Court orders Saraki's arrest by Vanguard Media Limited

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Alleged false declaration of assets: Court orders Saraki’s arrest *You’ve no power to order my arrest, Saraki fires back *Says trial politically motivated, as case shifts to A-Court By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

HE Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the arrest of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki following his refusal to appear in court to face a 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the federal government. The tribunal which is headed by Justice Danladi Umar, directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase and other relevant security agencies in the country to arrest the Senate President and produce him in court on Monday for arraignment. Saraki was in the charge before the CCT, marked ABT/01/15 and dated September 11, 2015, alleged to have falsely declared his assets, contrary to the constitutional requirement. He was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filed prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets. The offence was said to have been committed while Saraki held sway as a governor. Aside allegation that he owned and operated foreign bank accounts while being a public officer, Saraki is expected to explain before the CCT how he acquired some assets which the federal government believes were beyond his legitimate earnings. Meantime, Saraki who was billed for arraignment yesterday, refused to appear before the tribunal, even though he sent his team of lawyers, led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, to file memorandum of conditional appearance on his behalf. When his case was called up, one of his lawyers, Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, notified the tribunal about the ruling by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which had on Thursday, summoned the Ministry of Justice over the charge against Saraki. Justice Mohammed had after he heard an ex-parte application by Saraki, also summoned the Chairman of thetribunal,JusticeUmarand that of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, to appear before him on Monday. They were specifically askedtoappeartoshowcause why an interim order of injunction stopping Saraki’s trial should not be granted.

Meantime, irked by Saraki’s absence at the tribunal for the commencement of his prosecution yesterday, the Ministry of Justice, prayed the Justice Umar-led panel to order for his arrest. Moving the oral application for a bench warrant to be issued against Saraki yesterday, a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, maintained that the accused person, “cannot sit in the comfort of his chamber and object to his trial in absentia”. The prosecution further contended that Justice Mohammed lacked the powers to summon the CCT and CCB chairmen, even as it accused Saraki of engaging in “forum shopping” in a desperate bid to scuttle his trial. Hassan argued that going by the provision of section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Saraki, could only object to the trial after he had entered his plea to the charge against him. “My lords, the provision of this section is clear to the effect that any objection to a charge shall be raised after plea, which means that the accused person must be in court and the charge read to him before any objection. “Moreover, paragraph 17 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 constitution, as amended, empowers this tribunal to try the accused person”. The prosecuting counsel describedSaraki’scontention that he cannot be prosecuted in the absence of a substantive Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, as “a clear misconception of the law”. He argued that the power to initiate criminal proceeding before any court or tribunal is not limited to the AGF alone, adding that section 175 of the constitution provides that any officer in the office of the AGF is qualified to initiate criminal proceeding in any court of law or tribunal in Nigeria, except the court martial. Placing reliance on decided case law in FRN vs Adeyemi, 2010, 10-NWLR, and section 2 & 4 of the Law Officers Act, the prosecution stres-sed that in the absence of a substantive AGF, the Solicitor General of the Federation could perform all the duties that were imposed by the law on the office of the AGF. “We also rely on section 24(3) of the CCB &Tribunal Act to submit that the charge against the accused person is proper and competent. “The Federal High Court lacksthepowertocompelthis

court before it. They are both superior courts of record with coordinate jurisdiction, and are both recognised by the constitution. Appeals from this court go straight to the Court of Appeal. “The Federal High Court does not have supervisory jurisdiction over this court. It only has power over inferior tribunals, not a court of competent jurisdiction as this court. “The accused person cannot stop us from performing our constitutional duties. He cannot sit in the comfort of his chamber and say my lawyer will do it for me. This is a criminal case, not a civil matter. “Wethereforeurgemylords to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused person”, the prosecutor added.

BENCH WARRANT Ruling on the application , the tribunal while upholding FG’s argument, stressed that Saraki, having sworn to protect the constitution, ought to have shown respect to the tribunal by appearing before it today. “I have taken notice of the fact that there is no incumbent AGF in office, but that does not preclude any officer from the Ministry of Justice from initiating this criminal proceeding “, Justice Umar held. The tribunal noted that whereas the AGF has the sole right to exercise the power of ‘nolle prosequi’ (power to terminate charge), it said that such exclusive right does not include the initiation of criminal trial. It further observed that Saraki was duly served with the charge and a notice to appear in court yesterday, on September 16. “This tribunal is established under section 15(1) of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 constitution as a special vehicle vested with the powers to promote probity and accountability in the public service. “This tribunal has coordinate jurisdiction with the FHC. In view of section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, this tribunal cannot accede to the request to halt this proceeding. A superior court of record cannot issue an order prohibiting or restraining the proceeding of another court of equal status. “This tribunal has called the defendant to come before it and stand trial. As a senior citizen he is expected to show respect to constitutional provisions which he has sworn to protect. “The tribunal hereby orders the IGP or other relevant security agencies to arrest and produce the defendant for prosecution. In view of the foregoing, the tribunal orders a bench warrant to be issued against the defendant”, the court ruled. Spirited effort by Saraki’s

From left, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Honourable, Mudashiru Obasa, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Aderanti Adebule, Deputy Governor, Osun State, Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori presenting National Women Council award to former House of Reps member, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife Bolanle watch during the closing ceremony of the 3-day National Women Conference organized by Committee of wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at Eko Hotel yesterday in Lagos. lawyers to persuade the tribunal to consider the position of the accused person as the Senate President and stay the execution of the bench warrant against him on the undertaking that he will be available for trial on Monday, failed flat yesterday. SARAKI APPEALS Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Saraki, yesterday, went before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the powers of the CCT to try him, as well as the refusal of the tribunal panel to discharge the bench warrant for his arrest. In his one ground of appeal, Saraki, insisted that the trial tribunal erred in law and also acted without jurisdiction by countenancing

and assuming jurisdiction over his criminal trial/ prosecution for a charge that is being challenged at the FHC Abuja in suit No FHC/ ABJ/CS/775/2015, between him and the Ministry of Justice and 3 Ors. He argued that the tribunal acted in disobedience to the order the FHC made on Thursday. Listing the particulars of error by the tribunal, Saraki, told the appellate court that “as at the time the lower tribunal overruled the appellant’s application to discharge the order for bench warrant for his arrest by the respondent, there existed an order of the FHC, Abuja, dated September 17, which was served in the lower tribunal, who were party to the suit”. It was his argument that

having filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to adjudicate on the charge before it, he needed not to be present in court yesterday. More so, Saraki, argued that the tribunal did not avert its mind to the decided case laws in Doma vs Ogiri, 1997, 1-NWLR, and that of Ojukwu vs Governor of Lagos state, 1986, 3-NWLR. He therefore sought an order of the appeal court setting aside the order of arrest that was issued against him by the tribunal. The embattled Senate President had in a13 paragraphed affidavit that was deposed to by one Efut Okoi, told the high court on Thursday that his trial was politically motivated.

CCT’s ruling dangerous to democracy, overtaken by events —Saraki By Henry Umoru

ENATE President Bukola Saraki said yesterday’s ruling by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT ordering his arrest has been overtaken by events, describing the action as a total defiance of subsisting court order by a Federal High Court. According to Senate President Saraki, he decided to rush to the Federal High Court for protection, alleging that he was not unmindful of the fact that the Tribunal was acting under political influence and external pressure, adding that this was dangerous to the nation’s democracy. Senate President Bukola Saraki is facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT following a 13- count charge levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Bu-

reau, CCB, bordering on alleged corruption and false declaration of assets. Saraki who accused the federal government of not fighting any war against corruption, but using state institutions to fight political opponents and seeking to achieve through the back door what some people cannot get through democratic process. A statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu and titled, “CCT Defiance of Subsisting Court Order : Our Stand” rwad: “Following the development in the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) today, Friday, September 18, 2015 when the Tribunal chose to ignore the subsisting order of a Federal High Court by sitting, we hereby state our position as follows:

“While the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had stated and maintains that he is ready to submit himself to due process of the law on any issue concerning him, he also believes he has an inalienable right to resort to the same judiciary for protection when he feels his fundamental rights are about to be infringed upon. “It is for this reason that Dr. Saraki, having satisfied himself that the case filed by the CCB and the manner in which the case was filed show that he will not be given justice, resorted to the Federal High Court for the determination of the issues of competence of the prosecutor as well as compliance with the procedure stipulated in the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. Continues on page 6

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Ambode mulls collaboration with Kebbi on rice production .As Aregbesola, others seek greater role for Nigerian women .Conference tasks government on empowerment for girl-child

AGOS State G o v e r n o r Akinwunmi Ambode on yesterday said the state government will consider the possibilities of collaborating with Kebbi State to explore the economic opportunities in the production and distribution of high yield quality rice and other ventures. The Governor spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Annual National Women Conference,

organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. He recalled that his Kebbi state counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, had during the opening ceremony of the conference on Wednesday, sought the cooperation between women in Kebbi and Lagos States in the production of high quality yield rice,

saying that it is one area the state will seek to explore. “I am sure the leadership of COWLSO has taken note of this and would work towards creating the platform for this cooperation to work and further show the economic relevance of women”. “I am sure the communiqué that has emerged at this conference will encapsulate a blueprint for the economic engagement of our womenfolk, not just in

Buhari condemns coup d’etat in Burkina Faso •Calls for immediate restoration of civil authority By Levinus Nwabughiogu

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has vehemently condemned the coup d’etat and subsequent detention of the interim President, the Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso. In a statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari stated that Nigeria in line with the position of ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations rejected the rape of the constitution and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements of the Presidential Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere. He urged the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso to work towards returning the

country to full democratic rule through the elections which were scheduled to hold in the country on October 11, revealing that Nigeria has already donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral CommissionofBurkinaFaso. President Buhari who however lauded the release of the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando also demanded the immediate release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers. He stated that Nigeria will give the fullest possible support to ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS mediatory team of President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic to quickly restore Burkina Faso to the path of order, democracy and constitutionalism. The President also urged the people of Burkina Faso

to remain calm and steadfast in support of the transitional order, elections and democratic governance, assuring that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the international community will uphold their right to peace, freedom, democracy and good governance.

Lagos State but across Nigeria,” Governor Ambode said. He said his administration will be keen to receive the recommendations of the conference and see how they can be implemented to improve the lives of Lagosians. “This conference marks a new beginning for COWLSO. We will remain partners in progress and also welcome your constructive criticisms to help us improve in our duty to deliver good governance to the people of Lagos State. This administration counts on your usual support and co-operation,” he said. Declaring the conference closed, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, sued for women empowerment, stressing that, “there is no society that shackles more than half of its population that can develop or progress”.

Kidnappers meet Waterloo By Boluwaji Obahopo A kidnapper, Ibrahim Yakubu yesterday was shot dead by vigilance group while trying to escape in Imere Village, Igalamela/Odolu local government area of Kogi State. The State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu who disclosed this to newsmen while parading the other member of the kidnapping

syndicate, Wada Mustapha, said the police are ready to rid the state off all criminal element. Narrating the situation, CP Ojukwu said the duo entered the compound of one Mrs Mary Ocheje in Ankpa headquarters of Ankpa Local government area on Wednesday through the car porch ceiling, collected five cell phones and took her away through her Honda Accord car.

Saraki

Continued from page 5 “The Federal High Court on Thursday, September 17, 2015, therefore ordered that the all parties in the case should appear before it on Monday, September 21, 2015. The implication of this ruling by a Court of competent jurisdiction is that the sitting today has been overtaken by event. It is for this reason that Dr. Saraki chose to go about with his normal official schedule. “Today at the Tribunal, Counsel to the Senate President, Mr. M. A. Mahmud (SAN), raised a motion stating that there is a pending constitutional matter before the Federal High Court to be decided on Monday and that the Tribunal should hold the trial until the constitutional matter is disposed of. “We are however dismayed that the Tribunal chose to disregard the order of the Federal High Court and the motion to suspend hearing till Monday when all parties are expected to argue their positions on the constitutional matter. “It is also a surprise to us that despite the application by the lead counsel to the Senate President that he will produce Dr. Saraki on Monday and the personality of the person involved as the Number three man in the country, the Tribunal insisted on issuing a warrant of arrest as if its intention is simply to embarrass Dr. Saraki. We are not unmindful of the fact that the Tribunal is acting under political influence and external pressure. This is dangerous to our democracy. “The conduct of the Tribunal today left nobody in doubt that it cannot do justice on the matter before it. It is also clear that today’s decision is an abuse of the rule of law which portends danger to our judicial system. The Tribunal has equally set a bad precedent in the way and manner it conducted itself during the proceedings. “We want to emphasise the fact that this is not part of any war against corruption but using state institutions to fight political opponents and seeking to achieve through the back door what some people cannot get through democratic process. “We need to caution here that in a desperate bid to settle political scores and nail imaginary enemies, we should not destroy our democratic institutions and heat the polity for selfish reasons. Let us all learn from history. “The Senate President is a law abiding citizen who will not do anything to undermine the judicial process and authority. However, Dr. Saraki will always act to protect his fundamental human rights. “The Senate President is a law abiding citizen and his absence from the Tribunal today was based on the legal advice he received from his counsel that the Tribunal will respect the decision of the Federal High Court which is obviously a superior court of records. Also, he relied on a letter from the Chief Justice of Nigeria directed to the Chairman of the Tribunal last May that they are not judicial officers and are inferior to the regularsanni High Court as defined by the law and that they take official oath not judicial oath. “We will like to state therefore that Dr. Saraki will not do anything to undermine the judicial process and authority but he will always act to protect his fundamental human rights.”

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Enyeama, Obi in Eagles’ 24man team for Congo, Cameroun

Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has Missing $700m SWF: Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala SUPER listed goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama, midfielder John Mikel Obi and forwards Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo among 24 players for next have a case to answer —Oshiomhole month’s friendly internationals against Democratic By Levinus Nwabughiogu

DO State Governor has insisted former president Goodluck Jonathan and his erstwhile Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo Iweala have a case to answer as to the whereabouts of the $700 million withdrawn from the $1 billion belonging to the Sovereign Wealth Funds, SWF. Oshiomole who is chairman, National Economic Council Adhoc committee on the management of excess crude and related federation account issue while speaking with State House Correspondents in Abuja after a private meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa on Thursday night stated that there was no truth in the defence put up by the former minister that the money was used to finance the second Niger bridge and partially in Kaduna-Abuja rail. It will be recalled that NEC, after its meeting on Thursday, reported that the subcommittee which also had the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El Rufai; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Udom and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode discovered that most government revenue generating agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC were reckless in their financial management under the previous administration. Speaking further, Oshiomile stated that the inquiries into the financial dealings of the past government shouldn’t be mistaken to be personal but to re-establish the culture of transparency and

accountability in public office. The governor who said that admittance of the depleted SWF account was done in the open also threatened to publish the report should there be any denial by those involved in the issue. “When I reported to the media that the Sovereign Wealth people in their report told us, which I have in black and white, clearly that they have only $300 million left in the Sovereign Wealth

Fund account they tried to deny it. “We have it in black and white and I can publish it if anybody wants to deny that because it was not submitted to me secretly. It was submitted at plenary of the committee. “And then we asked, because I knew that the fund was $1 billion, what was done with $700 million. And they said they have made some investments. “We asked them what they

invested in and they said the second Niger bridge and partially in Kaduna-Abuja rail. That is what they said and I was not alone there. “We were about five governors and it was a full plenary. But we know that the Kaduna-Abuja rail was funded with Chinese loan, which even Mrs. OkonjoIweala spoke about, when they said the loan from China was not used for Lagos, she said it was for KadunaAbuja.’’

From left: Mr Paul Omekwe, the National Sales Manager of Brian Munro Limited presenting the Star prize of a brand new Kia Rio to the best Distributor in the West, Mrs Abimbola Olayinka (middle); Nkechiyere Nwachukwu Brand Manager of Munro Glucose D (right) during the 2014 Distributors’Awards event held at Agbeni Market, Ibadan, recently.

Glucose D holds distributors’ awards

S part of efforts to reward hardworking and loyal distributors of its brands, Brian Munro Limited held the 2014 edition of the Munro Glucose D Distributors Awards at Agbeni Market in Ibadan on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. The event was planned to reward major Distributors of the Munro Glucose D who have been part of the brands

success in the Nigerian market. Four of the major distributors were rewarded with fantastic lifestyle gift items for their loyalty and dedication in promoting the brand in their respective markets. The 4th prize of a Samsung Airconditioner was won by Mrs. Olanike Akinduyite, Mrs T.S. Adalumo also won a Samsung Airconditioner as 3rd prize, while Mrs.

Victoria Aderibigbe went home with an industrial generatior as the 2nd prize winner. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the star prize of a brand new Kia Rio to the best distributor in Ibadan , Mrs. Abimbola Olayinka by the National Sales Manager of Brian Munro Limited, Mr. Paul Omekwe and Nkechinyere Nwachukwu, the Brand Manager.

Staff Audit: No hiding place for ghost workers in Enugu By Uwakwe Abugu

N its determination to stamp out suspected ghost worker- syndrome in the 17 local council areas in the state and also resolve the riddle of nonpayment of staff salaries in some of the councils, the Enugu state government has commenced a comprehensive audit of the local governments across the state. This was sequel to the recent inauguration of an 11-man Local Government Audit Committee by the state governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with the Speaker of the House of Assembly as its Chairman. The committee has a mandate to carry out comprehensive audit

of all the local governments in the state in the wake of the afforesaid nagging problems. In line with the governor’s order, the committee has swung into action and started staff verification audit across the 17 local councils, with IgboEze North and Igbo-Eze South councils as the first port of call for the officials charged with the responsibility of carrying out the inquisition. The audit committee became necessary following alleged inefficiency and inability to pay workers salaries by various council areas in the state, a situation which prompted the Governor to peep into the manner in which the local councils are run to

find lasting solutions to their challenges and make them effective and result-oriented. The governor had while inaugurating the committee mandated it to take appropriate actions to capture the particulars of all staff of local government areas in the state, biometrically including all categories of teachers, local government staff and pensioners. Hence, in the two local government councils covered so far, those grilled in the audit exercise included thousands of primary school teachers, local government staff and pensioners, all of whom were required to personally present themselves and documents identify-

ing them in line with their status as public servants. The committee also received the governor ’s mandate to explore other matters incidental to the terms of reference as regards local government administration and make appropriate recommendations to government. Speaking at the IgboEze North local government secretariat, chairman of the committee and Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, commended the workers for cooperating with the committee and advised them to always be punctual and dedicated to duty after the exercise. Describing the exercise as peaceful and enrich-

Republic of Congo and Cameroon in Belgium. Enyeama is joined by England –based Carl Ikeme, who in his debut kept clean sheets against Tanzania and Niger Republic in two internationals earlier this month, as well as home –based stars Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Femi Thomas. Former junior international defender Abdullahi Shehu gets his first opportunity at senior level, and Moses Simon, who scored against Niger Republic, is also considered, alongside home boys Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Paul Onobi and Prince Aggrey. There is also room for Watford FC of England striker Odion Ighalo. The Super Eagles play the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8 and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later, in Belgium, as the Nigeria Football Federation activates its plan to entrench stronger bond and cohesion among the relatively new group. The winner of the preliminary round between Swaziland and Djibouti will host the Super Eagles on November 9 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup first round qualifier, with the Eagles hosting the return leg in Nigeria eight days later. All invited players are expected to arrive in Belgium on Monday, 5th October. THE FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC). Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors). Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mike.

Nigerians spend N1trn on entertainment, media By Uwakwe Abugu

ITH further growth projected in 2015 Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry would likely worth over USD5 billion (about N1.0 trillion) by end of the year, despite excruciating impact of piracy on the industry. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), world’s leader in management and financial accounting, research report during the week has indicated that the consumer spend on the industry was worth USD4.0 billion (about N1.0 trillion) as at end 2014, while analysts at the firm said growth is expected to rise further this year by over 20 per cent to reach a new height of USD5 billion mark. But the report also indicated that while Nigerian entertainment market would be the fastest world-wide, average five-year growth rate may decline to 15.1 per cent. The 2014 growth rate, according to PwC report titled, ‘’Annual Global Entertainment and Media Outlook (South Africa-Nigeria-Kenya)’’, was 19.3 per cent. It projected that the Nigerian entertianment and media market will more than double its 2014 value by 2019, hitting USD8.1 billion (about N1.62 trillion). Now in its 16th year, the PwC’s report provides a single comparable source of five-year forecast and five-year historic consumer and advertiser spending data and commentary, for 13 entertainment and media segments across 54 countries including Nigeria. The growth, according to the report, is now technology-driven as after more than a decade of digital disruption, the African entertainment and media industry entered a new landscape, one where the media is no longer divided into distinct traditional and digital spheres.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

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TSA: Accountant General lauds compliance, warns erring MDAs T

HE AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on President’s directive to them to open Treasury Single Account, TSA. Over 100 MDAs were reported to have complied with the directive before the stipulated Tuesday, September15,2015deadline, especially the revenue yielding ones. While commending the MDAs for their response in this regard, a highly impressed Alhaji Idris had affirmed “the TSA has come to stay”, adding that the compliance is an indication that Nigeria is at the threshold of a new era of transparent and accountable management of Public finances. He also thanked all the MDAs for their cooperation, assuring them and the general public of the preparedness to ensure a hitch-free implementation and actualisation of the objective of the policy. He equally informed that appropriate sanctions await MDAs that fail to comply. It will be recalled that Alhaji had while addressing representatives of banks who recently visited him used the

opportunity to reassure the public that the implementation of the TSA policy will boost revenue collection, block leakages, ensure transparency and timely disbursement of funds to beneficiaries. According to him, compliancetothePresidential

directive on the implementation of the TSA would promote effective management of public resources, thereby ensuring cost effectiveness and accountability. Speaking further, the AGF noted that the implementation of TSA will

NDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has called for proper verification of emerging data from different sources in the health sector so as to differentiate genuine data-backed results from politically generated ones. Mimiko who was on Thursday conferred with an honorary fellowship award by the National postgraduate Medical College at its 33rd Convocation ceremony in Ijanikin, while receiving the award challenged scholars at the event to be more proactive in verifying data emanating from different sources so as to differentiate genuine data-backed results from politically generated ones. The Governor who promisedthathisgovernment will continue to invest in the

O give quality services and ensure consumer satisfaction, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC has assured consumers in Plateau state it has fine-tuned ways of improving services in the state and other areas to give consumers value for their money. The Executive Director, Marketing and Investment of the Company, Mr. Verr Jirbo, who spoke at a forum organized by the Company to intimate consumers on activities of the Company said for the tempo to be sustained, there was need to review upward the existing tariff regime to enable the company meet its obligations. The Company which supplies electricity to four states of Plateau, Benue, Bauchi and Gombe insisted the increase will ensure the states continue enjoy improved services from it.

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

N its effort towards contributing to peace and security, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel has donated 250 blocks towards the ongoing construction of the perimeter fencing of B Divisional Police Station in Warri. Comrades Michael Ikeogwu, Chairman assisted by Joe Ogbodu, Vice Chairman and Akpokona Omafuaire, Secretary along with others made the donation on behalf of the union on Monday during a courtesy call to the station. Ikeogwu disclosed that the gesture was to support the great innovation embarked upon by the dynamic Divisional Police Officer of “B”Division, CSP Anietie Eyoh. *Asses Declaration: From left, Council to Senate President , Senator Bukola Saraki, Joseph Dauda SAN and Abubakar Magaji SAN addressing Pressmen shortly after Chairman of Code of conduct Bureau issued Warrant of Arrest on senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Boko Haram: Borno commissioner orders staff to relocate to IDP camps BY NDAHI MARAMA

HE newly a p p o i n t e d Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs in Borno state, Hon. Usman Zannah yesterday

Laffta Fest comedy show, sponsored by national telecommunications

Mimiko warns against political health data

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

Warri NUJ donates blocks to Police

read the Riot Act to the staff of his ministry to redouble their efforts by always revisiting all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and monitor the situation of the victims who

Glo Slide & Bounce, Laffta Fest arrive Benin, Surulere operator, Globacom, will HE ongoing twin shows, Slide & Bounce musical concert and

facilitate compliance with sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it paves way for the timely capture and payment of all revenues into appropriate accounts of government.

Jos electricity coy gives reasons for tariff increase

state’s health facilities until it is established as a point of reference in medical tourism in Nigeria and beyond, said at the inception of his government, “It was clear there had to be a total overhaul and reform of the health system and we chose to put maternal and child care at the front burner of medical attention. “ We were resolute in our conviction that finances should not be a barrier to qualitative healthcare and that, for us to succeed, all pregnant women must be tracked from conception to delivery.” Six years down the line he said, the government home-grown Abiye (safemotherhood) programme is today, arguably one of the most successful and talked about healthcare initiatives in the developing world.

arrive Benin City, Edo State, and Surulere, Lagos State, on September 19 and 20 respectively. The shows which have been running since the last three weeks have been held in different locations namely:Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Victoria Island, Benin, Ikorodu and Abeokuta, attracting over 30, 000 Glo subscribers. The Benin edition of Glo Slide n Bounce music concert will hold at the Best Western Hotel, while Glo Laffta Fest will happen at the Eagle Club Surulere on September 20, 2015. Award-winning artistes and top Glo ambassadors including Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly called D’banj, the Ojuelegba crooner, Wizkid, Mavin records protégé, Korede Bello, and Burna Boy will entertain at the Slide n Bounce concert. OC Ukeje, Nollywood’s finest actor and Glo ambassador will spice up the event by making a guest appearance while humour merchant, Okey Bakassi will anchor the show.

were chased out of their local government areas by the Boko Haram sect. Thecommissionerdisclosed this after he was handed over the affairs of the ministry by the Permanent Secretary, AlhajiEnetMohammedKois in a colourful ceremony held at the Musa Usman Secretariat complex in Maiduguri. Zannah said the lingering crisisofinsurgencywhichhas forcedoveronemillionpeople from the 22 affected council areas was very worrisome, adding that, the ministry whichisdirectlyaffectedneed to identify with the displaced persons by giving them a sense of belonging and make them feel at home pending when they will return to their communities. “ We just visited some IDP camps this morning with Governor Kashim Shettima and some of needs of the victims can be addressed at the ministry level if our staff are always there to monitor the plight of the IDPs”, he said. The commissioner while thanking Governor Kashim Shettima for appointing him Commissioner, solicited support and cooperation from all staff, to work as a team and to rebuild Borno, even as he promise that his door will remain open for constructive criticisms that will move the state forward. “I assure you that I will do my best devoid of any tribal, ethnic, religious or political considerations.’’

Igbo tasked on national unity By Moses Anosike

HE Eze Ojiofor Ndigbo in Lagos, Dr. Cyril Os uala Aromneze, has called on the Igbo in Nigeria and in the diaspora to cooperate with fellow citizens to ensure rapid development, peace and harmony in the country. This, according to him, is the only way the country can move forward. Speaking after the election of executives of Igbo Community in Lagos State, Aromneze emphasised that cooperation was imperative because no nation can make any meaningful progress if the people are not united. Aromneze, who is the national patron, Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, also tasked his people on peaceful coexistence with their host community. He said: “You should also pray for your parents and families because prayer is the key to open the door of success. At the election, Chief Ebere Ubani was returned unopposed as President-General of the community.

NSCDC impounds 300 vehicles in Rivers

SCDC impounds 300 vehicles over illegal activities in Rivers.The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, says it has, within six months, arrested over 300 vehicles for transporting stolen petroleum products in the state.The trucks arrested at different locations in the state were allegedly carrying stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.The command disclosed. The Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Ms Helen Amachree said the command had been spurred to clamp down on trucks that transport oil stolen from pipeline vandalism and products refined in the creeks.The trucks and some smaller cars numbering over 300 were allegedly caught with crude oil, diesel, fuel and kerosene. products.

Col. Ayo-Vaughan passes on

HE death has been announced of Col Adedotun Taiwo AyoVaughan (Rtd), which occurred in a motor accident along Ore-Ijebu Ode Road, on September 9, 2015. Col. Ayo-Vaughan, 71 years old was in the Education Corp of the Nigerian Army before retiring in December 1994. He is survived by wife and children.

•Col. Ayo-Vaughan

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 9

B-R-I-E-F-S

A-Ibom hospital diagnoses 82 fresh cases of tuberculosis infection By Chioma Onuegbu

HE management of Immanuel General Hospital in Eket Local government area of Akwa Ibom state has expressed fear over the high prevalence of tuberculosis infection commonly known as TB in the area and the entire state in general. The Medical Superintendent Dr. Michael Ukpe said that the general hospital had 82 ffresh cases of tuberculosis infection from January to December 2014, adding that the emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis undermines efforts to control and possibly eliminate the epidemic in the state. Ukpe disclosed this yesterday when Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a chevron company and its partners in the Agbami field comprising the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Famfa Oil Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited and PetroBras Nigeria Limited, handed over a completed Chest Clinic to the general hospital. His words: “the social factor favouring the development of tuberculosis infection is

•Sitting from Left: Col Festus Onyeari, NN (Capt) Emmanuel Anakwe, Guest Lecturer for the Inaugural Lecture and former GOC, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army Maj Gen Kamorudeen Role (Rtd), Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army College of Logistics Brig Gen Julius Olusola Oni, Col Mark Mamman, during the inauguration of the College’s Logistics Management Course held in Lagos recently.

with us in this part of the country. “We are all aware of the position Akwa Ibom state occupies in the country when it comes to HIV/AIDS, a very fertile condition for tuberculosis infection to thrive. “In 2014 from January to December, Immanuel General Hospital Eket had 82 new cases of tuberculosis infection. And we are aware that the spread of drug resistant tuberculosis is undermining efforts to control tuberculosis epidemic. It is from this background that I consider

this project commissioning very important. “This is because if tuberculosis is cured from the first time patient presents, access to diagnosis is provided, infection control

in facilities where patients are being treated are adequate and ensure appropriate use of recommended second line drugs, resistant tuberculosis could be prevented”

Activist alleges non-implementation of MoU by Chevron called on President By Gab Ejuwa

PROMINENT indigene of Ugborodo community, Ofe Nene has

Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on Chevron Nigeria Limited to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding it signed in 2002 with the community in which they promised to develop it and her people. Nene in a chat with journalists, yesterday, at Ugborodo community, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta state, said, Chevron jettisoned the MoU and resorted to divide and rule system which has ridiculed the oil-rich community. He reiterated that most of the issues agreed on included, employment of indigenes, provision of portable water, health centre, stable electricity, good roads and among others have all been abandoned by the company. He explained, “CNL has refused to employ indigenes of Ugborodo community and most painfully, those engaged have been treated as slaves, as they take them through inhuman recruitment processes and finally they are given to contracting firms to manage them as casual workers”.

Police begin manhunt for abducted 80-yr-old mother of Delta’s council boss By Perez Brisibe

HE Delta State police command yesterday said it had begun a manhunt for the kidnap gang that abducted the mother of Patani Local Government Area chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Abeki. Ma Elizabeth You-Diowie was abducted in the early hours of Thursday at her Abari residence in Patani by an unidentified kidnap gang In a statement on Friday, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, stated that efforts are in motion towards securing the release of the victim as well as the kidnap of the suspects. She also added that the victim was abducted at about 1:30am at her Abari home which is very far from the mainland and only accessible through boat. Though members of the You-Diowie family are yet to comment on the incident, a source in the family disclosed that, “the abductors of their mother have contacted the family and are making a demand of N30million.”

Police nab Indian for visa racketeering at Lagos Airport By Lawani Mikairu

HE Nigerian police have arrested the vice pres ident, Fast Logistics Solutions, Mr. Mohammed Shazul at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA). His arrest was a fall out of a complaint by a Nigerian citizen who alleged that the suspect used his document to apply for a Dubai Visa without his authorization. Investigation revealed that, the Indian born Shazul who is now the vice president, Fast Logistics Solutions International was picked up by the police, shortly after he arrived at MMIA, from Dubai, aboard Emirate Airlines. Further investigation also revealed that his interrogation lasted for several hours, a move the police claimed was meant to give more time to dig deeper as well as to ascertain whether or not the suspect acted alone. Others who were implicated on this matter includes: Al-Ameen Challisery Kerala, Chairman, Fast Logistics Solution Group, Mr. Peter Shoten, Nagraj Komperla, Radhakrishnan and Mr. Aljaleel Thalapilly. Mr. Mohammed has since been granted bail, pending further investigation.

Aisha Buhari pledges to support girl-education

IFE of the President, Aisha Buhari on Friday said she would support the effort of her husband, President Mohammdu Buhari at improving the standard of education in Nigeria. The wife of the President made the pledge during a visit to the Army Day Secondary School, Mambilla Barracks, in Maitama, Abuja where she had gone to participate in teaching and learning activities. She also hinted that President Buhari’s Administration was committed to improving the quality of education in country, urging Nigerian children to embrace education to enhance the quality of theirs lives and to promote national development. She underscored the necessity of formal education, saying that without adequate education of the younger generation, the future of the country would not be bright, adding that the quality of education children received determined the future of any nation.

Army College inaugurates logistics mgt logistics efficiency course. sets leaders apart are their course Delivering the inaugural knowledge and skill. If you By Bashir Adefaka

HE Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), Lagos, recently commenced its Logistics Management Course 13/ 2015 with 18 participating officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The 18 inaugurated participants will undergo an intensive three month C M Y K

lecture, themed, “Understanding Ethics and Responsibilities of Leadership in the Armed Forces,” the guest lecturer and former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Kamorudeen Role (rtd), listed three major qualities expected of a leader, namely, competence to lead, commitment to lead and the character to lead, stressing further that, “In a professional setting, what

are a leader and you don’t have these, your subordinates will not respect you as a leader. You must continue to increase in knowledge especially in this time of technology advancement. You must therefore be in tune with change,” General Role said, adding that process- based leadership, as one of the four types of leadership, is a relational concept that differentiates the leader from the followers.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Can you reconcile these? •The menace of tankers along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, causing •Container drivers protesting against quit-the-road order by the untold hardship to other road users. You find such scenes in many Lagos State government yesterday.

parts of Lagos and this compelled the government to order them off the road during the day. Can these tanker drivers see reason for the action of Lagos State?

Truck drivers protest against restriction Olayinka Latona & Busayo Samuel

CTIVITIES at the Vanguard Media Limited were almost paralysed yesterday as aggrieved container drivers operating around Tin-Can area in Lagos marched to Vanguard office, Apapa carrying leaves and placards calling on Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to review the Section of the Road Traffic Law which restricts trailers and long vehicles from plying the metropolis between the hours of 6:00am and 9:00pm.

The driver ’s spokespersons, Ifeanyi Adeibe said that it was difficult for the drivers to comply with the state government’s directive, restricting movement of trucks to the night, explaining that the safety of the drivers including the goods they convey could not be guaranteed at such period. Adeibe said the restriction contradicts the constitutional provision of freedom of movement as stated in the nation’s constitution adding that Section 2 of the Lagos Traffic Law restricts movement of trailers and long vehicles within the

metropolis between the stipulated time which he said include petrol tankers and not only trucks carrying containers. “The Lagos State ban on our movement is not suitable for us; we find it difficult to move at night. We have been doing this work for 24 hours and reducing it to nine hours is not okay with us. We are pleading that Governor Ambode should please have mercy on us so that we can earn our own living.” “Night work is very risky for us, it is not safe at all. We face series of arm robbery attacks during the day not to talk of night. We carry goods that can be easily looted by robbers”.

Order of Service for Late Prof Ibidapo Adefuye, former Ambassador to United States of America. Photo: Diran Oshe.

C M Y K

L- R: Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor Ogun State, Mr. Tunji Bello, SSG Lagos State and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

•L- R: Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe (Sister), Mrs. Bola Lawole (Sister) and Mrs. Oluseun Sonubi (Sister).

•L-R: Oba Otudeko, (cousin); Mrs. Sola Adefuye, wife of deceased; Mr. Babatunde Adefuye, (son) and Tolu Adefuye (daughter)

•L- R: Mr. Toyin Okeowo, MD Metropolitan Motor, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, CEO Tricontinental Group and Oluwafisan Bankole, ECOWAS Commission.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—11

TAKING CARE OF THE DEAD

Intriguing world of mortuary attendants, undertakers, gravediggers •If I knew your job was related to

corpses, I won’t have married you hubbyy ells hubb wifee ttells er’s wif aker’s – Underrttak

•We

only lie in the cof cofffins ttoo enable cus custtomer omerss ascer ascerttain the sizes –

Sikiru, under er undertt ak aker

•My wife refused to sleep on the same bed

with me; my children refused to get close ttoo me tuar tt endant Akinyyemi, Mor Mortuar tuaryy AAtt ttendant me– Akin •Digging grave for the dead is like spiritual ex er cise – Gr avedigger exer ercise Gravedigger avediggerss

12— SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

If I knew yyour our job w as relat ed ttoo cor pses, I won’t was related corpses, have married yyou ou – Undertaker’s wife tells hubby

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO, SIMEON NDAJI, EBUN SESSOU, OGHENE OMONISA, BALA AJIYA (Damaturu), FAVOUR NNABUGWU (Abuja), TINA ANTHONY (Dutse), LUKA BINNIYAT (Kaduna), EGUFE YAFUGBORHI (Warri), JIMITOTA ONOYUME (Port Harcourt) & EMEM IDIO (Yenagoa)

r. Segun Adeleye had thought all was well with him as an undertaker. The money was not really much, but it was enough for him to get married and start a family. That was 22 years ago. He had got married a few years after getting the job, explaining to his fiancee by simplifying his job – it was all about picking corpses and taking them to the mortuary or to the cemetery for burial. That was until the wife got to learn about the horrible details involved and the unexpected movements, when he could be called at any time of the day to face corpses. “My wife once told me that if she knew my job involved going to mortuary almost on a daily basis, she would not have married me”, says Mr. Adeleye, who started off as a mortuary attendant but now has his own funeral home on Lagos Island, Lagos State. But he caters for his wife and children with the job and sees his job as a noble

profession. “I thought it was rather noble to be an undertaker, serving humanity rather than being idle at home or gallivanting on the streets”, he recalls when he was deciding on taking up the job more than two decades ago. Somebody has to take care of the dead, he says. “Even somebody took care of the body of Jesus Christ after his death, and took him to the tomb where He was buried .” He says since then, he has been serving humanity as an undertaker to the amazement of members of his family, and has travelled far and wide in the country with God protecting and guiding him. Not many people really take time to consider the relevance of mortuary attendants, undertakers and gravediggers to society until they lose a relative or friend and need their service. Thousands of people die everyday across the world as death is a debt owed by mankind and people are born to die. The dead cannot take care of themselves; they do not think, nor move nor hear nor speak. And based on the mystery surrounding death itself, many people cannot go near a dead person. Somebody once known to be up and doing, partaking in all human activities, suddenly becomes lifeless, and the next stage is to go under the soil, to be seen no more – the mystery of death. Some people therefore need

to take care of the dead: pick them up to the mortuary, wash the dead bodies, embalm and look after them, awaiting identification or removal for autopsy or disposal by burial or cremation or other methods; or some others who specially prepare and take the dead for obsequies and eventual burial. Not to mention those who dig the graves. That is when the mortuary attendants, undertakers and gravediggers become necessary for it is their job, a job which many despise and are scared of. There is therefore often an aura of queerness about this set of people, despite the fact that they are all earning a living from the job. Curiously, there are beliefs in some quarters that they are not “ordinary” human beings. At the mortuary, the corpses are in categories, according to Mr. Dapo Akinyemi, a mortuary attendant at the Isolo General Hospital in Lagos State. (Not his real name as he says he still wants to keep his job.) There are those who died as a result of car accidents, fire accidents and collapsed buildings, he says and adds that others were armed robbers, and there were some who died from gunshots and others who died naturally. “We take care of them all regardless of their status.”

Becoming mor tuar mortuar tuaryy

This job is the first and best thing that has happened to me and I don’t see myself doing any other job because it gives me satisfaction

att endant,under er attendant,under endant,undertt ak aker er,, gravedigger None of these people whose business is to do with the dead admitted to Saturday Vanguard of ever dreaming as kids, of ending up one day with their present jobs. “When I finished my secondary school education about 22 years ago”, says Mr. Adeleye, “it was not my desire to work in the mortuary or work as an undertaker for a living.” He says he did not pray to work in the mortuary, but since there was no job, he did not have any option than to accept what was available, but quickly adds: “That does not suggest that I am happy having to stare at the faces of the dead.” Nobody prays to meet a dead body early in the morning, he says. “Even my father did not like the job of an undertaker, but when my elder brother who was an undertaker died (not due to the job), I resolved to step into his shoes because there was no other work.” His father had objected though, saying he did not want young Adeleye to become an undertaker because Adeleye’s brother had just passed away. While the pain of losing a son to the cold hands of death lingered, it was rather unpalatable for his father to learn that another of his sons would take up the job of an undertaker. His father had sternly objected to his decision. “I told him the only way out of the seeming quagmire was for him to secure for me a job than that of an undertaker.” But his father could not, and the young Adeleye’s decision to become an undertaker unstoppably took its course that same year in spite of the raging controversy that transpired in the bereaved Adeleye family. Confident that his true identity would not be revealed, 40-year-old Mr. Akinyemi of Isolo General Hospital narrates his journey into the world of the dead. He was employed as a mortuary attendant five years ago. At first, he had thought he couldn not do it. He still recalls the first day he went into the morgue. It was terrifying. He saw dead bodies in their hundreds and rushed out, unable to do anything throughout that day. He was assigned alongside two other

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—13

Continues from page 12 attendants, but was left alone to do the job. It was a bad day for him. He was so afraid, but had no choice. “There was no other job and I needed to feed my family”, he had said to himself. He says for five hours, he was left in the midst of more than two hundred corpses. “That was the first step of training for me.” Day after day, night after night, he joined his colleagues to watch over corpses. For three months, he was trained on the profession and that was how he gained confidence. Recalling how his children and wife reacted when he told them about his new job, Mr. Akinemi has this to say: “When I told my family members about my new job, they were afraid. My wife refused to sleep on the same bed with me. My children refused to come close to me. I was sad but never gave up.” But after explaining to them that it was a profession and nothing more, they adapted and accepted him and the job after some time. Then the journey into a career of catering for the dead was begun. He was assigned to different jobs in the mortuary, and started washing corpses, watching over them at night, sanitizing the environment to prevent unpleasant odour around the mortuary. He was trained on how to embalm corpse. Now, he knows virtually all the activities that take place in the mortuary. “I started this work 7 years ago”, says Mr. Uche Nwankwo, 34, a mortuary attendant at St. Gerald Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna State. “This is the third employment I am having. We are three staff working in this mortuary. I met my wife while working here and she knew my job specifications very well before I wedded her. She has no problem with my work at all. My children are still too young to even understand what I am doing. But it will be up to them to decide what to do if they grow up. My job is to train them. I have a very cordial relation with my neighbours and I am an official at our town meeting in this town. I also belong to two church associations.” Recounting how he became a mortuary attendant, Mr Peter Onoja, a Christian from Kogi State working at the mortuary section of Garki Hospital, Abuja says he has the passion to work as a mortuary attendant, though he says he was enveloped with fear for the first two weeks he started work at the mortuary because of the tales he had heard of the dead, but he took the bold step to pass a night at the mortuary and discovered that all the fairy tales about the dead walking and all that are illusions.

‘My wife refused to sleep on the same bed with me; my children refused to get close to me’ “And that people have to knock to enter the morgue is not true. Most times people are afraid to come near me because they believe that before l have boldness to work in the mortuary, I must be using juju.” On the reaction from his family as a mortuary attendant, Mr. Onoja says his elder sister objected to it but had to let him have his way when she saw the determination in him to go on with the job. “I looked for a job in a mortuary and I got one. Since then, I have been doing the job. This job is the first and best thing that has happened to me and I don’t see myself doing any other job because it gives me satisfaction.” Mr. Onoja who is in his early 30s says, “I have passion to help dead people. They don’t complain; they are helpless, calm, and peaceful. They need people to take care of them, and that is what I do. If we are to look at the wages and the discrimination that come with it, many of us would have left the job for other things. I usually marvel when people run away from dead bodies.”

Another mortuary attendant, Mallam Sani Umar at Kubwa General Hospital mortuary says people often run away at the sight of a corpse, that many people dread moving close to dead people because of some perceived fears of the dead rising up to whip them, slap them or even scare them deliberately. For 42-year-old Mallam Umar, nothing is too much to give for one’s passion. He is one of those driven by passion to help the dead. He happens to be a security man at the Kubwa General Hospital but he is often seconded to work in the mortuary, especially at nights. He receives dead bodies at nights, takes record of them till the supervisor comes the following day and takes it up from there. Mr. Umar says he prefers to work at the mortuary to being at the gate of the General Hospital, adding that he hopes to work fully at the mortuary. “Some people need to offer that help and I’m glad to be one of those rendering the help. Believe me, the dead are the best people to work with because they don’t argue, they don’t fight back and they don’t make trouble. I would

Let me tell you something, my sixyear-old son says he wants to become a medical doctor and I have brought him several times to the mortuary where I showed him corpses, and he was not afraid

always want to be there for them because they are helpless and harmless. “Working in the mortuary is the most interesting job I have ever done. I have had to appreciate life more than I used to. You see all kinds of bodies and you wonder what this life is really about.” For Mallam Idris Garuba (not his real name as he does not want his name in print), a mortuary attendant at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, taking up the job a few years ago was due to lack of alternative job, but he says he presently derives pleasure in doing his job as it pays his bills. Mr. Sanni Sikiru who works as a funeral undertaker on Odunlami Street, Lagos Island, a place that has been tagged “funeral home”, says he was lured into the profession by his elder sister. “She was trained by the male pioneer funeral undertaker, the late MIC. She was the first woman to go into the profession. I became an undertaker at the age of 24, that was 27 years ago. My elder sister lured me into it. She is a pioneer, the first lady of funeral undertakers. I am 51 years old now.” He says he was working as a marketing executive with a reputable company when his sister talked him into leaving his former job to join the business. As a young man in his early 20s then, Mr. Sikiru never thought he could be wining and dining in the midst of coffins nor that he would

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

‘We only lie in the coffins to enable customers ascertain the sizes’ Continues from page 13 one day become a coffin designer. He says members of his family were used to seeing and living with coffins from childhood as his elder sister was in the business then. So, adapting to the business was not difficult for him at all. Shedding light on why they go inside the coffins, he says: “We only lie in the coffins to enable those who want to buy them ascertain the sizes of the type they are buying or to build confidence in people around that there is nothing to fear about coffins.” On the sizes of coffins, he says “there is long and wide for those who are more than 6ft tall. There must be space in the coffin to accommodate whatever that would be buried along with the dead that would cost extra charges unlike the normal size of coffin.” A mortuary staff at a general hospital in Lagos who reluctantly spoke briefly to Saturday Vanguard and who declined to give his real name, preferring simply to be called “Joe”, says he has been working at the hospital, in the placement of corpses brought to the mortuary, awaiting time for interment. “We don’t fear the sight of corpses any longer”, he says. “We see dead bodies brought in to be kept until taken away for

burial. This place (pointing to the mortuary room) is the first port of call for dead people. The death of a loved one could be very painful. It is normal for relations to express grief and sometimes shed tears. Our duty is to ensure bodies are properly kept.” Joe explains that in some cases, the place is congested and they will have to find space for corpses. “Many families just dump bodies in the mortuary and disappear. Many people do not make adequate arrangement for preservation. It could be frightening. Many corpses are abandoned. Those who are wellto-do will give money to attendants so that the dead bodies of their loved ones won’t be neglected. “Some families are kind to us in order to make sure their deceased relatives are well treated and kept properly, awaiting burial.” He says the state of corpses depends on the gratification offered to mortuary staff by relatives of the deceased who may not want any type of decomposition. “Many people don’t have time to monitor the condition of their loved ones in mortuary, leaving them to fate”, he says. “As a mortuary worker, I’ve seen beautiful women, handsome men, young and old, accident victims brought in. I

pity their situation because they are no longer alive, but there is nothing one can do about the dead.” An attendant at the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary and Anatomical Department, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Mr Friday Koki, describes the job as a medical profession and that, like all other medical professions, it should be regarded as same. “What most people talk about mortuary attendants sometimes make me feel sad because it is a professional job and we serve the public,” he says. On why he chose to work there despite other available occupations, he says he is professionally trained for the job, stating that he sees it as a calling because of his desire and passion to serve humanity, though in a different way. With over 20 years on the job, Mr. Koki declares that his family is okay with his choice of job. He says,”My family is okay with it, even my children. Let me tell you something, my six-year-old son says he wants to become a medical doctor and I have brought him several times to the mortuary where I showed him corpses, and he was not afraid. Instead, he kept asking questions on the human anatomy. I was amazed at his courage.” But for Mr. Gabriel Ebikawore, a young man in his twenties, working at the mortuary was not by

I have never seen one of these so-called undertakers in Kaduna since I was born and raised here 54 years ago

choice but because he was jobless. And when the opportunity came, he jumped at it, to make ends meet. “This job is a miracle for me because I never intended to work here”, he says. “A friend of mine hinted me about the job, and I said no big deal, since it is humans like me that work there. So I took the job, and for three years now I have been here. “Initially, so many persons, especially friends and relatives, were very furious about me working here because they knew me as the simple and quiet type. They told me, ‘come on, Gabriel, you shouldn’t be working in a mortuary’, and I told them that working in a mortuary is a lifechanging experience because it has exposed me to many aspects of life. I learn daily here, and each day I come to work, I go home with something.” Mr. Emeka Thompson, a owner of an undertaker outfit in Yenagoa, says he took to the job out of curiosity. “I used to wonder how it feels to be an undertaker, and I discussed it with my friend who incidentally is a coffin-maker. He was the one that suggested that I should give it a trial as it would compliment his trade. “It was not long before we became business partners as most people who come to buy coffins will need the services of undertakers and that is where I come in. I have been in this business for more than ten years,” he reveals. On the reactions of friends and family, he says he simply told them that it is just a business, though it looks strange. “Working in the cemetery does not sound good because the person is linked with the dead, and people see us as strange and even distant themselves from us and our families”, says Malam Baba Mohammed, a local gravedigger in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State. “But nevertheless, we are relevant when our services are needed at the cemetery” According to him, he inherited the work from his father whom he used to accompany to dig graves.

Source of livelihood Many people hold mortuary attendants, undertakers and gravediggers in great awe, especially hearing them discuss the washing, embalming and dressing up of corpses for obsequies. But to most of these practitioners in the management of dead bodies, it is like any other business, a source of livelihood. For Mr. Sikiru, being an undertaker is like any other profession. “There is nothing special about it. Though people see us as extra-ordinary beings because we deal with corpses,

Continues on page 15

SATURDAY

Continues from page 14 seeing and carrying coffins everyday, as days go by, they realise that it is no big deal.” Explaining the level of patronage the business has attracted, he says there is time and season for everything. “Sometimes, it is rosy, other times, it is hard but whatever it is, we are grateful to God. We don’t pray for people to die because it is a sin before God. We only pray to God to give us our daily bread. And we believe that in one way or the other, our bread must come. “We might be fortunate to have one or two jobs in a week or throughout the month, depending on patronage level.” For Mr. Akinyemi, the job of an undertaker has sustained him ever since he took it up. He says: “Now, I am proud to be father and husband because I can take care of my wife and children. I provide for my family, send my children to quality school and I have set up a business for my wife through this job.” Mr. Isaac Gariaga says he was a foundation mortuary attendant at the Jeremi General Hospital, Ughelli, Delta State since it was built 17 years ago. He has been lead attendant till date, assisted by a couple of others. On how his family members and close friends relate to his profession, Mr. Gariaga says, “There were just initially challenges when I started. Some of my immediate family members and friends saw it as odd. That challenge is no more. Everybody already knows what I do for a living and how do I really care what people say? The job puts food on my table.” As a business venture, religion is a major factor in investing in the management of corpses, especially that of an undertaker, because not only do Muslims not keep corpses, they do not bury in coffins and funeral fanfare is not for them. “Most of the corpses here belong to Christians”, says Mr. Nwankwo, the mortuary attendant in Kaduna.” Muslim corpses are brought here mostly after accidents, or during violence or unusual situations. But as soon as they identify and confirm their own, Muslims usually take their loved ones for burial immediately. And unlike in my state (Enugu), corpses here are not kept for long. It is rare to

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—15

‘Digging grave for the dead is like spiritual exercise’

have the corpse of a Kaduna man or woman who was Christian, kept here for more than a month – very rare! If you see a corpse longer than that, maybe the body is an unidentified one, or it belongs to a Southerner.” “The Muslims in Kaduna State bury their dead ones less than 20 hours after their demise, and without any form of fanfare”, says Alhaji Saidu Mato, a businessman. “The rich and powerful and the destitute and ordinary people are all given the same rites, wrapped in the same ordinary white linen and buried six-feet down without a coffin, and the rest is between the dead and their creator. So, we don’t need undertakers and, most of the times, we don’t need to take our departed loved ones to the mortuary”, he says. “I have never seen one of these so-called undertakers in Kaduna since I was born and raised here 54 years ago.” Not only Muslims, but even some Christians do not fancy funeral ostentation that will entice investing in corpse management. Dr. James Kafoi Aboi, a World Health Organisation (WHO) consultant on child-mother

mortality issues in Northern Nigeria, says: “When I lost my mother on Tuesday, 1st, we did her burial that weekend, Saturday, 5th. As a family, we gave her a decent burial without any undertaker and all that. We Christians from Southern Kaduna don’t attach ostentation to burials. It is too grim and solemn for that kind of show.”

For grave-diggers at Ojo cemetery in Lagos State, it is only a part time job. A young man who lives close to the cemetery tells Saturday Vanguard that digging graves earns him between N2,000 and N5,000 for a grave dug by two, three or four gravediggers, depending on the status of the bereaved family. But sometimes, he says, members of the bereaved family dig the grave themselves. “Even without invitation, we might join

the relatives in digging the grave. We will then ask for drinks or whatever they could afford. About two or three of us are always around when a dead body is brought for burial.” But interestingly, Mallam Mohammed, the gravedigger in Dutse, who is in his late 40s says he does not charge or ask to be paid to dig graves. When asked why, he says: “I hope that one day, God will have pity on me when I die too.” And he adds that however, “after digging a grave, family of the deceased usually give me money and at times I get up to N2,000 or even more. For

me this is a humanitarian work. Sometimes we get good cash if the person who dies was from a wealth

Whilst the undertakers were wheeling the dead man to a cemetery, the vehicle with which the deceased was conveyed and the dead man coffin refused to move for hours

home. I am a farmer too, so I don’t survive by digging graves only.” Some young gravediggers in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital say they dig graves voluntarily. According to them, digging grave for the dead is like spiritual exercise. “We don’t ask to be paid. We are always around Dutse.” Dutse is not like big cities like Kano or Abuja. News of death spreads easily. Once the news come, people gather to pay their last respect by joining in the mass prayer for the dead after which the dead body is taken to the cemetery and

within a short time a grave is dug by the young men. They do not see anything wrong with not wearing boots nor hand gloves. “We don’t need such things as hand gloves to dig graves”, says 23-year-old Mr. Kabiru Ali, who is the youngest gravedigger often seen around the cemetery. He says he joined the voluntary gravediggers because his friends are doing it, but confesses that at times, he really gets scared. “There are spirits of the dead moving in the grave”, he says. “I have never seen a spirit but I feel their presence at times. That is To be continued

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

The Senate and Buhari’s Body Language

•President Muhammadu Buhari BY MAGNUS OLADESU

he appointment of Senator Ita Enang as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and the dragging of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to the Code of Conduct Tribunal are two events in quick succession that leave no one in doubt that President Mohammadu Buhari may have declared total war on the Senate and its leadership. While tongues were still wagging over the moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, came Senator Ita Enang’s appointment. While a good number of Nigerians opine that his appointment is well deserved, the preponderance of opinion is that it is a miscarry and payback for working with the Senate Unity Forum, a group of Senators loyal to the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Give it to Senator Enang; he is experienced in legislative business. He became a Councilor in his Ibinono Local Government Council on a zero party in 1987 and moved on to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention in 1991 during Ibrahim Babangida’s phantom transition programme. He moved up to the House of Representatives in 1999 on Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) platform and served for three consecutive terms before his elevation to the Senate. Thanks to ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio who kicked out ranking Senator Effiong Bob to install him. Give it to him again; he made his presence felt in the Senate for both the good and not too good reasons. As the Chairman of the C M Y K

•Senator Bukola Saraki

Senate Committee on Rules and Business, he was visible. Senator Enang also gave the opposition a run for their money. He was a thorn in the flesh of the official opposition like the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the Congress for Progress Change (CPC). He was also affliction personified to internal opposition or anti-Goodluck Jonathan Senators. He is indeed someone the North and Northern Senators would never forget in a hurry. On a day the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) divided the Senate along North and the South, with people like Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senate Deputy Leader- Abdul Ningi, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, etc leading a vehement opposition against the Bill, especially the provisions on 10% Community Fund, he rose to expose the underbelly of the North as far as the oil industry is concerned. He fired: “There should be equity and federal character in the allocation of oil blocks in this country. Eighty-three per cent of all present oil blocks are held by northerners”. He reeled out how the Yar’Aduas, Alhaji Saleh Mohammed Gambos, Alhaji Aminu Dantatas, General Theophilus Danjumas, and the Alhaji Rilwanu Lukmans, etc had allegedly practically cornered the oil fields of the Niger Delta. In other words, while the oil fields and environmental degradation belonged to the Niger Delta, the oil wealth belonged more to the North. Furthermore, PDP Senators who made to defect in 2014 won’t also forget him so soon. Citing Mr Ifedayo Abegunde in Akure North/Akure South Constituency, who lost his seat after defecting from the Labour Party in 2012 and the October

•Senator Ita Enang

Now, with the unanimous vote of confidence passed on the Senate leadership, and the police investigation and the court cases on phantom forgery of Senate Rules not yielding results, it means the brains behind the onslaught will look for other means 18, 2013 ruling by Justice Elvis Chukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that there was no division in the PDP, Senator Ita Enang said the affected Senators must go. However, that was then. Senator Ita Enang had himself since defected to the APC immediately he lost PDP’s return ticket to the Senate. He was sacked by his former friend, Senator Godswill Akpabio. He is now best of friends with the Senator Ahmad Lawan- the same Lawan that vehemently opposed Ita Enang’s darling, the PIB. There is no enemy. It’s about permanent interest . Today, Senator Enang apparently spares no slightest opportunity to get back at his former party in a mixture of vengeance and desperation to survive. It doesn’t matter to him

anymore that he went to the House three times and the Senate once on PDP platform because those who are chauffeured by vengeance and desperation are bound to overstep the limits of reasonableness. For instance, the role of Senator Ita Enang in the phantom forgery of Senate Rules cannot be overemphasized. He was practically everywhere in the media canvassing in favour of the Senate Unity Forum. In fact, an online report had alleged that he was the real brain behind the petition on purported forgery of the Senate Rules. But no one would have had issues with him if he were spurred by conviction and truth rather than vengeance, desperation, and treachery. Given the long-existing practice of the bureaucracy of each House coming up with a fresh Rules book every four years, can he really swear by his father’s grave that there was indeed a case of forgery? He said in one of his dithering Channels TV interviews that he was not sure that a Rules Book dies on the day the Senate the book served is adjourned sine dine, yet he admitted that it was for each new Senate to adopt the Standing Rules so handed to it. But how could the new Senate do that unless its presiding officers are elected and the rest of the Senators inaugurated? Today, the Senate Unity Forum is in court wasting everybody’s time and bringing the whole institution of the Senate to ridicule and misinforming the unsuspecting public on something as important as Senate’s Standing Rules for their selfish interest. The sum total is to embarrass and pile pressure on the Senate and its leadership. Ordinarily, Senator Ita Enang’s

appointment is more or less a public relations job meant to smoothen things between Senate and the Presidency. Usually, leadership of the particular Chamber a presidential Assistant is supposed to cover and the leadership of both Chambers (in the case of the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters) are usually consulted before Presidential Liaison Officers are appointed. It has to be someone they are comfortable with and have respect for. When there is cold war or the presidential requests get frozen, he or she thaws the ice and gets things going. Many had therefore wondered how an Ita Enang, a clear ally of the Senate Unity Forum, people who have needlessly constituted themselves into an enemy to the Senate leadership, would facilitate things for the President in the Senate. Besides, Enang was never gifted at human relations. The unpleasant feeling towards him clearly showed in the way his bills and suggestions on the floor of the Senate were always shot down. Moreover, Ita Enang has also proven that long legislative experience does not necessarily translate to competence. For instance, he, as Chairman of Rules and Business, swayed the 7th Senate into the infamous passing of 44 Bills in a few minutes in its twilight against voices of reason by many Senators. This calls to question the quality of advice he would give to Buhari. That, however, is Buhari’s headache. What worries some people is that Enang’s appointment could be a deliberate move by the presidency to sustain its arm’slength attitude towards the Senate leadership in line with the stance of hardliners in the APC. The other line of thought is that Enang’s appointment might mean that the presidency is already thinking beyond the current Senate leadership’s era. For instance, in a 23rd July 2015 cover story by the Sun newspaper, entitled “APC Crisis widens as Plot Against Saraki, Ekweremadu Thickens”, it was alleged that the presidency was not disposed to submitting the ministerial list until it had flushed out the Senate leadership. The report went further to say that “Sources disclosed that one of the reasons for the delay is to see if a change in the lead¬ership of the Senate could be effected”. Instructively, such an indicting story was not denied. Now, with the unanimous vote of confidence passed on the Senate leadership, and the police investigation and the court cases on phantom forgery of Senate Rules not yielding results, it means the brains behind the onslaught will look for other means. In a government decoded only by its body language, therefore, it is, therefore, not hard to draw serious correlations between the charges against Senator Saraki and the desperate moves to denigrate, undermine, and possibly overthrow the Senate leadership by hook or crook. •Oladesu is a Lagos based Political Scientist

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201D;17

BY TURAKI A. HASSAN

peaker of the House of Represen tatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, recently brought his diplomatic prowess to bear when he pushed Nigeria's interest before world leaders at the highest level of meetings of world heads of parliaments. The speaker was one of the heads of parliaments from across the world who converged on New York, United States of America, in the last weeks for the Fourth Conference of Speakers of Parliament organised once every four years by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the United Nations Headquarters. IPU is the umbrella organisation of leaders of parliaments with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and such meetings are only held, to underscore its importance, once in every four years. The summit was a unique forum for dialogue and cooperation between parliaments at the highest level, with the overall theme of the conference focused on peace, democracy, and development as seen through parliamentary lens. The conference was part of the series of high-level meetings leading up to the UN Summit which will hold in late September 2015, where new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be launched. It was preceded by the Tenth Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament, which held in August. Speaker Dogara didnt confine himself to the historic UN General Assembly hall where plenaries took place but went steps further during breaks and sometimes, even late nights, to hold bilateral meetings with Speakers of parliaments of different countries from Africa, Asia and Europe. The first of such legislative diplomacy held on the eve of the conference as Dogara had a bilateral meeting with delegation of Chinese MPs led by Chairman of the National People`s Congress (NPC) Mr. Zhang Dejian. The Speaker used the opportunity to solicit for China`s support for Nigeria`s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and Nigeria and Nigerians came out victorious as the Chinese did not hesitate in throwing their weight behind the request. "We appreciate China for its effort to democratise the institution of the United Nations and appeal that you support our bid to occupy a permanenr seat on the security council," Dogara C M Y K

DOGARA:

Using legislative diplomacy? for nation building had said. Responding, Mr. Dejiang said there must be a better representation of developing countries in the United Nations and that Nigeria, being an influential country in the world, deserved a seat on the council. "We support the legitimate demands of Nigeria for a permanent seat on the UN security council, together with the reform of the UN," Mr. Dejiang said. Also, agreements were reached on the establishment of a parliamentary friendship group between Nigeria`s National Assembly and the NPC of China. The Speaker had also appealed to the Chinese government to review its 5 percent tax on Nigeria`s agricultural exports and the Chinese agreed to take up the issue with the their authorities back home, in addition to another promise to attract Chinese investors to Nigeria. They also pledged to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, describing it as a global scourge. In another bilateral parley, Dogara secured a commitment from the state of Israel in Nigeria`s recent efforts to rout Boko Haram insurgents before the end of the year. The Speaker of Isreal`s parliament Knesset, Mr. Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, gave the nod when he met with Hon. Dogara who had solicited for Israel`s support to

Nigeria to help end Boko Haram and other security challenges, in addition to attracting investment in agriculture, solid minerals, energy and tourism. Edelstein said while responding to the demand made by Rt Hon. Dogara that Israel will continue to support Nigeria`s fight against terrorism as according to him, there must be global action against terrorists. Mr. Edelstein said terrorism is a threat to all nations and as such, the world must unite to fight it saying, "we must unite to fight terrorism and not to divide them into their terrorist and our terrorists." "Israel is committed to fight against terrorism because terrorists use divisions between nations and even democratic countries," he added. Dogara had told Mr. Edelstein that the international community must find a global solution to terrorism as no nation is insulated from its scourge. He said Nigeria`s North East region where he comes from has been under Boko Haram terrorists and the scale of devastation was unimaginable. The Speaker further urged the Israelis to invest in Nigeria`s agricultural sector which has the potential to create wealth and generate employment for millions of jobless youths. He said Israelis were able to transform a desert nation into one of the most agriculturally viable nation on earth

and that other sectors such as solid minerals, energy and tourism have a lot of potentials waiting to be tapped. The Speaker also solicited for technical support from the Isreali parliament Knesset to enable the National Assembly establish its own security outfit by equiping the Sergeants-At-Arms. He said plans are underway to transform the Sergeant-At-Arms into a modern and sophisticated security outfit as it obtainable in other parliaments. Again, Nigeria-Israel parliamentary friendship group will be established. Coming closer to home, Dogara held bilateral meetings with president of Niger`s National Assembly, Mr. Amadou Salifou. Part of the outcome of the talks is the reiteration of the Nigeriens of their commitment to supporting Nigeria`s fight against Boko Haram, with Mr. Salifou saying Nigeriens will continue to support the big brother (Nigeria) until Boko Haram is extinct. He said Niger had already won the war on its own side of the border. Similarly, Speaker Dogara also met with his Senegalese counterpart , Mr. Moustapha Niasse, who delightfully informed him that he is half-Nigerian as some of his cousins are from Sokoto State. Dogara lauded Senegal`s smooth democratic transition in recents years as an example for other African countries to emulate. In the same vein, talks were held with the Second Deputy Speaker of Burundi`s National Assembly ,Hon. Nduwimana Edouad, where Dogara called on African nations to look inward and find solutions to their problems instead of relying on foreign nations. He said Nigeria must, as a matter of necessity, maintain an afrocentric foreign policy because of its commitment to peace and stability in Africa. In yet another unprecedented engagement, Speaker Dogara held talks with Speaker of the Serbian parliament, Ms Maja Gojkovic, where he assured her that Nigeria will neither forget nor abandoned its old friends who offered helping hands during the civil war. An agreement was also reached to also establish a parliamentary friendship group between the two nations. At the end of the conference, the indefatigable Speaker spoke passionately about President Muhammadu Buhari`s fight against corruption and pleaded with the international community, especially Western nations, to help return billions of dollars looted from Nigeria. The Speaker said Western nations have both moral and legal obligation to Nigeria and other African countries to ensure that monies stolen from Africa are repatriated. He said the return of such funds will help create jobs for millions of jobless young men and women and ultimately reduce to the barest minimum , the surge of migrants to Europe from Africa. Dogara further appealed to heads of parliaments from the West to enact legislations that will block the movement of stolen funds from Africa to their countries. He said as presiding officers of the legislature, Speakers of Western parliaments should put pressure on their governments to return such looted funds to Nigeria. Before leaving America, the Speaker took a trip to Washington DC where he met with some key members of Congress and other stakeholders. During the visit, he asked them to pressurise their governments to make the necessary military hardware available to Nigeria in order to rout out Boko Haram terrorists among other issues discussed.

Hassan is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Yakubu Dogara

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19—2015

t would appear that President Muhammadu finds it convenient to make important announcements about his nation when he is away from the country. It could become an inconvenient matter for us to expect important statements from our President usually when he is abroad, especially if he makes a habit of jetting out now and again, as a pattern of what his stewardship is turning out to be. His predecessor in office, Goodluck Jonathan, had made it a point of strategy, or so we thought, to visit Paris when the abduction of the Chibok girls was still oven-fresh. Nothing came out of it but those creamy promises. We can expect very little from Buhari’s visit too. And no matter how gracious one is disposed to be, the Paris trip only fits into a frame of junketing which may be permitted if there were no daunting duties on the home base. But there is, like the appointment of ministers which may be accompanied by a re-organization of the number and responsibilities of the ministries. It has taken quite awhile but the month of September, which has been marked for the announcement is in its waning days. That this was the intention of the President was revealed in Paris, while some people, many people in fact, were grinding their teeth in confusion here at home. After such a long wait—which was exactly what also happened when he was a military leader, at his first coming—it would not have been out of place to relieve our anxiety here first-hand rather than our having to hear it on the international air-waves. All we could say now is that when the announcement of the ministers’ identity comes, it had better be good. But that was how we also got to know that the Federal Government has been conducting a dialogue, or discussion with Boko Haram —from a distance. Some people might even welcome it. But it would seem that the government is sniffing this one before tasting it. The President made the point that the identity of the conferees on the other side has to be established before full discussions can be engaged in. This is indeed a key aspect to the issue especially as it was recently given out that there has been a change at the helm of the Boko Haram leadership, true or false. If true, what does it portend when we do not know whether it would be for good or worse. If false, it could only be part of a ruse for designed to deceive and put the Nigerian army into confusion. And they seem to be no mean hand at that. Former President Good luck, wisely, would not engage, as he put it, in a conference “with ghosts”. It is interesting to learn that the proposed meeting with the Boko Haram was at their own instance. Curiouser and curiouser, wouldn‘t you say? These were the people who outrightly rejected a dialogue less than a year ago. They even rejected the offer of possible pardon then. They claimed that they had committed no offence, dismissing their mass murder of innocent Nigerians as casualties of war. And they went on attacking us. And now they are reported to want an exchange of one of their captured chieftains for the Chibok girls. That, of course, is unacceptable. For one thing, we have no clear picture of what has happened to the girls. We can only hope C M Y K

*we wait for the ministers *an all-Nigeria effort

for the best and expect the worst since it must be appreciated that we are dealing with a most ruthless gang of murderers. The attempt to come to a compromise on the part of these criminals also strengthens the encouraging news that these brutal insurgents are now being steadily degraded by our army. I have always had a supreme faith in the Nigerian army, no matter what they were made to undergo in the past regime. The veil is being gradually lifted across the Sambisa forest; we shall soon know the score about this war. We have to be prepared for the gruesome aftermath which, unhappily, may make us mourn for some unfortunate ones among us. Now, we wait for the ministers.

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, articulate, erudite, diplomat par excellence hardly ever puts a foot wrong when it comes to matters of academic or

•Professor Ibrahim Gambari

Former President Goodluck, wisely, would not engage, as he put it, in a conference “with ghosts" diplomatic nature. That was why I was not entirely surprised when I saw him at the so-called National Conference which was really no more than a part of the swan song at his quitting the stage, among other futile strategies that could not keep him in office. But even if he had been able to return to Aso Rock, the recommendations of the conference would have been given no more than the treatment they

deserve —a good space in a safe office shelf. The confab was a waste of time and good money, and we said so at the time. But the jamboree was seen through and well attended, even by some notable people who did not think much of it either but found a certain aspect very much welcome. I have often wondered why Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the virtual convener, did not invite me despite our mutual agreement on several views. My car was in need of urgent repairs—in fact, replacement. I suspect he appreciated the fact that we were not on the same page with regard to the matter. But Professor Gambari was in full force and contributed with great vigour to the deliberations, not fully appreciating that it was just a gambit, at best a distraction and, if you like, the last gasp of a fading soul. He could not believe that it was a pure political gimmick, full of wind but deficient in substance. He still does, apparently, from the recent appeals he has been making to President

Buhari to implement some of the decisions. The truth is that the acceptable areas of decisions traversed by the conference are few and far between; but even those are already covered by the Constitution, or would need a constitutional review with all its extensive processes which may be easily accommodated by legislative conduct. The Conference has also been rejected by the Northern Re-Awakening Forum. It is a new one, though with a very old agenda. But then, you might say I am prejudiced. Any time I come across any of these “action groups” that are purely sectional in concept, purpose and name, I develop goose pimples. The NRF is a northern outfit that seeks to improve the lot of the unfortunate people of the North-East. It wants another national conference to be convened for this purpose by the Federal Government. This, of course, is what you might call a noble project. And they need every encouragement and support. But they have got it wrong. This is a national issue, not a Northern or North-East issue; It is a Nigerian issue so it should be organized on a national basis. It is high time that the leaders in the North began to think in terms of their inclusiveness within the nation. This organization, no matter how worthy its intentions, is a throw-back to the days before the Civil War. There are people who believe that we are not yet a nation, and so we shall continue until people all over the country begin to identify us as people of one country. It might be difficult at the start, but it will be possible with goodwill in good time. A national conference is not necessary —it is even a misnomer. What is demanded is a national committee which may be headed by a capable man from that part of Nigeria to whom the terrain is quite familiar. The membership should comprise fellow Nigerians eager to serve their fatherland. By the way, Alhaji Mohammed Umara Kumilia, who is the chairman of the NRF and a legislator of the National Assembly, was a member of the National Conference which he now consigns to the PDP. The North-East needs massive help. And we should all be involved big time. Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—19

he recent Sunday Vanguard T carried a rather sad story of our oil industry and in the story, was a

strong indictment of leadership both in Government and in the communities. The article stated very bluntly, the poignant facts that more gas is flared in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. According to the article, 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas is wasted annually which is 40% of all of Africa’s natural gas consumption. The article also stated that the resultant loss to Nigeria is in the region of 2.5 million dollars. This is discounting the health concerns from the toxins associated with the flaring which have led to premature deaths, respiratory illness and cancer. It concludes, and I agree, that ‘the story of gas flaring is one of appalling carelessness, greed, corruption and double standards.’ The article brought it nearer home when it stated that at the time the country was producing 2.2 million barrels per day, we were producing and flaring 2.2billion standard cubic feet of associated gas. This daily production could produce 200 tetra watt hours of electricity which is equivalent to 50% of all of Africa’s power consumption. Dr Patrick Dele Cole, the author of the said article is a leader in the Niger Delta, the home of our oil and the recipient of the grossest abuse a Government can give to its people. He was also a senior Civil Servant, a leader in Government and an active player in the previous ruling party. If the leadership both in Government and in the oil communities is complicit, then Dr Cole should stand indicted. But I suspect from the passion with which the narrative was done, that he has not just found his voice. He was probably a lone voice of reason in the wilderness of indifference all along. I have a story about this gas flaring that makes one feel sorry for a country like Nigeria that is run by such a self-centred and greedy elite. The path of one gentleman, an engineer

Rich country, poor people from the Niger Delta area crossed mine some 25 years ago, when his son and a book which also lamented the waste mine entered Corona Secondary and missed opportunities in Nigeria, School. He was doing ok dealing with landed on my table. The coincidence Nepa installations until he got involved was just too much to be ignored. The in a technological breakthrough that title of the book is ‘Rich country, poor could have made him a multimillionaire people’ which as you would have in another country but almost ruined noticed, is the title of this column. It him here. On a trip to Paris, he met a was written by a man from my own Professor who had developed a generation; a close friend to a close technology for capping flared gas and friend. His name is Banji Oyelaranre-injecting the oil back into the Oyeyinka, a Professor of Innovation system. Not only would this have led and Industrialisation Policy and a to a greater efficiency, it would have Director with the United Nations. I led to a cleaner environment. My friend would, if I had the space, have wanted used his connections and his money to to do a complete review of this scholarly try and get the project off the ground. work. But as it is, I will just take some For starters, an agreement extracts that are indicative of with NNPC took forever. the problems and his Everybody he met was proffered solutions. interested but everybody Now, like Dr Cole’s article, he met want a piece of the there is very little in the book action. These included about the neglect and abuse officials in NNPC, officials Nigeria should of the Nation State that one in Government, and not belong to is not familiar with. But influential Nigerians having them so graphically the category of including some powerful stated is very pungent. It men of God. This ‘settle me failed states says for example, ‘Nigeria first’ approach meant the given her should be one of Africa’s necessary agreement richest countries. It is the could not be signed and abundant sixth largest producer of the necessary money resources crude oil with huge reserves needed to perfect the of mineral and agricultural riches technology could not be raised. Not one powerful person paused to consider the besides manpower. A country where needs of the country. This is the story abundant varieties of crops grow of the NNPC. This is the story of the irrespective of farming care and oil and gas industry. This is the story limitless opportunities exist. All these, unfortunately, have subjected the of Nigeria. I was still mulling over the Sunday country to ridicule. Between 1980 and Vanguard article when three days later, 1996, Nigeria’s poverty level rose from

y mother was 82 years two Saturdays ago, but like many of her previous birthdays, except the 70th and 75th, it passed by like a ship in the night: unheralded. Not that she would have celebrated if we wanted to. The appetite is not just there, not after the loss of two sons within 19 months. I only remembered on Sunday, September 6, a day after it had passed. But notwithstanding, I celebrate my mother today. At 82, she is in the departure lounge, according to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But with life’s uncertainties, aren’t we all in the departure lounge? God help us. Mama was born in Omoku in of her head and touch her left ear, a modern day Rivers State on prerequisite for starting school in those September 5, 1933. We have always days, since the authorities could not suspected that date like Obasanjo’s ascertain the right age of many birthday, March 5, 1937, but mama children. She was in standard four says she got it from her missing when marriage beckoned. She got baptismal card. Her Baptismal name married to my father, Joseph Ewherido, is Paulina, while her Urhobo name is with whom she had eight children, all Powder, a metaphor for a fine baby males. While my father studied to get (Fineboy, Fynecountry, Authority, grade three, grade two, Advanced Development, Manager— No be levels and finally a university degree, today Niger Delta people begin give mama’s education was truncated because she stayed home to bear children funky names). Mama lost her father when she was children and fend for the family. In 1974, mama was hit with a strange about 13 years. He suddenly became illness that doctors could not diagnose. ill. When it became apparent he was As little children, we stared at the going to die, they set sail for present day Delta State. He never made it reality of losing mama. Those were very alive to Ewu-Urhobo, his maternal difficult times for young children, not home. He died at sea, midway into knowing if mama was going to wake the voyage. My grandmother was put up the next morning. From 1974 to in the front of the canoe, forbidden 1980, we lived in anxiety. Majority of by tradition from seeing her the time, mama was okay and then this husband’s corpse. The lot fell on my strange ailment will come and mother, who was the oldest child on everybody will be on edge. We tried board, to bear the corpse until they orthodox and traditional medicine to no avail, no cure. got to Ewu two days later. Mama has the gift of dreams. If mama Mama started school late due to a woke up and told us that somebody combination of factors. But the main gave her fresh fish in the dream, we culprit was her right hand which was knew she was going to experience a not long enough to pass over the top

Mama @ 82

C M Y K

period of good health. But if she told us that she was given dry fish or dry firewood, trouble. By evening of that day, heavy breathing and shortness of breath started. This was the routine for the six years. In 1980, my father was transferred to Urhobo College, Effurun, Delta State, as the vice principal. After we relocated, one of the decisions mama took caused me so much anxiety. She called one of my brothers one day: “Ufuoma, please bring all the bottles containing my herbs.” He brought them and mama washed everything away. “Mama,” I screamed, “ what are you doing?” “My son,” she replied, “I want a new beginning. If I am going to die, I want to die in the Lord without encumbrance.” In my young mind, I had forgotten that it was God, not the drugs and herbs that kept mama alive. For the next 17 years, mama enjoyed a new lease of life. It was also during this period we found out that the so called strange ailment that almost took mama away was nothing but high blood pressure. By 1997, mama became very ill again. Those years she spent without proper treatment of the high blood pressure had taken their toll on her organs. Her heart was weak and enlarged and her blood pressure had

28% to 66% and to 70% in 2010. This is estimated to be over 163 million Nigerians.’ Youth unemployment has risen to 50% in 2010 which means that one in every two youths is unemployed. It also makes it extremely hard for a new entrant with unproven skills to gain employment.’ He argued that ‘the rising poverty and widening inequality have been fuelled by imprudent financial management, rising cost of governance and corruption’. He talked about social exclusion, inequality and lack of a clear policy for developing the Nation State as part of the reasons for rising poverty. He said ‘Poverty and inequality create social tension and breed mistrust. The skewed distribution of opportunities and outcomes have consigned the wealth of the Nation in the hands of an unproductive few thriving on prebedalism that in turn weaken the fabric of the Nigerian society. ‘In 2004, Nigeria entered the list of failed states among 46 countries, mostly of African origin, that were labelled fragile. Nigeria should not belong to the category of failed states given her abundant resources, opportunities and unfulfilled potential. ‘It counts little to rank among the 20 richest countries in the world if a large swathe of the population lives in endemic poverty and the society is divided. Rather than aim to rank among the 20 richest countries in the world, the Government and its leadership should aim for agenda that tackle the developmental deficit in the country. These agenda include but not limited to; raising power supply from 45watts per person to 500 watts per person in 2030. Improving security in the country. Reducing the cost of governance. Creating industrial zones with 24 hours power supply. Improving on fiscal responsibility.’ If there is any lesson we have learnt from our years of fiscal irresponsibility and the perpetuation of social and economic inequality, it is from the Boko Haram insurgency. If we must say never again, then we must lift our people out of the vicious circle of poverty and despondency.

risen to 240 (systolic). The doctor wondered why she was still alive and advised us to take her home and wait for death. My elder brother, Fr. Tony, suggested Mama should go for a bypass for her heart, but she preferred to die rather than be opened up. She said God had been merciful enough. She even said her good bye to everybody. As a compromise, she opted to go to the Benedictine Monastery, EwuIshan, Edo State, for treatment. She came back from Ewu with many local therapies of course backed with prayers. The first night after she started the treatment was hell, but three days later, mama started improving. She has continued to improve. During the last Christmas, she was in a very bad shape and I was worried that the end was here, but like the proverbial cat with nine lives, mama has bounced back. Today, I celebrate her on her 82 nd birthday. It was the late Gani Fawehinmi, who said every extra day he lived was a bonus. This cannot be truer of mama, whose strength, resilience, patience, endurance, hard work, love, and faith her children celebrate quietly. This woman who was supposed to die 41 years ago has added another 41 years. These many years of ailments and the tragic loss of two sons, have taken a toll on mama physically, but she is still very much mentally alert and that is what is important. Her health challenges notwithstanding, she has surpassed the biblical 80 years for the very strong. Mama is a virtuous woman, a quintessential mother, a great cook and a platinum heart. Happy birthday, Mama Paulina Powder Ewherido. As Fr. Tony will say, “continue to hang in there.” We love you infinitely.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 f the president has anything close to the war against indiscipline of 1984 why are the police ,customs and immigration officials on the stretch of that road between Seme border and Agbara ridiculing him

Many had expected a political revolution, the sort that would make yesterday , the past, so much different. That anticipated watershed hasn’t been seen. The cynics have no pity for such optimism and the naivety , they claim, that spawned it. Despite all the talk about siphoned billions and impending clamp down on looters of government treasury, so much hope is being left to drain away. Policemen still take bribes in broad day light from motorists. Such an ever present eye sore denies any attempt at fighting corruption some legitimacy. Law enforcement agents at the airports including those supposedly fighting drug trafficking are still pathetically , unashamedly , cajoling travellers and collecting alms. The mundanity of it all inculcates widespread apathy. People long for a reformed 1984 war. Enduring fight against corruption must be about institution building and enhancement of systems, processes and capacities but immediate positive symbolic steps and gestures will enhance a smooth take off and ensure mass participation. 1984 may have been brutal but in retrospect it was a committed attempt at some social engineering, some regeneration. It is doubtful if societal mores can be revamped by coercion alone but the first step towards any substantive correction must be the sort of regenerative resolution that cannot condone policemen taking bribes in broad day light from motorists. The decadence is perhaps worse now and much more would be needed to make any impact. But this war, if it is yet a war, is too narrow , too unambitious, too focused on the sensational. Our economy is weak and we need to recover all monies that have been stolen but there is much more to do. The 1984 war , in its zealousness, was regrettably too disdainful of due process but any war that does not have the vigour and spiritedness of the 1984 variety would be mere window dressing. In 1984 , disorderliness came to be abhorred even where chaos naturally resided. Queues for buses stretched sometimes for over 50 metres at even Oshodi bus stop, then home of lawlessness. Some say soldiers maintained the queues with whips but I know that the culture took hold. Queues were merely emblematic of an emerging consciousness for orderliness in public affairs then. The arrest and trial of looters of public treasury, sensational then as it will be now, was not particularly responsible for the positive shift in social order then. Some will point to widespread moral depreciation since the aborted 1984 exercise and assert the futility of coercion in social reformation. But many who voted Buhari , did because they saw in that 1984 experiment the ingredients for societal reformation . Some say democracy will hamper him, but if 1984 failed because of tyranny and highhandedness as many have suggested, then democracy will serve as good restraints. Democracy cannot hamper any resolute effort to force compunction on policemen and Lastma officials, to nudge them to hide in bushes if they must do the ignoble of extorting motorists. My expectations may have been a bit too optimistic, I had harbored hopes of more visible , immediate, changes even if they were merely symbolic. And I may not have been alone in this optimism. Electricity generation and distribution has improved in recent months and many aren’t inclined to attributing it to the rains despite historical evidence. It feels good to award the credit to the anti corruption programme of the new government . Or perhaps to the ‘ body language’ of the president since nothing that can be termed a programme is yet afoot. When the rains cease in a couple of months we C M Y K

Corruption: When will the war start?

•President Buhari will know to whom the credit was due. But that tells of the enthusiasm for change and a widespread eagerness to see this government succeed. But when I traveled to Cotonou by road a few days ago, I suffered some disillusionment. I , despite my optimism and that vulnerability induced by sympathythat keenness to perceive and perhaps exaggerate any positive change , was deflated. If the president has anything close to the war against indiscipline of 1984 why are the police ,customs and immigration officials on the stretch of that road between Seme border and Agbara ridiculing him? No one who has gone through that column of menacing and hounding law enforcement agents can speak of change let alone anti corruption. And how is it that this administration sits down for three months, after working peoples expectations for many months during the campaigns and watches helplessly as its uniformed agents continue in the ways that defined other regimes as manifestly corrupt? A proliferation of checkpoints, dutifully perpetrating corruption in day light. If the public cannot find any hint of change in their daily interactions with the Police and Customs and Immigrations then change must be a vacuous slogan. It’s been business as usual and it’s been three months. These agencies had expected some drastic reformations and nothing has been forthcoming. Patriotic members of staff of these agencies yearning for change seek a thoroughgoing change in the status quo. Corruption in these agencies cannot be lent inevitability. The good officers who looked up and awaited an opportunity to show that the Police, and Customs, and Immigrations can be run professionally feel let down. For everyday that passes routinely, anonymously, innocuously, leaves them wondering whether Buhari is really the one, the one sent. The broken windows theory makes clear that evil proliferates where little matters of misconduct are left unchecked. And that the more

serious crimes recede when there’s no room for misdemeanors. If corruption in these agencies loses its brazenness, politicians and contractors will sit up. Nearly every police force in the world is corrupt but very few of them take monies from motorists and give “change” in full glare of onlookers , in day light. No attitudinal changes will take place in a Nigerian society where policemen take bribes on the streets , without shame, without a care in the world about who may or may not be witnessing these acts. For when evil is this routine, this mundane, the society loses the moral force to effect a repair by small incremental changes. A radical departure from the past must be announced and effected someday. We can learn from Georgia. I would like to ask the president if he is aware that the police have continued like nothing has changed? Is it possible that he finds the culture of police corruption such an enormity that he cannot confront it just yet? Or is he mindful of the poor conditions of service of the average policeman and is therefore condoning their corruption? The police are by no means the most corrupt agency in the country, I would even rate them better than many others. Is the president comfortable that the police and other agencies who braced up for some real change have relapsed into the business as usual mode? Does he know that change could have been easier if new rules were spelt out from day one? Does he think that the conspicuous corruption going on at all the check points and police stations in the country belong to a past administration? - “Rome was not built in a day”. I can hear that, but 1984 had much more verve than this. Is it really out of place to have expected president to have had a comprehensive and coherent strategy to tackle corruption on assumption of office? - “This is a democracy, and not a military dictatorship. No one can bully another.” Really? Democracy is about good governance and the president is the commander in chief, he cannot be blind to visible conspicuous everyday corruption by his law enforcement

If the president has anything close to the war against indiscipline of 1984 why are the police ,customs and immigration officials on the stretch of that road between Seme border and Agbara ridiculing him?

agents . - “He is at it, he is taking a holistic approach and it will take time”. I am worried but still hopeful. I don’t want ‘see finish’ to set in. A few sting operations can get us moving. Stir the masses, check apathy and cynicism. Let the sort of verve injected into the military in the war against boko haram be given to the police. Let some war start. The president should engage the public, embolden the people to resist corruption on the streets. It should be a crusade. Reward whistle blowers . Give the Police and Customs clear marching orders. If Seme is the most important land border Nigeria has, then one must wonder if any kind of security exists at any of our borders. You can drive across that border post hundred times a day without any check. Yet a multitude of checkpoints litter the road after the border within our territory. Between Seme and Agbara there are up to 20 checks by all manner of agencies. But if you think that the checks are to stop smugglers then your delusion is cleared when a “firewall vehicle”, those motorized contraptions custom-built for smuggling, breezes effortlessly past you and the checkpoints. Road safety corps have their own checkpoint. They look into faces rather than documents and peer into boots since they cant ask “wetin you carry”. On a particular segment of that road there are about five Customs checkpoints with just barely 10 metres between them and this does not include those of the police and immigration service. At the border post proper, in clear view of all, touts, otherwise referred to as ‘kelebes’ mount road blocks and collect fees . What kind of security exists at an important border post where hooligans operate as security agents to extort motorists in daylight? You have to wonder whom they work for. Taxi drivers say they collect bribes for the law enforcement agencies. The absurdity is worsened by the fact that this brigandage appears institutionalized. The new Inspector General of police , like the new Customs boss are fine gentlemen. But the sort of radical confrontation against established and entrenched corrupt traditions and practices that can usher needed institutional changes in these establishments must be engineered by the president. The president has the political followership and the credibility to engineer such social crusades. It is hoped that when his cabinet is fully formed the

political will to declare war against corruption and indiscipline will be more manifest and that he will really fight the war in earnest. For now, three months after, all we hear are feeble, distant , discordant , drum beats of war. We wait.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—21

NORTHERN NIGERIA:

Papering over Boko Haram cracks

BY AGAJU MADUGBA

n fact, according to Amnesty International, the Boko Haram insurgents may have abducted a total of about 2,000 girls and women since January 2014 alone, using them as cooks, sex slaves and fighters. On a number of occasions, Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has reportedly shed tears in public, while reacting to some of the murderous activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group. The Governor’s address last weekend at a meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) in Kaduna may have C M Y K

encapsulated his many years of frustrations and apparent inability to checkmate what has been described as the heinous acts of the Boko Haram group. According to Shettima, “today, our region has become a thriving nest for war, terrorism, deep seated social divisions, senseless violence, mindboggling intolerance, injustice, destitution, joblessness, and all manner of other social vices, the height of which is the madness called Boko Haram.” Such lamentations are not entirely new. It has virtually become routine practice for a number of northern leaders to shed tears at any news of fresh reports of Boko Haram attacks. The Governor who spoke in his capacity as the NSGF Chairman

also holds the unenviable position of host to members of Boko Haram with their operational mobile headquarters which rotates between Gworza and the Sambisa forest. Reports indicate that the Sambisa forest has a landmass far in excess of that of the entire Lagos state or Belgium. The Boko Haram Nightmare For a number of northerners, the Boko Haram insurgency seems to be a nightmare and they appear to nurse the false hope that they may actually wake up some day to realise that it is not real after all and that the entire region had been in a bad dream all along. Also confronted with various other

If anyone is thinking of being able to get those girls released intact, he must be day dreaming

forms of anti-social activities and behaviours, successive northern leaders have continued to lament current developments in the area. “The first generation of northern leaders bequeathed to us a polity, though vast in landmass and complex in its diversity, that showed enormous promise,” Shettima said, noting further that it was a a polity where the social mantra was unity in diversity, where justice, fairness and equity reigned, where exemplary peaceful coexistence was the order of the day. Regrettably, according to him, “not only have succeeding generations of leaders including, sadly, our own, failed to sustain the benchmark handed over by our heroes, they let things to progressively and rapidly deteriorate, in the process exhibiting base irresponsibility of the worst kind. Thus, from those dizzying heights of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s when the north was the cynosure, if not the envy, of all eyes, we plunged to the nadir of the social ladder.” Indeed, after the early 1980s, the the north apparently took what has turned out to be a seeming irreversible plunge into a yawning abyss of crises, with various forms of ethnoreligious conflicts ravaging the region. From reports, virtually all indices of human development are skewed against the north when compared to other parts of the country. After several years of progressive decline, the north has apparently found itself entangled in the Boko Haram web from which it has not been able to extricate itself. With a vast landmass said to be about 79 per cent of the entire landmass of Nigeria, northern Nigeria is also said

Continues on page 22

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Cost of Fighting Boko Haram

Continues from page 21 to account for about 53.6 per cent of the nation’s population. But according to a prominent businessman and Banker from the north, Alhaji Falalu Bello, the northern landmass is underexploited with majority of its huge population uneducated because of what Bello describes as near nearfailure of governance in certain states and local governments. According to Bello, “today, the north has ownership and/or control of no more than three per cent of banking assets and two per cent of insurance assets and 10 per cent of industrial assets. Currently, its most distinguishing characteristic is grinding poverty. Recent poverty statistics indicate that the poverty level of states in the north has been on the increase in the last nine years and reaching over 80 per cent. Its two commercial and industrial nerve centers (Kano and Kaduna) have seen industrial capacity utilization decline to an all time low of less than 10 per cent. The textile, automobile and beverages companies that thrived so impressively in the 1970s and 1980s have collapsed, rendering thousands jobless.” Some six years after the launch of its bloody campaigns from the northeastern state of Borno in 2009, unconfirmed reports have since put the death toll of victims of the various attacks at between 15,000 and 100,000. At one time or the other, major cities in the north have had to swallow C M Y K

bitter pills of the insurgency, aside communities and towns in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. From Kano to Kaduna, to Bauchi and Plateau states and, from Niger to Jigawa and Gombe states and more, it has been the same unsavoury tale of blood and tears as the Islamic insurgents launch their weapons of death on unsuspecting citizens and in some other cases they turn themselves into veritable instruments of mass destruction as represented in the numerous cases of suicide bomb attacks. It is doubtful if there will ever be an incontrovertible number to show the actual death figures. Perhaps, also indeterminable may be the number of those who have been injured and some others who have been maimed permanently from the equally countless number of bomb attacks by the insurgents, across parts of northern Nigeria including Abuja, the Federal Capital of Africa’s most populous nation. However, deserted communities in parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states along with various camps housing several hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across the north and and elsewhere in the country attempt to show the level of devastation and trauma arising from these several years of the Boko Haram siege. Eight Hundred in 100 Days But in recent times, according to Buharimeter, a group with a self-imposed task of monitoring activities of the Buhari administration, Boko Haram insurgents killed at least 800 Nigerians within the first 100 days of this government in office. According to the group, “in the last 100 days, there have

been over 30 successful attacks and bomb explosions which claimed the lives of over 800 people and caused the destruction of property worth millions of naira.” In fact, according to the Borno state Governor, the situation in the north, arising essentially from the activities of Boko Haram, has degenerated to such a level that, “in Nigeria today poverty glaringly wears a bold northern face. We have turned our region into a laughing stock, derided by friends and foes alike, and, not without justification, as having dragged the rest of the country down with us.” Cost of Fighting Boko Haram Just as it may be difficult determining the actual casualty figures of those killed by Boko Haram in the past six years, it may also prove to be a herculean task ascertaining how much the Federal Government and the various state governments may have expended on the fight against insurgency, directly and indirectly. The administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan is reported to have committed so much money towards combating the war while governments at all levels as well as Non-Governmental Organisations and other civil society groups are known to be responsible for the upkeep of the IDPs their population which is said to number a total of about 1.5 million. Borno state alone is reported to have about 27 per cent of its population currently wearing the tag of displaced persons, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. There are also reports that the Jonathan government received a foreign loan of about $1 billion to fight Boko Haram. As at February 2015, unconfirmed reports suggest that the Federal Government might have committed a total sum of about N6.5 trillion to the insurgency war. Although the Boko Haram war is not yet over, Shettima estimates that it will cost about $3 billion to repair infrastructural facilities including hospitals, schools, bridges and

We should not be talking about rescuing the Chibok girls alone but the entire people being held by Boko Haram

individual homes destroyed by insurgent activities in the north east alone, in the past six years. And, following the historic Washington visit by Buhari in July, there are indications that the World Bank may consider granting Nigeria a loan facility of about $2.1 billion for infrastructural rehabilitation of the north east. Moreover, days after he assumed office, Buhari had directed the immediate release of $21 million (N4.2 billion) to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fighting Boko Haram. Speaking in Johannesburg at the 25th African Union summit in South Africa, Buhari had justified the expenditure arguing that, “in particular, we are witnesses to the rampant destruction of homes, roads, communications lines, vital infrastructure and displacement of persons not to mention terrible loss of lives. The Boko Haram insurgency has extended its reach to Nigeria’s neighbours but is not necessarily limited to these immediate countries as terrorism is a global phenomenon with linkages across the globe.” Whatever the explanations, the socio-psychological cost of the Boko Haram insurgency cannot be quantified in monetary terms considering that a number of businesses have closed shop while their owners are on the run for dear lives. In most parts of the north, the people live in perpetual fear, not knowing where or when the next attack will occur, or which of the crowded bus stations will explode next. Parents and children are worried not knowing whether their schools may also receive the now legendary Chibok treatment. Nowhere is safe. Not even places of worship when the insurgents have launched series of indiscriminate attacks on churches and mosques across northern cities. Goodbye, Chibok Girls Although the insurgents have claimed responsibility for a number of other attacks on schools in on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states leading to the death of scores of school children and their teachers, perhaps, till date, the most daring of the group’s undertakings is the reported abduction of some 299 secondary school girls at Chibok, Borno state, on April 14, 2014. A year on and the days still running, there have not been definitive statements regarding the actual location of the girls who were writing their terminal school certificate examinations before they were kidnapped. The report has over the past year engendered world outrage with a number of countries pledging to assist in efforts at rescuing the girls. But, so far, all the combined initiatives have proved abortive including campaigns by the numerous Bring Back Our Girls hashtag civil society Continues on page 23

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—23

Continues from page 22 groups. However, the Arewa Youth Forum, a coalition of various youth groups from across the north, says it does not believe in what it describes as over-dramatisation of the issue of the Chibok girls. The group’s President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Gujungu, told Vanguard that, “there seems to be a lot of politics surrounding the issue of the Chibok girls. There are other people also being held in captivity by Boko Haram apart from the Chibok girls. I do not understand why there should be emphasis on the Chibok girls as if those other people including women are not citizens of this country. If indeed the insurgents actually have the Chibok girls and they are alive, I believe the troupes should be able to rescue them. We have to tell ourselves the truth because the Chibok girls are being held alongside other women and even other girls. We should not be talking about rescuing the Chibok girls alone but the entire people being held by Boko Haram. They are all citizens of Nigeria. And by the way, how do you even identify who the Chibok girls are among those being held because by now they must have grown bigger than what they used to be. They must have become women within this period they have been in captivity. Some of them may have become pregnant and it is also possible some of them may have even become mothers by now, going by reports from the military that they found condoms and sex drugs in the Boko Haram camps.” And, perhaps, until it is proved otherwise, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s verdict on the issue may remain valid. Blaming the former administration of Jonathan for allegedly failing to take C M Y K

Genesis of Muslim Radical Dissent in the North early measures to rescue the girls, Obasanjo had ruled that, “I have said it several times that, once active and concrete action was not taken within 48 hours, a period of 72 hours was already too late. We will never be able to get those girls again. And, the story of those girls will go on for the next 30 years. Some of them will come out when they are adults or they will be sent back when they are pregnant by those who have captured them. If anyone is thinking of being able to get those girls released intact, he must be day dreaming.” Again, perhaps unfortunately, in what appears to be the hammering of a final death knell on the fate of the girls, President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke last week in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC said that, “many of the girls have been forced to convert to Islam. They (the insurgents) have scattered them, and they are being guarded at dispersed locations. Most of the girls are Christians but were forced to embrace Islam. And the sect’s cruel leaders have married off some of the girls, obviously against their wish. Others have been left to practise their religion but their condition can hardly be ascertained. Both ground and air security personnel in the Sambisa forest could spot where the girls are but since the insurgents have also kidnapped housewives and other women, no one can say whether they mixed them or how they dispersed them.” In fact, according to Amnesty International, the Boko Haram insurgents may have abducted a total of about 2,000 girls and women since January 2014 alone, using them as cooks, sex slaves and fighters. Genesis of Muslim Radical

Dissent in the North “Tranquility for everybody” is a direct translation of Dadin Kowa which is one of the several villages that Boko Haram uses as launch pad for its attacks in Borno state. But how has it come to pass that some 50 years after Nigeria’s independence, peaceful towns are being terrorized, attracting suicide bombers and an invading army of Muslims with obvious extremist tendencies? According to John Hare, a former District Officer who was recruited by the British government in 1957 for service in northern Nigeria, three years before the country’s independence, “the answers lie in Nigeria’s north-easternmost state, Borno, a 27,000-square-mile (70,000square-kilometers) territory south and west of Lake Chad whose prominent inhabitants are the Muslim Kanuri tribe and where radical dissent led by brutal, fanatical men goes back well over a century.” In his recent work on the Boko Haram crisis, Hare writes that, “in precolonial times, the Mandara mountains formed a central backbone in the vast Kanuri tribal empire which extended eastward into today’s Cameroon and Chad and north to the Fezzan, in southwestern Libya. “For centuries the Marghi, Hithe, Gwoza, Fali, and Matakam tribes— some of the wildest in Nigeria—had secured this mountainous fortress, fending off raids by mounted Muslim Kanuri slavers from Borno. “The tribesmen developed a deadly throwing knife, which spun through the air and sliced through the tendons of the raiders’ horses.” Rehabilitating the North East Gujungu says his group has launched a campaign designed to encourage the Federal Government to establish what he calls a Commission for an accelerated development of the North East. As Gujungu puts it, “ we want President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a commission for the North East, to revive the area and the entire north in general because we are actually underdeveloped. The Boko

In fact, according to Amnesty International, the Boko Haram insurgents may have abducted a total of about 2,000 girls and women since January 2014 alone, using them as cooks, sex slaves and fighters

Haram insurgency has virtually destroyed the entire North East. If you put all the federal allocations to the north east together, the amount will not be able to rebuild that area. The reconstruction will require intervention from the Presidency and there is nothing wrong if the Federal Government establishes a commission for the North East because, after all, a similar commission was established for the Niger Delta due to the activities of the militants there.” Gujungu also urged the leadership of the NSGF to produce a blueprint that will enable the governors have a clear focus of and possible timeline for a collective development of the entire north. On its part, a communique at the end of the NSGF meeting commended Buhari for the success recorded so far against Boko Haram insurgency. According to the communique, “the Forum commended the Federal Government for the successes so far recorded against the insurgents as a result of the remarkable zeal, total commitment and wilful determination of President Muhammadu Buhari who right from the onset prioritised the defeat of the Boko Haram as one of the cardinal objectives of his administration . *This was clearly manifested in the foreign trips he undertook immediately after coming to office to our neighbouring countries as well as Europe and United States. *The forum also appreciated the initiation of the Joint MultiNational Task Force as well as relocating the command and control structure of the security forces, to the epic-centre of Boko Haram, Borno State. This has turned the tide against the insurgents, hence their capacity has been greatly degraded. *The Forum appreciates the of security agencies for the continued onslaught on insurgents and terrorists in the North-East. However, the Federal Government was called upon to recruit more security personnel to enhance their capacity to cope with various security challenges. *The meeting had indepth discussion on security challenges in the region, noting that security challenges of any State are the concern of all. Consequently, the challenges were viewed with serious concern. *Members after taking turns to highlight the peculiarities of security challenges in their various states such as Boko Haram, cattle rustling, sporadic killings, kidnapping, herdsmen versus communities, boundary dispute and armed robbery. *The major causes were also identified as follows: unemployment amongst youths, high illiteracy level, arms and drugs proliferation, poverty, provocative preaching, Almajiri phenomenon, lack of recreational facilities and sporting events, inadequate use of traditional institutions and lack of cottage industries to engage the unemployed.

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

2face @ 40: I am cutting down on number of shows I do T

he blogosphere was agog with birthday greetings to the music top dog, 2Face Idibia, fondly called 2Baba by fans, yesterday, Friday, September 18, 2015 when the versatile superstar turned the age of 40. Much of the celebration was kept within the blogosphere and among close friends yesterday but the world waits for this weekend when the real celebration will fly at Eko Hotel in an epic event tagged ‘2Face Idibia Fortyfied All-Star concert’.

As the Afropop icon gets on the good side of 40 several questions have been asked of him. Considered hugely successful, some believe he may very well be looking at calling it quits with music and probably go into retirement to squarely face his many investments. But the star wouldn’t have any of it as he claims he is not big enough yet to retire. “I won’t say I am successful enough to retire yet. There is still a lot to achieve. We are still getting there we

haven’t arrived y e t . M y plan is t o refocus myself. If there is any area I have been slacking, the plan is to step up in that area. Many things are going to change about me, like the amount of shows that I do and all that. I won’t be able to be doing too much of jumping around, but energy still full body” he quipped in an interview.

I have no beef with Reminisce, other otherss on local rapper apperss — Modenine S

ince Reminisce featured Olamide and Phyno on his controversial hit single titled Local Rappers, there have been a sort of disaffection among rappers who rap in pure English, because some of them feel the song was targetted at them. Reminisce and his pals had declared in the song that ‘punchlines don’t bring in the money anymore’ and many who have listened to the song believe the jibe in the song was directed most especially at MI and Modenine. But in a recent interview with HipTV Modenine shrugged off the notion that

the message in the song was directed at him, saying no rapper in his right senses would say punchlines in raps don’t count anymore. “ It’s a lovely song” he said of the song. “When I heard it I felt it was a satire meant to ruffle some feathers though but it cannot be directed at artistes who still use punchlines in their raps. We all know that punchlines still and will forever bring in the money. Because if you check advertising, you will find out that the payoffs, the punchlines are always there and that brings a lot of money. Punchlines bring in the money. I like the song, but seriously, I know they were just clowning around.”

My embarrassing day on stage — Karina K

atherine Kpina a.k.a Karina is an upcoming music artiste who has her eyes set on the big times. With her latest single Suddenly, enjoying massive airplays around the country, the beautiful singer may have little to worry about her future in the industry as she seems to have been accepted by a good number of music fans. But the light-skinned songstress have not always been on the good side of music fans as she recounted an experience where she nearly totally freaked out on stage. According to her, when she stepped on stage her song wouldn’t just come on to sing along.

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“It was a terrible experience. I was performing on stage with my dancers and my song refused to play. I got on stage and introduced my song and it just didn’t play. Though after spending like five minutes, it started playing but the moment of silence with the fans cheering and chanting without the song playing was terrifying. The audience got so noisy and then someone from the crowd said: “Sing na, abi shame don catch you?” I replied the individual and said: “Na wa for you o, things like this happens”

I am still the same ener getic sultr energetic sultryy songstress — Zaina

eautiful Nigerian singer, Zaina recently unveiled her new single titled Pana, which means Hit me. In an interview with Showtime, Zaina reveals the concept behind the song: “Pana is not so much a departure from my sound; I make sure I always keep ‘Zaina’ elements on every record I do. I am still very much the same energetic, sultry and playful songstress you heard on Sarewale. In the new song, I explored a fresh new beat with a slight twist” She also throws more light on why she has been silent after the release of her Afro-beat song, Sarewale “I wouldn’t call it a silence per se. Sarewale was a new sound and direction for me so I spent more time developing my brand around that, staying close but working steadily underground until now.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 25

By TOFARATI IGE 08068792241

My experience with Olamide as boss — Adekunle Gold ‘Orente’ crooner, Adekunle Gold has lovely words to describe his boss, Olamide. In a chat with Showtime, he said, ‘I’ve been signed to YBNL for about eight months now. And I can tell you that Olamide is an amazing and hardworking young man. And I totally love his work ethics.’ Also speaking about what informed him switching from graphic designing which he studied in school to music, he said, ‘I’ve actually been into music for a while and as a matter of fact, it has always been my first love. Photoshop skills is what I developed along the line, while graphic designing and brand development is my profession.’ The word in the grapevine is that Adekunle is in a relationship with fellow artiste, Simi, and we asked him if she’s proving hard to get, hence inspiring the song

0 years after the transition of SBJ Oshoffa, the founder of the Celestial Church of Christ, the fond memories he left behind are still reverberating. The festival held in his honour called Reminisces of an Ecclesiastical Icon , on

2. Reminisce- Gboriduro In the song Gboriduro, Reminisce tells the tale of a man who is not ashamed to show off the woman who has shown dedication to him .The song teaches loyalty and perseverance in relationships. It is produced by Camo. 3. Waye- Jowu mi Waye is an upcoming singer who has just released a new song titled Jowu mi. The song is produced by Gray Jones 4. Slyde – Ginger Talented Afro-pop artiste, Slyde is back with a new song titled Ginger. The tune is unveiled to celebrate his birthday. It is produced by Willmic

‘Sade.’ Here’s what he said, ‘Lol…stop hearing stuff. I’m not in a relationship with Simi, and nobody is giving me tough time.’

When we reminded him that the social media pages of the both of them are full of them in romantic postures, he simply responded, ‘I’d rather not talk about that.’

th Saturday 12 of September 2015 at The Summit Ikeja Lagos, witnessed a potpourri of music, lectures, comedy and encomiums. The event was organized by CCC Greater Tomorrow Group and anchored by Comedian, Koffi who thrilled the audience with his timely and amusing

jokes. Music renditions came from the Celestial Church of Christ Mass choir who sang with palpable passion. Recalling his relationship with Prophet SBJ Oshoffa, Bishop George Amu said: “I knew him when I was 32, now I am 75. I worked too close to Baba Oshoffa that I became his confidante. He helped people to see the light in the Celestial Church.” His daughter, Edith Oshoffa-Adewusi also had this to say about her dad: “I miss him and I love him the more. I am very proud of what he has done in life and for what he stands for. I will say that when I was a child papa instilled discipline in

Saying no to be on Peter Okoye’s label is like rejecting God — Malcolm Onyeyiri

alcolm Clint Obinna Onyeyiri is the only artiste signed to one-half of PSquare, Peter Okoye’s label, P-Classic. Malcolm also happens to be a cousin to the Okoye brothers. In a recent chat with Showtime, P-Classic says that refusing Peter Okoye’s offer to sign him to his label was like rejecting God. In his words, ‘I’d been doing my thing on my own thinking that it’s not good if I use the advantage that I’m PSquare’s cousin to come to the

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Trending Music And Video

1. Mister Jay featuring Shaydee- Catching cold Olajide Ogundele also known as Mister Jay teams up with EME’s Shaydee in this beautiful tune titled Catching cold. The song is produced by Sarz

Remembering Oshof fa: A da Oshoffa: dayy of music, reminisces and encomiums

Top 15

limelight, because people might think I’m trying to ride on their popularity. So I tried doing my thing on my own until Peter told me that he likes what I’m doing on my own, and that he would like to sign me as his artiste. At that point, I felt that saying no to him would be like saying no to God, because he is one of my mentors, and will always be; the same with Paul and the rest of the P-Square team. That’s what actually led to where I am right now.’

5. Omotayo -Slam Omotayo is a new kid on the block with a refined RnB voice .He has released the visuals for the song Slam. 6. Jhybo – Shuga Indigenous rapper, Jhybo returns with this new track titled Shuga. The song is a lively and funky dancehall song. It is produced by Popito

7. Jah Baby -L.O.V.E Mojisola Efe Ogungbesan a.k.a Jah Baby is an upcoming singer whose voice and beauty remains her selling point. She unveils this new song titled L.O.V.E. It is produced by Young John 8. Bondo featuring Timaya -Ina Bondo teams up with dancehall star, Timaya in his new song called Ina. The song is rich in reggae melodies and it is produced by TYMG Rupa

9. Moelogo -Do you love me Moelogo who was recently nominated for the Nigeria Entertainment Award has unveiled the video of his song, Do you love me. The video is directed by Ini .It tells the story of betrayal, jealousy and revenge. 10. Phizzle featuring DJ Spinall - Rashidi Yekini Afro-pop artiste, Phizzle dedicates his new song to Rashidi Yekini. The song is a rich blend of Yoruba, English and Pidgin. The video is directed by George Guise. 11.2phat - Veteran After a hiatus from music, 2phat is back with the video of his new song Veteran. The video boasts of cameo appearances from 9ice and I.D Cabasa. It is directed by Cinnema. 12. Ash Hamman featuring Orezi and Igho – Wahala Ash Hamman is not new to the business of music. The upcoming singer releases the video of his song titled Wahala. He collaborates with Orezi and Igho on this song. The video is directed by Hanoz Navda. 13. Humble Smith -Osinachi Humble Smith officially releases the video of his song, Osinachi. Humble Smith, who also doubles as a dancer, engages the viewer all the way with his vibrant dance steps .It is directed by Adasa Cookey. 14 .Tony Venom – Bembe Tony Venom who recently released the audio of Bembe, recently unveiled the video of the song. The video tells an interesting story of a person checking out a new house with a realtor, but ends up getting more than he expected .It is directed by Paul Gambit 15. Leo Wonder -Sunita Recall that Leo Wonder was featured on Tiwa Savage’s Ife wa gbona. The Afro-pop artiste returns with another song titled Sunita. It is produced by Timi Blaze.

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Kunle Afolayan declares!

Hollywood thriller thriller,, ‘The Per erffect Guy’ serenading theatre goer goerss

•My new film will

revolutionize African cinema

*Actors on set

ward-winning film maker, Kunle Afolayan, has declared that his upcoming film, “The CEO”, will definitely lead a revolution in African cinema when it finally hits the box office. Afolayan and his cast and crew are currently on location at the popular Inagbe Grand Restorts & Leisure, Lagos, shooting this bar-raising movie. The celebrated film maker expressed this optimism last weekend while welcoming the Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olaoluwa Rasheed, who stormed the popular Restorts to show solidarity as well as to boost the morale of the production team. The bank is one of the major financiers of the project. Sharing their experience on location, Afolayan hinted that the team will be moving to Coat de Voire, Kenya, and South Africa to shoot some scenes soon.

*Kunle welcoming ,BoI boss, at Inagbe Grand restorts According to him, “ It is no longer about Nigeria. The CEO is about taking Africa to the world.” He thanked the management of the bank for believing in his creativity. Impressed by what he saw on location, BoI boss said, the bank is proud to be associated with Afolayan whom he described as a pace-setter in the movie industry in Africa. “The same way we visit our customers. We thought we should come and see the production crew, and the cast. Based on what we have just seen, we are convinced that The CEO is going to be a hugely successful movie.

We are planning to establish Int’l movie studio in Nigeria---BoI boss

peaking further, Mr. Rasheed said, while the bank is still working towards actualizing the community cinema project to boost film distribution in the country, BoI is also planning to support the establishments of international quality movie studios in Nigeria. “At the bank of industry, we have decided that Nollywood should be supported and very strongly for us to move to the next level. When we introduced the fund, we have three objectives, one to ensure that people like Kunle who have shown that quality and helped in elevating African films to international standard, and secondly, we ensure we can support the movie distribution in a different paradigm.” “We are still working on the community cinema and we will continue to encourage enterprenures that want to do business in that regard. The third objective is to support the establishments of international quality movie studios in Nigeria. We are really pleased to be here. You happened to be the very first beneficiary under our NollyFund and we thought it was important that we come here to show

our support for you and the cast while you are still on set. This is just the beginning, we plan to do a lot more, we are development bank and our objective is to ensure that all the critical sectors in Nigeria get support from Bank of Industry. We are proud that you are a pace setter in this regard. You have done a very successful productions in the past, we have no doubt that this film is going to be a blast.” The cast include Grammy Awardwinning singer, songwriter, entertainer and activist from Benin, Angélique Kidjo; Haitan actor and model Jimmy Jean-Louis, best known for his role as The Haitan on the NBC television series Heroes; consummate actor, and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema movement, Wale Ojo; French-Ivorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatim Layachi; Kenyan actor Peter King, and Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo among others.

he Perfect Guy, which hit cinemas across the nation on September 11, has every element of a thriller. It’s scary, dark, sexy, eerie, filled with lots of suspense, mystery and the soundtrack just nails it. The brilliance that the cast and crew of the movie brought to the table will leave lovers of thriller gasping for breath. The movie stars some of the leading actors in Hollywood, including Michael Ealy, Morris Chestnut, and Sanaa Lathan, Tess Harp, Charles S. Dutton, Kathryn Morris, Rutina Wesley, Holt McCallany, Ronnie Gene Blevins, and Shannon Lucio among others. It’s directed by David Rosenthaln and scripted by Alan McElroy and Tyger Williams. It tells the story of Leah Vaughn who appears to have the ideal life. She enjoys a challenging, fast-paced career as a lobbyist, and Dave, her long-term boyfriend, loves her. And yet at 36-years-old, she’s ready to move on to the next phase. Marriage and a family seem like a logical and welcome step. However, Dave is not so sure. A bit of a commitment phobic, his misgivings lead to a painful break-up. Enter Carter Duncan, a handsome, charming stranger whose path keeps crossing with Leah’s. Caring and solicitous of Leah and her family and friends, their relationship rapidly progresses. It seems like Leah has met the perfect guy. But it seems too good to be true. Soon his protective nature morphs into something much more sinister. Since the movie, which is produced by Darryl Taja and Tommy Oliver, started showing in cinemas nationwide, the reception by the theatre goers has been very impressive. The movie is directed by D a v i d M.Rosenthal.

•The Perfect Guy

Project Fame: Geoffrey launches EP ..as Judges unveil finalists

fter emerging the winner last season, Geoffrey returned with loads of success stories as he launched his 7-track EP titled ‘Bursted’. Apart from the mind blowing performances of some of his hit tracks, Geoffrey also took a moment to appreciate the platform that has contributed greatly to his success story. Geoffrey is not the only testimonial of Season 7, Ugo and Emeka also showed how much they have been making the best use of all they learnt when they graced the stage to per-

form. Emeka’s performance particularly filled the air with nostalgia when he was joined on stage by some of Season 7 finalists –Christian, Ugo and Geoffrey. The remaining seven contestants this season who, are also hoping to join these ones in the Hall of Fame got a pleasant surprise when the Judges announced that they have all made it to the final lap of the competition, hence no one was eliminated. These final seven contestants then went ahead to thrill everyone with performances of some all time best reggae songs. The Judges, including Cobhams Asuquo (guest Judge) and Faculty spoke highly of each of the contestants for how much they have grown.

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

SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—27

With Sunday Adebayo 08036482272

Prince Adeyeye may be next Ife King… I

nformation reaching Society Beats revealed that the demise of the highly dignified Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, who in his capacity as the Oonirisa of the source brought a lot of fanfare and prestige to the already well revered stool at one time or the other had been occupied by such illustrious personalities as Oduduwa & Oranmiyan, the race for the next Ooni has been on and the four ruling families; Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido are now contenders. Society Beats gathered that a declaration document was signed by the then Chairman of Chieftaincy Committee of Oranmiyan Local Government; P. O. Olaniyi.

The document, which was forwarded for approval on September 14, 1979 was signed on January 28, 1980 approving the rotation of the stool among the four ruling houses, in that order. The document had been prepared under the reign of the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi who was from the Oshikola ruling family. The late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, being a product of the Ogboru ruling house, the next in line to ascend the throne could therefore come from the Giesi family. The Prince of the source, a fearless and selfmade business man, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, being the 4th direct descendant of the Giesi

family, is in all context, the man for the throne. About forty years ago in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, a prince was born into the Giesi Ruling House, Ojaja Royal Compound of Agbedegbede in Ile-Ife. He was named Adeyeye. Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was quietly delivered into the humble family of Prince Ropo and Late Mrs Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi (Ile Opa family compound, Ile Ife). The father was a radio and television anchor and presentation star that spanned the entire mid1980s to early 21st century in the South-western part of Nigeria. All things been equal he has been tipped to come and rule

his fatherland, and we hope he will be willing to rule his people and turn around the

history like he is turning around businesses in his area of interests.

Socie ty big bo otimi Ajanak u Society boyy, R Ro Ajanaku celebrat es 40 in style celebrates

lamboyance, panache, flair, style, class, royalty and unrivaled ambience of serenity were some attributes that could best describe the grandeur atmosphere of the Fola Osibo, Lekki Phase 1 venue, when popular socialite and politician Rotimi Ajanaku played host to news makers in the country’s social circle to celebrate 40th birthday. The corporate all-suit gig was initially planned to be a small hangout with friends, but the influence of the Ibadan born politician in the social scene swayed many who heard about it to attend. As the day wound down and the tone set for sumptuous memorial dinner, the Lekki home of the top socialite was gradually filled with obvious friends and well wishers of Ajanaku who all kitted in polished and expensive suit labels.

But little did the guests know that two governors of two south western states of Nigeria would also be part of merry. They are Governors Ajimobi of

Oyo State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. The presence of Gov. Ajimobi signaled Rotimi Ajanaku’s status in his homeland, Ibadan, while Gov. Fayose, apart from being a die hard fan of the birthday boy, is also a roving socialite who enjoys life to the fullest. Their presence added color to the domineering black and white color of the day. Also, his bosom friend, Dare Santana made sure that there was no hitch at the party, as he played the role so well. It was an overwhelming gathering of cream de la cream of the society like Quilox Boss Shina Pella, Governor Ajimobi of Oyo state, Governor Ayodele Fayose, who were treated to sumptuous meals and assorted drinks.

Oba Obateru takes delight on waters

f you refer to Oba Federick Akinruntan as the richest monarch in Nigeria, you may not be far from the truth. Respected international magazine, FORBES has even supported the claim by listing The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom,

Da esom Wik e called at the Club. Dayy Go Govvernor Ny Nyesom Wike

o the handsome Governor of River state, Governor Nyesom Wike, it is never a dull moment especially after a long day work. Information reaching Society Gist revealed that The Amiable Governor of the state, took time off even in his very busy schedule to unwind, at the Cubana Lounge tucked inside the city’s Government reserved area penultimate weekend. Governor Wike according to those who know him very well, is a jolly good Governor who knows how to make do with spare time.

He came calling at the club days ago, and believe me it was never a dull moment as he took his time to enjoy the very

fantastic choice of champagne with his friends and some aides.

a reverine area in Ondo state as one of the five richest kings in Africa; that Oba Akinruntan is said to worth over $300million is also not in doubt. The respected traditional ruler has shown that he has class and style stationed in his palace with his luxury brands. It is also a known fact that he is the only African who rode the Bentley that was made for the Queen of England. The 2014 Bentley edition was made in 2012 for the Queen with a strong belief that others will ride it in 2014. But Oba Akinruntan disagreed and opted to buy the Queens version in 2012. The same way he has dazzled on land, the very rich monarch is dazzling on waters. Those who know informed us that he has taken delight in living large on the waters. Many times now, we gathered that the monarch sails from his kingdom in Ondo state to his Lekki Phase 1 and at times to his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

I have had to strip nake bum is real — Ton Says “ My honey pot is not for public use”

By AYO ONIKOYI, Entertainment Editor

t first sight you would think you need to break the bank to have Tonia Ferrari Okoro sit and have a chat with you. But when you go closer and have a feel of her warm affection, humility and the sparks of electromagnetic attraction that emanates from her, you will realise you are in nothing but a good company. Though not the kind of beauty that will grace the covers of European tabloids but her womanly assets, steep in African values, will more than make many African men get out of their skins. It is doubtful any man will run into her and not be pushed to want to know her better. I sought her out after being told that there is another Yoruba actress making waves in the industry. She has done a couple of films that got top ratings and thus has some good claims to fame. I knew next to nothing about her but when we got on talking I knew another star is born.

*Tonia Ferrari Okoro

Meeting Tonia Ferrari “I’m Ferrari Tonia Okoro, born to a Nigerian father and a Cameroonian mother. I am into beauty and the world of entertainment. I have serious passion for acting. That’s why I left banking job for acting. I came into the industry through Kunle Afod in 2010 and we did a couple of jobs together. Some of the movies I did with Afod included Olosho, Ewe Aje and others. I also worked with Bayo Tijani who introduced me to my present boss, Afeez Owo. Afeez Owo is a man I respect and love. I call him my dad and his wife, my mum. Both of them have been very nice to me”. Acting in Yoruba films Born to a Nigerian father from Delta State and a Cameroonian mother, Tonia Ferrari obviously has no Yoruba roots. So, why would this sophisticated beauty opt to ply her acting trade in the Yoruba sector of the movie industry. “Yeah, I grew up in Lagos, everyone around me spoke Yoruba, so I picked Yoruba as my first language. I am a Lagosian by virtue of being raised here in Lagos. I was born in Cameroon but my mum brought me back to Nigeria when I was still very little. I was raised by a strict dad

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who was a no-nonsense man but in spite of his strictness he was also my best friend. I attended High Class International Schools for both my primary and secondary educations. I studied Accounting at Yabatech. I found the Yoruba sector to be more amenable. Most of the people are very accommodating and always willing to help. Besides, when I wanted to start acting the first connection I got was with the Yoruba sector. That was in 2010 when I left my banking job and opted for acting” Leaving the banking job for acting Arguably, the most financially prosperous sector to work in Nigeria after the oil and gas sector and telecommunications is the banking sector. It is almost unthinkable that anyone would want to leave such a lucrative job as banking for the unpredictable, uncertain world of acting, where many upcoming actresses are not always paid for their roles. But Ferrari has her reasons and she was seriously convinced she was wasting her time working in the bank. “I have serious passion for acting. I was an internal auditor in a bank and I was living fine but I always felt

I have been asked out several times and I won’t call that sexual harassment

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 29

ed to prove my nia Ferrari

Her ideal man. My ideal man must be tall because I am not not tall. He must not be fat because I don’t like fat guys. But more importantly, a guy that fears God, intelligent and who speaks with wisdom. I don’t like guys who are talkative. What about a poor guy with all her qualities in a man. Are you kidding me? Poor guys are a definite no for me. If he is intelligent, God-fearing and with wisdom, he can’t be poor except he is under some diabolic spell.

incomplete, like something was missing from my life. In a nutshell, I felt I was not doing what I love, so I resigned and followed my dreams. I am not saying the banking job is boring, it was exciting and interesting but my eyes were always outside the banking hall- in the makebelieve world, because it is what I have always wanted. I didn’t go into acting for the money because I have my beauty care business that brings in income. I am here only to fulfill my dreams and desire to be an actress. In acting, when you pay your dues, acting pays you back in ways you least expect.

What she can’t stand in a relationship. Insecurity. A guy who is not secured can do and undo. As an actress I meet a lot of people and there are times I have to be absent from him because of location demands, so, if a guy doesn’t trust you completely he starts imagining things. I can’t stand a guy who suspects my every move. For a man to really want to be with an actress he must trust her completely or there will be problems.

But would she sincerely say acting pays more than banking? There is nothing like enjoying what you do. For me, acting pays a whole lot more. Everything should not be seen in naira and kobo. There is a fulfillment more rewarding and exciting in doing what you truly love than counting money. I meet great people and I am living my dream, what can pay better than that? Her experience as an actress It didn’t start easy, trust me. It’s got its own challenges. You don’t expect to start making money immediately you get in, you have to join the queue and wait for your time. There is always one hurdle or the other to scale. Not everybody you meet will take kindly to you. Some older actresses hate you at first sight for no reason, probably thinking you pose a threat to them. There is also the challenge of finance because you need money to make money. In spite of all these, it has been fun all the way because nothing beats doing what you love. When you love what you do you don’t see any negativity anywhere. How her beauty has helped her career No doubts beauty and good figure help in the industry because it is your calling card but it is your talent that will see you through. Without true talent, your beauty cannot take you far. It has helped me get some roles though and it defines mostly the kind of roles I get. Most of the times I play the roles where my beauty is pivotal in the script. For instance, you don’t see me playing the role of an old woman because I just don’t fit the picture. Sexual harassment in the industry I have never experienced what you would call sexual harassment in the industry. What is sexual harassment? Is it when a guy asks a woman out? Is it when a man and a woman in the same job decide to date each other? Most situations we call sexual harassment are normal man-woman love relations. Has

*Tonia Ferrari Okoro anybody raped or slept with anybody by force? If a senior colleague asks you it doesn’t amount to sexual harassment in my own estimation. I have been asked out several times and I won’t call that sexual harassment. Anyone that asks me out and I say no, and he decides to take it personal, that’s his headache. I have got one ‘honey pot’ and it’s not for public use. It’s a precious sweet part for a special person. Her limits as an actress I honestly have no limits when it comes to acting. As an actress, I believe I should be able to take on any role given to me, as long as it not in disharmony with my values and beliefs. As an African woman, I cannot go nude of course. I think the normal fake romance on set is the maximum I can for now. When it comes to sex scenes I can do that too but not to the extent of going nude and showing my privates to the world. The craziest thing she has ever done That will be when some actors accused me of wearing fake hips and bum. At first I thought it was a joke but they were dead serious about it. They went on and on about it that I had to prove it to them that I am all natural. So, I pulled down my jeans and showed them my naked bum. They were transfixed and could not talk for moments. I know I have a fresh and beautiful bum. It was so crazy I couldn’t believe I did what I did. Even

the guys were confused. Don’t think I am wayward or something, I believe so much in decency but their accusation made me lose my head. I even told them to touch it and confirm but they just stared in disbelief. What followed after seeing the big fresh bum Of course, after getting an eyeful of my fresh bum one of them started getting funny ideas. I have got a nice butt and I know it. When he asked me out I wasn’t surprised but I shocked him by turning him down. He tried and tried but failed to get to me.

Of course, after getting an eyeful of my fresh bum one of them started getting funny ideas

Why she’s not yet married Okay, that’s a good one; I need to ask God why. I believe in love, I don’t believe in divorce. So, for me to get married my man must be ready for eternal union. When God brings the guy for Ferrari, then I will be married. Some say we actresses, set very high standards for ourselves but I’m not like that. All I want is an understanding, God-fearing , responsible, fun-to-be-with kind of guy. I hate arrogant people with passion. For those actresses who set high standards for themselves, I don’t blame them, because there are some guys who like ladies with high expectations. Her challenges as a non-Yoruba doing Yoruba films, I don’t know how to speak thorough Yoruba, so, I find saying the proverbs a bit difficult. Though I still pick up roles where I speak thorough Yoruba, saying the proverbs and idioms but I put extra energy into it. There was an epic traditional Yoruba film I did where spoke throughout Yoruba with idioms and proverbs. That was in Adigun Rele Oyinbo, and I played the role of Ibile. Bleaching craze among actresses I am a naturally fair person; I don’t need to bleach. If anyone is not pleased with the way they look, they can tone up, if its overdone is when it’s bad. Her crush in the entertainment industry? Internationally, it is Will Smith but here in Nigeria my crush is Don Jazzy. I have loved him since the days of ‘Koko’ and I still love him very much. Yoruba actresses and lack of ‘swag’ They’ve not seen us well. Have you seen Ferrari? Have you seen Sotayo Sobola? Mercy Aigbe, Mide Martins and many others? When you talk of swag, we are simply too much.

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30 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 By BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

Ebele, the flutist: 'I have broken traditional norm to raise the bar' By CHRIS ONUOHA

sing flute as a lead wind instrument in band is not too popular in Nigerian music terrain. Perhaps it is known as an accompaniment to other musical instruments like saxophone, piano, trumpet and used especially in classical, jazz and orchestral performances. However, as notable and influential music icon, T-Mac, Omawumi who is a strong exponent of flute, blazes the trail in flute as lead instrument. Another Nigerian, this time, a female has expounded the prominence of this tiny wonder called flute as the first Nigerian professional female flutist. Ebele, whose passion for the wind instrument started far back at age 14, was influenced by certain white ladies in her school days while playing flute as an extra curricular activity. And ever since then, her hook on the instrument has brought out her innate creativity surpassing a laudable career as an accountant in an oil firm. “Flute is a unique instrument. It is complex to operate and melodious in sound. It’s usually handled by some church musical groups or philharmonic orchestras but well restricted to band rules and pattern. Majoring with the instrument as a soloist

has not only endeared me to some great audience and fans but has brought influence and recognition from quarters including presidential command performances. For me, it is a special gift which I believe God gave me to use for his glory.” She said. Having been inspired by names like T-Mac and saxophonist, Mike Aremu, Ebele who also sings said that flute has been an integral part of her and

dominates in all her songs. “Most of my songs are in flute

Flute is a u n i q u e instrument. It is complex to operate and melodious in sound

Drumbeat ffor or Ik oyi Club at 7 7 Iko 77 T

he prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 and one of Nigeria’s foremost Family membership Clubs will on September 28, 2015, roll out the drums to celebrate Seventy-Seven (77) years of the Club existence. This was made known at a media parley held at the premises of the Club to announce the activities that have been lined out for the event. The Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938 and the Chairman of the Anniversary Committee, Mr. Olusola Adeosun, pointed out that the theme for the anniversary is “Global Harmony…Embracing All”. This is in line with the multi-cultural posture of the Club which boast of over ninetyfive (95) Nationals spread over the globe. The heritage of the Club over time have been rather phenomenal and enduring. This year’s anniversary celebration will commence with a Charity Visit to one of the Homes in Lagos State where the Club will be donating cash and items to the Management as part of its

tenet of giving back to the society. Other activities will include InterSectional Games for members in the various Sections of the Club, Elders’ Appreciation Day and Karaoke Night for the Youths. The International Cultural Day which incidentally will be hosted on Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, 2015, will be followed by the Anniversary Turn-up for members to interact and network in a very convivial atmosphere where they will be treated to good music, fun and entertainment. The Family Funfair is slated for Saturday, October 3, 2015. The weeklong activities will come to a close with the Grand Finale on Sunday, October 4, 2015, with presentation of awards and appreciation plaques to all Sponsors and Partners of the Event. The Chairman of the Anniversary Committee further reiterated the need for all members of the Club to take time out of their busy schedule to be part of the event that promises to be very memorable.

including my most popular gospel hit, a jazzy praise song called, “Jawaa Chineke” which featured Mike Aremu on sax. My songs come in different genres Jazz, classic and urban beats. But my newest single “Dream Come True” produced by Cohbams Asuquo is an urban song done in particular manner to reach out to the main stream which has flute as an intro to the song. As a female flutist, I believe in excellence and in putting my best where my passion lies. It is wonderful seeing people appreciate and value what I do

The Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, General Mufutau Balogun (Rtd.), has described the legacy of the Club as an enduring one considering the fact that the Club over the years has kept the tradition going from one generation to the other with a zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst club members. According to him, “we pride ourselves as the foremost Family Club in Nigeria and as far as the West-African SubRegion is concerned” Our foundations are based on sound principles of utmost decorum, respect for family values, probity, equity and above all, global harmony which is anchored on the Club’s motto of ‘Global Harmony through Recreation’. Ikoyi Club 1938 remains the only Family and Membership Club in the country that has eight different Sporting Sections spread across the premises of the Club. The Sections include Golf, Snooker & Billiards, Table Tennis, Swimming, Squash, Badminton, Tennis and Other Sports which is for all indoor games.

on stage. Reactions from audience are overwhelming and always greeted with great applaud anytime I perform.” According to Ebele who has dazzled different quarter of audience said, “I have been able to improvise with the flute in different kinds and genres of music and collaborated performer. I have actually broken that traditional norm and raised the bar to international standard.” She also see legendry flutist TMac as an idol. “I respect T-Mac a lot as a mentor. In the last Lagos jazz festival held at Freedom Park, I played with him. He lectured and talked about how difficult and complex playing with flute is, and why some people do not see flute as a particular instrument of interest, rather restricted to orchestral performance alone.” The most difficult part of flute is the learning process. You don’t blow or play, rather you have to strain and shapen your mouth to produce the rhythmic sounds. It causes a lot pain though, but the moment you become fluent with it, it flows easily and render any song creatively and professionally. Besides flute, I play a little bit of the keyboard but not on a professional level. Right now, I am establishing a music training school to show the other side of me. However, I give out music training tips on my Facebook fan age. I am also into health and itness, talk shows. And to my fans, my music and other programmes can be accessed on YouTube, facebook and other social platform accessible online.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 31

(Text Only)

Reclaim proper alignment

• Triangle Pose Triangle Pose Technique:

tanding with the feet rather wide apart, turn the trunk to the left and lowering it place the palm of the left hand flat down on the Moor on the outside of the left leg while raising up the right hand and straightening it at the elbow. Fix your gaze on the palm of the raised hand. Breathe normally and retain the position for about 10 or 11 seconds.

• The rectus

The rectus

Technique: tand with the feet a little bit apart. Place the hands on the corresponding thighs. Bend the trunk just a bit. Breathe in deeply and out forcefully, and then draw in the abdominal muscles and contract them; this should lead to the isolation of the column of mus-

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cles known as the rectus. Do This excercise should lasts for about 10 minutes. Benefits: The nauli dubbed: “India’s gift to the world”, tones the muscles of the abdominal region. It is also an aid to thorough bowel movement.

Benefits: The triangle stretches the leg, spine, and trunk muscles. It promotes flexibility of the hip spine and legs. It tones the nerves of the spine and the abdominal organs. It reduces pain in the lower back and invigorates the circulation. The Tree Pose Technique: tand up straight, balancing on the left foot. Bend the right knee and with the help of the hand place foot high up on the inside of the left thigh with the knee pointing outward and the hands raised overhead with the palms against each other. Retain the position for 10 to 30 seconds and repeat, chang-

ing legs. Benefits: The tree is reputed to develop to a great degree, the powers of mental concentration and single mindedness of thought and also physical balance.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

• Tree Pose

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

08 11 6759 759 081 6759759

Petite blonde earns £120,000 getting

squashed by plus-sized models in bizarre fetish

dette Delacroix says despite sometimes fearing for her life, being squashes is also a turn on her Petite Odette Delacroix is more than just squeezing a living out of her modelling career - she’s rolling in it. The 5ft model gets paid to be squashed by plus-sized women wearing nothing but bikinis. The stunning blonde has raked in over £120,000 being crushed by up to five larger models weighing a

combined 125 stone. The force placed on slender Odette, 25, can be so huge she is sometimes forced to hold her breath for more than four minutes. Her videos capturing the bizarre fetish have become a huge hit with blokes around the world, earning her a small fortune. But the kinky films do not just provide kicks for the men. The tiny fetish model, who is in a long term relationship

with 37-year-old boyfriend Ashes Wednesday, says being squashed is a turn on for her as well. She said: “I know it sounds weird, but I love being squashed - it’s a thrill. “I get such a physical pleasure from being pinned down, trapped or surrounded. It’s the opposite of claustrophobia for me. “I’ve been pressed against by women with 102ZZZ breasts and couldn’t breathe

at all, yet I felt so calm. “In the last few years, I’ve been squashed on by some of the biggest butts and boobs in the world. I once had a model with a 7ft bum squash me. “Being squashed pays so well, I’ve been able to go on luxurious holidays and I’ve bought a three-bed home. It might sound like a strange career, but I love it.” Odette, from Los Angeles, USA, admits that she does fear for her life when she is filming certain videos. “Some of my customers

pay me to do ‘pigpiles’ where several, large women sit on me while I lie flat on a hard surface. It can be unbearable. “I’ve never had any injuries, but it can be dangerous - there’s a risk of suffocation. “So I exercise and maintain a strict diet so I can have the physical strength to keep doing what I do. I regularly swim because it helps me hold my breath longer and I always stretch before a shoot, that is crucial.”

Meet Baddie Winkle - the great-grandmother who refuses to grow up and has won a legion of Instagram fans including Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Nicole Richie addie Winkle is arguably one of the B most famous octogenarians in the United States thanks to captivating social media accounts. Just last week, the internet sensation was rubbing elbows and hanging out with Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Winkle, an 87-year-old Instagram star who is followed by Cyrus, Nicole Richie and Rihanna, has shared how a devastating loss inspired her to reinvent herself. In an interview with Refinery29, the greatgrandmother - born Helen Ruth Van Winkle said that she began dressing more adventurously after the deaths of her husband and son. ‘You don’t know what’s going to happen to you,’ she said of the tremendous losses. ‘I blamed God forever. I cried all the time because I couldn’t come to terms with it, so I made myself over into Baddie Winkle.’

Winkle, who lives with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, said Baddie was born after she put on tiedyed shirt and a pair of cutoff shorts that

belonged to her great-granddaughter Kennedy. When Kennedy came home, she told the outrageous 87-year-old woman that she looked ‘so cute’ and wanted to take a photo

of her to share on social media. Since that day, Baddie’s colorful outfits, activities and antics have turned her into a celebrity with over 1.1 million Instagram followers. Winkle, whose husband died on their 35th wedding anniversary, also said that by reinventing herself, it has helped her to reclaim her sense of self and connect with her family in a collaborative fun way. ‘Baddie Winkle has helped me a lot — in spirit, anyway. The lessons that I have learned is live and let live,’ she told Refinery29. ‘I would love to be a role model for older people. You’re only here once in your lifetime, so have fun.’

Is this the cheekiest portrait of the Queen?

graffiti artist has honoured the Queen’s 63 years on the throne with a provocative A artwork which he admits could see him thrown in

the Tower of London. The London-based street artist, known as Pegasus, painted the piece on the Winchester Bar, in Angel, north London and it took over two weeks to design. He said he decided to illustrate Queen Elizabeth II partially nude because she is ‘beautiful’ and to reflect the modern-day celebrity age. Her Majesty is pictured in a purple jacket wearing her crown with a nude lower half. Pegasus told Mail Online: ‘It’s my way of honouring our beautiful queen in a way that she hasn’t been seen before. ‘Over recent years, I have been fascinated by the transition in the royal family from monarchy to C M Y K

celebrity and I wanted this piece to reflect that by adding a bit of modern-day celebrity influence, which is why she is partially nude.’ Elizabeth, 89, will have been on the throne for 63 years last week but reportedly won’t celebrate in respect for her son and heir Prince Charles. He painted the piece last week and has had a mostly positive reaction. He told Mail Online: ‘Most people love it, some not so much but that is to be expected. ‘Sources in connection with Prince William and Kate Middleton have in the past told me that the family are aware of my work and find it flattering. ‘I would hope Queen Elizabeth would also find it flattering. I guess I will just have to wait and see. ‘If I am thrown into the Tower .I guess that would be a no.’

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 33

Bayelsa ‘ll play like wounded lions — Wikki

ikki Tourists striker, Victor Yakubu has said that the Bauchi side would not take basement side Bayelsa United for granted in tomorrow’s week 30 match at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. Yakubu said his side will make good use of the clash against Bayelsa United to close the gap with other frontrunners at the top. “The match with Bayelsa will not be a walkover because as the last team on the table, they will be desperate to rake in points that will help their ambition

to escape relegation. “We will go the extra mile to prepare for them and claim the three points at stake. “We consider it an advantage to play at home on the weekend that the frontrunners are playing away from their grounds. “Hopefully, we will use this opportunity to get the points that will help us to close the gap on those ahead of us. Enyimba have gone far on the log but as far as the league is still on, the title chase is not over”, added Yakubu in a chat with supersport.com Wikki are third on the table with 48 points, seven less than Enyimba.

Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas and proprietor of Ifeanyi Uba Football Club, Ifeanyi Uba remains his boss. Speaking after quitting his Technical Adviser post, Amokachi said that “Ifeanyi Uba will forever remain my boss and friend. My relationship with him goes beyond sports. He is my boss and will remain my boss”. “I’m disappointed at leaving after only a short spell but football goes on,” Amokachi told BBC Sport.

“I have always been a fan of the club before my appointment as a manager because of the idea behind its foundation. “But right now I wish the club all the best moving forward and I will follow their progress with great pride. “Football life is unpredictable and there is no point going back and forth,” he said. “It has been an honour to be involved with the club but right now it is over for me at FC Ifeanyi Ubah.”

Sharks shouldn’t cry over spilled milk — Allen Amokachi: “Uba still my boss” C F OACH Festus Allen insists Sharks must stop crying over spilled milk and concentrate on securing their top flight status this season. And he maintains that he remains on course to steer Sharks out of troubled waters as the relegation battle intensifies this weekend. Allen’s side face a crunch game against continental ticket chasing Giwa tomorrow in Jos, knowing that a loss may compound their relegation troubles but speaking in an interview, Allen says he is confident that he can guide the Blue Angels out of the drop zone after masterminding two back-to-back victories over champions Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah “We are entering the final lap of the season and every team want to win their games either to survive relegation, win the title or qualify to play

Fixtures Giwa Dolphins El Kanemi Wikki Heartland Shooting Stars Nasarawa Kwara Abia Warriors Ifeanyi Uba C M Y K

v v v v v v v v v v

on the continent. It is the same for us as we have found ourselves struggling at the wrong end of the table and now we must put all hands on deck to survive this. “But the good thing is that we have been able to win the maximum points from two difficult games. Yes they were both home games but that does not matter because if you look at it we have dropped a lot of points playing at home and even the biggest clubs have also lost points at home,” Allen told supersport.com. “This is not the time to cry over spilled milk, rather we need to give everything in our last nine matches and make sure we save this club from getting relegated. Everyone the players, coaches, fans and officials - are working together to achieve this. The match with Giwa will be a tough one, with the possibility of getting a good result high.”

Sharks Taraba Enyimba Bayelsa Lobi Akwa Rangers Sunshine Warri Wolves Kano Pillars

4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

ORMER assistant Super Eagles coach, Daniel Amokachi has said that the

Table

Team Enyimba Warri Wolves Wikki Tourist Sunshine Stars Giwa Kano Pillars Nasarawa Abia Warriors Heartland Enugu rangers Ifeanyi Uba Shooting Stars El Kanemi Warriors lobi stars Akwa united Sharks Kwara united Dolphins Taraba Bayelsa Utd

P 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29

W 15 15 13 14 12 13 12 13 12 11 12 12 10 8 9 7 9 7 7 5

D 10 6 9 5 10 4 7 4 5 8 5 5 6 11 7 12 5 10 8 11

L 4 8 7 10 7 12 10 12 12 10 12 12 10 10 13 10 15 12 14 13

GF 40 44 34 45 33 37 35 30 34 33 30 31 28 28 24 22 23 27 24 20

GA 22 23 27 27 32 30 32 33 29 31 29 31 46 33 33 30 36 31 34 33

GD +18 +21 +7 +18 +1 +7 +3 -3 +5 +2 +1 +0 -18 -5 -9 -8 -13 -4 -10 -13

PTS 55 51 48 47 46 43 43 43 41 41 41 41 36 35 34 33 32 31 29 26

34 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

UPER Eagles and Werder Bremen forward, Anthony Ujah, speaks about football in Nigeria, his carrier in the German Bundesliga, the Super Eagles and more, reports PETER DURU from Makurdi How was your last season in Germany? Last season was a wonderful one for me and my club. There were difficult moments but on the whole it was a successful season. For me to be able to score 10 goals for a team that was highly defensive like my team, I feel and believe that it is an achievement I could build on. You have a record of being a top scorer in the teams that you played for in Norway and Germany. How would you describe your instincts? I would say they are just natural and also a blessing from God because when I look at my beginning, I don’t give credit to anyone for helping me on how to score goals. Though my moving abroad helped my skills but at the end of the day it is God. There are instances of footballers born overseas yet are they are finding it hard to play top flight football. So I see everything as the handiwork of God because no matter how you work, without His grace you might not get to the top. So it was a natural thing that I was doing coupled with what I learnt while training with other experienced players. I always try to be better than I was yesterday. I had a very short time in the Nigerian League and when I got to Norway it was like a dream fulfilled. But After a year and half I moved to Germany. Everything was working well for me because of my hunger to excel. I just keep looking to God at all times. How difficult is the German League? It is very very difficult because its not about what is happening on the pitch. It has a lot to do with discipline and character, because Germans don’t care about how talented you are or you contributions to the team if you are not disciplined and a unit of the team. So even if I’m doing well, I must ensure that I’m doing the right things on and off the pitch. Because sometimes players tend to lose their minds if overwhelmed by their success, so one is always on the guard. On the whole, the League is very very physical. In England you are more with the ball, it’s the best League in the world but in Germany before you even get the ball their is someone already waiting to get it from you, so you’ll have to concentrate, be on your feet and also be physically strong. On the whole, my experience so far is good and has really made me a better player both physically and mentally. Would You describe your movement to Werder Bremen as a dream come through? It is, it is, it was a hard decision to leave FC Cologne because I found a second home there since I left C M Y K

Werder Bremen’s Ujah reveals what makes him a village boy •Recounts Super Eagles experience •Says nobody taught him how to score goals Nigeria. The way the people took me in, and the way I felt there (it was not all about recording success on the pitch), I actually felt that it was a second home, a place one can live in at the end of my carrier or where I could shuttle to home from. But in football they say you never know what could happen, so when the opportunity came I had to take it, not because it was the only opportunity but I analyzed my three years in Cologne and I felt it was time to move on. I was feeling too relaxed because things had become monotonous, the training schedule and so the hunger started to go down. I did not waste time to take the new challenge, in a new environment in a new city. I felt I had something to prove when the new challenge came; though it was difficult for me, SV Werder Bremen brought everything on the table for me. In my first meeting with the coach he was able to tell me what he saw in me and how long he had been following me; and for me, that was very important because it showed how ambitious they are this season. So what would you say is your target in terms of the team you would also want to play for in the future? Actually my dream is to play in England. Every child who had played street football like the place I come from, all you dream of is the Premier League. So it’s a dream for me to

Actually, my dream is to play in England.

play in the Premier League. I felt I needed to take a step that will take me closer to actualizing the dream and I felt Bremen would provide the opportunity because it came in line with my ambition for the next three years and the trainer was able to tell me how much bigger players have passed through Bremen. He was able to tell me about the bigger players that have passed though Bremen to other teams and there was this question he asked that convinced me the more, and that was that, if these other players could make it, why not Ujah? That question was like a hit on the chest for me. It was like a challenge. I realized he was not asking me to come there to be a legend for him or make him the best trainer but to come and take my next step. And it’s in line with my plan for the future. Everything was right including the package. He knew my weaknesses, my strength and he also knew I could fit into his team. My decision to leave Cologne was worth it. Coming back home, you are one of Nigeria’s biggest in the attack position, but it appears you are struggling to catch a permanent place in the Super Eagles of Nigeria, what could be responsible for this? I’ve not really settled in the national team. It’s a big honour to put on the color of one’s country because watching the Nigerian team as a child and now knowing that you are also part of the team is a big dream. It’s not a question of

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 35

underrating anybody or feeling big or not taking it serious. I’ve given my best the times I’ve been there. The circumstances on the two occasions have not been the most comfortable. We were in Brazil for the Confederation Cup. As you are aware we had issues of bonuses so we didn’t travel on time, we arrived there 48 hours to the first game. Luckily we met a weaker team which we were able to run over, but it was not every player that was able to recover from the 48 hours jet lag. It’s not an excuse any way because I’m not a player who likes to give excuses. After the first game I didn’t play the rest games but every other player had time to rest, train and sleep well. I went back to my club and continued to work hard to get an opportunity again. The next opportunity came and we were billed to play a friendly against a South American team in Uyo but it was cancelled, then Uganda were picked as replacement and the match was scheduled for Abuja, we all arrived Abuja and the match venue was again. On the whole the match was shifted three times and all this while we were flying to the venues and finally it was fixed for Uyo and all this while the Ugandans were training and preparing for the match. The game was a general weak performance for the team. We had just one training session which we had immediately on arrival. So, no one should be blamed because we all tried to put in our best, this is not like an accuse. If it’s were like a tournament where you have days and weeks to train in camp the story would have been different. And secondly, in the game against South Africa I couldn’t make it because of Visa issues. But on the whole, I want to record as much success that I’ve recorded at the club level at the national team level as well. For me the national team is more important because at the end of the day when I’m assessing how much I’ve achieved as a player I wouldn’t want to look at only club performance but also my role in the success of the national team. I’m still a young player and I’m working hard to make the team to the next African Nations Cup and will continue to work hard hoping that I’ll make it. Many liken your style of play to that of

Daniel Omokachi, is it that the national team is not playing to your strength? I play with a lot of strength, I’m not that type of player who would want to dribble two or three defenders before scoring, I always find my way to score, and I’m also very defensive. I do a lot of defensive work. I just hope and pray that I would always have the opportunity to train together with the team over a period so that I can prove my worth to the coaches. What is you target in the next three or four years? I want to become better than I am today. And fully ready to play in the Premier League and also score many goals for the national team. I want to see myself in this period in England. I don’t want to go there on loans. I want to plan my carrier, no matter how tempting the offers are. How many goals are you targeting to score this season? I don’t like to place a target in the number of goals I score in the season because it could put me under serious pressure and also make me selfish which I have never been. I just try to put the team first. We have a target which is to secure a continental spot. Whether playing in the Europa or Champions Leagues. There are many bigger teams in Germany who set targets like this and at the end of the day they are battling relegation because in this League no one except Bayern Munich are favorites to win the league. Last season Dortmund were battling relegation, that was a team that was in the Champions League final in the season before. So this league is very unpredictable. How was your childhood like, and why did you opt for football? Since I was born I never knew any other game but football. However, my father always ensured that his five children were educated. I’m the last of the five. After my secondary school, I had a talk with my father that I wanted to give football a trial. He gave me the support I needed. I saw

the situation amongst my childhood friends where parents tried to force them into choosing a carrier and they ended up with the wrong choice. So when I told him I wanted to give football a trial, he only sounded one advice that he didn’t want me to end up without achieving success. I was lucky because he supported me with football shoes and I didn’t lack anything that I needed. He was not prepared for failure. He only gave me one year grace to prove myself. He said if I couldn’t prove my mettle I would go back to school and forget football. So after six months I was able to get my first professional contract with FC Abuja and after another six months I went to Warri Wolves. It was a short story in the Nigerian League. That is why I think that I’m blessed because it’s not normal, it’s something others try for a long time. So I feel really happy that I was able to achieve it within a short time. He gave me the support, I grew up here in Otukpo. I was born in Ugbokolo but I grew up in Otukpo. It’s a place I cannot do without even while abroad. When I arrived Abuja I wished I could drive immediate to Otukpo because I’m not a big city boy. No matter the level I get in life, I must always spend my holiday here in Otukpo. It’s a root I cannot turn my back on no matter the luxury I find elsewhere. I have friends who live in Lagos, Abuja and other places. They are always like, what are you always doing in your village? I’m a village boy, there is nothing I can do about it. You appear to be giving back to the society through you annual tournament in Otukpo, what is the motivation? I have two reason for the Otukpo tournament; to avail the players exposure because there so many talents here and the entire Benue state, though no opportunity to

I want to score many goals for the national team

showcase themselves. So I felt the tournament will give them the opportunity to do that and possibly create an opening for some of them and to help them fight for something like the trophy. Though there is a prize money, it’s just want to motivate them because they are always engaged in training and with this tournament they can now set targets for themselves. I’m happy that through this tournament, a player was picked by Lobi Stars of Makurdi. I’m really happy because it was the target. Secondly, I wanted to give the people something to cheer and celebrate about. They play more than 35 games in the tournament. I follow each of them. The turn out of spectators in the finals was shocking. I never expected that. This year’s is my second edition. The last edition was in 2011. I’m making it a yearly affair, I’m also trying to get sponsorship from people around and companies. Some people see it as a money making venture but for me it’s to develop football. I don’t want to confine it to Otukpo, the next edition will capture the entire Benue South and from there make it a state tournament. It’s a little way I can contribute to my people and the state in general. Are you planing to have an academy? Not really. It’s something very difficult to run. You know that when you make it an academy you’ll also have a target of selling out players to expect income. All I’m doing is to give them an opportunity to show themselves. How was you first experience in Europe, what is your plan about marriage and raising a family? My first experience in Europe was very difficult because I left a hot environment of about 30 to 40 degree to an environment of minus 15 in Norway which was like sitting in a deep freezer. It was a one time big change for me because you know that Scandinavian countries are very cold. It was very difficult to start. The food was also another challenge. I was used to pounded yam. That suddenly changed to salad and others. At the beginning I was having lots of stomach problem but I gradually adapted to it. But the weather was the most difficult. One had to cover himself well while playing and I was not used to it. You have reprieve only during summer. But now I’m used to it and no problems with any of that. I was in Norway in January 2010 and stayed there for one and half season. On the issue of marriage, I don’t think I’m looking towards that direction for now because I have my immediate family to cater for. Though I have that plan but I’m not rushing to that. As for my immediate family I do my level best but we are all independent. This year is the first time my siblings and I are meeting together in the last five years because we are all busy people and everyone is independent of the other. C M Y K

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Funeral ser vice ffor or Madam Egbe service

ons, daughters and grandchildren of Late Madam Favour ‘Yawa’ Egbe held a funeral service for peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos recently. The event attracted the presence of some prominent Nigerians who are either associates or friends of the family, most especially of Chief Olatokunbo Thomas and Chief (Mrs) Tessa Egbe-Ikimi. Photos by Diran Oshe

L-R:Mrs Helen Ordia- Perry with Chief & Mrs Olatokunbo Thomas

L- R:Mrs Vera Dipeolu ( daughter), Chief &Mrs Olatokunbo Thomas, Mr Deinde Dipeolu (grandchild), and Chief (Mrs ) Tessa Egbe - Ikimi

L-R:Chief Lexy Ajufo, Chief Kunle Ogunade, Bashorun JK Randle and Chief ( Mrs ) L. Ajufo

L-R:Chief Olatokunbo Thomas (Son), Mr Sina Ojemuyiwa and Dr. Freedom Ogbe

L-R: Chief (Mrs ) Tessa Egbe- Ikimi, Dr. Freedom Ogbe and Mr Emmanuel Nesiawia

Pa Igonor Idornigie laid tto o rest amid pomp

Angela and Basse Basseyy MISS Angela James Essien, of Ikot Etokudoh Otoro in Akwa Ibom State and Mr Bassey Samuel Oyom of Abi local government area of Cross river State signed the dotted lines to become man and wife at the Ejigbo Magistrate Court, Ejibo, Lagos on September 5, 2015.

he remains of Pa Igonor Idornigie were laid to rest penultimate Friday 11th September 2015 at Ayogwiri,Edo State. The funeral service was held at St Paul’s Anglican Church Ayogwiri and internment at the church burial ground.

Sir Joki Idornigie paying tribute to the deceased at the Funeral Service

L-R :Chief Bala Yesufu;Mrs Anita Yesufu;Mrs Barbara Idornigie;Mrs Omosi Garrick and widow Mrs. Rosaline Idornigie

L-R :Engr Momy Yesufu; Dr Aminu Yesufu;Engr Tony Dirisu and Chief Bala Yesufu

1st Right Mr. Ewesor Idornigie;4th left Pastor Anabui Idornigie and 1st Right Mr. Enike Idornigie

The couple; Mr and Mrs Bassey Oyom

L-R: Mr. Francis Obi and Gabriel Mfon

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 37

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38 — SATURDAY

Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 —41

Lifeline

Keep a date with your dentist, family physician

HEN last did you see your dentist? Have you been to your family physician lately? If you are one of those who only see the dentist when you have a toothache, or call on the family physician only when you are feeling down in the dumps, then you need a rethink. Experts say everyone should see their dentist once every six months and their family physician even more regularly. Seeing the dentist is particularly important for good dental and oral health care. However, it is not uncommon to come across many Nigerians in their 60’s and 70’s that have lost a few teeth, even though the norm is for everyone to have their complete set of teeth all through life. It is also common to find a lot of the younger people with dental caries, while periodontal diseases that affect the gums are more •Dr. Akinbobola common with the older generation. Making these and other assertions during the opening of Nigeria’s first 7day dental practice in Lagos recently, Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, CEO, Beaconhill Smile Clinic, Victoria Island, Lagos, emphasised the importance of regular dental checks. Akinbobola, a UK trained dentist, said very few people pay attention to their dental care and urged for better recognition and respect of dentistry as a profession in Nigeria. SEXUAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

e open about your preferences. Rather than be embarrassed by your sexual desires, focus on being open and honest about what you prefer. Let your spouse know what you’re interested in doing, or trying, so you can both work together to create a healthy sexual relationship. Be specific in your needs, Rather than tell your partner, “I’d prefer we ‘make love’, rather than ‘have sex’”, describe what “making love” means to you. This could be something like, “I’d like us to spend more time kissing and touching or just cuddling”, or “I like it when you touch my hair or touch me lightly on my face.” It may seem strange to be so specific about your sexual needs, but the more detail you provide your partner, the more your partner can respond in kind. Hello Viewden, I discover whenever I ejaculate, that the semen that comes out is very small and my organ is quite small, I have never had sex before, though I masturbate. I will soon get married and im so scared. What can I take? Adeagbo There is no need to be worried, you actually do not need a large amount of ejaculate to get a woman pregnant, but if you are worried about the quantity, I’d advise you get Volume pills that will increase the volume of your ejaculate. Volume pills is a natural supplement that you’ll take daily for about 2

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“That is what we are out to preach. In Nigeria dentistry as a profession is not appreciated, yet this is a practice that aims at preventive dental care and aesthetic dentistry,” he noted, explaining that every set of teeth is meant to last the owner’s lifetime. “Once you lose your teeth, they are irreplaceable, except you get implants. We want to teach you what you can do to keep your teeth for as many years as you are meant to have them. We also want to improve on your confidence. Through the orthodontic branch of the clinic, we

Once you lose your teeth, they are irreplaceable...

can improve on your self-esteem, fix alignment of the teeth and give you your confidence back.” The dental clinic has been set up in conjunction with a family clinic, Kleinburg Medical Centre, is specifically designed to create awareness about the need for such check-ups, at least once in six months. Both centres are expected to reduce the need for medical trips abroad. Chief Executive Officer of the family clinic, Dr. Akeem Anifowose, explained

that physicians who specialise in family medicine provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages with all sorts of conditions. Anifowoshe who has practiced in Canada for several years, plans to replicate the qualitative family healthcare services available in the US and UK in Nigeria. “Family physicians are often the first to learn about new symptoms and the first to diagnose emerging conditions,” he explains. “When someone has a nonemergency health concern, they often see a family physician first, because they focus on the ‘ whole patient’ and provide treatment over long time periods. Family physicians are uniquely suited to providing preventive care and managing chronic and complex conditions. They also screen for early signs of serious conditions, such as cancer.” In several ways, Beaconhill Smile Clinic and Kleinburg Medical Centre are two of a kind, offering a unique blend of preventive care and cosmetic medicine, strictly on outpatient basis.

HOW TO DEAL WITH SEX PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE (VI) months to totally handle the situation. To enlarge your organ, I’ll suggest you get Vigrx plus with plump cream which will increase the length and the thickness of the penis, but it has to be taken for about 3 months. Thank you Viewden, I got Prosolution from you and since then, I last longer on my woman and don’t ejaculate within 5 minutes of penetration as I used to and my wife is full of smiles now. There was a time I read about Cleanshield and Oligosacharide helping out with osteoporosis and arthritis. I encounter serious pains in my legs, waist and back and it’s so bad that I can’t even walk for more than 5minutes, can these products help? Junaid Prosolution is very good in correcting early ejaculation and weak erection. And you are correct about Cleanshield liquid and Oligosacharide. They both help in fighting arthritis and other pains that has to do with bones especially the elderly. They are herbal and have no side effects as they enhance the development of the skeleton and helping with chronic pains in the muscles and joints. If you can get a massager to use alongside these products, it would be an added advantage. Im a diabetic 55 year old man who finds it very difficult to have an erection, I got Vimax with Gingko tea from you last month and I’m in the second month of usage, I got erection which is better than before, but I need something

stronger for a rock hard erection. Rhino 5 was recommended. How true is this? Shile Vimax with Gingko tea is very effective in bring good erection mostly to men who suffer weak or No erection at all and it takes time to correct weak erection. Good to know you have started noticing result with the duo. Rhino 5 on the other hand gives instant strong erection that last long, but it doesn’t correct weak erection. Gingko tea helps correct diabetes and hypertension and also detoxifies. What delay creams do you have for men to make him last long before he ejaculates? And what arousal products do you have for women? As my wife complains of not being In the mood – Sola Delay creams are available and they vary in quantity and size, Sta hard, Stay erect, Forever yours, Prolonging cream to mention but a few of our delay creams and for stimulants for women, you can get 69 lick me, Spot on gspot, Crazygirl arousal, Mood arousal gel which can be combined with Germany sex drops or sex shops for women to give sexual stamina for women. These are all we can take for today. Adults who needs any of these aphrodisiacs can call us on 08034666358,07059294782 or place your orders at www.viewden.com . For further enquiries, send us an email at vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com Kemi Fawole (MD)

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—39

My abductors were paid to kill me but God spared my life – Mrs Steve Nwosu .Narrates her three nights experience in the jungle

BY EVELYN USMAN

rom the expression on her face , one would easily conclude that she had yearned for the embrace of her family, as it lit up with glee. Clung to her husband , with her head leaning on his shoulder as a ready solace , she chuckled to herself at the remarks of everyone that gathered to welcome her. The gathering was expected , owing to her long disappearance from home, no thanks to her abductors who stormed her home and whisked her away, to the shock of her helpless family members. She is Mrs Oluwatoyin Nwosu, wife of the Deputy Managing Director of The SUN Newspaper, Mr Steve Nwosu ,whose Ago residence was invaded by a seven-man robbery gang , at the wee hours of Monday morning. Though the robbers reportedly operated in other buildings located on same street with the Nwosus theirs took a worrisome dimension following the abduction of Toyin. For three days , her distraught husband was a shadow of himself , as he ran from pillar to post , looking for how to raise the N100 million requested as ransom for his wife’s release by her captors. The psychological trauma Nwosu went through as each day passed by was better imagined than experienced. Although he tried to compose himself before journalists , relatives and friends who thronged his home before now, beneath that composure was a mixture of fear and uncertainty over the well being of his better half. As seconds rolled into minutes and minutes into hours and days, the long expectation of the arrival of the

•Mrs Toyin Nwosu

The only thing they gave me was a phone which they said I should call my husband any time I got to land abducted mother of four was not dashed after-all, as a call was reportedly received at the wee hours of Thursday morning from one of the abductors , informing Nwosu to go and pick his wife in a designated place around Festac Town. In this interview with Crime Guard, an elated Toyin who was full of gratitude to God for sparing her life, disclosed that she

was kept in a bush at an unknown destination by her abductors. “ They came unannounced to our house while we were sleeping. They packed some things; jewelries, gold wristwatches and other valuables. I don’t know why they chose to take me away . But I was taken in a boat to Godknows- where. I do not know if it was a speed boat or not but it took us about thirty minutes to get to the jungle. On our way, I could only hear voices but the whole place was dark . We arrived the destination which turned out to be bush. I was kept in the jungle, not in a room. The three nights were spent there until I was released. The whole place was quiet and dark and I only heard the whistling of birds” . At this juncture, she paused and then heaved a sigh of relief . Thereafter, she buried her face in her palms, apparently trying to picture the whole scenario again. On lifting her head, she smiled and shook her head before continuing. “ To my shock and disbelief, they told me that somebody paid them to kill me. One of them said they were hired to snuff life out of me. I do not know who their sponsor is because they did not mention any name. But that will not deter me from doing what I know how to do best- assisting people. I will continue be good to people”. Asked if she was fed during her stay there, she replied, “ They asked me to eat but I refused. At a point, I had to accept when they begged me to eat but when the food was brought, I refused to eat. I was even given the opportunity to request for any food of my choice .In my conversation with some of them, they claimed to be graduates and blamed what they were doing on unemployment. They treated me like a queen because of the money they were expecting . But I thank God for touching their hearts to release me and not to kill me as they claimed they were paid to do” . Asked if any other person was brought to the bush, she shook her head, noting that she was

Firm unveils investment opportunities in Canada, US, Antigua and Berbuda BY AGAJU MADUGBA

he JTF Lawyers, a Business Immigration firm in Lagos, says it will continue to receive applications for its Quebec Immigration Investor Programme (QUIIP) till January 2016. The firm said that the Canadian Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI) had already fixed January 29, 2016 as deadline for the submission of applications for the programme. The Quebec government created the investor programme in 1986 with the goal of attracting experienced professionals and their families from across the world as permanent residents of Canada. According to the President of JTF Lawyers Inc, Julien Tetrault, his firm re-opened applications for the QUIIP on August 31, 2015, and, “it will remain open until January 29, 2016 or after 1,750 applications when the maximum quota is met, whichever comes first. According to him, with an investment of 800,000 Canadian dollars, an authorized broker or trust company utilizes the returns to finance an assistance programme for small and medium-sized business in the province of Quebec. He noted that finance options are available with over 95 per cent of applicants choosing the loan option while inquiries concerning quota reservations can be made at info@jtflawyers.com.

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•Julien Tetrault Its affiliate office located at 1A Fola Osibi Street, off Adebayo Doherty Road, Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos. Marketing buff, Mike Itemuagbor is a director of the company and glowingly speaks of the benefits to Nigerians especially in the area of education. Tetrault said that, “we have represented over 1,000 families from over 60 countries since 2002 because of the trust in our services. “The Ministry will accept a maximum of 1750 applications for Quebec’s Certificate of Selection under the Investor program, with a maximum of 1200 applications per country, exceeding which the applications received will

•Julien Tetrault be returned to the candidates. “This maximum number of applications does not apply to applicants who have advanced intermediate level of French demonstrated by a standardized test. “The province of Quebec offers a variety of advantages - great quality of life, quality universal education and health care systems, vibrant and diversified economy, a mix of cultures where newcomers can feel at home. It also offers an efficient and accessible immigration programme for investors which is not affected by the moratorium on the

the only one there at the time. Release at last! “ At a point I was begging them to release me. But they said they won’t because my husband had not paid the ransom. I told them that my husband did not have money, that he was a bloody journalist. But they said we were rich because of the calibre of people that visited my husband and that we have invited the police . I told them that we just have people that are good to us. I continued begging them, especially the one that was beside me. I told him to plead on my behalf and he assured me he would. On the day I was to be released , the one that had been communicating with my husband came and begged me to eat , that he heard I had not eaten. It was in the process of begging me that he disclosed that I would be released that day .When I heard that I was going home I was so happy. Immediately he told me I would be leaving , I refused to sleep again . But they said that they won’t take me out during the day . So, when it was time, I was taken again in a boat and before I knew it I found my self under Festac new bridge around 2:15am on Thursday. They did not give me money for transport because they knew someone would be waiting for me there. The only thing they gave me was a phone which they said I should call my husband any time I got to land. “ I don’t know why they treated me the way they did but I strongly believe that it was prayer that was at work. It was God that made them treat me nicely. But criminals will always be criminals. I thank God and every other person that played a role in my freedom. Irrespective of what has happened I will keep doing good. I believe that the good I am doing will surely get me to higher places. Most times people may pay you back with wrong action but I encourage people not to be weighed down by this. Rather, they should continue to be good and see it as something they are doing for God”. She said. Federal Immigrant Investor Programme.” “Once selected by the Province of Quebec, you may apply to the federal immigration authorities for a permanent resident visa which will be issued if you pass a medical examination and criminal background check.” Tetrault also listed some other benefits of the programme to include children enjoying a rebate of 100-90 per cent compared to international students and savings of approximately 30,000 Canadian dollars per year per child as well as equal rights as other Canadians except right to vote. According to him, JTF Lawyers also operates a “Become American through Investment programme, known as EB-5, created by the United States Congress to stimulate that country’s economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. “Under a pilot immigration programme first enacted in 1992 and regularly preauthorized, certain EB-5 visas are also set aside for investors at regional centres by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth,” Tetrault said. He listed some of the benefits of this programme to include, simple eligibility criteria, stay and leave the United States freely as well as achieve legal permanent resident status withi an average processing period of 14 months. Moreover, according to him, the “Become Antigua and Berbuda Citizen by Investment” programme enables a prospective investor to become a citizen of the independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean. Tetrault noted that some of the benefits of the programme include possibilities of getting rental income and resale and profit on resale after five years while.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Girl, so fat it took 2 cranes, engines and 11 med ics to lift

Roads blocked, community shut down

he scene looks as though there has been a disaster. In what was likened to a ‘military operation’ a pair of cranes struggle to retrieve a ‘casualty’ from a house, while fire engines, police, a medical team and other officials stand by. The immediate area is screened from the public gaze with tarpaulin. Roads are cordoned off. No traffic can get to nearby schools. For seven hours, there is a state of ‘mayhem’. Yet it was no sudden catastrophic incident, as some witnesses imagined. This was simply what it took to remove a 22-year-old woman who weighs 55st from her home. Georgia Davis is an extreme manifestation of the obesity epidemic afflicting young people in Britain. She is 5ft 6in tall but exists on a 13,000-caloriea-day binge of takeaways and junk food which has rendered her immobile. The source of her income to finance her intake is unclear. ‘Britain’s fattest woman’, as she has been described, eats to excess because she wants to and has done so since the age of five. Periodically, her bloated body can take it no more and she has to be removed to hospital for treatment. That is what happened in the village of Cwmaman, on the edge of Aberdare, on Wednesday. It is the second time in three years the emergency services have been summoned to free her from her selfinflicted prison. On the first occasion they had to demolish part of her parents’ house. Since then she has been given a specially adapted ground-floor flat with French doors opening onto the street. This was to allow easier access for the next inevitable medical emergency. And so it came to pass. Largely bedridden for the past fortnight because of water retention, Georgia developed a ‘severe infection’ which required hospital treatment. But she had become too big and weak to move. For other individuals, this would at worst have been a question of calling an ambulance. In Georgia’s extraordinary case it meant a major logistical operation which must have cost thousands of pounds in manpower and equipment hire. Her extraction began a little after 9am. Three nurses from the local hospital and a paramedic arrived outside Georgia’s block of flats in a convoy of cars. They were to prepare her for the move. Soon afterwards, the medical team was joined by a fire officer, whose job it was to assess the dimensions and route of the removal. He decided the special French doors would have to be entirely removed. The first police officers and an ambulance arrived at 10am, according to neighbours. At 11.30am, two fire tenders pulled up followed by a mobile crane, an essential piece of equipment when lifting a 55st woman on a reinforced stretcher. At midday, three police cars arrived. They would be joined in the afternoon by another four. One resident reported: ‘It’s absolute C M Y K

•Growing problem: Georgla when she was just 17 and weighing 40st

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—41

7 police cars, 2 fire her to the hospital

outh Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service all refused to comment on the cost of the operation. Social landlord RCT homes, which owns Georgia’s flat, also refused to comment. A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: ‘We attended a joint operation with colleagues from Cwm Taf University Health Board, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, and South Wales Police to assist in the transportation of a patient to hospital. ‘This involved nine personnel from Welsh Ambulance Service and two from EMRTS. The operation started with preparation on site at 9.15am and our staff left the scene at 4pm.’ Georgia first came to national attention in 2008 when, aged 15, she had a 64in waist and weighed 33st. She also had Type 2 diabetes. She said: ‘I know it’s partly my fault. But it’s so hard to stop eating. It’s like a drug. Some people choose heroin but I’ve chosen food and it’s killing me. It’s as if I can hear Greggs [the bakers] calling me.’ She blamed her initial bingeing on ‘comfort eating’ following the death of her father from emphysema when she was little. At seven she weighed 11st. As

•Up she goes: Emergency workers surround 55st Geoegla as a crane lifes her out of the flat and into a waiting reinforced ambulance

chaos, there’s 999 vehicles everywhere and dozens of emergency service workers. All the roads are shut.’ And still the operation had not begun. At 2.30pm, the critical care medical team arrived in an SUV. By the time the first attempt to remove Georgia began an hour later, there were more than a dozen emergency vehicles outside the flats and in the car park at the back. Soon, a serious problem became apparent. The first crane proved not strong enough to lift the patient. A larger crane had to be summoned which necessitated closing half-a-mile of the main road for an hour. By the time it arrived, eyewitnesses estimated the number of specialists in attendance to be as many as 40. You may wonder why and what else was happening elsewhere in South Wales that might have more usefully held their attention. One neighbour said: ‘I thought the flats were on fire, there were so many vehicles. The road was totally blocked, it was absolute mayhem.’ Georgia was finally removed seven hours after the procedure began. She was taken in a reinforced ambulance to Royal Glamorgan hospital, where she is expected to remain for weeks. It was claimed that she had recently begun eating salads in order to lose weight. But as one neighbour, Anita Coolney, reportedly pointed out: ‘Georgia may be having salads, but she is having takeaways too. I’ve seen them being delivered. What’s the good of having salad for lunch if you have an 18in pizza for tea?’ Another was reported to have said: ‘I can’t eat as much in a week as she eats in a day. It’s disgusting.’ A spokesman for Cwm Taf University Health Board said: ‘We can confirm that the fire service was brought in to assist us with access to a property in order to safely transport a patient into hospital.’

Georgia developed a ‘severe infection’ which required hospital treatment. But she had become too big and weak to move. For other individuals, this would at worst have been a question of calling an ambulance

a teenager her daily intake included multi-packs of crisps, litre bottles of fizzy drinks, chips and sausages. She was banned from her school canteen for over-eating. She had stopped attending PE lessons long before. At home, she watched television, surfed the internet and, of course, ate. And ate. Her mother Lesley, who has weighed as much as 31st, must also take a good deal of the blame. She had fed baby Georgia condensed milk and potatoes instead of baby food. Georgia was sent to a ‘fat camp’ in the U.S. after doctors warned she would die if she didn’t lose 20st. In nine months there she lost 14st 6lb as she took regular exercise and existed on 1,500 calories a day. But she was welcomed home with fish

and chips and within 20 months was back up to 40st. Crisis point was reached in 2012, by which time the 19year-old was eating seven kebabs in one sitting and had reached a weight of 63st. A 40-strong team of emergency service personnel and engineers laboured for eight hours to remove her from her bedroom at the housing association home she shared with her mother and stepfather. Georgia had collapsed with breathing problems and chest pains. The rescuers had to demolish the top half of the semi and build a scaffold in order to support a ramp to the pavement. Roof supports had to be inserted and she was lifted onto a special stretcher using a crane. Again a reinforced ambulance took her to hospital. The operation, including repairs, was costed at £100,000.

Such scenes will be repeated if more is not done to tackle obesity, say campaigners. One in three children in the UK is overweight, while one in five is obese. Teenage girls form the majority of the one million or so obese under-18s. National Obesity Forum spokesman Tam Fry said: ‘It is a military operation. It will be an equivalent cost, which the NHS has to pay. ‘There will be many more Georgia Davises who we don’t know about because they are stuck in their houses and cannot get out without being winched out. ‘The NHS has to introduce screening for children and adults and if we don’t do that we are going to find more of this in the future.’

Culled from DailyMail C M Y K

42 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19 19,, 2015

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

It’s a sad fact that love sometimes dies

T’S supposed to be a romantic scene. Perhaps you are in a restaurant or a club, or just chilling out in front of the telly. Your partner reaches for you, you gaze into his eyes. Then nothing. At that moment, completely undeniably, you realize you’re no longer in love. “I was totally appalled when it happened to me,” said Venessa, 31, and a journalist. “I stared at Biyi, my lover of four years, and saw a stranger. Then I made an excuse and left the room. I just couldn’t face what was playing out in front of me. I went to bed early, convinced everything would be fine, but in the morning, I felt the same. Only Biyi was his usual cheerful self. “What was going on? I looked again at Biyi, this man I fell in love with and happily moved in with. He certainly is still a goodlooking man, I said to myself, if I’d just met him, say at a party, I’d think that’s a handsome man I could easily fall in love with. So why am I now feeling as if I want to put a huge distance between us?” Biyi, a line editor in a newspaper office couldn’t believe things either when Venessa told him how she felt.

“

ith insight”, continues Venessa, “what happened was inevitable. Biyi is very outgoing and that’s what attracted him to me in the first place. He made me laugh and took me out of myself. After I moved in with him, the laughs decreased and the doubts increased. He drinks, not a lot, but enough to make me uneasy. I’d tell myself after another row or broken glass that I was getting out. Then he’d apologise, and hug me, and our love would be back on track. It was so strange that the end didn’t come during a drunken brawl. The night in question in front of the telly, I just felt repulsed when he touched me, I remembered all the bad times and realized that C M Y K

dramatically disillusioned or simply bored. We might become disgusted by our partner or simply realized that this is not the relationship we originally bought into. It can happen instantly after a single traumatic occurrence or it can happen slowly and inexorably. No one involved, the destructive emotional spiral comes entirely from within tie relationship. And we know that nothing can ever be the same again.

Falling out of love doesn’t mean simply feeling temporarily bad about our partner. When we fall out of love, the very way our mind works is changed

things could never really work out for us. When he later realised how true it was he no longer turned me on, he let me go—with a lot of bitterness”. So, why does love die so suddenly? When we fall out of love, say Leslie CameronBandler in her book: Solutions, this belief shifts. Falling out of love doesn’t mean simply feeling temporarily bad about our partner. When we fall out of love, the very way our mind works is changed. She calls it going over the threshold. We might become

ut what happens after this dismal realization? There might be children or other financial and practical ties with our partner. Surely, we don’t simply walk out on all this, just because our feelings have changed? Of course we don’t. According to Cameron-Bandler, we go through a period of checking out whether what we suspect has really happened, a process she calls verification. Shade and Audu were married with a seven- year old when Audu announced he had fallen out of love with her. He was in love with someone else and might even get married to her! “It would be unfair if I said his outburst hit me like a bolt”, Shade said. “We both felt his dissatisfaction building and I was lucky he told me. The day in question, we were getting

into bed one evening and, I said to him ‘if we have to stay awake all night, you’re going to tell me what’s wrong’. At first he tried to calm me, then he denied everything, but in the end, he dropped the bombshell. “We still lived together after this, though both of us expected he would eventually leave to be with his heartthrob. Yet, once he’d stopped looking furtively over his shoulder, things changed. He relaxed and became a lot easier to get on with. I knew I still loved him, but decided to respect his wish to be with someone else. It wasn’t his fault that he fell out of love with me. Then he started staying home more and bringing back treats he knew I would enjoy. When he reached for me in the night, I was shocked. He asked for my forgiveness and we stayed up talking very practically. He wasn’t in love with the other woman, he sobbed. It was me he wanted all along. He was honest with me at first and this second time around his honesty was touching. I realized that being with him was something I still wanted, so we gave things a go and now have three children...”

Put a bit of spice into your love life!

earch shows this helps keep illness and depression away. It seems genital stimulation makes for a stronger immune systems, relieves headaches and combats the aches and pains of everyday life. Forget statistics: Ignore statistics about how often other people have sex. It can lead to feelings of insecurity and worthlessness, which in turn leads to a decline in your sex life. Minimize distractions: Watching television in bed has recently been voted the biggest libido killer.The flicker of the TV screen apparently

hypnotizes you into wanting sleep, desensitizes you to sex and kills your sex drive for the night, so if you want sex switch off. Change positions, eighty per cent of people use the missionary as their number one position. Get on top of things literally! Take a banana to bed: They’re rich source of Vitamin D and enhance both sex and orgasm by promoting the flow of blood to your sex organs. Discuss your fantasies with each other. This

will turn you both on quicker than foreplay. If you’re stuck for something to say, ask him to go first. Don’t gossip to others about your sex life. Chatting with your friends about what goes on in the bedroom can have a detrimental effect on your love life. Firstly, most men consider a sexual revelation told in jest to be a major betrayal, secondly, comparing and contrasting can deflate selfesteem. Forget simultaneous orgasms. They always seem to manage it in movies—but that’s because they’re always faking.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—43 YETUNDE AREBI Yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk tweeterhandle@yetundearebi 08054700825

Of love, trust and betrayal H

ow much can you trust your spouse with your friend? The more I think about it, the more confused and confounded I get. Many things have changed about love, relationship and marriage from the way we grew up to know it. In fact, the basic rules guiding interpersonal relationship anywhere in our society seems to have disappeared. No longer are many of us interested in being our brother’s keeper or doing unto others what we wish done to us. Self respect, trust, truth, selflessness, moral decorum, societal values, shame, all seem to have taken a flight. Many of us have become very selfish and uncaring about our actions and their implications on our fellow human beings and society, including and especially those we call our friends. We have become less than animals in our struggle for survival and quest for the good things of life. The end justifies the means, we say. And sometimes, the means can be as crass as downright dirty to downright evil. It is now a case of everyone for himself/herself and God for (the smart) us all. Nothing can be as demoralising, debasing and heartbreaking as having someone you consider a friend and soulmate stab you in the back. And in a most callous manner. Such is the story of Elizabeth and her husband, Dejo, who had been married for about 14 years when he walked out of their marriage. What happened and the way it was executed have continued to have tongues wagging in the area, several months after the shocking development was unravelled. According to Adejoke, a friend who lived in the same compound with the couple, the duo had been having problems for a few months before the ill-fated day. Initially, everyone assumed it was the normal little things couples bicker over which ought not to amount to anything serious since they were married and supposed to be committed to each other. But later, more specific things bothering on cheating and finance, home keeping and so on, started filtering out. The, lady had always been the least friendly in the compound, so many suspected that it was not very comfortable for her to share her problems with anyone. As weeks rolled by, she became more hostile and tried even harder to avoid everyone. A few days before the bubble finally burst, the couple had a mild but worrisome drama in full public glare. As the husband was setting out for work early one morning, his wife came rushing down in her night gown and a pair of bathroom slippers. She quickly opened the front passenger door and dived into the car. Naturally, an argument ensued and the husband got out of the car ordering her to respect herself. Her intention, it was later gathered, was to prevent him from going out that day. Two other men came out C M Y K

from their flats to talk to her but she refused to budge, insisting that they had unresolved issues and he must step back into their flat so they could iron things out. But to everyone’s horror, the man got into the car and drove off with her still in the car, almost naked. That incident confirmed to everyone that something serious was going on. Mummy Emma, as she was called, returned home almost two hours later, still in her night gown and bathroom slippers. Two weeks later, the compound was woken up from sleep at about 2.30am when a big haulage truck drove in. A couple of guys got down and soon, movements were heard of stuff being moved into the truck. By dawn, they were done. Daddy Emma drove after them with all their three children inside the car.

Nothing can be as demoralising, debasing and heartbreaking as having someone you consider a friend and soulmate stab you in the back

At that point, everyone thought they had moved without bothering to say goodbye to anyone. Mummy Emma’s car was still parked in the compound, so, they assumed they would come back for it. It took several days for co-tenants to realise that she had been left behind. All alone by herself in the flat. Shame and shock had prevented her from shouting and drawing more public ridicule to herself. To make matters worse unfortunately, something had snapped in her mind and head and she had succumbed to serious depression. Her family eventually came to evacuate her and that was when the gist of what had really happened was revealed. The poor woman had discovered that her only friend had been having an affair with her husband. The pregnancy she’d been made to believe belonged to her friend’s husband who was resident in London, was actually Dejo’s, her husband. Even the car that she was informed was sent by the friend’s London-based husband, was actually bought by Daddy Emma. The truth being that while their friendship lasted, her husband was also in another kind of friendship with her friend. Her friend’s “marriage” to a

man living several thousands of miles across the oceans had long since died and nobody informed her. Yet, they were supposed to be the best of friends. It was so shocking and unbelievable, and it affected the moral of other women in the compound. A few months later, one of the neighbours ran into Daddy Emma and had a story to tell. Daddy Emma claimed his wife was an evil woman who wanted to kill him for his property; that she had been visiting spiritualists to ensure that once they moved into their recently completed duplex, he would lose his mind or die and she could inherit the house. Did he catch her with the items or at the spiritualists? According to him, he had somebody monitoring her and giving him updates on her activities. Could this be the same friend that he has been rumoured to have ran away with? Yes, but she actually was his saviour, he’d announced — she truly loves him and his children and it is to her that he owes his life! Had she not been there for him, he probably would be dead by now. (Hmmm!) From this point, it was easy to figure out what must have happened in the love triangle. A chain of deceit, lies, treachery and evil manipulations had been woven together to bring about the destruction of a human life by two of the closest people to her! Similar stories of jaw-dropping and eye-bulging effects now dot our society, making a mockery of love, marriage, friendship and relationship in general. From one story to another, it is a web of betrayal, back-stabbing, heart-wrenching and gory detail of man’s wickedness to another. The act of cheating has been taken to dizzying heights. It is no longer the domain of men, but married women, some of whom are not even ashamed to discuss their escapades and justify their actions in the open. Until our advent into monogamy, cheating in marriage, for the African man, was not an issue for serious discourse. The African man has a right by culture and tradition to have as many wives and concubines as he is capable of acquiring. His ability to meet all their needs is often irrelevant in many cases too. It was just a part of the norm. But it was taboo for the women, and they accepted their lot as dictated by their husbands. Perhaps, monogamy has changed the status of the African woman and the terms and the conditions of marriage. Aptly assisted by industrialisation, technology, education and financial leverage or independence for women, cheating in relationships has taken on an identity of its own — many women now feel they can have any man they fancy. True, but why should one descend as low as cheating with a spouse’s friend? Why would a sister, finding no other man, pounce on her sister’s husband? Why would a mother, under the pretence of assisting her daughter, help herself to some warmth from her son-in-law? Why would a maid sleep with her madam’s husband and even overthrow her? Why bed the neighbour when the chances are high that you could be ratted out dishonourably? All of these acts break the bonds of relationship, trust, love, kinship and can only bring pain. If you must have an affair, why do it without decorum or respect for yourself or those who hold you in high esteem and respect. If you must cheat, why do it with someone who has a relationship with your spouse? A stranger would definitely not hurt as much. Though the trappings of such secret affairs may make them attractive and pleasurable, the accompanying shame and destruction that follow once caught make it all the more debasing and evil. Chief Ebenezer Obey in one of his evergreen albums captures this sort of affairs succinctly saying it only brings one to disrepute in the society. So, why do we still fall into such odious pits? Sociologists have attributed it to all sorts of things, ranging from lust to jealousy and envy, resentment, curiosity, adventure, greed and covetousness, nonchalant attitude and even down to bare-faced hatred. Yes, it is not easy to play the role of a madman without being high on some stimulant of sort, a Yoruba saying translates. Which is why the guilty will want to do everything possible to cover up their tracks and coup up the most ridiculous of excuses for their irresponsible behaviour. For Daddy Emma, his wife wanted to kill him! The Satan in most cases is the fall guy as he is often fingered as being responsible when all other excuses refuse to tally. If only he can speak up for himself sometime!

44—SA TURD AY 44—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 19 19, 2015

Lagos college teachers cry foul over alleged pay cut •Send S.O.S. to Ambode

Building Collapse: Surveyors want stiffer safety compliance culture BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

s part of preventive measures to halt frequent incidents of building collapse and other avoidable accidents in the country, the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors (APPSN) has tasked governments at all levels to ensure strict enforcement of safety policies. The building experts, who blamed most tragic incidents in the construction site, which have resulted in avoidable deaths, on lack or inadequate safety measures, also urged President Muhammed Buhari and the state governors across the country to put in place a working safety policy that will not only be made known to the public but also be enforced to the latter. Chairman APPSN Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Olufemi Odewale, speaking at the annual professional development workshop at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building, Alausa,Ikeja, said that cases of building collapse could be avoided if the materials and the workers had been properly monitored. According to him, it is not enough to have the safety policies written without implementing them, saying that the only way to avert needless disasters and tragedies is to implement effective safety policies. “Our job is dependent on the environment”, he stated. “So, what we are doing today is part of the sensitisation of the stakeholders on the issue of safety. To ensure safety in our society especially in the building profession, survey is basically the bedrock of meaningful development. That means that there can’t be any major development without the input of surveyors. Therefore, when surveyors are aware

•Collapsed building in Lagos of the need for safety, they will be safety conscious which means that every other professional coming to work in the environment would imbibe safety culture and it goes on from there.” With the theme of the workshop as “Man and his environment: Lifesaving measure”, Mr. Odewale described it as apt, saying it is the duty of any surveyor to consider safety while working on the site. “For surveyors, being the first person to work on the site, we make the issue of safety very important, we prioritise it and let the people see the need to their daily activities. So, safety is key. We demonstrate it, we preach and we also encourage people to imbibe it,” he added. To avert recurrent incidents in Lagos, he disclosed that the association of surveyors is working with the state safety board to ensure

that regulations are given serious consideration such that when there are offenders, the law will take its course. “The issue is that when people know that if they do something wrongly, some regulations are in place, they will comply with the law and be safety conscious. “For every collapse, there is a measure of something that has gone wrong somewhere. Any structure that is more than two or three floors should be regularly monitored to know whether that building is still standing strong. If we do this over time, we would be able to prevent some of these collapses, “ he added. Similarly, Mr. Adedeji Sebiotimi , a surveyor, said the use of modern survey equipment on any construction site would be of immense advantage in ensuring safety.

Rape: NGO, exper ts seek sstrict trict enf or cement of law agains experts enfor orcement againstt culprits

igerians and residents in Lagos indeed have continued to express serious concerns over rising cases of female assaults, especially rape cases. Therefore, the Counselling Ambassadors Organisation, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has called for strict enforcement of laws dealing with cases of rape in the country in order to stem the tide as well as serve as deterrent to others. The organisation which gave the advise at a programme it organised tagged “Transfiguration experience: Let’s talk it and pray it”, designed to look at incessant rape cases in the society held at Ikeja, stressed that the strict enforcement of the law on rape will serve as deterrent to rapists. According to the Founder and President of the organisation, Mr. Regina Obasa, the prevalence of rape cases all over especially with fathers and uncles raping their own children necessitated the holding of the event, “to talk about it, pray about it, find solutions and way of preventing it.” “We also need to pray against it C M Y K

because it is assuming a bizarre dimension where even fathers have to be raping their children and this we believe have a spiritual dimension. That is why we don’t want to just talk about it but also to pray against it, because it is only God that can remove this demonic tendency”, she said. Obasa who has been counselling rape victims with track record of success leading so many out of depression and suicide tendencies, called for more counselling centres like the Mirabel Center in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, to help rape victims, suggesting that it could be in form of partnership with the government. One of the discussants, Barr. Adetokunboh Mumuni, an ex-director of SERAP, said though there are laws in the criminal code against attempted rape and rape, the problem with the law is that the accusation of rape must be corroborated by a witness. Mumuni wondered why despite the reported cases of rape on a daily basis running to about 12,000 cases in a year not even one perpetrator has been jailed. “Some of us are even hiding some of these cases. It is our conspiracy that

makes those who should go to prison to walk freely”, he said. According to Prof. Cecilia Oladapo of Education Faculty, University of Lagos, “Something is definitely wrong because rape is not only by outsiders but insiders also do it. Fathers and uncles rape their children/wards.” Prof. Oladapo advised parents to desist from the habit of dropping their children in hostels. “Mothers should stay put with their children, women should create more time for their children; when your children ask you questions answer them. Don’t put them off and don’t allow your driver to drive your children around”, she advised. She also advocated for sex education from an early age so as to create awareness of the implication of some actions that can eventually lead to rape thereby preventing such. A medical practitioner, Dr. Oladapo Ashiyanbi advised rape victims to go to the hospital immediately after the experience so as to, among other things, get evidence to prosecute the rapist “because after 72 hours, evidence necessary to prosecute the perpetrator may be lost.”

STORIES BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI ggrieved teachers of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education A (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos, have

appealed to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene in the planned cut in their salary by the state government through the management of the institution. Therefore, one of the urgent challenges to be tackled by the Governing Council of the institution is the protest by its employees over the proposed pay cut in salary. At least 66 employees of AOCOED recently lodged complaint over an alleged plan by the institution’s management to place them on a new term that may reduce their salaries and allowances by half. It will be recalled that on Wednesday, Governor Ambode announced the appointments of new Members of Governing Councils for Lagos State tertiary institutions. Ambode, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, named Prof. Tunde Samuel as Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, while members include Dr. Rafiat Olufunmilayo Olatunji, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso and Alhaji Wasiu Aderibigbe Lawal. The employees, who are mainly teachers of the AOCOED Staff School (nursery and primary) and AOCOED International School (secondary), contended that the move by the school management is a breach of their status as employees of the institution and Lagos State Civil Service. It was gathered that the teachers were originally employed as venture staff by either AOCOED Staff School or AOCOED International School. They are still staff of both schools.

Group seeks Ambode‘s recognition for grassroots devt Non-Government Organization (NGO), the Grassroots Support for A Sustainable Democracy (GSSD) has

appealed to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to accord them due recognition after years of neglect of the grassroots people. The General Coordinator, Mr. Adetoro Aina, said the group, a non-profit making body affiliated to no political party, was launched to ensure that members of the grassroots that came out to vote massively at the last elections feel the impact of good governance at all levels. Aina stressed that the measure became necessary in order to complement the work of the present government in areas of education, infrastructural development, healthcare services among others in the grassroots. The coordinator noted that in the course of the house to house campaign by the group prior to the last elections, it was discovered that a good number of persons across gender, religion, creed, socio-economic class, were very bitter about how they were treated especially by the past government and party hierarchy. He added that the group was able to convince them that the present regime in Lagos State under the dynamic administration of Ambode would be different. He, however, stressed that if the present regime could accord them due recognition and bring them on board, most members of the organization would serve as monitoring officers where they would from time to time report their observations, complaints made from the masses to the government, thus complementing the efforts of government and its agencies.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—45

Don’t fforeclose oreclose PPeetr oleum troleum Pr oducts Subsidy discour se (2) Products discourse s we continue our discourse on A subsidy from last week, let us examine the international geopolitics of

subsidies. The greatest subsidisers of energy are the greatest consumers; the United States and China. They both spend about $3 trillion annually on subsidies for their people. Global geopolitics of subsidy is now baited for international climate negotiations. Western nations now encourage us to abandon subsidies because of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases they emit that are linked to climate change. The discourse now is the reduction of fossil fuel which for a long time had been the world’s largest source of electricity for renewable energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that by 2030, renewable energy could become the world’s largest source of electricit y ahead of known conventional sources of coal, natural gas and nuclear power. Arguments are that energy source would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions which would soon peak with dangerous consequences. The Conference of the Parties to the UN global treaty on climate change slated for December 2015 in Paris would give countries the opportunity to submit their Individual Nationally Determined

Contributions (INDCs). The US plans to cut greenhouse emissions by 26 to 28 percent below the 2005 levels by 2030 while the EU plans to cut by 40 percent of its1990 levels. China plans to start bringing down its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. They advise us to jettison subsidies using economic theorems that are provable from axioms; that money saved from subsidy removal could be channelled into infrastructure as education and health for the good of the people. Call it logic; subsidy is also for the good of the people. Their new technologies developed result in new products and energy sources including renewable energy that are rendering liquid fossil fuel useless. OPEC members’ (including Nigeria) survivals are being threatened. The whole essence is that our liquid fossil fuel would soon become a commodity like coal which for centuries was a priceless resource for energy would become a worthless energy resource at the end of the 21st century. What has now become shale revolution has dealt a big blow on countries like Nigeria as a crude oil exporting nation. This new technology is a result of the 40year old research of America in response to the Arab Oil embargo on America and its allies in the Arab - Israeli War of 1973. The United States is now taking full control the oil market supply and price, and with

their strong currency for now we are out for a raw deal. The same countries that discourage fossil fuel subsidies offer consumer subsidies to purchasers of hybrid and electric cars. Automobile companies like GM, Ford and Chrysler in the United States have been encouraged through subsidies to produce and sell E85 (Flexible fuel) vehicles that run on gasoline (85 percent) and ethanol (15 percent) blends. Nearly 10 million flex fuel vehicles sold in the United States have government tax credit as subsidy for producers and users. Corn farmers in the Mid-west states are being encouraged to produce more for the ethanol content of Flex fuel/E85. Americans get up to $7500 credit for driving electric vehicles. In Canada, subsidy for the use of Electric vehicles attract 8600 dollars subsidy. In Europe, the need to reduce the use of liquid fossil fuels has made the various governments especially the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members to subsidise the use of Plug in electric vehicles. In the UK Drivers are to get 5000 pounds electric car subsidy from government if they buy electric cars. In France subsidy for use of electric vehicles is up to 2000 euros and free parking; Germany-exemption from annual circulation tax for five years; Italy-75 percent reduction of tax rate; Spain-6000 euros tax incentive; Netherland-exemption from registration fee and road taxes amounting to 5324 euros over four years. In China, for use of Plug in electric vehicle, there is exemption from taxes up to 7634 dollars while in Japan, it is between 2000 and 9000 dollars Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair recently asked President Buhari to remove subsidy on petroleum products in Nigeria. The former British leader knows how the less privileged are adequately protected with all sorts of subsidies including council flats housing, mortgages, immigration laws to reduce the level of unemployment for British citizens. The United States is spending $148 billion

in 2015 in subsidizing agriculture. Here in Nigerian there is no public good; security, electricity, water, mosquito spraying programme, agriculture, pollution control, transportation, adequate health care, education and other public infrastructure are almost nonexistent. In Nigeria the revenue from crude which has come down as a result of the global oil glut has forced the country to devalue the Naira in quick succession. This no doubt is affecting the cost of importing refined petroleum products. With the government paying the difference in the cost of landing and the pump price which we call subsidy, it will continue to be a problem. Let us refine locally! One is advising the Kachikwu-led NNPC not to stop import subsidy for now as it will pose a serious challenge to the Nigerian monetary authorities because of its inflationary tendencies in the short run. One believes that even with the fiscal authorities trying to rein in government spending occasioned by low revenues of crude exports, real fiscal retrenchment may only be realizable in the middle term. What led to forged subsidy claims are corruption and inefficiency in the system. That we spent six billion dollars in one year (2012) on subsidy is scratching the surface. We must find out how we spent, why we spent and to who we spent, when we have four refineries that were not allowed to operate in two decades. We should know what exactly the country imports, and consumes daily of various products. The President has promised to beam a searchlight on the NNPC to kill the monster. The germane issues that must be investigated killed and certified dead to allow the system work is how we got entangled in import subsidy. Have we invested in this racket that has left the perpetrators merely removed from office and given absolution to go with their loot and sin no more? Not for President Buhari.

was at the celebration that ushered Prof. JP Clark into the Octogenarian circle. I was told, and so many in my generation also, that JP was a lecturer in the Department of English, University of Lagos, where I later came to study and teach. I have imaginative (text) knowledge of JP but a visual knowledge of Ebun Clark. Not long after was another, similar celebration: Soyinka at eighty. I quickly want to make few comments on JP Clark’s, of course, which is belated. So before the later, let me address its past, albeit, its immediate past. I was at the very animated lecture delivered by Prof. Wole Soyinka at the main auditorium of University of Lagos, which formed a kind of climax of Clark’s celebration. I tried very hard to get the title of the Lecture before it was delivered but the microphone and was not going to do what announcement had it just as we (I mean the typical MC in that kind of “The Soyinka Lecture,” which occasion) would do. I believe he must have sounded more like a lecture had a clue as to what would happen. He in honour of, rather than to be was simple and straight to the point. In a delivered by Wole Soyinka. I matter of minutes, items on the agenda were believed that I would get the actualized and then the main course of the title or topic of the lecture menu came. Prof. Wole Soyinka literally when it would begin, so I hopped up the podium and started, as decided to go ahead of time. I expected, with some preliminaries. I confess was present when virtually I still didn’t get the title of the lecture and everybody came in: Prof. Wole may not, until the lecture is published. Soyinka, then Profs JP and However, I heard the word “Censorship” Ebun Clark and then the so I assumed and maintained that as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (M & title. Prof. Soyinka talks well, I mean, S) of the University of Lagos, convincingly. He gives the impression that Prof. Duro Oni, who also is a he never would be able to complete theatre persona, and the chief preparations for the delivery of lectures, for host, Prof. R. A. Bello, Vice delivery time, so while he delivers, he still Chancellor, University of writes. It is a very confident way of expressing Lagos. I was lucky that one of authority over “subject.” I respect him for my younger colleagues was that. seated near me and he started This lecture would be controversial, so I introducing to me some thought when he started with invectives on personae I needed to individuals. Well, my career reveals to me recognize (oh, just for my own that great men do not attack other men, personal edification): Prof though they may war against “ideas.” Prof. Tamuno, Elechi Amadi and Soyinka practically descended on few then Gabriel Okara. I was individuals, even identifying them by excited and carried away. It names: Adewale Meja-Pearse, Femi was already hilarious for me, Osofisan (Akimbo Launko), then JP Clark, though the lecture had not amongst others and then the professions. started yet. Then I realized that Those he set on the beam are those who my colleagues were looking have ventured into criticism of either other in my direction in the middle persons or institutions. He doesn’t seem to of the auditorium and I read be at home with, or literally he does not like their minds… “Why are you criticism. As he lashes at them, I became there, you should be with the quite uncomfortable. My impression was microphone at the dais.” Well that he came out to sympathize with the thank God I was not. Another “criticized,” but before I could draw my gentleman had the conclusion, I was forced to rethink; he

The writ er tinction 1 writer erss of dis distinction

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actually had ascended to a higher level of criticism. I was carried away by the sheer grace of that presentation: CENSORSHIP. But I too was placed on an edge, indeed, quite uncomfortably. I do not consider myself a public speaker, an orator or an impresario, but I do make a lot of appearances at public gatherings as “Protocol MC,” whatever anyone wants to make out of that. One thing I know is that I handle the microphone to provide direction for a smooth realization of the items on the agenda of very serious occasions. By so, I fall into the category of those that the ire of the critical Professor and laureate visited. He was literally adorned with the spirit of Alexander Pope (Essay of Criticism) and the Prophet Isaiah. The amalgamation of the Isaiah and Pope Spirits resulted in a thunderous explosion and many who serve humanity through acts of expressions were not spared: the journalists, the photographers, the MCs, the essayist, the biographers and more importantly, “the trained historians.” This was why Adewale Meja Pearse was subjected to a near mortal wound as a result of the erudite Professor’s missiles. Prof. Soyinka perhaps, regarded JP Clark’s lecture as part of his recent contributions that he proudly refers to as INTERVENTIONS. In Interventions IV: Power, Hydropus and Other Toxic Mutations, he is described (I do not know by who) as involved in “a new career of retiring from public life.” This could be an awesome irony. Everyone who knows him will agree with me that he has been restless, right from childhood and the major problem now is how to get him to retire “indeed.” Well if he is retiring, it is

taking a long time and I suppose that scholarship would rather accept that Soyinka attempted retirement, but had to retire from retirement almost immediately after. He rebelled against retirement so that his eclectic eccentricities will continue. For instance, the new terms he comes up with, I mean terms that are essentially Soyinkan like Leftocracy and Hydropus will continue to adorn our literary garden. Soyinka has never really accepted that he operates within a defined ideology. He even asserted once (I suppose in Drum magazine, now defunct) that all ideologies enslave whether they are benevolent or malevolent. This is why he believes he can identify and make statements about Leftocracy, that is those who operate from the left and also about the grey zone, that is according to my own very etching of some writers, those who operate in-between definitions. Globacom, a major indigenous telecommunication organization honoured the erudite Professor recently and I was there again. I remember the other writers who also came: Seffi Ata, EC Osondu and Tope Folarin. All have, at one point or the other won a literary prize. They owned up to working under the influence of Soyinka. At that event, Soyinka hinted that a new edition of INTERVENTIONS is awaited. That justifies my

position that he has not retired or more appropriately, he has rebelled against retirement. He proposes that the text will come under the title: REPUBLIC OF LIARS. A hint is that former President Obasanjo will be a character in the book. There have been a running battle of words between the General turned politician and the writer. While Obasanjo regards Soyinka as a bad politician, Soyinka dismisses that as self-opinionated and indeed, announces that he would not respect Obasanjo’s opinion. It is interesting why he would not. He declares Obasanjo a liar. Soyinka is still full of the stuff he is known for – playing with words. That impressive Globam night with him revealed that more will yet come from him for instance, my friend Dr. Adeyemi Daramola asked a question on his poem “The Telephone Conversation” and as Prof. Soyinka responded, he wondered how young people would cope with images that existed before their time, for instance the buttons, and the colours. Interpretive skills are required for a good grasp of such a poem. But that once more provided him an opportunity to touch on words and meanings, especially homophones. A mock theatrical presentation on construction and distortion of meanings enhanced the entire business of the night. Alapata, a word that would mean a quarry or a slaughterhouse, depending on the tone and the context, was used to show how simple things can lead to great misunderstanding. He summed up with the misuse of the word “severally ” which rightly means inclusive as against occurrence that many assume it means. Soyinka scholars are waiting for the next Intervention and Bookcraft will do them a favour by publishing it quickly.

46—SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Our priority is protection of critical national infrastructure

Resolution (ADR) mechanism in solving disputes. Collaboration with the Joint Task Force operations in the Niger Delta The Corps is a component part of the operations of the Joint Task Force (JTF), operating within the Niger Delta region. Members of the Corps contingent to this special squad have distinguished themselves in the discharge of their duties in this regard and have contributed immensely to the successes recorded by the JTF so far. It should be noted that the infusion of the Corps into the operations of the JTF was not an accident but recognition of the contributions the Corps has made to national security. The Corps is also in partnership with the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) where the Corps has contributed armed personnel to secure NIMASA facilities while providing round the clock security in conjunction with the Nigeria Navy on Nigerian waterways, to checkmate the menace of piracy, oil theft and illegal bunkering. Terrorism is assuming a very dangerous dimension not only in the country but globally. In the country, however, the wave of kidnappings and violent attacks by militant groups in the country have been on the increase. The Corps is therefore taking proactive steps to ensure that the violent activities of these terrorist groups especially the Boko Haram sect are reduced to the barest minimum. Apart from strengthening our surveillance and intelligence gathering mechanism in this area, the Corps is effectively collaborating with the military to check insurgency especially in the North East.

– NSCDC T

he Nigeria Security and Civil

Defence Corps, NSCDC, has certainly come a long way in efforts at fighting crime and criminality in the country. Established by Act 2 of 2003 with numerous security responsibilities, the Act was amended in 2007, to further strengthen and empower the Corps for better service delivery. The Corps operates under the umbrella body of the International Civil th Defence Organization as its 66 member, an indication that it has a distinct mandate from other security agencies, though working towards the same goals. To further buttress the very important role the NSCDC plays in national growth, the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), Geneva, has proposed to locate its regional headquarters in Nigeria with an overall objective of using the NSCDC as the hub of civil defence activities in West and Central Africa. After about three months in office, Commandant-General, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, in this interview gives insight into some of the NSCDC activities. He spoke with our Crime Editor, Emma Nnadozie, in Abuja. Excerpts: Manpower development and staff welfare I have given top priority to training and manpower development in order to reposition the Corps and to engender skill acquisition and by implication, high level of productivity so as to guaranty operational efficiency. To this end, the Corps has in the last 10 years sponsored over 40,000 personnel on several workshops, seminars and intensive training programmes both at home and abroad, to enhance their capacity to diligently deliver on our mandate. Within the period under review, the Corps has been able to produce Chattered Accountants (ICAN), ICMA members, Chattered Auditors and Chattered Administrators, among other professional qualifications. To further underscore the importance attached to training and manpower development, the Corps has established three training colleges - College of Disaster and Peace Studies in Katsina, Civil Defence Academy, Sauka, Abuja and College of Security Management, Abeokuta. The ability of the Corps to handle its mandate can be attributed to the existence of a well-trained and highly motivated workforce. The Corps has broken the jinx of stagnation by ensuring the elevation of qualified personnel through promotion exercise

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which is the first in the history of the Corps. This exercise has effectively positioned the personnel to adequately man various command positions in the Corps. Staff welfare matters are being taken with seriousness through our insurance policy with all our officers insured against accident, death and disability in the course of carrying out their assignments. The Corps has also made provisions for distribution of uniforms and other kits to staff while ensuring prompt payment of worker’s salaries and allowances. The Housing unit is also making efforts towards the provision of housing schemes for workers nationwide. The Nigeria Energy Security Command project The Nigeria Energy Security (NESEC) project is an initiative of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) being executed under a contract awarded to Messrs Stater Point Integrated Services Ltd (SPIS). The major objective of the project is to provide the NSCDC to drastically reduce or eliminate vandalism of oil and gas pipelines as well as oil theft. The first phase of the project covers Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. You will recall that the country has witnessed an upsurge in crime in recent times ranging from vandalisation to insurgency, kidnappings, ethno-religious crises, armed banditry, among others. This development has placed enormous burden of providing all round security on the shoulders of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The Corps has been able to tackle the menace of insecurity as it relates to its mandate while at the same time collaborating with other sister agencies to fight some of these vices including insurgency occasioned by the Boko Haram attacks. In its efforts to rid the country of activities of vandals and other criminals, the Corps has made series of arrests of criminal elements, many of whom are currently now facing prosecution while many others have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms. Regulation of activities of private guard companies In the area of regulation of activities of private guard companies, the Corps

*Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu

has succeeded in bringing sanity to bear on the operations of this industry which has since been rid of quack operators. My tenure has also witnessed the incorporation of the Corps into the Joint Intelligence Board (JIB). Through the JIB, the Corps has gained recognition to the extent that about 30 of our personnel currently work in different departments and sections in the office of the National Security Adviser. The office of the National Security Adviser has also been responsive in terms of manpower development and capacity building for the NSCDC personnel. The Corps also has an existing partnership with some international donor agencies and affiliated agencies of the United Nations. We have benefited in various manpower development and capacity-building including workshops and seminars, especially with the UNDP. The Corps through its Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit is into partnership with the UNDP in the area of training and the application of Alternative Dispute

Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure The NSCDC has also been mandated to ensure the safety of the entire Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) spread across the nation. To this end, the Corps is fully mobilized to effectively carry out this mandate. This includes training and retraining of its armed personnel especially in the area of surveillance and intelligence gathering on a regular basis. The Corps collaborates with the Ministry of Power, Niger Delta Power Holding Company and other operators in the power sector for effective policing of their infrastructure which has been termed CNAI. The Corps has equally created a Special Weapon Tactics Unit (SWAT) for the same purpose. Disaster management The Disaster Management Department has been re-invigorated to enhance quick response in emergency situations. The Corps has established Emergency Response Units at Airports located in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Kano and has stationed emergency response ambulances along major routes in the country for quick response in emergency situations. The Corps is into partnership with NEMA and other stakeholders to enhance proper management, mitigation and reduction of disasters in the country. The Corps has collaborated well with stakeholders in various rescue operations of accidents and flood victims across the country. Challenges and prospects The NSCDC has a number of challenges which include, shortage of operational equipment, shortage of manpower, inadequate security materials and equipment such as communication gadgets, firefighting equipment, operational vehicles, trucks, cranes, speedboats, surveillance equipment, helicopters, speedboats, shortage of office and residential accommodation for staff.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—47

How policeman shot my mother to death —9-yr-old narrates

•killer cop charged to court , remanded in prison custody BY EVELYN USMAN & ONOZURE DANIA

he wailing of 11 months old Elijah Ekpo yesterday, at Jakande Estate Oke-Afa , Isolo Lagos, sprang the curiosity of other commuters at the bus-stop on whether the woman carrying him was his biological mother. The crying baby held unto the blouse of the woman , wanting to force her breast out of it. From all indication it was obvious that he wanted to be breast- fed. Curious commuters urged the woman to find a place to sit down and breast feed the baby. Rather than heed the advice, the woman burst into tears, an action that attracted this reporter. Her reason for breaking down was not far fetched as it was discovered that the mother of the 11-month-old baby was lying stone dead at the Igando General Hospital morgue. Fate played a cruel role in the life of young Elijah Wednesday night at Obalagbe , in Ijegun area of the state, after his mother was added to the list of victims of the recklessness of trigger happy cops. Her father, Mr Godwin Ekpo , a tricycle operator, was reportedly returning home from Mount of Victory Church , located in Orilowo Ejigbo , with his wife and their four children in his tricycle, popularly known as Keke Marwa , when one Police Corporal, Musefun Aremu, attached to Isheri-Oshun division flagged him to stop. It was gathered that Aremu allegedly demanded for N200 from the operator , for plying beyond the stipulated time for tricycle. But Ekpo was said to have explained that he was returning from church and that the time was just 8pm. At that moment, his wife , Idongesit Comfort , who was with their youngest child , Elijah reportedly came down from the tricycle and showed the policeman her bible, with an explanation that she was not a passenger as assumed by the policeman but the operator’s wife. But the Aremu was said to have insisted on getting his money. Report said Ekpo angrily gave him N50 which he refused, insisting that it was not complete . Angry at his defiance, Ekpo attempted to enter the tricycle, with his wife following behind. But to the shock of all , Corporal Aremu who earlier threatened to shoot if Ekpo attempted to move the tricycle from the spot, made do his threat as he released a bullet from C M Y K

•Mr and Mrs Ekpo

•Young Elijah •Children his AK 47 riffle. Unfortunately for the couple, the bullet pierced through the skull of Idongesit , killing her on the spot. At the sound of the gun shot, Ekpo reported turned , only for the bullet which shut out from his wife’s skull to hit him at the jaw. Narrating what happened that fateful night, one of the children, Blessing (9), said in tears “My mummy was killed by the policeman. We were all in the keke marwawhen we heard the gun shot. Immediately , my mummy fell down. She fell on Elijah . She could not move. Blood was all over her . Elijah was crying from where he was trapped under her. My daddy was shouting ‘they have killed me ooo’. “My elder sister was screaming, calling for help. I was the only one that went and held one of the policemen by the trouser. I was shouting at the top of my voice that ‘you people have killed my mummy. Come and take my mummy to the hospital. People who heard the gun shot rushed to where we were and brought Elijah out of my mummy’s weight. His body was covered with blood”. She burst into tears while trying to talk. But her words were inaudible. She explained that the killer cop and members of his team immediately left the scene. The body of Mrs Ekpo was reportedly taken to the Isheri-Oshun division by sympathizers, from where it was taken to the hospital where she was certified dead,while her husband was rushed to the Lagos. University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. It was discovered that the incident occurred barely four days after the

family moved to Ijegun. The killing of Idongesit sparked off a protest next day, where the protesters complained about the excesses of policemen attached to that particular division. It was alleged that three days before tragedy struck, Corporal Aremu had broken a commercial motorcyclist’s skull with the butt of his gun for not giving him N50 . Two weeks earlier, he reportedly sprayed tear-gas canisters on some tricycle operators for refusing to give him an undisclosed amount. Killer cop, arrested arraigned in court The killer cop and members of his team have since been arrested on the order of the visibly angry Commissioner of Police , with the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Officer queried. 28 year-old Aremu was arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s court yesterday on a two count charge of murder and causing grievous body harm. The prosecutor Godwin Osuyi, told the court that Aremu allegedly killed late Comfort (Idongesit) Godwin Ekpo and also wounded her husband, Godwin Sunday Ekpo , with his official rifle, AK 47, at Ijegun area of the state, at about 8pm.Osuyi, said that Aremu unlawfully shot the deceased dead , an offence he said was punishable under sections 221 and 243 of the Criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011. Aremu’s plea was not taken, as the prosecutor applied that he be remanded in prison custody pending the legal advice from the

•Killer cop

Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. Consequently, Magistrate Afolashade Botoku ordered that the defendant should be remanded in prison custody for the next 30 days, with the matter adjourned till October 19, 2015. However, in defence , Aremu stated that he never meant to kill the woman, denying that he also demanded money from his victims. He said, “We were stationed at Obalagbe when we saw the keke Marwa coming at about 12 midnight which was against the stipulated time for them to operate. When we stopped him, he refused. Rather, he hit our vehicle, in an attempt to escape. All I did was to aim at the tyres of the keke marwa . Unfortunately the bullet hit the woman from behind and also hit the man in the jaw. I never meant to kill anybody. It was just a mistake. If he had not run, I would not have fired”, he said. But Crime Guard gathered that the vehicle the policemen stationed at the spot was properly labelled, an outright disregard to the Inspector General of Police directive that policemen should not use any vehicle that is has no inscription of the Police on it . Some of the policemen were also said to have been in mufti.

48—SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Our culture, traditions can empo wer yyouths ouths and pr omo empow promo omotte tourism de vt.—Ogbonna devt hile some people are fast W abandoning their culture and traditions to westernisation,

thinking nothing good could make out of it, Onicha Igbo Eze has seen better reasons to revive its own culture and traditions simply to empower youths, attract tourism and boost the economy of the community and Ebonyi State through the transformation of agriculture, among other benefits. In this interview with Chairman of the 12 man committee elected to drive this development, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, a prolific artwork collector, culture activist, Chief Executive Office Agune Art Foundation and Real Estate developer, said one of the easiest ways to bring about development in any society is to develop culture and traditions of those people. Excerpts: What is the focus of the 12 man committee? The committee is to revive the culture and traditions of Onicha Igbo Eze, which showcases WhoIs-Who in Onicha Igbo Eze. Again, it makes us know where we belong culturally and traditionally, so that no matter how long you have spent in a place, you still know your origin. How does the committee tend to empower their youths through this means? The committee is going to be organising activities such like carnival, skill empowerment programmes for youths. Most of them will be taken to some part of Africa, Europe for excursion that would promote their interest in culture and traditions of the community. This will also help them to develop their personal lives and as well sustain the culture and traditions of our people. This will definitely attract tourism and development. A lot of countries developed practising their culture and traditions. In my community for instance, we have different kinds of cultural dances like Ikpa, Ojuonu, Kokoma music that can be showcased around the world. These are wonderful traditional dances and music the world would like to see in display that can impact on youths positively. We want also to revive the culture of agriculture among our people and this we all know can boost the economic of the people and create jobs. My people are

he one day maiden edition of the BICSI Nigeria conference and exhibition held in Lagos recently witnessed an impressive turnout of industry stakeholders and professionals alike. The Building Industry Consulting Service International, BICSI, a global professional, non-profit association with credible support from both indigenous and international ICT solutions companies hosted a mixed audience of architects, telecom engineers, data cabling design & installation experts, M&E consultants, professionals across the Nigerian ICT sub-sector. The Nigeria Country Chair, Boye Oyerinde, in his opening remarks said, “It is quite timely for the Nigeria ICT sector to join their counterparts in other climes in the standardization of practice hence

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go back it. It unites and empowers a people. Nigeria should revive its culture and traditions. It helps leadership to succeed. If possible, let us create institutions for culture and traditions. South Africans do joke with their culture. Great people like Nelson Mandela used to dance with Zulu at festivals when he was alive. They respect their culture much and even have their national anthems in native language. In Nigeria, we have great artistes. We can make money through this artworks and promote them because they represent culture, history and tradition of the people. Big museum in the world are looking for them. As art collector and culture activist, do you have any intention to build museum? I will be a fulfilled man on earth if I build a museum. I’m working towards it and I believe it will be a reality. And when it comes, it will be one of the best in history because of my love and interest in artwork, culture and traditions.

LAPO Institute commences entrepreneurship training

APO Institute for microfinance and entrepreneurship development has commenced entrepreneurship development training in line with the vision of the founding father, Godwin E. Ehigiamusoe, Ph.D to encourage entrepreneurship development, alleviate poverty and end unemployment not only in Nigeria but the entire African continent as a whole. The objectives of the entrepreneurship training are to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills that would ensure success at workplace and as well business transformation. The Institute’s capacity building seeks to improve on organizational performance using tested managerial approach to achieve training and development for human profitability. According to a source with LAPO Institute, “we do not only train, we provide funding for eligible participants to start their business immediately unlike many other training institutes.” “Presently, LAPO Microfinance Bank has over 1.6 million clients and disburses over 12 billion naira monthly as loans to their clients, and with our requisite expertise and experience in entrepreneurship development and microfinance funding strategies, we are prepared to train both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in Nigeria. We offer training programmes in core areas of microfinance and enterprise development ranging from marketing, management information system, small and medium-scale enterprise development, leadership and management as well as product development to financial and risk management.

Ogbonna: good farming like the Benue and Cross Rivers. More so, the atrocities happening these days are as a result of people abandoning culture and traditions that checkmate evil doing in the society. You see people marrying their relations because they are ignorant of culture and traditional implications. When culture and traditions are observed, it brings sanity, blessings for the people, increase in farm produce and people now live freely. Peace and unity... Culture and traditions promote peace and unity in communities and that is why a leader in any society must understand the culture and traditions of the people. What are the benefits? There are a lot of benefits following it. First, we are going

to organise carnivals which will attract people from different walks of life; Kings and Chiefs will be invited for chieftaincy titles; diplomats, ambassadors will come. We want to make Onicha Igbo Eze a centre of attraction that will create opportunities for the people especially youths. Some of them will be privileged to study in abroad, others will gain skill acquisition for self reliance. The good aspect of it all is that foreigners like some of the African cultures and traditions while some of us are abandoning our traditions for westernisation. So, we will be using it to unite our people and reposition them future leadership. It helps communities to retain their native names and identity. Today, some Nigerians can’t trace their origin. With cultural festivals like New Yam and Nkwo festivals that preaches love and giving to one

the rationale for BICSI Nigeria to create an enabling platform for all stakeholders in bringing to bare their varying knowledge and experience.” The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, in his keynote address added that “the Nigeria ICT sector has been pivotal to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy; a practical example is the banking sector. Therefore, BICSI’s quest is indeed laudable and germane to Nation building in every sphere”. Delegates at the 2015 BICSI Nigeria Conference and Exhibition were afforded the opportunity to come together and share knowledge on how best to improve

the industry standards. The former Commissioner for Science & Technology, Lagos State, Adebiyi Mabadeje, also lent a voice in urging all stakeholders to embrace the BICSI Nigeria’s quest for a re-awakened business culture and practice saying “ICT is no longer the future but the very essence of our today therefore it is pertinent for all to assist in capacity building of the industry”.

Student wins Hyundai i10 car at Etisalat Sokoto CliqFest

400 level student in the department of Modern European Languages, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Chijoke Osinachi, has emerged the winner of a Hyundai i10 car at the recently concluded Etisalat CliqFest nationwide campus tour. Chijoke Osinachi was selected from a raffle draw supervised by renowned motivational speaker, Niyi Adesanya, the University’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof A.A. Aleiro and winner, Nigerian Idol 2015, K-Peace whose real name is Olakunle Ogunrombi. An elated Chijoke who was lost in the moment after receiving the keys to the car from the University’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Adamu A. Aleiro could not hide his feelings as he eulogised the telecoms operator for its efforts in giving meaning to the lives of the members of society. “It is hard to describe this feeling that just in a moment things have actually turned around for me. I could not have imagined this when I woke up this morning. I am very grateful to Etisalat for this big lift.” Also speaking at the Presentation ceremony, Etisalat Nigeria’s Manager, Youth Segment, Idiareno Atimomo, assured the school of the company’s commitment to helping Nigerians through its bouquet of customer-centric products, offerings and programmes. Beside the grand prize winner, eight other students who also went home with different prizes include Fatima Aliyu and Baba Muhammad, both of whom won Laptops; Maryam T. Umar and Agboola Ridwan, both won handsets and Jerseys each; and the quartet of Habibu Tanko, Suleiman Usman, Ibrahim Tahir and Fatima Mustafa won handsets and Flash drives each. L-R: GM, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. N e i l Comerford; B r a n d Manager, J o h n n i e Walker, Ms. O y i n a d e OlufemiOsobajo; Head of Reserve, Mr. Joe Nazzal and J o y Ambassador, Don Jazzy at the launch of Johnnie Walker Campaign in Lagos

BICSI Nigeria tasks stakeholders on best practices

another. You talked about boosting agriculture, how? The Federal Government has been making efforts to boost the economy of Nigeria through agriculture. Before now, we used to cultivate Rice and that is what brought about Abakiliki rice in Nigeria. Is civilisation now a treat to culture and tradition? No! I didn’t say so. But culture and traditions promote tourism and development. It’s ignorance that make people abandon their culture and traditions. Look at theBrazil carnivals, Mexico and other countries. Look at Brazilian samba dance with feathers beautifully designed. They make huge money from their culture and foreigners appreciate it, and it It boosts their economy. This is what we intend to do this time around with our culture and traditions. Is Nigeria culture inclined? Nigeria is the only country in Africa that doesn’t respect its culture and traditions. I advise we

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—49

My anger with Jesus — Mike Awoyinfa

...As fresh tears flow for Dimgba Igwe at book launch BY AGAJU MADUGBA ome 365 days after his death, celebrated veteran S journalist and a former Vice

Chairman of The Sun, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, literally returned to life last Tuesday at the conference hall of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, during the launch of ’50 World Editors,’ a book the deceased co-authored with Mike Awoyinfa, his ‘twin brother’ and colleague. A hit-and-run driver had snuffed the life out of Dimgba Igwe in the morning of September 6, 2014 while he was on a work out, along with some other joggers near his Okota residence of Isolo local government area of Lagos state. A year on, Awoyinfa, pioneer Managing Director of The Sun is still to come to terms with the reality that Dimgba Igwe is no more. “As long as I am alive, then Dimgba Igwe is not dead,” Awoyinfa affirmed, adding that the late Dimgba Igwe will continue from the Great Beyond, to co-author subsequent books with him. “Every September, I am going to launch a new book here and

Mike Awoyinfa I will always write the name of Dimgba Igwe as the co-author,” Awoyinfa said, flanked on the podium by his late colleague’s two daughters, Glory and Victory. Awoyinfa said death was not capable of separating him from Dimgba Igwe, describing the departed as the leader and voice of their partnership spanning about three decades. Why I got angry with Jesus

Noting that he has since asked for forgiveness for allowing his emotions to nearly betray his trust in God, Awoyinfa went down memory lane to relive his reaction in far away United Kingdom, at the news of Dimgba Igwe’s passage. For Awoyinfa, the impact of the news on him was so devastating to the extent that he came short of challenging God to a wrestling contest, for allowing Dimgba Igwe to die. He said he rolled himself on the floor and

continuously screamed, to the astonishment of those who were around him then, that, “my pillar of support is gone!” at which che wife reproached him and reminded Awoyinfa that, “Jesus is your pillar of support.” But an inconsolable Awoyinfa retorted, “then why did Jesus allow this to happen? As a reporter, I must ask questions.” For Dimgba Igwe’s widow, Obioma, efforts to hold back the tears when she mounted the podium were fruitless even after vowing to the audience that she was not going to cry in the course of the presentation of her written address. “This book meant so much to my husband,” she began, adding that, “it is one of the sweetest memories that will continue to live with me. Since death snatched away the love of my life, I have been overwhelmed by support from Nigerians some of who I did not even know.... Then the tears began to flow and from across the audience, a number of men and women reached for their handkerchiefs. The Fashola challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in his goodwill message at the ceremony lamented that the circumstances surrounding Dimgba Igwe’s death could be likened to what the President described as the impunity with which crimes are committed in Nigeria and the perpetrators walk away unpunished. According to Buhari who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Mrs Oluseyi Adekunle, “Nigerians should learn from the partnership and friendship between Dimgba Igwe and Mike Awoyinfa to move the nation forward because in spite of our

e bring you another series of W messages inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is a message that will

strengthen you and encourage you to continue in life. You don’t need to give up rather you need to rise up and begin to shine, for this word of God that is already settled in heaven will establish you here on earth. As our subject says, “No situation is hopeless with God”. Your case is not a hopeless case. No matter how difficult it may have being, it has a bus stop, it has an answer, it has a solution. The reason why your case may look hopeless right now is because you have being trying hard to do it yourself. You know, the bible says what is impossible with men is possible with God. Where your strength ends, is where God will just be starting. And when God starts, He will complete and finish the work. Remember what Jesus said in John 4:34, “Jesus said unto them, my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work”. So you see, God never start a job without finishing the job. In fact, I want you to know that God has seen your end which is why He is allowing you to stay and continue in life, because He knows that you will make it. I prophesy into your life in Jesus name that you will overcome your problems and enemies. From today the miracle job, wife, finances and breakthrough that you so earnestly desire comes to you. Your perceived failures turn to favour and success in Jesus Name. Your pain turns to pleasures and power. Where there has being delays before in your life will turn around in Jesus Name. You will never remain the same way you were because your change has come.

No situation is hopeless with God (I) Receive it now in Jesus mighty name amen. Hear me, with God, it does not matter what the devil has said, what the doctor has said, what your bankers/ creditors has said, God can still turn it around and He will surly turn it around for you. This is why He is God. All things bow before His presence. Your own case will surly bow before Him right now in Jesus name. You know in the bible, in Gen 1:13, it says “in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, let there be light; and there was light”. Which means that in the beginning the condition of the earth was hopeless. It was without form and void. This means that the condition was so bad that there was darkness over all the place. You and I know very well that with darkness, there can be no success and no breakthrough. But hear me, no matter how hopeless a case may be, it can be changed by God. As you can see, the hopeless earth moved from being formless, void and dark to light and fruitfulness. Hear the Word of the Lord, everything in your life that is void and formless receive shape and form; and every darkness receive the light of God. Just as the

Lord moved away formlessness, void and darkness, even so by His supernatural power, He will remove same in your life, family, business, ministry in Jesus name, amen. I dare to declare to you that your case is not hopeless. There is still hope for you in Christ. You can make it to the top. That family ancestral curse cannot continue to operate in your life. I curse it and break it in Jesus name. Now get up and begin to shine in Jesus name. Your season to be established has come. Move forward in Jesus name, amen.

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. E-mail: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C 1011711622.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

differences, partnership can still work.” In a message he sent at the ceremony, immediate past Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, regretted that Nigeria lost a good man in Dimgba Igwe and insisted that, “the greatest duty we owe Dimgba Igwe is to unravel the mystery behind his death. We must do him this justice and keep on probing until we solve the mystery.” Chairman of the occasion, Chief Segun Osoba, in his remarks said that, “Dimgba Igwe still lives.” He recalled that in August 2014, a month before Dimgba Igwe was killed, “ we were together in Katsina where we discussed the future of newspapers in Nigeria.” The ceremony attracted renown journalists and other media practitioners from within and outside Nigeria including Vanguard’s General Manager, Gbenga Adefaye, veteran journalists and publishers, Ismail Isa Funtua, Wada Maida, Mohammed Haruna, Ray Ekpu and Comfort Obi. Some others also included, Odia Ofiemu, Dr. Amanze Obi, Tunji Bello, Tony Onyima, Bayo Onanuga, Kunle Ajibade, Kayode Komolafe, Adebayo Williams, Louis Odion, among several others. The book According to Awoyinfa, it took him and Dimgba Igwe 10 years to produce the 628-page ’50 World Editors.’ He explained that they wrote the book because of their passion, love and commitment to journalism, “the only profession we know. ” The book is a compendium of interviews with the cited editors from across the world including Nigeria’s Pulitzer award winner, Dele Olojede, Nduka Obaigbena, Babatunde Jose and John Momoh, among others. TESTIMONY Recently, our pastor asked us to sow sacrificially, I don’t know what to do and decided to sow the wrist watch that I just bought and asked God for something in return. To my greatest surprise, I received financial favour and only recently I bought a car for virtually nothing which was what I asked God for. Please tell me, how can a mere wrist watch buy a car? Now I know with God, anything good can happen. Bro. Tosin, Satellite Town. Do you want to experience the season of God in your life? Then you must receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour if you have not done so already. To receive Him, Pray this prayer. Father, your word says that whosoever shall call on the name of Jesus shall be saved. I hereby call upon the Name of Jesus. Break every covenant between me and the devil, and make me a new person. Fill me with your Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Thank you Father for saving me.

50—SA TURD AY 50—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Jonathan doesn’t have money — Alamieyeseigha •Despite what Jonathan was doing for the North, their interest was power and they got it BY SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor

n his days as the governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, otherwise known as DSP, was fondly referred to as the GovernorGeneral of Izon Nation, because he presided over the only state with entirely Ijaw extraction and was seen as the leader of the struggle for the proverbial Resource Control in the Niger Delta. But his popularity and political career was cut short when he was impeached towards the end of December 2005 and replaced by his then Deputy Governor, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who later became Nigeria’s President following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010. DSP landed in prison and he was in a sordid state until his godson, Jonathan granted him state pardon, lifting him out of the political doldrums. Today, Alamieyeseigha still respected in Bayelsa, speaks on Jonathan, Obasanjo , Governor Seriake and Bayelsa State. Excerpts: Let’s start by asking what informed your choice of former President Jonathan as your deputy Governor in 1999? One is that I came from Southern Ijaw Local Government, the largest in the Bayelsa State and may be in the whole country. My political calculation was to

pick somebody from the Ogbia axis, that is the Eastern part of the state to balance the political equation. So, I needed Ogbia votes. Number two, I wanted a deputy governor who had high level of intelligence and stable character like Jonathan. I also needed an establishment person and somebody who was not too ambitious that if I was out, he could stand in for me and could run the state. I needed somebody, who would not attempt to cause trouble if I traveled out of the state so that I could sleep well. It was a combination of these factors that made me to choose Jonathan as my deputy then. I set out an objective criteria on the qualities I needed and when the late Chief judge of Bayelsa State recommended him, (I did not know him before), I readily accepted him. In fact, I had to drive in my car to his residence and asked him to resign from the then OMPADEC, where he was working at the time. Within the period Jonathan worked under you, did you at any point imagine that he would one day become a vice president or president and what were those leadership qualities you identified in him? Leadership comes from above. No matter how you try, if God almighty does not destine you to lead, you will not be a leader. For Goodluck, I knew that he was going to be vice president of Nigeria as far back as August 25, 2005. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had once told me that since his former vice, Atiku Abubakar and I wanted to take his job that it would be

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•Diepreye Alamieyeseigha...No matter how you try, if God almighty does not destine you to lead, you will not be a leader

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015—51

Continues from Page 50 over his dead body and that unless he died, Atiku would not be president of Nigeria. He told me that since Atiku had picked me as his running mate, he would disgrace us. He said that he was going to use my deputy to rubbish me before everybody. So, I knew. But some say, like Balarabe Musa observed recently, that Jonathan was not prepared for leadership and that accounted for the loss of power by the South. It is not right because Jonathan is more experienced than any president that has ruled this country in the past. How can you say that somebody who has been in office for 16 years is not qualified? If I may ask, which former president of this country was in power for 16 years? He was in office as deputy governor and was overseeing administration of local governments and was very conversant with the administration of local governments at that level. He was also performing the role of a deputy governor. He became a governor and is also familiar with governance at that level. He became a vice president and later acting president and a president. Which Nigerian has that pedigree? None. So, Balarabe Musa goofed. I am not aware of any special school that people go to become president. Academically, he is more qualified than any of them, and in our local environment at the University of Port Harcourt, he has street knowledge because he is locally bred. Not everybody will like his style but I can tell you that if you sit down and catalogue what he has done for this country, no other president has done that. But it is his life style; he is a very quiet man, unassuming but with very high intellectual content. If Goodluck believes in something, the house can collapse but he will do what he believes in. He has a very strong character. It depends on who is looking at him and from which angle. From the beginning, people’s mindset were fixed for him to fail and to manage that perception was another problem. But he did well. All these things that the APC is claiming to have done in 100 days are just claims; you cannot fix the refinery in three months. Somebody must have done very serious work before. To do turnaround maintenance takes 18 months and not three months. Some argue that Jonathan’s defeat in the

‘All these things that the APC is claiming to ha 00 da ys are just claims’ havve done in 1 100 days

Alamieyeseigha...We have the capacity to defend what belongs to us election and the role played by the elite may create bad blood in Nigerian politics. Do you agree and what do you see in the future for Nigeria? I have very radical views about that and I do not want to share them now. We are watching out what will play out at the national level. Will Nigeria or the ruling party still take us as part of Nigeria? Of course, they know that we are still feeding this nation. So, I think that they are conscious of that and they should also know that even the British could not conquer the Ijaw people. We have the capacity to defend what belongs to us. So far, so good, the appointments that they have made, none has come to Bayelsa. The Special Adviser to the president on the Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Boroh, is just coordinating the programme and I do not consider that as an appointment. Is that what we deserve? The Amnesty programme, we do not

And once they say you are corrupt, they first finish you on the pages of newspapers before they start looking for evidence know whether it will end in December. We are watching. The present administration has just completed 100 days in office, what are your reflections? I have been a governor before and this question keeps coming. One hundred days in the life of a

government with a mandate of four years is insignificant. There is always a learning period. You may say he was a military Head of State before but it is different. In military dictatorship there is nothing like the National Assembly; you give orders and nobody will question your orders. But the situation is quite different from a civilian government where you have to lobby. So, I do not want to use 100 days to assess a sitting president. But so far, so good! What is going for Buhari is the perception of Nigerians that he is an incorruptible leader. The integrity and what he came with to government is what is helping him. If you go to the North and you mention Buhari’s name, ‘’Sai Buhari’’, they come like bees. Some of them do not even know who he is. You can spend money and Buhari will not spend and people will trek 15 kilometers to support him. That is the mystery he has built for himself over the years because people see him as incorruptible and straightforward. With this change mantra that they floated and anti-corruption as the vessel, people seem to believe what he is doing. And once they say you are corrupt, they first finish you on the pages of newspapers before they start looking for evidence. It is a terrible country that we are in. You will recall that Buhari had said from the outset that he belonged to nobody but to everybody. But his recent appointments have attracted some criticisms, making some Nigerians to refer to him as the president of the North. What is your reaction to this? According to former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, President Buhari is the president of the North. Some have argued that there are still a lot of appointments to be made. I may not be morally right to comment on this because my brother just left office as president. People may ask what did your brother do? During President Jonathan’s administration, all the appointments, all the security architecture and all the revenue-generating sectors and almost everything went to the North West. A deity asked for blood and you give him oil, it is blood he wants and not oil. So my brother was

giving them oil but the North was interested in taking power. Jonathan did everything for the north. Despite what Jonathan was doing for the north, their interest was power and they got it. You were at the stadium where Governor Dickson declared for a second term and former President Goodluck Jonathan openly endorsed him despite the fact that many other aspirants close to him are in the race. Do you think Jonathan was tactful? At certain stage in life, if you have leadership qualities, your followers should be able to predict you and know where you stand. In politics, there is no neutrality. There is no need romancing with your subjects, quarreling with one another, wasting precious time and resources when you can come out straight as Jonathan did the other day. This would have been done long ago so that people would not waste time and resources by going to pick forms. Jonathan has been here for six and half years as Deputy Governor, governor for one and half years before he went to the federal level. So, this is a familiar terrain. All of us know the players by their first names and without going to the field, you will know who will win election and who will not win election. So, I am glad that at last, he came out openly. It is possible he would have been doing that privately but recently and on the declaration day, he impressed me because he came out openly in support of Governor Dickson. For so many reasons which we know as politicians in the state, having lost at the centre, you cannot protect your house for people to invade your privacy; it is not done. But with the caliber of people who have indicated interest in the seat from the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), are you not afraid that winning the election might be difficult for Dickson? Yes, some people use the media to promote themselves as leaders but I know that most of them that have picked forms cannot win in their pooling booths

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52—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Continues from page 51 without help. We are also aware that some of them were given positions of responsibility in the past and we know what they did with them; we know their pedigree because by their fruits you know them. If they have made so much money and they want to use the opportunity of the election to spread it, or bring out some money for the electorate, so be it. But I can assure you that such will not win any election. These are people that were in the PDP and they did not take part in the last presidential election. They worked for the PDP against the APC. In the National Assembly elections, they were in PDP and in the state Houses of Assembly, they were also in the PDP. But in the case of the governorship, they want to be governor. So far, about 18 of them have collected forms in the APC and only one of them will become a candidate and these names, some of them are not even known by the APC at the national level. Of course, they know they would fail but the hope is that the APC government at the centre would give them appointments. It is a joke because the party has not been able to satisfy the original APC members not to talk of those opportunists, greedy and ambitious human beings. I do not think they have the interests of the Ijaw nation and Bayelsans at heart. We cannot be deceived because we know them. But do you think the average Bayelsa man will support Dickson given their accusation that he does not give them money like typical politicians do? The election is already won by Dickson, given what he has been able to do in the state. His only offence is that he is not sharing money to people. State money should not be shared but directed to projects that will benefit the generality of the people. Dickson has tried to pay salaries and carry out infrastructural development since he came on board. So, I think that those who want to pull him down don’t even have the strength to do so. They are selfish people who have been enjoying government since 1999 yet they don’t want the younger ones to grow like they have done. Let’s take you to former President Obasanjo under whose leadership you ran into a murky water. Have you have forgiven him? Let me make it clear here that I have forgiven all the

Alamieyeseigha... some people use the media to promote themselves as leaders

‘Jonathan did everything for the north’ people who worked against me. It is not only Obasanjo but everybody. This is because everything that happened, who did what, I know? I cannot be living in the past because it does not help. It pains quite well but again, if it was not permitted by God, it would not have happened. And for me to be alive, I thank God. Sometimes when I reflect on where I am coming from, I even at times ask why I am still alive, having passed through what I have passed through. It reminds me of Psalm 23, somebody passing through the valley of the shadow of death. I passed through it several times. For me to be alive, I do not need to have anything in mind. Have you interacted with Obasanjo since that saga and what was the closest you have been with him since then? I have been at a very close quarters with Obasanjo twice. The first encounter was at the Katsina Airport during the wedding of the daughter of late President Yar’Adua. I did not even know that he was in the VIP lounge. I wanted to use the rest room and here was Obasanjo directly sitting inside. I was even scared because he almost passed out. I held his hand and he said DSP what have I done to deserve a handshake from

Jonathan did everything for the north. Despite what Jonathan was doing for the north, their interest was power and they got it you? There were other people; Kenny Martins and one of his political friends present. I said I was shaking him for two reasons. One was because of the Almighty God who created us. Number two is that tradition demands that we should welcome our visitors. Then Kenny got up and said, great leader, great leader and he came to hug me. The second encounter was when I was going to Dubai and if Obasanjo had known that I was in that

aircraft, he would not have entered but I was already seated. We were very few in the aircraft. Because of fear, Obasanjo saw me and hysterically called me Fayose, Fayose and I told him that I was not Fayose. I said former president, Olusegun Matheew Kikiola Aremu Obasanjo, you are a devil incarnate. I said when we were small, our lesson teachers always talked about this devil and this devil and I never knew that the devil is a human being. I told him that you are a direct descendant of the devil. I told him that if you talk, I will throw you out of this aircraft. I knew of truth that he did not sleep throughout the flight. The only thing he said was DSP, is it only you that entered prison. I too entered prison. He said you entered prison and I entered prison. He kept quiet and I left. But I have forgiven him and I can even go to Otta. He is an elder. One thing I know of Obasanjo is that you can say anything against Obasanjo but he is a leader. If he says he is going to do this, he will do it. You can call Obasanjo any time of the day or night and he will pick the phone himself. He will be ready to sit down with you to solve any problem even though he will not allow you to talk. He has invited you to seek your opinion on how to solve the problem but he would not allow you to talk

and at the end of the day, you begin to wonder why he called you when he already had the solution to the issue. That is the type of character that he is. I know him. For me to say he is devil incarnate, he is. What do you think that Jonathan did well and did not do well? Well, I was not in government and cannot say what he did well and didn’t do well. As far as I am concerned I didn’t lift oil, I did not have oil wells and I didn’t get any contract from anybody. But you must have received some presidential gifts like cash and other tangible things more valuable than contracts and oil blocks? Yes, I had unlimited access to Jonathan and I used to have free access to his home. If I met him eating, I would join him and so on. Jonathan has no money. So, if Buhari is looking to extract money from him, he won’t find. What if the money is hidden somewhere offshore? That cannot happen anymore in this world. Are you saying he is a poor man? No, he is a quiet and highly contented Nigerian but not a rich man

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201D;53

AREPO:

Where vandals rule over a Nigerian territory BY EVELYN USMAN

igerians woke up Wednesday, with news of the gruesome murder of nine operatives of the Department of State Security,DSS in Konu area of Ikorodu Lagos, Tuesday night, by vandals who were returning from Arepo creeks in trucks loaded with siphoned petroleum products belonging to the Nigerian .National Petroleum Corporation. The operatives whose identities are yet to be ascertained owing to the silence of the DSS over the incident, had gone to effect the arrest of the vandals. As they embarked on that operation, apparently hoping to actualise their aim, little did they realise that would be their last assignment as operatives of the revered security agency. As barely had they reached Konu than they were taken unawares by an unwelcome sporadic shots from their enemies- the vandals, who laid ambush for them. Without doubt, they could have put up an act of bravery by trying to repel the vandals . But they were said to have been overwhelmed by the vandals who C M Y K

usually operate in their number. At the end of the shoot- out which some residents claimed to have lasted over thirty minutes, the operatives became the hunted , as the bodies of nine of them littered the place. A version of the account had it that the bodies of the slain operatives were taken away by the vandals as well as their arms, a reason that was partially attributed to the silence on the sideoftheDSStilldate. The death of these gallant officers whose wives have been rendered widows and their

children fatherless overnight by vandals , is one too many in recent times. It occurred barely three weeks after four policemen were killed by vandals around Ishawo area of Ikorodu. In this case, the vandals who have apparently thrown caution to the dogs, also went away with the corpses and their weapons . There were also cases where some policemen who were on surveillance in Arepo creeks in Ogun state were ambushed by vandals, killed, with their bodies buried in shallow graves in the creeks. From all indication, it is

indubitable that vandalism has assumed a violent dimension and it appears the military has no answer to their violence. And except drastic measures are taken quickly to checkmate this worrisome trend, it may turn out to be another issue that would be needing foreign support to tackle in future. Impeccable sources revealed that these supposed vandals are militants who have taken over the creeks in Arepo. Some of them are alleged to be from Arogbo community in Ondo state while others are from the Ijaw extraction. At the moment, these militants are holding sway , with over 500 of them reportedly residing in the Arepo creeks. They have dared security operatives to attempt to dislodge them, claiming that they were only interested in their share of the national cake which their activities around the pipeline provide. Activities of vandals were undoubtedly affecting the economic well being of Nigeria, owing to her dependency on oil . Thus, in a move to nip activities of pipeline vandalism in the bud,

Continues on page 54

54—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Continues from page 53 former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohhamed Abubakar set up the IGP Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Squad in 2012 , with available records showing an impressive feat by the squad. For instance, several arrests of suspected pipeline vandals, including receivers of the stolen products , some of who were owners of petrol stations were made . The squad led by its former head, Friday Ibadin , an Assistant Commissioner of Police, also made starling recovery of over nine private jetties built around Ikorodu by vandals. From these jetties, were underground hoes which lined another inside the creek , to Arepo , where siphoned petroleum products are channelled through. One of such remarkable arrests was that of some vandals who confessed to have been responsible for the killings of policemen and staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,NNPC who had gone to effect repairs on a broken pipeline. Regrettably, the police are losing power going by the unmitigated killings of security operatives by vandals. Although former President Goodluck Jonathan contracted the pipeline surveillance and protection in the South West region to some ethnic militia group, apparently in a bid to proffer solution to the cases of pipeline vandalism and consequent killing of security operatives nobody dared get close to Arepo. Even attempting to use the militia group allegedly exacerbated the spate of pipeline vandalism, thereby necessitating its outright termination by the present administration which saddled the military with the responsibility of keeping surveillance of the pipelines in Ikorodu. Residents connection There are however indications that some residents of Arepo and Ikorodu areas, among them, commercial motorcyclists and traders, are members of pipeline vandals. These individuals who are stationed at strategic locations within the area, allegedly pass information to their colleagues in the creeks. Activities of these informants have reportedly been going on for a while without the knowledge of security operatives. Their modus oparandi came to the fore following the abduction of two photo journalists who had gone to cover the explosion at Arepo on July 23, 2015, where scores of C M Y K

Republic of Arepo: Where the hunter becomes the hunted vandals lost their lives while siphoning petroleum product from a broken pipeline. . The photo journalists had reportedly mounted two motorbikes at the Arepo junction, informing the motorcyclists that they were going to the scene of the explosion. Surprisingly, they were dropped right at vandals den, from where three men whom they thought were boat operators, whisked them to the heart of the creeks where about 300 vandals, some of who were clad in Military camouflage, tortured them, in spite of pleas and explanation that they were not government officials as claimed. But for providence, they would have been killed and their bodies buried among several others in shallow graves scattered around the creeks. These informants who are stationed at the entrance of Arepo and Ikorodu in particular , reportedly play important roles for their colleagues in the creeks. For instance, if security operatives arrive the area, whether to effect arrest or carry out surveillance, the informants would reportedly hint their colleagues in the creeks to be battle ready. Crime Guard’s checks however showed that other residents close to the path that leads to the creeks are also aware of the going-ons but are afraid to pass information about vandals’

activities , apparently out of fear of being maimed or even killed, without police protection. It was gathered that a man simply identified as Alhaji Ogunse, an informant to the Police and NNPC was killed by vandals sometime last year after revealing the identities of vandals to NNPC officials and the police. Alhaji Ogunse resided in Konu , close to the river where vandals take to the creeks. He was said to have given the operational names of some key vandals as Agbala, OC, CP, Black berry and Tokiye, to security agents and also granted an interview to one of the national dailies on activities of vandals in the area. Unfortunately, two weeks after granting that interview, vandals stormed his home which he also used to treat people with mental instability and whisked him to the creeks where he was reportedly slaughtered. In one of the raids of the creeks by the Ibadinled squad , where this reporter was privileged to witness, bodies of some policemen, with those of other security agencies buried in shallow graves were recovered in their decomposing states . A separate grave was also dug where uniforms of the murdered operatives were kept. Some of these uniform as gathered were usually worn by these vandals while on operation. Security agents connection However, before the stage was turned against security operatives, Crime Guard gathered that the relationship between them and the vandals was cordial, following alleged compromise on the side of the operatives. It was alleged that sometimes, operatives posted to man pipelines areas, usually informed vandals of when the coast was clear and that at the end of each successful siphoning of petroleum product, they allegedly gave some money or petroleum products to the operatives. Information at crime Guard’s disposal revealed that things began to fall apart between the supposed hunter and the hunted , over ‘sharing formula’ . The first sign of trouble ahead was an allegedly dispute among the different security agencies , particularly the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence

Corps,NSCDC, over claim of authority to monitor some pipeline areas . This resulted in fracas recorded in years 2013 and 2014, during which some NSCDC officials were killed. Thus, when stiffer measures were introduced to the surveillance of pipelines, the hunted (vandals ), turned against the hunters( security operatives) in a bid to continue with their nefarious activities. Officials of the NNPC were also fingered as aiding and abetting vandals. In an encounter with a suspected pipeline line vandal sometime last year, he alleged that some NNPC officials usually informed them of when product are being pumped from the Atlas cove through the Arepo pipelines. The suspect further alleged that such act was usually done at midnight or at the wee hours of the morning. He stated that vandals who were usually stationed in the creeks would divert the product from a broken NNPC pipeline to theirs , using a hose , through which the product was pumped to their collection base located 7 kilometre from the NNPC pipeline location, from where the product would be discharged into trucks and jerricans. After each successful ‘deal’ the suspect alleged that an undisclosed amount was usually given to their contact at the NNPC. But the NNPC had described this claim as false. Further investigation showed that 25 litres of this stolen product is sold between N1200 and N1300, as against N2,175 to ready buyers, who usually throng sales points with their trucks and jerricans. A 33,000 litres truck on the other hand, is reportedly sold between N1.2 million and N1.5 million as against N2million and above . Ijegun, Satelitte Town ,Festac Town, Maza-Maza and Ejigbo axis in Lagos , as gathered are among areas where pipeline vandals are striving . But activities of vandals in Majidun , Isahawo, Agric, Kadoko Konu, Ikorodu, Papalanto and Arepo areas of Lagos and Ogun states assume violent dimension, with several security operatives and innocent persons killed. One of such cases was the killing of a 24-year-old pregnant woman, Damilola Fajana , during a cross fire between oil thieves and members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC at beach land estate , Arepo, on April 28, 2015. At the moment , residents of Ikorodu are living in fear . This is because the axis serves as exit point for vandals. Konu, Ishawo and Majidun areas in particular, are exit routes . While the pipelines are located in Arepo, from where petroleum products are siphoned, they are brought to ready buyers in these areas and beyond through Ikorodu. More worrisome is the plight of these residents , owing to the reckless killings of security operatives who are supposed to protect them against intruders. Many are of

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 — 55

Chelsea, Arsenal rumble at Stamford Bridge C

Nigeria, Africa’s largest team fails in Congo A

FTER about fifteen days of competition, the curtains will, today, come down on the 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville. And as the delegates depart to their respective homes today, the participants have sad and sweet memories, hard lessons that have been learned and perhaps new experiences. What was in it for Nigeria at the Games, which marked its 50th anniversary in Brazzaville, Congo? Harsh realities that the country has taken a retrogressive dive into the doldrums and have been left behind even by smaller countries in terms of sports development. Nigeria is here with the largest contingent, more that 570 Nigerian participants. What a number, even more than the hosts. And what impact did they make especially in comparison with past games? It’s a tale of a country in sports wilderness. That is the Nigerian story here. How do we explain the fact that the most populated and naturally endowed nation in Africa can be struggling to play catch up with Egypt, South Africa and Algeria? Nigerian officials counted the medals they won on one finger even in sports they traditionally excelled in the past. “The Games were commemorative and we are happy to be among the group of Nigerians participating in it,” said National Sports Commission director-general Alhassan Yakmut. “But we have noted the new advancements. There are new sports being demonstrated and introduced and within the first two

esc Fabregas says Chelsea will go for the jugular of Arsenal when both top sides clash today at Stamford Bridge.. The defending Premier League champions currently sit 17th in the table and are yet to win at home domestically. Fourth-placed Arsenal travel to London for the lunchtime kick-off looking to follow up their Community Shield victory over the Blues last month which was the first time Arsene Wenger had beaten Jose Mourinho. But speaking yesterday, Fabregas said: “we didn’t start the season well and when you see Chelsea so far down the table you have to check twice to make sure this is happening,” Fabregas said. “We have a big game again on Saturday so we must not rest and enjoy this week’s win, we just want to get another win and then we will see what happens. “We just have to win. It is a London derby, we know Arsenal are a quality team, they play top football and it will be tough but we want to win and we can achieve that on Saturday.”

days of contests, people had started to win gold. Also other nations have made inroads into areas where we were once a dominant force. The Games are a wakeup call to Nigeria sports technocrats,” added Yakmut who was a former captain of the Nigerian volleyball team. Just like the Olympics, athletics is the central focus of the All Africa Games. It was regrettable, that Nigeria surrendered its supremacy in the sprints events. The men and women 100m events were won by Cote’d Ivoire. In the 400m, Nigeria was totally out of the picture excerpt for Patience Okon George’s silver. However, Oluwatobi Amusa 100m hurdles gold and Promise Nwanaga Kelechi’s gold in javelin, showed they were emerging junior athletes

Ben Efe reporting who gave hope that things were not totally lost. “The approach in athletics must stop. It is our traditional event, and it is amazing to see even Kenya known for long distance running, winning medals in the sprints and field events where Nigeria is now failing “The Games are held every four years and there is ample time to

prepare. Nigeria should not be struggling to win medals; we are a big sporting nation.” The 40 year-old jinx that prevented the country from winning football gold returned to haunt the Nigerian Under-23 team coached by Samson Siasia. The women team, the Super Falcons have also been dragged into the net.

•Okagbare “Watching the men and women teams play in the Games left a sour taste in the mouth. They lacked creativity, cohesion and above all the guts to compete in the highly contest Games,” Yakmut lamented. He added that “It was really disappointing watching our teams play. But our progress in other ball games have made up for it,”.

•Walcott

FIFA PRESIDENCY: Itemuagbor explains interest in Kalu BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

HROUGHOUT the discussion, Mike Itemuagbor neither assured of a victory for the Nigerian candidate nor spoke of the glaring possibility of losing the election. But he is bent on campaigning for a Nigerian candidate for the benefits that he said may accrue to Nigeria. And he thumped his chest that the benefits are huge. Yes, the foremost sports marketer in Nigeria today and one of the few respected and recognised in the continent and beyond will go on to campaign for a Nigerian candidate in the next Fifa election to produce President of the world football governing body. And Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State may benefit from Itemuagbor’s campaigns if he decides to run as has been published in the media. C M Y K

“Fifa Presidency is a global phenomenon and Orji Uzor Kalu gunning for it will put Nigeria on that global pedestal,” Itemuagbor said. For strategic and logistic reasons, he declined to give details of the benefits, only mentioning a few.

“It is important Nigerians play international politics in sports. It puts your country in the proper limelight and could, in a way, promote the game for which a country produces a towering international figure. I may not even go far to give examples. We hosted many events largely because Amos Adamu was in Fifa and facilitated many things. And by hosting those events, we put more facilities in place in Nigeria. And do you know that if Orji Uzor Kalu is a candidate and manages to rally Africa around him, he could be in a position to attract good things that can promote the game in Africa and Nigeria in particular. If he wields enough influence to negotiate and attract football development programmes because of his exposure to the international game and politics who benefits? Contesting may expose him to the

international football politics that may eventually rob off positively for our football. Footballers will benefit and that will help the growth of the game. But if we don’t have people in international bodies, we may not even know what is happening what more helping to develop the game in our country. I’m not saying that membership of Fifa is the only way to develop the game. No, not at all. But it helps and the benefits are what I want for Nigeria.” Nigeria Football Federation has asked anybody interested in the Fifa Presidency to seek endorsement from their State FA, the National Sports Commission. Another interested candidate, Segun Odegbami, a one time captain of the National team, has protested against the NFF position, stating rightly that they were not Fifa requirements. Fifa requires candidates to have

been active in association football for a period of at least two years and to be endorsed by five federations. Odegbami expected charity to begin at home and applied to NFF for which the federation has given conditions that are not in Fifa books. Executive membership of a continental football body is an uphill task what more the world governing football body. Itemuagbor acknowledges this but insists that there’s no harm in trial for the benefits such candidature can attract to a country are of international dimension especially with regard to football development and politics. “Our federation will even be more respected to produce a candidate and make impact with such a candidate but I’m not sure that they are aware,” Itemuagbor lamented.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

PREMIER LEAGUE

12:45 3:00 3:00 3:00 3:00 3:00 5:30 TOMORROW 1:30 4:00 4:00

Chelsea AFC Bournemouth Aston Villa Newcastle United Stoke City Swansea City Manchester City

v v v v v v v

Arsenal Sunderland West Bromwich Albion Watford Leicester City Everton West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool Southampton

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Crystal Palace Norwich City Manchester United

>>34/35

Mikel, Enyeama for Cameroun, Congo matches >7

Nigeria, Africa’s largest FIFA PRESIDENCY: Itemuagbor team fails in Congo >>55 explains interest in Kalu >>55

Chelsea, Arsenal rumble at Stamford Bridge FIXTURES LA LIGA Real Madrid v Granada 3pm Valencia v Real Betis 5:15pm Eibar v Atletico Madrid 7:30pm Sociedad v Espanyol 9pm SERIE A Udinese v Empoli 5pm AC Milan v Palermo 7:45pm BUNDESLIGA Cologne v M'gladbach 2:30pm Hamburg v Frankfurt 2:30pm SV Darmstadt 98 v Bayern Munich 2:30pm Werder Bremen v FC Ingolstadt 04 2:30pm Wolfsburg v Hertha Berlin 2:30pm LIGUE I Reims v PSG 4:30pm Angers v Troyes 7pm Bastia v Nice 7pm Caen v Montpellier 7pm Guingamp v Gazelec Ajaccio 7pm EREDIVISIE C Leeuwarden v FC Twente 7:30pm Heracles Almelo v PSV 6:45pm PEC Zwolle v ADO Den Haag 6:45pm Willem II v FC Utrecht 7:45pm

>>55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Indonesian President, Mr. Joko – (6) 4 Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman – (5) 7 Chinese Currency Unit – (4) 8 L.G.A in Adamawa State – (6) 9 Country in Asia – (5) 10 Kenya Vice President, Mr. William – (4) 11 Former Kano Pillars Coach, Okey – (6) 14 State in Nigeria known as “Home of Solid Minerals”? – (8) 18 L.G.A in Oyo State – (8) 21 Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (6) 24 Greek Goddess – (4) 25 United States President, Barack – (5) 26 Former President, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu – (6) 27 Adamawa State Capital – (4) 28 Legendary King of the Zulus – (5)

29 L.G.A in Delta State – (6) DOWN 1 MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert – (5) 2 L.G.A in Kebbi State – (5) 3 National Registrar, Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu – (8) 4 Kogi State Capital – (6) 5 Country in Europe – (6) 6 Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Joseph – (6) 12 Protein Source – (4) 13 Precipitation – (4) 15 Former Minister of Education, Mr. Ibrahim – (8) 16 Burkina Faso “Stallions”Coach, Gdeernot – (4) 17 Rivers State Governor, Nyesom – (4) 18 South African Premiership Club-Side – (6) 19 Enyimba FC Coach, Kadiri – (6) 20 Flying Eagles (U-20) Striker, Musa – (6) 22 Head-Dress – (5) 23 L.G.A in Kebbi State – (5)

Solution on page 21

Solution on page 49

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) EDITOR: ONOCHIE ANIBEZE. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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