that.

PAGE 44— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

How we raked in N1.3bn in first quarter—DC Akande The Ogun State Customs Command has recorded over N1.3billion revenue in the first quarter of 2012 and 230 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N153.4million. The Command also realised over N362million as revenue from 3,644 vehicles. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) DC Akande Bamidele speaks on the strategies adopted by his team to make the Command much more active

ELL us about the activities of your Command in the first quarter of 2012? The Command for the period of January to March 2012 made an impressive performance. For instance, we realised over N1.3 billion revenue as against N730million collected the same period in 2011, which shows a difference of N613.3million. The Command is working assiduously towards achieving the monthly revenue target of N900million given it. The strategies we adopted resulted in the collection of N362million as revenue on 3,644 vehicles for the period under review as against 692 vehicles with revenue of N115.8million generated in the same period in 2011. Can you give us the percentage difference in revenue from the previous year? A comparative analysis of what we realised shows a percentage difference of 308 per cent and the quantum increase is as a result of the unrelenting efforts of officers against smugglers in the area. Also in the period under review, we made 230 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N153.4million as against 320 seizures with DPV of N229.3million, which the Command recorded in the same period in 2011. In practical terms, the downward trend in seizure-making has resulted in high revenue collected for government. The astronomical increase in revenue generation was due to the quantum leap of the imported vehicles on which duties were collected, as the vehicles were smuggled into the country without payment of import duties and taxies.

gun Command has a porous border with numerous illegal routes. What tactics did you adopt in carrying out your operations? I took over the affairs of the Command on January 20, 2012 and this has forced smugglers to resort to legitimate declaration of imports and subsequent duty payment instead of risking seizures of their goods. The unscrupulous car dealers are now reconditioned by the aggressive anti-smuggling campaign in the Command.

STORIES BY UDEME CLEMENT

A comparative analysis of what we realised shows a percentage difference of 308 per cent and the quantum increase is as a result of the unrelenting efforts of officers against smugglers in the area.

Notwithstanding, there are challenges because there are many illegal routs within the borders. How do you handle the people in the border areas who see your activities as a

DC Akande Bamidele clog? Some people in the border communities are very volatile since they see smuggling as a legitimate trade and are not ready to give up. Given the precarious nature of the operational environment at the border and the violent nature of people within the border community, our officers are frequently attacked by smugglers who moblised community members against Customs in order to continue with illegal trades. In such incidences, our

officers were attacked with guns, cutlasses and charms. Within the last two weeks, we recorded two incidences. One happened at Ilashe along Idiroko/Atan road, where a group of smugglers attacked our officers with dangerous weapons in an attempt to retrieve seizures. They were overpowered and one of them was arrested with sword and charms. The suspect by name Mr. Sunday Adisa has been charged to court already. Another incident took place at Aiyetoro where a smuggler in an attempt to escape arrest knocked down an officer. The vehicle was shot and the bullet hit the smuggler on the leg. The suspect is undergoing treatment in Customs staff clinic Idiroko and will be charged to court as soon as his condition improves. The tokunbo vehicle found with him was impounded.

side from these, what other uncommon trend of smuggling have you uncovered in the Command? We impounded a commercial bus brought in across the

border but painted in Lagos colour to escape security checks. We intercepted another vehicle smuggled into the country with the banner of Odua People Congress (OPC) with an inscription, OPC Squad Yewa, Chief Apena Agbaye of Ijebu Ode. We impounded smuggled vehicles that were mixed up in the entourage of the governor to escape arrest. We have seizures of second-hand clothes used to conceal Indian Hemp. We are warning those still engaging in smuggling to desist from this economic sabotage. We will seize their goods and charge them to court for prosecution. The Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde was recently honour by Business Hallmark as the Public Officer of the year 2011. How would you describe this honour? It was an honour well deserved because Dikko has been able to transform the service in an enviable height. Officers are well trained and logistics are provided for us to carry out our statutory duty effectively.

NIWA to deploy swamps harvesters in inland waterways

Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua

N a bid to ensure smooth navigational activities in the waterways in the country, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is putting measures in place to deploy swamps harvesters to inland waterways across the country. In that capacity, NIWA has acquired two swamps weed harvesters to carry out regular clearing of weeds from the dredged river Niger and other locations. The managing director of NIWA, Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua, explained that the initiative was to ensure that weeds are not allowed to grow in the river, as massive growth of weeds in the dredged river Niger was affecting smooth navigational activities in the region. He explained, “The swamps harvesters will be used for clearing water hyacinth as well as other aquatic weeds from the waterways. Also, the equipment will be deployed in all the inland waterways in the country to ensure that

navigational activities in all the dredged channels were safe and smooth. Massive weeds in the dredged channels of the inland waterways can hinder smooth navigation in the river. As such, the equipment must be used for periodic clearing and cleansing of the river for optimal utilisation. The swamps harvesters are the mechanical equipments best suited for intervention towards opening up of blocked waterways, which is very rampant in the dredged river Niger and other inland waterways in our environment.” Giving an update on the dredging of the lower River Niger he stated, “Already the capital dredging had been completed. What we have now is a channel of 2.5 metres depth from Baro in Niger State to Warri in Delta State . So, this development has increased activities in the inland water transportation, which is of great economic benefit to the country. What is needed at the moment is for companies to take advantage of these opportunities and move into the sector. We are also marketing our product by discussing with mega companies like Dangote on the need to ship their goods through the water. Aside from that, we are holding discussion with Katsina Rolling Mill and numerous other companies about the advantages of moving their products through the water. Some firms are already moving crude oil through the channels we have created, which is a good idea”. Yar’adua further disclosed that the management of NIWA and

the Federal Ministry of Transport had concluded arrangement to float a 45-passenger boat from Lokoja to Onitsha . We will start with two this year. Already the

route from Baro to Onitsha in Anambra State is now very accessible as some companies had started moving their barges through the river.

Ships & Ports goes daily

IGERIA’S widest circulating maritime newspaper, Ships& Ports, is now being published daily, as the maritime industry publication currently known as Ships & Ports Daily Free Newspaper will appear five times weekly, Mondays to Fridays. The Editor of the newspaper, Obiajulu Agu, explained that the decision to go daily was to serve the industry ’s stakeholders better and give

information to operators as events unfold. “We pioneered daily maritime reporting on radio, weekly maritime reporting on television and then started the free weekly newspaper as the nation’s first regular weekly maritime publication. We are replicating what we report daily on radio in the newspaper. He said, “Ships & Ports made its debut in October 2007 as a four-page weekly publication, which over time was increased to 12 pages.

From right: Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa & Mr,. Mayo Okunola, General Manager, GOtv at the official showcase of the new AfricaMagic Channels, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 45

The battle over GSM base stations, masts

HE National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has initiated a drive aimed at attacking network service providers and shutting down base stations deemed to have been erected in contravention of its standards as it regards environmental safety. It is worthy of note here that there is no scientific claim that backs up the NESREA’s claim that situating a base station five meters away from the nearest residential area as stipulated by the NCC is hazardous to health. Their reason therefore for shutting down network operators’ base stations may be deemed as baseless and unfounded. It is also to be observed that with reference to areas designated as residential, the reality of usage and topography of the area may have no bearing on the designations. As such, traffic patterns follow demographic concentrations rather than area designations. As an example, Victoria Island in Lagos is a traditionally designated area that has evolved into a predominantly commercial district. Wuse II in Abuja also appears to be evolving in the same manner. On this note, it will be observed that areas sparsely populated could easily become densely populated over a period of time leading to violation of requirement such as setback distance and height specifications. In many instances, operators are able, under the watchful eyes of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to comply with the proposed set back of 10-12 meters from the wall of residential premises, schools and hospitals. Given the peculiarities of Nigeria and the lack of proper development and planning in most parts of the country, there are severe constraints in attaining the said setback but the NCC makes sure that operators comply with the five meters set back from residential areas, hospitals and schools as observed all over the world. Also given that there is no law preventing residential areas from springing up within any designated range of telecoms and other infrastructure, it is now the added function of the NCC to make sure that residential areas are not built closer than five meters to an already existing base station or mast as it will not make sense to ask operators to move already existing base stations in order to accommodate newly built residential areas. The NCC has been performing these tasks with zest and for the NESREA to rubbish all the effort that has been put in this regard smacks of avoidable

BY KINGSLEY MUTU

Shutting down base stations as has been done by the NESREA will certainly undermine the efforts of the service providers to improve on the quality of service already being rendered in the telecoms sector

usurpation. Shutting down base stations as has been done by the NESREA will certainly undermine the efforts of the service providers to improve on the quality of service already being rendered in the telecoms sector. It will lead to a fall in the quality of service especially in high density areas as operators will not be able to respond to network

traffic exigencies promptly and appropriately as a result of the crippling of their infrastructure. It will increase congestion on the network as another base station will have to take over the functions of the shut down station. This will seriously undermine the efforts of the NCC and network op-

erators aimed at improving quality of service. Also, section 130 of the Nigerian Communication Act that created the NCC explains the scope of its activity as it concerns telecoms equipment and infrastructure. It is therefore wrong for the NESREA to take over the functions by law of an existing agency. That will be illegal. If the NESREA must take over these functions, then the NCA Act needs to be amended to reflect the change in regulator as an already existing law cannot be contravened even by a more powerful or superior body. Also, since the lawfully created body whose function it is to regulate the telecoms sector is the NCC, the NESREA needs to defer to the NCC on decisions that affect location and management of base stations and masts especially as NESREA is just a body set up to ensure enforcement of regulations; usurping the NCC and taking over its functions can only be

w r o n g . The telecoms industry in Nigeria does not need this unnecessary distraction and the NESREA should back track to enable the NCC continue the worthy work it is doing in regulating the industry and any agency that has information about any breach of regulations should lodge its complaint with the communications commission to investigate and enforce compliance. The NESREA, being only an enforcement agency, lacks the jurisdiction to seal base stations because it does not have the power to make regulations but is only empowered enforce the regulations made by other parastatals with respect to environmental standards. The NESREA should revert to the NCC on matters such as this henceforth in order to forestall the occurrence of both bodies clashing publicly shamefully as has been the case recently. Mutu is resident in Yenagoa

Ignorance keeps Nigeria away from dev —Ikpe BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

bank chief and chair man of Ithoki Energy Resource, Chief Kingsley Ikpe has advised that to avert further ruins in the nations economy it's economic planners must stop relying so much on imports and seek ways to encourage productivity if it hopes to remain relevant in the global competitive market. Ikpe who chaired a public presentation of a book titled Nigeria... A Future In Ruins written by Dr. Jimanze EgoAlowes in Lagos, lamented that lack of knowledge was

keeping Nigeria away from development. He, however, said it is not yet midnight for the country as it can still turn its dwindling economic fortunes around . “Our people should be a productive people. We should stop importing things that we can make. It is not right that we are a petroleum producing country yet we import petroleum products from the UK. It is not right that we grow cocoa yet we import cocoa finished products from Cadbury. So, our planners must make sure that this country is industrialized and the industrialization should begin with value added industries. Industries that can add value to cassava, rice,

yam and so on. Once we do that, jobs would now be created for the people and we would become self-reliant.” He also advised the country's leaders to learn to live less on politics as a way of making money or being self -dependent adding that self-dependency would come from the country's industries. “We don't want to be worrying so much about the lootings . I want shift emphasis for our people to be productive. In other words the policies of government should discourage importation. We export crude oil. 90 percent of our foreign exchange earnings comes from crude oil and then we use that money to import virtually ev-

erything we have. In the end we have nothing. So it is a rent seeking economy and we must change the structure of the economy. Once, we produce locally, we won't have these rent seekers and once these rent seekers come, they see opportunities and that's when the bribery and corruption flourish The seasoned stock broker blamed the continuous dwindling fortune of the country's economy to emphasis on importation and challenged the government to be more productive by investing in infrastructures and great companies that would in turn produce values that would be far more than what was invested.

PHOTO NEWS

From right: Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa; Permanent Secretary, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Mr. Akin Hanson, and the Ag. Permanent Secretary in the Transport Ministry, Mr. Noheem Said, at the media briefing to mark first year of second term in of office of the present Administration in Lagos State. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

From left : His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe,Chairman; Mr Atedo Peterside, Non ED; Mr Thabo Mabe,MD and Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Non ED during the 87th Annual General Meeting of Unilever Nigeria Plc at the Civic Centre , Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

PAGE 46—SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

Privatisation: Messy times @ Daily Times BY BONAVENTURE MELAH

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The case instituted by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) against the Anosike brothers.

N Ikeja High Court last Monday dismissed a case instituted against the Anosike brothers on the sale of Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) which their company Folio Communications Limited bought in the privatisation exercise. Justice Habeeb Abiru in striking out the case said it was unfair for the prosecution to be delaying the case at the detriment of the accused persons who may suffer unjustly as a result of the delays. “If your home is not tidy, why should the people outside suffer?” the judged had asked the prosecution. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had initiated a criminal prosecution against the Anosike brothers following a petition from Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah a Minority Interest Holder struggling for control and takeover of DTN on the basis of loan DSV, a company owned by Sen Obiorah gave to Folio. This is evident from the appearance of Mr. L A Idu on behalf of DSV at all the court sessions while the case lasted. After series of adjournments, the AGF decided to transfer it to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution on grounds that it was a state case. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye said that his office may revisit the case if Police finds any other reason to do so. He was quoted to have said that his office had just finished the review of the investigation

report and found out there was need to carry out further investigation “because of several gaps.” One of the ‘several gaps’ may include a letter written by the Inspector General of Police (IG) to the AGF dated 6th May 2010 with the title, RE- FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT, THE CASE OF FRAUD IN THE DAILY TIMES NIG. PLC (CR NO:94/10) in which the IG made reference t report no: CB,4099/4/SFU/ FMIU/VOL.1/50 dated 28th April 2010 and directed that ‘the case be regarded as a civil case in nature.’ It therefore arouses a sense of curiosity why the AGF ignored the IG’s recommendation and went ahead to initiate criminal proceedings. Another of the ‘several gaps’ is a letter written by O. O Fatunde, then Deputy Director Public Prosecution on behalf of the AGF to the Director of Public Prosecution through the Lagos Liaison Office of the Federal Ministry of Justice in which the AGF observed that ‘one Mr. Ugwu (ACSC) went ahead to file criminal charge while investigation was still on.’ The AGF went on to direct that the case be withdrawn to ‘allow for dispassionate reappraisal of the entire case.’ This same ‘Ugwu’ was said to have refused to comply with the AGF’s directives and carried on with the case for months before another mysterious approval from the AGF emerged directing that the criminal charge be ‘filed.’ A new question that is begging for answer, is why the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice would not accept that there is no case to prosecute since he cannot find anything incriminating on the accused especially in view of the IG’s earlier recommendation? What new thing would the Police find that could not be found since the past two years ? Some people have even insinuated and we hope it is not true that the Attorney General of the AGF sent the case

to Lagos state hoping the Anosike brothers would be in a great disadvantage on the basis of ethnic sentiments. Folio on 30th July 2004 paid the sum of N1.25billion to acquire 233,754,840 shares of DTN which gave it 96.05% of the Company. This was after Folio had

VIEWPOINT

If your home is not tidy, why should the people outside suffer? the judged had asked the prosecution

gone through all the due processes of privatisation as provided in the Privatisation Act and emerging as the preferred bidder. Before Folio bought DTN, the company was completely dead, having been run down. When DTN was being sold, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said it spent N820million on settlement of liabilities because one of the conditions of the sale was that new owners would take over without encumbrances. When Folio took over DTN, they were said to have been confronted with 150 liability claims totalling N1.1billion which they have been battling with. This was in view of the claim by BPE that DTN’s total assets were worth N1.9billion. To make matter worse, a valuation report on DTN found in the course of the research for this write up reveals that the company was valued at N730,o64,520 by the time it was sold. The report stated that all of DTN machines were obsolete. The valuation was “based on net value of DTN, level of shareholding of the

new investors and other points raised.” Judging from the report therefore, Folio paid the sum of N1.25billion on DTN which is N500million premium over its worth, in addition to the huge liabilities it inherited. Folio as a company managed by young and enterprising Nigerians, faced the daunting task and within a short period was able to put the four DTN publications back on the newsstand. But what obviously seems like a conspiracy between some businessmen and others in government have become a clog in the wheel of DTN progress. Folio said recently in a statement that it has spent over N500million on court cases alone. Folio while paying for DTN had borrowed some money from a company called DSV owned by Sen Obiora and Chief Ben Okoye. Folio had subsequently divested a minority interest of DTN to DSV. In 2007, a Senate ad- hoc Committee initiated moves to probe privatisation exercise of the regime ofex- president Olusegun Obasanjo. By this time, Sen. Obiora was a member of the Senate. It was alleged that his disagreement with Folio on DTN was one of the reasons why the Senate probe was initiated and that Sen Obiorah used his position to influence his colleagues to recommend that DTN be handed over to his company. While all these gang-ups endure, the BPE has continued to say that Folio legitimately bought DTN. In a letter written by BPE dated April 13, 2010 and signed by Ms. Bolanle Onagorowa to the Commissioner of Police (Special Fraud Unit Annex), BPE stated that “BPE sold 233,754,840 ordinary shares of Fifty Kobo (No.50) of Daily Times to Nigeria Plc to Folio Communications Limited. This represents 96.05% of the issued and fully paid up share capital at the price of N5,34k per share.

The balance of 3.95%of the issued and paid-up shares of the Company representing 9,600,000 ordinary shares of No.50 each are held over by 16,862 other shareholders.” So what was the interest of the AGF that made him institute a criminal proceeding against the owners of DTN alleging theft of DTN? In efforts to boost the fortunes of DTN, Folio in January 2010 raised money through their assets in DTN and imported four modern printing machines but Sen Obiora again used his connections to obtain court order against the equipments. Up till now, the machines are stranded at the Ports for over two years, while it is attracting demurrage. This is in addition to the sale of some London assets of DTN by the duo., which the due have been dragged to court for. This case is a reminder of the termination of the Concession agreement of Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company(NIMCON) by President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua despite warnings Ajaokuta was out of production for over 15 years before it was given out to an Indian Company in a 10-year concession . The Indians were able to resuscitate Ajaokuta and put it back into production. But the government terminated the agreement based on allegations. The terms of privatisation agreements are contained in Article 10.2 of the Share Sale Purchase Agreement between BPE and Folio. It stated that if a dispute arises, the parties must resolve it through arbitration. For the AGF to take side with the offending party instead of complying with the letters of the SSPA speak ill of the government. There is need for President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and call the AGF to order. It is Folio that has direct dealing with BPE on DTN and therefore the owners of the organisation. The earlier this matter is resolved the better. The minimum government can do is to mediate in a manner that Folio finds way to pay off Senator Obiorah and his associate so that DTN can go back into full production. *Melah, an Abujabased journalist, author and public analyst, can be reached on : bonphimelah2001@yahoo.com

Imoke and the BRACED agenda BY ETOWA OKOI

HE outstanding success of the 2009 seminar, SouthSouth Economic Summit at Tinapa Resort, in Calabar Cross River State, cast a long shadow over the Second Summit, only just concluded in Asaba, Delta State, in April. One of the most fundamental achievements of the 2009 Calabar Summit was the establishment of the BRACED Commission that effectively midwifed the 2012 Asaba Summit three years later. BRACED, an acronym for the South-South States of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta, is gradually being mainstreamed as an iconic model for regional economic and social integration within the boundaries of a sovereign State, as opposed to economic blocs amongst independent nations that are geographically contiguous. The Chairman of BRACED, Governor Liyel Imoke, CON, of Cross River State, has left no one

in doubt about his bold vision for the creation of a sustainable economic hub in the Sub-region that will not be solely driven by the South-South regions enormous oil wealth. In this context, Imoke’s agenda as embraced by BRACED is as timely as it is ambitious and profound. It is a veritable road map for the prosperity of the South-South, and the welfare and security of its people. In just a few years of its establishment BRACED has proven to be a road worth taking. BRACED represents a paradigm shift in integrated macroeconomic management, and in the exploration of natural resources’ using a multi-faceted strategy. As it is, the political leaders of the South-South are looking back to the golden, immediate post-independence era when agriculture was the bedrock of the regions economy, and the prosperity of her post-civil war years. In a welcome message at the 2012 Asaba Summit, Governor Imoke alluded to this expectation when he expressed the hope that the Summit will further strengthen the resolve of BRACED to build on the progress

made since the Calabar summit to chart a way forward towards building a virile economy for the region that will be less oil-dependent and better suited to the demands of the 21st century global economy. This new economy is already in full swing in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. In Europe, the European Union, EU, is the machinery for economic integration. In Asia, it is the Association of South-East Asian Nations, ASEAN. There is also the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, the Central American Integration system, SICA, the Arab League, AL, African Union, ECOWAS, and of course other numerous regional organizations. BRACED is the most recent of these economic blocs. It is an idea whose time has come. Like Martin Luther King, Jnr said, in a new era, there must be new thinking and even the most conservative elements are forced to admit that an economic change is necessary. Regional integration is a process in which States enter into a

regional agreement in order to enhance required cooperation through regional institutions and rules. The objectives of the agreement could range from economic to political. The

VIEWPOINT

Imoke represents the new face of the global economy. His avante garde economic policies in Cross River State have made the state an emerging economy

South-South Economic Summits as interpreted through the BRACED Commission is a generational political economy initiative where commercial purposes are the means to achieve broader socio-political and secu-

rity objectives. Governor Imoke is strongly committed to the realization of their ideals and objectives for the South-South region. It is worth recognizing that BRACED could not have wished for a better Chairman in Governor Imoke. In domestic terms, Imoke represents the new face of the global economy. His avante garde economic policies in Cross River State have made the State an emerging economy that is perked on tourism. It’s intensive development of rural areas has checked rural-urban migration. His health programme has resulted in the attainment of azero-IMR in the State, the first such feat in Africa, South of the Sahara. His definition of a minimum standard for academic excellence and comprehensive provision of educational infrastructure has raised the bar for excellent academic performance for students and pupils. His establishment of a-one-stop centre for investment has led to a surge in investment levels in the State. His environmental programme has boosted the carbon stock in the State.

Contribution of not more than 1,200 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012 — PAGE 47

Between Oritsejafor and Lateef Adegbite BY ALBERT UKO

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) replies the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite on killings in the north.

HE Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, has been in the news lately on account of the insurgencies of the Boko Haram sect. First, he slammed the sect members for the bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians, saying that Islam abhors such acts. He therefore called on the Federal Government to go after the recalcitrant members of the sect and dialogue with those who are ready to do so. Adegbite, no doubt, spoke well like the elder statesman and gentleman that he is. However, in a recent interview published in Sunday Vanguard of May 6, 2012, he spurned the leadership style of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. HIS words: “I am surprised about the leadership style of our colleague, the president of CAN. What solution does he have if he doesn’t want dialogue? The solution has to be two approaches. You strive and lure those who are moderates and dialogue with them. Those who are extremists, deal with them. He (Oritsejafor) recently criticized us on a very serious issue. He has forgotten that, maybe the world will listen to us, that we must introduce incentives. We must solve the problems and he knows them. So he has to change his style of leadership”. We recognize this to be his personal opinion to which he is entitled. If the CAN president is also entitled to his opinion, which should be the best is a question of the judgement of the generality of Nigerians. In this matter of opinion, Pa Adegbite would certainly not be in the right position to judge whose opinion is acceptable to Nigerians since he is an interested party, being a Muslim whose members are the subject of discussion. His (Adegbite) assessment of the CAN president’s style of leadership only flows from the opinions expressed concerning the Boko Haram

issue, in which case we wish to remind him that opinions are personal feelings and thoughts of those who express them.

pinion can also the beliefs and views of a group of people. That being the case, Pastor Oritsejafor, as a leader, has all along been expressing the views of Christians in Nigeria under

VIEWPOINT

succeeded in checking the excesses of his members who are responsible for the burning of churches, bombings and killings of innocent people, both Christians and Muslims inclusive. Pa Adegbite should realize that Christians are largely at the receiving end of the Boko Haram insurgencies. How then can a father keep mute when his children are being

For the avoidance of doubt, the call by CAN on the Federal Government not to dialogue with the Boko Haram leadership was informed by the demand of the sect to Islamize Nigeria

the aegis of CAN. Adegbite is therefore castigating the leadership style of CAN and not that of Pastor Oritsejafor, its president. If the opinions of the head of a group are held to account for the style of leadership of the leader, then CAN is also entitled to call on the Sultan of Sokoto and PresidentGeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to change his style of leadership which has not

join hands with other well meaning Nigerians towards finding a lasting solution to the current security challenges instead of playing the blame game in the wrong quarters. For the avoidance of doubt, the call by CAN on the Federal Government not to dialogue with the Boko Haram leadership was informed by the demand of the sect to Islamize Nigeria. We are sure the President-General of the NSCIA would have done the same if a group had asked for the introduction of Canon Law all over Nigeria and follow it up with violence.

a Adegbite is, therefore, not competent to rate our President’s style of leadership. As a respected Muslim elder statesman, Pa Adegbite should direct his thoughts and strategies and

AN also believes that certain northern leaders and prominent Muslims like Adegbite, rather than the Federal Government, should dialogue with the sect members; the reason being that they are the people the sect members can trust and listen to. We therefore implore key northern leaders and prominent Muslims to raise the dialogue stake by meeting with the sect leaders to drop the extreme ideas about their religion if they are really keen on bringing the insurgencies to an end. . Uko is Acting General Secretary/ National Legal Adviser, CAN.

into law, only increased the salary of GL 01 to 04 by N1, 800 and that of GL 05 to 17 by N900, the percentage increase of workers in Ondo, as a result of the implementation of the scheme, is about 34 per cent. He warned individuals, political parties and other groups that the issue of workers welfare had become a no-go area during electioneering campaign. He said, “We are no politicians. Politicians should slug out their differences on political pedestal without involving labour issues. “As from this moment onward, any person or political parties found making innuendoes or inflammatory remarks concerning workers welfare shall incur the infuriation of the congress”. Daramola, on her part, appreciated the state government for the upward adjustment of workers salary in 2010; introduction of salary relativity in 2011; and the implementation of the N22, 000 wage in 2012, which is currently the highest in the country. She noted that the current administration in the state had introduced 25 percent allowance for civil servants in the state, a gesture, she said, was the first of its kind in Nigeria. The NLC boss stated that payment of 27.5 percent teachers peculiar allowance, payment of 50 percent basic salary as Christmas bonus since 2009 and training and retraining of workers stood Mimiko’s administration tall.

Mimiko created a scene on the occasion when he openly admitted that he left the parade ground the previous year an unhappy man because of the ways the workers walked out on him. He however expressed his happiness on the occasion because the situation had changed as the state had approved the highest minimum wage for workers. He assured the workers of more friendly programmes promising that the administration would not retrench any worker as he urged them to rededicate themselves for efficient service delivery. The governor noted that he pledged at his inauguration to work for the people of the state and that three years on, the tempo of government activities has not diminished neither has the enthusiasm of the people for good governance. He listed his administration’s achievements as they affected the workers’ welfare to include among others; appointment of 22 Permanent Secretaries and two Tutors-General, end-of –the-year package, allocation of official vehicles which are owned by senior civil servants at retirement, training and retraining, reducing interest payable on car loans from 15 to eight percent, payment of housing loan, purchase of buses to aid workers’ mobility, clearing of arrears of pensions and gratuities and regular payment of new retirees, and massive renovation of offices.

bombed and killed? We state emphatically that we have confidence in the leadership style of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and that no outsider should bother to cry out for us Christians.

Mimiko in the eyes of Labour BY SAMUEL OLADUNJOYE

N encounter with Ondo State civil servants which Governor Olusegun Mimiko would not forget in a hurry was this year's Workers Day when they openly declared their support for his adminstration. However, this year’s celebration was unique in itself because as early as 8 o'clock in the morning, workers were seen mobilizing to the Gani Fawehinmi Feedom Arcade venue of the event in high spirit rejoicing and singing praises to God for having a caring man at the helms of the affairs in the state in terms of staff welfare. Just as news filtered in at the parade ground that workers across the country either walked out on their governors, booed them or out rightly forced them to stay away from the celebration, those of Ondo marched with pride and excitement in appreciation of the governor ’s approval of N22, 000 minimum wage across board for them. Workers in the organized private sector and members of labour unions in the informal sector of the economy also exhibited their happiness with the Mimiko administration. While the various traders’ associations were full of appreciation to him for removing them from the streets where they hitherto display their C M Y K

wares and constructed modern markets directly allocated to them with soft loans to carry out their businesses, artisans commended the Caring Heart governor for relocating them from the roadside. The joy of the artisans knew no bounds as they showed appreciation to the governor for the loans extended to them by the state government to complement their efforts at contributing to the development of the state through job creation. The leadership of the workers, under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, in their different speeches on the occasion, commended Mimiko for his administration’s workers friendly programmes. Specifically, the two labour congresses, led by Comrade Bosede Daramola of the NLC and Ekundayo Soladoye of the TUC, particularly lauded the governor for approving the payment of N22, 000 as minimum wage for workers in the state civil service when most state governments were yet to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage for their colleagues. The two union leaders, while reading their addresses, expressed the hope that workers would reciprocate the good gestures of the government by rededicating themselves for efficient service delivery. The union leaders noted that the affected workers had, during last year’s May Day celebration,

walked out on the governor in protest, over his non-committal to the specific date for the implementation of the minimum wage. The TUC chairman, in his speech, stressed that the government had not done badly in other areas of workers welfare including good work environment, work safety, training and retraining. Ekundayo said a comparative

VIEWPOINT

Three years on, the tempo of government activities has not diminished neither has the enthusiasm of the people for good governance

analysis of minimum wage across the country indicates that the net pay of Ondo State workers was the highest in the South-West. The chairman explained that while the Federal Government, which signed the minimum wage

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

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Language, Literature and Decolonization of Nigeria’s Political Culture

English is our official language, yet we are requested time after time to address the issue of decolonization in our culture, politically and otherwise

•Prof. Afejiku in cap flanked by Dr wale Okediran and students of English dept, Uni ben at the event.

DISCOURSE

very literature that exists does so because there is in existence a language in which it is created or expressed. In other words, if there is no literature and there never can be literature in the absence of language. And so long as there are native speakers of any language, the language will thrive and live with or without the existence of creative or imaginative or realistic literature. What this urgently tells us or suggests to us is that language and literature, creative written literature, that is, can never be weighted equally. But let us attempt to prove the case we are tendering by asking the very familiar question: which comes first, the egg or the chicken? Perhaps this question is unnecessary in the context of the distinction I have attempted to draw above. Thus one can say without qualms that language is both the egg and the chicken. C M Y K

BYTONY E. AFEJUKU

To pass as a Nigerian writer, to pass as a national writer writing about a national culture, he must write in English language, the colonizer’s language

is because Literature language is. It is not the other way round.

n what we utter, that is, in our speeches we direct ourselves and each other in the society we inhabit to do one thing or the other. And in what we do through what we say, we express our culture. In pre-literate societies, meaning societies where one knew not how to write such as was the case before the white colonizers came to our respective communities; this was precisely what was the case. Thus we can see the pride of place, the big status language occupies in human societies. But in the modern time it is not sufficient any longer to utter words, to make

speeches, to tell tales, to recite poems, to dramatise experiences orally without putting them down in writing. What we put down in writing today in terms of stories, poems, plays, essays and other forms of composition constitute our written literature.

his is an obvious enough remark to make, but in the context of our present engagement, it is a significant enough stand-point. We don’t need to ask why. Yet if there is the insistence from some quarters that an answer be provided, all that need to be said is that the study of literature and the language in which it is done happens to

be the primary concern of Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions today. Unfortunately, however, the language in which the study of literature is done in our universities and other tertiary institutions is English, the language of the colonizers.

nglish is our official language, yet we are requested time after time to address the issue of decolonization in our culture, politically and otherwise. We must worry about the fate of our respective languages, and give deep thought to how we can wean ourselves of English, which I have said time after time is in exile. Of course, because “huge” Nigeria has no singular language that is our official language, we cannot speak in terms of a Nigerian national culture, strictly speaking, in the same way that Russians, for example, can speak of a Russian national culture. This is the reason why Wale Okediran, a Yoruba, has not or cannot write his stories,

novels and essays in Yoruba. To pass as a Nigerian writer, to pass as a national writer writing about a national culture, he must write in English language, the colonizer’s language. Yet Wale Okediran must attempt to decolonize in his writings Nigeria’s political culture. Okediran’s problem is the problem of all Nigerian’s writers, distinguished and undistinguished. By the way, if Okediran had written Tenants of the House in Yoruba, would he receive the capital attention he is receiving everywhere today outside his Yoruba area? As nationalists and patriots, we would like to champion any cause that would unite and amalgamate us against foreign ideals and influences that go against any grain of our culture. But is this not a treacherous, hypocritical and even a stupid thing to do since we have no national culture, old or young? I must not be misunderstood. We have our diverse ethnical cultures, but because of who we rightly are, our multiethnical standpoints have not sowed (and are not sowing) in us a sense of a national culture. The fact of our national life today is that we have various interests and policies competing against one another with their attendant declamations and meaningless slogans and phrases that do nothing but to further divide us. “Huge” Nigeria has always known a huge fraud – right from 1914 when the colonial lords joined the different ethnical groups together in what is now known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To be continued

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012, PAGE 49

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moguls, party chieftain, public servants and traditional rulers.

BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

BOOK REVIEW

Born to Serve, africagenda Publications, Abuja, Enuma Chigbo &Ejiro Barret, 2011, pp.208.

he implication of the second challenge was a serious financial stress resulting from drop in revenue generation, which became a challenge for the government to identifying other sources of revenue generation for the execution of development projects. Coming from the stable of africagenda Publications, Born to Serve, comes out timely, as Senator Liyel Imoke will be marking another one year in office at the end of this month in his second ride as the governor of Cross River State. Appropriately titled, Born to C M Y K

Liyel Imoke’s Score Sheet… Serve, the book provides an innovative platform with which the public can engage the performance of their leaders, seated on hot seat. Apart from also chronicling the interesting formative years of the subject in the beautiful city of Enugu, the book further reveals how proper upbringing helps to shaping the humble and agenda setting public servant one sees in the person of Imoke. The story is told through an innovative interview approach. Through this well exploited style, Chigbo and Barret succeed in bringing their subject to a proper public trial as the entire narrative revolves around interview responses from over a 100 hundred witnesses drawn from different strata of society and ethnic formations.

iographical writing is not only about what one achieves in life, but also about the challenges one encounters in the discharge of life entrusted responsibilities as well as one’s envisioned programmes for the progress of society and humanity. These three expectations from what should be considered a well thought out and accomplished biographical account are all met by the duo of Enuma Chigbo and Ejiro Barret, who engaged themselves at chronicling the interesting journey of Senator Liyel Imoke in the public service. Committed to documenting the life of Senator Liyel Imoke, notable public servant and two times Governor of Cross River State, these writers in a book titled, Born to Serve, beyond telling the story of un quantified development strides recorded by Cross River State under the leadership of Imoke, goes further to detailing important critical problems that if not for the magnanimous mind and excellent leadership skill of the young leader would have stifled all forms of growth in the State. Under the heading; Overcoming Challenges of Life, the book examines how Cross River State effectively responded to World Court ruling that ceded previous Bakassi people of the State to the neigbouring country of Cameroun. Second most important challenge faced by Imoke as the Governor of Cross River State according to the book is the withdrawal of 75 oil wells from the state, which were handed over to River State government.

Brilliantly too, the authors methodological approach of the interview style makes it possible for the interpretation of the activities and personality of the subject

These witnesses include two Presidents in the person of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, clergies, business

part from venturing into the murky waters of Nigeria’s politics as the country ’s youngest senator at a relative young age of 30, Senator, Liyel Imoke in the course of his public service career has been privileged or rather unfortunately been saddled with very challenging national assignments. In the last twenty years, President Goodluck Jonathan wrote in his foreword to the book, “ Senator Liyel Imoke has been actively engaged with Nigeria, having served in various capacities: senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1991, Special Adviser( Utilities) to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman Technical Board of NEPA, Executive Chair of the Federal G o v e r n m e n t Committee to wind down OMPADEC IN 1999, Minister of Power, Minister of Education and currently, Governor of Cross River State.”

t is to these national assignments that the biographers of this critically engaging book bring to trial with the intent of not having the honor to convicting their subject or acquitting him, but more honorably, allow the public to pass its judgment. Brilliantly too, the authors methodological approach of the interview style makes it possible for the interpretation of the activities and personality of the subject be done by outsiders, who do not have anything so to say, at stake, in scoring the man. It is important to state here that this biographical writing approach is very innovative and equally lends some sense of objectivity to the entire account. From the account of all the witnesses that spoke about Imoke in the book, essential evidences in his favor are: absolute dedication, loyalty, innovativeness, good team player, brilliancy and above all, humility in low and high places. The entire trial of Imoke in the course of this engaging

CBAAC,OAU host Film Festival

entre for Black African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC in collaboration with the University of Missouri, St.Louis USA and the Institute of Cultural Studies, ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile-Ife last week hosted the 5th edition of African World Documentary Film Festival at the Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU Ile-Ife. The festival featured about thirty different documentary films on various issues of significance to Africa and African Diaspora history, culture, arts, societies and peoples. The films which were submitted by different filmmakers from various parts of the world highlighted and showcased overviews of issues, challenges and potentials inherent in Africa, Africans and African societies.

ean Faculty of Arts, Prof Oladipo Salami who stood-in for the ViceChancellor, Prof Tale Omole at the Opening Ceremony later led a delegation of the Organizers of the Festival to the Office of The Deputy ViceChancellor Academics, Prof Ayo Salami on a courtesy visit. During the meeting, the DVC Academics reassured CBAAC of the University ’s preparedness to partner with it within the provisions of the MOU between the two institutions. narrative also reveals another significant and hidden fact about the nation’s political culture. That fact is that Imoke represents and achieves all that entire are attributed to him due mainly, to a proper harnessing of his productive young age in service of humanity. This revelation is perhaps one of the authorial views of these biographers , who appropriate their subject as a case study in proposing this important hypothesis, perhaps, suggesting that the nation should consider more seriously the call by larger Nigerians for generational shift in the leadership structure of the nation. Besides being properly packaged and excellently edited, Born to Serve, which will be presented at Kola nut Conference and event Centre, th Calabar on 25 May, 2011, is no doubt an important read, not only because of its subject matter, but more significantly, because of its manner of presentation.

PAGE 50—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

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NCMM lists monuments for World Heritage ...Calls for states govt collaboration

A typical sample of Kano wall BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU etermined to make the country a hub for world heritage, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM has proposed three more sites for enlistment in the global heritage sites just as the commission calls on government of states to come to the help of the country’s heritage through support. Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke made this appeal at this year ’s World Heritage Day on the theme, “World Heritage and Sustainable Development, which held in Abuja. The Minister said that federal government through the NCMM is soliciting the support and collaboration of states government across the country to supporting the commission in achieving its mandates more so, now that the nation’s heritage sites are on the increase. “I am also aware that the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is processing 24 new properties for inscription on the National List. The Commission has gone further to propose three (3) more sites – Oke-Idanre Cultural Landscape in Ondo State, Surame Cultural Land-

scape in Sokoto State and the Kano City Walls in Kano State for possible enlistment into the World Heritage List.” He said. These three sites, he said “ will add up the present 65 monuments/sites the country has, in addition to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.” The Minister therefore appealed to the Government of Ondo, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kano States and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments towards actualizing these projects adding that its completion will in turn bring about tourism, employment and economic growth in the respective States and the Nation at large.

lready the commission has succeeded in enlisting two sites into the World Heritage List- Sukur cultural landscape in Adamawa State and Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun State in 1999 and 2005 respectively The Minister however commended NCMM for diligently carrying out its functions, promising that the ministry will continue to support the Commission towards actualizing the enlistment of more monuments and sites into the

World Heritage List.

peaking at the event, Yusuf Abdallah Usman, NCMM’s Director General affirmed that the commission needs the support of the communities and other stakehold-

ers for the realization of its set goals and objectives of preserving the nation’s monumental heritage for humanity. ‘I urge you all present to join us in preserving our monuments and sites so as to have a legacy to bequeath to the

future generations. The Commission today is tasked with the responsibility to gather the support of communities and other stakeholders for the development of our monuments.” He said.

Things Fall Apart at Great Books Chicago, 2012

he title of world classic and one of the great est books of the 20th century, Things Fall Apart did not only form the theme of the Great Books, Chicago, 2012 festival, but was also one of the books privileged to be read and discussed at the up heeled event. Great Books Chicago is the Great Books Foundation’s annual event for anyone who loves reading and talking about outstanding literature. Since 2000, the Foundation has been hosting this 3-day program of lively book discussions and outstanding musical and theatrical performances. During this year ’s event which took place between 27 to 29, April, visitors also had the opportunity to visit museums and other interesting sites in and around the city. But

most of all, Great Books Chicago is an opportunity to get together with old friends and make new acquaintances who share the same commitment to good conversation about books and ideas of enduring value. Written by Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, which took its title from a poem by W.B. Yeats chronicles Africa’s story on the eve of colonialism with its attendant psycho- historical and religious burdens. ccording to the organiz A ers, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold,” wrote the poet Yeats. Left to themselves, bowing to the law of entropy, things tend to deteriorate and fall into disarray, in both our personal worlds and the larger world that we all share. Unless, of course, there comes into play a principle that pushes back against

this downward spiral. Call it mind or will or soul or love or even hope—something is at work keeping things whole.” he three day event wit nessed a literary discusT sion of William

Shakespeare’s, Timon of Athens, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and reading of poems by Elizabeth Bishop, Percy Shelley, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Wislaws Szymborska and W.B.Yeats as well as theatrical performances of Shakespeare’s Timons in Anthem by the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, BoyGirl/BoyGirl monologue and Boom or Bust, a witty talk by financial expert, Alex Pollock. Great Books Chicago is presented with generous support from Harrison Middleton University, Encyclopedia Britannica and Penguin Books. C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13 2012, PAGE 51

Being in love

ove is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition. To love another person is to see the face of God. The richest love is that which submits to the arbitration of time. Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. You call it madness, but I call it love. Love is not blind, it sees more and not less, but because it sees more it is willing to see less. Love is shown in your deeds, not in your words. Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. cheers N e t w o r k i n g / Sponsorship

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PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

relationship.08032973310 •Dan, needs a sugar mummy in Benin.08102489137 •Sunday, 29, a graduate, resides in Lagos, needs a caring and loving sugar mummy, for a relationship, aged 35-45. 07036366148, 0 8 1 2 4 2 3 3 8 4 2 •Alvin, 38, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy, aged 50, for a relationship. 0 8 0 5 5 1 4 3 7 9 7 •Dan, 30, from Delta State, needs a beautiful and romantic sugar mummy that is caring. 08158219632 •Chuks, from Benin, needs a nice and caring sugar m u m m y. 0 8 0 5 5 0 8 7 3 9 9 •Charles, 31, employed and resides in Owerri, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-35. 0 8 1 0 0 2 6 0 2 0 9 •Frank, 24, tall, fair in complexion and handsome, needs a sugar mummy, in Owerri and Abuja. 0 7 0 3 6 9 1 0 7 4 9 •Dike, 28, slim, needs a fat, sexy, active, healthy and financially ok sugar mummy, aged 35-50, for an affair. 08064243736 •Stanley, 21, sexy and resides in Enugu, needs a sugar mummy, for financial assistance. 08168871814 •Charles, 21, 5.8ft tall and dark in complexion, needs a sugar mummy. 07039110257 •Peter,19,from Jos, needs a sugar mummy.08092974227 •Darlington, 21, needs a sugar mummy, for financial assistance. 08176304308, 0 7 0 3 8 6 6 3 2 3 8 •Deola, 20, from Ogun state, needs a beautiful, caring and sexy sugar mummy. 07060950657 •A guy, 36, tall, a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, who is caring, loving, healthy and beautiful, in Asaba. 0 8 0 3 3 7 9 8 0 3 8 •Sam,30, average height, fair in complexion, caring and loving, needs a rich sugar mammy. 08038285831 •Patrick,25,cute, jovial, loving, caring, romantic and strong, from Delta state, needs a sweet and romantic sugar mummy, aged 40 and above.07030593743 •Williams, 20, resides in Benin, needs a sugar mummy, for a serious relationship. 08071238901, 0 8 0 3 5 2 6 9 6 0 3 •Kenny, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy. 0 7 0 3 3 9 3 7 3 3 2 •Tobi, 22, from Ogun state, needs a beautiful, caring and sexy sugar mummy, for a cool relationship.08127790695 •John, 25, resides in Ph, romantic and energetic, needs a financially ok, sugar mummy, for a relationship. 0 8 1 5 5 3 0 2 8 4 6 •Brown, 27, resides in Abuja, needs a matured sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08034768388 •Desmond, 25, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-48. 08033942484 •Onyeagoziri, 22, 5.8ft tall, from Asaba, needs a fair in complexion and beautiful girl, for a serious relationship.0706732524 •Leonard, 23, a student, from Benin, needs a nice and

caring sugar mummy, who is romantic, for a serious relationship.08058943072 •Gbenga, from Ogun state, needs a beautiful, caring and sexy sugar mummy, for a cool relationship. 08100944332 •Femi, 27, needs a caring sugar mummy.08105720052 •Richie, 26, cute, dark in complexion and resides in Abuja,needs a loving and caring sugar mummy. 08033139970 •Freda, 32, a business man,

complexion and resides in Enugu, needs a sugar mummy, from South East, for sexual relationship. 08173367886, 08088848595,08136298408 •Pt, 32, dark in complexion and good looking, from Anambra state, needs a rich sugar mummy, of any age who is loving and caring. 0 7 0 3 0 9 3 1 3 1 2 •Emmanuel, resides in Abuja, needs a nice, caring, lovely and understanding sugar mummy, to love and care for

resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-50. 08085210906 •Max, 24, intelligent, handsome and romantic, needs a rich sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08137233951 •Joel, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy. 08176416184 or email candyboy4hotyahoo.com •Mike, 27, handsome and from Ondo state, needs a loving, rich, sexy and caring sugar mummy, for a relationship.08035032698,08157033999 •James, needs a sugar mummy, who resides in Abuja. 08059122022,08072769295 •Omoh, 27, average height and body, chocolate in complexion and resides in Abuja, needs a matured lady, for a relationship.08135572330 •Emma, 25, resides in Abuja, needs a good sugar mummy, for a relationship. 0 8 1 3 8 8 0 4 5 1 0 •Somi, 24, needs a sugar mummy, aged35-50, who resides in Edo or Delta. pin 27ae17eb, 08051561399 •Henry, 26, resides in Agbor Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, that will take care of him financially, for a serious relationship, aged 304 5 . 0 8 0 7 8 0 5 3 5 1 0 •Lex, from Benin, needs a caring sugar mummy, for a sexual relationship, aged 3055. 08164567164 •Onyeka,27,fair in complexion and handsome, needs a sugar mummy, that can take good care of him. 08098750173, 08094190024 •Eric, resides in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.07065918901 •Uc, handsome, energetic, needs a hot and sexy sugar mummy, for a discreet relationship. 07043475368 •Uzor,40,tall,handsome,needs a sexy, tall and beautiful sugar mummy, aged 35-46,for a relationship.08037503227 •Still, 25, chocolate in complexion, resides in Warri, needs a caring sugar mummy, around Delta state, for a r e l a t i o n s h i p . 0 8076554251,08068356441 •Ikenna, 27, cute and resides in Abuja, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy. 08180139330, 08138804510 •Micheal, sexy, needs a sexy sugar mummy.07031582169 •Tc,31,sexy, cute, fair in

him.07038749109 •Raheem, needs a sugar mummy, who will take care of his emotional and financial needs, in Abuja or Kaduna, aged 30-45.07063309802 •Ayo, resides in Ibadan, needs a rich sugar mummy, that is big or busty, aged 40-55. 0 8 1 6 1 3 0 7 5 7 7 •Bp, 26, fat, handsome and fun to be with, needs a beautiful and sexy sugar mummy, that is rich for a relationship, aged 35-55, for a relationship.0806427645 •Frank, 21 5.8ft tall and dark in complexion, needs a sugar m u m m y. 0 7 0 3 9 1 1 0 2 5 7 •Chika, 26, dark in complexion, a model, with average height and resides in Lagos, needs a beautiful, tall, rich and classic sugar mummy, for a relationship and connection. 07065056675 •Carls, 20, an orphan from Imo state, needs a sugar mummy, who will sponsor his education. 08138509165, 07064561114 •Don, 20, handsome, needs a sugar mummy, who resides in either Port Harcourt or Enugu.07068602624 •Anthony, 17, needs a sugar m u m m y. 0 7 0 4 5 0 4 1 9 8 7 •Sly,25, tall and handsome, needs a rich sugar mummy, from either Calabar or Akwa Ibom, age is not a barrier. 0 7 0 3 9 2 4 1 0 2 7 •Chibu, 30, resides in Delta state, needs a beautiful and wealthy sugar mummy, for an intimate relationship, aged 34 -38. 08062133187 •Paul, 32, tall and good looking, needs a lonely, sexy and financially stable sugar mummy, aged 40-50, in Abuja, for a matured and discreet relationship.08035866333 •Tolulope, needs a rich sugar mummy, from Ilesa, in Osun state.08132603589 •Diamond, 24, tall and handsome, needs a sugar mummy, for a sound relationship in Delta state.08099724485 •Harrison,27, fair in complexion, from Asaba, needs a sugar mummy.08063880274 •Val, resides in Port Harcourt, needs r a sugar mummy, who can assist him financially. 0 8 0 6 0 8 8 5 9 2 5 •David, 23, employed, needs a sugar mummy. 08095692417 •Chinedu, 20, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged

30-45.08100725740 •Tolu, 23, needs a caring, sexy and beautiful sugar mummy, aged 40-50, for a relationship. 08127790695,08083576104 •Nonso,26,fair in complexion, tall, intelligent, good looking and very romantic, from Enugu, needs a caring and a loving sugar mummy.08104176286 •Stive, 29, handsome , strong , needs a rich sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08035136175 •John, 33, tail and chocolate in complexion, needs a sugar m u m m y. 0 7 0 2 5 8 0 8 6 1 5 •Sylvester, needs a sugar aged 30-50. mummy, 08094987971, 08069514616 •Ade, 50, tall, good looking and resides in Abuja, needs a rich and God fearing, sugar mummy, who is ready to help, aged 40-45, in Lagos. 07063375388 •Daniel, a student, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.08068534659 •Mckay,30, from Sapele Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-50, for a serious relationship.08051079909 •Wesley, 25,tall, dark in complexion and handsome, needs a sugar mummy, for a sexual relationship. 08092463039 •Geoffrey, 20, resides in Lagos, needs an understanding and caring sugar mummy. 08069205663 •Gadason, needs a beautiful sugar mummy, in either Port Harcourt, Aba, Calabar or Uyo, that is caring, for fun. 08066886825, 08058135810 •Mason, 32, needs a sugar mummy, from Edo, Delta or Anambra state, for a relationship.08132891222 •Ken, needs a sugar mummy, who can take care of him. 0 7 0 3 0 5 2 3 9 6 8 •Desire, 55, resides in Sapele, needs a decent mummy, aged 45-55, for a serious affair. 0 8 0 6 6 7 6 5 2 0 7 •A guy, 30, dark in complexion, tall, good looking, self employed and fun to be with, needs a caring sugar mummy. 08120696966 •Joshua, 24, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-35, for a relationship.08139013273 •Kenneth, 27, a student, in Uyo Akwa Ibom state, needs a sugar mummy, that is sexy, lovely and who will love him and take care of him. 0 7 0 3 8 8 5 1 0 1 9 •Ben, needs a sugar mummy, who will take care of him, financially. 0 8 0 6 4 5 1 5 9 1 4 •Promise, 25, a student, from Imo state, needs a sugar m u m m y, a g e d 3 5 - 4 5 . 0 8 0 6 4 3 5 6 6 05 •Charles, 22, from Abuja, dark in complexion and average height, needs a sexy sugar mummy, within Abuja . 0 7 0 4 2 0 7 2 0 7 6 •A guy, 29, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a mature sugar mummy, in Lagos, for a relationship.08162502642 •Akeem, 27, resides in Lagos, needs a wealthy, sexy and romantic sugar mummy, aged 35-45.07066380603 •Chuks, resides in Asaba, needs a sugar mummy, who is loving, caring and romantic. 0 7 0 3 1 6 6 4 8 4 3 •Leonard, 26, from Delta state, needs a caring sugar mummy, aged 40-50.07065080394 •Stone, 30, resides in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy. 0 8 0 3 5 4 0 3 5 2 9 •Michael, 34, cool, tall, handsome and chocolate in

complexion, needs a rich and wealthy sugar mummy, who is very romantic and sexy, for a relationship.08035198985, 0 8 0 9 4 1 3 8 7 6 3 •Eric,20, resides in Akwa Ibom state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-50, who is financially stable and will take care of his needs. 08060031941, 08152854995 e m a i l address.ericbassey@rocketmail.com •Ck, 27, a student, resides in Abuja, needs a sweet looking and sexy sugar mummy, aged 35-60.07036701696, 0 7 0 5 8 0 2 6 0 1 5 •Austine, 22, resides in Benin, needs a good looking, loving and caring sugar mummy. . 0 8 1 6 2 4 9 8 1 8 2 , austinewise@hotmail.co.uk •Tony, 26, tall, dark in complexion, from Eket in Akwa Ibom, needs a romantic and caring sugar mummy. 0 8 1 2 7 5 4 9 3 0 1 •Leo, 34, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy. 0 8 0 7 0 8 6 4 3 1 2 •A guy, tall, needs a sugar mummy, that can take good care of him.08106605188 •Emmanuel, 27,from Asaba, needs a healthy and employed sugar mummy, for a serious relationship. 08032881439, 08059066319 •Ola, 29, 5.9ft tall, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar m u m m y. 0 8 0 6 5 3 0 0 4 5 7 •Evuene, 32, a graduate engineer and gainfully employed, needs a sugar mummy, who is a politician or professional in Lagos. 07033580665, 08056344923 •Mark,30, tall, handsome, employment and resides in Lagos, needs a pretty sugar mummy that is hot and sexy. 0 8 1 0 5 6 8 5 3 0 9 •Angelihno, 20, resides in Lagos, needs a busty, beautiful and romantic sugar mummy, for a serious relationship. 08128998143 •Chidozie, 29, dark in complexion, average height and resides in Owerri, needs a sugar mummy.08098707074 •Chuky, 27, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy. 0 8 0 6 8 2 9 1 2 5 5 •Joe, 34, needs a sugar mummy, who is God fearing, caring and rich.08185806634 •Onyeka, 42, needs a caring sugar mummy, that will help him.07030189661 •Gabriel,24, fair in complexion, sexy and from Anambra state, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08061368328, 08063672849 •Isaac, 33,simple,gentle and smart, needs an educated sugar mummy he can be of service to, such as part time driving, in Lagos. 0 8 0 9 3 2 2 3 0 2 0 •Alabi, 24, a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, in Port Harcourt, who is wealthy and capable to take care of him, for a discrete affair.08062894772 •Onas ,34, a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, who is also a graduate in Lagos, for mutual love. 07033580665 •Destiny,37,tall, muscularly built and sexually active, needs a fat sugar mummy, who is comfortable. 0 7 0 6 8 6 1 4 2 5 5 •A guy, 33, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, for discreet affair.08061130906 •William, 27, cute and resides in Warri, needs a lovely sugar mummy, who is kind and fun to be with. 08155149280 •A guy, needs a sugar

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012 — 53 past few years, I believe it is time for them to explode. We will insist on fairness and transparency, particularly on the medals table. Luckily, the DG in the National Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji

EKO 2012 National Sports Festival:

Watch out for Lagos – Oshodi L

agos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Barrister Waheed Enitan Oshaodi is a pragmatic and easygoing man. Despite his tight schedule, it did not take him long to agree to meet with Sunday Vanguard Sports for an interview. He spoke with Jacob Ajom and Sylva Eleanya at his Teslim Balogun Stadium office. He spoke on the Lagos plan of action viz a viz the forthcoming National Sports Festival, Eko 2012. Below is an excerpt of the chat that lasted just 15 minutes. Lagos will be hosting Nigeria in the forthcoming National Sports Festival in November, what is your projection – in terms of competition and organisation, generally? Our projection and target for the Games is to be the best host ever, although this has not been made easier by the standard displayed by the last host, Rivers State at the 2011 Games in Port Harcourt. It is

our intention to move a notch up. Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola has asked for excellent facilities, athletes’ welfare and comfort for all contingents as well as visitors. The governor has been very helpful and with his continuous support, we will achieve our goal. In terms of competition, how will Lagos finish? Is it going to be the usual slogan of ‘hosting to win?’ With the plans we have put in place, we are confident, we will do well. I know it will be

•Okagbare

difficult to beat traditional frontrunners like Delta, Edo and others, but we will compete strongly and fairly. I foresee a resurgence in athletics as we have nurtured so many young athletes in the

Focus on youth development facilities and provide the …..KFA urges FG enabling environment for our

By IME BASSEY

he Director of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), KumbiTitiloye has urged the National Sports Commission (NSC), to concentrate more on youth development through the instrument of sports Titiloye, while speaking to Sunday Vanguard Sports, said the federal government must provide the enabling environment which in turn will encourage private investors to come on board the train of sports development. “It is the responsibility of the NSC to tap into the abundant talents of our youths for a sustainable social system and economic growth of our youths. If we build, maintain our C M Y K

youths to do sports, violence will be a thing of the past because all the youths that are involved in the various acts of violence can do sports”, said Titiloye On the composition of the KFA Titiloye said, “currently we have 87 players headed by Paul Ashtoreth who is vastly experienced in youth football coaching. We also have some Nigerian coaches, comprising Thompson Olihia, Samuel Elijah, Alphonsus Ejimohah, JimohBalogun, Paul Odeh, Amusa Adisa and Akin Akinsheyinde”. He commended former Senator Bukola Saraki for establishing the football academy.

has assured us that the best technical hands will man the Main Organising Committee. We, in Lagos are prepared to compete in line with the best international practices. Before the Games, there will be a list of all the sports and number of medals at stake. It is more important that the festival is seen to be fair and transparent than just doing it anyhow. We will insist on fairness and transparency. It is not going to b e winning at all cost. There w a s supposed to be a Lagos State Sports Festival t h a t would o f f e r

room to test-run the facilities on ground and select athletes for Team Lagos. When is this coming up? Ans: The Lagos Sports Festival is still in place. It will be coming up between 14 and 26 of May, 2012. There will also be a Schools Sports Festival that would run alongside the State Sports Festival. After the competitions, Team Lagos will then be selected. The final entry for the National Sports Festival will be done sometime in September. We still have a lot of time on our hands to try as many athletes as possible before the Games. Apart from the State sports Festival, we have the quarterly club competitions; the sports associations are holding competitions regularly for the athletes. What we are doing is not just for the sports festival. We intend to make it a continuous developmental programme to encourage the athletes and laying a foundation for corporate bodies to get involved in sports development. Government

cannot do it all alone. How do you motivate your athletes for optimum performance? We have been able to look into the issues bothering on the welfare of athletes, giving them educational scholarships, 420 of them are on monthly stipends. The governor has also approved and, we have engaged the services of 107 coaches to reenforce our coaching staff. We will maintain and strive to improve on this as time goes on. We are laying a foundation for sound sports development. One issue that has taken the front burner in the polity is insecurity. How do you intend to check this during the festival? Our security apparatus is up and doing. The state commissioner of Police is chairman of the Security subcommittee. They are working round the clock to ensure all the visiting contingents and visitors to the state are well secured. They are working round the clock and I can assure all the athletes and officials coming for the Games that Lagos is the safest place

to be. We are ready. Although you have been in sports for sometime now it’s surprising that your appointment has coincided with an increase in sporting activities at all levels. What has been the secret? We l l , there is no secret. We have a very good team and we have b e e n g i v e n t o t a l support by the governor, who is a sportsman himself. He has been very supportive. We have put the welfare of the athletes before any o t h e r c o•Osaynsideration. omi has seen the This emergence of young talented athletes who will feature at the Sports Festival. But beyond the festival, we want to have a production line. That is why we have revamped Schools sports, club competitions and the like. We will soon see the result or our programmes. Only last week, the Main Organising Committee for Eko 2012 were in Lagos for the final inspection of facilities on ground. and Lagos was certified almost ready with over 80%. How do you co-ordinate the Local Organising Committee so effectively? Members of the committee are committed people with the executive Secretary, Dr Tandoh as the man at the centre. They work round the clock to ensure everything goes on well. They have shown passion and commitment. Most of them are from the private sector – just like myself – and they have brought to the committee the same commitment they show in their private businesses. But there is still a lot to do. You talked about the the committee being dominated by private businessmen. How has the private sector responded to your call for partnership? We enjoy a very good rapport with the private sector. It has been so since my days as chairman of the Table Tennis Association. The openness of our programmes and sincerity of purpose give them the confidence to deal with us. We also explain to them the benefits inherent in sports sponsorship. The synergy is working well. And come to think of it, His Excellency, the governor is our chief marketer. He is doing so much. We are all working hand-in-hand with the private sector.

54— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 13, 2012

Nigeria not producing good players anymore – Wenger

•Says Kanu’s an exceptional player

t was amazing to hear Arsene Wenger switch from English Language to French and then German during the announcement of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Nigeria at the club’s training ground in London last week before the match with Norwich. It was the eve of his 900th match as the manager of Arsenal. Wenger is today the only manager that has presided over more matches at the club and has equally enjoyed the same amount of successes. Known for his ability to spot and develop players from around the world, Wenger, in this chat with Sunday Vanguard’s Jimoh Babatunde, took time out to speak on Nigeria’s football and her players. Excerpts: Since the exit of Nwankwo Kanu from Arsenal, we have not had another Nigerian in the club. What’s your impression of Nigerian players in the EPL? For me, Kanu was an exceptional player. I saw Kanu in the Olympic games, he arrived there late. It was the preparations and he was the best player there when Nigeria won. I like Kanu because he was not only a great player, but he was very brave, and you could travel with him anywhere. I think he was very great in representing Nigeria. He was a player that everybody loved here, as well as a man everybody loved here in England. He never complained, you could kick him from everywhere, and he would never say a word, and he was very brave. Then he created his heart foundation, and he does a good job with that. He is brave; when

you have his knees, and you still play today, you must be brave. Why are you not taking more Nigerians to the club? (It is) for one single reason. It is that Nigeria is a massive country, but I believe that at the moment, they do not produce enough players anymore. It is 140 million people who love football. I met the Minister of Sports during the World Cup, and he talked about that situation. I think Nigeria has a job to do with the youths, to rebuild the system. From the explanation I got, every province is different in terms of their system, but there is no global system to educate young players. It is vital to me that they educate the young people…They do not produce any good players, not enough anymore.

s there a window of opportunity from this tour to create the platform for a relationship between Arsenal and Nigeria? To create a relationship, I think is a good start, but our stay is too short to create something deeper and to create the communication such that Nigeria can be very important. We are not staying for such a long time that would allow for that. How do you rate Mikel Obi as a midfielder in the EPL? He plays for Chelsea, and if you play for Chelsea, you are a great player. But he had strange movement out of Nigeria because he was in Norway, and then he came back for Man United before Chelsea, so he did it in a complicated way. But since he has shown great quality. He is as well a bit of the Kanu type, he is strong in character, he is a fighter, and

•Wenger he is doing extremely well, but maybe you have more of these players in Nigeria who do not get the chance to go out. On the pre-season tour We compromised, honestly on the sporting side because we had a rational methodical approach of our pre-season and we sacrificed some of that to go on tour…I realized when I was at the World Cup in South Africa, how popular a club like Arsenal is in Africa, especially in Nigeria. It was unbelievable.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

Chelsea have nothing to lose – Di Matteo C

HELSEA have nothing to fear when they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final this weekend as their semifinal win over Barcelona proved they can beat the best in Europe, caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo said. Chelsea are the underdogs going into the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena as they bid to become European champions

Heartland didn’t sack me - Kriuf By KATE OBODO

eartland technical adviser Lodwjke De Kruif has debunk claims that he was sack by his club . The Dutch coach penultimate Monday travelled to his home country after his team(Heartland ) lost to AC Leopard of Congo 3-2 in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Dutch however, told Inside Out Premier League from his base in Holland that he wasn’t sacked but only went to his country (Holland) to attend some financially needs. According to De Kriuf, “ no body sacked me , because team have being doing very well. But, if they (management) can give the financial guarantees then, that is the only possibility to come back. In essence, the ball C M Y K

I was even frightened at some stage by how popular Arsenal is in Kenya as well. It is absolutely unbelievable, so every morning at breakfast, I had some meetings with people from all over Africa, and I realized how popular our club was over there. I don’t really know how you can transform that popularity into market… On football development I believe that there again, when you think about

potentially developing players, it is first to have the coaches. So chronologically, you have to educate people to coach, and then create schools where you can develop the players. To make it as simple as possible, football is first a technical sport. It is not natural to use your feet to do something. Your feet are made to walk through the street, not necessarily to play football. So you have first to transform someone into a football player, and that is between ages 5 and 12 years old. When you come at 14, it is too late. That is why you have to educate people to teach the basics of our sport between five and 12. The kind of quality the coaches need is to know what you can do to develop people, that is the exercises that you can give, and as well to teach him not to make basic mistakes. There are two things in our job that can be very dangerous. One, not to develop the potential of a person, the other is to disturb the potential of a person by making him do the wrong things. Sometimes, we can as well do that. Your fans in Nigeria are disappointed that you have not won a silverware for five years or so now. As a manager, how do you feel about that? You want to give me sleepless nights (laughter). But we have maintained our level at the top, but we couldn’t finish…It s true that we missed winning, but we were at many times very close. Let’s not forget that in 2006, we were in the Champions League final and we have never gone out in the championship against small clubs. We went out most of the time against clubs who won it, like Barcelona, twice. That is what people forget.

now is in their court, to decide if I should continue or not,” he said. Continuing he said, “the problem started last year, when they did not pay me for three months and was delaying. While in my country all the bills were runing on which affected me and other family needs. The actual thing is that they must guarantee me that the money is there and is available to pay me. I don’t want to wait any longer for three months before they could pay me otherwise they would declare me bankrupt. The government house together with the General manager should work hand in hand to make this possible,” he concluded. It would be recalled that the Dutch coach assisted in broken the jinx of 23 year of winning the Federation’s Cup in 2011.

for the first time. But Di Matteo, who has turned the club’s fortunes around since taking over from Andre Villas Boas in March, said his players were brimming with confidence. Speaking at the club’s Player of the Year awards night he said: “If you manage to go through two legs against Barcelona, I think then you can beat anybody in European football. “They’re supposed to be the best team and I think we have a fantastic group of players with tremendous quality and belief. “The confidence is very high.

•Di Matteo

The spirit is very high.” Chelsea know that if they do not beat Bayern they will not take part in next season’s Champions League as they cannot finish higher than sixth in the English Premier League. Disappointment in the league, where they will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2002, has been tempered by their FA Cup final win last week and they now stand poised for a cup double and their greatest triumph. “We’ve enjoyed a good eight, nine weeks. The players have been fantastic with me,” he said. “They’ve performed at the highest level possible and we’ve found ourselves in a great position now to win the biggest trophy in European football.” Chelsea will be without suspended skipper John Terry as well as Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles against the Germans. Terry said missing their biggest game was hard to swallow. “For myself and the guys who are going to be suspended, obviously we’re bitterly disappointed,” he said.

NFF to launch U-15 tourney in honour of Yekini •Donates N.5m to his family BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI, Ilorin

PORTS administrators, top government officials from across the country as well as sportsmen and women in their thousands yesterday stormed Ira town,the country home of the ex-Super Eagles striker in Kwara State, late Rasidi Yekinni for his 8th-day Fidau prayers. At the ceremony, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) assured that the late football maestro, Rashidi Yekini will get all the national honours he deserved as it donated N500, 000 for the family he left behind

adding that it would launch an annual U-15 National Championship in honour of late Yekini, and also recommend to the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, for him to be given a post-humous National Award. “Also, we plan to organize a Memorial Match in his honour, which will bring together players of his USA ’94 Class and a Nigeria Selected, which will be played at the Ilorin Township Stadium,” Maigari said at the palace of the Onira of Ira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyetoro. The NFF President, Aminu

PRESENTATION... Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (2nd left) with Executive Director Ecobank, Henry Ajagbawa, presenting the winners’ medals to the Warri Wolves players, winners of the Ecobank/Delta State FA Cup.

Maigari, who took permission to leave the venue for other national engagements and spoke through his vice president, Chief Mike Umeh, added that many other programmes had been lined up to honour the worthy football ambassador. Maigari also hinted that an international soccer duel would soon be organised to honour Rashidi Yekini, adding that the proceeds made from the gate takings would go to family and children left behind by the ace soccer hero. In a sermon at the programme, the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muideen Salman said that, it was high time that all muslims and christians faithful ensured that they do good deeds while on earth, stressing that it is by so doing that their deeds will provide them a sort of blessings in the life hereafter as he prayed for the soul of late Yekinni to rest in perfect peace. The cleric also used the occasion to advise the government to always strive hard to honour the nation’s heroes while they are alive, adding that a situation where the nation’s heroes are honoured after their death is against the will of Almighty Allah. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who spoke through the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Abdulrazag Atunwa, extolled the virtues of the late football giant, saying foreigners recognise every Nigerian as Rashidi Yekini in foreign countries. He described the death of Rashidi Yekini as a loss to Africa and the world football family in general and prayed for the repose of his soul, asking God to serve as fortress for the family and children he left behind. Also speaking, Kwara state’s sports commissioner, Kayode Towoju, said the state government would continue to encourage young talents in the state towards achieving their potentials in life, noting that Yekini did not only make the state proud throughout his football career, but also contributed to national sports development and progress.

Iroha draws curtain on MTN Football Hub Season 1 T

HE MTN Football Hub will experience a unique soccer-laced excitement this weekend as former Assistant Coach of the “Dream Team 5” and ex-international, Ben Iroha, leads key soccer stakeholders to the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lagos for the last round of matches for the 2011/2012 English Premiership League (EPL). Iroha, a member of the Tunisia ’94 African Nations Cup Winning Squad that later took the world by storm at the USA ’94 World Cup, is noted for his great marksmanship and C M Y K

backstopping roles in the Eagles’ defense in the 90s. Speaking from his Abuja base ahead of the event, Iroha said, “The Hub will experience a boost because this Sunday will be a special match day in the EPL. For a long time, winners of the EPL are normally crowned before the last round of matches. But this season is different, the title winner will not be known until the last game. This makes the weekend games exciting. Fans are going to be treated to top quality football. I am happy to be part of the MTN football showcase,” he said.

Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, explains that the MTN Football Hub is a platform to recognize and delight the company’s high-end customers through their passion point football. According to him, “We are happy that the viewing centers have turned out to be an excellent platform to showcase the best of football.” The 3-city international viewing centers were launched in November 2011, for the delight and excitement of MTN high net-worth and professional customers in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012 — 55

Allowing Abuja National Stadium decay

BOUT a fortnight ago, I listened to Mitchel Obi on Ray Power FM and heard how the NSC was trying to bail out the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF with provision of fertilizer to help the turf of the Abuja Stadium built under 10 years ago with billions of tax payers money. That was before the NFF finally settled for the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar for the Super Eagles qualifying matches for both the Africa Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers beginning in June. I then asked myself, whose responsibility is it to maintain the Abuja National Stadium and other federal government owned stadia scattered around the country. Definitely not the NFF. That is why the NSC has a department called Facilities Department with a director at the helm. The Director, whom I hardly hear of, must be asleep to his responsibility in ensuring that all the Stadia are in good shape all year round because money was voted for that purpose. He is however quick to run to Lagos to issue warning and ultimatum to Lagos SWAN and its tenant, Old Skool over the use of the SWAN secretariat for the same business O’Jez does but doesn’t get harassed. Coming back to the Abuja National Stadium, its poor State caused the NFF to run from pillar to post searching for venues for the Super Eagles Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers. We have a penchant for building grandiose facilities which we lack capacity to maintain or rather unwilling to maintain because contractors are always ready to quote big sums for repair purposes, the sums which eventually end up in peoples pockets rather than being used for the job. Time was when the NSC under the leadership of the fallen czar of Nigeria’s sports toyed with the idea of going to Kenya to import grass for the Lagos National Stadium for the hosting of the U-20 World Cup in 1999, a decision scoffed at by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA which advised the authorities to come to Ibadan, its base, to get quality grass. One thing that is wrong with our structure at the NSC is that we think the Stadium Manager’s job involves caring for the pitches of the Stadia we spent billions of Naira to put in place. Because we have failed in the maintenance of the grass in these stadia, the sports contractors connived with FIFA officials when Nigeria hosted the U-17 World Cup to replace the natural turfs with artificial ones which our Super Eagles players now run away from and their coach, Stephen Keshi confirming that it is not good for good football display. During the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, organisers of the Games took journalists covering the Games on an inspection tour of the Old Trafford, venue of Manchester United fondly referred to as Theatre of Dreams, during the off season. One of our excited colleagues almost wanted to jump on the pitch for a photo section to register it that he was at the Old Trafford. He was caught airborne by our guide who later told us it was forbidden as the grass was nurtured like a baby to make it good for football and nobody gets unto it just like that. Professional horticulturists are in-charge, watering, trimming and picking any foreign grass different from the type planted. Herbicides are also employed to ward off insects that could cause damage to the grass. The turf was too beautiful to behold, no wonder players find it easy and enjoyable to glide on when they score. The same thing I am sure applies to all other stadia used for Premiership matches in England. It is too early for the Abuja National Stadium to have problem of a good playing turf. Experts should be employed to nurture the grass like it is done in all serious football countries. If Togo and Benin Republic could manage the pitches at their various stadia, why is it difficult for Nigeria to do same. To allow the Abuja National Stadium which was built at a cost European experts said would have built four of such in their countries, would not only be a disservice to the youths of this country but also criminal. It is time also to stop all activities outside football from taking place on the pitch of the Abuja National Stadium to preserve it for posterity.

Adieu Yekini

ast Friday when most sports lovers were warming their mind into a weekend of football excitement across the globe, the sad news of Rashidi Yekini’s death hit our ear drums. It was difficult to believe but it turned out to be true. Yekini was an asset to Nigeria but like all the country’s asset left to rot, Yekini was allowed to be drowned in his emotional troubles with little or no assistance from those concerned. He is gone but his football prowess while he was active will remain etched in the minds of Nigerians, especially those who enjoyed him in the colours of Nigeria, Shooting Stars, Africa Sports, Vitoria Setubal, FC Zurich, among many others. Adieu Yekini.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 13, 2012

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

Ogunbote not underrating Djoliba By IME BASSEY

OACH of Sunshine Stars of Akure, Gbenga Ogunbote has disclosed

that he is not going to underrate his Malian opponent (Djoliba) in today’s return leg of the CAF Champions League round of 16 at the Dipo

Trophy

Mancini

Ferguson

EPL title race: Who laughs last, Ferguson or Mancini? M

ANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson and his Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini will rally their troops one last time today when the ninemonth battle for the 2011/ 2012 Premier League title will end in victory for one club or the other. The final scenes in what is widely regarded as the best season since the Premier League replaced the old Football League’s First Division 20 years ago as the top flight, will be played out at the Etihad Stadium where City take on Queens Park Rangers and at the Stadium of Light were Sunderland host United. The mathematics are simple enough. Both have 86 points but City’s goal difference is eight better than United’s. If City win they will be

*Will QPR go down?

champions for the first time since 1968. All that could stop them is if United win by at least nine goals, or possibly more at Sunderland. If City lose or draw and United win, then United will retain the title they won last year and be crowned champions for the 20th time. With the time for the final action almost upon them, Ferguson and Mancini faced the press for their last pre-match conferences of the season on Friday. With City in pole position to claim the title, Ferguson compared the situation to the one he faced when Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004. “We had to contend with Jose’s management style, All matches start at 3pm which was very effective,” Ferguson told reporters. Chelsea v Blackburn “He did a fantastic job Everton v Newcastle Man City v QPR there. “You knew you Norwich v Aston Villa were competing against a Stoke City v Bolton very clever manager. You Sunderland v Man Utd Swansea v Liverpool weren’t just facing the money, you were facing a v Fulham Tottenham very united squad. West Brom v Arsenal Wigan v Wolves “They were hard to beat.

City - quality-wise - are very similar to Chelsea at that time. “Some of their players have had outstanding seasons. When you win the league you need five or six players who are consistently good all the time. “City have had that this year and the manager, for most of the part, has done well.” Mancini has had to deal

with numerous difficulties this season including Carlos Tevez’s lengthy absence from the club and Mario Balotelli’s erratic behaviour. Mancini said today’s game was not a personal battle between him and his opposite number Mark Hughes, once a United player and the man sacked as City manager to make way for Mancini in December 2009. QPR need a point to avoid relegation, a

point that could also deny City the title and give Hughes some revenge for his sacking. “For me, they (QPR) are a good team, they don’t deserve to stay at the bottom,” said Mancini. “They want to do everything to stay in the Premier League and for this reason I think it will be a tough game. “I don’t know him very well but it is not Mancini against Hughes or Hughes against Mancini. It is City against QPR. ACROSS 1. State capital (7) 4.Yoruba thunder god (5) 7. Hand joint (5) 8. Pope’s domain (7) 9. Female sheep (3) 10. Result (5) 11. Rent (5) 13. Songs of praise (6) 14. Vapour (3) 16. Old Delta King (4) 19. Thankfulness (9) 20. Jacob’s brother (4) 22. Wager (3) 23. Accompanied (9) 25.Tubers (4) 26. Immature (5) 28. Busy insect (3) 30. Earn (7) 31. Praise (5) SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 5

Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode. Ogunbote told Sunday Vanguard Sports that his team will pick the ticket to play in the group stage of the competition as his wards will punish their Malian opponents after understudying them during the first leg of the encounter which ended 1-1. He also noted that his team would replicate their feat against Recreativo de Libolo of Angola. “It is another big test for my team and also in my coaching career. We earned a draw and scored an away goal in the first leg. The result does not mean they (Djoliba) are a push over, so we are not going to underrate them on S u n d a y . ”We know they will be coming out to play their life out but my players are ready to punish them. Against all odds in our first game against Recreativo, we needed to score three and we did. This game will be tough but I am optimistic the team will qualify for the group stage on Sunday,” Ogunbote said. Meanwhile, Ogunbote warned clubs in the league that his team are still in contention for the NPL title, adding that the title is still open and Sunshine Stars stand a chance of coming tops. “The league is still open and the best team will win it. It is not over until it is over. We are still in contention for the title. We have some outstanding matches to play and if we pick good results from those matches, then we are close to the title,” he added. 32. Adorn (5) 33. Exacting (7) DOWN 1. Lance (7) 2. Alcove (5) 3. Possessors (6) 4. Strain (5) 5. Commonsense (4) 6. Possessors (6) 12. Theatrical platform (5) 13. Sow (5) 15. Nigerian state (4) 17. Assistant (4) 18. Poor (5) 21. Unused (7) 22. Above (6) 23. Fishes (6) 24. Tailor’s implement (6) 27. Coax (4) 29. Italian wine (4)

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