Ondo Boils, Buhari promises to intervene
Vanguard Newspaper 29 October 2016
Vanguard Newspaper 29 October 2016
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
2—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard,<br />
OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURDAY Vanguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016—3<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
4—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard,<br />
OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016 — 5<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> boils, <strong>Buhari</strong> <strong>promises</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>intervene</strong><br />
•INEC wants <strong>to</strong> set <strong>Ondo</strong> on fire—Mimiko<br />
•Mimiko’s antics will not work—Jimoh Ibrahim<br />
•INEC confirmation of Jimoh Ibrahim shocking—PDP<br />
By Dayo Johnson,<br />
Ben Agande, Livinus<br />
Nwabughiogu and<br />
Rotimi Ojomoyela<br />
RIOTS erupted across<br />
many parts of <strong>Ondo</strong><br />
state yesterday as<br />
protesters trooped <strong>to</strong> the<br />
streets <strong>to</strong> protest the<br />
substitution of the name of<br />
the Peoples’ Democratic<br />
Party, PDP, governorship<br />
candidate, Mr Eyitayo<br />
Jegede SAN by the<br />
Independent National<br />
Elec<strong>to</strong>ral Commission<br />
(INEC) with that of<br />
Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim for<br />
next month’s<br />
governorship election in<br />
the state.<br />
As early as 6.30am the<br />
rioters had barricaded all<br />
the roads leading <strong>to</strong> Akure,<br />
the state capital chanting<br />
war songs and paralysing<br />
both economic and social<br />
activities as commercial<br />
banks and shops were<br />
closed down.<br />
Workers and students<br />
were turned back while<br />
commercial vehicle owners<br />
deserted the streets.<br />
The protesters made<br />
burn fire on all the major<br />
roads in the state and<br />
resisted all attempts by the<br />
security agents <strong>to</strong> disperse<br />
them. In the midst of<br />
sporadic gunshots and<br />
tear-gas by the combined<br />
team of security agents the<br />
protesting youths<br />
remained undeterred.<br />
Following the outbreak<br />
of riots in the state,<br />
Governor Olusegun<br />
Mimiko hurriedly left the<br />
state for the presidential<br />
villa <strong>to</strong> brief President<br />
Muhammadu <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
saying what INEC had<br />
done was capable of<br />
setting the state on fire.<br />
He vowed that<br />
everything possible would<br />
be done <strong>to</strong> make the<br />
commission reverse the<br />
decision, which he<br />
described as shocking.<br />
Saturday Vanguard<br />
gathered that similar<br />
protests were recorded in<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> <strong>to</strong>wn, Ore in<br />
Odigbo local government<br />
area, Ilara, Idanre, Owo,<br />
Okitipupa, Isua Akoko,<br />
Ikare Akoko, Ipele and<br />
many other <strong>to</strong>wns and<br />
villages in the state.<br />
Some of the protesters<br />
also s<strong>to</strong>rmed the office of<br />
the INEC and were<br />
addressed by the Resident<br />
Elec<strong>to</strong>ral Commissioner,<br />
(REC) Olusegun Agbaje,<br />
who explained the reason<br />
behind the removal of<br />
Jegede as the PDP<br />
candidate.<br />
Agbaje said “We<br />
received a court order from<br />
the High Court in Akure<br />
on Wednesday but there<br />
was a subsisting ruling by<br />
Justice Abang on<br />
Thursday and we had <strong>to</strong><br />
comply with the order”<br />
He however said that<br />
another court order can<br />
upturn the situation<br />
saying “the situation will<br />
continue that way until the<br />
matter is decided by the<br />
Supreme Court if the<br />
parties choose <strong>to</strong> proceed<br />
<strong>to</strong> the apex court. We do<br />
not have any candidate<br />
but we will always abide<br />
by the laws guiding the<br />
process.”<br />
Mimiko consults<br />
president<br />
As a result of the<br />
uprising, Mimiko on<br />
Friday morning quickly<br />
raced <strong>to</strong> the presidential<br />
villa <strong>to</strong> formally intimate<br />
President <strong>Buhari</strong> on the<br />
developments in the state,<br />
appealing <strong>to</strong> him <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>intervene</strong> in the matter at<br />
least <strong>to</strong> prevent the crisis<br />
from escalating.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> the<br />
governor, it was shocking<br />
that INEC substituted<br />
Jegede with Ibrahim’s<br />
name on the final list of<br />
various parties’<br />
candidates, saying it was<br />
an act of gross impunity.<br />
He recalled that the<br />
election that threw up<br />
Ibrahim was conducted in<br />
Ibadan, Oyo state and<br />
was not supervised by the<br />
relevant bodies,<br />
wondering why Jegede<br />
whose election <strong>to</strong>ok place<br />
in <strong>Ondo</strong> with the<br />
presence of INEC and<br />
security agencies as<br />
moni<strong>to</strong>rs was set outside.<br />
It will be recalled also<br />
that Ibrahim was a product<br />
of Ali Modu Sheriff<br />
factional leadership of the<br />
PDP while Jegede<br />
belonged <strong>to</strong> the Ahmed<br />
Markifi’s faction.<br />
Speaking <strong>to</strong> State House<br />
Correspondents after his<br />
meeting with <strong>Buhari</strong>,<br />
Mimiko said the crisis in<br />
the state could assume a<br />
wider dimension if the<br />
situation was not reversed.<br />
He said: “I am shocked.<br />
In logic, in law, in politics,<br />
there is no basis for it<br />
whatsoever. The Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim fac<strong>to</strong>r in all of this<br />
is predicated on a court<br />
order given by Justice<br />
Abang. Incidentally that<br />
court order is about zonal<br />
and state executives of PDP.<br />
That order is about 2009<br />
election. Neither Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim nor Tayo jegede<br />
were parties <strong>to</strong> the suit.<br />
“So, when that<br />
judgement suddenly came<br />
and the name of Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim was sent <strong>to</strong> INEC<br />
after a primary election<br />
which was conducted in<br />
Ibadan without INEC<br />
moni<strong>to</strong>ring it, without<br />
security agencies, SSS or<br />
police observing it, INEC<br />
<strong>to</strong>ok the right decision<br />
initially by making it clear<br />
that it is not state or zonal<br />
executive that is<br />
empowered by the<br />
Elec<strong>to</strong>ral Act <strong>to</strong> conduct<br />
election and also that the<br />
Abang judgement on the<br />
basis of which they were<br />
putting pressure on INEC<br />
<strong>to</strong> accept Jimoh Ibrahim as<br />
a candidate was referring<br />
<strong>to</strong> 2009 election.<br />
“There is nothing about<br />
2016 election in that<br />
judgement. So, on the<br />
basis of this, INEC refused<br />
and discountenanced the<br />
name of Jimoh Ibrahim as<br />
a candidate. Then, they<br />
went ahead and filed form<br />
48 and from the blues, the<br />
same Justice Abang<br />
mandated INEC <strong>to</strong> replace<br />
the name of Eyitayo<br />
Jegede who emerged<br />
through a primary process<br />
that was supervised by<br />
INEC, security agencies<br />
with all delegates that were<br />
supposed <strong>to</strong> participate.<br />
Justice Abang ordered<br />
that Jimoh Ibrahim should<br />
replace Eyitayo Jegede.<br />
Ordinarily, we should<br />
have disregarded the<br />
order because Jegede was<br />
not a party <strong>to</strong> the suit,<br />
neither was Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim. But we were also<br />
advised that it was very<br />
important for us <strong>to</strong> appeal<br />
so that if anybody is up <strong>to</strong><br />
a mischief, we would have<br />
taken the plank off the<br />
person.<br />
“Immediately we<br />
appealed, that notice of<br />
•Protesters on the streets of <strong>Ondo</strong> rampaging over INEC’s<br />
recognition of Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP guber candidate yesterday.<br />
appeal especially when<br />
we had filed in our papers,<br />
submitted our briefs and<br />
got a date, should serve as<br />
a stay of execution.<br />
“We don’t want <strong>to</strong> take<br />
chances because<br />
somebody in INEC <strong>to</strong>ld us<br />
that they obey the last order<br />
in the commission. Some<br />
went <strong>to</strong> court and obtained<br />
two different orders<br />
mandating INEC not <strong>to</strong><br />
substitute Eyitayo Jegede.<br />
We served one on INEC<br />
around 10 am yesterday,<br />
and we served INEC with<br />
the other one at the close<br />
of business around 3 pm.<br />
But around 7 or 8 pm, we<br />
got <strong>to</strong> know that INEC for<br />
no justifiable reason had<br />
substituted the name of<br />
Jegede and replaced it<br />
with that of Ibrahim.<br />
“The question <strong>to</strong> ask is<br />
on whose order has INEC<br />
done that? Apart from the<br />
fact that we have two<br />
restraining orders on<br />
INEC, INEC knows fully<br />
well that Jimoh Ibrahim’s<br />
primaries were held in<br />
Ibadan. There was no<br />
report by any security<br />
agency that the security<br />
situation in <strong>Ondo</strong> state<br />
warranted the movement<br />
of the primaries <strong>to</strong> Ibadan<br />
or anywhere outside the<br />
state for that matter.<br />
“Under INEC<br />
guidelines, the time for<br />
substitution of candidates<br />
has even elapsed. This<br />
action potentially can<br />
cause a breach of peace.<br />
In <strong>Ondo</strong> state in the last<br />
seven and half years, we<br />
have done everything<br />
possible <strong>to</strong> put good<br />
governance on the table.<br />
We see this action as<br />
potentially dangerous. It<br />
can cause conflagration in<br />
the state and that is why<br />
as the chief security officer<br />
of the state, I have come <strong>to</strong><br />
alert Mr President of the<br />
potential danger of this<br />
injustice so that we can<br />
nip it in the bud.”<br />
Mimiko however stated<br />
that his intervention on the<br />
protest in the state had<br />
yielded result.<br />
“The whole day from<br />
5am, I have been on phone<br />
with stakeholders <strong>to</strong><br />
ensure they keep the<br />
peace in the state. The<br />
extent of the protest you<br />
have seen has been<br />
reduced by our<br />
intervention <strong>to</strong> ensure that<br />
there is no breach of peace.<br />
For the people of the state,<br />
it is just from the blues. I<br />
have assured them that<br />
this injustice will not stay.<br />
We will continue <strong>to</strong> explore<br />
all avenues <strong>to</strong> make INEC<br />
see reasons why this<br />
impunity must not stand.<br />
“If INEC finds it difficult<br />
<strong>to</strong> obey court order, a<br />
credible election starts with<br />
a process like this”.<br />
Asked of the President’s<br />
response <strong>to</strong> his request, the<br />
governor said “Mr<br />
president has promised <strong>to</strong><br />
look in<strong>to</strong> it and that if there<br />
is any injustice, we should<br />
be rest assured that it will<br />
be rectified.”<br />
Mimiko’s antics will<br />
not work——Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim<br />
In his own reaction <strong>to</strong> the<br />
uprising, the INEC<br />
recognised PDP<br />
governorship candidate in<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> state, Barrister Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim said the burning of<br />
tyres allegedly orchestrated<br />
by Governor Mimiko was<br />
<strong>to</strong> give a false impression<br />
of security challenge in the<br />
state but that the trick would<br />
not work.<br />
In a statement he issued<br />
yesterday, he said<br />
“yesterday, Mimiko called<br />
on the drivers’ union in the<br />
state, whose chairman is<br />
his relative, <strong>to</strong> gather<br />
disused tyres across the<br />
state and burn them so as<br />
<strong>to</strong> show that there are<br />
security challenges in<br />
Akure <strong>to</strong>wn. While the<br />
tyres were burning, school<br />
children were attending<br />
their classes, banks were<br />
opened, market women<br />
and traders were carrying<br />
on their economic activities,<br />
and courts were sitting”.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him,<br />
“regrettably, Mimiko’s<br />
orthodoxy has played out<br />
<strong>to</strong> be fake, empty and<br />
unbecoming of a person<br />
that occupies the position<br />
of the governor of a state. I<br />
am happy <strong>to</strong> note that<br />
Mimiko eventually met<br />
with President Muhammadu<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong>, a president<br />
that Governor Mimiko had<br />
described, in a meeting<br />
with the former President<br />
Goodluck Jonathan, as<br />
unfit <strong>to</strong> govern Nigeria<br />
and according <strong>to</strong> Governor<br />
Mimiko, the president<br />
does not have a school<br />
certificate. Regrettably,<br />
this tyre burning for<br />
sympathy will not work as<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> State remains<br />
peaceful.<br />
Akure monarch sues<br />
for peace<br />
Meanwhile, Deji of<br />
Akureland Oba<br />
Alade<strong>to</strong>yinbo Aladelusi<br />
yesterday appealed <strong>to</strong><br />
rioters across the state <strong>to</strong><br />
remain calm and be law<br />
abiding. In a statement last<br />
night, the Oba appealed<br />
<strong>to</strong> the protesters <strong>to</strong> allow<br />
the law take its full course<br />
The monarch, in the<br />
statement signed by his<br />
Chief Press Secretary,<br />
Micheal Adeyeye said,<br />
“the Akure Deji-in council<br />
at an emergency meeting<br />
presided over by the Deji<br />
and paramount ruler of<br />
Akureland, Oba<br />
Alade<strong>to</strong>yinbo Ogunlade<br />
Aladelusi (Odundun II)<br />
<strong>to</strong>day (yesterday)<br />
reviewed the list of<br />
guberna<strong>to</strong>rial candidates<br />
as released by the<br />
Independent National<br />
Elec<strong>to</strong>ral Commission<br />
(INEC) and the attendant<br />
effect of the substitution of<br />
the name of Mr. Eyitayo<br />
Jegede (SAN) with that of<br />
Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim as<br />
the candidate of the<br />
People’s Democratic Party<br />
in the 26th November<br />
guberna<strong>to</strong>rial election in<br />
ondo state.<br />
INEC confirmation of<br />
Jimoh Ibrahim shocking<br />
—PDP<br />
Meantime, the Peoples<br />
Democratic Party has said<br />
that the confirmation of Jimoh<br />
Ibrahim as the candidate of<br />
the Peoples Democratic Party<br />
was shocking and surprising<br />
In a statement yesterday,<br />
the spokesman of the party,<br />
Dayo Adeyeye said the<br />
commission moni<strong>to</strong>red the<br />
Primary Election conducted<br />
in Akure, <strong>Ondo</strong> State by<br />
the Sena<strong>to</strong>r Ahmed<br />
Moham-med Makarfi led<br />
Continues on page 6
6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
*Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Delta State Governor, Sena<strong>to</strong>r Ifeanyi<br />
Okowo and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba<br />
with delegates <strong>to</strong> the 46th National Council on Information in Asaba, Delta State yesterday.<br />
2016 budget update: FG spends N3.6trn<br />
out of N6trn budget<br />
*Settles N1,137.7trn debts<br />
Soni Daniel, Northern<br />
Region Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
THE Federal govern<br />
ment has so far spent<br />
N3.577 trillion out of the<br />
full year budget of N6.060<br />
trillion for the 2016 fiscal<br />
year. This translates <strong>to</strong> a<br />
79% performance of the<br />
pro-rated budget for the<br />
three quarters up <strong>to</strong> September<br />
30, 2016.<br />
In addition <strong>to</strong> the <strong>to</strong>tal of<br />
N2,439.9 trillion so far released<br />
for Capital, nondebt<br />
Recurrent and Service-wide<br />
Vote expenditures,<br />
a <strong>to</strong>tal of N1,137.7<br />
trillion has also been paid<br />
out in domestic and foreign<br />
debt service expenditures.<br />
This includes N44bn transferred<br />
<strong>to</strong> the Sinking Fund<br />
<strong>to</strong> retire maturing obligations<br />
on bonds issued <strong>to</strong><br />
contrac<strong>to</strong>rs. This is contained<br />
in a statement released<br />
by the Budget and<br />
National Planning Ministry<br />
signed by the Media<br />
Adviser <strong>to</strong> the Minister,<br />
Mr. Akpandem James.<br />
“To date, budgeted personnel<br />
cost and debt service<br />
obligations have been<br />
fully met on schedule. Additionally,<br />
government has<br />
done reasonably well in the<br />
challenging circumstances<br />
with respect <strong>to</strong> capital expenditures.<br />
“It is noteworthy that the<br />
NIGERIA’s grand<br />
master of data, Globacom,<br />
has signed Inetimi<br />
Alfred Odon, popularly<br />
known by his stage<br />
name Timaya, as its newest<br />
brand ambassador.<br />
The company revealed<br />
the deal in a statement<br />
released from its headquarters<br />
in Lagos, saying<br />
that Timaya’s strides in<br />
the showbiz industry and<br />
his ‘role model’ position<br />
<strong>to</strong> the people of the Niger-Delta<br />
area necessitated<br />
the signing of the contract<br />
a week ago.<br />
The bearded singer who<br />
is also called the Egberi<br />
Papa 1 of Bayelsa now<br />
becomes the latest Glo<br />
ambassador, joining the<br />
likes of Basketmouth, Bovi<br />
Ugboma, Reekado Banks,<br />
85-year old village<br />
head of Misisi farming<br />
community in Kaduna<br />
state, John Zogo and six<br />
others have been killed<br />
following an attack by<br />
armed on Thursday. The<br />
village is about 7km from<br />
embattled Godogodo<br />
<strong>to</strong>wn, in Jema’a Local Government<br />
Area of the state.<br />
The development has<br />
ignited tension in many<br />
communities in Southern<br />
Kaduna where alleged<br />
armed herdsmen have invaded<br />
communities and<br />
killed scores since July this<br />
year. Security has therefore<br />
Glo signs Timaya as brand<br />
ambassador<br />
<strong>to</strong>tal amount of N753.6bn<br />
already released for capital<br />
expenditure in 2016 is<br />
the highest in the nation’s<br />
recent his<strong>to</strong>ry, even in the<br />
era of high oil prices. Indeed,<br />
the capital releases<br />
<strong>to</strong> date exceed the aggregate<br />
capital expenditure<br />
budget for 2015 of N700bn,<br />
inclusive of capital expenditure<br />
in statu<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
transfers,” the statement<br />
said.<br />
It will be recalled that at<br />
an interactive session with<br />
members of the Senate<br />
Committee on Appropriation<br />
in Abuja on Thursday,<br />
the Minister for Budget<br />
and National Planning,<br />
Sena<strong>to</strong>r Udoma Udo Udoma,<br />
had said that in spite<br />
of the shortfall in revenue<br />
expectations, the government<br />
was committed <strong>to</strong> its<br />
debt obligations in addition<br />
<strong>to</strong> funding the critical sec<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
<strong>to</strong> enable government<br />
function smoothly, while<br />
seeking lasting solutions <strong>to</strong><br />
revenue shortfalls.<br />
Udoma had explained<br />
that although the 2016<br />
Budget was well conceived,<br />
with reasonably<br />
conservative benchmarks,<br />
it recorded unanticipated<br />
revenue shortfalls along<br />
the line due <strong>to</strong> militants’<br />
activities in the oil-producing<br />
Niger Delta region, a<br />
development which seriously<br />
affected the budgeted<br />
production levels for the<br />
fiscal year.<br />
The minister said that the<br />
government adopted a targeted<br />
approach with respect<br />
<strong>to</strong> capital expenditure<br />
<strong>to</strong> ensure that releases are<br />
consistently made <strong>to</strong> those<br />
sec<strong>to</strong>rs whose activities<br />
have the capacity of driving<br />
economic growth and<br />
fostering job creation. Particular<br />
attention was focused<br />
on infrastructure, agriculture<br />
and other areas<br />
with high job creation potentials.<br />
The Minister<br />
pointed out that all the releases<br />
have been cashbacked.<br />
85-yr-old village head, 6 others killed<br />
*As tension builds in Southern Kaduna<br />
Korede Bello, Hadizah<br />
Blell (Di’ja), Patience<br />
Ozokwor, popularly called<br />
Mama G, Omawumi,<br />
Ego, Yvonne Nelson, Nadia<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> and MI. Others<br />
are Flavour, Ime Bishop,<br />
Sani Danja, Funke<br />
Akindele, Odunlade Adekola,<br />
Bimbo Oloyede,<br />
Jaykolo (Dominic<br />
Elujaifor)and Sessime of<br />
Benin Republic.<br />
Timaya whose genre of<br />
music includes raga, hiphop,<br />
dancehall and afro<br />
beat, has released smash<br />
hits such as True S<strong>to</strong>ry,<br />
Gift and Grace, De Rebirth,<br />
LLNP and Upgrade.<br />
His journey in<strong>to</strong><br />
music started back in the<br />
year 2005 when he released<br />
“Dem Mama”, a<br />
track in his first album,<br />
True S<strong>to</strong>ry released in<br />
2006.<br />
been beefed up in the<br />
major <strong>to</strong>wn of Kafanchan<br />
while police and army undertake<br />
joint patrol of the<br />
surrounding villages.<br />
Acting chairman of<br />
Jema’a Local Government<br />
Area, Dr. Humble Katuka,<br />
who confirmed the tragedy<br />
<strong>to</strong> Saturday Vanguard<br />
yesterday evening however<br />
said the curfew that was<br />
imposed on the local government<br />
has been relaxed.<br />
He said, “I was briefed<br />
that the soldiers drafted <strong>to</strong><br />
help secure this area noted<br />
that some youths were<br />
parading some locally<br />
made fire arms publicly. A<br />
meeting was then scheduled<br />
by one Major Mbaim<br />
between the Army,<br />
and the villagers especially<br />
the youths of Misisi village<br />
about their weapons.<br />
I was <strong>to</strong>ld that as soon as<br />
they went in<strong>to</strong> the talks,<br />
there were gun shots in<br />
the village and everyone<br />
scampered for safety including<br />
the soldiers. The<br />
shooting lasted, according<br />
<strong>to</strong> what I was <strong>to</strong>ld, less<br />
than 15 minutes and at the<br />
end six people were<br />
killed, including the village<br />
head, while 16 houses<br />
were burnt. Some of the<br />
gun men were said <strong>to</strong> be<br />
wearing what looked like<br />
Army uniform.<br />
“The Hilux belonging <strong>to</strong><br />
the Army was shot at.<br />
Those who survived said<br />
even the soldiers were<br />
fighting back for their lives.<br />
They denied that the soldiers<br />
turned their guns on<br />
the villagers. I have been<br />
<strong>to</strong>uch with Lt. Col Bello<br />
(full names not disclosed)<br />
and he affirmed the same.<br />
He is the officer in charge<br />
of the troops in Jema’a. It<br />
was an unfortunate incident.”<br />
But, the Kaninkon<br />
Development Association,<br />
KADA, in a statement yesterday<br />
in Kaduna said 7<br />
person were killed.<br />
The stament signed by its<br />
National Chairman, Mr<br />
Waje Goska Williams, gave<br />
the names of the victims<br />
as: John Zogo, 85, (the<br />
Village Head); Yakubu<br />
Abuja, 80; Adamu Bulus,<br />
30 and Majhe Audu, 50.<br />
The rest were: Karu Amos,<br />
42; Confidence Kibadu, 29<br />
and Kurma Amo, 44.<br />
Part of the stamen reads:<br />
“This attack is clearly preplanned<br />
and there seems<br />
<strong>to</strong> be a clear conspiracy on<br />
the part of the Government<br />
and Army and Security<br />
agents <strong>to</strong> look the other<br />
way while the killings and<br />
destructions were going<br />
on. It is clearly a plan of<br />
genocide against the<br />
Kaninkon people.<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> boils, <strong>Buhari</strong> <strong>promises</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>intervene</strong><br />
Continued from page 5<br />
PDP which produced Hon. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, and<br />
did not moni<strong>to</strong>r the purported primary election that<br />
produced Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim which was said <strong>to</strong> have<br />
held in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.<br />
“INEC cited the Order from Justice Okon Abang of the<br />
Federal Capital Terri<strong>to</strong>ry (FCT) High Court as the reason<br />
for publishing Barr. Ibrahim’s name as PDP Candidate<br />
but ignored another order from the <strong>Ondo</strong> State High Court,<br />
which is a Court of Coordinate jurisdiction that compelled<br />
INEC <strong>to</strong> maintain Hon. Eyitayo Jegede’s name as the<br />
candidate of the PDP. The least INEC could have done in<br />
the circumstance was <strong>to</strong> maintain status quo and stick <strong>to</strong><br />
its own earlier decision pending a superior order or<br />
Judgment from a superior court. But that did not happen<br />
in this case.<br />
“This singular decision of INEC has generated sporadic<br />
reactions from the elec<strong>to</strong>rate in <strong>Ondo</strong> state leading <strong>to</strong> violent<br />
protest and damages. This could have been avoided if<br />
INEC had adhered strictly <strong>to</strong> the letters and characters of<br />
the Elec<strong>to</strong>ral Laws and the Constitution of the Federal<br />
Republic of Nigeria.<br />
“We therefore warn that external forces should not sit in<br />
Abuja and set <strong>Ondo</strong> state ablaze. Whatever authority in<br />
Abuja, whether it’s the executive that is using the judiciary<br />
or vise versa, must realize that they cannot for selfish<br />
political reasons <strong>to</strong>y with the fate of millions of people in<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> state. Who emerges governor of the state should be<br />
the decision of the elec<strong>to</strong>rates themselves through the ballot<br />
and not from any organ of the Federal Government in<br />
Abuja.<br />
“It is a known fact that <strong>Ondo</strong> people are politically<br />
sophisticated and any attempt <strong>to</strong> truncate the will of the<br />
people will be resisted vehemently. References should be<br />
made <strong>to</strong> the 1965/66 and 1983 political violence in the<br />
west that brought about the collapse of the 1st and the2nd<br />
Republics. We should therefore be careful not <strong>to</strong> repeat<br />
his<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
“Finally, we call on the people of <strong>Ondo</strong> State <strong>to</strong> eschew<br />
violence and remain calm. We believe in the rule of law<br />
and the matter is already in the Appeal Court, and we are<br />
certain that the PDP shall get justice on this issue and<br />
Hon. Eyitayo Jegede will be returned <strong>to</strong> contest under the<br />
platform of our great Party” he said.<br />
Jegede remains our flagbearer——<strong>Ondo</strong> PDP<br />
Also, the Chairman of the PDP in <strong>Ondo</strong> state, Chief<br />
Clement Faboyede has argued that “the event culminating<br />
in replacing Jegede is a crude hallmark and handiwork of<br />
some moles in PDP and some highly placed government<br />
officials of APC at the federal level”<br />
He submitted that the moles within the PDP believed<br />
that removing Jegede from the race will pave way for easier<br />
manipulation of the election results in favour of the APC<br />
candidate He however said that Eyitayo Jegede remained<br />
the flagbearer of PDP saying “it is not the duty of any court<br />
<strong>to</strong> impose or dictate candidate for the party. It is a pre<br />
election matter and the Supreme Court which is the highest<br />
organ of judiciary in the land has said it severally that pre<br />
election is not a matter of the court.” He called on President<br />
Muhammadu <strong>Buhari</strong> <strong>to</strong> be father <strong>to</strong> all and should give<br />
room <strong>to</strong> a level playing ground for the nation’s democracy<br />
<strong>to</strong> survive and allow the wish of the people <strong>to</strong> prevail,<br />
noting that the people of the state voted for <strong>Buhari</strong> in the<br />
2015 election despite being controlled by PDP government.<br />
He commended the protesters for not taking laws in<strong>to</strong> their<br />
hands while he urged security agents not <strong>to</strong> use force <strong>to</strong><br />
disperse peaceful protesters.<br />
I will not jettison my mandate——Jegede<br />
The rejected candidate, Eyitayo Jegede in his reaction<br />
expressed optimism that the Appeal Court would revalidate<br />
his mandate <strong>to</strong> fly the Flag of the Peoples Democratic Party<br />
[PDP] in next month’s election. Jegede said attempts <strong>to</strong><br />
substitute his name will not stand as justice would be done<br />
at the appeal court.<br />
“I am aware of a recent litigation resulting in the<br />
announcement of another person as the governorship<br />
candidate of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.<br />
However, I wish <strong>to</strong> assure our teeming supporters in <strong>Ondo</strong><br />
State that necessary legal steps have been taken <strong>to</strong> seek<br />
justice. Already, the matter is before the Court of Appeal”<br />
He thanked the people of the state for their support and<br />
steadfastness since the campaign activities began and their<br />
<strong>to</strong>tal commitment <strong>to</strong> his lofty programmes designed <strong>to</strong> take<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> <strong>to</strong> greater heights. Jegede assured that he will not<br />
for any reason jettison the mandate freely given <strong>to</strong> him by<br />
generality of PDP members in the state.<br />
APC, INEC want <strong>to</strong> kill democracy——Fayose<br />
Also reacting, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has<br />
described the recognition of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the<br />
PDP candidate for the November 26 governorship poll in<br />
<strong>Ondo</strong> State by INEC as dangerous <strong>to</strong> democracy. Arguing<br />
that what INEC did amounted <strong>to</strong> rigging the <strong>Ondo</strong> State<br />
governorship election in advance, Fayose accused the All<br />
Progressives Congress (APC) of turning the INEC in<strong>to</strong><br />
its department and willing <strong>to</strong>ol that can be deployed at<br />
will <strong>to</strong> manipulate election. Fayose said recognising<br />
someone who did not emerge through any known elec<strong>to</strong>ral<br />
process signalled the end of democracy in the country.
Arrested Judges: Court summons<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong>, DSS, others <strong>to</strong> appear Nov 15<br />
•declines <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p ‘un<strong>to</strong>ward action’ against the judges<br />
By Ikechukwu<br />
Nnochiri<br />
THE Abuja Division<br />
of the Federal High<br />
Court, on Friday, ordered<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> and the Direc<strong>to</strong>r-<br />
General of the Department of<br />
State Service, DSS, Mr. Lawal<br />
Daura, <strong>to</strong> appear on<br />
November 15 <strong>to</strong> show cause<br />
why seven judges arrested<br />
between Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 7 and 8<br />
should be prosecuted.<br />
Others equally summoned<br />
<strong>to</strong> appear before the court<br />
were the At<strong>to</strong>rney-General of<br />
the Federation and Minister<br />
of Justice, Abubakar Malami,<br />
SAN, the Inspec<strong>to</strong>r-General<br />
of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and<br />
the National Judicial Council,<br />
NJC.<br />
They were all cited as<br />
Respondents in a legal action<br />
that was instituted before the<br />
high court by a Lagos-based<br />
lawyer, Mr. Olukoya<br />
Ogungbeje.<br />
Though President <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
will not appear in person, he<br />
is expected <strong>to</strong> brief a lawyer<br />
<strong>to</strong> represent him before the<br />
court on that date.<br />
The plaintiff had in the suit<br />
marked FHC/ABJ/CS/809/<br />
16, applied for an order of<br />
perpetual injunction<br />
restraining the Respondents<br />
from arresting, inviting,<br />
intimidating, or harassing<br />
any of the judges whose<br />
homes were raided in the<br />
“sting operation” conducted<br />
by the DSS.<br />
He contended that the<br />
arrest and detention of the<br />
judges without recourse <strong>to</strong> the<br />
NJC, was not only<br />
unconstitutional, but also<br />
aimed at ridiculing the<br />
judiciary arm of government.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him, the<br />
action of the DSS was in gross<br />
violation of rights of the<br />
judges as enshrined in<br />
sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and<br />
41 of the 1999 Constitution,<br />
as amended.<br />
Consequently, Ogungbeje<br />
sought ten separate reliefs<br />
from the court, including<br />
award of N50billion as<br />
general and exemplary<br />
damages against the<br />
Respondents, as well as<br />
another N2million as cost of<br />
the suit.<br />
He equally prayed the<br />
court for an order compelling<br />
the DSS <strong>to</strong> return <strong>to</strong> the<br />
judges, money that were<br />
seized from their homes.<br />
Meanwhile, in a bench<br />
ruling on Friday, Justice<br />
Gabriel Kolawole directed<br />
that copies of the relevant<br />
court processes be served on<br />
all the Respondents.<br />
The Judge held that the<br />
Respondents are entitled <strong>to</strong><br />
within seven days, respond<br />
<strong>to</strong> the suit.<br />
However, Justice Kolawole<br />
refused an ex-parte motion<br />
the plaintiff filed with a view<br />
<strong>to</strong> securing an interim order<br />
s<strong>to</strong>pping the Respondents<br />
from taking “any un<strong>to</strong>ward<br />
action” against the embattled<br />
Judges, pending<br />
determination of the suit.<br />
The Judge said he needed<br />
<strong>to</strong> resolve a number of issues,<br />
including the locus-standi of<br />
the plaintiff, before he could<br />
make a pronouncement on<br />
the prayer.<br />
He said such resolution<br />
could only be made in an<br />
inter-party hearing involving<br />
all the Respondents.<br />
Specifically, the plaintiff<br />
had through his counsel, Mr.<br />
Ayo Ogundele, sought, “An<br />
order of interim injunction<br />
restraining the respondents,<br />
their agents, servants, privies,<br />
men, officers or anybody<br />
deriving authority from them<br />
by whatever name called<br />
from further arresting,<br />
intimidating, arresting,<br />
inviting, seizing or taking<br />
any un<strong>to</strong>ward action against<br />
the arrested and affected<br />
honourable judges and<br />
judicial officers pending the<br />
hearing and determination of<br />
the substantive suit.”<br />
In a 39-paragraph affidavit<br />
he deposed in support of the<br />
substantive suit, the plaintiff<br />
averred: “That the 1st<br />
(President <strong>Buhari</strong>), 2nd (DG<br />
of DSS), 3rd (DSS), 4th<br />
(AGF), and 5th (Inspec<strong>to</strong>r-<br />
General of Police)<br />
respondents never filed<br />
any petition against the<br />
affected judges the 6th<br />
respondent (NJC).<br />
“That the 6th respondent<br />
is the only body empowered<br />
by the constitution of the<br />
Federal Republic of Nigeria<br />
<strong>to</strong> discipline judges and<br />
judicial officers in Nigeria.<br />
“That the judiciary is an<br />
independent arm of<br />
government in Nigeria and<br />
separate from the executive<br />
and the legislature.<br />
“That this illegal and<br />
unconstitutional action by the<br />
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th<br />
respondents have been<br />
roundly condemned by the<br />
Nigerian Bar Association.<br />
“That the 2nd (DG of DSS),<br />
3rd (DSS), and 5th (IGP)<br />
respondents carried out their<br />
action which brazenly<br />
infringed upon the rights of<br />
the affected five judges<br />
without lawful excuse or<br />
recourse <strong>to</strong> the 6th<br />
respondent”.<br />
Though seven judges<br />
were arrested, the plaintiff<br />
said he instituted the action<br />
on behalf of five of them who<br />
are still serving.<br />
The judges the plaintiff is<br />
fighting for are Justices<br />
Inyang Okoro and Sylvester<br />
Ngwuta of the Supreme<br />
Court, Adeniyi Ademola and<br />
Nnamdi Dimgba of the<br />
Federal High Court Abuja, as<br />
well as Justice Muazu<br />
Pindiga of the Federal High<br />
Court, Gombe Division.<br />
Among the five judges, only<br />
Justice Dimgba was not<br />
arrested, though his house<br />
was thoroughly searched.<br />
Other Judges who though<br />
arrested but not covered by the<br />
suit are former Chief Judge of<br />
Enugu State, Justice I. A.<br />
Umezulike, the Presiding<br />
Justice of the Court of Appeal,<br />
Ilorin Division, Justice<br />
Mohammed Tsamiya; and<br />
judge of the Kano State High<br />
Court, Justice Kabiru Auta.<br />
All the arrested judges are<br />
currently under administrative<br />
bail from the DSS, pending<br />
their trial.<br />
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016 —7<br />
B-R-I-E-F-S<br />
I was not suspended, says<br />
Abbah Kyari, <strong>Buhari</strong>’s Chief<br />
of Staff<br />
By Levinus Nwabughiogu<br />
CHIEF of Staff, CoS <strong>to</strong> President<br />
Muhammadu <strong>Buhari</strong>, Mallam Abbah Kyari, has<br />
dismissed reports in some quarters that he was on<br />
suspension.<br />
Unconfirmed reports linking him <strong>to</strong> an alleged monetary<br />
inducement from MTN <strong>to</strong> reduce the fine imposed on it by<br />
the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC for selling<br />
unregistered sim cards had been rife and as such prompted<br />
a reprimand from the President in line with his anticorruption<br />
war.<br />
For over two weeks, Kyari was neither in his office nor<br />
sighted around the presidential Villa, clutching his usual<br />
file <strong>to</strong> the President’s office.<br />
But speaking tacitly with State House Correspondents<br />
who were surprised <strong>to</strong> see him on Friday, the CoS, said he<br />
was on a short leave and had just resumed.<br />
Sighting Journalists, he asked “Are you going <strong>to</strong> tweet<br />
that I am back? I don’t go on leave?”<br />
Asked <strong>to</strong> comment on the reports of his purported<br />
suspension, he responded: “I don’t talk <strong>to</strong> the press. You<br />
know my job doesn’t allow me talking.”<br />
Chief of Air staff urges<br />
militants <strong>to</strong> embrace<br />
dialogue<br />
By Jimi<strong>to</strong>ta Onoyume<br />
CHIEF of the Air staff , Air Mashal Sadique<br />
Abubakar has enjoined militants <strong>to</strong> embrace<br />
the dialogue offered by the federal government for<br />
peace in the region.<br />
Speaking yesterday when he came <strong>to</strong> commission<br />
blocks of 18 x2 bedroom apartments and 10 x one<br />
bedroom flats at 97 SOG, Port Harcourt he said the<br />
Airforce will continue <strong>to</strong> pursue its constitutional<br />
responsibility of defending the nation’s terri<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
“Our message <strong>to</strong> them is that they should dialogue<br />
with the federal government. On our part we will<br />
continue <strong>to</strong> discharge our constitutional<br />
responsibility<br />
We will do everything humanly possible <strong>to</strong> protect<br />
lives and ensure peace<br />
The constitution has given us mandate <strong>to</strong> protect<br />
our terri<strong>to</strong>ry. let them embrace peace but if they fail<br />
<strong>to</strong> do that we have a constitutional responsibility <strong>to</strong><br />
protect lives”, he said.<br />
Indians celebrate Diwali<br />
INDIANS will celebrate Diwali, one of the<br />
biggest holidays in Indian culture on Sunday,<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 30. It ‘s specially known as a five-day festival<br />
of lights celebrated worldwide by Hindus, Sikhs and<br />
Jains.<br />
This year, the popular Indian celebration is unique<br />
because the traditional day of Diwali falls on Sunday,<br />
special day for Christians church services and activities;<br />
though celebrations in this regard span the entire week<br />
leading up <strong>to</strong> and following the holiday, which marks<br />
the triumph of good over evil.<br />
Diwali, reminiscent of Christians’ Christmas<br />
celebration...has a host of legends <strong>to</strong> explain its<br />
origin,but the most popular one recounts the s<strong>to</strong>ry of<br />
Lord Rama and his wife, Sita,who returned <strong>to</strong> the city<br />
Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. To celebrate<br />
Diwali,Indians across the world light fireworks and<br />
candles,and decorate their homes with rangoli—<br />
patterns made out of coloured rice or powder. Families<br />
clean their houses in preparation for Diwali bliss and<br />
celebration; buy new clothes, eat sweets,delicacies and<br />
share presents just like Yuletide season....
8 —SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Pas<strong>to</strong>rs fight dirty over N16.5m church<br />
land commission<br />
By Joseph Saater<br />
Undu<br />
THREE Pas<strong>to</strong>rs of the<br />
Living Faith Church<br />
also known as Winners<br />
Chapel at Isheri Olofin area<br />
of Lagos state are<br />
engrossed in serious fight<br />
over the sharing of N16.5m<br />
realized from the purchase<br />
of some parcel of land and<br />
property by the church in<br />
Lagos.<br />
The fight which was said<br />
<strong>to</strong> have started from the<br />
church premises has now<br />
moved <strong>to</strong> the Lagos court<br />
where the parties are<br />
seeking justice.<br />
The three pas<strong>to</strong>rs in the<br />
matter are Deacon Dolire<br />
Oluwaniyi who is also an<br />
estate agent on the one<br />
hand and two other Pas<strong>to</strong>rs,<br />
Edwin Iky and Peter O.<br />
Odama on the other hand.<br />
The last two acted on behalf<br />
of the church over the<br />
purchase of the property.<br />
In the suit before<br />
Magistrate’s court sitting in<br />
Ogba, with suit number,<br />
MIK/4174/16, Deacon<br />
Oluwaniyi stated that the<br />
two pas<strong>to</strong>rs cheated him<br />
after they collected N140m<br />
from their General<br />
Overseer, Bishop David<br />
Oyedapo and paid N130m<br />
<strong>to</strong> the owner of the<br />
property.<br />
Apart from that, Deacon<br />
Oluwaniyi also stated that<br />
as the agent who linked<br />
the church <strong>to</strong> the owner of<br />
the property, he was<br />
entitled <strong>to</strong> N6.5 million<br />
commission which was<br />
also paid by the church but<br />
was shared between the<br />
two pas<strong>to</strong>rs and he was not<br />
given a dime.<br />
Following the alleged<br />
scam, the claimant<br />
dragged the church <strong>to</strong> the<br />
court seeking an order that<br />
he should be paid his<br />
commission as a registered<br />
agent with his company’s<br />
name, Bedek properties<br />
that facilitated the<br />
transaction.<br />
In his affidavit in support<br />
of the claim, the claimant<br />
stated that his company<br />
wrote <strong>to</strong> the church<br />
introducing the properties<br />
which contain two big<br />
church halls and a s<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
building on one acre of<br />
land located at Iyana Odo,<br />
along Igando road in<br />
Sheri Olofin area.<br />
He stated that he was<br />
contacted through the<br />
pas<strong>to</strong>rs and he linked the<br />
church <strong>to</strong> the owner of the<br />
property, one Bishop<br />
Emmanuel Omobajesu.<br />
The claimant said after<br />
the payment for the<br />
property he demanded for<br />
his commission and the<br />
two pas<strong>to</strong>rs asked him <strong>to</strong><br />
•The three armed robbery suspects who attacked<br />
Divine Fisheries in Oko-Afo Igborogo with their<br />
s<strong>to</strong>len money, N121,400; a locally made pis<strong>to</strong>l<br />
and lap<strong>to</strong>p recovered from them.<br />
bear it as seed <strong>to</strong> the<br />
church where as they had<br />
already collected the<br />
money from the church.<br />
The claimant also stated<br />
that the pas<strong>to</strong>rs involved in<br />
the transaction are not<br />
honest and sincere as they<br />
both ate with both hands<br />
and thereby soiled their<br />
hands in the transaction.<br />
In response, the<br />
defendant under the<br />
registered trustee of the<br />
church stated that the<br />
claimant was not<br />
appointed as its agent,<br />
legal representative nor<br />
hold any partnership and<br />
did not authorise the<br />
claimant <strong>to</strong> act on behalf of<br />
the defendant.<br />
It also stated that the<br />
claimant have no locus<br />
standi <strong>to</strong> sue the defendant<br />
as regard the property and<br />
demanding N6.5m agency<br />
commission.<br />
The<br />
presiding<br />
Magistrate, Mrs. M.O<br />
Osibajo has adjourned the<br />
matter till 23 November,<br />
2016, <strong>to</strong> deliver rulings on<br />
the motions filed by the<br />
parties.<br />
''My mother’s<br />
curse led <strong>to</strong><br />
my arrest''<br />
By Daud Olatunji,<br />
Abeokuta<br />
A<br />
28-year old suspected<br />
armed robber Chukwuemeka<br />
Obinna has said<br />
that his mother’s curse led<br />
<strong>to</strong> his arrest by men of the<br />
Ogun state police<br />
command. Obinna who was<br />
arrested on the 9th of<br />
September and paraded ,<br />
yesterday, claimed that<br />
frustration led him in<strong>to</strong><br />
robbery, adding that if not for<br />
the unbearable poverty he<br />
was battling with, he would<br />
have adhered strictly <strong>to</strong> his<br />
mother’s warning.<br />
Obinna <strong>to</strong>ld our reporter<br />
that his mother had warned<br />
him severally against any<br />
robbery act, saying that she<br />
had prayed <strong>to</strong> God that any<br />
day he tried <strong>to</strong> steal or rob<br />
anyone of their valuables, he<br />
would be arrested on his first<br />
attempt. The suspect who<br />
met his Waterloo on his<br />
second attempt said he<br />
hailed from Ebonyi State.<br />
He said, “if not for poverty,<br />
I wouldn’t have ventured<br />
in<strong>to</strong> robbery, because, my<br />
mother had warned me<br />
never <strong>to</strong> venture in<strong>to</strong> any act<br />
of robbery or stealing.<br />
•Read more news on pg.39<br />
B-R-I-E-F-S<br />
Governor Ugwuanyi eulogises<br />
retiring Enugu Police Commissioner<br />
By Emeka Mamah<br />
GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has described the<br />
retiring Police Commissioner of Enugu State, Mr.<br />
Emmanuel Ojukwu, as a disciplined officer whose<br />
commitment <strong>to</strong> his job should be emulated by every public<br />
servant.<br />
The governor paid the eulogy during the passing out<br />
parade organized for the retiring Commissioner of Police<br />
held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, on Friday.<br />
The governor noted that Mr. Ojukwu assumed duties<br />
in the state during the unfortunate herdsmen attack at<br />
Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area,<br />
stating that he assisted in quelling the tension that ensued<br />
from that incident.<br />
“As we congratulate him for successfully reaching the<br />
end of his career in the force, we are assured that we can<br />
always call upon his wealth of experience and<br />
competence whenever the need arises,” the governor<br />
said.<br />
NMA begs FG <strong>to</strong> implement WHO<br />
15 per cent GDP<br />
By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta<br />
THE Nigerian Medical Association has asked the<br />
Federal Government <strong>to</strong> immediately implement the<br />
World Health Organisation’s 15 percent Gross Domestic<br />
Product for health.<br />
Ogun state chairman of NMA , Dr. Abayomi Olajide,<br />
stated this at the 2016 Physicians’ Week organised by<br />
the State branch of the association in Abeokuta.<br />
Olajide called for a speedy implementation of the<br />
National Health Act and the community-based health<br />
insurance scheme for the benefit of the masses.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him, “it is pathetic that the National Health<br />
Act has not been implemented two years after it was signed<br />
in<strong>to</strong> law”<br />
In his remarks, NMA General Secretary, Dr. Adewunmi<br />
Alayaki, has reiterated the call for a reduction in capital<br />
flight used by government officials <strong>to</strong> seek medical<br />
attention abroad.<br />
Dr. Alayaki argued that government should rather<br />
develop the country’s health system, since Nigeria is<br />
blessed with the needed expertise.<br />
El-Rufia advocates NCC, NBC<br />
merger<br />
...as FG licenses 6 slots of 2.6 MHz Spectrum<br />
By Emmanuel Elebeke<br />
THE Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai<br />
has called on Federal government <strong>to</strong> merge the National<br />
Communications Commission, NCC and the National<br />
Broadcasting Commission, NBC <strong>to</strong> avoid unnecessary<br />
duplication of functions by both agencies.<br />
The Governor made the call on Friday at the 4th Edition of<br />
the National Council on Communication Technology, NCCT<br />
holding in Kaduna.<br />
As a country in recession, Governor El-Rufai said Nigeria<br />
requires a well articulated policy framework <strong>to</strong> reap from the<br />
huge benefits inherent in the ICT sec<strong>to</strong>r, which can only be<br />
achieved through the harmonization of existing National<br />
Policy on Communication and Broadcasting.<br />
“In my view, the existing National Policy on Communication<br />
and Broadcasting are overdue for harmonization <strong>to</strong> recognize<br />
digital convergence. We recognize digital convergence and<br />
increasing movement <strong>to</strong>wards mobile platform.<br />
“There must be institutional and regula<strong>to</strong>ry framework <strong>to</strong><br />
enable optimal use of our IT endowment and the<br />
unprecedented development in the sec<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
Ex-President's Media aide, Reuben<br />
Abati gets bail<br />
M<br />
R. Reuben Abati, the former Special Adviser <strong>to</strong><br />
ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, has<br />
been granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes<br />
Commission (EFCC).<br />
It was gathered that the bail conditions required that<br />
Abati should drop his international passport with the<br />
EFCC and produce a surety, who should not be below a<br />
deputy direc<strong>to</strong>r on Level 16 in the civil service of the<br />
country.<br />
Abati was arrested last Monday on allegations that he<br />
received N100 million from the former National Security<br />
Adviser, rtd Col. Sambo Dasuki. The former presidential<br />
spokesman was the chairman of the Edi<strong>to</strong>rial Board of<br />
the Guardian Newspaper before his appointment.<br />
Dasuki has been held for the misappropriation of the<br />
$2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the prosecution<br />
of the war against Boko Haram. Many people<br />
have been arrested in connection with the sharing of the<br />
money with some offering <strong>to</strong> refund part or all they got.
SATURDAY Vanguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016—9<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
10—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Grant us amnesty or we'll<br />
cripple Lagos, Ogun<br />
Arepo militants explode<br />
*We have kidnapped, robbed, now we surrender<br />
*Boast of 21 'generals', 7,800 battle-ready boys, superior weapons<br />
*Reveal how they bribed OPC, Police and Military men in the past<br />
By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Sometime last year, the no<strong>to</strong>rious<br />
leader of the dreaded militants who<br />
terrorized Ogun and Lagos states<br />
from the creeks of Arepo and Ibafo, called<br />
on phone identifying himself in a typically<br />
hoarse voice as ‘De don of Militants in<br />
Nigeria.' Threatening fire and brims<strong>to</strong>ne,<br />
he warned security agencies <strong>to</strong> get off the<br />
creeks or they would meet their waterloo.<br />
After explaining that he got my telephone<br />
number from the pages of Saturday<br />
Vanguard, he swore <strong>to</strong> make the two states<br />
ungovernable if security operatives failed<br />
<strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p raiding the creeks and allow them<br />
<strong>to</strong> continue with oil bunkering<br />
unchallenged.<br />
He even promised <strong>to</strong> reward this reporter<br />
handsomely if he could avail them with<br />
certain security information, a request that<br />
was rebuffed immediately. However, the<br />
cat and mouse game continued until the<br />
‘day of the jackal’, which was the day jet<br />
fighters unleashed bombs ceaselessly in<strong>to</strong><br />
the creeks which the militants had earlier<br />
boasted was impenetrable. On the second<br />
day of the raid, De don called this reporter<br />
again lamenting the carnage being carried<br />
out on their abode when, suddenly, his<br />
telephone went dead amidst a barrage of<br />
bombardments from Air force planes.<br />
There was a deafening silence and it<br />
appeared De don may have been killed.<br />
He did not call again and all calls <strong>to</strong> his<br />
line failed.<br />
Then, midnight last Monday, his voice<br />
rang out again but from a different number<br />
<strong>to</strong> re-assure that he was alive. However,<br />
he stated that the essence of the call was <strong>to</strong><br />
beg for amnesty from the government<br />
alongside other <strong>to</strong>p ‘Generals’ who<br />
survived the military onslaught inside the<br />
creeks. Interestingly, one of the other<br />
‘Generals’ who also spoke on phone after<br />
De don turned out <strong>to</strong> be the most wanted<br />
and deadly kidnap kingpin in the country,<br />
‘General’ Ossy, whose exploits in the<br />
criminal world in the past two years had<br />
jolted security agencies <strong>to</strong> their wits' end.<br />
The two militant 'Generals', on one<br />
hand, made passionate appeals for<br />
amnesty while on the other hand,<br />
warned that hell would be let loose if<br />
their request was turned down.<br />
Excerpts:<br />
How we started bunkering business<br />
I am General Ossy Ibori. I am 40 years<br />
old. We are from Niger Delta region, from<br />
Isaac Boro’s home<strong>to</strong>wn. We started this<br />
business of bunkering in 1998 here in<br />
Lagos during which we had an agreement<br />
with the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)<br />
<strong>to</strong> settle them. In those days, we were<br />
giving the OPC between N250, 000 <strong>to</strong><br />
N350, 000 every night before the mobile<br />
policemen later came on the scene. That<br />
was in 2001 and 2002. After paying them<br />
the money, they would allow us <strong>to</strong> do our<br />
bunkering work but later they killed our<br />
brothers. This infuriated us because the<br />
killings were done after collecting bribe<br />
from us. So we decided <strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong>gether<br />
<strong>to</strong> fight it. I even tried <strong>to</strong> reach an<br />
agreement with them <strong>to</strong> allow peace reign<br />
but they later conspired with the police in<br />
Lagos state including operatives of the<br />
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and<br />
Anti- Vandals unit some of whom started<br />
collecting bribe from us also. Then, the<br />
Mobile police and Federal SARS came<br />
<strong>to</strong> us at Abule Egba, and Arepo where we<br />
were doing our business and reached an<br />
agreement with us as they also started<br />
collecting bribe from us. We were giving<br />
them N2 million every night. That was<br />
during the era of a <strong>to</strong>p Commissioner of<br />
Police (name withheld). Again, these<br />
people <strong>to</strong>o conspired and arraigned some<br />
of our brothers in court. Shortly after<br />
arresting some of our brothers and<br />
collecting bribe from them, the police<br />
s<strong>to</strong>rmed the area, killing innocent people.<br />
How we subdued the police<br />
We went <strong>to</strong> the police and tried <strong>to</strong> find<br />
out why they arrested our brothers,<br />
collected bribe from them but still went<br />
ahead <strong>to</strong> kill them. When we saw that<br />
they were ready <strong>to</strong> arrest us as well, we<br />
now launched an attack and exchanged<br />
fire with them before we subdued them.<br />
This happened in 2013 and the following<br />
year, we came back <strong>to</strong> work but the people<br />
we were working with complained that<br />
the area had become dangerous, arguing<br />
that if they came <strong>to</strong> us we would kill them.<br />
We then decided <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> them and settle<br />
them. Then, the Nigerian Army was sent<br />
<strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p our bunkering but they allowed<br />
us <strong>to</strong> continue after we started <strong>to</strong> settle<br />
them also. The army also, at a stage,<br />
conspired with the people and they were<br />
no longer giving us access <strong>to</strong> the area we<br />
wanted, so we resolved <strong>to</strong> fight for our<br />
rights and started doing things <strong>to</strong> draw<br />
government’s attention <strong>to</strong> us but<br />
government refused <strong>to</strong> listen <strong>to</strong> us. Then<br />
we began <strong>to</strong> attack pipelines, Federal<br />
SARS and Civil Defence just <strong>to</strong> attract<br />
When we saw that<br />
they were ready <strong>to</strong><br />
arrest us as well, we<br />
now launched an<br />
attack and<br />
exchanged fire with<br />
them before we<br />
subdued them<br />
government’s attention but the<br />
government ignored us. After a while, the<br />
government now sent a delegate <strong>to</strong> us<br />
that they wanted <strong>to</strong> give us amnesty. It<br />
was one Colonel whose name I cannot<br />
remember again. He claimed <strong>to</strong> have<br />
come from the amnesty office. We started<br />
the negotiation but later found out that<br />
he was a betrayer and the whole thing<br />
ended like that. Apart from that Colonel,<br />
one Captain Okotie, also came whom<br />
we strongly believed <strong>to</strong> be a fraudster.<br />
That was when we started operating in<br />
Lagos and Ogun states. We operated in<br />
Irekpete, Gburumu, Arepo, Ibafo,<br />
Majidun, Ajegunle and Abule Egba. We<br />
were trying <strong>to</strong> fight for our rights by<br />
attacking the government, bursting oil<br />
pipelines, kidnapping and robbing the<br />
residents so that the government could<br />
pay attention <strong>to</strong> us but it’s unfortunate<br />
that they did not. Now, we are very much<br />
ready <strong>to</strong> dialogue with the government<br />
and <strong>to</strong> make sure that none of such things<br />
happen again.<br />
Our activities in 2015 and 2016 (De<br />
don takes over)<br />
I am General Don. I am 45 years old.<br />
We are ready <strong>to</strong> allow peace <strong>to</strong> reign and<br />
guarantee the safety of oil pipelines.<br />
Before, when we came <strong>to</strong> work, we used<br />
<strong>to</strong> settle those people. Meanwhile, we<br />
have members in FESTAC, Arepo and<br />
Abule Egba. This is how we used <strong>to</strong> do<br />
the business. We used <strong>to</strong> vandalize oil<br />
pipelines, siphon the oil. But when they<br />
s<strong>to</strong>pped pumping the oil, we then started<br />
kidnapping and armed robbery. We<br />
robbed so many banks in Lagos. We<br />
started kidnapping in 2015, we<br />
kidnapped in FESTAC and Epe areas of<br />
Lagos. If government does not pay<br />
attention <strong>to</strong> us soon, robbery and<br />
kidnapping will resume at a very<br />
alarming rate. We are determined <strong>to</strong><br />
make peace reign between Lagos and<br />
Ogun states. So, let their governments<br />
come and dialogue with us. If that is done,<br />
all these things will not happen again.<br />
We will come <strong>to</strong>gether with the security<br />
operatives and work hard <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
absolute peace within the region.<br />
How Nigerian Air Force bombarded<br />
our camp<br />
On Thursday evening, June 23rd 2016,<br />
while we were in the camp, we saw a jet<br />
displaying in the air and we asked<br />
ourselves, what is this that’s displaying<br />
in the air? Shortly, we discovered that it<br />
was a fighter jet. Before we could figure<br />
out what it was up <strong>to</strong>, they started<br />
bombing our camp. They bombed the<br />
first camp in Irekpete. We lost nine souls<br />
in that place, which was the first day. The<br />
second day, after shooting, we went out<br />
and discovered the corpses of four<br />
children and few women. After five days,<br />
Continues onpage 11
SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016—11<br />
Continues from page 10<br />
when they came back with heavy<br />
bombardment, we now started<br />
escaping from the forest because the<br />
bombing was <strong>to</strong>o much for us. We<br />
left the area where we were working<br />
<strong>to</strong> the other side. During the air raid,<br />
none of our generals died. Even those<br />
who died were not part of us, they<br />
were innocent people. They killed<br />
mostly Yorubas and some other few<br />
tribes. We still have 21 generals and<br />
7,800 battle-ready boys. Even now<br />
as we are still in the forest, we can<br />
see everything the government is<br />
doing but we don’t want <strong>to</strong> cause<br />
problem again.<br />
How we escaped from the<br />
bombardment<br />
We believe so much in God., we<br />
work like spirit and disappear any<br />
time. God sets us free, we don’t have<br />
any spiritualist (Jujuman), we believe<br />
in God. We are members of different<br />
churches like Baptists, Redeemed,<br />
Cherubim and Seraphim. We used<br />
<strong>to</strong> pray before going on revenge<br />
mission. We call on God <strong>to</strong> help us<br />
out. We didn’t start the killing, they<br />
did by provoking us when the killed<br />
our brothers unjustly. Before we go<br />
<strong>to</strong> battle, we pray <strong>to</strong> God <strong>to</strong> help us<br />
because we are fighting for our<br />
rights.<br />
Is oil bunkering your right?<br />
So many youths and graduates are<br />
suffering without jobs and many are<br />
even managing this oil bunkering<br />
business in Lagos and Ogun states.<br />
We have more than 100 graduates<br />
working with us and earning their<br />
living. What else do you expect from<br />
us? Are we not part and parcel of this<br />
oil rich country? Are we not entitled<br />
<strong>to</strong> enjoy our natural resources? That<br />
is our right and nobody, I repeat,<br />
nobody can deny us that.<br />
We escaped with our weapons<br />
(General Ossy Ibori)<br />
We escaped the bombardment with<br />
a lot of weapons though not all. Right<br />
now, we have fire guns, artillery,<br />
GPMG, K2, Pump Action, Double<br />
Barrel and locally made guns. You<br />
can’t find out how we buy our arms,<br />
we won’t disclose it but we want the<br />
government <strong>to</strong> know that we are<br />
ready for peace. But if they fail <strong>to</strong><br />
dialogue with us, we are ready <strong>to</strong><br />
bring down the economy of Lagos<br />
and Ogun states. We can even<br />
vandalize pipelines but for now, we<br />
don’t want that <strong>to</strong> happen. We want<br />
dialogue but if they refuse <strong>to</strong> comply,<br />
we are ready <strong>to</strong> destroy the economy<br />
of these two states. We want the<br />
government <strong>to</strong> know that, we are<br />
human beings like them and we are<br />
suffering, the youths are suffering but<br />
we don’t want <strong>to</strong> kill innocent souls.<br />
We have been in the creeks for the<br />
past 18 years. Within this period, so<br />
many souls were lost there but we<br />
are just ready <strong>to</strong> dialogue with the<br />
government <strong>to</strong> let peace reign.<br />
We want amnesty<br />
We are not demanding monetary<br />
settlement, we are not demanding<br />
anything other than freedom and<br />
dialogue with the government. We<br />
want peace <strong>to</strong> reign. Secondly, we<br />
need amnesty as well as pipeline and<br />
waterways security. That will bring<br />
<strong>to</strong> an end kidnapping, armed<br />
robbery, bunkering and other<br />
criminal activities in the region. We<br />
are ready <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p all criminal<br />
activities. We are not money<br />
conscious, what we want is peace,<br />
we want dialogue first. If we are<br />
granted amnesty, we will be glad <strong>to</strong><br />
provide security <strong>to</strong> oil installations.<br />
That’s what we want <strong>to</strong> do. We know<br />
much about the creeks and because<br />
of our expertise, we will like <strong>to</strong> work<br />
with the anti-vandalism team and<br />
the police <strong>to</strong> ensure absolute security<br />
in the creeks. Civil Defence’s claim<br />
that they chased us out of Arepo is<br />
not true. We are still in the creeks. We<br />
are even very close <strong>to</strong> them and if we<br />
decide <strong>to</strong> go offensive, we can even<br />
slaughter all of them, we can wipe<br />
Reveal how they bribed OPC,<br />
Police and Military men in the past<br />
Gov Ibikunle Amosun<br />
Our worst regret<br />
since this fight with<br />
the security started<br />
is that, they are<br />
killing innocent<br />
Nigerians and we<br />
are also killing<br />
innocent Nigerians<br />
By Ifeanyi Okolie<br />
The vandals, who are mainly<br />
militants from the Niger Delta,<br />
had held sway for a long time in<br />
Arepo, Ibafo and environs. They<br />
masterminded the vandalism of<br />
pipelines belonging <strong>to</strong> the Nigerian<br />
National Petroleum Corporation,<br />
NNPC, and siphoned the contents.<br />
They were also behind the incessant<br />
bank robberies in Lekki, Ikorodu,<br />
Festac and Agbara areas of Lagos<br />
and Ogun States, during which they<br />
carted large sums of money and<br />
killed several residents including<br />
policemen. Security sources<br />
disclosed that the vandals led by<br />
dreaded hard hitter, General Ossy,<br />
were responsible for the kidnap of<br />
students of Babing<strong>to</strong>n Macaulay<br />
Junior Seminary at Ikorodu, Lagos.<br />
The unfortunate students were<br />
ferried <strong>to</strong> their camp called Fa<strong>to</strong>la<br />
in March this year. The militants also<br />
abducted a staff of MTN the same<br />
day within Arepo and collected a<br />
ransom of N4.5m before he was<br />
released two days later around 3 am.<br />
No go area for security agents<br />
Security agents including<br />
policemen, DSS, NSCDC, Navy who<br />
had attempted <strong>to</strong> invade the camp<br />
in the past were ambushed and<br />
killed in the process thereby making<br />
it a no-go-area for security personnel.<br />
all of them out of that area. We<br />
are <strong>to</strong>gether but we don’t want<br />
that <strong>to</strong> happen and that is why<br />
we want government <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
there is peace here.<br />
Our sponsors<br />
We are our own sponsors. We<br />
don’t have anybody in<br />
government or politician<br />
sponsoring our activities. We<br />
sponsor ourselves. Concerning<br />
our feeding, you won’t<br />
understand how we feed. We<br />
have enough money <strong>to</strong> feed<br />
ourselves. We have money <strong>to</strong><br />
make problem with the<br />
government and <strong>to</strong> cripple the<br />
economy but we don’t want it<br />
<strong>to</strong> be that way. We have so<br />
many connections and I tell<br />
you that everything in Lagos<br />
belongs <strong>to</strong> us. If we are given<br />
amnesty nobody will kidnap,<br />
Gov Akinwunmi Ambode<br />
nobody will rob, nobody will<br />
vandalize. We know about every<br />
criminal activity in the region. If<br />
government is ready <strong>to</strong> dialogue<br />
with us, we will put a s<strong>to</strong>p <strong>to</strong><br />
everything.<br />
Our pains in the creeks<br />
We are in the creeks suffering. We<br />
cannot go out and enjoy with our<br />
families. If the government is ready<br />
for peace <strong>to</strong> reign in the creeks, we<br />
will have the opportunity <strong>to</strong> go out<br />
and meet with our various families.<br />
There is no single woman or<br />
children in our camps and you<br />
know what that means. It is only<br />
men who live in our camps. We<br />
have not got any chance <strong>to</strong> meet<br />
with women because we don’t go<br />
out. We don’t even see anyone in the<br />
creeks. Some of our brothers’<br />
family members were arrested by<br />
the police. They are still being held<br />
Their evil e<br />
foo<br />
ootprints<br />
The vandals, however, resorted <strong>to</strong><br />
kidnapping following the recent<br />
clamp down on <strong>to</strong>p members of the<br />
gang and operations by the military.<br />
They also invaded another school at<br />
Epe area of the state owned by the<br />
Lagos Anglican Dioceses, shooting<br />
indiscriminately before abducting<br />
the school girls who were in their<br />
hostel preparing for test. They later<br />
disappeared from the scene in an<br />
SUV.<br />
Difficulty in stemming operations<br />
of vandals<br />
The renewed efforts by the vandals<br />
<strong>to</strong> abduct defenceless civilians for<br />
ransom have exposed the inability<br />
of security operatives <strong>to</strong> completely<br />
stem their operations. Some security<br />
operatives however boasted that<br />
vandals could no longer carry out<br />
large scale bank robberies as they<br />
did in March 2013, when they raided<br />
a bank in Lekki, killed three<br />
policemen and two civilians and<br />
carted away large sums of money. In<br />
November, 2015, the same gang<br />
struck at a bank in Agbara area of<br />
Ogun State, killing two mobile<br />
policemen and carted away large<br />
sums of money. In June 2015, the<br />
vandals raided banks in Ikorodu,<br />
carting away unspecified amount of<br />
money. They attacked the banks<br />
located at Ipakodo- Ebute, near<br />
Ogolon<strong>to</strong> in Ikorodu by using speed<br />
boats in accessing the community<br />
after which they raided the two<br />
banks in the area. While the police<br />
were busy spreading their dragnets<br />
<strong>to</strong> track the fleeing bandits, no fewer<br />
than forty members of the gang<br />
invaded two banks at 4th Avenue,<br />
Festac area of Lagos state few weeks<br />
later and carted away huge sums of<br />
money. A nursing mother and her<br />
child were killed during the<br />
operation.<br />
In May 2014, nine policemen<br />
attached <strong>to</strong> the Inspec<strong>to</strong>r-General of<br />
Police Special Anti-Vandalism were<br />
kidnapped and killed by the vandals<br />
when they attempted <strong>to</strong> visit the scene<br />
of a pipeline explosion in Arepo<br />
pipeline, Ogun State. The policemen<br />
were said <strong>to</strong> have boarded a canoe<br />
and were last seen heading in<strong>to</strong> the<br />
creek. Their bodies are yet <strong>to</strong> be<br />
recovered.<br />
Litany of woes<br />
In the same vein, in January 2015,<br />
three officials of the Nigerian<br />
Security and Civil Defence Corps,<br />
NSCDC, were killed while 10 others<br />
sustained severe injuries when they<br />
had a confrontation with the vandals<br />
in Abule Ishawo and Tappa areas of<br />
Ikorodu, close <strong>to</strong> Arepo. The 10<br />
officials who survived the attack<br />
were rescued by a reinforced team<br />
comprising the military and NSCDC<br />
operatives. After this incident, the<br />
vandals chased some NSCDC<br />
officials <strong>to</strong> Owutu Police Station<br />
by the police even as we speak while so many<br />
innocent people who are not even our<br />
members are still in police detention. But<br />
we are still in the creeks, and if we go out for<br />
any reason, we come back <strong>to</strong>gether. Nobody,<br />
not even army or police can come <strong>to</strong> the<br />
main creeks where we live unless we permit<br />
them. They can’t penetrate it on ground<br />
because of the weapons we have and the roads<br />
are made just for us alone. A stranger cannot<br />
just get in and when you force yourself in,<br />
you cannot find your way back unless such a<br />
person comes from the sky. Even at that, we<br />
will not allow it because of our latest<br />
weapons. If we don’t come out in the open,<br />
even fighter jet cannot get us where we are<br />
right now.<br />
Wanted General Ossy on why he has not<br />
been arrested<br />
That’s why I’m the Don, that is how it is<br />
supposed <strong>to</strong> be. The robbery incident that<br />
happened in FESTAC where a pregnant<br />
woman and her child were killed was an<br />
unfortunate incident. It was not deliberate.<br />
We can operate anywhere we want between<br />
Lagos and Ogun states. Concerning<br />
innocent people who lost their lives in the<br />
course of our operation, you can see that is<br />
how security agents used <strong>to</strong> kill our people.<br />
They collect bribe from us and then kill our<br />
brothers. They would even set fire in the area<br />
where we are engaging in bunkering. We<br />
are remorseful about the number of people<br />
we have unintentionally killed, it is better <strong>to</strong><br />
leave it <strong>to</strong> God. We don’t kill innocently, we<br />
kill reasonably. Our main anger is that, after<br />
collecting bribe from us, the OPC, the police,<br />
army, and civil defence would turn around<br />
<strong>to</strong> kill our brothers and that is we decided <strong>to</strong><br />
retaliate.<br />
Our regret<br />
Our worst regret since this fight with the<br />
security started is that, they are killing<br />
innocent Nigerians and we are also killing<br />
innocent Nigerians. They are Nigerians and<br />
we are also Nigerians. Our brothers that they<br />
have killed are also Nigerians. We lost our<br />
people and they also lost their people and<br />
this is not helping the country. That is why<br />
we want genuine dialogue that would bring<br />
this <strong>to</strong> an end. You can’t find out how rich we<br />
are, we are average people in terms of money.<br />
We cannot also expose our other businesses<br />
<strong>to</strong> the government.<br />
where they ran in<strong>to</strong> and opened fire<br />
on some policemen on guard, killing<br />
two on the spot while two other<br />
civilians were also killed. The<br />
vandals were said <strong>to</strong> have carted<br />
away four Ak47 rifles from the police<br />
station before escaping.<br />
Massacre of SARS, DSS teams<br />
Few days after, the vandals struck<br />
at four banks in Ijede and Ipakodun<br />
areas of Ikorodu. Some operatives<br />
of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,<br />
SARS, were deployed <strong>to</strong> Ikorodu <strong>to</strong><br />
combat the menace of the robbers,<br />
but in one of their operations, four of<br />
its operatives were ambushed and<br />
killed and their corpses were taken<br />
away. Subsequently, in September<br />
2015, nine operatives of the<br />
Department of State Services, DSS,<br />
were killed while they attempted <strong>to</strong><br />
rescue a kidnapped victim from the<br />
hands of the vandals. The vandals<br />
were said <strong>to</strong> have ambushed the<br />
operatives at Konu, a border <strong>to</strong>wn in<br />
Ogun State while tracking a<br />
telephone number used by the<br />
vandals in negotiating the ransom<br />
with relatives of the victim. The<br />
corpses of the operatives are yet <strong>to</strong><br />
be recovered till date. Efforts by both<br />
the state government and security<br />
agencies in the state <strong>to</strong> end the<br />
activities of the vandals have been<br />
stalled owing <strong>to</strong> lack of proper<br />
synergy
12—SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
BY DENNIS AGBO<br />
ENUGU- The purported<br />
Privatization of defunct<br />
Nigeria Coal Corporation,<br />
NCC, with its headquarter in<br />
Enugu has continued <strong>to</strong><br />
generate the interest of<br />
stakeholders in the coal<br />
industry particularly the former<br />
workers of the corporation who<br />
are wondering what manner of<br />
privatization was carried out in<br />
the Nigeria's premier solid<br />
mineral industry that has<br />
completely deflated the<br />
industry.<br />
As far as the ex-staff are<br />
concerned, what <strong>to</strong>ok place was<br />
sale and outright devastation,<br />
cannibalization of equipment<br />
and properties of the industry<br />
with no intention <strong>to</strong> revitalize<br />
the needed mining of coal<br />
through privatization as was the<br />
original philosophy of the<br />
federal government's<br />
privatization policy in 2003.<br />
The former staff of the defunct<br />
corporation are therefore more<br />
worried that the industry has<br />
gone under with no insight <strong>to</strong><br />
it coming back <strong>to</strong> mining of<br />
coal, the former workers wages<br />
and entitlements trapped, the<br />
property of the corporation sold<br />
<strong>to</strong> individuals, monetization of<br />
the property not adequately<br />
carried out while the essential<br />
equipment were so<br />
cannibalized that even an<br />
inves<strong>to</strong>r would find it extremely<br />
difficult <strong>to</strong> start any major move<br />
<strong>to</strong> mine coal at different mines<br />
in Enugu, Benue, Delta and<br />
Kogi states.<br />
In a litany of petitions the<br />
disengaged and retired staff of<br />
NCC have submitted <strong>to</strong><br />
President Mohammadu <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
and government agencies<br />
including the anti-graft<br />
agencies, the former workers are<br />
lamenting the non settlement of<br />
all arrears owned the<br />
disengaged staff of the NCC<br />
amounting <strong>to</strong> about N315<br />
million; destruction of coal<br />
mining property by the Bureau<br />
for Public Enterprise, BPE,<br />
through a property consultancy<br />
firm, corruption through a<br />
purported monetization of<br />
houses of the NCC, allegedly<br />
being committed by the<br />
consultancy firm, among other<br />
allegations.<br />
In an open letter <strong>to</strong> President<br />
Mohammadu <strong>Buhari</strong>, some of<br />
the concerned disengaged and<br />
retired workers alleged that a<br />
hurried monetization of the<br />
NCC properties has been<br />
enmeshed in corruption <strong>to</strong> the<br />
extent that money is being paid<br />
in<strong>to</strong> private accounts other than<br />
<strong>to</strong> the Treasury Single Account<br />
(TSA) of the federal<br />
government.<br />
“BPE and their agent have<br />
sold off heavy plants and<br />
machinery of NCC at very<br />
ridiculous prices and declaring<br />
peanuts <strong>to</strong> the BPE and even<br />
the lands <strong>to</strong>o. This is a clear case<br />
of corruption. Example of such<br />
sale made is the gigantic and<br />
highly sophisticated coal<br />
washrey plant housed in an<br />
entire seven s<strong>to</strong>ry building built<br />
by KOPEX contrac<strong>to</strong>rs, Poland,<br />
Corruption tales linger over<br />
sale of Coal Corporation<br />
•Stakeholders write petitions <strong>to</strong> <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong>gether with the vast land<br />
housing the edifice worth<br />
over a billion naira was sold<br />
at N160, 000,000. Other<br />
examples are two high<br />
capacity coal briquette plants<br />
at Enugu and Ankpa Kogi<br />
states which were sold in<br />
the same manner as plants<br />
and weigh bridges at<br />
Enugu, Okaba and<br />
Owukpa amongst many<br />
others,” the ex-staffs<br />
alleged.<br />
In another letter <strong>to</strong><br />
President <strong>Buhari</strong> dated<br />
September 1 2015, the<br />
labour leaders of former<br />
workers prayed the<br />
President <strong>to</strong> scrutinize all<br />
transactions made by the<br />
BPE, their agent and NCC<br />
officials, maintaining that<br />
due processes were not<br />
followed and lacked<br />
transparency. They are also<br />
asking President <strong>Buhari</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />
compel the NCC, BPE, and<br />
their agent <strong>to</strong> make<br />
available all the NCC<br />
landed property survey<br />
plans, including mine plans<br />
for public scrutiny. “Ask the<br />
BPE, NCC, their agent <strong>to</strong><br />
make available<br />
You can check<br />
with the<br />
CBN. We are<br />
responsible<br />
and want <strong>to</strong><br />
be fair so that<br />
we can give<br />
good account<br />
of everything<br />
•Dilapidated Onyeama<br />
Coal mine office<br />
comprehensive list of all<br />
NCC office properties in the<br />
country, whether leased or<br />
not; whether sold or not as a<br />
lot of lease documents were<br />
manipulated while a good<br />
number leases that expired<br />
were secretly and hurriedly<br />
re-negotiated, back dated<br />
and removed from<br />
government files.”<br />
Yet in another petition<br />
authored by Comrades Okey<br />
Uwaelelam and Hyacinth<br />
Ohagwu <strong>to</strong> the Independent<br />
Corrupt Practices<br />
Commission, ICPC, the exstaff<br />
asked the commission <strong>to</strong><br />
probe why the BPE and their<br />
agent flouted the federal<br />
government’s order <strong>to</strong> remit<br />
monies from the<br />
monetization of NCC<br />
properties <strong>to</strong> the TSA,<br />
“amongst other deliberate<br />
irregular, inordinate,<br />
practices like not issuing<br />
receipts for money paid <strong>to</strong><br />
them on behalf of the federal<br />
government.”<br />
Saturday Vanguard’s<br />
interaction with the<br />
consultancy firm, however<br />
revealed that some matters<br />
were already in court as their<br />
staff referred us <strong>to</strong> BPE.<br />
The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Mines in<br />
BPE, Alhaji Dikko on his own<br />
account stated that it is not<br />
the business of the BPE <strong>to</strong><br />
question what buyers of<br />
properties do with them as<br />
they have become the<br />
properties of the new owners.<br />
On the issue of the sold coal<br />
processing plant being used<br />
for other purposes other than<br />
for coal matters, Dikko said<br />
the plant was vandalized<br />
before the BPE sold it <strong>to</strong> the<br />
new owner, which he said<br />
was the main reason, he<br />
could not hold the new owner<br />
responsible.<br />
On the allegation of not<br />
•Coal corpration hqtrs Enugu<br />
•Coal sample<br />
operating a TSA in the<br />
monetization of NCC properties,<br />
Dikko faulted the allegation,<br />
pointing out a joint account<br />
was opened by both the<br />
consultancy firm and the BPE<br />
at Zenith Bank and which<br />
monies have been remitted <strong>to</strong><br />
the TSA. “We transferred money<br />
<strong>to</strong> TSA and we are still in the<br />
process. You can check with the<br />
CBN. We are responsible and<br />
want <strong>to</strong> be fair so that we can<br />
give good account of<br />
everything,” said Dikko.<br />
On the hope of achieving<br />
revival of coal mining through<br />
privatization, the BPE official<br />
stated there is an existing committee<br />
drawn from government<br />
agencies with the mandate <strong>to</strong><br />
draw out a road map for immediate<br />
coal mining revival. “We<br />
were supposed <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> the five<br />
coal blocks <strong>to</strong> make diligence<br />
recommendation but the rainy<br />
season disrupted it because you<br />
can’t go <strong>to</strong> the mines in rainy<br />
season but now that the rains<br />
are getting over we will soon<br />
commence the assignment,”<br />
disclosed Dikko.
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—13<br />
Nigeria’s in chaos, it’s<br />
stuck<br />
Ebitu Ukiwe speaks on Corruption, <strong>Buhari</strong> and Biafra<br />
General Staff leadership must face the issue and asking if he is doing it well<br />
w h i c h of corruption squarely.<br />
or not. The issue requires<br />
translated in<br />
everybody <strong>to</strong> be involved and if<br />
civilian terms Do you think President need be they should set up a<br />
as a Vice- <strong>Buhari</strong>’s approach <strong>to</strong> it is the committee. And the selection of<br />
President. In way <strong>to</strong> go about it?<br />
the men who will be on the<br />
each of these I don’t think it will be good <strong>to</strong> committee would even be more<br />
appointments, just pinpoint <strong>Buhari</strong> regarding important than the policies of<br />
there were how the situation is. The issue fighting corruption. It does not<br />
hurdles and had been quite bad before require preaching for anybody<br />
there were also <strong>Buhari</strong> came in. So, pointing at <strong>to</strong> know that one man cannot<br />
s o m e him as if he has the capacity <strong>to</strong> fight corruption. You need a<br />
disappointments do it and does not want <strong>to</strong> do it man, who has the wisdom <strong>to</strong> not<br />
but with my may not be right. There are only identify the cause of action<br />
faith in God things he is doing in form of but <strong>to</strong> select the type of men<br />
and the policies that are right. To agree that can do the job. If you can’t<br />
struggle <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong> fight corruption <strong>to</strong>tally is right select them, you have failed<br />
ensure that I but the method is like strategy already.<br />
remained and tactics. Your tactics may not<br />
disciplined, work, if that is the case, tactics 46 years after the civil war,<br />
God saw me could be changed in order <strong>to</strong> some young Igbo men are<br />
Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe<br />
through. That meet the main objective which asking for Biafra, as someone,<br />
is why I am<br />
who played key roles during<br />
AFORMER Chief of General Staff(Vice-President under the here.<br />
the war, what message do you<br />
military) Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe ,retd turned 76 on<br />
have for them?<br />
Wednesday. While attending <strong>to</strong> well wishers he spared Nigeria has<br />
I don’t think I have any strong<br />
us few minutes for this exclusive interview. He examined the gone through<br />
message for them because even<br />
multifaceted crises in Nigeria and said that normalcy should be a lot of crisis<br />
the way they are going about it<br />
urgently res<strong>to</strong>red in the country. Ukiwe, who was the first number like the civil<br />
is not the right way. I fought the<br />
two man <strong>to</strong> former President Ibrahim Babangida from 1985-1986 war, do you<br />
war and I suffered all the<br />
also spoke on pro-Biafra agitation and war against corruption think the<br />
inconveniences of the failure of<br />
among others.<br />
l e s s o n s<br />
that war. What they are doing, I<br />
learned are being applied in the<br />
have not been able <strong>to</strong><br />
BY CHARLES KUMOLU<br />
interest of the nation and do you The country is understand. And I believe that<br />
think the nation learnt lessons<br />
if they can subject themselves<br />
What does being 76 mean <strong>to</strong><br />
from its experiences?<br />
stuck. What is<br />
<strong>to</strong> a little discussion, we will be<br />
you?<br />
I will say that at any point, now needed is able <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> them and they<br />
I feel alright and I feel very<br />
whatever obstacle anyone<br />
will be able <strong>to</strong> understand what<br />
happy with myself because I live<br />
crosses, there are some lessons <strong>to</strong> apply all<br />
should be done. Criticising<br />
well and eat well. When I look<br />
<strong>to</strong> learnt from it. Whoever does<br />
the caution<br />
them will not be the solution,<br />
back at events and how I passed<br />
not learn from such things is a<br />
but if they are willing <strong>to</strong> be<br />
through them, I just thank God<br />
loser, if you learn from such and reason <strong>to</strong> talked <strong>to</strong> we, will do that. I<br />
for His blessings because<br />
obstacles you will excel and go<br />
believe that if we are able <strong>to</strong> talk<br />
without God’s blessings I could<br />
higher. But the person may still be able <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong> them and the government,<br />
not have passed through the<br />
face further obstacles but he may<br />
bring back<br />
both sides will see sense in what<br />
things I passed through<br />
have developed the discipline <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong> do and solve the problem.<br />
successfully and happily.<br />
handle such problems. In Nigeria, normalcy <strong>to</strong><br />
I must say things have gone very<br />
What sort of Nigeria do you<br />
In retrospect, what were the<br />
bad. Things went very bad. And some extent <strong>to</strong><br />
wish <strong>to</strong> see in the nearest<br />
turning points in your life and<br />
they happened because they were be able <strong>to</strong><br />
future?<br />
career as a military officer?<br />
allowed <strong>to</strong> rot and ferment given<br />
Every young man will know<br />
It is a bit difficult <strong>to</strong> go through<br />
that there was not enough action fight<br />
the type of Nigeria we desire.<br />
those events in an environment<br />
<strong>to</strong> prevent them from going bad.<br />
Right now, Nigeria is in chaos.<br />
like this because they are many.<br />
From the way things are, you can<br />
corruption<br />
That is what it is. So, the<br />
Life <strong>to</strong> me is like a ladder, you<br />
see that they are trying <strong>to</strong> fight<br />
Nigeria we want is where there<br />
take one step at a time. And if<br />
corruption. they are not finding<br />
is <strong>to</strong> fight corruption and wipe it<br />
is peace, progress, development<br />
you don’t do like that, you will<br />
it easy because corruption was<br />
out. It is obvious that he has <strong>to</strong><br />
and general wellbeing of the<br />
have a problem. I have passed<br />
allowed <strong>to</strong> spread like a disease<br />
make some changes, it is obvious<br />
people. The problems in the<br />
through a lot of things and came<br />
and like a wildfire. Now, knowing<br />
that he has <strong>to</strong> have a second look<br />
country are the symp<strong>to</strong>ms of a<br />
out successfully right from birth<br />
how <strong>to</strong> handle it is a problem.<br />
at his tactics and see how best <strong>to</strong><br />
disease. We have <strong>to</strong> identify<br />
<strong>to</strong> school, training and<br />
Those, who should carry the<br />
handle it. You can see that the<br />
what the disease is and not<br />
qualification as a Naval officer<br />
blame and responsibilities that<br />
whole country is at a standstill<br />
chasing symp<strong>to</strong>ms. Diagnosis of<br />
commissioned in the Royal Navy.<br />
follow it are those, who saw evil<br />
regarding the issue that is<br />
the disease is the first thing<br />
I have driven ships in the ocean<br />
being committed and did nothing.<br />
happening about the judges, the<br />
before applying the right<br />
as a captain. And I did that with<br />
Not now that it had gone like a<br />
lawyers, the National Judicial<br />
medicine. A good leader cannot<br />
so many risks and I reached the<br />
wildfire, spreading everywhere<br />
Council. The country is stuck.<br />
emerge in the country through<br />
level politically where I was one<br />
that one or two cases would be<br />
What is now needed is <strong>to</strong> apply<br />
the type of fraudulent elections<br />
of the few that had the privilege<br />
picked with the aim of addressing<br />
all the caution and reason <strong>to</strong> be<br />
we often have, deceit and<br />
<strong>to</strong> have governed two states in<br />
it. It is a very difficult thing now<br />
able <strong>to</strong> bring back normalcy <strong>to</strong><br />
looting of the treasury. Now, the<br />
the country which were Niger<br />
but it is a problem that can only<br />
some extent <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> fight<br />
problem has got <strong>to</strong> the stage of<br />
and Lagos states. From there, I<br />
be solved. There is no alternative<br />
corruption. I don’t think it is an<br />
kidnapping, raping, and<br />
eventually became the Chief of<br />
<strong>to</strong> that. It has <strong>to</strong> be controlled,<br />
issue of just picking up <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
assassinations.<br />
people have <strong>to</strong> face it, the<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
14—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
By Soni Daniel, Northern<br />
Region Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Why is the country still<br />
witnessing pockets of<br />
bombing of oil facilities<br />
despite series of assurances by elders<br />
and leaders of the Niger Delta that they<br />
are working <strong>to</strong> bring about peace? What<br />
is missing in the peace process?<br />
Let me say that all is still not well with<br />
the Niger Delta despite the intervention<br />
of the elders and leaders in the<br />
fractured peace process. As you can see,<br />
there is a serious lack of trust and<br />
confidence among the leaders and<br />
people, a situation that breeds<br />
suspicion, division and voices of dissent<br />
instead of a united, coordinated and<br />
respected popular opinion.<br />
So, we have a problem at hand, which<br />
the elders and leaders are trying<br />
stridently <strong>to</strong> resolve.<br />
There are also divisions even among<br />
Niger Delta leaders and politicians<br />
going by the cacophony of voices over<br />
who they want and do not want <strong>to</strong> lead<br />
them?<br />
Well, that is also true but we have<br />
already taken steps <strong>to</strong> solve that<br />
problem. When we observed that there<br />
were differences in opinion and<br />
direction and approach, we quickly<br />
came <strong>to</strong>gether early this month <strong>to</strong> forge<br />
a common ground and produce a<br />
coordinated position under the<br />
leadership of Chief Edwin Clark-led<br />
Pan Niger Delta Elders and Leaders<br />
Forum. We believe that we are on<br />
course <strong>to</strong> break the barriers that had<br />
held us back as a people.<br />
I can tell you that we have resolved<br />
that the initial differences which led <strong>to</strong><br />
some disagreement on who was<br />
qualified <strong>to</strong> summon a meeting or not.<br />
As a result of our resolve <strong>to</strong> forge ahead,<br />
we now have a pan-Niger Delta forum<br />
which incorporates the King Diete-<br />
Spiff Dialogue Committee, Rotimi<br />
Amaechi Dialogue Group and the Pan<br />
Coastal Niger Delta Elders Forum led<br />
by PA EK Clark. All these have been<br />
collapsed in<strong>to</strong> one entity for the purpose<br />
of achieving peace. With this in place,<br />
we will be meeting President <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
on November 1, as united Niger Delta<br />
front <strong>to</strong> discuss our problems and the<br />
way forward. I can assure you that we<br />
will be speaking with one voice on that<br />
day.<br />
But why did some elders reject the<br />
initiative of the Transportation<br />
Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, <strong>to</strong> spearhead<br />
a peace meeting with <strong>Buhari</strong>, as if he is<br />
not also from the Niger Delta?<br />
Indeed, it was very funny <strong>to</strong> see such<br />
an ugly development. Are you saying<br />
that there are people who are more<br />
qualified <strong>to</strong> be Niger Deltan than others<br />
even though they are from the same<br />
geographical area?<br />
First, let me correct one impression<br />
here: Ameachi has not at any time<br />
What Niger Delta<br />
expects from <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
after Jonathan's<br />
disappointment<br />
High Chief Mike Loyibo, a member of the Pa<br />
Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Elders and<br />
Leaders Forum, which is slated <strong>to</strong> meet with<br />
President Muhammadu <strong>Buhari</strong> on November 1,<br />
2016 on the Niger Delta situation, speaks <strong>to</strong><br />
Vanguard ahead of the crucial parley.<br />
As far as I am<br />
concerned<br />
Jonathan failed<br />
the Niger Delta<br />
people<br />
particularly<br />
claimed <strong>to</strong> be leading any Niger Delta<br />
group. That is very important <strong>to</strong> note. What<br />
Amaechi was trying <strong>to</strong> do, was <strong>to</strong> explore<br />
means and ways of bringing the Niger<br />
Delta elders and leaders <strong>to</strong>gether with a<br />
view <strong>to</strong> having a meeting with the<br />
President on how <strong>to</strong> end the crisis in the<br />
region. He never led any Niger Delta<br />
group. But we have our leaders and they<br />
are well known. There is no denying the<br />
fact that Ameachi is a leading figure in the<br />
present administration. We also recognise<br />
the fact that as a former governor and<br />
speaker of Rivers State, he played<br />
prominent roles and that he also has the<br />
right <strong>to</strong> contribute his quota <strong>to</strong> the Niger<br />
Delta peace process. We know that he was<br />
disturbed and he called a meeting of the<br />
elders. It might interest you <strong>to</strong> know that<br />
the same people he called are also the ones<br />
who have agreed <strong>to</strong> work <strong>to</strong>gether under<br />
the different committees we have put in<br />
place. So, I can say again, there is no<br />
problem and that we are working as a team.<br />
Chief check your records: There are very<br />
prominent people who said Amaechi was<br />
not qualified l <strong>to</strong> call a meeting of the<br />
people. So, what makes one Niger Delta<br />
minister more qualified <strong>to</strong> call a meeting<br />
than the other?<br />
No, I don’t share that view. Whoever said<br />
that Amaechi was not qualified <strong>to</strong> summon<br />
a peace parley of Niger Delta leaders and<br />
elders with President <strong>Buhari</strong> might have<br />
expressed a personal viewpoint and not the<br />
position of the generality of the elders and<br />
leaders of the Niger Delta. We have never<br />
taken such a divisive stance in all our<br />
meetings. Nobody can say that Ameachi<br />
is not qualified <strong>to</strong> host a meeting that can<br />
bring about peace and development in the<br />
Niger Delta.<br />
So where is the peace process now, what<br />
level of achievements has it made in terms<br />
of ending bombings and res<strong>to</strong>ring peace<br />
and sanity in the Niger Delta?<br />
I can say with a sense of optimism that<br />
we are making progress. During our last<br />
meeting in Effurm, we were able <strong>to</strong> secure<br />
a ceasefire with the leading militant<br />
group, the Niger Delta Avengers and it<br />
really boosted oil production within the<br />
period. Again, when the ceasefire expired<br />
a few weeks ago, we went back <strong>to</strong> the<br />
creeks and pleaded with them <strong>to</strong> keep the<br />
peace as we are working <strong>to</strong> achieve a<br />
lasting peace with the federal<br />
government. You must also note that some<br />
of these bombings are being carried out<br />
by criminals and not by the youths we are<br />
talking with. I can say that 99.9 percent<br />
of the genuinely aggrieved militant<br />
groups have given us their commitment<br />
and mandate <strong>to</strong> interface with the Federal<br />
Government and make their grievances<br />
known and we are going <strong>to</strong> do that with<br />
the hope that at the end of the day, the<br />
solution would be found <strong>to</strong> the Niger<br />
Delta crisis. We are confident that after<br />
that meeting, we can begin the process<br />
of solving the Niger Delta problem once<br />
and for all.<br />
But it does not appear as if the<br />
intervention of the elders is working<br />
given the continuous destruction of<br />
pipelines and other oil facilities by<br />
militants as late as Tuesday this week.<br />
Does it mean the militants do not respect<br />
the elders?<br />
Look, for you <strong>to</strong> know that our<br />
intervention is working, go and check the<br />
level of oil production. What is the country<br />
producing now and what was it<br />
producing when the bombings were not<br />
controlled? These are hard and verifiable<br />
facts. It may interest you <strong>to</strong> know that<br />
when this problem started, there was one<br />
time that production was less than a<br />
million barrels per day but after our<br />
intervention and the declaration of<br />
ceasefire by the militants production has<br />
steadied at 1.8million plus.<br />
So the pockets of destruction you now<br />
see are not such that can cause a major<br />
setback as it was in the past. I believe<br />
that those doing that are people who are<br />
still dissatisfied and just want <strong>to</strong> be seen<br />
and heard.<br />
Some of these people still feel that the<br />
government has not shown enough<br />
sincerity, commitment <strong>to</strong> the development<br />
of the Niger Delta. They continue <strong>to</strong> argue<br />
that the government is looking at the<br />
Niger Delta as a conquered terri<strong>to</strong>ry by<br />
constantly deploying the military <strong>to</strong> fight<br />
them. As far as these set of youths are<br />
concerned, there should be no dialogue<br />
with the government but we have said<br />
there is need <strong>to</strong> discuss since Mr.<br />
President is willing <strong>to</strong> listen <strong>to</strong> us.<br />
Many Nigerians are wondering why<br />
the militants did not discuss the issue of<br />
resource control or restructuring and<br />
special status with former President<br />
Jonathan, who could have speedily done<br />
that for the region where he comes from.<br />
Don't you suspect that the renewed<br />
bombings and agitation by militants are<br />
deliberately targeted at frustrating <strong>Buhari</strong><br />
just like they did <strong>to</strong> YarÁdua, who<br />
consequently granted amnesty <strong>to</strong> Niger<br />
Delta militants?<br />
Let me tell you something. In my view,<br />
nothing tangible has changed in the Niger<br />
Delta despite all the programmes and<br />
projects mentioned by various agencies<br />
with mandate <strong>to</strong> develop and invest in the<br />
region. In reality, the Niger Delta problem<br />
has remained the same: the key issues of<br />
neglect and structural defect occasioned<br />
by the Constitution remain a thorn in the<br />
flesh of the people. I believe that as long<br />
as these issues are not addressed<br />
holistically, the agitation will continue no<br />
matter who is on the throne of Nigeria.<br />
Why is the structure of the Niger Delta<br />
a problem <strong>to</strong> the people?<br />
On the surface, it does not appear as if it<br />
is a problem but the way the constitution<br />
of Nigeria is written, the Niger Delta<br />
cannot get any special advantage despite<br />
its enormous contributions <strong>to</strong> the<br />
development and growth of Nigeria. That<br />
is the danger which must be urgently<br />
addressed for a lasting peace <strong>to</strong> prevail.<br />
So, the structure is a big problem, which<br />
many people from outside the area have<br />
not really appreciated. You have <strong>to</strong> give<br />
special treatment in the law <strong>to</strong> the Niger<br />
Delta because of what it brings <strong>to</strong> the table<br />
everyday for the rest of the country. We feel<br />
cheated and not being give the attention<br />
we deserve given our prime contribution<br />
<strong>to</strong> the nation. Most painful is the fact that<br />
the problems of the region are well<br />
documented and known but no concrete<br />
effort is being made by successive<br />
administration <strong>to</strong> transform the area. It is<br />
really an anomaly that must not be<br />
allowed <strong>to</strong> continue any longer in the<br />
interest of peace and stability of the<br />
country.<br />
But is it not surprising <strong>to</strong> you that this<br />
same feeling did not crop up at all<br />
throughout Jonathan's tenure. Why?<br />
Well, that is <strong>to</strong> tell you and others that in<br />
a way, the Niger Delta struggle is also a<br />
political struggle. I believe that the<br />
agitation died down naturally during<br />
President Jonathan's time because we<br />
thought that as our son, who really<br />
unders<strong>to</strong>od the problem, he would use his<br />
office <strong>to</strong> address all the thorny issues<br />
affecting us but he failed woefully. In fact,<br />
Jonathan disappointed most Niger Delta<br />
people.<br />
As far as I am concerned Jonathan failed<br />
the Niger Delta people particularly. But<br />
that is now his<strong>to</strong>ry and we must take steps<br />
now <strong>to</strong> change a bad situation before it is<br />
<strong>to</strong>o late. That is why we must put aside the<br />
issue of whatever Jonathan did and did<br />
not do and see how best <strong>Buhari</strong> can go in<br />
tackling the problems in the region. I<br />
believe strongly that the Niger Delta<br />
elders as led by Pa Clark will succeed in<br />
pushing the agenda of transforming the<br />
Niger Delta with <strong>Buhari</strong> during the<br />
November 1 meeting in Abuja.<br />
So what conditions are the elders going<br />
<strong>to</strong> table before <strong>Buhari</strong> in order <strong>to</strong> appease<br />
the Niger Delta militants and people?<br />
Well, there are many issues yearning for<br />
answers and we have <strong>to</strong> be frank and<br />
straightforward in discussing them so as<br />
<strong>to</strong> achieve the desired goal.<br />
The issues border on both human capital<br />
and physical transformation of the Niger<br />
Delta region in accordance with the<br />
Willinks Commission, which had long<br />
stressed the need <strong>to</strong> give a special<br />
consideration <strong>to</strong> the Niger Delta in<br />
Nigeria's scheme of things. That is what<br />
we will focus mainly on and I believe that<br />
if there is a willingness on the part of the<br />
federal Government <strong>to</strong> do that, then all will<br />
be well.
SATURDAY Vanguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016—15<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
From left: the Amayanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Alfred Diette Spiff;<br />
the US Under-Secretary on Civilian Security, Democracy and Homeland<br />
Rights, Sarah Sewall; South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clarke and Former<br />
Permanent Information Minister, AVM Haruna during a parley between an<br />
American delegation and Niger Delta Leaders at the Residence of the South<br />
South Leader, Asokoro, Abuja. Pho<strong>to</strong> by Abayomi ADESHIDA<br />
NMA <strong>to</strong> <strong>Buhari</strong>: Implement NHA now<br />
By Soni Daniel<br />
THE Nigerian Medi<br />
cal Association,<br />
NMA, has said that its call<br />
for the implementation of<br />
the National Health Act,<br />
which was passed in<strong>to</strong><br />
law by the National Assembly<br />
since 2014, is for<br />
the overall improvement<br />
of healthcare delivery in<br />
Nigeria and not for the<br />
welfare of doc<strong>to</strong>rs.<br />
The National President<br />
of the NMA, President,<br />
Prof Mike O.Ogirima,<br />
made the clarification in<br />
a statement he sent <strong>to</strong><br />
Vanguard <strong>to</strong> clear the erroneous<br />
impression that<br />
the association was asking<br />
for welfare for its members<br />
under the National<br />
Health Act.<br />
Ogirima said, “It is not<br />
true that the NMA called<br />
on President Muhammadu<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> <strong>to</strong> pay them<br />
their entitlements or face<br />
their wrath. We did not<br />
say that and the issue at<br />
stake does not have <strong>to</strong> do<br />
with doc<strong>to</strong>rs’ entitlements<br />
but the <strong>to</strong>tal improvement<br />
of healthcare delivery in<br />
Nigeria.<br />
“What we asked the<br />
President <strong>to</strong> do during<br />
our Health Walk on<br />
Wednesday was for the<br />
Federal Government <strong>to</strong><br />
implement the National<br />
Health Act, which was<br />
passed in<strong>to</strong> law in 2014.<br />
Prof Ogirima said, “As<br />
you are all aware, the<br />
National Health Act was<br />
enacted in 2014 with provisions<br />
that have the potentials<br />
<strong>to</strong> turn around the<br />
fortune of the hither<strong>to</strong> bastardized<br />
health sec<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
“The passage in<strong>to</strong> law<br />
of the Act by the national<br />
assembly and subsequent<br />
assent by the President of<br />
the Federal Republic of<br />
Nigeria was received with<br />
a sigh of relief by the general<br />
public and the Nigerian<br />
Medical Association<br />
in particular.<br />
“This was because the<br />
Act made specific provision<br />
for Basic Health Care<br />
Fund which is a first line<br />
BY NDAHI MARA-<br />
MA, MAIDUGURI<br />
Governor Kashim Shet<br />
tima of Borno State<br />
yesterday accused some of<br />
the Non-Governmental Organizations<br />
(NGOs) of allegedly<br />
misappropriating<br />
about $334 million (N133.6<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> hails Afe Babalola<br />
at 85<br />
By Levinus Nwabughiogu<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> has congratulated Chief<br />
Afe Babalola who clocked 85<br />
on Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 30, 2016.<br />
Describing him as a legal<br />
luminary, educationist and<br />
philanthropist, President<br />
<strong>Buhari</strong> joined members of<br />
Babalola’s family, close associates,<br />
professional colleagues<br />
and the academia in<br />
celebrating “this miles<strong>to</strong>ne in<br />
the life of a man who epi<strong>to</strong>mizes<br />
unique and enviable<br />
qualities that every nation<br />
will want projected in its<br />
leadership and citizenry.”<br />
A statement by the presidential<br />
spokesman, Mr. Femi<br />
Adesina stated the president<br />
wished the celebrant long life.<br />
charge on the consolidated<br />
revenue of the federal<br />
government. This fund is<br />
<strong>to</strong> be primarily deployed<br />
<strong>to</strong> our primary health care<br />
which has been so neglected<br />
in the past and<br />
start reversing the unacceptable<br />
health indices in<br />
the country.<br />
“The fund is <strong>to</strong> take care<br />
of the basic minimum<br />
health package through<br />
National Health Insurance<br />
Scheme (NHIS),<br />
provision of essential<br />
drugs and consumables,<br />
equipment and infrastructure,<br />
training of health<br />
workers and provision of<br />
emergency care.<br />
The Nigerian Doc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
are saying that the time<br />
<strong>to</strong> implement the Health<br />
Act is now; we can no<br />
longer wait.<br />
Shettima accuses NGOs of<br />
misappropriating $334m meant for IDPs<br />
The statement read thus:<br />
“The President reaffirms<br />
that the legal luminary’s<br />
lifestyle exemplifies discipline,<br />
diligence, honesty<br />
and wisdom, virtues he employed<br />
from childhood <strong>to</strong><br />
succeed against the vicissitudes<br />
of poverty and deprivation,<br />
and climbed steadily<br />
<strong>to</strong> reach the pinnacle of<br />
his career as Senior Advocate<br />
of Nigeria (SAN).<br />
“As he marks his 85th birthday,<br />
President <strong>Buhari</strong> believes<br />
Aare Babalola can look back<br />
with pride at his achievements,<br />
which include the God-fearing<br />
act of always catering for the<br />
poor and under privileged, and<br />
men<strong>to</strong>ring of lawyers from his<br />
Emmanuel Chambers that<br />
have turned Senior Advocates<br />
of Nigeria and At<strong>to</strong>rneys-General<br />
and Ministers of Justice.<br />
billion) donated as “humanitarian<br />
interventions and assistance”<br />
for Boko Haram victims<br />
in the state and North-<br />
East<br />
sub-region of the country.<br />
Although Shettima did not<br />
disclose the names of the<br />
NGOs, he said that since the<br />
commencement of Boko<br />
Haram crisis, there were<br />
over 40 NGOs that <strong>intervene</strong>d<br />
in humanitarian assistances<br />
in Borno State.<br />
“There had been more<br />
than 40 NGOs that invaded<br />
this North-East sub-region,<br />
particularly Borno State.”<br />
Shettima made the allegations<br />
yesterday; during an<br />
official visit of the United Nations<br />
Fund for Population<br />
Activities (UNFPA), Deputy<br />
Regional Direc<strong>to</strong>r for West<br />
and East Africa, Mrs. Beatrice<br />
Mutali at the Government<br />
House, Maiduguri.<br />
Shettima said that the people<br />
of Borno State have suffered<br />
more in the hands of<br />
Boko Haram for six years,<br />
noting that they deserved<br />
not <strong>to</strong> be sidelined or cheated<br />
by some desperate money<br />
seekers who pretend <strong>to</strong><br />
be working for Internally<br />
Displaced Persons (IDPs).
SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—17<br />
Revisiting The 1967 Asaba Massacre<br />
By S. Elizabeth Bird and Fraser M. Ottanelli<br />
“I LOOKED around and I saw machine<br />
guns all around us. Some of them were also<br />
carrying au<strong>to</strong>matic rifles. One of them<br />
shouted an order, and they started shooting.”<br />
With these chilling words, Ify Uraih describes<br />
how the massacre of hundreds of innocent<br />
civilians began in Asaba more than<br />
40 years ago. Here we document how this<br />
terrible event unfolded, why it is important,<br />
and why the people of Asaba now demand<br />
recognition.<br />
It started on Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 4, 1967, when Nigerian<br />
federal troops entered Asaba, the Niger<br />
River <strong>to</strong>wn that was then part of Nigeria’s<br />
Midwest Region. The war over the secession<br />
of the predominantly-Igbo Eastern Region,<br />
renamed Biafra, had broken out in July; in<br />
August, the Biafran army had advanced across<br />
the Niger Bridge and progressed through the<br />
Midwest, headed for Lagos. Federal troops<br />
counter-attacked, pushing the Biafrans back<br />
across the Niger at Asaba. The Biafrans blew<br />
up the Onitsha end of the bridge, leaving the<br />
Federal Second Division, commanded by<br />
Col. Murtala Muhammed, on the Asaba side.<br />
Asaba, although ethnically related <strong>to</strong> the<br />
Eastern Igbo, remained part of Nigeria, and<br />
supported the government’s ideal of a multiethnic<br />
“One Nigeria.” As Wole Soyinka wrote<br />
in 1972, the Midwestern Igbo, caught between<br />
their desire <strong>to</strong> remain part of the federation<br />
and their identity with Eastern cousins,<br />
became “the most vulnerable Nigerians.”<br />
Asaba had a long tradition of high education,<br />
producing a disproportionate number<br />
of professionals and high-ranking civil servants,<br />
who had contributed <strong>to</strong> a sense of allegiance<br />
<strong>to</strong> a united Nigeria, and trust that<br />
Federal troops would behave appropriately.<br />
Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, had issued<br />
a military Code of Conduct, so when<br />
troops arrived, the <strong>to</strong>wnsfolk were unprepared<br />
for what followed. Soldiers occupied<br />
the <strong>to</strong>wn, and began killing civilians (mainly<br />
boys and young men) accused of Biafran<br />
collaboration. Dozens, perhaps hundreds,<br />
were killed in the next three days, some apparently<br />
randomly, while others appeared <strong>to</strong><br />
be targeted.<br />
Stanley Okafor, then a university student,<br />
described how he and several relatives were<br />
summoned by troops: “we got <strong>to</strong> the police<br />
station and there was a huge crowd. And then<br />
they would come around and they would say<br />
do you know Mr. X, Mr. B, and do you know<br />
his house? They had names they wanted <strong>to</strong><br />
kill. And once in a while they’d pick someone<br />
from the crowd, go <strong>to</strong> the back and you<br />
hear gunshots. And the crowd would wail.”<br />
Patience Chukwura, a young mother expecting<br />
her fourth child, saw her husband<br />
Eddie gunned down near the police station,<br />
along with his brother, Christian: “That made<br />
me hysterical. I held on<strong>to</strong> the soldier and said,<br />
‘Why did you kill my husband?’ The man,<br />
with the butt of the gun, hit me on the chest<br />
and said, ‘woman, if you’re not careful, you’ll<br />
get killed as well.’ We feared they were going<br />
<strong>to</strong> wipe out everybody in Asaba, especially<br />
male children.”<br />
Troops invaded homes, demanding money,<br />
executing men and boys, and abducting<br />
women, often before setting the houses<br />
ablaze. The streets were littered with corpses.<br />
Patrick Okonkwo recalled that his compound<br />
was crowded with extended family members,<br />
when soldiers entered and shot his two brothers,<br />
a cousin, and two other relatives. His<br />
father buried them in shallow graves in the<br />
compound.<br />
On Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 7, in hopes of avoiding more<br />
violence, Asaba leaders summoned everyone<br />
<strong>to</strong> gather <strong>to</strong> show support <strong>to</strong> the troops by<br />
making a pledge <strong>to</strong> One Nigeria. Hundreds<br />
of men, women, and children assembled,<br />
dancing and singing. According <strong>to</strong> survivors,<br />
as the parade reached a major junction,<br />
troops removed women and young children,<br />
and directed men and boys in<strong>to</strong> an open area.<br />
As the crowd began <strong>to</strong> realize what might be<br />
happening, panic grew, as Peter Okonjo explained:<br />
“Women who came with their sons<br />
were removing their skirts and blouses <strong>to</strong> disguise<br />
them. And I looked at the whole place,<br />
there is nowhere <strong>to</strong> escape.”<br />
Ify Uraih was 13 years old, and had joined<br />
the parade with his brothers and father. He<br />
described how the officer in charge, identified<br />
by several witnesses as Ibrahim Taiwo,<br />
gave the order <strong>to</strong> open fire, and the massacre<br />
began: “Some people broke loose and tried<br />
<strong>to</strong> run away. They shot my brother in the back.<br />
The rest of us just fell down on <strong>to</strong>p of each<br />
other. And they continued shooting, and<br />
shooting, and shooting. I don’t know how<br />
Hundreds died; survivors<br />
report climbing<br />
from among heaps of<br />
bodies when the soldiers<br />
finally left hours<br />
later<br />
long it <strong>to</strong>ok; after some time there was silence.”<br />
Hundreds died; survivors report climbing<br />
from among heaps of bodies when the soldiers<br />
finally left hours later. Ify Uraih survived,<br />
but his father, Robert, and brothers<br />
Emma and Paul were dead. His brother<br />
Medua was shot multiple times, but survived.<br />
Between 500 and 800 were murdered, in<br />
addition <strong>to</strong> many from previous days, and<br />
many people fled the <strong>to</strong>wn. Although there is<br />
no firm death count, our research suggests<br />
that more than 1,000 died at the hands of the<br />
troops during Oc<strong>to</strong>ber. Most were buried in<br />
mass graves, without observing requisite<br />
practices, and the <strong>to</strong>wn was destroyed, with<br />
most of the houses looted and burned.<br />
The long-term impacts of these tragic events<br />
were profound; many extended families lost<br />
multiple breadwinners, and the <strong>to</strong>wn’s leadership<br />
was decimated. Survivor accounts and<br />
reports by relief agencies show that Asaba<br />
remained in dire straits until the war’s end,<br />
most inhabitants having fled or subsisting<br />
in refugee camps. Soldiers assaulted and<br />
abducted women and girls with impunity.<br />
The destruction was so complete that Asaba<br />
disappeared from the official roll of Nigerian<br />
<strong>to</strong>wns in 1969.<br />
The atrocities at Asaba remained virtually<br />
absent from the published record, and have<br />
largely remained unacknowledged. A major<br />
reason was lack of media coverage at the<br />
time. Of course Biafra became world-famous,<br />
but its public, international narrative<br />
developed after the retreat of the Biafrans<br />
across the Niger, after which the federal government<br />
imposed a blockade, effectively<br />
starving the East in<strong>to</strong> submission, and searing<br />
the images of emaciated children in<strong>to</strong><br />
the international memory of the War. This<br />
contrasts with the lack of attention in 1967,<br />
when the Midwest people suffered most. The<br />
Federal government suppressed accounts of<br />
military action against civilians in the Midwest,<br />
and the international media were carefully<br />
managed. The 1967 massacres received<br />
almost no press coverage at the time. In later<br />
his<strong>to</strong>rical accounts, the Asaba events, if mentioned<br />
at all, are usually dismissed as aberrant<br />
or unproven.<br />
In 2001, some Asaba survivors testified <strong>to</strong><br />
the Nigerian Human Rights Violations Investigation<br />
Commission (HRVIC, or Oputa<br />
Panel), commissioned by President Olusegun<br />
Obasanjo, and charged <strong>to</strong> consider the his<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
of human rights abuses from 1966<br />
<strong>to</strong> May 1999, of which civil war events<br />
were part. The Asaba accounts were<br />
included in the Ohaneze Petition, presented<br />
by Barrister Chuck Nduka-Eze,<br />
and drawing on earlier research by<br />
Emma Okocha, as well as testimonies<br />
recorded in 1969. The HRVIC’s report<br />
was never officially released, although<br />
it is now available on the internet.<br />
Obasanjo declined <strong>to</strong> offer formal<br />
apologies, although in a landmark<br />
moment, Gowon publicly apologized<br />
<strong>to</strong> the people of Asaba in 2002, opening<br />
the door <strong>to</strong> further efforts at truth and<br />
reconciliation.<br />
After the Oputa Panel, Asaba leaders<br />
formed a committee <strong>to</strong> develop a memorial<br />
process, seeking an academic<br />
partnership <strong>to</strong> research the his<strong>to</strong>ry of<br />
the event objectively. We responded, and<br />
with the support of our university’s<br />
Holocaust and Genocide Studies<br />
Center, have been researching the events<br />
of 1967 and beyond. Our work is based<br />
on an array of sources, including archival<br />
collections on both sides of the Atlantic,<br />
as well as videotaped interviews with<br />
almost 80 people. Most are direct witnesses<br />
and survivors, while others testified<br />
about the long-term impacts on Asaba.<br />
They were interviewed in several locations<br />
– Asaba, Lagos, Ibadan, Benin City, and<br />
the United States, and their s<strong>to</strong>ries produce<br />
a compelling, detailed, and consistent<br />
account of the atrocities that befell<br />
their <strong>to</strong>wn.<br />
Our research has produced several interrelated<br />
conclusions. First, it shows that<br />
the killings in Asaba were unprovoked,<br />
and stemmed directly from a chain of<br />
events that started before the war, continuing<br />
through the Biafran offensive<br />
across the Niger, which stirred up simmering<br />
ethnic hatred that had previously<br />
resulted in violence <strong>to</strong>ward Igbos. This<br />
fueled the undisciplined actions of the<br />
counter-attacking federal troops against<br />
Nigerian civilians. Second, although the<br />
Federal authorities worked hard <strong>to</strong> suppress<br />
the news, people fleeing Asaba<br />
spread the word, and the killings of large<br />
numbers of people of Igbo ethnicity bolstered<br />
Biafran claims that the war was<br />
one of genocide. This helped steel the<br />
Biafrans’ resolve <strong>to</strong> continue the eventually<br />
hopeless war, and so represents a pivotal<br />
moment that directly contributed <strong>to</strong><br />
the progress of the conflict.<br />
More broadly, the<br />
Asaba killings raise<br />
issues that go beyond<br />
the tragedy of one<br />
community. The war<br />
has left a bitter<br />
legacy; many <strong>to</strong>day<br />
argue that the violence<br />
and ethnic hatred<br />
endemic in contemporary<br />
Nigeria<br />
are partly attributable<br />
<strong>to</strong> an institutionalised<br />
unwillingness<br />
<strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong> terms with<br />
it. Thus the Asaba<br />
events are instructive<br />
because they provide<br />
a vivid case study of<br />
the unresolved consequences<br />
of ethnic<br />
tension and state violence<br />
which have<br />
created barriers <strong>to</strong><br />
reconciliation.<br />
Today, our work<br />
suggests it is time <strong>to</strong> “recalibrate” the nation’s<br />
collective memory, putting Asaba’s<br />
fate in its rightful place as a key event in<br />
the Civil War. Martina Osaji, who<br />
dragged the body of her father Leo Isichei<br />
from among the dead, speaks for many<br />
in Asaba: “There is nothing you can do <strong>to</strong><br />
replace my father -- no amount of compensation.<br />
I would rather have my father<br />
and my other relations. But I want the<br />
world <strong>to</strong> know this happened; that’s the<br />
only way we can remember them. God<br />
knows why I had <strong>to</strong> survive—for me <strong>to</strong><br />
have a s<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>to</strong> tell. And that is why I’m<br />
telling you now.”<br />
Thus the people of Asaba rightfully demand<br />
an acknowledgment of the sacrifices<br />
they made while expressing support<br />
for Nigerian unity. And they also wish <strong>to</strong><br />
use their experience as a way <strong>to</strong> open<br />
dialog and invite reconciliation – so important<br />
in this Nigerian Centenary Year.<br />
Our research shows that wartime atrocities<br />
are complicated. For instance, several<br />
survivors recalled that amid the brutality,<br />
individual Federal officers and soldiers<br />
stepped in <strong>to</strong> prevent violence and<br />
protect civilians. Some, notably a Captain<br />
named Matthias, are remembered<br />
in Asaba for their actions, as they rose<br />
above the horror being inflicted – warning<br />
people <strong>to</strong> escape, shielding civilians,<br />
or even spiriting whole families out of<br />
<strong>to</strong>wn. Such s<strong>to</strong>ries show that good may<br />
transcend ethnic hostilities, and can offer<br />
opportunities for moral reflection. It is<br />
important <strong>to</strong> acknowledge the horrors of<br />
his<strong>to</strong>ry; accounts of “upstander” soldiers<br />
help us understand our common humanity,<br />
making repetition of evil less likely.<br />
We are documenting all our research<br />
on our project website:<br />
www.asabamemorial.org, where readers<br />
may find a short video based on our interviews,<br />
our longer academic articles, and<br />
information about the ongoing research.<br />
We invite readers <strong>to</strong> peruse our work, consider<br />
how much Asaba is owed, and reflect<br />
on ways <strong>to</strong> avoid such horrors in the<br />
future.<br />
- S. Elizabeth Bird S. is Professor and<br />
Chair of Anthropology at the University<br />
of South Florida, while Fraser M.<br />
Ottanelli is Professor and Chair of His<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
at the University of South Florida.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
18—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
In a soccer match<br />
Uduaghan<br />
umpiring a tennis<br />
match<br />
Uduaghan paddling a canoe<br />
Pictures<br />
by Henry<br />
Unini<br />
By Onochie Anibeze<br />
SIR Tony Obuh described him as an<br />
accomplished man of peace in his<br />
goodwill message on his facebook, last<br />
weekend. Sonny Areh, his media assistant,<br />
had also posted, on his facebook page, a<br />
birthday message <strong>to</strong> Dr Emmanuel<br />
Uduaghan, the immediate past governor of<br />
Delta State. He turned 62 last Saturday.<br />
What followed was an avalanche of birthday<br />
and goodwill messages.<br />
There were some in the newspapers <strong>to</strong>o. And<br />
so the goodwill that marked Uduaghan's two<br />
tenures as governor is still on the high. And<br />
people showed this at a thanksgiving service<br />
at the Guiding Light Assembly Church at<br />
Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, last Sunday.<br />
Uduaghan was at the church <strong>to</strong> thank God<br />
for His mercies all these years. People turned<br />
out in numbers in the church where the<br />
pas<strong>to</strong>r preached about the Holy Spirit. The<br />
word of God was good. And the people<br />
reveled in it. As the service was about <strong>to</strong> end,<br />
the pas<strong>to</strong>r invited Uduaghan <strong>to</strong> make a brief<br />
remark after the church had prayed for him<br />
and his family. When he was done, the pas<strong>to</strong>r<br />
prayed that more good things would continue<br />
<strong>to</strong> follow him.<br />
Uduaghan recalled one moment, as<br />
Governor of Delta State when he was caught<br />
between life and death and God saved his<br />
life. Part of his testimony went thus:<br />
“There are two things associated with<br />
governance. I call them the two Ps. They are<br />
Power and Pain. You see a governor and you<br />
marvel at the power he commands. He can<br />
order the arrest of somebody, he moves in a<br />
convoy, he has so much power that he earns<br />
tremendous respect everywhere. People see<br />
the glamour and the glitz, etc. But they don't<br />
see the pain. There's pain in governance. You<br />
can only rely on the grace of God <strong>to</strong> guide<br />
and guard you.<br />
''When I came in as governor in 2007, the<br />
violence we battled then in Delta was more<br />
than what is happening now with the<br />
Avengers, etc. Kidnapping was high and<br />
expatriates were leaving. Militancy was<br />
more than what we have now. President<br />
Yar'Adua called me and said 'what's going<br />
on? These things are happening in year state.'<br />
I <strong>to</strong>ld him that there are two ways <strong>to</strong> handle<br />
the militancy in Niger Delta. I asked that<br />
the Federal Government should do their own<br />
and I would do my own. We set out <strong>to</strong> work.<br />
I had <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> the creeks. We had <strong>to</strong> dialogue<br />
with these people.<br />
''I remember one Sunday, my family and I<br />
had prepared <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> church and I received<br />
a call that they were going <strong>to</strong> burn Chevron<br />
terminal. The facility they planned <strong>to</strong> burn<br />
MY CLOSE SHAVE<br />
WITH DEATH<br />
— Uduaghan<br />
While on the boat<br />
going back, we<br />
noticed one speed<br />
boat racing <strong>to</strong> where<br />
we were. They<br />
caught up with us<br />
was so huge the impact would have been<br />
terrible for our oil production. I <strong>to</strong>ld them I<br />
would come after church service but they<br />
insisted I should come immediately<br />
otherwise the militants would destroy the<br />
terminal. I had <strong>to</strong> leave. I <strong>to</strong>ld my family <strong>to</strong><br />
pray for me at the church. It was just one of<br />
my trips <strong>to</strong> the creeks. I <strong>to</strong>ok helicopter and<br />
then did the final journey by boat. And you<br />
know that when you go on such trips <strong>to</strong> the<br />
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife<br />
on Sunday. With them is Peter Obi,<br />
former Anambra State Governor<br />
creeks you don't take escorts<br />
or when you take them they<br />
don't carry guns. I went with<br />
only my ADC. No guns. It was<br />
a huge risk but one that I had<br />
<strong>to</strong> take <strong>to</strong> engage them and s<strong>to</strong>p the<br />
blowing up of the oil facilities.<br />
''It was a terrible place. I got <strong>to</strong> the place<br />
and after discussing with the militants<br />
they <strong>to</strong>ld me that there were higher<br />
authorities further inside that I must<br />
meet and that what I had just done was a<br />
preliminary one. They were all armed<br />
<strong>to</strong> the teeth, fierce-looking and ready <strong>to</strong><br />
pull the trigger. You could imagine how<br />
dangerous it was in that terrain. I<br />
continued the journey further in<strong>to</strong> the<br />
creeks <strong>to</strong> meet their superiors. I got there<br />
and they led me in<strong>to</strong> a room. They were<br />
kind enough <strong>to</strong> offer me a seat. With their<br />
guns, some pointing at me, they sat on<br />
the floor while we held talks on why they<br />
should spare the oil facility. I spent hours<br />
with the them. I finished with them and<br />
left for the journey back home.<br />
''While on the boat going back, we noticed<br />
one speed boat racing <strong>to</strong> where we were.<br />
They caught up with us. We didn't know<br />
if it was another group but they caught<br />
up with us and one of them pointed his<br />
AK 47 at me and put his finger at the<br />
trigger. It was terrifying. It was a moment<br />
of life or death within seconds. You could<br />
see the anger on the face of the militant,<br />
who pointed the gun at me. He wanted<br />
<strong>to</strong> shoot. It was terrifying. There was<br />
nothing I could do but <strong>to</strong> pray silently. I<br />
Playing tennis<br />
was praying. Silently, I prayed and I<br />
waved the white handkerchief (peace<br />
signal) I had. The man steadied the gun<br />
at me. Suddenly another speed boat<br />
from nowhere dashed in between and<br />
and after some seconds they all sped off.<br />
'I believe that The Holy Spirit appeared<br />
in that white handkerchief and saved my<br />
life and I live <strong>to</strong>day <strong>to</strong> give this testimony.<br />
''There were other terrible encounters one<br />
had as governor but people would not<br />
know about these pains. What they know<br />
is the glamour or power they associate<br />
with you in governance. I thank God for<br />
what he had done for a village man like<br />
me. I come from a village setting where<br />
there were no roads, no electricity, no<br />
facilities, just village life – our parents<br />
were farming and fishing for us <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong><br />
school. I remember when I eventually<br />
had a Beetle car and how my wife prayed<br />
for us <strong>to</strong> have a better car, a better air<br />
conditioned car possibly a Mercedez<br />
Benz. And she used <strong>to</strong> sing a song about<br />
this. Today, God's blessings have gone<br />
beyond owning a Mercedez Benz car.<br />
And if He could do it for a village boy<br />
like me He can do more for you all<br />
here.”<br />
Applause greeted this and the pas<strong>to</strong>r<br />
prayed that good things would continue<br />
<strong>to</strong> follow Uduaghan.<br />
“You'll preach and <strong>to</strong>uch lives even if it<br />
is not from the pulpit,” the pas<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
him. And so, that was how quietly<br />
Uduaghan marked his birthday with a<br />
thanksgiving service.<br />
Many turned out for him including<br />
former governor of Anambra State, Peter<br />
Obi. They still admire him. He made<br />
peace his trademark throughout his<br />
tenure. He was a symbol of humility. He<br />
liked sports so much. He played and<br />
still plays tennis. As governor, he would<br />
even officiate as an umpire while others<br />
played. He was that humble. He<br />
worked tirelessly for peace in Delta and<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards the end of his eight-year tenure<br />
he made unbelievable sacrifices for the<br />
interest of peace. Nothing can be more<br />
apt than Obuh's description of Dr<br />
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan as an<br />
accomplished man of peace. Many<br />
Happy returns.
I<br />
once got a message from a<br />
respected industrialist and former<br />
Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber<br />
of Commerce. He wanted an<br />
appointment <strong>to</strong> come over <strong>to</strong> my office.<br />
Such was my respect and affection for<br />
this man that I simply dropped<br />
everything and followed the<br />
‘messenger’ who happened <strong>to</strong> be his<br />
wife <strong>to</strong> his GRA Ikeja home. It turned<br />
out that he had a son abroad who had<br />
some legal issues. Somehow, some<br />
implicating documents got in<strong>to</strong> the<br />
hands of an unscrupulous fellow who<br />
claimed <strong>to</strong> be a journalist. He wanted a<br />
tidy sum of money for himself, the<br />
Edi<strong>to</strong>r and the Publisher in order <strong>to</strong> kill<br />
the s<strong>to</strong>ry. Fortunately, the publication<br />
in question was mine and the person<br />
he chose <strong>to</strong> ex<strong>to</strong>rt had a good<br />
relationship with me—otherwise, he<br />
could have damaged my name, my<br />
publication and the profession and I<br />
would not even have known. We quickly<br />
set a trap for him and handed him over<br />
<strong>to</strong> the police. Not once did I hesitate or<br />
think the matter should first be reported<br />
<strong>to</strong> the NUJ (Nigeria Union of<br />
Journalists) for sanctions. In my book,<br />
what he was trying <strong>to</strong> do was criminal,<br />
and crimes should be investigated by<br />
those equipped for it. It didn’t matter<br />
whether he was a registered journalist<br />
or not.<br />
I have used this personal s<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>to</strong><br />
illustrate and try <strong>to</strong> bring <strong>to</strong> clarity, my<br />
position on the midnight arrests of some<br />
judges. Normally, I should not be<br />
commenting again on the controversial<br />
arrests immediately after my last article.<br />
(This moving hand, haven ‘writ’ should<br />
have moved on <strong>to</strong> other pressing<br />
things). But I had several discussions<br />
with people that I have tremendous<br />
respect for during the course of the<br />
week on my article and the position I<br />
<strong>to</strong>ok regarding what some people saw<br />
as the violation of due process by the<br />
DSS. What I can distil from their<br />
positions are these. First: they largely<br />
agreed that there was massive<br />
corruption in the judiciary, and<br />
something needed <strong>to</strong> be done. Second:<br />
the DSS over reached itself and thereby<br />
threatened the delicate separation of<br />
powers that all democracies need <strong>to</strong><br />
survive. It should simply have handed<br />
over the petitions <strong>to</strong> NJC which had the<br />
Political Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
power <strong>to</strong> discipline erring judges.<br />
Third: the indicted judges were<br />
those who had given unfavourable<br />
judgements <strong>to</strong> the ruling party and<br />
the executive was fighting back. We<br />
are on all fours on the first one, so<br />
there is no need <strong>to</strong> dwell on it. I will<br />
therefore try <strong>to</strong> clarify my position<br />
on the other two points.<br />
I believe there is a line however<br />
thin, between a professional error of<br />
judgement and a deliberate abuse<br />
of a professional position. Again, I<br />
will use my profession <strong>to</strong> illustrate.<br />
Every Edi<strong>to</strong>r is at one time or the<br />
other, under pressure from<br />
governments, corporate bodies and<br />
I do not think the<br />
judiciary is on trial.<br />
I think corrupt<br />
judges are<br />
powerful individuals <strong>to</strong> drop a s<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
or use an angle that is favourable <strong>to</strong><br />
them. And because there are very<br />
few s<strong>to</strong>ries really, that a newspaper<br />
cannot do without, the Edi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
sometimes yields <strong>to</strong> some of the<br />
pressure. But while it is an error of<br />
judgement <strong>to</strong> drop a s<strong>to</strong>ry that has<br />
commercial or credibility<br />
implications, or use an angle that<br />
threatens fairness and balance, it is<br />
criminal and an abuse of position <strong>to</strong><br />
emmanuelaziken@vanguardngr.com<br />
08052201189<br />
Jimoh Ibrahim makes a major acquisition<br />
Last Thursday the man who has<br />
been famed as a turnaround<br />
expert with interests in several<br />
business concerns including Air<br />
Nigeria, Newswatch, National<br />
Mirror, NICON Insurance, among<br />
others made an unusual<br />
turnaround in the political<br />
landscape in <strong>Ondo</strong> State.<br />
Jimoh Ibrahim, lawyer, politician,<br />
and businessman, even if<br />
momentarily, did what many<br />
politicians, some dead and many<br />
others alive, had vainly attempted<br />
when he supplanted the man famed<br />
as Iroko, that is Dr. Segun Mimiko,<br />
in the hierarchy of the Peoples<br />
Democratic Party, PDP in <strong>Ondo</strong><br />
State.<br />
Jimoh’s emergence as the<br />
governorship candidate of the PDP<br />
could in business terms be<br />
described as a major acquisition.<br />
While many politicians achieve their<br />
political goals through the merger<br />
of strategies and camps, as the All<br />
Progressives Congress, APC<br />
founders did; Mr. Ibrahim’s<br />
emergence could have been termed<br />
a takeover; indeed, a hostile<br />
takeover.<br />
Earlier in the week before INEC<br />
enlisted him as the official<br />
candidate of the PDP, senior INEC<br />
officials had fought off what they<br />
claimed as blackmail, supposedly<br />
by Ibrahim, when they<br />
denounced his allegation that a<br />
female official of the commission<br />
asked him for a $1 million bribe.<br />
A senior INEC official who<br />
spoke <strong>to</strong> this correspondent had<br />
used strong language in<br />
renouncing Mr. Ibrahim<br />
describing him and his claim as<br />
ungodly.<br />
However, any supposition that<br />
the allegation of the million dollar<br />
bribe would influence the<br />
commission <strong>to</strong> block Mr. Ibrahim<br />
from being enlisted as the PDP<br />
candidate was dismissed on<br />
Thursday night as INEC stuck <strong>to</strong><br />
the court order in determining the<br />
PDP candidate.<br />
That decision was no doubt<br />
influenced by what some have<br />
dubbed as the controversial order<br />
SATURDAY Vanguard, , OCTOBER 29, 2016—19<br />
subvert the will of the people<br />
irrespective of which party the<br />
judgements favour, and thereby turn<br />
the law on its head because of money<br />
deserve <strong>to</strong> be named and shamed. If<br />
NJC truly feels it is its duty <strong>to</strong> do this<br />
then why has it been failing in its<br />
duty? It cannot be for lack of<br />
knowledge of what is going on. Or<br />
titbits2012@yahoo.com<br />
lack of evidence. Meanwhile, we<br />
blame the EFCC for not getting any<br />
conviction from its high profile cases.<br />
Maybe we are blaming the wrong<br />
institution because we all know that<br />
many of these Politically Exposed<br />
demand money either <strong>to</strong> drop a s<strong>to</strong>ry or<br />
Persons have the wherewithal <strong>to</strong> buy<br />
<strong>to</strong> slant it. It can even lead, like it<br />
or stall judgements.<br />
happened in my earlier illustration, <strong>to</strong><br />
Without necessarily mentioning<br />
blackmail. Now, if the money is marked<br />
names, I have had the privilege of<br />
and the police swoop in while receiving<br />
interviewing many of the early<br />
the money or in the dead of the night<br />
Nigerian Judges of the Supreme Court<br />
with the red hot money, should the<br />
including perhaps, the first three<br />
Guild of Edi<strong>to</strong>rs come out in defence of<br />
Nigerian CJNs (Chief Justice of<br />
such an Edi<strong>to</strong>r under the pretext that<br />
Nigeria). One question I usually<br />
the press is being gagged and that the<br />
asked them was how they felt on the<br />
guild should be allowed <strong>to</strong> discipline<br />
night of delivering landmark<br />
erring edi<strong>to</strong>rs? I think not.<br />
judgements. Many <strong>to</strong>ld me they<br />
I believe judges walk on a more<br />
usually had sleepless nights. Some<br />
tenuous line. Many of them would be<br />
<strong>to</strong>ld me they fasted and prayed. One<br />
occasionally leaned on my<br />
<strong>to</strong>ld me that all judgements were<br />
governments, colleagues and friends <strong>to</strong><br />
landmark judgements <strong>to</strong> him because<br />
write a judgment that favours them. It<br />
of the need <strong>to</strong> be fair and not offend<br />
would be left <strong>to</strong> their professional<br />
man and God. Most wanted<br />
discretion and judgement <strong>to</strong> know how<br />
judgements that would stand the test<br />
far they can go without damaging the<br />
of time and could be cited by<br />
interest of the other party. It is this kind<br />
generations unborn. They were <strong>to</strong> a<br />
of judgement that in my view, the NJC<br />
man, concerned with reputation and<br />
should moni<strong>to</strong>r because such a case can<br />
erudition.<br />
be cited in future and it would be bad<br />
I wonder what the answers of some<br />
for the course of justice. Besides, justice<br />
of these judges would be if asked the<br />
should not only be fair, it should be seen<br />
same question. Already, many young<br />
<strong>to</strong> be fair <strong>to</strong> all and sundry. It becomes<br />
lawyers are finding it difficult <strong>to</strong> cite<br />
another matter however, when a Judge<br />
cases because of conflicting<br />
deliberately perverts the cause of justice<br />
judgements.<br />
for pecuniary gains. That <strong>to</strong> me, is a<br />
My summation is this. I do not think<br />
crime and crimes should be left <strong>to</strong> those<br />
the judiciary is on trial. I think corrupt<br />
best equipped for them.<br />
judges are. I do not think the arrests<br />
My questions <strong>to</strong> those who say that<br />
bring the judiciary under the ambit of<br />
the arrested judges were those who<br />
the executive. Rather, I believe when<br />
gave unfavourable judgments <strong>to</strong> APC<br />
all this is over, that a cleansed<br />
are these. Did the judges corruptly<br />
judiciary will be emboldened <strong>to</strong> speak<br />
enrich themselves in the process? Was<br />
truth <strong>to</strong> the executive in the interests<br />
money a fac<strong>to</strong>r in the judgments they<br />
of the average Nigerian. After all,<br />
delivered? <strong>Buhari</strong> will not be there for<br />
whoever comes <strong>to</strong> equity must come<br />
ever. Let whoever succeeds him indict<br />
with clean hands.<br />
the judges that also delivered<br />
The alternative <strong>to</strong> an incorruptible<br />
judgements that were favourable <strong>to</strong> his<br />
judiciary is chaos. The alternative <strong>to</strong><br />
party if he is unwilling <strong>to</strong> do it. I believe<br />
the rule of law is the reign of might.<br />
that those who give judgements that<br />
A thin line<br />
by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal<br />
High Court that paved the way for Mr.<br />
Ibrahim <strong>to</strong> be enlisted. Whether<br />
Justice Abang <strong>to</strong>ok note of the fact that<br />
the Ibadan, Oyo State primary that<br />
produced Ibrahim was not moni<strong>to</strong>red<br />
by INEC as was the one that produced<br />
Eyitayo Jegede was apparently not<br />
considered by the judge.<br />
Though many stakeholders in the<br />
mainstream PDP are wont <strong>to</strong> claim that<br />
Mr. Ibrahim is a stranger <strong>to</strong> their party,<br />
having allegedly not campaigned<br />
against the party in the 2015 election;<br />
and supposedly identified with<br />
Accord, that, however, does not make<br />
him a stranger <strong>to</strong> the political<br />
landscape.<br />
Since 2003, the business mogul had<br />
been a sort of political fixture in the<br />
state, persistently being hammered by<br />
Dr. Mimiko. In 2003, he was on the<br />
wrong side as the governorship<br />
candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples<br />
Party, ANPP, in an election in which<br />
Mimiko in alliance with the late Dr.<br />
Segun Agagu helped <strong>to</strong> upstage the<br />
Alliance for Democracy.<br />
Following the overwhelming defeat,<br />
Mr. Ibrahim resorted <strong>to</strong> his businesses<br />
amassing a fortune and showcasing<br />
himself on national television in<br />
lectures <strong>to</strong> staff on the rudiments on<br />
mergers and acquisition and such like.<br />
How successful he was in his<br />
ventures in aviation, publishing,<br />
energy remains debatable. However,<br />
his success in political acquisition<br />
after forcefully taking over, even if<br />
momentarily, the PDP ticket nurtured<br />
by one of the most tested political<br />
masters in <strong>Ondo</strong> State is remarkable.<br />
Has Ibrahim finished Dr. Mimiko?<br />
It is really arguable. What the<br />
emergence of Ibrahim means is that<br />
the political permutations in the state<br />
would have <strong>to</strong> be reviewed.<br />
Assumptions that the prospects of<br />
Chief Rotimi Akeredolu as the All<br />
Progressives Congress, APC<br />
candidate would be mired by the<br />
internal conflicts in his party will<br />
now be reviewed as stakeholders<br />
consider the prospects of Mr.<br />
Ibrahim. Also under consideration<br />
would be the chances of Chief<br />
Olusola Oke, the candidate of the<br />
Alliance for Democracy, AD who left<br />
the PDP for the APC before leaving<br />
for AD.<br />
Oke and Ibrahim are from the<br />
Southern Sena<strong>to</strong>rial District and<br />
suggestions that the entry of the<br />
latter in<strong>to</strong> the fray would harm Oke<br />
may be counterbalanced by the<br />
opportunities available <strong>to</strong> him in the<br />
Central Sena<strong>to</strong>rial District given the<br />
probable absence of Jegede and<br />
Mimiko.<br />
Well, all these remain in the realms<br />
of probability given the fact that in<br />
enlisting Jimoh, INEC affirmed that<br />
it acted upon a court order. As Mr.<br />
Ibrahim had repeatedly sounded off<br />
in his lectures <strong>to</strong> staff, a businessman<br />
who does not improve himself would<br />
sooner than later find himself out of<br />
the reckoning. It is doubtful if<br />
Ibrahim’s many political enemies<br />
would just watch him enjoy his<br />
latest acquisition!<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
20—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard,<br />
OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Nigeria is in a recession, you do not<br />
have <strong>to</strong> be an economist <strong>to</strong> know.<br />
There is reduced economic activity and<br />
increasing unemployment, among other<br />
negative indices. Not surprising, there<br />
is increased anger in the land. It is<br />
apparent in public places, an<br />
aggregation of domestic anger. It was<br />
therefore understandable when my good<br />
friend, Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos, the<br />
priest-in-charge of SS. Peter and Paul<br />
Catholic Church, Baruwa, Iyana, Lagos,<br />
invited me <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> his parishioners on,<br />
ANGER MANAGEMENT: A TOOL FOR<br />
CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE<br />
FAMILY AND SOCIETY. That talk forms<br />
the basis of our column <strong>to</strong>day.<br />
What is anger management? “Anger<br />
management is the process of learning<br />
<strong>to</strong> recognize signs that you’re becoming<br />
angry, and taking action <strong>to</strong> calm down<br />
and deal with the situation in a positive<br />
way. Anger management doesn’t try <strong>to</strong><br />
keep you from feeling anger or<br />
encourage you <strong>to</strong> hold it in.” (Mayo<br />
Clinic). Anger is normal for every being.<br />
God wiped out mankind from the face of<br />
the earth during Noah’s time (Genesis<br />
6). Jesus used a whip <strong>to</strong> chase out traders<br />
who desecrated the temple (John 2:15).<br />
So the issue is not anger, per se, but<br />
letting out anger and managing it in a<br />
positive way <strong>to</strong> stay out of trouble. St.<br />
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:26, that you<br />
can be angry, but do not allow your anger<br />
lead you <strong>to</strong> sin and do not let your anger<br />
linger.<br />
To start with, anger is not a condition<br />
(except in some extreme and rare<br />
situations, in which case the person<br />
might need medical attention); it is a<br />
symp<strong>to</strong>m of underlying problems<br />
(financial troubles, marital troubles, office<br />
troubles, anxiety, sexual problems, etc.).<br />
It is therefore important that you go <strong>to</strong><br />
the root of the problem rather than<br />
trimming the branches. What is making<br />
you angry? Identify it so that you can<br />
begin <strong>to</strong> find solutions. In finding<br />
solutions, get help if it is beyond you.<br />
Certain situations linger in some<br />
people’s lives because they are either <strong>to</strong>o<br />
shy or <strong>to</strong>o proud <strong>to</strong> ask for help.<br />
Anger management in a recession<br />
Two, avoid people and situations<br />
that get you angry, if possible. I said<br />
if possible because it is not easy <strong>to</strong><br />
avoid every person or situation that<br />
gets you angry. For example, if your<br />
spouse is the person who gets you<br />
angry, you cannot avoid him/her. But<br />
you can discuss your source of<br />
irritation with him/her. If he/she is<br />
sensitive or loving enough, he/she<br />
will make amends. But what if your<br />
spouse is not? You have a right <strong>to</strong> be<br />
happy and it begins with your state<br />
of mind. Stephen Covey said that it<br />
is not what people do <strong>to</strong> you that<br />
matter but how you react. React<br />
Remember the<br />
only person you<br />
are largely in<br />
control of is<br />
yourself<br />
positively, maturely and with dignity.<br />
Do not give anybody (including your<br />
spouse) the opportunity and pleasure<br />
of turning you in<strong>to</strong> an angry wreck.<br />
Remember the only person you are<br />
largely in control of is yourself. Others<br />
are largely out of your control.<br />
Three, you must learn <strong>to</strong> walk<br />
away, literally or connotatively,<br />
before the situation boils over,<br />
especially when the situation is not<br />
worth the trouble. Most fights and<br />
fatal outcomes would not have<br />
occurred if one party had walked<br />
away. Then, one respondent asked<br />
what he should do if he is walking<br />
away and the other party is pulling<br />
him back and hauling insults at him?<br />
I responded that such scenarios are<br />
more common between spouses and<br />
in multi-tenant dwellings. If the<br />
person is a co-tenant, get the<br />
landlord/caretaker involved. If they<br />
are unable <strong>to</strong> resolve the matter,<br />
relocate before you commit murder/<br />
manslaughter or get killed.<br />
Relocating is a small price <strong>to</strong> pay.<br />
But if it is your spouse, something<br />
is fundamentally wrong with you,<br />
your spouse or the marriage. A<br />
spouse who <strong>to</strong>rments his/her other<br />
half for no just cause needs<br />
temporary relocation <strong>to</strong> the left side<br />
of Yaba or Uselu (psychiatric<br />
attention). On the other hand, if<br />
there is something you are doing<br />
that is turning your spouse in<strong>to</strong> a<br />
“lunatic,” you need <strong>to</strong> mend your<br />
ways. But if the problem is in the<br />
marriage, then it is built on sand.<br />
Both parties need <strong>to</strong> work on<br />
building a solid marital foundation.<br />
Four, stay quiet until you can talk<br />
calmly. My President Emeritus<br />
(Urhobo Social Club), Emmanuel<br />
Evue, always says “you cannot<br />
quote silence” and it has become<br />
one of my guides. People utter<br />
hurting words they later regret saying<br />
in fits of anger. Even if you apologise<br />
later and your apology is accepted,<br />
it does not erase what you said. So it<br />
is better you shut your mouth while<br />
angry until you calm down and can<br />
talk sensibly.<br />
Five, a spirit of forgiveness is a<br />
must for anger management. Unless<br />
you habitually forgive, your anger will<br />
linger and that is not good for anger<br />
management. An unforgiving spirit<br />
is even unhealthy. It weighs you<br />
down and can lead <strong>to</strong> high blood<br />
pressure, stroke and depression.<br />
Develop a spirit of forgiveness as a<br />
habit.<br />
Six, anger management is not a<br />
one-off exercise. You develop the art<br />
over time until it becomes a habit. The<br />
key is <strong>to</strong> make little progress everyday<br />
no matter how minimal.<br />
Another <strong>to</strong>ol that helps in anger<br />
management is Jesus’ new<br />
commandment: “Love one another as<br />
I have loved you” (John13:34). You<br />
must learn <strong>to</strong> genuinely love,<br />
especially those around you who you<br />
interact with regularly. People are<br />
usually more <strong>to</strong>lerant of their loved<br />
ones; it is also very difficult for anger<br />
<strong>to</strong> linger in such situations.<br />
Eight, it is always good <strong>to</strong> be right,<br />
but remember that being kind is more<br />
important than being right. I used <strong>to</strong><br />
be a very angry man on the road<br />
because of the lawlessness of the<br />
average road user, but my disposition<br />
is changing.<br />
Nine, majority of mankind is proud;<br />
forget all this skin-deep humility. You<br />
only need <strong>to</strong> get most people angry<br />
and pride manifests. But anger<br />
management and pride do not travel<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether, so control your pride <strong>to</strong><br />
manage your anger. Another<br />
respondent drew my attention <strong>to</strong> the<br />
issue of anger management and<br />
pride.<br />
Finally, remember <strong>to</strong>ugh times do<br />
not last, but <strong>to</strong>ugh people do. Do not<br />
cut short your life or somebody else’s<br />
due <strong>to</strong> uncontrolled rage resulting<br />
from the economic situation. We shall<br />
overcome.<br />
(Text Only)<br />
(Text Only)<br />
The seated twist<br />
Technique:<br />
Sit ramrod straight on<br />
a chair with feet close<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether. Place the right<br />
hand on the left upper<br />
Maintain your youthful look<br />
thigh and the left hand<br />
on the <strong>to</strong>p of the chair.<br />
Turn the head, neck and<br />
trunk <strong>to</strong> the left without<br />
moving the feet and<br />
legs. Breathe in deeply<br />
and retain the posture<br />
for ten seconds and<br />
repeat on the side.<br />
Benefits:<br />
The twist increases the<br />
lateral flexibility of<br />
spine. It also helps <strong>to</strong><br />
improve muscular<br />
problems in the hips,<br />
back, and benefits the<br />
bowels, liver, kidneys,<br />
spleen and gall bladder.<br />
Technique for Eagle variation:<br />
Standing with the feet<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether, bend the elbows<br />
and place the on the <strong>to</strong>p,<br />
and bring the palms<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether while you raise<br />
and bend the left leg and<br />
rap it around the right<br />
lower leg with the foot<br />
sticking out. The left leg<br />
must be slightly bent at<br />
the <strong>to</strong> make this possible.<br />
Benefits:<br />
The Eagle instills a<br />
sense of balance and also<br />
banishes varicose veins.<br />
•The twist<br />
The Deep Knee Bend<br />
Technique:<br />
Get on your knees with the<br />
feet quite wide behind you.<br />
Firstly, lower your body down<br />
till your but<strong>to</strong>cks rest on the<br />
floor. Bend down slightly <strong>to</strong> the<br />
left, place place your left elbow,<br />
then right elbow and gently<br />
ease your back flat down on the<br />
floor. Spread out your hands by<br />
your sides. Breathe deeply and<br />
slowly as you retain the posture<br />
for 5 <strong>to</strong> 15 seconds.<br />
Benefits:<br />
•The Deep<br />
knee bend<br />
The Deep knee bend <strong>to</strong>nes the<br />
quadriceps and burns fat in the thighs.<br />
It lubricates the ankle and knee joints.<br />
•Eagle variation<br />
Yoga Classes<br />
STARTED<br />
@ 32 Ade<strong>to</strong>kumbo Ademola,<br />
Vic<strong>to</strong>ria Island Lagos.<br />
10.00am — 11.00am<br />
on Saturdays<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016 —21<br />
The gift of a second chance<br />
By Yetunde Arebi<br />
Everything happened so suddenly, so<br />
unexpected. As I lay on the small<br />
hospital bed, in the little white<br />
painted room, waiting for the summon <strong>to</strong><br />
surrender my body <strong>to</strong> the surgeon’s knives,<br />
everything began reeling out before me. Both<br />
sounds and pictures, just as in the movies. I<br />
had this strange feeling that my life had<br />
come <strong>to</strong> an end. An abrupt one at that, for<br />
this was not the way I had always envisioned<br />
myself exiting this world. Somehow, I had<br />
over the years been convinced that my exit<br />
would be all planned out and carefully<br />
executed. I will then peacefully slip or sleep<br />
out. But circumstances at that moment, that<br />
fateful rainy Tuesday afternoon, on the 7th<br />
day of June, meant that I had been wrong<br />
all this while. The dream that I would have<br />
all the time and wherewithal <strong>to</strong> set my house<br />
in order before I die now seemed exactly<br />
what it was, a dream. The opportunity <strong>to</strong><br />
make restitutions, reconciliations,<br />
renunciations and re-dedications appeared<br />
<strong>to</strong> have dissolved in<strong>to</strong> nothingness. I said <strong>to</strong><br />
myself, “so there will be no time for all the<br />
thank you, I’m sorry, and I love you”. My<br />
thoughts raced <strong>to</strong> my son and as if by<br />
telepathy, he opened the door and stuck his<br />
head in, asking if I was ready. Emotions<br />
flooded through me and I was moved <strong>to</strong><br />
tears but I did not want him <strong>to</strong> see me in fear<br />
and in pain. I decided <strong>to</strong> send him back<br />
home with some things I did not need at the<br />
hospital and would not need ever again if<br />
indeed my time was up. He tried <strong>to</strong> refuse,<br />
insisting he wanted <strong>to</strong> be in the theatre while<br />
the surgery went on, but I won. I <strong>to</strong>ld him it<br />
was important that we <strong>to</strong>ok precautions and<br />
that the errand was for his own good. As he<br />
walked away, my heart sank. Was this really<br />
the end?<br />
It all began Sunday, 29th May as I tried <strong>to</strong><br />
undress. My left breast felt heavy and<br />
painful. I quickly did an examination and<br />
realised that I had an inflamed lump. Was it<br />
an old growth or a new one? I have a<br />
running battle that has spanned almost two<br />
Oloibiri Well No 1. It is the display<br />
board on the first oil rig in Nigeria.<br />
The visible advertised signal of the<br />
first Oil Well relic appeared like the ‘first<br />
a<strong>to</strong>mic bomb on Hiroshima’ mark of an all<br />
destroying war for residents of this lowbrow<br />
place in the Niger Delta. Shell D’Arcy<br />
discovered petroleum in 1956 at Oloibiri<br />
and with pioneer production from February<br />
1958, progressively shipped barrels of crude<br />
oil per day <strong>to</strong> Europe.<br />
Decommissioned Wells like Oloibiri in<br />
Bayelsa State abound in the Niger Delta;<br />
with hundreds of associated oil spills that<br />
blight the environment. Eco systemic<br />
degradation also results from burning of<br />
associated natural gas and natural gas<br />
flares that produce arcs of light separated<br />
in<strong>to</strong> bands of rainbow colours of red, orange<br />
yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet<br />
radiating heat in<strong>to</strong> the Niger Delta skylines.<br />
The significance of Well No 1 <strong>to</strong> antiquaries<br />
is that all around it is squalidness,<br />
shabbiness and dirtiness resulting from<br />
poverty and neglect.<br />
International oil companies exploration<br />
and production activities have continued<br />
unabated, unattended <strong>to</strong>, and with elusive<br />
justice in the no law, no offence syndrome.<br />
Our laws stipulate that oil companies are<br />
responsible for containing and cleaning up<br />
spills and returning affected areas <strong>to</strong> their<br />
prior state. . Oloibiri Well dried up and was<br />
decommissioned but never returned <strong>to</strong> its<br />
prior state.<br />
Communities pursue human and<br />
environmental rights in offshore courts<br />
because there is no onshore justice breeze in<br />
Nigeria. In November 2014, during a legal<br />
action in the UK, Shell was forced <strong>to</strong> admit<br />
that it had under estimated size of two major<br />
Niger Delta oil spills, after years of denials.<br />
Global Issues Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Amnesty<br />
International, Audrey Gaughran in 2015<br />
said the Royal Dutch Shell reported 204<br />
Niger Delta spills in 2014 while ENI<br />
reported 349 spills in Niger Delta in 2014<br />
giving a <strong>to</strong>tal of 553 a contrast of only 10<br />
spills across Europe between 1971 and<br />
2011.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> Gaughran, ‘’in any other<br />
country this would be a national emergency.<br />
In Nigeria it appears <strong>to</strong> be a standard<br />
decades with Fibrocystic disease, but I have<br />
not had a new growth in over two years. I<br />
decided not <strong>to</strong> panic and prayed that the<br />
pain would subside quickly. Luckily, it did,<br />
but my mind kept telling me I had <strong>to</strong> go for<br />
medical examination. So, Thursday<br />
morning I was at the hospital where the<br />
breasts were examined and I was referred for<br />
further tests, which included<br />
Mammography and scan. But as I made the<br />
get off the bed, my doc<strong>to</strong>r asked, “this your<br />
s<strong>to</strong>mach looks rather big, what is inside?” To<br />
this we all laughed and I <strong>to</strong>ld him of my bad<br />
eating habit and how I would sometimes eat<br />
as late as 11pm or even as early as 2am if I<br />
was still awake. He suggested exercises and<br />
eating early and I left for the labora<strong>to</strong>ry for<br />
the tests. It was there that the miracles of this<br />
whole drama began unfolding.<br />
Indeed, God does speak <strong>to</strong> all of us. His, is<br />
that tiny voice that directs when we remain<br />
calm and allow him <strong>to</strong> take over. As I waited<br />
for my turn <strong>to</strong> register and pay<br />
for the tests, that tiny voice<br />
kept telling me <strong>to</strong> add an<br />
abdominal scan <strong>to</strong> the<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r’s list. My bill ran up <strong>to</strong><br />
N22,000 and I wanted <strong>to</strong><br />
change my mind. I <strong>to</strong>ld myself<br />
there was no hurry since I<br />
would still come back in<br />
August for the annual tests<br />
anyway. But as I turned<br />
around <strong>to</strong> leave, the voice <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
me again <strong>to</strong> add the<br />
abdominal scan. So I asked<br />
how much it would cost and<br />
he said N7,000. Wow. That’s<br />
approximately N30,000! One<br />
day on test only? Yet again, I<br />
turned <strong>to</strong> leave, but that small<br />
voice held me back and asked,<br />
“what’s the difference between<br />
now and August? Don’t you<br />
sometimes spend that much<br />
on trivial things?” It was just<br />
as if I was in a conversation<br />
with the voice. So, I said,<br />
“that’s true” and asked the lady <strong>to</strong> add the<br />
full abdominal and pelvic scan. This turned<br />
out <strong>to</strong> be the saving stroke.<br />
I realised something was wrong when the<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r began asking all sorts of questions.<br />
“Is this a routine test? Why are you doing<br />
this? Do you feel any pain? Blah blah blah! I<br />
<strong>to</strong>ld her it was a routine test and she could<br />
cull up results of my annual tests from their<br />
system. She did but could not find a report<br />
for 2015. Only for 2014 down <strong>to</strong> 2011 when<br />
I began using their centre. Well, This could<br />
only mean that I did not take the test here in<br />
2015 but at another diagnostics centre.<br />
Suddenly, she dropped the bomb shell. There<br />
is a cyst in my right lower abdomen. I froze!<br />
How big, I asked? Very big, she said and<br />
proceeded <strong>to</strong> mark it out for me on the<br />
moni<strong>to</strong>r screen. “I’m worried because it<br />
appears <strong>to</strong> be growing rapidly and worse<br />
still, it has some liquid in it. I advice you see<br />
your doc<strong>to</strong>r immediately, he will know what<br />
<strong>to</strong> do”, she explained. Back at the hospital on<br />
Friday, my doc<strong>to</strong>r nearly fell out of his sit on<br />
seeing the report. Either of two things could<br />
happen, a twist or a rupture and both were<br />
life threatening. The absence of a 2015<br />
report made it difficult for him <strong>to</strong> determine<br />
when the growth began and how rapidly it<br />
had developed <strong>to</strong> that size. The initial<br />
complaint that brought me <strong>to</strong> the hospital<br />
was considered “child’s play” compared <strong>to</strong><br />
the chance discovery and the surgery was<br />
proposed for Sunday. I was not ready<br />
physically, psychologically, financially and<br />
spiritually, so we shifted <strong>to</strong> Tuesday. When I<br />
finally regained consciousness Wednesday, I<br />
was informed that God had indeed<br />
performed two miracles for me and not one.<br />
That on checking my Appendix, it was also<br />
on the verge of rupturing. The doc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
reiterated severally that had I not walked in<br />
by myself for the surgery, I was not likely <strong>to</strong><br />
survive the next two <strong>to</strong> three weeks as either<br />
the cyst or the Appendix would have<br />
ruptured, poisoned my body and sent me <strong>to</strong><br />
an early grave. God in His infinite mercy<br />
saved me from the jaws of sudden death only<br />
Gowon, Oloibiri and the<br />
spell of crying<br />
operating procedure for the oil<br />
industry. The human cost is<br />
horrific- people living with<br />
pollution everyday of their<br />
lives.” Do we blame anybody<br />
for the horrendousness? Perhaps<br />
a gentle Mr. Nobody did the<br />
mischief in Nigeria.<br />
But former Head of State,<br />
retired General Yakubu Gowon<br />
in an assertion last week as<br />
Special Guest of Honour, at the<br />
premiere of the film ‘’Oloibiri”<br />
in Lagos had a full emotional<br />
confession, and did not mince<br />
words that all have sinned<br />
against Oloibiri and other<br />
similar communities, and come<br />
short of the glory of the Niger<br />
Delta.<br />
General Gowon ruled<br />
Nigeria between 1 st August<br />
1966 and 29th July 1975. His<br />
administration witnessed the<br />
first oil boom in Nigeria.<br />
Oloibiri Well No 1 while alive<br />
contributed <strong>to</strong> the 98 percent<br />
export earnings, 83 percent<br />
Federal government revenue<br />
and 14 percent gross domestic<br />
product, GDP. Gowon’s<br />
Petroleum Act of 27 November<br />
1969 altered the 50 percent royalties and<br />
rents received from mining enterprises <strong>to</strong> the<br />
component states in which mining was done.<br />
He must have laid the foundation of Oloibiri<br />
Well No.1 decommissioning without death<br />
benefit by abolishing the existing derivation<br />
formula for one based on population and<br />
size of states.<br />
Gowon’s apology was a demonstrable<br />
proof that something was, and still wrong in<br />
Nigeria’s petroleum resources management.<br />
That admission of something being wrong<br />
and embarrassing, and appealing <strong>to</strong><br />
Oloibiri people <strong>to</strong> forgive all past and<br />
present rulers for treating oil producing<br />
areas unfairly may pacify the angry people<br />
of Niger Delta.<br />
General Gowon whose decrial of the resort<br />
<strong>to</strong> self-help <strong>to</strong> fight injustice however<br />
acknowledged that as a nation and as a<br />
people, mistakes were made and clearly<br />
Oloibiri as a community had not been<br />
treated fairly. To him they deserve our<br />
sympathy, compassion and collective resolve<br />
<strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>re the beauty of this once vibrant<br />
community.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him there is no doubt that<br />
there are agony and bitterness in the hearts<br />
of people of Oloibiri and other similar<br />
communities who have also been affected in<br />
one way or the other. The film has succeeded<br />
in projecting the unacceptable, deprivation<br />
by me listening in those still split seconds <strong>to</strong><br />
that tiny voice. Four weeks later, I was back<br />
in that same hospital theatre, same team of<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>rs, <strong>to</strong> commence examination and<br />
treatment for the initial complaint that<br />
brought me <strong>to</strong> the hospital. A journey that<br />
would span June <strong>to</strong> September.<br />
I learnt a very important lesson from this<br />
incident. It is very important <strong>to</strong> know your<br />
body and how it works. This is perhaps the<br />
only way <strong>to</strong> figure out and at the right time<br />
<strong>to</strong>o, should something go wrong. After I<br />
learnt that I also had an inflamed Appendix,<br />
I recalled that I had mentioned this on our<br />
way back from a family function on 4th<br />
May. I had felt some sharp pains in my lower<br />
abdomen. It was as if I was being poked by a<br />
needle and I informed my sister that I<br />
suspect it was Appendicitis. Her response<br />
was “God forbid, it is not our portion”. But it<br />
was. And I didn’t do anything about it<br />
because I did not want <strong>to</strong> admit it could be<br />
“our portion”. Regular medical check is also<br />
important as we age. Perhaps, if I did not<br />
skip the 2015 check, we could have found it<br />
when it was just a little growth and avoided<br />
the fire brigade operation. Again, I have<br />
come <strong>to</strong> the conclusion that it would be<br />
rather difficult for anyone <strong>to</strong> be truly<br />
prepared for death. Not unless one is<br />
planning <strong>to</strong> commit suicide. In fact, how<br />
does one begin <strong>to</strong> put his house in order? By<br />
dotting every i and crossing every t in all<br />
your actions and relationships <strong>to</strong> the best of<br />
your ability? Nobody can please everybody.<br />
You can only do your bit and leave the rest.<br />
Death is an inevitable end. It will come when<br />
it will, no matter what we do. We can only<br />
pray that God grants us the grace <strong>to</strong> live out<br />
His promised three scores and ten.<br />
And so, here I am again. Glad <strong>to</strong> be back.<br />
A special thank you <strong>to</strong> all those who asked<br />
after me during my absence here.<br />
A special thank you also <strong>to</strong> my friend, the<br />
one I call the Giant; Mrs Omasan Duru for<br />
taking good care of my son. My boss, Mr.<br />
Gbenga Adefaye for his support and prayers<br />
all these years. My darling sisters, the<br />
AAGCSS Old Girls’ Association, My<br />
wonderful family members and friends. God<br />
bless you all.<br />
of Oloibiri and such other communities in<strong>to</strong><br />
people’s consciousness.<br />
The lamentable Gowon hoped that such<br />
new consciousness will propel those who are<br />
charged with the responsibilities <strong>to</strong> change<br />
current realities. Unfortunately he never had<br />
a political reincarnation like his erstwhile<br />
comrades-in-arms like President<br />
Muhammadu <strong>Buhari</strong> and President<br />
Olusegun Obasanjo <strong>to</strong> make amends. He<br />
should do more <strong>to</strong> assuage the feelings of<br />
communities hosting energy infrastructures<br />
who live in abject poverty and squalor.<br />
Oloibiri needs justice and equity in terms<br />
of development as it is in other countries.<br />
The national oil company of Saudi Arabia,<br />
Saudi Aramco our equivalent of NNPC has<br />
its headquarters in Dhahran where oil was<br />
discovered. Dammam No. 7 now known as<br />
Dhahran was the first commercial oil well<br />
discovered in 1938 by America’s Standard<br />
Oil Company of California. Saudi Aramco,<br />
the world’s largest Oil and Gas Company<br />
and the world’s most valuable company<br />
according <strong>to</strong> Forbes 2015 report is worth<br />
between US$1.25 and US$10 trillion.<br />
The tempo of urbanization and commerce<br />
in Dhahran increased with the construction<br />
of Dhahran International Airport which<br />
connects Europe and the west, with India<br />
and the east. Dhahran Techno Valley, DTV<br />
was established in 2006 for research and<br />
development, create Centres of local and<br />
international companies and <strong>to</strong> promote<br />
new businesses. DTV includes the King<br />
Abdullah Science Park, an innovation<br />
Centre, a liaison office, business incuba<strong>to</strong>r,<br />
industrial consulting office and a science<br />
and technology exhibition centre, Scitech.<br />
Oil and gas is the key driver of America’s<br />
economic growth supporting 9.8 million<br />
jobs while adding US$1.2 trillion in America<br />
national economy. It contributes 8 percent of<br />
the US gross domestic product, GDP.<br />
Development of America’s oil and gas<br />
resources benefits communities across the<br />
country. According <strong>to</strong> ConocoPhillips news<br />
from its headquarters in Hous<strong>to</strong>n, Texas<br />
working with communities is their goal <strong>to</strong><br />
create and maintain inclusive, honest and<br />
mutually beneficial relationships with<br />
people wherever they operate or plan <strong>to</strong><br />
operate.
22—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
South Africa has reached a lamentable<br />
decision. 22 years after apartheid, South<br />
Africa has rejected a global consensus<br />
<strong>to</strong> hold monsters guilty of unspeakable acts<br />
of gross inhumanity accountable. To think<br />
that a South Africa, ruled by victims of<br />
apartheid, can come <strong>to</strong> such forgetfulness,<br />
such carefreeness , so spontaneously, is<br />
confounding. African governments,<br />
stampeded by Rwanda, were once the<br />
staunchest supporters of the court. A court<br />
the cold war had, for decades, deprived the<br />
world. That fervency has faded, died. The<br />
practical realties of even tepid international<br />
accountability have proved <strong>to</strong> much for the<br />
culture of impunity embedded in<br />
governance in Africa <strong>to</strong> bear. The narrow<br />
interests of unscrupulous political elite and<br />
the safety of their fantasies are all that matter.<br />
Burundi withdrew from the ICC a few<br />
days ago. Burundi is possessed by a leader<br />
who fancies himself as a medieval monarch.<br />
He wants <strong>to</strong> rule forever and at all costs. The<br />
ICC , for him, must be a nuisance . Naked<br />
opportunism by a deluded despot is perhaps<br />
more <strong>to</strong>lerable than shameless cold<br />
treachery by a supposed ally. South Africa<br />
owes this continent so much. Gambia wants<br />
<strong>to</strong> leave <strong>to</strong>o. But Gambia under that<br />
bumbling dicta<strong>to</strong>r has never pretended <strong>to</strong><br />
anything worthy of emulation. An alive and<br />
kicking ICC must be Yahya Jammeh’sworst<br />
nightmare. And that is why South Africa is<br />
a trai<strong>to</strong>r. The lessons of apartheid didn’t last.<br />
Is it the interest of the Burundian roadside<br />
au<strong>to</strong>-mechanic who lives on the brink of an<br />
all out civil war or the hubris of a Kenyatta ,<br />
ensconced in privatized national wealth, that<br />
should matter? Self serving pan Africanism<br />
and empty mischievous nationalism have<br />
been sold as principles.<br />
Pejorative labels have been churned out -<br />
‘<strong>to</strong>ol of modern imperialism’, ‘International<br />
Caucasian Court’. With half truths and a<br />
good dose of emotionalism , cries of neocolonialism<br />
found resonance. The docket of<br />
the court is lopsided. But it is <strong>to</strong>tally African<br />
for objective reasons. If the court existed <strong>to</strong><br />
ensure that every family had access <strong>to</strong> clean<br />
water, its work would still have been largely<br />
African. Justice is as scarce as clean water in<br />
Africa. But African leaders wouldn’t weigh<br />
the comparative benefits of the court. They<br />
are <strong>to</strong>o shortsighted, <strong>to</strong>o self absorbed, for<br />
such considerations that require some<br />
sobriety.<br />
Conceited leaders who live at a remove<br />
from the perilous reality of the average<br />
African woman have the luxury <strong>to</strong> lapse in<strong>to</strong><br />
The International Criminal Court<br />
and a treacherous South Africa.<br />
The court is a novel<br />
attempt at setting<br />
standards and<br />
checking impunity.<br />
The court is<br />
therefore morally<br />
indispensable in<br />
social craters and<br />
dark spots where<br />
local authorities lack<br />
the willingness or<br />
the capacity <strong>to</strong> bring<br />
<strong>to</strong> book principalities<br />
and powers,<br />
committing<br />
egregious evil<br />
against humanity,<br />
from hither<strong>to</strong><br />
unassailable <strong>to</strong>wers<br />
and sanctuaries<br />
unending lamentations about the erosion of<br />
sovereignty.Leaders of beggarly nations whose<br />
sovereignties have since been mortgaged for<br />
aids and grants are the noisiest . Of what<br />
relevance is a theoretical sovereignty if citizens’<br />
human dignity has been drained by hunger and<br />
violence and hopelessness perpetuated by<br />
wan<strong>to</strong>n impunity? They would point <strong>to</strong> the arrest<br />
warrant the court issued against a siting African<br />
president - Al Bashir of Sudan, and feign<br />
indignation, and disown the court. Al-Bashir<br />
licensed the Janjaweed <strong>to</strong> rape and bring<br />
gruesome death <strong>to</strong> millions. But because of Al-<br />
Bashir, South Africa is through with the court.<br />
Al- Bashir is a most despicable man who all<br />
men of goodwill should spare nothing <strong>to</strong> bring<br />
<strong>to</strong> justice.<br />
Any ordinary African conversant with the<br />
conception and workings of the court must be<br />
in utter disbelief. The court is a novel attempt at<br />
setting standards and checking impunity. The<br />
court is therefore morally indispensable in social<br />
craters and dark spots where local authorities<br />
lack the willingness or the capacity <strong>to</strong> bring <strong>to</strong><br />
book principalities and powers, committing<br />
egregious evil against humanity, from hither<strong>to</strong><br />
unassailable <strong>to</strong>wers and sanctuaries. To be<br />
effective, the Rome treaty refused <strong>to</strong> countenance<br />
any immunities. Immunity accorded heads of<br />
governments by international law and<br />
conventions was a crippling handicap the<br />
Assembly of States Parties (ASP) recognized<br />
and excised. A supranational determination <strong>to</strong><br />
do justice must come at some cost <strong>to</strong> national<br />
sovereignties. The ASP’s decision <strong>to</strong> surrender<br />
presidential immunity <strong>to</strong> check ravenous<br />
impunity was why the court was seen a ray of<br />
hope in the dark tunnel of sub-Saharan Africa<br />
filled with war lords, demagogues and life<br />
presidents.<br />
South Africa was conversant with<br />
these lofty ideas and their costs. She<br />
ratified the treaty and prided herself<br />
cleansed of leproma<strong>to</strong>us apartheid<br />
,member of a new moral order. But<br />
like a few others, when she was asked<br />
<strong>to</strong> work the treaty she had talked and<br />
brandished, she cowered. Having<br />
failed <strong>to</strong> abide by the provisions of the<br />
treaty and its domesticated<br />
implications by refusing <strong>to</strong> effect the<br />
arrest of a visiting Al Bashir, South<br />
Africa was in a moral fix. But she could<br />
have lived on with some duplicity. She<br />
now claims the Rome treaty is in conflict<br />
with her local laws and her self<br />
appointed role of chief peace maker in<br />
Africa. That is a pathetic argument. The<br />
new norm is that no immunity is<br />
sufficient <strong>to</strong> shield against gross human<br />
rights abuses and war crimes.<br />
The ordinary Gambian would not<br />
give up the court so flimsily. The<br />
ordinary African must be the greatest<br />
beneficiary of any system that checks<br />
systematized decimation of a civilian<br />
population . Because there are simply<br />
no protective institutions and<br />
restraining political culture. A<br />
continent of neglect and wars must in<br />
its own interest be the prime recipient<br />
of the attention of any agency instituted<br />
<strong>to</strong> provide vigilance against<br />
cannibalistic groups and murderous<br />
emperors perpetuating their<br />
domination and rules by exterminating<br />
opponents and squelching dissent.<br />
Allegations of bias and prejudice are<br />
puerile. Africa constitutes 100% of the<br />
cases under investigation by the ICC.<br />
That seems skewed. But how did that<br />
come about? Of the nine cases, six were<br />
self- referrals. The countries in crises<br />
voluntarily sought the intervention of<br />
the court. Two other cases - Dafur and<br />
Libya- were referred <strong>to</strong> the court by the<br />
UN Security Council. In both instances<br />
if a standing court didn’t exist the UN<br />
Security Council would have<br />
established a Rwanda -type ad hoc<br />
tribunal <strong>to</strong> investigate those cases. The<br />
UN Security Council would have still<br />
gone after Al-Bashir. And that leaves<br />
Kenya.<br />
Kenya is important for two main<br />
reasons. First, it is the only one instance<br />
where the prosecu<strong>to</strong>r exercised his<br />
propio- motu powers <strong>to</strong> initiate an<br />
investigation sans referral. Secondly an<br />
arrest warrant was issued in 2010<br />
against Uhuru Kenyatta, a very<br />
powerful politician, who became<br />
president in 2013.The Kenya human<br />
rights commission had indicted<br />
Kenyatta for planning and funding<br />
post election violence. Thousands were<br />
massacred, half a million were<br />
displaced. President Kenyatta rallied<br />
against the ICC, hounded witnesses<br />
in<strong>to</strong> oblivion and destroyed the case.<br />
The ICC withdrew charges against him<br />
in 2014. Kenyatta had been rattled, he<br />
mobilized for a pan -African withdrawal<br />
from the court. The resentment he found<br />
righteousness <strong>to</strong> sow is now bearing<br />
fruit. The proposed substitute , an<br />
African criminal court, is a ruse.<br />
Africa is the major beneficiary of the<br />
ICC.Unfortunately the interests of the<br />
political elite are always in conflict with<br />
the interests of the ordinary people. The<br />
court has failed <strong>to</strong> summon courage<br />
against the atrocities of coalition force<br />
in Iraq and the Israelis and Palestinians.<br />
But that can’t be the priority of families<br />
in Nairobi and Bangui slums who fear<br />
they might be maimed, fractured and<br />
dislocated yet again by the greed and<br />
ambitions of mindless Uhuru Kenyatta<br />
and his ilk. The court will improve. The<br />
shadow of the court looming over<br />
Bangui helps <strong>to</strong> soothe trepidations.<br />
The court must not die. The hope of the<br />
poor that the court’s jurisdiction be<br />
expanded <strong>to</strong> include massive<br />
corruption and theft of public resources<br />
must not be dashed.<br />
IN modern election era, no candidate has talked about<br />
elections being rigged even before votes were cast. Then<br />
again, GOP candidate Donald Trump is not your conventional<br />
kind of candidate. America has never seen anyone like Trump.<br />
Besides Obama, no candidate has captured global attention like<br />
Trump, and <strong>to</strong> his detriment, none has indirectly conceded defeat<br />
long before the first ballot was cast as he appears <strong>to</strong> be doing.<br />
Remember, Trump began <strong>to</strong> say the elections were rigged even<br />
before the first presidential debate and way before early voting<br />
started. Nothing strange, though, because he did the same thing<br />
during the GOP Primaries. He accused the system of being rigged,<br />
but the moment he got the GOP<br />
nomination. the system no longer was<br />
rigged.<br />
Now with defeat looking more and more<br />
inevitable, the blame game is back and<br />
louder than ever. This time, even the media<br />
are not spared. Right from the inception of<br />
his campaign, the media have given Trump<br />
more coverage than any candidate on both<br />
sides of the party. Not really because they<br />
were always biased, but because Trump<br />
made himself more accessible <strong>to</strong> the media.<br />
During the primaries and for most of the<br />
general election campaign, Trump got<br />
away with almost everything he said and<br />
did. Now that the honeymoon is over and<br />
media scrutiny is on him and exposing things<br />
about him he never thought could be done,<br />
the “low life” media are the scum of the<br />
earth as far as Trump is concerned.<br />
FYI: The U.S. elections are not conducted<br />
like the Nigerian elections. Unlike Nigeria<br />
where INEC controls elections in the entire<br />
country, elections in the U.S. are handled<br />
by the Secretary of State in each state. Some<br />
are Republicans, others Democrats. Each<br />
state then conducts the elections through<br />
the counties, Nigeria’s equivalent of the<br />
local governments. The county election<br />
officials are either Democrats or<br />
Republicans. Now, this doesn’t mean the<br />
U.S. elec<strong>to</strong>ral system is flawless. No, but<br />
the possibility of elections being rigged<br />
nationwide <strong>to</strong> favor one candidate or the<br />
other is insane. Actually, there have been<br />
only 31 documented cases of voter fraud<br />
out of I billion votes cast in the United<br />
States elections between 2000 and 2014,<br />
according <strong>to</strong> a study by a Loyola Law<br />
School professor. Trump’s claims of<br />
Trump gambles with the blame game<br />
systematic, nationwide voter fraud are<br />
bogus and embarrassing even <strong>to</strong> some<br />
Republicans. It also makes him stand out<br />
as a sore loser who wants <strong>to</strong> discredit<br />
American democratic system <strong>to</strong> appease his<br />
enlarged ego that can’t stand the possibility<br />
of losing, especially losing <strong>to</strong> a woman, even<br />
when that woman doesn’t belong <strong>to</strong> the<br />
bedroom, the living room and the other<br />
room (pun intended). As if Trump hasn’t had<br />
enough self-inflicted wounds, he says he will<br />
only accept the result of the presidential<br />
election only if he wins. Really?<br />
Hillary and Obama Care Challenges<br />
Just when we thought we’ve seen the last<br />
of Oc<strong>to</strong>ber surprise when 11 women came<br />
out <strong>to</strong> accuse Donald Trump of unwelcome<br />
sexual advances against them (accusations<br />
Only divine<br />
intervention can<br />
s<strong>to</strong>p Hillary from<br />
getting <strong>to</strong> the<br />
White House.<br />
Trump vehemently deny) here comes news<br />
that Affordable Care Acts (a.k.a.<br />
Obamacare) health insurance coverage will<br />
not be so affordable next year. Americans<br />
covered by the ACA health coverage are<br />
expected <strong>to</strong> experience a 22 percent hike in<br />
cost. This is contrary <strong>to</strong> all the <strong>promises</strong><br />
Obama made that the healthcare coverage<br />
will be very affordable, hence its name. This<br />
is bad news for Hillary Clin<strong>to</strong>n, a staunch<br />
supporter of Obamacare. Under normal<br />
circumstances in an election year that has<br />
a conventional opponent, this could have<br />
probably dealt Hillary a terrible blow, but<br />
Trump has been such a gift <strong>to</strong> Hillary and<br />
Democrats that this would not be as big a<br />
deal as it should have. For instance, this is<br />
when Trump should be talking about an<br />
alternative plan for Obamacare, but all he<br />
does is <strong>to</strong> say that he will repeal Obamacare<br />
and replace it with something better. Which<br />
is what? Well, he wouldn’t say. I guess it’s<br />
one of his secrets meant <strong>to</strong> keep American<br />
voters in suspense, which doesn’t help him<br />
one bit. And with about 10 days <strong>to</strong> the<br />
elections, millions of Americans already<br />
have cast their votes and early voter turnout<br />
is making Hillary and Democrats feel good<br />
about November 8.<br />
Phony Polls?<br />
Trump says don’t believe the polls.<br />
Actually, he says the polls are phony. This<br />
implies that all the major pollsters have<br />
conspired <strong>to</strong> manufacture statistics <strong>to</strong> make<br />
him look bad by having his Democratic<br />
opponent Hillary Clin<strong>to</strong>n lead him in all<br />
major (and even minor) polls.<br />
Sounds familiar? Well, when Obama was<br />
seeking reelection in 2012, all the major<br />
polls had him leading his GOP challenger<br />
Mitt Romney, but some prominent<br />
Republicans dismissed the polls and urged<br />
their supporters not <strong>to</strong> believe the “phony”<br />
polls. According <strong>to</strong> them, their internal<br />
polling showed that Romney would beat<br />
Obama by at least 6 percentage points. Then<br />
came election day, Romney so believed the<br />
GOP internal polling that he only wrote his<br />
acceptance speech. By the time Obama was<br />
projected the winner, Romney had <strong>to</strong><br />
quickly put a concession speech <strong>to</strong>gether.<br />
Fact is, the same “phony pollsters” are the<br />
ones who correctly predicted that Trump<br />
would win many of the GOP primaries, and<br />
he did. Trump loved polls back then and<br />
always quoted them <strong>to</strong> show how well he<br />
was doing. Now that they’re predicting a<br />
Trump defeat, they’re phony.<br />
Elec<strong>to</strong>ral College Picture<br />
For all the Trumpsters out there, get on<br />
your knees and pray like you’ve never prayed<br />
before. Well, prayers alone would not be<br />
enough. You need <strong>to</strong> go on dry fasting – 10<br />
days dry. Only divine intervention can s<strong>to</strong>p<br />
Hillary from getting <strong>to</strong> the White House.<br />
With 10 days <strong>to</strong> the November 8 presidential<br />
election, the Elec<strong>to</strong>ral College picture has<br />
become crystal clear that Hillary Clin<strong>to</strong>n<br />
would become the next American president<br />
– the first female ever <strong>to</strong> be the leader of the<br />
Free World. If the election was held <strong>to</strong>day,<br />
the projection is that Hillary would win 307<br />
elec<strong>to</strong>ral college votes <strong>to</strong> Trump’s 179. It<br />
may not end up that bad for Trump. One<br />
big problem is that Trump is in danger of<br />
losing even traditional Republican states<br />
like Arizona and Georgia, which makes<br />
Republicans scratch their heads in<br />
frustration. The biggest problem. Though,<br />
is that many Republicans have accepted the<br />
possibility of a Trump defeat, they are now<br />
worried that Trump could make them lose<br />
the Senate <strong>to</strong> Democrats on November 8,<br />
with the possibility of losing the House<br />
during the mid-term elections in two years.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—23<br />
JULIET EBIRIM<br />
08137897935<br />
What would you do if your spouse<br />
denies you sex?<br />
Rejection hurts. When a lover<br />
or spouse withholds sex, it's<br />
a particular kind of<br />
rejection that can affect a person's<br />
self-esteem and thought process.<br />
People can have many valid<br />
reasons for not wanting <strong>to</strong> have<br />
sex. But if you find yourself in<br />
that situation where your spouse<br />
refuses <strong>to</strong> share that physical<br />
intimacy with you, what would<br />
you do? We sought the views of<br />
some celebrities and here are<br />
their responses;<br />
I will use my sex <strong>to</strong>ys<br />
— Cossy Orjiakor, Actress<br />
If my partner or spouse refuses <strong>to</strong> have sex<br />
with me, I will make do with my sex <strong>to</strong>ys.<br />
I'll wait till he's<br />
ready, but...<br />
— Mimi Orjiekwe,<br />
Actress<br />
I will wait till he is ready. He<br />
is my husband and marriage<br />
comes with so many<br />
challenges. A normal man with<br />
his senses knows that sex is<br />
vital and important in<br />
marriage. For how long can he<br />
deny his spouse of sex? For<br />
me, I'll only wait till he's ready.<br />
Besides, he could be going<br />
through stress or some<br />
depressive moments which<br />
could be the cause of his action<br />
or behaviour. But if this<br />
happens for a longer period, I<br />
will call him <strong>to</strong> order as much<br />
as I can, else he will begin <strong>to</strong><br />
share me with another man.<br />
Period!<br />
It can't<br />
happen,<br />
but ...<br />
— Blessing<br />
Patrick, Actress<br />
It can't happen because I<br />
have what it takes <strong>to</strong> make<br />
him always demand for it.<br />
But even if it does, I will<br />
God's face for intervention,<br />
because there's nothing God<br />
cannot do. Besides, it was<br />
God's approval I sought<br />
before getting married <strong>to</strong> my<br />
husband.<br />
•Cynthia<br />
•Blessing Patrick<br />
I'll dress more<br />
sexy and pray<br />
— Ruth Eze, Actress<br />
Iwill pray about it and also dress<br />
more sexy. Appearance is very<br />
important for both men and women.<br />
But in most cases, his lack of desire<br />
may have nothing <strong>to</strong> do with him<br />
thinking I'm not beautiful or sexy<br />
enough for him <strong>to</strong> want <strong>to</strong> enjoy. That's<br />
why I also have <strong>to</strong> pray about it.<br />
•Lurrenz<br />
Onuzulike<br />
I might have <strong>to</strong> get<br />
it outside if …<br />
— Dimplez, Singer<br />
If I ask for sex over and over<br />
again and he still denies me,<br />
it definitely means he's getting<br />
it from someone else. If it<br />
happens that I'm very horny<br />
and really need it, I might get<br />
it outside. It all depends on the<br />
situation of things though.<br />
•Ruth Eze<br />
I'll try <strong>to</strong> convince her<br />
— Lurrenz Onuzulike, Ac<strong>to</strong>r<br />
I<br />
've been lucky never <strong>to</strong> be in this<br />
situation, but if it ever happens, I<br />
won't have any choice than <strong>to</strong> work<br />
on convincing her <strong>to</strong> rethink her<br />
decision, because other options are<br />
not appealing <strong>to</strong> me. For instance, I<br />
don't patronise prostitutes and I<br />
can't stand the sight of sex <strong>to</strong>ys for<br />
men. So, my choice is limited. I<br />
have <strong>to</strong> find a way <strong>to</strong> win back her<br />
love.<br />
•Dimplez<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
24—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Plus-sized women have<br />
hips and curves men like<br />
— Jennifer Enujiugha, model<br />
By Juliet Ebirim<br />
Jennifer Enujiugha is a 26 year-old plus-size model, choreographer and<br />
VJ/compere from Anambra State. The beautiful, dark-skinned<br />
graduate of crop production and protection from Abia State<br />
University is the current Miss Curvy Nigeria Top Model. In this<br />
interview with Juliet Ebirim, Jennifer who is also a creative<br />
consultant bares her mind on her plans, journey as a plussize<br />
model, relationship and more. Excerpts...<br />
What’s your take on plus-size modeling in<br />
Nigeria?<br />
Plus-sized models are not appreciated as<br />
they ought <strong>to</strong> be, knowing fully well that<br />
almost all African women have the<br />
tendency <strong>to</strong> be plus-sized. Even if they<br />
were skinny before marriage,when they<br />
get married and after childbirth, they<br />
become plus-sized. We don’t appreciate<br />
them (curvy and plump models), we chase<br />
after skinny models but the truth is the<br />
westerners are beginning <strong>to</strong> accept the fact that<br />
there should be a place for the plus-sized in the<br />
fashion world. In the recently concluded New York<br />
Fashion Week, they had plus-sized models<br />
everywhere. Here in Nigeria, it’s difficult <strong>to</strong> see three<br />
plus-sized models on a runway show and that’s not nice.<br />
Most people who come <strong>to</strong> watch the shows are plump, but if<br />
they discover the outfits being showcased are for skinny people,<br />
they wouldn’t be motivated <strong>to</strong> go for them. A lot of people don’t<br />
know, but plus-sized modeling is a goldmine that’s yet <strong>to</strong> be<br />
harnessed in Nigeria.<br />
How do you juggle modeling with other things you do?<br />
Because I’m passionate about it, I don’t really see it as work. I<br />
enjoy doing it and besides, they’re all related, still the same<br />
industry – creative consultancy, VJ/compere, modeling,<br />
choreography – they’re all entertainment. It’s easy for me <strong>to</strong><br />
combine them all. I was the logistics manager for last<br />
year’s ‘Dance with Peter’ reality TV show<br />
•Jennifer<br />
Enujiugha<br />
Based on your experience, what do<br />
you think is the major challenge plussized<br />
models face?<br />
The major challenge is that people do<br />
not want <strong>to</strong> accept them for who they<br />
are. It’s not peculiar <strong>to</strong> Nigeria alone,<br />
but the westerners are beginning <strong>to</strong><br />
accept plus-size models. Ashley<br />
Graham is doing very well. Nigerians<br />
have not really started accepting plussize<br />
models. Designers should have<br />
ready-<strong>to</strong>-wear outfits for plus-sized<br />
models <strong>to</strong> encourage them.<br />
Do you think African men are drawn<br />
<strong>to</strong> plus-sized women?<br />
Yes, they are, but they pretend they are<br />
not because of friends. They don’t want<br />
their friends <strong>to</strong> say ‘the guy babe na<br />
Orobo!’ I think African men are actually<br />
attracted <strong>to</strong> plus-sized women. They<br />
may not admit it, but they are. Being<br />
plus-sized, you au<strong>to</strong>matically have<br />
the hips and curves and that’s<br />
what men like. Few slim<br />
women have that.<br />
Any awkward or<br />
embarrassing moment?<br />
The first day I climbed<br />
on stage, everyone<br />
started laughing at me.<br />
I went <strong>to</strong> perform<br />
somewhere as a<br />
dancer and people<br />
started laughing at<br />
me because of my<br />
size. There’s always<br />
an awkward<br />
moment for<br />
everybody. There<br />
are occasions when<br />
there are only<br />
skinny models<br />
around, you make a<br />
mistake and they all<br />
stare at you in a<br />
funny way. Sometimes,<br />
you go for fashion shows<br />
and a designer will tell<br />
you straight up, that he<br />
doesn’t make outfits for plussized.<br />
Every career has its<br />
challenges, but it’s being able<br />
<strong>to</strong> learn from it all that<br />
matters. Anything that doesn’t<br />
kill you makes you stronger. It<br />
all boils down <strong>to</strong> passion.<br />
What are you working on at the moment?<br />
I’m the current Miss Curvy Nigeria Top Model, I’m yet <strong>to</strong><br />
hand over though. I represent plump models in every<br />
fashion show. I’m working on a project for the plus-sized.<br />
I want <strong>to</strong> get plump ladies <strong>to</strong> appreciate the fact that they<br />
are beautiful. It doesn’t matter their skin color, size or<br />
shape. You may be plump and still beautiful. You just have<br />
<strong>to</strong> be confident. Confidence is the best make-up you can<br />
wear. The project is aimed at changing the way Nigerians<br />
see plus-size people. It will also reduce the rate of<br />
anorexia and suicidal thoughts. When some of these<br />
plump people are rejected by the people they like, they<br />
tend <strong>to</strong> think that it’s because of their size. No, the person<br />
rejecting you doesn’t know what he wants.<br />
How were you able <strong>to</strong> conquer the rejection you faced as<br />
a plus-sized when you ventured in<strong>to</strong> modeling?<br />
I think everything I’ve been in<strong>to</strong> has helped me in one<br />
way or the other. As a dancer, I got used <strong>to</strong> performing on<br />
stage and that helped me loosen up. I became comfortable<br />
dancing before large crowds because I used <strong>to</strong> be very<br />
shy. Choreography helped me out so when I got in<strong>to</strong><br />
modeling, I started doing runway shows. Most times, I’m<br />
the only plus-sized model on the runway or for a job. I<br />
usually fight the temptation <strong>to</strong> feel inferior because I’m the<br />
only plus-sized, instead I chose <strong>to</strong> take it as an advantage.<br />
Can you name some of the commercials you’ve done?<br />
I’ve worked with Honeywell, Glo, I just did something for<br />
societal family health and a couple of other jobs. Actually, I<br />
just started doing commercials, I’ve been doing mostly<br />
fashion.<br />
Even in my love songs, there are messages - Slimpac<br />
By TOFARATI IGE<br />
Aspiring singer, Prince Etim Effiong aka Slimpac Ajebo<br />
from Cross-River State says his primary function on<br />
earth is <strong>to</strong> provide music. In his words, “I came in<strong>to</strong> the<br />
world because of music, and my duty is <strong>to</strong> pass messages <strong>to</strong><br />
people through music. I have the gift of music in me, and I<br />
must not let it waste.”<br />
Speaking on the type of music he does, he ventured, “I do<br />
Dancehall music. These days, some people feel that once<br />
the beat is okay, then the song is good, but I believe that<br />
every song should have a message. “I don’t follow trend. I<br />
do my music in a unique way, and I don’t copy what’s<br />
reigning in the industry.”<br />
Going further, he said, “When I was in Anambra State, I<br />
recorded songs like ‘I want <strong>to</strong> be your man,’ ‘My booboo,’<br />
‘True Love’ and many others. But there isn’t much music<br />
activity in Anambra, so I decided <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong> Lagos, which is<br />
regarded as the capital of entertainment in Nigeria. And<br />
since I’ve been here, I can see the difference in my music<br />
career.<br />
For someone who says he delivers messages with his<br />
music, it is curious that most of his songs are about love. He<br />
says, “Yes, I sing about love, but even in those songs, you’ll<br />
find deep messages that you can learn from.<br />
On what he wants <strong>to</strong> achieve with his music career, he<br />
stated, “I know many people go in<strong>to</strong> music <strong>to</strong> make money.<br />
Yes, money is a good thing, but I usually pray <strong>to</strong> God <strong>to</strong><br />
bless me so I can be of help <strong>to</strong> the people on the streets.<br />
I’ve been on the street before and I know how hard it is <strong>to</strong><br />
survive. I got <strong>to</strong> where I am <strong>to</strong>day through the help of<br />
people, and I’ve also determined <strong>to</strong> be of help <strong>to</strong> people.”<br />
•Slimpac
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—25<br />
Edited by Ayo Onikoyi<br />
08052201215<br />
Saying 'Living in Bondage'<br />
marked birth of film<br />
industry in Nigeria is<br />
dis<strong>to</strong>rtion of his<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
— Oga Bello<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
By Adekunle Olaniyan<br />
Adebayo Salami may be a faintly<br />
popular name but when you<br />
mention the alias 'Oga Bello',<br />
you are bound <strong>to</strong> get applause and<br />
cheers everywhere. This Lagos-born<br />
Kwara man did not attain the fame he<br />
enjoys <strong>to</strong>day on a platter of gold, it<br />
came from years of <strong>to</strong>il, struggle, sweat<br />
and plenty of other sacrifices.<br />
With over 50 years in the saddle as a<br />
Thespian that has traversed every<br />
labyrinth of the creative arts, Oga Bello<br />
is one of the first among equals. So,<br />
when he talks, we should bae all ears<br />
<strong>to</strong> draw from his fountain of<br />
knowledge, regarding the creative arts<br />
in Nigeria. He talks the s<strong>to</strong>ry of acting<br />
in this interview, let's listen <strong>to</strong> him:<br />
Who is the world acclaimed, world<br />
famous Oga Bello?<br />
Oga Bello is a character. Oga Bello is<br />
quite different from Adebayo Salami. If<br />
you are asking people who is Adebayo<br />
Salami, is quite different from asking<br />
for who is Oga Bello. Oga Bello is<br />
somebody who is interpreting the role<br />
of a particular character, in a script and<br />
his character depends on a script he<br />
has at hand. Adebayo Salami on the<br />
other hand is a father, a 64 years old<br />
man born in Lagos State, though he<br />
hails from Kwara State.<br />
Since you started acting , how many<br />
films have you produced ?<br />
Well, the issue of acting is a two-way<br />
thing; the ones you produced yourself<br />
and the ones you featured in. For<br />
the movies I have produced, I can<br />
count up <strong>to</strong> 22 but for those I<br />
featured, it is impossible <strong>to</strong> count.<br />
Honestly, I have lost count.“<br />
What informed the formation of<br />
Young Star Concert Party, the group<br />
from which you sprang at the<br />
beginning?<br />
Well, they were young people that<br />
had talents , they gathered <strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong><br />
display their talents ,hoping <strong>to</strong> be stars<br />
in the future. That is why we called it,<br />
“Young Star Concert’’. The same group<br />
of people were under the leadership of<br />
Ojo Ladipo and it metamorphosed in<strong>to</strong><br />
Ojo Ladipo theatre group. Later on,<br />
there were problems of all sorts;<br />
misunderstandings, in-fighting and a<br />
lot of acrimony. At the end of the day<br />
the centre could not hold and the<br />
group broke up. Some people like me<br />
went with Ojo Ladipo while others<br />
went in different ways.<br />
Could you name your<br />
men<strong>to</strong>rs in the industry and<br />
how they influenced your<br />
career?<br />
Those I can mention are Chief<br />
Hubert Ogunde, Alhaji Aina<br />
Olumegbon and Ade Love. These<br />
three great ac<strong>to</strong>rs influenced my<br />
career in their different unique<br />
ways. Well, let me start from Hubert<br />
Ogunde, Hubert Ogunde inspired<br />
me <strong>to</strong> be an ac<strong>to</strong>r because I never<br />
missed his program on television<br />
titled 'Village Doc<strong>to</strong>r' . From watching<br />
the 'Village Doc<strong>to</strong>r', I developed<br />
the interest in acting and made up<br />
my mind <strong>to</strong> be somebody like him.<br />
Talking about Olumegbon, I<br />
remember I usually go <strong>to</strong><br />
his“rehearsals and whenever I got<br />
home I imitated him, from there I<br />
respected him so much and he<br />
knew me before he died and<br />
men<strong>to</strong>red me. For Pa Ogunde, he<br />
inspired me from afar but I had the<br />
opportunity of meeting him and I<br />
eventually came close <strong>to</strong> him. He<br />
<strong>to</strong>o, taught me many things. For<br />
Ade Love, I learned from him<br />
physically. During his widely<br />
popular film 'Taxi Driver', I was his<br />
production manager. I was also his<br />
production manager on his other<br />
popular films like 'Iyani Wura', 'Ija<br />
Orogun' and 'Taxi Driver' part 2.<br />
They say Hubert Ogunde<br />
was an occultist<br />
That is a lie. He was a Godfearing<br />
person. He was a Christian.<br />
Our problem in this part of the<br />
world is that we mix up what is<br />
religion and what is culture.<br />
Religion is quite different from<br />
culture. He was a religious man<br />
who was trying <strong>to</strong> promote his<br />
culture. There's nothing occult<br />
about that.<br />
Who actually started the Nigerian<br />
film industry? Some people<br />
link it <strong>to</strong> Alade Aromire<br />
That is a lie. He was a<br />
God-fearing person. He<br />
was a Christian. Our<br />
problem in this part of<br />
the world is that we mix<br />
up what is religion and<br />
what is culture<br />
No, no, no, you cannot throw<br />
away celluloid .We have two<br />
formats in the film industry – the<br />
one we were shooting then and<br />
celluloid, because at that time we<br />
could not even get anything<br />
locally here , if you wanted <strong>to</strong><br />
do production , you had <strong>to</strong> go<br />
<strong>to</strong> America . You wanted <strong>to</strong> do<br />
post-production ,you had <strong>to</strong> go<br />
<strong>to</strong> U.K. I shot my first film on<br />
celluloid in 1985. At the time we<br />
were shooting there was no<br />
local equipment except you get<br />
them overseas .<br />
Which other technology<br />
was in vogue at that time,<br />
apart from celluloid?<br />
If they wanted <strong>to</strong> do television<br />
production, they used Umatic. For<br />
celluloid we had 65mm, 35 mm,<br />
55mm, 16mm. Ade Love shot on<br />
16mm. Alade Aromire started by<br />
experimenting. He did an<br />
experiment on home video using<br />
VHS . At that time, when the<br />
economy started crumbling, none<br />
of us could afford celluloid<br />
anymore. And if you raised funds<br />
by loan or by any other means <strong>to</strong><br />
fund your movie, how do you<br />
recoup your money ? Even as at<br />
that time there was no piracy or it<br />
was at the barest minimum. So, at<br />
that time, it was Aromire that<br />
started home video by experimenting<br />
because we did not have<br />
money <strong>to</strong> shoot on celluloid<br />
anymore. We didn’t believe home<br />
video would be popular. All over<br />
the world what was popular was<br />
celluloid but here, our economy<br />
made it difficult <strong>to</strong> continue using<br />
it.“<br />
How would you compare<br />
the industry of <strong>to</strong>day and<br />
then?<br />
The major difference is the issue<br />
of piracy. There wasn't as much<br />
piracy then as it is now. The<br />
second one is the issue of<br />
discipline; that seems <strong>to</strong> be<br />
lacking in the artistes of <strong>to</strong>day.<br />
Then, there was respect for call<br />
time, there was respect for<br />
location, there was respect for<br />
shooting of the video. But these<br />
young ones want everything on<br />
a platter of gold.<br />
Oga Bello<br />
How many English movies<br />
have you done ?<br />
Very few. The reason is simple, I<br />
don't get many invitations. I cannot<br />
speak for those people that did not<br />
invite me ,they have their personal<br />
reasons and I don’t want <strong>to</strong> go in<strong>to</strong> it<br />
so much, but I am sure if am invited as<br />
we are conversing now, I can express<br />
myself and I can interpret roles in<br />
English .Why they don't invite me is<br />
left <strong>to</strong> them .“<br />
But I saw Jide Kosoko in a film by<br />
Rita Dominic 'Damage' and in several<br />
other English films ?<br />
Yea , Jide Kosokodo normally features<br />
in English movies and I must<br />
confess <strong>to</strong> you, if you come <strong>to</strong> me and<br />
you want <strong>to</strong> pay 1 million naira for an<br />
English film and I have another script<br />
of Yoruba movie that wants <strong>to</strong> pay<br />
me 200,000 naira , I will go for the<br />
Yoruba film. The reason for it is simple,<br />
my culture and my language are more<br />
important <strong>to</strong> me than money. What is<br />
most important <strong>to</strong> me as an African is<br />
the promotion of my culture.<br />
There is this saying that<br />
Nigerian film industry started<br />
with 'Living in Bondage' and you<br />
have been saying that his<strong>to</strong>ry is<br />
not correct?<br />
It's a lie. If they say the film industry<br />
started in 1992 with 'Living in Bondage',<br />
what happened <strong>to</strong> the films shot<br />
before then. I shot my first film on<br />
celluloid in 1985, the second one in<br />
1987. Whether English or native, a<br />
movie is a movie. A Nigerian movie is<br />
a Nigerian movie. We own Nollywood<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether. If they want <strong>to</strong> mention<br />
Nollywood all over the country, they<br />
would say Nigerian movies. Forget<br />
about the medium of expression<br />
whether its Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba , or<br />
English. They know the right his<strong>to</strong>ry,<br />
they know it. Wole Soyinka shot Kongi<br />
Harvest in 1970. Bisi Daughter of the<br />
River is there . Abiola’s film, 'Dinner<br />
With The Devil' is there. How can they<br />
say film industry started in 1992.<br />
So, what do you think brought<br />
about this dis<strong>to</strong>rtion?<br />
It is their style. I called their production<br />
people and <strong>to</strong>ld them. If they<br />
invite Yoruba ac<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>to</strong> take part in their<br />
movie, they would say the accent is<br />
<strong>to</strong>o Yoruba. What is their own accent?<br />
Don't they sound Ibo in their own<br />
movies? What is their problem?
26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
By TOFARATI IGE 08068792241<br />
<strong>to</strong>faratiige@gmail.com<br />
Tiwa Savage signals<br />
reconciliation<br />
possibility with hubby<br />
...Solicits marital advice<br />
By TOFARATI IGE<br />
About six months after her<br />
marital squabble made<br />
the front page of newspapers,<br />
magazines and dominated<br />
discussions on radio and TV<br />
talk shows, it appears talented<br />
minstrel, Tiwa Savage, is<br />
ready <strong>to</strong> mend fences with her<br />
estranged hubby, Tunji Balogun<br />
aka Tee Billz.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> sources close <strong>to</strong><br />
the singer, her body language indicates<br />
that she’s ready <strong>to</strong> reconcile<br />
with her baby’s daddy. Already,<br />
there have been meetings<br />
between both families aimed at a<br />
peaceful reconciliation.<br />
Tiwa is also said <strong>to</strong> have been<br />
meeting with older couples and<br />
counsellors who have been advising<br />
her <strong>to</strong> give her marriage another<br />
chance in respect of the ‘for<br />
better, for worse’ vows she <strong>to</strong>ok at<br />
the altar.<br />
Our source who commented<br />
under the condition of anonymity<br />
stated that, “You can take my word<br />
for it that a reconciliation is in the<br />
offing between Tiwa and Teebillz.<br />
She has <strong>to</strong>ld people close <strong>to</strong> her<br />
that she misses Tunji, and she<br />
wants him back in her life. Also,<br />
as their son, Jamal (Jam Jam) is<br />
growing older, Tiwa wants <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
that he has a father figure<br />
around.”<br />
Speaking further, the source<br />
said, “Of course, she has also given<br />
a condition that Teebillz gets<br />
help so that all the issues that led<br />
<strong>to</strong> his public meltdown will not<br />
happen again.”<br />
However, there are<br />
also reports that Tiwa’s<br />
mom was badly hurt<br />
by the negative things<br />
Teebillz said about her<br />
on Instagram, but<br />
she’s ready <strong>to</strong> forgive<br />
and forget all because<br />
all she really<br />
wants is her daughter’s<br />
happiness.<br />
As a pointer <strong>to</strong> the<br />
fact that Tiwa is<br />
ready <strong>to</strong> accommodate<br />
her husband,<br />
she paused<br />
her performance<br />
last Sunday at the<br />
Three Thrones<br />
concert which<br />
held at the Eko<br />
Hotel and<br />
Suites, <strong>to</strong> seek for<br />
marital advice<br />
from ‘veteran’<br />
singing couple, Tunde and Wunmi<br />
Obe (TWO).<br />
“You’ve been married for so long,<br />
and you’re also in the limelight;<br />
how have you managed <strong>to</strong> keep<br />
your relationship intact for all<br />
these years? There’s a lot of pressure<br />
on young couples and I’m<br />
very jealous of you,” Tiwa said<br />
right on stage.<br />
The elderly couple responded by<br />
telling her that it is imperative <strong>to</strong><br />
‘marry the man you love, communication,<br />
the only third party in<br />
your marriage should be God.’<br />
Meanwhile, Teebillz’s whereabouts<br />
is been jealously guarded<br />
•Tiwa<br />
Savage<br />
and ex<br />
husband<br />
Teebillz<br />
like a high-value painting at a<br />
museum.<br />
His known friends in the entertainment<br />
industry have studiously<br />
maintained sealed lips in response<br />
<strong>to</strong> inquiries about where<br />
their friend is.<br />
But it was gathered that Teebillz<br />
is presently not in Nigeria,<br />
as he travelled out shortly after<br />
the couple’s fight in April. But the<br />
good news is that the hermit guy<br />
has reopened his Instagram<br />
page which he surreptitiously<br />
closed down in the wake of the<br />
marriage brouhaha.<br />
I’m not threatened<br />
by Tiwa Savage, Yemi<br />
Alade or anyone, Naomi<br />
Mac boasts<br />
BY ROTIMI AGBANA<br />
House One Records songstress, Naomi Mac, may not yet<br />
be a big name in the Nigerian music industry, but since her<br />
emergence as 1st runner up at the maiden edition of Nigerian<br />
Idols in 2011, there has been a great twist in her coin of fate. With<br />
six singles <strong>to</strong> her credit, Naomi Mac seems <strong>to</strong> be finding a fertile<br />
ground in the music industry. In an exclusive chat with Showtime,<br />
the singing sensation says she’s not threatened by any female<br />
singer, including the likes of Tiwa Savage or Yemi Alade<br />
who are ruling the scene right now. She made other interesting<br />
revelations on what she has been up <strong>to</strong> and why she collaborated<br />
with YBNL’s official producer, Pheelz, and on her latest single,<br />
Ori Mi<br />
“I’ve been scared of only one person and that person is myself;<br />
because I believe the sky is really wide, wide enough for everyone<br />
<strong>to</strong> take their place. Everyone is different and so if I s<strong>to</strong>p being<br />
myself then nobody will be me, so I don’t think I’ve any issues with<br />
the number of talented female singers in the industry. Tiwa Savage<br />
and Yemi Alade have their place and I have mine”<br />
On why she decided <strong>to</strong> collaborate with Pheelz, she said “I’ve<br />
heard him sing and I really love his production, so since Ori Mi<br />
has a lot of percussion and I knew that Pheelz does a lot of percussive<br />
work and also having listened <strong>to</strong> a lot of Olamide’s songs that<br />
he produced, I thought he would come good on the track. After<br />
producing the track, I had him sing on it for the first time and it<br />
•Naomi Mac<br />
was amazing, it was an amazing experience, trust me. Pretty soon<br />
I’m going <strong>to</strong> be compiling my album and dropping it.”“<br />
Yung Graycee keeps mum on<br />
alleged rift with Naija Ninjas<br />
By TOFARATI IGE<br />
Nothing much has been heard from<br />
female Naija Ninjas singer, Yung<br />
Graycee, in a while, and this has made<br />
her fans worried. This is coupled with<br />
the speculations that all is not well with<br />
the ‘Chukwuma’ singer and her label<br />
boss, Sound Sultan.<br />
As we are wont <strong>to</strong> do,<br />
Showtime reached out <strong>to</strong><br />
the singer <strong>to</strong> find out the<br />
true picture of things,<br />
but she refused <strong>to</strong> give<br />
a categorical answer.<br />
When Showtime initially<br />
put a call across<br />
<strong>to</strong> her, she complained<br />
that the network was<br />
bad, and enjoined us <strong>to</strong><br />
call back. We called<br />
again, but she said she<br />
was in a meeting, that she<br />
would call back.<br />
After waiting for hours without<br />
hearing anything from her,<br />
we called her again, but she refused<br />
<strong>to</strong> pick her call.<br />
However, the word on the streets is that all is not well in the<br />
Naija Ninjas camp, as the management of the label has not<br />
been funding and promoting her music career in recent times.<br />
This is allegedly what is responsible for the lull in her young<br />
career.<br />
Meanwhile, Showtime will keep following the s<strong>to</strong>ry, and will<br />
furnish you with relevant updates.<br />
I’m not pressured by<br />
Lil Kesh — Vik<strong>to</strong>h<br />
By TOFARATI IGE<br />
YBNL signee, Vik<strong>to</strong>h, was<br />
the one who introduced<br />
Lil Kesh <strong>to</strong> his label boss, Olamide,<br />
but the latter has released<br />
his music album, while<br />
Vik<strong>to</strong>h is yet <strong>to</strong> have an album<br />
•Vik<strong>to</strong>h<br />
•Yung Graycee<br />
<strong>to</strong> his name. As a result of this,<br />
many feel that there is a bitter<br />
rivalry between the both of<br />
them, but Vik<strong>to</strong>h says he is not<br />
intimated by Lil Kesh. In his<br />
words, “When it comes <strong>to</strong> music<br />
and what you love doing,<br />
there shouldn’t be any kind of<br />
pressure. I’m not under any<br />
pressure from anyone in my<br />
label, or even outside. I’m<br />
taking my time <strong>to</strong> bring out<br />
good stuff for my fans. I<br />
don’t like <strong>to</strong> rush, and I always<br />
wait for my time.”<br />
Hinting on when his album<br />
will likely be released,<br />
he said, “My album should<br />
be coming out next year. I<br />
don’t want <strong>to</strong> say much right<br />
now, but keep your fingers<br />
crossed because it’s going<br />
<strong>to</strong> be a different style;<br />
things you’ve never heard<br />
from me before.”<br />
On the inspiration behind<br />
his song, ‘Skibbii That,’ he<br />
said, “I was just playing<br />
around in the studio, and<br />
the idea came. Skibii is like<br />
my best friend in the music<br />
industry, so the song wasn’t<br />
a ‘diss’ at him.”<br />
Vik<strong>to</strong>h also has glowing<br />
words for his label-boss,<br />
Olamide. According <strong>to</strong> him,<br />
“Olamide is not just a boss;<br />
he’s a brother and leader.<br />
He’s a very wonderful person,<br />
and creative. He is also<br />
a good example for others<br />
<strong>to</strong> follow.”<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—27<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
28—Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
By BENJAMIN NJOKU<br />
Jonathan Butler performing<br />
alongside Mi Casa<br />
*Jonathan Butler on stage<br />
A NIGHT AT THE KAZBAH SHOW<br />
How Lagos jazz lovers defied rain <strong>to</strong><br />
keep date with Jonathan Butler<br />
By BENJAMIN NJOKU &<br />
CHRIS ONUOHA<br />
his is one great night <strong>to</strong><br />
r‘Te m e m b e r ! ’<br />
exclaimed Joe, an Afro soul<br />
enthusiast. Another enthusiast, Philip, a<br />
regular Island nightclub crooner felt the<br />
same way, “Real live music comes alive.’<br />
Indeed, that’s how best <strong>to</strong> describe the night<br />
show that rekindled the appetite of both<br />
old and young jazz lovers who thronged<br />
the Balmore’s Dome, Federal Palace<br />
Hotel, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria Island, Lagos, last weekend,<br />
<strong>to</strong> watch a jazz music legend, Jonathan<br />
Butler, perform some of his evergreen<br />
songs before them.<br />
It was not the first time, Jonathan Butler<br />
performed in Nigeria. But last weekend’s<br />
performance was something out of the<br />
ordinary. The jazz fusion guitarist and<br />
Grammy nominee <strong>to</strong>ok the audience <strong>to</strong><br />
another realm, performing hit songs after<br />
hit. It was a night of oldies and jazz music<br />
at its best.<br />
The soulful jazz crooner who hit the<br />
stage at about 10 pm put his powerful<br />
talent on display <strong>to</strong> the admiration of the<br />
audience. For more than one and half<br />
hours, the legend performed non-s<strong>to</strong>p on<br />
stage. And despite the heavy-downpour<br />
that almost marred the show, people<br />
were not in a hurry <strong>to</strong> leave the venue.<br />
They were busy dancing and singing<br />
along with the jazz maestro as he went<br />
on and on reeling out his old songs.<br />
Dressed in a majestic way, the jazz fusion<br />
guitarist stirred the already charged<br />
audience with Bob Marley’s “No Woman<br />
No Cry”song with a blend of Sowe<strong>to</strong><br />
fusion. His energetic performance tells less<br />
of his age, just as his high pitched vocal<br />
prowess kept even the night’s rainfall down.<br />
He later sang his “Grace and Mercy”which<br />
rose <strong>to</strong> the <strong>to</strong>p of the Billboard<br />
contemporary jazz chart and peaked with<br />
singles “Don’t Walk Away” and “I Stand on<br />
Your Word” among others. While his<br />
performance lasted, people were having swell<br />
time, jumping up and down.<br />
Butler confessed while on stage that the<br />
audience inspired his unimaginable performance<br />
just as he claimed it never happened in his<br />
previous performance in the country.<br />
Butler stepped on stage shortly after Mi Casa’s<br />
performance. The South Africans thrilled <strong>to</strong>o<br />
with inspiring love songs that won the hearts of<br />
many.<br />
Speaking backstage after his performance,<br />
Jonathan Butler could not hide his excitement.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him ‘I had an awesome time in<br />
Lagos at Smooth 98.1FM’s ‘A Night at The<br />
Kazbah’. It was amazing, I can’t wait for another<br />
opportunity <strong>to</strong> come back and do it all over<br />
again’.<br />
Butler, a native of Cape Town, South Africa,<br />
began his career nearly four decades ago,<br />
signing his first record deal when he was just a<br />
teenager. Since then Butler has seen success in<br />
the jazz and RnB arenas, with a particular focus<br />
on gospel music. His latest release, Grace and<br />
Mercy, rose <strong>to</strong> the <strong>to</strong>p of the Billboard<br />
contemporary jazz chart and peaked with singles<br />
“Don’t Walk Away” and “I Stand on Your Word.”<br />
He engaged the audience while he performed<br />
and they sang along with him. It ended in a<br />
drama. The singing was on and he urged all <strong>to</strong><br />
continue. The orchestration s<strong>to</strong>pped but the<br />
singing with the crowd continued. Everybody was<br />
charged and high with and in his music. The<br />
audience kept singing when the light dimmed<br />
and he walked away while the crowd continued<br />
singing. The show had come <strong>to</strong> an end but those<br />
singing would not s<strong>to</strong>p. They wanted more even<br />
as the illumination on the stage brightened and<br />
Butler was no longer there. It was simply amazing.<br />
“I don’t know what I’m still doing in this country,”<br />
a young boy who plays the keyboard said,<br />
apparently wishing he could learn the ropes<br />
under Butler. He left the hall a happy boy full of<br />
dreams. It was his first Jazz show and Butler blew<br />
him <strong>to</strong> the skies.<br />
‘I couldn’t have asked for a better debut<br />
concert experience’<br />
But it was vocalist and winner of The Voice Nigeria, A’rese who<br />
opened the night show with her vocal dexterity, signaling<br />
what the night was all about - ‘A Night at the Kazbah’ - more than<br />
just music. A’rese was in her element in what was in fact her very<br />
first live performance as a solo artist. She thrilled the crowd,<br />
opening the show with a beautiful rendition of Fela Kuti’s<br />
Palavar. She then went on <strong>to</strong> perform original songs from her<br />
reper<strong>to</strong>ire with the crowd cheering and dancing along. Her<br />
highlight was a soulful rendition of Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah,<br />
a performance that showed just how talented and versatile A’rese<br />
is as an artist.<br />
It’s a cultural exploration designed <strong>to</strong> bring good Nigerian,<br />
African and World music <strong>to</strong> the forefront of our consciousness and<br />
promote indigenous artistry. The rising act who was in her first<br />
major performance exclaimed, “I couldn’t have asked for a better<br />
debut concert experience. It was an honour and a privilege <strong>to</strong><br />
open for Mi Casa and Jonathan Butler. I was inspired watching<br />
them perform.” Presented by Smooth98.1Fm, this year’s “A Night<br />
at the Kazbah” was a huge success just as those who graced the<br />
show would not forget it in a hurry.<br />
A’rese on stage<br />
*Jonathan Butler performing alongside Mi Casa<br />
Mi Casa awesomely terrific on stage<br />
They are really the rave of the<br />
youthful moment. The soulful<br />
house trio held the audience<br />
spellbound with series of their tunes.<br />
They lived up <strong>to</strong> their reputation<br />
belting out song after song on stage.<br />
Their performance of the hit ‘Jika’<br />
was one of the highlights of the night<br />
as it got guests on their feet. The<br />
popular song raised the roof as the<br />
whole house s<strong>to</strong>od, giggling and<br />
waving <strong>to</strong> this celebrated song that<br />
has <strong>to</strong>pped radio chart in South<br />
African stations. The phenomenal J’<br />
Something, Mi Casa’s lead vocal,<br />
with his deceptive persona of white<br />
look and black heart was very smooth<br />
in gait as he blended Mi Casa’s<br />
songs with some Nigerian lyrics.<br />
This group seems <strong>to</strong><br />
understand Nigeria<br />
audience so well and<br />
lived up <strong>to</strong> their<br />
expectations by<br />
performing<br />
satisfac<strong>to</strong>rily with a<br />
blend of AfroSoul/<br />
Nija vibes. The<br />
youthful Mo’T, Mi<br />
Casa’s trumpeter is<br />
one guy you cannot<br />
phan<strong>to</strong>m its<br />
powerful notes as<br />
the young man<br />
handles the wind<br />
instrument with ease<br />
while rendering<br />
energetic stretched<br />
sounds. Dr. Duda,<br />
the groups’ mixer is<br />
equally wonderful<br />
and meticulous with<br />
mixes. Mi Casa! Mi<br />
Casa!! Mi Casa!!! Screamed the<br />
audience as the formidable group<br />
signs off their session with<br />
decrescendo miming of ‘Folake<br />
Gimme love o…!’ by Nigerian<br />
singer- Techno.<br />
Mi Casa lead vocal, J’<br />
Something who spoke <strong>to</strong> SideBeat,<br />
said, ‘Saturday night was absolute<br />
magic, it honestly felt like not only<br />
the first time performing in Lagos<br />
but it felt so new <strong>to</strong> us, the energy<br />
was real. Everybody was amazing,<br />
the production was unbelievable,<br />
it was really a dream for us <strong>to</strong> be<br />
here and finally get <strong>to</strong> show Lagos,<br />
what Mi Casa is all about…a<br />
huge thank you <strong>to</strong> Smooth FM.”<br />
Mi Casa performing on stage<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—29<br />
Just female<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber is breast<br />
cancer awareness<br />
month. Every year,<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 13 is widely<br />
recognized as No Bra Day,<br />
aimed at raising<br />
awareness of the<br />
importance of knowing<br />
how <strong>to</strong> carry out breast<br />
self-examinations, being<br />
able <strong>to</strong> recognise the<br />
symp<strong>to</strong>ms of breast<br />
cancer and encouraging<br />
women <strong>to</strong> partake in<br />
regular breast cancer<br />
screening.<br />
Although<br />
a<br />
controversial event in the<br />
eyes of some, National No<br />
Bra Day further aims <strong>to</strong><br />
raise awareness of breast<br />
cancer. Using the<br />
hashtag #nobraday o n<br />
social media and<br />
encouraging women <strong>to</strong> go<br />
braless for a 24-hour<br />
period.<br />
Every year new cases of<br />
breast cancer occur with<br />
many being invasive<br />
forms of breast cancer.<br />
No Bra Day encourages<br />
women everywhere <strong>to</strong> go<br />
without their bra <strong>to</strong> raise<br />
awareness for breast cancer and the<br />
challenges that those with it faces.<br />
No Bra Day was established <strong>to</strong> both<br />
raise awareness of breast cancer and<br />
its prevalence in <strong>to</strong>day’s society, as<br />
well as <strong>to</strong> drive opportunities for<br />
fund-raising <strong>to</strong> help keep the research<br />
moving. Do you know that 1 in 8<br />
women will develop breast cancer in<br />
their lives?<br />
The disease limits a woman’s view<br />
of herself, her ability <strong>to</strong> breastfeed,<br />
and can result in surgeries that<br />
include mastec<strong>to</strong>mies. Breasts<br />
primary identifiers of what makes a<br />
woman, visually, a woman, and<br />
having <strong>to</strong> have them removed in the<br />
fight against breast cancer can lead<br />
<strong>to</strong> self-image issues and depression.<br />
The idea of asking women <strong>to</strong> drop<br />
their bras for 24 hours is in solidarity<br />
with those affected. Women who have<br />
been through a battle with breast<br />
cancer often have <strong>to</strong> wear prosthesis<br />
<strong>to</strong> hide the fact that they’ve had a<br />
breast or breasts removed, and are<br />
unable <strong>to</strong> go without a bra as a result.<br />
By spending the day without a bra<br />
helps raise awareness and help <strong>to</strong><br />
prevent other women from having <strong>to</strong><br />
go through this experience.<br />
Why do women wear bras anyway?<br />
Normally, hundreds of millions of<br />
women wear a bra. Why? This was the<br />
subject of discussion at a function<br />
recently. In the course of finding an<br />
answer <strong>to</strong> this knotty question, it was<br />
discovered that, many women wear<br />
bras without ever asking why.<br />
Interestingly, bra wearing is not a<br />
necessity for most women for their<br />
breasts’ sake; rather, it is worn more<br />
for cultural reasons.<br />
The modern bra with its two<br />
separate cups dates back <strong>to</strong> the corset<br />
in the early 20th century, in an<br />
attempt <strong>to</strong> manufacture a more<br />
comfortable underwear piece and has<br />
evolved from simple underwear in<strong>to</strong><br />
an actual sexual garment that<br />
emphasises the sexual nature of<br />
breasts. This can be readily seen, for<br />
example, by the terminology used <strong>to</strong><br />
Day<br />
women<br />
left<br />
their<br />
bras at<br />
home<br />
advertise bras: enticing, hot,<br />
ravishing, seducing, etc. For<br />
most purposes however,<br />
wearing a bra is feminine and<br />
rather strangely, going braless<br />
is sometimes also connected<br />
with feminism. So why wear, or not<br />
wear a bra?<br />
According <strong>to</strong> experts, women’s<br />
breasts change sizes an average of<br />
five times over their life. That means<br />
that the bra size you wore when you<br />
are 20 now will no longer will fit you<br />
properly. And there is a good<br />
chance that the bra you are now<br />
wearing will no longer fit you in a<br />
few years. Skin, not muscle actually<br />
supports the breasts, and skin<br />
stretches with movement. Wearing<br />
a good support bra is essential <strong>to</strong><br />
minimise this stretching.<br />
To wear or not <strong>to</strong> wear, would,<br />
depend, first of all, on the breast<br />
size, and secondly, on the woman’s<br />
habits. It is known that very large<br />
and heavy-breasted women usually<br />
need <strong>to</strong> wear bras for support, and<br />
they feel pain and discomfort if they<br />
don’t wear bras. For women with<br />
small-<strong>to</strong>-medium size breasts, if<br />
they are used <strong>to</strong> wearing bras, say<br />
they feel a little uncomfortable<br />
without them. However, this is more<br />
a psychological issue and a question<br />
of habit: women tend <strong>to</strong> feel<br />
awkward or self-conscious without<br />
bras if they are used <strong>to</strong> wearing<br />
them. In fact, when a person gets<br />
Across the world,<br />
breast cancer is a<br />
problem only in<br />
cultures where<br />
women wear bras<br />
•Tight bras and under wires<br />
promote congestion<br />
used <strong>to</strong> au<strong>to</strong>matically wearing bras,<br />
it’s possible <strong>to</strong> not even notice or pay<br />
any attention <strong>to</strong> the slight discomfort<br />
from bras. There are arguments that<br />
as a woman, you may need <strong>to</strong> wear a<br />
bra because your bust has no muscle.<br />
When gravity pulls your breast down,<br />
it also stretches your throat and face<br />
tissue.<br />
Your breast depends on an outside<br />
source of support <strong>to</strong> keep its shape and<br />
the shape of your breast is determined<br />
by the bras you wear. Ordinary bras<br />
on the market <strong>to</strong>day are only covers.<br />
The woman’s bust must be lifted <strong>to</strong><br />
allow for proper circulation. Without<br />
proper support, lymphatic drainage is<br />
impeded, which interferes with cellular<br />
health. Breast disease such as cancer<br />
is more likely when there is no<br />
circulation and lymphatic drainage.<br />
Several medical experts argue that<br />
there is no evidence that wearing a bra<br />
brings any medical benefit. They say<br />
you could be putting your health at<br />
risk by wearing bras, researchers have<br />
warned. Surgeons found women are<br />
more likely <strong>to</strong> suffer regular breast<br />
pain, which has been linked <strong>to</strong> breast<br />
cancer. Across the world, breast<br />
cancer is a problem only in cultures<br />
where women wear bras. There is<br />
already international evidence that<br />
cultures where women do not wear<br />
bras are free of breast cancer. Tight<br />
bras cause congestion in the lymph<br />
nodes—a vital part of the immune<br />
system and the body’s first line of<br />
defence against the spread of cancer.<br />
Repeated inflammation from<br />
constricting bras are implicated in<br />
painful breast cysts and lumps, scar<br />
tissue develops, and milk ducts<br />
become plugged, all of which is<br />
associated with a higher risk of breast<br />
cancer.<br />
In one study, 100<br />
premenopausal women<br />
who went braless for<br />
three months and then<br />
returned <strong>to</strong> wearing one<br />
for another three months<br />
found that, on average,<br />
the number of <strong>to</strong>tally<br />
pain-free days went up by<br />
7 per cent when the<br />
women s<strong>to</strong>pped wearing a<br />
bras. Several separate<br />
studies have shown a link<br />
between breast pain and<br />
breast cancer. It is<br />
estimated that two in five women suffer<br />
from breast pain, with some also having<br />
cysts. The pain can leave breasts feeling<br />
extremely tender, and restrict<br />
movement. Breast pain is very<br />
common but very hard <strong>to</strong> treat.<br />
A study published in the European<br />
Journal of Cancer found that<br />
premenopausal women who do not<br />
wear bras had half the risk of breast<br />
cancer compared with bra users. More<br />
interestingly, Japanese, Fijians, and<br />
women from other cultures tend <strong>to</strong> have<br />
a significantly higher likelihood of<br />
developing breast cancer when they<br />
began wearing bras.<br />
Japanese researchers found bras can<br />
lower melan<strong>to</strong>nin by 60 percent.<br />
Mela<strong>to</strong>nin has anti-cancer properties.<br />
And Spanish researchers wrote about<br />
the use of melan<strong>to</strong>nin in breast cancer<br />
prevention and treatment. Go braless<br />
as much as possible? Most women agree<br />
it’s actually easier <strong>to</strong> do this. When<br />
these muscles and ligaments are forced<br />
<strong>to</strong> bear the weight of breasts, muscle<br />
<strong>to</strong>ne returns.<br />
Indeed, the more you wear a bra, the<br />
more you need <strong>to</strong> wear a bra. A study<br />
found that “medically, physiologically,<br />
and ana<strong>to</strong>mically, breasts gained no<br />
benefit from their weight being<br />
supported in a bra.” There was some<br />
evidence that eliminating bra use<br />
helped ease back pain. Some say bra<br />
wearing is a “false need.” A medical<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r (female) summed up this way:<br />
Remove your bra when you get home.<br />
Don’t wear a bra <strong>to</strong> bed. And if you’re<br />
self-conscious when going out, try<br />
wearing camisoles, thicker material, or<br />
nipple pads. However, it does make<br />
sense <strong>to</strong> wear a support bra while<br />
exercising. Wear loose bras in softer<br />
materials. Tight bras and under wires<br />
promote congestion and stagnation of<br />
<strong>to</strong>xic waste materials.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
30—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
08116759<br />
6759759<br />
Woman who wanted <strong>to</strong> be ‘world’s<br />
fattest’ is now losing weight<br />
– thanks <strong>to</strong> constant sex<br />
A<br />
morbidly obese mother who<br />
wanted <strong>to</strong> be the ‘fattest<br />
woman in the world’ has turned<br />
her life around – thanks <strong>to</strong> a diet<br />
of constant sex.<br />
Patty Sanchez weighed 51<br />
s<strong>to</strong>ne after going out with a<br />
‘feeder’ – who encouraged her <strong>to</strong><br />
eat 13,000 calories of greasy,<br />
sugary foods per day, and <strong>to</strong><br />
move as little as possible.<br />
But once they split up, Patty,<br />
Out of this world<br />
who lives in Nevada, met a<br />
younger boyfriend, Bryan<br />
Johnson, and has lost 19 s<strong>to</strong>ne<br />
with the help of yoga, weightlifting<br />
– and love-making.<br />
Patty said, ‘Bryan has changed<br />
my life. I’ve never felt love like<br />
this. He keeps me moving and<br />
active. Before I was <strong>to</strong>o fat <strong>to</strong> do<br />
anything but now I have my zest<br />
for life back.<br />
‘We have a very active and<br />
adventurous sex life – we can’t<br />
keep our hands off each other.’<br />
Bryan, a web consultant,<br />
added: ‘There are limitations<br />
because of Patty’s weight but we<br />
do what we can – I think that<br />
what we do get up <strong>to</strong> is probably<br />
<strong>to</strong>o kinky <strong>to</strong> say.’<br />
The couple met via a dating<br />
site for ‘Big Beautiful Women’ –<br />
which Patty signed up <strong>to</strong> after<br />
she split up with her feeder ex.<br />
Patty said, ‘We clicked right<br />
away. He likes bigger women<br />
and appreciates my curves, but<br />
he encourages healthy living<br />
and he keeps me moving.<br />
‘My ex would do<br />
everything for me. It got<br />
<strong>to</strong> the point where I was<br />
struggling <strong>to</strong> even walk<br />
<strong>to</strong> the bathroom and I<br />
realised that I was<br />
killing myself.<br />
‘My life needed <strong>to</strong><br />
change. Brian likes big<br />
women and we have a<br />
lot in common.<br />
‘I’m completely in love<br />
with this man. I’ve never<br />
felt love like this and I<br />
feel like Bryan has<br />
<strong>to</strong>tally changed my life.<br />
I want <strong>to</strong> get out and<br />
about so I can show him<br />
off – and I want <strong>to</strong> walk<br />
down the aisle.<br />
‘I don’t want <strong>to</strong> get<br />
married in a wheelchair<br />
– I want <strong>to</strong> stand next <strong>to</strong><br />
the man I love when he<br />
becomes my husband.<br />
Bryan said: ‘I’m not<br />
scared she’s going <strong>to</strong><br />
lose <strong>to</strong>o much weight.’<br />
‘Even though I have a<br />
preference for large<br />
women and that’s<br />
always been a thing for<br />
me, the reason I’m with<br />
her is because I love who<br />
she is not what she is.’<br />
A<br />
UGANDAN man has<br />
become an unlikely pop<br />
sensation after winning an<br />
event <strong>to</strong> find the country’s most<br />
unusual looking man.<br />
Godfrey Baguma, 47, a cobbler<br />
from Kyanzana, became was<br />
thrust in<strong>to</strong> the limelight for his<br />
severely deformed head.<br />
Now, his status as a local<br />
celebrity has led him <strong>to</strong> a career<br />
in African pop music with his<br />
music videos racking up<br />
3,000,000 views on YouTube.<br />
But the singer’s mystery<br />
condition has never been<br />
diagnosed and he was fearful he<br />
would pass it on<strong>to</strong> his eight<br />
children.<br />
After Godfrey’s health began<br />
declining, Tony Wilson, head of<br />
medicine at Mbarara Hospital in<br />
the western region of Uganda,<br />
decided <strong>to</strong> carry out tests <strong>to</strong><br />
diagnose him.<br />
Dr Wilson said: “He has very<br />
widespread abnormality in his<br />
head and pressing on various<br />
parts of his brain.<br />
“His posture is compressing<br />
his chest – this is why he’s not<br />
breathing well.”<br />
Six weeks after an MRI scan<br />
with Dr Wilson, Godfrey<br />
received the full examination he<br />
had always hoped for.<br />
He was diagnosed with a rare<br />
condition called Fibrodysplasia,<br />
which affects the growth and<br />
placement of his cells and tissue.<br />
With the correct medication,<br />
Godfrey’s health can be<br />
managed and, better still, he<br />
cannot pass the disease down <strong>to</strong><br />
his children.<br />
Godfrey added: “I was so<br />
worried that the doc<strong>to</strong>r wanted<br />
<strong>to</strong> operate on me. I feel glad that<br />
he just <strong>to</strong>ld me about my<br />
condition.<br />
“I feel so good and I have<br />
learned that I am a human<br />
being.”<br />
Despite his unusual looks,<br />
Godfrey is not the only man in<br />
the world living with a severely<br />
deformed head.<br />
‘’I am doing<br />
it because I<br />
love my<br />
family’’<br />
Katherine S<strong>to</strong>ne left Seattle <strong>to</strong><br />
work in one of Nevada’s<br />
infamous legal brothels after<br />
spotting an advertisement on<br />
Facebook<br />
A woman is auctioning her<br />
virginity for more than £325,000<br />
<strong>to</strong> help her family following a<br />
devastating house fire.<br />
Katherine S<strong>to</strong>ne, 20, left<br />
Seattle <strong>to</strong> work in one of<br />
Nevada’s infamous legal<br />
brothels after spotting an<br />
advertisement on Facebook.<br />
There, she is advertising her<br />
virginity for $400,000 - however<br />
she won’t accept a bid unless<br />
she feels a “connection” with<br />
the person.<br />
Her controversial decision has<br />
left some saying she should<br />
have sex for the first time out of<br />
‘love’, but she claims that is<br />
“exactly what she is doing”.<br />
Speaking <strong>to</strong> CNN , she said:<br />
“People say you are supposed <strong>to</strong><br />
do it for love. But if you think<br />
about it, I am doing it because I<br />
love my family.”<br />
S<strong>to</strong>ne struck up a deal with<br />
brothel tycoon Dennis Hof, who<br />
owns seven of Nevada’s legal<br />
bordellos, in 2015.<br />
Hof stated she could sell her<br />
virginity at his brothel - as long<br />
as he gets a 50% cut.<br />
Until then, she works at the<br />
brothel and offers nonintercourse<br />
services <strong>to</strong> raise<br />
money for her family who didn’t<br />
have insurance when the fire<br />
destroyed their home.<br />
And even after the sale she<br />
plans on staying on <strong>to</strong> work<br />
theirfor five years, at which point<br />
she will then leave <strong>to</strong> study law.<br />
She said: “I’m waiting for a<br />
man who I feel a connection<br />
with so that the experience can<br />
be special for both of us.<br />
“I have the right <strong>to</strong> choose<br />
what I do with my body. And in<br />
this troubling economy, do you<br />
blame me?”<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard,<br />
OCTOBER 29, 2016—31<br />
Vanguard’s foremost columnist, Bizlaw<br />
marks 83<br />
L-R: Mrs Aramide Hassan - Momodu , grandaugther, Mrs Aduke<br />
Olopade, daugther, Uncle Bisi Lawrence, celebrant, Barbara Lawrence, behind<br />
, Sade Okuboyejo, Ladi Okuboyejo, Fun<strong>to</strong> Okuboyejo and Ven Dr Dele<br />
Okunnuga<br />
Being 83 may be<br />
viewed by some<br />
as not being <strong>to</strong>o<br />
kosher, but when you<br />
are Uncle Bisi Lawrence<br />
of Vanguard, it is<br />
something bordering on<br />
extraordinary. At 83, he<br />
doesn’t sit on a reclining<br />
chair boring the young<br />
<strong>to</strong> death, he is an active<br />
columnist who still<br />
engages both young and<br />
old on trending national<br />
issues. Little wonder,<br />
Vanguard’s <strong>to</strong>p echelon<br />
sacrificed the whole of<br />
last Sunday <strong>to</strong> celebrate<br />
with him. Pho<strong>to</strong>s by<br />
Sola Oyelese.<br />
Vanguard’s Titi Jegede<br />
marries heart-thr<br />
t-throb<br />
Titi Jegede of the advert department of<br />
Vanguard, Abeokuta,Ogun State has married<br />
her heart-throb, Mr Kehinde Olorundare. The<br />
marriage <strong>to</strong>ok place at Breakforth Church,<br />
Osun<strong>to</strong>kun Avenue, Ibadan before the couple’s<br />
families, their friends and a good number of<br />
Vanguard’s <strong>to</strong>p brass. Pho<strong>to</strong>s Dare Fasube<br />
The newly-wedded couple; Mr and Mrs<br />
Kehinde Olorundare<br />
L-R: Mr Eze Anaba, Edi<strong>to</strong>r, Vanguard, Mr<br />
Ikeddy Isiguzo, former Chairman, Edi<strong>to</strong>rial<br />
Board, Vanguard, Onoche Anibeze, Edi<strong>to</strong>r,<br />
Saturday Vanguard and Mr Emeka<br />
Nkwocha, Advert Manager, Vanguard.<br />
L-R: Mr Muyiwa Olopade GrandSon , Mr<br />
Femi Lawrence Son presented a gift <strong>to</strong> Uncle<br />
Bisi Lawrence celebrant and Mrs Tolani Olopade .<br />
L-R: Mr and Mrs Funsho Oladimeji, groom's<br />
parents) and Mr annd Mrs Adebayo Jegede,<br />
bride's parents.<br />
L-R: Mr and Mrs Kehinde Philips, Uncle Bisi<br />
Lawrence, celebrant and Ven. Dr. Dele Okunnuga<br />
.<br />
Launch of Gionee S6<br />
phone in Lagos<br />
L-R: Mrs Aduke Olopade, daugther, Uncle Bisi<br />
Lawrence, celebrant, Mrs Vic<strong>to</strong>ria Ofaru and<br />
Muyiwa Olopade, grandson.<br />
Graduation<br />
L-R: Mr Fred Odueme; Brand Manager, Pas<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Ola Ajayi; Oyo State Correspondent, Mr<br />
Dare Fasube; Assistant Pho<strong>to</strong> Edi<strong>to</strong>r, Alero<br />
Atsimene; Deputy Advert Manager, Mr and<br />
Mrs Kehinde Olorundare, the couple, Janet<br />
Najomah; Deputy Advert Manager Weekend,<br />
Mr Emeka Nkwocha; Advert Manager,<br />
and Pas<strong>to</strong>r Temisan Amuka; Circulation<br />
Manager<br />
L-R: Sonoye Habeeb, Marketing Direc<strong>to</strong>r,<br />
Gionee Nigeria; Damilola Bolanle, Queen<br />
Dammy, Face of Gionee and Chen Lie, CEO<br />
Edi<strong>to</strong>r of The Pathfinder, Alhaji Abdulfattah<br />
Olajide (2nd from right) with his daughter,<br />
Miss Sakinah Olajide (right), his son,<br />
AbdulAzeez Olajide, and his wife, Alhaja<br />
Fatimah Olajide during AbdulAzeez's<br />
graduation ceremony at the University of<br />
Ilorin last Saturday<br />
L-R: Mr Babatunde Abimbola Ambassador,<br />
Barrister Abraham Ojo, Chief Babablola<br />
Kehinde Babson and Mr Najeem Soaga of the<br />
Sun newspaper.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
32—SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
juliecoker100@yahoo.com<br />
Why do I<br />
seem<br />
invisible<br />
<strong>to</strong> people?<br />
Dear Aunty Julie,<br />
Iam a 23-year-old lady with an<br />
issue that bothers me a lot. I feel<br />
invisible <strong>to</strong> most people and it has<br />
made me really suicidal and<br />
depressed. I feel that no one really<br />
wants <strong>to</strong> be friends with me and no<br />
one cares about me.<br />
Recently, I went out with my friends<br />
and we <strong>to</strong>ok pictures but when I<br />
checked Instagram , I realized that<br />
they have posted the pictures of three<br />
of them without me!<br />
It made me question our friendship<br />
in my mind. But I also feel like no<br />
one else cares either. It is always me<br />
who texts/call people for special<br />
occasions and when I don’t do it,<br />
people forget about me! It made me<br />
think that I might have some mental<br />
problem, like social anxiety,<br />
depression, or something else! I’m<br />
really shy and get anxious in most<br />
social situations. To the point that I lose<br />
my energy so fast. So I sometimes<br />
avoid social situations.<br />
I was much better as a kid. I was still<br />
shy around some not-so-close relatives.<br />
But I was okay in most other places<br />
and sometimes, I was shy at first, but<br />
not so shy when people started <strong>to</strong><br />
know me. I think it started getting<br />
worse after secondary school <strong>to</strong> the<br />
point that I can’t even look in<strong>to</strong><br />
people’s eyes when talking <strong>to</strong> them.<br />
I’m painfully shy and socially anxious,<br />
even around old friends that I<br />
sometimes meet on the street and<br />
usually, I don’t know how <strong>to</strong> start<br />
conversations, how <strong>to</strong> hold a<br />
conversation and what <strong>to</strong> talk about.<br />
I really feel jealous of loud and popular<br />
people who have lots of friends who care<br />
about them. But when I go <strong>to</strong> a social<br />
situation, I can’t be the real me. I can’t<br />
emotionally open up <strong>to</strong> people , I can’t be<br />
loud. Also, I’m really afraid of conflict, and I<br />
always try <strong>to</strong> be careful and not <strong>to</strong> do things<br />
that “might” bother people or make them<br />
uncomfortable.<br />
What should I do about this?<br />
Nneoma, Jos<br />
Dear Nneoma,<br />
There is nothing “wrong” with you! When<br />
we are feeling depressed or anxious, we<br />
tend <strong>to</strong> spend a lot of time caught up in<br />
negative thoughts. Our brains tend <strong>to</strong> latch<br />
on<strong>to</strong> the negative and sometimes we<br />
misinterpret different things that people do<br />
and say.<br />
When you have the thought that “no one<br />
cares” or “other people are better than me,”<br />
try <strong>to</strong> catch these thoughts and ask yourself<br />
if they are true and helpful. If you do some<br />
detective thinking, you may find that the<br />
thoughts that go around in your head aren’t<br />
actually completely correct.<br />
You said that you went out with friends and<br />
<strong>to</strong>ok pho<strong>to</strong>s but they didn’t post the pho<strong>to</strong><br />
with you in it. There could be many reasons<br />
why - maybe they didn’t like how they<br />
looked in the pho<strong>to</strong> with you, maybe they<br />
didn’t even realise that you would feel left<br />
out by that! Our negative brain can be quick<br />
<strong>to</strong> jump <strong>to</strong> conclusions, which aren’t actually<br />
true at all.<br />
You are very shy and so you aren’t spending<br />
a lot time talking <strong>to</strong> others, which then<br />
“confirms” the negative thought that you<br />
don’t have friends and no one likes you.<br />
Therefore, you continue <strong>to</strong> be shy and avoid<br />
talking <strong>to</strong> others.<br />
But the good news is that once you realise<br />
you are in this cycle, you can start <strong>to</strong> make a<br />
few changes that will help you get out of it.<br />
Learn forcing yourself <strong>to</strong> smile at someone or<br />
ask a question <strong>to</strong> someone sitting next <strong>to</strong> you<br />
in a bus or public places. It might not be<br />
instant, but keep persisting as you’ll start <strong>to</strong><br />
notice people positively responding <strong>to</strong> you.<br />
This will increase your confidence in talking<br />
<strong>to</strong> others and hopefully, will help form<br />
stronger friendships. Don’t pressure yourself<br />
<strong>to</strong> jump straight in<strong>to</strong> long conversations, a<br />
smile is a good start! Also, try <strong>to</strong> keep<br />
yourself busy with things you enjoy . Staying<br />
at home not doing anything can lead <strong>to</strong><br />
getting caught up in all the negative<br />
thoughts and feeling more and more<br />
helpless. The important thing <strong>to</strong> know is that<br />
you are never alone and there are always<br />
people who care.<br />
We are both itchy in our genital areas after sex<br />
Aunty Julie,<br />
A<br />
few weeks after my boyfriend<br />
and I had sex, we discovered<br />
we were both itchy in our genital<br />
areas.<br />
We postponed sex thinking it was<br />
just a yeast infection, his<br />
symp<strong>to</strong>ms being redness and a bit<br />
of bumps, mine being itchy<br />
redness.<br />
Two weeks later, we had sex again<br />
thinking it was cleared, because<br />
we were symp<strong>to</strong>m free and then it<br />
came back again. He has multiple<br />
bumps on and under his foreskin<br />
along with itchiness and redness. I<br />
feel slight itchiness and a little<br />
redness. What might this be?<br />
Jessica, Port- Harcourt.<br />
Dear Jessica,<br />
You may have been right in the first<br />
instance. It does sound a bit like a<br />
yeast infection but you need <strong>to</strong> treat it <strong>to</strong><br />
make it get better. You’ll need <strong>to</strong> see a<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r and explain your symp<strong>to</strong>ms,<br />
which is a bit embarrassing but the best<br />
way for them <strong>to</strong> know what <strong>to</strong> suggest.<br />
If you try this and it gets better, that’s<br />
probably what it was.<br />
I recommend going <strong>to</strong> see a doc<strong>to</strong>r<br />
anyway as you two should get a routine<br />
test for STIs, especially chlamydia, as<br />
well as make sure you’re using a reliable<br />
form of birth control.<br />
My parents<br />
fight a lot<br />
Aunty Julie,<br />
I<br />
grew up <strong>to</strong> meet my parents<br />
fighting a lot . I think my dad beats<br />
my mum for no reason.<br />
My mum cries everyday and I hate<br />
seeing her like that. It also affects me<br />
and my siblings psychologically.<br />
Sometimes, I feel like we are not like<br />
normal children or our family is<br />
different from other families. My<br />
social life is suffering and I fear I will<br />
grow up <strong>to</strong> be like my dad and a wife<br />
beater.<br />
I feel so helpless.<br />
Fabian, Lagos.<br />
Dear Fabian,<br />
That’s a terrible situation <strong>to</strong> be in.<br />
You clearly worry about your mother<br />
a great deal, and it’s not easy<br />
knowing what <strong>to</strong> do. It also sounds<br />
like you’re quite angry about how<br />
they fight. Sometimes, in<br />
relationships, issues come up which<br />
couples find difficult <strong>to</strong> agree on.<br />
There may not be easy answers, and<br />
sometimes, a compromise can’t be<br />
reached. Some couples find it helpful<br />
<strong>to</strong> get counselling <strong>to</strong>gether, <strong>to</strong> help<br />
sort out differences. You haven’t<br />
mentioned whether this is something<br />
your parents have done. If they<br />
haven’t, it’s really difficult as a child<br />
<strong>to</strong> suggest such things. I wonder<br />
though, if your parents know how<br />
upset you are over them fighting? If<br />
this is a conversation you are able <strong>to</strong><br />
have with either of them, it may be<br />
helpful as a starting point <strong>to</strong> look at<br />
getting further help.<br />
I do understand that you might not<br />
necessarily be able <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> your<br />
parents about these things. If so, you<br />
may find it helpful <strong>to</strong> get advice from<br />
someone you trust, like a family<br />
member or close friend. Sometimes,<br />
such people may have a different<br />
perspective on things, which could<br />
help you understand the situation,<br />
or they might be in a better position<br />
<strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> your parents.<br />
You said something about you turning<br />
out <strong>to</strong> be a wife beater like your father.<br />
That is why you also need<br />
counselling so as <strong>to</strong> live a separate<br />
life different from your father.<br />
You’ve talked about feeling helpless<br />
and having thoughts of killing<br />
yourself. It’s understandable <strong>to</strong> feel<br />
hopeless when faced with such a<br />
difficult situation. It might be a good<br />
idea <strong>to</strong> see a professional on your<br />
own <strong>to</strong> get some support.<br />
And do you ever get caught up in<br />
the fighting? The most important<br />
thing right now is safety. If you’re<br />
worried that anyone, you or either of<br />
your parents are physically<br />
threatened in anyway, it’s important<br />
<strong>to</strong> call the police.<br />
Getting married<br />
Getting married is like going <strong>to</strong> a<br />
restaurant with friends. You order what you<br />
want, then when you see what the other<br />
fellow has, you wish you had ordered that.<br />
Wedding ring<br />
At the cocktail party, one woman said <strong>to</strong><br />
another, “Aren’t you wearing your wedding<br />
ring on the wrong finger?”<br />
The other replied, “Yes, I am. I married the<br />
wrong man.”<br />
Cost of marriage<br />
A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how<br />
C O C K - T A L E S<br />
much does it cost <strong>to</strong> get married?”<br />
And the father replied, “I don’t know<br />
son, I’m still paying for it.”<br />
What it takes<br />
Young son : “Is it true, Dad, I heard that<br />
in some parts of Africa, a man doesn’t<br />
know his wife until<br />
he marries her?”<br />
Dad : “That happens in most countries,<br />
son.”<br />
True marriage<br />
Married life is very frustrating.<br />
In the first year of marriage, the man<br />
speaks and the woman listens.<br />
In the second year, the woman speaks<br />
and the man listens.<br />
In the third year, they both speak and<br />
the neighbours listen.<br />
Fools for love<br />
After a quarrel, a wife said <strong>to</strong> her<br />
husband, “You know, I was a fool<br />
when I married you.”<br />
And the Husband replied, “Yes, dear,<br />
but I was in love and didn’t notice it.”<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
MTNF delivering economic<br />
value, deepens empowerment<br />
on communities, orphanages<br />
It was few Nigerians who<br />
believed this initiative, MTN<br />
Foundation when it was launched<br />
initially. But <strong>to</strong>day the foundation has<br />
delivered a lot of economic value in<br />
Nigeria even as it continues <strong>to</strong> deepen<br />
its empowerment in communities<br />
which an orphanage in Enugu North<br />
is a beneficiary among others.<br />
Many youths from poverty ridden<br />
families had been granted scholarship<br />
<strong>to</strong> education while fire incident<br />
victims had been flown <strong>to</strong> abroad for<br />
surgery operations and a lot of<br />
survived with appreciation <strong>to</strong> the<br />
foundation. Different categories of<br />
people are <strong>to</strong>day managing their small<br />
and medium enterprises based on the<br />
foundation’s empowerment, just <strong>to</strong><br />
mention but few.<br />
MTN foundation despite economic<br />
recession has remained focused,<br />
resilient in empowering individuals,<br />
communities for poverty elevation,<br />
economic empowerment in Nigeria.<br />
Today the foundation has found<br />
Enekwe Ikem Theophilos, a corp<br />
member, serving in Enugu north with<br />
Government Technical College, Udi<br />
LGA as a teacher. In addition, Enekwe<br />
has passion for the less privileged in<br />
Udi Eke his native community.<br />
Before going for service, he could<br />
not withheld the passion of giving<br />
back <strong>to</strong> his society and one place<br />
where he really desired <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong>uch lives<br />
is the orphanage in his community,<br />
Nkolo-Ezi Umuneke Orphanage<br />
home, where the homeless and less<br />
privileged children in the community<br />
hope on for shelter and livelihood.<br />
Finally, a chance <strong>to</strong> see his dream<br />
actualised came through as MTN<br />
BUSINESS GUIDE<br />
•Theophilos with children living in orphanage<br />
Foundation was giving 200<br />
communities a chance <strong>to</strong> benefit<br />
from 200 projects across the six-geo<br />
political zones in the country and<br />
Enekwe quickly jumped at it,<br />
nominating the orphanage in his<br />
community.<br />
“I am from this community; I<br />
nominated this orphanage home<br />
because of the good service the<br />
owner and the proprie<strong>to</strong>r are doing,<br />
providing food and basic amenities<br />
for them. So when I got the news of<br />
MTNF WCWDT, I said let me try and<br />
see if this will help <strong>to</strong> improve the<br />
good service these people are doing<br />
for the orphanage.<br />
Luckily I got a call that we have<br />
been selected and all through the time<br />
they kept in <strong>to</strong>uch with me. They<br />
came for inspection and interviewed<br />
me. They gave us a lot of items last<br />
year December. We received 15<br />
foams, pillows, mosqui<strong>to</strong> nets and<br />
refrigera<strong>to</strong>r. Most of those items made<br />
the community <strong>to</strong> embrace what the<br />
orphanage owner is doing. People got<br />
<strong>to</strong> know more about MTN foundation<br />
through the programme and they<br />
were really appreciative.”<br />
When asked about the impact of<br />
the donation <strong>to</strong> the community and<br />
what he felt about nominating the<br />
orphanage, Enekwe said, “I feel so glad<br />
and honoured because the<br />
intervention made me a star in my<br />
community, although most people<br />
may think it’s <strong>to</strong>o good <strong>to</strong> be true,<br />
because of the high rate of fraud stars<br />
good number of articles educating Nigerians<br />
A on how <strong>to</strong> be a part time or full time selfemployed<br />
<strong>to</strong> increase personal earnings and<br />
become rich through animal farming have been<br />
published in this column <strong>to</strong> ensure that the pressure<br />
of unemployment in Nigeria is reduced through<br />
this sec<strong>to</strong>r. Good a thing it does not require much<br />
cash <strong>to</strong> invest before reaping your investment.<br />
This week is on Ostrich which belongs <strong>to</strong> the<br />
family of giant birds known as Struthio camelus;<br />
Ostrich is a wild bird that modern science has<br />
succeeded in domesticating. The Ostrich is the<br />
largest ever-living bird. Although flightless, the bird<br />
is able <strong>to</strong> take 3.5m (12-feet) strides and <strong>to</strong> run at a<br />
sustained speed of 50 km/h (30mph) for 15 minutes<br />
or more in short distance run, it may reach 70km/<br />
h (43mph) especially, when escaping from<br />
preda<strong>to</strong>rs. The head is small, with large eyes and a<br />
short, flat bill. Its body is covered with large, soft,<br />
loosely structured feathers that easily get wet during<br />
the rain.<br />
Ostriches are the only living birds that eliminate<br />
their urine separately from their faeces unlike other<br />
birds. Ostrich live in mostly desert, open country,<br />
where they feed on succulent plants like fruits,<br />
grasses, and leaves as well as insects, frogs, rat,<br />
lizards, birds and mice. The most common mating<br />
pattern in domestication is one male and one female<br />
in a family pair.<br />
THE BUSINESS<br />
An inves<strong>to</strong>r who really wants <strong>to</strong> go in<strong>to</strong> this<br />
business will need at least half plot of land. The<br />
land should be fenced only <strong>to</strong> prevent the birds<br />
from moving away on their own from the farm.<br />
The fencing can be made with blocks or preferably<br />
thick wire gauze as this allows <strong>to</strong>urist <strong>to</strong> see animals,<br />
which is the main attraction. The roof should be<br />
SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 29, 2016—41<br />
around. But I must tell you that it is<br />
a good initiative. I am an eye witness<br />
and I can stand anywhere and testify<br />
that MTN have changed the lives of<br />
people in my community and it has<br />
also affected me. I thank God for the<br />
good work he is doing through MTN<br />
foundation and I urge people <strong>to</strong> take<br />
advantage of this generosity because<br />
it is free and well meaning.<br />
The donation of valuable materials<br />
<strong>to</strong> Nkolo-Ezi Umuneke Orphanage<br />
home, is one of 200 projects in 200<br />
local Government Areas in Nigeria<br />
in the ‘What Can We Do Together<br />
Phase 1’.<br />
Following thousands of entries<br />
received under its “What Can We Do<br />
Together” initiative phase 2, MTN<br />
Foundation (MTNF) has begun<br />
verification visits <strong>to</strong> 1,085<br />
communities shortlisted across the<br />
country.<br />
The verification visits are geared<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards achieving a final selection<br />
of 200 successful communities <strong>to</strong><br />
benefit from the programme.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> the Executive Secretary,<br />
MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma,<br />
the MTN Foundation’s “what can we<br />
do <strong>to</strong>gether” initiative is a unique<br />
project that aims at putting smiles on<br />
the faces of individuals and<br />
improving the lots of Nigerian<br />
communities.<br />
Nonny said that ‘What Can We Do<br />
Together’ is a unique and remarkable<br />
project because it is meant for<br />
Nigerians and by Nigerians. “At the<br />
MTN Foundation we are pleased <strong>to</strong><br />
sustain and improve on the huge<br />
success recorded in the first phase,<br />
it’s heart-warming <strong>to</strong> see the<br />
eagerness with which Nigerians are<br />
willing <strong>to</strong> partner MTNF in its<br />
unrelenting commitment <strong>to</strong><br />
complement government’s efforts in<br />
infrastructure development across<br />
various communities in the country,”<br />
she added.<br />
“MTN Foundation targets 200<br />
communities in 200 local councils<br />
across the country <strong>to</strong> benefit from 200<br />
intervention projects, for the phase 2<br />
of the project, the foundation will<br />
focus on electricity transformer, borehole,<br />
school furniture and medical<br />
supply donations <strong>to</strong> community<br />
health care centres. The 200<br />
communities will benefit from 20<br />
transformers, 20 boreholes, 80 school<br />
furniture and 80 primary health care<br />
centres.<br />
Nutricima fights stunted growth among<br />
Nigerian children<br />
…launches Nunu Smart-Gr<br />
t-Growth Formulation<br />
In its bid <strong>to</strong> further combat malnutrition and stunted growth among Nigerian<br />
children, Nunu has unveiled its special smart growth formulation that delivers<br />
30% Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) nutrition needed for a child’s<br />
healthy living and growth.<br />
The new pack design for Nunu also unveiled at the launch of the Smart-<br />
Growth campaign complements the richness and quality nutrients Nunu has<br />
been known for over the years.<br />
Speaking at the launch, Marketing Direc<strong>to</strong>r, Mr. Kalyan Bandyopadhyay<br />
explained that the Smart-Growth formulation delivers 30% Recommended<br />
Dietary Allowance (RDA) <strong>to</strong> help children grow every day so that they can fulfill<br />
their potentials. “Nunu milk is rich in proteins and other vitamins which are<br />
essential nutrients required for children’s mental growth and development”.<br />
Bandyopadhyay stated that as a kid’s specialist brand, Nunu Smart-Growth<br />
Formulation seeks <strong>to</strong> address malnutrition and stunted growth amongst children<br />
which according <strong>to</strong> the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) can take<br />
variety of forms such as protein-energy malnutrition, iodine deficiency disorders<br />
and deficiencies of iron and vitamin A.<br />
“Nunu Smart Growth is endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)<br />
and according <strong>to</strong> recent studies, children between ages 7 – 12 years who are<br />
regularly exposed <strong>to</strong> nutrients offered by products like Nunu milk have steady<br />
growth and develop faster.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> the Dietitian Nutritionist of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Mrs<br />
Coates-Romoke Oludayo, “based on the latest data from UNICEF, an estimated<br />
11% of children age 5 – 8 and 1.7 million in Nigeria alone suffer from acute<br />
malnutrition while 40% and 10.1 million children in Nigeria are affected by<br />
chronic malnutrition. But with smart growth formulation, mothers can now be<br />
rest assured that their children will have access <strong>to</strong> all the nutrients they require<br />
<strong>to</strong> grow healthy.”<br />
Earning a living through Ostrich farming<br />
left open, as the bird cannot fly. It is<br />
also important that some tree shrubs<br />
are left in the farm, which could serve<br />
as sheds <strong>to</strong> the birds during hot<br />
weather.<br />
WHERE TO BUY FERTILE<br />
OSTRICH BREEDERS?<br />
Jovana Farms offers training<br />
services and materials for profitable<br />
ostrich production. One of the major<br />
challenges in ostrich farming is<br />
getting the right breed, and this opens<br />
up a golden opportunity for<br />
technically based company like us<br />
<strong>to</strong> fill this gap. We do not only provide<br />
good breeders of ostrich, antelopes,<br />
grasscutters, snails, etc. We also teach<br />
farmers how <strong>to</strong> manage them for<br />
profitability.<br />
FEED<br />
Mostly, Ostrich feeds on leaves,<br />
fruits, grains, small animals and<br />
tubers like cassava, coco yam,<br />
pota<strong>to</strong>es, yam and enough water.<br />
Today, we have very good feed-mix<br />
that can be formulated from<br />
feed mill centres <strong>to</strong> boost fast<br />
growth. Concerning<br />
mortality rate, as the largest<br />
bird in the world, Ostrich has<br />
the strongest body immunity<br />
<strong>to</strong> diseases more than any<br />
other bird in existence.<br />
After about 18-months, the<br />
laying of eggs start for<br />
domesticated birds,<br />
fertilization of egg is<br />
internal. A bird well cared for<br />
can lay up <strong>to</strong> 80-eggs in a<br />
year, and each egg is as big as<br />
children football.<br />
BENEFIT OF OSTRICH<br />
FARMING<br />
Although many people are<br />
unaware, Ostriches produce more<br />
meat than cattle and contains the<br />
least fat and calories of all meats<br />
(beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat and<br />
turkey). Because they are not as<br />
common as other meats, Ostrich<br />
produce fetches a very high price.<br />
They can be slaughtered between 8-<br />
18months. In a world that is more<br />
likely <strong>to</strong> switch <strong>to</strong> low-calorie and<br />
healthier meats in the near future,<br />
Ostrich farmers are positioning<br />
themselves <strong>to</strong> cash in the huge<br />
opportunity.<br />
Visit us at<br />
www.jovanafarms.com, E-<br />
mail:jovanafarms@gmail.com or Call:<br />
080 33262 808, for more details.
42—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Africa stars stage tribute for Manu<br />
Dibango, KSA, Papa Wemba, others,<br />
at Lagos AFRIMA awards 2016<br />
$2.6bn Badagry deep Sea Port will be turning<br />
point for economic growth—Ambode<br />
...Says funding for 10-Lane Mile 2-Badagry highway<br />
expansion at advanced stage<br />
By Olasunkanmi<br />
Akoni<br />
LAGOS State Governor,<br />
Mr. Akinwunmi<br />
Ambode on Thursday expressed<br />
optimism that the<br />
$2.6bn Badagry Deep Sea<br />
Port Project would be a major<br />
turning point that would<br />
go a long way <strong>to</strong> bring about<br />
global growth <strong>to</strong> Nigerian<br />
waters and by extension the<br />
nation’s economy.<br />
The Governor, who spoke<br />
shortly after another successful<br />
meeting with the<br />
executive management of<br />
APM Terminals (Maersk<br />
Group), represented by Mr.<br />
Morten Engels<strong>to</strong>ft, CEO<br />
designate of APM Terminals<br />
in Copenhagen, Denmark,<br />
on the advancement<br />
of the Badagry Deep Sea<br />
Port, said the project would<br />
also complement the emergence<br />
of Lagos as the fifth<br />
largest economy in Africa.<br />
He said the meeting, held<br />
alongside Chairman, APM<br />
Terminal, Apapa, Chief<br />
Ernest Shonekan, was the<br />
culmination of a process<br />
which begun as far back as<br />
2012 and which has been<br />
taken on with renewed<br />
vigour by his administration<br />
and has thus resulted in this<br />
significant foreign investment<br />
estimated at over US<br />
$2.6billion in<strong>to</strong> Lagos.<br />
“This port and free zone,<br />
situated on over 1000 hectares<br />
is expected <strong>to</strong> be the<br />
largest deep sea port in Africa<br />
upon its completion. The<br />
project will include a container<br />
terminal, oil & gas<br />
services and a liquid bulk<br />
terminal, with general cargo<br />
and Ro-Ro facilities,” Governor<br />
Ambode said.<br />
The Governor while lauding<br />
the inves<strong>to</strong>rs for staying<br />
the course with the project,<br />
expected <strong>to</strong> generate<br />
500,000 direct and indirect<br />
jobs upon completion,<br />
pledged his government’s<br />
commitment <strong>to</strong> ensuring the<br />
interests of the host communities<br />
alongside a sustainable<br />
regeneration and urban<br />
renewal of the area.<br />
Alluding <strong>to</strong> the fact that<br />
the project would be a major<br />
infrastructural development<br />
<strong>to</strong> the Badagry axis, Governor<br />
Ambode also confirmed<br />
that talks are well advanced<br />
<strong>to</strong> reach financial close on<br />
Lot 3 of the Mile 2 <strong>to</strong> Seme<br />
10-lane highway expansion,<br />
saying that it would in<br />
no small way complement<br />
the ongoing Badagry Deep<br />
Sea Port Project.<br />
The Governor, who said<br />
the Lot 3 would run from<br />
LASG/BCAN <strong>to</strong> employ 1000 graduates as Bus Conduc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
By Ebun Sessou &<br />
Obinna Mbajunwa<br />
HE National President<br />
Tof the Bus Conduc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
Association of Nigeria,<br />
BCAN, Comrade Israel<br />
Ade Adeshola through the<br />
Lagos State ministry of<br />
transportation said it would<br />
employ 1000 graduates<br />
from different Universities<br />
as Bus Conduc<strong>to</strong>rs.<br />
Comrade Adeshola in an<br />
interview with Vanguard<br />
also disclosed that the new<br />
policy of the Lagos state<br />
government under the<br />
leadership of Governor<br />
Akinwunmi Ambode is<br />
collaborating with the<br />
association <strong>to</strong> give Bus<br />
Conducting profession a<br />
new look.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> him,<br />
“presently Lagos state<br />
government through the<br />
Lagos State Drivers<br />
Institute, LASDRI is<br />
training and accrediting<br />
conduc<strong>to</strong>rs in the state,<br />
adding that after the<br />
training the graduands<br />
would be employed as Bus<br />
Conduc<strong>to</strong>rs and would be<br />
on the payroll of the<br />
government with a salary<br />
worth of N50,000 per<br />
month.<br />
“The objective is <strong>to</strong> make<br />
the job of bus conducting<br />
attractive, respected and<br />
dignified as obtainable<br />
globally”, he said.<br />
Adeshola explained that<br />
there is a project in the<br />
pipeline by the state<br />
government <strong>to</strong> change the<br />
face of transportation<br />
system <strong>to</strong> enhance security<br />
and also provide<br />
employment opportunity<br />
in the state.<br />
Speaking on the vision of<br />
the association, he said,<br />
since the establishment in<br />
2008, it has been working<br />
relentlessly with the<br />
federal government<br />
through the national<br />
assembly as well as some<br />
state governments <strong>to</strong><br />
establish its presence.<br />
Two Lagos housewives bath hairdresser’s<br />
face, breasts with hot water<br />
By Ishola Balogun<br />
A<br />
hairdresser, Taiwo<br />
Atunramu, is<br />
battling <strong>to</strong> stay alive after<br />
she was gruesomely<br />
attacked with hot water by<br />
two housewives. The<br />
incident which occurred at<br />
Igbogila, Ipaja, Lagos<br />
recently has affected her<br />
face, chest and mammary<br />
glands.<br />
The two suspects,<br />
Awawu Raimi, 40, and<br />
Temitayo Raimi, 42 were<br />
said <strong>to</strong> have invaded the<br />
shop of the hairdresser <strong>to</strong><br />
avenge the burns<br />
sustained by a daughter<br />
of one of the housewives<br />
while Atunramu<br />
(hairstylist) was making<br />
making her hair.<br />
According <strong>to</strong> her: “I was<br />
in my shop when she<br />
(Raimi), brought her<br />
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode<br />
(right), with CEO designate of APM Terminals in<br />
Copenhagen, Denmark, Mr. Morten Engels<strong>to</strong>ft,<br />
shortly after the Governor met with the Executive<br />
Management of APM Terminals (Maersk Group) on<br />
the Badagry Deep Sea Port, at the A.P Moller – Maersk<br />
Head Office, Copenhagen, Denmark, recently.<br />
daughter <strong>to</strong> do her hair.<br />
When I finished making<br />
the hair, I decided <strong>to</strong> use<br />
hot water <strong>to</strong> smoothen the<br />
tips of the hair.”<br />
In the process of putting<br />
the hair in the hot water,<br />
some hot water splashed<br />
on the girl’s shoulder and<br />
I quickly dropped the<br />
bowl of water and applied<br />
grease on her shoulder.<br />
The hairdresser said that<br />
when Raimi came <strong>to</strong> pick<br />
her daughter, she<br />
explained what had<br />
happened <strong>to</strong> the mother,<br />
apologised and refunded<br />
the money she had paid<br />
for the hair.<br />
She added that Raimi,<br />
who was not happy about<br />
the incident, went home<br />
and <strong>to</strong>ld her mate<br />
(Temitayo) what<br />
happened.<br />
Aturamu said: “I was<br />
Okokomaiko-Badagry-<br />
Seme, affirmed the commitment<br />
of his administration<br />
<strong>to</strong> providing an enabling<br />
environment for businesses<br />
<strong>to</strong> thrive in the State.<br />
On his part, Engels<strong>to</strong>ft<br />
reiterated the Group’s commitment<br />
<strong>to</strong> the Badagry<br />
Deep Sea Port and assured<br />
the Governor that all business<br />
streams of the Maersk<br />
Group would be involved<br />
in ensuring the success of<br />
the Project.<br />
closing my shop when the<br />
duo appeared with a big<br />
flask and all the same, I<br />
was about <strong>to</strong> apologise<br />
again, the duo opened the<br />
flask and poured hot water<br />
on my face, chest and<br />
breasts,” she stated.<br />
She was immediately<br />
rushed <strong>to</strong> the hospital by<br />
witnesses; she suffered<br />
injuries on the face, chest<br />
and both breasts.”<br />
Saturday Vanguard as at<br />
press time gathered that<br />
the matter has since been<br />
reported <strong>to</strong> the police and<br />
charged <strong>to</strong> court.<br />
The offence contravened<br />
Sections 243 and 409 of the<br />
Criminal Law of Lagos<br />
State, 2011. Section 243<br />
stipulates seven years<br />
imprisonment for grievous<br />
harm, while Section 409<br />
prescribes a two-year jail<br />
term for conspiracy.<br />
By Olasunkanmi Akoni<br />
THE performance<br />
stage of the 2016 All<br />
Africa Music Awards,<br />
AFRIMA, will come alive<br />
on Sunday, November 6 at<br />
Eko Hotels and Suites,<br />
Lagos, as African music<br />
stars have been lined up<br />
for pulsating and emotive<br />
tribute performances in<br />
honour of Manu Dibango,<br />
King Sunny Ade and late<br />
Papa Wemba, three of<br />
Africa’s renowned music<br />
legends.<br />
The jamboree with expected<br />
thousands of guests<br />
which is being organized •Late Papa Wemba<br />
in partnership with the African<br />
Union Commission, AUC, and the support of the<br />
Official Host City, Lagos State, AFRIMA 2016 grand awards<br />
ceremony will be preceded by The AFRIMA Music Village<br />
on Friday November 4, 2016, a non-s<strong>to</strong>p music concert<br />
with over 40 African artistes performing live at the<br />
Waterfront, Bar Beach, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria Island, Lagos in Nigeria.<br />
82-year-old Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone<br />
player Manu Dibango, is hailed for making an enormous<br />
contribution <strong>to</strong> African music as a whole. Nicknamed;<br />
‘The Lion of Cameroon’, Manu Dibango is recognised for<br />
developing a music style fusing jazz, funk and traditional<br />
Cameroonian music. His song “Soul Makossa” has influenced<br />
several popular music hits, including Michael<br />
Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, as well as his<br />
recording of that song with Akon, the Fugees’ “Cowboys”,<br />
and Rihanna’s “Don’t S<strong>to</strong>p the Music” and Comedian<br />
Eddie Murphy in his 1982 parody song “Boogie in your<br />
butt”.<br />
Artiste-in-Residence at the ObafemiAwolowo University,<br />
Nigeria, King Sunny Ade is classified as one of the<br />
most influential musicians of his time. The Nigerian singersongwriter<br />
and multi-instrumentalist and two-time<br />
Grammy award nominee is known for his pioneering of<br />
modern world music. His stage performance is<br />
characterised by dexterous dancing steps and use of the<br />
guitar. Papa Wemba, the late iconic musician from the<br />
Democratic Republic of Congo, who died at the age of 67<br />
on April 24, 2016 during a stage performance in Cote<br />
d’Ívoire, also pioneered a blend of African, Cuban and<br />
Western sounds which became one of Africa’s most popular<br />
music styles. Dubbed the ‘King of Rhumba Rock’, Papa<br />
Wemba was also a fashion icon who popularised the La<br />
Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la<br />
Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout<br />
the world.<br />
Lagos <strong>to</strong> plant over 12m<br />
trees in 4 years<br />
By Olasunkanmi Akoni<br />
LAGOS State Government has concluded plans <strong>to</strong> plant<br />
12 million trees in another four years.<br />
Commissioner of the environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare<br />
revealed that the state government planned <strong>to</strong> set examples<br />
<strong>to</strong> other states by planting between 600, 000 <strong>to</strong> one million<br />
trees yearly.<br />
Meanwhile, Sena<strong>to</strong>r Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Chairman,<br />
Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, has<br />
urged the Federal Government <strong>to</strong> establish an agency<br />
saddled with the responsibility of climate change challenges<br />
and issues in the country.<br />
Ibrahim made the appeal during the presentation of South<br />
West Ambassador of Nigeria Goes Green <strong>to</strong> Governor<br />
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, in Alausa, Ikeja, recently.<br />
The chairman stressed that the government also<br />
needed <strong>to</strong> increase public awareness, promote research<br />
and fund climate change projects in Nigeria for sustainable<br />
solution.<br />
Ibrahim, who was represented by Prince Ade Adewunmi<br />
identified persistent droughts and flooding, off season rains,<br />
dry spells and fewer water supplies as such fac<strong>to</strong>rs effecting<br />
climate change in Nigeria.<br />
To combat the effects of climate change, the Executive<br />
Secretary of Nigeria Goes Green, Mr. Dare Adenekan<br />
stressed the need for Nigerians <strong>to</strong> plant at least two billion<br />
trees yearly.<br />
He commended the Lagos State government for planting<br />
over 6.8 million trees in the last few years adding that the<br />
planet earth needs about 87 billion trees <strong>to</strong> curb the effects<br />
of climate change. Adenekan therefore, urged individuals<br />
and organisations <strong>to</strong> lessen the burden on the government<br />
by planting a tree in their respective houses and workplace.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—43<br />
have <strong>to</strong> be the one running for office, but either<br />
way I will be involved.<br />
Do you still dream of ruling Rivers state?<br />
The dream was never <strong>to</strong> rule, it was <strong>to</strong> lead.<br />
And lead by example. I do that every day in<br />
whatever capacity I find myself. It is not easy<br />
<strong>to</strong> engage with all kinds of politicians and<br />
come out clean. I believe I have done that. It<br />
is not easy <strong>to</strong> come from nowhere and make<br />
a name in state and national politics, I believe<br />
PRINCE TONYE PRINCEWILL<br />
I have done that. It is not easy <strong>to</strong> join the<br />
Nollywood family and make an impact, I<br />
Films or not, I<br />
believe we have done that and it is not easy<br />
<strong>to</strong> develop the business contacts we did<br />
without politics, yet again we have also done<br />
that. If politics has not allowed me show my<br />
capacity <strong>to</strong>day, one day it will in whatever<br />
capacity. Maybe I am bigger than just Rivers<br />
still dream of<br />
state or politics. Maybe my dream is <strong>to</strong> be a<br />
statesman. The country is short of them.<br />
How strong is this dream?<br />
I do not sleep for <strong>to</strong>o long, so<br />
I think I dream in<br />
episodes. And so far, so<br />
leading Rivers<br />
good. My dreams are<br />
going well.<br />
Fortunately I am not<br />
prepared <strong>to</strong> kill, maim<br />
or sacrifice human life<br />
<strong>to</strong> achieve my political<br />
state someday<br />
goals. So my ambition<br />
and my dreams are<br />
measured by the price<br />
I am prepared <strong>to</strong> pay<br />
for them. The dark<br />
ac<strong>to</strong>rs in Rivers state<br />
know that if I decide<br />
•Tonye<br />
<strong>to</strong> go down the path<br />
A<br />
Princewill<br />
of violence, neither of<br />
t 47 years of age, Prince Tonye Princewill has done many things that<br />
them would rest easy.<br />
many of his age mates dread <strong>to</strong> attempt. From running successfully,<br />
They know I am not<br />
Riverdrill, his oil and gas conglomerate employing hundreds of<br />
the one who would be<br />
Nigerians and other business interests <strong>to</strong> being the youngest guberna<strong>to</strong>rial<br />
afraid. But like the<br />
s<strong>to</strong>ry of the two women and King Solomon, I<br />
candidate in Rivers state elections of 2007 as candidate of the Action<br />
am not prepared <strong>to</strong> kill my people in order <strong>to</strong><br />
Congress of Nigeria. He was also Labour Party Governorship candidate in<br />
lead them. There has <strong>to</strong> be a line.<br />
2015. Recently, at the Toron<strong>to</strong> International film festival, Tonye and crew<br />
How do you assess Rivers state as well as<br />
s<strong>to</strong>od out as the movie 76 which he proudly produced was singled out for<br />
the south south in terms of growth and<br />
honors. He speaks on his unwavering interest in leadership of Rivers state<br />
development?<br />
among other issues.<br />
Not yet time <strong>to</strong> comment but I expected<br />
more. Then again that is compared <strong>to</strong> what I<br />
The next movie is<br />
know is possible. The leaders in power now<br />
are doing their best. A mango can not produce<br />
ou must be feeling happy about the recent<br />
Did part of your growing up prepare you for the about Boko Haram<br />
oranges. My job is <strong>to</strong> pray for our leaders<br />
Yexploits of the film 76 at the recent Toron<strong>to</strong><br />
latest moves you are making in entertainment?<br />
and hope that good can still come from them<br />
and we will go <strong>to</strong><br />
International Film festival. Why did you venture<br />
I believe it did. I was an all rounder in both arts<br />
<strong>to</strong> the many and not the few. Wike does not<br />
in<strong>to</strong> culture and entertainment as diversionary<br />
and science. My father <strong>to</strong>o. He made me read the Sambissa. We are<br />
take constructive criticism very well, you are<br />
or complementary <strong>to</strong> your political interests?<br />
entire works of Shakespeare aged 10 and my love<br />
either with him or against him, no in<br />
Both my political and individual interests are<br />
for film was <strong>to</strong>tal. In the university, we lived on also doing a<br />
betweens. So I have s<strong>to</strong>pped the need <strong>to</strong><br />
complementary but I notice many people often<br />
campus at Uniport and so The Crab which was the<br />
constantly give advice. Very soon I will break<br />
documentary as we<br />
wonder how come Princewill is making films. A<br />
home of Theatre Arts was a hangout for me from an<br />
down the s<strong>to</strong>ry so far with a detailed analysis<br />
closer inspection will reveal why. First, the films<br />
early age when school was not in session. The Ola speak which is<br />
of what he got right and what he got wrong.<br />
have powerful messages and all the messages<br />
Rotimi house was my second home and so I was<br />
Till then, constantly talking is not a habit. I<br />
are aimed at the next generation of youths. This<br />
exposed <strong>to</strong> the theatre and its allure before the world bound <strong>to</strong> open<br />
am not a fan of my own voice.<br />
is my fourth film and even though 76 is making<br />
of business <strong>to</strong>ok control in my life. That is why it may<br />
doors Nigeria has<br />
the most impact, the others will soon be making<br />
surprise others but I can explain my passion, my<br />
Do you think that the youths are clicking<br />
their impact very soon. That is the s<strong>to</strong>ry of my<br />
love and my dedication <strong>to</strong> film making and I know<br />
in<strong>to</strong> the message of self development like<br />
kept closed for over<br />
politics <strong>to</strong>o. I want <strong>to</strong> show the next generation<br />
that this is only the beginning now that we have<br />
you have always preached?<br />
that they do not have <strong>to</strong> wait for things <strong>to</strong> happen.<br />
seen the money one can make from film. 40 years<br />
Yes they are. Faster than I expected. The<br />
movement is alive. We can not continue <strong>to</strong><br />
Given a sincere passion and a driving<br />
determination, anything is possible. 76 is going<br />
Nigerians have come <strong>to</strong> respect Izuu Ojukwu for<br />
take them for granted. That <strong>to</strong> me is the<br />
<strong>to</strong> Toron<strong>to</strong> and London Film festivals back <strong>to</strong> back,<br />
his creativity..How did you meet him?<br />
definition of success in our political sphere.<br />
Haha!! But I am new. So what do I know?<br />
the first for a Nollywood film made in Nigeria by<br />
A mutual friend who is the co-executive producer<br />
Seeds have been sown.<br />
My little experience tells me that there is a<br />
Nigerians for the international community. As we<br />
on 76, Adonai Owiriwa brought him <strong>to</strong> my attention<br />
Good question. Let me answer it this way.<br />
time for everything. Nigerian film aka<br />
are proud <strong>to</strong> export our entertainment, one day<br />
after I decided <strong>to</strong> get involved in my first project. It<br />
We have moved forward but we have left <strong>to</strong>o<br />
Nollywood has done what it did with little or<br />
we will be proud <strong>to</strong> export our politics. It’s all about<br />
was a movie that highlighted the plight of orphanages<br />
many people behind. That is why celebrating<br />
no organised pro-active support from<br />
sending a positive message of Nigeria.<br />
in the country and the role of individuals and<br />
it is not second nature for Nigerians. The<br />
government in making miracles happen. For the first government or the private sec<strong>to</strong>r. Charity begins grass is always greener on the other side so<br />
at home. Before you present your best outside,<br />
What did you specifically learn from Toron<strong>to</strong><br />
time I met someone who was more interested in his<br />
we are bound <strong>to</strong> have many who complain<br />
things need <strong>to</strong> be put in order inside. My<br />
as regards the art and technology in film making<br />
art than in money and who let his work do the talking.<br />
for the sake of it. But there are <strong>to</strong>o many<br />
immediate assessment is we are not yet serious<br />
and its distribution?<br />
Found out later that we both grew up in Jos and<br />
genuine patriots who expected far better from<br />
about the things we need <strong>to</strong> be serious about.<br />
Toron<strong>to</strong> was a confirmation of what I suspected<br />
were both driven by the same passion for excellence.<br />
us this far in<strong>to</strong> our independence and they<br />
Four industries in spite of the challenges of<br />
all along. There is a hunger for the Nigerian<br />
I call him the Spielberg of Nigerian film and as far<br />
are not unreasonable. Our leaders have let<br />
Nigeria have demonstrated that they can<br />
experience. If well packaged, Nigerian films can<br />
as good guys go, Izu is up there with the best. This<br />
us down. His<strong>to</strong>ry and God will not be <strong>to</strong>o kind<br />
produce world beaters. Religion, banking ,<br />
make money. Even before we arrived Toron<strong>to</strong> we<br />
is our second project <strong>to</strong>gether and in each we have<br />
<strong>to</strong> us. Your only redemption is <strong>to</strong> show your<br />
music and film. The last two are often grouped<br />
had already secured 300% on our investment. The<br />
tackled issues that will make the next generation<br />
track record. Corruption needs <strong>to</strong> be<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether as entertainment.<br />
movie had not even be released yet. Is that not<br />
think. Nnenda was about orphanages, 76 is about<br />
addressed head on but we must be able <strong>to</strong><br />
talk and walk at the same time. Fiscal<br />
good business? I brought my business acumen,<br />
women and things people miss when they read only<br />
How do you think that these problems will discipline, creating the environment for<br />
my political contacts and an ability <strong>to</strong> identify a<br />
the headlines. Izu made all the difference. He also<br />
be solved?<br />
growth, security in the Niger Delta especially<br />
good team <strong>to</strong> create a winning formula that makes<br />
doubled as producer <strong>to</strong>o.<br />
When the government and the private sec<strong>to</strong>r and the promotion of a positive identity are<br />
this business more profitable than oil. My first<br />
step up <strong>to</strong> the plate. There have been many crucial if we want <strong>to</strong> crack the No 1 problem<br />
degree was in Petroleum Engineering, my second<br />
On the film 76…you must have been <strong>to</strong>uched by<br />
attempts at it but they keep falling short. What in Nigeria - JOBS.<br />
degree was in Mineral resources Engineering, I<br />
the s<strong>to</strong>ry…?<br />
is needed is not rocket science. It is simple<br />
made my money from Information technology and<br />
Yes I was. Deeply. Watched it the first five times<br />
demand and supply. Everything else is finer Nigeria is agog with the arrests of judges<br />
project management but here I am now investing<br />
and cried every single time even though I knew what<br />
detail. If you don’t know where you are going, especially as it happened in Port<br />
in film. Toron<strong>to</strong> has shown my team and I that<br />
was going <strong>to</strong> happen. After a while I suspected it<br />
how can you get there? We need <strong>to</strong> set targets, Harcourt..any comments?<br />
film is a universal language and given a chance,<br />
was the money we spent that made me cry because<br />
agree on what we define as collective success As for the affair with judges and my view<br />
Nigerians can influence the world and create their<br />
since we signed our deal in Toron<strong>to</strong>, I have watched<br />
and work <strong>to</strong>wards it. My brief entry in<strong>to</strong> the on it, why does everyone feel the need <strong>to</strong><br />
own s<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
it three times and it hasn’t been so bad. Having said,<br />
that the original version has been modified for film industry tells me the potential here is huge. comment? By default, I am inclined <strong>to</strong> look<br />
Film is the new oil.<br />
before I speak. I shudder at people who rise<br />
Your interest in the murky and volatile climate<br />
festival audiences and made less dramatic. Oyibo<br />
aggressively <strong>to</strong> defend the judges or the DSS<br />
of entertainment must be long time because I<br />
people do not like <strong>to</strong>o much drama. We are yet <strong>to</strong><br />
Can they even ever be solved?<br />
and ask myself two questions.<br />
recall your involvement in Delyork. No one<br />
decide which version we will show Nigerians on<br />
Yes. They can. And they will. If not this What if either side is wrong and how well<br />
invests in culture without strong passion…<br />
November the 25th. Either way I believe they <strong>to</strong>o<br />
government, then the next. The recent initiative do I know the law? If it turns out the<br />
That is correct. I have invested in films all along<br />
will be <strong>to</strong>uched no matter which version they watch.<br />
that Tony Elumelu and the Federal Government government over reached it self, nobody is<br />
from scholarships <strong>to</strong> internships and also <strong>to</strong> skills<br />
signed <strong>to</strong> partner with the film industry is a better equipped <strong>to</strong> get justice than judges. If<br />
acquisition. I try <strong>to</strong> give back in a guided way.<br />
I hear you have more films in the pipeline<br />
sign that this government recognizes things however the federal government is right that<br />
Free food is not always good so I match effort with<br />
Yes. The next movie is about Boko Haram and we<br />
are happening. One must be optimistic. they have a case and have exposed the mother<br />
reward. Many of my scholars have gone on <strong>to</strong><br />
will go <strong>to</strong> Sambissa. We are also doing a documentary<br />
Nothing employs like film. One day somebody of all corruptions, let us thank our God and<br />
transform their places of work. I was pleased <strong>to</strong><br />
as we speak which is bound <strong>to</strong> open doors Nigeria<br />
important will get it.<br />
see where the s<strong>to</strong>ry will end. Talk about the<br />
see one of my scholars also in Toron<strong>to</strong> acting in<br />
has kept closed for over 40 years. But in everything<br />
time of arrest, whether they can arrest,<br />
one of the best documentaries we have made,<br />
we do, we do it with wisdom and care. The unity of<br />
One wonders what becomes of your warrants and rights can leave the best lawyers<br />
Green white Green. I don’t want anything back<br />
Nigeria is paramount. I see our differences as worthy<br />
political career now you have entered arguing for and against forever. Me and the<br />
from them except that they remember they are<br />
of celebration and not a cause for conflict. Fear should<br />
Nollywood with utmost vigor?<br />
people I care about have school fees issues,<br />
Nigerians and that Nigeria is full of good people.<br />
not rule us, love needs <strong>to</strong> start winning. I am glad <strong>to</strong><br />
My political career is intact. Good people exchange rate issues and health problems <strong>to</strong><br />
Find them and help them. If we had more Tonye<br />
be in the midst of an industry that can make and is<br />
are becoming more and more critical <strong>to</strong> move address.<br />
Princewills down their bit, the difference would<br />
making a difference.<br />
Nigeria forward. When Nigerians realise we Let the judges and the government sort<br />
be visible in no time. I believe they are there, out<br />
cannot continue like this, they will look for themselves out. What is clear though is that<br />
there, even better than me.<br />
You will always say you are new….what do you<br />
see as problems of African especially Nigerian films people like us or younger versions <strong>to</strong> exhibit stealing will no longer be like it was before<br />
making it at world stage?<br />
excellence and <strong>to</strong>ughness combined. I do not and that is a good thing.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
44—SATURD<br />
TURDAY Vanguard,<br />
OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
When the Nigeria Football<br />
Federation (NFF)<br />
appointed Gernot Rohr, the<br />
former Bayern Munich and Bordeaux<br />
defender, as the new manager of the<br />
Super Eagles, I was less than<br />
enamoured with the appointment.<br />
With stints in Niger, Burkina Faso<br />
and Gabon forming the bulk of the<br />
German’s national team<br />
management experience, I<br />
wondered how that qualified him <strong>to</strong><br />
take on the biggest job in African<br />
football and certainly one of the most<br />
difficult in the world.<br />
That the 63-year-old <strong>to</strong>ok over the<br />
national team after the NFF made a<br />
dog’s breakfast of recruiting Paul Le<br />
Guen, Cameroon’s manager at the<br />
2010 World Cup, did not help matters<br />
either.<br />
Anyone aware of my position on the<br />
current NFF leadership, led by<br />
Amaju Pinnick, will be acutely aware<br />
that I have been a trenchant critic of<br />
the sharp nosedive that Nigerian<br />
football has taken, since he and his<br />
executive committee members <strong>to</strong>ok<br />
over the administrative reins in<br />
2014.<br />
But a conversation with Hardy<br />
Hasselbruch, an old friend in<br />
Nuremburg and professional<br />
colleague at Kicker, Germany’s <strong>to</strong>p<br />
football magazine - which I<br />
occasionally write for - opened the<br />
door <strong>to</strong> my change of mind, on<br />
Gernot’s suitability for the job.<br />
“As a coach, he has sound<br />
knowledge of the game and has a<br />
strong personality. But what is even<br />
more important, Gernot is a very<br />
decent human being,” Hardy <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
me.<br />
osasuo@yahoo.com<br />
A chat about (and with) Gernot<br />
If he is<br />
allowed <strong>to</strong> do<br />
his job, in the<br />
way that I<br />
know he can<br />
do it, he will<br />
be successful<br />
in Nigeria<br />
“I am quite surprised that he has<br />
taken on the Nigeria job, knowing<br />
that many coaches before him<br />
worked without being paid their<br />
salary,” he laughed.<br />
“If he is allowed <strong>to</strong> do his job, in<br />
the way that I know he can do it, he<br />
will be successful in Nigeria.”<br />
Another person with knowledge of<br />
Rohr, owing <strong>to</strong> the German’s playing<br />
and coaching experience with<br />
Bordeaux, is my Paris-based friend,<br />
Frank Simon of France<br />
Football, whose expertise on African<br />
football – and the game in general -<br />
I respect greatly.<br />
“As a coach, he was a good call for<br />
many clubs. He is not a bigmouth<br />
and a very humble person.”<br />
Hardy put me in <strong>to</strong>uch with Gernot<br />
before he signed a deal with the NFF,<br />
leading <strong>to</strong> a subsequent exchange of<br />
messages, until we finally had a oneon-one<br />
conversation at the Abuja<br />
National Stadium on Wednesday,<br />
5th Oc<strong>to</strong>ber, for the BBC World<br />
Service, a few days before Nigeria’s<br />
World Cup qualifier in Zambia.<br />
It left me impressed for several<br />
reasons.<br />
First, Gernot is as eager <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong><br />
the 2018 World Cup as Nigeria.<br />
Despite being a well-respected<br />
defender in Europe, during his 17-<br />
year playing career, Gernot never<br />
made it <strong>to</strong> the game’s premier<br />
<strong>to</strong>urnament.<br />
“Going <strong>to</strong> the World Cup is why I<br />
accepted this very exciting challenge<br />
with Nigeria,” he <strong>to</strong>ld me. “I would<br />
like my team <strong>to</strong> play against<br />
Germany.<br />
“I have already coached at the<br />
Nations Cup with two countries and<br />
I’ve also had the chance [at<br />
Bordeaux] <strong>to</strong> coach Zinedine<br />
Zidane, one of the biggest players<br />
in the world.<br />
“And I played with Franz<br />
Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller<br />
[whilst he was at Bayern]. I am<br />
missing that feeling and I thought<br />
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—45<br />
Gernot Rohr<br />
that by coming here, I could get it<br />
back.<br />
“The passion for football is very big<br />
here. Nigeria is a big football<br />
country. It is an honour for me <strong>to</strong><br />
coach this team.<br />
“We have <strong>to</strong> work at the <strong>to</strong>p level,<br />
all the time… The players must be<br />
conscientious about their<br />
responsibility, <strong>to</strong> be here for the<br />
country. It is a bigger responsibility<br />
than when they are at their clubs,<br />
because they are representing 180<br />
million people.”<br />
Another revelation that left a<br />
positive impression is the fact he<br />
claims money is a “secondary thing”<br />
<strong>to</strong> him.<br />
“I am here <strong>to</strong> coach a team. The<br />
salary is secondary,” Rohr insists.<br />
“I was, for 17 years, a professional<br />
player with Bayern Munich and<br />
Bordeaux. Money is not my problem.<br />
Even if the salary is not coming<br />
immediately, I am not hungry. I can<br />
eat.”<br />
That attitude could come in handy,<br />
especially with an employer known<br />
for its abysmal record in not promptly<br />
paying wages <strong>to</strong> its employees, as<br />
Samson Siasia can readily attest <strong>to</strong>.<br />
An insistence that his Nigerian<br />
assistants - Salisu Yusuf and<br />
goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu - be<br />
given improved contracts, also<br />
attests <strong>to</strong> his decency and that he<br />
understands a harmonious team<br />
environment is required <strong>to</strong> achieve<br />
World Cup qualification.<br />
But it is having the backbone <strong>to</strong> be<br />
unbending, when it comes <strong>to</strong><br />
enforcing the professional<br />
management of the Super Eagles’<br />
World Cup campaign - a huge<br />
problem in the past – that will be<br />
critical for Gernot.<br />
He will have <strong>to</strong> be extremely firm,<br />
uncompromising even, <strong>to</strong> ensure the<br />
high standards he is demanding are<br />
met during a lengthy qualifying<br />
campaign.<br />
Clemens Westerhof, Nigeria’s most<br />
successful foreign manager, once<br />
<strong>to</strong>ld me that <strong>to</strong> succeed with the<br />
Super Eagles, he had <strong>to</strong> have “the<br />
skin of an elephant” on his back.<br />
Gernot will certainly need <strong>to</strong> borrow<br />
a leaf – or a <strong>to</strong>ugh hide, rather – from<br />
Clemens, if he is <strong>to</strong> accomplish his<br />
mission.<br />
I hope Gernot has a successful<br />
sojourn with us. The alternative for<br />
Nigeria – not qualifying for Russia<br />
and missing out on international<br />
<strong>to</strong>urnament football for six successive<br />
years – is a prospect <strong>to</strong>o frightening<br />
<strong>to</strong> contemplate.<br />
For more of my reports and<br />
feature pieces, go <strong>to</strong><br />
FootballIsAfrica.com
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
46— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
NFF pays Siasia,<br />
keeps assistants<br />
waiting<br />
The Nigeria Football<br />
Federation (NFF) has<br />
paid Samson Siasia all his<br />
outstanding salary but is yet<br />
<strong>to</strong> pay his assistant coaches,<br />
comprising David Ngodigha,<br />
Fatai Amoo and Monday<br />
Odigie.<br />
Siasia and his coaching<br />
crew, performed what seemed<br />
a miracle at the last Rio<br />
Olympic Games, winning<br />
bronze in the men's soccer<br />
event, which was the only<br />
medal won by Team Nigeria<br />
contingent at the Games.<br />
The plights of the Siasia's<br />
side before their trip <strong>to</strong> Brazil<br />
for the Games were well<br />
documented that even the<br />
international media,<br />
comprising CNN, BBC and<br />
Sports Illustrated highlighted<br />
how the team were being<br />
prepared for failure<br />
But against all odds, the<br />
technical crew did not allow<br />
their problems <strong>to</strong> distract<br />
them from putting up a<br />
befitting performance as they<br />
reached the semifinals, where<br />
they lost <strong>to</strong> eventual<br />
champions, Germany.<br />
But for all their pains and<br />
<strong>to</strong>ils, the coaches, who<br />
assisted Siasia <strong>to</strong> achieve this<br />
great feat are yet <strong>to</strong> receive<br />
their outstanding salary, even<br />
when Siasia has gotten his<br />
salary.<br />
An insider in the NFF <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
us last night that the Amaju<br />
Pinnick-controlled Executive<br />
Committee has paid Siasia his<br />
wages, leaving his assistants<br />
in the cold, as far as their<br />
remuneration is concerned.<br />
We learnt that Siasia's<br />
assistants were not happy<br />
with the development, that<br />
has left put a lot of financial<br />
stress on them, a trend that<br />
brings <strong>to</strong> the fore the manmade<br />
problems coaches face<br />
in Nigeria<br />
Eagles gather<br />
momentum<br />
against<br />
Algeria<br />
By John Egbokhan<br />
With about two weeks <strong>to</strong> the<br />
Russia 2018 World Cup<br />
qualifier between Super Eagles<br />
and the Desert Foxes, the momentum<br />
is swinging in Nigeria’s<br />
direction <strong>to</strong> get the three points<br />
in the game holding in Uyo,<br />
Akwa Ibom State..<br />
Eagles <strong>to</strong>p the group, which<br />
also include Cameroon and<br />
Zambia, after one round of<br />
matches held earlier in the<br />
month, with another win in the<br />
next match set <strong>to</strong> take them five<br />
points clear of the Algerians, who<br />
were held <strong>to</strong> a 1-1 draw by the<br />
Indomitable Lions in Bilda.<br />
In a group of four former AF-<br />
CON champions, the stakes are<br />
high as the battle-line has been<br />
drawn as teams attempt <strong>to</strong> outwit<br />
each other for the right <strong>to</strong><br />
pick the sole ticket <strong>to</strong> play in Russia<br />
2018.<br />
For Nigeria, there is an increased<br />
sense of urgency <strong>to</strong> qualify<br />
for the next World Cup, following<br />
the team’s failed bid <strong>to</strong><br />
reach the upcoming AFCON in<br />
Gabon.<br />
To ensure that the current generation<br />
of Eagles do not miss out<br />
of <strong>to</strong>p-flight continental and international<br />
football in the next<br />
two years, the Nigeria Football<br />
Federation (NFF) has swung in<strong>to</strong><br />
action <strong>to</strong> get the players unwavering<br />
commitment <strong>to</strong> the looming<br />
clash with the Algerians in<br />
Uoy.<br />
One of such moves was the recent<br />
visit of Eagles technical adviser,<br />
Gernoit Rohr <strong>to</strong> England,<br />
where he had fruitful discussion<br />
Rangers plan Hall of Fame with Ugwuanyi in mind<br />
By Onochie Anibeze<br />
Ex Rangers players<br />
have not relented in<br />
their drive <strong>to</strong> remain<br />
not only united but also progressive<br />
in football and welfare<br />
matters.<br />
Rangers are the only Nigerian<br />
club whose ex players<br />
operate a social system that<br />
sees them holding conventions<br />
and other social engagements<br />
in the United States and<br />
other places. They have a solid<br />
patron in Sir Benson Ejindu<br />
who sponsors most of their<br />
events in USA. Many of the<br />
ex Rangers players reside in<br />
USA where many had gone <strong>to</strong><br />
study on scholarship. Donald<br />
Igwebuike is their spokesman<br />
in USA. Rangers run a social<br />
union and uppermost in their<br />
agenda is the welfare of the<br />
retired players. When a member<br />
is bereaved they attend the<br />
funeral as a team. And when<br />
it is celebration time like in<br />
weddings and other social<br />
events involving their members<br />
they also attend as a<br />
team. And when on Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2<br />
they had a chance <strong>to</strong> win the<br />
league after 32 years many of<br />
•Siasia<br />
them came from afar <strong>to</strong> be part<br />
of his<strong>to</strong>ry at the Enugu stadium<br />
that will host international<br />
matches next season. Winning<br />
the league again has<br />
ensured greater unity in them.<br />
And now they want <strong>to</strong> establish<br />
a Hall Of Fame. They<br />
want <strong>to</strong> site this in their dream<br />
Rangers Estate. They are<br />
banking on the governor of<br />
Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi<br />
<strong>to</strong> achieve these lofty<br />
dreams.<br />
“It will be great for the government<br />
<strong>to</strong> carve out part of<br />
Enugu and name it Rangers<br />
Estate,” Christian Chukwu<br />
said of the new plans by the<br />
Ex Rangers body. Dr. Johny<br />
Egbonu was with him and confirmed<br />
their plan <strong>to</strong> appeal <strong>to</strong><br />
the governor <strong>to</strong> allocate land<br />
for Rangers Estate in Enugu.<br />
If such land is made available,<br />
ex Rangers players could<br />
be allocated plots of land at<br />
affordable rates. Streets in the<br />
Estate will be named after<br />
great players of Rangers.<br />
Members of the public could<br />
also be allocated plots of land<br />
<strong>to</strong> buy. It will be a normal estate.<br />
It is in this estate Chukwu<br />
said they hope <strong>to</strong> gather<br />
•As Wenger counsels<br />
Iwobi<br />
•Rangers captain and Gov. Ugwuanyi<br />
resources <strong>to</strong> build their Hall<br />
of Fame.<br />
“We have considered the<br />
possibilities and we know it is<br />
achievable. We will make representations<br />
<strong>to</strong> the governor<br />
who has done a lot for Rangers<br />
within the short time he<br />
has served as governor. We<br />
•Iwobi<br />
with Chelsea midfielder, John<br />
Obi Mikel and Arsenal forward,<br />
Alex Iwobi.<br />
The 63 year -old former Bayern<br />
Munich defender also had<br />
talks with Iwobi’s club coach,<br />
Arsene Wenger, who it was learnt<br />
committed <strong>to</strong> releasing the<br />
youngster as early as possible for<br />
the crucial game in Uyo.<br />
Rohr, it was gathered was happy<br />
with his tete-a-tete with the<br />
aforementioned personalities<br />
and felt convinced that the momentum<br />
was in Eagles favour <strong>to</strong><br />
nick maximum points against the<br />
Desert Foxes, who he however<br />
warned were dangerous and out<br />
<strong>to</strong> turn the table against the Ea-<br />
•Iheanacho<br />
•Mikel<br />
gles on November 12.<br />
And sounding a word advice <strong>to</strong><br />
Iwobi, Wenger yesterday that the<br />
Nigerian striker need <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong> work<br />
on his finishing <strong>to</strong> be a more<br />
complete player.<br />
“He turns the game forward, he<br />
passes the ball through the lines<br />
very well. He has a final ball in<br />
him. He is now a little bit, I think<br />
he has it all in the locker <strong>to</strong> pass<br />
and give the final ball,” said the<br />
Arsenal manager.<br />
“What you want from him now<br />
is the finishing, you know. That’s<br />
still a little part that is missing in<br />
his game. I think he is <strong>to</strong>o nervous<br />
at the moment when he has<br />
the possibility <strong>to</strong> finish.”<br />
won the league again under<br />
him and we hope that there<br />
will be more vic<strong>to</strong>ries <strong>to</strong> make<br />
our people happy and also<br />
boost the business of sports in<br />
the east,” Chukwu said.<br />
Rangers mean more than a<br />
football club <strong>to</strong> Easterners.<br />
They were formed immediately<br />
after the civil war and it was<br />
one of the <strong>to</strong>ols the Igbo used<br />
in the process of reintegration.<br />
And the resounding vic<strong>to</strong>ries<br />
in their early years made the<br />
Igbo proud. Rangers symbolised<br />
a movement and the Easterners<br />
reveled in it.<br />
“There’s always an attachment<br />
you can’t describe if you<br />
have played for the club,”<br />
David Ngodigha, an Olympic<br />
bronze medallist said.<br />
“When you wear the Rangers<br />
jersey there’s a great feeling.<br />
I’m happy that they won<br />
the league again,” Ngodigha<br />
said. He said he particularly<br />
feels special because all the<br />
other clubs he played for are<br />
now defunct. Only Rangers<br />
are still on and doing well.<br />
Sharks, Bendel United, BCC,<br />
Flash have all gone under.<br />
“I played for many clubs but<br />
I have always being referred<br />
<strong>to</strong> as David Ngodigha of<br />
Rangers as if they knew out<br />
of all of them Rangers would<br />
be the only surviving club<br />
many years on.”<br />
Ngodigha also excelled as<br />
Super Eagles goal tender. He<br />
showed his class in the training<br />
of the team that won Nigeria’s<br />
only medal at the Rio Olympics.
Ronaldo opens<br />
up on rivalry<br />
with Messi<br />
In an interview with Coach Magazine, Real Madrid forward<br />
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken about his relationship with<br />
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.<br />
It’s well known that the battle between the duo over the last<br />
decade has been one of football’s biggest talking points. From the<br />
Portuguese star’s point of view, “it’s not like we’re not good friends,<br />
but there’s a respect between us both. The media sell this great<br />
rivalry, but we don’t have that.”<br />
Ronaldo is loved and hated and he’s aware of that, accepts the<br />
situation and says he uses his ‘haters’ as motivation: “Football has<br />
shown me that I have <strong>to</strong> use the negative people as motivation. In<br />
reality I need my enemies. They help he achieve everything I’ve<br />
won.”<br />
Messi has also praised Ronaldo in the past, who he’s said he<br />
admired. In fact, at the Ballon d’Or galas in 2014 and 2015, for<br />
example, there was a mutual understanding between both players.<br />
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016—47<br />
Higuain hopes for brace<br />
against Napoli<br />
Gonzalo Higuain “really<br />
hopes” <strong>to</strong> score a brace<br />
when Juventus host his former<br />
Napoli teammates <strong>to</strong>night<br />
It will be the first meeting<br />
since he pushed through<br />
the •90m transfer <strong>to</strong> Turin,<br />
activating a release<br />
clause in his contract.<br />
Sport Mediaset<br />
caught Pipita as he<br />
arrived at the Vinovo<br />
training centre and<br />
asked if he would<br />
score a brace.<br />
“Certainly, I really<br />
hope so!”<br />
Higuain has not<br />
found the net for a<br />
few games, but<br />
Giorgio Chiellini<br />
assured “he’s<br />
saving up the goals<br />
for the Napoli<br />
match.”<br />
•Higuain<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Hamsik: We’ll get a<br />
result at Juve<br />
MAREK Hamsik assured Napoli “are going <strong>to</strong> Turin <strong>to</strong> get a<br />
result against Juventus” <strong>to</strong>day.<br />
It kicks off at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday at 19.45 Nigerian<br />
time<br />
“Now bring on the next test. We are going <strong>to</strong> Turin <strong>to</strong><br />
get a result against Juventus,” wrote Napoli captain<br />
Hamsik on his official website. The Partenopei had<br />
fallen in<strong>to</strong> crisis with three consecutive defeats in all<br />
competition, but have now won back-<strong>to</strong>-back matches<br />
with Cro<strong>to</strong>ne and Empoli.<br />
“Against Empoli we didn’t make the most of our<br />
chances in the first half, but in the second we did what<br />
we had <strong>to</strong> do. “We achieved two objectives: securing another three<br />
points and moving in<strong>to</strong> third place.”<br />
Moses is<br />
uns<strong>to</strong>ppable<br />
—Noble<br />
WEST Ham captain Mark Noble has<br />
praised Vic<strong>to</strong>r Moses for finally<br />
breaking in<strong>to</strong> Chelsea’s first team, saying he<br />
believes the Nigeria international is<br />
uns<strong>to</strong>ppable when in his best form.<br />
Moses is enjoying a revival in his<br />
career at Chelsea after spending<br />
the last three seasons out on<br />
loan at Liverpool, S<strong>to</strong>ke<br />
and West Ham<br />
respectively following<br />
his arrival from Wigan in 2012.<br />
Chelsea coach An<strong>to</strong>nio Conte has used Moses as a<br />
right wing-back in his new 3-4-3 formation <strong>to</strong> much<br />
success.<br />
“Vic<strong>to</strong>r Moses, on his day he is one of the best and you<br />
cannot s<strong>to</strong>p him,” Noble said.<br />
“The one thing that has probably gone against him<br />
during his career has been his consistency but he<br />
looks like he has that now and is enjoying his<br />
football.”<br />
•Ronaldo<br />
Barca face<br />
defensive worry<br />
against Granada<br />
BARCELONA return <strong>to</strong> league action <strong>to</strong>day against<br />
Granada with a number of players missing. Injuries,<br />
therefore, will condition Luis Enrique’s planning for the<br />
game at Camp Nou.<br />
The run of injuries seems <strong>to</strong> have no end at the moment,<br />
especially in defence. The latest <strong>to</strong> drop is Jeremy<br />
Mathieu, who picked up a calf problem in the Catalan<br />
Super Cup defeat <strong>to</strong> Espanyol.<br />
The French centre-back joins Jasper Cillessen, Jordi Alba,<br />
Aleix Vidal, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta on the<br />
sidelines. In addition, Arda Turan also ended<br />
Tuesday’s game against Espanyol with a knock.<br />
Therefore, Luis Enrique doesn’t have much<br />
room for rotations when Granada visit ahead<br />
of the Champions League trip <strong>to</strong> Manchester<br />
City next week.<br />
In goal, it will be Marc-Andre ter<br />
Stegen after Jordi Masip<br />
played the game against<br />
Espanyol in<br />
midweek.<br />
What also<br />
*Vic<strong>to</strong>r Moses<br />
seems undoubtable is<br />
that Sergi Rober<strong>to</strong> and Lucas Digne<br />
will play. Rober<strong>to</strong> has won his battle<br />
with Vidal, who despite being<br />
injured is way down Luis<br />
Enrique’s pecking order.<br />
French international Digne has<br />
been the replacement for the<br />
injured Alba.<br />
•Pique<br />
In the middle of the back four<br />
will be Javier Mascherano and<br />
Samuel Umtiti, a duo who will<br />
have <strong>to</strong> adjust once again <strong>to</strong> the<br />
absence of Pique.<br />
Sergio Busquets and Ivan<br />
Rakitic, both regulars, are still<br />
fit. But, if they’re both selected,<br />
who will start with them? Denis<br />
Suarez and Andre Gomes are<br />
both options. Arda Turan is<br />
another possibility. If the<br />
Turkish midfielder overcomes<br />
the ankle injury he picked up<br />
against Espanyol, that is.<br />
Rafinha, <strong>to</strong>o, who has a rib<br />
problem, could still come in<strong>to</strong><br />
his manager’s reckoning.<br />
As for the forward line, it<br />
doesn’t seem as if Messi,<br />
Suarez or Neymar will rest<br />
against Granada. Paco Alcacer<br />
had minutes in midweek while<br />
the three South Americans were<br />
enjoying a few days off.
SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 29, 2016<br />
Eagles gather<br />
•Mikel<br />
momentum<br />
>>46<br />
Higuain<br />
hopes<br />
for >>47<br />
brace<br />
against<br />
Napoli<br />
•Iwobi<br />
against Algeria<br />
•Iheanacho<br />
•As Wenger<br />
counsels Iwobi<br />
TODAY'S FIXTURES<br />
EPL<br />
Sunderland<br />
Man Utd<br />
v<br />
v<br />
Arsenal<br />
Burnley<br />
12:30pm<br />
3pm<br />
Middlesbrough v Bournemouth 3pm<br />
Tottenham v Leicester 3pm<br />
Watford v Hull City 3pm<br />
West Brom<br />
Crystal Palace<br />
v<br />
v<br />
Man City<br />
Liverpool<br />
3pm<br />
5:30pm<br />
SERIE A<br />
Bologna<br />
Juventus<br />
v<br />
v<br />
Fiorentina<br />
Napoli<br />
5pm<br />
7:45pm<br />
Barca face >>47<br />
Granada without<br />
key defenders<br />
NFF pays<br />
Siasia,<br />
keeps<br />
assistants<br />
waiting<br />
>>46<br />
•Siasia<br />
Moses is<br />
uns<strong>to</strong>ppable<br />
— Noble<br />
CROSS WORD PUZZLE<br />
ACROSS<br />
1 Managing Direc<strong>to</strong>r, Nigerian<br />
Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs.<br />
Hadiza – (5)<br />
4 German Chancellor, Angela –<br />
(6)<br />
7 State in Nigeria Knowns as<br />
“God’s Own State”? – (4)<br />
8 England’s Capital City – (6)<br />
9 Former Japanese Prime<br />
Minister, Mr. Yasuhiro – (8)<br />
10 Kwara state Capital – (6)<br />
12 Permanent Secretary,<br />
Ministry of Information &<br />
Culture, Mrs. Ayotunde – (8)<br />
16 Minister of trade,<br />
Investment & Industry, Mr.<br />
Okechukwu – (8)<br />
20 Chairman, Federal Internal<br />
revenue Service (FIR), Mr.<br />
Babatunde – (6)<br />
21 Former Ghanaian President,<br />
Mr. Jer4ry – (8)<br />
22 Lagos State Commissioner<br />
for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola<br />
– (6)<br />
23 Precipitation – (4)<br />
24 Economic & Financial<br />
Crimes Commission (EFCC)<br />
Lawyer, Mr. Festus – (6)<br />
25 Country in Africa – (5)<br />
>>46<br />
DOWN<br />
1 Country in Africa – (6)<br />
2 Former Imo State Governor,<br />
Mr. Sam – (6)<br />
3 Bahamas Capital City – (6)<br />
4 Mozambique Finance Minister,<br />
Mr. Adriano Alfonso – (8)<br />
5 South Africa “Bafana Bafana”<br />
Ffitness Trainer, Kabelo – (8)<br />
6 Fabric – (5)<br />
11South Sudanese Vice President,<br />
Mr. James Wani – (4)<br />
13 Nasarawa United Coach,<br />
Kabiru – (4)<br />
14 Country in Asia –(8)<br />
15 Mexican State – (8)<br />
17 Plateau State Governor, Hon.<br />
Simon – (6)<br />
18 The Philippines Capital City<br />
– (6)<br />
19 Bangladesh Prime Minister,<br />
Sheikh – (6)<br />
20 Deputy Publicity Secretary,<br />
All Progressives Congress<br />
(APC), Mr. Timi – (5)<br />
LA LIGA<br />
Sporting Gijon v Sevilla 12pm<br />
Alaves v Real Madrid 3:15pm<br />
Atletico Madrid v Malaga 5:30pm<br />
Barcelona v Granada 7:45pm<br />
BUNDESLIGA<br />
Augsburg v Bayern Munich 2:30pm<br />
Mainz v FC Ingolstadt 2:30pm<br />
SV Darmstadt v RB Leipzig 2:30pm<br />
Werder Bremen v SC Freiburg 2:30pm<br />
Wolfsburg<br />
B Dortmund<br />
v<br />
v<br />
BayerLeverkusen<br />
Schalke<br />
2:30pm<br />
5:30pm<br />
LIGUE I<br />
Toulouse v Lyon 4pm<br />
Bastia v Dijon 7pm<br />
Guingamp v Angers 7pm<br />
Lorient v Montpellier 7pm<br />
Nancy v Caen 7pm<br />
St Etienne v Monaco 7pm<br />
Rangers plan Hall<br />
of Fame with >>45<br />
Ugwuanyi in mind<br />
Solution on page 45<br />
Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Edi<strong>to</strong>r: 01-4548355.<br />
Advert Dept Hotline: 01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: edi<strong>to</strong>r@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com<br />
Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) EDITOR: ONOCHIE ANIBEZE. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence <strong>to</strong> P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K