EFCC closes in on Obanikoro's children over N4.8bn

2—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 3

Anayo Nnebe (Awka North and South), Obinna Chidoka (Idemili North and South) Lynda Ikpeazu (Onitsha North and South) Emeka Anohu (Ihiala), Eucharia Azodo (Aguata) Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo), Chukwuka Onyema (Ogbaru), Tony Nwoye (Anambra East and West) and the member for Orumba North and South.

Confusion reign As soon as information filtered into the state after the judgement, people gathered in groups to discuss the matter, with many people wondering why people who neither campaigned nor spent money during elections should just go to the Senate and House of Representatives to occupy seats.

Some of the people argued Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s biometrics being taken by a staff of the National that the various factions of Identity Management Commission (NIMC) when he enrolled for the National Identity Card at the PDP in the state were guilty of the same offence and wonNational Assembly enrollment centre recently. dered why the apex court favoured the Oguebego exco.

Mr. Emanuel Ezeka, a retired civil servant said it would appear that the judiciary is encouraging PDP to factionalize in the state, Sources disclosed that 2014 when one Olalekan which encouraged the parBy Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor both Gbolahan and Babajide Ogunseye was made the company from the office of ty to field multiple candiObanikoro, as directors of the sole signatory to the account. the National Security dates during elections becompany, were also EFCC sources disclosed Adviser were made without cause members of the party signatories to its account until knew that either way the that the payments to the any contract.

WO sons of former party would be declared winMinister of state for ner.

Defence, Senator Musiliu With yesterday’s judgeObanikoro, Messrs ment, the three Uba brothBabajide and Gbolahan ers have made history in NiObanikoro are currently on geria as they have all, at one the radar of the Economic time or the other, become and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. •Sacked Andy Uba, Oduah, Nwoye, Ikpeazu, others write INEC senators in the country. The first of the Uba’s, UgochukSources at the anti- graft •Chris Uba, Annie Okonkwo, John Emeka, others to take over wu, went into the senate in agency disclosed that •Anambra Central senatorial re-run aborted? a similar situation like what N4,745,000,000.00 was

By Clifford Ndujihe, executive of the party. traced to a company, Sylvan to former President Oluseg- happened yesterday, while his younger brother, Andy Henry Umoru, Vincent McNamara Limited, in Ogunbiyi held that the un Obasanjo. was serving a second term Ujumadu & which they have interest.

Ogunbiyi ruled that the Oguebego-led executive before their other brother, Ikechukwu Nnochiri The money was allegedly was the only constitutional- candidates who emerged Chris was declared a senapaid in several tranches into from the primaries conductly recognised leadership of tor for Anambra South, yesthe company’s account the PDP to conduct the par- ed by the Oguebego-led terday.

ONFUSION reigned, number: 0026223714 with group were the true reprety’s primaries.

For Anambra North, Stelyesterday, in most parts Diamond bank from the In December 2014, the sentatives from the state to la Oduah would vacate the of Anambra State following Office of the National occupy the vacant seats.

Federal High Court had Security Adviser account the ruling of the Supreme ruled that the Ejike Ogue“The decision of the apex seat for Prince Chief John Court sacking all members with the CBN. court is done to restore jus- Emeka. bego-led executive was the According to the source, of the National Assembly only constitutionally recog- tice and discourage impuall the transfers were elected on the platform of the nised leadership of the par- nity in the polity. The judgeeffected between June and Peoples Democratic Party, ty in Anambra that could con- ment also lays out the propDecember 2014, a period PDP. er procedures for selection duct the PDP primaries.

The Supreme Court ruled that coincided with the Despite that ruling, the of political parties legislative preparation for and conduct that the list of nominated parallel state executive of the candidates,” she held. of the Ekiti state candidates in the last elec- PDP went ahead to conduct Chief Chris Uba, who is

By Soni Daniel governorship election, tion from the Ejike Ogue- parallel primaries.

Senator Andy Uba’s youngwhich ushered in the bego-led executive of AnamThe National Elect oral er brother and Prince John The Economic and current administration of bra State PDP was the only Commission (INEC) and Emeka are expected to take Crimes Governor Ayodele Fayose. one to be recognized by the the PDP National Working over the seats vacated by Financial For instance N200 million Independent National Elec- Committee (NWC) super- Senator Uba and Oduah re- Commission, EFCC, has arrested Abumere Joseph was transferred into Sylvan toral Commission, INEC. vised the primaries conduct- spectively.

The apex court sacked the ed by Oguebego’s executive Mc Namara’s account on Regarded as the godfather Osagie, deputy director, June 5, 2015, while two remaining senators and on December 6 and 7, 2014 of Anambra PDP, Chris Uba, regional tax office, Federal N2billion was also wired 11 members of the House of . known as Eselu Uga, played Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, in a case of abuse of into the account from the Representatives representAt the end of the exercise, crucial roles in the emer- office and bribery.

CBN/ Imprest Main ing Anambra. gence of Dr Chinwoke the NWC of the PDP and The suspect was picked The senators are Andy INEC declared Chris Uba Mbadinuju and Dr Chris account on June 16, 2015. following a complaint about Uba (Anambra South) and Another transfer of N700 Ngige as governors of Anwinner for Anambra South, million hit the account on Stella Oduah (Anambra Prince John Emeka for An- ambra State on the platform his attempt to extort a University proprietor North).

The Court of Appeal July 7, 2014, while N1billion ambra North and Annie of the PDP. He was a promwas credited to the account had earlier sacked Senator Okonkwo for Anambra Cen- inent figure in Governor N5million.

Osagie and one Jamila on July 30, 2014. Other Uche Ekwunife (Anambra tral.

Ngige’s abduction saga beOjora hadonJanuary27,2016 transfers included: N160 Central) and ordered a reThe apex court’s decision fore the latter was sacked as allegedlyapproachedSenator million on August 8, 2014; run. governor and replaced by prematurely terminated the Delivering judgement, tenure of former Aviation Mr Peter Obi of APGA in Ahmed Datti, the Chancellor N225 million on August 22, of Baze University, Abuja and Justice Binta Ogunbiyi held 2014; N200 million on Minister Oduah in the Sen- 2006.

November 14, 2014 and that the lawmakers were il- ate. It also quashed the legFor the House of Repre- gave him a tax assessment of N200 million on December legally foisted on the PDP islative career of Senator sentatives, those who will N20,029, 496.00 through a by an unrecognised state Andy Uba, presidential aide vacate their seats include: letter of intent, which he paid.

5, 2014.

ARMS DEAL: EFCC closes in on Obanikoro’s children over N4.8billion T

Confusion as S-Court sacks 11 NASS members in Anambra

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I remain senator-elect – Annie Okonkwo Speaking on the issue, yesterday, Senator Annie Okonkwo commended the Supreme Court for restoring all hopes to reaffirm the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and the injured.

Senator Okonkwo, recently wrote INEC kicking against the commission’s removal of his name, which had earlier been uploaded on its website as the candidate of the PDP ahead of the 28th March, 2015 Election into the Anambra Central Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly.

With yesterday’s ruling, Okonkwo said it was obvious that Victor Umeh petitioned the wrong person, Ekwunife, who is not the candidate of the PDP for the election.

•We were duly nominated by PDP – Andy Uba, Oduah, others write INEC Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State who had their nominations cancelled by the Supreme Court, yesterday, wrote the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC insisting that they were duly nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2015 General Election.

In a letter dated 29, January, 2016 by the Senators and members of the House of Representatives and made available to Journalists Yesterday in Abuja, they said that after their nominations by the PDP in a letter to INEC, they later contested the Election and were duly returned as elected.

The affected lawmakers are Senators Stella Oduah; Andy Uba; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Hon. Anayo Nnebe; Hon. Tony Nwoye Okechukwu; Hon. Chris Azubogu; Hon. Chukwuma Onyema; Hon. Obinna Chidoka and Hon. Eucharia Azodo.

FIRS Director nabbed over N25 million tax fraud

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However when he requested for the assessment certificate, they refused to oblige him. Instead they allegedly demanded for N5million gratification. All pleas by him fell on deaf ears.

Consequently,hepetitioned the EFCC, and was advised to play along.

Consequently, marked N5millionwasdeliveredtothe director through Ojora in a sting operation. Ojora was arrestedaftershecollectedthe N5m. He confession led to the arrest of Osagie.

The houses of the suspects were searched by operatives of the EFCC , and documents recovered.Thespokesmanfor the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwuaren, who issued the statement, said investigation into the matter would be intensified.

4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

Political Notes

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

The Civil War in PDP AST Wednesday’s petulant move by some stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to forcefully take over the leadership of the party was another unwelcome development that sincere stakeholders in the party would have prayed never happened. But yes it did, capping days of unpalatable activities affecting the party.

With party spokesman, Olisa Metuh locked away and still unable to meet bail conditions set under his ongoing trial, the party’s

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determination to forge unity in the face of its multifarious challenges was severely breached by Ahmed Gulak’s move. But where Gulak is coming from remains a thing of mystery to many party followers.

Gulak it would be recalled was the President Goodluck Jonathan special adviser on political matters who while in office abused opponents of the administration and praised Jonathan to the high heavens but was alleged to have backtracked after being sacked from office.

His move to forcefully

takeover the office of National Chairman of the PDP upon a court order edging out the Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus was akin to a civilian coup that was immediately rebuffed by the party ’s governors who asked the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo to take over the leadership of the party.

Now, the difficult puzzle for the PDP and its governors is what becomes of Secondus? Does he go back to his substantive position as the deputy national chairman?

If he does so, Total Chair as he is called would find himself becoming second to the national secretary who is number three man, in the exco.

Remarkably, Secondus is not giving in to the nudge of the governors as the resolution of the governors was immediately rebuffed by the National Working Committee, NWC which immediately countered saying that the party leadership would not take instruction from governors.

President Obasanjo on point on spendthrift legislators Whatever you may say of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he is not one that talks carelessly. His utterances out of power have mostly been felt at the seat of power.

Now his assertion of corruption in government is being felt especially hot in

another nexus of power, the legislature.

President Obasanjo was on point in his assertion in a letter to presiding officers of the National Assembly that the move by the legislators to procure almost 500 brand new vehicles was an act of corruption.

Having received car loans as recommended by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, the legislators are ingeniously seeking to purchase state of the art vehicles supposedly for committee work.

With Naira reeling from the weight of imported luxuries, the wasteful act of procuring about 500 vehicles from abroad would be of no help to the Naira.

So scornful are the legis-

lators of the Naira that they would not even contemplate using the locally assembled Innoson brand of vehicles!

Not a wacky Wike All those who did not take Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as a serious person on account of the circumstances that brought him to power are bound to have a rethink following his eventful affirmation by the Supreme Court as the winner of the Rivers State governorship election.

While many of those against him were preparing for the expected rerun, Wike out of stone, won a positive judgment for himself.

How it happened would continue to daze his political antagonists who are bound to give more attention to his political gyrations. Indeed, no one would ever look down on the governor again!

War against corruption: Probe SON, NAFDAC, NERC, NCC, others

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

10 x 5 Ad

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THE Campaign for Democracy, CD, South East zone has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC to immediately commence investigations into the activities of Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. The group also urged EFCC and ICPC to probe the activities of National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, National Communications Commission, NCC and other regulatory agencies over their seemingly corrupt practices.

CD said the call was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra which promised Nigerians that his administration would tackle corruption headlong.

In a press statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra state yesterday and signed by its zonal chairman, Uzor A. uzor, CD said these government agencies had billions of money allocated to them in the annual budget, irrespective of billions of money they generate from Nigerians and other stakeholders.

The statement noted that the Dr. Paul Ohii-led NAFDAC had subjected and tasked importers to pay over N1 million for registration of a single pharmaceutical product compared to many products owned by the traders.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 5

Be ware of sycophants, politicians, Awujale advises Ooni * Says he is first Ooni to visit Ijebuland in 75 years * We must not allow politicians to divide us

By Daud Olatunji

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HE Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has advised the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to be wary of sycophants, politicians and various groups claiming to be championing the cause of the Yoruba.

Oba Adetona, who played host to the new Ooni of Ife in his palace in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday, advised the Ooni to be cautious in his dealings with politicians.

The Awujale assisted by about 28 traditional rulers in Ijebuland, Otunbas and business moguls, who are sons and daughters of Ijebuland, received the Ooni in his palace at 1:15 pm.

According to Awujale, the Ooni Ogunwusi would be the first Ife monarch to

officially visit Ijebuland since 1941 when Yoruba traditional rulers held a meeting in Ijebu-Ode. He praised the Ooni for his relentless pursuit of peace and unity amongYoruba traditional rulers since his ascension of the throne and urged him to remain apolitical and always act as a father to all his people regardless of their political leanings.

He stressed only unity and cooperation among Yoruba traditional rulers would bring the desired development to the people across communities in the area.

“If we are united, we can achieve a lot for our people.

But if we allow politicians to infiltrate and divide us, they will spoil everything.

We should not as traditional rulers sell ourselves out because of pecuniary gains. That had happened in the past and caused disunity in Yorubaland. We

should not be partial, the interest of our people should matter most to us.

Our paramount aim is to speak the minds of our people and provide social amenities”, Awujale said.

While acknowledging the role played by the late Ooni of Ife ,Oba Adesoji Aderemi in the mutual respect that existed between them, Awujale described Oba Enitan Ogunwusi as a man of history and prayed that his reign as a paramount king in Yorubaland will be fruitful.

Oba Adetona also urged the Ooni to continue to forge and foster unity and cooperation among all Yoruba monarchs.

Yoruba monarchs, people must unite – Ooni

In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi who stormed the Ijebu-Ode palace of the Awujale with a retinue of

Ife kings, high chiefs and palace officials, harped on unity and cooperation among traditional rulers and people of Yorubaland.

The Ooni called for a replication of the kind of unity and cooperation that existed among traditional rulers in Yorubaland up till 1941 when the Obas in the area last held a joint meeting.

According to him, it was only through unity and cooperation that the traditional rulers in Yorubaland could achieve the best for their people.

I am here to learn from Awujale Oba Ogunwusi added that he was in Ijebuland to learn from the Awujale who he said God has preserved for 56 years on the throne.

He therefore expressed his readiness to move closer to the Ijebu monarch so as to foster better cooperation and unity among Yoruba traditional rulers.

The Ooni said: “The position God has put me today is not because of my power or might. It has

pleased God to make me the Ooni in my youth.

Therefore, I have resolved to come closer to the Awujale because since 1941 when Yoruba traditional rulers last met, we have not had any other joint meeting. This should not be so.

“It is our culture to respect elders and there is nothing better than that before God. God loves the Yoruba people so much that He gave us everything. But if we are not united, we won’t know our worth. God has blessed all of us in Yorubaland but it is through cooperation we can achieve the best.”

Oba Ogunwusi prayed for lasting peace throughout Yorubaland and stressed the need for all members of Yoruba nation to come together and defend their rights. “Yoruba must acknowledge their values and be in unity in order to develop and promote Yorubaland. I am not here for supremacy battle because all of us belong to one God and the King of Kings to whom we

will all be accountable”.

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi explained further that his visit is mainly to acknowledge Oba Adetona as one of the paramount kings in Yorubaland whose wisdom and experience are t needed to unify all Yoruba sons and daughters, adding “I will be closer to Oba Adetona to solicit his support in the campaign of unity and peace I have started.”

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya who described Oba Adeyeye as a unique monarch and epitome of distinction, said the historic visit will go along way in the history of Yorubaland.

It will be recalled Ooni had stated in his condolence message on Olubadan, a week ago, that he would have loved to be hosted by the late Olubadan as he would be taking his unity visit which he had begun with Alaaafin to his palace in Ibadan.

HRM Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, The Ooni of Ife, Ojaja ll paid a courtesy visit to HRM Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona Pictures by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor and Wunmi Akinola

From left Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland; HRM Oba Sikiru Adetona, The Awujale of Ijebuland and HRM Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, The Ooni of Ife, Ojaja ll and Sir Alex Duduyemi on arrival at the Awujale's palace yesterday.

From left Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Sir Alex Duduyemi and Chief John Odeyemi C M Y K

From left Chief Duro Onabule; Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and Olorogun Sunny Kuku at the Awujale palace

Cross sections of Royal fathers from Ijebuland

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

PDP has since overcome defeat trauma —Metuh *Seeks technical assistance to deepen democracy in Nigeria

By Henry Umoru

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WENTY-four hours after his release from Kuje Prison, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, is talking loud again.

Metuh said yesterday that the party has since overcome the initial trauma that accompanied the electoral setback of the 2015 general elections.

According to Metuh, PDP was now poised to regain power at the center in 2019.

Olisa Metuh spoke yesterday at his Abuja residence at a meeting of the party’s Publicity Directorate with some visiting parliamentarians from the United Kingdom, led by Rt. Hon. Mark Field, member of Parliament and Chairman of International Office of the Conservative Party, and Colin Bloom, Director of OutreachBCP. He spoke shortly twenty-four hours after his release from Kuje Prison. It would be recalled that officials of the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 quizzed Olisa Metuh and his stay in prison started.

Metuh was with the EFCC until he was charged to court on Friday, January 15 and was remanded in Kuje Prison where he was until

Cult leader insists on sex to initiate secondary school female members •NSCCDC arrests 8 teenagers

BY DAYO JOHNSON Akure

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IGHT secondary school students have been arrested by the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for being cult members.

The suspects, five boys and three girls were between ages of 14 and 16 belong to the Eiye fraternity.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the leader of the gang who initiated the female members reportedly had sex with them to welcome them to the group. They were arrested in Akure by officials of the command following a tip off.

Parading the suspects, the State Commander of the Corps, Mr. Ayinla Adeyinka said that a former student of the school came back to the school to initiate the under-aged students.

“The former student of the secondary schools was the one that came to the school to persuade the students to join his group. He had sex with the female ones to initiate them.”

They NSCDC boss said that the suspects met every Friday in the school premises.

Adeyinka pointed out that the command was still investigating and would soon charge them to court Speaking with newsmen, one of the female suspect confessed that three of them were initiated by her boyfriend who is a student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo identified as ‘Sergeant’ The 15-year-old suspect said she joined the group in November last year when Sergeant introduced the group to her and her friends .

S-Court verdict averted further blood bath in Rivers –Ateke From left: Lady Mercy Orji, wife of former Governor of Abia State; Sen. Theodore Orji; Lady Flora Abaribe; Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, during the funeral service of late Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu, mother of Gov. Ikpeazu, at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuobi-Akwa in Obingwa LGA. Photo: Ibeabuchi Abarikwu

Ekweremadu, Okorocha, Fayose, others attend Gov Ikpeazu mum’s funeral

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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EPUTY Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha who represented President Muhammadu Buhari and Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, topped the list of dignitaries that graced the burial of Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu, mother C M Y K

the Court granted him bail on Thursday, January, 28, 2016. Speaking further yesterday, Metuh said the recent variance of voices from its members was as a result of the party’s foundation of liberal democracy, which he described as a mark of strength, adding that the party has adequate internal mechanisms to resolve all issues within its fold.

According to a statement by his Special As-

sistant, Richard Ihediwa, Metuh told the visitors that the PDP faced serious challenges soon after it lost in the elections, culminating in the resignation of its National Chairman, a development that created some challenges within the party, but assured that every issue would be resolved by the party leadership by next week.

In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Mark Field advised the party to ensure that it does not trash its brand in the face of challenges.

to Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as she was laid to rest at his residence in Umuobiakwa community, Obingwa council area of Abia State.

Other dignitaries who attended the event include Cross River governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; his Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi counterparts, Chief Udom Emmanuel and

Chief Dave Umahi; Anambra state deputy governor, Chief Nkem Okeke, Senator Theodore Orji, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzokwe; Dr. Peter Obi, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and wife of the Imo state governor, Nkechi Okorocha who represented the First lady, Aisha Buhari.

By Davies Iheamnachor

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HE ex-agitator in the Niger Delta struggle, High Chief Ateke Tom has said the verdict given by the Supreme Court, Wednesday, which affirmed the victory of Chief Nyesom Wike in the April 11th Governorship election in Rivers State has averted a perceived blood bath in the state. Ateke who spoke to pressmen in the state, yesterday, at his Okrika home town described the judgment as an act of God. Ateke stated that the judgment ought to spur the people of the state to host a thanksgiving ceremony, adding that if the judgment was not discretional that the state would have faced more crises in the rerun of the governorship election. Ateke who is a peace ambassador said the verdict has shut the doors against impending bloodshed in the state.

The leader of Niger Delta Vigilante, NDV, called for reconciliation between Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election and Governor Nyesom Wike in the state for the sake of development of the state.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 7

B-R-I-E-F-S

Kidnappers abduct another Delta monarch, HRM Aghaza I *24 days after Ubulu-Uku monarch, HRM Ofulue III was abducted, killed *Tension in Olomoro Kingdom, kidnappers abandon car at Agbarha-Otor

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South and Ochuko Akuopha

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UNMEN shooting spo radically on Friday abducted the 96-year-old Odio-ologobo (traditional ruler) of Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM Josiah Umukoro Aghaza I, 24 days after Fulani herdsmen kidnapped and murdered the Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local GovFrom left: Olorogun Sunny Kuku; Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Amb George Obiozor and ernment Area of the state. Mrs Grace Obiozor during Leadership Tribune Colloquium in honour of the 79th birthAuthoritative sources told day of Prof Anya O. Anya held in Lagos Thursday. PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU Saturday Vanguard that the royal father was going to Traditional Rulers, the Obi gang, which came shoot- lums and rescued Umeh in his palace at about 10.00 am of Owa Kingdom, HRM ing in a similar fashion, the first vehicle. after departing the resi- Emmanuel Efeizemor on last month.

Items recovered at the dence of his wife when the phone, but one of his The octogenarian was, scene were a locally made armed men suspected to be aides, who picked the call, however, lucky as the the single barrel gun and the kidnappers, numbering told our reporter that they kidnapper, who bundled two vehicles used by the four, ambushed him, would call him back in two him in their car had acci- hoodlums. Before the Idodragged him out of his car hours time. dent twice. They aban- do Umeh episode, a staff and took him hostage. doned him in the vehicle, of the Shell Petroleum De“There is tension in the Olomoro turning snatched another Kia jeep velopment Company, whole town over the inci- into dangerous zone with registration number SPDC, gunmen also kiddent. The men, who came Saturday Vanguard in- LEH 339 SL and escaped. napped Mrs. Charity Ekin a CRV Honda Jeep vestigation showed that While escaping with the ere, took her to a hideout sped away with the mon- Olomoro is becoming an- Kia Jeep, the suspects had at Enwe, a neighboring arch and commercial mo- other den for kidnappers. another accident and community. torcyclists pursued them A former Commissioner in eventually abandoned the Acting on a tip off, secuas far as Ughelli, but be- the defunct Bendel state vehicle and fled into the rity agents stormed the cause they were driving a and foremost educationist, bush. house to rescue her. motor vehicle, they suc- Chief Idodo Umeh, was Acting on a tip-off, a At the time of this report, ceeded in escaping,” a vil- kidnapped inside the Bap- combined team of police on the kidnappers were yet to lager said. tist Church, Olomoro, on patrol and local vigilance contact the family of the a Sunday, by a kidnap group went after the hood- monarch for ransom.

We ve mobilized our men – PPRO Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the abduction of the royal father

By Evelyn Usman They were said to have or- that the additional payment when contacted by Satur- and Esther Onyegbula dered him out of his car , was because we were rude day Vanguard. threatening to shoot him to them. We have been begShe said: “We are aware; dead if he acted otherwise. ging them to release our UNMEN numbering Thereafter, they dragged him bread winner to us. We have police are on top of the sitfive Thursday night, ab- into their operational vehicle gone round but nobody is uation, we have mobilized ducted business mogul, and zoomed off to an un- willing to raise money again, our men in search of the Francis Umeh , in Amuwo known destination, shooting as everyone is complaining suspects.”

Odofin area of Lagos. Kid- sporadically. of financial hardship”. napping has become comIt would be recalled that Saturday Vanguard Kidnappers abandon mon in the area especially Chairman of Comestar Manlearned that Umeh’s wife recar – LG chair FESTAC. ported the incident at the ufacturing Company , Sir As at 2pm yesterday, Sat- Area ‘E’ command when James Uzochukwu Uduji Chair, Isoko South local urday Vanguard gathered was kidnapped by gunmen government area, Mr. that the abductors were yet news of her husband’s ab- at7thAvenueinFestac Town, duction reached her.

Malik Ikpokpo, told our re- to make contact with family Another businessman kid- after which they demanded porter that the police, army members of the abducted napped $1 million for his release, last were contacted and they man. The abduction, as reliUmeh’s abduction oc- September. had mounted search for ably gathered , occurred bare- curred two weeks after His family, as gathered, the kidnappers, adding ly two weeks after another Ojukwu was kidnapped in raised N100 million but his that the incident took place businessman, Cosmos Ojuk- Festac Town. It was gathered abductors insisted on the debetween 8.30 am to 10.00 wu was abducted in Festac that Ojukwu’s abductors de- manded ransom. UnconTown , in same local govern- manded for $2m ransom , out firmed report had it that N220 am . of which members of his fam- million equivalent of one milHe said the local vigi- ment.

SaturThe information at ily , through the contribution lion dollars was eventually lance group in the area day Vanguard disposal had was also working, adding it that Umeh, an auto parts of friends and relatives re- paid before he was released.

Also in Amuwo Odofin, that the information at his dealer at Aspanda , Trade portedly paid $1m after much wife of a senior journalist plea. disposal indicated that the Fair, along Mile TwoBut as at yesterday, it was was abducted in her home kidnappers abandoned Badagry Express-way , was gathered that Ojukwu’s ab- last year . She was said to their getaway car at Agbar- returning home when the unductors were yet to release have been released after an ha Otor, near Ughelli, expected happened. him as they insisted that ad- unspecified amount was when they sensed that seThe gun-wielding men ditional $1 be paid. paid as ransom. curity operatives were hot said to have been clad in Again, family members of Family sources hinted that militarycamouflagereported- “ We had to borrow to pay another businessman also on their heels.

Saturday Vanguard con- ly intercepted Umeh’s one million dollars. Rather kidnapped last year were tacted the acting chair of vehicle in front of Mobile than release him, they de- compelled to pay N110 milthe Delta State Council of filling station opposite his manded of additional one lion for the release of their house. million dollars. They said breadwinner.

Kidnappers abduct businessman in Amuwo Odofin, lay siege to FESTAC

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Delta elder blames monarch’s kidnap, death on lack of protection

By Festus Ahon

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S the people of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State still grapple with the sudden death of their king, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III by suspected Fulani herdsmen, a prominent chief in the area, Chief Fruitful Mekwunye has blamed the kidnap and eventual death of the monarch on the security situation in the state.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard recently, Chief Mekwunye, who is also the ‘Ekwueme’ of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, said that the state government was not doing enough to protect traditional rulers. “First class kings in other regions are not exposed to such risks”, he said, adding: “Before our monarch was abducted and killed, you would never see any security personnel around him; he went around without security. That is why the rate of kidnapping in the state is alarming. It was in this same area that Okonjo-Iweala’s mother was kidnapped. Government should do something about this and unravel the killers of the monarch.”

$2.1billion Arms Scam: EFCC operative arrested, extorting $150,000 from accused military officers

A

N operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Deputy Detective Superintendent, DDS, has been arrested for offences bordering on extortion.

The officer was arrested on Monday January 25, 2016 following intelligence report alleging that he extorted a whopping sum of $150,000 from some Military officers on the pretext that he would help give them a soft landing in the ongoing investigation into the arms deal scandal.

Upon his arrest, a search was executed on his residence in Abuja where the following items were recovered: $20,000 cash, N500, 000 cash, two police uniforms bearing his name with the ranks of Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Police warrant card No: 27/2014 with the rank of DSP allegedly obtained from Kano Constabulary office, documents relating to military arms investigation and account information of several senior military officers.

Reps halt sack of 2,000 varsity staff Schools teachers

By Emman Ovuakporie and Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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HE House of Representatives has directed the Federal Government to halt the mass retrenchment of Teachers and Workers of University Staff Secondary Schools and Primary Schools across the country.

The leadership of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) had on the 24th December 2015, embarked on nationwide industrial action over the planned sack of the teachers and workers.

The directive to government to stop the sacking of the teachers was part of the resolution in a motion ‘under matters of urgent national importance’ sponsored by Babatunde Kolawole (APC-Ondo).

The House mandated its committee on Tertiary Education to meet with the Minister of Education “to throw light on the policy somersault and hasty decision of government to throw out thousands of workers from gainful employment.”

The lawmaker who called for the intervention of the House, argued that sack of productive Nigerian teachers contradicts the proposed recruitment of 500,000 teachers

by President Buhari’s administration.

Edo Police command rescue 3 abducted oil workers in Benin

By Simon Ebegbulem

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RACK team of detectives attached to the Edo State Police Command have rescued three oil workers attached to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The State Police Commissioner, Mr Chris Ezike who disclosed this yesterday to journalists, said the workers had been kidnapped along Old-Benin Lagos Road, around Oluku area of the state on their way to Lagos, last Tuesday.

Mr Ezike stated this when he received the management team of the NPDC who were in his office to show appreciation for the prompt rescue of their staff, a few hours after the abduction.

The police boss assured them of adequate security needed for their operation in Edo State.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

B-R-I-E-F-S

Theft charge against ex NIMASA DG: Court adjourns till Feb 17

By Innocent Anaba

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EARING in the trial of a former DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian MaritimeAdministrationand Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, was, yesterday, stalled at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, due to the absence of Governor Juan, the sixth defendant in the charge.

Juan is said be in prison custody due to his inability to meet the bail condition granted him in a separate charge file against him and others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere. At the Federal High Court, the EFCC arraigned Akpobolokemi and nine others, including two companies, before Justice Saliu Saidu.

They were accused of conspiring to convert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA. The commission said the money “was derived from stealing.”

EFCC said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition/ Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3).

The other accused are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain

L-R: Former Pro Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN; Olubadan Designate, High Chief Saliu Adetunji and Olori Rasidat Adetunji as the former paid a congratulatory visit to Olubadan designate in Ibadan,yesterday.

Warredi Enisuoh, Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services

Limited. All of them were in court, yesterday, except Juan. His lawyer, Ige Ashemudare, said: “The sixth defendant is not in

Biafra: Why Court denied Kanu, others bail

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

J

USTICE John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu on bail pending his tri-

al. In a ruling Friday, the court also denied bail to two other pro-Biafra agitators, BenjaminMadubugwuandDavid Nwawuisi, who are facing trial with Kanu.

Justice Tsoho maintained that the charge against the defendants “is a grave one

I borrowed money for his studies, now he says I’m old, wife tells court

By Onozure Dania

T

HERE was a mild dra ma recently at the Agboyi/Ketu customary court when a woman Ethel Amagala 53, who had earlier approached the court for the dissolution of her marriage with one Emmanuel Amagala, 60, stormed the court in anger over newspaper publication of her divorce case. Mrs Amagala whose children had earlier pleaded the court to discontinue the case, said her husband also became angry when he read their divorce story in the newspaper (not Vanguard).

She said: “The children want the case discontinued as it is causing embarrassment to the family. They said they would find a way to bring peace into the family.”

court. He is confined in prison custody. He has not been able to perfect the bail condition as we speak. He’s still in custody.”

•Harasses court clerk over publication of story She had on the November 12, 2015 approached the court for a divorce with her estranged husband who she said took a new younger wife.

The President, Mr. O. T. William however lampooned Mrs Amagala over her behaviour noting that the court was a public place and could not have stopped journalists from doing their job.

The embattled woman sought divorce on the grounds of abandonment, infidelity, lack of love and threat to life. “My husband constantly tells me I’m old.”

Narrating how she met her husband over 27 years ago, she said: “When he was studying at the Teachers’ In-

stitute in Bayelsa, he did not have money to take care of the family; I was frying and selling chips in Bayelsa and even borrowed money for his studies.”

Whenwehadourfirstchild, it was my elder sister who paid for the hospital bill and took care of me and the baby for three months. The situationremainedsameuntil1991 when he took up an appointment with the NNPC, as a manager. Now, he decided to marry a younger woman and calls me a witch saying “I am old.”

Shefurtherclaimedthather husband constantly beats her, leaving her with injuries.

“He had one day threatened me with a knife in the presence of our tenants who rescued me as he would have stabbed me with the knife.”

Mr Emmanuel Amagala denied the allegation of assault story on his wife but told the court he abandoned the house he built and decided to live alone in a rented apartment because of her incessant nagging attitude which he described as unbearable.

The President however asked the couple to go home and make their marriage work.

that will attract severe punishment upon conviction”.

The court noted that the offence that was allegedly committed by the defendants,whichbordersontreasonable felony, attracts life imprisonment.

It held that the right to personal liberty of any individual takes secondary place once the issue of national security is involved.

Besides, Justice Tsoho observed that the defendants had in an affidavit they deposed in support of their bail application, insisted that they have a right to agitate for self determination.

“The situation as perceived by this court is that there is conflict of interest between the applicants who insist that they have a right to agitate and the respondent (Federal Government) which argues that it has the responsibility to maintain peace and order.

“Personal liberty of an individual within the contemplation of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution is a qualified right that is not absolute.

It can be curtailed in other to prevent a person from committing further offence.”

Achonu awards scholarship to 67 varsity students in Imo

By Chinonso Alozie

S

ENATOR Athan Achonu has awarded schol arships to 67 indigent people across the six local councils of Imo North Senatorial District, Imo State, for their university education.

Achonu,said the awards, which he started four years ago, is to contribute to improving the level of education because enlightened people posses the capacity to bring development in the society. He said that he had been in the project of empowering his people long before he was voted to be the current senator representing Okigwe zone and that he would enjoy the love his people had shown him in the forthcoming re-run election of the Okigwe senatorial zone.

The event took place at the St Charles Catholic Church, Umunumo, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state, recently.

He said: “ In fulfilment of my campaign promises, 67 brilliant but indigent students have been selected through a competitive process from all the wards for the first batch of our scholarship awards for tertiary education. This scholarship covers the tuition of each of the recipients from their second year and would continue up to their graduation if they maintain a minimum academic standard set by the scholarship committee.”

To boost development in the zone, he listed some of the constituency projects he is pursuing as: the provision of 30 units of multi- KVA generators, grain grinding machines, sawing machines, block moulding machines, computers and accessories and 18 seater commuter bus among others.

ICA congratulates new Kogi governor, tasks him on economic devt

By Moses Nosike

I

NSTITUTE of Credit Administration (ICA) has con gratulated the newly sworn in governor of Kogi State , Alhaji Yahaya Bello, even as it tasked him on the state development.

Speaking on the election, CIA’s Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Director of the Nigrian London Business Forum (NILOBF), and Executive Chairman, Credit Business Services Global Limited, Prof. Chris Onalo, advised the governor to launch into local and international investing market to speed up the long awaited development which the state has not experienced.

Onalo encouraged Bello to seize opportunities in the state citing the Ajaokuta Steel Company. He said Kogi was a strong food basket for the nation.

African Church supports Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade Olayinka Latona

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HE Lagos Province of the African Church has thrown its weight behind the anti-corruption drive of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that corruption is endemic and devilish which has made majority of Nigerians to live in extreme poverty.

The Archbishop of Lagos Province of the African Church, Most Rev’d Julius Ogunseye made this known while addressing journalists on the forth coming inauguration of Lagos Province and enthronement of the Archbishop of the province, schedule for Saturday, 30 January, 2016 at the African Church, Salem Cathedral, Ebute-Metta-Lagos.

Ogunseye said the Church is against any form of victimisation and falsehood in the ongoing fight against corruption in the country noting that the Church is on the same page with the President that corruption would kill or destroy Nigeria if it is not holistically tackled as President Buhari is currently doing.

Oil Sector Reforms: Arewa Youth Forum urges Kachikwu not to be distracted

By Funmi Olasupo

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PAN ethnic group, Arewa Youth Integrity Forum, has called on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu to remain resolute in his drive to sanitize the petroleum sector from the rot of the past.

The youth group led by its National President, Alhaji Audu Zakari while speak-

ing with journalists in Abuja said it has great confidence in the ability of Mr Kachikwu to manage the affairs of the ministry Zakari who condemned the recent attempt to link the minister to alleged manipulation in the NNPC urged Kachikwu not to be distracted or deterred by the cabals in the sector who he said are not happy with new reforms introduced by the

minister.

He said, “the recent attempt to blackmail the minister by a faceless group known as South-South All Progressive Congress Youths which tried to fruitlessly link the minister to alleged manipulations in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is a typical demonstration of corruption fighting back”.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

JANUARY 30, 2016—9

SAMUEL LADOKE LADOKE AKINTOLA AKINTOLA SAMUEL

In the eyes of History Hon. Femi Kehinde, former member House of Reps, presents this paper today at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan in commemoration of the 50th memorial lecture of Ladoke Akintola

H

arold McMillan, the British Prime Minister and his wife, visited Nigeria in 1960 on the threshold of Nigeria’s Independence, to bid Nigeria farewell from the Union Jack. After the national Reception and discussions in Lagos, he visited Ibadan, the seat of the Western Region. At the State dinner, which was held in his honour at the Lafia Hotel, Apata Ibadan, the Honourable Premier, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, rose after the dinner, to propose the toast to the Prime Minister and he made a superb and exhilarating speech. That speech featured the anecdote, about an Alaafin of Oyo who was invited to be the guest of honour at a football match in Oyo and after watching the match patiently, he spoke to the Resident-”my friend, why are they fighting over one ball? Why didn’t they ask me to buy more balls for them, so that each may have his own?”

Akintola’s ex-temporal speech was no doubt apocryphal, but he brought the house down into tremendous laughter and applause. In the electrically charged atmosphere, Harold McMillan rose to reply, brushing aside his prepared speech like Hon. Akintola and made a memorable response. His speech that evening took on a worldwide significance: for it was then, that he served notice to all, “that the wind of change was blowing all over Africa”, which to him may simply mean, that wise men and educated elites were now taking over governance and Samuel Ladoke Akintola was one.

BORN INTO WEALTH Samuel Ladoke Akintola was born on the 10th of July, 1910 into a family whose attributes were wealth, valour, courage and bravery, and such person must naturally

measure up to the family standard- “omo tekun ba bi, ekun ni yoo jo.”- (a young tiger will always live like its forebears).

His father was Akintola Akinbola and his mother, Akanke.

Ladoke was an enigma of a man, a Baptist Lay Preacher, a Yoruba Fundamentalist, verbally gifted and naturally gregarious Attorney, former Editor of Daily Service, School Teacher, Railway Worker, Scholar, Linguist, street and world wise, brilliant, witty, scholarly and humorous, lived a full blown life for 56 years. July 10, 1910- Jan. 15, 1966.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Premier of Western Region, 1952-1959, had relinquished his seat as Premier, for a higher calling as Prime Minister, but unfortunately his party; the Action Group could not make it.

Ladoke Akintola as Leader of the opposition in the Federal House of Representatives and Deputy Leader of the Action Group, was asked by his party- the Action Group, to vacate his seat at the House of Representatives and contest election to the State House of Assembly, for him to succeed Awolowo as Premier of Western Region. A loyalist party member vacated his seat and Akintola emerged unopposed as candidate from Ogbomosho South East State Constituency.

HIS EARLY LIFE The Akintola family, famed in Military background and substantial wealth, emigrated with Ladoke to Minna in 1914, where he had his early education at C.M.S. Minna. Shortly after, his father was caught in the Adubi War on his way to Lagos to

Continues on page 10

•Samuel Ladoke Akintola

1

10—SATURDAY Vanguard,

JANUARY 30, 2016

Meeting Obafemi Awolowo

•Mrs Faderera Akintola

Continues from page 9 buy textiles and did not return until 1918. Ladoke was thereafter sent back to Ogbomosho in 1922, to live with his grandfather, Akinbola, where he continued his education at the Baptist Day School from 1922-1925.

In Minna, he had honed his skill and proficiency in English, Yoruba, Nupe and Hausa language. After his Elementary education, he moved to Baptist College Ogbomosho - a teacher training and Seminary school in 1925 and after completion of Secondary Education in 1930, being a brilliant student, he was sent to Baptist Academy, Lagos, as a tutor of General Science, Biology and Bible Knowledge.

Whilst in school, he had started dating Faderera Awomolo, a sister of his friend in Baptist College, who had also trained as a Nurse in Baptist Hospital, Ogbomosho.

Faderera’s father, a very strong willed Policeman, from Igbajo- an Ijesha speaking community, in present day Osun State, also had very strong views. Faderera inherited her father ’s stubbornness and married Samuel Ladoke Akintola in 1935 when she was sent on a domestic errand to Lagos.

In the life of Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Faderera like her father, had strong views and influence. She begat five children- Modele, Yomi, Abimbola, Ladipo and Olatokunbo.

Samuel Ladoke Akintola was a teacher and House Master in Baptist Academy, Lagos for an uninterrupted period of 12 years, between 19301942.

S.O. Gbadamosi, who later became a strong politician and influential business man, was one of his students at the Baptist Academy.

After the drudgery and stagnant life of a school teacher and lack of career prospect, he resigned from the Baptist Academy in 1942, to join the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where he worked briefly, before relocating to the profession of Journalism, by joining the Nigerian Daily Service Newspaper of Ernest Ikoli in 1942, from where he rose steadily to become its Editor. The

•Obafemi Awolowo and wife profession of journalism had then been described by Chief Obafemi Awolowo as that belonging only, to the “flotsam and jetsam” of the society. Ernest Ikoli was distinguished enough then, to own a bicycle.

MEETING OBAFEMI AWOLOWO Ladoke had met Ernest Ikoli, Akinola Maja, Obafemi Awolowo, H.O.Davies, Samuel Akisanya, later Oba Odemo of Isara and some other Nationalists in 1943 at the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) where Awolowo was then Secretary.

It’s a funny coincidence, that at a later time in the Western Regional Crisis, the Ladoke Akintola Government had reduced the salary of Oba Samuel Akisanya then Odemo of Isara, to One Pound per annum, when the Odemo crossed to the other side of the divide.

Funnily, Akintola had once in 1943, supported Ernest Ikoli, an Ijaw man against Samuel Akisanya for election to the Nigerian Legislative Council In 1943, when Sir Dr. Kofo Abayomi vacated the seat, to proceed for further studies in ophthalmology in the United Kingdom.

POLITICS, JOURNALISM AND LIFE IN UK During this period of politicking and journalism, he passed the University of London Matriculation Examination and went to Fleet Street, London School of Journalism in 1946, on a one year British Council Scholarship for opposing as Editor of Daily Service, the general strike of 1946.

Ladoke after completion of his study in Fleet Street, shifted to a degree course in Law and was called to the Bar in 1949. He had a tough life in the United Kingdom. He worked part time, with the British Rails, pushing wheel barrow at the Euston station as a porter, whilst also being in good contact with the West African Student Union (WASU) of Ladipo Solanke, founded in 1925.

Samuel Ladoke Akintola came back home in March 1950 and started his law practice in Lagos and later formed a Partnership in 1952 with Chris Oladipo Ogunbanjo and Micheal Odesanya as- Samuel, Chris & Michael (Solicitors), with Samuel Ladoke Akintola as the dominant figure. Micheal Odesanya, later Justice Rtd, direct sibling of S.O. Gbadamosi,

was also his student in Baptist Academy, Lagos.

Awolowo had also qualified as a Lawyer in 1946 and started his law practice in Ibadan and later went into a partnership with Biodun Akerele, father of Lagos socialiteHillario Babs Akerele, asAwolowo, Akerele & Co. When Samuel Ladoke Akintola came back home in March 1950, one of the few people he visited, was Obafemi Awolowo in OkeAdo, Ibadan, whom he had known as far back as 1940s then as a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement. (NYM) On his way to Ogbomosho after his call to the Bar, he branched at Ibadan, where he visited only two places- the Awomolos- his in-laws and the Awolowos- his friend.

Whilst in London, his son, Yomi had lived with Mr. Oyediran, an Offa man and Principal of MBHS Lagos, where he lived with Olukayode Oyediran- later ViceChancellor, University of Ibadan, who later married Awolowo’s first daughter- Omotola, when Awolowo was in Calabar Prison.

Samuel Ladoke Akintola and obafemi awolowo were of the same age bracket- Awolowo being born on 6th March, 1909 and Samuel Ladoke Akintola, 10th July, 1910.

They exchanged notes and started their Legal and Political friendship in 1952, they started the Action Group (AG) Party together and they were jolly good friends.

In the Action Group, Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Awolowo were prominent. Akintola later became the Legal Adviser of the Party alongside Arthur Prest. They were the brightest legal minds in the Action Group.

Chief Bode Thomas- 1918-1953, became the Deputy Leader of the Action Group. He later formed Nigeria’s first indigenous law firm called-Thomas, Williams, Kayode & Co. i.e. the trio of Chief Bode Thomas, Chief Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.

BODE THOMAS BARKS AT OBA ADEYEMI AND BARKS TO DEATH Bode was a brilliant lawyer, but also very haughty and arrogant.

He was made the Divisional Council Chairman in 1953 while the Alaafin of Oyo was a mere member. On his first appearance in council, after being appointed Chairman, all council members stood up for him in deference to welcome him, except Oba Adeyemi, who for cultural reasons could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the King for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him-”why are you sitting, when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect?”At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years and Oba Adeniran was in his 60s.

The Alaafin felt very insulted and nonplussed. He said, “se emi lo n gbomo baun” (is it me you are barking at like that?). Oba Adeniran Adeyemi just told him — ma gbo lo baun (continue barking).

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, was father of the incumbent AlaafinOba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III The confrontation happened on November 22nd 1953. Bode Thomas got home and started

Continues from page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard,

•Awolowo, Akintola and others

•Tafawa Balewa

JANUARY 30, 2016—11

•Bode Thomas

As Minister Of Health, Communications and Aviation Continues from page 10 barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night, until he died in the early morning of November 23 1953. He cut short his promising career. Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II was thereafter deposed and sent on exile in 1954, for sympathizing with opposition NCNC, because he had come in conflict with Bode Thomas who was Deputy Leader of the Action Group before his untimely death. He cut short his promising career both as a lawyer and deputy leader of the Action Group. In fact, at a session in the Parliament, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, had described Bode Thomas as “arrogant and ungracious” LADOKE AKINTOLA’S RISE After the death of Bode Thomas, there was the need for Oyo-Yoruba to succeed Bode Thomas and after a keenly contested election, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, emerged as the Deputy Leader, by defeating Chief Arthur Prest, an Itshekiri lawyer and colorful politician, and thus his meteoric rise in the politics of Action Group, Western Region and Nigeria in general.

In 1953, and under the new government of Sir John McPherson, the Action Group in accordance with the McPherson Constitution of 1951 nominated four members to the Central Cabinet- S.L. Akintola, Arthur Prest, Bode Thomas and Sir Adesoji Aderemi and thus Chief S.L. Akintola became Minister of Labour and he was able to settle the Iva Valley incidence of the coal miners in Enugu.

Samuel Ladoke Akintola who had earlier been seen as anti-labour whilst in the Daily Service as Editor, was able to settle this crisis, to the applause and satisfaction of the labour movement.

In the cabinet, the Governor General- Sir John McPherson described him as a “master of ambiguities” and Chief Anthony Enahoro buttressed this when he said “Akintola derived virtue in ambiguity” and Chief Obafemi Awolowo after the London Conference of 1953 described S.L. Akintola as “an able lawyer. He is a brazen and affable character who cannot be ruffled easily, if at all. His peculiar gift consists in his capacity

to argue and defend two opposing points of view with equal competence and plausibility. This quality backed by a sense of humor and his capacity for nuances made him a puzzle to opponents” The Sardauna of SokotoAhmadu Bello also described Akintola as “being quick and could be friendly and interested in all around him”.

All these periods, Akintola had since 1930, been a Lagos man. In fact, he built his first house on 20 Ajasa Street in the city of Lagos and was very friendly with Lagos elites like S.O.Gbadamosi- his former student, Ayo Vaughn, Sir Kofo Abayomi, H.O. Davies, Dr. Akinola Maja, Sir Kofo Abayomi, Dr. Akanni Doherty and others.

Whilst Obafemi Awolowo had since 1927, lived and been an Ibadan man, Ladoke Akintola was a Lagos man, even though he did not speak the Lagos variant of Yoruba language- “mo de, mi de”.

Whilst Samuel Ladoke Akintola remained a member of the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos and Opposition Leader in the Parliament, Awolowo was fully entrenched in Ibadan, as Premier of the Western Region.

AS MINISTER OF HEALTH, COMMUNICATIONS AND AVIATION Samuel Ladoke Akintola, later became the Minister of Health. He was, whilst as Minister of Health associated with the completion o f the University Teaching Hospital

•Harold McMillan

Complex, Ibadan (UCH), between 1954-1956 and was able to release the sum of E10 Million Pounds to aid its quick relocation, from the then Adeoyo Hospital, established in 1926, which had housed the Hospital.

In 1957, he was re-appointed back to the Federal Cabinet, alongside Ayo Rosiji despite the disapproval of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He was thereafter made Minister of Communication and Aviation and he was instrumental to the founding of Nigerian Airways to compete with the West African Airline Company (WAAC), British Overseas Airways Company (BOAC), the precursor of British Caledonian Airways and later British Airways, that had hitherto dominated the aviation sector in Nigeria and in 1958, he travelled to Holland to source for the set of airplanes for Nigeria Airways.

As Minister for Health, the great Samuel Ladoke Akintola, was on a tour of Hospital establishments in the Northern Nigeria in 1957. The Great Diplomat, humorist and wordsmith, was being taken round the Nassarawa General Hospital in Kano, when his eagle eyes fell on a young dazzling beauty and damsel- Ms Rosannah Bolanle Adedeji, a Yoruba Nurse in the Hospital. In his characteristic humour, he wondered what a Yoruba damsel was doing in the Sahara Desert. As if by design, they both had near identical facial marks. That encounter, became a love at first sight that eventually produced Ladiran Akinniyi Akintola in 1959. Ladiran is now a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Oyo State. He gave the child a name-Ladiran and his cousin, Ladokun was present at the naming ceremony. His bossom friend, Hon. Dejo Adigun and Ladoke’s younger brotherAkinbowale Akintola became regular emissaries. It is a striking coincidence, that Ladiran later married Simisola Oluwatoyin Ige, daughter of Dele Ige and younger brother of Bola Ige- Ladoke’s implacable foe at the 1962 Jos Conference.

BEGINS HIS REIGN AS PREMIER As a result of the failure of the

Action Group to form Government at the centre in 1959, Alhaji Tafawa Abubakar Balewa formed the government of Nigeria in 1959 and Chief S.L. Akintola having now become a Member of the House of Assembly, as a result of the withdrawal of a House of Assembly member, representing Ogbomosho East, who had withdrawn for him, was officially called by the Governor of the Western Region, Olola, Sir John Rankine, to form government by 15 December, 1959 and thus the relocation of Samuel Ladoke Akintola, after staying in Lagos for 29 years, to Ibadan.

Akintola had no private home in Ibadan and had not lived in Ibadan before except as a visitor. Chief Obafemi Awolowo all through his period as Premier of Western Region, did not live in Government house, but lived in his house at OkeBola Ibadan. There was then the need to look for accommodation that would serve as Premier’s Lodge, for Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

By March, 1960, a disused and dingy house, formerly used by one of the Colonial masters, was discovered and refurbished in the Iyaganku Government Residential Area, which then became the Premier’s Lodge.

He lived in this house as Premier between March 1960 and January 1966, when the volley of bullets hurled at him by the Military Turks, led by Captain Nwobosa of Military Barracks, Abeokuta, cut short his life.

It is an irony of history, that the Premier’s Lodge where Akintola’s life was cut short, later became the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, until recently, when it relocated to the new Court of Appeal Complex, Adeoyo, Ibadan.

At his first appearance in the House of Assembly, the Leader of the House- Hon. J.O. Odebiyi described him as “a man of varied career who has been a teacher, journalist and a lawyer, before his exalted position as Head of Government and that the new Premier is known for sincerity, loyalty to a cause and assiduity and furthermore, that he was an interesting debater, whose humor and diction in English and Yoruba command great respect”. The

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard,

JANUARY 30, 2016

charismatic and a brilliant advocate.

He died at the age of 25 in a car crash coming from Ibadan to see his father in Broad Street Prison, Lagos.

Omodele Odunjo Nee Akintola, first child of Samuel Ladoke Akintola also died on the 26th of October, 1965 after an alleged overdose of sleeping pills.

•Samuel Akintola with David Ben-Gurion during a visit to Israel in 1961

Akintola Taku Continues from page 11 Opposition Leader- Hon. Dennis Osadebe in seconding Hon. Odebiyi’s introductory speech, also added that “when the history of the present generation comes to be written, the new Premier will be remembered for the part he played in Nigeria’s Independence” S.L. Akintola while responding, in his characteristic humour and dignified candour, likened himself to “a bride who should be seen and not heard”.

FEDERA AKINTOLA AND HID AWOLOWO Faderera and HID Awolowo were women with strong views and influence on their husbands. There was a mutual antagonism and recrimination, between them. They were of varied background and idiosyncrasies.

Initially, they tried to tolerate this relationship and were sufficiently close.

Shortly after becoming Premier, Samuel Ladoke Akintola sent his daughter, Abimbola to the United Kingdom to study medicine. As evidence of initial amity, the young lady was seen off at the Ikeja Airport by both Faderera and HID, who generously gave the girl E50 Pounds Sterling and also arranged that she should be met jointly by Yomi- Akintola’s son and Segun- Awolowo’s son at Liverpool. However, as a result of the political travails that started in 1960 and traverses 1966, the centre could no longer hold between the Awolowo and Akintola families. Hitherto, the Awolowo and Akintola Children had been exchanging holiday visits.

The period between 1960-1966, were periods of the greatest political dispersals, intrigues, power play, subterfuge, innuendos and deep hatred in the Western Region.

To Obafemi Awolowo, it was a period of “fierce and howling storm and a four year journey through the dark and dreary tunnel”.

This family feud and acrimony between Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo and Chief Mrs. Faderera Akintola also aggravated the crisis. Faderera had insisted and refrained her husband from attending meetings at the Leader (Awolowo’s) house at Oke-Bola, and that henceforth, political/party meetings, should hold at the Premier’s Lodge. This, Chief Awolowo

found very amusing, insulting and embarrassing.

ORIGIN OF FEUD AND THE COCACOLA WARFARE Chief Mrs. Awolowo, as wife of Premier was a major distributor of certain commodities, but when Chief Awolowo went to Lagos as Opposition Leader, Faderera insisted on taking distributorship of these products, because of the belief that it was her right as the wife of new Premier, but Mrs. Awolowo would not let go of her distributorship. This Coca-Cola warfare and acrimony spilled to the party, where Awolowo saw Akintola as rebel and betrayer, whilst the Akintola Group saw Awolowo as being too dictatorial.

Alfred Rewane, Awolowo’s confidant and chairman WNDC, had earlier brought Pepsi Factory to Western Region.

Unfortunately, these intrigues and brutal manipulations, that had seen the exit of Oba Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi as Governor of Western Region, did not spare the children of the major actors of the politics of the Western Region.

TIES THROUGH MARRIAGE Whilst this intense political warfare was going on in the Western Region, the culture of political marriage, within the political class, was unaware of

•Remilekun Fani-Kayode

political crisis. Omodele Akintola had earlier whilst studying Law in the United Kingdom, married Alawiye J.F. Odunjo’s son- Soji Odunjo.

A young charming Prince Aderoju Aderemi, married the daughter of Hon. Dauda Soroye Adegbenro in 1961, whilst studying in the United Kingdom.

The marriage produced Adedamola and Adeyemi.

Adedamola Aderemi was the popular choice of the Oshinkola Ruling House, to succeed the throne of Ooni when Ooni Okunade Sijuwade joined his ancestors in July, 2015.

As an interesting corollary, in 1985, the young Prince Adedamola Aderemi, grandson of Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, married Kemi Oyedirandaughter of Awolowo’s first daughter- Omotola Oyediran.

Oba Adesoji Aderemi lost his first child, Magistrate Adedapo Aderemi on 16th October, 1963.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo also lost his first child, Segun Awolowo in a car crash, along Ode-Remo on the 10th July, 1963. Segun Awolowo had gone to Cambridge and was called to the Inner Temple Bar, like his father. His life was full of promise; he walked right into the Western Region crisis. He was very intelligent, sociable,

THE 1962 JOS CONFERENCE As a result of the intrigues, the cracks within the Action Group were widened into a chism, as a result of the rift between Akintola and Awolowo. The Jos Conference of February 1962, which was the 8th Annual Congress of the Action Group which held at the African Sports Club Jos, according to Chief Awolowo “acknowledged the existence of real and dangerous contradictions within the party”. At the conference, the young turks- S.G. Ikoku, Prof. H.E. Ajose, Dr. Onabamiro, Prof. Victor Oyenga, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Bola Ige etc, were very prominent.

At this Conference, due to the subterfuge, Chief S.G. Ikoku was made the Federal Secretary of the party as against Chief Ayo Rosiji, while Chief Bola Ige became the Publicity Secretary. Earlier in 1956, Chief S.G. Ikoku, had contested election to the Eastern Region House of Assembly, against his biological father, Dr. Alvan Ikoku of NCNC, whom he defeated by 59 votes. Alvan, was later an accused, during the treasonable felony trial of Chief Awolowo.

AKINTOLA TAKU Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and his supporters left Jos for Ibadan on the 1st February, 1962 to receive the Premier of the Northern Region-Sir Ahmadu Bello who was being honoured at the University of Ibadan, by the naming of a Male Hostel after him -Ahmadu Bello Hall. He hurried back to Jos on 3rd February, where he met a completely different Action Group. He was asked to resign as Deputy Leader of the Party and also as Premier of the Western Region. It was intrigues galore. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Ayo Rosiji and several others, left the Conference by Train to Ibadan on the 5th of February, 1962 without waiting for the communiqué.

In the heat of this political fractitudal warfare, Canon Alayande, a strong member of the Action Group, had on the 19th February 1962, written a letter to Chief Awolowo and advised him to be prepared to “make extreme self sacrifice and self abnegation…You will need to be less inflexible and more condescending” Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, a man known to be volatile with his tongue and dangerous with his pen, could not change the tide of events at the Jos Conference.

On the 27th of May 1962, 66 Members of the House of Assembly, out of 112 Members had passed a vote of no confidence on the Premier which was to be concretized by a meeting of the House to debate the vote of no confidence. The session at the House was disrupted. The Speaker of the House- Hon. Adeleke Adedoyin, after summoning the House to an emergency session, had barely, after the introduction of the motion, by Chief Odebiyi, Hon. S.A. Tinubu from Iresi, in present day

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY

Continues from page 12 Osun State, grabbed a hand bell, ringing to cause commotion. Hon Emmanuel Ebubedike, an Igbo man from Ozubulu, in present day Anambra State, representing Ajeromi- Badagry-Ifelodun Constituency, who had been displeased with the unaccomplished ambition of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to become the first Premier of the Western Region, seized the opportunity to grind an axe, grabbed the mace and broke it into pieces, whilst Chief Adeyi took a chair and hit Hon. Kensington Momoh on the head, which also narrowly missed the Speaker- Hon. Adeleke’s head.

As this was going on, Hon E.O. Oke from Ogbomosho South West Constituency, started shouting, fire on the mountain! Fire on the mountain! There was mayhem and pandemonium- Two Premiers had emerged. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Alhaji Dauda Soroye Adegbenro.

Akintola had earlier been removed by the Governor of Western Region, Governor Adesoji Aderemi on the ground that he could no longer command the support of Majority Members of the House of Assembly, following the interpretations of Section 33(10) of the Western Region of Nigeria Constitution, Which states that “the Governor can remove the Premier, when it appears to him that the Premier no longer commands the respect of Majority Members of the House of Assembly”.

Akintola physically fought his removal. On the orders of the Governor, the office of the Premier was locked amidst tight Police security. Chief Lekan Salami, personally in the full glare of the public and the press, broke down the door of the office of the Premier, to allow him access to the office. This incidence was popularly referred to as “Akintola taku- meaning“Akintola refuses to go” which was also named after a stubborn lemon grass- Chromolaena Odorata (botanical name).

EMERGENCY RULE IN WESTERN REGION On 29th May 1962, following this mayhem, the Federal Government dissolved the House of Assembly , imposed an emergency rule on the Western Region, under the Emergency Power Act, 1962 and appointed Tafawa Balewa’s personal physician, friend and Minister of Health- Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, as Administrator of Western Region till 31st December, 1962.

The Administrator placed restriction orders on prominent Politicians in the Western Region.

Chief Awolowo was restricted to Lekki Peninsula- a mosquito infested and inhospitable Island in Epe, whilst Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was restricted to Oloke Meji Forestry Guest House, Chief Rosiji and Chief F.R.A. Williams to Abeokuta and so many others.

In 1962, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola took the matter of his removal to the High Court under Justice Quarshee Idun, a Ghanaian, then as the Chief Judge of Western Region who, rather than listen to the matter, sent it to the Federal Supreme court for the interpretation of Section 33(10). The Federal Supreme Court interpreted the Section in favour of Akintola and declared his removal as null and

Vanguard, JANUARY 30 , 2016—13

Emergency Rule in Western Region

*Mayhem in Western Region void. Alhaji Dauda Soroye Adegbenro filed an Appeal to the Privy Council in London and it was upheld, that Sir Adesoji Aderemi had the right in his capacity as Governor to remove Akintola as Premier, but Akintola in his dexterous political maneuvering, conveyed an emergency meeting of the House of Assembly and passed a Law which amended Section 114 of the Western Region Constitution, by abolishing Appeals from the Western Region going beyond the Supreme Court. Adegbenro’s victory dance was therefore aborted.

In January 1963, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola came back as Premier of Western Region with his New Party UPP, with a new merger agreement with NCNC which later metamorphosed into NNDP. A new office of Deputy Premier was created for the NCNC, in accordance with the merger understanding and Chief Remi Fani Kayode, an equally witty and brilliant lawyer, emerged as Deputy Premier. The remnants of the Action Group and the NCNC, equally entered into a merger agreement to form UPGA. THE WILD WILD WEST Politics in the Western Region was becoming wild and dangerous. It was then a Wild Wild West. Hubert Ogunde’s Record- “Yoruba Ronu”, was banned- “ye ye ye Yoruba ronu o”.

Awolowo had been jailed in 1963, for Treason and sent to Calabar Prison, but by 1964, Awolowo had become more dangerous in prison than outside. In contrast to Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Egbe Omo Olofin was founded, 10th March, 1964, by the supporters of Akintola and Justice Adetokunbo Ademola and in August 1964, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was appointed the 13th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land by Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II, the Alaafin of Oyo.

Akintola had also removed his son in-law’s father- Chief J.F. Odunjo as Chairman, Western Region Development Corporation and replaced with Lekan Salami as Executive Director, as a result of domestic squabbles. Modele Akintola who was married to Soji Odunjo, though a failed marriage, produced Gbolahan Odunjo.

The last three years of Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola became very tough, stormy and tempestuous. Akintola, a naturally soft person, by 1965 was already getting disillusioned by the happenings in Western Region, but was only being encouraged to hang on, by hangers on, who were profiting from the crisis.

As a matter of fact, the last 3 years was not the real Ladoke, a Baptist Lay Reader, Yoruba Fundamentalist and Pacifist. Those who were profiting from the crisis were sustaining it. The political gladiators benefiting from the crisis were propelling Akintola to carry on.

Chief Akintola after the death of Modele on 26th October 1965, had begun to ask questions, whether the whole fight for the Premiership of Western Region was really worth it at all?

Chief Ladoke Akintola in his natural element, would have been happy to remain in Lagos as a Federalist and enjoy the comfort of being a Federal Minister. Omodele, his beloved daughter, had been his closest confidant during the crisis.

She single-handedly took a petition to the Queen of England, during the Privy Council Appeal.

Rosiji also had in July 1964 lost a federal election and his car had been stoned at Marina, Lagos. His confidant in his constituency in Owode Egba -Shittu Bandele, had also been killed by thugs, who drove a six inch nail through his forehead. When there is a quarrel, even ordinary songs would have added meanings and political songs, drums and their coinages and interpretations were now being stronger than even bazooka guns.

When Akintola finally came back

as Premier in January 1963, he humorously referred to Dauda Soroye Adegbenro as “Soroye”(you have only seen it but cannot touch it).

At party rallies, the Sabada Drum was very popular whilst some drummers would sing- “de mon mo wa, o demi o, osi de omo mi, de mo mo wa” The UPGA group will quickly add- “de mo mo wa,bo rowo mi, o rinu mi, demo mo wa” Akintola for lack of support from some Ekiti elements derided Ekitis as being too bookish and asking why their names were also prominent with those of birds“Aluko, a Ti Ala, Ati Oro”- the main target of course being Dr. Sam Aluko- an implacable foe. He wondered why the Igbos were fund of names associated with booksMbadiwe, Azikwe, Okigwe etc. but quickly quipped, that if they became books, the Ekitis would read them. In Aluko’s town, OdeEkiti, on a campaign trail, Samuel Ladoke Akintola was shown the family house of Sam Aluko; and he quickly asked to be shown Aluko’s own house. He had none. He was popularly referred to as a man of integrity in the Action Group intellectual caucus. Akintola humorously remarked- “a man of integrity, to to ogiri tii” the rally went into thunderous laughter and applause. That was SLA! He had also in London while addressing the Western Region Accounting Students Association United Kingdom Branch, asked why accounting students were still studying accounting, when there was no money to count again at home, jokingly in his characteristic humour and candour.

To draw the support of his admirers and supporters, Samuel Ladoke Akintola would sing “Awolowo la ja kan, Akintola la ja Awolowo” regaling them with the story of a dog named Tantolorun.

After winning the 1965 election, he was called by the Governor, Sir Odeleye Fadahunsi to form the

Continues on page 14

14—SATURDAY Vanguard,

JANUARY 30 , 2016

Continues from page 13 new government in October 1965. His tape recorded acceptance speech and message to the people of Western Region to be rebroadcast by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) had been removed and replaced with another recorded message, by a mystery gun man who stepped into the studio and made his own broadcast, denouncing Akintola and this popular gun man, was later alleged to be a popular playwright- Wole Soyinka. He was arrested and charged before the then newly appointed Judge of the High Court of Western RegionJustice Kayode Esho, as he then was and later retired justice of the Supreme Court.

SLA’s former partner in chambers- Michael Odesanya, later Justice (Rtd), was Wole Soyinka’s defending attorney, ably supported by Barrister Dele Ige- Ladiran’s father-in law.

There was widespread arson and killing of people known to be supporters of either of the gladiators. Samuel Ladoke Akintola having lost his most cherished daughter in October 1965, was beginning to have second thought, about his ability to continue with the crisis and asked rhetorically “whether the whole warfare was worth it at all?”

Being a soft man, he had even contemplated resigning his position and leaving the affairs of the West to Chief Remi Fani Kayode, his Deputy who was generally believed to be strong, toughened and hardened.

Faderera had also suggested this to him, insisting, Ladoke was weak.

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was in this state of disillusionment, when on the 13th January, 1966 he went alongside Chief R.O.A Akinjide, then NNDP Secretary General and Minister for Education, to meet with the Premier of the Northern Region- Ahmadu Bello and also the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa with Lt. Col. Largemma of the Ibadan Garrison, also at the meeting.

He, like a clairvoyant, warned the Premier and the Prime Minister of an impending doom.

In my quiet moment and deep reflections, I still wonder what the Western Region would have been without the Awolowo and Akintola’s unfortunate crisis and skirmishes- of course, An Eldorado! And an Eldorado it really was, between 1952-1959, when the slogan of Action Group was –”Life more abundant” with his record of so many Firsts- First Television station, Rediffusion, First Modern Secretariat, First Housing Estate- Bodija Housing Estate established in 1958, First Stadium- Liberty Stadium, First Dual Carriage Road- Queen ElizabethSecretariat Road, First Teaching Hospital (UCH) etc.

In sync with the crisis, the slogan changed to

L-R: Late Chief Bode Thomas, Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Late Samuel Ladoke Akintola

End of an era!

“Democratic Socialism” in 1962 and NCNC also changed its own to “Pragmatic Socialism”.

JANUARY 15, 1966 On the 14th January, 1966 he told his wife Faderera, to proceed to Ogbomosho to prepare their Ogbomosho residence, for a private visit of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, who was on an official visit to Nigeria.

The British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, at the Common Wealth Prime Ministers Conference in Lagos in January 1966, warned the host of the Conference, of an Impending military insurrection and offered the Prime Minister- Tafawa Balewa, asylum in one of the British frigates on the Atlantic water. The Prime Minister rebuffed this intelligence report and Akintola’s report, fears and apprehensions, as mere hear say and unfounded.

In the early hours of 15th January 1966, the military struck and after picking Deputy PremierFani Kayode in the same Iyaganku neighborhood, moved to the Premier’s Lodge, where Akintola was felled to the ground.

The Federal Brigade of Guard Commander in Lagos- Major Okafor had ordered the abduction and eventual murder of Tafawa Balewa, Minister of FinanceOkoti-eboh, whilst Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu also invaded the Premier’s Lodge in Kaduna and killed Sir Ahmadu Bello, one of his wives and some military officers, like Brigadier Ademulegun, Col. Ralph Sodeinde, Lt. Col. LargemmaCommander of Ibadan Battalion and several other officers and thus the end of Civil Government in Nigeria and the beginning of Military interregnum, that did not end effectively until 1999, when another Military man and former Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, became President of the Civilian Government. Perhaps, it is worth mentioning, that the

Premier of Eastern region- Dr. Micheal Okpara, the Premier of MidWestern region, Sir Dennis Osadebey and the Ceremonial President-Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, were not touched by the massacre. As a matter of fact, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe had earlier before the massacre, gone on a medical holiday, before the Army struck on the 15th of January, 1966.

It was the end of an era!

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was later buried in his compound in Ogbomosho on 23rd January, 1966 with the entire community wearing a sad, sober and mournful look and a literal end, to the life of an Aare Ona Kakanfo who had fought a war with his tongue, his pen and strength!

Chief S. Adeojo and Lekan Salami accompanied the corpse home. The crisis that started in 1962 came to an ignoble end in violence.

But Akintola had said that whatever circumstance, he was “content to steer the affairs of the Western Region resolutely in the opposite direction”.

He said further “I have no apologies to offer in this regard, I am content to be judged by the outcome of events and history”, in his broadcast speech to the people of Western Region on 11th March, 1964.

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was a Federalist in a pluralist society and had always requested the National Government to reflect all shades of opinion even whilst as the Editor of the Daily Service.

He believed in a Federalist society, where the Hausa, Fulani of the North West would relate freely with the Yorubas of the South West and the Igbo of the South Eastern Nigeria. If he had his way in 1959 and if Awolowo had not relinquished his position of Premier, with ambition of becoming Prime Minister in 1960, he probably would have remained a Federalist and National Politician and perhaps a Lagosian, that he had been between 1930-1959.

He was also contented with being a Baptist Deacon, Lay Reader, Yoruba fundamentalist and would have preferred a life of a Federal Politician, rather than being a

Regional Demigod.

One beautiful lesson of the lives of politicians of the 1st Republic was that they were well trained and tutored in Parliamentary nuances, proceedings, procedures and norms. The Hazards of the Federal Parliament and Western Region Parliament speak eloquent testimonies, of the

lives of these Nigerians, early nationalists, Leaders and pathfinders.

Interestingly and unfortunately, intrigues are now playing out dangerously in all spheres of our National life and psyche- Politics, Religion, Economics etc as to determine the future of Nigeria, as we steadily march towards the Nigeria of our dreams. It is now a wake-up call that this House must not fall, otherwise, we will all echo the words of that playwright, Professor Ola Rotimi in his book- “Our husband has gone mad again”.

One may find it easy to deride the messenger, but the message still sinks, even as Nigeria, navigates in a dark alley!

SAMUEL LADOKE AJALA AGBE AKINTOLA! May your soul continue to rest in Perfect Peace!

•Hon (Barr) Femi Kehinde Former Member, House of Representatives National Assembly Abuja, 1999-2003 Representing Ayedire/ Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State. & Principal Partner Femi Kehinde & Co. (Solicitors) 84, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—15

THAT GENEVA OUTING!

Jonathan: A study in dignity

By Julius Oweh

T

he predictions of doomsday prophets about the implosion and balkanization of Nigeria came to nothingness because of the patriotic streak of one man: Dr Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan. In the thicket of elections and with tension soaked atmosphere ready to explode, Jonathan congratulated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari and a heavy burden was lifted from the country. Jonathan within the week in far away Switzerland, facing a global media audience maintained that he would not speak on the 2.1billion dollars arms deal linked to his former national security adviser, Col, Sambo Dasuki.

This is the reason offered by the former president for his sealed lips posture: ‘I would not like to comment now because the matter is in court.

I cannot comment. Definitely, I will speak. My comments now may affect witnesses and the judicial process‘. The reality of the situation is that apart from affecting the judicial process, his comments may open a can of worms and those wearing the cloak of holier-than-thou may also find

•Goodluck Jonathan themselves in the sewage of corruption. My stand about corruption is that it does not really make sense that a conversion from PDP hue to APC stripe will wash away all the sins. The reality of the Nigerian situation is that from the councilor to the president, all our politicians are tainted with the tar of corruption and that the war against corruption should not be used as tool of political vendetta.

The president at the Geneva Press Club was at

pains to explain his idea of corruption and that most of the figures been bandied about cannot stand critical evaluation. Here is the philosophical high point of the president about corruption: ‘I have an idea about some of the corruption cases, you are talking about.

The amount being mentioned in some cases are so huge, sometimes people think that I was Nigeria‘s President since independence. Sometimes people just bandy figures. I

remember somebody said we lost 49 billion dollars in 18months.‘ No one is pursuing the line that money did not get missing or misappropriated during the Jonathan era, however, caution should be the watchword and that people should be mindful of wild allegations that cannot be substantiated. The Buhari administration should wage the war against corruption so that at the end of the day, the nation benefits and that some people should not be made scapegoat to score cheap political point.

Jonathan may not be the best president of Nigeria but one thing remains, he is a true democrat and may enter the history book as the first presidential candidate that was defeated and did not contest the defeat in court. In that Switzerland press conference, he opened up on why he trod that noble and dignified path. Said he: ‘I did not contest my defeat because I did not get into politics because of what I will gain.

An African president on hearing the margin of defeat said Jonathan must be tired. I could not destroy what I helped to build‘. In a continent polluted by old men who see the presidential office as palace and their type of democracy as monarchy and that they must die in office, Dr Goodluck Jonathan is like a political comet and should be respected in that regards.

Jonathan is not a saint because all the saints are in

heaven, but given our human frailties and the vaulting ambition of man to perpetually domesticate power, the man from the rustic Otuoke village tucked away in the creeks of Niger Delta region is indeed an urbane intellectual that did not disappoint his academic breeding.

The dirty water of politics and political scheming may make some Nigerians not to appreciate the worth of his leadership qualities. Many former political disciples are abandoning him and heaping all sorts of names on him.

This disposition is a tragic reminder of the immortal lines of John F Kennedy: Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan. Jonathan had played his part in the political evolution and development of the nation; it is now left for history and posterity to judge him. His graceful disposition in defeat is a study in statesmanship. Equally, the establishment of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation is a statement of the indispensable role of democracy in developing Nigeria and indeed the whole of the African continent. Children yet unborn shall drink from the spring of that plural democracy which the Foundation represents. There are many legacies of the Jonathan administration that cannot be wished away by propaganda or infantile political coloration. He impressed me in Geneva and must have won some admirers to his side.

President Jonathan takes evasiveness to Geneva

By Dr Ugoji Egbujo

H

e congratulated Buhari yet he has never publicly accepted he lost the elections because he continues to suggest even in faraway lands that he refrained from contesting the results because he wanted to save lives. He seeks credit for conducting a free and fair election, yet he wants credit for not rejecting the results of his free and fair elections.

The nation has waited for long for Jonathan to speak. Mouths thrown agape by the allegations of widespread corruption perpetrated by his regime should have been enough to pique any conscience and precipitate a response. But Jonathan inexplicably elected for undignified silence. When he was scheduled to give a lecture in Geneva many felt that the days of his silence on the allegations that are capable of squashing his reputation and the making the country fit for mockery were numbered. The theme of the lecture – education and security, the seeming imprudence of continuing silence in the face of the ridicule and anguish his aides have borne recently and the penchant of our leaders to empty their hearts to foreign press combined to promise so much on the armsgate scandal .

But Jonathan took refuge in

C M Y K

•Dasuki subjudice.

He won’t state his innocence and won’t comment on whether he would take responsibility for any proven misdeeds committed during his tenure. That’s preposterous. If Jonathan thinks his aides are innocent this is the time to speak and not after they have been convicted.

President Jonathan in his usual tepid style talked about the association between illiteracy and violence. He linked the boko haram insurgency to poor educational penetration in the affected northeast states in such a simplistic manner that one may think that the sort of Islamic fundamentalism that fuels ISIS

•Jonathan afflicts only uneducated minds.

When he was president he explained away boko haram as the work of political enemies. He told the world that he fought the insurgency by military force and through education in the medium term. He is a humble and simple man but he always manages to evade thorny issues and to complicate simple responses. He once told the world that we had since begun to enjoy steady power supply. So no one was surprised when we learnt through him that our life expectancy improved dramatically during his tenure despite the fact that we are yet to have proper census figure let alone life expectancy figures.

You would think he would dwell

on how Boko haram managed to seize and occupy 23 local governments across three states under his watch so that others would learn . He didn’t remember that it was under his watch that wives of soldiers barricaded the barracks to stall further deployments of their husbands to what they considered certain death.

He claims he modernized intelligence gathering in Nigeria.

He says the intelligence infrastructure he inherited was medieval – functioned to protect the president alone. We know the NSA heads the intelligence arm.

We now know what that office was preoccupied with. And we are no longer surprised that weeks after the Chibok girls were abducted our president and his revitalized intelligence refused to accept the reality of that abduction and complicated their rescue. Jonathan

•Chibok girls

reworked the intelligence unit but they couldn’t guarantee his safety to visit Chibok.

He gave the highest budgetary sectoral allocation to education but he didn’t explain why under his nose, while Nigeria grossed her highest earnings from oil, small Ghana became the choice destination for Nigerians seeking tertiary education. Corruption drains budgetary votes. Yes, Jonathan built nine new federal universities in the north and left the federal universities he inherited to rot. He must be commended though for awarding contracts for the building of 400 Almajiri schools and getting 160 off the ground.

Sit tight syndrome has ruined Africa so we need many more Jonathans, but if immunity is extended to ex presidents then corruption will sit tight.

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

Nigeria’s sex-trafficking ‘Air Lords’ Last year, the BBC’s Sam Piranty was given access by the Catalan police, Mossos D’Esquadra, to an investigation into a Nigerian sex-trafficking gang. He spoke to traffickers and women rescued from sexual slavery before filming an early morning raid in November, which led to 23 arrests. He also discovered that the gang is now using London as a gateway into Europe

I

T’s 08:00 in the Catalan Police Headquarters on the outskirts of Barcelona and Xavi Cortes, head of the anti-trafficking unit, waits patiently for his 22 teams to confirm they are in position. Finally, he gives the order.

Two-hundred-and-fifty officers quietly climb out of their police vans.

Single file, each team approaches a residential building watched by a few surprised neighbours.

On reaching the door, one of the masked police officers uses his fingers to count down. Three, two, one. The door is knocked down, the silence shattered, the officers rush inside.

The raid results in the arrest of the leaders of a Nigerian-based group running an international sextrafficking ring in Barcelona. It’s known as the Supreme Eiye Confraternity (SEC), or the Air Lords, and 23 people are now behind bars, with European Arrest Warrants issued for those who have left the country.

This operation was 18 months in the planning and involved monitoring more than a million phone calls, tapping dozens of mobile phones and months of surveillance.

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Cortes and his team first came across the group in 2011 during a forgery investigation, but quickly discovered it was a huge network trafficking women and drugs.

He asks me to look at his screen. On it is a map detailing all the locations they have identified where members of the SEC operate. Cities are marked in Europe, North, West and East Africa, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.

Eiye in Yoruba, the main language of south-western Nigeria means “bird”. The group’s insignia is an eagle and each city containing members is called a “nest”, with the “mother nest” in Ibadan, about 100km (60 miles) north-east of Lagos.

The group was started at the University of Ibadan in the 1970s, and the original intention was to make a

The raid results in the arrest of the leaders of a Nigerian-based group running an international sextrafficking ring in Barcelona. It’s known as the Supreme Eiye Confraternity (SEC), or the Air Lords, and 23 people are now behind bars, with European Arrest Warrants issued for those who have left the country

positive contribution to society. Over time, however, many members went astray, committing violence in Nigeria and delving into crime abroad.

The group now traffics human beings and narcotics (cocaine and marijuana) and forges passports. It has also facilitated the transport of stolen crude oil into Europe.

“They are able to earn money in many ways, but we are focused on human-trafficking and the victims,” says Cortes.

His second-incommand, Alex Escola, then tells me something remarkable.

“You know, one of the tappings showed us that last year, on 7 July, around 400 members of SEC met in Geneva.

They had a big meeting, all together.”

It was an audacious

display of arrogance. In a city where many of the world’s global institutions are headquartered, including numerous UN agencies, a global criminal institution held its own parallel international gathering and no-one tried to stop it.

Benin City, Nigeria, is a humantrafficking hub, and a good place to observe how the criminal operation works.

After long negotiations, our team manages to speak to a recruiter, whose job it is to find girls. The recruiter explains that they either approach girls directly or through their families offering fake jobs abroad in a supermarket, or as a cleaner.

However, not everyone is tricked.

Many women approach the recruiters themselves, often in full knowledge that they will be working as a prostitute in Europe. Some parents, also aware of this, approach recruiters on behalf of their children.

Destiny, who was 19 when she was trafficked to Spain three years ago, told me she knew sex would be involved but had never imagined she

Continues on page 17

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 17

Continues from page 16 would be turned into a sex slave.

“If you live in Benin, there are many girls who came back from [Spain] with lots of money. They told us they had to have sex sometimes,” she says. “We are not stupid but I did not know I would be beaten and raped and have to have sex every night of the week.”

NGOs in Benin City say many of the recruiters now look outside the major cities in order to find girls who have not heard their warnings about the reality of life for trafficked women, or the stories of those like Destiny who have returned and are now alerting others to the dangers.

Once recruited, the girls are then taken to Lagos or to northern Nigeria where they are picked up by men known as “coyotes” or “trolleys”.

The journey to Europe is perilous. Wire taps reveal how coyotes transporting women were stopped by armed groups in the deserts of Niger or southern Libya demanding thousands of euros for them to pass.

“One phone call from a coyote to SEC showed how a coyote was saying, ‘I have a gun on my head and they want money,’” says Cortes.

A woman who was herself trafficked tells me about other horrors.

“The journey took weeks,” says Sarah, who arrived in Spain in 2013 at the age of 21. “One of the girls kept asking for water.

The men did not like it so they threw her out in the desert in Libya. They left her and we continued the journey. They told the boss on the phone that she was killed by terrorists. We were not human beings.

We were animals.”

Once girls are trafficked across the desert, they are then taken to “keepers”, who often rape them before they cross to Europe.

“When we got to Libya they put us in a house,” says Sarah. “This is when I knew we would not be working in a supermarket. One man was taking care of us. He would have sex with us, rape us.

Then I became pregnant.”

Women who insist they will not work as prostitutes are tied up in a position called “the crocodile”. Their hands tied to their feet, they are left for days with no food or water. Some are left to die as an example to others.

Keepers often get the women pregnant prior to making the crossing to Spain.

With a child or pregnant, they stand a better chance of not being deported, and the men can use access to the child as a C M Y K

form of blackmail to keep the women under control.

Two years ago, at a time when the coyotes reported Libya had become too dangerous, recorded phone calls show that the girls were taken instead to Greece, via Yemen, Iran and Turkey. And today, as the Mediterranean becomes more difficult to cross and the authorities try harder to detect traffickers - the SEC has begun to use airports in the UK more frequently.

“This is a more expensive option for the group,” Cortes tells me.

“They use forged documents and passports from Nigeria to fly into places like Gatwick. The language is also easier for them. These documents are expensive though and need cooperation of people working in the government to get.”

One evening in Barcelona, I head out with the undercover surveillance team. At around 10pm, plainclothes officers in an unmarked car drive me to Badalona on the edge of

Arresting madames and taking women off the streets merely increases the demand for more women from Nigeria.

This is an organised crime group, run by men, operating across the world

the city.

We are taken to a top-floor flat where police have spent hundreds of hours watching the house opposite. A light is on in the window and shadows move between the curtains, before someone appears on the balcony - a madame.

Most of the women that make it to Europe live in flats with a few other women and their madame almost always a trafficked woman, who has managed to pay off her debt. Girls arrive knowing they must earn a sum, which may be from 30,000 to 60,000 euros (£22,000 to £44,000), before they will be free.

There are two ranks of madame. Lower-ranking madames prowl the streets many on la Rambla, the main tourist strip in the centre of Barcelona constantly texting and calling their girls to check on their whereabouts. Girls are told to earn about 500 euros (£370) a night to stay in the madame’s good books.

But clients, mostly tourists, may pay as little as 20 euros (£15) for sex, so this is often impossible.

After a night’s work, girls return home and divide their earnings into three. One part goes to pay for the flat, the second to pay for food and the third goes to the SEC. If they are not earning enough or refuse to work, the madames may beat them.

Higher-ranking madames collect money from their subordinates to pass on to local SEC leaders known as ibakkas. Always men, the ibakkas run the whole operation. They facilitate payment through the hawala system a form of money transfer based on trust and one that is difficult to trace.

Ibakkas make sure that if any of their girls step out of line, their families back home are threatened.

Family members have been known to be abducted and “disappeared” when girls refuse to pay their madames.

One woman, Jessica, who was trafficked to Spain in 2009, says two of her daughters, now in their early 20s, left home in Benin to escape the gang. One is in Dubai, the other in Morocco waiting to cross to Spain.

But in escaping one group of traffickers, they have put themselves in the hands of another.

“In order to pay the debt, they will be prostitutes too,” says Jessica.

Tragically, this is not an isolated case.

It’s a few days after the raid and Cortes seems content. Back in the office, dressed in full uniform, he details the large quantities of phones, computers, fake passports and documents seized at the time of the arrests. Despite that, there is a hint of frustration in his smile.

“The size of the network means those arrested will be replaced,” he says.

According to recent wire taps, one of the major European co-ordinators of the group is looking to restructure the gang. The ibakka, based in London, was trying to get his 95 other European counterparts together for a meeting. This kind of organised crime cannot simply be tackled locally.

Arresting madames and taking women off the streets merely increases the demand for more women from Nigeria. This is an organised crime group, run by men, operating across the world. This is a network which requires a global police response.

•Culled from BBC

18—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

By Evelyn Usman “Never in my life did I think about robbery as a last resort to ameliorate my impoverished state.

But circumstances beyond my control forced me into it.” These were the welcoming words from a suspected member of a six-man robbery gang that had been terrorising petrol station owners in the Northern region.

The suspect, Bende Mohammed (38) was arrested recently, alongside four suspected members of the gang by the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT).

The deadly gang’s targets were filling stations and bakeries in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states, including Abuja FCT. One of its operations at a filling station (name withheld) in Masaka, close to Abuja, left in its wake the death of two persons with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Members of staff had closed for the day, with some of them changing into their clothes when the unexpected happened, following the deafening sounds of gunshots which made the fearstricken staff to run into hiding.

This happened immediately after the manager of the filling station (name withheld), who had collected the proceeds of the day from the fuel attendants, was at the verge of entering his car parked within the premises of the filling station.

The astonished manager was reportedly hit with the butt of a gun by one of the unwelcomed guests, while his colleagues fired sporadically.

At the end of the operation said to have lasted less than ten minutes, two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets while the sum of N6 million was carted away, with members of staff dispossessed of their phones and locked up in one of the offices.

Attempt to help blind father In this interview with Crime Guard, one of the suspects, Bende Mohammed, who kept shaking his head in self pity, claimed he reluctantly joined the gang after several attempts to raise money for surgery on his visually impaired father failed.

According to the Nasarawa State-born suspect, “I never knew it would get to this. I am a power generator and grinding machine mechanic. But proceeds from each day’s business were not enough to take care of my family. Besides, I have a father who is blind. I was told he needed some money to carry out some medical tests to ascertain the category of blindness. But I didn’t have money to pay for the consultation let alone for the test.

Everyday, I would be inundated with calls on his deteriorating state. When I shared my

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•Filling station suspects

Confessions of robbery suspects •I went into robbery to raise money for my blind father •We connived with members of staff to rob filling stations

predicament with a friend, he introduced me into robbery.

“I initially refused to buy into the idea but reluctantly joined them later. The first time I went with them on an operation, we struck a filling station in Masaka, where I got N400,000. Out of the amount, I sent N100,000 to my father to use for the test. Out of the balance, I bought a motorbike which I used for commercial purpose. I intended to stop at that point and use the rest to establish myself. But the gang won’t release me. I regret everything and wished my father was not blind”, he said remorsefully.

Insider connection

On his part, 33-year-old Ikechukwu Okereke who hails from Imo State gave a startling revelation that most operations at petrol stations are carried out in connivance with some members of staff.

He stated that the gang usually struck in the evening, when filling station managers would have collected money realised for the day .

According to him, “We usually stormed filling stations in our operational vehicle. We worked on information usually given to us by insiders. Some members of staff of filling stations gave us information on when exactly to strike. Most of them assisted us

because of their poor remunerations. Some of them are paid as low as N4,000 per month. They rely on stipends from customers and adjustment of pumps.

“In the case of the Nasarawa filling station operation, we had information that the manager would be coming to collect the day’s sales by 6.30pm. We arrived at the vicinity around 6pm to survey the terrain and to keep tab on the manager. We struck as he was about leaving the filling station by opening fire. In the process, we collected the cash he was with, and moved to our hideout where it was discovered to be N6 million.

And we shared it equally with the informant.

“Another operation I partook in was that at Masaka, close to Abuja, where I got N400,000.

The third operation was also in Nasarawa. But it was foiled owing to miscalculations on our part. One of us jumped out of the car before we reached the filling station and started shooting. This made our target to run away. We left out of frustration and invaded a bakery, where we got just N90,000.”

I was gullible

For 39-year-old Mohammed Usman, popularly known as “Dogo”, he was a victim of circumstance, and he blamed his

indulgence on his gullibility.

He said, “I was a victim of circumstance. I am not really a robber. I was deceived by Yahaya (pointing to one of the suspects).

He (Yahaya) called me on the phone to inform me that he had a job of N6 million and needed my assistance. I acted so foolishly because I did not even ask what kind of job it was. I went with him and others, only to discover it was a robbery operation. By then, I could not turn back. At the end, I was given N30,000. Same thing happened the second time when they stormed the bakery, where I got N15,000.”

Arrested at last

Corroborating Dogo’s claim, Yahaya Musa said “Yes, I invited him when I was given a job to rob a filling station. I only wanted to help him raise money because of his impoverished state.”

After the incident, Musa was said to have received a call where the caller informed him that he had another filling station job for him. As usual, he reportedly invited other members of the gang and headed for the meeting point, only to walk into the welcoming hand of operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT), led by Abba Kyari.

The suspects, as gathered, would be charged to court.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JANUARY 30, 2016—19

I

went to Festac Town the other day. Founded originally as accommodation for the participants of the 1977 Black Arts Festival, it was started by Gowon,but subsequently developed to be a model town by the Obasanjo administration. The town that emerged after the festival was well laid out and well planned.

It had churches, mosques, schools, banks, markets —whatever you needed to build a good community life. The main arteries, the avenues had four lanes with traffic signs— even at that time. Every road, every close had signs, and the numbering was done in such a way that it was difficult to get lost, even for a visitor. The sewage system was underground; so were the NEPA cables. The drainage was so well done that it was almost heavenly whenever it rained—the streets were swept clean, the leaves glistened, and the air was crisp.

There was no fear of potholes or unsightly pools of water. Just beauty and serenity and nature. Oh! I loved it whenever it rained.

I lived in Festac for almost 30 years and witnessed the gradual degradation of this model town, this pointer to future new town development in Nigeria. Aided and abetted by regulatory agencies, residents took laws into their hands.

Building were erected on drainage sites and underground cables; fences were erected to appropriate common grounds; garages were converted into salons; rooms were added into duplexes and commercialised. Soon, rains became nightmares as seeping sewage mixed with rain water and death traps as pools of water hid potholes that had become craters.

The whole place became busier and livelier and seedier. Slums increased; crime increased.

My visit to Festac was not pleasure. But I could easily have mixed business with pleasure had

A state of insecurity

it been in another place at another time as the cliché goes. Unfortunately, I was filled with too much trepidation.

The retired Commander Ikre who was killed after collecting money from a bank recently was a former neighbour and fellow parishioner. I knew the bank that was robbed like the back of my hand. The hotel where a naïve and hapless girl was raped and killed a couple of years ago, is a walking distance to a close friend’s house. So it was a nervous me that drove into Festac. I saw my usual haunts—the barbing salon, the supermarket, the pepper soup joints, the banks—but I couldn’t take them in. I could have driven around slowly to savour the moments; I could have stopped in one or two places to see whether there would be familiar faces; I could have called on one or two acquaintances. But I didn’t. I finished my business and headed for the exit. Finishing, I could have gone to the Vanguard to

I had taken thousands of time still caused some unease.

If I can feel like this about a place I have lived in before, you can imagine how I feel about many parts of the country I have not visited for a while. Two years ago, I was offered a very lucrative assignment in Rivers State. It entailed going into some of the towns to meet certain people. A car was to be attached to me and I was to stay in a top hotel. On the surface, I was safe, but I couldn’t shake the fear of insecurity.

That same year, someone in my family suggested spending Christmas in Tinapa, Cross River State. It looked appealing but my fear of the state of insecurity would not let me go. I have not had a reason to go to the North-East yet.

But I can almost predict my reaction. As it is, I have seen Boko Haram written on many innocent faces in Lagos especially during the festive seasons.

Many reading this would conclude that I am probably getting paranoid. They might be correct except that I am not the only one. I have many friends from the South-East who haven’t been home during the festive seasons for many years due to the same reason. And how do they read the casual bombing of pipelines that is estimated to cost all of us the sum of 500 million naira a day? Will it allay my paranoia?

It is so bad that I am sometimes wary

Security is one of the cardinal pegs of the Buhari administration

have lunch and see my Editor; but that would mean having to contend with the infamous Apapa-Tin Can traffic with the attendant risk of being mugged in the hold-up. So what could have been a relaxed, pleasurable day turned out to be unnecessarily tense because of my heightened fear of insecurity. Even the Oshodi route that

P

rivates, AKA genitals, hold the key to perpetuation of humankind. Penile matters are therefore serious matters. I have written about them before. Please take time to go through if you have not. But today I am revisiting for the sake of the young, the uninformed and the inexperienced, and because of the alarming increase in the number of penis enlargement adverts, products and “experts.”

By age two or three, many children (boys) realize that there is something special about the penis, even if they cannot fathom it. My friend’s son, Ebuka, called his wee-wee tap and guarded it jealously. At three, I had an older female playmate, Oghenenioke. We normally had our NAFDAC certifications? What are bath together outside. One day we were their side effects? Is the enlargement having our bath, when I suddenly permanent or temporary? Who are the noticed that Oghenenioke’s groin was target audience? bare. I raised an alarm and everybody, I concede that penis matters are also including mama, gathered: private matters; that is why it is called “ D a k ’ O g h e n e n i o k e private part. What anybody does with vw’ishosho!”(Oghenenioke has no his is really his business, but be penis!), I innocently announced. careful so that you do not jump from Thunderous laughter followed. a non-existent frying pan to real fire.

At age 18, we were resting after Everybody is now an “expert” on catching three rodents (rabbits, as we penis enlargement. In their mindless call them). Then one of us said he heard pursuit of money, they feast on men’s that if you touch your penis with the dissatisfaction with their penis sizes tail of the rodent, you will become by manipulating information to impotent. “Fabuuu” (lie), we echoed in mislead the fickle-minded and make unison. Then he cut off the tail and the gullible miserable. dared us to try it. None of us was Those who have been around know courageous enough. Penis matters are what, where, when and why it that serious and important. That is why matters. Even when men secretly I cannot understand the craze for these desire a bigger penis, it is not their scientifically unproven penis primary headache. Their primary enlargement methods. headaches are premature ejaculation, I have gone through an army of lack of stamina, low sperm count, literature on the subject and my finding erectile dysfunction, weak libido and is: the only scientifically-proven temporary impotency, caused mainly method of permanent penis by aging, unhealthy lifestyles, stress enlargement is surgery, which can also and side effects of drugs, especially go awry. But surgery only increases the illegal, hypertensive and diabetes size of the penis when flaccid; it drugs. remains the same when erect. So where Many people who undergo penile does that leave us with these adverts surgery do it to look bigger and feel claiming that the penis size can be good in public showers, beaches and increased via drugs, creams and boost their confidence. The real issue pumps? Do these products have is not the size of the penis, but an

Privates

C M Y K

underlying insecurity. For the selfassured man, the size of the flaccid penis is inconsequential, only the effective erect penis matters.

Anybody familiar with the politics of the penis knows there are two main types: the grower and the shower. The grower has a higher level of expansion than the shower. A three-inch flaccid grower can expand to seven inches when erect, while a six-inch flaccid shower might not even get to seven inches when erect. Consequently, flaccid showers have size advantage over flaccid growers, the main targets of these “miracle workers.”

As an encouragement to the insecure, your penis is actually bigger than you think. If somebody takes your photograph from above, you look shorter than you are. That is how it is with the penis. It looks smaller than it actually is because you are looking down at it. If you place a mirror directly beside or in front of it, you get the actual size and it is bigger than when you look at it directly from above.

Many men worry themselves over nothing. If the length of the vagina when aroused is between 4.25 inches to 4.75 inches, why can’t a man with an erect penis of 4.5 inches, for instance, satisfy his wife, “especially since the area that is thought to be important for most women’s sexual response is the outer one-third?” That

of going to new settlements in Lagos. Something as simple as a bad road could lead to many spinoff. It could lead to bad traffic, which could lead to lawlessness in many forms, which could lead to arbitrariness on the part of police, LASTMA and Local Government agents. At the end of the day, all lead to crime and no one is immune.

Security is one of the cardinal pegs of the Buhari administration. But security is not just in curtailing Boko Haram and MASSOB. It is making sure that all murders whether from Fulani rustlers or from political rallies or from ethnic and border clashes don’t go unpunished. It is making sure I can travel to any part of Nigeria and not feel like an illegal alien in my own country. It is making sure I can be in my car and not be afraid somebody is going to break the glass in broad daylight and take my valuables. It is entering a public transport at any time of the day and not fear ‘one chance encounter’. It is going to the bank and not fear an encounter with robbers. It is going to work and not fear being kidnapped on the way. It is going on the expressway and not fear being way-laid. It is having your home as your sanctuary where robbers don’t besiege you in the small hours of the morning.

It's also about law and order; equity and justice. Political and ethnic persecutions cannot promote security. Sleight of the hand judgements cannot promote security. Violation of court orders cannot promote security. Protection of sacred cows cannot promote security.

This administration has to purge, then strengthen and empower the institutions of justice. EFCC along with other security agencies and the judiciary will only earn my respect when both friends and foes of this administration begin to toe the line.

When justice can be dispensed to the rich and poor without fear or favour.

is even assuming the size of the penis, not skills and staying power, is the main key to a women’s sexual satisfaction.

Research findings show that the attractiveness of the penis size to women is complex, but most data suggest that “penile size is much lower down the list of priorities for women than such issues as a man’s personality and external grooming.”

These might be foreign research findings, but they also apply to Nigerian women.

One Dr. Okoro was bombarding my friend’s email box with penis enlargement proposals. My friend decided to tease his wife. “Don’t you think I should check out this Dr. Okoro?” “No problem,” she responded, “provided you look for somewhere else to put it when you are done.” She might be a microscopic minority, but it is the same with many women.

Some people are naturally endowed with monster cocks, but like many things in life, too much of it can become a liability. Jonah Falcon, a 45-year-old American, officially holds the world record for the biggest penis: 9.5 inches when flaccid and 13.38 when erect. He has no wife and children and his love life is checkered. Now one Roberto Esquivel Cabrera has emerged with an 18.9-inch penis when erect. The 52-year-old Mexican has no job, no wife, no love life, no friends and lives alone in a room rented for him by his brothers.

He says his below-the-knee-long penis is a liability and the main reason for his problems. Now there are talks of a penile reduction surgery; what an irony!

Life is a total package. Do not hang yourself over one small, but significant, segment. Contentment, with knowing when to draw the line, helps.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

Beware of Tomorrow, no condition is permanent

•Dasuki

I

gbos say tomorrow is pregnant.

Amaechi means no one knows tomorrow. Fate doesn’t pretend not to be fickle. But we never learn. Not the here today , dead and rotting tomorrow scary finality of this earthly sojourn- we know that in all likelihood we will be eaten by worms or vultures.

But the ubiquitous everyday swings in fortunes and circumstances, that volatility that makes life and living so precarious that pomposity should not be found amongst men. And with it tyranny and all acts of inhumanity.

There is then, after all, a pragmatic reason why the Bible demands us to treat our neighbours as ourselves and to pursue peace with all men.

When the simple and meek stumble and fall people mourn and lend help but pride and cruelty sets their victims up for inevitable mockery and vengeance.

Looting the national treasury is really cruel. Being close to the ground makes falling less dramatic and less calamitous.

The disaster Humpty Dumpty faced on falling was his weight. The problem many politicians in Nigeria face when they fall isn’t just grotesque abdomens and vulgar appetites they must maintain. They steal and stash away enough to keep those ballooning and proliferating. People fall from power and influence here and look like flat tyres or deplumed peacocks. Heavy with vanities, their falls come with not just harrowing castrations but humbling circumcisions.

A few months ago Tompolo

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•Tompolo

and Dasuki were principalities. If you knew them you knew gods. In the midst of general poverty and pervasive arbitrariness many prayers of ordinary people can be answered by strong men. Today, Tompolo is at large and Dasuki is prostrate and seemingly helpless.

Socialism thought about it , about leveling everybody. But it didn’t dwell on the guarantee of human dignity beyond communal ownership of factors of production. It is importa nt that some don’t

enslave others and turn them into addicts of ‘stomach infrastructure’ but it’s more important that basic human rights of all are recognized as basic common goods and preserved jealously. Because those who will clamour, with manacled hands, for the sanctity of the rule of law someday are those who once treated the law with the derision rotten farts normally attract. One day it will be the turn of some leaders of Jonathan’s TAN who a few months ago pranced about and spat into the faces of paupers and billionaires to teach us the rule of law.

John Rawls was wise and we must embrace his helping hand. His original position is a philosophical device that must guide the choices we make even though it was crafted primarily for principles of distributive justice. Permit a little extrapolation and creativity, he wants us to imagine that before we were born , before we knew whom we would be and our advantages and handicaps and interests, we

had to decide how our community would be organized. How social goods, justice, will be distributed. He believed that our conception of justice behind the veil of total ignorance of the original position would be very objective and fair and should make the world a better place.

If we embraced Justice as fairness then how much care would we have wanted for disabled persons if we weren’t sure we wont be born with disability? Wouldn’t we

Switzerland communal wealth while their neigbours are slaughtered by hunger, malaria and boko haram.

Their supporters, possessed by naivety, will lend them sophistry- they are saints because many other thieves are still on the loose . Even those who should have respect for money because of what abject poverty taught them while growing up, fall into public positions , and take profligacy and thievery to the public treasury. They steal so much because they want to fix the whimsicality of tomorrow. But tomorrow will always be elusive.

Fortunes will fluctuate and Mama Peace can attest to that now, her flock of vain fair weather friends , nectar seeking women, have scattered. They were with her in Korea with their vanity and frivolity when she was seduced by a worthless doctorate into thinking that the world had fallen into a delusion that she had made great contributions to humanity. Some of them are desperately worshipping the new gods in town now . Turai , before her, suffered a similar predicament but Dame didn’t learn from her woes. Were they not huddled together eating and belching and egging her on while she freely shed tears of mockery because Chibok girls , their maternal instincts told them, were characters of a fairy tale , the work of mischievous political opponents? Shouldn’t we then learn that all such glory and all the eulogies are always works of sycophancy? Why do we get bloated, so bloated that we have to die many times?

Godfathers have mushroomed. They have tried to fix tomorrow and failed.

Their godsons will swear to oaths of allegiance they will repudiate once they sniffed power. Chris Uba went as far as Okija shrine. Peter Obi put his faith in man and has been left as high and dry as Orji Kalu. Theodore Orji will soon learn that what befell Orji Kalu has not been eradicated.

Trust the people and serve them well and forget about owning tomorrow.

So rather than build lavish governors lodges in every moribund state in Nigeria and have dissembling governors

And from the point of prudence, standing against evil is an insurance policy have preferred spending 50% of oil money on education and health alone if there was a good chance we would be born into a motherless babies home? So that education and health would be totally free for the poor and looters will have much less to steal. And the few who cornered the oil blocks that belong to millions would have known that such cynical self-centeredness even if ‘sanctified’ by an approval process was monumental evil.

But here we are, with our greed and shortsightedness.

Some would want to loot the treasury and stack in

eat ‘guguru’ in dirty gutters or wash black pots in bukkas before elections to fool the people, why wouldn’t we do the prisons and insist that doctors are available for prisoners for 24 hours. I don’t know what kuje prison looks like but Olisa Metuh should know and tomorrow it could be the turn of those blaring vuvuzelas and waving brooms now.

Why wouldn’t we then think about falling since we hate to think about dying?

Two years ago, when Abba Moro supervised the prisons , the doctor in Kirikiri maximum prison came to

work when it pleased him and demanded 250,000 naira bribes before he would write referrals for sick prisoners he could not treat. He could abandon the prisoners for a whole week. Then Abba Moro was busy organizing recruitment scams that consumed prime lives and didn’t care to improve the prisons. Tomorrow we will definitely hear so much about how the prisons’ conditions are so inhuman that our lords cannot be confined there. Let our ‘ogas at the top’ lament our social conditions when they are still at the top!

Because the valley of the shadow of tribulation is never far from us, and even the mighty are not exempt .

Because one day we may go from having the power to conjure the postponement of national elections to having to malinger to secure bail. We can go from being a law unto ourselves to being fugitives of the law.

Tafa Balogun did the bidding of his principals, hounded the rich and the poor, and had 18 billion naira in the bank, yet ended pitiably. Nuhu Ribadu had to flee, he couldn’t confront his persecutors.

When he returned, he didn’t sit still. So when fortune turned around and headed his way he had somersaulted into another wilderness.

Power is hopelessly ephemeral.

Okupe must have seen tomorrow, because he was banging tables, cursing and swearing in Aso rock that Jonathan would never hand over to Buhari. That was long before Orubebe. He now wants to be forgotten. Fani Kayode won’t agree he committed a pathetic blunder, he didn’t see this coming. Did he? This tactical jumping from one party to the other can go so wrong. He was hired for a reason , to provide non stop volleys of obscenities. He can’t even stop now. He has to live with the heart flutters the travails of Metuh must have left him. History is filled with lessons.

Abacha never had to shout even to engineer an earthquake. Many knew why almighty Diya cried like a baby. But Abacha died very easily, like a butterfly. Money and guns had no chance to intercede for him. Tomorrow is deep. Some of those for whom he was a deity, who brutally forced millions into submission to their god, became not mere mortals but scorned lepers. Even after Omenka became a vagrant

fugitive his victims’ spells of nightmares didn’t stop. The coward had to run into oblivion . Mustapha wasn’t an ordinary chief priest because chief priests of taciturn and extremely cruel gods lose their humanity. The supreme court affirmed his innocence . Kudirat is dead, he didn’t kill her. We know who killed her but we don’t know who sent who killed her. 14 years is the time to move from nursery school to a bachelor’s degree.

He complained about being held in solitary confinement , in a dark underground cell, for about 3 years and I shook my head.

Social justice is the business of all. The afflicted and downtrodden must be spoken for because it is the right thing to do. And from the point of prudence, standing against evil is an insurance policy.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—21

7 MONTHS IN OFFICE:

No true Deltan ‘ll

vilify Okowa —Chief Edwin Uzor- PDP chair •Says: He has wiped out Urhobo fear of marginalization

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HAIR, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Chief Edwin Uzor, spoke to Saturday Vanguard at Asaba, the capital of Delta State, on governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and his administration in the state.

To the opposition in the state, PDP has not done well, how do you assess the performance Governor Ifeanyi Okowa?

Well naturally, you know that you cannot run a government without facing critics, for us as Deltans, the government led by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has done very well so far. Also , you can understand with me that administratively, a government that has four years tenure to run, you cannot assess it within six months because it is in the elementary stage.

Here in Delta state, the Okowa-led administration hit the ground running and is doing very well. If you assess him within the past six months, you will see that some states in the country have not even set up their Executive Council, but here in Delta, less than two weeks of his administration; he set up the Executive Council and the House of Assembly has passed two bills he sent almost immediately. With this, he has set up the Youth Empowerment Programme, which is ongoing and over 1,000 youths are at various skills acquisition centres in different parts of the state acquiring knowledge in agriculture, poultry farming, hairdressing and all that. He has promised that the programme will be going on every six months; we are expecting another set in February or March.

You look round the state; he has put

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many things in place, the dualiazation of Nnebisi Road – Cable Point axis is ongoing, the contractors have gone to site. The Warri-Omadino road is ongoing, the contractor has been asked to go back to site, the sector A of the dualization from Ughelli to Asaba, which is Ughelli to Oleh, the contractor has been mobilized, they have gone back to site.

If you pass there, you see the contractor, they are all working, you go through Asaba-Okpanam axis, the contractors are working, you go to technical colleges in the state, one at Agbor, Ofagbe and Sapele, they have almost completed there. I can conveniently say that Okowa is doing very well and any genuine thinking Deltan will not have any reason to criticize the government because he has started very well.

What are Deltans expecting from PDP in 2016 after your stakeholders meeting last year?

Our stakeholders meeting as a party in the state was a continuation of what we did at the national level. At the meeting, we preached on internal democracy and we brought in resource persons to speak on how to strengthen the party and move it forward. One of the resource persons also took on the role of elected persons to the constituents and service delivery.

One of the greatest fears that the people of Delta Central (Urhobo) had before Okowa came to power was that a governor from Delta North (Anioma) would marginalize them; do you think

Okowa has erased that fear?

The issue of marginalization of Delta Central is not an issue in the Okowa administration. If you look at the appointment done so far, Delta Central is over loaded compared to other senatorial districts. During the campaign, some disgruntled persons who wanted to cause trouble in the state were heating up the state.

They were saying that if a governor emerged from Anioma, he would not carry Urhobo along.

As a party chair, I told them it is not true. One, I am over 50 years now and in the past 45 years, I have been in Urhobo land, so I am part of Urhobo and I know what their true position is. 50 per cent Urhobos insisted that the governorship should go to Anioma, they believed that it should go round because Urhobos had gotten their turn, the South had also ruled, so it was the turn of Anioma.

Many of them who were shouting it that it was the turn of Anioma then, can tell you today that Okowa has not disappointed them. If you look at the appointments so far, it favors all senatorial districts but more to the Urhobos. Just check the appointments and you will see that Urhobos have cause to thank him and will be able to tell their people that those who were having doubts or saying that an Anioma man will marginalize Urhobos are wrong.

The governor is detribalized in his appointments everybody got what he is due in his area, so Urhobos are happy as far as I am concerned.

The lean economy is affecting the entire system, in spite of that, the governor of Delta state is moving forward, he has been able to manage the lean resources in the state to ensure that things are moving frontward

Government as lately been complaining of dwindling allocation, could this be a ready excuse for poor performance in future?

It is only a man or woman who is not looking at what is happening nationwide in the 36 states of the nation, including Abuja that will say such thing. The lean economy is affecting the entire system, in spite of that, the governor of Delta state is moving forward, he has been able to manage the lean resources in the state to ensure that things are moving frontward. In this state, people are not clamoring that they want to go on strike because they were not paid salaries; he has been able to be managing what we are getting from the Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue to make sure he moves the state forward. So, there is nothing like excuse because he is doing well and Deltans know that with the resources available to him, he is doing what he is supposed to be doing, they are happy with him.

Delta-North has held the chair position of your party for some time now, when is it going to another part of the state?

Normally in life, not just in politics, other aspects of life, if you are interested in any position, you will lobby, you go about to sell your manifesto to people, tell people what you can do to improve on what the man you want to take over from is doing or how you can move the party forward. Yes, so many persons are interested, this time it is moving to the Delta Central Senatorial district, the election will come up early this year, people will go to the field and people will vote. It will be an open contest, we do not want imposition.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

Waje’s position on marriage Stories by Kehinde Ajose

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More trouble for Wizkid! ...as 2nd baby mama opens up

By Rotimi Agbana & Kehinde Ajose

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yo Balogun, A.K.A Wizkid, seems to be finding a soft spot in the media this year. First it was a night club fight and now, it’s even something more controversial and messy.

The father of one has tried so hard to distance himself from social media scandals, but recent events have shown that the pop star has been proved wrong. Earlier in the week, news broke that the pop star has another love child by a second baby mama, Binta Diamond Diallo who hails from Guinea, though Wizkid has not confirmed or denied the rumour about him having another child with his alleged baby mama, Binta Diamond Diallo.

Sources close to Wizkid confirmed that his erstwhile girlfriend, Tania Omotayo, broke up with him recently, though both of them had a mutual understanding to remain civil and matured about the new development, all in a bid to avoid media scandals.

Obviously, this is why she has kept her distance from the music star for sometime now.

She even boycotted most of wizkid’s events. One of such events was his Industry Nite.

Tania was on vacation to Dubai with her friends. Could this have been possible if they were still love birds?

It looks like Wizkid has been C M Y K

caught in a web spun with his own hands. The news of his second baby mama seems to ring true. According to reports, the alleged baby mama, Binta Diamond and Wizkid have been in a secret relationship for sometime now. When she became pregnant they kept the relationship on a low key till she gave birth and shared the name of her son on her Instagram page. Surprisingly, she named the child after the star boy, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun which is Wizkid’s exact first, middle and last names.

Since the news broke out about Wizkid’s alleged second baby mama, the pop star has avoided the social media and has so far not officially confirmed or denied the rumour.

Meanwhile, reports had it that Binta Diallo has made some new revelation regarding her new-born son. She was said to have explained why she intentionally named her son after the Afro-pop star, saying it was to avoid a repeat of the situation with Wizkid’s first baby mamaOluwanishola Ogudugu. When Sola had the singer’s son in 2011, Wizkid repeatedly denied having any child until the evidence was too immense for him to run from.

Binta, having learned from Sola’s experience, didn’t want to fall into such a media ordeal, and as such, chose to expose the fact that she had just given birth to Wizkid’s son.

However, in a statement during the week, his management said, Wizkid

hasn’t confirmed the news making the rounds that he has fathered another child.

“Wizkid still hasn’t confirmed any news about him having another child. We know he is single and will be releasing his EP next month.”

Wizkid

alleged baby mama is said to be a Guinean model based in the United States. She has taken to her instagram page to release pictures of herself during pregnancy.”

Agoha dumps secular for inspirational music P

opular singer and model, John Agoha, has taken a walk from secular music. The ‘Chocomilo’ singer revealed exclusively to Showtime that he dropped secular music because he was told by several clerics that his true calling lies in gospel. In his words, ‘I decided to change to gospel because I had a call from God. A lot of revelations

came from men and women of God about it also. My family members were also on my neck on this issue because I started singing from church.

However, my kind of music now is motivational, and not Gospel.’

He concluded, ‘I have a new song titled ‘Jehovah’ and I thank God that my song is getting bigger by the day.’

tunning singer, Waje, recently bared her mind on marriage, stating that it isn’t an achievement.

The songstress who has in the past been romantically linked with rapper M.I, didn’t mince words in expressing her thoughts. She made the revelation on her Instagram page.

“Imagine my struggle to post this, because blogs might carry it but to be honest, that’s the aim, because I am a little bit disappointed at the feeling of revival women get that comes with negative comments on social media. I said, and I say it again, Marriage is not an achievement but a commitment. You women see that as a compliment rather than the cheap way of sending me hate messages. Yet you still go back to your incomplete selves. If you do not understand what I was saying then, I guess you can fill-in the blank spaces.”

No one knows what prompted her outburst, but the sultry performer has made it known to her fans.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—23

Why I proposed to my long-time girl friend — GT the Guitarman

By TOFARATI IGE

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Much ado about stealing songs among artistes T

he quest for creating a hit song is no doubt a herculean task. In recent times, the Nigerian music scene has been rife with accusations and counteraccusations of artistes stealing their colleagues’ songs. Dancehall sensation, Black Face of the defunct Plantashun Boyz recently accused Wizkid of stealing his song, “Ojuelegba.” According to him, “I never really wanted to talk about it all this while but after people started checking out my new song, Killa, many felt Blackface sounded like Wizkid, which I didn’t like. If you check properly, you would realize that Wizkid’s hit sounds exactly the same as the track 13 on my dancehall album released as far back as 2010.”

In the same vein, 2face is not spared from the accusation of song theft by Black Face. He has alleged that his former band mate, 2face stole “Let somebody Love You” from him and threatens to sue the African Queen sensation.

Recall that “Let somebody love You”was one of the songs contained in 2face’s Ascension album and which featured Bridget Kelly. Black Face who is a sucker for controversy took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction.

“You have been avoiding me and hiding behind your mask, recording my songs without my consent and taking out my credits. You singing “Let somebody love you’ without telling me when you know it’s my song isn’t going down.”

Few weeks back, another song theft tale started on Twitter when Dammy Krane accused Wizkid of stealing lines of his ‘Ojulegba’ song from him.

Wizkid responded by allegedly throwing a bottle at Dammy Krane at Quillox, a popular night club.

Music producer Shizzi has also accused Tunde Ednut of stealing the instrumental of a song he produced.

The hit-maker claimed that Tunde Ednut allegedly stole the instrumental to make a new song titled “Kosowo” produced by MasterKraft. Shizzi didn’t engage in any social media rant. Instead, he took the battle the legal route, writing through his lawyers and telling Tunde Ednut and Masterkraft to take down all the downloadable links of the song and stop promoting it.

Paul Okoye, second half of the pop group PSquare, took to Instagram to weigh in on the song theft drama. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, he said the artistes accusing their colleagues of song theft are looking for cheap publicity.

“I am supposed to mind my business, but this is part of my business. The people complaining that their songs have been stolen, where did they keep the songs? 2016 is a year of cheap publicity,” he said.

Recall that in times past, artistes like Davido, Wizkid, Sean Tizzle, Skales and others have been accused of song theft.

opular singer, Gbemiro Tokunbo, popularly known as GT Guitarman, is one singer who knows how to make the ladies swoon with his vocal chords. His adept mastery of the guitar also ensures that there is a steady stream of adulating female fans at his beck and call.

It stands to reason therefore that there would be many ladies out there dreaming to walk down the aisle with the baby-faced ‘Dreamer ’ singer.

Well, such ladies can stop dreaming now as GT has finally proposed to his long-standing girlfriend of six years, Oby. In a chat with Showtime, GT opened up on why he proposed to her at this time. “It has always been something I wanted to do. I’m going to be 32 this year, so obviously, I’m not getting younger. Apart from the age thing, this is also someone that I love so much. So the proposal is just the right thing to do at this time.’

On why he decided to marry a nonYoruba woman, GT said, ‘I don’t see love as a tribal thing; it’s about what you feel about a person, and it happens to you naturally. I think one

*GT Guitarman and girl friend of the problems Nigerians have is that we don’t truly love ourselves. The moment we love ourselves, we’ll see ourselves as Nigerians first and foremost.”

Asked when he will be walking down the aisle with the love of his life, GT disclosed that it will be before the end of the year. “I will be getting married before the end of the year,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, GT who is currently observing a break from music said, he’s planning to release his next album into the market as soon as he returns to the stage.

Davido responds to reactions over Sony music deal

By Rotimi Agbana

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KN boss, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, O.B.O, during the week reacted to comments that have been trailing his new deal with international music company, Sony BMG. You would recall that the ‘Aye’ crooner recently signed a deal with Sony Music, which according to him, would facilitate an easy and widespread marketing of his music in the western world and beyond.

Shortly after the signing, mixed feelings and reactions began to trail it. Fellow artistes, acquaintances, fans and critics took to their twitter and Instagram pages to air their opinion and feelings on the new development. A good number of his fans were optimistic about the career step, but others expressed their utmost discontent. Until yesterday, the latest Sony Music Signee was silent about these reactions. After a supposed conscious or unconscious restraint (as the case may be), Davido finally expressed his feelings on the vibe he had been getting since he broke the news of his new signing with Sony

*Davido

Music.

According to Davido, “I’m getting too much money to be worried about social media!! Shit ain’t real here.” He seems unperturbed by the series of tantrums being thrown at him ever since his announcement. Davido is unflinching in his resolve to step up his career game, irrespective of anybody’s opinion. He already said it in one of his songs ‘Owo ni koko’, meaning ‘Money is the ultimate’. Therefore, pessimists & critics can continue to ‘bad belle’ because ‘it’s allowed’.

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

Being Zack Orji’s son has opened doors for me – Leo’nel y eka Orji, simpl ionel Chukwuem is the only son el known as Leo’n d actor and lywoo of veteran Nol rji. In this O k ac Z r director, fast-rising singe interview, the hose love for and producer w the age of music started at his soont nine talks abou ngle si ed as le to -be-re foray into ‘Celebrate’, his er h music among ot is su es .

L

By Juliet Ebirim How did you start doing music? started doing music I at a very young age.

I’ve been singing since I was nine. I started writing songs in J.S. 2. I began with rap and then my dad took me to my first studio session. My dad has been very supportive of my music career from the onset. In 2007, I recorded my first song. But my dad insisted that I complete my education before delving into music fully. I couldn’t wait, so while in the university I worked on different songs and started performing in various schools.

What was your first song about?

The first song I did was a rap song titled ‘Who am I?’ Those days I used to listen to a lot of rap music and Eminem was my favourite rapper. I was just influenced by his music and I decided to do the song.

And because it was my first, it probably lacked sound lyrical quality.

What kind of music do you do?

Dance music or better still, good music. Music that makes people happy. I tend to sing a bit about everything.

Sometimes, I go inspirational.

What inspires you?

My inspiration comes from God. It can come from within, from the environment, through observation and per-

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sonal experience.

So far, how many songs have you done?

A lot, but I’ve officially released "Baby Joo," "Rockstar," "Uju" and "Roll."

How has your music journey been?

We learn everyday and I’m gaining more experience. I’m more experienced than I was the first time I released a song. There have been ups and downs, but that’s part of the process on your journey to greatness.

While studying in the UK, which artistes did you perform with?

While in the UK, I was privileged to perform with top Nigerian artistes who came to perform in the UK. I performed at Wizkid’s show. I also performed at Davido and Flavour ’s show and even at M.I’s show.

Which top Nigerian artiste do you hope to do a collabo with?

I’ve always wanted to work with Wande Coal. Before I fully went into music, his music used to have an influ-

ence on me. His style is unique.

You are about to drop a new single ‘Celebrate’. What is it about?

These days, a lot of songs lack good lyrical content. It also has to do with what people want to listen to. Some people pay attention to lyrics, while others just want to dance and enjoy themselves

It’s a feel good song that appeals to everyone. It just says forget your worries for now and celebrate. It tells you that where there is life, there’s hope.

How were you able to combine academics and music?

M u s i c didn’t really affect my studies.

I studied M e d i a Studies and Television at the University of Bradford, UK. I was able to balance both and when it was time to specialise in a particular area of my course, I focused on the music aspect.

Beyond music, would you veer into acting to continue in your father’s footsteps?

Though acting is not really my passion, but it’s all part of entertainment. I wouldn’t mind getting an acting role, but I will need some training in that regard. My real passion is music, but I would like to act also.

Which artiste do you aspire to be like?

In the Nigerian music industry, that would be 2Face.

How has your dad’s popularity as a veteran actor impacted on your career?

I won’t deny the fact that it has opened a lot of doors for me. People tend to listen and associate with me when they know I’m Zack Orji’s son. But I wouldn’t want to rely on that. I want to carve a niche for myself and create my own name, so that people would associate and listen to me be-

cause of me, not because of my father.

What’s your view on the kind of music we have in the country these days in terms of lyrics?

These days, a lot of songs lack good lyrical content. It also has to do with what people want to listen to. Some people pay attention to lyrics, while others just want to dance and enjoy themselves.

I won’t condemn those who pay more attention to beats than lyrics, they have their fans and audience.

So which are you particular about – lyrics or beats?

It depends. Sometimes, you need to touch people’s lives and reach out to people with your lyrics. Music is very powerful. People listen to music everyday. So whatever you’re sending across to people will influence or affect them in some kind of way.

How do you feel when you hear or see your songs being played on the airwaves and on screen?

It feels good, especially when you go out and someone recognizes you from your videos. It’s a great feeling and you know that you are actually doing something.

What are the challenges you face as a new artiste in the industry?

Being a new artiste is challenging. You’re struggling to be known and accepted. For me, it’s been by God’s grace.

Promotion is a huge challenge, one needs to consciously work on. Nigeria is a large country with a lot of people and different places to cover.

Are you signed unto any record label?

For now, No. How do you fund your music?

It’s basically through the support from my family and friends and also with little things I do here and there. I produce for others, though I don’t do it full-time. I’m really focused on my music right now.

How do you intend to get to the top and remain there despite stiff competition?

Some people would say through hard work, but I’ll say through smart work. Doing music is not easy. It takes dedication, hard work and commitment. A lot of funding goes into it. There will be tough times, but your passion and love for music should sustain you and you keep pushing. I also take God very seriously, so I believe that His grace would see me through.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—25

Between ATM and Three Wise Men:

Opa Williams, Lancelot Imasuen’s latest offering to Nollywood 2

016 promises to be a wonderful year for the Nigerian movie industry with a lot of bar-raising productions taking centre stage at different locations across the country. Notable film makers and stars are getting busier than ever, working round the clock not only to raise the bar but also, to tell the entire world that the art of film making has come to stay in Africa.

Particularly in Lagos, it’s a different kind of experience.

Two notable film makers,

Lancelot Imasuen and humour merchant, Opa Williams, respectively hit locations last week to shoot romantic comedy films that would point the way forward for the industry.

While Lancelot Imasuen’s latest movie, ATM (Authentic Tentative Marriage) is being shot in Lekki, Opa Williams and his production team are currently at Ijede, Ikorodu, shooting his comeback movie, “Three wise Men.” Besides their different

story lines, the two movies starring big names in the industry, are bound to raise bar when they are finally released in the cinemas. When HVP visited the two sets last week, it was a different kind of energy as directors, actors, and stage hands were busy working tirelessly to make the set come to life on screen. You are mesmerized, watching the actors interpret their roles on set effortlessly, and waiting patiently for the directors to say “action.”

It took me 10 years to complete the story of ‘Three Wise Men’ The question is, what do you do to life for moral rearmament.

The movie is an expose of three men who are in retirement and what to do with the cash they got paid. Along the line, they forgot the L o r d ’ s prayer. So, where do we go without

*RMD, Zack Orji, and Victor Olaotan on set

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eanwhile, on the set of Opa Wil liams’ “Three Wise Men,” one could see professionalism at play. It was an assemblage of Nollywood veteran actors; Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) who recently returned to acting after he left the industry for politics more than nine years ago, Zack Orji, Victor Olaotan, Tina Mba, Ebele Okaro; rising actress, Gennfine Kanu and other production hands, were working tirelessly to make the set come to life on screen.

The movie, which the humour merchant said took him about 10 years to put together, is also a comedy film. Described as one of the films that will set a standard for comedy movies in Nigeria, the film tells the story of three wise men played by the trio of Victor Olaotan, Zack Orji and Richard Mofe-Damijo who, having seen through the vaC M Y K

Opa garies of life and are now at the waiting lounge, have reason to look back and see how well they have travelled the road of life thus far and what becomes of the last days of their lives.

Directed by Pat Oghre, the movie is about self-examination, betrayal and moral rearmament.

According to Williams, “I’m over 50 years now. The question is, have I actually lived my youth? Have I actually lived my own life? So, the movie is about self-examination. One of the men lost all his pension money to a woman. So, I need to evangelise the kingdom; I’m moving to faith-based features.

God?” On why he decided to feature the trio of RMD, Zack Orji, and Victor Olaotan in the movie, Opa Williams who created one of the biggest comedy shows in the country, “Nite of a Thousand Laugh” revealed that he initially wanted to feature the late Sam Loco and Justus Esiri. But when the two veteran actors died few years ago, he had no choice than to replace them with RMD, Zack Orji and Victor Olaotan. “I wrote the story about 10 years ago,”he revealed adding “I don’t see the film as a religious movie, rather “ it's about moral re-armament.”

My stories take time and must have messages. I’m not prolific. Now is the age to do proper movies. I’m coming out with something different, with a lot of innovation, a lot of maturity.

The movie will hit the cinemas possibly mid this year. It will take between two and three months to round off the production.”

'ATM: Alex Ek ubo in Ekubo lo ve ttangle angle with love Yvonne Jegede

*Alex Ekubo and Claire Edun

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his experience was more pronounced at the set of Lancelot’s ATM, featuring the likes of Francis Get out of Here”star, Odega, Nollywood hunk, Alex Ekubo, Yvonne Jegede, Eleno, and British-born actress, Claire Edun, aka Oyibo Princess. Claire who is married to a Nigerian is the toast of the movie. She speaks pidgin English like every other native and wouldn’t mind taking you on any tropical issues that has to do with the country.

But on set, Yvonne Jegede was all over Ekubo who is playing the lead character. One would think, the handsome actor has something to do with her beyond the movie set. Looking tired after hours of being on set, Alex Ekubo described the movie as “ witty and loaded with humor.” He’s starring alongside Yvonne Jegede, who happens to be his girlfriend in the movie. He plans to dump her for his UK-born girlfriend, Claire Edun. He has always nursed the ambition of travelling abroad in search of greener pasture, and the only way he can actualize his dream is to fall in love with a white woman.

So, when he met Oyibo Princess on Facebook, he was sure that the awaited opportunity has come and he was not ready to gamble with it. Back in Nigeria, his girlfriend of many years would not succumb to his devilish plans, as he tries as much as possible to convince her, by telling her how both of them would benefit from his plans. But unfortunately, when the Oyibo Princess arrived Nigeria, the story changed. Instead of travelling back to London with her man after their marriage, the white woman insisted that they should settle down in Nigeria, arguing, however, that there are lot of things in the country to make them comfortable than travelling to Europe. On set, the actors were awesome, giving the script their best shots.

The combination of comic actor, Francis Odega, Alex Ekubo and Yvonne Jegede gives life to the story.

ATM, according to Lancelot, is an exceptional comedy where we have an infusion of culture and entertainment.

“Most of the times, we always see Nigerians wanting to be Europeans or Americans, but in this production, we are going to see a British actress that is purely a Nigerian. Not because she was born or raised in Nigeria but because of her love for the country.” Lancelot said, he has always enjoyed producing comedy films, adding that ATM would be one of his best films ever. The film would be hitting the cinema on May 6, 2016.

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

East African film maker opens up on what they hate about Nigerian movies to decide on the policies that should be made to make the environment more conducive for film makers. There are many things that need to be done to make the film industry in East Africa much more conducive. This is part of the things we are trying to do in Kenya, using the parliament to be able to pass certain policies like the film policy. We

*Njoki Muhoho

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top rated Kenyan film maker and script writ er, Njoki Muhoho, recently took a swipe at the sorry state of the East African film industry, blaming the woes on the inability of the policy makers in the region to recognize the economic potentials of the industry.

Muhoho, who was appointed the head judge for the 2016

edition of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCAs, made this strong observation while in a chat with HVP, in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to her, ‘’the issue is not that we can’t make many films, or that we are not capable of many good films, but the problem lies on our policy makers. Our legislators need

are not saying every country that is doing well is because they have fantastic film industry.

Some have done it without a policy but it looks like in East Africa, we need government support.”

Muhoho, who has a dual career in Management

Consultancy and TV/Film Production also cited lack of training centres as another major challenge facing the growth of the film industry in the region.

While commending Nigerian film makers for their storytelling abilities, Muhoho, however, frowned at some of the unusual occurrences in the country’s films. She wondered why Nigerian actors scream loud-

Greg Odutayo, wife, Debbie take Nollywood by storm

‘Starring in Surulere motivates me to aim high’

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ritish-born Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya is presently enjoying her rising profile. And her latest movie, “Surulere (Patience pays)” from the stable of The Audrey Sylva Company (TASC) is a clear indication that she has upped the ante.

Pundits believe that the movie will set her on the path for great things in 2016.

Even as she assures that everyone will enjoy the movie and go away with one life lesson or the other.

Speaking on what she considers to be the important message of the film directed

by Mildred Okwo, Naya says: “considering the story, quality and cast of the film, I’m super excited about what the rest of the year holds.

The film motivates me to keep aiming high, to not only be consistent but to always give my fans something they would be proud of. Suru L’ere (Patience Pays) is a fantastic way to start the year for me; it sets the tone perfectly and gives people an idea of

what’s to come. The movie opens at the cinemas in the second week of February.

On her role in the movie, Naya who started her acting career in the United Kingdom at the age of 17 before staring in ‘Living in Exile’ (a movie produced by her mother), alongside star actor Desmond Elliot, explained that she played the role of an ambitious but laid back young girl, known as Omosigho.

“Omosigho was a really interesting character to play.

She is a young twenty something year old with a lot of big dreams, but unfortunately she does not have the zeal or dedication to actualise her dreams.

She’s pretty lazy and always tries to take the easy way out, but eventually she is forced to realise that life doesn’t always work that

ly on screen. ‘’Why your actors always scream loudly? She queried, adding ‘’Your films lack sequence. That’s why Nigerian films can be more than one and half hour. I find that very odd. In East Africa, we see it as shouting, but probably, in West Africa, it is not. Again, Nigerian films are always lengthy.

That's what we don't like about Nigerian movies, ’’ she said.

*Cast of Beyond Blood

I

*Beverly Naya way.

The Ibusa, Delta State-born actress explained that discovering Omosigho’s funny elements and bringing them to life was a major challenge she faced in preparing for the movie. This, according to her, was because “I wanted to ensure that her funny moments were authentic and unforced and never overdone. In every scene, I had to remember that Omosigho genuinely believes she deserves all the good things in life without working hard for them, which in itself is hilarious. Thinking this way helped a lot in overcoming the challenge.”

f you have been privileged to watch popular sit coms such as ‘Doctors Quarters,’ ‘Edge of Paradise’,‘Desperate Housewives’, phenomenal comedy series, ‘House A-Part’ among others, then the name, Greg Odutayo and his wife, Debbie, will definitely not sound unfamiliar with you.

The couple, over the years has continued to make an indelible mark on the nation’s television landscape with their bar-raising TV productions. But now, they have stepped up their games, delving into film production to point the way forward for the nation’s film industry.

The industry is currently characterised by low quality productions. At the press preview of the star-studded film, “Beyond Blood” last week in Lagos, the Royal Roots Production helmsman told WG that they decided to delve into film production because of the urgent need to raise the bar in the industry.

He frowned at the way and manner substandard films are currently being released into the market, insisting that their delving into film production is to reverse the ugly trend. The film with a captivating story of selfdiscovery is due to première in cinemas across the nation today.

Produced by Royal Roots Production and HF Media, with the support of the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Project ACT Nollywood grant, the movie was shot in four languages, including English, Pidgin English, French, and Yoruba. It stars the likes of Kehinde Bankole, Shan George, Okey Uzoeshi, Joseph Benjamin, Bimbo Manuel, Francis Onwochei, Marion, Wole Ojo, Uzor Ozimkpa, Ifeanyi Kalu, Bott, Carol King and Deyemi Okanlawon.

The movie, written by Debo Oluwatumininu, produced

by Debbie, and directed by Greg Odutayo, was shot on location in Lagos and London. It first premièred last November 1, at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California, USA. ‘Beyond Blood,’ Greg revealed, was not a regular runoff-the-mill movie. “It set out to raise the bar, so to speak in Nigeria, as it was produced with global best practices in mind.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—27

Glamorous evening dresses as Victorious Launches collection

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eople of Ikota shopping complex and its environs witnessed a mini fashion show recently, when Victorious boutique launched her latest collection of Victorious evening dresses for today’s upwardly mobile woman.

Speaking on the reason for creating the evening wear section, Victoria Ibe, the Managing Director of Victorious boutique, Ikota, said it was necessitated by the high demand for evening clothes “These days most churches have evening events like: couples

night, companies having dinners, many schools do prom and they wear evening dresses.

There are lots of red carpets events out there that these dresses are ideal for, so we

•Evening dresses by Victorious collection

Smile Oladapo wins Cussons Baby Toddler Grow and Shine Contest F OUR year old Imisi Subomi Smile Oladapo from Chrisland School, Victoria Garden City (VGC) emerged the winner of the 2015 inaugural edition of the Cussons Baby toddler competition tagged “Grow and Shine’.

It was a show of talent and creativity at its best as the kids came out one after the other, showcasing their talents in music, choreography, poetry rendition, singing and dancing to the admiration of the audience. Imisi, whose chorographic performance received standing ovation from judges, parents and other contestants smiled home with the competition’s educational grant of N1million at the competition grand finale held at Planet One, Maryland Lagos penultimate weekend.

Meanwhile Ehiarekhian Peter Hayble, 4, a pianist and Amarachi Akujobi 5, a dancer came second and third to win N250,000 and N150,000 education grant respectively. Other 17 kids also

C M Y K

are filling that need.”

Here are some collections from the show.

•Victoria Ibe, the Managing Director of Victorious boutique

went home with product gift and N20, 000 and N10, 000 shopping voucher each. The judges for the inaugural competitions were Jude Abaga popularly known as MI, Waje Iruobe and Chidinma Ekile all musicians.

Reinforcing the brand belief in its core audience, Cussons Baby Senior Brand Manager Family Care, Oluwaseun Ayeni said the brand believes that all babies are uniquely gifted and that is the reason the Cussons Baby added to the earlier platform- Cussons Baby Moments Competition, to give toddlers between the ages of 2 to 5 years the opportunity to share their amazing talents.

The elated winner ’s mother, Mrs. Ireti Oladapo, writer/publicist, thanked Cussons Baby for believing in the Nigerian child and not only providing them with world class baby lotion, soaps, oil and powder but also giving them the opportunity to express themselves through dancing, singing, choreographing and other talents.

•Model for Victorious collection

•Model for Victorious collection

FROM LEFT; Oluwatobi Adetunji, Oluwaseun Ayeni, Mrs Ireti Oladapo Mother of the Winner of 2106 Cussons Baby Competition Imisi Subomi Smile Oladapo; Charles Nnochiri, Faith Okoli, and Vivian Akindele

28—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

08 1 1 6759 759 081 6759759

Lara Stone puts on an eye-popping display for steamy Vogue shoot with hunky male model hugged tightly around her body, highlighting her feminine curves. he is known for her luscious She finished off her barely-there attire S looks and killer figure. And on with a pair of matching white panties.

Wednesday last week Lara Stone left little to the imagination as she posed for a racy photo shoot for Vogue Australia. While standing knee-deep in the waters of Bondi Beach, Australia, the 32-year-old showed off her ample cleavage and toned figure as she posed in a soaking wet white T-shirt. The Dutch model ample chest could be seen through the long-sleeved top which

For the beachside shoot, Lara wore her wet blonde locks out, allowing them to flow in the wind behind her. The covergirl displayed her natural beauty wearing minimal make-up on her complexion. The supermodel’s male companion also left heads turning as he went shirtless for the shoot, showing off his incredible six pack.

The unknown model displayed his

sun-kissed skin and multiple tattoos in nothing but a pair of white trunks.

He slicked his wet brunette locks back away from his face. During the shoot he wrapped his arm tightly around Lara as he brought her in to his bare chest. In another pose, the pair angled their heads closely to one another while Lara placed her arm around the male’s neck.

Later in the day they were pictured walking hand-inhand out of the water towards the sand before bursting into laughter. Iconic Vogue photographer Mario Testino was on hand to snap the racy shoot, which will appear in a forthcoming issue of Vogue Australia.

Man pays for new truck with $12,000 In small bills and coins

Revenge is best served with sparkles

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ll that glitters is not gold as a new prank video demonstrates. YouTube user Edamame said he was so sick of his father opening his mail that he decided to give him a sparkling surprise. He sent himself a spring-loaded tube of glitter and secretly filmed his nosy father popping it open.

As the ‘glitter bomb’ releases hundreds of shimmering pieces, the father is heard angrily cursing. The purple glitter coats his desk and computer keyboard.

The man continues to swear as he finds glitter all over his clothing.

He then walks off in a huff. His C M Y K

son apparently ordered the glitter bomb from the website ruindays.com. The company states: ‘[We] believe that anyone that has ever wronged you should pay.’ It specializes in anonymously sending ‘annoying packages’ to enemies, from sand in an envelope to ‘smelly poop’ in a box. Prices start from $4.99.

To date the video titled ‘springloaded glitter bomb vs dad’ has been watched more than two million times. Many viewers have applauded the stunt.

‘Ha, he’ll never open your mail again,’ one commentor exclaimed.

candy seller in China paid for his new A truck with a mountain of small change. He brought $12,000 worth of yuan in small

denomination bills and coins to the auto dealership in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, last Monday afternoon, reports the South China Morning Post. The cash weighed at least half a ton and was stuffed inside 10 crates, according to the People’s Daily Online. Mashable reports staff were initially stunned by the mammoth deposit.

“I have never seen so much cash in my life,” said

sales manager Gu Liyuan. But dealership manager Yang Huai said the man, surnamed Cai, was a “loyal customer and has already bought four cars from us, so we have to help him solve this problem.”

Thirteen employees spent more than 10 hours counting the money up, according to the South China Morning Post.

Cai, who sells sweets and biscuits to villagers, said he usually received payment for his candy in change and had “too much to exchange for larger bank notes.”

“Although some people might think that I’m flouting my wealth by paying for everything in small change, but it’s all I have and I just hope that the other person will accept them,” he added. It’s not known what vehicle be bought.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—29

A w oniyi Aw Nuptial bliss for the Adeolas and the Bellos Tunde celebrates 70

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ormer photo editor, Daily Times, Most Senior Apostle Raphael Babatunde Awoniyi, was a toast of high society when he celebrated his th 70 birthday in Lagos recently. The celebration started with communion service and followed by a jolly reception.

t was a day to cherish for the Bellos and the Adeolas when their children, Yewande and Biodun took their love affair to the next level.

The lovebirds took the first step in their matrimonial journey December last year as they were joined as one at a traditional marriage that had both families pulling their weights and showing the stuff they were made of. Photos by Diran Oshe

The couple; Mr & Mrs Ekundayo Adeola.

L-R: Guest, Seyi Macaulay; celebrant, former photo editor, Daily Times, Most Senior Apostle Raphael Babatunde Awoniyi; his wife Mrs. Cecelia Titilayo Awoniyi and Architect Kayode Anibaba

L-R: Prince Biodun Adeola, groom's father, groom, Mr Ekundayo Adeola and Dr (Mrs ) Adeola Okanlawon, representing groom's mother.

L- R: Mrs Yanju Bello, bride’s mum, Yewande Yvonne, bride and Mr Femi Bello, her dad.

L-R:Mrs. Peju Olumoko; celebrant, former photo editor, Daily Times, Most Senior Apostle Raphael Babatunde Awoniyi; his wifei and Chief Mrs. Bisi Efuwape

L- R: Mr Remi Lasaki, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, and Chief ( Mrs) Grace Bello, bride's grandmother.

L- R: Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi with Oba (Dr) & Olori M. A. Sonariwo, the Akarigbo of Remo land .

The celebrant, wife, with children and their spouses.

Iwiwarri celebrates 60, retirement

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hief (Dr.) Iwiwarri Berian James , pioneer energy practitioner and first Nigerian certified energy psychologist celebrated his 60th birthday and retirement from Nigerian Breweries recently in Lagos after 27 years of meritorious services.

L-R: Miss Adaeze James, the celebrant chief Iwowarri Berian James,Mrs Berian James and ,Chief Jerry Daminabo, C M Y K

Sons, daughters, and friends with Chief Dr, Friends and well-wishers with Chief Dr. Iwowarri Iwowarri Berian James, cutting his 60th birthday cake with him.

Berian James, cutting the birthday cake.

30—SA TURD AY 30—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JANU ARY 30, 2016 JANUARY

(Text Only)

•Spread Eagle(lying)

Body power:Floor play & upright postures Spread Eagle Technique:

S

it down and spread the legs as far wide apart as possible and keeping the trunk very upright ,place the hands on the shins and breath normally for 10 to 15 seconds. Rest and repeat.

Benefits: The Spread Eagle stretches both the harmstrings and inner thigh muscles. It helps tone up the muscles of the

•The Locust

The Eagle Technique: Standing with feet together bend the elbows and place the sight on the top the left one and bring the palms together while you raise and bend the left leg and rap it around the right lower leg with the foot sticking out.

The left leg must be slightly bent at the knee to make this possible.

abdomen and also impoves the posture.

Locust Technique: Lie flat on your belly,and with hands formed into fists,tuck them underneat you as depicted.

Breathe in,and with the knees locked,raise both legs up as high as you can.

Benefits: The Eagle instills a sense of balance and also banishes varicose veins.

‘ Fitness’ col. in Vanguard'

Benefits: This pose strengthens the muscles of the back,the butocks,legs and hands.

•The Eagle

Kudos Mike! You shall be continually strengthened to keep up the good works of holistic wellness advocacy, so be it.

Am a benefactor of your weekly ‘Keep Fit’ and ‘Health & Fitness’ column in Vanguard Newspaper.

Suffice to state,I have been hooked to your column since 1999.I long to meet you and express my deep gratitude.

Regards , Babatunde Olusanya.

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

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

C M Y K

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 31

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espite showing gratitude to President Mohammadu Buhari for remembering to honour the class of 1985 members of the Nigerian U-16 team that won the first edition of the FIFA cadet championship held in China, a member of the group, Hilary Adike has vowed never to allow any of his children to play football for the country.

Adike who was among the players who got the sum of N2 million from the federal government more than 30 years after they put the name of the country on the world map said it was unfortunate that it only took the return of Buhari to power for them to be rewarded even after other compatriots who achieved the same feat much more later were adequately rewarded by the same nation. He spoke to Correspondent Jude Opara. Excerpts.

How do you feel being rewarded by Nigeria after such a long time?

Well, it is good that we are being rewarded today more than 30 years after we won the first edition of the FIFA cadet championship. At least we are now happy as citizens because after 30 years it was like nobody recognized our efforts in bringing glory to the nation. Buhari has returned somehow, by an act of God, to do this. So, we give kudos to him. However, I will say that my heart bleeds because way back in 1985, I remember that the Saudi Arabian team was promised $1 million dollars if they won that world cup and we won it. Yes, I know that Nigeria is not as rich as Saudi Arabia but then we were trying to look for a path to glory but Nigeria stopped us.

How do you mean?

Yes we were termed government property, that we should not go out, that the country was going to look after us to the extent that whatever school we wanted to go to, we would go, that what ever thing we wanted to achieve in life that they would take care of us. The euphoria made them promise heaven on earth. But they abandoned us to the extent that I was on my way to Italy to play football with three of my colleagues, we were arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and told that we could not leave this country because we were Nigerian property. I think that their plan was to keep us, continue to train us and see us graduate to the Super Eagles. But restricting us to the country was a bad approach. We were restrained from going to make a good life for ourselves. Then after 30 years, we are being given C M Y K

What I told President Buhari

— Hilary Adike, 1985 Golden Eaglet *Why my son will never play in Nigeria N2 million.

But successive governments ignored you till today (cuts in) Yes, yes, I agree and that is why I said that we are very grateful to Mr. President for remembering that. But then, my heart bleeds because these Golden Eaglets(Emmanuel Amuneke’s current squad) and the subsequent ones after our time, they were all allowed to go out and play, make good money and improve on their lives, why were we restrained?

But some of your colleagues like Jonathan Akpborie still went out to play professional football?

Yes, yes now you are talking, let me tell you something, about five years ago if you had wanted to buy a player like Mario Ballitoli you would pay high, but today will you pay such a high amount of money for him? No, so it is always a good thing when you are still hot. We were not allowed to leave immediately after our victory when the opportunities were many. At the the particular point in time when we were hot we were restrained from getting something as hotcakes. So over time we were forgotten.

In my own case I got injured, I had problem with my knees so

I couldn’t make any progress in my professional career. Had it been I was allowed to travel then, I know what I would have achieved with my life.

They abandoned us to the extent that I was on my way to Italy to play football with three of my colleagues, we were arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and told that we could not leave this country because we were Nigerian property.

So presently what are you doing?

Right now, I am lecturing in a school in Port Harcourt. Thank God that he gave me brain to go to school and further my education, got my Masters and all that so I lecture in a school and that is what has been putting food on my table.\ So will you still encourage any of your children to play football?

Definitely I will encourage them but not in this country, I will take them abroad to play football Why? Because they recognize talents over there, whatever you do in developed counties you are recognised based on your capacity. Talent pays. Here it’s like they look at certain talents and say these ones are not important, like it is for fun and that is the reason my colleagues used to call me ‘professor’ because my father never joked with education. They used to look at me as somebody who was brainy who should not play football, as if it should be only for the dropouts and the dullards. I had passion for football. Let me tell you the truth, there was a time I failed my exams and my dad put

all my football kits together and burnt them all and warned that if I failed my exams again I would be in trouble and would finally stop playing football. I had to sit up and had good results again. The next day he replaced all my football kits and that was how I realised that education is the key.

Then why are you still talking like you are unhappy?

Yes I was able to make something out of my life through education, but what of my other colleagues?

Today it looks as if education is no longer the key because you can do other things and make money, good for them, they are enjoying it but we were not that lucky. We were treated like guinea pigs. We set the pace. Who ever believed that Africans could so play football this good if not for my set?

Finally, what is your message about President Buhari?

Actually, he is doing a good job and all Nigerians must support him. When a nation is in this situation that we are, we must have to sacrifice for us to get to the level he wants to take us to. So for that he has done okay, I say God bless him. In fact when I shook his hands I said ‘Mr. President God bless you’. God should really bless him. I think this is my quota to the sacrifice to take Nigeria where she ought to be but if we don’t get there, my heart will continue to bleed.

32 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

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VERY Tuesday morning when he meets his old Stoke City team-mates for a walk around the lake at Trentham Gardens, Gordon Banks remarks on the passing of time.

‘When I was young older people were always wondering where the years had gone and I used to wonder what they were talking about,’ he smiled this week.

‘Now that I am their age I am the same. It’s gone so quickly, it’s incredible. Some of the old Stoke lads — me, Denis Smith, Terry Conroy, Jimmy Greenhoff — go for a walk once a week and we were talking about that this morning. Time is racing on.’

This year, of all years, is suited to reflection for Banks, a time to cherish the past rather than wonder where it has gone. It is 50 years this July since England won the World Cup at Wembley and Sir Alf Ramsey’s goalkeeper, currently battling kidney cancer for the second time, is ready to embrace some of life’s better memories.

The simple secret of the team was how much we liked each other,’ Banks told Sportsmail.

‘We didn’t want to let each other down.

‘People talk about some of us more than others, but there were heroes all through that team. Simple, selfless men.

‘Look at Roger Hunt. People didn’t realise the running he did so Geoff Hurst could have space to score his goals. People don’t see that. We did.

Alan Ball was voted our best player of the World Cup by the players themselves. He deserved it. He worked so hard, up and down, up and down. He never missed a pass or a tackle. He never got the headlines, but we couldn’t have won it without him.

‘It’s great to celebrate the anniversary, it really is. I am more proud than anyone will ever know.

It’s just so sad that people like Bobby Moore and Alan are no longer with us. They did so much for that team.

It’s just wrong that we can’t see them this year of all years.’

Banks no longer has his medal from the World Cup final. Like many of Ramsey’s team, he sold it — at Christie’s for more than £120,000 — to help his three children buy their first houses.

‘It makes me very sad but it was a practical decision that had to be made,’ he said. ‘Some of the other players have done it. I don’t know where it went, sadly. I had no other way of supporting the kids. But I would have loved to have kept it.’

Banks does have an OBE and by the end of this year may benefit from a growing campaign to award the surviving members of the 1966 team knighthoods.

‘I have never taken anything away from Geoff Hurst for his knighthood,’ he said. ‘But it has always seemed unfair to pick one man out of a team because obviously without the rest of the players he wouldn’t have been able to do what he did.

‘So, yes, it would be very special to get one. We will see.’

What Banks certainly does have in abundance are stories.

Born in Yorkshire, he started his career with Chesterfield as a teenager while still digging ditches and carrying bricks on a building site.

‘My dad had made me leave school at 15 after I got dropped from the

schools team in Sheffield,’ he recalled. ‘He said school was no good if I wasn’t in the representative team and he made me get a job.’

Subsequently, Banks made his name with Leicester City and Stoke City, who met last Saturday at the King Power Stadium — and, of course, England. Now 78, he is a life president of Stoke, a member of the three-man pools panel and a regular at the Britannia Stadium.

Recently he met up with young Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland. ‘I wanted to ask him why keepers no longer have defenders on the post at corners but I forgot,’ he laughed.

Banks appreciates the modern game but his recollections of his own glory days remain clear and the distinctions between now and then are striking.

Few goalkeepers in the modern age would find themselves in a panic before a big game because of a missing packet of chewing gum. ‘I didn’t use gloves in

those days, only when it was wet,’ said Banks. ‘Woollen ones like the ones you may buy to wear in winter now with your overcoat.

But I learned from (former Manchester City goalkeeper) Bert Trautmann to get a couple of pieces of chewing gum and start chewing. He told me to wait until just before the icing on the gum cracked and then spit on my hands and smooth it over. Then when the opposition came over the halfway line you just had to lick your palms and they would immediately get sticky and help you hold the ball when it came.

‘At the World Cup, England trainer Harold Shepherdson always used to lay me some out before a game, but before the semi-final against Portugal I was in the dressing room and I said to Alf, “Where is my gum? It’s not on the massage table”.

‘Alf just looked at Harold and he went bright red and said, “I have forgotten it”. So Alf sent him off down Wembley Way to the nearest newsagent. By this time we were standing in the tunnel ready to go out.

Banks no longer has his medal from the World Cup final.

Like many of Ramsey’s team, he sold it — at Christie’s for more than £120,000 — to help his three children buy their first houses

‘He must have run down Wembley Way like lightning.

Anyway, he got it to me just in time. I wouldn’t have been the same without it. I had just got so used to it…’

By the time the most famous moment of his career arrived, Banks had forsaken chewing gum for goalkeeping gloves.

Time was, as always, moving on.

Mexico 1970 and Banks saves from Pele, a moment that changed his life. Interestingly, he doesn’t feel it was the best work of his career.

‘No, that was a penalty from Geoff Hurst against Stoke in the League Cup semi-final in 1972,’ he said.

Nevertheless, the save from Pele looks as phenomenal now as it did then. The years have not dimmed its majesty. Watch Bobby Moore on the YouTube footage. The great England captain thinks Pele’s header is in.

It’s just a shame that a mythical comment from Moore said to have followed turns out not to be true.

‘I tell my after-dinner audiences that Bob leaned over and said, “Banksy, try and hold them. No silly corners!”,’ he

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 33

There are some horrible things that the medication does to my stomach and soles of my feet, but I get in the garden, I clean the car, play golf twice a week, do a few exercises at home and I am just carrying on

laughed.

‘But he didn’t really say that. He just tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Well done”. But I heard Pele shout “Goal” after he headed it. Definitely. He thought it was past me.’

In the early years of his career, Banks never practised goalkeeping as such. Leicester didn’t have a training ground so the players used to run around the pitch at Filbert Street, lift some weights in the gym and then play five-a-side on the car park. No place to be diving about.

By 1970, though, Banks had progressed, studying opponents and ordering reserveteam players at Stoke to come back in the afternoon and pepper him with shots and crosses. On that day in Guadalajara, it paid off.

‘Out there in Mexico I had to get extra practice,’ he recalled. ‘It was so hot. We were losing half a stone in training and the pitches were rock hard underneath the grass.

‘I noticed in shooting sessions that sometimes the ball would kick up a bit more off its first bounce and come up higher than normal.

‘It was this that helped me make the

save as I was able to anticipate that it was going to bounce up and it meant I could flick it over.’

England lost that group game 1-0, Banks beaten by another Brazilian icon, Jairzinho. It was his absence with food poisoning from the subsequent quarter-final with West Germany that cost England, however, as Ramsey’s team let a 2-0 lead slip to lose 3-2 in extra-time. Sadly stand-in goalkeeper Peter Bonetti contributed a decisive mistake.

‘I felt very sorry for Peter,’ said Banks. ‘He had been put in right at the last minute. He hadn’t played for a long time and here he was thrust in against that team of all teams. I have

never blamed him. He was a fine keeper.

‘But I do worry the same thing may happen to Jack (Butland) if the England manager doesn’t give him some matches soon. You need to know how it feels, the nerves, the tunnel, the anthems. Playing for England in big games is different to anything else and you have to have a chance to get used to it.’

Banks has never bought into the theory that he was deliberately poisoned before the West Germany game but over the years his stance has shifted slightly.

‘What shook me was that we all sat down together and ate exactly the same food so how come I was the only one who got food poisoning?’ he said.

‘I never used to think there was something amiss, but I have started to wonder. Why did only I get it? It doesn’t add up, does it? It is such a shame because I thought the team was as good as 1966 and I thought we were as good as Brazil, who won it.

‘I think I could have given the defence a lift (against West Germany) and helped us get through. And if we had done that I think we could have won it again.’

The English career of probably our finest-ever goalkeeper ended on a country lane in Staffordshire one night in October 1972.

Overtaking on a bend, Banks’ Ford Consul smashed into an Austin A60 van, leaving him requiring 200 stitches to facial injuries that cost him the sight in his right eye.

‘I can’t believe what I was doing,’ he said. ‘It was my fault, stupid. The van had a little lad in it. I could hear him crying, but fortunately for me he wasn’t hurt.

‘I couldn’t see a thing, but I was so relieved to hear that.’

Banks actually subsequently played a season in the North American Soccer League for Fort Lauderdale Strikers, winning the competition against teams featuring some old faces. ‘Pele, Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto... they were all there,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe how well I played with one eye. It shows what can be done if you try.’

Banks’ career certainly took its toll physically, a broken wrist, finger, collarbone and nose among the injuries.

In recent times, however, Banks has

battled a much more sinister foe.

Cancer cost him a kidney 10 years ago and in 2014 a tumour was discovered on the other.

‘I am on the chemo via tablets and I’m OK,’ he said, frankly.

‘There are some horrible things that the medication does to my stomach and soles of my feet, but I get in the garden, I clean the car, play golf twice a week, do a few exercises at home and I am just carrying on.

‘I need a buggy for the golf, but that’s about it.

‘I should get another scan in a couple of weeks. I have had two and it has gone smaller each time so hopefully it will get rid of it.’

If his treatment is not successful then a transplant will be his only hope. For now, though, Banks is taking a pragmatic view. During our two hours together, he was energetic, amusing company. The joy he still takes from memories of his career is clear.

He could not think more highly of Ramsey, despite his rather taciturn image. ‘He was ahead of his time, just a superb manager,’ he said.

And he is anticipating the series of dinners, interviews and photo calls that will no doubt accompany him through this anniversary year.

This time he will make sure his wife Ursula is invited too.

‘We hadn’t seen the wives for six weeks during the 1966 tournament,’ he revealed. ‘They came down for the final and we were told they would be at the hotel for the post-final dinner. The journey into London took forever.

There were people everywhere.

Then when we got to the main road right outside Hyde Park, we just couldn’t go any further. We had to get out and walk and push through the crowd. It was just solid.

‘I don’t know who had the trophy, but it got in there somehow. Then when we were in the hotel room I asked my wife why she wasn’t getting ready and she just said, “We haven’t been invited”. I couldn’t believe it. But that was it.

‘So we went down and it was just us and the West German team for dinner. It was fine, for us at least.

Needless to say, the Germans were rather disappointed...’

•SOURCE: Mail of London

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

By Oghene Omonisa

N

ZIKA:

Another virus threatens the world

ot until its outbreak in May last year in Brazil did the world come to acknowledge Zika’s threat. That was when it was first confirmed as the cause of an outbreak of a dengue-like disease in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country. Zika virus (ZIKV), an insectborne virus spread by Aedes (yellow fever) mosquitoes, is a member of the Flaviviridae virus family and the Flavivirus genus – the latest virus threatening world health!

Medical experts say Zika virus causes a mild illness known as Zika fever, Zika, or Zika disease, which since the 1950s has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia.

Caledonia, all of the Pacific Islands.

The Zika fever disease process was relatively mild: there were 49 confirmed cases, 59 unconfirmed cases, no deaths and no hospitalisation. Then the outbreak in Brazil.

Origin A BBC report on Monday said the virus “was first detected in 1947 in monkeys in Africa.”

And zikavirusnet.com, a web resource dedicated to Zika virus, says the detection was made that year by “scientists researching yellow fever, who placed a rhesus macaque (monkey) in a cage in the Zika Forest (zika meaning ‘overgrown’ in the Luganda language), near the East African Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, Uganda”; the monkey developed a fever, and researchers isolated from its blood plasma a transmissible agent that was first described as Zika virus in 1952. It was subsequently isolated from a human in Nigeria in 1954. From its discovery until 2007, confirmed cases of Zika virus infection from Africa and Southeast Asia were rare.

In 2007, however, a major epidemic occurred in Yap Island, Micronesia. The condition was characterized by rash, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia, and was initially thought to be dengue. The Chikungunya and Ross River viruses were also suspected. However, blood plasma samples from patients in the acute phase of the illness contained RNA of Zika virus. More recently, epidemics have occurred in Polynesia, Easter Island, the Cook Islands and New

Symtoms According to zikavirusnet.com, the “first well documented case of Zika virus was in 1964, beginning with a mild headache and progressing to a maculopapular rash, fever, and back pain.” Within 2 days, the rash was fading, and within 3 days, the fever was gone and only the rash remained. So, the most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, headaches and arthralgia, which appear between three and twelve days after the mosquito bite. One out of four people may not develop symptoms, but among those who are affected, the disease is usually mild with symptoms that can last between two and seven days. Severe disease requiring hospitalisation is uncommon.

Complications (neurological, autoimmune) are rare, but have been described in the outbreaks in Polynesia.

The American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes that “about 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika). The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week. The illness is usually mild with symptoms

lasting for several days to a week. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days but it can be found longer in some people. Severe disease requiring hospitalisation is uncommon. Deaths are rare.”

Spread Infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, and serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes. The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for several days, at approximately the same time that they have Zika fever. Aedes mosquitoes may acquire the virus when they feed on an individual during this period.

Prevention, treatment Fighting mosquitoes is, as of now, the only way to curb the virus, as there is no current treatment or vaccine, experts say.

According to experts, no vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika infections. Treating the symptoms, experts say, includes getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids to prevent dehydration. Others are taking medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain. Experts do not advise taking aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage (bleeding), experts advise.

If a Zika victim is taking medicine for another medical condition, he should talk to his healthcare provider before taking additional medication, and avoid mosquito bites for the first week of illness.

Present, clear danger CNN reported on Thursday that the head of the World Health Organization has said that

Zika virus “is now spreading explosively” in the Americas, with another official estimating between 3 million and 4 million Zika infections in the region over a 12month period. “The level of concern is high, as is the level of uncertainty”, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan told her organization’s Executive Board Members. “We need to get some answers, quickly.”

Unfortunately, the answers are yet to be found as the lack of any immunity to Zika virus and the fact that the mosquitoes that spread it can be found almost everywhere in the Americas – from Argentina to the Southern United States – explains the Zika virus’s spread, explained Dr. Sylvain Aldighieri, an official with the WHO and Pan American Health Organization.

And early in the week, an arm of the WHO reported that the Zika virus is suspected to spread to all countries in North and South America, with the exception of Canada and Chile. According to the CDC, the Zika virus is now being locally transmitted in Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Others are French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

None of the threats of Zika can be compared to that of pregnancy and newborn babies. Women in some parts of the continent have been advised to delay pregnancy to prevent children from developing birth defects from the virus as pregnant women, according to experts, have the same risk as the rest of the population of being infected. The Zika virus has been linked to birth defects and deaths in newborns in Brazil, and the country’s health officials have established a relationship between an increase in cases of microcephaly in newborns and Zika virus infections in the country’s Northeast.

However, women’s rights advocates say advice to delay conception because of the risks of the Zika virus fails to recognise that most pregnancies in the region are unplanned. This is just as pregnant women have been warned againsts travelling to countries where Zika virus has been circulating.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—35

Poverty can be eradicated with good governance

— Ken Imansuangbon

BY JEMI EKUNKUNBOR He is a lawyer, politician, businessman, philanthropist and the chairman of Abuja-based Pace Setters Group of Schools. But on the streets of Benin City the Edo State capital, he is known and fondly referred to as the “Rice Man.” This is not unconnected with his philanthropic gestures of distributing bags of rice to members of the society every Christmas. This he has done consecutively in the last seven years.

Having come face to face with poverty and defeated it, giving to the less privileged, comes naturally to him. He has also been instrumental in giving scholarship to children of military, police and other security officers who lost their lives in active service. In this encounter, Mr. Ken Imansuangbon, a gubernatorial candidate in Edo State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC, talks about his life in philanthropy.

What was growing up like?

Life was good and it was fun growing up as a child. We didn’t live in fear of being poisoned or kidnapped.

We were contented and satisfied with what we had.

My parents were hard working people. We didn’t have much, but we loved one another. What defined us was our common humanity. But today, we’re so divided and polarised.

What inspired you as a child?

My hard working parents. I was born in Ewohimi, Edo State, but my father relocated to Ijebu-Ode where he worked as a rubber plantation manager. He managed a group of people at a rubber plantation in IjebuOde. This inspired me to be hard working. My widowed mother too summoned up courage when my father died and gave us (the children) needed support in her little way.

Having grown up in abject poverty, you could have turned out otherwise.

What kept you focused?

Determination and belief in myself.

I left secondary school and passed out in flying colours in 1981, but due to poverty, I had to take to menial job as a technical assistant with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Abuja. I worked with some great expatriates who spotted my exceptional brilliance and talent and advised me strongly to return to school.

I did not dismiss that idea. I gained admission to study law at the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife. So, I have always been a focused young man who in the state of despair was hopeful.

By dint of hardwork, you have emancipated yourself from poverty.

But are there situations that remind you of your past?

Yes, of course. When I see people who can’t get food to eat, don’t have jobs after graduation, when a woman

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who has malaria and cannot pay her hospital bill or cannot go to the hospital because her husband doesn’t have a job, when a woman who is pregnant cannot see a doctor because she cannot afford the medical consultation fees or when a child can’t pay school fees etc.

Situations like these make me sad.

At what stage did you decide to give back to the society?

My background must have shaped my philanthropic disposition. I came from a very poor home. All that I have benefited was from my widowed mother and neighbours.

Those who were our neighbours never made us lack. They all supported. So, I made up my mind that if God blesses me, I would give back to God and to humanity. To that extent, this is a mission and a pact. I studied law at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. I felt law was a tool for social change, a social engineering instrument. I wanted to practice law, to fight for humanity, defend the poor and to use law to bring about change. That was what I wanted to do until I visited the USA about 20 years ago and saw the huge development that had taken place there. I asked the first white man I spoke with why Africa was not as developed? He said the gap was in education, that developed people are people that are highly read, people that take their education serious. So, I made up my mind that I was going to open schools. That I have done.

Under what charity have you been functioning?

I function under my name.

How do you fund it?

The grace of God is sufficient for me.

In your view, what is the cause of increasing rate of poverty in Nigeria and how do you think it can be eradicated?

Poverty can be eradicated with good governance and good leadership. If you ask me, a good leader is a good shepherd. A good shepherd gives his life for his people.

A good leader is one that would not steal the people’s money. A good leader is one that would be fair and equitable in all his decision.

A good leader is a leader that would remember tomorrow. And that is why we need people of good character in governance. If the good ones abandon the game of politics for the bad ones, then the common man is done for. So we need people of integrity in governance to turn the situation around and alleviate people from abject poverty.

Can you mention some people that have had great influence on your life?

I have several people that have impacted my life positively. My wife, the late Chief MKO Abiola and the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. The late Gani Fawehinmi was a great role model.

He inspired me to study law. I loved his courage and how he fought for the poor and humanity in general. Unfortunately, we don’t respect our heroes. The true heroes of this country are people like Gani Fawehinmi. He inspired me each time he talked.

Another fellow was the late MKO Abiola. Again, while at Ife, we needed to raise money for the Law Faculty Week. The dean, Professor Fabunmi, called me and said we must go and raise money. We got to MKO’s house at about 3pm. We learnt he went to see Gen. Ibrahim Babangida at Dodan Barracks. We waited until he came at about 1am.

I will never forget MKO. What I observed was that even men in Christian cassock and

•Ken Imansuangbon

Poverty can be eradicated with good governance and good leadership

Muslims in their turbans were also waiting. But when he came, he was told that students of the Faculty of Law, Ife, were waiting. We were the first he saw. He asked what we wanted.

I was the lead speaker; I told him we needed N100, 000 for our law faculty.

He asked how much we’ve raised? I said we haven’t raised anything.

‘You’ve not raised anything. It’s MKO Abiola’s money you need to do everything?” he chided me and laughed. At the end, he gave us N50, 000. All that we needed actually was N10, 000. MKO Abiola was a giver per excellence. He loved everybody.

He wasn’t discriminatory in his character, attitude, fellowship and fraternity with people. For him, there was neither Muslims nor Christians; everybody was equal. That’s one lesson I learnt from him. That’s why when I share rice; I take some to the mosques in Edo State. MKO Abiola was a great man and undoubtedly one of the legends we have had in this country.

And lastly, my wife; she has been very supportive. I wanted a Godfearing woman, but God answered my prayers and gave me an angel.

36—SA TURD AY 36—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JANU ARY 30 JANUARY 30,, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

I

Parents who encourage siblings’ rivalry damage their children

think it’s fair to say that my sister Kate—eight years my senior—hated me from the moment I was born” sighed 39-year-old Adesuwa, a mother of three and an educationist.

“She bullied me relentlessly throughout our childhood, and she won’t dispute either of these facts. Cruel, frequently violent and resentful of my very existence, her bullying left me damaged to the point that it will forever impinge on my happiness.

“She has her own scars too and, like me, she still struggles with feelings of inadequacy caused by the chasm that opened up when I was born, and terrible rivalry that was actively encouraged by our parents.” Adesuwa’s mum was pregnant with her first child when she was still training to be a teacher. Aged 19, abortion never even came into the picture and she had to get married to her 22-year-old lover shortly before Kate was born to give their child the semblance of legitimacy.

“Understandingly, my mother wasn’t ready for parenthood,” continued Adesuwa.

“She was 28 when she had me and I think she saw this second pregnancy as her chance to do things properly. I was breast-fed on demand and was never off her back and hip. side. When she started JAMB, my mother piled I don’t need to imagine how experimenting with makepressure on me to excel in this made my sister feel. She up, I would break into the exams. When Kate was 28 told me many times how cosmetics box and smear the and married our parents wounded, jealous and angry stuffs all over the dressing upgraded their car and she was. As we grew older, my table. Again she was forced promised her their old parents set up a modest to forgive me as the baby of Honda. Then I got a place at nursery school and the the family. On her 12th the university and I needed a business consumed them, but birthday, I discovered her car to get me there. They rather than employ a present of a box of promptly gave me the Honda housemaid, they relied on my chocolates and ate them all” instead. To outsiders, these sister to care for me. Only now, When children’s natural incidents might seem petty— with the hindsight of an adult selfish competitive natures the self-pitying laments of an and the mother of three are unchecked and even over-privileged woman. But children, can I see how unfair encouraged, sibling rivalry only when you are trapped in this was on Kate. From the age easily spills over into bouting match presided over of ten, she was expected to something far nastier— by your parents, can you make my breakfast, prepare bullying. Most parents work understand how damaging supper and look after me. This hard to try to ease the such a situation can be. continued throughout her relationships between their “I’m sure my parents’ open teens, and when I started offsprings. “Sadly mine disappointment at my sister’s school, she had to take me didn’t”, continued Kate. failures in her romantic there and pick me up later too.

“They used each of our relationships is what drove No wonder she saw me as a shortcomings as a stick to burden. What 14-year-old beat the other with. If my wants her six-year-old little sister was good at sister dragging around after something, they asked why her all the time?

I wasn’t and vice versa.

“Both our parents were harsh Perhaps in some warped disciplinarians and considered way they thought the the whip the only answer to competition would inspire any misdemeanor—a style my us. They’d openly take sister copied with zeal. I sides in our fights, and remember cowering in terror discuss who was their whenever we were alone and I favourite child and why. ‘misbehaved’. Although I was From early in life, we were scared of her, all I wanted, like labelled. My sister was the most little sisters, was to be like ‘wild child’. First, she failed her—but this took the form of at school—no surprise as taking her toys. Neither of us she had no time for will forget when, as a threehomework. Then, after she year-old, I picked up a left home, she’d come back precious doll our grandmother heart-broken, jobless or gave her, and twisted off its homeless, thanks to her limbs so they could never be numerous crisis. repaired. She will never forget “I was the goody-goody either how she was told off for one destined to make up for threatening to beat me up. I Kate’s mistakes. When she was constant thorn on her didn’t get a place at the university after failing

Then mum discovered dad had been having a long-term affair and their own rows started

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me to marry my childhood sweet-heart at just 25. I was terrified of scorn if things were to go wrong. They pushed me hard into the arms of this aspiring young lawyer, never mind if he was right for me— he was the catch they dreamed of. Not surprisingly, the marriage came unstuck pretty quickly, and we separated when I was 28. By then my sister was happily settled with a long-term boyfriend, and suddenly became their favourite child. It was horrible being a let-down, and I began to see how my sister must have felt all those years. Yet the old rivalry remained.”

For years, Adesuwa said she thought their situation was unique, but having talked to counsellors and researched the subject, it seems it’s not unusual for parents to be complicit in competitive wranglings between their children. According to Suzie Hayman a renowned relationship expert: “If the children aren’t in alliance, you have total power because they can’t join forces against you.

Parents can deliberately stoke the fire of sibling rivalry, and if this happens, it can be profoundly disabling.

Continued Adesua: “Our parents, as grandparents, quickly reverted to type and resumed their practice of measuring one child against the other. Kate’s son was messy and mine was clean. My son was clever, Kate’s was slower on the uptake. This brought our own rivalries back and when I accused Kate of being late for

an appointment we had, she hit the roof, accusing me of being a control freak. We had an almighty row—a row that was building underneath due to our pent-up resentments and didn’t speak to each other for close to two years. Our parents seemed to revel in the divide—reminding me how angry Kate still was, constantly putting me off approaching her.

Then mum discovered dad had been having a long-term affair and their own rows started. They wanted me to take sides and I refused.

Reluctantly, I reached out to Kate and it was as if we’d never been apart. We both realised that if it hadn’t been for our parents’ constant meddling…we would have made up a long time ago….We rebuilt our relationship as adults and now have a stronger alliance. We live a few minutes apart and our children see each other regularly. But we no longer get along with our parents.

We’ve left them to their devise and let’s see how strong they are without us.

We realised the only way to protect ourselves from our painful past is to build our relationship alone. Now it’s our parents who have been left out in the cold. We have both finally realised how precious it is to have a sibling, and we’re determined that our children will enjoy a bond as cousins that we were denied as sisters growing up.”

Exercise can keep dementia at bay—even if it’s in your genes

R

EGULAR exercise may stave off Alzheimer ’s— even in those whose genes put them in the dementia danger zone. Being active at least three times a week stops the brain from shrinking, a study of men and women in their 60s, 70s and 80s found. Even those with the APOE-e4 gene were protected by brisk walking, jogging, swimming and cycling, it was discovered.

The APOE-e4 gene is carried by up to 30 per cent of the population. It is thought to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s tenfold—though not everyone with the suspect.

DNA will develop the disease. Experts say the findings have ‘tremendous implications’ in treating the condition. The brain normally

shrinks with age, with the hippocampus—the brain’s memory hub—particularly vulnerable in those at genetic risk of dementia.

Researchers at the University of Maryland, in the US, measured the brain size of four groups of pensioners at the start and end of the 18-month study.

The amount of exercise they did was monitored and they were tested for the APOE-e4 gene. The only brain shrinkage occurred in those with the gene who did little or no exercise. Those with the gene who were at least moderately physically active three times at week or more were protected, the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience reports.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—37 YETUNDE AREBI Yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk tweeterhandle@yetundearebi 08054700825

pride did not let me cry on top of the matter. I was going to let it go. In fact, I did not make any comment about it. No BBM, Twitter or Facebook rant. Only for me to see updates from the said friend about enemies and haters some months later. In my mind I was like “Oloun mu e, you deserve all the haters you can get”.

Her updates were clearly not for me but I was still angry. Suddenly, everybody has haters and everyone else is a hater. I could not stop wondering though.

Does this one even have the moral justification to call out haters? I mean, she is the hater and I am the hated, duh!

Bill Gates is not calling out haters. Dangote is not calling out haters. You must be really delusional to think you even have haters. If you have so many haters, maybe you need to check yourself. I did my own share of hating on haters too but I’ve long outgrown it. It’s like there is some sort of unspoken competition to see who has the most haters. If everyone is hated, who exactly is the hater then? We all need to grow up and that trend needs to go forever. Sh.t is getting really old. Rant over. *drops mic* Osebi Adeniran

From my mailbox Hi! Today, I just want to share with you some of the interesting stuff I recently came across. They are all so on-point, I just couldn’t resist. Maybe you will also like to chip in something on what they have to say.

Will watch out for your responses. Do have a wonderful weekend!

Re: Women who tend to carcass Dear Yetunde, Thanks for this article on Uncle Rufus and Mummy Laide. It is as if the story is about my father. He married seven wives while he was alive and did not take care of us the 18 products of his relationships. Instead, he spent his money on clothes, musicians and more women. My mother, like most of the other mothers took care of themselves and their children. Many of them were forced to move out to take care of their children as single parents. The two wives who lived to old age in his house, probably did so because they had no other place to go when the others were leaving one after the other. Till today, we still ask our mother what she saw back then in a man who already had six wives and 14 children.

By the time old age crept in on him, he had no loving and loyal wife to care for him and no money to attract any young woman into his bed. When he fell ill with stroke, the two wives quickly left under the pretence of going to their children’s homes for Omugo. But everyone knew that the women did not want to stay around to clean up after him.

He was left at the mercy of relatives and friends who did very little for him. At the end, his brother called a meeting of all his children and they decided that we should either hire someone to care for him or one of the children should volunteer to return home to do so. I was young and still in school, so I had no money to contribute. But even the older ones who were working and had families of their own, refused to contribute money for his keep. Eventually, they agreed that the first child, a woman already widowed, should return to care for him. He died shortly after. I know that if he had invested in his family, he would have lived longer and better.

One would think that the mistakes of past generations would serve as lesson and guide for the younger generation.

Unfortunately, this is not so, in most cases.

African men, Nigerian men and indeed, polygamous men do not seem to learn anything. Most of them only have their eyes set on the moment without thinking and planning for their old age. While they are young, agile and active, they allow their over bloated ego and libido take over their reasoning faculties. They jump from one woman to another for flimsy excuses. They forget that they even though these women might genuinely love them, love needs to be nurtured, pampered and protected if it will last them a lifetime. That a man offers marriage and children to a woman does not automatically accord him her love and devotion. The way he treats her and her children will earn him that.

Many men who have money and cannot keep a decent relationship together in their youth, believe that their money will bail them out in their old age. They marry women old

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African men, Nigerian men and indeed, polygamous men do not seem to learn anything. Most of them only have their eyes set on the moment without thinking and planning for their old age. While they are young, agile and active, they allow their over bloated ego and libido take over their reasoning faculties enough to pass for their grandchildren and expect them to be faithful to the money and status they are offering them. The women either cheat on them under their korokoro eyes, or hasten them off to their deaths to gain their freedom as well as loot.

Josephine So who is the hater?

Every other day when I check my social media updates, I must see at least one post about haters. It usually goes something like “no time for haters”, “enemies who pretend to be friends are the worst”, “they laugh with you in your front but talk about you at your back”, “enemies of progress”, “they cannot handle my awesomeness”, “jealous bitches”, “women are their worst enemies”, “screw friends, family all the way”, “it is a new year, I don’t want negative people around me”, “it’s time to get rid of fake friends”...blah blah blah.

Yeah, we get it. You are that awesome person everyone else is jealous of and wants to bring down. Your life is so interesting such that what everyone else wants to do is just talk about it. In your own little world, you are that celebrity with fans and antis. Get off your superiority

complex please! Nobody really cares about what drama goes on in your life. We’ve all got problems to deal with and we’ve all got people who don’t necessarily want the best for us. But you don’t see us going on rants on social media like 14-year-olds.

Or maybe it’s just my guilty conscience talking.

There is this friend of mine who hurt me badly some time ago. Imagine travelling miles and spending a lot of money just to go show support for someone only to be treated like crap on getting there. My

Before you cast a stone What do you know about discrimination and who are you to play judge over someone for discriminating against another? Before you answer, read on and then when you’re done answer truthfully, if you still can.

In recent times, many a story of colour-based discrimination has been reported. People of colour especially in the United States have complained and joined their voices together against racist comments and behaviours meted out to them by their white counterparts. Many have raised awareness and condemned this issue, even using hash tags such as ‘black lives matter’ on social media platforms to support their outcry against such discrimination. In South Africa, xenophobic actions against non-indigenes; was and still is a problem, though a little less pronounced.

In our very own dear country, Nigeria, many have complained about tribalism and discrimination displayed in diverse forms such as when seeking employment. What about complaints against the President, stating that his appointments have only favoured those from the North and that, other parts of the country have been side-lined? Let us not forget also, the gender discrimination faced by females all over the world.

These are facts, undeniably. However, let us consider a few scenarios without being biased; if you’re a black person and you encounter a white man, the first thought that comes to your mind would likely be along these lines; “what is this white man doing here? Or “they come to our country and still act like they’re better than us”. Again, let’s say you’re a black person and find yourself in a position that affords you the privilege to interview two people for a job, one white and one black. Irrespective of performance, who do you

offer the job? Or let’s say one speaks your language and the other doesn’t, who gets the job? If a white man walks into a bar full of coloured people, what is their reaction? How do they perceive him? Let’s bring it closer to home; a Yoruba man’s daughter falls in love with an Igbo man and all hell breaks loose because they are not of the same tribe. An Igbo man’s son finds a woman he wants to marry; and there is trouble because they might both be of the Igbo tribe, but they are from different states and have different cultures and traditions. A young Hausa girl has a friend from the South and her mother says to cut off or be wary of her friend because she’s heard stories about people from “that place”. A woman slaps a random man in anger and he’s told to let it go because she’s a woman, then a man slaps a woman and he’s said to be abusive. Complicated isn’t it?

We live in a world of hypocrisy and we face these issues everyday but truth be told, no one can be forced to believe or refrain from having a mind-set of discrimination, whatever form it may take. The choice is always yours and the ball is always in your court to decide whether to contribute to the furtherance of discrimination, to positively engage in curbing this menace by the choices you make or to sit on the fence, hoping that someone somewhere would do something about it. I do not exempt myself from this; however, I ask, do you find yourself discriminating against others for whatever reasons even in the most subtle way?

Do you judge people in your heart or by your words and actions, and then get mad when someone else tries to play judge over you or a loved one? You answer honestly and I’ll answer honestly; then say truthfully if you’re worthy to cast a stone on anyone for being discriminatory. If you are part of the problem, then judge no one. Look in the mirror and change your perspective, be faultless by all standards, then cast a stone and you would be right to do so.

Chinazo Okaro

38—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 30, 2016 n line with the policy of the Federal Government to revamp education sector in order to boost tangible economic growth and future entrepreneurers, Etisalat Nigeria, has invested millions of naira in the sector through scholarship scheme to different Universities across the country.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that Etisalat Merit Award this year was presented to 20 Nigerian Universities and 200 students, thereby bringing the total number of beneficiaries of the programme to 1,450.

According to a US State Department report on the state of Nigeria’s education published in 2012, the educational system suffers from deteriorating quality and insufficient investment to keep pace with the country’s burgeoning school-age population. Such neglect has led to many parents who could afford it sending their children abroad for even secondary school education. For instance, according to the State Department report, Nigeria was the17th largest source of international undergraduates and the19th largest source of international graduate students in the U.S. for the 2009/2010 academic year; it is also the largest source of students from sub Saharan Africa to the US with over 6,560 Nigerian students studying in over 733 regionally accredited US colleges and universities in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

Speaking at the 2015 Etisalat Merit Award, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the Award is a major part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which demonstrates its commitment to development of education and promotion of excellence among youths in Nigeria. He reiterated the company’s commitment to improving the sector, stressing that Etisalat believes in freeing students from financial concerns, to make them focus on their studies, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the growth of the economy.

On the company’s investment in education sector in the last seven years, he said, “In 2009, the telecom service provider set up a scholarship programme known as ‘Etisalat Merit Award’ for undergraduate (L-R) Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, students of Nigerian Universities. Since then, over the Deputy Director, Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Ezekiel 1,400 undergraduate students of Electrical, Electronics Funsho, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Engineering, Computer Science and Business Dikko and the Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, (MAUTECH), Management have been awarded with that Yola, Prof. Kyari Mohammedat the 2015 Etisalat Merit Awards held in Abuja. scholarship, with each student receiving N100, 000. school students in the junior and senior levels Island and Rabiatu Thompson Primary School, Worthy of note is that, the criteria for selection towards making sound career decisions, which will Surulere”. include academic excellence and indigenous “Similarly, in 2013, the company established Etisalat provide long-term benefits to them and the relationship to the location of each of the recipient economy at large. Also, Etisalat partnered with Lagos Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate tertiary institutions.” state government to bring about sustainable change Programme. The programme, which was a one-year He said further that in 2011, Etisalat in collaboration and development to public primary and secondary master’s course in telecommunications engineering, with the British Council launched Teachers Training schools in the state, by adopting three schools in in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, was the first programme designed to strengthen teaching skills the state, namely, Akande Dahunsi Memorial High of its kind in West Africa. It was set up in collaboration of teachers in Nigeria. It also rolled out a career School, Ikoyi, Edward Blyden Primary School, Lagos with Plymouth University UK, the Etisalat Academy, counseling initiative mapped out to guide secondary

I

Etisalat: Developing Nigeria’s economy through education

UAE and Huawei Technologies. In November last year, the company presented additional 60 outstanding undergraduates from six northern Nigerian universities with N100, 000 each at a ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. They were students from Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Benue State University; Bayero University, Kano; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Abuja. With these contributions, Etisalat has been able to create a spot in the mind of its customers as the network that not only provides quality communication services, but as a company that is willing to develop the educational standards of its subscribers and the nation as a whole.”

The empowerment Etisalat Nigeria has given to Nigerian youths can empower them to become great SMEs and entrepreneurs after education.

One of the awardees, Adamu Zubaida of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a second time scholarship beneficiary, thanked Etisalat Nigeria for the gesture. “This is my second time of receiving this scholarship. I’m very happy for being a beneficiary of this award, and I see it as an encouragement to study more and to strive for excellence in my studies. This award will also make us (awardees) a good example for other students, which will in turn make them committed to their studies,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, who spoke on behalf of ViceChancellors of the benefiting schools, expressed appreciation to Etisalat for its commitment to academic excellence through various interventions in the sector.

“This laudable gesture underscores the importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Apart from this grant and scholarship, I commend Etisalat for its visits to schools and encouragement to students through sport and other social activities. During their last visit to our school, one of our students, Patrick, won a new car,” he said.

‘T raining Nigerians on liv est oc k farming will creat e job oppor tunities’ ‘Training livest estoc ock create opportunities’ purpose of cross breeding is to take advantage ith the Nigerian oil prices crashing in the agriculture, and develop other mineral resources of the observed improvement in performance international market coupled with the free W including animal farming to grow the economy in of the progeny above that of either parentsfall of Naira, Nigeria has been advised to consider order to reduce unemployment and poverty in the hybrid vigour or heterosis. land.

The grasscutter industry in Nigeria is essentially According to animal farm Consultant/ BUSINESS GUIDE healthy, with a steady market locally and Managing Director, Jovana Farms, Prince Arinze Onebunne, if unemployed youths, retirees even working class can increase their income generation with livestock farming. It will also help Nigeria provide foods and employment for its citizens, thereby saving the country from insecurity.

In addition, he pointed how investment into grasscutter crossbreeding can help emerging farmers to be successful, and also provide a large quantity of meats locally and internationally.

Jovana Farms provides information and expertise aimed at sustainability, has trained more than 3000 farmers in Nigeria and other African countries on profitable grasscutter farming over the past five years. Rather than granting money to non-viable farming enterprises, government should work with organisations such as Jovana farms to train new and existing farmers on sustainable and viable grasscutter farming.

According to him, we breed and sell grasscutters to farmers and top class hotels. So, the cross-breeding helps the bred to thrive under intensive livestock farming conditions in an environment where the quality of grass is poor. The breed has the ability to convert poorquality forage into meat at very low cost, thereby enabling livestock farmers in those areas to farm commercially. Again, the bucks should display a high libido and it easily covering the Does in the confinement with minimum inputs.

C M Y K

Prince Arinze Does should kid in the cage system and raise the kids easily and with minimal intervention by the farmer.

The animal’s low input costs drive the profitability of farming with the breed. This is what the commercial producer is looking for.

Onnebune agreed that, cross breeding is the mating two individuals from different breeds thus introducing into the progeny a gene combination that is different from that existing in either parent or in the breed of either parents. He said further that the sole

internationally. Locally, the industry could look to the burgeoning packaged meat and speciality restaurant markets. These are sectors woefully serviced despite their growth. The sustainability of supply will need to be addressed, as will the logistics. Above all, the industry must return to the breed’s core strengths of hardiness, fertility, adaptability and good mothering abilities.

These are the foundation stones of the crossbreed grasscutter and polluting them with inbreeds will do long-term damage to the breed.

There is a good market for grasscutter in the country. As with all businesses, prices vary according to the time of year and prevailing economic conditions. Generally, however, the market for the animal is steadily increasing. The urbanisation of Nigeria’s population has seen other markets for grasscutter farmers opening up. These include grasscutter meat – being available in butcheries and supermarkets supplying speciality restaurants and the healthconscious consumer. To my mind, the latter has greatpotential,consideringthatgrasscuttermeat, after snail and fish, has the lowest cholesterol levels, is lean and contains high levels of nutrients.

It’s also farmed naturally, so no growth stimulants or supplements containing animal protein are fed to the animals. I believe these are the new undeveloped markets awaiting the grasscutter farmer.

A farmer with no training, poor-quality animals and little or no animal health programme, and who suffers high stock losses from mortalities doesn’t remain motivated for long.

Attend JOVANA FARMS seminars nearest to you and discover how to breed grasscutters!

Can’t attend? Order for SELF-TUTORIAL VCD & BOOK.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—39

SHIITES:

Why people are indifferent to the killings in Zaria

•Abdulkareem shot from the back

I

n the aftermath of the bloody clash between members of the Shiite sect and the military recently, Ben Agande who has been following the development, travelled to Zaria and captured the mood of some of the injured members of the sect still on admission at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.

For Mohammed Abdulkareem, a Senior Secondary School 3 student, life as he had known it in the last fourteen years will never be the same again. He was shot multiple times as he backed off from the Shiite headquarters when the Nigerian army invaded the place to drive out members of the sect who had earlier C M Y K

barricaded the Zaria-Sokoto road and prevented the chief of army staff from passing through.

He sustained gun shots to his leg which left him with a fractured femur. The gun shot to his back exited though his abdomen leaving a large wound that was encased in a huge plastic when Vanguard visited him on his hospital bed at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital. Apart from the gun shot wound he suffered, his anatomy was seriously affected to the extent that in the last thirty days, it has been impossible for him to defecate normally. Instead, one of the members of the movement who has been assigned to look after the injured members at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital where most

of the injured members were admitted, Mallam Anas Abubakar Abi on a daily basis, inserts his hand into young Abdulkareem’s anus to evacuate the faeces trapped between his anus and the rectum. Wearing gloves, Abubakar Abi demonstrated this in the presence of this reporter.

He had been put though on this by the nurses.

But what Mohammed Abdulkareem is going through pales into insignificance when compared with the fate of fourteen year old girl also admitted at the female orthopedic female ward of hospital.

Apart from a broken leg from a gun shot, this innocent looking girl who remained fully veiled on her sick hospital bed was violated in the most private of her body: she was allegedly shot on her private part after allegedly resisting attempted

The gun shot to his back exited though his abdomen leaving a large wound that was encased in a huge plastic

rape by one of the soldiers who invaded the residence of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria where many members of the sect had gone to seek refuge.

The narrative as to what really happened on that fateful day has been that of the Nigerian army and the members of the Islamic sect, whose leader is being held in an unknown safe house in Abuja by the security services while some members of its top echelon have been decimated. According to the army’s account, it’s leader, the chief of army staff survived an assassination attempt when members of the sect, against all supplications prevented him from accessing the Zaria-Sokoto road to attend an official function at the

Continues on page 40

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2015

Continues from page 49 Nigerian Army Depot, the passing out parade of new recruits and pay homage to the emir of Zaria. It explained rather cavalierly that those who died in the encounter were those who carried out the attempted attack.

Though the army said it came under attack from members of the sect, it never displayed any weapon captured from the sect; neither did it show any member of its troop that was wounded.

But the Shiites sect has a different story line. At worst, it believed that it’s members were victims of a premeditated attack from the army which it accused of nursing a grudge against members of the sect who are by the way, minorities in a country where majority of the over seventy million Muslims belong to the Sunni sect. It points to its members who are still on admission at the Hospital as living proof of the Army’s brutality.

The two patients under reference above are among the over seventy four others who were brought to the hospital a day after the bloody encounter between the army and the Shiites sect. While a substantial number of the wounded members had been treated and discharged and about four reportedly died of their gun shot wounds, seven remained on admission with varying degrees of injuries when Vanguard visited.

Despite the grave violence visited on members of the sect and the huge casualty incurred, the mood among the majority in Zaria including nonMuslims in the ancient Zaria city appears to be at best, indifferent and at worst celebratory to the fate of the Shiites. A cross section of some Muslims who spoke with Saturday vanguard on what befell the Shiites members expressed the views that the Shiites got what they deserved.

But what would make some body, especially people of same faith celebrate the brutal killing of its members? Why are Muslims in Zaria not outraged by the mass killings of Shiites members by the military?

According to Dr Sadiqque Abubakar, a lecturer in the department of Political Science at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the indifference of majority of the residents of Zaria City to the fate of Shiites could be explained in three ways; the lawlessness and overzealousness of the Shiites for a long time without check, the prejudice against Shiite by the majority Sunni community in Zaria who don’t see the Shiites as true Muslims and the pains caused by the Shiites to Zaria residents any time they block the roads for their very many processions and ceremonies. They are accused of annexing places with ease.

His view especially on the blockage of road with seeming impunity was shared by many other members of the Zaria community who spoke with Saturday Vanguard. Mr Ikechukwu Chinwendu who owns a furniture shop that shares a boundary with the now demolished headquarters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and has stayed in Zaria for more than fifteen years. He corroborated the views of Dr Abubakar. He said that though members of the sect are not overtly violent, “ when they block the road for their ceremonies, they are usually armed with dangerous weapons like knives, Cutlasses, Catapult and all sorts of Arsenal.

Their mere sight is terrorizing. People don’t like them because any time they have a ceremony in Zaria, the whole town is brought to a stand still. The police C M Y K

•One of the victims allegedly shot in her private part

SHIITES: Why people are indifferent to the killings in Zaria most times appear helpless. The people therefore see what the army did as a way of liberation. There is no body in Zaria who has not suffered from the excesses of the Shiite activities in Zaria” he said.

But for Harun El Binawi, a Shiite blogger who lives in Kaduna, the indifference of or even support of the majority Sunni Muslims in Zaria and northern Nigeria for the army massacre against the Shiites has wider dimension with its roots in the international gang up against Shiites worldwide.

According to him, “this can be assessed in two perspectives: the silence of the international community on the massacre in Zaria and the celebration of the Zaria community. It is the infiltration of Wahhabism into this country that has brought about the hate mongering in the country.

One of the universal agendas of Wahhabism is to kill Shiites where ever they are. That is why in the Middle East, in Pakistan, in Afghanistan Shiites have been target of attack by Wahhabis. The people in Zaria who are celebrating the massacre of Shiites in Zaria are people who have been contaminated by the Wahhabis ideology. If it was Christians that were killed in that encounter, they would have been celebrating as well”.

Though there appeared to have been a unanimous condemnation of the seeming excesses of some Shiites followers when they block the roads during their procession, many residents of Zaria believe that the blockage of the road was used as an excuse by the army to

deal with the Shiites once and for all, and that the army was emboldened to carry out the killings because the Shiites are a minority who do not enjoy wide support in the immediate community.

According to Dr Sadiqque Abubabkar, though the Shiites were wrong to have blocked the road and prevented the chief of army staff from passing, it was not enough reason for the army to visit hell on them.

“But if you look at what is happening and when you ask people, they will tell you that they (Shiites) blocked the road. But people do not see what others are doing. Go to any major town in the north on Fridays. What you will see is not different from what the Shiites do, even in Zaria. On Fridays, roads are blocked when it is time for prayers. It is not only the Shiites. Until recently when Governor El Rufai intervened, if you were driving from Kaduna to Zaria, you kept meeting road blocks especially when you come to Zaria. So what they accuse the Shiites of doing, they also do it. It all boils down to the fact that the Shiites are Minorities and they are not seen as Muslims. What ever the Shiites do is magnified. All Muslim groups in the north block the roads. It is not the exclusive preserve of the Shiites. If people want to have reasons to blame the Shiites, they have to have that outside the examples I have given you” he said.

And for the state, Dr Sadiqque has a very strong message: How

I may not be able to use my private part for normal delivery of a baby again. I may have to limp through out my life if the doctors are able to mend my broken legs.

But for as long as I live, I will continue to follow my faith of Islam and I will continue to follow our leader

you treat minorities and the weak would determine how People take you serious and will go a long way in ensuring peace in the country. “ We are all Nigerians and we are supposed to be protected by the Nigerian state. we are also expected to respect the laws of the country. Any citizen who breaks the law must be dealt with according to the law. If it is traffic offence, the laws dealing with traffic offences are there. Those laws must be applied. No body must be above the law. We forgo the use of arms because there are people in Nigeria who have been appointed by the Nigerian state to use arms legally but they do not have the right to use the arms given to them indiscriminately. They must be used within the confines of the laws otherwise they are stimulating anarchy. The very moment people realise that those who have been given arms to protect them are using the arms against them; they will also find a means of protecting themselves which means they will also acquire arms because they will not allow themselves to be sitting ducks. That is the danger. The state must ensure that all agencies allowed by the law to use arms use them according to the laws of the country.

“I am not saying that the Shiites are absolutely right; they have no right to block public space, to block road, but there are laws to deal with that. It does not call for mobilization of troops to start shooting people indiscriminately.

There were people who were going about their legitimate businesses that were caught in the shooting.

“What is very frightening is that because something like this happened and because it happened to a minority group, people tend to be happy with it.

No matter what the Shiites did, they did not deserve the kind of reaction that they got. Are we saying that we will condone the massacre of minorities, groups we don’t agree with? I think our responsibility is to insist that the laws must take its course. Those who carried out the massacre in Zaria are expected to respect the laws of the country.

What would they say if others do not respect the law? That is my fear. We know what happened in the case of Boko Haram. It is really frightening that in a community like this, soldiers will come and kill people. The way even the corpses were handled was very bad. They came with a truck on a broad day light and throw the bodies in the truck. Life has become meaningless. What are you teaching those young boys who were watching?” He lamented.

With the setting up of a judicial panel by the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el Rufai to investigate the circumstances leading to the crisis, it is expected that perhaps a new insight would be given into the incident and perhaps the people of Zaria may give an insight into why the Shiites are treated with contempt and dislike.

But with the decision of the Shiites to boycott the panel sitting alleging bias of the panel members, the Shittes may not respect the report of the panel.

For the victims still in the hospital, whatever the outcome of the panel, their faith in their sect remains strong.

“I may not be able to use my private part for normal delivery of a baby again. I may have to limp through out my life if the doctors are able to mend my broken legs.

But for as long as I live, I will continue to follow my faith of Islam and I will continue to follow our leader. No gun can discourage me” said Amina, one of the victims at the ABUTH who was allegedly shot in her private part.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—41

Bafarawa

tags 90% of Nigerians corrupt •Speaks

•Attahiru Bafarawa

on Buhari govt, says APC and PDP are same •President Buhari

•Gov Aminu Tambuwal...formal PDP

By Soni Daniel,

Northern Region Editor

T

wo-term governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, was among the top politicians who were recently questioned by the EFCC for collecting money from the office of the NSA. But unlike others who are angry over their invitation by the anti-graft agency, the former governor in this interview says he holds no grudge against the government for fighting corruption.

Bafarawa asks all Nigerians to team up with President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out corruption from the polity so as to give Nigerians a new lease of life.

Why are you talking about fighting corruption after being arrested and detained by EFCC along with some other top politicians over moneyrelated matters?

Well, from my analysis, corruption in Nigeria is not a thing that one man can fight. I C M Y K

believe fighting corruption is the responsibility of every Nigerian. Don’t forget that I served for eight years from 1999 – 2007, I served for eight years. When we took over from the military in 1999 the crude oil was $9 per barrel and in 2007 it had gotten up to $30 - $40 and then we left a lot of legacies in our various states during that period.

When I left office, I left behind N12 billion in the treasury.

You can see the fortune that came the way of the nation between 2007 and 2015 when the price of oil rose to over $100 per barrel. One begins to wonder why those who enjoyed the huge oil revenue should be asking for bailout from the Federal Government.

I can say that I left behind legacies that generations yet unborn will be very proud of.

We had a good leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was committed to fighting corruption and he created many institutions like the EFCC and the ICPC to handle the job. Whatever name you

•Sen Bukola Saraki...formal PDP want to give him; whether he did it for fighting corruption or for witchhunting, at least, it assisted in fighting corruption. He laid a foundation, he realised there was corruption and he fought it.

After he left, his successors YarÁdua and Jonathan-did not do much to fight corruption and that exacerbated the monster in the land.

Today, one can say that up to 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt because when you go to the grassroots level, that is where corruption starts. The electorate will demand money before they elect you into office no matter how good you are, no matter the kind of ideology you have and intend to bring for their own good.

If you don’t give them money, they would not support you. The game is that anyone who comes and shares money to them gets the support and nothing more.

•Audu Ogbe...formal PDP

Today, one can say that up to 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt because when you go to the grassroots level, that is where corruption starts

Is that why you are supporting Buhari’s anticorruption war?

Certainly. My support for him stems from the fact that it is a blessing for Nigerians that Buhari’s administration is fighting corruption. We shouldn’t see it as Buhari fighting corruption but something that all of us must join and ensure that it succeeds because Buhari can’t do it alone. It would also be dangerous if we ignore the fight against corruption because it will swallow the country.

As I have said earlier when a huge amount of about $100 a barrel for crude oil is spent and all the money vanishes and government has to bail states out it shows clearly that something has gone wrong somewhere. Giving that bailout to state without the federal Government investigating what they did with their huge oil earnings was a bit hasty. I would have expected the President to raise a committee to probe how the states incurred their debts and how they arrived at seeking bailout and how they want to use the bailout funds.

For this administration to succeed in fighting corruption, the government must involve not just the EFCC and ICPC but also other Nigerians. The government must open an office Continues on page 42

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Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

Continues from page 41 for public awareness for fighting corruption.

Special office should be open to campaign for the common man to see the dangers of corruption. We have to consider preventive measures before prosecuting those who are corrupt. We must adopt the two methods if we must succeed. Nigeria is in serious problem because it appears to me that loan which the Obasanjo’s administration managed to pay up, we are going back to incur more debts for the nation. We seem to be back to square one by borrowing, borrowing and borrowing and heading to nowhere. No matter what we are talking about, we will not succeed if we don’t fight corruption. I want Nigerians to take the fight against corruption as a project and not just Buhari’s. Let’s take it as a collective project otherwise we will continue to sink and our children who are not yet born will not forgive us. In 2012 when Jonathan wanted to remove fuel subsidy, Nigerians came out and protested but he had seen it coming that was why he decided to remove subsidy but it wasn’t supported by Nigerians. More than four years later, people have seen the need to do so. If oil subsidy had been removed when Jonathan wanted to do so, President Buhari would have gotten an easy ride to continue.

If we don’t help Buhari to fight corruption, the person who will succeed him will have many issues to contend with and the nation would suffer the more for it. I believe we don’t have any country than Nigeria and we have to tell ourselves the truth about the situation of this country.

It is only in Nigeria that you will see a person looking for government office for them to amass public funds for their own selfish interest. It is only in Nigeria that when a man who had no house gets into public office and in few months after taking over office, he can afford to buy over the whole community because of illicit public funds.

Are you not afraid that you may be accused of supporting Buhari because of your recent arrest and detention by the EFCC? This arrest issue was best known to the EFCC. I wasn’t in the country when they came looking for me and then I got in touch with them. I got my lawyer to write to them that I was not in the country and that when I am back I would report to their office. Five days later when I arrived I went there myself. When I went there I was told that my invitation was in connection with the N100 million which a former minister gave to me. I accepted that he gave me the money and I gave it to those it C M Y K

Nigeria is in serious problem because it appears to me that loan which the Obasanjo’s administration managed to pay up, we are going back to incur more debts for the nation

was meant for. I told them that the money was paid to the beneficiaries through cheques. The matter is already in court and I don’t want to say more than that for now.

It doesn’t mean that when you come to court you are corrupt. The investigators can do it rightly or wrongly but what they are trying to do is find out the facts whether what they are told or what has been seen in the books is true or not. It is left to the person to go and explain himself. So I am not going to accuse or blame EFCC for inviting me because they are investigating me. I know that in the course of investigation anything can happen. EFCC investigators are not judges but are merely trying to get to know the truth from those who have been mentioned or accused of doing certain things. So, we should all cooperate with the anti-corruption agencies to get to know the truth about the corruption cases they are investigating.

trying and when they make mistakes, they should be corrected for the overall interest of the country. What they need is to get more experienced persons into the system and adopt a more civilised way of handling corruption investigation so as to win the war.

So does it mean that you didn’t collect any money directly from the former NSA? As I have said before, I am saying it again and again that I didn’t collect anything directly from the former NSA but let’s not go to that because I said the matter is still in court.

Let the matter be decided by the court before I talk on it.

The government appears to be putting all its efforts in fighting corruption, leaving other vital sectors

Are you not worried that the fight against corruption may defy the laws of Nigeria leading to extended arrest and detention of innocent people?

I am one of the victims.

I was detained in prison for three weeks and then taken to court but thank God today the FCT Chief Judge has given them an order barring magistrate from granting EFCC holding orders.

That means that we are making progress in this country.

So, no more court orders from Magistrate courts to arrest and detain people without charging them to court within the stipulated time. We are the first victims and those who are coming will not be affected but at least, we are learning and moving forward.

So are you satisfied with the way corruption is being fought by EFCC at the moment?

I am saying that they are

On Buhari govt, says APC and PDP are same

to suffer. What do you think about that?

You see, that is the danger of corruption. That is the problem Mr. President finds himself in.

For this country to move forward we must have our resources. The government of the day is broke.

The problem we are facing now has to do with massive corruption, security and economic issues begging for urgent answers.

First, we should pity Buhari and do all we can to assist him to win the fight against corruption and terrorism staring this nation on the face.

I am not a member of APC but I am a Nigerian and President Muhammadu Buhari is my president. When he joined politics in 2003 he must have come with his own ideology. He has tried over the years to win the Presidency and use his leadership to change the country

Continues on page 43

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Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—43

Continues from page 42

I was forced to leave APC because of corruption in politics in my state

for the good of all. You can see his strident attempts from 2003 to date when he finally won the election last year and it is our strong belief that Buhari is going to turn around Nigeria’s fortune.

The country was already in a bad shape by the time he was sworn in about seven months ago and I know that he needs to take his time to put things right.

Are you surprised to know now that the huge part of money which PDP used during the last general elections was meant for arms to fight Boko Haram?

I don’t believe any politician who received that money knew it was arms money. How would one know what the money was meant for by the time they were being paid? Absolutely impossible. How would you know the source having not been given a contract?

But when we go to court everyone will explain himself.

Are you regretting supporting Jonathan in the last election?

I am not regretting. I have never been a member of PDP since the creation in 1999 up till 2014. I have never been a member of PDP because my ideology is different from theirs otherwise I would have joined them. I found myself in PDP by accident. What I mean by accident is that I was part and parcel of the APC. I am a founding member of the APC. I was forced to leave APC because of corruption in politics in my state when PDP governors defected to the APC. Corruption came into the system along the formation of the party when they said that the PDP governors were going to join APC and I happened to be a victim. We were forced to hand over the party to my governor, who was a PDP member. So my followers insisted we must remain in PDP and I had to work with them.

I had to work with them. I joined PDP at the state level with my people without coming to Abuja or anybody enabling me. Even the top shots in PDP, including former President Jonathan did not believe that I had indeed joined the PDP when he was told. He could not believe that because during the days of Obasanjo, I had a lot of pressure to join the PDP but I refused.

Mind you I am a professional politician; I have ideology so I have to protect my profession. I started as a local government counsellor in 1976 so this is my profession. So I still stand

on what I believe. That was why I had to join PDP just to get my people to have a place where they can contest election. The same way Buhari finds himself in this system is the way I found myself in the PDP. So how long are you going to stay in PDP? I will remain in PDP for as long as it is convenient. The APC is the same with PDP. I used to call them PDP 1 and PDP 2 because almost many of the people in PDP are now in APC and vice versa.

For instance, the Number 2 man in PDP who ruled this country for eight years as a vice president is now in APC. If you count all the governors in APC, most of them were at one time or the other were in PDP. You can say so of at least two National Chairmen of PDP now in APC. You joined politics in 1976 and that idea has still been with you. What exactly is that idea?

My idea is to work for the people. That is the ideology of being a politician to help the needy. When you join politics, you are just like the human rights fighter; you fight for the common man not yourself. So this is my own ideology to help people. When I was a counsellor in 1976, we did not pay much attention to

what we could get from the government. In fact, we did not know much about money and acquisition of wealth.

I was only 22 years when I was elected into local government council and I later became the deputy chairman of the local government. Our major concern was how to make the people happy by providing service.

At that time we weren’t looking for money but popularity. We were more interested in doing something for people in the society and to please the people. It was during that time Obasanjo created UBE scheme and I was one of the counsellors in charge of education and we were building primary schools and health centres in the villages. At that time we used to return money allocated to us by the state government at the end of the year because we could not make use of the entire amount allocated to us.

When I was a governor I left almost N12 billion in the treasury. So if I was looking for money at that time when a billion Naira meant a lot of money, I would have stolen that money.

If you were to look back at your tenure of eight years, what would you point out as the most outstanding achievement

and what really excites you about that tenure?

A lot. If you go to Sokoto, you can see the over 1000 kilometres of roads which I constructed and the numerous educational and health institutions which were done by my administration. When I took over the leadership of the state we had only 30 indigenes that where medical doctors but before I left I produced more than 100 medical doctors.

I trained them locally and abroad before leaving office and today they are proud and rendering quality services to Nigerians in Sokoto State.

The people of Sokoto State really love and respect me and that is what gives me joy today. Recently, when they heard that I had been released on bail, they took over the airport to receive me back home. It took me more than an hour to reach home from the airport because of the large number of people who had assembled to receive me.

People came on their own to receive me. When I reached home I met thousands of people waiting to see me. So if I look back to the time when I left office and the love that my people continue to show me, I have enough reasons to thank God.

If you count all the governors in APC, most of them were at one time or the other were in PDP. You can say so of at least two National Chairmen of PDP now in APC

How best will you advise Mr. President to fight corruption?

Buhari has started well and should be encouraged to do more.

He cannot stop the war half way.

But he should set up public communication centres to educate or enlighten Nigerians on the dangers of corruption so as to elicit their support, goodwill and understanding for the fight.

Some Nigerians particularly, the opposition, claim that President Buhari is selective in his corruption fight. Wht do you think about that?

What I am saying is that Buhari has just started the fight against corruption and we should give him time and maximum cooperation to win the war and save Nigeria from stagnation and poverty induced by graft. These arrests being made in connection with corruption just started like a month or two ago. We need to give him time for us to see if indeed he is selective or not. It is too early to say that Buhari is selective in the fight against corruption.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016 SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY eople who knew Edo State and its dilapidated P infrastructure years before the

coming of Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in 2008, and the huge infrastructural development in the place today, would understand why the people of the state today see Oshiomhole as the Messiah the state longed for for years. There are several areas particularly in the South senatorial district, referred to as the heart of the Benin Kingdom, where landlords and people abandoned their houses and fled following the devastating state of flood and erosion. Some of such areas include Siluko area where we have the Teacher’s House, Five junction, 2nd East Circular, Upper Mission, Gani Fawehinmi road, New Lagos road area where the former two time governor of the old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia resides. In some of these areas, it was either the houses submerged or that the roads were no longer passable due to years of abandonment. Houses in these areas became valueless because nobody would want to buy a property in areas that are only habitable during the dry season and relocate during the raining seasons.

But today, the situation has changed following the drastic intervention by the Oshiomholeled administration on road construction and flood/erosion control. It is no surprise therefore that each time the governor goes on inspection of projects it turns out to be a seeming carnival.

People in these areas have returned to their abandoned homes, so on such occasions, they troop out, both young and old rush to welcome the governor. Unlike those holocaust years, house rents in these areas have appreciated but the people are happy because the constructed roads also have street lights, walk ways and solid erosion control system. So the outpouring of love is no surprise any time the governor visits. His style of leadership has so endeared

OSHIOMHOLE: What I’ll do with my successor •Market women, children defy his security during inspection •Shares drinks with artisans, promises more projects

•Gov Oshiomhole him to many in the state, that it will be difficult for people to forget him even years after his tenure.

And while inspecting these projects, the governor creates time to sit with artisans to enjoy roasted plantain and share drinks with them. He engages them with discussions and that enables him to get firsthand information about

what’s happening within the state.

This makes him unique among his colleague governors.

It was tremendous last Tuesday when the governor inspected the 2nd East Circular road project.

The security details of Governor Oshiomhole had a hectic time keeping overjoyed market women, children and other

residents of the 2nd East Circular Road in Benin City at bay as they surged out in large numbers singing praises and trying to have a feel of the Governor for the ongoing construction of their road. Some of the women danced, others waved brooms, while yet others swept the road to appreciate the Governor during an inspection of the ongoing 6lane dual carriage road with street lights, side drains and walkways.

Their show of love was emotional and the governor felt it. He embraced both the little kids and their mothers, urging his security details to be calm. The elderly women and men prayed fervently for him. Oshiomhole who joined the women in dancing told them that the construction of the road and other ongoing projects in the state were in fulfillment of his promise to continue to work for the people till the last day of his administration.

He said, with the road, the value of property in the area will increase, assuring that the project which has already got to the Sokponba road from Akpakpava road will link Sapele Road before the next rainy season, saying “that way, we would have restored this place as part of the heart of Benin.”

Biafra: Why court denied Kanu, others bail

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, gave reasons why the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who is answering to a six –count treason charge, should not be released on bail pending the determination of his trial.

Kanu who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, is facing trial alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

They were in the charge that was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

FG alleged that the defendants were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as “an unlawful society”.

Specifically, Kanu, who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio

transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic of Biafra”, from Nigeria.

The trio however pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 20, even as the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, ordered their remand at Kuje prison pending ruling on a consolidated bail application they filed through their lawyer, Chief Udechukwu Udechukwu, SAN. In the bail request dated January 14, which was predicated on the provisions of sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and sections 158, 159 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the defendants, insisted that all the allegations levelled against were bailable offences.

Relying on the decided caselaw in Ibori vs FRN, they urged the court to exercise its discretion in their favour considering that the law presumes them innocent until when their guilt is established.

Counsel to the accused persons maintained that his clients would not interfere with the witnesses if released on bail, adding that the statement of the

defendants showed that they did not commit any crime, but were only agitating for their right to self determination under the African Charter for Human Peoples’ Right and the UN charter.

Udechukwu, SAN, pleaded the court to grant the defendants bail on most liberal term since the charge against them does not attract capital punishment but the federal government, through

a counter-affidavit it filed before the court, vehemently opposed the bail application.

The government urged the court to refuse the defendants bail, stressing that Kanu, who it said enjoyed large followership, was likely to continue operating Radio Biafra, if released from detention.

FG further contended that the 1st defendant would not likely surrender himself for trial and

While appreciating the people, Oshiomhole said: “let me thank you for your support, thank you for your prayers, and thank you for standing by us and I hope these children, when they grow up to become governors and leaders will continue from where we stop.

As you can see, we did promise we were going to work much more after the elections and as you can see, we have never stopped working and we will never stop working. But you know, because you are happy, there are some people who are also not happy.

There are people who don’t like good things, and they talk anyhow on television. But what you have seen with your eyes is more than what they are saying on television.

Just stand with us; we will do our best and we will make sure that the next governor comes from APC. Don’t vote for a party that will return us to the past, because you can see that if PDP had worked the way we are working now, we would have covered all the other streets. So, I promise you that the next governor that is coming, I am going to take him round the City so that he will complete the projects that are left.

Thank you very much and keep praying for us.”

could escape from the country since he has dual citizenship.

The prosecutor told the court that Kanu hitherto operated Radio Biafra from the United Kingdom before his arrest, adding that he has the capacity to interfere with the witnesses who it described as “civilians dwelling within the area the defendants operated”.

Ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Tsoho denied the defendants bail, just as he okayed their accelerated trial.

PIPELINE BOMBING: I’ve no axe to grind with Tompolo- Ayiri Emami

By Emma Amaize

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TSEKIRI leader and chair, Itsekiri Regional Devlopment Council, IRDC, Warri, Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, has said that he had no personal score to settle with former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

Chief Emami, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on phone, said, “I must also note that no amount of blackmail by pockets of sponsored persons from Gbaramatu or threat to my life

will intimidate me.”

The IRDC chair, who was reacting to the request by an Ijaw group to the Olu of Warri, HRM Ikenwoli I, to call him to order, asserted, “It amazes me how sometimes some group of persons make statements as if they have monopoly of violence, mistaking Nigeria to be a banana republic.”

His words, “The President Muhammadu Buhari administration has shown the capacity to crush any form of insurrection, sabotage and lawlessness as experienced in the battle against Shii’tes , IPOB

and Boko Haram. As what obtains anywhere in the world and even in Nigeria in the case of local vigilantes assisting the military with intelligence, I have every right to offer intelligence to the military whenever called upon.”

“Maybe those, who criticized my noble assistance to the military when the massive economic sabotage was carried out for three days through the bombing of vital crude and gas pipelines located in Itsekiri host communities, Warri South West Local Government Area, which led to the loss of 600 megawatts of electricity.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016—45

46—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 30, 2016 — 47

Ighalo invades Forrest for 5th round ticket

•Moses

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uper Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo will attempt to take his chart-bursting form into the FA Cup, as Watford travel to play Nottingham Forrest in today’s fourth round tie at the City Ground Ighalo, who has scored 14 times in this season’s EPL campaign will be hoping he can lead Hornets into the next round of the oldest football competition in the world.

Undoubtedly the best Nigerian player in England this season, Ighalo goes into the Nottingham Forrest game on a high, hoping to find his range against a team that won the FA Cup trophy twice in 1898 and 1959.

And manager Quique Sanchez Flores has reiterated his admiration for the famous competition.

“I admired the FA Cup a lot from a distance when I was in other leagues. It’s a very historic competition and I remember a lot of finals when I was younger. We respect our opponent and we will try to pick the best team that is possible and hopefully have the possibility to go for the win as well.”

Pressed on team selection, the Head Coach admitted Saturday’s trip to the City Ground is another opportunity to give important match minutes to a few players who haven’t featured so prominently in recent weeks, while still ensuring the Hornets give themselves the best possible chance of progressing to the Fifth Round.

“We have to think about everything, so now is the perfect time to take other players who are training well and who deserve to play. It is necessary for everybody to do their best and to have a very good performance,” said Flores.

“We always train with the full squad at the same level and the same targets and objectives. Every player knows perfectly what is their task in every single position, so we don’t have an excuse. “We have to play with very good players so we will try to choose the line-up well, but all the players who go to the pitch will have my confidence.”

Victor Moses in line for Liverpool clash

•Ighalo

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Adebayor’ll be great for a while, then play like he’s 47 —Merson

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•Suarez •Griezman

Atletico eye win against Barca

he consensus among leading pundits seems to be that Emmanuel Adebayor may give Crystal Palace a short-term boost but whether he will offer Alan Pardew much in the way of reliability remains in doubt.

Pundit Paul Merson has no doubts that Adebayor could shine for Palace in his early games but warned Pardew not to expect him to necessarily expect major output as he settles in to life in south London.

“If Adebayor plays it could be an outstanding signing. He is big, strong, quick and unplayable when he gets going,” he told Sky Sports.

“The problem is that for four weeks he will be like that but then the next four he will be like me at 47. That will be him all over.”

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aptain Gabi insists Atletico Madrid will face Barcelona with the intention of winning.

Atletico were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Copa del Reyby Celta Vigo and face Barca today at the Camp Nou as La Liga’s top two sides meet.

“Clearly the games you win are the ones where you’re most successful in front of goal. We only think about how we can be better for the end of the season.

“In truth it’s disappointing because this team has earned the right to fight for all trophies. It’s a pain and I hope this doesn’t have an effect on the League game against Barca. That’s a great game, a game we all love to play. We’ll go there with the intention of winning.”

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•Adebayo

uper Eagles winger, Victor Moses could make his first start following his return from injury in today’s FA Cup clash with West Ham at Anfield.

Moses, who played on loan with Liverpool during the time of ex-manager Brendan Rodgers is set to make his comeback after time out on the doctor’s table. Steven Caulker is available having been forced to miss the midweek Capital One Cup win over Stoke City. Jurgen Klopp is without no fewer than seven players through injury, with Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Martin Skrtel among those sidelined.

Christian Benteke, Joao Teixeira, Jordon Ibe and Joe Allen are among those who could start, while Nathaniel Clyne is available having overcome a knock.

Sam Byram made his West Ham debut from the bench at the weekend, but is ineligible to feature having turned out for Leeds earlier in the competition.

Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are all sidelined for the Hammers here. Liverpool were taken to penalties in the Capital One Cup in midweek, but victory means they have progressed to the final of the competition.

Jurgen Klopp, though, will demand a much-improved performance against West Ham, who have twice overcome Liverpool already this season The Hammers have lost just one of their last 11 competitive fixtures, that coming at Newcastle earlier this month. Slaven Bilic will be confident of upsetting the odds at Anfield once more as he looks to take West Ham to Wembley in his debut season at the Upton Park helm.

This promises to be an open encounter on Merseyside, with a draw on the cards between these two.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 30, 2016

My son ‘ll never play in Nigeria—Adike, ’85 Golden Eaglet

Ighalo invades Forrest for 5th round ticket >>47

Victor Moses in line for Liverpool clash TODAY’S FIXTURES FA Cup Colchester v Tottenham 1:45pm Arsenal v Burnley 4pm Aston Villa v Man City 3pm Crystal Palace v Stoke 4pm N Forest v Watford 4pm West Brom v Peterboro 4pm Liverpool v West Ham 6:30pm LA LIGA Barcelona v Atletico Madrid 4pm Eibar v Malaga 6:15pm Getafe v Athletic Bilbao 6:15pm Villarreal v Granada 8:30pm Real Sociedad v Real Betis 10:05pm BUNDESLIGA Leverkusen v Hannover 8:30pm Dortmund v FC Ingolstadt 04 5:30pm FC Augsburg v Frankfurt 3:30pm SV Darmstadt 98 v Schalke 3:30pm Werder Bremen v Hertha Berlin 3:30pm Stuttgart v Hamburg 6:30pm SERIE A Carpi v Palermo 3pm Atalanta v Sassuolo 6pm Roma v Frosinone 8:45pm LIGUE !

Angers v Monaco 5pm Bastia v Lyon 8pm Gazelec Ajaccio v Montpellier Lorient v Reims 8pm Toulouse v Guingamp 8pm Troyes v Nantes 8pm

8pm

>>47 CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS MD/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh – (6) 4)Greek Capital City (6) 7)Barrier (3) 8)Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nuhu – (6) 11)L.G.A in Ebonyi State (4) 12)Short Sleep (3) 13)Former Chairman, NigerDelta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Bassey – (3,4) 16)Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon – (5) 18)Born (3) 20)Former Zambia “Chipolopolos” Coach, Ted – (5) 21)Plateau State Capital (3) 23)Slovakian Currency Unit (5) 26)Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai – (7) 28)Solidify (3) 29)President, Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Mr. Tijani – (4) 30)Rwandan Capital City (6) 32)Major Ethnic Group in Nigeria (3) 33)L.G.A in Rivers State (6) 34)State in Nigeria (6)

DOWN 1)National Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu-(6) 2)Traditional Ruler of Benin (3) 3)Fuss (3) 4)Legendary Queen of Zaria (5) 5)L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom State (6) 6)Macedonian Capital City (6) 9)Qatai Capital City (4) 10)Falconets (U-20) Coach, Peter – (7) 14)Medical Attendant (5) 15)Algeria “Desert Warriors” Attacking Midfielder, Yacine – (7) 17)Greek Alphabet (3) 19)Flying Eagles (U-20) Striker, Chidera – (3) 21)State in Nigeria (6) 22)Former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Charles – (6) 24)Peruvian Capital City (4) 25)Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Mr. Brigi – (6) 27)Country in Asia (5) 30)African Waterbuck (3) 31)Wildebeest (3)

Solution on page 35 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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