Ebola: Patient discharged by Vanguard Media Limited

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Nigeria ‘s 1st Ebola virus patient discharged from hospital By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna, Olasunkanmi Akoni and Demola Akinyemi

Thursday, I announced that we were ready to deploy an experimental drug, Nano Silver; it was not cleared by the National Health Research Ethics Committee. “Although the drug has since been made available to the EOC in Lagos, it has not been administered on any patient because we were awaiting clearance by the National Health Research Ethics Committee. “I regret to inform you that the drug did not meet the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code. Accordingly, approval for its use was withheld by the National Health Research Ethics Committee.” The minister, however, informed that the other candidate drugs were under evaluation by the Treatment Research Group for EVD. “As soon as any of the experimental drugs is cleared by the National Health Research Ethics Committee and made available, we shall incident it in the treatment regeneration subject to the informed consent of the patient,” he stated.

HE first Nigerian Ebola patient has been discharged from the quarantine unit of the Emergency Operation Centre, EOC, at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. News of the discharge of the unnamed female doctor, who was one of the primary contacts of the late American-Liberian Patrick Sawyer, was broken, yesterday evening, by Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu . Chukwu, accompanied by Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, and others on the Joint Federal/State EVD response team, to give an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, said the discharged patient had been given a clean bill of health to go home His words : “The EOC has advised me to announce that the first Nigerian to be confirmed to have Ebola Virus Disease has this evening been discharged from the isolation unit at the Mainland Hospital, Lagos. “I have consulted with the experts, and they said clearly that there was a discharge protocol that was employed for this particular patient. It has been followed strictly and was concluded today and what you are getting now is the final outcome. “Ordinarily, if she had been afflicted with another illness, she would have been discharged long before now”. Earlier, the minister pointed out that five of other Ebola patients had almost fully recovered. “The total number of confirmed cases of EVD in the country was now 12, with four deaths and 189 under surveillance in Lagos and six in Enugu,” he stated. Responding to questions concerning the welfare of the Ebola victims under the care of the response team at the EOC , Chukwu allayed the fear regarding the standard and quality of care. “As you are aware, the patients under treatment have now been moved to the new 40bed capacity isolation ward provided by Lagos State government. Additional equipment has also been made available to the new isolation ward by the Federal Government”. On the controversy surrounding the experimental Ebola drug being proposed for adoption by the Federal Government, the minister said the drug failed to meet the requirements for approval. “You will recall that, last

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DOCTORS WARN Ebola may escalate In the meantime, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), yesterday, said Ebola may escalate in the country as majority of the health personnel working on the management, monitoring and surveillance have been sacked. NMA warned about the risk of the deadly virus spreading at an alarming rate following the sack of 16,000 resident doctors, most of whom were said to be involved in the move to contain the virus. The NMA said the doctors, although on strike, had made their services available to government in the bid to combat Ebola. The association vowed not to resume talks with government until it unconditionally reverses the sack of the doctors. The Chairman, Lagos State branch of the NMA, Dr Tope Ojo, who disclosed the association’s stand in Lagos, yesterday, said all attempts by government to divide the NMA would be resisted by the association. “This sack action must have proven the unrepentant hatred of Mr. President and the Federal Government for doctors, considering that since this current regime, several unions have embarked on industrial actions for even longer periods, that witnessed several failed negotiations too, before eventual reso-

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lution and same punitive actions were never applied,” the NMA said at a press conference. The body, however, urged its members to keep volunteering in the management of Ebola. “This would further worsen the current Ebola scourge because a large majority of volunteers involved in case management and other levels of the Ebola Emergency Response Committee are resident doctors,” Ojo said.. “However, we will continue to participate in the Ebola Response as we have been doing, in spite of the purported sack, so as not to become insensitive to the plight of Nigerians like the Federal Government is demonstrating presently”. No Ebola death at Lagos General Hospital – State govt In a related development, Lagos State government, yesterday, said there was no death of any person infected with Ebola at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando or any of its hospitals. In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, the state government dispelled the rumour making the rounds that an Ebola infected person had died at the government owned hospital in Alimosho. He said the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, addressed the issue during the last Ebola update press briefing, where he assured residents of Lagos that the hospital was safe and medically sound for them to patronize. As part of the measures to contain the spread of Ebola, the state government, through the Ministry of the Environment, MOE, also yesterday, trained about 800 health workers and volunteers in all the 57 local governments and local council development areas on preventive measures. Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, who

made the disclosure at a sensitisation campaign tagged: “Train the trainers’ Educative programme”, also said that government would not hesitate to invoke any relevant section of the laws on anyone who flouts the environmental laws. The commissioner warned residents to desist from unsafe and unhealthy practices so as not to contract EVD, urging them not to attempt hiding persons with suspected symptoms of Ebola as government has the right to quarantine or isolate such persons to prevent the disease from spreading. OSOGBO FESTIVAL: Osun stops tourists Reports from Osun State, yesterday, said that following the outbreak of Ebola in the country, the state government barred tourists from participating in the forthcoming Osun Osogbo annual festival. This, the government said, was part of measures to prevent the spread of Ebola to the state. Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, noted that

efforts were being taken by the state government to make Osun an Ebola free state. Akere, who lamented the high spread of the Ebola virus, stressed the need for traditionalists, especially Osun devotees, to co-operate with the state government in its bid to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. According to him, this year’s Osun Osogbo festival would be low keyed, but with all traditional rites and sacrifices by the Osun devotees in Osogbo alone. He explained that the state government had restricted the movement of non-residents of Osun to the state, saying this would help to prevent the spread of the disease. Kwara dismisses Ebola claim Also, yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Primary Health, Prof Sunday Opabola, said there was no case of Ebola in the state, saying the patient that was referred to as having the disease was a case of mismanaged malaria fever. Speaking on a local radio pro-

gramme in Ilorin, Opabola said,”We took the blood samples of the boy and his mother and sent them to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for screening. Unfortunately, we lost the boy. “But the fortunate thing is that the results of the boy’s and mother’s tests came in yesterday night from LUTH and they were negative. “ So I am happy to tell Kwarans that up till now we don’t have any report of a suspicious case not to talk about confirmed case. I can say that the boy’s case was a mismanaged malaria disease in the first hospital”. Recalling the incident that led to the development, he said: “The history we later got was that when they could dehydrate him intravenously in the first hospital, they gave him an intubation (putting a tube through the nose into the stomach) to feed him. When he was not responding, they removed the tube and transferred him to the paediatrician hospital in town and the first vomiting the boy had contained blood. Intubation can cause bleeding from the stomach and that is exact what happened. “

From left: Biodun Wahab, Otun Adinni of Ikorodu; Prince Ademola Dada, Chairman, Island Club and Chief Lanre Rasak, Special Guest of Honour, at the Island Club Eid-El Fitri dance, held in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

FG not withholding Sure-P funds, says Okonjo-Iweala BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

HE Federal Gov ernment has dis missed reports that it was withholding Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P funds, as alleged by the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on SURE-P, Sen. Abdul Ningi. His position was aired by a television station on Friday but the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, reacted, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, saying that there was no truth in Ningi’s allegation. “As soon as the Sure-P Committee certifies any project for payment, money is released promptly through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN”, the minister clarified in the statement issued by her Media Adviser, Ms. Constance Ikokwu. The minister explained further, “A committee under the chairmanship of Gen. Martin Luther Agwai

(rtd) set up by the president, reviews the implementation of various projects/programmes and makes recommendation for payment. Whatever is recommended is promptly paid directly into the accounts of contractors rather than through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS), within 5-7 work-

ing days. “This process was put in place to fast-track payment to contractors operating different programmes under Sure-P. It is after the committee has visited and certified that the job is satisfactorily done that payment is made. The Ministry of Finance has absolutely nothing to do with the

certification process and does not delay payments”. The minister disclosed that N113billion has been expended on various SureP projects and programmes, with a balance of N80billion available and that as such it was not true that programmes were being hampered due to lack of funds.

Aziza, at 67, dies of cancer • Uduaghan, others mourn BY FESTUS AHON

RHOBO nation was, yesterday, thrown into mourning as the cold hands of death snatched the President General of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, General Patrick Aziza (rtd) away. He died at the age of 67. Aziza, who succumbed to cancer, reportedly died in Abuja at about 3:45am. The deceased, a retired briga-

dier general in the army, served under the Abacha regime. Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, lamented the death, describing Aziza as an irreplaceable statesman. Uduaghan, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, described the death as a big blow and irreparable loss to Nigeria, Delta State and the Urhobo nation. Reacting to the death, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, de-

scribed it as very sad. “The Urhobo nation has lost a true son, a General indeed who had served the nation in the armed forces so successfully and at a point, he was even a minister in charge of communication in our nation and he performed creditably well”, he said. On his part, the senator representing Delta Central at the National Assembly, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, described Aziza’s death as tragic and sad.

PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

From Left;Mr Sam Nwaobasi,Special Assist to The President on Media; Prof Anya O.Anya, Elder Mrs Inyang O.Anya and Mr Ikechukwu Amaechi,MD/CEO TheNiche on Sunday, at the public presentation of TheNiche On Sunday held at Eko Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos. PHOTO:SHOLA OYELESE. From Left;Mr Femi Adesina,MD/Editor-In-Chief, The Sun Newspaper;Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa;Prof Anya O.Anya,Chairman of the occasion;Elder Mrs Inyang Anya his wife with, Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman APGA; and Ikechukwu Amaechi,Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of The Niche On Sunday, at the public presentation of The Niche On Sunday, held at Eko Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos. PHOTO: SHOLA OYELESE.

3 killed as police, Okada operators clash in Lagos BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

L T H O U G H normalcy has returned to the area, controversy has continued to trail the alleged killing of three people at Iyana School Bus Stop, along LASU-Iba Road, Lagos State on Friday. Contrary to reports that commercial cyclists in the area attacked a team of policemen from Isashi Division led by the Station Officer (SO) and the Operations Officer, investigations revealed that policemen from the Division stormed the Okada park at Iyana School Bus Stop, seizing commercial bikes, an action that was met with heavy resistance from the cyclists who alleged that the ban on Okada in Lagos State did not apply to the area. Trouble started when the officers allegedly started shooting sporadically which sources said resulted in the death of three persons. A food vendor (Iya Bukola), who claimed to have witnessed the incident, told Sunday Vanguard the story: “We were all here when policemen came to the park and started seizing bikes from the Okada riders. When the Okada riders resisted, they started shooting sporadically and they killed two people instantly while several others escaped with gun shot wounds. When the shooting started I ran out of my shop for fear of being hit by stray bullet. It was while I was running that I fell down and sustained this injury on my leg”, she

narrated. Lamenting, Abimbola Aliu, a commercial cyclist, said, “See how they have changed the story, they said we attacked them. Is it possible for Okada riders to attack the police? The law of restriction on certain routes by the state government does not affect this place. So when they said they were attacked by commercial bike operators at a black spot, they should please show the world where the black spot is at Iyana School Bus Stop. We have been enduring all this intimidation and it has become unbearable. One of the victims was at the car wash when a bullet hit him”. Confirming the report, Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Mr Lelma Kolle, said police men from Isashi Division were detailed to storm a black spot after receiving series of complaints about criminal activities of hoodlums and, on their way, some Okada riders, who misconstrued the mission of the police, started pelting the team with stones and the police avoiding confrontation with the Okada riders, retreated and ran back to the station Kolle said the Okada riders pursued the police to the station and attempted to burn down the station. He said to prevent them from carrying out their dastardly act, the police fired into the air to scare them away but two of the Okada men were shot in the legs. “As I am talking to you, the two injured persons are

S government continues the fight to eliminate mosquitoes and malaria in the country, Sunflag Nigeria Limited and TANA Netting, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to produce long-lasting insecticidal nets. The signing in Abuja targets to establish world class mosquito net production

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

responding to treatment in hospital”, he said. He said that police preliminary investigation showed that some hoodlums who cashed in on the situation later engaged in a free for all and one of them was stabbed to death.

OLLOWING last Monday’s midnight demolition of Ebenezer Anglican Church, OyoluOze, Nkwelle-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Governor Willie Obiano yesterday visited the site and announced the setting up of a four-man panel of inquiry to investigate the cause of the demolition and those behind it. The panel, which has two

weeks to submit its report, according to Obiano, is also mandated to find out the actual owners of the primary school premises where the church building is situated, as well as suggest the means of bringing lasting peace to the area between the community and the Anglican Communion. The panel, headed by the state deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, has the Commissioners for Land, Education, Local Government and Transport as members.

2015: Akwa Ibom backs Jonathan

KWA Ibom State people have urged President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to recontest in 2015, declaring their readiness to give him 100 per cent of their votes. Governor Godswill Akpabio, on behalf of the people of the state, who made the remark at the Government House

Banquet Hall, Uyo during a reception for Jonathan who was on a one-day official visit to the state, remarked, “Our dear President, let me once again state that you are in your home. Akwa Ibom people do not only love you as a President from the South- South, they appreciate you as a brother and

Mogaji loses mum

HE families of Mogaji, Tokosi, Idris, Raji and the entire Iposu-Areh of Epe Kingdom mourn the death of Alhaja Rafat Alake Olufunmilayo Mogaji (nee Idris). The mother of Lagos Eko Project Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist, Wale Mogaji, passed unto greater glory on August 10 at age 75, and has

since been buried according to Islamic rites at Epe. Wale Mogaji said the Fidau and final burial ceremony holds today at Ogudu Junior Grammar School, GRA Ogudu , Ojota, Lagos. She is survived by many children and grand children amongst whom are Chief Bola Mogaji, GbolahanMogaji, Wale Mogaji and RilwanTokosi.

NNSG optimistic on Confab Resolutions

member of defunct presidential advisory committee on national dialogue, Mr Tony Ipriye Uranta, has added his voice to the outcome of just concluded national conference, just as he called on National Assembly to expedite actions in ratifying the conference resolutions.

Sunflag, TANA sign MoU

Demolition of Anglican Church building in Anambra: Obiano sets up 4-man panel

facility in Nigeria in line with World Health Organisation, WHO standards. Speaking after the signing ceremony, representative of Tana Netting, Rune Bosselmann, said the partnership of his company with Sunflag was to enhance local production of the nets in Nigeria, and also for his company to transfer the technology in the production of the nets.

According to a statement made available to Sunday Vanguard, Uranta who is executive secretary of Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG) on behalf of the group said, ‘’the NNSG joins all patriotic Nigerians in welcoming the end of the first phase of the revealing National Conference.’’ The statement further expressed satisfaction on the manner through which President Jonathan used to convene the critical process, ‘’whilst congratulating President Jonathan’s courage and initiative in convening this very critical process, the NNSG looks forward to the National Assembly expeditiously amending the 1999 Constitution to allow for urgent ratification of the Conference’s Resolutions via a Referendum of the Nigerian Peoples.’’

true Nigerian that is committed to changing the fortunes of the nation. ”Your Excellency, twice this year, Akwa Ibom people in an uncommon resolve, unanimously passed a vote of confidence on you and your administration. In furtherance to their conviction, they urged you to step forward and contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic in 2015. That yearning is still aflame and they have kindly besought you for an answer, but know Your Excellency that Akwa Ibom people are steadfast and will go with you all the way.”

Addressing the church members, Obiano condemned the demolition and described the act as the handiwork of hoodlums. He added that for the sake of clarity, the parties involved in the matter were the Anglican Church, Anambra State government and the leadership of NkwelleEzunaka Town Union. The governor, who visited the site, in the company of the deputy governor, who himself is an Anglican and the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese,. Rev. (Dr.) Alex. Ibezim, appealed to members of the church to maintain absolute peace and tranquility, while the committee expedites action on their work. “In the interim, I want to ask that you exercise restraint. I don’t want any breach of the peace. I don’t want anything to disrupt the relative peace in the state. At the appropriate time, government will rebuild the church or do appropriate reparation. The committee will look at the bottom of the matter as to the ownership of the place. Please don’t politicize this matter ”, Obiano said.

‘Ijaw are no tenants in N-Delta’ BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure HE opposition to the demand for the proposed creation of Toru- Ibe State took a new dimension as the Ijaw weekend submitted that they are no tenants to any other nationality in the Niger Delta. The Ijaw under the auspices of Arogbo Ijaw Community Organisation was reacting to a publication by the Benin, Ilaje and Itsekiri Forum restating their opposition to the demand for the creation of the state. The organisation, in a statement in Akure by its Chairman, Evangelist Nathaniel Ege, and Publicity Secretary, Suffy Uguoji, said the submission was unfortunate. “The demand for Toru-Ibe State is consistent with the critical issues of the Ijaw question in Nigeria which is Ijaw self-determination and unity,” it said. “ All the Ijaw territories in the proposed state are culturally homogeneous and geographically contiguous. ”The demand for the proposed Toru-Ibe State has

an accompanying map showing the configuration of the territory of the state which does not include any Benin, Itsekiri or Ilaje community. ”That the Ijaw struggle for self-determination has spanned several millennial”. The organisation asked those opposed to the state creation to “ prove their case with documents within a short time to convince the public that Ijaw are actually their tenants.” According to it, the Ijaw in Ondo State occupy their own separate and distinct local government area (Ese-Odo) with clearly defined boundaries over which their traditional rulers have traditional jurispudence overland and other means. ” It must be noted also that Ese Odo local government is recognised by the constitution and has been in existence for years as one of the 774 local government areas in the country. ”It is therefore naïve for any group of people to wake up one dat and call the Arogbo Ijaw their tenants. They appealed to the state government to call the Ilaje to order so as to put this matter to rest.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 7

Anambra says yes to smart state initiative BY EMEKA AGINAM

E Leaders, supporters and patrons of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria((TAN) including Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Hon Emeka Ihedioha(Dep Speaker), Anyim Pius Anyim(Secretary to Govt of the Federation), Chief Theordore Orji(Gov of Abia state), Iyom Josephine Anenih and Prince Arthur Eze(business mogul and friend of President Jonathan) at the South East flag-off of the TAN zonal rallies in Awka yesterday.

Osun guber polls, a pointer to 2015 — Senator Solomon BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

ENATE Minority Whip and frontline All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, has predicted that his party’s victory at the just concluded election in Osun State is a clear pointer to what the South-west people and indeed Nigerians at large should expect in 2015. The former Mushin local government chairman, popularly called GOS, stated this in Lagos, yesterday, while commenting on his visit to Osun to congratulate Governor Rauf Aregbesola on his reelection. “It is a fact that I was in Osun to give my brother, Governor Aregbesola, my support during the last days of his campaign rallies. However, after the election victory I had to go back there last Thursday to congratulate him because his election is not only a pacesetter in the South-west but a pointer to what the country should expect in 2015”, the senator with a large political followership in Lagos disclosed. GOS, who is contesting the state governorship from the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, argued

that the Osun victory was a moral booster for APC members and supporters across the country, adding: “As long as the party leadership does not derail from the path of internal democracy that has been followed in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, we will not have cause to grapple with any big challenge.” Solomon, who was also a member of the House of

Representatives, said what happened in Osun was an indication that “popular candidates presented to the electorate through credible party primaries cannot be intimidated by any federal might because his people will stick out their neck to stand with him and fight for him.”

Police detain widow over murder of family of five BY DAUD OLATUNJI ABOKUTA GUN State Police O Command said, yesterday, it had detained

the first wife of the late Aliu Adeoye, who died with his second wife, and three children, on Friday, in Temidire community, Sabo area of Abeokuta. Adeoye, said to be a surveyor, died, alongside other victims, in his six-room bungalow at 3, Ireti Akinbode Street, Temidire, of suspected poisonous gaseous substance. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this to our correspondent, adding that the first wife was currently being kept in police custody for two reasons. “The mob that gathered at the community after the incident wanted to lynch her.

Again, she was accused of being the one who sprayed the gaseous substance into the room, where the victims died,” Adejobi said. “We cannot ascertain the cause of death for now. There are allegations here and there but the police will do what is needed to be done . The post-mortem examination will be carried out on the corpses, that will tell us the cause of death”. He, however, said the case had been transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation. Sunday Vanguard gathered that some neighbours of the deceased had wanted to lynch the first wife on Friday, who they suspected was responsible for spraying the room with the poisonous substance, but she was rescued by policemen from the nearby Ilupeju Divisional Headquarters.

BRIEFS Massimo launches Sunday Old School Nite

new lounge with a promise to rejig the clubbing and bar/restaurant culture of mainland Lagos has opened with a bang. Simply called Massimo, the cosy entertainment hub located on the ground floor of Prince of Anthony Hotel on Oyedele Ogunniyi Street, Anthony Village, Lagos, is the brainchild of entertainment promoter, Yinka Oyedeji. One of Massimo’s flagships nights, according to Oyedeji, is the Old School Nite every Sunday evening which will

be produced and anchored by Nomoreloss, the celebrated all-round

musician, show compere and club management expert.

Church of Jesus Christ cleans Lagos HE Church of Jesus T Christ of Latter Day Saints, yesterday, em-

barked on its Mormon Helping Hands Service Project in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Building Communities Hand in Hand’. The programme, now an annual event, is undertaken by the church in partnership with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), local government officials, the Nigeria Police, CAC

Odi Ajaye, the Lord’s Chosen RCC, NURTW, Nigerian Prisons, Elepe Community, Famous Motherless Babies Home, Oniru, the Muslim community, among others. Speaking on the project earmarked for the Lagos area, Church Elder Adeyinka Ojediran said the purpose was to publicly identify and embark on acts of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation within the communities.

FFORT to create en abling environment for the deployment of communications infrastructure across the nation has started yielding the expected result as Anambra state has joined the league of states in the smart state initiative. The purpose of the Smart States initiative is to ensure that effective measures are adopted to remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations across the nation. The new partnership with the Federal Government on smart state initiative is expected to create an enabling environment that would position Anambra as a smart state. Accordingly, the initiative will lead to the accelerated roll out of critical ICT infrastructure across the state necessary for development. With Anambra as one of the states selected by the Broadband Council to facilitate ICT infrastructure rollout critical for development, the new development will also lead to a reduction in the cost of network deployment and an increase in the rollout of such networks to commercial centers, underserved and rural areas by communications operators. Other smart states selected by the Broadband Council include Bayelsa, Gombe, Katsina and Ondo. It would be recalled that Lagos has already reduced ROW charges by 85%. Before now, Bayelsa has already signed an MoU on

From left: Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, Dr Omobola Johnson- Minister of Communication Technology and Chairman of the Broadband Council, Engr Ernest Ndukwe, at the partnership agreement between the Federal Government and Anambra State on Smart State initiative held in Anambra State last week. the smart state initiative. The Ministry of Communication Technology and the Broadband Council chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, is promoting a ‘’smart state” initiative geared at engaging governors and relevant authorities at the state and federal level to address the issue of multiple taxation impeding the acceleration of the roll out of critical infrastructure across Nigeria. However, the agreement with Anambra would foster an enabling environment for the deployment of communications infrastructure that will lead to a reduction in the cost of network deployment and an increase in the rollout of such networks to commercial centers, underserved and rural areas by communications operators. With this, an enabling environment will be created that will increase broadband penetration -both fixed and mobile and in-

crease access to such services at affordable prices for customers, creating digitally enabled urban areas called ‘smart cities’. Those states that provide such an enabling environment, according to the ministry will be labeled ‘Model States’ and afforded the utmost support in achieving these objectives. In exchange participating states can expect to see growth in economic activity and productivity and subsequently the positive development of the state. This initiative will cover the following- Standardized fees for site building and approvals within the state, reduction in fees and possibility of waiver for Right of Way in deserving instances, implementation of a Dig-Once Policy, promotion of collocation between operators in the State and connectivity to state institutions within 1km of the given Right of Way.

SES, CWG bring low cost digital TV platform to W/Africa

EW digital television platform that will provide access to a greater number of stations to households in Nigeria and across west Africa at a relatively low cost has been launched in Nigeria. The digital TV platform was launched recently in Lagos by the global satellite company, SES in partnership with Computer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG), a pan-African ICT company. With the new collaboration, SES would provide the space segment and specific ground services, while CWG will manage the teleport services required to project the signals to users, using high operational standards. The new digital TV platform would afford broadcasters the opportunity of reaching a broader audience; millions of satellite homes in West Africa that receive broadcast signals with their dishes facing 28.2 degrees East. The platform offers endto-end contribution, ground and space services to local, regional, national and inter-

national TV broadcasters across West Africa at cheap rates. It would also afford broadcasters the privilege to migrate from analogue to digital TV to meet the digital migration deadline of June 2015. The Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc, Mr. James Agada who spoke during the unveiling of the digital TV platform at the just concluded Broadcast Summit held in Lagos told the gathering that, “CWG is evolving away from the traditional IT Company in the Nigerian context to becoming a utility enabler, under the CWG 2.0 initiative. According to him, “The brand new digital ‘Direct To Home’ (DTH) free-to-air platform is ultimately designed to help accelerate and alleviate the challenges broadcasters and content owners face in the digital migration process. “The platform is packaged as an innovative approach in order to address the challenges of the cost of migration, operation, operational and support challenges, platform agility and flexibility and platform neutrality”.

Also speaking, Russell Southwood, CEO, SES Balancing Act said that, “SES shares a partnership history with CWG that spans about ten years and CWG has proven to be a dependable teleport partner for this project”. According to Theodore Asampong, SES sales Director, Africa, “All that the subscriber is required to pay for is the cost of acquiring a decoder and installing a dish to receive broadcast signals. After this, they will have access to all channels available on the platform, without subscription fees”. Speaking on the importance of the project, Mr. Austin Okere, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CWG Plc, said, “For years, the majority of households in West Africa has been shut out of the digital broadcasting experience. “ Together with SES, we are excited to enable broadcasters to deliver their content cost-effectively, and in excellent technical quality to millions of households across the region.”

PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

Ebola and the rest of us

was on my way to Kigali in 1994, to report the brewing troubles in Rwanda, when the Ebola fever epidemic broke out in Zaire. Travelers were quarantined in the Kinshasha International Airport. All connecting flights to Kigali were cancelled. I contemplated the possibility of an Air Afrique flight to Arusha, in Tanzania, and from thence by car to Kigali. It all became a logistical nightmare and my editor at the Sunday Vanguard, the affable Fola Arogundade, had no choice but to recall me from the assignment, and in his words, “ when Ebola blows over, then we’ll think about it again.” The genocides had not started, but there was a clear trouble in the air. I had smelled its thunder from very far away, and I wanted to be one of the few African journalists to report on the ground from Rwanda. In fact, I had been given a very kind letter of introduction by the late Ambassador Segun Olusola, to a colleague of his, a former Rwandan Ambassador to the OAU, with whom he recommended I should to stay. “He has a beautiful house up in the hills in Kigali” Ambassador Olusola had told me. As it transpired, fate conspired against that trip: the Ebola outbreak stopped me, and

as it also happened, the genocide broke out within the week. In a rather cruel twist of fate, Ambassador Olusola’s friend, with whom I was to stay, with his entire family was massacred in their beautiful house up the hills. Who knows, but for that Ebola outbreak, and the logistical difficulties it caused, I may have been a victim of the genocide too. I do not mean to thank Ebola, nonetheless. I mean to note that the prospect of Ebola coming to Nigeria seemed far too distant and impossible. Ebola was something that happened in far-removed places. But we now just have to brace up to our brave new world that has become more intimate and linked by quicker modes of travel and faster communication that makes communicable diseases and epidemics easier to spread. Which is how the Liberian-American, Sawyer, became the conscious human dirtybomb that exploded on Nigerian shores bringing with him the frightful Ebola disease to Nigeria and the prospects of a germ apocalypse. The first point is that Sawyer caught Nigeria’s national security and surveillance capacity napping. Public health is a national security issue, as is Agriculture and environmental security.

The health of a nation is at the core of its productive capacity and sovereignty. Food security is the ability to determine and control a nation’s food cycle, and to be certain that no foreignorganism is introduced by extraordinary methods into the food culture as a means of controlling its production and nutritional benefits.

the spread of Ebola following the deaths from the initial contacts. But we must think in broad and longer terms. Luckily, the president is a trained research scientist, and his Foreign Minister, Dr. Onwuliri, is a first class Parasitologist. They should understand the imperative I outline here. If I were President Jonathan, I would assemble a high-powered Presidential Scientific Commission on the Pandemic, at the head of which would be two of Nigeria’s leading scientists, Dr. Tam David-West and Oye Tomori. Tam DavidWest? Well, before anything else, he is a highly experience, Yale-trained

The Liberian-American, Sawyer, became the conscious human dirty-bomb that exploded on Nigerian shores bringing with him the frightful Ebola disease to Nigeria

But I’m not quite certain that these facts have registered in the minds of the Nigerian intelligence and security elite, who still think of national security in the narrow terms of providing armed guards on streets, and sentries around men of power to create the illusion of safety. But God himself will not save them from germs that break through molecular perimeters or the nano gates of biologically engineered systems. Thus far, the Federaland the Lagos state government have taken good, but limited containment initiatives to the deal with

virologist. This commission should be charged with dealing with the current Ebola situation, including the search for remedies. Nigeria should rebuild, reequip, update, re-staff, and re-orient its key National Research Laboratories at Vom, Yaba, etc, and establish three new National Laboratories in Kano, Benin and Owerri, and link them to joint collaborative efforts with the universities to study extant and new germs and diseases that threaten human survival, particularly in the tropics. Indeed, President Jonathan

imagination; you picture yourself in a position that is out of reach and fervently begin to put the wheels in motion to make it happen! Imagination has got to be fed, try to feed your mind

Strongholds: The final frontier

IVEN the choice between a book and a movie I always make the choice of books! While watching movies is invariably easier and less mentally tasking than digesting a book, it gives a lot less satisfaction than the vivid imagery that the mind can conjure. The human imagination has more colours than have been named and its vivid descriptions of characters and plots are hardly ever matched by what is possible to create by actors and directors! The genius of it is that a million readers can have different perceptions from reading the exact same book! The human imagination is the greatest tool of the mind and its use positively or negatively decides the reality we live; it is the life blood of strongholds. Dismissing the power of our imaginations is just an exercise in futility and even worse, a product of ignorance! I received an email last week and the

writer ended it with a greeting and two interesting words “take charge”. The final frontier for us all is mastering the latent power in our minds and taking charge of our imagination. Our conscious and our subconscious are both separate parts of our mind; the conscious follows deductive reasoning while the unconscious is the storehouse of eternal truths, information not readily available to the conscious mind and most importantly the power to make manifest almost everything we can think of! I define deductive reasoning as assumptions drawn from the conclusions of the five senses! Makes sense, except that the five senses have little or no information and absolutely no power in the real context! Don’t get me wrong, It is possible to consciously make decisions that change the world based on what we see, feel, touch etc! President Bush and

President Medvedev can start the war to end all wars by the push of a button and that could be seen as power but what about the power

with positive things; if you are anxious and even paranoid, then stay away from horror movies and situations of agitations! Saturate your mind with information that edify and motivate! Ask a little child what they want to be and they initially may choose to be a prince or princess, they

Absolutely everything is possible, Nigerians have been found in every field of endeavour the world over and their circumstances and nationality has not been the reason for failure

that can change the thought processes of each man and render them docile even in hostile situations? How about power strong enough to change situations just at the speed of thought, without a word or even struggle? I would consider that power, great power indeed! Ambition is a tool of

are mostly fed fairytales! As they develop they begin to identify role models from their surroundings and even television! Let your child watch too much MTV and they may desire to be a gangster rapper. Let your child read and watch more educationally stimulating programmes and you

should as a matter of urgency, and as part of his legacy, lead the effort to establish a West African Center for Disease Control and Analysis (WACDCA) modelled after the Atlanta based CDC, but as a joint West African regional collaboration. The Nigerian government has the resources, but it needs to think quickly outside the box… .

AND FINALLY, EUGENE AKALEFU ONU (1940-2014): A POSTCRIPT…

My uncle, Eugene, was an Engineer and a businessman. In neither did he make astonishing gains. He was not a famous Nigerian. But he was a solid pillar of his community both in Lagos and his ancestral home. They elected him Eze of his community. He was a reluctant monarch; and it was no surprise to me and those who knew him that when the politics of it all led to violence and even loss of life; it turned his stomach, and he quietly turned his back at it all. He was not a man seduced by power. He did not thrive in the limelight. He sought meaning in the spiritual and philosophical things. He was a firm Christian, and like his father before him, a knight of the CatholicChurch. When I came to Lagos after National service in 1989/ 90, he gave me a room upstairs in his home in Festac Town, and buffered me from the harsher realities of life in Lagos. Yesterday, we handed back his mortal remains to the

begin to hear that they want to become astronauts and computer whizzes. Their imagination is fed by the information that is made available to them and if the same information is reinforced they end up as products of their imagination. It doesn’t occur to a child that studying astronomy may be an out of reach ambition and they may never lose focus till an adult kills their ambition by pointing out that space programs don’t exist in Nigeria and that getting a scholarship to do it in NASA is almost impossible as American kids are first and last in line! Yes, some people may call it a reality check and even an act of kindness, I call it laying the solid foundation for the first stronghold!

Absolutely everything is possible, Nigerians have been found in every field of endeavour the world over and their circumstances and nationality has not been the reason for failure. I heard a story of how Chief Raymond Dokpesi of AIT was discovered by President Obasanjo in a classified scientific position in Poland decades ago! As I write, there are quite a few Nigerians working in high positions in NASA and before long one will be on the moon. So killing a

earth our goddess. It is a deep and personal loss to me. He died from complications resulting from a stroke. He had driven himself to hospital, I understand, for a routine check-up and suffered a stroke in a hospital! Where does that happen? I feel that his death in an Abuja hospital was the result of very poor medical practices in Nigeria, even though he must have received what may be the relative best, his sons being doctors and his daughter a Pharmacist and all. But that is another story. I think that we must, as a society, begin to pay new serious attention to the practice of medicine in Nigeria. We need to reconsider the general concept of public health delivery, and the ethical requirements in the training and practices of Medical services personnel, in the public and private health systems. There has to be a bill in the National Assembly to give victims the rights to sue a doctor and a medical institution in the event of possible malpractices, and make them accountable for the quality of care Nigerians receive in their hospitals. This is the twenty-first century. But Nigerian medicine is still trapped in the past. Nonetheless, I ask you kind reader, to keep us all, who are bereaved in the light. It is not death that haunts, but the pointlessness of it; even then I subscribe to these words by Epicurus in his “Letter to Menoeceus”: “Death therefore, the most awful of evils, is nothing to us, seeing that, when we are death is not come, when death is come, we are not.”

child’s dream is not being realistic it’s simply saying you as an adult are a limited being and serve a limited God; its saying you don’t believe in miracles but just muddle through life in mediocrity! If that’s true for you, it’s sad but it’s no reason to kill ambition with words of discouragement cloaked as reality checks! The true reality is that everything is possible! I found an analogy that buttresses my point beautifully in a book I am still reading. Imagine that you have a wide, let’s say 2 feet piece of plank and you were asked to walk 30 paces on it while it’s flat on the floor!! Seems pretty easy if you are not inebriated! But just imagine that you were required to walk the same distance on the same plank on foot while it is a 100 feet above the ground; most of us could not! We can’t because our five senses get in the way by producing fear, we imagine ourselves falling off and we immediately begin to tilt to the side! Those who can do it are schooled in stilling their consciousness to a state of calm; a position of relaxation that banishes fear and therein lies the final destruction of every stronghold we all have. We learn to take charge of our imagination and let the stillness in our subconscious help us do the walk; the same is true of every purpose under heaven!

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014 — PAGE 9

C M Y K

PAGE 10 —SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

Congrats Aregbesola; great challenge Omisore F

wins; nor is it anything over which you have sleepless nights if he/she loses. So, I have no reason to gloat that Aregbesola had won. I honestly would hope that Omisore will try again next time. He made some important contributions during his campaign which should be examined for the progress of Osun State. Incidentally, none of those who were eager to send me text messages, after Ekiti, and to predict the same fate for Ogbeni, had found his GSM set to send another message. Bad losers!!! What really interests me in the result was the role of the armed and security forces in the two elections. During a discussion with a mentor, senior friend, a day before the Osun Sttae election, the two of us had taken different positions about the outcome of the election the next day. My senior friend had assumed that with over 60,000, or so, soldiers and policemen, as well as Masked Masquerades of the DSS, on ground, the PDP had used brute force to capture Osun as they did Ekiti State. My position was different. To me even if the Armed Forces had delivered Ekiti, through intimidation of APC supporters, the strategy

succeeded then because it was a surprise. The APC, a bunch of intelligent and street-wise fighters, would not be taken by surprise in Osun. They would ensure that the mobilized forces became mere spectators to what would happen and Aregbesola would win. That was precisely what happened. The armed soldiers, police, DSS operating openly and the Ojuju Calabar they brought with them became the most

“Brute force without wisdom falls by its own weight”, Horace, 65-8BC. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p. 63) rom the day after the Ekiti Election until two weeks ago, I received several text messages from PDP supporters, as well as those who just wanted to taunt me for declaring my support for Governor Fayemi who lost the election. I was unperturbed because I know that a democracy means that there must be at least two candidates contesting and one person must win – irrespective of whether the election is free and fair. And the fact that the majority had selected the winner does not always mean that they have chosen wisely. The future would remain unknown until the person elected starts to exercise the mandate. And, as I told one of my hecklers, the same Ekiti people elected the same Fayose in 2003 and watched him being impeached before his tenure was over. Furthermore, many of Jonathan’s fiercest critics, today, were the same people who worked for his election in 2011. Obasanjo is one of them. So, the result of an election is nothing to gloat about if your candidate

The armed soldiers, police, DSS operating openly and the Ojuju Calabar they brought with them became the most closely watched group by independent observers. There was nothing they could do

closely watched group by independent observers. There was nothing they could do. Meanwhile, the APC had mobilized its members to go from house to house on Election day and get the supporters to march right past the armed men, peacefully, and go to the polls. So, who could they possibly shoot or brutalise?

He won fair and square

don't know what the voters in Osun State were expecting, but last Saturday's election was one of intrigue and anticipation. I will say this, it was followed avidly beyond Osun State and Nigeria. There was drama which runs up to the election. I was forwarded an email last week, with pictures attached of security agents with balaclavas, armed to the teeth. They poured on to the streets and also dispatched some to block the Freedom Square where workers supporting the governor were holding a rally. There were also reports of bullion vans escorted by heavy security. Deja vu, this was very much

reminiscent of Ekiti's pre-election. People were right to feel harassed and intimidated. This is not acceptable and it seems that FG is being a bully in the guise of ensuring a free and fair election. No. Even the coordinator, of the European Union election delegates, Paul Edward confirmed that they witnessed election abuses committed by security agents deployed to Osun State by the big FG. He urges the Governor to seek redress through the courts". In their meeting with the Governor, he stated, “ we are here to congratulate your Excellency, on your victory in Saturday's election”. He wanted to find out he said, from the governor about the conduct of the election and if he would like to complain, that he would chose the legal option to seek remedy.

It seems that he is not the only one. Omisore is not happy either. In fact, he does not agree with the outcome and he has written a letter of

"Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination, in cooperation, not intimidation"-William Arthur Ward

In fact, their heavy presence had made the Osun result totally incontestable. If indeed, this was the PDP strategy, then Jonathan should call in those who advised it to go and jump. On the same page 63 of the VBQ, Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821, at one time, the most powerful man in the world, had this to say. “There are only two powers in the world: the sword [or gun] and the mind. In the end, the sword[or DSS Masquerades] is always conquered by the mind.” Napoleon lost the war against Russia to an unknown General who simply adopted a scorched earth strategy which resulted in the death of thousands of French soldiers without a shot being fired at them. The Russians adopted the same strategy against Hitler in the Battle of Stalingrad and inflicted a great defeat on

the Nazis during World War II. Each time, a giant army had been rendered impotent by people who used their brains instead of relying only on superior fire power. PDP apparently has only “Bullies in Babanriga” to develop its strategy. Even their impeachment strategy had been checked and now they have imperiled their victory in Ekiti where more

favouring the governor threatens the peace and stability of the state. This does look on his rap sheets as some sees him as prone to aggression. If I were him, he should look over to Ekiti. GEJ has sent his congratulations via his media supremo, Abati. In the communiqué it said: "He (Jona) believes the election to be free, fair and peaceful (election), that it fully reaffirmed his administration's positively. He applauds the people of Osun who came out en masse to exercise their democratic rights". And of course, he "wishes the governor

People were right to feel harassed and intimidated. This is not acceptable and it seems that FG is being a bully in the guise of ensuring a free and fair election

complaint to protest. That as far as he was concerned he was very much the favoured and the leading candidate for the post. So far as he is concerned, it is not over yet. It is not very gallant of him to hint that result

continued good health and successful 2nd term in office". So, why has Omisore not accepted that he was not the peoples' choice? PDP huncho, Alkali has confirmed that the election:" was a painful day for the party, because

than two thirds of the House of Assembly is APC. Fayose might not even last – if APC adopts Tit for Tat strategy. Unless a court of law orders an election between now and 2015, the next test will occur next year. Jonathan will be well advised to get some intelligent people into the PDP’s top decision making group. Osun APC and Aregbesola had demystified the use of force to snatch victory – at least for now…

WHY ARE WE I N S U L T I N G P R E S I D E N T JONATHAN?

“Fighting for lost causes is a sure way to destruction.” VBQ p 60. I have spent a good part of my life fighting for causes, many of which were lost; some, at first, appeared lost but were won with perseverance and Divine intervention. Among the latter, I never expected to see a black person elected President of America when I joined young black people to do battle for voting rights in Boston in the 1960s. Yet, here we are today. So, I don’t know how to classify this campaign to get people like Lai Mohammed to stop insulting the President. Disagree with him, criticize him, yes. But, to me it serves no useful purpose to insult him. Incidentally, I wrote this article eight weeks ago; I just had no opportunity to get it published. So, if some of the references appear stale, you should understand. But, the overarching message is enduring. I discovered how much hostility any defender of President Jonathan invites, these days – even when discussing with people one

PDP candidate and the party did their homework. And they "know that Osun is tired of what is happening in the state" on the other hand I they took the loss badly. Seriously, this is not about any political party, it is about the people of Osun and they resoundedly voted for Ogbeni. They wanted a safe hand and continuity. They should be congratulated for voting with the feet and their conscience. As for the intimidation and harassment, the governor (and still the governor), said of the action by these masked agents, that they "took over the administration of security with impunity and created an adverse situation in the state." He added that "there was a deliberate attempt to muzzle the people's voice. He warned they must prevent the federal government from arbitrarily invading the territory of government within the federal structure. This is a whole sale abuse of power. I cannot agree more, Ogbeni. The big FG is the one that needs a muzzle and calls its skivvies to heel and tighten the leash as that rabid goons will turn on the hand that feeds it.He won fair and square

would regard as his “ natural” constituency. The recent disclosure that Ministers must receive permission from the President before appearing before the National Assembly, NASS, was the topic of discussion. And I had made the point that the instruction is neither new to democratic governments nor without merit. I cited the instance of late President Richard Nixon of the USA who argued for Executive Privilege – meaning that the members of the US Executive branch could not answer all the summons from the US Congress without permission from the President who is their boss and who might need their attention at the same time they are expected to appear on Capitol Hill. Furthermore, the particular Minister, Mrs Alison-Madueke, had been summoned over one hundred times by various committees of the NASS. How on earth was she to get any work done as Minister if she spends virtually all her time at the NASS? The first person to ask everybody to disregard my comments, while calling Jonathan all sorts of unprintable names, was also the first person to call me when Jonathan was elected in 2011 telling me that “God did not answer your prayers, Dele. Jonathan is President.” My reply then, and now, remains the same. “Jonathan is OUR President, whether we voted for him or not. We have no other President.” V i s i t : www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale

The pattern is predictable they breed these runaway hooligans to do their bidding and then throw them to the out once they have won the election. The problem is what happens to these m u r d e r o u s , undisciplined ragtag goons parading as agents and armed agents? Well, they become tomorrow's gun for hire. This is a dangerous game and there are no winners here as ordinary Nigerians will be victims as usual.

Ayinke is 74!

Ayinke Okin, omo olofa, you are a mum extraordinaire, a tour de force, your dazzling smile and joire de vive is a unique experience, out of one ,we are many, You are the centre in which the family revolves, you care and still offer your loving and motherly warmth no matter how near or far we are to you. You love us so deeply and I wonder how you have so much love to give to others. We wish you joy, good health and gratitude for your life. As my dad fondly calls you Ayinkus, you are a wonderful human being, wife, mother, sister, aunty, grandmother and much more. We love you so very much.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 11

States (ECOWAS) had to establish a Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG) to intervene in the crisis. The move turned out to be a major sacrifice which for a number of years consumed men, money and materials. As for who provided the resources, the force was essentially another name for the external wing of the

HE Ebola disease that has caused so much panic in Nigeria in the last one month did not evolve from among our people. It was imported from Liberia thereby sentencing Nigeria once again to the burden of carrying Liberia’s cross. It is however not a new pain; that has always been our lot. But for Nigeria, Liberia would have been dismembered long ago over its fratricidal civil war. The people did not kill only themselves; they also saw to the death of many Nigerians in their country. At a stage, they invaded our Embassy in their capitalMonrovia in breach of international law to kill our people who took refuge there as the war ravaged. A frontline Nigerian journalist, Krees Imodibe and his 2 other colleagues, who were deployed to Liberia to cover events there, as is done by media organizations worldwide, were gruesomely murdered on duty. The Economic Community of West African

the exact figure of Nigerian casualties in Liberia perhaps to assuage public feeling. But why did Nigeria do all of this for Liberia? Again when the war ended and ECOWAS decided to help the people organize an election to form a government, the burden was Nigeria’s. Apart from Ambassador Isaac Sagay who was in the electoral body, 4 Nigerian technical experts on elections including this writer were seconded to Liberia’s

Government needs to articulate a more robust approach to the Afrocentric nature of our foreign policy. Our “be your brother’s keeper’s” role has no doubt marked us out as the most selfless leader of our region but the posture must be subordinated to our own survival and welfare. That is what even the USA does

Nigeria Military. At a point, analysts imagined that the expedition gulped as much as 25% of Nigeria’s scarce resources. Indeed, Victor Malu, an army general and one-time commander of ECOMOG was to publicly confess in 2008 that government under-listed

Independent Elections Commission (IECOM) in 1997. I was charged with the management of electoral information for which I had to source huge funds from Nigeria to resuscitate the moribund Liberia Broadcasting Corporation. Although

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

Truth, reason and nation building (2)

HE sporadic violent uprisings between 1945 up to the eve of independence in which Southern Nigerians resident in the North, especially the Igbo, were attacked by their Northern compatriots, the lopsided colonial political arrangement which favoured the North despite its educational backwardness and economic dependence on the South, pernicious interethnic suspicion and political rivalry among politicians from different parts of the country, indicated that the Nigerian federation which emerged on October I, 1960 was far from being a unified colonial amalgam. The history of Nigeria from independence to the outbreak of the civil war in July 1967 has been well documented. The key point that emerges from it is that the traditional form of parliamentary democracy bequeathed the country by Britain was inappropriate for welding the ethnic nationalities together into a single cohesive geopolitical unit, and did not take into account the peculiarities of indigenous systems of governance and lifestyles. Moreover, despite its merits, the system worked out in Whitehall was impracticable in a country

where primordial ethnic cleavages, far from being obliterated or at least reduced by the colonial government, was exploited by that very government as a useful expedient for indirect rule. Hence, it was not surprising that the government of Tafawa Balewa could not deal effectively with the political upheavals in Western region and combat mindbending corruption among the political class. For Ndigbo and, ultimately, Nigerians, the most significant event in interethnic relations before the civil war was the pogroms of 1966. We have already alluded to the preindependence violence against the Igbo in different parts of Northern Nigeria. The pogroms of 1966 constitute one of the most unfortunate events in Nigeria's history because, aside from the massive scale of destruction of lives and property, Northerners, incited by members of the Northern establishment, used the January 15, 1966 coup, the so-called Igbo coup, as a pretext to launch the most savage attacks of genocidal proportion on Ndigbo living in various parts of Northern Nigeria. It must be pointed out that the purported arrogance and occasional noisy exhibitionism by the

"uppity Igbo," though annoying and provocative to others, cannot justify the pogrom. The most sensible response to it would have been for Northern leaders to implement strategies that would both gradually abolish servility among Northern youths while at the same time encouraging them to embrace Western education and entrepreneurship. That did not happen. The pogrom crossed the Rubicon when Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed and Theophilus Danjuma successfully executed their bloody revenge coup that culminated in the brutal murder of J.T.U. AguiyiIronsi. With Ironsi's death, it became obvious that Nigeria would fall apart unless centrifugal forces tending to tear her apart were checkmated expeditiously. The political and military leaders at the centre stage before the first shots were fired against the Republic of Biafra on July 1967 failed woefully to rise to the challenge. With the benefit of hindsight, one can justifiably claim that C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu-Ojukwu and prominent Igbo leaders who supported secession of Eastern region grossly underestimated the resolve of Gowon and his cohorts

Patrick Sawyer, Mrs Decontee Sawyer has since confirmed that her husband went to Nigeria in search of a cure to his illness, because according to her, Liberia has always had an epileptic’s health care system. This is a rather ridiculous story because one would have expected the man who doubles as a Liberian and an American to have headed for the USA if he was in search of good health care. The story unravels many posers. First, why did he not formally disclose the real purpose of his visit to Nigerian authorities? In other words, knowing the critical nature of the disease, why did he not forewarn our own people before coming here? Second, why did the Liberian aviation authorities allow the man to travel after he showed signs of severe illness at their airport? Third, why did he not avoid our people on arrival, as he did with his fellow Liberian citizens before boarding the aircraft from Liberia? Answers to these questions are likely to show that the submission by our President that Sawyer was crazy would aptly extend to his country and its leaders. The Nigerian people are therefore entitled to knowing the standpoint of Liberia on the many dimensions of the subject. In the first place, why was an infected person officially cleared to come to Nigeria? What has happened to the Minister who allegedly facilitated

Sawyer‘s transportation of Ebola to us? What was the nature of the ECOWAS function that Sawyer came for? What was the indispensable role he was to play at the event that made his attendance inevitable? These questions notwithstanding, the decision of Nigeria to first deal with the spread of Ebola without bothering about the grave consequences we have raised is in order. It is indeed fair to commend the role the Nigerian government has played so far to curtail the spread of the disease. Particularly noteworthy is the dynamic role of Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu in providing a direction for us all. Hereafter, Government needs to articulate a more robust approach to the Afrocentric nature of our foreign policy. Our “be your brother ’s keeper ’s” role has no doubt marked us out as the most selfless leader of our region but the posture must be subordinated to our own survival and welfare. That is what even the USA does. For instance, the restiveness of America as soon as the recent shooting down of the Malaysian flight MF 17 was reported evaporated as soon it became clear that no American was on board. Of course, it is always USA first before help goes to others. Nigeria should similarly continue to assist its neighbours without being a ‘Father Christmas’.

to maintain the geopolitical status quo left behind by British colonial administrators. The remote and proximate causes of the devastating civil war are well known. What most people do not realise is the seemingly insignificant but critical role animosity between the two principal actors, namely, Gowon and Odumegwu-Ojukwu, played in precipitating and prolonging the war. It also explains why both men did not compromise on time to save Nigeria from disaster. I believe that Gowon saw the Eastern region's choice of secession as an opportunity to get even with Ojukwu. Consider this: Gowon is the son of a Methodist clergyman and

University. Because of his academic achievement, Ojukwu, the first Nigerian graduate to enlist in the army, was promoted higher than Gowon, despite having entered the army two years after the former head of state. Someone told me in confidence that Njideka, Ojukwu's first wife, was formerly Gowon's girlfriend, but that the latter lost out in the romantic contest perhaps because Ojukwu was better educated and richer than Gowon. On the other hand, it is clear that Ojukwu considered Gowon unqualified to become head of state after the killing of Aguiyi-Ironsi, because he and Brigadier Ogundipe were senior in rank to Gowon. All this

under the leadership of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Eastern Nigeria had been the foremost advocate of One Nigeria. The region had put more effort into concrete realisation of the concept than any other group, and continuously supported its cause at both the political and economic levels. However, after the bloody revenge coup of July, the East made a complete turnaround. At the conference mentioned a moment ago, instead of supporting a tightly knit federation, with a structure similar to that envisaged by the Unification Decree 34, 1966 promulgated by Aguiyi-Ironsi, Eastern leaders proposed a loose federation of states with a high degree of internal autonomy. The Eastern position was in accord with decades of tradition in the North, whose leaders had always insisted that the best political structure for Nigeria is a relatively weak centre and strong regions. In their initial recommendation to the same conference, for example, the Northern delegation argued that "recent events have shown that for Nigerian leaders to try and build a future for the country on rigid political ideology will be unrealistic and disastrous. We have pretended for too long that there are no differences between the peoples of this country. The hard fact which we must honestly accept as of paramount importance in the Nigerian experiment especially for the future is that we are different peoples brought together by recent accidents of history. To be continued.

Ebola confirms Liberia as Nigeria’s Cross

Nigeria did all of this and other things for Liberia and our other smaller sister states in the sub-region, no one in the group appreciates Nigeria. Whether it is in our quest for a position in the United Nations, the Commonwealth or even the African Development Bank, West African States take delight in voting against Nigeria. Why then, do we, now and again, carry the burden of the sub-region? The latest cross that Liberia has imposed on us is the dreaded Ebola disease which a Dr. Patrick Sawyer stylishly transferred to us. That the man was critically ill before leaving Liberia for Nigeria was not a secret to himself, his family, his employer and his country. According to media sources, Mr. Sawyer ’s employers, ArcelorMittal, an iron mining company, suspended him from work as from July 09, 2014 because they found he had contact with his sister who died of the virus the previous day. They then referred him to the Liberian Health ministry for testing and close observation. Rather than monitor him for the mandatory period of 21days, the Liberian Government through its Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Sebastian Muah, allegedly cleared Mr. Sawyer to travel to Nigeria for an ECOWAS function in Calabar within the period he was supposedly under observation The widow of the late

We have pretended for too long that there are no differences between the peoples of this country

mission-trained evangelist from one of the smallest tribes in the North. As a young boy, he had a missionary education, and later proceeded to grammar school. Gowon joined the army at nineteen, and underwent military training in England. Ojukwu, on the other hand, was the son of a multimillionaire business tycoon. He had a first class British education, beginning with Epsom College, Surrey, and ended up with a Masters degree in Modern History from Lincoln College, Oxford

could have generated intense jealousy and hatred in Gowon towards Ojukwu. But before the Biafran war actually started, some efforts were made to save Nigeria from descending into existential black hole. For instance, on September 12 1966, an Ad Hoc Constitutional Conference was convened to work out an acceptable constitution, following the atmosphere of ethnic suspicion and hate occasioned by the araba (or secession) riots of May and the coups of January July 1966. Keep in mind that

PAGE 12 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

o understand the infamous trail of tears is not enough to know about the gamut of emotions that a senior sister and aged parents feel, grieving the tragic death of their loved ones. The intense heart-breaking and anguish signpost a deep connection that has been severed. Ada Idoko, the first daughter of the family of nine, called Aunty Ada, had joyfully and anxiously awaited the arrival of her siblings, without an inkling of what was to befall them. Seven persons, including the four siblings, died in an auto crash around 5.40 pm on the 10th of August, 2014 on their way from Ugbokolo, Benue State to Abuja. Benjamin Idoko, 23, the second son and fourth child of the family, went on official duty to Benue State and thought it fit to bring back his three of his junior ones, Adda, 21; Ene, a female, 18, and their last born, 12, all of whom had gone to the village on holiday to spend time with their parents, Mr and Mrs Idoko. Little did they know they were bidding their parents final goodbye when they were leaving Benue. The accident that claimed their lives consumed three others- a tanker driver, his assistant and a yet to be identified friend of the Idokos. The accident involved the Idokos vehicle and a fuel laden tanker. Both vehicles burst into flames on impact. No survivors. Aunty Ada, who got married early this year to Mr Christian Ujah but yet to change her maiden name as a civil servant, could not stop weeping as she kept echoing, ”I just can’t describe it. It’s unbelievable. It’s like it’s a dream that I want to wake up from”. Efforts by family members, friends and neighbours to calm her did not yield result from the Sunday she was informed up till Tuesday. Ada’s husband, Mr Christian Ujah, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard in an interview, said they were not at the accident scene when it occured and could thereby not tell if overtaking caused the crash and who was right or wrong, but admitted that an eyewitness who gave an account of how it happened confirmed that it was due to overtaking but did not state who did what. “We got to the scene of the accident after we received a call from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC about 7o’

A SISTER’S GRIEF SO DEEP

‘Losing four siblings in road accident is like a bad dream’ clock in the night on Sunday. The fire was still burning and the tanker was completely on the Hilux vehicle my deceased in-laws were travelling in, hence l could not ascertain whether the crash was caused by wrong overtaking or not,” Ujah said. In fact the FRSC invited us to their office the following day, Monday, and led us to Kwali General Hospital where the charred remains of my wife’s siblings and others were deposited. It was a gory site to behold. They were burnt beyond recognition” He said the parents-in-law, whose ages range between 60 and 65, had been told of what happened while he added that they were constantly in touch with them to make sure they don’t over react. On what bodies they were taking home to Ugbokolo for burial since they could not recognise the charred bodies of the quartet, he explained that Benue tradition allows the

TOP: The accident scene; DOWN: Left: Ene; Right: Benjamin

In fact the FRSC invited us to their office the following day, Monday, and led us to Kwali General Hospital where the charred remains of my wife’s siblings and others were deposited. It was a gory site to behold. They were burnt beyond recognition

burial of the symbols of the dead hence they would pack sand from the scene of accident to represent their bodies for burial. “We all have our traditions and the tradition from where we come from allows for a symbol for which the elders and family members have agreed to, to pack sand or gravel, as the case may be, from the accident scene home and bury.”

The charred remains, Ujah said, the family would evacuate them from the mortuary A family friend of the deceased persons, who also comes from the same village with them, Ene Ejembi, recalled that Benjamin Idoko called her when they were just about leaving Ugbokolo for Abuja that Sunday morning because, according to her, he was supposed to pick up some

things for her from her own mother ’s compound but later called again to say that they couldn’t make it to her mother ’s house as they had already left the village. Ene, who showed a picture of herself and Benjamin which she said they both snapped at a garden a week before the accident, said Benjamin specifically pleaded with her to have the picture printed out which she did not knowing that it was their last time together. Another family friend, Mrs Ejima Reuben, told Sunday Vanguard that the three deceased boys were living together in one apartment in Dutse, Abuja while Ene, the only female that died with her brothers, lived with Ada in Kubwa. The FRSC Unit Commander in Yangoji, a village close to

scene of the accident in Abuja, Mr Austin Chukwudi Okeke, told Sunday Vanguard that the tanker was on speed when the Idokos vehicle overtook it before it dawned on Benjamin Idoko, who was driving, that it wasn’t safe to overtake, and tried to return to his lane; it was in the process that he brushed the tanker. “The Toyota Hilux and the tanker filled with PMS were on the same lane from Abaji going to Abuja when the Hilux overtook the tanker but it couldn’t do that totally and it was going back to its lane when it hit the tanker and the tanker lost balance in the process, somersaulted and burst into flame almost immediately thereby killing the five occupants in the Hilux and the two occupants in the tanker”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 17, 2014 — PAGE 13

BY ABEL DANIEL

he decision by the Nasarawa State PDP-controlled legislature to impeach Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura over a 16count charge contained in an impeachment notice may have ended in a fiasco due to the interests of some PDP members whose ambition to contest the 2015 governorship election may be defeated if Almakura is impeached. If the impeachment process had scaled through, the deputy governor, Dameshi Luke, would have been sworn in as governor pending when a fresh election

C M Y K

IMPEACHMENT:

The dilemma of the Nasarawa Assembly over Gov. Almakura Lafia, described the outcome of the panel as a victory for democracy. The governor said, “My victory is for the rule of law. I am sure the people of goodwill and the people of Nasarawa State, even without coming to the tribunal, know who the governor is and what he could do and what he can or cannot do. My vindication is for the good people of Nasarawa State.” While dedicating the victory to the people of the state, he urged them to be on the right path of the law. He also commended the role played by his legal experts. In a related development, there was a drama on Thursday in

would be conducted. This created fear for those eyeing the governorship position come 2015 who may find it hard to defeat Luka. Sources told our correspondent in Lafia that there is division right now among some members of the PDP in Nasarawa over the Almakura impeachment move. Whereas a group is pleading with the assembly to end the impeachment process on the grounds that the action may lead to violence and chaos in the state, another group insists that Almakura must be impeached so that the world will know that the state does not support corrupt leadership while the impeachment may also caution those who may be tempted to tread the path of gross misconduct and financial mismanagement of state funds. According to the spokesperson of the Assembly, Hon. Baba Ibaku, “If we don’t pursue this impeachment to its logical conclusion, our people in our constituencies and the world will never take us serious. More so Almakura and his followers would assume they are untouchable, after all, the Assembly could not even check them”. Meanwhile, Almakura and his APC supporters in the state have continued to celebrate the dismissal of the impeachment allegations by the seven-man panel which investigated him for want of evidence to prove the claims contained in the impeachment notice filed by the Assembly. Almakura, who lauded the allegations dismissal in an interview with journalists in

to impeach Almakura. However supporters of APC in a counter protest sprinkled water on some major streets of Lafia and used brooms to sweep the foot prints of the PDP supporters, saying “we don’t want EBOLA in Nasarawa State”. The Nasarawa assembly earlier on Tuesday rejected the verdict of the panel set up by the state Chief Judge to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the governor. The lawmakers also insisted that they would go ahead with their plan to impeach Almakura. The panel had cleared the governor of all the charges after

We will take a firm position on the matter in due course but we will follow the Constitution; we will not act outside the Constitution but be assured that the impeachment process is still on course

Lafia when PDP supporters in the state massively embarked on a rally to express their support for the move by the Assembly

the lawmakers refused to show up and prove their allegations against him. The Assembly’s opposition to

the panel’s verdict was made known in Abuja by Mohammed Ibaku, the House Committee Chairman on Information. He said that the Assembly had expressed reservations over the composition of the committee and would therefore not recognize any decision taken by it. “We want to bring to the notice of Nigerians that the Nasarawa State House of Assembly totally dissociates itself from the decision reached by the panel set by the Chief Judge of the state which has cleared the governor of allegations levelled against him by the House”, the spokesperson said. “As far as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is concerned, the governor is yet to be exonerated of the charges levelled against him; we are not going to go to court because the matter is a constitutional matter that cannot be resolved by any court. “We will take a firm position on the matter in due course but we will follow the Constitution; we will not act outside the Constitution but be assured that the impeachment process is still on course”. He alleged that the actions and

activities of the panel were illegal and a gross violation of the Constitution of Nigeria. According to the Assembly’s spokesman, some people want to “cook and eat the law” and it will not be accepted. The lawmaker dismissed reports that the Assembly had dragged the governor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, noting that he had dragged himself to the anti-graft agency. He also said that the Assembly would not join issues with the state Chief Judge on his refusal to reconstitute the probe panel at the behest of the House. “The governor has taken himself to the EFCC already; the House does not need to drag him to the antigraft body; by his actions he has taken himself to court already. “The House will not join issues with the Chief Judge; we will allow the law to take its course on matters relating to his conduct. For now, we are focused on the issue of the impeachment and not the conduct of the Chief Judge”. In another development, PDP stakeholders in Nasarawa State have expressed support for the position of the lawmakers. Their position was contained in a communiqué signed by 84 members of the stakeholders’ forum after its meeting on Tuesday. “On behalf of the leaders and members of the PDP in Nasarawa State, we strongly reaffirm our support and solidarity for the constitutional actions carried out by members of the House of Assembly in respect of the ongoing impeachment process”, the communiqué stated. It called on security agencies to provide adequate security for the legislators in the course of discharging their duties and urged members of the public to remain law abiding. It, however, stated that the party would resist attempts by the APC “to undermine the ongoing democratic process in the state”. Also, last week, Nasarawa APC blamed the botched impeachment move against Almakura on the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, and a former governor, Alhaji Akwe Doma, and called on the people of the state to resist “the selfish ambition of any one who may want to set the state ablaze using the Assembly to remove Almakura”.

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

MURDER CONTROVERSY

They hid the facts after killing my only son, cries 65-yr-old widow •Deceased was armed robbery victim —Police BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

he murder of 41-yearold Peter Alechenu Anyebe in Makurdi, Benue State capital, is generating furore. This is understandable. Alechenu was the only child of his aged mother and, until his death, was known for his gentility and humility. While family members and friends are yet to come to terms with the bizarre circumstance surrounding the death of the graduate of human sociology and husband of the Wadata Branch Manager of First Bank in Makurdi, his 65-year-old mother, Mrs Mercy Ochoga Anyebe, has pleaded with the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, to intervene with a view to unravelling the mysterious murder of her only child. Narrating the story of her son’s death to Sunday Vanguard amid tears, Mrs Anyebe, a widow, said she was facing the biggest ordeal of her life. She said, “On the 18th of July, 2014, at about 7am, I got a call from my daughter inlaw, Mrs. Eunice Eyime Anyebe, saying that she sent my son, Peter Alechenu Anyebe, to her office (First Bank Wadata Branch) the night before to pick up some scrap materials that would be used for animal pen. “She said he left the house at about 9pm and did not come back all the night, saying that calls put to his cell phone were not replied. “At that point, I asked who was with her. She said she was with my son’s cousin, Goddy Ejembi. I immediately asked that Goddy should drive her to my house so that we could get to the police. “I also inquired about who my son’s closest friend was. She said one Doctor Justice. Before she got to me, I ran to the house of the best friend to relay to him the story I was just told by my daughter-inlaw. “I asked the friend whether C M Y K

Bereaved wife, Mrs. Eunice Anyebe he saw my son. He said he saw Alechenu earlier that same day he disappeared. “I told him the wife said she sent him to the security guard at her office to pick up some scrap materials that they wanted to use for animal pen, and that she was calling the number all night, that one of his phones was switched off while the one that was ringing was not picked. “His friend also tried the number. It rang and nobody picked it; I begged his friend to go and search for him because he was not one that kept late night. I begged that he should follow me and look for my only child. “Me, my son’s cousin, his friend and wife went to town searching for him. We searched all over the town to no avail. “As we were going round, we called the number, and nobody picked, until some minutes to 10am we tried the number again and one man picked the call. “We asked who he was. He said he was a police officer. I then asked what he was doing with my son’s phone. He said he could not talk to me on phone; that we should come to the ‘E Division’ Police Station. “We went there and they revealed to us that he was

The late Peter Alechenu Anyebe

Aged mother, Mrs. Mary Ochoga Anyebe

They said his body was recovered in a gutter on Abu Shuluwa Road, opposite the Youth Centre while his car was found at the Wurukum Roundabout. My question is, how did they connect the deceased to a car that was found elsewhere? shot by robbers or unknown gunmen, that his body had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi. “I started crying and shouting. They moved me out of the station. I asked them to take me to where they kept his body. They said I could not follow them. I begged his friend, Doctor Justice, and the wife’s brother who went along with us; they followed them to the FMC where they saw his body. “The facts surrounding the killing of my only son as told by the police do not tally with the physical evidence presented. “Firstly, the photograph of his body they took did not show any struggle. The dress he wore had little or no blood stain, there were no signs of

gunshot on his car and everything in the car was properly arranged. “Secondly, examination of his body showed that he was shot on the neck and the lower abdomen; and the police failed to contact his family before taking him to the hospital. We also discovered that the points he was shot were stitched and his body cleaned up without our knowledge even though the police had his phone. “They said his body was recovered in a gutter on Abu Shuluwa Road, opposite the Youth Centre while his car was found at the Wurukum Roundabout. My question is, how did they connect the deceased to a car that was found elsewhere? “Furthermore, while we were calling his line and it

was ringing, his phones were with the police and they did not answer any of the calls, and also did not make any effort to contact any of his relations. “And up till now, one of his phones is missing, if the second phone is produced, we will know who called him last and that would go a long way to help the investigations”. She continued, “After seeing all these, I wrote a petition to the AIG Zone 4, on the 22nd of July, 2014 pleading that he unravels those who murdered my son. He promised that he would get to the root of the matter. “He also instructed that the case file be transferred from the State Police Command to Zone 4. “I also informed him that I was moving the remains of my son from the FMC to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, for postmortem examination, which he approved. “I moved him there on the 24th of July and the examination was done at about 11:45am. And the doctor confirmed that it was a case of homicide. “Apart for the gunshot, his body was intact and unnumbered. He was my only son, only child; no brother, no sister. “He was a complete gentleman, which can be attested to by anybody who came in contact with him. He was a struggling man even though born with a silver spoon, chose to sweat to become whatever he was before he was murdered. “He never drank nor smoked and never belonged to any gang or group of any kind. He was a practicing Christian who worshipped at Living Faith Church. “I’m only calling on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to order a full scale investigation into the mysterious murder of my son because I’m suspecting that there was a set-up and a foul play in his death. “To lose my only child and son at my age when he is Continues on page 15

SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 17, 2014 — PAGE 15

ressure is mounting on officials and potential delegates of Kaduna State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of its October primary elections to elect candidates for the 2015 polls, Sunday Vanguard findings revealed at the weekend. This is coming one week after the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, in the state alleged that Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero was planning a rally in southern Kaduna-PDP’s traditionally stronghold in the state- to pave the way for his adoption as the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 gubernatorial election. There has been no denial from Yero or the state branch of the PDP to the much publicised allegation. Vice President Namadi Sambo and Yero are said to be offering the irresistible offer of automatic ticket to all incumbent elected officials at local, state and federal levels in return for total support for the re-election of the governor and Senator Nenadi Usman, representing Southern Kaduna senatorial zone. Yero was said to be an accountant in Sambo’s Nalado Enterprise and the VP is seen as the man still calling the shots in

SAMB O, YER O AND 20 15 AMBO, YERO 201

Uneasy calm in Kaduna PDP

Kaduna. The governor, who was deputy to the late Governor Patrick Yakowa, never contested an election before b e c o m i n g governor after the death of Yakowa - a factor that may be hindering him from gaining acceptance among top PDP stalwarts in the state who accuse his government of poor performance. Sambo, on his part, who as

By LUKA BINNIYAT

*Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero

governor introduced Yero into the political terrain in 2007 to serve as his Finance Commissioner, has never won any election at his polling unit, his ward, and local government area, since he became the Vice President in 2009. “The Vice President is not sure

if President Jonathan will still take him as his running mate, come 2015, since Jonathan is likely to pick the ticket of the PDP with ease”, said a source in Kaduna. “So, he does not want to lose both ways; he wants to ensure that his godson, Yero, returns

Most of the pressure of the two politicians is mounted on southern Kaduna delegates and party officials

with the senator representing Southern Kaduna. With that, even if he is out of the Aso Villa, he would still have influence in the state, especially in southern Kaduna. He knows that the APC is having the national and state assemblies’ seats in the northern part of the state come 2015. “Most of the pressure of the two politicians is mounted on southern Kaduna delegates and party officials. The area is the only place that has never failed the PDP since 1999. But the image of the party is fast waning since the demise of Yakowa and the low rating of Yero which has allowed the APC to make a good incursion. “Unfortunately for the PDP, the Vice President’s insistence retaining poor performing elected persons is causing a

crack in the party. The clear effect is that if he got it his way, then PDP can kiss southern Kaduna bye. And with the APC firmly in grip of the northern area of Kaduna, we will be seeing the APC controlling Kaduna State in 2015". All attempts to reach the Vice President, through his spokesman, Umar Sani, failed. But a close aide to Sambo, who said he had no permission to officially respond to such issues, said that it would be unfair to criticise the Vice President and the governor for lobbying to advance their political interests. He said even if the VP and Yero were involved in such a scheme, they would still think of the best interest of the PDP.

‘They hid the facts after killing my only son’ Continued from page 14

supposed to take care of me is a burden too much for me to carry. Every day I keep waiting for his call or his knock at the gate to visit me, but it’s not happening. I am helpless in this matter. “ Mrs. Anyebe, who said she had already petitioned the police authorities over the matter, said, “Whatever they do will certainly not bring back my son, but if I get justice, I will be fulfilled and it will also help check the unwarranted murder of innocent citizens in our country.” Corroborating the story of his mother-in-law, wife of the deceased, Mrs. Eunice Anyebe, who managed to utter some words to Sunday Vanguard, lamented that so many questions relating to her husband’s death remained unanswered. “How come the parts of his body that were shot were stitched and his body was cleaned up and embalmed? Who gave such orders and who directed the stitching of his body? Moreover there was little

or no blood stain on his body or the clothes he wore. “That is why we are insisting that the circumstance leading to the death of my husband is suspicion and we demand explanation”. Reacting to the death of Alechenu, his mate at Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School, Makurdi, Engr. Patrick Okoh, testified that he was a gentleman who would never engage in a quarrel with anyone. “His demise is painful because that man was an embodiment of peace and a perfect gentleman who everyone was proud of because he never indulged in negative habits.” “We will certainly miss a worthy dear friend who lived an exemplary life that was worthy of emulation”. Meantime, Benue State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent (SP) Daniel Ezeala, exonerated itself from any complicity in the matter. The statement read, “On the 17th of July 2014, at about 11pm, police officers in Makurdi

were alerted that a gang of suspected armed robbers in an ash 406 station wagon car were robbing at Katsina-Ala Street, Makurdi and that they had shot somebody after which they started heading towards Wurukum Roundabout. “Patrol teams from the police headquarters were mobilized to the scene when another victim of the robbery (names withheld) further alerted the police on phone that robbers in a 406 station wagon came to rob him of an undisclosed amount and collected his car keys at KatsinaAla Street, and drove off. “The suspected armed robbers, who were chased by the police, later abandoned the 406 car they were operating in at Wurukum Roundabout and escaped, leaving the ignition key of the car. “The car was recovered to the police headquarters where it was searched and a bunch of cars keys belonging to the victim at Katsina-Ala Street alongside an ID card belonging to Peter Alechenu Anyebe were recovered.

“The victim of the Katsina Ala incident made a statement to the police and his car keys were released to him on bond. “Nobody came to lay claim to the 406 car, until the following day when police received a report that a corpse was seen lying in a gutter along Abu King Shuluwa Road, Makurdi. “The police went and evacuated the corpse that had marks of gunshot, to the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi where the deceased was later identified as Peter Alechenu Anyebe by his relations and also as the one who owned the 406 station wagon the suspected robbers were using. “Meanwhile, in the wake of the alleged killing of Peter Alechenu Anyebe by the aforementioned gang of armed robbers on the 17th of July 2014, full scale investigation was commenced into the case. “It was on the 6th of August 2014 that the gang was burst with the arrest of one Torkuma Mbanongun at Wurukum Motor Park, Makurdi, with one AK47 rifle and two locally made pistols while other members of the gang

took to their heels. “The police later arrested some other members of the gang, including Sunday Chiangi alias Sunday Kpoki and UsmanYakubu all of Makurdi.” Ezeala stated further, “They have confessed to the killing of Peter Alechenu Anyebe, the owner of the 406 station wagon, and also the murder of Sergeant Bawa Edoga of the police headquaters in Makurdi who was killed in the early hours of 31st of July 2014, and his AK 47 and 37 rounds of live ammunition (now recovered) taken”. The PPRO said the trio also confessed to carrying out several high profile robbery incidents in Makurdi that led to the killing of some individuals. He added that the police was on the trail of the escaping gang members, stressing that the Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Deputy Commissioner, DCP, Femi Oyeleye, had ordered full scale onslaught on perpetrators of crimes and criminality in all parts of the state. C M Y K

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 17

Why I don’t do obscene scenes

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Real reason we broke up KUSH — Lara George

ara George began her musical journey in her Alma-mater school choir- Queens’ College Yaba Lagos. Years later, she transformed into a professional whose inspirational style of delivery helped define the new sound and direction of Nigerian gospel music. While studying Architecture at the University of Lagos Akoka, Lara joined the fellowship music team on campus, where she met Ty Bello, Emem Emma, and Dapo Torimiro . Then the musical group called KUSH, was born. But just when the group was about to have a firm grip on the pulse of gospel music in the country, the unexpected happened – they broke up! It was a shattering experience not only to the trio of Ty, Lara and Emem but also to their fans. “I was a bit upset about the KUSH break-up. I felt like I had put my whole life on hold just to accommodate KUSH but it ended that way, this made me decided never to do music again. (smiles) Of course, as you know, that decision did not exactly last long” Lara told Potpourri in chat recently. Ten years down the line, not much has been offered about what actually caused the breakup. The much any of the four partners have ever let off was saying, ‘‘It just happened. We grew apart and it I think it happened for the better’. But Lara, Lara George the “Ijoba Orun’ crooner has eventually broken the ice. “Music at the time when KUSH started was a very difficult thing to do particularly for three young professionals with so many career options. It was tough keeping things together at that time because the pressure the financial uncertainty brought took its toll on us as a group and everyone started to drift apart until we were no longer able to keep things going” she said However, Lara she re-launched her music career with a solo debut album titled ‘Forever In My heart’ with Hit Single “Ijoba Orun’. The much-celebrated album earned Lara several nominations and awards such as ‘Voice of the Year 2008’ Nigeria Music Awards, as well as ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Female Artiste of the Year’, Nigeria Gospel Music Awards 2009.

— Amara Nnachi A

mara Veronica Nnachi, a graduate of University of Nigeria, began life in Nollywood as an actress but soon made a detour into scriptwriting and movie productions because she had issues with a number of things concerning the industry. One of such issues is doing sensual or sexual scenes, which according to her doesn’t go well with her person. “I have seen some movies and I don’t like how they are done. I’ve always been saying that when I shoot my own movie, I think I’m going to do better. I don’t believe in your giving me obscene roles. Obscene scenes don’t make a great movie. What makes a great movie is the story, just have a strong theme. It’s just the story that makes a great movie not obscene scene or whatever. If I want to write porn, I know it’s porn and if I want to do a good movie, I know it’s a good movie so it shouldn’t be all about obscene scenes” she said matter-of-fact. The budding movie producer who just produced her first movie ‘Elisa’ featuring ten-year old, Daniella Okoye, Oma Iyasara, Richard Nwosu and Emmanuel Ilembayo posited she would never shoot or write a script that contains adult scenes because she just doesn’t go with the line of thought that it sells movies. “I believe in putting a comedy scene that will make people laugh than putting a sex scene when it’s not a porn movie. If you’re trying to portray a couple in a movie, like a boyfriend and a girlfriend, you know definitely that they are having sex. The audience know, they are not fools so you don’t have to emphasize on it by showing them that see what has happened, these people are really doing it. this is not Hollywood, this is Nollywood, this is Africa and we are different from them. Our tradition and our beliefs are way different from theirs. Africans are meant to be decent people”.

I am a proud person not arrogant — Frederick Leonard M

•Frederick Leonard

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aybe he doesn’t have a profile as long and rich as Jim Iyke, or the fame and fortune of Richard Mofe Damijo but Anambra State-born actor, Frederick Leonard has the looks and passion most good-looking actors would wish they have. He hasn’t been around for long but he is already picking roles and having to do away with some because he is hot in demand. The dashing, fast-rising star may not have a claim to having done many movies, not because the roles are not coming but because he has vowed to check the kind of films he features. According to him, he believes in featuring only in high quality films. This and more has made many labeled the actor as being pompous and arrogant. When Potpourri took the matter to him, he was rather joyfully disposed to clear the air. “Arrogance! That I am a proud person? Or that I have confidence is another thing altogether. I’ve been wanting to address this issue for a long time. You can’t succeed in any sphere of life if you wake up every morning trying to please your next door neighbour. One of the challenges we face as entertainers is that people just see you from afar and judge you. It’s quite disappointing, why would you stay 500 metres away and judge a book? Why not go through the pages of the book? As an actor, you would never succeed if you are not confident” he said “Being sure of yourself and knowing what you do goes a long way. There are lots of actors that are not really fantastic, but because they are confident, they come across like they know the job. Why would you not exude confidence if you really know the job? It’s one of the key elements of being a good entertainer. But in the real world, if you exude much of that confidence, you are termed arrogant. I do not know see myself as being arrogant; I see myself as a proud, confident person.

Amara Nnachi

PAGE 18 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

Top celebrity endorsements and their worth

•Funke

By DAMILOLA SHOLOLA

ndorsements from various corporate bodies have become a major source of revenue for top entertainment celebrities. Musicians, comedians and Nollywood stars now smile to the banks on account of what they get paid by these blue chip companie These endorsement deals are usually worth multi millions of naira and our celebrities are laughing all the way to the bank. We highlight celebrities with the most endorsements and how much they’re worth Funke Akindele – N20 million deal with Vita Foam Funke Akindele shot into prominence with the release of her smash hit movie Jenifa where she made over #60 million. Since then, she has become the queen of endorsements with numerous brands using her to advertise their products. Her endorsements include Vitafoam where she got #20 million. Telecoms giant Globacom, Jobberman.com,

C M Y K

•Iyanya

•Genevieve

Qlichy.com, Klin detergent, Lagos Inland Revenue Service and Nigeria’s premier detergent, OMO are among those paying the actress mouth-watering money to represent them in our capacity or the other.

Range Rover Evogue, Etisalat, Polo and Amstel Malta. The Etisalat deal alone earned her N100 million.The Polo deal is put in the region of N70 while the Cintrion drink rakes in N50 million for the actress.

Don Jazzy – N50 million package from Loya Milk Don Jazzy has become a very wealthy man, even making Forbes List as the richest artiste in Nigeria. The CEO of Mavin Records isn’t only making money from his star-studded record label, he also has very lucrative endorsement deals including one with Loya Milk where he got nothing less than #50 million. His #25 million deal with MTN, and his mouthwatering endorsement with Samsung Africa rake in millions of naira.

Iyanya –N60 million MTN deal After winning MTN Project Fame in 2008, Kukere crooner Iyanya made a lot of money from his jaw-dropping endorsement deals with top brands. His endorsement deal with MTN is worth #60 million. He also has a $350,000 endorsement deal with Zinox computers and a #35 million deal with phone manufacturing company Solo Mobile where he also received a 2014 Prado SUV.

Genevieve Nnaji: N100 million Etisalat deal Genevieve Nnaji is one of the richest actresses in Nollywood and she achieved the feat not only by starring in high budget films but also by promoting several blue chip brands. Some of the brands she is representing or has represented include Lux, Cintrion Energy drink,

Wizkid - MTN is worth N45 million His deal with Telecommunications network MTN is worth #45 million. Wizkid also has endorsement deal with Pepsi worth about $350,000. He has another endorsement deal with Guinness. No wonder the Jaiye Jaiye crooner could afford to replace his crashed 25 million naira Porsche Panamera with a brand new one just two weeks after.

•Wizkid

•Banky W

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 19

Top celebrity endorsements and their worth

•Dbanj

•Tiwa Savage

Omawumi – Glo deal worth N25 million Omawumi shot into limelight after becoming 1st runner up at the 2007 West African Idols. She is now one of the highest paid female artistes charging up to 5 million naira per show. She is also one of the singers with the highest number of endorsement deals. Glo deal is said to worth N25 million. Others include including Konga worth between 5 – 10 million naira, Mortein and Malta Guinness Tiwa Savage – MTN deal worth N30 million Apart from her very successful music career the First Lady of Mavin Records, also has a number of juicy endorsement deals worth several millions of naira. Her MTN deal is reportedly worth N30 million. Other deals include contracts with Pepsi, Forte Oil and Maggi

•Omawumi

C M Y K

Davido – N30 million MTN Pulse deal Aye crooner Davido has deals with MTN Pulse and Guinness Nigeria. While the Guinness deal hasn’t been declared his MTN contract is reported to have made the Omo Baba Olowo N30 million

•Davido

richer. Banky W, Kate Henshaw, Mr Ibu, Saka R & B Singer Banky Wellington popularly known as Banky W is smiling to the bank with his jaw-dropping N100 million endorsement deal with Samsung mobile as well as his endorsement with MTN. Kate Henshaw also has an endorsement with Samsung as the Face of Samsung Mobile. She has other multimillion naira endorsements like Face of Blessing Perfume and Face of Onga. Veteran Nollywood Actor Mr Ibu has been entertaining movie lovers for a very long time. Just recently, he got two very lucrative endorsement deals, one as an ambassador for Sports Betting company MerryBet and another one as brand ambassador for GoTv. Saka is known for his strange roles in movies. The funny actor is known for his ‘I don port’ campaign and he received a whopping #20 million when he switched from Etisalat to MTN. He also has a lucrative deal with Soulmate hair cream where he had appeared a number of their adverts

D’Banj gets close to N100 million, Psquare N140 from Glo Dbanj’s deal with Glo is said to be in the region of N100 million while Psquare’s deal with same outfit goes for N140 million. Just few months after Mike Ezuronye was dropped as Glo Ambassador, he ported to Airtel in a very lucrative endorsement deal running into millions. Burna Boy and Waje have multimillion naira endorsement deals as Glo Ambassadors. Limpopo crooner Kcee and Chidinma are both MTN Ambassadors with lucrative deals worth over #20 million each. Flavour N’albania Flavour has become one of the most sought after Nigerian artistes and charges nothing less than 4.5 million – 5 million naira for shows in Nigeria and #8 million naira to perform at international events. He has multimillion naira endorsements with well known brands such as Globacom, Harp and Onga seasoning.

PAGE 20 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

Why I can’t kiss any actor on set —Jaiye Kuti

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

aiye Kuti is a woman of many parts. She is an actress, producer, businesswoman and the Chief Executive Officer of Jaylex Aesthetic Productions, a company which specialises in film, video and television productions. The sultry actress explains the secret of her success both at the home front and the make-believe world despite the peculiarities of her chosen career.

C M Y K

Apart from English soaps you do, you seem to be doing only Yoruba films, why? The Yoruba took me over and once in a while when I am called for English movies, I definitely go for it. At a time, I worked for Eminet .People have the perception that I am a soap opera person so it is difficult to change. But this is not the case in Yoruba movies, many actors and actresses want Jaiye Kuti in their films for the motherly role. And as a typical Yoruba woman, I want to dedicate more time for Yoruba movies and soap operas.

Has your husband ever been intimidated by other men because of you? My husband can never be intimidated by any man. I happen to marry a good man who knows and understands his wife passionately. He gives me what makes him my husband. H plays his fatherly role to the children, no man can stand up to my man in any way.

What was your first appearance on set, soap or a movie? It was a comedy soap opera. I was invited for an audition by my younger brother’s friend who I had earlier told I wanted to go into acting fully. I got the job for a 15 episode soaps “Laff Patterns” . From there I took on to soaps like Everyday People, One Love, Face To Face, Spiders and many others.

Talking about home videos, why haven’t you been taking many lead roles? In most of the movies, the story is about a young man and a woman. So I take the sub lead role as the mother of the main character and a mother is supportive .

Which pays more, soaps or movies? For me, both pays well but soaps pay me more. Because it takes longer time.

At this age and as a married woman, do you still get advances from men? Yes, all the time in fact on daily basis I get advances from both younger and older men. I am beautiful but as a mother and a good wife, I apply wisdom in dealing with them. I know I have what a man would see or feel that would make him want me but I would never cheat on my man.

When did you start acting? I have been acting for decades. I was born with the talent but I didn’t venture into it early because I was not sure of myself and I didn’t want to lose my office job as a Personal Assistant, but in 2002,I followed my dreams and started acting professionally.

Was it because you started with soaps that makes you feature more in them than movies? No, though soaps were the first opportunity I had but that is not the reason for featuring more in soaps. My husband loves soaps than movies and that is why I feature more in soaps. At the initial stage, my husband was afraid of my leaving the house for a long time. For soaps you can spend a month or two in the house before going for the next episode or another one. As it is, I leave the house everyday but ensures I sleep in my house whenever my location is within Lagos. But I have to be in both.

that for movies you have to stay out of your house for a week or two but soaps you can switch between your house and location for months. In an episode, you can have like six scenes and when you have 15 episodes, it means you have like 90 scenes to act. Soaps take longer time but one can still go home.

Could the reason be your stature? I think so. I have a physique of an African woman and indeed I am a mother. I also like to play the role of a mother because I just have to portray what is inside of me. It is not as if I do not take other challenging roles too. How do you compare the experience; doing soaps and movies? The experience is the same. The two is about reading , interpreting and delivering a script. The only difference is

There was a time he told me “I wish you were much younger, I would have taught you how to make better romantic scenes”

How do you think your husband feels when doing sexual roles? My husband is not bothered. My husband is even of the opinion that Nollywood is not doing well enough. There was a time he told me “I wish you were much younger, I would have taught you how to make better romantic scenes”. I have never done a tongue to tongue kissing with any actor and I am not saying my husband encourages that too. But he is saying I can be more romantic even in my looks or touch while acting. Are you saying your marriage is preventing you from some roles? No, but I can never have a wet kiss with another man.. I really don’t know how my husband will feel but I will rather drop that job than kiss another man, tongue to tongue. There are some actors you dare not put your mouth into theirs. Not Jaiye Kuti. How do you see the injection

of sex scenes into our films? Sex is everywhere. And there are stories that would not be well told if there are no sex scenes and Nollywood is trying its best to censor our films. Why do we always have sex scandals in Nollywood? It is not peculiar to Nollywood. Every occupation has sex scandal, it is only popular in Nollywood because everybody is interested in us. I am not supporting promiscuity. I have never dated anybody in the industry and I have no godfather. But sex is everywhere. We do films that teaches family values and condemn abnormal sexuality. What has been your worst location experience? It was a time when I got to a location and sat throughout the day because nothing was in place and after wasting my day, I had to sleep in my car because there was no provision for where I would sleep. Some had to sleep at the bar. I think they had financial problem because many things went wrong in that location. Since then I take extra money with me when going on locations. What was the worst thing ever written about you and what measures did you take? I have been scandal-free. The only one was when it went viral that I got married to Wasiu Alabi Odetola popularly known as Pasuma. So many did not know it was in a movie, I got many calls wanting to why I disappointed them. A woman who wanted to join Nollywood and was still begging her husband for his consent called me saying she does use me as a good example of decent and happily married actresses and now I have shattered her hope. I took the pain of explaining things to her and now she is following her dreams. What is the nicest thing acting has brought you? Acting has kept my marriage and I will always thank God for this. Apart from acting, do you engage in other things? Yes, I am into lands and properties. I have properties in Agbowa and Imota. My husband has two hotels and I am in charge of the bar. I also get things to sell when I am out of the country. That is one of the good things about acting, it gives room for other things since you are the boss of your self. Future plans? I am working on a platform where I can educate women to be better mothers and a supportive wife to their husbands. I aspire to be a mother that can correct a nation.

The Potpourri team Ayo Onikoyi, Editor Florence Amagiya Damilola Sholola Aderonke Adeyeri

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 21

Stick to the rules of the game By Yetunde Arebi

EX can be fun and so, so pleasurable. It is a game which comes with its own set of rules. When these rules are breached, the partners are not likely to get the desired result. To get the best out of your partner and up your game at any given opportunity for a rump in the hay, you need to adhere to the rules. Some of the no-go-areas have been listed below: No necro sex please! To have great sex, you must be in the mood and connected to your partner. So, unless necrophilia is his thing, he expects you to actively participate in the action. Never be afraid or too shy to let yourself go and enjoy the moment. It may not be too easy, but it makes the game more interesting and fulfilling if partners learn to meet each other at least half way during sex. This does not mean you have to be loud and vulgar like a porn star. Initiate kisses, touch and caress his body. Sex is a game for two consenting adults, don't make it seem like you are being forced to endure it. What's your name, Mary or Sue? This might happen to anyone, especially if they are in a new relationship, cheating on their partners or still emotionally tied to a previous

relationship. You might call out to Jane in the heat of passion, when you are actually in the arms of Mary. This is very inappropriate and could even bring an abrupt end to the fun at hand. If it happens, you will need to quickly jam on your thinking cap to twist and confuse your partner or just pretend that it never happened. Unless you are paying for the sex, no one will

look down there. It is rude to start complaining or spitting around. Remember, if you find oral sex rather gross, there is no need to participate in it. Stick to what you like and makes you comfortable. Women especially are inclined to endure sex and do next to nothing about making it better for themselves and their partners. Many of us are

Many women believe that because men initiate sex most of the time, they ought to be prepared for the act and come with the condoms love to know that you are thinking of someone else while sweating it out in their arms. No crying after spilt milk For most people, going down on a partner might not be their idea of having a nice time. Not everyone is carefree and confident about their bodies and how they look naked. If you have agreed to give your partner the blow job or cunnilingus, there is no need to turn around and start hurting their feelings by painting how it feels, tastes or

tied to guys who lack understanding of the mysterious vajayjay. It your guy is not hitting the spot, please don't endure sex in silence. If you don't speak up he will never try to even attempt to make things right. Be the master of your own game Many women are still stuck in the stone age. They believe that since men desire sex more often than women, and conspicuously enjoy •Ray, 35, tall and resides in Lagos, needs a matured lady, aged 45-60.07042692768, 08033817773 •Ochas, 30, from Delta state, needs a girl, aged 25-30, who is God fearing and humble, for a serious relationship, that can lead to marriage.08063570969 •David, 21, needs a girl, aged 19-20, for a relationship. 08107996569 •Tony, 50, a widower, in Edo state, needs a lady from Edo, Delta or Kogi state, for a relationship that will lead to marriage. 08187387175 •Sola, 42, handsome, kind and humble, needs a loving and kind lady, aged 35-45, for a discreet relationship.08189813148 •Kelly, 30, needs a sexy mature older woman for sexual dates & secret affair. 08064557605 •Jerry, 26, from Delta State, needs a lady, for a serious relationship. 08167361297 •Ope, 28, tall, fair in complexion and resides in Lagos, needs a mature woman who can take good care of him, aged 30-35. 08023881227, 07026284265 •Egor, a student, needs a lady,

same too, it is their duty to make to do all the prep work. And when they do not get the satisfaction they crave, they still heap the blame on the blokes for lacking tact and being selfish. The truth is, to enjoy sex, you need to feel sexy, be sensual, will your body and senses towards achieving your desired goals. So, take matters into your own hands too and help meet him half way by stoking your own fires burning. Take a hot bath, read an erotic or romantic novel or watch porn. Yes, porn! No one says its meant for men's viewing alone. Create your own sexual fantasy and relive it in your head and you will find that it is easier to wake up your sexual energy than you earlier imagined. Join the Boys Scout Many women believe that because men initiate sex most of the time, they ought to be prepared for the act and come with the condoms. Please, wake up from your slumber! No one is more responsible for your sexual health other than you. So, don't be caught napping, if you are not in a committed relationship, come with your condom to bed. Odours gases Whether you are a woman or man, it is never okay to fart during sex as it is very unattractive. Many couples in long term relationships often tend to take things for granted and break wind on their partners indiscriminately. Even when the other does not exhibit similar habit, they still believe it is a no-issue. Farting while

aged 22 and above, for a serious relationship.08169259203 •Leonard, a student, resides in Owerri, needs a girl for relationship, aged 19- 24. 07061319949 •A guy, 33, 5.6ft tall, from Delta Friends state, needs a lady, from Urhobo, for a serious relationship, that will Searching Females lead to marriage. 08063970629, 08054111966 •A lady, 26, a student, from •Frank, 30, employed, handsome, Benin, needs a matured and God fearing, with muscular body, employed guy, who reside in needs a God fearing, beautiful, Benin or Lagos for friendship, sexy, busty and independent lady, aged 30 and above. for a serious relationship. 07032386744,0 8136451725 08068227710 •Philip, 45, tall, fair complexion, Searching Male needs a lady aged 24-50 for fun. •Kelvin, 24, resides in Warri, 08168644464 Delta state, needs a female •Emmy, 34, needs a lady for a seSearching Male rious relationship. 08035208627 friend.07035299928 •Trust, 24, tall, resides in Delta, •Andrew, 22, a student needs •Valentine, 23, an artist, resides needs a financially buoyant and a female friend, aged 18-21, in Anambra state, needs a lady, caring mature lady, aged 24-40, for within Lagos or Delta. aged 25-50, for a serious relationa serious relationship. ship. 07061549614 08086209130, 08189218839 • Pius, employed and resides in 08160331239, 0816628923 9 •Prince, needs a sexy and rich Lagos, needs a God fearing and •Jim, 42, a security guard, in Ifo female friend, aged 17-20. decent lady for a wife. Ogun state, needs a lady, who is 08140948343 08152355667, 08034594897, buoyant, for marriage, either a 08169639677 widow or divorcee.08136777502 Lovers •Henry, 23, needs an Urhobo girl, •A man 50, highly educated a lecSearching Female for marriage, aged 18-24. turer and PhD holder, a Christian, 08104891206, 08182626488 from Imo state, needs a young Ibo, Urhobo or Isoko, lady, who is decent and a Christian, aged 30, for a relationship. 07013761771 Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in •Sam, 49, a lawyer, from Edo state, or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does but resides in Lagos state, needs a God fearing lady, from Edo or so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking. Delta, who is employed, aged 36Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of 39, for a serious relationship. requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore 08123172801 request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to •Sypra, needs a good, nice, hard enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For working, sexy and romantic girl, enquiries, text or call 08026651636 for a relationship, that will lead to

•Chioma,33, tall, slim, fair in complexion, a graduate, employed and resides in Onitsha, Anambra state, needs an educated, single, rich man, from Anambra state only, who is ready to settle down, aged 35-40. 08177447873 •Mandy, 24, sexy, fair in complexion and hot, needs a nice looking and caring guy, for a relationship, aged 35-50. 08054486565,08099668407 •Termitope, 24, single and educated, needs a responsible man,aged 30-40, for a serious relationship. 08137388353

DISCLAIMER!

having sex is almost the same as farting in an enclosed public place. Even if you think it is okay to break wind because you think it will be silent, don't forget that the aftermath and lingering smell can offensive, breaking the tone of the moment. Avoid farting at all cost while having sex. Same for belching and coughing, puking or vomiting. Rear entry forbidden Unless you have been in a very long relationship where you both have broken down all inhibitions and/or are aware of each other sexual preferences, you do not try out kinky sex on your partner without talking it through first. It is very rude and against sex rule to insert anything, finger, butt plug, penis, vibrator or any other object in the rear of your partner. Diving into such a place without prior notice might be quite shocking and uncomfortable. Phone If you intend to make a success of your time in the sack, you must be prepared to devote quality time and concentration to it. Leave your phones, laptops, BBM, Facebook and Twitter messages alone and only follow the motion of the game at hand. Answering calls and texts while having sex is a no, no and rather insulting to your partner. Same with reading the newspapers, chewing gum or laughing. Sex is a serious business and needs concentration and focus.

marriage.07033991222 •A man, needs a God fearing, caring, trustworthy and honest Christian lady, with 1 or 2 kids, who can assist him financially and spiritually, for a relationship. 07035747153 •A guy, married, needs a lady who is ready to settle down. 081899929491, 08189992949 •Mike, needs a lady, aged 18-30, who resides in Lagos, for a relationship. 08140915999 •Milo, 28, dark in complexion, nice, tall and good looking, needs a nice lady for a nice relationship, in Delta state.08066973816, 07019384410 •Ade, 30, needs a rich and sexually starved lady in Lagos. 08127702435 •Peter, from Delta state, needs a lady, who is lovely and sexy, for a relationship. 07039606382 •OZ, 30, self employed, from Benin, needs a born again lady, for marriage. 08185958415 •Rex, humble and friendly, resides in Warri, needs a lady, who is fat, caring, any complexion and tribe, aged 35 and above, for a relationship. 08077030294, 08126318559 •Slim, 25, fair in complexion, a student, needs a beautiful lady, who is caring and will love him, for whom he is, from either Onitsha or Owerri.08038378622 •Joshua, from Asaba Delta state, needs a God fearing lady, for a good relationship. 08102619695 •Johnson, 35, needs a lady in Benin, for a sexual relationship. 08188782312

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

Brands and Visual Artists S

loss as to how to refer to them. But they have also turned out smart in the image perception they have made of themselves. It’s been so apt one from the old school some times doubt some of these old thinking’s. Today we hear of brand architects, brands managers, brands management consultants, and so much more. In form and substance these are all different new reference to what we originally know as ADVERTISING AGENCY. Also annoying is the knowing that these socalled professionals do not really practice the profession in its true form. Consequently, we now see consumers exposed to campaigns or tactical advert materials lacking in message content or functional creativity. Some time last week I was privileged to see Coca-cola’s seasonal TV Commercial conceptualized as a Christmas salutary ad on CNN. It was awesome; a masterpiece of a creative work. It refreshed my appreciation of creative ingenuity. The TVC came across as a piece from the masters, with excellent use of lighting, appropriate music and sound effect and deep-thinking casting (use of models was exact); reminds me of the work I and the team I worked with did for Procter & Gamble’s euro Pampers when they were preparing to enter Nigerian market. It all came properly put together by a team committed to agreed creative work plan. I believe and practice by the Old School tradition because I know it is more effective. It may not be very competitive in terms of very fast response-timing, convenience and style, but it has proven to be more

beneficial. As my contemporaries and I know it, the creative artist or visualize(r) is first and primarily someone naturally gifted and trained in the expression of creative art. They are trained and prepared for creative thinking and expression in their natural medium sending messages and expressing emotion. For advertising, as we knew it then, we primarily dealt with the visual artist we called VISUALIZER. The visualizer, by reason of his/her natural creative abilities is charged with the responsibility of expressing the agency ’s strategic thinking in pictures. The criterion for engaging

O much happens with change. Though it is constant, sometimes change come with some damaging effect such that leaves more for negativity than add value. Part of the negative impact of change we talked about in our appreciation of technological development with special focus on social media vehicle. In that circumstance, we pointed out the fact that the appreciation and application of social media as a brand management tool does more harm than good in the face of IT development in our local market. Yes, we did establish the truth in the need to be rational in our application of technology because the efficiency of our thinking cannot be divorced from the readiness of the local environment for such applications. Take for instance the new cashless transaction planned to take place from January 1st, 2012; how else can one describe mistake: in a society where trust is the most priced currency for payment, how can you force the use of card money? How do you want to facilitate big volume cash-based trade transaction on PROMISORY cards when we know that the average trader in Nigeria do not trust even the bank draft? Such is the negative impact of change, yet we must observe change. However, growth dynamics requires some measure of careful consideration in the acceptance and application of change – in the face of established norms. As it most often turn out, careless acceptance of change can be dangerous. So we ask: of what use is change when it does not add up to growth, development or progress? How can we justify change when it ebbs away on quantifiable gains and established core values, no matter how minute? We question hypothesis on the basis of rationalization in the face of change. So, we question CHANGE some times. One of such questions we have had to raise concerning change is the impact it has had on brands management from the angle of creative arts! I have just come to the conclusion that in most cases, the OLD SCHOOL is better than the product of change around the world today – even in religion. But here we are looking at the incidence of CHANGE in special relation with the efficiency of creative arts in the process of brands management. The structure of today’s advertising agency is so suspect; traditionalists like me are at a

Visualizer primarily puts his/ her thought down in form of ‘pencil scamps’ – a format that allows for consideration and scrutiny. At that stage, the entire creative team inclusive of the strategic planning unit, the client service person and even the creative services person, come up to critically evaluate the pencil scamps which are essentially visual expression of the artist’s understanding and interpretation of the assignment on hand. At this preliminary stage, nothing is agreed until it is agreed. It is only when the scamps are passed for appropriateness of thought and expression the creative team go on to finish-

We know there are a few advertising Agencies out there who appreciates the true process and can rekindle the ‘old school’ pattern if the rules are strengthened for guidance. Unfortunately the clients are also not too strong in appreciation of creative products

visual artist was largely based on the extent of creativity and ability to apply same for advertising. So we had men and women proven to be naturally expressive in visual arts. Another beautiful thing about them is the tools of trade way back; the creative process was thoroughly investigative. Starting from understanding the overall creative direction agreed for a given brief, the

ing, in preparation for creative review, preparatory to agency presentation to the client. The process of progressing from scamps to finishing involves the use of the computer with all the software in aiding beauty and exactitude. Then we had the airbrush machine, the pantone color markers, pencils, cardboard papers, water color sets and erasers as basic work tools for

the visual artist (in addition to other quite strange materials they some time require then, depending on the assignment and objective). Those were days that really tasked creative thinking and visual arts. I remember how my colleagues in the creative department manually produced storyboard for television commercial by use of hand. Then we had wild strokes strong and expressive of great thinking. There was no short cut in the creative process. We dare say brands gained more from that OLD SCHOOL than what obtains today. In the first place, change crept in but unfortunately met with laziness and desire for short cut, undermining natural talent. All kinds of things happen today in the average advertising agency that amounts to die-service to brands and the creative process as we started out with. In fact, it is so bad today, that some people who are not artists by nature and by training, bow function as creative artist because all sorts of software is now available for work. Consequently hustlers quickly get computer use skills with a bent for application of tools for visual arts and there we go, as creative artists. It is exactly same reason all sorts of thing now pass for music: laziness and fast means to success. The entire system and process gets corrupted because nobody wants to go through the hard road. Most of the creative materials in advert materials today are lacking in deep thinking, awkward in expression and constitutes noise in the use of words and picture in the communication for brands. Just as anything sells for music in this market today, anything sells for advertising, leaving the brands compromised, the target audience confused and throwing negativity in the brand building process. In 2012, we shall step up this critical analysis to include analyzing campaign materials with special attention on concept and finishing. We know there are a few advertising Agencies out there who appreciates the true process and can rekindle the ‘old school’ pattern if the rules are strengthened for guidance. Unfortunately the clients are also not too strong in appreciation of creative products. But as mentioned above, next year, we shall concern ourselves with playing up the rules with a view to cleaning up the stains. Change is good and constant, but its implication is only as good as it is expressed.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 23

08112662589

“I am sick of the sexualisation of the older generation!” — Reader

OME months back, I wrote of the dilemma faced by the over-60s in their love lives. I thought the dust raised had settled until I received this interesting email from Jesicca, sixtysomething widow. “I recently met a good friend for lunch”, she wrote, “and was surprised at her lack of enthusiasm as her favourite dish was placed in front of her. An attractive widow in her 60s, retired from a happy career as a graphic designer, she was financially secure, her children were married and she was a doting grandmother twice over. Life was good and she said she was never happier than meeting friends, reading best sellers and attending exclusive functions. “So what possibly could be her problem? She looked embarrassed by this question. T was `deeply personal’ she said, but a couple of glasses of wine later, she opened up. My friend had recently met up with a man she’d known in her youth. A retired architect, he too was widowed and they ’d discovered they shared many similar interests. He still had his own hair, his own teeth and a couple of nice cars. So, far, so good, I thought. They were due to meet for dinner the following evening at an expensive, fashionable restaurant. So what was

troubling her? Ìt’s the sex’, my friend whispered. Ì really don’t want it and I’m terrified in case he does. If he takes me to a restaurant like that, he’s bound to want something in return. I keep reading stories of 60, 70, 80, even 90-year olds who are still having incredible sex nowadays. What if that’s what he expects?” Really? I was shocked she could even think that way. “Surely, any aging man who expects passionate sex after just one date must have his head examined! Ì shut up shop about ten years ago when my husband died’, my friend continued, ànd quite honestly it was a relief. I really don’t want to go there again’. Not only did I sympathise with her predicament, I wanted to hug her and shout from the roof tops that I felt exactly the same. I am sick of the sexualisation of the older generation, where all of us, no matter how ancient feel we should be swinging from the chandeliers until we meet our maker’, and that if we’re not, we are in some way letting the side down. How has this come to pass? I blame female celebrities and top businesswomen who seem to be getting older and sexier by the year. From the female politicians to the òil and gas’ players, they all have amazing bodies and well-preserved faces. Thanks to various botox

and face0lifts they have abroad from time to time and the occasional visits to health farms abroad. What’s more, they’re still attracting toyboys and apparently enjoying athletic and plentiful sex lives. Would it be terribly shameful to confess that as a widow in her 60s, I haven’t had sexual relationship for more than 10 years? What’s more, I don’t miss it one little bit. “Since I was widowed in my 50s, after a flurry of dates and one three-year relationship, I felt relieved to finally close that chapter of my life. Yet to say so out lout marks you as spoilsport or a failure. In short, if you don’t engage in sexual activity, you’re loveless, dried up and only half alive,

doomed to a wasted existence of loneliness and frustration. But living without sex is not the same as living without passion. It may be just the opposite. “Platonic friendship can be anormously intense. They can actually be much more sensual than a sexual encounter with someone who also happens to be a little past their sell-by date. And who’s to say that men don’t feel the same? As I said to my friend, perhaps, her new admirer was equally nervous about their date. Perhaps he was terrified my friend would expect him to perform with the exuberance of a 20year-old, when all he fancied was a nice meal with nothing more racy than a bottle of wine to

round off a delightful evening? “My friend’s story was one I have heard time and again: older women who really would have preferred just a simple night out, talking, sharing stories, a meal and laughing together with a male companion before retiring to their own bedrooms. Every one of them feared they would be `letting the side down’ to admit that, for them, sex was not on the agenda. Older women like us are victims of a celebrity obsessed society where everyone is expected to live up to unrealistic goals. Unfortunately, few older people maintain the desire levels required to fulfill this notion. Sexual activity in our 20s is naturally driven

by what experts term pheromones, the allure of youthful beauty and the desire to make babies. Rarely does anyone stop to consider the natural fallout of libido as our fertile years diminish. “Of course, it’s very different with a long marriage or relationship where a couple have started as a blank page and grown together. Many couples drift into deeply loving but largely sexless relationship. Indeed, this pressure to perform is felt more keenly by singletons who believe they should be voraciously seeking sex long after pensionable age in order to feel they belong in the modern Fifty Shades Of Grey-obsessed world. “When I was young and beautiful, I enjoyed sex. Now I don’t. I see that as the natural order of things. Yet whenever I have been brave enough to confess this to others – admittedly younger – women, I have been met with derision. I’ve been called everything from neurotic to unnatural; told to see someone, take hormones or just down a few drinks. But I know in taking the plunge and writing this letter that I shall be speaking for many single,divorced or widowed people who are desperate to put sex behind them and still feel accepted by society.

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C M Y K

O be healthy and hearty our food must be wholesome and in the right quantity. Eating anything and everything and too much of anything spells doom for our well-being. In the urban centres across the length and breadth of the world people are developing the diseases brought on by Modern civilization and t’s attendant prosperity. To put it simply, people who are earning so much are getting more and more careless with their eating habits. There are now a lot more people engaged in sedentary occupations than ever before with such people physical activity is nearly always at a minimum. But you see the body needs a certain minimum level of exercise. When this is denied the body, it soon begins a down-hill trip. And the inordinate amount of food consumed adds to the problem of deterioration. It’s like this, when the body is given more than it needs in relation to its energy output the surplus calories translate as excess weight. There must be balance as regards tissue building (anabolism) and tissue breaking down (catabolism) when one exceeds the

Wholesome food for healthy living other you have what is known as Metabolic inbalance leading to a build up of toxemia. There are two fundamental ways the body produces toxemia. One is normal and natural to the function of the organism; the other we constantly contribute to knowingly or otherwise. In the first place there is toxemia produced on account of the process of metabolism. The inner body never at a stand-still has billions of old cells being replaced by new ones each day. The old cells needing replacement are toxic, meaning poisonous and must be gotten rid of by one of four means of elimination: skin, lungs bowels and bladder. All this is normal and natural to the body and doesn’t have to worry us unless in a situation where this toxic waste is not being rid of at an equal rate to which it is being produced. All what this process demands is ample energy at the body’s disposal. The second means by which toxemia is produced

in the body is from the byproducts of foods that have not gone through digestion and assimilation and become part of the cell structure. The build up of this toxic waste will eventually lead to overweight. The problem doesn’t end there. Toxins are acidic in nature and the build up of acid makes the body require water to neutralise it bringing about

* The Wheel Posture

more weight and bloat. On a daily basis this finally brings us to the door step of obesity and all what it portends. So now, we see that interference with the body ’s elimination cycle is the forerunner of toxemia and overweight. And we can also understand that there must be the kind of living pattern that allows us to continuously cleans our

system and forestall a build up of toxins. To help us achieve this state of metabolic balance are the following food items that work against overweight: Carrot, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, orange, pear, plum, pineapple, beetroot, cabbage, grapes, lemon and strawberry. Exercises to be practised to achieve the same end include CHAKRASANA for regularization of bowel movements and matsyendrasana the lateral spinal twist to stimulate the activity of the kidneys. CHAKRASANA, or the wheel posture. Technique: Lying flat on your back, draw in the knees and place your feet wide apart on the floor. Put your hands backward on the floor just below the shoulders. As you breathe in deeply, raise the entire body in the shape of a bridge. As you stay in this position respiration must be slow and deep. After

15 to 20 seconds, lower the body, lie flat on your back and rest in a still fashion. You may repeat this thrice. MATSYENDRASANA or the lateral spinal twist. Technique: Placing the left heel under the right thight which his lying horizontally on the ground put the right foot over the left thigh with the sole of the foot on the ground. As you turn the chest to the right put the left arm in front of the left knee which is uprightly erect and grasp your left knee. Place the right hand across the middle of the back. As you stay in this posture your breathing must be of an even rhythm for some 30 seconds. Change legs and arms and repeat on the other side. Apart from the wonders it works on the kidneys and the digestive system, it is also said to restore strength to the nerves.

Yoga classes STARTED at 32 Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos, 9.10am on Saturdays

P AGE 24— SUND AY Vanguard , A UGUST 17 , 2014 SUNDA AUGUST

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House-husbands should come out of the closet now Fashola has endorsed paternity leave!

HE typical household routine in the past always worked well. The mother rushed home from work or whatever trade she was involved in with the groceries she’d bought after a busy day to cook the evening meal. The children arrived from school. The girls helped mum by tidying and dusting whilst the boys washed daddy’s car, maybe After the meal, mother and daughters cleared away and washed up while father by contrast arrived home from work, appreciatively ate the meal, then retired to his favourite chair to relax and read the day’s papers. But did any of the children, especially the girls, have the nerve to ask dad: “Dad, we’ve all been out all day but you’ve done nothing but eat and sit down since you got home. Why don’t you clear the table, wash up and let Mum sit down?” It’s infuriating though that the culture in which the fathers were raised all those years ago endure to this day where women do at least twothirds of the house work even when they are the main breadwinner. It is sad that despite greater equality at work and changes to social attitudes, the division of chore has not kept pace. I mean, how on earth have we managed to give girls equally access to education and employment, yet failed to ensure our boys do their bit with the iron and vacuum cleaner? And why should career women feel they should come home after a long day’s work and don an apron too? Ironically, most of the prizes of cooking contests organised by multi-million manufacturers of cooking products are carted away by men who proudly hold their own amongst their highly competitive female rivals. This belies the hackneyed ideas about gender roles that seem to persist in career women who don’t

relinquish any household chores. The nub of the problem is social conditioning over many centuries which has forced women to accept domestic servitude as their lot. Having said this, there are lots of men who find cooking delicious meals almost therapeutic! Ebuka is a chef at a very classy restaurant and he comes home most evenings with left over foods from the restaurant. “I love cooking”, he boasted, “and I’m better cook than my wife. But have I let on to my parents? My mother would have a fit if she knew I cook most of the Sunday meals in our home. On the few times she’d come in unannounced, I’d quickly left the kitchen and let my wife take over, occasionally coming to the kitchen to supervise under the pretext of getting her or myself a drink”. A few weeks back, Governor Fashola scored another first in the country by approving a two-week paternity leave for civil servants in Lagos State. The period is to allow the new fathers bond with their new born – not rush to beer parlours announcing the birth of their babies and ‘wetting the baby’s head’ as long as they could get away with it. Whilst it is heartening to know a few number of new fathers are hands-on-dads, a lot of them whine they no longer have their wives’ undivided attention now the new baby is here. What better opportunity to roll up their sleeves, change a few nappies, pacify crotchety babies and try their culinary skills!? “The division of labour in the home has played a big role in my relationship with my husband, Albert”, confessed Fadeke, a film producer. “He was an army officer and I was a broadcaster when we had our three children now in their late 20s. “After a few of some hopeless nannies, Albert decided we should do

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"

Don't make a woman cry

Don't make a woman cry because there is nothing

without their help and when he was retired, he started his own business and had more time on his hands and could look after the kids. I t wasn’t an easy task for him to do, such was the social stigma surrounding the reversal role. His social life almost disappeared. His friends were always at work and he failed to mingle with the mothers that came for their kids at the school gates. “My mother was proud of my job as a broadcaster, but found it extremely strange my husband was now at home to care for the children. Thanks to him, our two sons grew to be extremely competent cooks – almost as good as their sister. It never ceased to surprise me that when their teenage friends visited, my sons were the only ones who knew how to turn up the gas or rustle up a snack. My prediction that most of these male friends of theirs, would make lousy husbands have been accurate. House work and child care are not women’s work. It is a question of everyone doing their share. The woman solely carries the child in her belly for nine

months, the least the men could do is show appreciable for this feast!”

Why C-Section babies are more likely to be obese as adults

Babies born by caesarean section are more likely to struggle with their weight as adults, experts warn. The biggest study of its kind found the odds of being over-weight or obese were around 25 percent higher for those born by C-section when compared with those delivered naturally. The analysis of data on more than 150,000 births from four continents suggest some of the seeds of obesity are sown the moment a child enters the world. The finding comes amid a record number of caesarean deliveries worldwide and the researchers from Imperial College London, said, mothers to be should be made aware of the link. Data from 15 studies carried out in ten different countries, including the UK, showed that the odds of being overweight are 26percent higher for

more expensive than than a lady's tears. When a single drop comes out, it first mixes wit LOREAL eye line(N7,500) & REVLON mascara (N8,500), then when it rolls down the cheek it mixes with Estee Louder foundation (N11,000), D&G blusher (N15,000) and MAC powder (N19,000). Finally when it touches the lips it gets mixed with MAYBELINE lipstick (N12,000) and AVON lip gloss (N5,000). a single drop of a lady's tear is running for about N78,000. When you make a man cry, its only Vaseline (N200) and powder (N300). Total for men is N500.#WhaYaSay? Chris Onunaku

babies born by C-section, while the odds of being obese are 22 per cent higher. These adults are also, on average, half a BMI point heavier than those delivered naturally. This equates to around 3lb of extra weight for a 5ft 4in woman, or 4lb of extra weight for a 5ft 10in man. The number of C0section has doubled in 30- years, with around one in four babies now born this way. The figure is as high as 50 percent in some private hospitals. The increase is blamed on a number of factors, from a society that is averse to pain, to older mothers enduring difficult births. Women who are ‘too posh to push’ or request the surgery for non-medical reasons – account for about 7 percent of the figure. Obesity is also on the rise, with only around a third of adults at a healthy weight. The study ’s senior author, Professor Neena Modi, said, “There are good reasons why C-section may be the best option for many mothers and their babies, and Csection can on occasion be life-saving.

‘However,, we need to understand the long-term outcomes in order to provide the st advice to women who are considering caesarean delivery. This study shows that babies born by C-section are more likely to be overweight or obese later in life. We now need to determine whether this is the result of the Csection, or if other reasons explain the association’. The link between Csection delivery and obesity may be because bigger babies are more likely to be born by caesarean,. Women who have the procedure are also less likely to breastfeed, which could raise the risk of their child piling on the pounds when it get older. Researcher Dr. Matthew Hyde suggested that missing out on a natural birth may have long-lasting effects on the baby ’s metabolism. For instance, the compression that occurs when a baby is born naturally leads to an increase in stress hormones, which switch on genes required for life outside the womb. A natural birth also affects a child’s gut bacteria, which has an impact on metabolism and fat storage. Writing in the journal Plo5 ONE, the study authors said further research was needed ‘as a matter of urgency ’. Mervi Jokinen, of the Royal College of Midwives, said the study adds to evidence about the dangers of C-sections and the decision to have one ‘should not be taken lightly ’. She added: ‘Whilst some caesarean sections are needed for medical reasons, many are not and we would encourage women to think carefully and weigh up the evidence before they decide to have a non-urgent caesarean”.

08032988826/08184844015.

My love for you The season may change, the rains may refuse to fall,the sun may refuse to shine, the clouds may decide to disallow the dew from falling but my love for you will never cease.It will always remain unshakable, sparkling and everfresh. It will be secured and anchored within the core enclaves of my heart for you mean the world to me. Akachukwu Ferdinand, 08063819314

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 25

Nigeria challenges the world with ‘9jaBOLT’ solar car BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

IGERIA is set to take on the rest of the world with the “9jaBOLT” Eaglemobile, a stateof-the-art prototype, and solarpowered racing automobile that is designed and built in Nigeria by Nigerians. History was made recently when Nigeria secured Africa’s sole entry to compete with its revolutionary prototype in the next edition of the prestigious World Solar Challenge, coming up in October 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. Although locally designed, the 9jaBOLT Solar Car is as advanced as any global brand and manufactured product in the world. The feat which is a tremendous boost to the nation’s efforts to join the ranks of global technological innovation and industrial revolution is brainchild of Ebisike Ebube George, the vibrant and multipletalented Creative Director of Team Nigeria, the group that is building the car from scratch. Ebisike, who is Managing Partner, Heureka Enterprises Ltd., Lagos, and currently working on a research-based project to establish a Nigerian Colony on the Moon by 2050, has written President Jonathan on the need to finalise and actualise a blueprint to achieve this for the technological profitability of Africa and the humanity. Lately, the 9jaBOLT Eaglemobile concept has caught the fancy of giants in the technological arena even as highbrow global entrepreneurs have not failed to take note. Interest and admiration by technologists, governments, foreign media and scientists across the global community has been colossal, particularly since Vanguard broke the story in May 2014. Already, President Goodluck Jonathan and Corporate Nigeria’s top brass led by business mogul and Africa’s richest man, Mr. Aliko Dangote, are being lined up to provide the muchneeded sponsorship to commence actualization of the 9jaBOLT prototype and host the “Africa Design Medal & Festival 2015”, ADMF, in Lagos where the solar car will officially be unveiled to the world and global scientists will gather to see it and also discuss the future of technology and mankind. Now in the final stages of signing up a sponsorship partnership with a Fortune 500 American Engineering Powerhouse to build the 9jaBOLT Solar Car, “Team Nigeria”, a group of young, enterprising Nigerians, led by its Ebisike, Creative Director, has signed up Flying Antlers as its Marketing Consultants on its World Solar Challenge bid and also for the successful planning C M Y K

•Impression of the 9jaBOLT Solar Car. Bottom right:Ebisike Ebube George

and hosting of the proposed ADMF in August 2015. With all the trappings of success, the World Solar Challenge is Renewable Energy based, and can so easily be scaled up to become sustainable, viable and a hub to create over 700,000 specialised/ professional skillsets and jobs in the next 5-10 years within the Nigeria economy. The Team hopes to maintain a low carbon footprint in the manufacturing process. The project possesses 100 percent technology transfer opportunity for the Nigerian technology workforce, is media friendly and has potential to expand the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, and NEDEP programmes of the President’s “Transformation Agenda.” Said Ebisike: “As a CSR project worthy of partnership and investment the 9aijaBOLT stands to make a deafening globalised technology statement. This project is about sparking and reawakening the pursuit of our lost or rather moribund ancient Nubian scientific and technological capability and culture. It is further about making groundbreaking investments in long-term thinking such as the 10,000-year clock or ‘Clock of the Long Now’ project, and funding of exploration as the ‘Apollo 11 landing on the Moon’. “I am privileged to lead Team Nigeria as Creative Director to the “World Solar Challenge” in Oct.2015 holding in Adelaide,

Australia. We have designed and are working on the building the State-of-the-art Eaglemobile “9jaBOLT” Solar Car and look forward to its possible successes whilst attracting the prospects of commercial adoption and mass manufacturing as a product to serve the African continent transportation needs and by extension phase out the existence of fossil fuel driven cars, thereby curbing climate change,” he remarked.

races, with the inaugural event taking place in 1987, attracting teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools. The objective, said Ebisike, is to promote research on solar-pow-

The 9jaBOLT Eaglemobile concept has caught the fancy of giants in the technological arena even as highbrow global entrepreneurs have not failed to take note. Interest and admiration by technologists, governments, foreign media and scientists across the global community has been colossal The car requires a minimum of US$650,000 not including other research “We are in touch with the prestigious Wolfram Research Europe Limited whom indicated interest to work closely with Team Nigeria’s engineers and technologists to build the advanced Eaglemobile “9jaBOLT” Solar Car’s intelligence capability. The World Solar Challenge covers 3,021 km through the Australian Outback, from Darwin, Northern Territory to Adelaide, South Australia. It has a 20-year history spanning nine

ered cars. In 2013, 40 teams from 23 countries completed the race. Describing the ADMF event as “Africa’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize” he said it will honour remarkable ventures and personalities in economics, space technology, art, peace, medicine & biotech and other categories. With the theme, The convergence of design elements and the energy challenges that will berth and sustain the future of mankind within the climate change equation and in our quest to thrive in deep space, the ADMF

2015 holds promise of one of a kind, he noted. Among confirmed speakers for the historic event is Bas Lansdorp, eccentric Dutch billionaire , inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO of the globally renown “MARS One Project” a $6billion venture, amidst personalities including Ambassador Roland Jansen, Managing Director, BIOMASS Partners (Worldwide), and American Economist and Best selling Author Jim Roger, Ahmed Shaaban of the Khaleej Times in the UAE, Esam Wshah, CEO, SLC Petroleum Canada, Dr. Philip Emeagwali, and Prof. Steven Hawking among others. “We, Team Nigeria, the ‘Special Ones’, intend to use Wolfram-Alpha & Mathematica programming language. It is the most recently developed programming language in the world after 25years in research and testing and also is the only one known to possess “knowledge”. Wolfram-Alpha will manage device(s), machine learning and other capabilities of our proposed prototype, the 9jaBOLT Solar car, all run on the Raspberry Pi platform to intelligently integrate the car with the Nigerian satellite in orbit- NIGCOMSAT, with a wearable device (watch) and tablet,” Ebisike affirmed.

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

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ODD WORLD

I had sex with five dogs, boy, 18, tells police

*Taboo ...gods to be appeased -- Villagers *Suspects to be charged with unnatural offence STORIES BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin-City

mid the fear of the Ebola virus in the country, it was with disbelief that residents of Iguosa community in Ovia North East Local Government Council of Edo State ran to an uncompleted building in the area to see an 18-year-old boy, simply identified as Ighodaro, making love to a dog . Curiously, the dog was said to have enjoyed the sex before the crowd stormed the scene. Ighodaro was in JSS 2 before he dropped out from school, due to the inability of his poor parents to pay his school fees. He learnt welding, but, while doing that, he became a lover of dogs. He confessed to Sunday Vanguard that he has slept with different dogs five times until this last episode. It was learnt that a member of the community was passing by the uncompleted building when he sighted the boy making love to the dog and raised the alarm that attracted the villagers. Mr George Ogbonmwa, owner of the dog, expressed shock at the incident, explaining that when he saw the young man with the dog, he did not know he had an ulterior motive. “I thought he wanted to play with the dog only for him to end up in an uncompleted building where he had canal knowledge of the dog. This is like another dream to me because I have not seen this kind of thing in my life before”. Following what the villagers described as an abomination, the Odionwere (head)of the community, Elder Clifford Igiehon, was invited to the scene and expressed shock over the incident which he described as a taboo. He said,”We have never

Ighodaro...committed a taboo seen this kind of thing before in this community. This is an abominable act and we don’t want the suspect to come and corrupt other people here. What he committed was a taboo. We will call the parents to come and atone the gods but the boy will go on his own, because we cannot kill him. But we have killed the dog because that is the first thing to do. And because we don’t want this kind of taboo to happen again, we decided to hand the boy over to the police. This kind of thing has never happened before, the boy has to face the music. The parents will perform traditional rites, it is going to cost about a hundred thousand Naira. The boy knows what he is doing, he is not mad. We know him from

the beginning, he was in school before he went to learn welding; may be the parents could not pay his school fees. We were even shocked he said he has had sex with dogs five times; that will tell you he knows what he is doing”. The community leaders further used the opportunity to appeal to the police: “Give us more policemen in our area because a lot of evil things are happening now. Like what the boy did is a taboo and they must cleanse the land with the appropriate sacrifice. We need the police to be around us so that these evil happenings will stop”. The suspect, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters, Benin-City, said

Who poisoned UNIBEN VC? *Management, Benin group speak

HE campaigns for who succeeds the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Osayuki Oshodin, when his tenure expires in November 2014, is creating tension in the university. The situation has led to the trivialization of Oshodin’s health, following his trip to the United Kingdom for medical treatment on May 8, 2014. The Vice Chancellor said early this year in an interview that his health was failing due to alleged poisoning. He lamented however that his doctors were battling with his health in Nigeria since he could not leave the country for treatment as a result of the several meetings being held then to resolve the strike action embarked upon by members of the ASUU. Sunday Vanguard was informed that after the ASUU crisis was resolved, .Oshodin was flown abroad for further medical treatment. Now, sources said the VC has recovered fully and will return to Nigeria this week. But while still C M Y K

he did not know what was wrong with him, admitting that he enjoyed sex with five dogs while two bit him during the act. “I learnt welding around Iheya. I don’t know when I slept with the dog, I slept with dogs five times. Some of the dogs bit me, I have been bitten two times and each time I have a dog bite my grand father will treat me”, he said. Asked about the tactics he deployed to attract the dogs, Ighodaro stated: “When I call them, I will be rubbing their head, petting them so that they will feel free with me. I will be playing with them and they will follow me. They will bark at me some times, and when I notice that it is serious I will leave them. Any one that is friendly with me, I take that one to an uncompleted building and have sex”. The suspect who was asked about his girl friend, said he broke up with her last year and started making love to dogs this year. His words: “ I had a girlfriend last year but we are no longer together. I started sleeping with dogs this year around March. I don’t know what is wrong with me. None of my relations knows I sleep with dogs. In this particular case, the dog is very familiar with me; so it was easy to lure it away. While I was having sex with the dog, one man saw me and ran to inform the Odionwere. They now came

to pick me and they asked the police to go and check me and see if I have any disease. I don’t know what is wrong with me”. Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, who reacted to the incident, narrated: “It was the people of that community that arrested the boy and called the police. He was taken to Owotubu Division before he was transferred to the state Police Command Headquarters. What he has done is classified under Unnatural Offences, Section 214 SubSection Two which says that any person who has carnal knowledge of an animal is guilty of a felony and he is liable for imprisonment for 14 years if he is found guilty. We are going to charge him to court. You can see that the guy is not denying anything. He made a confessional statement that he has been sleeping with dogs since March and he has done it five times. I was very worried because this is an unnatural offence and it can bring problem to any community. You can imagine a human being sleeping with a dog what will that dog produce in some months time; , you can see it is a bizarre situation. The boy looks normal unless if he has spiritual problem because I can’t imagine some body sleeping with a dog. He said he had a girl friend before; you can imagine if he decides to sleep with another woman what he will give the woman and that is how they spread diseases particularly now that we have different diseases, It is really shocking that we experience this type of issue every day in our country. I am very worried but thank God that the community people have killed that dog because they said what the boy committed was a taboo”.

moves by endorsing such a letter and voting as much as one million, three hundred thousand naira for its publication is to say the least ungodly. The constitution of Nigeria and the civil service rules envisaged such unpredictable development and thus outlined ways of intervening to sustain and enhance administrative standards; and we are abundantly conversant with the sacrosanct steps that have been taken by the Council and the Senate of the University to promote a robust academic and administrative atmosphere; it is nauseating and self-serving therefore, a situation where members of the same academic community will concoct untenable crops of fallacies to poison the image of the very man that they wish should die. “In a recent publication, we called on the intelligence community to take steps to clamp down on those behind the poisonous attack on the Vice Chancellor; the authors of this petition deliberately did not attach that publication to their malicious piece, because, it will not serve their interest. The whole unwritten scheme about their plot is a back door plan to install their candidate as acting or substantive VC, and, as a vibrant host community organization with all the

apparatuses at our disposal, will resist such a destructive project. No one, no matter how highly placed, known to be behind Oshodin’s medical predicament can succeed him either as Vice Chancellor or any privileged office, because it took us 39 years to produce an indigeneous Vice Chancellor, so miscreants masquerading as academicians cannot fight him through unorthodox means, and seek to succeed him”. Also in its reaction, the authorities of the UNIBEN, in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar/Public Relation Officer of the university, Mr Henry Osarenren, described the outburst of the stakeholders as an attempt to misinform the public about the procedures in the running of a university. According to the statement, “The incumbent Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN has been away overseas for medical checkup and he is expected to resume fully any time now. In his absence, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) have, at different times before August 5th 2014, performed the functions of the Vice Chancellor after due consultation with the Vice Chancellor as necessary,” the statement said.

When I call them, I will be rubbing their head, petting them so that they will feel free with me. I will be playing with them and they will follow me

battling with his health, some stakeholders at UNIBEN, last week, alleged that there was a vacuum in the running of the institution due to his absence, saying the situation had delayed the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor since the tenure of the VC will expire in N o v e m b e r . But the Benin National Congress (BNC), a Benin socio cultural group, described the comments of the stakeholders whom they described as “desperados” as suspicious and wicked, calling on security agents to investigate the matter. The group claimed they may have been involved in the alleged poisining of the VC. According •Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, to the BNC statement, “From UNIBEN VC Prof. Oshodin’s antecedent as an office holder in the University of Benin, ex-students and staff of the on account of which he was flown institution nicknamed him a abroad and has substantially workaholic because he comes to recovered and the hospital is in his duty post on Saturdays and few days away from discharging Sundays to attend to urgent and him, empathy demands that a set critical office work. That a man of staff who claimed that they is sick, not by any natural love him should treat his development, but substantially perceived absence with respect. by a deviously-infused anti-body To resort therefore to diabolic

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014 , PAGE 27

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

Every desperate female politician will encounter harassment — Akinsola, Lagos lalawmak wmak er wmaker BY EBUN SESSOU

ON. Adebimpe Akinsola is from Ikorodu Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. She got into the House in 2011 on her second attempt to be a lawmaker, and the amiable female politician is learning the ropes fast. However, the trained teacher-turned politician believes that it is natural for women to face sexual harassment once they want to come into politics, but that it should not be the end of the road for any ambitious woman. The Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, graduate of French retired from teaching service in 2011 and has since served her constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly. We had a chat with her. A lot of women shy away from politics because of sexual harassment; do you experience this as a female? Most women are actually intimidated; they feel politics is mainly for men and men too feel politics is for them only. The moment they see a woman, they would start feeling jittery. But, this notion is wrong; politics is for us all and we can play it neat. My passion for service brought me into the Lagos State House of Assembly and I have never regretted it. But woman that wants to come into politics would face sexual harassment if she is desperate; wants to get positions at all cost. Men are not crazy though; it is the way you present yourself that matters. Lagos is a cosmopolitan city but your constituency is rural in nature; what are you doing to bring development to it? Yes, my constituency is in the hinterland and that poses a lot of challenge to me as a legislator. The duty of a legislator is to participate in bills that would become laws and benefit the people, and I am C M Y K

happy that I am already part of that system. I know the needs of all the communities cannot be catered for in a particular year at the same time but in my own only little way, I try to meet with people that are saddled with certain responsibilities. I made some of the members of the state executive council my friends so I can talk to them one-on-one. Anywhere I see them, I talk to them about my constituency; even a cleaner in an organization can be very useful. That's why I talk to everybody I feel can influence projects in my constituency and make them my friends. I can tell you that a lot have been achieved this way in this dministration.

*Akinsola

Apar om partt fr from facilitating infrastr uctural infrastructural pr ojects, I suppor projects, supportt them with m myy meager resources. In 2011, I star ted started an education aaw war d ard for eexxcellence...

In Nigeria, we have not been lucky to have an elected woman governor; do you think that Lagos State is ripe for such come 2015 and will you support whoever comes up to contest? I will gladly do that with every of my experience and resources. If it does not happen in 2015, I know one day, it will happen. We have a lot of women who have what it takes to lead Lagos State and even Nigeria, and I believe we will not have to go to the boxing ring to claim the right to lead. How have you impacted on the people of your

constituency? Apart from facilitating infrastructural projects, I support them with my meager resources. In 2011, I started an education award for excellence to students that perform well in their WASSCE. We did it in 2011, 2012, and 2013. I give awards to 12 best students in the 12 secondary schools in my constituency every year and I also support the best overall student amongst them. The best student in 2011 is now studying medicine in the University

of Lagos while the second one is also studying medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The third has just gained admission to UNILAG. I would tell you that all the three students are females and they are all science oriented. In 2013, I incorporated JSS and it was also won by a girl. The principal that performed well in my constituency last year, the principal of Igbokuta Model College, I gave her an award. I give free exercise books to

students in my constituency every year and whenever they have problems, they call me and I support them. The older citizens in my constituency, I also take care of regularly. In 2013, I organized a football competition for youths and gave them awards. I recently organized an empowerment seminar for some. Through a monthly meeting also, I empower five people every month. Also, since I joined the assembly, all the Jerusalem slots I am given, I give to my people.

African w omen se or A WL OA tlanta conf ab women sett ffor AWL WLO Atlanta confab BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

LL is set for the 6th African Women in Leadership ConferenceAWLC slated for 20th-23rd August, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. According to the organizer, Mr.Elisha Attai, Executive Director, African Women in Leadership Organisation, AWLO, this year’s edition titled ‘African WomenHarnessing our Strength, Growing in all Spheres’ will be a conference of a lifetime in the lives of women in

Africa. “Invited to participate in the exchange of ideas, approach on programs, communicate ways to impact the world, and empower women to fulfill their destiny, are guests who have accepted the challenges, faced the adversaries, overcame opposition, and embraced the journey. Among guests are the First Ladies of Mozambique, Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Gambia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic and US First Lady

Michelle Obama. “There will be participants from all over the world such as our Keynote Speaker, Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women, NC Canada; Co-host, AWLC, Senator Donzella James and many more. This year's edition will witness the inauguration of the United States Chapter of AWLO and honour women and men like Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State who emerged the most gender-friendly African leader for the year 2013/14”, he said.

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

Prologue

LAST DAYS OF INTRIGUES AT NATIONAL CONFAB

The Nor th’s opposition to ‘ new constitution’ BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU In the beginning was crisis. It then reached the climax in the course of time, threatening the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria. The North and the South became virulently divided, holding each other at an arm’s length. Eventually, a truce was brokered. But at the National Conference twilight, tenure elongation fear played out and again posed grave threat to an envisaged success. But, on Thursday, the devil was collectively thrown to the evil forest. This is an account of the valedictory session of the 2014 National Conference, convened on March 17, 2014, in which the 492 delegates adopted the final report of the exercise.

HE concept of a new constitution was completely lost on them. Their lot was to endorse the final report comprehensively knitted into one from various distinct submissions of the 20 standing committees. The submissions had passed through crucibles of heated debates and eventually had consensus reached on them. But surprisingly, a document, which many considered strange, made in-road into the hall, staring them. As they got other voluminous books comprising Hansards and resolutions, they were also given the copy with a conspicuous inscription “Draft Constitution” on its cover. Then, like those tortuous days of debate when the gathering was active, hell was let loose with many of them, especially from the North, fuming against the inclusion of the “Draft Constitution” into the resolutions made. That was the atmosphere at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, venue of the 2014 National Conference in Abuja on Monday when it resumed after a long break. Having concluded work on the various reports of the 20 standing committees, it became pertinent for the conference to adjourn on July C M Y K

14, 2014. It was supposed to resume on August 4, but the leadership postponed it to August 11 to enable it make the copies of the final report ready for adoption.

The imbroglio

But hardly had the conference resumed on Monday than criticisms, misconceptions and all manners of philosophical notions, right or wrong, ensued. At the centre of the near imbroglio were northern delegates from all platforms in the conference. Their grouse was the introduction of a Draft Constitution by the conference leadership which they said was never part of their mandate. And so they threatened fire and brimstone, accusing the secretariat of the conference of playing out a script. In fact, it was a gamut of dramatic scenes as the delegates ultimately resolved to dissociate themselves from the entire process of the five months old conference. Founded or unfounded, they entertained the fear that the inclusion, Draft Constitution, presupposed tenure elongation for President Goodluck Jonathan. To them, the development resurrected the feelings that trailed the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 when he convened a conference of similar stance, entitled, “National Political Reform Conference”. The leader of the northern delegates forum and retired Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Inbrahim Coomassie, who, in a press conference, read the position of the North, said: ”Adopting a new constitution is, therefore, calculated to enable incumbent elective office holders, who are statute-barred from going for third term at both federal and state levels, to run for offices again, under the guise of running under a new constitution. “This will also have the consequential effect of depriving aspiring politicians from all political parties, as well as all Nigerians, of their rights to choices and preferences as enshrined in the

constitution. If not arrested, the third term agenda is capable of plunging Nigeria into another circle of political chaos, with potential of violence and anarchy. “You are aware, by now, of the surprise, shock and disappointment with which not only delegates to the conference, but many patriotic Nigerians, have reacted to news of the sudden appearance of a new draft constitution 2014, among other documents distributed to delegates, when we resumed at plenary on Monday. “We, northern delegates to the conference, wish to assure patriotic

Republic of Nigeria. That can only be done by an appropriately constituted constituent assembly. “The secretariat of the conference has indicated in Chapter Seven of the draft Report Vol.1 that the socalled ‘new constitution’ is to be brought into effect through a national referendum to be specifically held for the purpose. “To this we say, without any fear of contradiction, that there is no legal provision in our constitution for the holding of such a referendum. The reference to a referendum, made by the president in his inauguration address at the national conference

Like those tortuous days of debate when the gathering was active, hell was let loose with many of them, especially from the North, fuming against the inclusion of the “Draft Constitution” Nigerians and all lovers of democracy that we are neither privy to, nor were we accessory to the emergence of the controversial draft of a new constitution 2014. ”We, therefore, unequivocally disown it and emphatically disassociate ourselves from it. Accordingly, we will have nothing to do with it, for the following legal, moral and political reasons: Delegates to the conference were not elected and, therefore, lack both legal and moral authority to draft a new constitution for the Nigerian Federation. “Rather, we were constituted to serve as an ad hoc advisory mechanism to the president, as representatives of broad interests across the federation and cannot, therefore, legally arrogate ourselves the far-reaching function of making a ‘new’ constitution for the Federal

on March 17, was purely speculative, as it was predicated on the National Assembly introducing a provision in the constitution that will permit the holding of referendum ‘… if at the end of the deliberation the need for a referendum arises.’ “We want to say, with authority, that such a proposal has since been turned down by the National Assembly. Inquiries at both the Senate and House of Representatives have since shown that efforts at tabling the case for referendum, through private member-bills, were rejected twice, and cannot, therefore, be reintroduced in the life of the present Senate. “From the foregoing, it is now abundantly clear that the conference has been infiltrated by fifth-columnists whose goal is to subvert democratic processes and

plunge the country into deeper, but avoidable political crisis.” Kutigi explains Wednesday was yet another day that produced apprehension. Nobody was sure whether the lid would be broken. But the day turned out to witness the shortest session ever held by the conference since it convened as it lasted only 14 minutes. While nerves appeared frayed, the Chairman of the conference, retired Justice Idris Kutigi, adopted diplomacy which paid off. Upon his entry into the hall, he cleared the fog on the Draft Constitution, announcing that it was prepared with due diligence and in all honesty. He dismissed the insinuation that someone had any hidden agenda and maintained that the document contained nothing but certain amendments that followed the alterations made by the delegates at the plenary. He urged the delegates to study the report and make necessary observations in writing by Thursday. ”The Draft Constitution contained the various alterations and amendments proposed by you”, he said. His explanation prompted thunderous applause from some delegates who felt convinced. But some northern elements wound not bulge. They subsequently turned in a letter announcing their withdrawal from any process that would promulgate the Draft Constitution. But yet again, in a dare need to broker truce, Kutigi summoned a meeting of leaders of delegations from the six geopolitical zones to discuss “critical issues”. Thursday proceedings As at 10 am on Thursday, the leadership of the conference was not sighted at the podium. So, the delegates once again approach each other ’s seat to exchange banters and pleasantries.

Continues on page 29

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Continues from page 28 At exactly, 10: 48, Kutigi and his entourage came in and then proceedings began. While many watched with bated-breathe to see what the day would bring, the most peaceful happened. Against all odds, the delegates adopted the final report in an atmosphere devoid of rancour and bitterness.

Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PPA AGE 29

The Nor th’s opposition to ‘new constitution’ brand new constitution would have torn the conference. But he came up wisely with the fact that there were proposals to the amendment of the 1999 constitution as amended. ”So, that really doused the situation and it ended up on a very sound note as far as I am concerned. And I want to beg the National Assembly and Mr. President to take the recommendations very seriously and not just locking it up in locker and the National Assembly should forgive and forget the bad words used against them during this conference. They shouldn’t throw away what this conference has done.

Amendment

The report did not, however, pass without minor alterations of the title from “Draft Constitution” to “Draft Proposals to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999”. The alteration followed an amendment by Alhaji Adamu Waziri, a former Minister of Police Affairs, to a motion co-sponsored by High Chief Jerry Okwuonu and former governor of River State, Dr. Peter Odili, but presented by Okwuonu, asking the delegates to empower the secretariat of the conference to effect all necessary corrections on their behalf using the various submissions made by the delegates. According to him, the action would save the time of the conference. The motion read: “Whereas the secretariat has done a very marvelous job of compiling the report of the conference and presenting same to us in easily readable and cross-checkable format; and “Whereas delegates have perused all the reports and submitted in writing all items of omission or incorrect addition to the final report; and ”Bearing in mind the dual necessity of bringing the conference to a close for purposes of not unduly over-reaching the logistics provision of the conference and not unnecessarily prolonging the continued conglomeration of people in contradiction to the prescription of health authorities especially as the country tackles the Ebola crisis. “It is hereby moved that the secretariat be mandated to vet all the written submission by delegates and make necessary correction thereby providing the final draft of the conference reports.” But just before the motion was seconded and adopted by the delegates, Waziri announced an amendment to the motion. He said: To cultivate a conducive environment for delegates to validate and adopt the final report of the conference, we the undersigned delegates hereby offer and endorse the following observations and recommendation that seek to facilitate the process and lead to amicable ending of the conference proceedings. “We note that the secretariat of the conference, on August 11, 2014, tabled before delegates a draft report contained in three volumes that are broken down in seven chapters “In particular, we observed that volume III, entitled Draft Constitution, conveys an attempt to insert various resolutions and recommendations of a constitutional nature that were adopted by the conference as proposed amendments to the appropriate sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. “We recall and welcome the clarification and confirmation offered by conference Chairman at plenary on August 13, 2014 that indeed volume III contains proposals for the amendment of the C M Y K

Conference has brought victory for Nigeria, Sola Ebiseni, delegate and Commissioner for Environment, Ondo State •Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, and his deputy, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi 1999 Constitution. “We urged the leadership of the conference, in collating the final report to, more appropriately, designate Volume 111 as: Draft Proposals to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.” Put to a voice vote, the amendment was overwhelmingly supported. With that, the report was unanimously adopted by the delegates thereby marking the end of the 2014 National Conference. Spontaneously, all the delegates, who felt fulfilled, stood up and enthusiastically sang the old National Anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee”. Chants of labour solidarity songs also rent the air. Delegates react Speaking to Sunday Vanguard on the outcome of the conference, some delegates, who expressed happiness, said reason and understanding prevailed.

A new Nigeria has emerged — Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, National Chairman of Labour Party

”I feel happy. I feel elated, honored and privileged to be part and parcel of this conference that ended harmoniously with every body clapping hands, hugging, singing ‘though tongues and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand’. People expected turbulence. People expected fight. But you can see Nigeria is a country put together by God. And I will say welcome to a new Nigeria.” On the contentious build-up before the final adoption of the report, he said: “It was expected. You see some people take things very high to get something better. But when you discover that it will not fly, you have to respect yourself. You saw people condemn the document that contained nothing other than our decisions. But they had opportunity to read it yesterday and their position changed in the interest of Nigeria.” On the change of the title of the report, Nwanyanwu said it was necessary in the interest of peace.

The report did not, however, pass without minor alterations of the title from “Draft Constitution” to “Draft Proposals to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ”Nothing changed because myself who stood for that document knew that the appellation, the nomenclature given to it was wrong and I was to move that it be expunged and I am happy the leadership saw it and took action even before we raised it. So, it is a draft amendment to the 1999 Constitution and that is what it is properly called,” he said.

We now have renewed faith in Nigeria—Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman, APGA

Nwanyanwu’s view was not different from that of Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. ”I feel happy and completely satisfied that this initiative has not been a waste of time. Nigeria needed the conference very much and some people came here with a mindset to stall the conference but we have been able to navigate the critical, important national issues. They were addressed and resolutions were reached. During plenary, it was obvious that some people wanted Nigeria to remain the way it is. But Nigerians rallied round in this conference to ensure that what will come out will address the problems that are nagging the nation. So, we are happy that when we came back yesterday, the title of the constitution, there was an attempt to use it to scuttle the adoption of the report of the conference and we looked at it and said what is there? ”You call it Draft Constitution or you call it Proposed Amendments

to the Constitution, they remain the same thing. Once all the resolutions of the conference were captured in the document because we don’t have two documents, it is the same document that has been retitled to propose to the 1999 Constitution. So, they are all wonderful resolutions of the conference that needed to be reflected in the constitution. ”So, by just retitling the Draft Constitution, those who came here came here today to prevent the adoption of the report got disappointed and it was overwhelming accepted by everybody. So, to that extent, you can see that Nigeria has received a new lease of life. People are going back to their respective corners of Nigeria with a renewed faith in the nation. We congratulate the president.”

Mr. President, National Assembly should take the recommendation seriously—Senator Adolphus Wabara, former President of the Senate

”I will say to God be the glory. Most of us did not expect that it would have ended the way it did particularly with the sensational headlines we saw in the dailies. In politics, we say that one minute is too long in political decisions and I think that was exactly what happened here. I also want to thank the North through my very good friend, Adamu Waziri, for amending the motion which really doused the situation because talking about a

”The conference ended as victory for the Nigerian state, pride of the African continent of the back man. It shows that in dialogue, we can achieve so much as a people. There is no doubt that in the last one week or so, the impression to the Nigerian public and to the whole world was that the conference was going to end in fiasco. But we have demonstrated our maturity as a people, as Nigerians that when we are gathered, the best in us can always come out.” On the controversial title of the report, Ebiseni said “In content and quality, the final draft is the same. In form, yes, those who are passionate about the 1999 constitution for whatever it means to them, those who are jittery innovations and new ideas,of course, it is a compromise between moving forward and those who would have given an impression that the conference ended a stalemate or was inconclusive. At the end of the day, nothing changed from the content of our decision. In form, yes, those who want to still romanticize with 1999, let them have but at the end of the day, we have been able to sell the Nigerian public the new idea for the new Nigerian nation.” Closing formalities With the adoption of the final report on Thursday, the conference has closed on its formal sessions. But according to Kutigi, the closing formalities and a Chairman’s dinner would hold on Thursday, August 21. Last-line Indeed, prior to now, it would pass to say that the delegates came, debated and disagreed. But having successfully weathered the stormed produced by very turbulent and contentious national issues, one can safely say that they came, saw, debated and conquered. This is all in the bid to place Nigeria on a speedy developmental pedestal. Now concluded, the convener, President Goodluck Jonathan, and his government have been be put on the spotlight. All eyes are on him now as to what and when the report will be implemented. Would it be swept under the carpet as most of the previous ones appear to have been? Or will it be implemented soonest? These questions will find answers in the passage of time.

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

Confab: Why we initially opposed final repor t — Professor Yadudu BY UMORU HENRY & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU Auwalu Yadudu is a constitutional lawyer, professor of law and teacher at Bayero University, Kano. He was a delegate representing North-west at the just concluded National Conference in Abuja. He served at the Deputy Chairman of the Conference Standing Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Law Reforms. In this interview, he explains why the north was initially opposed to the adoption of the final report of the conference.

HAT was all this dust on the final report of the conference about? From my own perspective, we came and found documents, one set having three volumes containing narratives of the report but, in particular the third volume contained what was called Draft Constitution. But in reality the third volume actually contained a proposed set of amendments to the 1999 constitution based on the resolutions and recommendations adopted by the conference. In an attempt to perhaps do a good job or to be very exhaustive, the conference secretariat went beyond their brief. They then, maybe, briefed some lawyers to draw up what they called Draft Constitution 2014 which is entirely different from volume three and which is therefore a different ball game. Volume three is clearly a proposal to amend 1999 constitution. This other document is entirely, as it is called, a new constitution. So, the dust is in relation to that other document and slightly about this one because the title of this one, the volume three that we adopted today, also was wrong. So based on discussions and interactions that all stakeholders had between themselves and the leadership, it was made very clear. Not only the northern delegation, may be, because you are not privy, was opposed to a new constitution and, therefore, they were advised to ignore that other new constitution, but they should more appropriately designate volume three to be Proposed Amendment to 1999 Constitution and which is why the Chairman himself in the opening remarks yesterday said that the motion moved for the adoption of the report and the amendment to it were very, very explicit that we move for the adoption of the report with the correction made but that volume three be redesignated to be Proposed Amendments to the 1999 Constitution instead of the name Draft Constitution. It is not the same thing as the other one. What about the contents? On the contents, I give an example: Conference has taken a decision to create states whether you agree with it or not. So, they now came to the Section in the 1999 Constitution dealing with state creation to incorporate the decision of the conference. If you go to the section dealing with state police or police, they now proposed an amendment to amend that section to recognize state police. So, if you go to the section which has some relevance to the resolutions we took, they proposed amendment to it side by side. Now, that’s how you amend a constitution and that doesn’t make this a new constitution. When amended, it will continue to be 1999 constitution as amended. Now, how did you finally come to terms with each other? Very easy I think. First of all, as I said, the objection to adopting or considering what we did as a new constitution cuts across all regions, all stakeholders. It is just that the northern delegates had taken the issue quite early and disowned it. But C M Y K

Auwalu Yadudu

So, if you go to the section which has some relevance to the resolutions we took, they proposed amendment to it side by side. Now, that’s how you amend a constitution and that doesn’t make this a new constitution. When amended, it will continue to be 1999 constitution as amended we discovered that the objection to it cut across regions and opinions. So, with that objection, it became clear that everybody was of the view that, ‘ look, we have no power to initiate or adopt a new constitution but we do have powers to make recommendations that may go to amend an existing constitution’ and that is what we have done and that’s why members were agreeable to such a proposal. And then again, yesterday, the conference leadership met with different stakeholders and again what I have just described was reiterated to them and they were very agreeable to doing the right thing. Although there was no meeting of the mind between the person who proposed the motion and amendment, we were thinking along the same line and there was already this idea you have seen which is why Alhaji Maina Waziri who moved for the amendment did so. So, assuming the controversial title was retained, would you have also insisted on your position? Oh yes. Our position of disowning the entire process would have stood, in that we know we are not here to adopt a new constitution. Once that is cleared and what we are doing is what we have done and we have given effect to it, we have no problem with that. Now settled, how would you describe the entire process? We have to thank God and Nigerians and the good sense of all of us that we can be very intense, very adversarial in pushing for arguments and positions but we also have the capacity to recognize where we went wrong. As the chairman said, may be what they did was a mistake not of the mind in an evil way but an honorary mistake and, therefore, we were able to correct things. On the whole, I think it is important to recognize that we have met

for over four months, we have dialogued, we have not agreed always on all issues but that’s how it should be. But at the end of the day, we were able to give and take and then for the good of this nation. How do you place the conference visa-vis 2015 general elections that are just months away? My view initially was and still continues to be that the timing of the conference was wrong. It was ill- timed because stakeholders, when they discuss things, will have the impending elections in mind and therefore they tend to be emotive. And not only being emotive, the tendency in this country is that where there is an impending election, the incumbent tends to manipulate it. So, you have to be on your guard. That is why I think, the timing is wrong. That’s why the position; we took, particularly on rejecting a new constitution is very clear. It is not directed at the president because if you adopt a new constitution, it will benefit governors, even members of National Assembly; well, may be not necessarily members of the National Assembly but governors and that will be wrong. Now, coming to your question, we were able to solve a potentially explosive problem in a very calm manner in that we didn’t throw away the baby with the bath water. We have thrown away the bath water which is fouled but we have retained the baby, meaning that, at least we can say there is some report we can look forward to implementing and it can inform the way we do things and also amend our constitution. Now, my apprehension, again about the timing is that, we have finished this thing today, the report will be ready in a week time. Now, don’t you ever expect anybody, not necessarily Jonathan or anybody who is in that position, to seek to implement it immediately. There is no way he can im-

plement it. First of all, he will be busy with his electioneering campaign. Two, there are certain unpalatable things in the recommendations that he or anybody would not want to be seen to be promoting against his own nomination and also his electoral fortunes. This is natural. So, don’t expect him whether a new constitution or amendment to begin to implement it. And naturally also, by last count, they were saying that we made recommendations in thousands. So, you don’t expect them to do that. Now, I should not be accusing the president alone of relaxing to implement it, even the members of the national assembly who would either make new laws to implement our decisions or who would embark on the constitutional amendment. Right now, they are engaged in constitutional amendment. I don’t see them taking in our recommendations in any part of what they are going to do. This reminds me of the debate on how the outcome of the conference would be given the force of law. Did the conference eventually take a decision on that, whether through referendum or the National Assembly? We didn’t take a decision and if you look at chapter 7 of the report we adopted, it leaves that question hanging. Therefore, I would suppose that unless if someone is able to persuade the National Assembly to introduce some elements of referendum or on their own account, they can. By the way, it is not only a constitutional issue, you have to even enact a law which recognizes a referendum as a mechanism for amending the constitution. You also have to enable which ever organ you want to conduct the referendum to do so. At the moment INEC does not have that power. So, there is a whole lot of things to be done before you come to the use of referendum to implement the constitution. As Somebody who champions the northern cause, would you wish a second term for President Jonathan as against the background that some northern leaders have hinged his re-election on the release of the abducted Chibok school girls? I will not speak as a northerner but a Nigerian, a professional and a lawyer. I have spoken on president Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility before. I maintain my position. My position is that he is ineligible. He is ineligible to contest not on account of what has happened with Chibok girls or anything but because by my reading of the relevant provisions in the constitution, he is deemed to be finishing his second term now and not doing his first term. This argument is not one that I have to go through now, but suffice it to say, the reason is that it is novel. It has not happened before. That’s why it sounds strange. The constitution is very clear that we do no elect a vice president. We elect the president. Jonathan was the vice president elected on the ticket of the president and he was sworn in as vice president but concluded the term of the president in the presidential ticket which he was part of from 2007 to 2011. This is one angle to the argument. The second one which is very clear is that no one shall be allowed to be sworn in thrice as president and the question is not related to the number of years he has been sworn in. He was sworn in as Acting President but also as president after the death of Yar’ Adua. He was also sworn in as president when he won the second election . So, my answer to your question is that from a purely, legal professional point of view of my assessment of his eligibility, he is ineligible.

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Northern delegates shamed doubting Thomases — Senator Idah Senator Ibrahim Idah, who represented Katsina Central at the Senate in 2007 to 2011, was the Principal Secretary to former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. He is a delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen category.

IRST of all, we thank God for bringing us this far, for seeing the processes through. We thank the leadership of the conference for seeing to it that, in the end, good judgment and sincerity of purpose prevailed. I want to thank my colleagues, especially northern delegates and all other delegates, because they pointed out the implications of certain actions which, if allowed to pass through, will truncate democracy as we know it in Nigeria. The press has been awashed with speculative stories that seem to indicate that the northern delegates are against this or against that, absolutely not. We are mindful of the facts that when the conference held, specific resolutions were passed to adopt recommendations. Now we really went through the draft that was given to us to ensure that the contents of this report reflect what has been agreed upon and that was the bone of contention. Two, most of us are mindful of the fact that certain actions may be taken ignorantly and, if allowed to sail through, are bound to have certain implications. We not only pointed it out, but also insisted that for us to really own up to the final product of the conference, these pit falls, these short comings must be addressed and that was what was done. Our acceptance of the motion proposed for the adoption of the report for the secretariat to finalize was predicated on the fact that Volume three was reflected as a new constitution. What does that mean? The correct thing was that these are proposals made for the amendment to the 1999 Constitution. That constitution is the subsisting constitution and it is on its basis that we are here. We are not a constituent assembly, we did not come up to draw up a constitution, and we came up to look at issues objectively within a wider spectrum those things that could be done through policies, those things that could be done through laws and those that could be done through constitutional amendment. So having done all that, we now felt that to call all those things that have to do with constitutional amendment, to call them a new constitution was absolutely wrong. We painstakingly went through all the reports and highlighted the specific areas that we felt were errors of omission or commission. I will give you an example; the draft report said Section 315 should be deleted. We never considered that especially against the back drop that if you do that, then there are certain protective legislation like the NYSC that would have to be thrown out, that was C M Y K

•Senator Ibrahim Idah never a consideration. Now we have accepted the report of the conference on the grounds that all these observations would be corrected. We are not asking for anything new, we are only insisting that the right thing should be done and precisely that was what has been promised us by the secretariat and that is what we are going to follow up to see it through. Before this soft landing, it was like the fight was between the North and the South or the North and President

Jonathan. That was the impression, sometimes we want to sectionalize issues. We know it was not. First of all, President Jonathan was the person who convened this conference. Two, he is the president. He is the president of the North and the South; we have absolutely nothing to go against him within this conference. Two, it is not an issue of the North and South. Maybe it is people from the North who highlighted certain

issues and championed certain issues. It is natural for people to fall into that trap of thinking that the North wants to promote an agenda. We did not. We are fighting for democracy; we are fighting for Nigeria, the totality of Nigeria. And that is why you find that when compromise was reached, the issue pointed out was corrected, everybody applauded. If it were a northern agenda, those from the South would have said no. But you could see that it was an overflow. I want to say this, at no time did the delegates from the North fight for themselves. We were fighting for Nigeria and I would like to believe that our colleagues from the South were also doing the same thing. I mean it was very interesting. In Nigeria, you would always think that the heaven would fall, but the anti-climax would always be the main issue. By the time we were coming in, the media was full of reports that the sitting would be ‘I do or I break affair.’ If that was what it were, Iam sure the doubting Thomas was put to shame because Nigeria once more rose up to the occasion and shows that it is Nigeria that each and every one cares about, not the North, not the south because all these are components. And we know that a component is never as strong as a whole. Nigeria is for all of us. No Nigerian wherever he comes from or wherever he happens to be is inferior or superior to the other. We are all equal. But obviously we all have our peoples interest and idiosyncrasies and when you come to a conference like this, they are bound to happen. But if you go to our political environment, this is not a difficult time. It always appears as if things will break down but in the end, we emerged stronger than we have ever been.

What we have is a new constitution — Col Nyiam Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd) is a delegate on the platform of the Federal Government

VERYTHING in nature that stands the test of time, always replicates the process of creation. What do I mean? There is always as it were destruction or is it mixing. If you want to build a house, all the elements are virtually put separately and then put together. So what we have done really is in a way replicated the process of creation. Anything that would stand the test of time goes through this process, whereby it starts from a different note and then you have to merge them together. Obviously we went through that process where there was disagreement and it was healthy. For a long time in history we have been forced on ourselves. For the first time in history, we opened up and talked to ourselves. Apparently it looks as if we were divided, but we had a heart-to-heart talk and, at the end of the day, what is remarkable is that we ended up amicably. And we

•Col. Tony Nyiam agreed that what we have is a unity in diversity, federalism and we must respect the differences we have. Again this wasn’t surprising because this was what Ahmadu Bello said years ago. What should be the next stage after

you have reached this level? What you have just said is a question of appellation legally. What is the content? In the content, we have resolutions, and so many that really it is much more than an amendment. But for the sake of peace, we call it amendment, but in truth, what we have, whether we like it or not, is a new constitution. There are fundamental things and many to be contained in a remit of an amendment. What we have is really a proposed new constitution. In any case, it is a logical extension. Why do we want to continue if we are a democratic country with a military decreed constitution? I felt it is long overdue that we have a document that would go through a process of being a constitution so that the people approve. And I think this is why we need to commend the president for starting this process and pray God to keep on guiding him to see us through in everything.

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General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(rtd)

IBB @ 73: The Interview

‘Why Boko Haram will not survive’ •On 2015: How contest for presidency will play out •Says he can still remarry BY WOLE MOSADOMI Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, is 73 years old today. In this interview to mark the occasion, Babangida, fondly called IBB, speaks on some critical issues in the country, including the continuous detention of the Chibok girls by the Islamist group, Boko Haram, the power situation in the country, the 2015 general elections, among others.

ANY Nigerians have said that the past leaders have not been saying much or advising the present administration especially on the challenges confronting the country, the impeachment processes, the Boko Haram issue and kidnapping. This is an opportunity for you to say a word and advise government. Secondly, one of the major problems confronting this nation now is poor power supply. I don’t know if you are part of the Nigerians feeling the pinch. As a former Military President, what is your suggestion to the Federal Government on how to get out of the challenges? The first question about us the older generation, what are we doing? I can tell you we are doing a lot. If there is any set of Nigerians who understands the problems of this country, it is those of us who were opportune to be at the helm of affairs at various times in this country. We know what the problems are, we appreciate what the president is doing, and the best we can do and we are always doing is to be of help to him in terms of advice, meetings, interactions, and so on. I think this is one of the luckiest countries that have got seven living heads of state, people who headed government and have always interacted with the president and we also appreciate the problems the president is facing because C M Y K

we were once there. So the best we can do is to always sit with him and give him advice; and I am glad to say we are doing just that. Nigerians are saying for how long are we going to be patient? Is the president making use of the advice given to him? Well I have always said there will be Nigeria in 1,000 years’ time and, therefore, every administration, from Alhaji Tafawa Balewa to the present administration, will be faced with one challenge or the other. This one cannot be the end, the next administration will have its own challenges also. The important thing is that we the people should strive hard to overcome the problems and move forward. What is happening to us is not new in any developing country. I am following what government is doing about power. I must say it is not doing badly. However, it is a matter of patience; we have the machinery, the framework has been set up. When it takes off, the problem will be history. It has been over 100 days since the kidnapping of the Chibok school girls. Despite the assurances by the international community, the girls have not been found. What is the way forward? When do you think we can get these girls back home to their parents? Perhaps the way forward is what government is doing now. I know there are complications. It is no longer an issue that you could ask the military to move into Sambisa forest and rescue the girls. I think Nigerians want the girls rescued and brought back home alive not dead; that is a very daring thing to do. From my experience as a professional soldier, a lot of planning, a lot of cooperation, a lot of study has to be done to achieve this objective. 217 or whatever the number is, is a lot of population to lose just like that. So I

I pray that we would reach a time when the immunity clause should no longer be an issue. Every state chief executive has to protect his integrity, he has something in him that needs protection, he has his name, his reputation, his family think government is trying from what we got during our last briefing; I am quite satisfied that efforts are really being made to get the girls out. You see, the objective is to get them out of that place alive, the operative word is alive, you can order a full scale military operation and you could get them all killed which would defeat the objective. We are all witnesses to the level of impunity in our body politic. Impeachment saga is all over the country; we also have the militarization of our democratic process. As someone who was there before, what would be your advice to Nigerians bearing in mind that we have all agreed that there is no option to democracy? It is true there is no option to democracy. Again, this is still the way I see it; what we have is part of the learning process. You may

call it impunity, you may give it any name you want, but I think the time would come, those of you who are very observant, I would like to see a situation when a chief executive of a state is being accused and he is given an opportunity to come forward to say the accusation is not true, he has his team of lawyers, the state Assembly would also have its lawyers and they would make it public and the public would get to know what is happening and, at the end of the day, they vote. But don’t forget, in our current situation, I said we are just learning, it is one particular party which has more than two thirds to remove a governor anytime they feel that there is a breach or gross misconduct, I believe if the governor is doing well, the public will support him. So in essence you are saying for us to go a step further, immunity clause should be removed bearing in mind that most governors hide under the immunity clause, they cannot be queried, they cannot be sanctioned by their various Assemblies. I pray that we would reach a time when the immunity clause should no longer be an issue. Every state chief executive has to protect his integrity, he has something in him that needs protection, he has his name, his reputation, his family. Those are the things he should protect and not immunity. Though it is there for one case or the other, if you accuse me, I will try to prove to you that you are wrong especially as I have children and great grandchildren. Time would come when the chief executive would rather defend himself, his person and integrity as opposed to using the immunity clause. There was this issue that the western sub-region was supposed to have embraced, the Eco-Currency, but the idea has

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‘Why Boko Haram will not survive’ Continued from page 32 been shelved. I am asking this because you were once the chairman of ECOWAS, what is your take on this? Secondly, in the last Council of State meeting, I noticed that Niger State had four representatives. What does that tell us about the leadership producing mechanism of the state because you were there, General Abdulsalami Abubakar was there, the governor was there and the former Chief Justice was also there? An elder statesman also asked the same question and we jokingly told him that there is special water in Minna, Niger State, if you do drink it, you will end up as a president, a Chief Judge or somebody. So everybody is rushing to find out where that water is, but I think it is just mere coincidence of history that we were there. Maybe in the next 20 to 50 years, you will find another state that would take over from Niger. On the other question, you have had 16 independent countries in the western Africa sub region. We started it and it has been quite a long time and these are 16 independent countries with different languages, different economic policies. It takes time. It just doesn’t happen by mere conception of the idea. The European Union had the same problem; there are still other countries which are not members of EU; so we look at it that way. Wherever we stop, the younger generations would take off from there. Recently, the president came out with a proposal for $1 billion loan to fight insurgency, but there have been criticisms from many quarters about the loan. What is your take on this? To me, it is not an issue, there is a process and we haven’t gone through the process yet, so why do Nigerians kill themselves arguing about things that have not happened? But to be forewarned is to be forearmed. If no noise is being made about this, the loan would be collected and this could affect the future of the upcoming generations? So you make the noise, maybe the government would sit down and say ‘okay, the people don’t want it so we would not take it’ but would find another way of doing it. That is how government operates. Under your government, a lot of noise was made at one period that made you reverse some policies. So if this is a democratic government, don’t you think it is incumbent on our leaders to once in a while listen to their followers? I think they are. I would only talk about this when eventually this loan is taken. The National Assembly listens to you and this proposal would come to the National Assembly and because the National Assembly listens to the people and agrees with you, maybe, it would not get through. We are gradually heading to 2015 and we have seen this tradition where each sitting party feels you can come in automatically and no one cares if the person is accepted or not by the followers. A lot of people always want to come back even when

*Daniel ...Everybody celebrated another governor caught!

*Babangida... more states won’t solve any problems the people feel someone else can do better. What I am trying to say is that are we really getting things right with people looking for power at all costs? I feel if you believe in what you are doing and you are doing well, you would aspire to finish what you have started. We got it right during our time and we can still get it right. I believe what is lacking is what I have always referred to as voters education. The level of understanding, the level of belief is still below what we expect. If you are elected the governor of your state today, you should be able to measure the temperature, whether people like you because you are doing well or they don’t like you because you are not fulfilling the promises you made. All you need is patience till the next election and you will get the person voted out. So we haven’t reached the stage where the ordinary voter would say ‘no, this guy hasn’t done well, let’s get him out’. Taking you back to the militarization of politics, what do you think of the military of today and the military you left behind, and what do you think is the way forward? The militarization of politics is the fault of the people, the reason is that somehow, there is this element in the people. They seem to accept that for things to work out well, you have compromised your police. So the next one that has not been compromised, but would soon be compromised, is the military. I don’t believe the military should be civil, I don’t believe they should participate in elections. Equip the police which is supposed to be closer to the people, train them and they would be able to handle this. We did it with the police. I used to be a returning officer in the 50s and 60s, there was no military presence in elections then. We used the police and it can still be done. So I think this is, again, one of the things developing countries face, but time would come when things would change. I am not sure the military likes to be involved in these civil duties.

You just said the police has been compromised, and there is the likelihood that the military may also be compromised and if the military is to be compromised, the people see leaders like you who have been in the military as still military men and, as far as the rules of engagement are concerned, you are still a military man. What does it mean to you

I feel if you believe in what you are doing and you are doing well, you would aspire to finish what you have started. We got it right during our time and we can still get it right. I believe what is lacking is what I have always referred to as voters education that the institution you left behind is being subjected to a questionable affair? Would you advise that the military should be used in the elections of 2015? Nostalgia, that’s all. It would be corrected, it can’t continue like this. You guys would shout your voice hoarse, the public would shout and the administration will listen. I tell you what we did then. There are places that you need logistical support by the military. We have boats in the creeks, the assets can be used to enhance the credibility of elections. So I can see a government that would say ‘okay, if you go to some villages in the creeks and we have boats that get in there, you can ask those assets to be used in ferrying ballot boxes,

in carrying people who would be involved in elections’ That is practically okay but personally, I don’t believe they (military) should be seen on the streets. What is your opinion on creation of states bearing in mind that state creation has become an economic issue? Do you think more states should be created? I think the clamor for the creation of more states has something to do not with economics but with sentiments. Let me give you a practical example. During the National Conference, they said the Southeast is one state less than the Southwest. I think we should leave all those sentiments behind. The truth is that those at the helm of affairs are at least sensible enough to know that now everybody, every ethnic community has something it calls its own. It could be a state, it could be a local government. So I think we should just accept that and settle the issue and go ahead with our normal life and economic development in building unity blocs in the country and push on. I don’t believe creation of new states would solve any problem. Nigerian leaders, especially those of northern extraction, have been accused of being the architects of the problems facing Nigeria. What is your take on it? Architects of the problems of Nigeria? I thought that is natural, you were not there, you don’t know what is happening, you only read and make opinions. I can understand, I don’t feel bad that somebody gets up to say we are the architects of all these problems, but people with a little bit of common sense who are interested in Nigeria and the development of Nigeria should be able to compare the Nigeria of 1914 and the Nigeria of 2014 and you must accept that during those 100 years, we have gone through various transformation, various developments, various events, all in the hope of building a strong nation. We even went to war in this country, so we are doing something. What is happening now is only the problem of a developing nation with not so informed populace, so the leaders would be bashed for a long time to come. I once told you a story of a president who won an election, and he had four advice given to him in an envelope. He was told that once you are in trouble, open the first envelope and when he got into trouble and he opened the first envelope, it read, ‘blame it on the previous administration’. So he went out and blamed the administration he took over from. He was told to go for the second envelope if he got into trouble again and when he opened the envelope after getting into trouble the second time, the envelope read, ‘blame it on the man who was there before’. The third one he opened said, ‘please do something’. So the blame game has to be there but we have to do something at the end of the day. Is it not because we failed to lay solid structure for the future that we have these problems? Because it is on record that some of the institutions that were built during your administration are what have been developed over time. Is it not because the past leaders, especially those of northern extraction, failed to lay a solid structure? Today, Kaduna

is dry, almost all the industries in there are dead because there were no structures laid by our past leaders. No, when you talk of structures, all these processes........ I will take you back to 1996 when we introduced the now dreaded Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). As military men, we were very honest, we told you that it was not going to be easy because there was a perception then that government had to do everything, government had to even sweep your home and we said those things were not going to be there anymore; you just had to use your brain, use your hands and we opened up an opportunity for you to develop. You didn’t have to rely on government, but it didn’t go well. We did admit that it wasn’t going to be easy but thank God, people are realizing it now. It pleases me everyday to sit down here and find that you still talk about privatization, about commercialization, so it takes time, a lot of education needs to be done to make people realize this. We carried out propaganda when we wanted to increase the price of fuel; we told Nigerians that a litre of our oil was cheaper than a litre of water; so by the time we moved from 20k to 70k, people understood because they were buying a litre of water at N1 or more and we were asking you, ‘this scarce resource, just pay 70k’. So you need a lot of patience to educate the people and this is where the press comes in. Talking about the issue of security in the country, from the answer you gave, you seem to be saying that we should rule out military option in the rescue of these Chibok girls. No, no, no, when I said military option, I don’t believe we should get in there as if we are fighting a war; so you have to get the military ready, the police, the intelligence assets. Somebody has to rescue them and maybe if the military is best equipped for this, it would be okay but you will not tell them to go and flush them out. Foreign assistance to rescue the girls, what do you think of that move? Is it alright? What impact do you think that will make? Secondly, do you support the idea that government should go into negotiation with Boko Haram? Well, you go into negotiation with people you know, people you identify, people you see, so (in the Chibok girls case), who do you negotiate with? That is the problem. Who? Surely, I don’t believe government should call (Boko Haram leader) Shekau to sit on the table and talk. So who do you talk to? Nobody! If there are identified persons who, for one reason or the other everybody knows they are fighting, they should come out openly, say this is what they want. To be fair to the Federal Government, who do they talk to? Tomorrow, if they come out to say ‘this is the leadership, this is the structure, this is our grievances, this is what we want’, they can sit down and talk, but so far, it hasn’t happened. What the foreign help is doing, they are not going to rescue the girls. It is the Nigerian military or the Nigerian authorities that would eventually do that job. But

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IBB: How 2015 contest for presidency will play out Continued from page 33 to do that job well, they need lesson, information, exact location where the girls are. Perhaps we don’t have the facilities to do this and this is why the Americans say they will help us by flying out there, ‘we would give you the information and you use that information to carry out your operations’. So what they are doing is assisting with some assets which we don’t have and which is normal because it happened in the past when the British went to Falklands . That takes me back to the question that the former leaders have not done enough if at this stage of our life in Nigeria, we don’t have the information to track terrorists within our domain. Do you think Nigeria as a country is really developing? I believe we are learning to be able to carry out this successfully. Presently, we lack certain things, so the next lesson would be we lack A, B, C, D in terms of training, in terms of equipment, therefore, we would not be caught pants down next time, we would make sure that these assets are available to us. With the challenges in the North, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, militants activities in the South, as a past leader and a military man who participated in the civil war, do you see the current security challenges leading to war, another civil war? Secondly, during your time, before you became a leader, all former leaders called themselves Heads of State, but when you came, you chose to be called Military President. What made you to choose the titleMilitary President? I did say that the insurgency is the problem of this country, not the problem of any particular group and we should see it as a Nigerian problem and there has to be a Nigerian solution to a Nigerian problem. Number two, on the rantings by some Nigerians, I don’t see it as a threat, I don’t see it as a problem because those who are ranting only do it in posh hotels in Abuja. You don’t see them with people. I challenge anyone of them to go there and say ‘I am the leader and I am ready to take you to war’. Nobody is doing that. They will just sit down and shout and you guys make big headlines on some of the things they say and it stops there. I would be glad to see anyone of them either in the creeks or in the forest saying and telling the people to follow him and that ‘I am going to lead you’. As long as they don’t do that, then I think all is just ranting and they are given publicity for it and they enjoy it. I want to see them in uniform saying they are ready to lead their followers to the creeks. I think Nigerians should just ignore them. We have had history of real leaders. I give credit to Adaka Boro. For example, in 1964, I was a young officer, he had people, he led people and he was a very charismatic person. Now these guys are enjoying the whatever and they would sit down and say they would go to war. They should try it and let’s see what happens. I would also put on uniform because I have spare one (prolonged laughter). On the second part of your question, there was a clamor for democracy when I was in office and

I also knew that we were not going to jettison the presidential system of government in the country because it was a settled issue. Presidential and federalism were settled issues in the Nigeria political evolution, so I didn’t want to change that system. I was not democratically elected but I knew this country accepted that there would be a president, so I wanted to maintain the status quo during our time. So all of you know that ‘okay, he is a Military President and that means we are going to have a Civilian President’. It worked. We didn’t shift the goal post, it was a learning process. I wanted to prove that these were settled issues in Nigeria. President is a settled issue, not prime minister, not Head of State or whatever it was called in those days. Still on security issue, whenever people ask about security, attention goes to the Chibok girls only, but to some extent, the issue has gone beyond the girls in the sense that a part of Nigeria has gone into the hands of Boko Haram.They have started hoisting their flags in villages in the North-East. They have also started blowing up bridges that link up these troubled areas with Nigeria giving an indication that soon they would take over that part of the country. As a military man, is government doing enough to ensure that Boko Haram does not take over one part of Nigeria? Let’s get one thing correct. The insurgents know one thing, that they don’t have the strength, they don’t have the power to confront a regular army, that is why they are involved in bombings and suicides. The whole purpose is to strike fear in the minds of the public with the hope that if it continues, the people would begin to doubt the capability of government to protect them. That is the objective of the insurgents. They can’t hold the ground and the fact that they resort to breaking up bridges, creating obstacles shows you that they are not capable of confronting the army. They just have to impede the army’s movement, they have to unleash terror on people and I believe if we had broken bridges, we had engineers who would build the bridges and the armed forces are still capable of doing it. So it is still part of the insurgents part of waging a war against regular armed forces. The military has the experience and I know it knows what to do and should win that war. What about the threats of the insurgents on the social media. Some months ago, the social media was awash with threats from this group that they were going to attack prominent leaders of the North and we took it with levity. But some weeks ago, a former Head of State, General Buhari, was attacked. Also, your name was mentioned as one of the leaders they will attack. Is it not a source of concern for you people who have led this country and are still working to keep this country together.? There are also threats to capture states in the North-Central. I heard it too. I think the whole objective as I earlier told you was to put the fear of Boko Haram into the people like the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom. That is the only tactic they have to use, but I am saying it would not work; all we need is to

next four years, change and if you believe very strongly, you can also mobilize other people to bring about change, do it. Going by what you just said now, PDP has shown that it is not interested in having competitors and that is why we are having the problem of impeachment and there is a need for the past leaders to advise the incumbent to allow these things to flow for choices and for peace to reign, but when you look at the happenings in the country now, they should allow the four years to go and let the people make their changes. So there is a need for people as leaders to look at these things critically so that we have peace as these problems disrupt

*Babangida...govt will resolve Chibok girls issue

The insurgents know one thing, that they don’t have the strength, they don’t have the power to confront a regular army, that is why they are involved in bombings and suicides support the military, the armed forces, the government in what they are doing. They don’t have the people’s support and this is why I challenge those who are shouting their voice hoarse to go back to the creeks or the forest. This insurgency would stop, it has to stop because Boko Haram cannot survive. Given the backdrop of the Ebola virus that has killed so many people in west African sub region, some leaders in the SouthWest are advocating that land borders, sea borders, air space should be closed by the Federal Government not minding the fact that some Nigerians patronize some west African countries for their livelihood. During Obasanjo’s regime, when trans border crime took another dimension, the borders were closed but it was discovered that the closure of the borders between Badagry and Seme was affecting the economy of Benin Republic and the nation and thus reopened. Is the closing of the borders the solution to the Ebola virus? I think what the governors were suggesting was an immediate action. I was hearing this morning about the aviation industry, they would monitor but they would not stop flights to these countries. I think it would not last a long time, it is a temporary measure and they also tell you what to do, the measures taken so far. I think it is good for the country. At the National Conference recently, delegates couldn’t reach consensus on some sensitive national issues. Don’t you think that

this portends danger for this country if the likes of past IGs, emirs, chief judges could not reach a consensus? I think what you should do is to remind them that they were analogue during their time, now its an IT situation and, whether they like it or not, we can never come back to an analogue situation (laughter). It amazes me when someone would get up in the National Conference and say let us go back to the parliamentary system of government; it is stupid, it doesn’t make sense. We agreed as a nation that this is what we want, so that issue is settled. Let’s develop that thing that we said we wanted. An average Nigerian wants a quick solution to the challenges we are facing. What is your advice to him. And on a lighter note, at 73, what makes you tick. Also, three years ago, you told us you were planning to remarry but you are yet to do that. Have you changed your mind? Yes, I said I was going to remarry. That is a statement of fact. I may still do so. There is still time for it. I think what we need, the followers since they have voted people to various positions at the local government level, at the state level and at the national level, I think they need to imbibe the value of patience. Things don’t happen overnight. You voted for a governor based on the promises he made to you, then you have to accept that you will live with him for the next four years. Whether you like it or not, he is there for four years. Now if you realize that you have made a mistake, then the

peace in the nation. Well, I think the problem is you have political parties, I would hate to use that word but the system seems to be a corrupted version of politics or political activities. In the process, the political party provides the platform for you to express ideas, to seek office and to vote for people of like minds and then the party would come and tell you that they would be transparent, there would be a level playing ground, they would allow people to choose and that is what should happen. So far, it is not transparent at all and as long as there is always a hidden motive, you can never get it right. Educate the people and allow them to make their choice and whoever they choose, so be it, we will have to live with him for the next four years. If he is not good, vote him out; if he is good, retain him for another four years because he has a programme in place. But as long as the parties are going to interfere on who becomes the candidate, we would continue to face these problems. What is your take on the possibility that the Chibok girls are being used as suicide bombers considering the fact that some young girls were used to detonate bombs, and should the girls not be released, is the country not sitting on a keg of gunpowder? Secondly, how do you feel about Nigeria considering the fact that you were among those who fought for this nation? If God would ask me where do I want to come back to in the next world, I would tell Him I would come back here. Come back to Nigeria, come back to Minna. The question on the Chibok girls, I think if we should allow the government, the security agencies to handle it, we may have a headway, but if you politize it, in either religious politizing or social, then it becomes a difficult thing to do. We all agree that it is a Nigerian problem, so we should allow the Nigerian authorities to solve it. I see on the television, a lot of security experts, a lot of people who talk; I don’t blame them, they don’t have the experiences in handling the case, but government is in a better position to appreciate the level of commitment to get them back. They have the military, they have the police, they have the intelligence sources, they have the contacts and so on. All we need to do is to encourage them to work it out and I know it will. From the experiences we had in the past, three years, we fought a war; at the end of the day, common sense prevailed and we won. I think we would do the same in this case. The continued stay of the Chibok girls with the insurgents is a continued source of concern to the people. I think every Nigerian, irrespective of who, should be concerned because they are Nigerians and they deserve the right to be protected, they deserve the right to life and we should put our heads together to help the girls. I don’t believe they are the people used for suicide bombing. I want to believe that those involved must have been indoctrinated for a long period, a year or two and so we just have to find out what happened, how do they come about these girls?

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 35

BREAKING THE JINX ON SMALL BUSINESSES

Can N220billion facility grow SMEs? BY UDEME CLEMENT AND AKOMA CHINWEOKE

The Central Bank Nigeria recently introduced another N220 billion SMEs Guarantee Scheme Fund, stressing that the initiative provides 80 per cent cover for startups enterprises. According to CBN’s Head of SMEs Finance, Dr. J. Abba, with the new move the apex bank has positioned itself to bridge the gap in access to finance among growing enterprises. Already, the CBN’s Head of SMEs Finance said there is another N200 billion fund at seven per cent interest rate and 15-year tenure, which was introduced into the market about four years ago, stressing that the scheme is still accessible. Sunday Vanguard Business sought the opinion of experts on the renewed efforts by the CBN towards the development of the real sector, especially the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), and the call for them to embrace the N220 billion SMEs Guarantee Scheme Fund.

BN must learn to im C prove its effectivenessOnovo

Martin Onovo, National Leader, Strategic Union of Professionals for the Advancement of Nigeria (SUPA), a petroleum engineer, and former presidential candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2011elections. “The N200B SME credit guarantee scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria may be the result of a fundamental bureaucratic mis-diagnosis and misunderstanding of the anomalous Nigerian economic reality. The fund established in 2010 has not achieved the intended results because it is an inadequate panacea for the identified and published national economic issues. The following factors may aggravate the inadequacy of the SME credit guarantee scheme (CGS). Access to credit’ which the scheme is intended to provide is only one of several requirements of SMEs for increased productivity. Even this one requirement is not adequately provided for by the SMECGS. For the purpose of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Guarantee Scheme (SMECGS)- , a Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) is defined as ‘an enterprise that has asset base (excluding land) of between N5million – N500 million and labour force of between 11 and 300’. This definition of an SME under the SMECGS is inappropriate and excludes small enterprises which are in greater need of ‘access to credit’. Also, the strict requirement of col laterals that are acceptable to the ‘Participating Bank’ may imply different requirements for different ‘participating banks’. The only benefit that can accrue to an SME on this scheme may be that it secures the credit at the ‘Prime Lending Rate’ (PLR). But the current PLR is still very high which increases the risk to profitability and the probability of default. The endemic crass corruption in the polity and the weak ethical ambience in Nigeria will surely contribute to the failure of the CBN SMECGS in many ways.

Martin Onovo Our experience with ‘Peoples Banks’, the banking crises and the stock market crash of 2008 provide lessons which the CBN must learn to improve its effectiveness. The boundary of target enterprises of the CBN SMECGS and the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank may need public clarification. This may make the SMECGS an ineffective duplication or a complementary scheme. CBN administrative and regulatory capacity weaknesses that were exposed by the banking crises need to be corrected to ensure adequate administrative capacity for SMECGS and any other schemes. The inability of the CBN to effectively manage monetary policy and control inflation may be additional evidence of serious administrative and regulatory capacity weaknesses. The concept of the SMECGS is not very strategic as it addresses in isolation one challenge of SMEs development in Nigeria without consideration of the greater challenges. These greater challenges properly identified previously include: Epileptic

Ikpong Umoh

The scope of statutory responsibility of the CBN covers only a few of the less important factors that impede the development of SMEs in Nigeria power supply, multiple taxation and national infrastructure deficit. In conclusion, to achieve the objectives of the SMECGS, the CBN must work with the political leadership to first develop a comprehensive strategy. Then,

other relevant public institutions will align and work patriotically to achieve the published objectives. The scope of statutory responsibility of the CBN covers only a few of the less important factors that impede the development of SMEs in Nigeria. Consequently, the CBN may be misguided in its grandiose presumption that the SMECGS can by itself promote SME development significantly in Nigeria. After four years of the SMECGS, its inevitable failure to achieve the published objectives may have become obvious to the CBN. Scheme is no solution to SMEs challenges – MAN Meanwhile, the Chairman, Toiletries and Cosmetics (T&C) group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ikpong Umoh, said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the 36 State governors, for N220 billion micro and macro development fund for Small and Medium

Scale Enterprises (SMEs), across the country, is not a solution to the challenges militating against the growth of the sub-sector for over a decade. He made this known in a chat with Sunday Vanguard, in Lagos, emphasising that the CBN must ensure that the 36 States bring counter-part fund for SMEs to thrive and create jobs for the citizens. Collection of counter-part fund, he said, is the only way through which CBN’s partnership with the States would achieve the intended purpose. Umoh, explained that Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agencies of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and other regulatory agencies must be carried along to enhance effective implementation of the new directive across the country. These agencies must have offices and skilled personnel in rural areas to nurture the growth of SMEs operating in those places. The apex bank should put measures in place to ensure that SMEs doing business in rural areas c benefit from this new arrangement” He went on, “For the new scheme to achieve its objectives, the monetary authority should also carry out effective monitoring of the SMEs sub-sector to ascertain the number of SMEs we have in each State of the Federation. This aspect is very crucial to ensure that the real operators of SMEs benefit from this scheme and not SMEs that operate only on paper, without offices and structures anywhere in the country. In doing this, start-ups, must be included. Start-ups here include operators of small businesses who have good business ideas to begin operations, but do not have the financial capacity to provide equipment and necessary facilities needed to function”.

Border surveillance: Customs arrests vehicle loaded with hard drugs BY UDEME CLEMENT

HE security surveillance put in place by Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to monitor nefarious activities of smugglers within the border communities is yielding positive results, following the interception of a large quantity of hard-drugs, loaded in a vehicle, along Ago-Are axis of Atiba local government area of the State. The Command also impounded the vehicle used by the suspects as a means of conveyance, along with over 234 wraps of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa), concealed with bales of fairly used clothes and shoes by smugglers in a attempt to escape security checks. In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, the Customs Areas Controller (CAC), of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, expressed displeasure about the activities of un-repentant smugglers, stressing that such crime constitutes serious security risk as well as economic sabotage to the nation. He said, “The hard drugs were arrested around 3.00am in the morning during operations. You can see that these criminals are coming out with new and sophis-

From R-L: Oyo State Commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Omobolade Faboyede, the Customs Public Relations Officer, Ijeoma Nwala, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Oyo/Osun Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, and senior officers of the Command, during the handing over of a vehicle load of hard drugs, intercepted by Customs in the state. ticated ways of smuggling offensive items into our economic environment, as such, we are alert and battle-ready to track them down. The drugs had been handed over to the Oyo State Commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs Omobolade Faboyede, to carry out a thorough investigation into

the matter, to unravel the culprits behind incessant smuggling of hard drugs into the country”. Oteri went on, “The seizure is consistent with our resolve to sustain our anti-smuggling drive and operations. We re-iterate our commitment to keep Oyo/Osun axis free from all illicit goods, which is harmful to the nation’s

health and economy. We shall continue to partner with other sister agencies in ensuring that our nation’s borders are well protected. Consequently, we are warning all unpatriotic elements to desist from this illegal business or be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.” He continued, “We are working tirelessly to tackle the trend of drugs smuggling in the region and will stop at nothing to ensure that offenders are prosecuted. For instance, the Command recently recorded massive seizure of hard drugs loaded in a Toyota Sienna Bus, with registration number, EPE 39 AY and chassis number U224803. The suspect , a middle-aged man, residing at Challenge area of Ibadan, was arrested along with the items. That operation was carried out by one of the Command’s anti-smuggling teams led by SC Okoi A. U. That particular arrest took place, just few months after our Officers intercepted 60 packages of cannabis, loaded in a white 504 Peugeot, with registration number JND 20 XA, along Saki Iseyin axis of Oyo. Again, the drugs were concealed with yam flour by the suspect to escape arrest but our officers uncovered the criminal act.”

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

14 MONTHS TO THE END OF NIGERIA/US ECONOMIC PACT

Counting the gains, the lapses! •Beneficiary-nations seek extension BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

ESS than 14 months to the expiration of the economic pact between United States (US) and 39 sub-Saharan African nations under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA , the beneficiary-countries including Nigeria are asking for extension of the pact. Many African governments have highlighted the successes of AGOA and called for an expedited re-authorisation process and its extension even as Nigeria has not optimally utilised the provisions because as the component of its huge trade with the US is mostly crude oil. AGOA, which has been operational since May 18, 2000, offers a competitive edge for African products to gain access into the US market with over 6,000 products, including many agricultural products to be exported to the US duty free until the September 30, 2015 date of expiration. Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, said the country had put in place a veritable policy such as privatizing the energy sector, launching a public roadmap, establishing a strong regulator and implementing cost-reflective tariffs in meeting the regulations of AGOA. Aganga also said that the Ministry is working on a new AGOA strategy that would help to boost the export of Nigerian products to the US market. “We believe the AGOA has been a useful platform and we are calling for an extension for 15 years. 15 years will allow certainty for investment”, he said. The Minister said that Nigeria, in addressing the challenges militating against the quest to take full advantage of the AGOA initiative, is working on a new strategy that will enable increase in Nigeria’s volume of export to the US. “In order to address the challenges militating against Nigeria’s quest towards taking full advantage of the AGOA initiative, we are working on a new strategy that will enable increase in the Nigeria’s volume of export to the United States”, Aganga said. “Discussions are on-going with the US government on ways of partnering with them for full benefits from the AGOA initiative”. The Minister also expressed belief that Nigeria can do far more than it is currently doing under AGOA, adding that although Nigeria exports some agricultural produce to the US under AGOA, some of the produce do not meet the required standards. The 39 eligible African countries to export most products duty-free to the US are: Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.

South Africa also asked for an extension of the AGOA, according to that country’s Trade Minister, Rob Davis. Despite criticism from some exporters on their inability to export goods under AGOA, Mr Chika Izuchukwu, a textile and garment exporter, who said he had been exporting goods since 2007 under AGOA claimed that most Nigerian goods are not well packaged, labeled and do not meet the required standards. He stated that the major distortion in the Nigerian economy can be attributed to various government initiatives such as the N200 billion special agric fund and the N70billion textile fund among others aimed at developing the sectors but yet to show any positive impact on the economy. Nigeria textile industry was

Effort is being made to extend it by another 10 or more years; if that is done, l hope government will put some things in place that will facilitate the active involvement of the textile sector once the finest and most vibrant textile industry in the world because in the 80s, the industry provided about 15,000 direct jobs with well over 250 functional factories across the federation. Today, the story is different. The Director-General of Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, NTMA, Mr. Jaiyeola Olarewaju, who spoke to this correspondent on telephone, said the textile industry had not benefited from AGOA.

Dr. Olusegun Aganga “Unfortunately the textile industry has not benefitted from AGOA. The fact is that we did tap into the opportunities that AGOA offers. It is open to garment industry but sadly, there is no well established garment industry in this country”, he said. “We do not have an organized and well established garment industry hence we will did benefit from AGOA otherwise we would have loved to make judicious use of the opportunities of AGOA”. “I know that effort is being made to extend it by another 10 or more years; if that is done, l hope government will put some things in place that will facilitate the active involvement of the textile sector”. Trade between Nigeria and US Balance of trade between the US and Nigeria over the years has been in favour of the latter. In 2008, top five AGOA benefici-

ary-countries were Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, Chad, and Republic of Congo. Nigeria is currently the US 35th largest goods trading partner with $18.2 billion in total (two way) goods trade in 2013. Achievements of AGOA Over the decade, petroleum products accounted for roughly 85 per cent of AGOA imports, in which Angola and Nigeria have consistently accounted for about 10 per cent of U. S imports of oil. Although some U.S. energy companies have trained local nationals in management and technical skills and put in place corporate social responsibility programs, such incentives have not created large number of new jobs for Nigeria. To make a fair assessment of AGOA, therefore, it is necessary to focus on the impact of increased non-energy AGOA imports into US and the role of these imports in poverty

alleviation and economic development. Other achievements of AGOA include job creation, increase in foreign direct investments, and efforts towards regional integration through the creation of regional value chains and corresponding increases in intra- African partnerships. Unfortunately, most of these chains have been concentrated in the apparel sector where Nigeria, for now, is not a principal player. Challenges For Nigeria to address its inadequacies in infrastructure and to integrate all infrastructure plans and projects of the Federal Government into one, a National Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) was formulated. The plan is a 30- year plan (20142043) which will require an estimated $2.9trillion to close Nigeria’s huge infrastructure gap in the next 30 years, 52 per cent to be generated by government while the balance of 48 per cent is expected to be covered by the private sector. Other challenges are packaging and labeling; unwillingness of our business people to take risks associated with export business; lack of basic information about doing business in the US market and weak infrastructure such as energy, transportation, water, information technology (IT), etc Way forward Leaders of beneficiary countries are expected to propose measures in the following key areas: The role of private sector in trade promotion; empowering women through trade capacity building; the role of trade-related technical assistance; creating economies of scale for small and rural producers; effective corporate responsibility programming. As a way forward, beneficiary countries need to shift focus towards a US-Africa productive capacity development agenda which could set the basis for more profitable trade. UNECA and AUC, in collaboration with other organizations, are requested to continue to support member states in assessing various scenarios of AGOA after 2015; AGOA beneficiary states and the USG can establish a joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism to assess progress on the implementation of decisions taken at AGOA forum.

Politicians hurting economy with utterances, says Ojiri “T HE negative information being sold to the world about Nigeria by Nigerians is the biggest discouragement for foreign investment into the economy. Unfortunately, the biggest culprits are politicians who use the name of the president and Nigeria to score cheap political points but end up painting the country black.” This was the observation of Kenneth Ojiri while speaking to some Imo State business men and professionals who paid him a visit in Owerri, the state capital. The business man, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said all over the world, people see their president as the armour bearer of the country and ensure that people from other countries give him his due respect and, by extension, the country. In our case, he said, Nigerians who think using derogatory words against the president in the foreign media make them popular are hurting the economy of the country more than they hurt the president and they are the

enemies of the country. “Some of our politicians have made it a favourite pass time to criticize our president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in the foreign media and giving the foreign media the impetus to criticize and sometime ridicule our president. These people hurt the economy of this country and should be regarded as the enemies of Nigeria,” Ojiri stated. “Investors derive their judgment from the media and when we go outside of Nigeria to tell them the country is at war, they believe us and stay away. This has been impacting negatively on foreign direct investment into the country, yet these people claim to be leaders of Nigeria. It has to be said that we are undoing ourselves thinking we are undoing the president. “When you tell foreigners that your country is at war and anyone that comes into the country is at risk, they believe you and stay away. No investor would want to take his money where it is not safe. It is the same people

who would turn round and say the economy is not growing as it should, forgetting that their actions and inactions are directly hurting the whole of Nigerians.” K.O., as he is fondly called, insisted that whenever the president of Nigeria is derided by the foreign press because of our activities, it is the whole Nigerians that are derided. According to him, there are countries who are going through worse security and economic situations than we are currently going through, yet, they project their country in good light, encouraging investors to come and invest in their countries. “I know of countries that are worse than Nigeria in terms of security, yet, none of their country men have ever gone to the international media to tell the whole world how insecure their countries are. Rather, they play their security situations down as a way to encourage investors and tourists to come to their countries. Those who aspire to rule this country must first of all im-

bibe the spirit of nationalism.” According to Ojiri, it is time we began to measure the level of patriotism of anyone aspiring to lead this country. “Those who feel comfortable bringing Nigeria to odium in the international community must be seen as enemies of Nigeria. It is not possible to be a good leader if you area a bad follower,” he added. “The continuing damage to Nigeria’s image by Nigerians must be put to a stop. We must not continue to be our own biggest enemies. Many of these people who think they love Nigeria more than every other person would hardly speak to the local press, but when they find themselves with international media, they tell the world every negative things about the country. They blow the security situation out of proportion hoping to reduce the popularity of the president and hoping also to benefit from it electorally. This is the most unpatriotic thing to do.”

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PPA AGE 37

Should we close worship places for Ebola? * How EVD nearly aborted Redeemed Church Convention

The mass Choir of Redeemed Christian Church of God singing during the Praise and Worship service in the 5th day of the on-going 62nd Annual Convention of RCCG, amid Ebola fears. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele BY SAM EYOBOKA

IKIPEDIA, the on line encyclopedia, states that the separation of church and state is a metaphorical description for the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation-state. It added that the term may “refer to creating a secular state, with or without explicit reference to such separation, or to changing an existing relationship of church involvement in a state (disestablishment)”. It goes on, “Although the concept of separation has been adopted in a number of countries, there are varying degrees of separation depending on the applicable legal structures and prevalent views toward the proper relationship between religion and politics.” Continuing, Wikipedia explains that while a country’s policy may be to have a definite distinction in church and state, there may be an “arm’s length distance” relationship in which the two entities interact as independent organizations. A similar but typically stricter principle of laïcité has been applied in France C M Y K

and Turkey, while some socially secularized countries such as Denmark and the United Kingdom have maintained constitutional recognition of

as in the Maldives”. Last Monday evening, a crowd of over half million individuals, drawn from different parts of the globe, were

Two state governments tried to stop this convention because they were afraid of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. But we assured them that we are always very clean an official state religion”. It adds, “The concept parallels various other international social and political ideas, including secularism, disestablishment, religious liberty, and religious pluralism. Whitman (2009) observes that in many European countries, the state has, over the centuries, taken over the social roles of the church, leading to a generally secularized public sphere. The degree of separation varies from total separation mandated by a constitution, as in India and Singapore; to an official religion with total prohibition of the practice of any other religion,

stunned when General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, announced that attempts were made by two states in Nigeria to stop the just concluded 62nd annual convention of the church. Adeboye has Ph.D in applied mathematics and, for several years, was a lecturer at the University of Lagos and the University of Ilorin. In its January 2009 edition, Newsweek, one of the two most prestigious and leading news magazines in the world, named him one of Top 50 Global Elite (one of the 50 most powerful

individuals in the world). The General Overseer had earlier announced the ban of delegates from Ebola-affected West African nations, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, from attending the church’s just concluded convention at the RCCG Redemption Camp along LagosIbadan Expressway. Adeboye, while speaking at the convention, expressed regret over the decision to bar members of the church in the affected nations, but prayed that God would soon arrest the situation. The development came two days after a Nigerian female doctor tested positive to the Ebola virus. A nurse, who also tested positive to the virus, was confirmed dead by the Lagos Health Ministry. Officials of the federal and Lagos State governments met with the RCCG leader to adopt precautionary measures by not allowing people from the infected countries to come to the church’s convention, which usually attracts thousands of participants. Adeboye also told pastors at the church’s ministers’ conference, which preceded the convention, that all those who fasted for 100 days at the beginning of the year, should have no fear of Ebola as the

disease would not get to them. He warned his pastors to avoid laying hands on anybody they suspected had full blown Ebola as they might contract the disease. Addressing House Fellowship leaders and workers in the church among thousands of foreign delegates from cross the globe, except people from Ebola-prone nations, Adeboye said: “Two state governments tried to stop this convention because they were afraid of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. But we assured them that we are always very clean. Please, do not prove me wrong. There will be no outbreak here”. He then began to roll out the do’s and don’ts in the camp about basic hygiene and general environmental responsibilities, threatening that any province that fails the daily sanitation test would be shown the way back home. The G.O. charged his members and others in attendance to embrace the habit of cleanliness, praying that EVD would not get to the country full blown and also at the convention ground. That planned stoppage of the scheduled spiritual event

Continues on page 39

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

Trouble over Ebola isolation centre! *Govt pacifies Abuja community BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

S concerns over Ebola spread in the country, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has put measures in place contain the deadly disease if, per chance, it finds its way to Abuja. Being the fourth West African country to be hit by the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, outbreak since it first emerged in March in the remote tropical forests of Guinea to Sierra Leona and Liberia before it was imported to Nigeria, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, and relevant health agencies are ready to stop the spread should in case of any case is recorded in Abuja. Bala Mohammed, on Monday, constituted a high-powered technical committee to manage and curtail the threat of the Ebola virus in the FCT. Chairing the committee is the FCT Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, with other members of the Ebola Prevention and Containment Technical Committee drawn from various sectors, include the Secretary, Area Council Secretariat; the Secretary, Education Secretariat; Managing Director of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO); Director, FCT Epidemiology Department; representative of the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, FCT Chapter and the General Manager NTA Channel 5. Others include: Managing Director, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation (Aso Radio); Chief of Jiwa; Chairmen of the six Area Councils; Director, Public Building; the Director, FCT Water Board; Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board; a representative of National Council of Women Societies (NCWS); the Director, FEMA; the Director, the Chairman, Guild of Medical Directors in FCT; National Orientation Agency (NOA), FCT; a representative of the FCT youths; a representative of the Nigeria Union of Journalists as well as representative of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) among others. By Favour NnabugwuThe terms of reference of the committee include to work out modalities for responding to the threat of the Ebola virus, to create awareness on the nature and symptoms of the virus, to proactively prepare an action plan for its containment, to work out ways for effective surveillance of the population, visitors and travellers, to recommend tools and method for managing cases if they arise among others. Mohammed restated the decision of government to designate and isolate a ward at Kuje General Hospital for management of possible victims of Ebola fever. He allayed the concerns by some residents of the town over the choice of Kuje General Hospital as the centre for the management of victims. According to the Minister, all C M Y K

The fear of Ebola in the FCT, Abuja precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure that the designation of the ward will not endanger the health of medical staff and other workers at the hospital as well as residents of Kuje generally and, therefore, appealed to Kuje residents to cooperate with FCTA Meanwhile, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, has di-

rected all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to contribute meaningfully to worrisome national issues like the EVD. Aji, accompanied by over 20 Permanent Secretaries to review the activities of the Ministry of Transportation, in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, noted that the need for civil servants to participate in concerned

national issues such as Ebola is paramount as, according to him, “what affects this country affects every citizen; so whatever effort we can make to collectively rid the country of the killer disease will go a long way for all of us” Aside that, he said civil servants also need to be up to date on happenings around them so they can be abreast of the precautionary measures to avoid

being taken unawares. The Director of FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss whom the stakeholders meeting was held in his office, explained that the essence of the meeting was to review “our level of preparedness to see how best to go about any case of Ebola even when there is no case of Ebola virus yet in Abuja”.

Breaking the Ebola infection cycle BY DAVID DAIGLE

HERE are nine of us from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in Lagos, Nigeria. We arrived from different U.S. states, or from the CDC’s polio team already in Nigeria, and possess varying skill sets, including infection control, global migration and quarantine, data management, epidemiology and communications. We’re here to work with colleagues and partners from Nigeria’s Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and the World Health Organization to stop the largest Ebola outbreak in history — the first in a densely populated, urban environment. Nigeria is the latest country to become affected by the outbreak. The first person to die of Ebola here was an American named Patrick Sawyer, who arrived from Liberia. Now WHO suspects Nigeria has had 12 cases and three deaths. Our team in Lagos is a small part of the CDC’s effort to fight Ebola, with work going on in several African countries, and back in the United States at our headquarters in Atlanta. There, the CDC’s Emergency Operations Center has activated its highest level to maintain 24/7 operations to coordinate the agency’s efforts. We are five hours ahead of At-

lanta, a fact my family has yet to grasp as I receive texts during odd hours asking, “What’s Lagos like?” and “What are you doing?”

Good questions. A typical day for our team begins at a hotel — one big advantage of an urban outbreak. After

breakfast we move to one of several locations, including the hospital, U.S. Consulate or a training site, depending on the work to be done that day. Team Lagos is working as part of a much larger team in Nigeria to find and isolate all possible patients, tracking down everyone who could have been exposed to Ebola, and educating the public about the risks. A great deal has been accomplished in a short time. A Nigerian emergency operations center is up and running now, and we are about to move Ebola patients into a newly, remodeled treatment facility. There are 60 folks on the contact tracing team, which has been tracking more than 200 people thought to have come in contact with the virus. These teams visit the contacts daily to take their temperatures and check to see if they have developed any symptoms. On Tuesday, 147 of the 152 contacts were visited and assessed. When difficulties arise locating contacts, additional teams are employed and efforts ramped up to conduct the tracing. The Ebola response team in Nigeria recently saw 30 people finish the 21-day risk period — the longest time period during which Ebola symptoms have been known to be present. These 30 people were able to leave the contact tracing list, which is a

Continues on page 39

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PPA AGE 39

How EVD nearly aborted Redeemed Church Convention Continued from page 37 immediately sparked off a debate with some Nigerians throwing their weight behind the two state governments, agreeing with the campaign in different electronic media the following morning “that La-

gos, Ogun and the federal governments should prevail on the leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to postpone or cancel their convention following the outbreak of Ebola”. “It will be dangerous to allow the convention to go on,” the argument continued. Driven by the concern for fellow country men and women, callers advanced several reasons, some genuine and others borne out of parochial and mundane sentiments. A caller said, “Imagine one or two victims in that convention, we will be in serious trouble. And knowing Nigerians, somebody who has contracted Ebola may go there to pray for a miracle. Bet you, it may happen.” Disturbed by the development, we approached the church’s head of Department of Health, Pastor Adeyemi, who immediately assured our crew that the church was on top of the situation as it is collaborating with Lagos State government, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Ebola Rapid Response Team, Incidence Management Centre on the dreaded virus that had claimed about 1,000 lives in West Africa. The assurance notwithstanding, Nigerians continued the debate, with some insisting that the two states, headed by Muslim governors, overshot their mandate by seeking to stop a scheduled spiritual event, wondering if they would have demanded the stoppage of the recent Eid-elFitr, the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal—marking the end of Ramadan. Several Nigerians used the occasion to vent their anger, warning government and politician against dabbling into religious issues because of its tendency to create caustic division in the society and dividing the nation along sectarian lines. They further urged government to focus attention on governance and stop hypocritical dabbling into religion, because “since the creation of Nigeria, it has been in the consciousness of an average Nigerian that his allegiance should first and foremost be pledged to Nigeria, not his ethnicity or religion affiliation”. “Regrettably,” Olamide Bakare argued, “the reverse has consistently and increasingly been the case: tribal loyalty and religion association is virtually intrinsically imbedded in almost an average Nigeria citizen’s psyche”. “ We treat and relate with one another on regional-based citizenship relationship, not as citizens of Nigeria.” A cleric, who did not want his name in print, wondered why the two state governments, which had hugely benefited from similar spiritual programmes, could not have assisted the church by making scanners available at the RCCG convention. “Other C M Y K

THANKSGIVING: Church programme holds inspite of Ebola. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

In other climes, government would provide scanning machines all around the camp and immediately procure sanitizers for the use of participants, rather than make such ridiculous proposals at a time the nation needs spiritual cleansing states in the country and other parts of the globe will gladly play host to such events considering the huge sums of money spent before, during and after such programmes. If each of those who participated in the seven-day event spent N5,000 on accommodation, feeding and sundry items, by the time you multiply that by the huge number of people who attended, you would coming close to some nation’s GDP,” he stated. Continuing on the economic

theory, another respondent was of the opinion that before RCCG moved into the site, and opened the place for other ministries to converge on that stretch of land, the neighbourhood was a den of criminals. Besides, the church had uplifted the living standard of the area and the economy of Ogun State, arguing that the worshippers who throng the place every month for Holy Ghost Service eat and buy fuel while some lodge in hotels. And a huge number of unem-

ployed youths, instead of going into crime, take advantage of such massive turnout of people to eke a living for themselves and their families by selling their wares at the camp. Many of the respondents who crave anonymity were unanimous in asking the two governments to act as their counterparts in the civilized world by providing safety nets for such massive gatherings by rallying round the organizers through preventive measures instead of trying to truncate them. Pastor Edmund asked said, “What would they want Daddy G.O. to tell foreign delegates that had arrived the country? ‘You know the government people say we should cancel the convention. So, gentlemen you should go back home. God bless you?’ Is that what they would have wanted the man of God to say?” “In other climes, government would provide scanning machines all around the camp and immediately procure sanitizers for the use of participants, rather than make such ridiculous pro-

posals at a time the nation needs spiritual cleansing,” a female assistant pastor argued, noting that any serious politician would see the potential economic advantage of such programmes and proffer well thought out solutions to any health hazard. “Will Friday and Sunday worships, where crowds of people gather to worship their Maker now cease because of Ebola Virus Disease? Close the nation’s borders, if you are determined to stop Ebola, a disease that was first discovered in 1976 in Africa and we have to wait for an American experimental drug for treating the often deadly Ebola virus,” a participant lamented. The biomedical collaboration between US and Canadian researchers involves a drug that is manufactured in tobacco leaves and is hard to produce on a large scale. “In responding to the request received this weekend from a west-African nation, the available supply of ZMapp is exhausted,” said a statement on the Mapp Bio website. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name. Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%. EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals.

Breaking the Ebola infection cycle Continued from page 39 hopeful sign. There is a great deal of fear in Lagos as many worry about a virus of which they know precious little. CDC communicators like myself work to provide accurate information to the public and health care workers. Health care workers are critical as they are on the front lines of this battle; WHO says 10% of the deaths during this epidemic have been health care workers. Our infection control experts have been training workers on proper infection control and teaching them how to don Personal Protective Equipment properly, a critical task given this virus. I was taking pictures of this training near the Ebola ward when one of the trainers came out of the “hot zone” and asked if anybody had a paperback to give one of the patients. I donated a weathered copy of Shakespeare’s “Henry the IV, Part 1.” (I

always carry a book on deployments). So the Bard has entered the Ebola ward in Lagos. A newspaper headline shows the dangers of false information being spread in Nigeria about Ebola treatments. One interesting aspect of this outbreak has been the rumors and misinformation spurred by Ebola. Last week, communicators were working quickly to respond to a rumor that bathing in or drinking salt water would prevent Ebola. I have seen local press coverage that notes two people may have died from attempting this treatment. As I write this, we are in a temporary emergency operations center at a psychiatric hospital, waiting for remodeling to be complete on our own center. We made the change with some grumbling but did not miss a beat — flexibility is essential in an evolving outbreak situation. Our work is made more difficult by traffic in the city, a lack

One interesting aspect of this outbreak has been the rumors and misinformation spurred by Ebola of Internet connectivity and security, which is a concern. We typically make it back to the hotel late, anywhere between 9 and 11 p.m. local time and try to eat together. Team members who gather are tired, and the outbreak dominates the conversation. But we also try to distract ourselves: On my third night, a team member

asked, “Has anyone else noticed that the background music is all Celine Dione?” It was true. Turns out she has quite a few songs, and I am pretty sure we have heard them all. I am not afraid of catching the Ebola virus. I know how Ebola is transmitted and will not put myself in jeopardy, thinking of my wife and four children at home. The work is long, hard, challenging but worthwhile. The CDC team in Lagos is amazing, one of the best I have been on. And the larger response team that includes all our partners and our colleagues from Nigeria is doing important work to break the Ebola infection cycle. Daigle is associate director for communications at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. He arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, on August 7 with a team of CDC specialists sent to West African nations battling Ebola.

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Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

Ebola Patient Zero found — Report *How 2-yr-old triggered outbreak

HE worst outbreak of Ebola, which has killed 961 people and triggered an international public health emergency, may have started with a 2-year-old patient in a village in Guinea. About eight months ago, the toddler, whom researchers believe may have been Patient Zero, suffered fever, black stool and vomiting. Just four days after showing the painful symptoms, the child died on December 6, 2013, according to a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists don’t know exactly how the toddler contracted the virus. Ebola is spread from animals to humans through infected fluids or tissue, according to the World Health Organization. “In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines,” WHO says, though researchers think fruit bats are what they call the virus’s “natural host.” Researchers who published the paper this year found a chain of illnesses in the toddler ’s family. After the child’s death, the mother suffered bleeding symptoms and died on December 13, according to the report. Then, the toddler ’s 3-year-old sister died on December 29, with symptoms including fever, vomiting and black diarrhea. The illness subsequently affected the toddler ’s grandmother, who died on January 1, in the family’s village of Meliandou in Guéckédou. The area in southern Guinea is close to the Sierra Leone and Liberia borders. The illness spread outside their village after several people attended the grandmother’s funeral. Funerals tend to bring people in close contact with the body. Ebola spreads from person to person through contact with organs and bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine and other secretions of infected people. It has no known cure. Two of the funeral attendees appeared to bring back the virus to their village, and it spread to health care workers and other family members who took care of infected patients. “A health care worker from Guécké-

Handwashing C M Y K

•Health officials in anti-Ebola operation dou with suspected disease, seems to have triggered the spread of the virus to Macenta, Nzérékoré, and Kissidougou in February 2014,” stated the report, noting that more Guinea towns were affected. Clusters of the disease popped up in early 2014 in these areas, with the initial patients suffering fever, vomiting and severe diarrhea, according to the report. Hemorrhaging was less frequent, the report noted. In early March, the Ministry of Health in Guinea and Doctors Without Borders in Guinea were notified about the disease clusters. Health investigators arrived that month and began tracing the disease by examining hospital documents and conducting interviews with affected families and villagers. Ebola has now spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, prompting global concerns. The report about the emergence of Ebola in Guinea was authored by dozens of international doctors and researchers from institutions in France, Germany, Guinea, WHO and Doctors Without Borders. *Source CNN

SUNDAY, Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 41

At 53rd conference of Knights of St. John

ormer Chief Whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie and wife, Helen were at the 53rd Biannual conference of Knight of St John International Worldwide held in Colombus Ohio USA, between 21st July26 July 2014.

L-R: Sir and Lady Ben Atseyinku and Bro. and Sis Rowland Owie

Book launch

Sis .Helen Owie at the Conference venue.

Bro.Roland and Sis.Helen Owie.

It was a rich gathering of scholars, artistes, media professionals and corporate players when a new book on the art of motion picture, Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, was unveiled to the public last week. The event held on Thursday July 31 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos with the former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, as the distinguished chairman of the occasion.

Brother Roland and Sis.Helen Owie at the Sent forth Thanksgiving Mass at St Joseph Catholic Church Columbus

When FFestac estac R otar Ro taryy Club Installed On Onyyema The investiture ceremony of Rotarian Gabriel Onyema as the 35th President of Rotary Club of Festac town took place at the Golden Tullip Hotel recently. Many dignitaries including notable members of the international body graced the occasion which was as exhilarating as it was grand. Photos by Biodun Ogunleye

Kunle Afolayan, Dr. Afolayan; Speaker Lagos State; Chief Samuel Adedoyin and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi holding the book.

Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, MD of Savvy Capital; Segun Adebayo of Kakawa Discount House and Mr. Biodun Ibiyemi

C M Y K

L-R: Rot Collins Onyenze,outgoing President, PDG Richard Giwa-Osagie and Distict Governor Dele Balogun.

Rot Gabriel Onyema ,President Rotary Club of Festac flanked by wife ,Nneka (r) and daughter Miss Osinachi (l)

L-R: Chief & Mrs Ralph Eze-Okoli and High Chief & Chief Mrs Anthony Izuagbe.

Dr Emeka and Lady Emily Osuji, guest Speaker

Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Mr. Femi Adesina and Ms. Bene Uche of the American Consulate

PAGE 42 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SUNDAY, Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

When Gov Imoke celebrated 53

Cross Rivers State Governor , Senator Liyel Imoke [M] cutting his brthday cake in company of dignitaries and children of the Destiny Children Center.

L-R: Ntufam John Okon, Cross Rivers State PDP Chairman; Prof Stella Attoe Member, BoT, PDP and Col Pam Ogar, PDP BOT Member.

overnor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State has always used his birthdays, either to create something special for his people or address issues. At his last birthday which held recently at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, Cross River, where a lecture was organised to mark the occasion, the governor seized the opportunity to declare he would not be going for another term. See pictures by Nwankpa Chijioke

R-L: Rear Admiral Obiora Medani, Flagg Officer In-charge of Nigerian Naval, Eastern Naval Command; Rt Hon John Owan Enoh, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Prof. Ben Ayade .

R-L: Prof Ben Ayade; Prof Jerry Gana, Guest Speaker; Gov Liyel Imoke, , Little Imoke and Prof Ivara Esu

L-R: Ntufam Joe Edet, S.A to Gov Liyel Imoke on Inter-Government affairs; Barr Mike Aniah, Secretary to Cross Rivers State Government and Dr Alex Egbona, Chief of Staff, Cross River State.

L-R Barr Joe Agi [SAN]; Dr Dorncklaimz Enanhe and Mr Kelly Ayamba

R-L:Gov Sen Liyel Imoke; His Deputy, Barr Efiok Cobham and Vanguard's Charity Ezeigbo.

Olopade @ 50

C M Y K

R-L: Dr Dorncklaimz Enanhe; Ntufam Joe Ebam and Barr Fidel Agoro .

Ngozi weds Onyeka

AYODEJI Olopade, th a senior media practitioner celebrated his 50 birthday recently in Ibadan. Family and friends were there to celebrate with him.

The Solemnisation of holy matrimony between Miss Ngozi Ekeh and Mr Onyeka Otuya took place at Christ Founation Ministry, Agodo-Egbe, Lagos on Saturday, July 26.

L-R; Ayodeji Olopade Snr, a media practitioner; flanked by Barrister & Mrs. Babatunde Olupona cutting his 50th birthday

The couple, Mr and Mrs Onyeka Otuya

London-based Kehinde Olatunji weds LONDON-based Kehinde Olatunji has married former Miss Oluwabunmi Olusola, now Mrs Oluwabunmi Olatunji. The union took place a fortnight ago in upper Marlboro County, Maryland, United States of America.

Mr and Mrs Kehinde Olatunji

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 43

By CHARLES KUMOLU

RIVERS PDP: Nwike and the road to 2015

HOUGH Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria, INEC, is yet to blow the whistle signaling the commencement of the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State, the political weight of the various gubernatorial aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has indicated that the race would not be bereft of damning surprises. With the post-electioneering mood in the party, on its way to becoming tensed following the actions and inactions of some aspirants, many are not in doubt that the eventual outcome of the governorship primaries might make or mar the party in the state. Those who have indicated interest to partake in the race on the PDP platform include Minister of State for Education Nyesom Nwike, Senator Lee Maeba, former Commissioner on the Board of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Mr.Nimi Walson Jack and Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs. Other names that have also emerged are the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, Mr. Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, Prince Tonye Princewill and Mr. Emmanuel Georgewill. Notable among the aspirants is Nwike whose rise to political stardom has been described as geometric. While others interested in the position have not been too visible in their strides towards occupying the plum seat, Nwike’s ambition is an open secret. Already, the Chairmen of the PDP in the 23 local government areas in the state have endorsed Nwike. In a resolution signed by the 23 Chairmen, under the platform of the Forum of PDP Local Government Chairmen, Rivers State, the group, however, said it recognized the constitutional right of every qualified PDP member to contest the governorship and other primary elections in Rivers State. They noted that special circumstances exists in Rivers

I read a lot of things where people say it is our turn to produce a governor. Assuming what they are saying is correct, does is stop another person from running? What it means is that you should face the person in an election

Nyesom Nwike

caused by the fact that the PDP is not in power and if the party is to win the 2015 elections and take over the Government House, Port Harcourt, then the party must field the best and most competent governorship candidate, irrespective of where he hails from. This move, which does not seem to have the approval of most party chieftains, who worked for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan, has corroborated the perception that he has hijacked the Chief Felix Obuah-led executive. Also, the minister ’s utterances lately, have not helped him

either, as analysts find some of the statements in conflict with the collective goal of the national leadership of the party towards winning the election. Wike had, while addressing newsmen recently at his PortHarcourt residence, said that all the party ’s governorship aspirants in the state put together cannot defeat him in their various wards. He said: “I read a lot of things where people say it is our turn to produce a governor. Assuming what they are saying is correct, does is stop another person from running? What it means is that you should face the person in an

election. That is the important thing. Most of them who say it is zoned to them, can they win in their local government areas? ”I can tell you that if I declare to run today, nobody, of all those that are clamouring that it is their turn, will win me in their wards. So, if you can’t win me in your ward, which person’s zone do you want to use to win the election? For example, in Ogoni where we have Tai, Khana, Gokana and Eleme, those who want to run under PDP, which of them can win me? “Come to the riverine area, those who want to run there, I hear one Rtd Major Anyanya, which one? He won’t win me in his ward, if I want to run. Come to Opobo, who wants to run?

2015: We will support Orji to produce governor from Abia South — Adaelu By ERIC UGBOR, ABA Chief Emmanuel Adaelu is an elder statesman from Ngwa land in Osisioma LGA of Abia Central Senatorial District of Abia State. He speaks, in the interview, on the contentious issue of PDP Governorship Zoning in Abia State among others. hat is your take on the c o n t r o v e r s y surrounding the zoning of the governorship position to Abia South? I want to correct this impression; there is no controversy on the zoning of the governorship position to Abia South. What the PDP did has been accepted overwhelmingly by the greater majority of Ukwa/Ngwa people across the nine local government areas of the zone. If there are pockets of dissenting voices, it shouldn’t make any story. It is natural that one or two interest groups may feel agitated. If at all they exist, they are in the

negligible minority because what the party has done is our wish. 99.9% of the Ukwa/ Ngwa people support the decision and are grateful to the governor and the party. Most of these dissenting voices believe that it was done out of selfish interest as you were reported to have supported the zoning to Abia South even before the party came out with the decision. What is your view? It has been the wish of the Ukwa/ Ngwa people that PDP continues with the zoning system in sharing political positions in the state. The governorship of the state was first zoned to Abia North, then Abia Central and now Abia South; there is nothing new about the issue of zoning. The party has just done what is fair; those opposing it are in the negligible minority. If they told you I was the first person to say it should go to Abia South, let them know that I am not the PDP.

Chief Emmanuel Adaelu As a ruling party at the state and national levels, PDP cannot rely on the opinion of one man. I said what I know was the policy of the party. If what I said wasn’t good, PDP would have decided otherwise. There is nothing like selfish interest, I am not gunning for the position of a governor. I don’t have a candidate neither am I sponsoring anybody. I am not

from Abia South, I am a native of Abayi Amaugwu in Osisioma Ngwa in Abia Central.. My interest is that I didnt want the confusion some people were about introducing into the governorship race. When I made the statement, I was not even thinking about people of Abia Central because there are aspirants from other areas outside Aba zone. I want some of these dissenting voices to understand that Ukwa/Ngwa or Old Bende are just nomenclatures and not political constituencies or zones; what we call political constituencies or zones are the three senatorial districts of Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. So in all these explanations, if there is anybody still opposing the decision of the party, he or she should take solace in the fact that the majority of the Ukwa/Ngwa people have thrown their support for the decision.

Come to Bonny, who wants to run? Come to Akuku-Toru; I read yesterday Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack says he wants to run; WalsonJack, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Tonye Princewill, one Emmanuel Georgewill; which of them will beat me in their various wards if I want to run?” He further said: ‘’This is my game; I have been chairman since 1999. There is nobody that I don’t know in the various wards. You know that I headed the campaign of Amaechi in 2011. Is there any ward, any local government that I cannot call the politicians in each of the wards? I am not talking about the local governments, in each of the wards”. While the minister ’s ambition is in line with his constitutional rights, it is the opinion of observers that being of the same Ikwere extraction with the incumbent Governor Rotimi Amaechi might affect the fortunes of the party ahead of the polls if he gets the PDP ticket. Those who hold this view are not ignorant of the party ’s statement that it had not zoned the governorship to any senatorial district, but the general clamour for power to shift to Ogoni land has put question mark on his aspiration. A party member who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “Wike’s desperate aspiration to succeed Amaechi in 2015 has divided the PDP in the state, forcing most chieftains and leading lights of the party in the state, including Senator Lee Maeba, Dr. former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, and others to shun the activities of the party.”

In 2007, a certain governorship aspirant alleged that a panel headed by you stopped him from emerging the governor and that the situation is about being repeated in 2015. He also accused you of having candidate from Abia South in mind, what is your take on this on? I stand by the popular saying that only one person can be governor at a time. We have always acted in the best interest of our people. I know where the allegation is coming from. The period was the countdown to the 2007 governorship election when Orji Uzor Kalu’s PPA was in power. The governorship contest then was between PPA and PDP. We felt that the position should come to our people. There were six candidates from PDP at that time; my brother, Tony Enwereuzor, Amadi Nweke, Marc Wabara, Rowland Nwosu, Okezie Orji and Sunny Isiguzoro. Each of them wanted to be governor. To brighten the chances of an Ukwa/ Ngwa man emerging the governor, we decided to seek for a consensus

Continues on page 44

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

2015: Beyond PDP gubernatorial aspirants’ gang-up

BY TUNDE ADEBISI

ome group of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Oyo state stirred the hornet’s nest recently when they brought politics to the base level of sectional interest in their str uggle for the party ’s gubernatorial ticket. Granted that politics is about interest and pursuance of such, yet it could be least expected that gladiators in a party that seeks to wrest power from the incumbent All Progressive Party (APC) government would indulge in a flagrant and undignified course of action. The gladiators, rising from a meeting in Ibadan hosted by one time Minister in Abacha administration, Elder Wole Oyelese, declared that the party must turn its search light on Ibadan to pick a governorship candidate for the forthcoming 2015 elections. Those said to be present in the meeting include Sen. Teslim Folarin, Alhaj Haseem Gbolarunmi, Prof Soji Adejumo, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and Engr Seyi Makinde. In a swift reaction, another group, under the aegis of Ibadanland Forum, sharply criticized the aspirants for their meeting, describing it as a gang up and conspiracy. Even though the position of the aspirants has been criticized, it is in the interest of the people to analyse the political parameter of the state vis-a-vis Ibadan. How justified is the position of this group of seven aspirants? It should be noted that Ibadan land comprising of 11 of the 33 local government areas in Oyo State has over 67% of the state population. This is an unassailable fact. It goes therefore that where Ibadan goes, Oyo state goes. The city holds the ace; even when the other sectors in the state such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun or Ibarapa decide to come, in an election, with a bloc vote. This was the clincher in the 2011 election that saw Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the APC

Those in the group of Ibadan-must-produce-thenext-governor surely have been befuddled by this political fact to think a gangup would intimidate other aspirants. But they have lost sight of the fact that a tree does not make a forest

*Elder Wole Oyelese emerging: but for the Ibadan curtain raiser- votes, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of the PDP would have had a roller coaster to victory with his Ogbomoso bloc vote. Another index that has always worked in favour of Ibadan is the unwritten alliance with the Ibarapa zone. There has been primordial socio-political relationship between them. Of course, Ibarapa, with its five local government areas, provides an added fillip for Ibadan votes. Those in the group of Ibadanmust-produce-the-next-governor surely have been befuddled by this political fact to think a gangup would intimidate other aspirants. But they have lost sight of the fact that a tree does not make a forest. The pursuance of interests must not be taken to the level of an assault on the sensibility of the people or derogation of the bond of unity that exists among the various constituents in the state. Most importantly, the above factors may not decide who emerges the flag bearer of the party. Adept watchers of the state’s politics will not agree less that factors such as the popularity of the aspirants, the acceptability of the aspirants to all the stakeholders and, of course, the party structure, would play a dominant role in deciding who

emerges the flag bearer. If we take the first factor as given, the second and the third would most likely swing the pendulum greatly. Surely, an acceptable aspirant would not be limited to Ibadan; but would have the support of political deciders in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun and Ibarapa sectors before he could be said to be a winning candidate at the polls. This is where the gang up would not really work for anyone even where indeed the reality supports an Ibadan man tackling incumbent Ajimobi – we have to bear in mind the fact that Ajimobi rode to power on the crest of the Ibadan force. Therefore, the seven gladiators have shot themselves in the foot as their pronouncement can only be seen as an unnecessary gang up against other parts of the state who equally have the right to produce the next governor. If they had their way they would have succeeded in re-enacting the pre-2011 election scenario of no love lost among leaders of PDP. A gang up of aspirants smacks of fear of the unknown or, of facing a primary election – what they could not get in the open they want it from the back door. Already it is being speculated that it is borne out of the fear of the towering figure of Alao- Akala, the former governor who lost the 2011 election.

Political observers say the former governor may be confronted by the second term jinx. In Ibadan, it is an unwritten rule that a leader should not lead or rule for more than once, hence the popular (famous) saying that Ibadans don’t serve someone twice. An understanding of the underlying philosophy and the historical antecedent of the metropolis would make anyone to disagree less with the proponents. To be a leader in this part of the country is a privilege and Ibadan people do not shy away from the fact that they serve their leader for him to serve them. Yet the factor of party structure in deciding who wins the primary must not be treated with levity. The PDP structure in Oyo is an amalgam of candidates of the various factions that fought for the party’s ticket in 2011and the incumbent party executive committee was the product of the reconciliatory efforts of 2013. As such, except opinions have shifted, it could not be said to be controlled by any particular faction: therefore it could be expected to be neutral in the event of a primary election. Yet the executive can still wield some influence in deciding the flag bearer for 2015. Given the development and the sharp criticism that followed the gang-up, the political

calculation within the party has nonetheless been affected. It is becoming a reality now that the state PDP stakeholders should look for a neutral candidate who could command the respect of all sections of opinion and build bridge between the disparate gladiators –vis-à-vis G7 and Alao Akala. They should be looking for a candidate that would yet be acceptable if the party would win the 2015 election. Some observers say Seyi Makinde or any of the other five except Teslim Folarin would have suited the purpose but for their involvement as active participants in the gang up which betrays them as sympathizers of a faction in the old crisis of the party. Could it be that Alao Akala’s weight has been a threat to them? It is being said that their gang up may continue into the elections if a non-Ibadan man, which is likely Alao Akala, emerges as the flag bearer. Going to the 2015 election a divided house would mean a repeat of the 2011 waterloo for the PDP in Oyo. This is where the statement of the PDP Ibadanland Forum is quite instructive It stated inter alia: “We have passed through this stage, as similar gang ups and conspiracy cost us the mandate of the people of Oyo in 2011. It is only a mad person that would continuously tread the same route to a goal and expect to get to a different destination”. However, political watchers are taking note of the fact that out of the notable aspirants of Ibadan origin, only Kehinde Olaosebikan was not part of the “gang up”. Could that have been deliberate or circumstantial? Could it have been born out of adroit politics or divinely arranged? Whatever is your gestimation; one would say that the aspirant has been singled out as the likely joker by providence that only a discerning political mind can realize. By the way Olaosebikan belongs really to a class of new breed with progressive political inclination and has an appeal that cut across women, youths and artisans. He may represent the change we desire in the state.

‘We will support Orji to produce governor from Abia South’ candidate. The PDP asked us to bring one person; we conducted a mock primary among the six aspirants. We also involved six traditional rulers from Ukwa/Ngwa land to assist us. Using what we call the Dutch auction system, we addressed the aspirants and told them to write down their names first and add the names of their fellow aspirants who they may also want to be governor if not them, in order of preference. We also gave them the criteria on which we based our judgment. They completed the exercise. When we analyzed the results, Enwereuzor, who is now accusing me of stopping him, emerged first followed by Wabara, Okezie Orji, Rowland Nwosu, Amadi Nweke and Isiguzoro in that order. We also went into another exercise of oral conversation one on one and narrowed the number to the

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As a ruling party at the state and national levels, PDP cannot rely on the opinion of one man. I said what I know was the policy of the party. If what I said wasn’t good, PDP would have decided otherwise

first three aspirants. We asked them questions like, ‘You know that election is a capital intensive project, how prepared are you, what do you have to run the

election if you are chosen?’ Each of them assured us of their financial readiness and stated their manifesto. Since Onyema Ugochukwu was running from the other side, we also got them to sign an undertaking that they would support whoever is chosen to boost the chances of our people. When we submitted the names of Enwereuzor, Wabara and Okezie Orji to the state party secretariat, they invited Enwereuzor who came first. They asked him about his financial standing and what the party required from him. We were surprised that our brother, Enwereuzor, who had assured us that he has the financial muscle to run the election could not meet the demand of the party. God knows he came first, we didn’t shortchange him but he could not meet the demand of the party. The way we conducted the mock primaries filtered in to the party, they called to say that Enwereuzo did not meet up with the

requirements. They said that they will not take the first runner up, Marc Wabara, the next was Okezie Orji. At the end of it, Okezie Orji was chosen to run for the party primaries, but can you believe that these aspirants who signed an undertaking to back anybody chosen, later stood for the same primaries. All of them, even Enwereuzo stood for the primaries and split the vote of our people leading to Onyema Ugochukwu leading with a marginal vote. It is clear that Okezie Orji would have emerged the PDP candidate if these aspirants who signed undertaking queued behind him as they promised. I know how much I have committed to the cause of the Ukwa/ Ngwa people over the years, I have never collected a dime from anybody; but my joy is that my people appreciate my efforts. So, in the race for this governorship, I don’t have a candidate, my interest is to assist the PDP produce a

governor from Abia South. Aspirants from Isuikwuato and other areas of Abia North are also agitating to produce the governor in 2015. What do you think can be done to ensure that the Ukwa/ Ngwa people, both in the Abia Central and Abia South, speak in one accord to actualize this age long dream? It is not easy to bring out a consensus candidate anywhere. Sometimes, you have up to 30 aspirants declaring interest to contest a seat and none agrees to step down for the other. It is a normal occurrence in politics, but God willing we will surmount the challenge. There are processes; one, you must be a member of the party because a non-member cannot take part in the selection of a candidate of a party. The political party you belong to must, overtime, see you as a fit and proper person to run the election. Again, since we are

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014, PAGE 45

Osun: Our victory was hard fought — Lai Mohammed •Says the deployment of 73,000 security personnel was to favour PDP The people of Osun State are still basking in the euphoria of last weekend election that saw the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s second term in office. In this encounter with the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he bares his mind on how he was abducted by security agents among other issues that transpired during the election.

OLLOWING the Feder al Government’s de ployment of about 73,000 security agents to Osun during the gubernatorial election, making sure it was free, fair and credible, how do you describe the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who ran on the platform of the APC? Our victory in Osun was hard fought for. That is why we all appreciate it this much. We give gratitude to Almighty God for making it possible. But the victory is mainly for the people of Osun, our candidate and our party at large. But it is not correct as President Goodluck Jonathan would want people to believe that it was the security personnel that was on ground that ensured the kind of election we had. On the contrary, the over militarisation in Osun was designed primarily to favour the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. How do you mean? I will give you practical examples: our concern has always been about the presence of the military personnel in Osun because we knew from our experience in the Ekiti election, that once there is such militarisation, it is the opposition, majorly the APC members, they are aiming at. In Osun, there are four to five instances how it was used to work against the interest of the APC. If you remember about two weeks to the election; there was this irresponsible display of power show by men of the State Security Service, SSS. They were all masked, in about 50 trucks, shooting sporadically into the air, terrorising and instilling fear in the residents of the state. Secondly, on the Wednesday before the election, the police and the SSS prevented the TUC and the NRC from going on a solidarity rally in support of Gov. Aregbesola which is clearly partisan. The selective arrest and attacks on only APC members clearly shows the partisanship on the part of security agents. What actually transpired that led to your arrest by security agent prior to the election? I was not arrested, I was abducted. On Friday evening, a day to the election, we got alarming reports about escalation of violence all over Osun being per-

petrated by PDP thugs. This got the governor worried,because it might intimidate voters all over the state, which may affect their turnout on election day. So he decided to have a live broadcast that evening. We were on our way to the broadcast at the Governor’s Lodge when we ran into a roadblock with a police van and SURE-P bus parked at the side of the road. We were ordered to get out of our vehicle and also to identify ourselves, I told them my name and that I am the spokes person for APC. Immediately they bluntly told me to stepaside. I was even trying to question them on our offence before they pointed a gun at my head. They frog-matched me into their bus. Getting into their bus, I saw about 11 armed masked men. They drove us around the town, seized our phones and finally

•Lai Mohammed

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

We were ordered to get out of our vehicle and also to identify ourselves, I told them my name and that I am the spokes person for APC. Immediately they bluntly told me to step-aside. I was even trying to question them on our offence before they pointed a gun at my head

took us to the head office of the SSS in Oshogbo. After hours of tireless waiting and dialogue, they said they were going to take us back to the spot they abducted us from, but I refused because I could not guarantee where they were taking us to following what I saw. One of the officers later volunteered to escort us back to where our car was parked around 1 am. When we got to where our driver was, another argument ensued between the security men and the masked men asked whether we should be released or not. It took another 30 minutes of serious argument,before we were asked to get down from their bus. We were able to take refuge in the Governor’s Lodge. Meanwhile, they were attacking the residence of Adeleke.

Clearly the security men were sent to arrest and destabilise the opposition. We were not so much bothered about the influx of security men parading Osun. But scores of miscreants were given military uniforms to wreak havoc in the state and they were being protected by the regular police and soldiers they claimed were on ground to make sure the election was credible. We heard of a PDP big wig being given 50 soldiers from Enugu to come do what in Osun? When did the PDP big wig become a Commander! When you start bastardizing institutions because of election, it is something one should worry about. Moreover, nobody is yet to explain to us why security agents should be wearing masks during elections. In a recent interview, the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, accused the APC of giving unnecessary excuses of millitarisation of election, while, in 2012, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole commended President Jonathan for the influx of soldiers that made his election credible? Were the soldiers in Edo masked? My point is, why would military men during election be masked? Secondly, did they engage hoodlums by giving them uniforms in Edo? I am a living witness to what transpired in the Osun election. I was abducted by hooded men in official uniform. I ran into a convoy of 25 vehicles and they were all in civil defence uniform. These boys were be

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How INEC can improve — Ogbeni Lanre Banjo O

GBENI Lanre Banjo is a three-time governorship candidate in Ogun State. He is a Certified Public Accountant (Chattered) with wealth of experience in both government and governance. He had served as a Treasurer for a member of the United States’ House of Representatives, Mayor of the District of Columbia, and a Council member. He headed the Policy division of the entire District of Columbia Government, led the Accounting and Budget Division of the University of the District of Columbia before his appointment by Governor Ibikunle Amosun as the Ogun State Representative in Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (Dawn).

Governor Aregbesola’s victory in the State of Osun? It was sweet. First, I would like to salute the citizens of the State of Osun for shunning violence for peace and for trooping out to exercise their birthright amidst terror. Secondly, I commend the INEC officials who oversaw the elections in the State of Osun for not allowing the agents of darkness to use them as pawns. I praise all the

•Ogbeni Lanre Banjo officials of INEC for their efforts to patriotically avoid the impairment of their independence. I rejoice with my fellow Ogbeni and his families. Governor Aregbe led the fierce fight and won the battle. He used the right language at the right time. He let them know that it was different time in Osun. I will be remised if I do not thank the team that worked for the success of his campaign. I watched the last mega rally, and I have no choice but to doff my hat for everyone that put that campaign together.

Confidence in INEC to conduct a credible poll in 2015? Oh Yes, my confidence in INEC has been elevated by the way the Ekiti and Osun Elections were conducted. Like any system, certain improvements are still required. Now that the election in the State of Osun is over, the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, must assemble his foot soldiers in INEC and objectively engage them in “lessons learnt” for improvement on the subsequent elections. What about voter turnout and apathy In Ondo, 1.64 million people were registered to vote, but only 645,597 were accredited and 624,659 actually voted which implied that 20,938 voters decided not to go back to the polling booths due to the crude manner we conduct our elections. In Edo, 1.6 million voters registered to vote, 667,993 were accredited and 629,461 voters actually voted. Again 38,532 people did not go back to the polling booths due to the unrefined manner we conduct our elections. In Anambra, 1.8 million Nigerians registered to vote, 300,000 voted in 2010, only 17% of the registered voters. I have been crying out that this system of accreditation first and vote later

needs to be changed. It disenfranchises many including the elites who are not willing to be exposed to the risks associated with voting in Nigeria. This exposure to risks needs to be minimized by encouraging a system where people who want to come in, get accredited, vote, leave and those who want to hang around could be accommodated. The system also wastes peoples time. Ekiti figures are not available yet, but I am sure it will be the same trend. The State of Osun has approximately 1.4 million registered voters, while figures of accredited voters are not available, it can be reasonably concluded that many did not go back to vote based on the result of the election. I believe an election is coming up in Adamawa State soon, if they can experiment with accreditation with immediate voting, certain experience will be gained with readiness to tackle any crook in the subsequent elections. APC ’s lesson from Osun elections? The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party must critically engage in self review of certain issues tear

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PAGE 46—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

Osun: Our victory was hard fought — Lai Mohammed Continued from page 45 tween 18 and 25 years old in all kind of cars, some even with foreign number plates. I challenge the defence minister, if these people didn’t enter Osun under the watchful eyes of the military. It means anybody can wear a police uniform, masked and kill anybody! Only terrorists wear masks. Why must our own security officer wear mask during election? Following the Osun scenario, what is your expectation come 2015? Come 2015,the people are ready for them, I can assure you

of that. Whatever success we achieved in Osun, despite what the Federal Government put in place, if the people of Osun refused to be intimidated, then Nigerians are waiting for them. There are reports making rounds barely 48hours after the election result was announced that the PDP are heading to the tribunal to contest the outcome, what do you make of it? Let them go ahead, it’s within their right to do so. As a mater of fact, we were even surprised that we didn’t score more going by the popularity of Gov. Aregbesola. Sincerely, the PDP should not have had up to 20% of the sum total of the votes if some of our

•Lai Mohammed members were not intimidated. What would you say transpired? Many people were intimidated most especially in Ile-Ife due to so much violence on the eve of

election. so they did not come out to vote. In Ife-south, our agents were intimidated that many of them did not even come. But we await what Omisore (the PDP candidate) is going to say at the tribunal. We heard they said Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was not fair. This is the first time a PDP candidate would complain about INEC! How prepared is the Lagos APC to confront the candidacy of PDP as we heard Mr. Jimi Agbaje is coming on board on the PDP platform? If you remember vividly in 2003, they used Koro (Obanikoro) to try to unseat Gov.Fashola

but didn’t succeed. In 2007, Koro also came on board but did not succeed. Our records are there. We will make sure we project a formidable candidate that will deliver. APC starts preparing for elections from the day we are sworn in. How do you react to the zoning of the office of the governor as being clamoured for by some people? I am not aware of that. You know aspirants come up with all kinds of justification to have their way. But I am sure there will be a level playing ground for everybody.

How INEC can improve — Ogbeni Lanre Banjo Continued from page 45

I don’t think the politicians of nowadays are ready to heed any constructive advice until they are disgraced out of office because of arrogance, conceit, and avarice. The most dangerous criminal is the man gifted with destructive reasons without morals. Many Nigerian politicians are not endowed with moral.

ing the Party apart. Governor Aregbesola’s ecumenical approach yielded fruits. He managed the State of Osun in his first term without rancor from his fellow party members. He even extended collegiate hands to members of the opposition party including the National Conscience Party in a matured manner not witnessed in any other State.

to exercise their rights without succumbing to threats, and their unyielding determination not to allow delinquents to preside over their affairs is commendable. Track records should not include erecting boreholes, or sending people to Holy lands because of interest in public office.

The politics of Adesiyan, police affairs minister BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

•Ogbeni Lanre Banjo est in Ife? The fact that he is silent about someone wearing mask to arrest innocent citizens should dent his electoral vote. To those saying that Americans

What is your take on militarisation of elections? President Ebele Azikwe Jonathan has every duty to protect Nigerians whether during elections or after elections. Ekiti and Osun proved him right. Soldiers, SSS, Police can never be too many. With soldiers on the streets, no one dared snatch ballot boxes. The problem I have, however, is unnecessary arrest and harassment of innocent citizens, especially when the people arrested are members of the opposition. The President and the DSS have not addressed the unjustifiable harassment and arrest of Alhaji Lai Muhammed, my brother, Sunday Dare who is only adept in using his pen. Sunday does not even have the temerity to commit any illegal electoral act. The arrest of Salisu Shuaib of Ogun State is also denounced. Shuaib, the extinguishing Senator, is always about his Holy Quran. Thank God he was released. Ogun State would have really shown that we do not allow the right of any of our own to be trampled over. We would have fought with everything the State is named after. All these folks were reported to have been ordered out of their vehicles by people wearing masks and ordered to get into a waiting bus and instead of the DSS to address that, the spokesperson was talking nonsense about bribe. What is the difference between Nigerian men and women now? Why don’t they arrest anyone who offered bribe immediately if the money was not taken? What do these people call Nigerians? Would the president allow another Chiboks because of elections? What would we be saying now if these people were driven to PDP For-

My focus is the electorates. Electorates are the boss of the politicians. Nigerians must learn from the event in the State of Osun. If Nigerians only care about stomach infrastructure that would go to toilets, then the country is doomed. The resolve of the Osun citizens

All the security efforts of the President would be negatively affected if he remains silent on this issue. He must speak out. He must denounce it and make sure it does not repeat itself

support President Bush during the 911 attack, they must now ask if President Bush dare allowed innocent opposition members to be harassed and arrested by anyone wearing mask? Honorable Rotimi Makinde was also attacked in Ile-Ife by PDP thugs led by armed Police paid by taxpayers. DSS men were not available to arrest those who went to Makinde’s house. All the security efforts of the President would be negatively affected if he remains silent on this issue. He must speak out. He must denounce it and make sure it does not repeat itself. What is your advice to politicians and electorates ahead of 2015 elections.

n simple words, the occasion of Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan’s birthday on August 14, 2014 presents another opportunity to reflect on the political profile of this ever-blossoming star on the political scene. This is a man whose life and politics continue to leave positive and enduring impacts with the capacity to expand the frontiers of progressivism and constitutional democracy. It is either you are for him, as symbolizing the politics of emancipation and progress, or you are against him as representing the politics of collusion and reaction. On the national scene, rather than diminish in the face of relentless persecution, and in spite of the plots of his traducers, Adesiyan has continued to rise in political prominence and thankfully above barriers and buts. In his affable and amiable nature, he sacrificed personal gains for the collective good. For him, what was paramount was getting Nigeria back to its place of pride. The task to facilitate Nigeria’s recovery from its present social and political troubles is one that bothers him. This is the quality of a visionary, great and passionate leader. Today, by God’s grace, he is Nigeria’s Minister of Police Affairs. For the records the challenges he faced from the hands of detractors are the typical fate of those who turn out to be their peoples’ brightest hopes. All through history, great leaders in Africa are known to have suffered persecution. The late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa (of blessed memory) lived the most part of his adult life

•Alhaji Abdul Adesiyan under the shadow of political persecution and incarceration. But at the end, he became South Africa’s first post-apartheid democratic president. Our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was a victim of serial persecution by elements who wanted to ruin his political career. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo suffered same fate; afterwards he emerged from imprisonment to become the first Fourth Republic president in 1999. At 59, Adesiyan should certainly be happy with himself, secure in the knowledge that today he stands at the centre of our national politics. For him, the promise of politics is the limitless possibilities it offers humanity to reinvent society on the path of progress and prosperity. Adesiyan was born on the 14th August 1955 at Lagere, Ile Oke Agba Ode-Omu in Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State. He completed his Primary Education at A.U.D Primary School Ode –Omu in 1968. Alhaji Adesiyan attended Ahmadiya Grammar School Iwo from 1970 –

1971, also was at Victory High School Ikeja Lagos from 1973 – 1976. He later went to Oyo State College of Education Ilesa from 1980 – 1983 where he obtained a Nigerian Certificate of Education in History and Yoruba Studies. Subsequently he gained admission into University of Ibadan in 1985 where he obtained a B.Ed Adult Education and History in 1988. He furthered his education at the same University in 1989 where he obtained a Masters Degree in Adult and Industrial Education M.Ed in 1991 respectively. Adesiyan is a seasoned educationist, served as Commissioner for Education in Osun State with many indelible records to his credit; he also served as Director General in the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He worked in several public and private sector companies; he was a teacher in Community High School Ibadan, Victory High School Ikeja. He also showcased his intellectual prowess at Guinness Nigeria Limited and Johnson White United in Lagos. He has a long history of political activism, an active member of PDP in Osun. He was an Assistant Secretary, Alliance for Democracy (Osun State), National delegate, defunct Social Democratic Party Campaign Secretary in old Oyo State and a strong youth activist under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria. On March 6, 2014 Alhaji Abdul Jelili Oyewale Adesiyan was appointed Minister of Police Affairs into by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014---PAGE 47 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

Boko Haram is seeking dialogue through Chibok girls----Archbishop Udofia Methodist Church, Nigeria, Archbishop of Uyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Udofia in this interview with our CHIOMA ONUEGBU expressed concern over Boko Haram insurgency and recent threat messages to Akwa Ibom. Excerpts: will be dialogue. How do you see the recent threat messages to churches in Akwa Ibom State allegedly by the Boko Haram sect?

Some Nigerians have accused Mr. President of inability to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. What is your opinion about this? This is not an issue for the President. The President is not a military man. He is a civilian and can only employ wisdom and prayers to handle this. I know he also believes that no life should be lost in attempting to rescue the Chibok girls. Even the lives of the Boko Haram people must be precious to him because he is the President of every Nigerian. But he can dialogue with them, and counsel them to change their mind and tread the path of peace. In fact if the President decides to send military into the Sambisa Forest to attack the Boko Haram, innocent people, especially women and children will die. Nobody will support

insurgency. So if people are blaming the President for not being able to solve Boko Haram insurgency, I don’t think they are asking him to carry arms but rather they want him to be proactive and employ all avenues like dialogue and consultations. What should be the way out as the group had refused to dialogue? We should be patient. If the President asked them for dialogue and they refuse we should be patient. By abducting over 200 Chibok schoolgirls, I believe they are looking for an avenue to dialogue. In war situations, if you capture a man, you kill him, but if you capture a woman you are looking for peace. So I am foreseeing a situation where there will be peace at last. They will want to dialogue, and there

I see most of what is happening in Nigeria, in our community today as politics. For instance I have not seen or heard key politicians from the north, come out to disassociate themselves from what is happening except in few instances. You see a lot of people there seem to fold their hands and say no, let’s allow whatever wants to happen to happen. And they want Mr. President only to talk. Mr. President can only work with information, the security agencies can work based on information. If somebody had made a call, security operatives may have rescued the schoolgirls, but there was no noise, no information, no communication. It happened and those children were taken away as if they were going on a holiday. You discover that initially we were facing the threat of armed robbery, kidnapping and all that and now this issue of Boko Haram and we wonder where they got their training from;

In war situations, if you capture a man, you kill him, but if you capture a woman you are looking for peace

who are the brains behind it? If an armed robber strikes in an area, the police could combat it, but in the case of Boko Haram everybody is quiet because people are scared. They may be aggrieved but how can we address their grievances without the destruction of life? Initially, it was restricted to the North , but later it moved to the Middle Belt, and now there were rumors about it in Akwa Ibom. Akwa Ibom people have always been peaceful, even down to the South East, we have always been peaceful. We hate the destruction of life. We have not carried out any reprisal attack on what happens to our people out there in the North. So why should people plan to come and invade us here. Why should Boko Haram come here? If there are people who are aggrieved with the government of Akwa Ibom State or a particular person, dialogue will solve the problem because I don’t believe that northerners will come to attack Akwa Ibom. The Bible does not encourage the destruction of human life. We have been hearing the rumors and we pray that it should not be a reality. But have you put your members on alert about the threat messages? We have done that and everybody is on the alert. We have sensitized the people and that the Police and other security operatives must have received the information. It will help our people and churches to be security conscious. You don’t just

come to church or attend any gathering now and be so relaxed. You should know who is sitting besides you and find out why a bag or any object seems to have been forgotten somewhere. Members should tidy up the church environment and find out why a vehicle was packed in the surrounding. We have done all that but the ultimate is God. Apart from sensitizing the people we have to pray to God to change the mind of those who seek to destroy lives. There is the belief that churches make money but do not make provision for less privileged members. What is your opinion on this? In all the orthodox churches there is provision for welfare for the less privileged. The missionaries brought Christianity and through the Church, they brought hospitals and schools and other centres for the handicapped, welfare centres for the motherless/orphanages and they even went as far as training the orphans in skill acquisition. It was not a matter of preaching alone. Some of these great pastors attended missionary schools. So, we encourage churches to also look after the under-privileged members. It is the welfare of the church that keeps members in the church. So it is better for the church to see far beyond the pulpit, and the church walls and look at the conditions of the members. Some churches help young school leavers, some minister to orphans; encourage and give them scholarships.

Ebola Virus: Methodist Church urges Govt to be more proactive

ETHODIST Church Nigeria has called on the Federal and state governments in the country to be more proactive in preventive health care, advocating concerted efforts to educate and disseminate information, particularly on preventive measures to be taken on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, reports SAM EYOBOKA In a communique at the end of the church's 44th/9th Biennial Conference at Wesley Methodist Church, signed by

Secretary of Conference, Rt. Rev. Raphael Opoko and Prelate, Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel ‘Emeka Kanu Uche, and made available to Sunday Vanguard by the head of Media and Public Relations, Rev. Dapo Daramola, the church implored Nigerians to pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid panicking. The church also expressed satisfaction on the conduct of elections in Ekiti and Osun states by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC), urging the electoral body to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections at all times especially in 2015. It also charged the Nigerian electorate to desist from selling their votes and ensure they vote for credible candidates who will work for their interest on assumption of office. "Nigerians should shun all acts of violence and blood shedding," the statement adding while encouraging Christians who are so inclined to participate in politics and vie for political office.

On the abduction of over 200 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, the church condemned the callous activities of Boko Haram insurgents and expressed concern over the girls' continued absence from their families and loved ones. While praying for their release from their evil abductors, the church called on the Federal Government and the international community to do everything humanly possible to free the girls and return them to their families.

Similarly, the communique urged all communities currently at loggerhead across the nation to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, as "we are all brothers and sisters. Peace is a vital tool for the development of any nation or society and ours cannot be different. We therefore call on Nigerians to be tolerant of each other and to show respect for other people’s views even when they are diametrically opposed to ours as these are part of the mechanics of having sustainable growth."

PAGE 48â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014

RIGHT TO REPLY: A PERSONAL SCRIPTURAL LETTER TO PASTOR FEMI ARIBISALA, by Mike Diagbare

HAVE for some time now read many of your articles and contributions in the Vanguard Newspapers, especially the articles on religion, quite a number I agree with and acknowledge you not only as a good writer but also an important contributor to religious knowledge. There is, however, a topic I vehemently disagree with and also find very offensive--your writings about the Apostle Paul. You are not only wrong but totally ignorant and misinformed in your articles about the Apostle Paul. Your last article in Sunday Vanguard of August 3, 2014, titled the Good News and the Deceitful News" provoked me enough to reply to your continuous attack on Apostle Paul. " Let me quote you, "those who follow Jesus did so because of His life. But, because of Paul's ignorance about His life, many who follow Jesus now do so because of bogus claims about His death".... Whatsoever good news Jesus proclaimed has nothing to do with the death on the cross or any sacrifice for sin. This is because Jesus and his disciples preached the good news before His crucifixion. So doing, not once did they say he would die for our sins." Femi, here is a scripture you should read. Matthew 20:17-28: "Now, as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priest and teachers of the Law. They will condemn Him to death and turn him over to the Gentiles and be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, He will be raised to life' ... Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a RANSOM for many." These were the actual

words of Jesus; not Apostle Paul's. If Jesus said He gave His life as ransom, what was wrong with Apostle Paul saying it in 1 Corinthians, 15:1-4, which you yourself quoted. Is it not obvious here that the good news you referred to as Apostle Paul's fabrication is very much tied to Jesus's death? Verse 2 of 1 Corinthians 15 further says: "By this gospel you are saved if you hold on firmly to the word I preached to you." What then is the contradiction in Apostle Paul's interpretation of the good news of the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? It is obvious you were not knowledgeable enough to know this Scripture exist in the bible. If you knew you would not have accused Apostle Paul of fabricating Scripture. You have in the past formed the habit of quoting the gospel out of context, paraphrasing and using unacceptable language, such as "fraudulent", "ignorant", "bogus" etc with regards to Apostle Paul's ministry. Knowing the Scriptures as I do, I can comfortably say these adjectives really qualify your writings on Apostle Paul. Why would you write trash such as; "The problem with this good news is that it is one big deception. It is actually contrary to the true one delivered. Paul was not one of Jesus's disciples. He never heard Jesus preach and he displays unpardonable ignorance about Jesus's doctrine in his epistles. Bereft of the discipleship of Jesus, Paul fabricated his own christology." Femi, if you say the suffering, death or crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is not the good news Apostle Paul wrote about, then, you should tell your readers what is. You also wrote: "Indeed, if Jesus has really taken away our sins, how come 'sinless priests' are still raping young boys? How come

'sinless pastors' continue to swindle the gullible poor of their meager savings? If, according to Paul, Christians are new creations in whom old things have passed away, behold all things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17), why are we still cheating, telling lies, fornicating and committing adultery?" The answer is that these Christians, pastors and so-called prophets do not follow the commandments or injunctions of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul. You, Femi, also wrote: Whatsoever good news Jesus proclaimed has nothing to do with the death on the cross or any sacrifice for sin. This is because Jesus and His disciples preached their good news before His crucifixion. So doing, not once did they say he would die for our sin." Further, you wrote about Apostle Paul's

Femi, if you say the suffering, death or crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is not the good news Apostle Paul wrote about, then, you should tell your readers what is.

claim regarding God's grace as part of the good news. And you continued; "Moreover, compulsive and unrepentant sinners are not welcomed in God's kingdom. Entry into the kingdom is also by works and not by grace". Femi, it is a pity you have been unable to understand the doctrine of Apostle Paul's teaching and grace. Grace is a favour we do not deserve. Although Apostle Paul talked about the grace of God in relation to the good news of Jesus Christ, he says in Romans 6:1-3: "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or, don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? This is because no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin (Romans 3:20)."This is so as no one is righteous under the law. We require God's grace. It is true that Apostle Paul was not one of Jesus's disciples. Does the scripture not tell you of Apostle Paul's encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus to persecute the followers of Jesus? You will agree the encounter would have had a very dramatic effect on his life and mission. You will also agree Apostle Paul probably was the most intellectually inclined of all Jesus's apostles who were mainly fishermen. It was Apostle Paul who also undertook three missionary journeys from Jerusalem to Corinth, Thessalonica, Phillippi, Antioch and the whole of the area known as Cappadocia. The spread of present day Christianity is attributed to Apostle

Paul. Apostle Paul's gospel did not contradict Jesus's gospel. It in fact confirms all Jesus's gospel and this is true on any subject of discussion. All the letters Apostle Paul wrote to the different churches were begun or marked by statements like --- "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God..." Will it not be preposterous for Apostle Paul, after introducing himself this way, to preach a different gospel of Jesus? Apostle Paul wrote about non-sinning nature and repentance in his epistles (Galatians 5:17): "So, I say live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other. So that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under law. The acts of a sinful nature are obvious, sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, discensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom. In Collosians 3:5, Apostle Paul went further when he wrote: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to talk in these ways in the life you once lived. But now, you must rid yourself of

all such things as these, anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices, and put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator." This is Apostle Paul's repentance and avoidance of sin. Femi, did you read these writings of Apostle Paul. Is Apostle Paul telling sinless priests to rape young boys or sinless pastors to continue to swindle the gullible poor of their meager savings? And, Christians to continue in sin? It is a fact that Apostle Paul wrote about GRACE in Romans 6:1-4 and Ephesians 2: 8-9. These verses should be read and understood in conjunction with each other. Like it is clear in Ephesians 2:9, grace was introduced into the equation because Apostle Paul recognized the "boastful" tendency of human beings. Isaiah 64:4 says all our righteousness are like filthy rags. It is God's prerogative who enters heaven. No matter how righteous or sinless we are, we still need the GRACE OF GOD. Femi, much as I agree with a lot of your writings especially with regard to the conduct of pastors and church practices, you will need to stop this profanity against Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul was chosen by Jesus Himself to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Jesus made a perfect choice and you cannot question Jesus's choice. If you do, then, you doubt Jesus. And, if you doubt Jesus, you are not a Christian, and, if you are not a Christian, you are at liberty to write anything many Christians will consider nonsense.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, 2014---PAGE 49

False prophet The famous theologian, Helmut Koester, declares in his The Theological Aspects of Primitive Christian Heresy: “Paul himself stands in the twilight zone of heresy. Sayings of Jesus do not play a role in Paul’s understanding of the event of salvation. Paul did not care at all what Jesus had said. Had Paul been completely successful very little of the sayings of Jesus would have survived.” Gerald Friedlander, Jewish Minister of the West London

THE PROBLEM WITH PAUL (2) Synagogue, writes in The Jewish Sources of the Sermon on the Mount: “Paul has surely nothing to do with the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon says: ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves’ (Matt.vii.15). This is generally understood as a warning against untrustworthy leaders in religion. Does the verse express the experience of the primitive Church? Might it not be a warning against Paul and his followers?” Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a German philosopher, writes in Characteristics of the Present Age: “(The) Christian System (is) a degenerate form of Christianity, and the authorship of which (must be) ascribed to the Apostle Paul.” H.L. Mencken, regarded as one of the most influential American writers of the first half of the 20th century, writes in his Notes on Democracy: “Is it argued by any rational man that the debased Christianity cherished by the mob in all the Christian countries of today, has any colourable likeness to the body of ideas preached by Christ? The plain fact is that this bogus Christianity has no more relation to the system of Christ than it has to Aristotle. It is the invention of Paul and his attendant rabble-rousers. The result was a code of doctrines so discordant and so nonsensical that no two men since, examining it at length, have ever agreed upon its precise meaning. Paul remains the arch theologian of the mob. His turgid and witless metaphysics make Christianity bearable to

Nobody can tax churches, says Presbyterian Prelate

RELATE/Moderator, General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Prof. Emele Uka has described a recommendation by the delegates of the National Conference to tax churches as baseless, arguing that churches are not profit making ventures, reports IKE UCHECHUKWU. Speaking after the 10th anniversary/dedication of Eibe Edibe Parish building, Calabar, Prof. Uka said, as individuals and responsible citizens, members pay income tax and wondered why anyone will even think of taxing churches. The cleric also decried the continued abduption of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram Islamic sect, calling on the Federal Govern-

ment to immediately concede to the demand by the sect by swapping the girls for their detained members. "America, Israel, Afghanistan have swapped prisoners. There is no crime in swapping the girls and there is no price too expensive for Nigeria to pay to ensure their release,” he stated. Earlier in his sermon, the moderator said some men of God have turned the church into a chamber of commerce with their activities and this is the reason great things no longer happen in the Church. “They should be careful how they manipulate events in God's sanctuary because anyone using the church for something contrary, has a question to answer from God

HE critique of Paul’s jaundiced theology often results in a barrage of ungodly abuses and invective from Christian pretenders. Then there are those who use Paul’s nonsensical logic to justify Paul. They will quote to you Paul’s self-serving statement that: “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14). This is a classic Pauline oxymoron. If the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit, then no man can receive it because all men start out as natural men before becoming spiritual. Paul himself, in his usual convoluted logic, admits this. He says: “The spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” (I Corinthians 15:46). Many undiscerning Christians are impervious to Paul’s fallacies. But the sheep of Jesus would never confuse them with the word of God. If nothing else, the perspectives presented here should prompt seriousminded Christians to take a critical second-look at Paul. Paradoxically, Paul himself says: “Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Our salvation just might depend on it.

The writings of Paul have been a danger and a hidden rock; the causes of the principal defects of Christian theology.” (Ernest Renan).

men who would otherwise be repelled by Christ's simple and magnificent reduction of the duties of man to the duties of a gentle-man."

Bogus gospel The renowned English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, in his Not Paul but Jesus, declares: “By the two persons in question, as represented in the two sources of information---the Gospels and Paul’s Epistles--two quite different, if not opposite, religions are inculcated: and that, in the religion of Jesus may be found all the good that has ever been the result of the compound so incongruously and unhappily made,---in the religion of Paul, all the mischief, which, in such disastrous abundance, has so indisputably flowed from it.” Bart Ehrman, American New Testament scholar and Professor of Religious Studies at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, writes in The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: “Paul was quite insistent that keeping the Law would never bring Salvation. The only way to be saved, for Paul, was to trust Jesus’ death and as no sinner will go unpunished,” he added. He called on Christians to be more fervent in their service and commitment to God despite current happenings in the country.

*YOUTH SUMMIT

HE youth ministry of Triumphant Baptist Church will on Saturday hold her annual youth summit, a programme to set agenda for youths on spiritual life and character development, career counselling and how to overcome challenges of life. Theme: "The visionary Youth" and will hold at Shonowo Hall behind Mr Biggs, Akowonjo, Lagos. Speakers include a renowned educationist, Mrs. Olukemi Oke, Mr. Abayomi Adesope and Dr. Sunday Olayiwola Oladejo, Senior Pastor, Triumphant Baptist Church.

resurrection. Paul transformed the religion of Jesus into a religion about Jesus.” Holger Kersten writes in The Jesus Conspiracy: “Paul has little interest in the words and teachings of Jesus, but he makes everything depend on his own teaching: the salvation from sins by the vicarious sacrificial death of Jesus. Does it not seem most strange that Jesus himself did not give the slightest hint that he intended to save the entire faithful section of humanity by his death? Christianity has his narrow-minded fanaticism to thank for numerous detrimental developments, which are diametrically opposed to the spirit of Jesus.” Peter Annet, English deist and freethinker, writes in Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul: “We should never finish, were we to relate all the contradictions which are to be found in the writings attributed to St. Paul. Generally speaking it is St. Paul that ought to be regarded as the true founder of Christian theology which from its foundation has been incessantly agitated by quarrels (and) divisions.”

Defective theology Ernest Renan, French theologian and expert of Middle East ancient languages and civiliza-tions, writes in his book, Saint Paul: “True Christianity, which will last forever, comes from the gospel words of Christ, not from the epistles of Paul. The writ-ings of Paul have been a danger and a hidden rock; the causes of the principal defects of

HE newly elected chairman of the Lagos chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Sola Ore said his administration will pursue a policy that will enhance the unity of Christians in Lagos even as he described his predecessor, Apostle Alex Bamgbola as “a man who has a heart for service.” Ore said this at a recent meeting of the newly elected executive of the body, which is due for inauguration on August 29 at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. He told the new executive that there was a need for Christians to come together and work towards advancing the body of Christ if they were going to make a meaningful impact in the country. He said: “We want to build the body of Christ by fostering love among members. We want

Christian theology.” The American philosopher, Will Durant; in his Caesar and Christ, writes: "Paul created a theology of which none but the vaguest warrants can be found in the words of Christ. Through these interpretations Paul could neglect the actual life and sayings of Jesus, which he had not directly known. Paul replaced conduct with creed as the test of virtue. It was a tragic change." C.S. Lewis writes in Scripture: “Descending lower, we find a somewhat similar difficulty with St. Paul. I cannot be the only reader who has wondered why God, having given him so many gifts, withheld from him (what would to us seem so necessary for the first Christian theologian) that of lucidity and orderly exposition.” Stephen Mitchell, world renowned translator of sacred texts, writes in The Gospel according to Jesus: “Paul of Tarsus (was) the most misleading of the earliest Christian writers, (and) a particularly difficult character: arrogant, self-righteous, filled with murderous hatred of his opponents, terrified of God, oppressed by what he felt as the burden of the (Mosaic) Law, overwhelmed by his sense of sin. He didn't understand Jesus at all. He wasn't even interested in Jesus; just in his own idea of the Christ.” Robert Frost, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1924, 1931, 1937 and 1943, in his A Masque of Mercy, writes: "Paul, he's in the Bible too. He is the fellow who theologized Christ almost out of Christianity. Look out for him." We should not automatically accept Paul because his epistles are in the bible. Instead, it is imperative to ascertain if Paul’s word is in consonance with that of Jesus. Jesus requires no less. He asks: “Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57). (Continued).

My vision for Lagos PFN----Ore to extend fellowship to members outside the fold. We really have to humble ourselves to do this. We want to create a sense of belonging to everyone. There is no small church. We have growing churches,” he said. The general overseer of Love Aglow Ministry, said further that his administration will pursue a policy that will give every member a sense of belonging, adding “the new administration will empower grassroots ministers. "We will try to do something. Whatever we can do, we want to improve the minister himself. Information is empowerment. We need to educate our people,” he said, charging the new executive to be ready for service.

Page 50— SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

The issues in the Enugu impeachment saga A

NYONE who had closely observed Governor Sullivan Chime in the seven and a few months that he has been at the helm of affairs in Enugu State, would certainly agree with the view that he is not a leader given to either whimsicality, frivolity or rascality. Quite on the contrary, he comes across as a demure, deep-thinking, pragmatic and perspicacious fellow who craves little attention for himself while doing so much to the credit of his office. His records shout decibels for themselves as there is hardly anyone who visited Enugu recently that did not come away awestruck at the sheer quality and magnitude of development he has brought to both the physical outlook of state

VIEWPOINT

Beyond the charges by the House, many political observers in Enugu understand that Onyebuchi is paying the price for his disloyalty through his open dalliance with the political enemies of his boss, the governor

from controversies. However, as is typical and ironic of most high achievers, controversies -much of which incidentally would be generated or created by others-are bound to rear up now and then

I once again assure Nigerians and the international community that the 2015 elections will come and go and Nigeria will stand stronger. The Nigerians I know and interact with everyday are only asking for transparency and free and fair conduct of elections, and I have promised them that President Goodluck Jonathan

F the blind men in the famous fairy tale sent to assess the elephant returned with different reports about the features of the giant creature, it mattered little to the one who could see the animal at a go and from all angles. The blind assessors could only judge by touching and feeling the parts of the elephants. And so there were seemingly disparate ‘views’ in the sightless men’s accounts. One said nothing else about the animal except that it had a large trunk. No, claimed another; it was all huge ears. But a third ‘view’ was that the elephant was a hose-

VIEWPOINT BY CALLISTUS NNODI VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF 38 weeks of good football is here

T’S back. By that, I mean the Barclays Premier League, the weekly feast of football that has successfully challenged the notion that business and pleasure don’t mix. They mix. If you are in doubt, ask operators of viewing centres. Rarely would you find one that is not a fan of the game. Of course, he also makes money. Through DStv’s SuperSport channels, viewing centre operators bring to the less affluent members of the society and others who love watching the Barclays Premier League in an atmosphere that allows them swap banters, engage in debates and get drenched in sentimentsfor a fee. You may also want to ask operators of drinking joints (the posh, the not so posh and the downright seedy). While they charge no admission fees like the viewing centres, sales of drinks and accom-

sonable person will be convinced by the rather inane argument being bandied apparently prejudiced critics, that a man of Chime’s principles and disposition would suddenly, after seven years of relentless and dedicated service to his people -and with just a few months to the end of his tenure, suddenly turn into a monster seeking to devour his deputy for no just cause. Stories were planted in newspapers to suggest that the deputy governor’s travails were not unconnected with his alleged senatorial intentions which, according their purveyors, would have pitted him against the Chief of Staff. This account quickly fell flat on its face when it came to light the deputy governor had and dare not have no such ambitions especially when his godfather and former governor of the state, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, has already gone far in oiling his machinery for the contest. In any case, pundits in Enugu agree that even if the deputy governor entertained any pin

Jonathan’s critics and the Proverbial Elephant

BY DANIEL ALABRAH VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The Transformation Agenda like beast. The point is that they were all right in their verdict, but era wrong in insisting that what each said was all there was about the beast. An analogy between these blind men and some of those commenting on the conduct of elections under President Goodluck Jonathan since 2011 when he moved into the saddle suffices to reveal how grossly sightless some of the critics have been. They have not seen the whole picture of the president’s patriotic strategy and therefore they have offered wretched halfway judgment to expose their limited understanding of the new politics being ushered in by his presidency. The president did say that his administration is committed to free and fair elections. Has the president walked the talk? Is he fulfilling the promise to deliver free, fair and transparent polls? The facts of all the elections under him return a resounding positive answer. What massively reflects a sane and acceptable electoral process

The PDP’s loss in Osun is truly an applause for Jonathan’s integrity and ability to allow the vote run its course by going only the way the people want it

is first the independence of the electoral umpire. Next is the aloofness of government from the affairs of the pollorganizing body. The third, not of course less vital than the other two, is the provision by the umpire and other agencies of government of what has been described by analysts as a levelplaying field for all parties in the electoral process. A fourth is the construction of an ambience of confidence and safe-

ty of the electorate and the candidates through adequate security by armed police and quasi-military personnel where it is deemed necessary. Instructively, because Jonathan has faithfully and dispassionately guaranteed these and ensured they are in place, there has been no governorship poll result reversed by the court since his presidency started. And if we look at the facts on the ground, he has not wielded the instruments of power and authority to attempt to influence the outcome of any ballot. His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won only one (Ekiti in June 2014) out of the five governorship elections under him. Edo in 2012 went to the All Progressives Congress (APC). APC also got Osun on August 9, 2014. Ondo in 2012 was won by the Labour Party (LP) while Anambra in 2013 was clinched by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). These are a measure of the improved quality of the process that led to the elections. There was no legal tussle or popular rancour to challenge the outcome.

Contrast these with the elections that were held before Jonathan. They collapsed like a sand castle. The irony of the debate is that the APC and its apologists, who say Jonathan has militarized the polls, do not fathom that his strategy while helpful to the nation in the long run is benefitting the opposition more than the PDP. The president is therefore acquitted and discharged from reckless and frivolous charges that he is using the military and police under federal control to manipulate victory for his party. The PDP’s loss in Osun is truly an applause for Jonathan’s integrity and ability to allow the vote run its course by going only the way the people want it. He should be commended, not condemned, for deploying security operatives to uphold the cause of democracy, which is the country’s key goal in the search for good governance and development. This is indeed the Transformation Agenda era. •Alabrah is a Media and Communications Executive and writes from Abuja.

Welcome back, Barclays Premier League paniments soar on matchdays. Just like the fans, bar owners and viewing centre operators must be chuffed at the return of weekly football. Projections on revenue must have been made. While the month-long World Cup offered a cushion in revenue terms, it was nothing on the scale of the Barclays Premier League and the near-tribal passion it provokes. Who else is to be asked? Of course, the sports betting firms for which the new season in England must have been a wet dream (pardon my language). Their business depends largely on the devoted following of the Barclays Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and to a lesser extent, Germany’s Bundesliga, the Europa League and Italy’s Serie A-all delivered by SuperSport. For many betting firms, revenues plummeted after the season ended in May. Big as the World Cup is, it does not run for more than a month and makes fans less giddy than Barclays Premier League.

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Disloyalty as a devourer

around him. The latest of such for Chime are those surrounding the current impeachment procedures initiated by the state House of Assembly against deputy governor, Sunday Onyebuchi. As was expected, the governor’s detractors and political opponents had latched unto the development and found in it an opportunity to demonize the man and attempt to demean his achievements. But beyond all the spirited albeit, unfair and unwarranted efforts at blackmailing the governor and his principal aides especially the Chief of Staff, Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo, many pertinent questions remain to be answered. The charges laid by the House against the Deputy are clear and have been so often repeated that there’s no need restating them here. Suffice it to say however that they all point to one thing: insubordination, abuse of office and disloyalty. Despite their best efforts , no rea-

BY JOHNSON OGBONNA

and the mental framework of her residents. He is also apparently a man , who does his best to steer away

VIEWPOINT

prick of ambition, he commands very little political capital in his area to even support it. Beyond the charges by the House, many political observers in Enugu understand that Onyebuchi is paying the price for his disloyalty through his open dalliance with the political enemies of his boss, the governor. He has been heard openly castigating the governor in public and private functions so much so that many prominent indigenes in the state to whom he had spoken, had promptly chided him before reporting the matter. Not to be left out in the act, Onyebuchi’s wife turned the monthly prayer forum for women in the state into a platform to cast aspersions on the governor in an attempt to turn the women of the state against him. As the public eagerly await the outcome of proceedings before the judicial panel constituted by the Chief Judge of the state (fainting spells and all), the lesson to be learned from all this remains that disloyalty is a devourer. •Ogbonna, a public affairs analyst, is resident in Enugu

Now, they have plenty to do with subscription, given that DStv is the only platform through which we have access to the Barclays Premier League

Dear me! I am almost leaving out DStv agents who, since the end of last season, must have had less to do with subscription payments. Now, they have plenty to do with subscription, given that DStv is the only platform through which we have access to the Barclays Premier League. I am certain that their offices must be recording melees sparked by fans desperate to renew their subscription. What’s in it for me? Sheer joy of having weekly football back

and the expectation of seeing my team, Liverpool, go one better than it did last season despite the loss of Luis Suarez, our resident magician, to Barcelona. Suarez’s departure is a big blow. But the blow could be softened if the raft of players, we have signed, especially attacking midfielders, do the business. Chelsea look formidable. With the acquisition of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, the return of Thibaut Courtois plus Jose Mourinho’s magic and mouth, they will be there or thereabouts. Defending champions, Manchester City, have strengthened. Elaquim Mangala, a coveted central defender, arrived from Porto for 32 million pounds. Fernando Reges, a defensive midfielder, came from the same club. Willy Caballero, fantastic but underrated keeper, was signed to shake Joe Hart out of his complacent mode. The attacking wealth at their disposal is stunning. Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo. So have Arsenal, whose location advantage is believed to have got

them Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. Having gone close last season, Everton will seek to wrest one of the Champions League places. But with their lean squad, Europa League duties may thwart that ambition. Manchester United have last season’s meltdown as motivation and, of course, an elite coach in Louis van Gaal. A new defensive unit is required, following the departure of the ageing Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. So far, transfer activities haven’t moved as quickly as the fans would like. Just only two signings. Tottenham Hotspur will seek redemption from last season’s underwhelming campaign and hope to rip up the order of things. Of the lesser lights, Southampton will arrest plenty of attention. The team, which performed thrillingly, the last time has been plundered by the big hitters. Whatever happens, it will be 38 weeks of fun.

Nnodi, an engineer and football fan, lives in Owerri

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014,

Daniel Mayuku: A beacon of hope LTHOUGH I have inter acted with him on a few occasions, I really do not know much about this man with a good heart. Yet, I may not be able to deny my knowledge of him being the member representing Warri SouthWest in Delta State House of Assembly. Mayuku is an achiever in all ramifications. As a politician, and to have got to where he is presently, he must have paid his dues. We need not trumpet his academic achievements because his

VIEWPOINT

BY SALISU MOHAMMED VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Those who seek to ride on the crest of terror to the presidency

write this looking at an advertorial in a national newspaper of Sunday, August 3, 2014 wherein an advert sponsor, one Movement for New Nigeria, sought to incite Nigerians against their government, which they freely elected to lead them at the last general elections. The sponsor made dramatic allusions, suggesting that the reality of terror attacks on Nigeria was because PDP is government at the center. The group also suggested that the president was incapable of stemming the tide of terror attacks in the country without actually relaying the dynamics of terror to his audience.

VIEWPOINT BY CELESTINE EFEUKANE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The four pillars of consolidation

HE race to at least 28 of the 36 state government houses in Nigeria has begun. In Delta State the race assumes newer dimensions as no candidate would want to leave any stone unturned. So far about 20 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to square up for the governorship diadem. One aspirant whose declaration for the governorship seat electrified the political space bringing much eclat to the scene is the very charismatic Obaisi Ovie OmoAgege a political titan whose political astuteness is stuff for legends. A lawyer who honed his legal skills in the United States, Omo-Agege has become a major player in

feat as a lawyer par excellence speaks volumes. In his chosen discipline, MAYUKU demonstrated adequate knowledge which culminated in awards. He is a poet, a thinker, a teacher, a researcher, a scholar, a social scientist, and a true parliamentarian. Very deep, insightful, analytic, scientific,

perspicacious, creative, thoughtful, considerate, calculative, multi- talented and strategic, Mayuku is always available to inspire his colleagues and whoever needed to be urged. In fact, words are insufficient to characterize this rare, generous, able, affable and unique intellectual and philosopher. He sacrifices his time, energies, sweat and resources for the collective good of all. Mayuku, like Frantz Fanon, believes that we are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of a cause, the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty. Thus, though he is a statesman, he is a faithful and relentless slave to honorable values and causes. His passion to contin-

ue to serve his people is incontestable. His loyalty to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party, and it’s leadership at all levels remains an unshakeable article of faith. The goodwill of his constituents across Itsekiri and Ijaw stocks, the leadership of his party, the PDP, and his work in the services of all of them remains his armor. Mayuku, by conduct, has evolved a new meaning of how not to be arrogant, even where wealth and fame nudge. He carries an aural of bliss and easy, one which reminds me of the Nightingale’s easy to living. His contributions to debates on the floor of the legislative

chambers is etched in the sand of time. He has never be caught napping in the discharge of his oversight functions. MAYUKU joined the golden league on the 8th of August, 2015. At 50, the age that combines youthful verve with maturity, we know he has even more to give. He has practically manifested Abraham Lincoln’s assertion that: “it is not the years in your life that counts; rather, it’s the life in your years”. An opportunity such as his birthday affords his constituents the privilege of saying well done to this man of great repute. There is no time more fitting to say thank you and to wish him many more years of good health and service to Delta State and indeed, Nigeria. Happy 50th birthday. •MICHAEL, a political analyst, is based in Warri.

Terrorism: How not to be president Sadly, Nigerians are being made to believe, using warped narratives, that President Goodluck Jonathan was the architect of terror in their country. Those selling this misleading narrative forgot that in the midst of such terror actions, US had a presidential election which brought in Obama; China also had an election which brought Xi Jinping and that even a totally dysfunctional state like Syria, with a three-year old civil war, still was able to hold an election which gave Al-Assad another seven-year tenure. Also, even in the midst of a meaningless war, Sudan was still able to go for a referendum that gave birth to South Sudan. The lie that most Nigerians have been fed so far is that PDP has failed in taming terror. But ask; how come those telling this sort of narrative always

Those who think that nothing good would come Nigeria’s way unless they become president better realise that no nation ever stopped on the ambition of one man

want Nigerians to remember that Jonathan is not fighting terror the way it should be (their way), but don’t ever want Nigerians to recall that prior to the 2011 general elections, some notable voices in a particular section of the country were vehemently categorical in their promise to make Nigeria ungovernable if

Jonathan won the presidential election? How come same narrators want us all to forget that another veteran presidential candidate, in his quest to become president -at all costs - told Nigerians that those who refused him becoming president will not know peace when he reminded that “those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable”? Is it also an oversight that the same persons who want us all to look at PDP as harbingers of terror, refuse to remind us of yet another presidential candidate’s call on northerners to use all they can lay hands on to protect their votes? But, must anyone with workable solution to the Boko Haram challenge wait till he or she becomes president to execute same? If it will take

such a person the next 50 years to achieve the ambition, would it mean that he will wait till all is dead before Boko Haram is stopped? See the patriotism of those who want to lead us? In other words, they say to us, we have the means to stop Boko Haram but won’t do it until you make us president? So, should the office of President of the Federal Republic be traded for Boko Haram? As had been said, patriotism entails working for common good. Not selfish ambition. Those who think that nothing good would come Nigeria’s way unless they become president better realise that no nation ever stopped on the ambition of one man. •Mohammed, a public affairs commentator, lives in Abuja

Omo-Agege and the Delta guber race the politics of Delta with tested and reliable bridges across all the many ethnic groups in the state. If there is any political personage whose name is on the lips of every Deltan including infants and the aged it is that of Omo-Agege. Such is his political consistency and staying strength that he has become a political phenomenon. His fame does rest on many significant platforms in his profile as a politician. He is well known as a strategist, loyal party man and development marshal. Many Deltans still talk about how he revolutionized the development process in Delta when he served as the Secretary to the State Government. Before then he had served as Commissioner for Special Duties leaving an enviable record of development oriented service. Many people

had then wondered where he got the ideas and energy to evolve and implement the ideals he used to propel the government of the time. The people soon discovered that it was all about a deep passion to serve humanity and make life better for the people. Omo-Agege’s politics is driven by passion. The passion to serve Delta State as governor and help consolidate the state. This passion took him into politics in 2002 and since then there has been no going back. His attempt at the governorship between 2006 and today are the result of the pull by the passion and conviction to take Delta to the next level. Some have called it desperation, but that is a wrong interpretation of OmoAgege’s sublime motive. The kind of motive that energized

At 50, the age that combines youthful verve with maturity, we know he has even more to give

BY TIDI MICHAEL

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A parliamentarian par excellence at 50

VIEWPOINT

Page 51

So far, he, only among the horde aspiring to become governor of Delta, has a programme of action which is a well crafted manifesto he code-named FOUR PILLARS OF CONSOLIDATION

Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and our own sage, Pa Obafemi Awolowo. A keen follower of OmoAgege will discover that he is not in the race for the fun of it and making statements that remain unsubstantiated. So far, he, only among the horde

aspiring to become governor of Delta, has a programme of action which is a well crafted manifesto he code-named FOUR PILLARS OF CONSOLIDATION: strong and stable economy. strong and secured society, cleaner environment and new politics. His vision has been described as a Pan-Delta agenda for transformation which has been embraced everywhere in the state. He talks of an All Delta Agenda with Anioma, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo in the fold. The Omo-Agege political train has what it takes to get Delta to its destination. Deltans know this and they are just waiting for the election day and do what they should do by overwhelmingly casting their votes for Obaisi Ovie OmoAgege. •Efeukane lives in Effurun.

PAGE 52—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

Garden city gathering of the tribes for Soyinka at 80

he popular adage that failure is an orphan while success has many relations was inhibited in the life of Professor Oluwole Soyinka as people from all walks of life struggled to be part of his 80th birthday celebration. The activities started earlier in the year with Pirates confraternity which he co founded that organised a lecture and opened a web site for the Soyinka lecture series. Thereafter, Zmirage, WS/ICE, that has been anchoring his birthday celebration since five years took over and from Lagos, Osun, Ondo and finally in Abeokuta his home state several events were packaged to that effect, and it was great as many keyed into it. After the Ogun lap of the celebration , the art community in Lagos took over again and the venue was the Freedom Park, Lagos where for five days they celebrated him with songs, drama, film, lectures, music etc. While many were relaxing after a long celebration, the government of Rivers State led by its art loving governor, Chibuike Amaechi organised a birthday dinner in his honour at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt. Well attended event The well attended event was graced by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Cross River state governor, Donald Duke and wife, Gabriel Okara, Prof Biodun Jeyifo, friends and associates of Prof. Soyinka and a host of eminent Rivers State citizens. It will be recalled that while governor Amaechi was in Lagos for the prize presentation of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature, he promised to host Soyinka during his birthday and that was why the dinner was organised. It was like another gathering of the tribes as people from many divides including writers, scholars, traditional rulers, diplomats, government functionaries converged at the government house auditorium, venue of the event to key into the celebration of the birthday of the first African Nobel prize for literature, The event was anchored by Rivers state Information Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semintanri. It was a harvest of tributes and performances as many tried to identify with the Nobel Laureate .First, it was the Rivers state dance troupe with their Niger Delta motifs who took to the stage and performed in a dramatic way some bits of what the Niger Delta was made of when it

comes to dance. The sang in English, Yoruba and ended it with one in their local dialect. Thereafter, veteran actor Sam Dede who teemed up with his stage colleagues Nobert Young and Deinbofa Ere took over with greetings from the land of Kelekuru and presented the poem Ere wrote for Soyinka at 80. It was great as they hoaxed with their voices as they read. Nobert Young was to mount the stage again, but this time, he was alone to thrill the audience as he read Soyinka’s evergreen poem, the Telephone Conversation. fter that the quest re l a x e d to a wonderful dinner while the legendary Tunji Oyelana, a long time associate of Soyinka who flew in from London because of the event performed songs from Soyinka’s plays including From Zia with love, I caught you in your trap and Soyinka’s popular song , I Love my country which the audience joined in the dance. Earlier on in his tribute, the host governor, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State

By JAPHET ALAKAM LITERARY

•From left, Prof Soyinka , Rivers State Deputy governor, Tele Ikuru and Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State governor/host (right )during the dinner who still remains radical at 80. “You have in the midst of our amazons. He recalled that Prof. Responding to the toast, Soyinka so many bad news brought good name to Nigeria. The good thing Soyinka fought so much for gave the audience one of the greatabout your achievement is the the liberation of Nigeria dur- est gift, the secrets of longevity, fact that it has to do with hard ing the Sanni Abacha days which he said lies in eating pepin office and was for some- per and drinking grape. “Wherwork. “If you do not read, you will not time even incarcerated. He ever you go make sure you carry be a good writer. Nobody can say listed Prof. Soyinka’s at- your grape and pepper. Make sure you can just wake up and be- tributes of justice, fair play, you drink less water, drink wine come a good writer. Reading dignity for the human per- and take pepper, once you do that fool humanity and live long.” begets writing and you must un- son and faith in good gov- you He added. derstand what you are writing.” ernance as commendable hile the guest were busy virtues of the literary giant. with the stomach infra-

You have in the midst of of our many bad news brought good name to Nigeria; the good thing about your achievement is the fact that it has to do with hard work

lauded Nobel Laureate, Governor Amaechi said Soyinka rose to his towering height through hard work. Congratulating Soyinka at 80, Amaechi thanked him for honouring the dinner invitation, adding that “the reason for same is basically because of the achievements that you have made globally, not just in Nigeria.

“The good thing about your own achievement is the fact that it has to do with hard work. If you don’t read, you won’t be a good writer. Nobody can tell you that once you wake up, you become a good writer. On his part, Governor Fayemi also poured encomiums on the literary icon and described him as one of the world’s literary

For Professor Biodun Jeyifo who had earlier prepared a paper for the toast, but was not allowed due what can be seen as a coup by the celebrant extolled the virtues of the man, Soyinka which he said he won as a result of hard work. He observed that Soyinka has ailment which he called Tribute fatigue and said “ it is an ailment that I pray to have when I grow up like him.” He said that Soyinka is one of the last avant garde of the century. Recalling some of the risk he has taken towards a better Nigeria, he stated that he is a radical

structure, the writer remembered one of the famous tracks of one of the famous bands from East in the early 80s called Sweet Breeze titled Mr Beggar. Actually, according to the song writer, Mr Beggar has no towns man but when he is rich, everyone is his uncle.....Kongi is not Mr Beggar, so he has many townsmen/women and that was why the world rolled out drums of celebration for his joining the club of 80 and according to Prof. Jeyifo who gave the toast, “in 10 years time, we will gather, and in another 10 years gather again for his centenary celebration, Long live Kongi.”

UNILA GV C tto o deliv er Ade thda UNILAG VC deliver Adeyyemi bir birthda thdayy lecture •11 books to be launched

he Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello, has been scheduled to deliver the 80th birthday lecture of elder statesman, Islamic scholar and gospel singer, Alhaji Ayo Adeyemi, who clocked 80 last July. The celebration which was postponed to this month because of the last Ramadan Festival, will also feature the launch of 10 new books recently published by the celebrant. The high profile event which is expected to be graced by prominent Nigerians such as Prince Ajibola Afonja, Alhaji S.A. Adegunwa, Dr Taju Okoya, Prince Ademola Dada, Alhaji Mutiu Gbajumo, Chief Chima Irondis and Alhaji Umar Saro variously as chairman, book presenters and special guests is scheduled to hold at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja on August 28.

•Alhaji Ayo Adeyemi Speaking in an interview, Adeyemi, who is the founder of the Islamic Mission Organisation, said the event would later accommodate some humanitarian services. s a Muslim and Rotarian who had long imbibed the culture of giving added that the tradition had to continue especially as he remained grateful to God for sparing his life. He recalled how he was invited to join Rotary Club based on the charity work he was involved in Lagos. As the Founding President of Rotary Club, Okota, La-

gos, he was involved in programmes that empowered old people just as he also mobilised people to plant trees. He added that Rotary was a service club where people are taught not only to provide service, but also to learn practices that are useful in home, business and work environments. He said, “Rotary is bout service. You are taught to give out service without expecting anything. It is not a philanthropist organisation. We move the community, get them involved in whatever services we are rendering. We don’t do it for them. “But more important is the fact that Rotary is a training organisation. Some of the things I practise in our Islamic organisation are things I learnt from Rotary. One of such is speech making. You are encouraged to say something at meetings.

So, it is a good training ground for leadership.” Adeyemi’s new books include ‘Why I am Proud to be a Muslim’, ‘Fasting’, Abridged History of Prophet Mohammed’, ‘The Concept of Prayer (Salat) in Islam’ and ‘What is Qadar or Predestination?’ Others include ‘Knowledge is Power’ ‘All Roads to Arafat’ and ‘Act of Charity (Zakat). hat Adeyemi is a sea soned teacher, researcher, writer and publisher are evident in each of the books. Apart from the fact that they are detailed and revealing, the materials are presented in simple language that children will especially cherish. While Adeyemi discusses topics such as ‘The Effect of Zakat’, ‘Amount of Contribution’ and ‘General Condition that makes Zakat Obligatory’, he coaches the reader on ‘Nabi or the Prophet of God’ and ‘Kidden Knowledge’ in Why I am Proud to be a Muslim’.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014—PAGE 53 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

CORA/NLNG celebrates creative ingenuity of writers

here was drama, spo ken word, dance and other forms of entertainment. It was a party, the 6th edition of the CORA book party organised not just for 2014 longlisted authors for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, but a party that celebrated the creative ingenuity of intellectuals and writers. Organised by Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) in collaboration with the sponsor of the Prize, Nigeria LNG, the party held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, afforded Nigerians present, the opportunity to interact with the 11 authors longlisted in the drama category for the prestigious prize, worth $100,000. The list was screened to 11 from over 100 entries by a panel of judges chaired by Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Prof.Charity Angya. Roll call included professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, United States, Biodun Jeyifo, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Tunji Sotimirin, Nobert Young and so many others. The event commenced on a lively note with performances by the lyrical Afro neo-soul singer Aduke Aladekomo and her band, ‘Sticks, Strings and Voices’. he riveting display by the Crown Troupe of Africa in their colourful costumes and perfect blend of formal language and slang, captivated the interest of audience. 2014 being the year of drama, the book party was also utilised by the literary community to celebrate the 80th birthday of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. CORA Secretary General, Toyin Akinosho, in the spirit of the celebration, read an excerpt from Soyinka’s “Alapata Apata”, a strong political satire on the contemporary Nigerian situation. Akinosho “pointed out that the gathering was not only about books but to celebrate our literary creativity as well as the fact that Nigeria is home to the most prestigious prize in Africa. He mentioned that the eleven long listed works collectively feature a range of human issues.” The audience had time to interact with the 11 authors of whom only seven were present while three connected via Skype. There was spoken word by performance poet, Diana Iquo Ekeh who appeared in a smashing Africa attire, thrilling the audience in a call and response chorus in Efik. Some of the characters in the long listed books; John Abba, Patrick Adaofuyi, Soji Cole, Paul Edema, Jude Idada, Ruth Momodu as well as IsaacAttah Ogezi, Ade Solanke, Arnold Udoka, Profs. Julie

Okoh and Sam Ukala, were brought to life by the captivating voice of veteran actor Nobert Young who read the part of Samson from Paul Edema’s ‘A Plague of Gadflies’, Edo from ‘Oduduwa the King of the Edos’ as well as Akon also from Paul Edema. Other invited actors also read excerpts from the long listed books. Next was conversation with the authors tagged ‘Meet the Writer’ and moderated by Deji Toye. Professor of Drama and Theatre, Sam Ukala, was a big hit as he dazzled the audience with his reading. He relived many years experience in drama. Author of ‘A Plague of Gadflies’, Paul Edema, a writer with a strong background in television, spoke extensively about the inspiration for his work. He said, “I am always inspired by my environment.” Attah Ogezi whose long listed book is his third, writes across genres from prose to poetry to literary essays. “I was so glad when I found out my book was on the long list and I was not also surprised because when God reveals something to you, it is bound to be the best.” He said. On why she chose to write a

By PRISCA SAM-DURU LITERATURE

has no provision for the growth of the young ones, is the main factor that undermines the emergence of the contemporary writers comparing with the older generation. While identifying publishing as the chief factor, which militates against contemporary writers, Ukala stated that he published his first play as an undergraduate just by sending the •A scene from a dance drama at the event manuscript to Oxford University Press which replied, notistory”. drama piece, Ade Solanke On the question whether the fying him of their acceptance (Pandora’s Box) stated that she present generation of writers to publish it. He noted with disfancied the genre because it in the country could be com- appointment that such platallows for collaboration and forms and opportunities did not exist now any more. The company’s support of literature is peaking at the event, not all about the financial aspect of it, General Manager, External Relations, NLNG, Dr. but a support for the future intellectual Kudo Eresia-Eke said the company’s support of literature is well-being of the country not all about the financial aspect of it but a support for the interaction with the audience. pared with the older genera- future intellectual well-being According to her, “With tion in the likes of Chinua of the country and to encourdrama, you have the audi- Achebe, Wole Soyinka, age more people, especially ence with you in the room; Cyprian Ekwensi and host of the young generation to take they come together to share others, Paul Edema said opti- to literature.The event was fiin their situations expressed mistically that contemporary nally brought to an end by a on the stage and you can’t writers could be compared poetry performance by Akeem get that with other genres of with them in time. But Ukala Lasisi with a piece titled, ‘A literature”, adding that her disagreed, saying that the na- Promise Kept’ and a reading work reflects “the Nigerian ture of present society, which by actor Tunji Sotimirin.

Hard Choice reignites theatre life in LASU

•Students of Theatre and Music Dept of LASU on stage By JAPHET ALAKAM DRAMA

he students of the De partment of Theatre Arts and Music of Lagos State University, Ojo recently demonstrated a bit of what they had in stock with a splendid performance of the play, entitled Hard Choice, which was described as one of the best play in the school this year. The play, Hard Choice, written by Sunday Enessi Ododo, directed by Ayodele Vincent Adeshina was organised as part of the activities for the convocation ceremony which took place at the school auditorium. For the period the play lasted, the audience were held spell bond with the way and manner they inter-

preted their lines and performed excellently that were applauded by the audience. The students made good use of the stage and their costumes complimented the various roles in the play. They were able to infuse the use of traditional and contemporary music in the play which depicts a shift from the traditional village to modern village lifestyles. Also their dance steps were in line to the various tempo of the drum beats. It was commendable getting such from students and Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor of the school, who could not hold his joy said “ I want to say thank you for putting together this wonderful play. You have done

very well and you should keep it up. I want such plays to be performed every semester and it can be a source of revenue to the department when gate fees are introduced.” The play talks about the important issue of making a choice, it can be trickish and difficult, such is the metaphor advanced in Ododo’s play. The queen of Emepiri Kingdom (Aishat Ibrahim) exchanges the life of her daughter for political power, with the agreement that she dies on her wedding day. he choice seems easy at first but becomes sour when the queen realizes that her womb is closed. She attempts to substitute a royal blood for the life of her only child. As part of her plan to avert the consequence, she plans with Chief Ubanga (Ogunnote Stephen), who admires her daughter to steal the crown of King Igi-nla, whose son is bethrothed to her daughter. These acts stain the peace between the two communities. The indomitable warlords of

the Igedu Kingdom, who by all means seek to recover their crown to preserve the life of their kingdom threatens Emepiri kingdom with war. Princess Azingae (Awhangasi Maume) of Emepiri kingdom, in other to avert the imminent war, sacrifices her live. irector of the play, Ayodele Vincent Adeshina, said “ the play looks like a theme that is relevant in all sectors of the economy. The masses are complaining and they are wondering if there is a government in place with all the things going on in the country. I feel so happy that I have been able to articulate the things happening in the university into the play. People need to make good choice and the consequences of their choice making and how hard the consequences will be’ . Also, commenting about the play, a member of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music, commended the management of LASU for giving them the opportunity to stage the play. The play was one of the best theatre plays this year and the department adopted it for the convocation ceremony. The playwright, Sunday Enessi Ododo is a Professor of Performance, Aesthetics and Theatre Technology with the Theatre Arts department, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.

PAGE 54, SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014

eal Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric believes that the club will strive hard to maintain its title chase momentum as they compete for six trophies this season. A 2-0 victory over La Liga rivals Sevilla in the Welsh capital on Tuesday night ticked one off the list as Madrid claimed their first Uefa Super Cup for 12 years thanks to a brace of Cristiano Ronaldo goals and star performances from hometown boy Gareth Bale and new signing Toni Kroos. “Every competition and every trophy is important at Real Madrid,” said Modric, who took his place alongside summer additions Kroos and James Rodriguez in Madrid’s three-man midfield. “It would be marvellous to be able to win all six [trophies], but it will be very, very tough. We’ll face some very good teams on the way. The pressure will be the same as it always is at Real Madrid.” That pressure was mirrored on the front pages of Wednesday’s sports papers in Spain. Madrid showed “flashes of their formidable potential to aspire to win everything” beamed Marca. “What this Madrid side cannot win through sheer inertia, they win through talent,” said AS’s Juanma Truba. “I am talking about league titles and Champions League (as long as they don’t get bored doing so).” Ever since Iker Casillas lifted the club’s tenth European Cup in Lisbon the talk has been about winning it all, destroying everything that comes in their path and cementing their place as the biggest and best club on the planet.

Titles is all that matters for Real — Modric

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted winning two trophies in three months the FA Cup at the end of last season and the Community Shield at the start of the new campaign - has lifted the pressure on the team and the club, BBC Sport has reported. The Gunners beat Hull City in May to land the FA Cup at Wembley then returned to the national stadium to face Premier League champions Manchester City in August’s annual curtain raiser, claiming two pieces of silverware in quick succession after going nine years without any. “It has taken a little bit the weight off our shoulders,” Wenger said of the club’s recent success, adding that success in the Premier League is the next objective.

Shock Therapy....Swansea City’s English midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (L) vies with Manchester United’s Spanish midfielder Juan Mata during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford in Manchester. Swansea shocked Man U with a 2-1 win.

Mourinho resumes mind games with Wenger, Pellegrini C

C M Y K

HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has aimed a dig at two of his rivals in Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini. The Blues tactician is known for his mind games with opposition managers, and is not one to be concerned about making friends when it comes to his comments about others to the media. With Chelsea failing to win a trophy last season after Mourinho’s eagerly-awaited return for a second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, it has been suggested that the Portuguese coach could be under some pressure going

Double trophy win eases Arsenal pressure

into the new season. However, he insists he shouldn’t be under pressure to win silverware straight away, taking a dig at Arsenal and Wenger in the process by pointing out that they went trophyless for eight seasons before finally winning the FA Cup last year. When asked if he felt under pressure, he said: “Why? Some managers have 10 years to win something.” The 51-year-old added that he wants to build his own squad at Chelsea after inheriting a group of players from his predecessor Rafael Benitez, and stated his desire not to rely on the work of

Warm Welcome... Didier Drogba, Thibaut Courtois and John Mikel Obi warming up for the season. others, in what could be taken as a swipe at Pellegrini for enjoying success with a team

largely assembled by Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool still dangerous without Suarez — coach

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes opposition teams still fear his side despite the departure of last season’s Premier League top scorer Luis Suarez, ITV Sport has reported. Uruguay international Suarez quit Anfield for Barcelona over the summer and it has been suggested last year ’s runners-up aren’t as dangerous without Suarez. But Rodgers has retained faith in his side’s goal scoring capabilities. “The game is all about opinion and every team is forensically looked at in terms of what they will produce or not,” he said. “Luis was a world-class talent but we scored 101 goals last year and 70 of those came from other parts of the team.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 17, PAGE 55

Canada 2014: Okon hails Falconets •Keeps tab on team for players STORIES BY EDDIE AKALONU

UPER Falcons head coach, Edwin Okon says he is keenly following the performance of the national U-20 women team, the Falconets in the on-going FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada for two main reasons. It is his prayer that they go far enough in the competition, even to the final so that the girls would gain experience meeting teams from different parts of the world and their approach. More importantly, the sweat merchant added that he is on the look out for outstanding members of the team who are likely to be called up to the senior national team. “I commend them,” he said, “and it is my prayer that they will continue to do well, to get the exposure and experience and them come back to inject this into our game.” The Falconets Wednesday fired up to seven points and topped their group after beating England 2-1 in the last Group-C tie in Edmonton, That victory also won them a place in the quarter finals. They will now take up New Zealand today in Moncton.

Squeeze...Sherry McCue of England battles for a header against Courtney Dike of Nigeria They had earlier battled Mexico to a 1-1 draw and piped Korea Republic 2-1. Okon, whose Falcons side are yet to get into camp in readiness for the African Women Championship in Namibia later in the year said, “I am following all of their matches because those who perform

exceptionally will be invited to the senior team for continental and global competitions ahead. “We will continue to monitor their progress and it is my hope they continue the momentum, move higher and higher. It will help the morale of players and help me plan a

stronger national team.” With the African Women Championship cup holders, Equatorial Guinea out of the competition this year, the Super Falcons are favourites to win a record seventh title in Namibia in October. Nigeria are winners in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Anyanwu expects new era for boxing country. “I did no hear of any serious camping for them before the games. I was told they were camped for just three weeks. That means if they were given better incentives and put through a planned programme, they would have achieve more.

C M Y K

ORMER national boxing coach, Pa George Anyawu has expressed optimism that the completion of abandoned boxing facilities at the national stadium, Lagos by the General Ken Minima-led Nigerian Amateur Boxing Federation, would usher in a new era for the sports. Pa Anyanwu, a one time coach of the Nigerian Army boxing team thanked General Minima for completing the hostel in the complex and hoped that the Ayonote Gym would witness a facelift with state of the art equipment. “I am so happy that abandoned facilities at the Boxing Village began by late Brai Ayonote, have been completed. Boxers now have a home to train in and this is a new beginning for boxing,” he stated, adding, “it is of note that the complex, which was started by a military officer and abandoned has been completed by another military officer. So I would like to commend General Minima for this effort. It is my belief that boxing will boom again as we had under Col. White Ukor and Brai Ayonote.” Work on the facility, especially the abandoned hostel, began early this year undertak-

“I am appealing to both the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Federation and National Sports Commission to de-emphasize the current policy of participating in competitions without adequate planning and development programmes,” he added.

Lawyer sues FIFA over refs blunder

74-year-old colombian lawyer, who claims refereeing at the 2014 World Cup partially caused his cardiac problems, is suing FIFA for 1billion. Aurelio Jimenez cited the Brazil-Colombia game, in which the standard of officiating was widely criticised, as one which caused him particular distress. The fixture in question featured more fouls than any other match in the tournament, with referee Carlos Velasco Carballo lambasted for being too lenient in his treatment of the players who committed these infringements. Speaking to the BBC World Service, Jimenez said: “I felt very bad, I was heartbroken, my cardiac rhythm was altered and my relatives took me to the emergency room at the hospital. I was surrounded by my grandchildren who were crying a lot.” He added that if he won the case, all damages would go towards improving the welfare of impoverished Colombian children. Meanwhile FIFA has announce the start of the post-2014 FIFA World Cup Brazi Technical Conferences that will be jointly organised with the confederations and open to all 209 member associations. The events are meant to become key platforms in order for FIFA, the confederations and the member associations to focus on the technical and tactical analysis and findings of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The head coaches and technical directors of all FIFA member associations have been invited to attend the conferences, which will cover the following areas:- Report from the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) Technical and tactical analysis. the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Van Gaal fails to lift Man. United league opener •General Minima en by men of Nigeria Army engineers from the Abalti Barracks in Surulere, Lagos. Anyanwu believes that having a place of their own to train, rest and camp for competitions, would improve the technique of boxers, which can dove-tail into better performances international competitions The boxing complex is also where one of the country’s boxing greats, Hogan Bassey is buried. Meanwhile Pa Anyanwu has also hailed Nigeria’s boxing team to the just concluded 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland for picking three bronze medals, noting that “the feat was done purely on the athlete’s own determination to win laurels for the

•Gets Moyes backing

OUIS van Gaal’s first com petitive game as Manchester United manager ended in a historic home defeat at the hands of Swansea City. A day that began with the Dutch manager receiving a rapturous welcome from the Old Trafford fans as he walked out before kick-off ended with his side being beaten at home on the opening day of the league season for the first time since 1972. Not even a trademark Van Gaal tactical switch could save him from opening his Premier League account with a 2-1 loss, as his side produced a disjointed performance which underlined the scale of the job ahead of him - and the improvement needed in several areas. Midfielder Ander Herrera

was the only new signing to line up for a United side that finished seventh last season, and it showed. Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick in his first game since being named United’s new captain cancelled out Ki Sungyueng’s opener for the Welsh side, but some uncertain defending allowed new Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson to score a 72nd-minute winner. That saw the Welsh side, who also enjoyed a famous victory at Old Trafford in the FA Cup last season, ruin Van Gaal’s big day by clinching their first away win over United in the league in 12 visits dating back to 1931. Van Gaal says Manchester United “never played as a team” but takes full responsibility for Swansea’s shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford. “It is very disappointing that

we have lost our first home match,” he said. “We didn’t reach the level we can play at. That is disappointing because we have done it much better and when you cannot do it in your first home match that is disappointing, especially for the fans. “We were very nervous in first half, made the wrong choices and that is a pity. In the second half we never played as a team, therefore I’m responsible.” Former coach David Moyes, who was sacked just 10 months into a six-year contract after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at United last summer, has called for the club to give his permanent replacement Van Gaal the patience he was not afforded. “Louis van Gaal will need the time to do the job as well. He’ll need to have that opportunity to change things.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 17, 2014 TODAY’S MATCHES Liverpool V Southampton 2.30pm Newcastle V Man City 5.00pm

Ebola scare: IOC bans athletes from West Africa •Nigerian team expected back home today BY BEN EFE

IGERIA’s team to the second Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China are expected back to the country today just as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned athletes from West African countries affected by the deadly Ebola virus from competing in some events at the Games, which started yesterday. Nigeria withdrew its team from the games on Wednesday after the country’s athletes were isolated outside of the Games village, despite the fact that none of the athletes and officials was carrier of the dreaded virus. Under that ruling, 16-year-old female judo athlete Mamadama Bangoura and 16-year-old male swimmer Alhoussene Sylla, both from Guinea, will miss the games, along with 16-year-old female Nigerian wrestler Bose Samuel.The three will be invited back to Nanjing later to take part in another sporting competition, the IOC statement said. “We have been reassured by the health authorities that there have been no suspected cases and that the risk of infection is extremely unlikely,” the statement read. “Together we have developed a policy which balances the health needs of all, with respect for the rights of the young athletes from the region.”

The IOC said the decision to ban some athletes from competing had been made in conjunction with the organising committee from Nanjing under the guidance of the World Health Organisation. The IOC said all countries were welcome to attend the Games, which began from August 16 and will run through the 28th, but athletes from the affected region would be subjected to regular physical tests. “We regret that due to this issue some young athletes may have suffered twice, both from the anguish caused by the outbreak in their home countries and by not being able to compete in the Youth Olympic Games,” the IOC said. The world’s worst outbreak of Ebola has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people with another 2,000 suspected cases, mostly in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

RESULTS Man Utd Leicester QPR West Brom West Ham Arsenal

Moses joins Osaze at Stoke City S

UPER Eagles striker Victor Moses has teamed up with compatriot, Peter Osaze Odemwingie at Stoke City. Moses signed for Stoke on a season-long loan yesterday. Moses has struggled to make an impact with Chelsea since moving from Wigan in 2012 and spent last season on loan at Liverpool. The 23-year-old, who can play on both flanks and in a more central attacking role, is Stoke’s sixth signing since the end of last season. “We are delighted to have secured the services of such an exciting young talent in Victor,” Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes said. “He will certainly add to our attacking options and from talking to him it’s obvious that he’s really excited about the prospect of making an impact in the Premier League with Stoke City.” Moses, who started his career in England at Crystal Palace, started six English Premier League games for Liverpool last term and featured in a further 13 from the bench, scoring his only goal on his debut against Swansea. He was not available for the curtain raiser against Aston Vila, but could make his first appearance away at Hull City next weekend. City Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of such an exciting young talent in Victor.

Back to the field... Victor Moses of Chelsea and Laurent Koscielny contesting for the ball during a Premier League match. Moses is back to the fray with Stoke City

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Swansea Everton Hull Sunderland Tottenham Crystal Palace

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CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Taraba capital (7) 4.Exchanges (5) 6.Crest (5) 7.Speared (7) 9.Fashion (5) 10.Weird (5) 11.Donor (5) 13.Domain (5) 17.Crestfallen (3) 19.Face (8) 20.Pianos (6) 21.Much (6) 23.Stayed (8) 24.Frozen water (3) 25.Snake (5) 27.Own up (5) 30. Arise (5) 31. Evade (5) 32. Dotted (7) 34. Lariat (5) 35. Moves like a horse 36.Sowed (7)

DOWN 1. Incarcerates (5) 2. Nothing (3) 3. Command (5) 4. Cue (5) 5. Vapour (5) 8. Dog (3) 12. Nigerian state (6) 14. Ovum (3) 15. Connected (6) 16. Cooked (6) 17. Glare (5) 18. Ill-fated (6) 22. Maiden name (3) 25. Revise accounts (5) 26. Staggers (5) 27. Old fable writer (5) 28. Child (3) 29. Gave in (5) 33. Benin chieftain (3) (5)

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See solution on page 5

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