Buhari jets out by Vanguard Media Limited

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SONI DANIEL & LIVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

Amid health concerns, Buhari jets out

oncerns were raised, last night, over the health status of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (ACN), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, following his planned trip to the United States of American towards the end of January. Buhari is reported to have filled an online application for the United States of America Visa to enable him travel to the country around January 26 for medical scrutiny. The application for the visa, it was learnt, instantly fueled speculations that Buhari had been weighed down by the strain of the campaigns which he had been undertaking in recent days, thereby requiring urgent medical attention in the foreign land. His opponents argued that Buhari would not have sought to abandon his campaigns midway and travel abroad for medical attention if his health condition was not dire. They contended that the general’s failing health had become a serious concern to his handlers, who have, however, quietly managed the situation to avoid any damage to his candidature. But in a shift response, Buhari dismissed the claims over his health as mere fabrication of lies by those afraid of his rising popularity among Nigerian voters. While insisting that he was hale and hearty, Buhari, through his Campaign Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, asked Nigerians not to be distracted by the antics of desperate and unpopular candidates who were afraid of losing in a free and fair

doctors as handwritten in this particular case”, stressing that Buhari did not attend the hospital for cancer or any other ailment. He restated its statement of Friday that Buhari is as fit as a fiddle. “The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) has discredited the purported report said to have emanated from the hospital to the effect that General Muhammadu Buhari is stricken with cancer,” the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation has said.

APC presidential candidate , General Muhamadu Buhari, acknowledging cheers from party supporters in Lokaoja, Kogi State during a rally . Photo by Joe Akintola. contest. The media campaign director dismissed as a figment of the imagination of “wicked and evil persons,” the rumour that Buhari may be travelling to the United States towards the end of this month for medical check up. While dismissing the report as fabrications, however, he said that “as a prominent leader of the opposition, many interests across the globe want him (GMB) over for political and diplomatic consultations,” adding that the “invitation to the US may not be unconnected to this.” Shehu also dismissed as fake and untenable a purported medical report from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital showing that Buhari had been diagnosed of prostate cancer

THOUGHT FOR TODAY WRITE DOWN YOUR VISION —2 By Richard Eromonsele

Now, this is a New Year. Examine your life. The things you set out to do last year, have you achieved them? How many of them have you achieved? If you want to be truthful to yourself, you will realize that very little or not much has been achieved. Then, why is it so? The first reason why you did not achieve much last year as you propose is your failure and or refusal to write down what you intend to achieve for the year… T

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by the institution. In a statement, he described the claim, said to have been credited to a ‘ renowned source in the hospital’, as disdainful, distractive, mischievous, fake and fallacious. The Buhari aide said, “It (report of cancer) is untrue and condescending of its exponents. I have it on good authority that GMB has not visited the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in the last five years. So, how can anyone say that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last October, barely three months ago?. “This is the highest point of political distraction, malice and mischief. The report was not only fake but unfounded. I have spoken to impeccable sources at ABUTH all of whom deny the report and also claimed that the

letterhead used was not their regular one, and that Dr. Bala Mohammed that purportedly approved the false medical report is not on the personnel list of that department.” Beside, Shehu said sources at ABUTH disclosed that “medical report analysis only come from laboratory technologists and not medical

MEANWHILE, there is a groundswell of opposition from Nigerians in the Diaspora against the candidate of Buhari in the February 14 presidential election. The opposition against the former military ruler is being championed by the United States chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), the flagship association of Nigerians living abroad. Speaking at a press conference held at the Hilton Garden, Washington DC, Hon. Victor Ugho, the immediate past VicePresident of NIDO, who is the current President of the Georgia State chapter of the association with

headquarters in Atlanta, urged the former Head of State to perish the thought of becoming the next president of the country, saying that the world has moved past the likes of Buhari. Ugho regretted that Buhari has allowed himself to be pushed around by some people whom, he said, were looking for ways to cause more pains to Nigeria. He noted that Buhari, as Head of State, had ample opportunity to turn the country around, stressing that, “as a matter of sincerity, I do not think Buhari is the best candidate for Nigeria at this period in time. He was there as Head of State, what did he do? "Again, he has not told us what he is going to do differently. We need continuity; the choice should not be based on tribal sentiment. Let him tell us how he is going to fix the socalled terrible situation he has identified. We need somebody who will not bring disunity." Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of NIDO, Mr. Ndubusi George called on Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to think wisely and vote for the right candidate in next month’s presidential election.

Tinubu pacifies aggrieved 241 Lagos House charged all the 241 one aspirants of the Lagos aspirants to get involved at

he National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has pacified aggrieved Lagos State House of Assembly aspirants who failed to secure the ticket of the party during the primaries, assuring them that the party is large enough to take care of their respective interests. Tinubu, who met with them at his house in Ikoyi,

different stages of the campaign activities from their various constituencies to the national level. The secretary of the forum, Dr Ibrahim Qazeem, from Somolu constituency 2 assured the National Leader of their readiness to ensure victory for the party at different levels of the election in February. Meanwhile, Tayo Ayinde,

governorship aspirants, has reiterated his commitment to the aspiration of APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to emerge winner at the poll slated for February 28. Ayinde donated election materials and sponsored some campaign songs branded for Ambode to boost his electioneering campaign in the state.

Jonathan, Sambo’s qualifications too weak to effect change – Fashola MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said President Goodluck Jonathan’s and his Vice, Namadi Sambo’s high academic qualifications have not reflected in the policies they introduced since they assumed office, saying, “We need someone who could address our challenges.” Fashola, who made the statement at the All Progressives Party, APC, rally held in Ikorodu, lamented that the country has failed to progress despite their high academic qualifications. “We prayed that if we have someone who has degree, he will be able to develop the country. And when the current president, a Ph.D holder, assumed office, we rejoiced that the country will improve. Rather than implement policies that would improve the standard of living of the citizens, we were having regression,”he said. “Also, his Vice-President is an architect but he cannot construct roads. But it is sad that a lawyer is the Commissioner for Works in Edo State and he has

constructed several roads. In Ogun State, the Commissioner for Works is an architect and he has built several roads. “So, let’s ask Sambo, the Vice President what has he done for the nation since he assumed office. All he (Sambo) could do was to inform the President that people are leaving Lagos because of tax regime. And I want everyone to ask the Vice President if the number of vehicles coming into Lagos has reduced.” Fashola noted that lack of governance experience exhibited by the President and his Vice could also be seen in all the candidates presented by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2015 elections. He said, “For instance, their governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, is displaying his inexperience and ignorance on government budget with his recent comment on budget allocation for education in Lagos.” Agbaje had at the third edition of the gubernatorial debate organised by the Diocese of Lagos West,

Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Ikeja said that state government spends three percent of its budget on primary education. He continued: “With this comment, he does not have knowledge on finance issues. If he listened to my budget speech, I said that we

increased budget for education from 15 percent to 16.8 percent. I also explained that the 16.8 percent is not the entire budget for education. But funds for some of the education programmes were left with the ministry that was saddled with such responsibility in the state.”

2015: We won’t allow the opposition to rig us out—Mark BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

he Senate President, Senator David Mark, has told members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work hard in order to guarantee victory at the various stages of the February elections. The Senate President also assured that the PDP would win the elections convincingly and would not allow the opposition parties to rig it out. Senator Mark said:”We want to win convincingly at all levels. There will be no room for any manipulation. We as members of the PDP will not rig. We will not allow opposition parties to rig us out.

We have enough evidence to show to the electorate why the PDP remain the preferred choice in 2015". Addressing PDP stakeholders from the North Central Zone in Abuja, yesterday, he advised anybody or political party planning electoral malpractices to think otherwise, adding, “ we are committed to free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.” Mark, however, told his party members not to take anything for granted just as he stressed the need for them to strategize and reach out to the electorate ahead of the polls.

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Rivers PDP, APC trade words over use of stadium BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

EOPLES Democrat ic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, exchanged words, Friday night, at the Police Officers Mess, Port

Harcourt, Rivers State over the allegation by the PDP that Governor Chibuike Amaechi had refused to approve their application to use the Adokiye Ameisemaka Stadium for its presidential rally on January 28. Speaking at a forum con-

vened by the state Police Commissioner, Mr Dan Bature, to promote peace among political stakeholders in the state ahead of the general elections, the Chairman of Rivers PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, accused the APC of being behind po-

litical problems in the state, citing the alleged refusal of the governor to grant the party’s request to use the stadium as one of the alleged provocative actions of the APC. On his part, the Chairman of the APC in the state, Dr Davies Ikanya, who also accused the PDP of attacking his party’s members and properties, said that the request by the PDP was not granted because contractors had resumed work in the stadium.

Why Yobe should vote APC in February elections – Gaidam BY NDAHI Marama, DAMATURU

HE people of Yobe State should vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels of the February, 2015 elections because it has better ideas and is poised to address the challenges of security and development facing the state and the country at large, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has said. The governor spoke, yesterday, at the flag off of the party’s zonal rally for Yobe

Zone B in Sabon Garin Nangere of Nangere local government area. Also speaking, the Director General of the Gaidam Campaign Organisation, Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, as well as a Nangere APC leader, Alhaji Musa Lawan Madakin Tikau, praised Gaidam for being undaunted in moving the state forward despite the security challenges, saying the APC should be elected at all levels to ensure ‘continuity and positive change’.

INEC database: Senator Aniete Okon urges security agencies to bring culprits to justice BY HENRY UMORU group under the aegis, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Integrity Vanguard, has urged all relevant security agencies to bring to justice the All Progressives Congress, APC, and all those alleged to be behind plot to hack into the voters registration data

President Goodluck Jonathan exchanging pleasantaries with a former governorship aspirant of the PDP in Oyo State, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, on arrival at the Ibadan airport for the presidential in the state capital on Monday.

base of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The group, in a statement, yesterday, said the Department of State Security Service and other security agencies must not leave any stone unturned to ensure that those behind the act were made to face the full wrath of the law. The statement, signed by

the Coordinator of PDP Integrity Vanguard and pioneer National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Senator Aniete Okon, described the action as most condemnable, a sophisticated digital rigging plan, a premeditated electoral fraud and akin to the activities of ‘ yahoo -yahoo’ internet fraudsters.

Nobody can trace election rigging to corps members — NYSC BY CALEB AYANSINA

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), weekend, called on Nigerians including security agencies to give adequate security to corps members taking part in the forthcoming general elections. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Olanipekun Alao, who made the call in a chat with newsmen, in Abuja, said corps members were not members of any

political party; therefore, they should be protected. According to him, if at all there is rigging, it could not be traced to corps members participating in the election, because they were being properly taken care of. Alao maintained that the scheme had done its part by properly training its corps members, adding that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies should live up to expectation for the country to have free and fair elections.

Group x-rays evil of terrorism BY FUNMI OLASUPO group of Nigerian students known as Students in Nigeria Re-awakening Initiative (STINRI) has successfully completed the shooting of the first part of an epic movie entitled, Dance of Vipers, aimed at fighting terrorism in Nigeria. Speaking to Sunday Vanguard at the weekend in Abuja, the author of the screenplay and the movie producer, Nathan Oguwike, said the movie was aimed

at exposing the unattractiveness of the evil of terrorism and thus, dissuade youths all over the country from joining or being used by Boko Haram or its sponsors to achieve their selfish political interests. According to him, the group intend to use the movie to spread the message that Nigerians must resist any group who seek to use intimidation as a means of gaining power and to encourage the citizens to take active steps within human possibilities to fight terrorism.

PDP suspends Ughelli South chairman, secretary By Egufe Yafugborhi & Akpokonsa Omafuaire

HE executive Com mittee of the Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, Ughelli-South chapter has suspended its Chairman, Chief Francis Aguonigho and Secretary, Sir Isaiah Kekeje with immediate effect over alleged fraudulent activities and abuse of office. The suspension is said to be fuelled by the failure of the duo to convene a meeting of the party after series of calls to explain allegations of fraud and abuse of office. This was contained in a resolution signed by Deputy Chairman, Obawharhe

Gbagbeke and Dr. Richard Kofi, Treasurer; Chief Godwin and 14 others and made available to Sunday Vanguard in Warri. The suspended duo have been asked to return all party properties in their possession and to appear before a disciplinary committee which has been set up to investigate them after an extra-ordinary meeting of the executive committee. When contacted on phone, the embattled chairman, Chief Aguonigho said, “It is not true that I have been suspended, go and publish whatever you hear but I still remain the chairman.

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Digital TV system: Nation waits on NBC to release bidding result By Emmanuel Ajibulu

L-R: The wife of a UNILAG former vice chancellor, Mrs. Olusola Ibidapo Obe; her husband, Prof. Ibidapo Obe; celebrant's spouse, Dr Michael Peters; and the wife of a former vice chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Mrs. Funke Omole, at Mrs. Peters 70th birthday, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

PTF: Buhari committed monumental fraud, says PDP campaign organisation •Obasanjo was trying to cover him up By Henry Umoru, Abuja

HE Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday, disagreed with the clean bill of health given to General Muhammadu Buhari by former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the alleged N25 billion-fraud that took place in the administration of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by Buhari as Executive Chairman. The Campaign Organisation, in a statement in which it subtly queried the health status of Bu-

hari, said that by saying that there was nothing amiss in the financial transactions in the PTF, Obasanjo was only trying to cover up the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, read: “We believe that one of the cardinal principles of democracy, good governance and decency is to always set the record straight and let the Nigerian people know the truth. This has been the hallmark of

President Goodluck Jonathan and his government for the last four years and we intend to ensure that this continues. We do not believe that anything ought to be hidden and we believe that in the contest for the Presidency the record of public office of each and every one of the presidential candidates is relevant and must be subjected to scrutiny and public debate. “It is to this end that we make reference to the findings of the Dr Haroun Adamu-led Interim Management Committee probe of Pe-

Second Niger Bridge gulps N10bn, to be delivered in 14 months — Jonathan By Ben Agande in Onitsha

resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, assured the Igbo that the second Niger Bridge would be delivered within 14 months. The president, who disclosed this in Onitsha during a courtesy call on the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, and also at the Holy Trinity, venue of the presidential campaign rally held in the city, expressed satisfaction on the progress of work at the Second Niger Bridge. The president, who inspected work on the project before paying homage to the Obi in his palace, said he wanted to see the progress on the project before seeing the Obi so that he could disabuse his mind over reports by the opposition that work on the project had stopped.

Jonathan said: “I decided to inspect the Second Niger Bridge before coming because I was hearing stories that no work was going on; I said no and before I go to visit the Obi, I must see things by myself, I don’t want to be told. “Your majesty, I’m quite impressed by the level of work going on. Of course, the total value of that project is N130 billion and being done through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and managed by our Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). “So far, N10 billion has been spent and, out of it, N1.5 billion was used for paying for damages and others. In fact, the link road that is about three kilometres from the main road to the bridge, almost 80 percent of the road has been fixed. “That alone is a major project, obviously work is

going on there. For now, about 260 Nigerians and about 50 expatriates are working there. “But when the work will be in full swing, we expect that it will give about 2,000 young men and women and about 60 expatriates. “So, the major projects that will occupy a number of people to execute this project, we asked Julius Berger and the Minister of Works, and their commitment is that the project will be completed within 14 months. And they will surely do it. “I join my chairman of the PDP, to say that God willing, when we come, we will commission that bridge”. He applauded the support of the royal fathers for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government as well as the cooperation between the PDP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

LL eyes are on the Na tional Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to release the result of the bidding process for a Digital TV System comprising Set Top Box (STB) Software & Integrated Digital TV (IDTV) Broadcast Services to deliver a National Common STB/IDTV Control and Consumer Access Fee Mechanism and critical additional services over the Digital Terrestrial and Network in Nigeria. 13 companies submitted bids. In November 2014, following the landmark decision of the Jonathan-led government to impact on the more than 22 million TV households across Nigeria by approving a policy that mandates the local assembly/manufacture of STBs, which will make the

NEPZA Board, MD at war over Centenary City Project By Henry Umoru, Abuja

troleum Trust Fund (PTF) where General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC, presided as Executive Chairman for a number of years while General Sani Abacha was in power. The final report of that probe exposed nothing but monumental sleaze and the most pervasive and insidious type of corruption in PTF while General Buhari held sway there. The report concluded its findings by recommending that the PTF under General Buhari and his entire team be asked to explain the circumstances in which N25, 758,532,448:00 disappeared and could not be accounted for. As the chief executive officer of PTF at the time Buhari, and no one else, must be held responsible for this. “The fact that the recommendation of the Dr Haroun Adamu-led Interim Management Committee was never acted upon by the Olusegun Obasanjo government is rather curious and gives us some cause for concern. This is especially so given the fact that the same General Buhari that was so badly indicted by the report is now vying for the exalted office of President of Nigeria. This is made all the more worrisome given the fact that the army general has consistently held himself out as Mr. Integrity while he consistently accuses President Goodluck Jonathan of monumental corruption. The truth is that not only has the PTF report put a lie to the suggestion that General Buhari is ‘’Mr. Clean’’ but it has also indicated that he has a case to answer.”

viewing of digital terrestrial television signals possible on existing analogue TV sets, the NBC called for expression of interest from duly registered companies in Nigeria to bid for the STB/IDTV system. After a careful review by members of the evaluation committee on December 4-8, 2014, it was learnt that the committee’s report was submitted to the Emeka Mba-led NBC. Sources said t h e e v a l u a t i o n committee did a marvellous job critically analyzing the bids and submitted their report promptly to the Director-General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, in line with “Mr. President’s objective of making the viewing of digital terrestrial television signals possible on existing analogue TV sets through a very transparent procedure.”

HE Governing Board and management of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, NEPZA, are at a war following irreconcilable differences ranging from issues of alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office. The Board raised allegations against the management team led by the Managing Director of NEPZA, Oluwagbemiga Kuye, of entering into contracts and engaging in financial transactions to make the Centenary City in Abu-

ja Free Zone, among others, without presenting the matter before the Council set up by President Goodluck Jonathan charged with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the agency. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Chairman, Board of NEPZA, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, denied allegations of corruption levelled against the Board, describing them as politically motivated. According to him, the Board was never part of any decision taken by the Managing Director.

10 injured as fire guts petrol station in Onitsha By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O fewer than 10 p e r sons have been placed on danger list in hospitals in Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State near Onitsha following Friday evening fire that gutted a petrol filling station at Nkpor Junction. The inferno, according to the source, stated at about 5 p.m. while two tankers, one loaded with petrol and the other with

kerosine, were off-loading their products into an under-ground tanks inside the station. At press time, the actual cause of the inferno was yet to be ascertained. One report had it that the fire sparked when one of those discharging the products picked a phone call, while another said the inferno was ignited by a spark from a high tension wire when electricity supply suddenly came up as the products were being discharged.

Jos: Stampede at Buhari’s campaign kills 2 By Marie-Therese

WO persons were, yesterday, trampled to death in a stampede during the All Progressives Party, APC, presidential campaign visit to Plateau State. The victims, Sunday Vanguard confirmed, were trying to force their way out of the crowded Rwang Pam Township Stadium, venue of the event, when they were trampled on and they gave

up the ghost. Before the tragedy, the APC presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, had addressed the mammoth crowd, promising to restore security in the north eastern zone of the country as well as improve on the agriculture and education sectors. He assured the unemployed youths of massive employment opportunities if voted into power in next month’s election.

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Death in accident halts Edo APC rally By Simon Ebegbulem

•L-R: Governor Theodore Orji, President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, and Eze Eberechi Dike, Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers at a presidential interaction with the traditional rulers in Abia State at the Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Umuahia.

Boko Haram: Nigeria is a weak state — Sanusi By Simon Ebegbulem

HE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi 11, Sarkin Kano, yesterday, called on Muslims to defend themselves against Boko Haram, describing the nation as a weak state. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 29th National Quranic Recitation in Auchi, Edo State, the former CBN boss stressed that Boko Haram members were only able to take over some territories from the country because the state was unable to defend its citizens and protect lives and property due to the weakness of the system. “The first responsibility of the state is to protect lives and property of its citizens or it loses the basis of its existence. Borno, Yobe and Adamawa must be liberated from Boko Haram and it is a task for government to accomplish to ensure that Boko Haram is defeated,” he said. He urged the people to stop running away from terrorists, whom, according to him, are projecting the Islamic religion in an ungodly manner. “It is extremely important

that we looked at the Qur ’ran which provides the most noble of behaviours and character. We must stop running away from these wicked people because selling free borns into slavery, kidnapping of our young girls and rape is un-Islamic. Muslim leaders must speak up against it else we will be guilty of complicity,”the monarch stated. “For Boko Haram to take over some areas in Borno, kill 2,000 people in Baga shows that the Nigerian state is weak. But we cannot keep quiet while people are being killed, we must fight to make sure our religion is not distorted but

the state must protect us. The state owns us that duty to protect our citizens. Our people must fight Boko Haram, we must not run away from them because if we do, Allah will not help us. We must defend our religion so that the evil people will not distort it. This is a duty that we must all join hands together to fight”. The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Gabai El Kanemi, at the occasion, explained that the Qur’anic Recitation is the most important rallying point for Muslims which he said must be sustained. He called on Muslims to base their teachings on the Holy Quaran in order not

No vacancy in Aso Rock — Kuku •Says Amnesty Programme won’t end in 2015 By Dayo Johnson, Akure

HE Special Adviser to the President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, weekend, said there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

Kuku spoke at an interactive session with newsmen organised by the Ondo State Chapter of the NUJ in Akure. He pointed out that not only has President Goodluck Jonathan performed well but “ the opposition is not formidable enough”. The Special Adviser

2 siblings drown in Enugu

•Hunter shoots colleague in error By Francis Igata

ESIDENTS of New G . R . A , Tr a n s Ekulu,Enugu were thrown into mourning following the drowning of two siblings, Emeka Nwafor and Nmesoma Nwafor, aged seven and four respectively. The incident occurred at a stream,popularly called ‘Miri Ani’. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the duo had gone to the stream to swim and fetch water following acute scarcity of water in the area. According to the Enugu State police spokesperson, Mr. Ebere

to mislead their followers. Speaking earlier, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State prayed God to help the country overcome the security challenges in the North East, just as he noted that there are challenges all over the world. At the end of the 10-day recitation, Yusuf Muhammad Baffa Dukku, from Gombe State, won the competition for the male category with 95.2 points to come first winning N500,000 and a 4 Runner jeep while Khadija Tanimu Abdullahi, from Plateau State, won the competition for the female category scoring 91.1 points to come first with a prize of N500,000 and a Lexus jeep.

Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, the police were working tirelessly to ascertain the c i r c u m s t a n c e s surrounding their deaths. His words:”We are investigating to unravel how the incident that led to the drowning occurred. In cases like this, people should avail security agencies of information to enable them have a lead on the matter. “The corpses have been deposited at a nearby mortuary while autopsy will be conducted in due course. Similarly, operatives from 9th Mile Division

of Enugu Police Command have commenced investigation into an alleged shooting of a hunter, Benjamin Igu, by his colleague during a hunting expedition at Umuokpala, Egede bush in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The suspect,70, was said to have shot his victim with a locally made gun having allegedly mistaken him for a wild animal as both of them combed the bush for animals. Igu was rushed to Our Saviour Hospital,9th Mile where he is said to be responding positively to treatment.

believed that “ Nigerians know there is need to re-elect the president because he has delivered dividends of democracy”. He went on: “For now, the Presidency is not vacant particularly that it is Buhari who is the contender. It can never be vacant. “ How can it be vacant at a time so many countries are beginning to go intellectual with their leaders and with policies? We cannot go back. “We have never seen a better man than Jonathan in this contest. That is the fortunate thing for him. “He has done well and because God is truly with him, the person coming against him is a repetitive personality who wants to be president. But I know this is the last race he is going to run”. The Special Adviser also said that the Amnesty Programme will not end this year as earlier planned. He pointed out that it will continue because over 2,000 ex-militants are still studying abroad and over 1,000 in Nigerian universities.

motor accident along Benin-Lagos Road, which killed one of its members while 11 others were seriously injured halted the political campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state yesterday. The APC members were on their way to Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Council of the state, when the bus conveying them had a head on collusion with a car which had the posters of a PDP House of Representatives candidate. One of the APC members died on the spot while 11 others were rushed to hospital. Governor Adams Oshiom-

hole, who was about leaving his Iyamho village for the venue of the APC rally when he heard the news, immediately cancelled the campaign rally in honour of the victims. The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, and the former Minister of State for Works, Engr.Chris Ogienwonyi, described the incident as shocking and painful. Odubu, who joined others in rushing the victims to hospital, confirmed one dead and assured that others were responding to treatment. Ogiemwonyi lamented: “It is quite a sad moment for the party and for all of us.”

Courteville launches AutoReg ™ version 3 By Bose Adelaja

ITH her corporate vision to touch the lives of every citizen of the world, Courteville Business Solution Plc., patent owners of the AutoReg ™business solution, has completed the third upgrade of her AutoReg ™Motor Vehicle A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Documentation MVAD, software to the latest AutoReg ™Version 3 (V3). AutoReg ™ V3 not only brings new collaboration tools and streamlined workflows to processing centers, it also comes with new features that

addresses state of the art nonlinear vehicle registration processes including an online customer portal which could be accessed from Ipads, smartphones, desktops etc., giving vehicle owners the convenience of requesting for vehicle documentation renewals in the comfort of their homes and offices, thereby increasing self-help efforts for busy vehicle owners. Speaking about the new product, Adebola Akindele, Group Managing Director, Business Solution Plc, said, “Technology is a tool that should make life easier for people.”

Lagos Polls: I’ll pay minimum wage to civil servants — Agbaje By Dapo Akinrefon

OVERNORSHIP candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Jimi Agbaje has promised to implement the N18,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state if votes in as the next governor on February 28. He also lamented that the 16 year administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not impacted in the lives of Lagos residents. Addressing Badagry residents at a townhall meeting held at the Administrative

Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, Mr Agbaje promised to ensure that civil servants are taken care of. In addition, he frowned at the inability of the state government to alleviate the lives of Lagosians. He said” For me, I am not saying that the Fashola government or the ruling party has not done well in the last 16 years, but we cannot say that in the last eight years, that what we have is a progressive government in power.” He, however, promised to ensure Lagosians feel the impact of government.

I’ve no plan to dump PDP — Akpeki By Emma Amaize

HIEF Paulinus Akpe ki, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, denied speculation that he was set to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. There was political tension in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of the

state, yesterday, as news of Akpeki’s planned defection spread. But, Akpeki, former Director General of the PDP Campaign Council, in a swift reaction, told Sunday Vanguard, “This is the hand work of disgruntled persons with the aim of tarnishing my reputation in the state. I can never decamp from the PDP.

Best brains’ll govern Delta — Okowa By Hugo Odiogor

HE governorship can didate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has promised to use the best brains in the state to run an inclusive administration that will unite ratherthan divide Deltans. Okowa, who predicted that he will win the governorship

election next month, scorned political parties and individuals promoting ethnic divisions and bitterness. The senator representing Delta North made this known when he paid a condolence visit to Delta State Co ordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria ( TAN ), Prince Ned Nwoko, in his country home, Idumuje Ugboko, yesterday.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

deposits. What the bank said is bad news enough; what it failed to reveal is the more troubling aspect. Oil and gas companies have secured the lions share of banks loans and with crude and

arithmetic will be sufficient. If a state owed its staff three or four months salar y, by December 2014, when the average price of crude was over ninety dollars ($90) per barrel, how

would it be able to pay now that the January 2015 price is fifty-seven dollars ($57) and falling? Furthermore, except for July, the revenue from crude oil in 2014 fell below budget every month. By October, it was as low as 45 per cent of budget and went steadily down till December. The Federal Government had augmented the revenue by drawing down the Excess Crude Account, ECA, until it came down to $4.5 billion in October when $2 billion was again peeled off to help all the tiers of government. At the moment, there is little money left in the ECA to cushion the impact of dwindling oil revenue. In 2015 there will be no ECA cushion. Meanwhile, every state has incurred huge debts, deductions for loan repayment are made upfront by the Central Bank before the states are handed the balance. I worked out a model to predict how much the average state will receive for its own January 2015 allocation and it comes out to 42% of what they received in January last year. That is hardly sufficient to cover the expenses of running the Governors Office, Mansion, paying his Special Assistants, the House of Representatives, and, if he has a jet, paying for jet maintenance. Given that plausible scenario, it is difficult to imagine where the funds to pay staff salaries will

charity begins at home. What happened has just begun to filter through to the international media and it is horrifying but measured. And the UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-Moon, said he was appalled by reports of the killings in Baga and condemned what he called "the depraved acts of Boko Haram terrorists". Well, of course any sane person will respond similarly. The true horror was captured in a CNN graphic aerial view of depicting the total destruction of properties. This was corroborated by witness account that BH continued their carnage by going from house to house, forcing people out and assembling them and killing them. Amnesty International described as the terror group’s “deadliest massacre” to date, and local defence groups said they had given up counting the bodies left lying on the streets. Those who escaped did not fare any better as they had laid ambush and they met similar grizzly end. It was reported that the terrorists came prepared and were better armed than the army that they had in their array of arsenal, armoured vehicles that they seized from demoralised army. We now have over 20,000 Nigerians fleeing to Chad, Niger and Cameroon in the past two weeks after their towns and villages were attacked by Islamist sect Boko Haram, according to the United Nations and government figures. The influx of refugees has put further strain on some of the

poorest nations in Africa, which are already struggling to feed and protect their own people in a region that is recovering from drought. So what has Jonathan done? Very little. Not much come from him or his office only for one of his spokesmen, Doyin Okupe, to post Twitter message questioning the reported death toll, while Abati failed to comment. Ibrahim Shuaibiu said: “Look at what happened recently in France when 12 people were killed, they immediately responded,

the violence and the level of human misery and casualty does shows his failure as a leader and his denial shows a deep disregard for Nigerians at least and a disconnection from the people at most. If he cannot get the security of Nigeria right now, he will not get it right anytime soon. I really admire the Archbishop Kaigama, who told the BBC, that the slaughter in Baga had shown that the Nigerian military was unable to tackle Boko Haram;" and it is a monumental tragedy.

Before your state governor runs away (1)

All French were Charlie “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” -- Desmond Tutu week ago, terror visited France and claimed 17 of its citizens. We watched on TV as France went into lock down and swiftly smoked out the culprits and delivered a decisive action. All French people regardless of their religion, race and creed declared that France will not be robbed of its freedom of expression or speech. All French and its allies declared that they too were Charlie. The people stood together and the world watched how much the French values its freedom of speech and expression and most importantly, they felt strongly that they have the right to live their lives as a result of the privilege that the rights afford them. The French president, François Nicolas Hollande was in charge and fervently working with his intelligence services to ensure France was safe and its people reassured of their safety. Close to two million people marched to defend the principles of free speech. The terror attack on freedom of expression

drew clear condemnation from many Muslims as well as other faiths. Many of us cannot fail to see the contrast between the Paris event and the subsequent of the event in Nigeria. I am sure it will be easy for apologists to shout that it is different! Yes, agreed that the west does control the big media houses and they have advanced technology at their disposal, that is because as it happened in Paris, it was widely reported as compared to what happened in Nigeria. Reporting such atrocities depends on the conscience and commitment of the media. It is quite alarming that such disaster can happen and it got covered up for a few days before the internal national media caught wind of it and reported it. To rub salt in the psychological wounds of Nigerians, a day after gunmen killed 12 people at the French satirical weekly, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris; GEJ issued a statement condemning the “dastardly terrorist attack.” And in Nigeria BH killed 2,000 people and there was no reaction? Well, he obviously did not think that

PUNCH edition, ECOBANK was quoted, on page 10, as saying: The plunge in oil prices exposes banks to refinancing and repricing risks, stemming from the fact that oil and gas clients are the biggest source of non-interest bearing foreign currency

If a state owed its staff three or four months salary, by December 2014, when the average price of crude was over ninety dollars ($90) per barrel, how would it be able to pay now that the January 2015 price is fifty-seven dollars ($57) and falling?

debts they will inherit. In December, an ethnic brother to Okonjo-Iweala, sent me a message, calling me a Prophet of Doom who hates Igbos as if Igbos alone will suffer when the calamity occurs. As it turned out, I was even slightly off the mark. By the end of 2014, all the states of Nigeria, my own Lagos State included, owed their staff salaries, arrears of allowances etc. To cap the drear y situation, thousands of civil servants, including Federal workers, spent Christmas without their salaries despite assurances from the Finance Minister. To the best of my knowledge Igbos were not exempted from that punishment. But, today, everybody is singing our song. Afenifere Renewal Group is only the latest among the new converts to the doctrine I have been preaching since 2013 while Nigerians were treated to empty assurances by the Federal Government. In that same

One would not be a prophet of doom to say there is high probability that two-third of states in Nigeria might not be able to pay salaries in 2015. Wale Oshun, National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, January 1, 2015, in PUNCH, p 21. lessed are politicians when out of power. They reveal all the things which those in power labor to hide from us. Since December 2013, I had warned My Fellow Nigerians, about the inevitable collapse of crude oil prices and its consequences. Obviously, nobody listened. In May 2014, out of sheer frustration, associated with talking to the deaf, I wrote a column titled SO YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNOR IN 2015. In it, Nigerians were told that states, and even the Federal government, might not be able to pay salaries by 2015. Those wanting to be governors were warned about the empty purses and huge

gas prices plummeting globally the risk of default increases everyday. One or two banks might actually fail again. It is against that background that the fate of Governors is being considered right now. From Area Boys sniffing around some state capitals, and watching closely, there is the possibility that some state governors, who had secured dual citizenship in some countries, might actually abscond before May 29, 2015. The reasons are not difficult to understand. And, it is all related to the price of crude oil. One does not need to be an economist to understand the points being made here. A sound understanding of elementary school

It would help if the government can be truly honest with the people and tell the people that it is unable to rid the country of BH threat without outside help

preparing a contingent of thousands of troops to tame the terrorists’ attacks, here hundreds of people are being killed at Baga and other places, but the President is busy campaigning. It is very sad.” This is very much the modus operandi of Jona, who wants Nigerians to reelect him come February 14th. When 200 schoolgirls from Chibok were abducted in April last year, Jona did not make any comment for three weeks and there was the very same attitude from his office as to if the girls were not really abducted at all. The silence is telling and by him not acknowledging the scale of

It has saddened all of Nigeria. But... we seem to be helpless. Because if we could stop Boko Haram, we would have done it right away. But they continue to attack, kill and capture territories... with such impunity." Archbishop Kaigama said facing down Boko Haram required international support and unity of the type that had been shown after last week's militant attacks in France. “We need that spirit to be spread around," he said. "Not just when it [an attack] happens in Europe, but when it happens in Nigeria, in Niger, in Cameroon. "We (must) mobilise our international resources and face or confront the

come from. The governors might run away. To be continued.. ADVICE FOR GOVERNOR FAYOSE He who sets out on revenge must first dig two graves. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 215). I campaigned against you; but I was also one of the first to admit that you won the election fairly. Ekiti people have made their choice for a governor to lead ALL of them for the next four years. You have one of the five most difficult states, in Nigeria, to govern in the next four years. Already, you know what you inherited financially. The situation will get a lot worse before it gets better. You will have a tough time maintaining your level of popularity -- even if you are sharply focused on governance and how to manage severe austerity. You can only make your own challenges more difficult to overcome by dissipating your energies on seeking revenge. Forget revenge; it is corrosive and it will only make it impossible to obtain the collective support you need to get Ekiti State through this most difficult period ahead. I wish you God's guidance.

people who bring such sadness to many families." It would help if the government can be truly honest with the people and tell the people that it is unable to rid the country of BH threat without outside help. There are many countries willing to help but it seems the gate keepers are too proud and hiding something that perhaps, may expose them that they were not capable of governing traffic talk less of a country like Nigeria. It may also show what exactly it is, that they spend the defence budget on. So if they are not equipping the army where has the entire budget gone? The irony is that it is abundantly clear that there is no defence budget, no procurement of advance equipment, or training for our army and definitely there is no programme to rid the country of these scums called BH. We are Nigerians, and in spite of what some people may think, what happens in north concerns everybody. Yes. We are all Nigerians. If some disagree, so does that mean those that were killed deserved to be killed or that their lives do not matter? Is it all right to be displaced in one's own country? What is happening is a serious crime against humanity and it does not seem that Nigerian lives are valued at all. The insurgency has so far cost over 13, 000 lives since 2009 and if we continue to tolerate this, it means that we are by our silence or denial, complicit to this horror.

V i s i t : www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale or follow on Twitter @ DrDeleSobowale.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 11

Edo State versus UNIBEN: Uncanny squabbles inability to promptly obey the court ruling as well as for failing to secure a stay of execution. For us, neither the arguments nor the usual transfer of every matter to the realm of political partisanship can becloud our sense of reasoning. Of course, we were not surprised to see the main opposition party in the state readily taking sides against

HE recent demolition by the Edo State Government of some buildings occupied by officials of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) catches our attention today. The state government claimed to have carried out the act on account of a court judgment which held that the buildings belong to her and not to the Federal Government owned UNIBEN. The houses according to reports were ceded by the state to the university in its formative years to assist her to fully take-off. The contention of the state government is that having fully grown, it is time for the university to return the houses. On its part, the university has always seen the gesture as an outright gift dating back to some four decades which cannot now be reclaimed by the donor’s successor. The contention has expectedly lined up analysts on each side. While some think the demolitions were in bad faith, others have chastised the university for its

the philosophy of George Santayana (1863-1952) we are persuaded that, to assure a nation’s future, current events must be guided by history. In our view, the inability of the Edo State Government to appreciate history is at the heart of the present controversy. For the same reason, the judgment upon which the demolitions were premised is fundamentally

The speed with which the matter was processed gives an impression that there is more than meets the eye. Could it be that the ruling party in the state has grudges against UNIBEN?

the ruling party. Again, in this era of rent a crowd, we expected each side to have enough able-bodied men to applaud them; just as two groups of students have done. But none of these can dispense with the simple issue of history. In line with

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

reduced to technical justice Our premise is that at about 1970 when the state allegedly donated the buildings, many other pieces of infrastructure hitherto belonging to the state must have been similarly given to the traditions initiated and justified by the philosophes of the eighteenth century, notably Voltaire, and consolidated by existentialist philosophers

The anatomy of fundamentalist terrorism (1) My spontaneous reaction to the Paris shootings reinforced the idea, corroborated by the theory of evolution that, fundamentally, humans belong to a single species and that discrimination based on religion, race, colour, gender, nationality and other irrational claims of exclusivity are unworthy of civilised and enlightened human beings. I am totally convinced that the common humanity in all of us transcends our differences, such that it is simply ridiculous for a group of people to arrogate to themselves the exclusive privilege of divine choice, or declare their religion, culture, race and so on as "the chosen one." We salute the defiant courage of French people. Before the tragedy, about sixty thousand copies of Charlie Hebdo were printed for each edition. Now, surviving employees of the magazine have decided to print three million copies. Indeed, the first batch, which has a cartoon depicting a weeping Prophet Muhammad and the inscription "All is forgiven," has sold out, and thousands of people, most of whom were not interested in the magazine hitherto, are still waiting to buy copies for themselves whenever it

becomes available. This is commendable; it demonstrates that the French, particularly staff of the magazine, are not prepared to back down or give in because of terrorism. Remember, in France freedom of expression and secularism are long-standing

argely, I am not the kind of person that sheds tears easily. Therefore, I cannot remember the last time I cried - really cried. But on the morning of penultimate Thursday, something quite unexpected happened to me. I was watching CNN Newsroom when it was reported that some Islamic fundamentalist terrorists had attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine located in Paris, capital of France. The enxt day, Friday, there was another report that security forces had killed Chérif Kouachi (34) and his younger brother, Said Kouachi (32), the two prime suspects in the terrorist attack. In another development, a gunman identified as Amedy Coulibaly went to a kosher grocery store and murdered four people. Eventually, he too was shot dead by the French police. While the newscaster was describing what happened at the magazine, with pictures of some of the dead journalists vividly displayed on the screen, tears started dropping from my eyes. Surprised, I wiped them off. It was obvious that the tragedy had somehow resonated with me, although I have never been to Paris and, of course, knew none of the deceased.

university. If so, why are people conveniently separating the demolished buildings from the other infrastructure allegedly donated by Governor Ogbemudia to the university? Why can’t the state government take over the classrooms, laboratories, libraries which constituted its previously owned items that went to the federal government or are we suggesting that the only things Dr Ogbemudia gave were the houses that have just been demolished? Answers to questions such as these would help those of us who were outside the state at the time to properly appreciate the current weird squabbles between the Edo State Government and the University of Benin. Posterity would also have much to learn. Still on history, did former Governor Ogbemudia not cajole, lobby and beg the then Head of State, General Gowon to kindly take-over the then Midwest Institute of Technology to become the University of Benin? Did the federal authorities at the time, takeover some parts of the university while other parts were by agreement to be returned in later years? If so, what was the duration of the ‘lease’? Otherwise, what is the rationale for asking UNIBEN to show evidence of ownership of houses which a military governor surrendered to his commander in chief close to half a century ago? Did the federal government take over the university

minus the controversial houses? Answers to these questions are by far better than stories by some officials who in recent times misguide their governor to request a return of buildings taken over by the federal military government before some of the officials were born. We need to know the truth-was Edo State a donor or a lessor? Besides, what is Delta State, the other half of the mother state that handed over the university to ask for or to demolish? We know however that in some states where political belligerence covers a lot of things, undue attacks on collaborative federalism can be attractive. During the Obasanjo administration for instance, it was common to witness fighting between the federal and Lagos state government-combats over jurisdiction that were merely designed to whip political sentiments within a community. The several claims and counterclaims between Lagos State officials under the then Governor Tinubu and Senator Ogunlewe, the then Minister of Works as to who owned or built certain Lagos roads are best understood in that sense. Edo State appears to have inherited the posture as it embarked on the building of walk-ways along the same New Benin- Lagos Road built by the federal government! Not many understood the rationale of 2 governments working on one road in a state which till date is littered with

several bad roads

risk involved. Civilisation can be sustained only in the atmosphere of freedom of thought and expression. But why did Muslim fanatics attack Charlie Hebdo? The answer is simple: the magazine published a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad. According to Muslims, any visual depiction of their holy prophet is an abomination, a deadly sin punishable by death. This attitude synchronises with a certain text in the hadith, the body of tradition about Muhammad, a supplementary to the Holy Koran. The text stipulates that anyone who insults a prophet of Allah should be killed. Therefore, the

towards unbelievers, there are many more which enjoin Muslims to live in peace and harmony with non-Muslims. It must be remarked that this ambivalence is not unique to Islam. Scriptures of the other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Christianity, also contain passages which justify intolerance, discrimination and severe punishment for unbelievers, on one hand, and passages that enjoin peace, mercy, forgiveness and tolerance, on the other. It follows that Islamic scriptures can be used to promote civilised humane relations among diverse peoples of the world; unfortunately, they can also serve as an instrument for destroying the benefits of civilisation. In trying to understand the provenance and aetiology of fundamentalist violence, there is a deliberate attempt in certain quarters to exonerate religion. For instance, when Islamic religious fanatics attack journalists doing their work, or destroy media houses that publish critical or satiric articles, pictures and cartoons of their holy prophet, Muslims facetiously dissociate Islam from the ensuing violence, killings and destruction by always claiming that Islam has absolutely nothing to with such actions. But given what we said about the ambivalence of religion a moment ago, there is an element of hypocrisy and insincerity in such disavowals. If anybody doubts this, then why do terrorists and fanatics utter religious invocations before, during and shortly after carrying out their

inhuman attacks? Where did they derive the extremely dangerous superstitious belief that being martyred for God or for his holy prophet gives one a first class ticket to paradise? We must be bold enough to acknowledge that certain propositions in religious scriptures can motivate or trigger unnecessary aggression by adherents of a particular religion against people who espouse different faiths and atheists, particularly if the latter are considered enemies of the purported true, Godordained religion. Meanwhile, considering that an overwhelming percentage of terrorist attacks in recent years were carried out by Islamic fanatics, many people naively conclude that Christianity is non-violent and, therefore, that it is superior to Islam at least in that respect. Now, only those completely ignorant of the history of Christianity can entertain such fallacy. Christianity, right from its earliest beginnings right up to the present day, tolerated, encouraged and even committed the most inhuman atrocities in the name of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the name of the Holy Bible. Moreover, Christians have perpetrated, and still perpetrate, the most shocking brutalities repeatedly with a clear conscience and detailed theological alibi. One only have to think of the Inquisition, the Crusades, and - need any one be reminded? - the undeniable fact that many prominent Christians supported slavery.

We must be bold enough to acknowledge that certain propositions in religious scriptures can motivate or trigger unnecessary aggression by adherents of a particular religion against people who espouse different faiths and atheists

such as Jean-Pau Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Albert Camus. Hence, it is very important that a strong message be sent to the intellectually and emotionally desiccated fanatics that freedom of expression will always triumph over senseless killings and lunacy, that people are willing to defend the right to free speech at all cost. Nearer home, Nigerians, particularly journalists, should learn from what happened in France. Freedom of expression is a very important value that must be fought for and protected at all times no matter the

Kouachi brothers believed completely that they were acting appropriately based on an injunction of the hadith by avenging the holy prophet of Islam. They were offended by the audacity of "infidels." Brainwashed by evil-minded preachers, it never occurred to them for one second that the prophet they claimed to be avenging, in several verses of the Holy Koran, demanded that the faithful should be tolerant, compassionate, merciful, and peace-loving. In otherwords, although there are texts in Islamic scriptures that tend to support intolerance

Anyway, such partisanships should not have been applied to respectable UNIBEN professors and their immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin who were bulldozed in their homes. A government with a human face ought not to do that. In fact, it ought not to have resorted to self-help having ‘won’ round one of the case supposedly through due process. Even if as the government claims, there was no evidence of appeal by the university, it should have returned to the court to get an order to evict the occupants. The speed with which the matter was processed gives an impression that there is more than meets the eye. Could it be that the ruling party in the state has grudges against UNIBEN? If so was Professor Oshodin the real target as some people imagine? Was it not the same ex-Vice Chancellor that served as returning officer at the 2012 governorship election in the state? Well perhaps we may smile at the end if the use into which the government puts the bull-dozed location turns out to be of paramount public interest. Accordingly, our people ought to monitor how the story develops. As of now, we see the issue as quite unfortunate as it leaves in our sub-consciousness, the feeling that our government has little value for humanity.

To be continued

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015

Right of reply

Re: ‘Millions in the South may not vote’ BY KAYODE ROBERT IDOWU

write on behalf of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, to complain about the misinformation contained in the cover page story of Sunday Vanguard for January 4, 2015, titled as stated above. The story in question provided statistics about the collection rate of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across 28 states, in a 36-statesplus-one (i.e., the Federal Capital Territory) federation; but proceeded to infer a conclusive regional design of higher collection rate in one section of the country than the other. Consequently, the story was deliberately mute on, or simply ignored the following: (i)That the document your writer apparently sourced his figures from (which the Commission voluntarily put in public domain since early December 2014) clearly indicated that distribution of PVCs continued at local government offices of INEC at the end of the three-day exercise at polling unit level. (ii)That differences in levels of turn-out by people for their PVCs is not the making of INEC, since the Commission has put in place the same procedure across the country guaranteeing equal access to persons wanting to collect their cards. Rather than concoct conspiracy theories about INEC, a desire for public good should have motivated your writer to encourage persons in areas where collection rate is relatively low to urgently go and pick their PVCs; and (iii)That 28 states out of 36 states plus the FCT is not a complete picture, contary to the writer’;s pretention that he was presenting a comprehensive national profile. As a matter of fact, in calculating the percentages, your writer not only understated the percentage for South-West, for instance, if you take the average of individual state percentages that he himself indicated, he also conveniently ignored the fact that distribution in Ekiti and Osun states that was done earlier in 2014 was not included. It was expected that your reporter, if his motive were

to sincerely inform the public, would have requested from INEC its offifical figures for the entire country on the subject of the story. The Commission has nothing to hide; so, kindly find attached the authentic data on the distribution of PVCs across the country to date. Note also, kindly, that these figures are far from being final for the 2015 general election, since PVC distribution by INEC continues until close to the elections. It is also observed that the story alleges all manners of ‘conspiracies’ in the operations of INEC, including an allegation that “District Heads (in the North) were allowed to collect PVCs on behalf of prospective voters.”Sir, nothing can be further from the truth. The deliberate falsehood intended by your reporter was underscored by the fact that the story only cited unnamed (certainly fictitious) sources as well as purported ‘investigation the paper, while no identifiable spokesperson of the Commission was given a say – even if only for record purposes. Certainly, this does not show the basic ethnic of balanced reporting that is expected in responsible journalism. Comments, as they say, are free but facts are sacred. It amounts to sheer malevolent journalism for one to cite cold statistics in making fabled claims. That is what your reporter has done and, with due respect, it really belittles your reputed newspaper stable and smacks of hatchet job for vested interests. Sir, we all have a stake in this country and should be keen to contribute to the success of the imminent general election. Your newspaper will account to history if it fans the members of ethnicity and sectionalism as could create needless tensions in the polity around the elections. Even then, the dictates of professional ethics require some modicum of scrupulousness in the dissemination of information for public consumption! Wishing you well and God’s guidance.

* Idowu is Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015—PAGE 13

The day Okowa rallied Urhobo BY CHARLES KUMOLU

HEN the Delta PDP Campaign Organisation announced that its 2015 flag off rally was to hold in Delta Central Senatorial District, not a few were surprised by the decision. Delta Central is home to the Urhobos where there has been strong agitation for one of their own as governor of the state. Led by the vociferous Chief Joe Omene, the Urhobo Progress Union had maintained that the Urhobos would only vote for a party that fields an Urhobo candidate for governor, and vowed to sanction any Urhobo person who supported any other candidate. Given this scenario, common sense dictated that the PDP governorship campaign should kick off in any other zone but Central – at least until all the frayed nerves have been calmed. Whatever doubts that trailed the decision to begin the campaign in Delta Central quickly evaporated when the campaign team arrived Oghara town in Ethiope West Local Government Area for the flag off. The Oghara Township Stadium was agog with party faithful and enthusiastic supporters of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP governorship candidate. Gaining entrance into the stadium was a nightmare on its own, and even the scores of security personnel deployed to the venue appeared flustered, apparently overwhelmed by the surging crowd. Cars were parked within some five-mile radius of the stadium causing a gridlock on the Sapele-Oghara expressway. Inside the stadium, it was a carnivallike atmosphere. Different support and dance groups sought to outdo one another with their performances. The same scenario played out in Koko town in Warri North Local Government where the campaign train moved to immediately after the flag off in Oghara. The following day, January 14, Senator Okowa and his campaign team landed in Orerokpe in Okpe Local Government Area and rounded up the day’s activities in Sapele town, bringing to an end the first

leg of his campaign in Delta Central Senatorial District. According to a supporter who was in Oghara and Sapele, “Senator Okowa is truly panDeltan. I am amazed.” Surprised by the unfolding events, a former member of the House of Representatives remarked that “my fears about Delta Central were unfounded.” In Oghara, the closing of ranks in the state PDP was also evident as Steve Oru, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and a prominent member of the UPU, sang a song eulogising Okowa. In each of the campaign stop, the message from Senator Okowa was basically the same – to build a united and prosperous Delta State when voted in as governor. Amid thunderous applauses he reiterated his commitment “take Delta State to the status of the pacesetter in the Nigerian federation by building an enduring legacy of wealth and prosperity.” With the campaign theme of “Prosperity for all Deltans,” Senator Okowa has outlined a five-point agenda with the acronym S.M.A.R.T i.e. Strategic Wealth Creation Initiatives and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/ Social Stability Agricultural Reforms and Industrialisation Relevant Health and Education Policies Transformed Environment through Massive Urban Renewal Okowa promised that under his tenure, “deliberate effort will be made to generate employment and productive livelihood for the teeming youth population, which will go a long way in reducing undue conflict in social relations and community lives.” Speaking of his plans for commerce and industry, Okowa said he was determined to continue on the path of progress embarked on by the present administration in the state. “My administration,” he promised, “shall complete and consolidate the Warri Industrial Park and establish other Industrial Parks geared towards the agri-business sector. A key component of my wealth creation strategy is to encourage multinational business and industrial activities to settle

down and operate in the host communities; and aggressive creation and promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Scale enterprises (MSMEs), which form the fulcrum of driving economic growth in any society.” Noting that Delta State has vast potentials in the production of yams, cassava, potatoes, plantain, and tomatoes, Senator Okowa pledged to “encourage and create the enabling environment for commercial farming to thrive through the private sector and Public/ Private Partnership using and improving on the Ekpan Fish farmers’ model.” He bemoaned the poverty situation in the country where poor people sometimes had to borrow from money lenders at “suffocating interest rates” to pay hospital bills. Dr Okowa’s solution to the problem is the promulgation of Universal Health Insurance Policy under which, he claimed, “every Deltan will have equal access to health care.” According to him, “Ghana has been able to achieve 60% health insurance coverage for its citizens. There is no reason we cannot do the same here.” Furthermore, the governorship hopeful

•Dr Okowa

declared that “my administration shall establish a Technical College in each Federal Constituency to equip our young people with the requisite skills and expertise in such trades as plumbing, painting, carpentry, tiling, and electrical work; and thereby connecting our people to the realities of the modern workplace and business environment.” He described the situation where Nigerians have to depend solely on other nationals to carry out such work as unacceptable. “It is not wrong to patronise these people because they are also part of our community,” he pointed out. “But it should not be heard that Nigerians cannot perform such tasks.

Technical education is meant to fill the gap and equip our people with the right skillsets to be proficient and productive in their endeavours.” Speaking about his plans for urban renewal, Okowa noted that Delta is a blessed state because it is about the only state in the federation that can boast of at least twelve cities such as Asaba, Warri, Sapele, Agbor, Ughelli, Obiaruku, and Bomadi to name a few. He promised to undertake “massive urban renewal” during his tenure as governor adding that “at least one city or urban settlement in each of the 10 federal constituencies will be designated for comprehensive renewal to discourage ruralurban migration.”

The fight for Edo South By Aiyevbekpen Osakue

EDO State calendar for gubernatorial election was altered in 2008 by a judicial pendulum that left the contenders to the exalted office spellbound and enmeshed in steamy sweat and blood struck off their tired, wrinkled brows. Arising thereof, the tenure of the current occupant will expire in 2016. It is only then that the curtain of another open gubernatorial race will be drawn. Consequently, the star election in February 2015 in Edo State is, unarguably, the Edo South senatorial election. It promises to be the hottest arena for the display of wits and intrigues. The reason is not far-fetched; Edo South is the hotbed of Edo politics and a pointer to the political direction of the state.

An enlightened pigeonhole view reveals that the seven local government areas of Edo South constitute, for all practical purposes, a silhouetted incorporation of Edo State. For instance, the most recent estimated population of the area is only a little short of 60% of the state. Geographically, it occupies 57% of the land space while the resources derivable from the district are about 80% of the State resources. More significantly, the history, language and culture of other senatorial districts are heavily indebted to the old Benin Kingdom and mere variants of the same historical and cultural contours. Thus, the state can be categorized as largely consanguineous and relatively homogenous. It is, therefore, hardly surprising

that the political rhythm or pulsation of Edo South not only reverberates across the state but also gives the cue of where she is headed. The party primaries that produced the senatorial candidates in Edo South of the two major parties, the APC and the PDP, appear on the surface to be rancor free. While it was a two- horse race between Hon. Samson Osagie and Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon in the APC, it was practically a triple race in the PDP between Mathew Aisagbriodion Urhoghide, Hon. Edos Ebomwonyi and Hon. West Idahosa. In the APC, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the main opponent to the eventual victor, Hon. Samson Osagie, has since returned to office as Chief of Staff to the Governor

Continues on page 14

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015

Why I want to represent Abia South in the Senate — Nkwanta, APGA chief •Says PDP doesn’t appreciate loyalty Chief Chris Nkwonta is a household name in the politics of Abia State. He is a successful businessman and a philanthropist whose magnanimity has touched the lives of many in the state. He is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) senatorial candidate for Abia South. He speaks, in this interview, about his chances in next month’s general elections.

OU withdrew from the 2011 race. Why? I did not participate because when you are engaging in a process you have already known the out come, you should not continue to be part of that process. At that time, I campaigned vigorously in all the nooks and crannies of Abia State, selling myself to the people, to vote for me during the primary election. I went to virtually all the six local governments in Abia South I was ready to win, then three days to the party primary, I was told there was supposedly instruction that the sitting senator should return and I felt that was injustice. I felt that the Ukwa people and the Ngwa people had rotated this position every eight years. I felt it was wrong for two positions to be zoned to one local government and I felt that, in the last eight years, not much has been done in terms of senatorial representation. That is why I decided to move to APGA on which platform I’m going to contest and, by the grace of God, I’m going to win. APGA is not much known in Abia; if that is the case, where lies your optimism? I think we should be looking more at the individuals in the party and not at the party per se. What is a political party without human beings? Human beings make up a political party and, in any political party where the preponderance of men and women there

are not good people, what do you expect or in a political party where the candidate that has been fielded is not acceptable to the people? So, I think we should go beyond that and unmask the individual who is running on a party platform. I have been around for quite sometime, people know me and I believe there are people who are not happy with the way I have been treated by the PDP, they are there, they are waiting. So, I do not have any problem with the fact that APGA is not as strong as may be the PDP. I believe that my popularity, my acceptance, the programme that I will put in place once I become the senator of Abia South will endear people to me. If I get to the Senate, I will contribute to the process of making quality legislation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. I will empower youths and bring about the development of Abia South because, as a senator, you have network of contacts with other senators including those who will be over seeing the works ministry, the education and other sectors. I’m saying this because we have teeming unemployed youths and one of the things I am going to do is that youths will be empowered. I have already started doing that through the Chris Nkwonta Foundation where we have over 148 trainees as we speak now. I will also see that infrastructure gets to the zone that I represent

•Chief Nkwonta through a synergy between me and the government at the state level. I will not close my eyes to the bad network of roads in my zone. Though as a senator, you may really not be awarding contracts, but I am of the opinion that any senator that is representing his or her people very well should be able to attract federal presence to his zone. Go to Enugu State and see what Senator Ekweremadu is doing, go to Benue and see what David Mark is doing. I believe that if you are able to sell yourself amongst your peers, amongst your colleagues in the National Assembly, you should be able to bring about a rejuvenation in terms of the state of infrastructure in the state where you come from. You are angling to go to the Senate. What do you think you have that will convince the electorate that you are better than other contestants? I’m not carrying any political baggage, I’m unencumbered, I’m

The fight for Edo South Continued from page 13 and this seemed to have rested nerves over the fiercely contested primaries of the party. However, in the PDP, there is an uneasy calm as the unseen hand of a godfather is allegedly said to have predetermined the result of the primaries in favour of Urhoghide. Those who felt cheated and betrayed, namely: Ebomwonyi, a former Commissioner for Education and Hon. West Idahosa, a three-time member of the House of Representatives, are still kicking and weighing their options! However, the stage is finally set for a duel between Osagie of the APC and Urhoghide of the PDP over the coveted Edo South senatorial seat. The senatorial election should ordinarily be an analyst delight given the pedigree and antecedents of the two dramatis personae.

Osagie, a lawyer, is currently a member and the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, and has a huge experience in the legislature starting from Edo State House Assembly. On the other hand, Urhoghide is seeking to come into the legislature as first timer, after several unsuccessful attempts in the past. The most visible political office to his name so far is that of state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, which he has held on to, till date. Edo South is by the impending election called upon to place the two candidates side by side and cast their vote on who has the potentials of giving them a strong voice, that is, effective representation at the Senate. This time, Edo South deserves a voice that will powerfully reverberate on the floor of the Senate. Here comes an opportunity to choose a highly cerebral, athletic and persuasively

eloquent speaker as senator. It must not be squandered. Never again should the mistake be made to send someone who could never have caught the sheerest whiff of the wood vanish of the red chambers to occupy it. Our people have the capacity to make the right choice if well guided. They must look out for the candidate that possesses the requisite attributes to deliver effective representation such as interpersonal skill and talent to influence peers, ability to optimize coalitional possibilities and lastly but not the least, ability to interact and build bridges across parliamentary blocs. Against this background, the logical question to ask is as follows: Who among the two main senatorial hopefuls: Osagie and Urhoghide fit squarely into the above characterization? * Osakue, a political strategist, is based in BeninCity.

free. Again, you need to look at my antecedents, what I have been able to do even before venturing into politics and then juxtapose that with what the incumbent senator has done or is doing if any. The edge I have over others is that I am someone who is development oriented, I feel for people, I am someone who want to see things done properly. I am not the conventional politician, I’m a businessman who is in politics, that is the selling point I have. People talk about experience, but how does it start? By the time you get into the National Assembly, spend a month, spend two, spend three, even if you are a dummy, you should be able to understand the workings, the mechanics, things that go on there. If you look at all that I have been able to do so far in my life, people that I have granted scholarships, people that I have taken abroad for medical attention, that will now give you an idea as to what the edge I have over the other people. Recently, I read that senator Smart Adeyemi distributed 50 vehicles and gave out N10m cash, that is empowerment. But here have you heard of any such largesse? Here the incumbent senator bought 65 Keke Napep, do you call that empowerment? So you need to bench mark me with the incumbent senator, what and what has he done? How come we don’t have any federal presence in Abia South? As an Abian, are you satisfied with the level of development in the state going by what the PDPled administration says is happening? No, in particular, a whole lot of work needs to be done especially in Abia South and Aba. That is why I am praying that someone whoever emerges as the next governor of Abia would be someone that can listen, even where he does not have ideas, someone that is receptive to ideas, someone that I can develop a synergy with and contribute ideas because don’t forget in 2012, I can run for governor and I had my ideas on how to fix Abia. You see this state can not make progress if things continue the way they are and by this I mean only depending on money coming from the centre,

more so when the price of oil has dropped. We should look inwards to generate money, not through over taxation but by harnessing the natural resources we have. There is this claim that you have been going around urging your supporters to vote for APGA for the senatorial election you are contesting and then vote PDP candidates in other polls. Is this true? How could this be true? I belong to APGA; my party is APGA; so why should I work against the interest of my party? PDP rejected me and APGA accepted me. In politics, people say all sorts of things to gain some cheap political point. That is not correct. By leaving PDP for APGA, some people say you are not a loyal party man, could that be true? It is PDP that was not loyal. In 2011, I was a clear winner of that primary election, then the night before the election, they manipulated the process. I had ample evidence to go to court or leave the party at that time, but I did not. When the party’s reconciliation led by General Ike Nwachukwu came to my house, first of all, I played to them a video tape of what happened in the field and when they saw it, they knew there was no primary election. But I told them that as a loyal party person, I would accept their pleading, that I will remain in the party and I did. In 2011 immediately after the primary, I invited the governor to my house, collapsed my structure and gave him two brand new buses plus other things and asked all my supporters to work for him. What does that tell you, loyalty or disloyalty? Then in 2012, I came out to run for governor and there was this argument that, because of our numerical strength and because of the fact that governorship was coming to Abia South for the first time, we should allow our Ngwa brothers to go first and, at that time, I was getting a whole lot of support from Abia North. But when I was prevailed upon, I said let me go back to the Senate. What do you call that, loyalty or disloyalty? So, in order words PDP is the one that is not loyal to its members and that is the reason I left PDP, because of the injustice that was meted to me. After I spent so much money and three days to the primary, I was invited by the party hierarchy in Abia and told in plain terms there had been an intervening order for the incumbent senator to be returned and, at that time, being on a Friday, the banks had closed which is to say that all the money I needed to spend, I had already spent and that was the message. And I said if it doesn’t pay to be loyal in PDP, let me go to another party and present myself before the electorate and that was basically what I did. So, all the money that I spent, all that I did in PDP, if you look at this local government (Ukwa East), I have been the major financier and, even to an extent, in Abia State. Basically, three days to the election, the scenario changed and I was left with no other option than to leave PDP to go to APGA where I will tell you I am very, very comfortable. At least I did not spend much as I did in PDP to get the senatorial ticket.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 15

Paul Odili, a member of Delta State PDP Media and Publicity Campaign Committee, speaks on the February polls By Charles Kumolu

HE emergence of Sen Ifeanyi Okowa as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Delta State was such that came with a lot of surprises as a result of the intrigues that preceded the primaries. Of what significance is that victory to your party’s aim of winning the governorship election? Surprises and upsets are usefully the hallmarks of a vibrant political party’s electoral contest. In this case Okowa has always been a leading contending and has been so for many years. Remember that he contested this office in 2007 and came second. So you naturally expect that having performed so well that he will win this time and that was what happened. He is a good candidate. A loyal party man and an experienced politician and able administrator with a lot of grass root support. His victory gives a big boost to the standing of PDP. His victory united the party. His victory was well received and he was embraced by everyone. As you can see there was immediate embrace and rallying round of the party leaders and faithful around him. The only people that I know that are jittery and having sleepless night over the candidacy of Okowa is the opposition. I think they know the game is up. There is no hiding place; they will be pummeled at the election in February. The

game is over. Deltans love Okowa and they will give the PDP their votes. Given the failure of your principal, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan at having his perceivedpreferred aspirants elected as the PDP candidate, there are fears that his incumbency advantage may not be fully mobilised for Okowa’s victory. What do you make of that? I do not know what you mean by failure to deliver perceived candidate; Uduaghan is the leader of the PDP in Delta state and as soon Okowa emerged candidate, Uduaghan congratulated him and very quickly setup the machinery for reconciliation and inclusiveness, which smoothed any grievances or resentment— real or imagined. Okowa himself, understood the importance of this and he also reached out to everyone and made it possible for total healing of the party to happen. So when you say fears and all that, you confuse the situation because the Governor and the candidate are working together, they are campaigning together. PDP is waxing stronger. The opponents of the party who were expecting to see infighting and division are disappointed because the party has come together to move forward. If you go to the venue of the campaign at the various local governments, you will be amazed at the massive turn out, the leaders and the people are excited and are trooping out in large numbers to show soli-

Polls: PDP may win by landslide in Delta — Odili

•Paul Odili darity and support for the party and its candidates in the various offices. The PDP has a candidate for the governorship who is widely popular, there are candidates for other offices and everyone is working together to secure complete victory for the party. We know the PDP in Delta is capable of landslide and 2015 general election should be a landslide. We know Deltans have rejected the opposition. The Urhobo Progressive Union,UPU, that is known to have been against having a governor of Anioma extraction in the next dispensation, has threatened not to support the PDP candidate. Dont you think this might affect the chances of

your party considering that the Urhobo reportedly have the largest number of registed voters in the state? There is confusion over this UPU position, which I do not believe is the total representation of the Urhobo people. The Urhobos are a sophisticated people and they have for long being in the mainstream of Delta politics through the PDP. They understood the principle of power rotation and are favourable supportive of this noble idea. The truth is that many Urhobo leaders supported Okowa and the principle of power shift. So UPU is just doing their thing. I know the UPU opinion is a minority one, but because the newspapers play up their opinion a lot, we do not get to hear the voice of the silent majority and confuse the whole thing as if it is the entire Urhobo. That is not so. Let me add that Urhobo people tried the opposition and realized it did not help their course, which is why during the Senatorial contest the overwhelmingly came back to PDP against the opposition.

We know that nothing will halt this forward march by Urhobo people. They are going to support Okowa and they are going to support other PDP candidates. Do you see these ethnic political dimensions in your state as major fault lines that need to be addressed before the election? The fault line is real but I do not see it as stumbling block, if you adopt the strategy. This fault line as you call it is all part of elite bargaining strategy but the good thing about the PDP candidate is that he transcends ethnic lines. His politics has always been about Delta state. Okowa sees Delta as one. He does not discriminate, he has an open door and is determined that under him every part of Delta will benefit from his administration. If you have a good product like Okowa, a man who prides himself on pan-Delta credential you can be sure that he is acceptable to the people from every corner. You know Okowa reminds me of MKO Abiola. He was the first politician to sweep the poll across every corner of Nigeria. Before then people were saying Abiola cannot win the North, they were saying he will not win the East because he was a Yoruba and Muslim. But what happened? He swept

the polls. In a way Delta has some of Nigeria’s ethnic problems, which we are managing very well. This election will show that in truth Delta has come of age and it will show that we are one despite different tongue. Your party’s candidate has been described by the All Progressives Congress,APC, governorship candidate as an establishment person, who is not offering anything new. Does that statement truly reflect the character and background of your party’s candidate? And what is Otega Emerhor, the APC candidate, offering anyone? He is a very controversial figure and one of those figures that is destroying APC, not that I am bothered about it if that is what the opposition want. With Emerhor on the ticket, we are more confident of winning. How dare he question the sterling credentials of our candidate? Dr Okowa is a known winner who has always offered new ideas and has very strong grass roots base. In comparison, Emerhor brought confusion to APC, he drove out key leaders from the party; if you like ask Festus Keyamo about his encounter with Emerhor. Deltans know him. He was rejected before and he will be rejected again.

comatose since they acquired them. For a North used to widescale patronage, it has been hard to deal with new realities, which is why so many there are intent on doing whatever they can to ensure a return to the old comfort. One new reality from which there is no escaping is that Jonathan has actually shown a commitment to making and fulfilling promises which is why he has been running for re-election on his record, something which Obasanjo did not do in 2003.Obasanjo could not have done so. He built a stadium in Abuja, and its Games Village. That’s it. He channeled a lot of money to power generation. The rest of the time, Obasanjo was away from his desk on extended visits abroad. He left Atiku to run the government. Obasanjo and Atiku were later to build their own private schools and universities. By contrast, Jonathan has built new government schools and universities; built a major new railway

line, Kaduna-Abuja, for the first time in a hundred years; built a road between Abuja and Lokoja that is the finest in the country; is building a metro line in Abuja; empowerd Innoson Motors of Nnewi to manufacture transport buses that are visible on our highways. All these are things he committed to doing in the aftermath of the oil subsidy saga, and he has managed to do them despite the major challenge of BH. I have not dismissed the view that aspects of the complex BH problem are the work of persons working to return to that which they had grown accustomed. But what’s your general take on the election campaign so far? I honestly fear it may all end up being of only “academic interest.”The stakes are very very high. There are operators with ugly records who will stop at nothing. There is trouble on the horizon. I have sent out warnings. I hope they are heeded. *Dikko lives in Abuja.

Who will ask Obasanjo to shut up? BY SHEHU DIKKO

promised to shut up and take a long break but since I had asked Obasanjo to disappear and he won’t, I thought I should dart in with some justification as to why he really ought to be told to shut up and disappear, and, for me, personally, also to say to him: you can’t fool me. It is a slightly revised version of a comment I offered in another discussion. It should explain itself. Thanks for sharing Dan Agbese’s 2000 article about Haroun Adamu’s probe of the Petroleum Trust Fund. It seems that people are digging. Buhari didn’t run the PTF. He left it to somebody who allegedly came from his circle of friends and family, and went to sleep. It was alleged to have been run just like any old inept Nigerian government venture. No difference whatsoever. Its officials allegedly took bribes, awarded overinflated contracts and the like. As a result, one of the men on

the board of the PTF, the late Group Captain Usman Jibrin, who would have none of it, decided to resign. Buhari stayed put. I also see you paying attention to Obasanjo’s self-serving talk. Not many are seeing the self-serving disposition right now but it is to the credit of Jonathan that he has actually grown the balls to refuse to continue to take dictation from him. If truth be told, it is easier to point to where Jonathan has spent money in his four+ years than it is to show what Obasanjo did in his first term. Let us be concrete. Obasanjo faced turbulence, Sharia riots, Odi. Obasanjo failed to punish the perpetrators of the Sharia riots, that served to embolden others including the Haramites; he was high-handed in dealing with Odi, that served to further militarise. Jonathan has had to deal with the consequences of Obasanjo’s failures in addition to the BH which is now a problem with a serious destabilizing foreign dimension. This

has provided a very tough environment for government. Worse still owing to the circumstances in which he came into office and the sense of betrayal felt by the many northerners who consider their turn to rule as having been hijacked, as well as his failure to properly reach out to the disgruntled, he has been unable to win the confidence and support of influential sections of the North. This failure is what I foresaw in 2011, and warned that it could lead to division. That North is also suffering from another problem which is a direct consequence of the Babangida privatisation programme which was accelerated and completed by Obasanjo. I have a problem with the privatisation of vital social services but that is irrelevant here. Recall the old days. There was a time when people looked forward to Board appointments, First Bank, NITEL and the whole battery of other huge government owned

enterprises. Membership of those boards afforded people the opportunity to use their influence to serve the interests of their immediate communities, and because of the Federal Character principle, this patronage was widely spread but always what were seen to be the choicest positions were invariably occupied by northerners. Federal Character also ensured that there was a spread of offices of those companies occupied by local employees thoughout the country. That disappeared completely under Obasanjo. The persons who bought the privatised companies were mainly persons from outside the North, ditto those who stepped up to fill the vacuum created by the disappearance of NITEL who have only been driven by market considerations which cannot overlook employee competence. It’s not been noticed by many but the handful of companies bought by northerners, like Nigerian Ropes and Steyr, have floundered or have been

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015

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SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 17

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I think I can handle everyday sex – Adediwura M

y first meeting with Adediwura Adesegha almost got off on a wrong footing because both of us somewhat had our heads below water. But before we could really had a go at each other, we found a click somewhere and hit it off on a good note. It was then I realised this ebony beauty is something special. Even though I got off without being scratched she still managed to leave me with bitter aftertaste; “ You are free to write whatsoever you deemed fit, I laugh over news,” she sternly told me. Long story short - I met this Yoruba Nollywood damsel, in her late thirties, who would rather shoot prisoners than take them in and we got talking, on any issue under the sun. She’s a graduate of English from Lagos State University and has been acting since 2008. Her friends and fans call her the Blackgold on account of a role she played out at a point in her career. Like I said before, she doesn’t take prisoners, and when we got talking about sex and what it could mean to her getting landed with a guy that has all the manly qualities without the drive to satisfy a woman in bed. she wouldn’t hold anything back, she let me have it all. “My lifestyle doesn’t revolve around any man, if you can’t satisfy me in bed, I will let you know you cannot satisfy me .We will find a way out. Is it not about making love? I will tell you this is the way I want you to do it. Give it to me this way. I am an adult, I see no reason why I should shy away from that if I really think he is okay enough for me,” she said “Sex is a free style, it depends on one’s opinion. If you are an adult why shouldn’t you have it? It has to do with the individual. It is not something to be discussed generally. My own view about sex is enjoying yourself. If I feel like having it, I will. If I don’t feel like,then I keep myself. I can decide to have it Monday to Friday, if I have the strength and if the man is there for me. I think my power can condone everyday sex.It depends on what I want at that moment,” she added. But as a heavily frontally endowed woman, Adediwura believes her huge boobs are not the biggest in Nollywood, she believes there are others who are ahead of her in line. “I will put myself in category C or may be category B. I have people who are in the category A like Ronke Oshodi Oke or Foluke Daramola,” she said (Note: look out for her full interview on Saturday Jan’ 24th)

•Angela Philips

•Adediwura Adesegha

– Angela Philips

I am funky and sexy but not the Maheeda way — Sefiya S

mashing songstress Sefiya Dativa is just beginning to find her feet in the music industry. With her single ‘You are my Fire’ she seems to have an ace up her sleeves to set the wheel of fame rolling for her. Already, people have been talking about her latest effort which some see not only as a big deal but something that says a little about the enigmatic Sefiya who confessed to Potpourri she’s a very private person in spite of her outlandish lifestyle. Telling Potpourri what works for her, she revealed a bit of the person beneath the act people have come to know and embrace. “ Everything works for me. You look at somebody and what you like about that person might not be what somebody else would like. Someone can like the way I dance, while another might just like my voice. I can’t be like Maheeda; I am just a funky person that loves to keep it funky and sexy,” she explained.

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Nigerians want to see naked girls but pretend not to

•Sefiya Dativa

eautiful and busty Nollywood actress, Angela Philips, seems to have a kind of disappearing acts with the media. There was a time she disappeared into thin air and only reappeared when news was running riot that she was living in a church with her pastor. Now after a long lull, sultry Angela was seen at an event in Lagos she talked with Potpourri. For those who have a long memory, you would have to excuse it for a minute or so. Forget Angela had told us she was a born-again Christian of high spirituality. I guess that happened to her when she met her Pastor, then “old things have passed away’ but making out of what she told Potpourri those “Old things may be things of future past”. In the chat with Potpourri, she wasn’t talking about Christ coming soon, but about nudity and sex and how it is the salt of entertainment. She even took a jibe at Nigerians, observing that Nigerians are hypocrites who love nudity but pretend not to because of some cultural and religious orientations they would sooner kick than keep. “That’s what the public want to see, so why are they complaining? They shouldn’t complain. If you shoot a movie where everyone is well dressed and covered from head to toe, nobody will buy it. They want to see naked girls. Nigerians should stop pretending. That’s what we like and those are the things that sell. Look at the musicians for instance, how many gospel songs sell? But when you look at the secular music, you’ll realise they’re making waves. Look at our music videos. Everybody likes nudity, be it in movies or music, so they should stop complaining,” she bares her mind.

PAGE 18, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Several millions went into producing Silence — Iyabo Ojo P

OPULAR Yoruba actress of Aristo fame, Iyabo Ojo has confessed to Potpourri in a private BBM chat that her new movie ‘Silence’ premiered some weeks ago and currently showing at the cinemas across the country cost her several millions of Naira. The film which gives lucid picture of child abuse in our society and it effects on the victims, has been largely applauded by those who have seen it for its its uniqueness in production quality and plot. Without disclosing the actual amount that went into the production of the movie, she told Potpourri the movie gulped millions of naira. “Several millions went into the production of the movie. I don’t want to disclose the actual amount but it gulped some millions,” she said.

Flavour molests women in his hit tracks – Lady One

Child abuse experiences According to her, the script was inspired by cases of child abuse experiences that were shared with her by some women she had come across. “Few young ladies I have come across told me their stories, how they were abused as a child. They told me of different side effects it had on them and how scared they were to share it with their families and close friends. I wrote the script myself,” she explained. Adding, “ Silence is particularly special to me because it is my first English movie with a little Yoruba content. It also treats one of the most sensitive problems in Nigeria- child abuse. One movie buff who has seen the movie has this to say: “ The story is not the normal Nigerian Nollywood story, brilliant plot,good acting and I give it to Iyabo Ojo and her crew for putting up such a project.The two people who ‘killed’ the movie with their great acting are Joe Benjamin and the girl that played Iyabo’s daughter”. The movie stars Iyabo Ojo, Priscilla Ojo, Joseph Benjamin, Alex Usifo, Tina Mba, Bukky Wright and a host of others.

HE past 12 months have Shuga and the Shug been a good year for a band. Shuga ba played in most majo r events and weddin nd has gs within and outside Nigeria . Leading the band is none other than Akin Tofowom o, popularly known as Shuga. Toward the tail-end of last year, Shuga re leased the hugely popular wedd ing song, Married To celebrated singer is following up with a day. The video of same song in this Januar y.

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FAST rising music artiste, Miss Chinenye Ugwu a.k.a ‘Lady One’ in her just released single album, has questioned a popular musician, Flavour, over his continual molestation of women in most of his hit albums and videos. The single album titled “Flavour Why” which was produced and managed by ETL Records Entertainments, asked the popular highlife/afrobeat star to desist from using embarrassing, abusive and obscene words to describe women in his songs. Lady One, in a chat with Potpourri said that she has arrived the music industry in defence of the womenfolks who have been at the receiving end of some indecent musicians that see them as nothing but trash bins to market their products. She, however, vowed that she would hang her pants on Flavour’s head and set her bra on his eyeglasses. Lady One in her single ‘Flavour Why’, questioned whether women should go naked for Flavour as most of his hit albums were direct embarrassment to women. “Ara-daraada”, “Ukwu Nwanyi Owerri” “Ashawo” and Panti no n’ iro, “Okwa na abania ka ihe nile ga eme “ were direct attacks on womenfolks,” she said The Nsukka, Enugu State-born artiste and a graduate of Economics at Imo State University who has performed at Enugu ‘Roadblock show and Bayelsa ‘Val Rav’ said Flavour’s absolute disregard for women was what compelled her to tag her single “Flavour Why.

•Iyabo

Shuga releases vide o of Mar ried Today T

By Chinenyeh Ozor

nd a b N A M P m 5 N s e h ge ty as it sends messa . Nsukka launc ng of events in any socie di an rst de tion and un r By Chinenyeh Ozo

icians ERFORMING Mus ia (PMAN) has er ig N Association of nd in the ba ion ill m launched a N5 sukka to ease the University town of N distant places to to stress of travelling usicians to the bring performing m University town. nching, Rev. Chike Speaking at the laumusicians prophesies noted that talented usic can change the through the art of m explaining that late concept of a society, um “which way Sunny Okosun’s alb out 20 years ago has Nigeria” released aber signals of 2015 forewarned of dang d terrorist insurgency general elections an of the country. in the northern partyouths in the He urged talented stry to key into PMAN entertainment indu ound for white collar ar instead of loitering h the art of music they ug ro th g yin jobs, sa a great place. can make the countryoccasion, a In his speech at the for Enugu North senatorial candidate e platform of All senatorial zone on th liance (APGA), Al Progressive Grand , who is the special wu ug Ez y ill Chief W music changes tune guest of honour, said

direct for interpreta d young musicians to take Chief Ezugwu urge dustry serious for the the entertainment incountry through well advancement of the ums as forms of rehearsed music albplaining that if elected communication, ex uld offer fifty percent of his of youths into the senate he wo to the development monthly allowance ent and information in sports, entertainm ology (ICT) while still hn communication tec t project of sponsoring going on with his peam in Enugu North victims of Boko Har Senatorial Zone. s, the Chairman of eria Earlier in his addres s Association of Nig Performing MusicianAjuluchukwu, said that (PAMN),Mr. Ugwu when musicians were seen, gone were the daysuts, school drop-outs and derided as street to aining that ninety percent of never-do-wells, explusicians now were the contemporary m rs with intellectual ability professors and doctor. Mr. Ugwu noted that the and model behavio in Nsukka was to e zone, emergence of PMAN th of musicians in th accelerate the grow talents for members to be discover the hiddenin the society, pointing out socially integrated ciation lacks sponsorship as that the young asso r members were young seventy percent of he graduates.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Jonathan vs Buhari:

Entertainers sing discordant tunes BY AYO ONIKOYI

HEAD of the presidential election next month, there is a palpable excitement running through every sector of the country, including the entertainment industry, which had until now been relatively apolitical. As some entertainers have made it clear, the stake of the industry in the socio-economic fortunes of the country has risen exponentially and has thus conferred on it as much right as any to be part of the political process. For the highest office in the land, the pendulum seems to be swinging the way of only two candidates for the Aso Villa: President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Just as the whole citizenry seems to be torn between the two, the entertainment enclave of Nigeria also has its discordant tunes. From movie stars to music stars to the comedians, there isn’t any consensus of opinion as to who has been endorsed by the entertainers. Their choices are as divergent as many as they are:

No one has the right to endorse anyone on behalf of the industry — Bob Manuel-Udokwu

ON’T listen to those attention seekers who claim they speak for our industry. They have no mandate to endorse any candidate on behalf of the industry. I speak for myself alone on this matter and I believe that’s how it is supposed to be. Having said that, I endorse Goodluck Jonathan to continue as president. He has clear ideas and practical programmes to positively transform Nigeria. He needs more time to actualise his vision for Nigeria but Nigerians want immediate result which is wrong. The result/benefits of most of Jonathan’s programmes today will be seen/felt long after he completes his second term in office. He is the only president of Nigeria to notice the viability of the entertainment industry and takes practical steps to assist the multi-million naira industry which is second largest employer of labour outside the civil service!

16 years is enough for Nigerians to try another political platform

Jonathan must continue the transformation agenda – Mosun Filani

HAVE endorsed Jonathan for second term, principally for him to continue the transformation agenda he has started. It does not make sense truncating all these laudable programmes just on the share sentiment of wanting a northerner to become the president. Nigeria is faced with multi-faceted problems and challenges and it requires a man who is in touch with realities of modern times to tackle it. How would you expect a man who is not computer literate or abreast with the global technological advancement to tackle the present modern challenges? He will definitely take Nigeria back fifty years if such a person becomes president.

Buhari, because all this massacre has to stop — Ayo Adesanya

— Foluke Daramola

BVIOUSLY, it is Buhari because I want positive change for my country. I am a progressive by all standard and I believe in a visionary leadership and governance not monetarily and materially inclined one. We all want money, but my husband will always tell me to always seek first the place of integrity and honour and every other thing, like my Bible says, shall be added unto me . Buhari is a man of such integrity and honour and that is why people like me and many other Nigerians of values are rising around this time to support his cause. I believe strongly in a new Nigeria that works for the benefit of all Nigerians now and even our children to come. I believe that 16 years is enough for Nigerians to try another political platform for the urgent change Nigeria deserves. So I have adopted Nigeria for change under the able leadership of General Buhari.

Jonathan has done nothing for Nigerians in the last six years — Ronke Ojo

ENDORSE Buhari because Jonathan has not done anything for Nigerians in the last six years. There is spilling of too much blood in his regime and more than anything he is a weak man. C M Y K

No Nigerian President has faced more distractions than Jonathan — Mr Ibu

INCE His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan assumed office as Commander-in-Chief I have never seen a president that has faced huge distractions as Jonathan yet he has results. All these years, there has been no case of scarcity of petroleum products or unnecessary increment of fuel prices and the South-south quarrels came to an end. The issue of bombing was actually perpetrated by prominent Nigerians probably because they desire power. Look, let us give Jonathan a chance and support him in making sure he finishes his tenure in grand style. He is not going to be there all his life, four years is not too much, let him round off and leave, then anybody who thinks he is better can now come in to do his best

WANT Buhari because I want change. I am so tired of the state of the nation; the stagnation is disheartening, especially the faith of kids in the north. The female suicide bombers I believe are the Chibok girls. I am so tired of seeing the Boko Haram mayhem everyday. All this massacre has got to stop, I believe Buhari can bring about the much needed change

PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I will act nude under the right circumstances – Chelsea Edogun Says “Lesbianism and homosexuality now common in Nollywood”

lease tell us about yourself My name is Chelsea Edogun. I’m from Edo State, Benin City to be precise. I’m the first child of a family of six girls. I studied Biochemistry in Delta State University. After I graduated I pursued my longtime passion which is acting and I don’t regret it. I’m proud to be an actress. How did you get into the movie industry and what influenced you to join Nollywood? Actually, there isn’t any special way I joined Nollywood neither did something or someone influenced me to join Nollywood. Being in the movie industry has always been my passion from childhood, so I just pursued my passion and here I am. What turns you on? Hmm! I know what you are thinking but you are wrong, because right now the only thing that turns me on as an actress is a movie role that challenges me, a movie that’s out of the ordinary. A movie with a difference! What part of your body do you cherish the most and why? I cherish every part of my body because all are important to me as a woman. For example, I need my legs to be able to walk elegantly. I need my hands to be able to flaunt my hair stylishly, and so do other parts equally have their uses, but most important of all is my brain, because I’m always in need of it every second.

C M Y K

Aside acting, what else do you do? Apart from acting, I’m also into the fashion business. I import and sell ladies and men’s wears such as: clothes, shoes, belts, bags, and others under “KlassyKrushKollection “

which is owned by me. Do you have any plan to produce your own movie? Yes, I do plan to produce my own movie in the future, but acting still remains my priority. In your own assessment, how has Nollywood fared so far? Honestly, I think Nollywood has come a long way, so far so good, there has been a lot of improvements, but not withstanding we could also do better to bring out the best. In a short time from now I strongly believe there will be a “Nollywood with a Difference “ Can you act nude? Acting nude is no longer something new in the movie industry. Yes, I will act nude under the right circumstances, which include a good script with a good crew to work with. Then acting nude is no big deal because as an actress I should be able to put myself into any character, as long as it’s professional. Can you kiss another girl in a movie? As an Actress, yes, I can. Maybe people might read the wrong meaning to it, but for me I believe it’s a sense of professionalism.

I don’t judge people based on their private lives, because it is meant to be private

Tell us some of the movies you have featured in. So far I have featured in over 20 movies since 2012. Some of which are out and some which are yet to be released. I featured in Tears of a Fighter, Sacrifice De Baby, Body Odour, Before Christmas, After Christmas, Royal Goddess, Chemical Madness, Money 4 Hand, Desperate Students, Authentic Students, V.I Desperate Chicks, and many more. Which is the best and why? The best movie I’ve featured in is “Royal Goddess “ because the role I played in the movie is very different from the kind of roles I usually play in most of my movies. Naturally people see me as a glamour person and so I mostly play glamour roles but in this movie I played the role of a local village girl. Which of them is most challenging and why? My most challenging movie is also “Royal Goddess “ because it has a lot of

adventures in it and there is absolutely nothing I love more than adventure. Which actress have you had beef with on a movie location? I have never really had a beef with any actress on a location because for me I don’t think I have time for such things. When I’m on a location my only focus is how to bring out the best in the role I’mplaying. So, obviously I am too busy to beef anyone. What kind of man do you like? The kind of man I like is a man who is honest at all times and who understands my career as an actress. What do you have to say about the rising cases of lesbianism and gay lifestyle in Nollywood? Well, I would say lesbianism and gay lifestyle is more of a

societal issue in Nigeria, although this lifestyle has become so common in Nollywood, but nevertheless, I don’t judge people based on their private lives, because it is meant to be private. I respect everyone’s feelings and personalities equally. It doesn’t matter if a person is gay or a lesbian. It’s not in me to discriminate.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 21

Real signs of true love T rue love is the true definition of a perfect romance in a relationship. Only it is not easy to find. True love is not felt in a heartbeat or in a second glance. True love takes time to take shape. And contrary to popular belief, love at first sight is not really love at all. In fact, love at first sight is nothing but an infatuation. It’s a strong surge of romantic emotions that overwhelm you. Before you wonder what true love is all about and what the signs of true love really are, you need to understand that it is very important to take things slow in a relationship if you want to ensure its success. When you first start dating someone or fall for someone at first sight, what you experience is not love. As much as you feel like you are

head over heels in love, you really are not. You are just experiencing the first stage of love, a small part in the stages of love known as the infatuation stage. What is true love then? Ironically, true love can’t be defined. It’s the kind of love many of us chase after, but few truly find or realize it until it’s too late. True love is the kind of love and affection you have for someone that is not bound by the laws of human behaviour. When you experience true love with someone, your primal instincts and behaviour changes only towards this person. True love transcends typical human behaviour. It makes you a better human being towards a special someone. As the bursts of infatuation starts to fade with the first few arguments and the first

few misunderstandings, that’s when love starts to enter the picture. And this is where most relationships start to drift away emotionally, or even end up breaking up because of incompatibilities. If you are in a relationship where both of you truly understand each other and feel compatible with each other, and most importantly, love each other, chances are, you’re experiencing true love already. Is true love a once in a lifetime experience? Not really. You can experience them many times over, and with many people at the same time. You can experience true love with your spouse or your lover, your children and any other person you are attached to in your life.

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But true love too, can fade with time. For most of us, our first love is the first time we would have experienced the purest form of true love. We are not afraid to let this special someone into our heart and we are not afraid to experience heartbreak because we still don’t know what heartbreak feels like. We are fearless in love and we love passionately with all our heart. But when the first romance dies, the true love we had for our first partner too eventually fades, even if it takes years and several new relationships to overcome. And as we enter more relationships, most of us split into two groups. One that believes in true, romantic love and the other group that convinces itself that true love doesn’t exist. The kind of relationships you have had in your lifetime can play a

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Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

My dream was to become an air hostess —A debola Ok oisor UTH’s ffir ir Adebola Okoisor oisor,, LLUTH’s irsst e evver female gynecologist

•Dr. Okoisor Adebola & husband •Mrs Ojobo Atuluku

BY ANINO AGANBI

EHOLD the first female gynecologist that ever worked at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH! Dr(Mrs)Adebola Okoisor who has since retirement in 1998 devoted her essence to caring for her grandchildren and mentoring the younger generation, turned 80 in May 2014. Her gaiety and demeanor however belly this milestone. Adebola who sits on the board of various organizations, including Action Health Incorporation, had an encounter with Feminista. Enjoy!

ow does it feel to be 80? I thank God for bringing me this far. It has been quite an experience. It makes you want to sit back and reflect on all you have done and contributed in life, and what life has given to you in return. What was growing up like? Childhood was really interesting. When I tell my grandchildren tales about what used to happen when we were young, they laugh at me, saying my parents must have been very poor. Because there was no means of transportation then, I had to walk to school and back home.

Apart from education, there was discipline. It was more like an extended family kind of life where if you misbehaved, you get punished by anyone. Punishment was worse if the report gets to your house. We were taught that family name was valuable. As an Ijebu woman, how has marriage to a Deltan been? It has been lovely. You gain from the ideas of two cultures, the Igbo and Yoruba culture. There is really not much difference between both cultures. I remember when I first told my parents, they were vehemently against me marrying an Igbo man. Eventually, they met some of my husband’s friends and relatives and discovered they speak Yoruba fluently since they grew up in the west. I think we are the pioneers of such mixed marriages and we have been able to uphold it without any calamity. Generally, people are afraid of the unknown but it all depends on compromise. It is usually parents who are scared though. What made you choose to be a gynecologist? My dream was to become an air hostess. Since my parents did not approve of it, I had to think of a profession that would enable me serve people and one I would enjoy. I thought if I did obstetrics, I would be looking after pregnant women and when the babies come, there would be happiness. I felt sorry for

The monetary aspect did not come into it at all. We never went into misdiagnosing patients just to get more money. These days, you find the young ones being more interested in the monetary aspect of medicine women in labour and wanted to bring a form of satisfaction to them. The moment a woman delivers, she forgets about the pains she went through. That little bundle of happiness she holds means the world to her. What has changed in the medical profession between your working years and

now? The medical profession itself has not changed. It is the people running the profession who have. When we qualified as doctors, what was impressed on us was to render service. The monetary aspect did not come into it at all. We never went into misdiagnosing patients just to get more money. These days, you find the young ones being more interested in the monetary aspect of medicine than actually rendering service to people. I sacked one of my doctors because of such happenings. When I ran my private hospital, money was not my reason for setting it up. I opened my centre because I wanted people to be happy with the services they met as opposed to other hospitals. The value in the society has been put down. If doctors are well paid anyway, I believe they would not neglect their patients or engage in costly mistakes. How were you able to carve a niche for yourself in a career that was dominated by men? In obstetrics and gynecology, there was no discrimination. While at LUTH from 1968 to 1978 where I was the first female gynecologist, there were a few people who felt I should go and take care of my husband and children. I however eventually set up my own maternity like I said, after resigning from LUTH in 1978. It was called Bolheur Maternity.

How were you able to combine marriage and career successfully? It all depends on your husband and being on happy terms with each other. Sometimes when I was in the hospital, my husband will look after the children. In those days, we were able to get good house keepers to help out at home. It wasn’t easy though. You are not only holding one job but two. You are holding your profession, the care of your children, and house keeping. Sometimes, I had to sleep in the hospital and people would ask my husband why he allowed me sleep there. There was trust and compromise, and my husband never stood in my way. What have you been doing since retirement? Since retirement, I have focused more on my grand children. I have also derived satisfaction in being the house keeper, educationist and house wife. Another thing that has kept me going is my gym. I enjoy going to the gym. It keeps me fit. If you could change anything about your past, what will it be? I would have loved to have a situation where women can have their health properly monitored, not only during pregnancy but for their overall well-being. My joy now would be for government to set up an institution where women can have free antinatal care so as to cut down on maternal-child mortality.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 23

08112662589

He bragged his mistress was better in bed!

ILIAN and Chidi were childhood sweethearts and dated for six years before they decided to get married. “I was earning a good salary as the restaurant manager of a reputable hotel and Chidi’s business as a spare parts dealer for exotic cars was flourishing explained Lilian. “We set a future date and were planning towards a lavish wedding when everything changed. Chidi was hit by an Okada motorcyclist as he dashed across a busy street to one of his clients’ showroom. He needed surgery on his left leg and was bedridden for months. “Almost overnight his personality changed. He was distant and miserable and drowned his sorrows with booze. I knew I had to do something to drag him out of his depression. That’s when I suggested a holiday in Ghana. My family had some relatives in the city and I’d had some great times there with my parents when I was young and was sure Chidi would love it there. We spent our days touring the fun spots and I was happy to see the sparkle back in his eyes. We were happier and more in love than ever. ‘We definitely have to come back soon', Chidi said as we boarded

the plane home. “Back home, the wedding plans continued but I fell pregnant from our holiday romps. As soon as our son arrived, the wedding plans were in high gear. Chidi had a personal accident insurance and when his claims came through, we decided to spend another week in Ghana. It was Chidi’s idea. ‘It’ll be the perfect way to relax before the wedding', he said. This time though, we stayed at the reasonably priced hotel we spent a weekend at during our first visit. Only, when we settled in, the reality was different. From the very first day, Chidi was emotionally checked out. He’d disappear for hours on end, leaving me to be entertained by friends and relatives. Whenever he appeared, he was shamelessly drunk. “I was just having a drink with some business contacts I’ve made', he’d slur. “I was feeling very miserable and confused. We should have been sight-seeing and sharing sea-food platters. Instead, I felt desperately alone. On our last night, Chidi didn’t stagger back until 6am. I refused to speak to him the entire journey home. And when we finally got inside the

house, I couldn’t hold back my anger any longer. ‘What the hell’s going on?’ I shouted at him. Instead of answering, he barged past me and went to stay at his brother ’s house. I thought he just needed time to cool off. I was getting ready to give him a good telling off the next day when his brother showed up. He seemed a bit embarrassed as he blurted: Sorry, Chidi’s gone back to Ghana to arrange the purchase of some spare parts.’ “My jaw nearly hit the floor! I was livid. Chidi was the one who wanted a big wedding, and now he’d gone AWOL. It didn’t make sense. My head was a mess.

So, to give my confidence a boost, I went to the hairdressing salon only to bump into Joy, the wife of Chidi’s brother ’s friend: ‘How do you feel about this woman your man met in Ghana.” What? I felt my world spin. Suddenly everything made horrifying sense. Her name was Gloria and she ran the nightclub of the hotel we had stayed at. I couldn’t remember her and I was told Chidi had been bragging about how amazing she was in bed. She’d even entertained him lavishly in her hotel room! So that’s where he’d been on our last night in Ghana. “I was so furious I couldn’t think straight. We were meant to be getting

married in two months! In shock, I went to visit my parents, and when I got to their place, I wept heartbrokenly. My mum was furious and suggested I think seriously about giving our up-coming marriage a serious thought. Chidi called me a couple of times from a foreign number and I really gave him a piece of my mind whenever I talked to him. But he assured me he would fix things as soon as he returned. I hated what he had done, but we have a child together and I couldn’t just switch off my feelings for him. “When he eventually showed his face, he told me all he had was a fling as he’d freaked out because of the wedding. Gloria had been an escape from real life. I told him we should put the wedding on hold so as to clear both our heads. But I missed him a lot and a few months later, we were back together again. Then, somehow, Gloria got my number and started texting me. ‘Chidi loves me', she wrote, I've got us a place and we’re going to be together.’ Devastated, I confronted Chidi. ‘She’s crazy', he said. ‘She’s obsessed with me and can’t accept it’s over.' So we both got new mobiles and I prayed that was the end of it.

“Then one day, I came home and spotted Chidi’s phone on the table. I couldn’t resist snatching it up and checking his messages. And there it was - a text from him to her - ‘I miss you.’ I couldn’t believe I’d been so stupid. When he came out of the bedroom, I threw the phone at him. “I never want to see you again,’ I yelled. He tried buttering me up and when I refused to listen to him, he turned nasty. ‘Can you blame me for having an affair?’ he said spitefully. ‘You’re nothing compared to her. Look at the state of you!’ I recoiled with horror, his taunts cutting me to the bone. How dare he! After everything he’d put me through. Bragging that his flozzy was better in bed than me. As I clawed at him, he pinned me against the wall. ‘I’ll have a better life with her anyway', he said his lips twisted into a snare. I felt so cheap and worthless. How could the man who had claimed to love me be so cruel? “Fleetingly, I thought of stabbing him with a kitchen knife resting on the table but I recoiled at the thought. It was obvious that whatever we once had was dead. It would be suicidal going ahead with the wedding knowing what I knew...”.

08052201867(Text Only)

Reduce the flab in your arms

the pearshaped woman fat is mostly concentrated in the lower half of the body. With the apple-shaped one the hand is mostly in the upper half. As to which type a woman belongs to is determined by the genes. That’s the recent report on the phenomenon of fat distribution in the body. So what does this mean to the person desirous of shedding too much fat.” Obviously it must be thus if the fat is chiefly in the torso in comparison to the thighs and legs. It means you’ll have to do a lot more exercises for the top half. If the problem is in the lower half it calls for you to do a lot more exercises meant for the lower half. Well, in yoga the idea is to exercise a greater part of the body everyday. In fact, with as few as C M Y K

ten postures almost every part of the organism can be “touched” ensuring an all round state of good conditioning. My yoga teacher’s approach used to be that you are given as few as three postures to practise diligently. After two month’s practice when the body could then assume the postures with considerable duration (which is what counts in yoga, the ability to hold a posture for the full count) then he would add a couple more to your routine. The one good thing about this approach was that it ensured that each posture was mastered and not improperly executed. We have discussed the need to keep the thighs and legs well in tone. We know an exercise like the chair pose works wonders on flabby thighs. We also know that the deep knee bend

or Vajirasana practised faithfully banishes celulite. For those women whose arms are flabby there are three postures prescribed here to deal

with the problem. Ofcourse there are other postures that can equally deliver but we shall focus on these three for now. Let’s start off with the

* The Camel Pose

posture which is called that it is great against a dhirtyasana in Sanskirt. running nose.” Sit on the heels keeping You can do the writer’s your knees apart arrange posture for a more forthe hands with palms flat ward thrusting posture. down with fingers Our third posture is the looking backwards. bungle posture. As you As you inhale deeply lift sit with legs wide apart the pelvis and chest high place your hands on the up as possible as you ground behind the back. drop back the head. Inhale while houting up Retain the pose for say the waist as high as can 20 seconds as you be above the ground breathe deeply. Breath- very slowly and careing out sit on the heels fully. again. Besides rendering As you exhale return a good work out in the slowly to the floor and lie arms, the camel is excel- flat down on your back lent for strengthening the for a short rest. You may Pelvis small of the back repeat this exercise and the abdominal mus- three times” - Morning cles. and evening. Our second exercise is Apart from the arms, the Writer’s pose. Sit on this posture brings tone the heels and bending the to the legs and abdoleft arm bring it up. Bend men. the right hand downwards and Yoga Classes hook fingers of both hands. This is to be STARTED done for as long as Physical Therapy Centre it’s comfortable. @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Then change hands Victoria Island Lagos. and repeat. Apart 9.00am — 10.00am from working up a miracle in the arms on Saturdays I have said it before

P AGE 24 — SUND AY Vanguard, JANU ARY 18 , 2015 SUNDA JANUARY

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Why you shouldn’t blame your man for being a love cheat!

ow do you spot a love rat? The current man in your life has virtually swept you off your feet. He texts you all day, takes you to your favourite eatery from time to time, buys you little gifts and calls you at night because he can’t stop thinking of you! The first time Sandra’s phone went at 2 am, she was as mad as hell. “I’m a bad sleeper,” she says. Even the sound of a cockroach rummaging in my wardrobe wakes me up. I’d forgotten to put my mobile on the ‘silent’ mode on this day in question. What’s more, I seldom get calls at that time of the day. “When Chika’s name and number showed on the screen, I was worried. We had met just a few weeks ago and the chemistry was fantastic. We were in love. How lucky can one get? “Hello”, I said, still groggy from sleep. ‘Is there anything wrong?” ‘I’m sorry if I woke you,” he was really apologetic. ‘I just couldn’t sleep, Sandra. I had a good day in the office today and I’m so happy. I want to share my happiness with you. I love you so much.” “ My resentment simply melted. We talked for the next one hour, then hung up. What an incredible man! In the space of a few weeks, I’d met most of his friends and two of his siblings. He always introduced me with a lot of pride. We were both smitten. If I played my cards right, it could be the beginning of a meaningful relationship.” But could it? For a fortunate few, this type of romantic whirlwind can lead to a lifetime of happiness with a faithful man. But, according to recent research, when a man falls in love too quickly, it’s a woman’s alarm bells that should start ringing not her heart. A survey of 5,000 people for a dating website has revealed that men who believe in love at first sight are three times more likely to cheat on a partner than those who take their time.

Most of the men questioned said that it took them at least five dates over several weeks to decide whether or not they want to start a relationship. One in four men, however, said they believed in the chemistry of instant attraction. And, of those men, almost half said they had cheated in a previous relationship. According to Dr. Safsika Thalassis, a relationship expert: “Men who tend to fall in love at first sight are impulsive. They may barely know you but profess to be in love and want everything to happen quickly. Impulsiveness is a quality many women find attractive, while not every impulsive man is going to be a love rat, the survey does indicate that there is a close correlation between infidelity,and this trait. Men who consider themselves ‘in love’ within minutes of meeting someone are likely to fall in love rather frequently even when they’re already in a relationship. It is also likely that such men interpret attraction’ and love as more or less the same thing. “This means that when they meet an attractive stranger they are prone to telling themselves. “I have fallen in love... I haven’t felt that way about my partner in years...I have to try this out” rather than more cautious; I find this person exceptionally attractive but I love my partner and therefore I won’t pursue things. Now to the big question: How can you make sure you’ve hooked up with a decent man and not a serial love cheat? According to Dr. Thalassis, “By far the strongest indicator will be his past. It’s worth finding out if this person does this kind of thing a lot, finding out a bit about their relationship history. Clearly, if your new man has already proposed to a string of women, it doesn’t bode well. “Looking into his family history could also help. One factor that can influence us

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"

ECHOES OF LOVE

Hear, Oh! my love; my angel and my Golden ray That Love which you give so expensive

is if our parents had an affair. We do get influenced by the model we grew up with. Another good pointer is his depth of feeling. Some men find it hard to bond. Researchers in Sweden have found what’s been called a ‘love rat’ gene. Scientists claim that the gene linked to the bonding chemical vasopressincould explain why some men find it hard to commit. Men with this gene are less likely to marry even if they have children with a long-term partner. Look at whether your man has any stable relationship in his life and watch the way he treats his friends. Does he actually like women and does he spend time away? Men who hate women are more likely to cheat. Listen to the way he talks about his ex. If he’s vicious about her and blames her for everything, it’s not a good sign. People are much more likely to cheat if they spend any nights away from home and it’s not just about having the opportunity. “For some people, spending every night together is very important. There ‘s something about being at home with their partner and waking up together they value deeply.” One scientific theory suggests that unfaithful men have lower IQs. This theory says that intelligent

people are more likely to adopt new ways of doing things to become more evolved – so those with a higher IQ tend to stick to just one partner. But Dr. Thalassis adds: “Perhaps more intelligent men are just less likely to admit to cheating! Is Your Man Taking For Granted By Being A Slob? “I was looking at some old family photographs the other day when I realised to my horror that Jude, my husband still wears the same revolting danshiki with matching trousers that he wore 12 years ago!”moaned Jesicca, a 49 year old medical doctor married to Jude, 53 and the owner of a computer consultancy firm. “He could just about get away with them at 40, but at 53 he looks as if he’s completely given up caring about how he looks. I feel angry and resentful that he doesn’t take more pride in his appearance. This usually leads to my being engulfed by shame over being so horrible to him just because he wears clothes I find repulsive. “I fell for Jude when we were at the university. Back them, he was a trendy pacesetter and had wellgroomed hair. I stayed very fashion-conscious, but he started to let himself go in his early 40s – and has now

And you demand some remuneration And I wish to reciprocate the affection. Your heart yearns for it And my heart feels your cry When it calls for a requited love With all my mind I shall give And I have to give with all joy. Sunday Ogbaoyibo 07032615563 sunlightworld82@gmail.com

LOVE IS COURAGE

Courage is love most powerful weapon and it`s biggest fears but it depends on who you fall in love

development a permanent frown to complement his boring wardrobe. He tends to buy his clothes from people in his office and buys the same things over and over again, namely shirts and caftans. Having no colour sense at all, he recently bought some hideous bright-orange complete native gear and wore them everywhere – to parties, dinners out with our friends – even to his official end-of-year party! I was so embarrassed I hid them before giving them away!” “How Jude dresses has started to cause arguments. I would love him to understand that how he looks is important to me, and that he should make more of an effort.” Jude doesn’t agree with his wife. “I don’t think I’ve let myself go at all,” he protested. “I wasn’t really interested in fashion in the first place. I’m smart at work but when I get home, I pull on a pair of native trousers and top – I want to feel relaxed. My wife has her own glamorous style, and I like most of what she wears, but she is rather overdressed for some occasions. Like most men, I just get out of bed in the morning and put on the nearest clothes that come to hand. I hate buying new clothes. Besides, whatever I choose, I come home to a chorus from my wife and children of: ‘what on earth is that?’ “I suppose once I got to 50, I thought my appearance didn’t matter any more. But I see now it’s important, especially to my wife. If I’d known how fed up she was, I would have done something about it before now.” Lizzy is a 43 year old company secretary of a telecoms company. Her husband Dapo, is a university professor. “Dapo has always been old fashioned in the way he dresses,”says Lizzy, “but it has really started to bother me recently. We were out with friends a few days ago when I suddenly noticed he

was wearing shoe so old they were actually falling apart. I’d made an effort to look really smart yet my husband thought it was ok to come out with me in footwear that belonged in the dustbin. “I feel insulted that Dapo has taken me for granted just because I’m his wife. Afterall, I still do my best to look stylish and attractive for him. So why can’t he do the same for me? I don’t follow fashion obsessively but I as a make-up artiste whilst I was in the university, so I know what I need to do to make myself look good. Even though Dapo has loads of good quality clothes he’s bought for himself over the years, he chooses not to wear them. He likes to slob around in old stuff instead. He’s good on shirts (he’s got dozens) but he always wears them with scruffy denim trousers (which he thinks are stylish) or dreadful old shorts. His shoes are particularly bad, and always very old. I think it’s arrogant of him not to care how I feel when he lets us both down by wearing horrible old outfits. Clothes do matter and being conscious of your appearance is a sign of respect – both for yourself and those you love.” But Dapo doesn’t see eye to eye with his wife on fashion. He says: “I have my own style, which I have worked on very carefully over the years – I like to think of it as classic, timeless elegance that doesn’t need constant update. In fact, I still have a pair of really expensive denim and black Italian shoes I bought when I was at university! I know Lizzy thinks I dress like a slob but it doesn’t bother me. Besides, although she generally dresses up well, she takes for ever to get ready for functions leaving me frustrated when we arrive late yet again. Maybe she should take a leaf from my own dressing time which I’ve got to a T. There’s more to life than prancing all over the place like an old model trying to be with – it!”

with and how much attention you give to him or her. Because being loved by someone gives you strenght,while loving someone deeply gives you courage that is called "LOVE". Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015.

Can't live without you

Imagine going back to school without texts, teachers and papers Imagine the world without anyone The sea without water, the ground without sand and most importantly you Imagine me without you Thanks for being there itulaemmanuel@gmail.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 25

The scene of the inferno at Jebba Street

By Bose Adelaja

rs Gladys Ogoo Ezenwanne was on her way to her shop on Monday when she eavesdropped on a conversation by the driver of the commercial bus and his conductor lamenting that the popular Balogun Market, Lagos was on fire. She alighted from the bus and headed straight to her shop located on number 50 but before she got there, she noticed thick smoke from afar. Her shop and many others were on fire. Upon her arrival, she saw a mammoth crowd, fire fighters and other emergency responders. At the end of the operation, six buildings housing about 100 shops were razed in the inferno which was said to have started around 3am of that fateful day. Recounting her loss to Sunday Vanguard, the trader said she lost goods worth N3m and cash of $4,500 and N180,000 respectively. Gladys was not the only victim of the inferno Mrs Queen Ogan Iwu, who lost wares worth about N30m, said she received the news of the inferno with shock. The owner of a warehouse and two shops on the ground floor of Okk Plaza said the apartments were filled up at the time of the inferno. “My warehouse was on the ground floor of Okk Plaza and the fire affected my shops and the warehouse. At the end of the day, I lost about N30m. Our order came after the Christmas and I instructed my boys to keep them till January unknown to me that the inferno would occur,” she stated. Recounting her loss to Sunday Vanguard, she said, ‘’I just returned from the village when the incident happened but I thank God no life was lost. Will I kill C M Y K

A GRANDMA’S INCONSOLABLE CRY

‘How does Fashola compensate me after losing three siblings in Lagos fire?’ •Man, 72, roasted on sick bed

myself? As long as I am alive and in good health, God will surely send a helper to me.” Also lamenting her loss was Madam Ofune Patricia who lost about N6m to the inferno. ‘’Where do I start from? I obtained a bank loan in November thinking that all will be well but the reverse is the case,”she said. The Balogun inferno was not the only one which took place in Lagos in the past one week as fire also wreaked havoc at Okobaba sawmill and about eight buildings in the area. The fire, which started from one of the residential buildings in the area, consumed property worth millions of Naira and claimed five people including children and an adult. Tears flowed freely in the area during Sunday Vanguard’s visit, as sympathizers thronged Down Jebba, Kano and Cole streets, the scene of the incident which rendered hundreds of people homeless in the night of Sunday. Three of the victims, two boys and a girl, were said to be the only children of their parents and were last seen around 8pm, before they got burnt. The other two victims were a 72-year-old man, popularly called Baba Dende, and said to be on his sick bed, and his threeyear-old boy-Akeem.

The three children, Amidat, Quayub and Ahmed, together with their parents, were occupants of one of the shanties on Jebba Street before their untimely death. Their mother, said to be about 25 years of age, was away to Ikate when disaster struck; she was alerted on phone. When Sunday Vanguard visited the scene, hundreds of the victims were seen counting their losses while scavengers were also having a field day as items like sawmills, viewing centres, sawing and plane machines, saw dusters and generate sets were reduced to ashes. The mother of the three roasted children was said to have been taken away by her parents while the father was resting in one of the shanties belonging to their paternal grandmother who was short of words when this reporter approached her. In an emotional laden voice, the 65-year-old grandmother, who simply gave her name as Simbiat, said the children were with her till 7.30 pm last Sunday. ‘’Amidat and her siblings were all with me till about 7.30pm before they left for their home. They were playing with other children and they asked me to prepare their dinner which they took home. My aged mother had only two children and we were very happy to see my grandchildren in the family. Also, my aged mother was sick and I brought her here ten days ago unknown that

Three of the victims, two boys and a girl, were said to be the only children of their parents and were last seen around 8pm, before they got burnt

she would witness this tragedy. Please, I don’t want our pictures on the pages of newspaper or how much will Fashola donate to us that will be commensurate with these children?”, she said. Another victim, Damilare Yusuf, who operated a viewing centre on Jebba Street, said he lost items worth N4m to the inferno. Also, a sawmiller, Madam Hamzat Bisola, said she lost equipment worth N7m while 40-year-old Akindele Aremo lost about N10m equipment to the inferno. In a telephone conversation, Iyaloja General Madam Folashade Tinubu Ojo called on traders to get rid of generating sets in the markets and urged them to ensure all electrical appliances are put off after the day’s work.

‘We are in season of fire’

Meanwhile, the Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Razaq Fadipe, who lamented that recurring fire outbreaks in the state are mostly caused by human error, warned people to discourage burning of refuse, careless handling of electrical appliances or dropping of cigarette stump. ‘’We are in the season of fire; the overall assessment of fire outbreaks in the state showed they are caused by human errors. We need to be very careful while handling fire this time around knowing that cleaning, cleansing and repair of affected areas cost money. Also, community development areas should discuss fire safety in homes, religious organizations, places of work and other public and private places. It is a pity that CDAs usually discuss security issues but pay little or no attention to safety,” Fadipe said.

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

KARE, in Akoko North East area of Ondo State, was turned into a war arena on Tuesday, when a 25-member armed robbery gang invaded it, killing no fewer than 21 persons including eight policemen, one undergraduate, two secondary school pupils and five bankers. Residents of the town cried uncontrollably as they raced to the scenes of tragedy to know the identities of those killed. The robbers target was the bullion van of one of the old generation banks conveying N25m to the branch of the bank in Ikare. But they also had plan B, that is, rob four other banks. First, they decided to go on shooting spree killing people indiscriminately to create fear in the town. In a commando style, the robbers, said to have been dressed in MOPOL uniform, on arrival in the town at about 3pm on the ill-fated day, headed straight to a police station along Ikare/Owo Road, killed four policemen on duty and wounded four others. The manner of their operation showed that they did their home work properly and knew when to strike. A police source said: “The robbers used general purpose machine guns, improvised explosive devices and other sophisticated weapons and came in large number and syndicated themselves.” Sunday Vanguard gathered that the robbers ended up robbing five different banks located along Banking Road in Jubilee area of Ikare. Their dressing reportedly deceived security men at the entrance of the banks. The security men, according to sources, thought they were in the bank to transact business only to later discover that they were robbers. For over one hour, the robbers operated unhindered. Infact, the entire town was held hostage. Two middle aged men, said to be graduates operating commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, were shot dead in front of the police station where they had gone to ‘bail’ their motorcycles earlier seized by some policemen at a check point. Some of those feared killed were transacting business inside the banking hall and the ATM of one of the attacked banks while majority of others killed had no connection with any of the banks but were killed for the fun of it because the

BLACK TUESDAY IN IKARE-AKOKO

25 armed robbers kill 21 people over N25 million!

•One of the banks attacked robbers failed to rob the bullion van with N25m. An unspecified amount of money were reportedly carted away by the robbers in the five banks which they bombed with dynamite and rocket launchers to gain entry. An unconfirmed source said a prophet in one of the white garment churches, who was conducting a spiritual bath for a female member, was killed by the bullets of the robbers. Gory sight of those killed littered the streets of the town. A report said a man, who lost his wife during child birth, was shot dead with his son while they were coming from the child’s school. Worried by the nature of the robbery, Governor Olusegun Mimiko drafted all the security chiefs in the state to Ikare to assess the situation.

Gory sight of those killed littered the streets of the town. A report said a man, who lost his wife during child birth, was shot dead with his son while they were coming from the child’s school

while many of the shops located around the banks affected had bullet holes on the walls and the iron doors. One eyewitness, Kayode Ajala, said that the robbers operated as if they were on war front. According to him, the robbers must have done their home work before the operation as all the major roads were strategically manned by them to ward off any security intervention that may halt their operation. Guns, he claimed, were booming from the four corners of the town indicating that they were strategically positioned. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the robbers came in two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and a bus wearing MOPOL uniform. Those reportedly killed included school children heading home after school as they were caught in the sporadic shooting of the robbers. Sunday Vanguard learnt that after the robbery, the robbers escaped through Iboropa Road to Edo State. Corpses of the policemen and other victims which littered the streets were packed into pick up vans and deposited at the General Hospital, Ikare. Meanwhile, tension mounted in the town at the weekend as a result of the killings. The robbery incident is the second within two years. The first was in 2013 when a robbery was carried out at night by a gang of armed robbers. The robbery that year resulted in the closure of •A shop affected by the banks in Ikare robbers operation for several months. Infact the Mimiko expressed concern bank building that was about the sophistication of the robbed then was abandoned weapons used by the robbers. by the management of the Also, the Director General of bank and a new one built. the National Sports Commission, Ironically, the same bank Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is was one of the five attacked from the area, said the town was by robbers on Tuesday. mourning. The havoc caused by the Elegbeleye put the figure of robbers shook Ondo State those killed at 21. Police Command to its At the weekend, commercial foundation, but has vowed to and business activities remained smoke the robbers from their completely paralysed in the hiding places. ancient town. Image maker of the police All the banks in Ikare shut their command, Wole Ogodo, doors to customers. confirmed that the robbers When Sunday Vanguard visited were after N25million the town at the weekend, the brought to one of the banks police station attacked by the in a bullion van. robbers was riddled with bullets

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 27

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

enultimate Friday, the people of Edo State were fed with the story that one of the security aides in the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole beat up a Rev. Father identified as Peter Udoh at Ujogba in Edo Central senatorial district of the state. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state started celebrating after the Independent Television (ITV), owned by the Esama of Benin Kingdom, and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, reported the matter. The situation was likened to the incident in Imo State in 2011, when the then Governor Ikedi Ohakim was accused of beating up a Rev. Father weeks to the elections. But, in this case, the originators of the news, the ITV, reversed itself on the report because the governor was not at Ujogba that Friday. Rather, Oshiomhole and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State went to commission the AmadiohaUgboha Road after which they left for Uromi where the Edo governor attended a burial ceremony and from there he went to Auchi in his convoy at about 4pm without any problem with anybody. Sources close to the governor said he had on several occasions reprimanded drivers in his convoy against intimidating members of the public and it was as a result of that, that he decided not to use siren. As a matter of fact, sometime last year at Ring Road, Oshiomhole had cause to stop his convoy when he observed that one of the drivers was intimidating somebody”, one of the sources said. “The governor came down from his vehicle and collected the driver ’s key and asked him to go back to the office. Another driver had to continue the trip”. So it was not surprising how the state government reacted to the ITV report terminating every relationship it has with the TV station. The incident has renewed another round of crisis between the state government and Igbinedion, as the governor described the report as deliberate ploy to discredit his administration in the eyes of the Christian community. Sunday Vanguard learnt that after the commissioning the Amadioha-Ugboha Road, APC stalwarts, who attended the event, started going back to their respective areas. However, at about 5pm, a convoy of buses heading towards Ekpoma from Ugboha had issues with a Rev Father. An eye witness said trouble started when the Rev. Father, who was not happy with the movement of the buses over took them and blocked the buses. He narrated: “It was when everybody came down wondering why the Rev. Father blocked the vehicles that we knew that one of the passengers spat on his face when he over took the buses. At this point, the

Gov Oshiomhole

Chief Igbinedion

Oshiomhole, the Esama of Benin and the ‘battered Rev Father’ saga The ITV, reversed itself on the report because the governor was not at Ujogba that Friday

occupants of the buses never knew he was a Rev.Father because he wore Jeans and jacket. You will not even know that he was a Rev. Father, it was later that everybody knew he was a Rev. Father and they started tendering apologies. The Rev. Father was not beaten by anybody apart from the spit”. It was gathered that after the incident, the Rev. Father visited a politician in the area where he blessed the food they all ate. The eye witness narrated: “We were all together with the Father in this politician’s place, where he said he had cursed the person who spat on him. Infact everybody started begging him to forgive. He now prayed and said he had forgiven the man that spat on his face. Everybody was happy and we all went back home after that. Infact when we started hearing that he said he was beaten up, we jokingly asked him which hospital he was treated and that was it”. Oshiomhole and Fashola, who were in Auchi when the news was aired by ITV, could not believe it. Journalists travelled to Esan to verify the incident but the Catholic Diocese debunked the report that the governor’s aide beat up their Rev.Father. When journalists put a call across to the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, he said, “I am not aware of any priest beaten by the governor ’s aide, there is no report like that”. Reacting also, a Catholic cleric, Reverend Father Andrew Obinyan, dismissed the report. Giving his homily at a mass on Tuesday,

Obinyan, the Parish Priest of St Albert’s Catholic Church, University of Benin, said: “I heard in the news a report that a Catholic priest in Esan Central of Edo State was grievously oppressed and beaten to a state of coma by aides of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. If I am sure of anything about Governor Oshiomhole, it is his reverential fear and respect for all ordained ministers especially bishops, priests, and religious of the Catholic Church to which he proudly belongs. Governor Oshiomhole has maintained a very cordial relationship with Catholic Bishops, Priests and Laity beyond Benin City. As a priest, I have an obligation, in conscience, based on privileged information, to let the public know that neither the Governor nor any of his aides was involved in such incident as reported. It was a tale concocted to drag the Holy Catholic Church into the fray of politics.” The state government, reacting on the saga, said the report was not only callous, malicious and wicked, but also clearly portrayed ITV and its

proprietor as inclined to denigrating the Oshiomhole administration. It added, “While the state that the governor was never at Ujogba as reported by the TV station, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is known to be proudly Catholic and has boasted about his faith at many fora. The State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Pius Odubu is also a practicing Catholic as well as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Uyi Igbe. “We use this medium to call on ITV to retract the said offensive report and tender an unreserved apology to the governor, through the same station for dragging the Governor ’s name into a matter totally unconnected to him”. Edo State government also withdrew the accreditation of the correspondent and cameraman of ITV attached to the Government House, BeninCity. In a letter to the General Manager, ITV, Special Adviser to the Governor, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said: “You will recall our earlier discussion with you on the series of fabricated and adversarial reportage of issues in the state which has continued to misinform, misrepresent and confuse the people of the state. As you know, these deliberate false reports which have become your editorial policy offend the ethics of broadcast journalism and the code of conduct spelt out by the National Broadcasting Commission [NBC]. In view of the above, we are withdrawing the accreditation of your correspondent earlier attached to Government House with immediate effect.” Angered by the report, the state government, on Wednesday, terminated an agreement to train medical students of the Igbinedion University, Okada over alleged debt of N350million. The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Loius Odion, said: “The said university had not paid anything to the government since the agreement was entered into on September 1, 2006. In view of the failure of the management of Igbinedion University to honour the terms of a Memoradum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the state government, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has approved the termination of same with immediate effect. The MOU in question was entered into on September 1, 2006 under the Lucky Igbinedion administration to enable the Igbinedion University enjoy the use of the state-owned Central Hospital Benin and Stella Obasanjo Hospital for the practicals of her medical students. It was part of the condition precedent demanded by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to grant the Igbinedion University accreditation to train medical students in the clinical specialties”.

PAGE 28—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 11, 2015

Austerity measure fears in aviation sector – Tukur .Says privatisation is key to sector devt SORIES BY UDEME CLEMENT

Alhaji Mohammed Tukur is the former Deputy Secretary General, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). He spoke on the move by government to private the airports across the country and the effect of austerity measures on the sector The declining oil price, which currently stands at below $48 per barrel is causing panic in Nigeria’s economy, as manufacturers and investors are expressing fears about the possibility of getting loans for expansion. What do think would be the effect of austerity measures in aviation sector? To start with, the Federal Government has said that one of the austerity measures would be payment of taxes by private jet owners in the country. The decision by government is based on the fact that private jet falls under the category of luxury goods. This measure would automatically affect manufacturers of private jet who see Nigeria as a big market for their goods. The reason being that many Nigerians may not want to buy private jet because of the taxes imposed on it. As such, the tendency would be decline in the revenue stream accruing to manufacturers of this good. Also, the local airlines doing business in the country may be affected in terms of low passengers turn out. This is because when there is no money in the economy many people would not be able to fly. But I believe the economy would pick up soon. As an expert in the aviation sector, could you tell us what tax structure government would likely use on private jet? Well, government has just announced the measures, it would be proper for us to wait and see the framework they would use. I think the ministry of finance charged with the responsibility of handling financial matters in the economy would release the details at the appropriate time to let Nigerians know the shape of the tax on private jet. Government is still talking about privatisation of the airports across the country. Do you think government is going in the right thing? Yes, privatisation is the key. It is done in advanced countries and that is how it ought to be, to enhance efficiency in the system. Those opposing privatisation do not mean well for this sector and must be those corrupt people working against the efforts of the President Goodluck Jonathan. Government is not trying to sell the entire industry, but simply saying that facilities like the run-

ways, terminal buildings and other maintenance services be managed by private investors. For example, we have BiCourtney aviation services in place and those facilities should go to the Bi-Courtney. In fact, we need more BiCourtney aviation services for local, international and other places. This is done everywhere in world. Take London airport for instance, private investors are those running some of the facilities there. Government provided those facilities for private investors to manage them prudently, and that is exactly what we need in this country. It is a way of curtailing corruption to fast track development in the industry. The duty of government is to supervise and provide security and not getting involved in the day-to-day management of the airports. Government should only retain a percentage of the business. Private investors should run the facilities in order to rake in more revenue for government, than leaving everything to collapse in the hands of government officials to the detriment of the entire economy. What happens afterward? The private investors after an agreed stipulated period of concession would in future return the facilities to the public, so that people can buy shares in those airports. This way, the industry would achieve greater growth to create jobs and generate more revenue for government. Also, when the period of concession expires, government can renew the concession depending on the terms of the contract. Government stands to gain more because private investors would build better run-ways and terminal buildings than what we have now. We need such facilities in places like Abuja, Lagos, Kano and other areas across the country. Now, with the coming of the current minister, Nigerians have come to realise that Bi-Courtney aviation services are far better than any terminal in the country today. When we were saying it before some people were not ready to listen due to selfish reasons, but everything is clear now. Before the coming of the new minister, many airline operators lamented about multiple charges in the sector. What is the situation now? So far, the minister has already set up a committee to review those charges and the committee has even submitted a report on that. We are hopeful that the minister would look at it. He is tackling a lot of issues in the sector and must be encouraged to rebuild the industry. There are many things to be done, which include the abandon projects in Kaduna, Yola, Port Harcourt and other airports in the

• Mohammed Tukur

Government is not trying to sell the entire industry, but simply saying that facilities like the runways, terminal buildings and other maintenance services be managed by private investors. country. Work is on-going in Abuja terminal building and the minister would not be able to handle all the projects left within the limited time because they are numerous. What management approach would you advise him to adopt in order to achieve specific objectives? My advice is for the minister

to focus on few projects that he can handle within the limited time he has left. Gradually we are going to see more airlines coming into the country and the issue of limited flights would be a thing of the past. Most importantly, government must ensure policy continuity in the sector to build on the structures put in place by the current minister. How would you assess the aviation sector in 2014? Well, the sector faced a lot of challenges in 2013, ranging from neglect of terminal projects in some airports to inapproprate use of funds, which contributed to why the sector went bankrupt. That year, the sector suffered a major set back as some people tried to destroy everything. That was while many stakeholders fought to ensure that the industry was not totally in disarray. Since a lot of issues came up in 2013, why didn’t the President take action then to

correct the situation? What we must understand is that the President can not be everywhere at the same time. That is why we usually tell public office holders entrusted with government parastatals to manage such organisations efficiency to avoid wastage of the nation’s resources. This is because running such offices well is what gives government a good name. The moment everything goes wrong, people would put the blame on Mr. President, because he is the chief accounting officer of the whole country. But Jonathan later realised that many things were not right and that contributed to why he brought in the current minister. The policies being implemented now demonstrates that Jonathan personally has good plans for the industry, but the people who were there did not do what was expected of them. Nigerians can see how the sector is moving now, which is why the stakeholders are not complaining like before. The way the current minister is working shows that the President did not even know the atrocities committed in the section on his name. How would you assess the current minister? In fairness, he is working hard to restructure the sector, which is the reason he is putting a lot of things in place. But the challenge now is that he does not have enough time to totally turn around the industry. He started very well by gradually setting things straight and must be encouraged to deliver. Since he does not have enough time, he should focus on few things and handle them effectively.

Customs arrests 453 contraband items .rakes in N15.2billion

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Oyo/ Osun Command has generated N15.2billionn for the Federal Government from its operations in 2014. The Command also arrested 453 seizures in the area of antismuggling, which include 30,000 rounds of live cartridges concealed with yam and dry cassava flour, 125 bags of cannabis (Indian hemp), 14,636 50kg bags of rice, 28,343cartons of imported frozen poultry products and general merchandise like used tyres, vegetable oil and textiles. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, disclosed this in a chat with Sunday Business, stressing that his Command would stop at nothing in bringing smugglers and those sabotaging Nigeria’s economy through illegal border trade to book. According to him, the revenue was generated mainly from excise duties and duty from

Ammunition seized by the Customs fairly used imported vehicles. “The excise collection amounted to N14.5billion of the total revenue. The revenue realised indicates an increase of over 10 per cent from the amount generated in 2013, which was N12.1billion. In 2013, the Command recorded 270 seizures. Comparatively, the seizures recorded in 2014 represent 25 per cent increase over the previous year.”

He added, “The Command is poised in its resolve to continue building on the achievements so far made both in the areas of revenue generation and antismuggling feats. This is expedient especially now that the current Comptroller General, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, has made the Service a place of pride and a force to reckon with in modern day customs world.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 29

Government should consider merger, acquisition among operators â&#x20AC;&#x201D; MTN Group CEO

espite sustained growth of the mobile industry in the SubSaharan Africa, the biggest impact of mobile in the region is yet come even as many rural areas are still underserved. At the GSMA Mobile 360 Series Africa conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, MTN Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, spoke with African Technology Journalists on a number of industry issues. According to him, governments and regulators should consider merger and acquisition activity between operators in the competitive markets. He also said that lower capacity smartphones will become much more affordable and will increase the penetration of the internet. The internet, he said is going to be an important part of the future, even as he urged African governments to push the adoption of the internet as much as possible. Excerpts of the interview:

By EMEKA AGINAM Where we are learly, there has been significant improvement across the board. And it is also an example of an industry or a sector where the policies of different governments, the regulatory implications and also the private sector have actually worked very well in order to achieve this. ICT creates jobs Also we have seen that across the continent, some very strong good companies have developed as a direct result of this industry. And as indicated earlier on, millions of jobs have been created directly and indirectly and it has been major contributor to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coffers across the continent in terms of taxes, levies and duties; So, overall it is quite clear that the mobile industry has been a major success but also a major contributor to the different economies across the continent. Factors that enabled growth in ICT sector If we just look at what can be considered as some of the key factors that have enabled this level of success and i would just summarizes a couple which i think are important or even more important more so as we go forward. The first one is that in nearly every country, all governments have a strong desire to ensure access to affordable communications to their general population and that

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we see across the board. There have been really significant technological improvements all in terms of infrastructure and devices enhancers. Device affordability and availability have also been important as indicated earlier on. Regulatory clarity The importance of regulatory clarity and policy direction cannot be underestimated. For anybody to invest in any environment, they have to have such level of security. Regulators have been very engaging and there has been more developments in terms of capability across the board and that has really helped the industry quite significantly. In the initial stages of the industry, ICT services were just voice and SMS. But today, the internet has become the basis for developing new services, innovations across the board. Where the industry is going Governments and regulators should consider merger and acquisition activity between operators in the competitive markets. There has to be greater clarity on spectrum availability. Affordable 3G enabled smart phones are still needed for digital and financial inclusion in Sub-Sahara Africa. Where there has to be a significant roll-out of 3G, we still face challenges from an affordability point of view. So we really need to look at affordability of 3G or other

Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group President and CEO.

devices that will help improve internet penetration in our markets thereby driving digital and financial inclusion in the continent. If we just also look at the way we are going and what the future is about, it is quite clear that the industry is at the point where we are facing challenges while there are significant opportunities as well. The fact is that across the continent, there is growing middle class with a higher spending power, more expectations with respect to technology and for technology to deliver more is a reality. As technological advances continue, we can expect to have devices with much more capacity and capability and also the infrastructure are able to develop, deliver content at much

African governments should push for the adoption of the internet as much as possible for digital inclusion

higher speed than we could do before. Then mobility has become a way of life. It is not only for the selected few but it will be a way of life for the masses in terms of how significant the number of services that are delivered. Affordability of Smartphone may be a problem today but I am convinced that in the next few years, maybe lower capacity smartphones will become much more affordable and will increase the penetration of the internet. Sustainability critical Another thing that is also important is the industry is sustainable. And industry sustainability would be critical for the ability of our market to be able to take advantage of all these technological advances and developments. More so, to ensure that there is a complete acceptance and integration into the internet world. The industry has to be viable and that is looking at it from a customer perspective,. Government, regulators, policy makers should that the quality of service that is delivered in any part of the continent or in any market is as good as it is in any other market. We need to invest significantly in the markets. Unfortunately, when one looks at the ecosystem as it is today, it is quite clear that unless either consolidation or there is significant changes in terms of cost, there will definitely be some company failure and

therefore i believe that consolidation should be allowed to take place in order to ensure that those failures are not catastrophic but are well managed and the industry is able to be sustainable. Spectrum availability and efficient use Spectrum availability and the efficient use of spectrum is another important part of ensuring that the industry is sustainable. In the voice and SMS phase of our industry, the spectrum requirement is not as significant as what we will need going into the future. And if one studies the broadband policies in most markets its quite clear that the ease is the definite requirement or desire of most governments in the African cities which is experiencing LTE. Universal service fund I think, finally, the effective use of universal service fund to ensure that the areas which would be generally be economical for most operators are not necessarily deprived of the service. There is a significant amount of fund that have been contributed to these service agencies which i believe should be used almost immediately to make sure that we are rolling out into all these areas and that the objective of governments and policy makers is to ensure that the ease and access to broadband services to a significant part of the population is made a reality.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY, Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

Former CNS, A dek eye son’s marital bliss Adek deke .

Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, a former Chief of the Naval Staff, and Alhaji Muhammed Balogun have become in-laws as their children, Oluwakemi Aminat Adekeye and Adeniyi Sefiudeen Balogun, sealed their union at a Nikkai ceremony that held at Lekki Central Mosque. The families entertained their guests later at the Dorchester Event Centre Ikoyi. Photos by Bunmi Azeez

L-R: Admiral Jubril Ayinla (Rtd), Mrs. Jemilat Ayinla and Vivian Dele Ezeoba

Adeniyi Sefiudeen Balogun and his wife, Oluwakemi Aminat, cutting their wedding cake

L-R: Erelu Abiola Dosunmu and Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa.

Justice George Oguntade (Rtd) , chairman of the occasion and his wife, Modupeola.

Lydia Y usuf, Uw emedimo Yusuf, Uwemedimo Essien exchange vows

I L-R: Alhaji Bilikisu Bolaji Balogun, groom's mother. Alhaji Muhammed Balogun, groom's father, Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, bride's father and Hajia Fatimah Adekeye, bride's mother.

n a unique way, the families of Gote Yusuf of Taraba State and Uwemwdimo Bassey Essien of Akwa Ibom State have become one in a holy matrimony,that held at University of Uyo Catholic Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently. In attendance were people from all strata of the society.

L-R: Omoba Kolade Roberts, Maj-Gen. A.A. Salihu and Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, a former Chief of the Defence Staff.

Wedding bell ffor or Salome and Richard

ngineer Richard Osayi and his beau, Awoh Salome Kwenne ended 2014 in style as the couple formalised, their relationship in a holy union. They exchanged the nuptial vows at Redeemed Christian Church of God on December 27, 2014 in Festac Town, Lagos.

The couple: Mr and Mrs Uwemedimo Essien

The couple: Engr. and Mrs Richard Osayi Aigbedo

L-R: Mr Emmanuel Kwenne, bride’s father, Mrs Flora Aigbedo, groom’s mother, the couple, Mr Festus Aigbedo, groom’s father and Mrs Elizabeth Kwenne, bride’s mother.

The couple with the two families.

SUNDAY, Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 31

Senat or Owie’s wif e, Helen, celebrat es 60 Senator wife, celebrates

he family of Senator Roland Owie, last weekend, rolled out the drums to celebrate the mother of the house, Mrs Helen Owie, who turned 60. The day began with a thanksgiving service at St. Albert Catholic Church , University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State and climaxed with a reception at the same venue for top-notched individuals who came to honour the celebrant. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire & Barnabas Uzosike.

A cross section of officiating ministers.

Mrs. Helen Owie (M) flanked by Pastor Powell Ojogor (right) and Chief Pius Sinebe.

R-L: Mrs. Omoregie Toritseju, Mrs. Grace Pemu, celelbrant's mother, Mrs. Eki Ogbeni, Mr. Ogbeni Kingsley, Mr. Owen Owie and Mr. Endurance Owie.

Senator & Mrs. Roland Owie with Mrs. Grace Pemu.

R - L: The celebrant, Mrs. Helen Owie, Senator Roland Owie, Mrs. Victor Ochie and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei.

Elegant Ladies hold Ne wY ear par ty New Year party

embers of the Elegant Ladies Aerobics Club, Anthony Village held their New Year party last weekend in Lagos. Photos by Biodun Ogunleye

Senator Roland Owie with Mr. & Mrs. J.E. Iduozee.

Tay e Obat eru’s son Obateru’s weds

dewale, the first son of Vanguard’s former correspondent in Jos, Taye Obateru, got hooked to his heart-throb, former Miss Oluwafunmilola Anifowoshe, at a colourful ceremony in Lagos.

L-R:Mrs Lesley Ikomi, Mrs Jumoke Ogunyemi, Dr Basirat Giwa, Mrs Ronke Gbenle and Mrs Bose Hastrup

L-R: Hajia Talatu Umar, Dupe Nwadei and Dr Mrs Safiya Yusufu.

L-R: Dr Basirat Giwa, Mrs Bose Hastrup, Ms Shade Coker and Hajia Bolanle Subair.

L-R:Mrs Esther Maduneme, Mrs Sherifat Animasaun, Mr Adewale Adesanya and Mrs Iyabo Olatunji

Mr and Mrs Adewale Obateru

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 33

PAGE 34—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

POLITICS OF POWER AHEAD OF POLLS

Those saying electricity supply has not improved are lying — Nebo

•’Opposition state governments have questions to answer on sabotage’ •Speaks on the problem with Boko Haram, vandals, generator importers •’My home has no generating set’ By OLAYINKA AJAYI Contrary to what many Nigerians, especially those in opposition to the Federal Government, will like others to believe, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Ostadinma, says there is substantial improvement in electricity supply across the country. In this interview, Nebo speaks on what he calls the political dimension to the challenges facing the power sector. Excerpts: Amid the allegations on corruption, vandalism and insecurity rocking our polity, how do you rate power supply nationwide under your watch? The power sector has fared very well under President Jonathan’s administration. He has done so much for the sector. Things that appeared to had been jinxed, he broke them. The whole matter of privatisation is adjudged globally as a very successful exercise. Nigeria has the largest global privatisation utility in the whole world. We got it in one fell swoop, it needed a courageous, determined, articulate and visionary president to bring it to conclusion. In this regard, he performed very well. When you think about the moribund, power development machinery that he met when he came on board, he revived it. And he is bringing it into fusion. For instance the NIPP project is fantastic based on the benefit for Nigeria when it comes on stream. When the project was conceived by the previous administration, nobody thought about where the gas was going to come from. It is President Jonathan that is now working round the clock to ensure that the gas delivery infrastructure is put in place to make sure that all the turbines are fired and can deliver electricity to the country. For the first time, the transmission network of electricity in the country is receiving a robust attention and funding from both national and international agencies to ensure Nigerians get the promise fulfilled of delivery of electricity. Do you think Nigerians have gotten the promise of stable power supply under GEJ’s administration? Many people are receiving much

better power supply than they have ever gotten. To mention some cases, few; there was a time Umuahia was in darkness, the town is presently enjoying steady power supply. Awka used to be a nightmare for several months without power; today Kaduna is getting up to 22/23 hours of power supply on a daily basis. Many parts of Abuja are enjoying steady power supply. But when there is a great need, and you begin to meet the need, it is like trying to nourish a child that is suffering from malnourishment, it definitely takes time for such a child to be healthy. Nigeria has a huge demand for suppressed electricity. In order to meet such demand, you have to multiply the efforts of this administration by four times. Even when you add a thousand mega-watts, it just goes into trickles to people which is the imagery Nigerians don’t realise. When you begin to add it, people get a little at a time but if we decide to concentrate on one particular area, Nigerians will complain of favouritism. So whatever we have, we have to distribute. In the process of distributing, how do you make the whole country feel the impact at the same time in a very short time? But as I speak, many parts of Nigeria are receiving more power supply than they used to. You are aware that the reason we are not doing better now in the capacity we ought to, is basically due to vandalism. Any time we hit 4,500/4,600 maga watts, vandals go to tamper with our facilities. So I ask myself, isn’t this being orchestrated by God knows who? Could it be that some people do not want Nigeria to enjoy constant power supply?

These are issues Nigerians should address. So, yes, Nigeria’s power sector is doing better than before. But, on a contrary, some people in the opposition are of the view that President Jonathan failed to deliver on his promise of 5,000 mega-watt which they claim resulted to a high rate of unemployment among teeming Nigerian youths. What do you make of this? It is absolutely ridiculous! It is untrue and a figment of their imagination. How come most of the intense vandalism we are encountering on electricity facilities are mostly from states where the All Progressive Congress, APC, is in charge?

How come most of the intense vandalism we are encountering on electricity facilities are mostly from states where the All Progressive Congress, APC, is in charge?

I am talking about Rivers State, Lagos State in the eastern and western axis. They know what they are doing. I am not saying they are, but they may be responsible. Because if you look at everything the government has done in respect of power, will you ever think in the past that a government will ever generate power for the rural communities. It is only this administration that sees the possibility of lighting rural communities 24 hours daily that are not connected to the national grid. Young entrepreneurs claim they are yet to feel the impact of this administration on power. What could be the reason behind this? It depends, sometimes perception could be louder than reality. But definitely figures do not lie. If you look at everything with regards to power delivery, every year, we have the record on daily basis the power delivered to Nigerians. Nigeria has never had it this good before. The problem is because we are getting to more rural areas, distributing what we have to larger numbers of communities, so places that have not gotten power before, are beginning to see power coming to them. There is no way we can make Nigerians on the streets realise that power has improved. But go tell the people in Kaduna, Enugu, Awka and some parts of Abuja that power has not improved, then you will be amazed by their response faulting your argument and even

calling you a liar because they know they are enjoying steady power supply than they used to. What about Lagos State being the commercial hub of the nation? There was a time many parts of Lagos were getting two hours of power supply per day, but under Jonathan’s administration, they have gotten more. Apart from the most recent bursting of pipe lines, Lagos has gotten for weeks 1,100 mega-watts dedicated to it alone, which has never happened before. So it baffles me, when people who are beneficiaries of the drastic change in the sector are trying to deny obvious facts on GEJ’s performance in the power sector. And the figures are there to substantiate the rate at which electricity is distributed. With these figures, are you impressed with the rate at which power is being distributed under your watch? I am impressed because of lots of challenges facing the sector. But I am thankful that we have a president that is dogged and has not given up. That is the reason we are looking for alternatives. If you are in the shoes of Mr. President, I don’t know how you will feel when you have power plants, you make sure that infrastructure is being put in place, and each time you get to a certain point, they vandalize the facilities and even when you have not gotten

Continues on page 35

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 35

‘Opposition state govts have questions to answer on power sector sabotage’ your mother has dished on the table for you. We have not only done what they promise the people, we have far exceeded it, and are on the path way of realising far beyond what they say they will do.

• Nebo ... 1,100 megawalts dedicated to Lagos

Continued from Page 34 to that point, they keep vandalizing. To make sure there is no gas, they steal the oil. They sometimes go under the sea to burst the gas line pipes. One of the worst vandalism occurred recently when over two dozen places were vandalized at different pipelines in a stretch. Is that not sabotage! What are they getting from such wicked act? Since they cannot steal the gas, why are they bursting the pipe lines if is not to score political points! Are you of the view that its has political undertone? Then who is doing it. I believe, strongly, that vandalization of the gas pipe lines to power our facility has political undertone! Who is fooling who! Why would people go under the sea in horrible terrain to use highly efficiency dynamite to burst gas pipe lines knowing that you have to spend months to repair the pipe lines? Who could be doing that if it has no political motives or motivations? There must be something to it. Because they are not getting money from it, they are not collecting gas from it or getting any physical benefits, then why are they doing it if not to score political points? I think Nigerians should shine their eyes! There are people who do not want the efforts of Mr. President to be achievable and they want to take power at all costs. God will not allow them. If they are doing this now, to retain power, if they ever get it, they will kill humans being to do so. I don’t think Nigerians are ready for such people. President Jonathan is working seriously, to making sure that the gas pipe line goes up North. But he is being frustrated. If we cannot protect what we have now, how can we take it to far hinterland and be sure that it will not be tampered with? That is why Jonathan is working hard to ensure that fuel diversification is in place for energy generation. Today, coal mining licenses are being issued to companies that demonstrate that the coal they will mine will go to power generation.

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In a couple of months, Jonathan will fire up the first coal mine power generation in Nigeria. We are also increasing the hydros because we cannot afford to put all our eggs in one basket. Gas is the cheapest and the cleanest source of power generation, but if people who hate Nigeria, with the selfish aim of scoring political points will vandalise pipelines, thus robbing themselves and their communities and the entire country the opportunity to enjoy regular power supply, then we have to find a means of not delivering gas through pipe lines. That is the reason we are adding coal and hydros, large, medium and small. Zugeru power project in Niger State was flagged off by Mr. President on May 28, 2013, and will generate 700 mega watts of power when completed. Mambila will generate 3,050 mega watts in Taraba State in a few months time. Kashimbila will be commissioned very soon. When you look at all these, you will realise that the president has performed marvellously in four years than many presidents added together. How many thousands of mega watts is GEJ administration targeting because the main opposition party has vowed to generate 40,000 mega watts if it eventually emerges? Well, it is difficult to say how many this administration is targeting, but for the opposition, I have looked at their manifesto, it is a laughing stock, a target of 40,000 megawatts is not possible. There is nothing much in their manifesto with regards to power and infrastructure. What they said they will do if they eventually come on board, we have not only done it but we have exceeded it. If they want to prove to Nigerians that they will do more, let them tell us how they intend to do it! They are talking of energy mix, we not only talking energy mix, we are already doing energy mix. Its like a mother that goes to the market to buy foodstuff, comes home and prepares a very delicious meal for you, few minutes for her to serve you, somebody out there is now promising to go to the market to prepare what is not even up to what

Is this administration aware that previous administration promised steady power but failed. How soon will Nigerians start benefiting from regular power supply? We are already doing much more than Nigeria had ever done. We have generated much more than Nigeria had ever generated. Even the opposition acknowledged that there is severe vandalism which has made it impossible to generate enough power. You can think of a situation where vandalism cost you 1,200 mega-watt, when its happens like that, how do you improve electricity? You cannot! Now think of the alternatives we are now developing; coal, more hydros, renewable energies. You don’t go to shops to pick these up. They have to be designed, constructed, procured, brought into the country, installed and commissioned. We are already there! One of the coal-fired EPP contract has been awarded. Look at Azura, never have we had such before at that level! 450 mega-watts coming from an IPP. But these things do not happen over night. For instance, look at transmission, the infrastructure was dilapidated, and we never had a national grid. We had radial grid all over. It is under President Jonathan’s administration, we are now transforming radial grid into national grid. It is under this administration that we are getting alternatives to power generation and less collapse of the entire power system in Nigeria is being done. Eventually Nigerians will

President Jonathan is working seriously, to making sure that the gas pipe line goes up North. But he is being frustrated

heave a sigh of relief. But it takes time. Somebody who is making a promise and the other who has put in mechanism in place to realise it, who is better off to deliver to Nigerians? I keep telling people, just to deliver what South is delivering presently per capital, we need 160,000 mega-watts. If you ask top turbine manufacturers in the world, they can not deliver it in five years, it is not possible! Nobody can do it! But a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step and we have actually taken so many steps. We will do what we have promised Nigerians but Nigerians have to cooporate. Not when we do it, you go and vandalize our facilities. You see people cutting down transmission masts, some melt transformers and sell them as scraps. Vandalism of the power sector and the oil and gas pipe lines, no country can be pleased with such challenges. Mr. President is just being attacked from every corner. It is like telling somebody to do something, and you lock him up in room. You cannot destroy everything he is doing and keep complaining that he is not doing more. Vandalism does not do the country any good. I have been to conferences in most parts of the world but yet to see a country where vandal operates to the detriment of the masses. We have enough to generate 5,500 mega watts but where is the gas? Any time we want to shoot over 4500 mega-watt they burst the gas pipe lines. Mr. President realises this and we have decided to put a device in place to track every metre of the pipe line so that when these vandals go near it will stimulate impulses that will scare them away. But it has not happened yet. Currently, we are at the mercy of vandals. We are fighting Boko Haram, vandals and miscreants and sometimes we are fighting importers of generators. What do you make of the dust raised on the 2015 budget in which your ministry and the NNPC are to spend N213 million on fuel and maintenance of plants and generators? We are seriously cutting down on that. As a minister of power I have no generator in my house. I cannot be running on generator and be promising Nigerians regular power supply, it is not possible. But there are times we need to prop up when there is a collapsed system or when there is a significant down turn due to unfavourable weather condition that locks down the system but you can’t just fold your arms and watch. Even in countries like America, France and Germany, they have generators. It is just that they are used for emergency situations. So there is nothing

wrong preparing ahead of emergency situations. But me as an individual, I don’t have generator. Do you think the N213 million is justified for maintenance and fuelling for just one year? It is very justified. That is the reason we want to knock people out of generators, and if vandals will allow us, we will definitely do. When I was a Vice Chancellor, I was spending about N10,000 a day on my generator, which amounted to N300,000 in a month, which is N3.6m in a year. This was on diesel alone not on maintenance. But this budget is both for mentainance and fuelling for two ministries. People sometimes are just in the habit of running down this administration for unknown reasons. And if you are not calculating enough you will tag it as corruption. But the opposition has always tagged such as an act of corruption. The opposition is giving a dog a bad name to destroy it. It was in the previous government that a special assistant to an official actually made trillions of naira. Think of an issue such as corruption; recently the presidential candidate of APC, facts are coming out. N25billion was corruptly siphoned out of the country’s treasury when he was heading the PTF; at that time, naira was superior to the dollar. N25billion will approximately be equivalent to about $32billion. Convert $32billion of that time to the value now, you will be amazed. Then tell me who is corrupt? The problem is that Nigerians are not ready to intellectually analyse issues. Is certificate racket not corruption? The President Jonathan that I know will never endorse corruption. He has been tested and proven as outstanding compared to others. The person that wants to take over, during his military reign, he did not rule the country, the late Gen. Idiagbon was the one making the marks and everybody knows that. What capacity did he have 30years ago that he still possesses now, because he has not improved himself. So what is he going to deliver to the country. Even at PTF, he also allowed his subordinate to run things. My fear is the West sees Nigeria on a trajectory, and the West knows that if Nigeria’s economy continues to move at that trajectory, if we deliver power to Nigeria and our industries grow parallel to the trajectory, they will see our country moving and we will eventually become a world power and they do not want to see a super power in Africa. Unfortunately most Nigerians do not realise this. If not, why are they opposing us? The World Economic Forum was held in Nigeria, which has the next highest attendance and it was not even mentioned on cable network like CNN. BBC just brushed it briefly and their focus was more on Boko Haram. What are they trying to portray about us as a nation? Our people are yet to realise it? And it does not matter whom they want to use in achieving that. The opposition elements are only being used to pull Nigeria backward. What do you think is the way forward for Nigeria? President Jonathan has performed creditably well in various sectors like power, railway, air and sea ports, agriculture. It is time to allow him to complete what he started because he knows the way through this puddle and wilderness of confusion. He has been able to put this country together, let not play with fire, let massively support the president.

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SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

on West Ehioge-Idahosa is the only Edo politician who has served a third term in the House of Representatives. He served between 1999-2011 for Ovia Federal Constituency of the state. The lawyer joined his bosom friend, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP last year. But events that occurred during the just concluded senatorial primaries of the PDP in the state, where he contested for the Edo South ticket of the PDP, have enveloped him in grief. His 31-year-old nephew, Pere, was murdered by suspected assassins 48 hours before the senatorial primaries. Pere was returning from the bank where he went to withdraw money to enable his uncle prepare for the primary election when agents of death not only shot him but also butchered his body with axe. The attackers also killed the police orderly with him carting away the money with him. In this interview, West-Idahosa laments his ordeal and also hints that his days in the PDP may be numbered. He accuses critics of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of being economical with the truth, just as he declares that the governor has done well for Edo people. He predicts a tight race in the forthcoming presidential election, noting however that the alleged high level of corruption in government and Boko Haram insurgency will militate against President Jonathan’s second term ambition, while Gen.Muhammadu Buhari’s uprightness and boldness may give him victory. Excerpts: What happened in the senatorial primary which you lost and also lost your nephew? You know that I am a natural progressive whether in the PDP or wherever I operate. So in coming to run for the Senate in the PDP, I was convinced that, at that time, I had a good opportunity to win that ticket. And the leadership of that party gave me the impression that there will be a level-playing field. So we set up our famous organization, The New Deal, and began to work. And it did appear that the leadership was no longer comfortable with the ascendancy that we were gaining. But the surprising thing is that no one called me to say they had predetermined candidates. So we were amazed that a few days before the end of November, they began to send words round that they had an anointed candidate and that no one should vote for me. I was surprised because at this time I had spent enough money obtaining the nomination form, I had been spending money moving around, appointing coordinators and mobilizing people all over the place. By the beginning of December 2014, it was obvious to every one that I was the candidate to beat. On December 3, 2014, my nephew who was also my Director of Finance and Chief Strategist, was asked to provide some funds for the campaign as part of our final preparation for the primary. He never returned from the bank as we all now know; about a hundred meters from my house, he was attacked by, in quote, armed robbers. He was killed in a very cruel manner together with

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It will be fight to the finish – Hon. West Idahosa • Says the 2011 scenario significantly altered •’ How they brutally murdered my niece over my senatorial bid’ • Speaks on Oshiomhole’s giant strides the police escort that was with him. Many stories have been told in the public but I believe the police are working on it. As you do know, that robbery or probably assassination as many people believe coming three four days to the primary indeed damaged our psyche and seriously affected our mental preparedness to finish this race. Our camp, particularly my family, was in sorrow and tears. So we were surprised that at the primary on December 7, we still managed to secure about 103 votes. In order words, our camp lost the primary with about 24 votes despite the predicament we suffered and the gang up in the party. What it means is that we strongly believe that were it not for the predicament we suffered, the gang up may not have been able to stop us. When you gang up against veterans like us we, will smash the gang up. It is that we were hit below the belt by the possible assassination of my boy and the race lost momentum and the vigour to finish. We are down but we are not out, we leave the rest to God and we hope that as long as we are alive, we will continue to serve our country in whatever capacity we are called up on to do so. Killing my nephew When the post-mortem result came out, we found that he did not even die from bullet shot, he died from battle axes, jack knife and the rest of them: A very unusual way for armed robbers to operate. To that extent, we began to suspect if this was just robbery or assassination. Don’t also forget that after his death on December 6, my convoy was attacked along Plymouth Road, Benin City. But for the alertness of the armed men in my company, who knows what would have happened. Then on December 7, at about 2am, they went to my Abuja office and damaged the entrance to my office smashing the glass windows and the glass door. We don’t know what is going on but we are confident that the police will take this as a challenge and help us resolve these issues. And we ask the Nigerian people to support our call for justice. We are worried that 2015, we should not really be where we are in terms of the security situation in the country, when somebody can leave his house at 10am and may never return for ever.

•Hon West Ehioge

Regrets When I was in the APC briefly as a progressive, one of the reasons I left the PDP at the time was that I complained that there was always this interference in the electoral process. I got tired of the domination of a clique, of a group of people. But the approached me reassuring me that they had been reformed, that there was a new PDP. For instance they said the Edo South had gotten autonomy. After much persuasion, I said, I was going to give it a thought. I was thinking that the joker that made me to leave the place was when my good friend Pastor Ize-Iyamu was short changed, as he claimed, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area, he probably did not get the structures he needed. Even though now I know better. For me in Ovia South West where I come from, everything went well, I really had no grievances at that time. But you know in politics , there will always be alliances and being a child hood friend of Ize-Iyamu at that time I solidarized with him since PDP was also giving assurances that I was going to move with him to the PDP. Then we went to PDP but not only did I lose my most precious nephew, my dependable ally, we lost a primary that the process was flawed and, of course, we won sorry and tears. It is a bitter experience for us, it is part of life but we can only hope that the 2015 elections will be a sign post for the real change in this country so that people can be sure that their lives are worth God’s creation. You want to leave your house at 10am as my brother my nephew left, and never returned forever just because government failed to do its job. Since this incident we have still not really

Then we went to PDP but not only did I lose my most precious nephew, my dependable ally, we lost a primary that the process was flawed and, of course, we won sorry and tears been able to make head way. But I am committed to justice to my nephew who was brutally murdered, we hope that justice will be done. Any plans to dump the PDP Politics is dynamic. I am never afraid to state that in Nigeria’s pseudo, democracy, nothing is static, but there is no question that a man who lost his nephew and who suspects that his nephew was killed in the process of a primary election will be quite difficult to persuade to remain in the same platform, quite difficult. I am aware that a number of PDP stalwarts have come to make a case here, but thankfully they have not been able to answer some of the questions I normally ask them. I am also aware that a number of APC

stalwarts are talking to me, I am only waiting for my Campaign Organization, The New Deal, to make the decision soon. I understand that The New Deal will be having a meeting on Wednesday or Thursday to brainstorm. And as a leader who respects the wishes of my followership, I will patiently wait for that decision. If you ask my opinion as West Idahosa I will say ‘leave the arena and go back to practice’. But man is a political animal, you must also be seen as not only supporting yourself but also supporting your supporters. Chances of Edo PDP/APC in 2015 elections Well there is no question whether the governor has performed even though you want to deny the governor of some credit because he is in the APC while I am in the PDP, but conscience will not allow you to completely deny him the credit. When you fly into Benin for example, and take an aerial look of Benin, you will see what it used to be and what it is today. When you go out of Benin and go to the local governments and you see what has been done there, you cannot in your quiet moment appreciate him. I have been tempted to deny him some credit myself especially when I got angry and left the APC for the PDP. Each time I see primary schools in the rural areas, each time I see his machines working on infrastructures, I always tell my self notwithstanding the difference in platform, this man is doing well. No man is God, no man is perfect, many will accuse him of taking some erratic

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SUND AY SUNDA

Continued from page 36 decision, but for a comrade, a mobilizer, somebody who gave all his life from the Aluta back ground, you must allow some excesses to be excused on his part. But in terms of focus on government, I will say that infrastructurally, he has done well. Again in terms of cutting areas of waste, he has also done well. Again whether you hate him or not in terms of improving on our internally generated revenue, he has also done very well. He has blocked the leakages and up graded the intake because we know what we were getting before, we know where we are now. And we hope that if somebody else were to continue in his stead and do exactly these things and even improve on them, in another eight years, you will not say the state has not made progress. You spent 12 years in the House of Representatives and worked closely with President Olusegun Obasanjo. How would you compare the National Assembly/ Presidency relationship and what you see today? In those days, we had the luck of having a couple of people in our midst who were serious about the job we were elected to do. And don’t forget that we served under a very strong president like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who had several plans laid on the table of the parliament, so we always had what to do. We disagreed on a number of issues but most times we agreed on nationalistic issues and, if you ask me, I will say that parliament was generally more focused at that time and I am hoping that the 2015elections will be key in helping to select eminently qualified persons with suitable experience to operate as legislators. I think on the whole we had a good time, we made far reaching policies. For example, this NNPC Mega Station policy was conceived by the House Committee on Petroleum Resources chaired by me at that time. The Gelegele Port was a project we were able to put as an item in the budget from the Ministry of the Niger Delta. So we had the vision, we wanted to do something but we could not do every thing at the same time. I think those steps taken at that time can be consolidated by the new crop of legislators seeking to come into the arena in 2015. And the electorate needs to hold that in microscope and view them carefully so that you don’t elect occupationists who just sit on the chair without utilizing these chairs. There was a time we drew up impeachable offences against Obasanjo. I was in that committee at that time. We said we were going to impeach Obasanjo because we thought he was overbearing and he had no respect for the rule of law. But I think that was largely in his first tenure, but looking back, one will say he was just exhibiting his military image at that time. Subsequently, he became more cooperative and began to be truly democratic. I know that at that time Obasanjo began to lobby legislators to get his bills passed and to get his policies approved. I have no doubt in my mind that if there was one president that fought corruption in this country, it was Olusegun Obasanjo. Let me give you an example, it was difficult to find a member of parliament between 1999 and 2007 negotiating with a Minister or head of parastatal for any reason

to get some level of benefit in order for him to get his budget passed. There was this feeling that the EFCC was all over the place. There was this feeling that you may even and up in jail; remember former Senate President Wabara was arraigned in court, several committee chairmen were arraigned in court. The impression we had was that no man was above the law. I remember, there was a day Nuhu Ribadu called me to say he was coming to see me in my Gwarinpa House, I could not sleep. I began to think about my role in the House. I had to x-tray my salaries and allowances. Luckily for me, I was not a principal officer, I had no approving power. I could not think of what I could have done. When Ribadu finally came, he had only come to ask me if I had a puppy because at that time I was breeding dog. I am trying to tell you the kind of thing that we went through. And that is why sleaze at that time was very low. But after that, I later find out that law makers will openly negotiate with Ministers. Obasanjo may have his own weaknesses but you cannot undermine his very strong side as president. Since he left office Baba has continued to make strong statement, some of them may be supported by personal information known to him, some may be based on the environmental system going on today. However, I think that what is significant for the country at this time is to elect a strong leader because what we are lacking is strong leadership and that was why I gave you example of the Obasanjo administration. There was a time in this country that Baba had to do what was strong, when they started killing his policemen, he took a strong step in Odi, he was criticised. But I can recall that through out his tenure that never happened again. When they messed up in Zak Ibiam, he took a strong step and every one criticised him, but again under him the government did not accommodate this kind of shenanigans where a group of people will take over some portion of the country, hoist their flag and kill our soldiers. So I think we need a strong leader and I think it must be the key issue in the 2015 elections. Nigerians must look at the calibre of those aspiring to lead them. They must look at their pedigree, their history and make the right choice for the country. Don’t vote for yourself, vote for Nigeria. Let us vote to keep Nigeria together and vote to make our country respected in the comity of nations. Buhari/Jonathan I think it is going to be a tough contest because if you look at the balance of electoral power, you will see that the voting profile of 2011 is looking likely to be significantly altered. I am aware that the president won the South-West with a difference of about 2.5million. Then I also know that he won the South-South with a margin of about 4.4million. And then he won the South-East with a margin of about 4.5million, that was probably where he got the difference of about over 12million from the same challenger, Gen.Buhari. But if you look at the way things are going now in 2015, it is clear now that the president may not be able to get that margin in the South-West. In Lagos State alone, he got over one million difference, I think that was due to a clear understanding between the old ACN and the PDP because, at that

Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 37

•Hon West Ehioge

‘They brutally murdered my niece over my senatorial bid’ I think it is going to be a tough contest because if you look at the balance of electoral power, you will see that the voting profile of 2011 is looking likely to be significantly altered time, they knew they had no chance at all and it was not likely that their candidate Nuhu Ribadu may have been able to do significantly well in the North. I think political exigency and expediency may have led to some horse trading; whether we like it or not, that happened and that cooperation was evident. Even in Edo State, where, for example, the president polled over 500,000 votes, he scored about 87.9 per cent of the

votes cast in the state. But if you look at the scenario on ground today, we don’t see that kind of cooperation, it is going to be a fight to the finish. So that is why I say the calculations have been significantly altered. If you look at the South-East for example, like Imo where the president got his highest votes, he secured 1.4million there to Buhari’s 9,000 or 10,000, you will see that that state is being controlled by the APC now and by a very rugged governor. So even if he wins that state but with a very small margin, that again will be a loss of ground for him. Now if you compare the situation in the northern states then as compared to what it is today, it is tighter for the president. That time the president had serious northern supporters who were coming out to openly canvass for him, but now we are not seeing many of such person coming out to chest out. And from what we are seeing, even more northern states are in the opposition like Sokoto and Kano. When you have a governorship candidate like Tambuwal, it means the margin of loss for the president in Sokoto will be much. My prediction is that it is going to be a tight contest, the odds are likely against the president. How will you sincerely rate President Jonathan’s performance in six years. Do you think he deserves to even run for second term?

Well whether you like him or hate him, there are areas which the president may have made some marks. For example, infrastructurally, we have seen some progress in the aviation sector, for the first time we are seeing the government trying to do something new in that sector. But not so in the manufacturing industry which is the key to the economy. So when I hear talks about large economies with impoverished people, I always laugh because large economies always have a corresponding impact on the people to earn a living. It is now not in the court of Jonathan of Buhari to tell Nigerians what they want, it is in the court of Nigerians to mould the future that they deserve. It is now left for them to x-tray the nation’s woes. But one minus for the president is that there has been so much allegation of corruption and depletion of the foreign reserve. This is not come thing that is encouraging. The second minus is that they has been so much incompetence around him. The third minus for the President is that he has not had enough courage to make the right changes appropriately. For Buhari, one plus for him is that he is regarded to have enough courage to make significant policy changes and he is regarded to having enough courage to implement the laws of this country. But two fears, many wonder whether if he has completely been able to democratize himself. Can he cope with the manipulations, horse trading in a democratic set up?

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By AZU AKANWA Tony Nnadi is the Secretary of Lower Niger Congress (LNC), a group working to have Nigeria restructured. He holds the view that Nigeria has been run into a cul-de-sac by the insincerity of its leaders from certain sections of country. In this interview, he says holding elections in Nigeria at the moment, without resolving the issue of the country’s ‘illegitimate’ Constitution, would amount to courting violent disintegration.

n several places that I have heard you speak, you seem to give the impression that the Nigerian constitution is the problem of the country. Why is this so? In recent MNN Bulletins, we have taken the trouble to tell the whole world why we would rather dissolve the Nigerian union than remain in enslavement in it. It is the same reason for which Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others insisted that the apartheid constitution in South Africa could no longer be the basis for the governance of that country. Likewise, we are saying that this Constitution that is a product of imposition and force can no longer be the basis of Nigerian union. And if we are not discussing to come to an agreement; to come to a consensus in place of force, in place of imposition, we would rather dismantle the monstrous enterprise they call Nigeria. How easy do you think that would be? The thing has already divided itself; the 12 states that passed Sharia law have already opted out of the Nigerian union. Boko Haram was merely an enforcement arm. The Yoruba west is a cohesive bloc that could be a country of 55 million people. We saw them saying clearly when the conference was on that “either we go back to regional autonomy” or they would pull out of Nigeria. Those who said it have the capacity to take themselves out of the failed union of Nigeria, because the single thing that ties the people into place today is this Constitution. To the extent that it lied in its preamble that we the people have agreed to live by it, to that extent, the Nigerian title document is bad beyond redemption. We have waited since 1967 to conclude the discussions that began in Aburi, for us to recommit to Nigeria. But they say over their dead bodies. They say they are born to rule the rest of us. That is why if we do not come to that agreement; to that recommitment, we will immediately take steps to retrieve our various portions. In the eastern side, we call it the Lower Niger. You saw when the Ijaw people came with the map of 1885 before Okurounmu Committee, which showed the territory we now called the SouthEast and South-South together as one territory now. It will be a country of about 70 million people. That is the Lower Niger. Of course the Middle-Belt, that has been playing the role of willing tools and attack dogs, are now on the front line of being beheaded in the name of Sharia. They are not Muslims and they have said it that they would rather leave the union if the Nigerian

Nigeriais is Nigeria repeatingthe the repeating mistakesof of mistakes 1964/65 1964/65 – Nnadi Tony Nnadi.....The 12 states that passed Sharia law have already opted out of the Nigerian union union is what will compel them to remain the sacrificial lamb to be killed at will. Of course in that formation where you see the map of Nigeria that is broken into four, the caliphate is already in place with people shooting and pretending to be fighting terror in the place, the matter is simple: the northern political leadership were clear in what their mission is. Now Boko Haram has come to enforce their threat of making the place ungovernable. We must remember that the enforcement of making the country ungovernable started on the day of election when corps members were killed. From there they marched on to a police station, burnt it down; they marched on to army barrack, and then the franchise became more and more popular all over. Looking at what is going on in Iraq today – ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Levant), what is their mission? It is to establish a caliphate. You saw all the bulletins that Boko Haram gave. The matter is simple. They want to Islamize Nigeria. Look at their method, how is it different from the one we watch on CNN from ISIL? They behead people and do all kinds of things that are not different. Many people will not agree with you on that Boko Haram is abducting girls for sale, and if anybody is thinking that Boko Haram fell from the sky, no! It was 12 states that passed Sharia law. Remember that their champion at that time was Sani Yerima, who is now a senator. He was chopping off people’s hands as governor of Zamfara State. Today, Shekau is blowing off people’s heads. What’s the difference? To that extent, they have a right to self-determination in that territory to go and do their Sharia since democracy is what offends them. In the same vein, we also have a right to live by ourselves. They have made the Nigerian union impossible. If we make the mistake of proceeding into an

election, they don’t need to win that election in order to bring the sort of violence they had in mind in the threat of “ungovernable” and the blood of baboons mixing with that of dogs. But All Progressives Congress (APC) that Muhammadu Buhari is flying its flag insists that elections must hold It may look like APC to you, it does not look like APC to me. It is a determined march toward imposing authoritarianism in the land, which would lead to the extermination of one part of the contraption. Our answer to all of it is that the dissolution of the union is what we prefer at this time. If since 1967 till date, we cannot go to regional autonomy which has been the demand, because even the MEND is all about regional autonomy – to recognise your land as your own – which the Constitution today forbids. They say my land belongs to a man in Kano who is not willing

They have a right to self-determination in that territory to go and do their Sharia since democracy is what offends them. In the same vein, we also have a right to live by ourselves. They have made the Nigerian union impossible

to come to discussion with me. It is our proposal; we are going to pursue it because we have a right under the United Nations instrument governing the situation. You saw Scotland go through referendum the other day. People have made Constitutions for the three territories that are not Sharia. In the eastern side, those six languages there have made their Constitutions – the Ijaw, the Itshekiri, the Urhobo, the Annang, the Efik, the Igbo – as we were in the 60s when Eyo Ita led his party to victory in Eastern Nigeria. Then the Middle-Belt. With the Yoruba bloc and the Lower Niger taken out, it is all the balance of the country minus the Sharia states, but including the borderline cases of southern Kaduna and others. The people who are going to make it happen in their territories are going to insist on their right of self-determination. Nobody is going to keep them by force in the union of Nigeria, election or no election. But President Goodluck Jonathan instituted a National Conference. Is that not enough? Of course, Mr. President understood what the problem was because he knew how the presentations were made for there to be a conference. Then he told them in writing at the time of convening that the conference was designed to realistically examine and genuinely resolve the long-standing impediments to our cohesion as a united country. If you read the speech by which he inaugurated the Okurounmu committee, you will see it. So, we have a situation in which the President was clear to them that it is a matter of how we live together that was going to be discussed on the floor of the Conference. What was the first decision on the floor of the Conference? The same elements from that part of the country, the North, working with their allies, decided that the matter of our unity was not to be discussed at

the conference. Bottomline, nothing has been discussed. Therefore, we are saying that we are not going to fold our arms and watch those who have not discussed how we want to live together, how education and healthcare can get to the people, just in an attempt to go to hold the head of the knife, drag us into the situation we saw in 1964/65, that became 1966 and therefore 1967 to 1970, where more than three million got killed. If we go into this election, we are thinking that up to 10 million would have been buried before we go back to what we would have done in the first instance. We are going to confront the politicians. We are already mobilising for massive civil disobedience if they insist in going for elections because we are rejecting that Constitution. We are not looking at who the winner or who the candidate is. We are looking at what instrument they will use to govern because that is the job description of the government. There is this argument in some quarters that Nigeria has been a terrorist state since the 70s, which was stopped in a way with the coming of Jonathan as President, and pushed terrorist elements out of governance. Do you agree with that assertion? Well, to the extent that anybody who saying it and taking it only from 1970 may have his own reasons may be when he became aware of it. But I can tell you from the documents we have that it was created to be so from 1914, when the British lumped together various territories they had conquered, albeit under the pretence of treaties. You know they were doing things by force, but would come later and bring their documents for you to sign when you are not in a position to refuse. So, by a combination of brute force and guile, they were able to secure a vast swat of territories which theyin 1914 called Nigeria.

Continues on page 41

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 39

APC’s promise of social welfare scheme not achievable — Udechukwu, TAN’s scribe BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU Mr. Christain Udechukwu is a financial expert and MD/CEO of Business in Africa Event based in the United Kingdom. He represented Nigerians in Diaspora from the UK at the National Conference held in Abuja. At the moment, he is the Head, Media and Public Communications for Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, a political advocacy group canvassing for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. In this interview, he, amongst other issues, says the opposition party’s pledge of social welfare scheme is deceptive. Excerpts.

ow do you assess the activities of TAN in re lation to the ongoing campaign for re-election by President Jonathan? I think the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria as a nongovernmental political advocacy group was a trail- blazer for the presidential campaigns in 2015. What it did significantly was that while the landscape was very quiet, and except for the critics and the opposition which lampooned and lambasted the president and did everything they could to discredit both the office of the president and the president himself, it was TAN that stood in the gap by not only advocating what the president had achieved but also what he’s working on and he intends to do with his second mandate. The opposition has alleged that most of the people in TAN are people who embezzled the fuel subsidy money. How true is this? There is no validity to the claim. I think that matter has gone through the court. It has been investigated by the agencies charged with the responsibility and, at the end of it, the verdict was one of acquittal. So, there is no validity to the claim and the records are there in the public space and if anybody was in doubt, they are quite welcome to check the public records. The country, no doubt, is currently in economic and political turmoil. Many are quick to attribute that to the incompetence of the government, saying President Jonathan has failed. In the face of all these, do you think Mr. President deserves another term in office? The word “failure” does not apply to Mr. President. Besides perhaps the first generation leaders in Nigeria, there is no one who has done as much as Jonathan has to advance the common cause. This president is the one that has built more schools, more universities, Almajiri schools far more than any other leader in the history of this country. But that is the fact that is very much understated and has not been quite publicly acknowledged as much as it should. Secondly is that he has also modernised infrastructure far than what his predecessors did. Anybody driving around the country would acknowledge that the road infrastructure, the road networks are far better than they have ever been. The airports are more convenient, more user friendly than they have ever been. These are facts that every Nige-

rian experiences everyday and nobody can take that away. People may want to deny it or try and should I say understated but the fact is that the infrastructure in this country has never been better. We had a period of over 30 years when a group of soldiers who were friends were competing over who was going to lead at every point in time and they held back the development of this country and didn’t invest in infrastructure, and so the investment that people are currently experiencing are a matter that picked up momentum in the last 16 years of democratic governance because the soldiers barely allowed one project that their predecessors had begun to complete before they shot their way back in again. Most people believe that the devaluation of Naira is a minus to this current administration and the dwindling economy we have at the moment. As a financial expert, what would you say the development means to the government of the day? The marginal devaluation that we have experienced is not to be compared to the beating that the Naira took in the 80s when it lost over 2,500% in value within a very short space of time and most people could barely determine for themselves what their currency was going to buy from one day to the other. So we have a period of relative stability in the value of the currency, and where the commodity that supports the basis of the economy is not experiencing a decline in global prices, it’s necessary to allow the currency to adjust naturally to the realities of the global market as opposed to using our own national finances to try and prop-up a value that is not backed up by the realities of the economy. One area that the President has received severe bashing from the opposition and which TAN as a body has not seemed to have addressed properly is the anti-corruption fight. Insecurity too. What do you say? I will address the two issues you raised one after the other. The first is on corruption, I would believe that the current government has done a whole lot to stem corruption. What it hasn’t done is arrest people and parade them in the front of television and create drama and so on. The previous governments before this one that arrested many people, paraded them before television, wasted a lot of public funds did not jail anybody. Indeed what they did was more of show than any substantive prosecution of corruption. I want you to tell me really most of the so-called opposition critics that have been criticising this government about corruption. Look at the records of some of them, you will find out that they were the same people who at one point or the other were chased by the anti-corruption agencies and at the end of it, nothing came of it. So the fact that they expect the president to repeat the same drama and he has not done that does not mean that he has not been fighting corruption as he should. Part of what has been happening really is that the government has been systematically digitizing records and changing processes and proce-

Mr. Christain Udechukwu....The opposition is deceiving the public dures for payments and the disbursement of funds. For the umpteenth time, the Ministry of Finance increasingly publishes more and more financial data on funds allocated to local governments, state governments and what the federal government is doing with the funds that are available to it. On a different level, they are also digitizing payrolls because ghost workers is one way by which millions of resources are frittered away without proper accounting. So the government is doing more below the radar than spending money buying media airtime and paying lawyers just to dramatize that they have arrested this governor, or this person or that person at the end of it, nothing comes of it. On the issue of security, even the presidential candidate of the opposition has acknowledged that the security system especially the army has been systematically weakened since the 1980s. In his words, there was a consensus that the strength of the mili-

The previous governments before this one that arrested many people, paraded them before television, wasted a lot of public funds did not jail anybody. Indeed what they did was more of show than any substantive prosecution of corruption

tary is not suitable for the sustainability of democracy. Therefore, as a result of that consensus, the military was systematically decapitated by successive governments. Before now, we had various governments sacking the most highly qualified, the most well trained military officers of various ranks. In an interview which General Buhari granted he was asked bluntly that it has been alleged that most of the weapons owned by the military were given away to other African countries in order to ensure that our military did not have the capacity to carry out coups. Why the intent may have been positive at a time, what that has done is that it weakened the military’s capacity to deal with today’s insurgency, but that is not to say that we still don’t have a fighting force. I think most of what is going on against the military and the security agencies have to do with psychological warefare and physical welfare because its difficult to understand why a nation that is under threat from insurgency when both the opposition and government should come together like it is done in most civilised countries to fight the insurgency have people on one side praising the insurgents, as being more sophisticated, more armed than the army and at the same time saying it is ok for soldiers to disobey orders. I don’t know any fighting force anywhere in the world where any man who is signed up as a soldier will refuse to obey orders. Now, we have the opposition arguing that it is OK for soldiers to disobey orders. If soldiers are now authorized to disobey orders, we may end up not having an army because every man grows up having the choice of profession. When you sign up to be a soldier, you are essentially dedicating your life to protect and serve the nation. That is why man and woman everywhere respect and adore soldiers. What do you make of the criticism by former President Obasanjo that Nigeria’s foreign reserves are depleted? The issue of the reserves has been very appropriately, I mean the accusation of the use of N55billion that accrued to the current government addressed by the Minister of Finance, Dr.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who recently put out a publication to address those key issues and it’s a matter of public records. What is happening now is that we are facing a total different economic situation with the global oil prices declining and that has affected not just the economy of Nigeria and the reserves of Nigeria, it has affected the reserves of Russia, Suadi Arabia and all other oil producing countries. It is a global phenomenon. It is a cheap shot to say that the president is depleting the resources because we have to invest for tomorrow and you cannot be saving money when your people are starving. You have to use money to be able to provide for today while at the same time being able to save sufficiently to ensure that there is still something left for tomorrow. Compare what we have today to some of the new policies being canvassed by the opposition to introduce a welfare scheme that guarantees payment to all manner of people. That would have been a very sensible argument to make, if the oil prices are over $100 and still rising, but if you now have a situation where the resources available to government is dwindling because of the over reliance on oil and the sustained diversification policy which this government has pursued but which will begin to yield results more effectively as from this 2015, then you begin to find out that it is not a responsible policy to promise people that you are going to give them free money without accounting for how you are going to fund that policy. How are you going to fund the welfare scheme when societies in Europe that used to have welfare schemes are cutting them back and eliminating them because it is no longer feasible to pursue such policies at this time? They want to deceive the public. The opposition is deceiving the public by saying they are going to introduce a welfare scheme. They can’t fund it. Do you share the fears expressed in certain quarters that the elections we are going into would be violent, and perhaps, lead to the disintegration of the country? Well, the issue of the threat of violence in the upcoming elections has been coming from just one quarter. The president has not made any statement to that effect. INEC has not made any statement to that effect. It is the opposition party and its leadership and the current candidates who have made threats about the possibility and prospect of violence. So it is difficult to rationalize such a projection because it has built tension in the system. It is frightening investors. It is frightening ordinary Nigerians. It is even frightening those who are supposed to vote. Now I think it is almost irrational for the party that expects to be voted for to threaten to generate violence against those who did not vote for them if they don’t win the election. The president has cautioned all the people involved: his party members and non-governmental organizations, not to threaten anybody, not to be aggressive in campaigning, not to be violent in their conduct but to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

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BY PATRICK DELE-COLE

have read the Quran over seven times, page by page. As I have been at pains to point out education is universal and every culture, religion, group contributes to its gigantic trough. Islam, the Arabs, shintos, Confucius have done their bit by contributing their wisdom into this pot. I do not claim to be an Islamic scholar and my piece was not about the doctrines of Islam. It was about world politics which I know many Islamists are unable to differentiate from Islamic ideology. This is not about a doctrinaire commitment to one religion or the other or to the West as I have been condemned to be. The Pope has his problems and good luck to him. There are 28 wars in the world today. 26 are or concern Islam, or Islamists – either the Islamists are persecuted or there must be another explanation for there to be so many wars in Islamic areas. In any case the question of persecution cannot arise as most of these wars are in Islamic countries where one group of Moslems are trying to wipe out another group. Some accuse me of not understanding Islam, having a little knowledge of the religion, of not reading the commentaries as well as the doctrines as contained in the Koran. I am the first to accept that I learn every day even from the misguided personal attacks or apologists for a failure of an otherwise powerful tonic of human and heavenly endeaveour – Islam. I have never praised the West or Christianity. The failure of Christianity and the West in several theatres of human endeavour is self evident. If the conquistadors were blood thirsty and bestial, that is not an attribute of Christianity, it was a human failure and tragedy, and strongly condemnable. If a group of hoodlums, without any human conscience, could seize 276 girls at a school in Chibok in the name of Islam, all those who profess that religion have one of two options – dissociate Islam from that action or, by their silence, acquiesce that the religion actually supports violence against such soft targets. It is the silence of a majority of Moslems that leads to the conclusion or to the suspicion that they deep down believe these unwarranted bestial attacks of innocents are justifiable. The commandment of God, Allah, is “thou shall not kill”. In his commandment, there are no if or buts. If a Moslem in the name of the religion beheads Sergeant Rigby, even if obviously both perverts are descended from Nigerian parentage, there is nothing but condemnation for detractors argument is their act. that you cannot judge The reality of what faces us is Islam by the action of clear- the majority of those the “extremists”, I killed by Moslems are their have no argument fellow Moslems in Syria, in against that. But Iraq, in Pakistan. If the when extremists are Taliban in the name of some allowed to rule whole perversion of Islam, can go to a countries, imposing school and kill 145 Moslem inhuman treatment on Pakistani school children, the all dissenters, then answer to their evil is an earth true Moslems must shattering: “No, you are evil”. not only condemn If one Moslem, in the name of such actions, they this same perversion of Islam, themselves must take can in Sydney, Australia, hold action against their own Rwandan genocide. In Iraq, 17 people hostage and display extremists. the ISIS was asking people to a sign of Islam in his demented There have been many quote verses in the Quran and action, I do not need my good killings in the U.S. by obviously failure to do so meant death. Islamic friends consent to point mad people in schools, in Someone has whispered to out unadulterated evil where it cinemas, etc. No one of good me that the bombings in the US is so glaring. If Hitler killed six conscience has ever had and in Europe –rail stations, million Jews in an attempt to anything to say but to underground transports – wipe out the Jewish race, he condemn the actions of these were strategic or tactical committed genocide and war mad men. If those who killed manoeuvres – in a war not crimes. No none would call Sergeant Rigby by butchering dissimilar to the ones used what he did Christian: he him to death in the streets of against the British by the IRA may have been a Catholic but London are condemned as (the Irish Republican Army) in his religion did not encourage despicable unhinged Moslems, its war of independence, or his atrocity. The allies who I have no problem with that. indeed by sympathizers of fought Hitler were also But to accuse me of lack of the allies in the underground Christians but they did not go sympathy or understanding of movements attempting to to war in the name of Islam because I bemoan tumble the German forces in Christianity. It seems actions perperpetrated in the France and elsewhere during incredibly puerile to even name of Islam by radicalized the Second World War. But discuss Hitler’s evil in the Islamists is to be blinded by what demented radicalized name of any religion. So the the proverbial beam in one’s Moslems have done far atomic bomb on Nagasaki and eyes. (Remove the beam outstrips consideration of Hiroshima were Christian from your eyes before you can strategy or tactics. What bombs!! Incredible!!! see clearly to remove the strategy do you have to kill The holy book of Quran has mucus in your neighbour’s children and women? Is it to plenty to attract people of all eye). strengthen the resolve of the faiths. What has gone wrong rest of Islam? The children in is that people, radicalized, by Human cruelty Pakistan were killed by seven commentaries on the Quran, in Radical Islamists, in their suicide bombers who went into the name of Islam, are killing misguided mission, seized the school to unleash mayhem. themselves and children. seven planes; deliberately When people talk about Islamic states are refusing to crashed them in the Pentagon, tactics and strategy – they in allow Moslem women marry World Trade Centre, etc. The fact mean that whatever they non-Muslims; sometimes the killing of thousands of have done could be justified parents of such women have people remain an act of by claiming that they engage killed the women rather than unmatched human cruelty the attention of the enemy. allow such marriage. If my exceeded only by Hitler and Islam now fully has the

•Dr Dele Cole

Islam and the threat to peace, the second coming attention of the world. What does Islam want???

There are 28 wars in the world today, 26 are or concern Islam, or Islamists – either the Islamists are persecuted or there must be another explanation for there to be so many wars in Islamic areas

Nigerian Boko Haram state In the context of Nigeria the Boko Haram has declared its objectives to be nothing less than the annihilation of the nation, Nigeria, to be replaced by an Islamic caliphate state. It is still hazy about what it means as a state because we have many Islamic states in the world – Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc. What will happen to non-Moslems in such a Nigerian Boko Haram state? Will they follow the Chibok experience – convert our women and marry them to Moslems? It was religion that divided India and Pakistan – where we had the unworkable agreement of East Pakistan and West Pakistan – leading to the eventual creation of Bangladesh. In an Islamic Nigerian nation under Boko Haram, what would happen to large chuncks of the Middle Belt, and most of the South? Is the recipe of Boko Haram the creation of parts of the North into an Islamic state? Would they yield in Continues on page 41

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 41

Islam and the threat to peace, the second coming Continued from page 40

negotiations to breaking up Nigeria or do they still need the oil of the Niger Delta? If the proposition is a northern

Islamic State, there maybe several takers, although I will oppose it. It is like a child who sees chocolate and gauges itself on it until it is sick. The South needs the North as much as the North needs the South. But as at today, Mr. President’s writ does not run in 33% of Nigeria. That is a serious problem which the elections will not solve. But rather exacerbate. But Moslems must seriously ask themselves what they want? There is, whether they like it or not, a world order, to which nations fit. That order cannot allow the discriminate killing of people who happen not to agree with your way of thinking. I am told that the critics who have inundated the press on my views are doctrinaire and therefore illogical, beyond reasoning. I have no intention to call anybody names. We started from the simple premise of looking at realities. There are wars all over the world; nearly all of them are Islamic. If the boundaries put in place by Europeans in 1919 are the problems, then we are dealing with nationalistic issues. If that is the case, how many nations, given the ethnic diversity of Iraq, Syria, Iran,

and Libya, are you going to create? They may all be Moslems but their record in killing one another does not show brotherly goodwill. So are we dealing with the problem of ethnic diversity masquerading as religion? Libya has been broken up to ethnic warlords, an outcome the Western world has been well advised to leave alone in its stupidity in attacking and killing Ghadaffi. Iraq had both ethnic and religions divisions which the wars have made more truculent. Saudi Arabia, Syria etc,is a polyglot of ethnic diversity; so is Pakistan. Indeed the only glue keeping these countries together was Islam but even that has come unstock because of the Sunni/Shia dissent. What kind of Islamic state would be established in Syria, Iraq, and Nigeria – if we take the pretension of the radicalized Islamists seriously? Moslems go about announcing that their states are Islamic. No other nation declares itself Christian or indeed described them as a Christian state with the exception of the Papacy. (Israel declares itself a Jewish State which maybe one of the reasons peace is elusive). Other nations – Brazil, Chile, the US, Canada, Australia, etchave never described their countries as Christian states. They are fundamentally secular

states, as we declared in our own Constitution. The oath the President and the Governors swear to is a secular state. When Presidents and Governors swear to a secular state any deviation from this ought to be an impeachable offence. The government must withdraw from state sponsored religions as the unwise support of supporting pilgrimages to Rome, Lourdes, Mecca and Jerusalem. Performing pilgrimages is a personal effort to worship God or Allah as one wishes. The Ijaw worship Akaso, a woman, a godess. I think it would be ridiculous to ask for government support to worship Akaso or Ikenga, or Shango or Ogun or Orunmila. Moslems must themselves lead the fight against extremism. No one else can. That extremism and fanaticism give them a bad name; not Mr. Cole’s inability to understand the fundamentals of Islamic doctrine. Bad name Some Moslems claiming a long term view and strategy – the growing number of Moslems in the World – have led to the belief that Islam is destined eventually to rule the world. There are extant maps of the future of the world and Islam showing Islam being practised in every country north of the equator in Africa, Islam is supposed to conquer

the rest of the Middle East, including India, Philippines, the Koreas, large chunks of China and through out Polynesia,ofcourse Indonesia, Fiji. These Islamic visionaries see an end of India and even China; the new world Islamic map includes all of the Slavic countries – Serbia, Slovakia, Bosnia, nearly all of Russia with the exception of Moscow and Leningrad. These maps are supported by suspect statistics of the growth of Islam based on birthrates, wealth etc; and its eventual world conquest. I think it is superfluous even to comment on such lunacy and idiocy. ISIS the other day killed 125 women who said they would not marry radicalized Islamists. The list goes on one atrocity piled on another by Moslems, in the name of Islam, against other peopleindiscrimately. I would expect all decent people to condemn unreservedly these atrocities. It has nothing to do with what I understand of Islam. It has everything to do with denying common humanity and human rights. Wherever these are trammeled, everyone should be outraged. Islam or Christianity can never provide a cover for such bestiality. For the record, let me repeat my view that Tony Blair and George Bush, Obama, Cameron and Holland should be brought before the

World Court for war crimes against Iraq and Afghanistan and against Libya. I have also suggested that such a court should be able to impose punitive damages against aggressor nations who go to war merely because they have the capabilities. The war against Iraq was presumably because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. It had none.Hans Blitz, the UN envoy, sent to check this could find none. The war against Libya was unjustified by any measure of international law – the consequences were foreseeable. Obama, Cameron, Holland bear a heavy responsibility in removing Ghaddafi admittedly by a dictator. But to do so on the flimsy grounds pronounced – a war of liberation and democracy by Eastern Libyan forces – were bunkum. The place had been left to ruin by the West and they bear a responsibility for it. What ISIS is now doing is compounding an already complicated situation bringing in the toxic concoction of radical Islamism to an issue dying and ripe for political solution. The proponents of Islam have a fundamental problem of rethinking a credible and lasting solution. The Amercians will leave, so will the rest of the West. What is the political solution? What will Moslems do? The evidence is pessimistic.

‘Nigeria is repeating the mistakes of 1964/65’ Continued from page 38 Are you then saying that Nigeria, as a terrorist state, started long before 1970? Yes, the British started it and handed over to Fulani in the North. The bottom-line of it is that the Britain saw Nigeria as its outpost. They have come from Europe to take away what they could find to take away peacefully here. But those who opposed them they terrorised and subdued. Why did they so much want to put the Fulani in charge? Why were they at home with the Fulani? They were resisted in the South from the onset by the likes of King Jaja of Opobo, Oba Ovwieramen of the ancient Benin Kingdom, King Pepple of Bonny, Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s grandfather. From that point, it was clear to them that the people of the South were not going to accept them, especially in view of the larger scheme of the things they (the British) sought to take away from the southern part, and, as such, must be kept down at all times. Oil is at the heart of this mayhem. Now, somebody may be talking about Oloibiri as the place of the first discovery of oil in Nigeria. It is all falsehood; they had sold our oil for about 50 years before Oloibiri. It was the approach of independence that made them declare Oloibiri. It was when they started the pretence that they tried to ob-

fuscate the matter of who owned the assets they were taking away, then they started looking for new identities of people who would not be able to resist them the way a larger bloc of people would be able to resist them in the east. In the whole country, it was a clearly settled intention on their part to create a master-servant relation between the North and the South. From your assertion, it would then mean that the North was willing to play that role? Yes, anybody talking of 1970 maybe became conscious of the matter by 1970. If you doubt me, you look at this statement by Ahmadu Bello, which he made in the week of independence in 1960, because the British had created this master-servant thing that they left in their hands, while the rest were celebrating what they thought was the exit of the British, Ahmadu Bello was telling his lieutenants a different story. I quote him now, from the Parrot newspaper of October 12, 1960, where he was saying:”The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities of the North as willing tools and the South as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future”. So, even at the point of Independence, these matters had been worked out into a constitutional framework in which one region of the country – the then Northern Region – was going to be a permanent political majority. They did this even when they

were in the minority. How was it possible to create a majority from a minority? British did it; they turned it around by inflating the population figures for the North in the 1951/52 census, which they again reinforced in 1961/62 census that became controversial. They also wanted to reinforce it in 1971 and again it got rejected. It has been falsehood and falsehood all through, and you now had a situation where that thing that Ahmadu Bello was talking about became a battle script. If you look at the Constitution by which Nigeria is being managed today, you will see that we came to that arrangement on account of the implementation of that battle script of Ahmadu Bello, because he was talking to his political descendants. You have a map of Nigeria and you make a mental picture of three or four divisions in it; you begin to place the characters that played one role or the other in the development of what we now have as Constitution. Who did what coup? Put them where they belong in that map and you will see a clear picture of the roles of the ones from the Muslim North, who are at the apex, and the ones from the Middle-Belt who were their attack dogs. Ahmadu Bello called them willing tools. These people are still playing that role of willing tools in the hands of the people who are the inheritors of the political empire of Uthman Dan Fodio which Ahmadu Bello was talking about. Ben Nwabueze, who took part in the drafting of that Constitution, confessed the other day that Murtala Muhammed and his

agents had already written the Constitution fully before the Constituent Assembly was called. He confessed that the little adjustments they thought they had made during the Constituent Assembly were removed. On the 21st of September 1978, when Murtala Muhammed had already been killed by his fellow military rulers, Obasanjo who became the new enforcer completed the job for him. How do you situate the Biafra/ Nigeria war in all these? What they call the civil war was an attempt by one side saying that you cannot continue to kill us in an arrangement we have not agreed upon, and it was the first serious push to be truly independent. Of course there was a gangup between the Northern Region and the Western Region to choke the Eastern Region. A gang-up? If you thought it was an accident, you look at that letter that Murtala Nyako wrote to the 19 northern governors, accusing Jonathan of genocide in their place. In that letter, you will see that instructively that he had described Jonathan as an element of Eastern Nigeria, that was out to avenge the killings of 1967/68 in their area. He conveniently forgot the new name tag they placed on Niger Delta, being South-south and South-east. When it was convenient for him, he describes Jonathan as an element of Eastern Nigeria. Let me tell you what it means. If you go back to the era of Azikiwe, when he was fighting the colonialists, he did all the fighting with Mokwugo Okoye, Osita Agwuna, Mbonu Ojike, and of course with

few other people here and there. But when the matter of transfer of power came to be effected, it was an alliance of that conservative North and a renegade wing of Yor uba South-west that was given power. It was that alliance that made it impossible for Azikiwe to preside over Nigeria at independence. It was same alliance that came to life when Awolowo, having been premier of Western Region, and with all his knowledge and experience, subjugated himself to working under Gowon, a boy then with school certificate. Gowon only went to school after he was thrown out in 1975. Awolowo worked under Gowon for nine years in order to beat down the East. Again, if you have an imaginary map of Nigeria, you will see who comes from where and to what purpose their alliance has been put. Certainly that alliance cannot be existing today? It is that alliance that has come up in the name of APC today. Anybody may be talking about democracy or free and fair election. But what I am seeing is the fifth re-enactment of that alliance of two regions to undo the other region. I am not seeing any APC, I am seeing the Sharia North with that wing of the Yoruba west forming a majority in the name of a political party to choke out what they call the minority man from Eastern Nigeria. And we are saying that the issue of how we live together must be addressed before we go for any election.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

I am committed to the promotion of young artists----- Patty Chidiac By JAPHET ALAKAM INTERVIEW

atty Chidiac is the CEO/Curator of Alexis Gallery, a leading art gallery in Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria. She is also the owner of ‘The Studios’ and Art Cafe in Lagos. The Beniniose born curator and business woman who came to Nigeria in January 1975, has been managing the store for years before she opened the art gallery in 2013. For only 3 years in the art business, Chidiac has changed the lives of many young artists and that has made the gallery the most sought after gallery in Nigeria. But one unique thing about Alexis gallery is its romance with young artists which has been cordial compared with other galleries. As the woman celebrates her 40 years success story in Nigeria, Sunday Art caught up with her where she explained the secret behind the success and other sundry issues in the art business. too to exhibit, which also spices Why art. You know that Charity I am an art lover, I am a up the whole year. The gallery begins at home, Nigeria collector myself. I have always is fully booked till 2017 for is number one but there had an eye on Art, I grew up exhibition and these is due to are many talents in West in Kano and given the chance, the way we select the works, Africa that is hidden and I think I would have been an price the works, is also data not exposed, I want to artists because I am very based, the private viewing and expose them, you have creative and that is why I am the rapport with the customers to understand that I am which make a lot of customers in the art business. a Beniniose , so its easy And since the establishment trust us and collect works. The for me to click with the of the gallery, its been very artists also have their own Franco phone. well, we have been maintaining input through their quality of a good stance , good level and their works. Relationship between Up till last year, we were standard of work with the other galleries and artists and with people. We are dealing with up to 135 artists their artists. in a very advanced stage at the which was a lot of work for us, I don’t know of other moment of which where we we do not want to keep such galleries and how they hope to be in about 5-8 years, number, we want the number do their work, I only we can manage well so we we are already there now. know of my own and narrowed it down to half. We how I do my own work. Romance with young artists. are now covering West African I respect the artists My philosophy is that the artists. We will be having a big because they have a gift young artists need somebody show in March for Beninoise, that I don’t have, it is •Patty Chidiac beside one of the art works in her gallery to guide them and help them, Togolese, C’ote d Ivoire, God’s gift and that is exchange, you have many I think the established artists Senegal, so we are getting why I respect them. They do five years. about 8 artists to give Nigeria are already there, they don’t come from different planets I am hoping that at the rate artists, more than 100 artists need any help, my aim is to a fresh air of the new good and their thinking is different. we are going, we will come up every year. Nigeria is help young artists grow safely, works. They will be signed too But we have an agreement and somehow go international. I very rich, it is incredible how correctly because there is so so that we can be able to understanding and we both am very happy with the way much talents we have and the much potentials and beautiful market them. Basically, its abide by it, so there is no things are going, I don’t talents are diversified. You look art in them. My desire is to Nigeria and West African going wrong, its a win win mind been in this level for at the Francophone artists, they ensure that they do not go the artists that we will be dealing. situation. You can’t go wrong the next five years, but I are into recycling and use of wrong way and waste it since when both parties are know that in the next five waste, but it is not the case in they have such potentials. consenting and are happy. years, my young artists (my Nigeria. In Nigeria, w have On the price of art works. eggs) would have hatched creativity, it is incredible how I think the Yes, we know the difficulty of On those who go only after and grow up and be much we have here, I look at representing artists. But we established artists. wonderful. Basically, the Nigeria as one of the major art established artists want to sanitise the art market Even if you are working with fame is there and the glory centres in the world. are already there, by truly representing the artists the young artist, it does not is mine and that is what Advice to young artist. and get the right value for their mean that the artist can not sell drives me to do this. In five they don’t need I believe that artists should not works. his works because he is years time, if I am still here, any help, my aim try to burn pages to get there. I brilliant, but the fact remains the young ones would have is to help young On the success story of that people go for the grown up and new ones will think that they should take their Alexis gallery so far. artist. The should be brought in. But I am tine to get where they want to artists grow safely, established be. It has been very well, remember that they were once hoping to go international. Take your time, you are young, correctly because actually surprisingly well, for young artists and that one day with time you will get there, if instance,the likes of Stanley the young artists will grow to On Nigerian art. there are so much Dudu sells out his works very become established. It is really The irony in Nigerian art you are destined to get their, potentials and well and is very sought after. wise to buy from young artist is that you have so much with hard work you will The next one is Raji Babatunde because art appreciates. fraud and so much definitely get there. beautiful art in who is having his first solo this On projection in the next potentials, its dual them year, who has done amazingly well and their response to us has been loyal too. At the moment, we manage about 7 to 8 artists of which we have one giant called Zinkpe from Cotonou and we’ve been hen two long lost friends who had fought side by Uphopho (Director of Saro the Musical 2), and Patrick Diabuah doing very well hand in hand. side during the civil war suddenly reunite, a police (Laitan of Saro the Musical 2). The play is centered around You know, alone one arrives but interrogation room is surely not the best of venues for such an two characters Kenule Ododo (Patrick Diabuah), and Adolphus together we will definitely get encounter, especially when one is the suspect and the other is Wariboko (Kenneth Uphopho). The play also features Samuel there. the chief interrogating officer. Find out about how this Animashaun and Ossai Franklin as Policemen. Last year,we organised about interrogation went in “Maybe Tomorrow”; a highly suspenseful; he play highlights the issues currently facing the 8 exhibitions and in all we high paced drama that speaks about our past, present and …, Nigerian society, and how best to resolve it. It takes the audience through several satirical and comic moods with have already done about 25, of written by Soji Cole and directed by Ibukun Fasunhan. which I must say that about The play is produced by Eclectique Theatre; a production outfit, creative directing and acting styles, which vitalizes theatrical 50% were sell out, we have a aimed towards creative approaches to stage plays, and will be experience. The play also discusses various issues facing the formula here that we also staging at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island Niger Delta, and the issue of complacency on the part of the abide. Like I said earlier, we Lagos, on 18th and 25th January 2015 by 3pm and 6pm. It Niger deltan youths, and exploitation of the masses. The play are trying to push the young features two of the best stage actors in Nigeria; Kenneth is apt for this period due to some issues of bad leadership it highlights in the play. artists up and we get big artists

Former UNIBEN

Maybe Tomorrow berths in Lagos W

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 43 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

Jonathan enjoins writers to take reading to next level ...creates National Hall of Fame for creative genius

•National Executives of Association of Nigerian Authors and representative of the president,Molara Wood cutting the 33rd anniversary cake in Ibadan recently By JAPHET ALAKAM LITERARY

THE 33rd International Annual Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) held at the ancient city of Ibadan has come and gone but the memories of the event continues to ring bells in the ears of many especially the members. Apart from the normal programme of the convention , one issue that drew the attention of the people was the remarks by the president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The President who was represented by Molora Wood, the Special Assistant to the President on Documentation, acknowledged the contributions of the writers. He commended all Nigerian creative writers for their contributions to Nigeria civilization over the years through their various expressions. “You have promoted our culture, nurtured our values and energized the knowledge industry in a very remarkable way.” “We value you, our writers. You elevate our thinking and worldview, you liven up our days with your creative imaginings, and you provide succour and catharsis in difficult times, such as the one our country is going through at this period. I salute the creative spirit that has propelled our writers to excel in the midst of their peers worldwide.” In line with the above, Mr President directed the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to establish in our nation’s capital, a National Hall of Fame, in honour of those, who out of their creative genius, had contributed to the growth and development of our country, and the advancement of human civilisation. Recalling 33years when the master story teller Chinua Achebe called fellow writers to Nsukka to float an association to promote and protect the interest of creative writers in Nigeria, said, "I felt it was important for me to be among rd you for this 33 annual convention because there will never be another ANA convention quite like this one, taking place in the very year of Nigeria’s centenary." He congratulated the organisers on the successful convening of this convention, which he described as one of the

Some of the best-known Nigerians are writers; and they have won every international award, including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the Orange Prize for Women’s Fiction and the most coveted, the Nobel Prize for Literature

major milestones in our yearlong celebrations of our centenary. He paid special commendation to the amiable Professor Remi Raji, National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors and one of the finest poets Nigeria has produced, for his leadership of ANA at this critical time in our history. Speaking on the theme: ‘Literatures, Languages and Diversities: How Has Nigeria Fared in the Last Hundred Years?’ he noted that indeed, there has never been a better time to ask the question and to take stock on the journey so far. "I commend the rich programme of events, including a play, book chats and even a city tour." President Jonathan also thanked the ANA President for his remarks at the Presidential Dinner for the Creative Industry, held in Lagos recently, where the ANA President articulated the

mission of the Association since its founding in 1981 as one involving “productive creativity for national integration, engagement and development. Mr President who has always felt a particular closeness to the literary community, as indispensable partners in our quest to build a better society, noted that writers have written the country’s name in lights all over the world. “Some of the best-known Nigerians are writers; and they have won every international award, including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the Orange Prize for Women’s Fiction and the most coveted, the Nobel Prize for Literature – won in 1986 by Professor Wole Soyinka. The late Professor Chinua Achebe, winner of the prestigious International Booker, gifted the world a book that will last for all time, when he published Things Fall Apart in 1958. It has been translated into over 50 languages, and is regularly voted one of the greatest novels ever written.” He stated that in recognition of Professor Achebe’s monumental contribution to world literature, he was physically present at the literary giant’s funeral in his birthplace of Ogidi, Anambra State, last year and also identified with the Nigerian literary community, which had suffered a great loss. Continuing, he pointed out that the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award, the highest and the most prestigious honour this nation bestows, was awarded to Professor Niyi Osundare, the great poet, scholar and survivor of Hurricane Katrina, who continues to paint his country’s name in gold. The admission of Prof. Osundare as the 71st member of the body of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Laureates, demonstrates that as a nation, we promote and celebrate excellence. The President who also stated that he have sought to place reading at the forefront of national consciousness with initiatives such as Bring Back The Book, therefore called on writers to join with government and help find ways to take this citizens framework to the next level. He also directed the Minister of Culture to work with ANA leadership to see how government can partner with the private sector to give added fillip to your ANA Literary Prizes to further enhance their prestige. The prizes over the years have showcased budding talents who are now masters in different literary fields.

‘Otuaro key to Okowa’s prosperity pact with Deltans’

former President of National Union of Ijaw Students, NUIS, Edo State, Ambrose Alli University,AAU, Ekpoma chapter, Comrade Vincent Ubebe, has commended Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate’s, choice of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro as his running mate, saying Otuaro is an erudite team player and peace advocate— traits that are key to Okowa’s prosperity pact with Deltans. Ubebe, thanked Okowa for

the apt choice, stressing that Otuaro’s credentials as team player and peace lover were demonstrated at and predated his days at AAU, Ekpoma. He promised to mobilize Ijaw students’ leaders, past and present, to work to return Okowa at the governorship polls February 2015. He appealed to all ethnic groups aggrieved by the current political permutations arising from the PDP primaries to see gains beyond the moment, eschew acrimony and vote wisely to return the PDP in Delta State

Sweeties Magazine out for children’s delight By PRISCA SAM-DURU REVIEW

weeties is a quarterly magazine that covers children’s health, education and leisure. It comes from the stable of DDL Marketing & Consulting Services by a self published author, Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor. The magazine which debuted late 2014, is usually filled with interesting stories and articles that educate, inform as well as excite children. Memorable Experience, Being Healthy, Folktales, Our Great Leaders of the Past, Our Favourite Possession, Children and Parties, Math is Fun, Career Choice, Excursions & Tours, Sweeties Interview and CultureFest:We are One Nigeria, make up the Sweeties table of content. Aside the introduction of something new in every edition, the magazine sets aside a session for teenagers. This according to the author, is done because Sweeties is not only for children but to enable the entire family to benefit from the information contained in the very educative package. The Career Choice in the edition under review focuses on Aviation Handling which according to Chiazor Enenmor, is an aspect of the aviation industry that is not so well known by the young ones. A major aviation handling company in Nigeria known as NAHCOAviance is featured in this particular edition of Sweeties. Pictures from education tours to countries such as England, Ghana, Canada and others are well displayed on the centrespread. Also memorable shots taken during excursions to places like the National Museum, and the German Cultural Centre known as Goethe Institute, Lagos as well as to Ghana, are on display on pages 16 and 17. The Albesta Academy, Lekki, Lagos and Soverign Lord International School, Lagos are among schools that enjoyed the opportunity of acquiring fresh knowledge about the zoo, culture and museum The magazine also introduces a new series on pages 8 and 9, depicting great leaders of the past especially those who fought gallantly for the nation’s independence. The first president of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, widely known as Zik of Africa is the focus of this edition. This section informs children on the birth, education, career in journalism as well as politics of the foremost statesman. The health corner teaches

on the essence on regular hand washing which helps to prevent people from falling ill often. The publisher takes time to educate children on why regular hand washing and general hygiene are determinants of quality health. She enumerates periods when hand washing becomes most necessary. Also, issues relating to fatigue are explained with the aim of teaching children the importance of engaging in activities at the appropriate periods. Why children need rest and sound sleep, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, emotional ftaigue, and causes of fatigue are explained here. These are all contained on pages 6 and 12, titled Being Healthy. Interestingly, page 13 titled, Math is Fun, welcomes children into the world of Math and encourages them to approach this simple subject which is

Sweeties; Ndidi ChiazorEnenmor. DDL Marketing & Consulting Services Ltd, Egbeda, Lagos. erroneously labelled difficult, without fear. This particular edition treats Order of Operations – BODMAS, and helps readers recognise a wrong or right procedure for solving a mathematics problem. Sweeties is all encompasing as it encapsulates topics and issues that will thrill, entertain and most especially, educate the young ones to ensure a brighter future. Parents will also learn something new especially from the contributions of their children. This is a well thought out educational material recommended for the family.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

DIASPORA MATTERS

Being Enough

scene in an American televi sion series caught my attention a few weeks ago. A couple of years ago I had taken a fancy to the series “Soul Food” and I had religiously watched on television every Sunday at 6pm till it was abruptly yanked off the air. When I had come across the DVD boxed set of the entire series I had bought with glee. It was the story of the Joseph family; made up of 3 sisters; Maxine, Bird and Terry, two husbands and whoever was Terry ’s beau. Like all families, the ties that held them ran deep and love reigned as well as pain and betrayal. Terry was the oldest and had divorced her husband who had been caught cheating on her with her cousin! Maxine was the wife of Kenny, a young black entrepreneur who ran a towing business, Bird was the baby of the family who ran a successful hair salon and had married an ex-convict, while Terry was the successful lawyer who was the pride of the family. The series began with the death of their mother and it follows how they struggle to stay a family despite fights, jealousies and even resentment; a typical family like any other! I kind of identified with the character of Terry, I am the eldest girl in my family, can lay claim to success, plus a few other heart breaking similarities. Terry does very well and in spite of a few emotional setbacks seems to have everything under control or so it seems. What the world doesn’t know is that Terry is buckling under the weight of responsibilities she is carrying for everyone. The obligations of being there for everyone, being the best at her job all the while trying to find love again have reduced her to an almost nervous wreck which had manifested in an almost debilitating mental disease! Terry developed panic attacks or what some call anxiety disorders and it seemed to be getting progressively worse till she comes across a psychiatrist who is the best at treating it and the scene that caught my attention was the eye opener that inspired today’s column! In one of their sessions which took place in a park the psychiatrist points out to Terry the root cause of her panic! “You don’t think you are good enough to de-

serve to be loved just the way you are!! You think that you have to earn it by being everything to everyone; you can’t cope and are overwhelmed by it all,” he said gently. Terry herself is stunned into silence as she can hardly deny such a profound truth and after a while feebly points out that she has a duty and an obligation of care towards her family. The Psychiatrist gently disagrees and says perhaps Terry’s feeling of insecurity is why she is carrying the weight of everybody’s expectations and running herself ragged just to keep up. He once again reminds her that love is not earned or deserved and that we have a right to be loved for who we are not for what we able to do or be to those who love us! In trying to be worthy of love Terry had reduced herself to a state where her anxiety had degenerated into a disease. A panic attack is a condition that mimics a heart attack; it is painful and the sufferer is convinced that they are going to die, the heart beats like a bird that is trapped in a leather sac and breathing is impossible. Your mouth is dry and sweat begins to ooze out of every pore, the chest cavity feels like it is gripped by a suffocating choke hold and the pain is not child’s play! If you are wondering why my description is so vivid, it’s because I used to have them in what seems like

By trying to be everything to everyone I had not put myself in a position where they could be something to me! Everyone assumed I was superwoman and didn’t need help from time to time.

a life time ago. A panic attack is more common than most of us think and it can affect anyone. Anyone of us can feel so overwhelmed that it seems the walls are closing in and unlike Terry I didn’t need to see a psychiatrist to get mine under control I simply learnt to “Cast my Care” and trust God more. I mean what is the point of praying if my every waking moment is consumed with worry? It all boils down to stress management and just admitting to everyone around me that I didn’t have all the answers and even solutions to all of life’s conundrums! I also learnt to use a word that had never been in my dictionary hitherto!! I learnt how to say NO!! I developed enough confidence in people’s love for me to say no and not fear that I would lose their love and respect! Even better still I learnt how to ask for help. By trying to be everything to everyone I had not put myself in a position where they could be something to me! Everyone assumed I was superwoman and didn’t need help from time to time. Are we all programmed to crave the validation that love gives us? What is it about humanity and the need to feed off the admiration of others? Lately I can lay claim to some maturity and perhaps say that I no longer live off the admiration and validation of others but I would be lying if I said I didn't just love the commendation and appreciation of my loved ones. While I don't run myself ragged anymore I still put myself out to please those I love and in return I am plastered with affection. Thankfully the days of panic attacks for me are long gone; I have made peace with all that I am and all that I am not. That peace means I am a lot easier to love as I accept and give love in equal measure. Maturity is accepting that I cant be everything to and for everyone and even more importantly, my money or substance doesn't guarantee me a place in anyone's heart. So welcome to 2015, For a change I don't have a resolution though I do know that this is not the year to suffer fools. The past years have taught me not to trade my peace at the altar of vain validation. Not everyone has to like me, truth be told I don't like everyone. I pray for us all that this will be the year of peace, a year to live unfettered; to accept all that we are and are not and be enough for those we love.

My crowd is bigger than yours

T the onset of the electioneering campaign for next month's general election in Nigeria, observers anticipated that two major issues would dominate the campaign. They are corruption and insecurity, especially Boko Haram's threat to national existence. However, it is disappointing that these contestants have so far not lived up to the expectations of the analysts, observers, Nigerians and the world. The candidates have been carrying on as if they care less about the Boko Haram insurgency or corruption in Nigeria. While the international community is concerned particularly by the Boko Haram threat, our politicians prefer to make "blanket" campaign statements on it. They acknowledge Boko Haram, they acknowledge there is insecurity in the country, but refuse to acknowledge the fact that the threat is more than the mere rhetorics that they are "dishing" out on the issue. They talk about corruption as if they will wish it away once the election is over. On insecurity in the country the politicians have been playing the "hide and seek" game. They have refused to outline their plans on how they are going to "get" the country back and make it safer. If there is one thing Nigerian politicians do best, it is expecting voters to read their minds and understand what their plans for the country are. They are nonchalant to the cries of the masses. All they care for is how to get to the "end point". We do not blame them, because a typical Nigerian politician gets to "power" before formulating policies. So for now they have no clue than the text book solutions. As our politicians are busy massaging their own egos and dancing "on" the Boko Haram issue, the country is gradually becoming a joke. The world is amazed at our "composure" while our "roof is on fire". They are concerned for us, every time Boko Haram commits its genocidal acts. With recent happenings in France, Belgium and other places, the world fears for us as they believe we seem to be comfortable sitting on a big keg of gunpowder. This was vocally expressed in UK's Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech at the White House on Friday January 16. He specifically mentioned Boko Haram as a big threat. So also last week the British Parliament convened a special session to discuss Boko Haram against the background of its latest attack of genocide on Baga town.

It is now in Nigeria's political campaign "manual" for politicians to walk down the streets eating "roasted plantain", 'jumping" on "Okada" and pretending to be "common men". The masses are amused The concerns of the international community have not rubbed off on our politicians. This is why none of the candidates has issued policy statement on how they would fight the "devil" called Boko Haram. The 2015 general elections in Nigeria is definitely throwing up so many surprises as we coast towards D-Day. Never in the history of elections in the country have there been so much excitement, anxiety and anticipation. From Zamfara to Aba, the campaign trains have been sights to behold as we all revel in what these politicians throw up everyday. The campaigns have not been limited to just the podiums only. For the first time in Nigeria (again) politicians are taking their stories, dramas and "mediocrity" to the grassroots. It is now in Nigeria's political campaign "manual" for politicians to walk down the streets eating "roasted plantain", 'jumping" on "Okada" and pretending to be "common men". The masses are amused. Not quite sure of what to make of these "desperado" politicians, they look at each other, shake their heads and feel sorry for themselves that they are being deceived (again) by the "comic acts" they know they will only see on televisions after the elections. Nowadays, it's not out of place to sit next to a major politician in a "public transport". They hop in and out of "molues", disobeying the law of the land that ban "preaching", and "campaigns" on public transport systems. They hang onto the rails of "Keke Marwa" smiling to everyone on the street. These politicians are showing us how ordinary they can be before elections. In one moment, they are in churches, taking holy communion and the next moment they are in mosques with rosaries and doing ablutions before prayers. Some have even taken the campaign further by visiting shrines and covens, and eating concoctions that will

ensure "deliverance" of their victories. The presidential campaigns have been really interesting. They have been moving from one state to the other, changing "regalias" as it suits the states they are in. The attendances at these campaign venues have also been impressive. The masses are trooping to venues, although not in expectation of impressive speeches by the politicians. No. Majority are attending by "coercion". They are coerced into attending because they are civil servants and have been mandated by their governors to either be there or lose their next wages. Some are "financially" coerced. They are not disappointed, though. They are amused by these politicians. The quality of their speeches is below what you will expect from kindergarten politicians. In every campaign, the pattern is same. They come on board, raise clenched fists (Fidel Castro style), scream down the microphone the party slogans and a few "curses" on the head of their opponents. The crowd cheers and dance to music blaring from the speakers. The politicians are happy and spurred on by the reactions of the crowd, and they rain more "curses" on their opponents. For the first (?) time in the history of political campaigns in Nigeria, the size of the crowd in attendance is a major determinant of success. No one cares about the quality of speeches. We are judging the contestants by how big their crowds are. It is therefore no surprise that the political parties are accusing each other of parading rented crowds. The social media is living to its billing. Daily the pictures of campaign rallies are "showcased". It is becoming more of "show me your crowd, I will show you how big ours is". I have a feeling that the pictures of the large crowds are to convince the undecided voters on the social media to put their vote where the crowd is. A new dimension is fans circulating pictures depicting scanty venues at opposition parties, all to belittle their chances. It is my hope that as the election campaign hots up, there will be new momentum to the campaigns. Will there be television or radio debates for the other contestants as witnessed in Lagos State? Please let there be.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 45

PEACE ACCORD AND 2015 ELECTIONS

Nigeria: The origins of political disorder I

BY JIDE AJANI

llusions are built on fantasies. Illusions are the creations of a mind that is steeped in a reality that does not exist. Now, what drives a mind to begin to concoct illusions? What propels a people to choose the path of destruction egregiously hinged on fault lines that set them on a path of conflict? Conflicts arise when individuals exploit fault lines that manipulate them, and employ them to set individuals against one another or nations against nations. Well, a warped mind is the fertile ground for the germination of illusory images. And that is why individuals or nations begin to entertain fantasies that create illusory images of convoluted sense of self importance and might. That was why an Adolf Hitler built his castle in the air, believing that he could conquer the world and become the absolute ruler. If the supernatural being had planned for just a nation or a people to rule the world, greater men of violence who came before Hitler and dominated the world would have achieved that feat. Yet it needs to be interrogated why people allow otherwise simple, straight forward issues that ordinarily need not heighten tension to lead to conflicts and crises of gargantuan proportions. In Francis Fukuyama’s book, THE ORIGINS OF POLITICAL ORDER (From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution), from where the title of this piece is adapted, he explores the interrelationship between the state, rule of law and accountable government. He explains the not so apparent conflict between the three and asserts: “A successful modern liberal democracy combines all three sets of institutions in a stable balance. The fact that there are countries capable of achieving this balance constitutes the miracle of modern politics, since it is not obvious that they can be combined. The state, after all, concentrates and uses power, to bring about compliance with its law on the part of its citizens and to defend itself against other states and threats. The rule of law and accountable government, on the other hand, limits the state’s power first by forcing it to use its powers according to certain public and transparent rules and then by ensuring that it is subordinate to the will of the people. “These institutions come into being in the first place because people find that they can protect their interest and the interests of their families through them. But what people regard as self interest and how they are willing to collaborate with others depends critically on ideas that are legitimate certain forms of political association. Self interest and legitimacy thus form the cornerstone of political order. “The fact that one of these three types of institutions exists does not imply that the others do so as well”. These arguments have led people to attempt to justify the need for an absolutist leader, believing that only an individual in that mould can truly forge a

C M Y K

robust yet meaningful alliance of the three for the good of citizens. But you can never get it all together perfectly. And that is why there is sufficient angst against President Goodluck Jonathan. He is seen as a leader lacking in depth and stamina to effectively confront Nigeria’s problems. Muhammadu Buhari, on the other hand, is largely seen as firm, resolute and determined. The former is a southerner and the latter a northerner. The lines have been drawn. Whereas the North wants power back at all costs, the South-South insists its son, Jonathan, is being needlessly harangued. Into the mix is the argument made popular by some leaders in Yorubaland who constitute the bulk of the opposition – that the numerical strength of the South-West and the North- West would be enough to galvanise the needed votes for presidential election victory. And whereas the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, instituted a power sharing arrangement between the North and the South, the man at the centre of what is

bound to be an explosive outcome after the February 14, 2015 presidential election is Olusegun Obasanjo. For a man who was once well-respected across the globe, Obasanjo’s southward metamorphosis into a self-serving nationalist needs mentioning. Any cause that would not benefit an Obasanjo, even if it is the greatest good for the largest number of people, he would oppose it. Thinking he would successfully put Jonathan in his pocket, Obasanjo unashamedly repudiated, indeed, laughed off an arrangement which was meant to create order. Indeed, Fukuyama noted in his book that processes “created to meet one set of conditions often survive even when those conditions change or disappear, and the failure to adapt appropriately entails political decay”. Rather than adapt, or recreate another process that would respect the rule of law and take congisance of the contingency occasioned by the death of Umar Musa Yar’Adua, it was this same Obasanjo who said the North could go to hell and “Jonathan, you must contest”.

President Goodluck Jonathan (r) embraces Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, at the general elections sensitisation workshop on non-violence in Abuja.

Yet it needs to be interrogated why people allow otherwise simple, straight forward issues that ordinarily need not heighten tension to lead to conflicts and crises of gargantuan proportions Jonathan would have been a better president for Obasanjo if the latter had been allowed to rule by proxy; and all this heat would not have come. Put differently, had good sense prevailed to allow for a northerner to take over in 2011, the argument today would have been the constitutionality of that individual’s right to seek re-election, against an agreement by the PDP to rotate power between the North and the South. That would have been a better argument to engage than this potentially sanguine outcome of a Buhari victory and a Jonathan defeat or vice versa. Whatever fears today that led to last week’s signing of the peace accord to eschew pre and post election violence may never have been necessary had Jonathan been generously productive, thereby leaving with the opposition clutching at the straw. But, today, the opposition can find faults and campaign grounds to lampoon Jonathan. Yet, Nigerians are not in tune with the spiritual, emotional and intellectual ways of Buhari who is too tilted and set along a rigid path. Worse still, the hawks around Buhari would bay for blood and in the event of a Buhari presidency, whatever Nigerians may have considered inequities of the North against the South in times past would be child’s play compared to what such a presidency would bring – not minding Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s entertainment of fantasies of running a collegiate presidency with Buhari. That would never work. Has Jonathan met the expectations of Nigerians generally? Not really. Can he change for the better? That would be a desirable change as the opposition is also clamouring for. Can it be done? That is Jonathan’s call. Yes, Nigerians want change! But the consequences of the type of change Nigerians want could be worse in outcome than the change that brought an alleged kleptocrat, Yanukovich, to power in Ukraine with unfulfilled promises; or the type that brought Mohammed Morsi of Islamic Brotherhood to power in Egypt who, again, had to be removed from power by another call for change.

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GENERAL ELECTIONS FEARS

Scaling the ‘ides’of February! •Nigeria cannot afford the Kenya experience – Kofi Annan •The effect of violence on the polity – Jonathan •My problem with INEC – Buhari

Party, PDP, who made his way into the hall up to the podium where his seat was waiting. His entry formally marked the commencement of proceedings.

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

ased on the deep thinking by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi on the need for the presidential candidates to sign a pact for a violence free election, anyone who witnessed the orgy of violence and destruction that trailed the 2011 general elections in Nigeria would not hesitate to sign off on the Abuja Peace Accord sealed on Wednesday by 14 presidential candidates in the February elections. But February 14, the date set aside for the presidential election, may as well be Nigeria’s ‘ides’ following the fears of past election violence just like Julius Caesar was, in the Shakespeare’s series, warned by a soothsayer in 44 BC of the ides of March. Caesar failed to heed the soothsayer’s warning and was thus assassinated on that date. For Nigeria to scale the February ‘ides’, a former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian, joined eminent Nigerians and the presidential candidates to seal the peace accord. The event was slated for 9:am. But before the time, a retinue of stern-looking security operatives, drawn from the security forces had taken over the streets, heralding the coming of President Goodluck Jonathan. The security man took over the main and adjoining streets around Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, venue of the event. To anyone familiar with the terrain, the sudden disappearance of the ubiquitous money changers who always flood the streets around the hotel lent credence to an unusual day ahead. By 9:30, the Ladi Kwali Hall of the hotel was almost full with a roll call of eminent personalities: a former Head of State and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in next month’s election, General Mohammadu Buhari; the visiting former Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN, Mr. Kofi Annan; the former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral and Chairman of the event, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega; a former Nigeria’s Representative to the UN, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; among others who were

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Election fears

• BOLAJI AKINYEMI

• GOODLUCK JONATHAN seated at podium. On the floor of the hall were seated also other presidential candidates, top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society groups and, in fact, dignitaries from all walks of life. The presidential candidates included Tunde Anifowose Kelani of the Action Alliance, AA; Dr. Rafiu Salau of Alliance for Democracy, AD; Ganiyu

• ATTAHIRU JEGA

• MOHAMMADU BUHARI Galadima of Alliance Congress, AC; Alhaji Mani Ibrahim Ahmad of ADC; Chief Sam Eke of Citizens Popular Party, CPP; Ambrose Albert Oworu of Hope Party; Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya of KOWA party and Chief Chekwas Okorie of the United Progressives Party, UPP. By 10 am, a serpentine, luxurious motorcade drove into the hotel premises dropping off Jonathan, the flag-bearer of the ruling Peoples Democratic

Titled, “2015 General Elections: Sensitization Workshop on Non-Violence”, organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the event was contemplated against the backdrop of anticipated violence during and after February election. And considering the orgy of blood-spill that trailed the 2011 polls, the accord strikes the essence of violence-free elections. To achieve this, the presidential hopeful unanimously placed a ban on the use of inflammatory and incisive words before, during and after the elections. The ban was later cemented with the signing of a peace pact by 14 of them. The need for the ban could further be understood in the words of the Chairman of the occasion, Anyaoku, who, shortly after the observance preliminary protocols, told the audience that the forthcoming polls must be crisis free. “Regrettably, we cannot deny that in our country we have history of violence occurring before, during and after elections. Already, explosion, burning of buses have been reported in some states, and we are also witnessing increasingly acrimonious pronouncement by candidates and spokespersons of political parties. Nigeria and its 2015 general elections are in the eyes of the international community”, he said. The observation of the former Commonwealth scribe was followed by savory and unsavory remarks about elections in Nigeria by Annan, Jega, Gambari and the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter-party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi.

No repeating Kenya’s mistake — Annan Hailing Nigeria’s giant

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•KOFI ANNAN

•EMEKA ANYAOKU

Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 47

• IBRAHIM GAMBARI

• BEN OBI

Nigeria cannot afford the Kenya experience – Kofi Annan Continued from page 46 contributions to the world’s economic development, Annan said Nigeria cannot afford to degenerate to become another Kenya in Africa for just an election. His words: “Aside being the eighth largest exporter of oil, Nigeria has become a player in telecoms, agriculture and banking. She is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping and is now at the UN Security Council. You can’t abstain from voting and then complain. Ficus on party policies and not on individuals. Avoid inflammatory languages and don’t use ethnicity and religion to gain political sympathies. “Nigeria doesn’t want to repeat the experience of Kenya where violence took them back several years. 2015 will confirm Nigeria’s progress in the eyes of the world. The stakes are high but I know Nigeria can rise to the challenge. Nigeria’s success is Africa’s success. Nigeria has the future of Africa in her hands, make Africa proud”.

10 ways of achieving non-violent elections –Jega

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For the Chairman of INEC, Jega, elections in Nigeria would be crisis free if only 10 factors he advanced would be adhered to. He said: “In answering the question of what makes our elections so prone to violence, I have identified specific as well as general causes of violent elections which have been identified by scholars. In particular, I have paid attention to the causes which are attributed in countries such as Nigeria to the tendency for

contestants, political parties, politicians to see electoral contest as something that you have to engage in and that you must win at all cost. “In a country like Nigeria, where there is what scholars called low level of institutionalization, stakeholders tend to use resources at their control in the contest for political power and Samuel Huntington said, the ‘ wealthy will bribe, the students will riot, the workers will strike, the mob will demonstrate and the military will coup’. “Of course, this depends on the extent which the political party, candidates and other vested interests now try to mobilize and to win power at all cost. So, it is very, very important to recognize that in a country like Nigeria, there are many factors that can lead to violence in an elections. “Attitude and the disposition of parties and candidates will determine to a large extent whether we will have peaceful and non-violent elections. So, parties and contestants, although have responsibility to ensure peaceful conduct of elections. Of course, there are other agencies, the election management body has an important responsibility. It has to do its job with competence, with professionalism and with non partisanship. Security agencies also have to do their jobs. “I have identified what I called 10 tenets of non-violent elections specifically on what we will expect. The first one obviously is internal party democracy, then effective intraparty conflict resolution, accountability, Supremacy of rules, uncertain electoral outcome, willingness to accept outcomes, moderation of

Affairs, Obi, offered an insight into why the political parties and their candidates decided to sign the accord. He said: “The workshop is a product of extensive and inclusive consultations between my Office and the ruling party on the one side and all opposition parties who have collectively agreed on the need to come together to jaw–jaw and to agree on ways and means of collaborating with each other in the bid to ensure that the elections of 2015 are free and devoid of violence. “This workshop is designed as an interactive forum of all political parties and stakeholders participating in the 2015 elections to come together and commit to peaceful and violence-free elections in 2015”.

electioneering, trust in institutional redress, promotion of inclusiveness, well trained staff.”

INEC, security agencies, politicians have major roles to play –Gambari Former Nigeria’s scribe to UN, Gambari, said that the success of the February elections rested mainly on the technical competence of INEC, the prevailing security atmosphere and the need for the political actors to play the game by the rules. “The credibility and peacefulness of the impending election will depend on three critical elements. First, the technical competence of INEC. I think that has been demonstrated. The second concern is security. The security agencies and INEC should provide security and sense of fairness to all the stakeholders. The security agencies which are supporting the elections: the police and the military must accept that their roles are to facilitate,”he said. “The third and most importantly, the contestants themselves will have to accept the rules of the game and to educate their supporters to encourage against violence. These three elements will be what will, in my view, lead to free and fair, credible elections in Nigeria”.

Why parties agreed on peace accord — Ben Obi Similarly, Special Adviser to the President on Inter- Party

Effect of violence on polity – Jonathan

I have identified what I called 10 tenets of non-violent elections specifically on what we will expect

President Jonathan, while addressing the audience, said the programme was timely. Going down memory lane, the president recalled the effect of violence on the polity saying, it had wrought more harm than good. He said: “This programme is very apt and we need it so that at the end of the elections, we don’t need to kill people or burn our houses. I believe that we will get there if we all decided to do what is right in this country. I am quite pleased because the emphasis here is electoral violence, not electoral malpractices. “For electoral malpractices, the courts can help to some

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Continued from page 47 extent, but there is nothing the courts can do about electoral violence. If a property is burnt, it is burnt. If you identify the person, he can be charged for arson, but in most cases, mob action is always difficult to control not to talk about people that were killed. “If you look at the history of our elections, we were told there were significant violence in the elections of the First Republic and that violence led to the collapse . In the Second Republic key actors in the political parties were relating well at the beginning. After the elections, governors from different parties were relating, but as the second round of elections were coming, the behaviour changed and people started abusing and insulting themselves. I was not surprised that the Second Republic did not last when the politicians started abusing themselves, and institutions. “If you looked at the 2011 elections, we approached it better. I am quite pleased that a number of civil society groups are here. It was generally agreed that the 2011 elections was quite better than any other election in the country and for that, we thank Prof, Jega and his team. Even then, after that election, there were violence in some parts of the country. “In Kano, property were destroyed. In Bauchi State, 10 Youth Corps members that were involved in the election were slaughtered. Then we asked, what led to this level of violence? The violence came when the results were being announced and not on the day of the election. “The results from those states had been announced and towards the end, it was clear that a particular candidate was going to win, violence erupted in Kano and Bauchi and we asked, why should there be violence? The only thing one can deduct is that, you can’t say that there were malpractices to favour the candidate that won because in Kano, we got 26 per cent of the votes. In Bauchi, I got 15 per cent of the votes. “Even in states that were opposition, where we got more than 50 per cent, there were no violence. So, you see that what lead to violence sometimes is not because of electoral malpractices. There are some other causes of violence. First is the factor of the politicians. I believe that one of the key things is the provocative statements we make and when we are making these statements, we forget that the younger ones are listening. Your followers who call themselves your fans are listening to you. We threaten our opponents. “A governor came to me and said that a governor in

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How not to rig polls – Buhari

•Nigerians...In search of violence -free polls

The effect of violence on the polity —Jonathan

If you look at the history of our elections, we were told there were significant violence in the elections of the First Republic and that violence led to the collapse

another party told him that immediately they take over government, he will go to jail. If you are now threatening somebody that he will go to jail if you take over government, that person would want to fight as if he is defending himself from going to jail. I am not talking about the Presidential candidates, but our followers. My conviction is that for those of us who are politicians, we must avoid provocative statements, we must avoid threatening ourselves. “The other factor is that of the religious leaders who preach the hate message, instigating their followers to be confrontational and sometimes, label some candidates as the enemies of their fate. If our religious leaders do that kind of preaching, what do you expect? “We always follow what our religious leaders say and if our religious leaders keep preaching such hate message what do you expect? in that instance, your followers are not going into the election based on internationally known election principles, they will think they are going for war. “There is also the pronouncement of our traditional rulers who make provocative statements as if they want to divide the country. This has never helped because as leaders, you have your subjects and followers. When you make these provocative statements,

you are indirectly instigating them to become extremely violent”, he said.

The way forward He continued: “What is the way forward? How do we make sure that, as a nation, we minimize violence if we cannot completely ignore it? I agree that we must not gather the world to discuss electoral violence again. But if we must not do that, we must do certain things to stop it. We have a few weeks to elections and so, there is really nothing much we can do except to strengthen the institution and advise ourselves on how we should conduct ourselves. “For the government, which I am heading, we must also strengthen the security even though we have challenges because of the situation in parts of the North. INEC also has a key role to play. There are certain things happening now that if not properly handled could lead to violence. First, a number of Nigerians are complaining that they don’t have the PVC. If some people don’t have voters’ card, the assumption is that from the beginning, INEC is going to rig the election and there is the tendency for those people to go violent. I have mentioned it to the INEC chairman to make sure that every eligible Nigerian votes. If they are not able to make sure that every Nigerian votes, that is a recipe for violence.”

Also speaking, Buhari recalled his experience in the court and said that unless the judiciary shun political biases, tendencies were that elections in Nigeria would be continued to be rigged. “Some of the speeches so far are base on hope. Some of these hopes are in the files because of our nasty experiences. What happened in 2003, 2007 and 2011 when we contested the general elections and ended up in the Supreme Court; these three Supreme Court judgements are available with the government printers for all those who are really serious to know what is happening in our political development. When the military eventually surrendered to the multiparty democratic system 16 years ago, we hoped that we should have learnt from the developed countries that went through the painful processes of stabilizing their system rather than insisting on making the same mistakes. “I will give a few examples which I am sure most of you will recall. In 2003, when we disagreed with the elections, we spent 30 months in court. Out of those 30 months in court, I only missed four sittings. The first time was when we went to bury my Vice Presidential candidate, Chuba Okadigbo while I was out of the country on the other three occasions. “In 2007, we spent 18 months in court and when we eventually reached the Supreme Court, the seven Justices of the Supreme Court were divided on it. Three of them said they annulled the elections because it was not conducted according to law; three others said yes, there were flaws, but all the same, the ruling party won the election. The Chief Justice of the Federation then looked at them and cast his vote for the second group and so, we lost 4-3. “In 2011, I said that I, as presidential candidate, will not go to court, but I made sure that my party went to court and we spent about nine months again and it was the same story. There was no way the ruling party will lose judgement. That was painful especially when you considered what actually happened on the field. For example, from two states in the northern part of the country, we were lucky to get competent party agents. When results started coming in for these states, they tried to announce the result that were announced or physically brought to INEC office after going through the collation centers. “They compared the

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My problem with INEC — Buhari Continued from page 48

Comic relief

results against the INEC register in those states and entered them into the clear outer and the computer; and the popular adage that garbage in garbage out manifested itself. What came out was that the presidential candidate of that party was programmed to lose 40 per cent of its score and in the other states, it was 26 per cent. They showed it to INEC which asked the party to officially write a complain and we wrote. We were given the assurance by INEC that they will look into our complaint. But the next thing we saw was results being announced that we have lost the election”.

‘My problem with INEC’ He also faulted INEC for not complying with courts’ pronouncements, alleging that the relevant institutions have not always followed due process inspite of clear instructions. “Some of you know by name Retired Justice Salami who was heading the presidential election panel. We made a presentation that in a number of states, the election was not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and the states were mentioned. We demanded that the register be brought to prove our case and the panel said there was nothing wrong with that and INEC was asked to comply. It was not produced. Justice Salami was redeployed and another judge was brought who reversed that decision. That has become history. “The INEC Act requires that they register political associations into political parties and to make sure that every person from the councillor to the President comes through a political party. It was agreed that before every election, there must be an Electoral Act. There was one in 2002 for the 2003 election, there was one in 2006 for the 2007 election, there was one in 2010 for the 2011 election. Up to December 31, 2014, I was waiting for the amended Electoral Act for this year ’s election and I am yet to see one. “So, on paper, you can’t catch Nigerians. You can only catch Nigerians on the field.”

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Broad smiles Noticeably, Jonathan and Buhari, the two major political gladiators whose seats were isolated from those of the other presidential candidates who apparently wried over the preferential treatment, stole the day with an unusual but remarkable warm embrace which triggered off the

•The electorate...votes must count hugest, broad-faced smiles of the year. The hug came after Buhari had made his extemporaneous, thoughtprovoking and emotionallyladen speech and moved back to his seat. This rare display of conviviality and camaraderie by both “sworn political enemies”, fitting for the day as it were, was applauded by everyone who graced the event. It was also admiring to see the national chairmen of the two major political parties, PDP and APC, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Chief John Oyegun, embrace each other in the same spirit of the peace accord. The accord Administered by Anyaoku, the letters of the accord read thus: The Accord: “We the undersigned presidential candidates of the underlisted political parties contesting in the general elections of 2015; desirous of taking proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before, during and after the elections; anxious about the maintenance of a peaceful environment for the 2015 general elections; reaffirming our commitment to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; desirous of sustaining and promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity; determined to avoid any conduct or behavior that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria;

All institutions of government including INEC and security agencies must act and be seen to act with impartiality and to forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetrated by our supporters and/or opponents

determined to place national interest above personal and partisan concerns; and reaffirm our commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria, hereby commit ourselves and our party to the following: *To run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels; in this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling; both ourselves and agents acting in our names. *To refrain from making, or causing to make our names or that of our party, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence, before, during and after the elections. *To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to this accord by a national peace committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders. *All institutions of government including INEC and security agencies must act and be seen to act with impartiality and to forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetrated by our supporters and/or opponents.”

While the presidential candidates of other political parties were given two minutes each to make their speeches, handshakes with the members of the high table including Jonathan and Buhari swiftly ensued. At the end of every speech, the candidates climbed to the podium for a handshake with their counter-parts. But a breach of that occurred when Eke, the presidential candidate of the Citizen Popular Party, CPP, ended his speech and kept a straight face to his seat, ignoring Jonathan and Buhari. The hall erupted in laughter, thereby bringing relief to the people who had apparently been bored with “hard talks” all the while. Meanwhile, Eke said, in his speech, that every other party has never promoted violence in Nigeria except two parties even as he pledged loyalty to the accord. “For us to have a violent free election, we must have no issues to be calling names. We have to abide by the political party code of conduct. Only two parties have not been able to abide by the political party code of conduct. We should allow the people to determine who should lead them. We will abide by this election to make this election a credible one”, he said. Similar situations occurred when the presidential candidates of UPP, Okorie, and Kowa Party (KP), Sonaiya, gave their speeches. While Okorie enjoined the media not to “celebrate the people and parties that threaten us”, Sonaiya said it was a shameful thing to gather the international community to discuss election violence, stressing:”We do not have to gather the international community to discus our inability to conduct free, free and credible election. I hope and pray that this will be the very last time that such a meeting will have to hold”.

Last line

Indeed, analysts believe that beholding two political “enemies”, whose lieutenants seemingly threaten fire and brimstone should they lose the election, embracing each other with such a gargantuan laughter barely a month to the elections was very reassuring. But then, they had been there before and Nigeria boiled afterwards. Like the Nigeria/Biafra Aburi, Ghana Accord in 1967, will the 2015 Abuja Accord endure? Well, this is one question that will better be answered after February 14.

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ELECTIONS IN BORNO

about 10 percent or less of the voting population. Now, most of the inhabitants of these places under siege from terrorists are still trapped in the territories captured by Boko Haram. So unless INEC conducts elections in the captured territories, it will be difficult to return the senators, the governor and members of the House, even if the amendment passes. So we are desirous of having the meeting with INEC and stakeholders and hope government finds a way of navigating through this constitutional crisis in less than 30 days.

We are in a quagmire – Hon. Kyari Gujbawu BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

As a lawmaker in the 7th House, how have you acted to ensure that there is a solution to this electoral dilemma is tackled? Well, as a National Assembly member and as

on. Kyari Gujbawu represents Maiduguri metropolis, the hot bed of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, in the House of Representatives. In this chat, he speaks on how INEC can conduct elections in Borno, the amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act, issues on the floor of the House and other national issues. How do you react to the INEC position that elections may not hold in Borno State considering the fact that many areas in the state have fallen under the control of insurgents and elections are barely a month away? It is now obviously sadly and unfortunately that more than 70 percent of Borno State is no longer accessible to any government agency be it security or INEC. And if the INEC boss, Prof. Jega, said that elections cannot hold in the state, this is a position I have been concurring with as a matter of fact. The insurgency we are faced with is a new form of warfare. It is not a conventional warfare for which our military has been trained to address as it obtains anywhere in the world. So it is so difficult for you to predict how to arrest it as it is the case with a conventional warfare. Obviously, there are a lot of fears that you see people express, especially those of us who are from there. I heard the Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters speak on the floor of the House and he said there would be a stakeholders meeting between the Committee, INEC and officials of the three affected states. I guess at that meeting, we will suggest ways that will help us look for a practical solution to it. It is impossible to conduct free and fair elections using the extant electoral law that will return people as elected representatives such as the three senators and, probably, the state House of Assembly and House of Reps members as it were today. If elections do not hold in Borno State for example, what does that translate to? The Constitution is very clear about the tenure of the governor and lawmakers which is four years. The House of Reps that I am part of is winding up on June 6, 2015. And I am not contesting for any office this time around for personal reasons. But if

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Hon. Kyari Gujbawu nobody is returned to represent the people of my constituency or any other constituency for that matter because elections could not hold, that means there won’t be 10 House of Reps members and three senators, as required by the Constitution, from Borno State in the National Assembly. In fact, the National Assembly, to a very large extent, depends on inputs from the representatives of these constituencies to guide it in shaping the debates and reaching informed resolutions and advising government on appropriate actions to be taken. So if elections are not held and representation from that part of the country does not come to the National Assembly, that will not only amount to unequal representation but a total alienation of the people of Borno State from participation in the governance of the nation. It is tantamount to yielding the entire state to terrorists where we will have no voice at all at the federal level. However, there is a section of the Constitution which could provide some relief or window to this constitutional democracy quagmire the nation is now faced with. I am talking about Section 135 which empowers the president to delay elections for a period of six months subject to the resolution of the National Assembly, where the country or part of it thereof is physically involved in war, and such that elections are impossible to conduct. If the president can invoke that section of the Constitution to allow for the comprehensive resolution of the conflict, it would be good for every body. Such a situation would allow all sections of the country to have a voice at the federal level. Now the Electoral Act that is being amended by the National Assembly is trying to ensure that the internally displaced persons are captured in the elections. What do you say to that? Well, we are doing everything possible to make sure that IDPs in Borno and other states are captured during the elections. So if INEC finds means and legal frame work, it would take pooling units for them to cast their votes. But like I said on the floor of the House in trying to guide my colleagues, the internally displaced persons in the centres in Maiduguri are

a House, collectively, we have tried to give INEC the necessary tools to carry out its mandate. They have asked for amendment which we are doing. Jega, I understand, is also handicapped. Because, whatever advice I have to give him, I have to be fair to him. He is also conscious about what he needs to do and what he will be able to do. It is a sad situation. I will agree that elections should go on elsewhere all over the country, but for us in Borno State, we are currently in a quagmire.

My constituency in Maiduguri alone is like the size of a state in some parts of this country. And Maiduguri is now reduced to one large refugee camp

Mr. President has said that elections will hold in all parts of the country, and that let all eligible voter endeavor to cast his/her ballot. Do you think he’s being sincere considering the quagmire you just expressed? I really share in Mr. President’s sense of optimism, leadership and patriotism that elections should hold in all parts of the country. That is why the 7th National Assembly has been cooperating with Mr. President in the last three and a half to four years now. And that is why we quickly set aside some of our rules on Wednesday to make sure that even displaced people who would have other wise not vote in the elections under the extant Electoral Act are captured during the process with the new amendment. However, that is a mere wish. If wishes are horses, the president would have his way in the situation. But the reality on ground does not seem to favour what we desire to have in the next 30 days or so. The National Assembly will wish that all the places in the country participate in the elections. So let’s wait and see what happens within the next 30 days. If the security situation is brought to normalcy and the people are allowed to go back home and INEC and the security agencies take charge of the process with the people having the assurances of a safe and secure exercise, then we can heave a sigh of relief. Everybody would wish for that. But the reality is that elections are in less than 30 days and we are talking about recapturing and deploying men

and electoral materials in an area that is more than the size of some zones like the South-East or South-South. My constituency in Maiduguri alone is like the size of a state in some parts of this country. And Maiduguri is now reduced to one large refugee camp. That is the case now. Many of our people are in Chad or Niger as refugees. It is nobody’s wish to be there. But it is an unfortunate global phenomenon that we have been faced with. And we are now having our own bitter share of it. Coming back to the House, how do you rate Tambuwal’s 7th Assembly? The House under Tambuwal as Speaker has done excellently well. It is the most stable House since 1999 in terms of leadership. Tambuwal has given a very good leadership for which I respect him. He tries as much as possible to put politics aside in whatever he does. When there is a national issue at the fore front, he tries to be passionate about it and obviously, he tries to see the side of anything that is for the generality of the people. In the same vein, we have done wonderfully well. The PIB is almost passed now because, as we speak, debates, public hearings on the bill have been concluded. We successfully concluded the review of the Constitution and transmitted it to the states Houses of Assembly. And we have also concluded work on lots of other bills which are awaiting presidential assent. On my part, I have paid my modest dues in sponsoring four bills that would provide for robust legislative frameworks which will greatly impact on the development of the nation. I’m talking about the Food Security Advancement Bill for adequate funding intervention in the agricultural sector, the bill for the amendment of the UBE Act seeking to standardize Almajiri education, the bill seeking to establish the Frontier Exploration Agency for the sole exploration of oil & gas in the five geopolitical zones as well as the Federal Character Amendment Bill. So as the 8th Assembly is coming on to take over, they should consolidate on what we have achieved. Nigerians would want to hear your reaction on this gale of defection in the House that is ultimately handing the majority status which the PDP has enjoyed since 1999 to the opposition APC? I must say that I am shocked by it. Because I don’t think it reflects an ideal democratic situation. I’m surprised by the kind of politics we play in Nigeria. That you did not win today does not mean that you won’t win tomorrow. People should learn how to be good winners and losers. That you lose this time does not necessarily mean that you should move to another party just so you could get a ticket. I, for one, voluntarily refused to run for any position for good reasons, even when every member of the National Assembly was given an automatic ticket by our party in Borno. So I don’t encourage this politics of convenience that our people engage in just because they want to remain in power. This will hardly deepen and develop party politics in our country.

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•Escaped women in Damboa area of Borno State

Teenager recounts seven-week ordeal in Boko Haram den BY EBELE ORAKPO

he dream of pretty fifteen-year-old Abigail John, a senior secondary two student of Government Day Secondary School, Jang, Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was temporarily dashed on October 29, 2014 at 11.00am when the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mubi and caught her in her house alongside others. It will be recalled that after Mubi was overran by the terrorists, they changed its name to Madinatul Islam (City of Islam). In this telephone conversation with Sunday Vanguard, Abigail recounts her ordeal. Excerpts: According to Abigail, the terrorists abducted her from her home and took her alongside other victims to their hideout. Corpses littered the ground: “As we were being taken to the place, we saw so many corpses of men littering the ground. They took us across the road to another house where we were kept. In the night, they brought bread and drinks for us to eat for supper. There was no serious event that night until the following day. In the morning, we were given bread and other things for breakfast

and later, they cooked and served us. Thereafter, one of the Boko Harm members started preaching Islam to us.” Military intervention: “While this preaching was going on, a military jet came in and dropped a bomb very close to the house. Moments later, they dropped a second bomb which hit the building where we were kept. When the aircraft was approaching to drop the second bomb, the terrorists forced us into the main house while they escaped. Only one of the terrorists was struck by the bomb, the rest ran away. Some of the abducted people in the house - five women and a child died but most of the people were injured. Those who were not affected by the bomb managed to escape.” Treating the injured: Abigail was not lucky enough to escape as she was injured. She continues: “I was among the injured so we were put in Keke Napep (tricycles) and taken to a clinic. At the clinic, I saw one woman whose leg was amputated, they gave her anesthesia and sleeping tablets to reduce the pain and enable her sleep. Various treatments were administered to the injured. We were then taken to a house close to the clinic.” Change of name: “The following day, October 31, we were served breakfast and they did not try to Islamize those of us who were injured although

they kept preaching to us and changed our names. My name was changed from Abigail to Zainab. Those who were recaptured after the bomb blast that were not injured had to do the ablutions and forced to profess Islam. Their names were also changed. They made new attires and long scarves for each of us. So we all had to wear that as a sign that we were living under an Islamic caliphate.” Relocation: “Because so many people (Boko Haram members) kept coming to that house where we were kept, the Boko Haram commanders decided it was not safe to leave us there so we were relocated to another house, both the injured and those who were recaptured in Mubi. “We were taught how to recite some verses of the Koran. Those who were slightly injured were taught how to say the Moslem prayer five times a day.” Terrorists flee: “On the first Sunday of December when the terrorists got wind of the fact that soldiers were advancing towards Mubi, the terrorists and some of their female members that came along with the registered members ran away and left us in that house. When some of the abducted ladies who were not injured discovered that

They made new attires and long scarves for each of us. So we all had to wear that as a sign that we were living under an Islamic caliphate the terrorists were gone, they also escaped and left those of us that were injured.” It is said that what a man can do, a woman can do even better. One of the female terrorists

proved that to be true. According to Abigail, while the men and other female terrorists escaped, one female terrorist remained behind to guard the victims. Said Abigail: “There was a female Boko Haram member who was stubborn enough to stay back to guard us. She started relocating some of the foodstuff in that house to another house. She also left and locked us in so we could not leave the compound at all.” Escape: “Two girls among us who were not too badly injured, scaled the fence to go and report to the military that we were held hostage in that house. That was how the military got to know that there were people in the house. When those girls scaled the wall, they saw a little boy passing by and convinced him to break the door open for them before the military arrived. So after the boy got the door open, we were able to send message to the soldiers and informed them of our plight. We also informed the soldiers that a Boko Haram woman had been guarding the house. Unfortunately, the woman didn’t come back that day because she must have got wind of the fact that soldiers had come around that area. “A few days later, she felt the soldiers would not come back to the place again so she came to see how we were faring. The soldiers couldn’t move us out immediately because of our injuries. So they arrested her and took her to the military base in Yola.” “I have a broken arm and honestly, I don’t know how it got broken but it was after the bomb attack that I discovered I had a broken arm. While in captivity, the terrorists brought a traditional healer to treat the hand. I have been in great pains,” said Abigail. Abigail is now undergoing treatment with the help of the Catholic Diocese of Yola. Abigail counts herself somehow lucky as she noted that if not for the injury, perhaps she would have been raped and taken to Sambisa forest. “They surrounded the house where we were kept but thank God, they did not rape us, especially those of us who were captured in Mubi.” Asked if she will want to go back to school, Abigail who wants to become a lawyer and practise in Lagos or Abuja, said: “I am scared to go back to Jang or Mubi but I want to continue my education.” Abigail’s mother: Mrs Rebecca John had this to say about her daughter’s abduction and eventual escape: “I was not in town when she was abducted. I had gone to see my sister in a nearby town. My son, Lucky also got missing at the same time. He is really lucky because he was found on January 7. Nobody knew his whereabouts in the past eight weeks.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015, PAGE 55

‘The Lamido magic that stopped Fulani-farmers conflicts in Jigawa’ By Adamu Muhd Usman

“

he sadness of Jigawa’s misfortune will finally come to an end. In line with our philosophy, we appear only when and where there are challenges, but I must admit we are dumbfounded, more than shocked and astonished by the report, and of course we will take it as part of our dark history while putting up a mechanism to forestall all future occurrences” ——Sule Lamido, Tuesday January 1, 2008 Clashes between pastoralists and farmers are worsening in many parts of the country due to disputes over grazing reserves and water sources but the Jigawa State administration under Sule Lamido is far ahead of all others in tackling this social problem. The state government has established 400 grazing reserves, 50 of which have already been gazetted. Grazing reserves tend to be merely unattended bush in other places, but, in Jigawa State, Lamido has seen to it that they are equipped with facilities such as windmills, power pumps

and boreholes as well as improved grass and resting facilities. The effort to establish and demarcate grazing reserves in Jigawa was part of a multidimensional approach adopted by Lamido early in the day to address the perennial problem of clashes between pastoralists and farmers which claimed many lives in the state. Another aspect of the strategy was the setting up of security and sensitization committees to monitor the situation, as well as the payment of compensation to victims of past crises in order to discourage them from seeking revenge. Similarly, in its effort to encourage and enhance the pastoralists, Jigawa State government launched the 2014/2015 animals vaccination exercise recently in BirninKudu local government area in the state in which the state government vaccinated 3,438,590 cattle against diseases in the past seven and-half-years 2007-2014. Also the state government had immunised 1, 611, 197 sheep and goats, while 53, 450 dogs were also vaccinated against rabies. Due to routine vaccination,

The Talakawa’s leader, attends to everyone who texts or calls without intimidation, humiliation, victimization or deprivation

the devastating diseases that often affected animals in the state had declined significantly. Also the government has included poultry in the programme to prevent Newcastle disease. Jigawa State government often purchases assorted veterinary drugs for farmers at subsidized prices and modern surgical equipment for nine veterinary clinics across the state. Lamido’s administration

had invested a lot of resources on agriculture as the main stay of the economy. Also, the economic and investment summit in the state in 2013 was convened by Lamido because of his commitment and efforts in the Agricultural sector, in which more than 80 per cent of the investors who

participated at the summit expressed willingness to invest in agro-allied industries in the state. An accompanying aspect of this overall social policy also discourages allowing domestic animals to roam freely in towns and cities. Cattle, goats and sheep contribute in making towns dirty, and cause accidents, hence the new policy that makes their owners to tether them in their houses. This far-reaching social policy was not restricted to the animals and pastoralists alone. It also accommodates the children of the herdsmen. Jigawa state government has established many nomadic schools in the state to accommodate a large population of Fulani children. The governor approved that all nomadic schools in the state must be funded, equipped and staffed while ensuring that the children are taught both Islamic and western education respectively. Lamido followed up his initiatives (administrative policies) with another project that facilitates easy access to him. He has a dedicated GSM phone line by which citizens can reach him in order to complain, offer advice, suggest and object or criticize his government’s policies and programs. The Talakawa’s leader, attends to everyone who texts or calls without intimidation, humiliation, victimization or deprivation. It is not for nothing that citizens of Jigawa State speak of the Lamido as a governor, mentor, leader, guardian, father and a messiah.

• Gov. Sule Lamido

Page 56 —SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015

VIEWPOINT By Yomi Obaditan

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

The need to discuss issues ahead of general elections

HE name of General Muhammadu Buhari has generated controversy since the day he became military Head of State in 1984. The short period he was in charge of the nation was noted for drastic change in terms of national discipline, moral re- birth and draconian application of rules. Tunde Thompson and Nduka Iraboh, journalists with The Guardian Newspapers, were jailed for daring to publish the truth. Ojuolape and others found guilty of drug trafficking were summarily executed under a retroactive law. Ever since, the guilty ones are afraid of the man - Buhari. The National Party of Nigeria ( NPN), just proscribed, was powerful. At the time the Buhari / Idiagbon came to power, three of

Who is afraid of Buhari? the then NPN members were alleged to have embezzled over six billion dollars. The Buhari regime declared some of those accused wanted. One of them, Unaru Dikko, in exile in London was adopted, drugged and put in a crate and was about to be flown to Nigeria before the British government was alerted. A Nigerian Major was arrested with three others over the abduction of Dikko at the Heathrow Airport, London. The four military officers were jailed over the botched adoption. 20 three years later, the echoes of the Buhari era that cleared up the rubbish that the shameless politicians perpetrated in our land is sending fear down the spine of the “ jegudu-jera “ (embezzlers). Buhari has been contesting election for about three times and failed. He even lamented that the 2011 election would be the last election he would be participating in. But the

merger of some political parties to form All Progressives Congress ( APC ) made him to change his mind and gave him courage to give the race for the office of the president a last trial. The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has been enraged by the outcome of the APC presidential primary election that was opened, transparent and free from any party acrimony. Their thought was that the APC’s primary election would mark the end of the party. But now that they realised that Buhari’s massive followers from the North and the neglected South-West people under Jonathan will nail the political coffin of the PDP and its candidate, they resorted into shenanigans. When Buhari became Head of State, nobody mentioned that a Nigerian Army General has no certificate. When he contested three times in diffferent political parties, nobody raised any issue

about Buhari’s certificate. But now that the ruling party realised that the Buhari is leading a formidable political party like that of the APC against them, they appear to be using blackmail. Did Buhari have the INEC basic credential for the coming election? Buhari possesses the basic school certificate. In 1956, Buhari attended Katsina Provisional Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina). It was after this school that he joined the army and was trained in many military institutions within and in various military institutions across the globe. The minimum qualification required by the Electoral Act Section 106 (d) is school certificate or its equivalent. That is why wise Nigerians are asking politicians to discuss issues; issues that will move the nation forward, issues that will revive

Jonathan, Buhari and the 2015 election VIEWPOINT By Tony Odiadi

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

The choice between the known and the unknown

HERE is no election that will task President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s political acumen and ability to face a challenge like the 2015 election in which he is also the candidate for the PDP. He will be both president and a contender; he will provide leadership even as he faces partisan concerns as a politician in power seeking re-election. The reason is obvious, for at no time in this political dispensation has the nation been so drawn apart along clear political cleavages and inclinations by sections of the country. There’s an opposition that has risen to expand its platform through a regrouping and re-invention, bringing several disparate elements into its fold. This

new opposition party is now staking a more determined pitch for power, particularly in the presidential election. To some, a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the candidate for the APC, is somehow a masterstroke even if less so the subsequent selection of professor of law, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, a Redeemed Church senior Pastor from Ikenne, with a marital connection to the Awolowo family, without much political base. In a sense, this combination ordinarily can energize the voting hordes, but that will be so if politics operates in a historical vacuum where human memory does not exist or count for nothing. To many others also, far from being a strong candidacy, certain burdens and deficits are immediately in tow following the selection of the former Head of State by APC and the party will be kept busy as it logs that heavy historical

load on its shoulders, heading towards the presidential election come February 14. Nonetheless, as opposition politics go, there is a loud cry and clamour for change and so a number of issues has been appropriated and projected into national consciousness. For example, the issue of national security exemplified in the ongoing menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north eastern plank of the country and more tellingly on the Chibok school girls capture; the problem of power which is yet to be wholly resolved despite current efforts; the perennial issue of ‘corruption’ in our national life, which has characterized much of what is seen as one of our greatest challenge to the proper functioning of our public service delivery and also of the private sector; the issues of leadership style relating to the obvious paradigm shift from the personification and swagger of

power to its more restrained use and deployment; and a whole series of visible and invented issues in the economy, oil sector, social life, etc. To be sure, in issue is the president’s score card for which reason Jonathan and his handlers will be obliged to push a case for continuity, for consolidation. The platform provided by incumbency is important, it is part of the president’s obligations to show to Nigerians what he has done these past years. The political calculations on the ground put the PDP as a majority. That is an advantage which the opposition finds unassailable. The point remains that Jonathan’s achievements in government are somehow under-reported by sections of the media. This campaign is helping now to get out the message, his visions and his accomplishments to the Nigerian youths and the masses. No economy is wholly insulated

our economy, issues that will provide job for the jobless, issues that will give hopes to the hopeless and cause Nigerians irrespective of social status, tribe and tongue will be able to live in any part of Nigeria in harmony. Akin Osuntokun’s reference to Buhari’s seizure of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s international passport in 1984 and the aftermath of the seizure that prevented Awolowo from attending his medical check-up, and his subsequent death two years later ought not to be part of issues to be discussed as this issue cannot positively impact on the nation, rather it will divide us on ethnic lines the more. The cancellation of Jakande’s transport project in Lagos by Buhari after the army took over power in 1984, is no longer relevant to the present challenge. Raising such issue against Buhari shows how hypocritical politicians could be while trying to destroy political opponents.

•Obadilan lives in Oshogbo

against global economic recession, least of all a mono-product economy like Nigeria’s. The Jonathan administration pursues growth through development plans: The National Vision2020, the National Infrastructure Master Plan, etc. The outcomes are there for all to see by way of sectorial growth, for example, in agriculture- increased food production, in aviation- remodeled and expanded airports all around the country. Based on these specific successes, the APC ‘Change’ slogan falls flat on its face for many as being without substance as Nigerians know the strides already on the ground. The President and the ruling party have their electioneering work clearly cut out. It is therefore a sharp contest between a future that is unknown offered by the opposition party and what is already in existence, making progress even if not in leaps and bound. •Odiadi, an attorney and arbitrator, practices at 104 Lewis Street, Lagos.

Asu Beks @ 61: The travails of journalist, activist and social commentator VIEWPOINT By Chukwunonso Udeh

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

A man of many parts on his birthday Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Media Limited, Asu Beks, is synonymous with maritime journalism, advocacy and activism in Nigeria. Over three decades, his consistence and dedication to the pursuit of truth, fairness and equity has distinguished him in Nigeria’s media landscape as a voice to be reckoned with.

ITH over 26 years experience reporting the maritime industry, Asu Beks, is unarguably the doyen of maritime journalism in Nigeria, was born 61 years ago. Asu Beks cut his teeth in journalism when, in the late 70s, he served as Information Officer of the old Western Ijaw Division (now Burutu, Bomadi and Patani) in present Delta State. Between 1984 and 1986, Asu Beks

was variously the City Editor of the Nigeria Tide in Lagos and Kaduna, Bureau Chief for the defunct Democrat Newspapers in Port Harcourt and Bureau Chief of the Guardian in Port Harcourt. His baptism of fire as a young journalist was at the Guardian newspaper in Port Harcourt. The state government had introduced the School to Land programme. However, the then Governor Oyakhilome asked civil servants to contribute 2.5% of their salaries to fund the project. This was an anomaly, thus, Asu Beks had an interview with the state Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olisemeka, who condemned the action of Oyakhilome and the report made the front page of the newspaper. Subsequently, the governor was summoned by President Ibrahim Babangida to explain his action. An angry Oyakhilome returned to Port Harcourt and tried to arrest Asu Beks twice and on both occasions he got wind of it and escaped. Asu Beks was to join the Bendel Community Concord team as a

senior reporter and rose to become its pioneer Group Maritime Editor. In 1991, he was voted the Best All Round Reporter of the Concord Group when he scooped the story of an Italian vessel that attempted to discharge a shipload of toxic beef at the Tin Can Island Port in 1990. As a reporter with the Community Concord in Benin in 1987, Asu was at a press conference when Governor John Mark Inienger asked him to identify himself by standing up. When Asu Beks stood up, the governor wanted to know why he was so critical of his administration. Asu Beks was invited to his office where the governor told him that he didn’t want to make him a hero because if he arrested Asu Beks and locked him up (the Dele Giwa incident was still very fresh), he would be making him a hero. Two weeks later, Asu Beks published an interview with Inienger which didn’t go down well with the governor because even though it was a question and answer format, the prologue read like this, “When Inienger acted on behalf of Governor Jerry Useni whenever the

latter was out of town, Bendelites thought that he was the Messiah we were waiting for. However, when the mantle of leadership fell on Inienger, it was not the Inienger we used to know.” This made the governor get the publisher, the late M.K.O Abiola, to redeploy Asu Beks from the state. Asu Beks has been involved in activism for a period spanning 30 years. In this period, he has been detained twice, once in Burutu and another in Bomadi. As a front line member of the Ijaw Youth Action League (IYAL), Asu Beks was instrumental to the protests for the merger of the Ijaw of Ondo and Bendel with their kith and kin in Rivers State. As a fiery social commentator, Asu Beks is very passionate about Nigeria and has contributed immensely when discussing issues of national importance at various fora. With over 30 years of social commentary experience under his belt, coupled with over 105 appearances on television, radio and newspapers, Asu Beks has consistently and untiringly

agitated for a better Nigeria, campaigned against oppression and condemned the marginalization of the Niger Delta people. A widely travelled maritime journalist, he is the founding President of the League of Maritime Editors of Nigeria and pioneer President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN). Asu Beks is also the founding President of the Ijaw Media Forum, where he still serves as President, while, very recently, he was elected pioneer President of the South South Media Professionals Association. Asu Beks incorporated Maritime Media Limited in June 1997 to pioneer the delicate and complex world of maritime media advocacy when he launched Shipping World Newspaper side by side with a TV talk show, Shipping on TV, as well as Shipping on Radio. Maritime Media Limited also organizes the most credible and widely accepted award program in the maritime industry, the maritime industry Merit Awards (MIMA). He is happily married and blessed with children. •Udeh is a Public Affairs Analyst

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 18, 2015,

VIEWPOINT By Hassan Abubakar

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Giant strides of an anti-graft agency

O one said the war on corruption will be an easy task to embark on, particularly considering Nigeria’s peculiar nature, in which corruption has literally eaten dip into the fabrics of society. What is however evident in recent times, and an unmistakable fact, is that the resolve of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to rid the country of corruption is yielding results. A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), recently enthused about the unwavering efforts of the anti-graft agency in its efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes. While encouraging the staff of the Commission at an event, he expressed unalloyed belief that the EFCC’s war against corruption was a worthwhile one that could be won. Agabi is no doubt mincing words, as the Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde-led EFCC has not relented in its concerted efforts geared towards redeeming the image of Nigeria in the international community. The efforts are yielding results. Indeed, the gains are there for all to see. In 2013, the anti-graft agency

VIEWPOINT By Bola Omoteso

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Unveiling a presidential running mate

INCE the emergence of Yemi Osinbajo as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), there have been speculation about him in the media, social media and chat rooms. Nigerians have been so jaded with politicians that when they come across someone who genuinely cares, they are skeptical. Osinbajo was brought up in a strict Christian home where moral values were emphasised. Stealing was corruption and you never got away with it. As an effect of this upbringing, he excelled as a student. He won contests in debating while in secondary school one of which was the African Statesman Intercollegiate Best

EFCC’s war against graft announced that it recorded 117 convictions. This certainly was no mean feat in light of the shenanigans in the Nigerian judicial system, in which lawyers are known for their cunningness in frustrating cases in court.. Latest statistics indicate that the Commission surpassed that in 2014 recording 126 convictions. That, to all intent and purposes is a healthy progression that should be applauded when viewed against the 64, 68 and 67 convictions recorded in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, it becomes obvious that there is something that the EFCC under Lamorde has got right with investigation and prosecution of cases. In addition to achieving more convictions in the past year, the EFCC has also achieved more in the area of assets recovery. In the annual report submitted yearly to the National Assembly, the anti-graft agency disclosed that in 2011, it recovered N9,755,924,635.69. The figures for 2012 were given as N41,548,665,730.69 and $1,520,410.00. Those of 2013 were listed as N11,276,108,536.81; $2,190,127.00; 45,585.00 pounds and 7,090.00 euros. Under Lamorde’s watch, the Commission has vigorously pursued

the trial of former state governors and other politically exposed persons accused of corruption. Cases involving Saminu Turaki, ex- governor of Jigawa State; Chimaroke Nnamani, former governor of Enugu State; Rashidi Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State; Alao Akala, former governor of Oyo State; Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State; Athahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State; Akwe Doma, former governor of Nasarawa State; Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Oguns State; Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State; Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of Nasarawa state; Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe State; Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State and Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi State are ongoing in courts across the country. Convicted former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, was rearraigned on fresh charges before a Federal High Court, Benin over a N25billion scam. Trial has reached the stage of final addresses by counsel. Indeed, there have been no sacred cows in the Commission’s anticorruption war. The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Wale Babalakin, was arrested and docked on money

The Osinbajo I know Speaker’s Prize. At the University of Lagos where he graduated with a second-class upper degree in law, he tutored third year students in evidence. This he began while still in his second year. Evidence then was open to both second and third year students. Osinbajo has a brilliant mind and used it to further the rule of law beyond the shores of Nigeria. When Justice Bola Ajibola was head of the law school at UNILAG, Yemi was a lecturer in the faculty. He always voicedhisopiniononissuesevenwhen it went against the grain; this he did to the consternation of members of the faculty. But to the surprise of many, when Ajibola was appointed as member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, he sent for Osinbajo, the lawyer who went the extra mile and made valuable contributions to the law department.

Obviously Ajibola did not want a yes man. When Senator Bola Tinubu became the governor of Lagos State, based on reference, he asked Osinbajo to be his attorney general. Osinbajo demurred on the grounds of being from Remo. But Tinubu insisted saying that would not be an issue considering that he had been resident in Lagos for over 10 years. Many seem to have forgotten that before this role, Yemi was a Special Adviser to the Nigeria’s Attorney General between 1988 and 1992 and went on to become the Ethics Adviser to the Board of the African Development Bank. The rest as they say is history. Osinbajo reformed Lagos judiciary. At the time he was appointed, most of the courts in the state did not have functioning fax machines, sterrographic equipment or even

Esan people seek ideal senator VIEWPOINT By Oziegbe Esaninebu

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

A people in search of a worthy representative Talk to any of the Enijies at Ishan they will tell you his time has come. Pressed further they will say this time the Ishan peoplewillnotjustvoteforanybodywho carries the appellation of a politician but somebody who can truly represent them; a voice that can be heard from the higher chambers of the National Assembly.Acoupleofthemlookedback at what has been and rued the chances of failed representation. Looking at the political situation at Ishan there is no doubt that politics in that environment is maturing as people begin to think of quality representation for the long run instead of immediate material or pecuniary benefits. Welcome to Ishan where the eyes are opening very fast for the good of the people. Such unanimous support from

traditional rulers and the mass of the people remains the corner pillars holdingupOdiatorunfortheSenateto represent his people. And as a kind of precursor to the kind of politics that will play out in the Senatorial District, Odia trounced the incumbent, Dr Odion Ugbesia, Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, with 141 votes to Ugbesia’s 61 at the PDP primaries. This remains yet the strongest message by the people that they were not ready any more to accept sloppiness from people voted into big offices. The emergence of Odia is also a very strong message to the opposition that PDP has destroyed the spirit of incumbencytoproducethebestpossible candidate for that position whose qualities will be difficult to match. It is farewell to the season of bogey men and men of shady character and woolen personalities who jostle for public offices for narcissistic purposes. PDP has done the needful by picking a popularly acceptable and well respected candidate with a distinguishedpedigree.

What does Clifford Odia really bring tothetable?Theanswerissubsumedin his very simple message. “I will be able to restore the lost voice of Esanland at the Senate. The voice will be vocal and democratic and truly representative of thepeople.Asacharteredcivilengineer I will be able to reconcile the bill of engineering management and evaluation with what is critically executed on ground,” he would tell his audience. He pledged to attract government presence to the zone and take youth empowerment as a very personal responsibility.“Iwillnotonlyteachthem tofishIwillusemypositiontoempower Esanlandbyattractingdonoragencies,” hevowed. Startingoutwithasmallconstruction company in 1991, Odia has made a huge success of that company which now employs over 200 professional engineers. At the moment he sits atop a conglomerate which runs a quarry in Edo State, two asphalt plants –one in Edo State, the other in Rivers while another quarry will soon be

Page 57

servants who served the country meritoriously were consigned to a life of destitution upon retirement, no thanks to the activities of a cabal that turned pension administration to veritable gold mine. To a considerable extent, sanity has been restored to the system, no thanks to vigorous law enforcement activities of the EFCC, which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of senior officials of both Police Pension and the Pension office in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The agency in its belief in the need to carry along everybody in the war on corruption also strengthened its communications section which the creation of a Directorate of Public Affairs which, in the last three years, stepped up the Commission’s sensitization efforts through the three units in the department: Media and Publicity Unit, Public Interface and Enlightenment and Re-orientation Units. The Commission, in November 2014, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with credible Civil Society Organizations to partner in the fight against corruption. This is on the platform of the reformed AntiCorruption Revolution (ANCOR), which is now known as the AntiCorruption and Economic and Financial Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network).

laundering allegations. Babalakin, Alex Okoh and three companies: Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are alleged to have between May 2006 and December 2006 corruptly conferred benefits on former governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori, on account of contracts awarded by Delta State government to Stabilini Visioni Limited by transferring the monies through third parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of Challenger Jet Aircraft by the said James Ibori. Trial is ongoing. Under Lamorde’s watch, the EFCC also initiated a process that eventually culminated in the ruling by a Federal High Court, Abuja ceding ownership of the controversial $15 million Ibori bribe money to the Federal Government after a legal battle that pitted the Commission against the Delta State Government which belatedly claimed ownership of the fund. One area where far reaching impact has been made by the Lamorde-led EFCC is in checking the malfeasance in pension administration in Nigeria. Before his coming to the saddle, pension •Abubakar, a veteran journalist, administration in Nigeria was a lives in Abuja cesspool of corruption. Many public computers. Paint was peeling off the walls of the esteemed judiciary. There were no air conditioning, suits could be filed with a paltry N500 and judges earned N67,000 annually! It was pathetic. As part of the reform, lawyers now intending to be judges go through examinations. Little wonder he served two scandal-free terms. The Justice Research Institute (JRI), of which Maryam Uwais, the principal partner of Wali-Uwais & Co and consultant to UNICEF, OSIWA. World Bank and DFID, and Femi Falana, a former President of the West Africa Bar Association and civil rights activist, are board members, was co-founded by Osinbajo in 2005. In his assignment as a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he has used the gospel to help the poor and the downtrodden. Much is said about his parish at Banana Island (Olive

Tree) but most people may wish to know that he was pastor of RCCG Jesus House at Ademola Street, Ikoyi for years before he was posted to Olive Tree. At Jesus Centre, the church founded six NGOs one of which was used to effect kidney transplant for the underprivileged. A lot of these transplants were done locally at St. Nicholas, Lagos not India. Just like a battered woman is wary of every well-meaning suitor, Nigerians have become so inured to compromising politicians. As such, it is difficult for them to conceive that there could be a genuine one out there. A man who has led an upright life all his years will not abandon it for a pit of gold or oil block. Character is what we need in our leaders. Their antecedent will tell us how they will behave in office.

commissioned. Long before going into politics Odia has established himself as a people’s man enjoying an overwhelming grassroot support. His philanthropic activities are well documented and appreciatedbythepeoplewhoseehim as a pillar of support to the vulnerable in the society like widows. He is very supportive of the women folks and some indigent students enjoy scholarships in his name. PoliticsinEdoStateinthedaysahead is going to be very interesting and excitinginastatewheretheopposition hasproducedthegovernorrunningthe state.Alreadypropagandaisveryhigh in the political menu in a state where wordshavebecomeverycheap.There is every indication that the opposition party will be desperate to secure the seat in order to buoy the exaggerated performance of the governor. But the Ishanpeoplewilllikelyusetheelection as the beginning of a process to put their house in order and take their destiny in their own hands in the face of a governor that has only paid gratuitous attention to them. In terms of infrastructural rollout the Senatorial Zonecomprisingfivelocalgovernment

areas,namely:EsanWest,EsanCentral, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben, comes a distant third. Esan is also the home of Chief Tony Anenih, popularly hailed as the Leader, a frontline pillar of the PDP who has been unnecessarily vilified just for fightinghiswaytovisibilityinhiscountry. Come election 2015 the Esan people willdemonstratetheirtrueancestry;they will demonstrate that they are decent people properly brought up by their parents; people who will not stay in exalted offices and throw invectives at their elders no matter the political provocation. The Esan people will cast their vote to support their star leader, Chief Tony Anenih in order to demonstrate that they don’t consume their stars as is the practice in most parts ofthecountry.TheEsanpeopleenhance the luminosity of their own stars. Now that opportunity has come for OdiatoworkwiththeLeaderandevery Esan man that loves the development of his heritage. He has seized the opportunitywithbothhandsashetakes his message of a new dawn to a people who want their voice to be heard nationally. •Esaninebu is resident in Lagos.

•Omoteso is an IT consultant

PAGE 58—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015 sam.eyoboka@gmail.com

08023145567 (sms only)

9,999 XMAS CAROL: God’s own party in Uyo By JIMOH BABATUNDE

T was a night of glitz, a night of glamour, a night of harmonious voices, a night of divine exhortation, a night of uncommon unity, a night of uncommon people and a night of uncommon carols rendition. So it was in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as many converged in the newly built stadium, the Nest of Champions, for the 2014 edition of the Christmas Carol Night, an event that saw 9,999 Choristers gathering to praise God. As a first timer attending the event, the traffic at the Lagos airport travelling to Uyo was a pointer to the acceptability of the carol which was initiated in 2008 by the outgoing governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who was inspired by his desire to gather people from every church, hamlet, village, in and around the state, to share in the joy of Christmas with the First Family. From the crowd moving towards the newly built magnificent stadium venue of the event our arrival in Uyo that night, to the orderly crowd queuing to have access into the stadium, we had no doubt that the assemblage of 9,999 singers was a specially packaged tourism product. The sight of the gathering inside the stadium was simply unbelievable as the locals and the visitors blend together under the floodlight to the glory of the Lord. Gov. Akpabio when called upon to flag off the event captured the feelings at the stadium when, he said “tonight, I have come to kick off the 2014 Christmas Carol with uncommon people, with uncommon singers in an uncommon stadium.” He added; “ we have come to praise God in uncommon fashion and I pray the blessings you will take away from this brand new stadium tonight will be uncommon. Every beat, dance here today will bring good health.” Akpabio took time to welcome the guests which included foreign and Nigerian artistes like Don Moen, Sinach, Angella Christie, Bongos Ikwe, Rev. Jesse Jackson and John Cardinal Onaiyekan among others. He said the reason God created human beings is to praise and worship Him, noting that the presence of Muslims among them at the stadium was to show love. "Both Islam and Christianity preach peach and harmonious relationship.” Akpabio, giving glory to God for what he called the ‘uncommon achievement of his administration, said they have seen the hand of the Lord in their journey in the last seven years. “The journey has not been easy, God gave us the string to bring them down, but today we stand at a historic junction. As we join our voices together, the war on insurgency will come down. I pray for Ebola eradication in West Africa as well as poverty and crises in Africa as we raise our voices.

*The teeming crowd that witnessed the Akwa Ibom State Government 2014 Christmas Carol Night that featured 9,999 choristers. “Nothing shall withstand the string of love you will pour out tonight. I will not be here next year as your governor, but will join you as a senator of the Federal Republic. I say to the Akwa Ibom people let the music play on. No matter the string you have left, let the music play on in high time or low time.” The governor’s call for the music to go on brought life to the stadium as the singing Bird Orchestra, the quartet by Congo, Nigeria, South Africa and St. Kitts & Nevis and Godfada sang their hearts out. The dancing and praise worship was adjourned as Cardinal Onaiyekan was called up for the Christmas message. While thanking the people of the state for inviting him, he asked that the essence of Christmas should not be forgotten. “In this time of Christmas, we should not forget to cast our mind back to the baby born in purity. Today, as we gather here babies are being born all over the world. When children are born, either by Kings or servants, they are equal.” He noted that we are all born equal, so every child deserves care and love. Onaiyekan then called for special prayers for the children abducted in Nigeria's North East by Boko Haram, just as the children of Syria and Iraq are victims of terrorism. He said the story of Jesus has shown that any ruler that tries to frustrate God’s will shall perish, so he said there cannot be peace without order and there can’t be order and justice without forgiveness. The Catholic cleric asked leaders to conduct themselves in the order of God as He alone has power over all. “The people are the reason for governance, so those seeking offices should do so for the good of the people,” he stated, adding that since we have all agreed to practice democracy, politicians must make themselves the instrument of peace. While noting that there is fear in the country today, Onaiyekan called on politicians to carry out their campaign peacefully and

allow the electorate decide who to choose, “in the name of God, let there be peace.

He added “it is true that some disgruntled elements have constituted themselves into a group wanting us to follow their

order. Some villages have been overrun by Boko Haram who have killed several while others fled.” He urged government to tame those who are hell bent on creating commotion in the land as Muslim leaders in the country have disowned the Boko Haram group, “we as Christians should join hands with Muslims of goodwill to eradicate this. “Our country is blessed by God, and we have no choice but to live in peace with one another. At the end of the day the world will be at peace than in conflict," he noted. People of Akwa Ibom effusively praised God with ministrations from Don Moen, Sinach and Buchi among others till the early hours of Sunday. The 9999 Christmas carol is gradually turning into a global fiesta which if sustained would earn a place on the global tourism map. After-all, the scale of the event is already phenomenal, the motive has universal appeal.

Adetola tasks Christians on self-examination "As we are getting more and more, all kindsof things alien to RCCG are now happening. There are all kinds of things happen today and GO was emphatic during the service calling out transgressors for prayers. That frightened me because it shows that as ministers we lay hands on people without searching ourselves," she stated stress-ing the need for constant self examination. In an interview, the Pastor-in-charge of Province 37, Pastor Benjamin Ajayeoba, proprietors of the parishes, thanked Pastor (Mrs.) Adetola for making time for this onerous task of commission-ing the parishes. According to him, the church is really trying to do its best, "we are praying for the nation, we are praying for our community. If you look into the society at large, there’s high rate of L-R: Pastor Benjamin Ajayeoba, Pastor-in-Charge of corruption because people are giving Province 37, RCCG; Pastor Ladejobi Samuel, Pastor-in- themselves to immoralities, sin and they have Charge of Area, Pastor (Mrs) Oretayo Adetola, Pastor-in- forgotten God. Charge of Region II and Pastor Oluwayemi Olajide, "The bible says the fear of the Lord is the Assistant Pastor in Charge, Lagos Province 37 during the beginning of wisdom. Let everybody fear God. dedication of new church auditorium of Prince of Peace You cannot do without that. That’s the reason Parish, Magboro. Photo Lamidi Bamidele why we continue to pray that God will continue to convict the hearts of men to God so that they By SAM EYOBOKA will be able to have the fear of God. And that’s what the church stands for," Pastor Ajayeoba ASTOR in charge of Region 11 of the Redeemed stated. Christian Church of God and Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the church, Pastor (Mrs.) Oretayo Adetola last Sunday dedicated four parishes of the church in different parts of Ogun and Lagos states with a charge at the congregations to shun eye service in the church and get closer to God by occasionally examine themselves. Emphasising the need for Christians to live right with COMMUNITY leader and a politi God at all times during the dedication of Prince of Peace cal analyst, Dr. Joseph Ojevwe, has parish, Magboro in Ogun State, Praise Court, Power condemned the amassing of wealth Assembly and Miracle Model parishes in Akowonjo area of Lagos, Pastor Adetola maintained that the Church cannot and sycophancy by our politicians, saying the return to the old days of miraculous occurrences in the manner politicians practice democracy in Nigeria is primitive and premature. church unless we repent and forsake them. analyst, who has spent over 32 years Stating that she was frightened during the last annual in The the United States of America told newsthanks-giving service when the General Overseer, Pastor men recently in Okpara, Ethiope East local Enoch Adeboye expressed disgust at certain ugly government area of Delta State that the Nidevelopments in Christendom, she decried people gerian definition of democracy is on how to pretending in the church, saying "we can deceive ourselves, amass wealth for themselves at the detriment we can deceive the pastor but we certainly cannot deceive of the masses. God." He urged politicians not to take the game Pastor Adetola charged mem-bers of the church to as a do-or-die affair, condemning the behavendeavour to build their own spiritual lives in line with iour of some ethnic nationalities that see the Bible principles, noting "you have built for God, but be governance of the country as a birthright, careful that you build yourselves as well," stressing that threatening brimstone if they don’t win and RCCG started with 13 members with small building that described such attitude as crude. was not as big as many that are being built today.

Community leader lambasts politicians

*SUPPORT THE PERSECUTED CHISTIANS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 18, 2015---PAGE 59

ESUS says: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’” (Matthew 9:13). If what God desires is mercy, then we need to ask why the mercy of God is not evident in Moses; the servant of God. Indeed, Christians need to ask this simple question: is the righteousness of Moses the righteousness of God?

THE FLAWED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Virgin collectors

This scripture should provide food for thought: “Moses was angry with the officers of the army, with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, who had come from the battle. And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive? Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately. But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.” (Numbers 31:14-18) How is this in conformity with loving our neighbour as our self? Surely, the righteousness of God does not include raiding foreign lands and taking virgins as booty. Have you wondered how “righteous Moses” could give this evil directive when his wife was a Midianite? Does this command to kill all Midianite women include Mrs. Moses? For forty years, Moses lived with the Midianites after he ran away from the pharaoh in Egypt. What kind of a man then gives instructions to annihilate a people who gave him refuge for some forty years of his life and who also happen to be his inlaws? What lesson is this bible trying to teach us here? What righteousness is it trying to instil in us through this story?

“Moses is not qualified to teach Christians the righteousness of God

Is the bible a book of righteousness or is it a book of wickedness? Is God a God of righteousness or is he a God of wickedness? Certainly, Moses directive does not suggest he knows the ways of God. If nothing else, this action shows Moses is not qualified to teach Christians the righteousness of God.

Serving God Jesus says to his disciples: “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor me. (John 16:1-3). Do you realise that this is also a comment on the Old Testament? The word of God is from everlasting to everlasting. Jesus does not change. He is forever the same. (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, this word applies even to the time of Moses. Jesus says people kill because they have not known the Father or him. This implies that Moses did not know that genocide is not the way God. Jesus says: “Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but

my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33).

Vigilante Phinehas Phinehas stabbed to death an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were fornicating. According to Moses, God was so pleased with Phinehas for this murder that he proclaimed a blessing on him: “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with my zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in my zeal. Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’” (Numbers 25:10-13). Would God bless a man for killing other men? Certainly not! Jesus says: “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” Would a man who kills another man be doing God service? Not according to Jesus.

What if the person killed did something wrong? It makes no difference. As a matter of fact, James says: “Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13). When they brought a woman caught in the very act of adultery to Jesus and asked if she should be stoned to death, according to the prescription of Moses, Jesus refused to validate Moses. Instead, he told her accusers: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7). Jesus reproved the woman for committing adultery and warned her to sin no more. But he did not condemn her to death. This shows the righteousness of Phinehas is entirely different from that of God.

Questionable covenant The covenant blessing Phinehas is said to have received from God for this terrible act turns out to be dubious. Phinehas became the High Priest, but there was no everlasting priesthood for him. His priesthood ended after only two generations. As a matter of fact, another priesthood was established that completely bypassed his line in Shiloh with Eli

as the High Priest. Eli was not Phinehas’ descendant. On the contrary, Eli usurped the High Priesthood from Phinehas’ descendants and waged war against them. As High Priest, Phinehas led Ephraim to sin in Bethel. Phinehas fasted, prayed and offered sacrifices to God; then he told the Israelites that God sanctioned the extermination of the Benjamites because of the rape of an Ephraimite’s concubine. He fasted and prayed, seeking the answer to one question: should I attack and kill my brother Benjamin? And God is said to have replied: “Go right ahead.” So he had them virtually wiped out. This is like a man fasting and praying in order to ask God: “Should I kill Mr. Jones and marry his wife?” And God tells him: “Go ahead.” So he kills him in the name of the Lord and marries his wife. When somebody challenges him for this sin, he tells him to shut up: “God told me to do so.” “Shut up, the Pastor told me to do so.” “Shut up, the Pope said it is okay to do so.” When did the pastor or the pope become our righteousness? Did God tell Phinehas that the Israelites should wipe out the Benjamites? Definitely not! However, the Israelites foolishly believed it was the counsel of the Lord. After realising their error, they then tried to make amends in a most ungodly manner: by kidnapping virgin girls from Shiloh in the bid to use them to re-populate Benjamin. Now we can understand Jesus’ sorrowful prayer with regard to the world and his disciples: “O righteous Father! The world has not known you, but I have known you; and these have known that you sent me. And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:25-26).

Elections will be free and peaceful if....---Muoka

ENERAL Overseer of The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka in this interview with SAM EYOBOKA during the just concluded 2015 annual Mgbidi crusade says Nigeria will have peaceful election if... What is the benefit of this crusade to Nigeria and the world? By the special grace of God, the benefits are so numerous because the world is full of uncertainties and calamities. And as we run to God, He will give salvation, the grace to live the Christian life and take away all the problems. He will continue to preserve you and make sure that those things that people are suffering outside the kingdom will not be your portion and make you to rejoice. Through this programme, as you can hear the testimonies, you see excitement on the faces of all the people; when you hear the testimonies of blind people seeing, the lame walking, the deaf and dumb hearing and speaking...just as you have seen now, many mad people have received freedom. As many that converged here under the umbrella of God

Almighty and His ministers, He will definitely make them to rejoice. I want us to understand that as long as we remain on the side of the Lord, He will continue to make us rejoice by taking care of all the problems of this life. Beyond the healings, how does the programme affect this nation particularly on an election year? Definitely as we pray here, it has a lot of effects on the nation. As we unitedly call upon God, the principalities and powers that cause confusion and trouble are being bound. By the grace of God as this programme is taking place, we have assurance that God in the midst of whatever is going on, He will make us to rejoice and the nation as well. As many that will agree, because God cannot work with you except you accept Him, definitely God will also make them to rejoice. We believe that this nation will benefit because prayers are being made. And as they draw closer to God, I’m sure that we are going to have a peaceful election. I’m sure that as they draw closer to God, the crisis, violence and terrorism will be brought

*Muoka

to stop. God will make this nation have an election that is free from every kind of violence or trouble. But then the key is that they should recognize the personality of God. As we pray, we believe that God will give us free and fair election. God cannot give you what you desire while you are working against Him. How would you compare this year ’s cr usade with previous ones? By the special grace of God, it’s very clear that God is advancing us. This year ’s crusade is far better than last year ’s in every area: in turnout, in area of salvation, and in preparations.

Politicians are now taking their campaigns to the churches. Some people have said this is not a healthy development. What’s your take on this, Sir? It is good if they recognize God, but if their coming to the church is not that they recognize God, then I want to let you know that it is contrary to the will of God. But if they have a regard for God and they are coming to the church so that God will take care of the elections, then that’s okay. But if they are coming for political purposes, God is not a man. You can do that but God can still do what He wants to do. The Imo State governor was here for the service, and he must have rubbed minds with you on his second term. Are you satisfied with what he has done in the state so far? In the first place, we did not have any discussion about his tenure because I represent God. What I want to let you know is that he came here as the chief executive of this state. The issue is that he has done what he should do as the governor of this state, he recognized us.

What is the plan for next year's crusade? I know that we are progressing. If Jesus tarries, by next year we are going to have better parking and better arrangements for the crusade. So we are improving every year. Beyond the Imo state politics, what is your word for this nation, Nigeria? My word for Nigeria is that the whole nation should recognize God. Everyone should return to God who has the key of life and success. If everyone in this nation will surrender to God with all their hearts, I believe that before the emergence of rapture, we are going to have a nation that is full of peace, progress and unity. So this nation will not tear apart this year like some people predicted? The way I look at the nation, it’s in the hands of God. If God decides, His decision is final. I believe God can do whatever He wants to do. We are praying that there should be unity, peace and no division so that we can work cooperatively as a nation.

PAGE 60 SUNDAY Vanguard, JANAURY 18, 2015,

Chelsea slaughter Swansea ...As Mourinho reopens war of words with Wenger

H E L S E A slaughtered Swansea to lay down a huge marker in the Premier League title race. Jose Mourinho said before the game that the world was against his side and he got exactly the response he was after from his

supposedly under-fire troops. Oscar started the rout with his first-minute strike before Diego Costa doubled Chelsea’s advantage. He made it two before Oscar - not wanting to be outdone - got his second of the game to put the game beyond

doubt after 36 minutes. Andre Schurrle rubbed salt into the hosts’ wounds with a late fifth to make it an afternoon to forget for Garry Monk’s men. It was exactly the type of reaction Mourinho would have had in mind when he ended his self-imposed media

exile and blasted the FA yesterday. If his men can keep up this level of performance the Premier League crown will be returning to West London once again come May. M e a n w h i l e , Mourinho reopened his war of words with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, claiming he would have been given a stadium ban had he pushed the Frenchman.

Toure doubts City future

AYA Toure has shrouded his Manchester City future into yet more doubt after saying he doesn't know if he will be at the Etihad next season. The midfielder, now on international duty at the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast, has been at the centre of much speculation after

Bojan´s brilliance ends Leicester´s revival

EICESTER City’s Premier League revival was ended as Bojan Krkic gave Stoke City 1-0 win against the bottom side at the King Power Stadium. Leicester City remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League as their recent revival ended with a 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke City on Saturday. Bojan Krkic scored the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute, following a period of pressure from Mark Hughes’ men, who in truth spent the large part of the game on the back foot. Leicester had the better of the first-half opportunities, but Stoke emerged with added belief and adventure about their play in the second half and got their reward in the form of a fourth away league win of the season. Nigel Pearson named Leicester’s record signing Andrej Kramaric among his substitutes, following the completion of the Croatian’s move from HNK Rijeka. The striker was waiting to come on when the crucial goal was scored, and he could not prevent Leicester slipping to a first defeat in five, which leaves them three points from safety. Shorn of captain Ryan Shawcross to injury, Stoke were cautious out the blocks as Leicester dominated possession, though chances were everpresent on the break for the visitors.

the infamous birthday cake saga and then the death of his brother Ibrahim. He was asked by CNN if he wanted to stay at the club and said: “That’s a big question and that’s an easy question as well, and you have an easy answer... we’ll see. “I don’t know (if I’ll stay). I’m at City at the moment,” the 31-yearold added, laughing. “City is a great club where I’ve achieved lots of things.” Speaking at a press conference back in Manchester, his manager Manuel Pellegrini had no concerns. “I think Yaya is 100 per cent committed with our team and with this team,” said the Chilean. “I don’t have any doubts about that.”

Simeone, Guadiola hail resurgent Torres

GOAL....Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar fires in the opening goal of the game at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon

Odua tasks aspiring politicians on sports facilities BY JACOB AJOM

S campaigns for the upcoming general elections hot up, a former vice chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, Prince Isidore Oduah has tasked incoming state governors to emulate Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State by constructing standard sports facilities in their various states. Isidore said by doing that, governors who will succeed incumbent state executives will not only keep the teeming youths of

the country busy, but will also attract foreign exchange earnings for their states through sports tourism. “Akpabio is not my state governor, but the stadium he built in Uyo was a masterstroke in terms of sports development and youth empowerment,” Oduah, who is chairman and Managing Director of Red Carpet Advertising said. “It will be there for the youth of Akwa Ibom The former football administrator recalled, “Akpabio has his forerunner in former Military Governor of

Anambra State, Admiral Alison Madueke(rtd) whose regime saw to the construction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. He was the first state governor to build an edifice that has survived the times. His foresight and desire to develop the youth manifested in that edifice which still stands as one of the best sports facilities in this country,” Oduah said. “Madueke called prominent Anambra State indigenes and asked, what he could do for the state before he left office. Some of us who love sports suggested he should give us a stadium and that became the theme song of

the committee he set up thereafter. “Give Anambra a Stadium committee was given N10m target but we raised much money on the day of the launch that ACB had to move their bank to the National Theatre, Lagos that day. After the completion of the stadium, the government sent each member of the committee commendation letters.” He therefore tasked incoming state governors to emulate what a military governor in the 80s did and was emulated by the outgoing Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom State. “They should leave their names in the sands of time,” Oduah said.

IEGO Simeone says he will start midweek hero Fernando Torres and established striker Mario Mandzukic up front for Atletico Madrid in today ’s clash with Granada. The reigning champions need the win to ensure they do not lose further ground on the top two, with their defeat to Barcelona last weekend leaving them four points off Real Madrid (who have a game in hand) at the top. Following January loan signing Torres having announced his return to his boyhood club with a double to knock Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday, Simeone says he will try to make the Spaniard and Mandzukic form a dangerous pairing in attack. “They are two strikers who thrive best in similar areas, especially when running forward,” the Argentine coach told reporters.''

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Vilakazi can light up Nations Cup’ F

ORMER AmaZulu assistant coach Wilfred Mugeyi tips Bafana Bafana midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi to hog the limelight at the Africa Cup of Nations. The former Zimbabwe Warriors striker – who was the PSL top scorer with 25 goals in 1996/97 and scored 128 goals for Umtata Bush Bucks between 1995 and 2000 – believes Ephraim Mashaba should build his team around the explosive Bidvest Wits player. Vilakazi scored a goal in Bafana’s 3-0 victory over Mali in their last practice match and is widely expected to play a leading role in the team’s quest to win their second Nations Cup trophy. “He [Vilakazi] is the real deal,” Mugeyi tells KickOff.com. “Here is a creative, fast player who can light up the stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. If you look at his goals and the way he plays, you will immediately notice that he has the ability to open up the defence of the opposition and this is

why he is a threat. “I think that Bafana will have a good tournament. They are in a good frame of mind and I think they have the ability to go beyond the group stages and even reach the finals,” he adds. ‘Silver Fox’ – as Mugeyi was known during his playing days – believes that Mashaba can formulate his plans around Vilakazi. “Vilakazi is dangerous, whether he starts or comes on from the bench. Mashaba can build around his talent because he has the ability to unsettle the opponents. “Bafana will be difficult to beat because they are in a positive space and are brimming with confidence,” adds Mugeyi.

X - G H A N A international Laryea Kingston has advised the Black Stars players to avoid social media during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The former Heart of Midlothian player sees Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp as major distraction tools. Kingston says the Black Stars find it difficult to

Continues from BP had little effect. The Estadio de Bata holds 34,000 capacity and with five African Heads of State in attendance at the opening matches in Group A, security was a high priority with large number of police and military personnel visible. Congo escaped defeat as the hosts backed by the home crowd proved a tough nut to crack for the Claude Le’Roy

•Vilakazi

Renard rates team ethic over stars I

VORY Coast coach Herve Renard says his team cannot rely only on Wilfried Bony and Yaya Toure at the Nations Cup. “Wilfried is a goalscorer but needs to be in good

Kigston warns Black Stars against social media

Afcon

deal with criticisms about their performance and that eats them up. “The players have to desist from social media and concentrate fully on the tournament if they want to win,” Kingston told Happy FM. “Sometimes, we get distracted by things people say about us on such platforms.''

shape,” said Renard. “Yaya has not been the best player in Africa for the last four years for nothing. “But we need to build a team capable of working well together. That is the most important thing in football, not names. “If you came here with Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic I don’t know if it would work.” Renard’s side kick off their campaign against Guinea on Tuesday and will also face Mali and Cameroon in Group D. A winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012, the Frenchman took charge of the Elephants after last year’s World Cup, but his side did not always convince in qualifying after striker Didier Drogba retired from the international stage in August.

•Renard

Erema clinches 2014 OML 58 title

•Gyan

REMA became 8th time winners of the annual OML 58 Football tournament after a thrilling and pulsating 1- 0 victory over Ogbogu in the final match played at West County High School, Ahoada, Rivers State. The decisive goal

came in the added time of the game, after an apparent loss of concentration by the central defenders of Ogbogu who allowed Erema’s top striker to pounce in the decider. A mammoth crowd,which included top officials of the

sponsors, TOTAL E and P attended the final match which was preceded by a colourful closing ceremony. Most spectators told this reporter that they enjoyed every moment of the match,which they unanimously agreed was the best match of the finals.

tutored Congolese team. The Equatorial Guineans put their noses ahead after captain Emilio Nsue tucked the ball from six-yards after he connected to a pass, he was thought to be in offside position , but the referee allowed the goal.

Bet9ja Mamora Cup begins

HE maiden edition of the Bet9ja/ Senator Olorunnibe Mamora grassroots football competition began at the weekend at Gbagada field with over 50 clubs from across Lagos participating. According to the brand and communication manager of Bet9ja Tunji Mesh, their ivolvement in the tourney was in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility. Said he, “we decided to lend our support to this grassroots competition not only to project the good name of Senator Mamora, but to also help discover talents who could become great stars for clubs and country in future. “We believe that Nigeria has lots of talents who are waiting to be discovered. Our projection is that these players will form the nucleus of our junior national team in future” Mesh affirmed that the event would also expose young players who could easily have been forgotten. Apart from various cash prizes at stake for the first, second and third placed teams, trophies, branded Bet9ja gifts will also be won by the best behaved team, top scorer, most valuable player and best goalkeeper.

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Eagles too strong for Yemen N

IGERIA’s home-based Super Eagles yesterday proved too strong for Yemen in the international friendly match played at the Sevens

Stadium in Dubai. Striker Mfon Udoh scored the first goal in the 25 th minute, while Warri Wolves defender, Azubuike

Chaotic scenes usher in Afcon 2015 opener C

HAOTIC scenes ushered in the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea as the hosts were forced to a 1-1 draw by Congo. Police and security forces struggled to cope with home fans desperate to try and get inside the the Estadio de Bata for the Group A opener between the hosts and Congo. Although the crowd was peaceful, the process of checking tickets and allowing fans through gates could not cope with the large number of people trying to get inside and the outer perimeter area about 400 metres from the stadium itself. Police refrained from using tear gas to disperse crowds, instead opting to let off smoke canisters, throw water or squirt fire extinguishers. It

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2015 Afcon: N1.85b up for grabs T

TUSSLE: Congo’s defender Arnold Bouka Moutou (L) vies with Equatorial Guinea’s midfielder Ivan Esono during the opening match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Enyeama laments as AFCON rolls off That was a match Enyeama should have been playing, but the 2013 champions squandered their chances in their last qualification match against South Africa in a game decided at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last November. “I still feel bad. I am still apologizing to Nigerians that we failed them. I really wish things were different. I really

BY BEN EFE

•Enyeama

Agwuekwe completed the pipping of their lowly opponents in the 64th minute. The Eagles were originally meant to play against Sudan who also failed to qualify for the the Africa Cup of Nations. They were in the same group with Nigeria. The Super Eagles dominated the game with their ball possession, but failed to create scoring chances to finish off the Arab nation. The Eagles coached by Daniel Amokachi had lost 1-0 to AFCON favourites Cote ‘d Iovire in a previous game.

UPER Eagles keeper, Vincent Enyeama has repeated his regrets over Super Eagles failed attempt to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which rolled off yesterday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea with the hosts playing out a 1-1 draw with Congo Brazaville.

wish we were at the Africa Cup of Nations. “You always want your team to qualify for every competition and you always want to play in these competitions. But maybe God has his reasons. We just have to come back stronger,” Enyeama said. The former Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper added that he was still committed to the Super Eagles.

HE 16 finalists of this year ’s AFCON in Equatorial Guinea will share a total of 10 million dollars, about N1.85 billion, with the eventual champions on February 8 in Bata earning $1.5m(N277.5m). According to a special CAF media guide for Equatorial 2015, beaten finalists will cash in a million dollars with the other two semi-finalists carting home $750,000 each. A further breakdown of the prize will see quarterfinalists each guaranteed $600,000. The third-placed teams in each of the first round groups will pocket $500,000, while the bottom teams get $400,000 each. Nigeria won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa after they pipped fellow West Africans Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. House of Reps Speaker (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

7 8

9 11

13 14

15 16

EPL Results

18 19

Aston Villa Burnley Leicester QPR Swansea Tottenham

0 2 0 0 0 2

Liverpool Crystal Palace Stoke City Man United Chelsea Sunderland

2 3 1 2 5 1

Nigeria

Int’l Friendly Yemen

West Ham Man City

v v

Today’s matches EPL Hull City Arsenal

Zambia Tunisia

v v

Afcon 2015 Congo DR Cape Verde

24 25 26 27

30 31

34 36

32 35

39 40

See solution on page 5

2:30pm 5pm 5pm 8pm

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