08012017 - Adeboye quits as G.O... in Nigeria
Vanguard Newspaper Sunday 08, 2017 Vanguard Newspaper Sunday 08, 2017
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PAGE 2—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State be<strong>in</strong>g decorated with the Emblem of<br />
the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Legion by its State Chairman, Engr. George Amalu, dur<strong>in</strong>g the launch<br />
of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu,<br />
yesterday.<br />
FIRS collected N1.207 trillion <strong>in</strong> 2016<br />
By Emma Ujah, Abuja<br />
Bureau Chief<br />
THE prevail<strong>in</strong>g negative<br />
economic environment<br />
h<strong>as</strong> had a very adverse effect on<br />
the performance of the Federal<br />
Inland Revenue Service (FIRS),<br />
the nation’s most important<br />
revenue agency, <strong>as</strong> it collected<br />
only N1, 207 , 896, 760, 318. 14<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2016.<br />
A summary of collections at<br />
the disposal of Sunday<br />
Vanguard <strong>in</strong>dicated that only N<br />
299,802,506,588.50 w<strong>as</strong><br />
collected <strong>as</strong> Company Income<br />
Tax (CIT), which w<strong>as</strong> a far cry<br />
from the expected N867 billion<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the 2016 budget.<br />
However, Value Added Tax<br />
(VAT) yielded N<br />
473,464,201,273.68 <strong>as</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
the budgeted N198 billion;<br />
while Annual Luxury Surcharge<br />
and Capital Ga<strong>in</strong>s Tax brought<br />
<strong>in</strong> N 389,215.00; and N<br />
5,181,085,834.74, respectively.<br />
Education Tax generated N<br />
46,868,726,865.07; Foreign<br />
Travels Surcharge, N 50, 000;<br />
NITDEF N 7,592,280,052.74;<br />
Pay As You Earn (PAYE), N<br />
47,236,020,074.34; Personal<br />
Income Tax, N 632,690,077.20;<br />
Pre-Operational Levy, N<br />
391,008,052.89; Stamp Duties,<br />
N 5,878,279,893.53; and<br />
Withhold<strong>in</strong>g Tax, N<br />
320,849,522,390.45.<br />
The recession h<strong>as</strong> forced the<br />
Federal Government to reduce<br />
its CIT budget for 2017 to N808<br />
billion, represent<strong>in</strong>g a 7 per cent<br />
cut.<br />
However, the VAT budget h<strong>as</strong><br />
been <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed from N198<br />
billion <strong>in</strong> 2016 to N242 <strong>in</strong> the<br />
2017 budget, That <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e w<strong>as</strong><br />
N44 billion of 22 per cent.<br />
We will stand by dismissed<br />
police officers — Wike<br />
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME<br />
RIVERS State government<br />
h<strong>as</strong> said it would fight for<br />
the re<strong>in</strong>statement of policemen<br />
who served <strong>as</strong> security aides to<br />
Governor Nyesom Wike but<br />
have now been dismissed.<br />
Wike gave this <strong>as</strong>surance,<br />
yesterday, <strong>in</strong> Ahoada E<strong>as</strong>t local<br />
government area, say<strong>in</strong>g<br />
government will pursue the<br />
matter to its logical end.<br />
The governor, who w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
Ahoada E<strong>as</strong>t to receive a former<br />
chiefta<strong>in</strong> of the All Progressives<br />
Congress, APC, Chief C<strong>as</strong>sidy<br />
Ikegbidi, <strong>in</strong>to the PDP, said the<br />
dismissed policemen did not do<br />
wrong.<br />
He said: “They gave me<br />
policemen for my protection,<br />
but before I knew it, they have<br />
dismissed them. They th<strong>in</strong>k they<br />
are punish<strong>in</strong>g them , but Rivers<br />
State will stand with them<br />
forever.<br />
“By the time we f<strong>in</strong>ish, they<br />
will realise that they have<br />
favoured the so-called<br />
dismissed policemen. In<br />
Rivers State, we don’t abandon<br />
people. No amount of<br />
<strong>in</strong>timidation will make me<br />
abandon these <strong>in</strong>nocent<br />
policemen “.<br />
“ The policemen committed<br />
no offence. Simply because<br />
they followed their boss, they<br />
said they should be dismissed.<br />
“They want to discourage<br />
policemen from protect<strong>in</strong>g me.<br />
I am not worried. I am a village<br />
man and a gr<strong>as</strong>sroots<br />
politician. Before you kill me,<br />
you would have killed so<br />
many people.“<br />
Former Governor Peter Obi greets Igwe Ralph Ekpe of Enugu-Ukwu dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the monarch’s Ofala celebration yesterday.<br />
Avengers s accuses FG of snubb<strong>in</strong>g N-Delta leaders,<br />
threaten to resume hostilities<br />
Emma Amaize, Regional<br />
Editor, South-South and<br />
Perez Brisibe<br />
NIGER Delta Aveng<br />
ers, NDA, yester<br />
day, declared what<br />
it called ‘Operations Walls<br />
of Jericho’ and ‘Hurricane<br />
Joshua’ to knock out oil operations<br />
<strong>in</strong> the country, follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
alleged bungl<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
the dialogue process by the<br />
Federal Government with<br />
the Pan Niger Delta Forum,<br />
PANDEF, a body compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
monarchs, leaders and<br />
stakeholders of the oil-rich<br />
region.<br />
The group, <strong>in</strong> a statement<br />
by its spokesperson, selfstyled<br />
Brig General Mudoch<br />
Agb<strong>in</strong>ibo, said: “On this<br />
note, we are declar<strong>in</strong>g ‘Operations<br />
Walls of Jericho<br />
and Hurricane Joshua’ simultaneously<br />
to reclaim<br />
our motherland and dislodge<br />
all cleavages the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
rul<strong>in</strong>g oligarchy h<strong>as</strong><br />
foisted on the region that is<br />
susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the on-go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
primitive accumulation by<br />
dispossession.<br />
“To our Niger Delta people,<br />
we feel your pa<strong>in</strong>s from<br />
these d<strong>as</strong>hed hopes of a genu<strong>in</strong>e<br />
talk once aga<strong>in</strong>. All<br />
fighters and commands are<br />
hereby placed on high<br />
read<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> your webs of operations<br />
to hit and knock the<br />
enemy very hard. That is the<br />
way to discuss with a deaf,<br />
when he cannot understand<br />
your soft message. We are<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ed to hit him very<br />
hard and deadly that even<br />
his eyes will shed blood, his<br />
ear will be more deafened<br />
and his heart shall quake;<br />
when he sees, hear and feel<br />
the outcome of our next activities.”<br />
Credible leaders<br />
Contrary to the Federal<br />
Government’s position that<br />
it w<strong>as</strong> search<strong>in</strong>g for credible<br />
leaders outside PANDEF,<br />
led by former Federal Commissioner<br />
for Information,<br />
Chief Edw<strong>in</strong> Clark, the<br />
Avengers said that PANDEF<br />
w<strong>as</strong> made up of credible<br />
leaders and it w<strong>as</strong>, <strong>in</strong>deed,<br />
the group that militants<br />
gave mandate to dialogue<br />
on their behalf with the federal<br />
government.<br />
The Presidency had, l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
month, practically dismissed<br />
PANDEF, which met<br />
with President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari, November 1,<br />
2016, <strong>in</strong> Abuja, <strong>as</strong> a credible<br />
group for dialogue on<br />
the Niger Delta crisis and<br />
the group, l<strong>as</strong>t Thursday, at<br />
an expanded meet<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
National Work<strong>in</strong>g Committee,<br />
NWC, <strong>in</strong> Kiagbodo, Delta<br />
State, described the notion<br />
<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>sult<strong>in</strong>g to leaders<br />
of the region.<br />
The group said: “S<strong>in</strong>ce,<br />
the declaration of cessation<br />
of hostilities <strong>in</strong> the region by<br />
all fighters and affiliates, it<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been evidently clear that<br />
the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n state is not<br />
ready for any form of dialogue<br />
and negotiation with<br />
our people to address<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
issues susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the unend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
suffer<strong>in</strong>gs and deprivation<br />
of the people of the Niger<br />
Delta. The world is<br />
aware that, after listen<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
calls from our royal fathers,<br />
community leaders, stakeholders<br />
and members of the<br />
comity of nations especially<br />
the governments of the<br />
United States of America,<br />
Great Brita<strong>in</strong> and the European<br />
Union, we halted all<br />
actions.<br />
“This prospect for hope<br />
for a genu<strong>in</strong>e dialogue and<br />
negotiations have been<br />
d<strong>as</strong>hed and rejected. The<br />
world knows that PANDEF<br />
<strong>as</strong> team of critical stakeholders<br />
w<strong>as</strong> mandated to<br />
engender a genu<strong>in</strong>e dialogue<br />
and negotiations process<br />
that will be made of<br />
apolitical committed Niger<br />
Deltans to engage with the<br />
government and people of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>, representatives of<br />
the representatives of the International<br />
Oil Corporations<br />
and neutral observers.<br />
But this government decides<br />
to go around to politiciz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and blackmail<strong>in</strong>g the process<br />
to forestall any genu<strong>in</strong>e<br />
dialogue and negotiations.”<br />
Commend<strong>in</strong>g its fighters<br />
and Niger Deltans for their<br />
Herdsmen’s attack: Benue community storms<br />
police headquarters<br />
By Peter Duru, Makurdi<br />
FOLLOWING the<br />
<strong>in</strong>v<strong>as</strong>ion of<br />
Okpale-Ogege,<br />
Edumoga <strong>in</strong> Okpokwu<br />
local government area of<br />
Benue State by suspected<br />
herdsmen, leaders of the<br />
community, yesterday,<br />
besieged the state police<br />
headquarters <strong>in</strong> Makurdi,<br />
the state capital, to seek<br />
deployment of more<br />
security personnel to the<br />
affected area to avert<br />
further bloodbath.<br />
The leaders of the<br />
effected communities, led<br />
by Mr. Philip Oguche,<br />
Secretary of Edumoga<br />
Development Association<br />
EDEMA, said they<br />
besieged the command<br />
headquarters to brief the<br />
police on the <strong>in</strong>cident and<br />
to <strong>as</strong>sure the command of<br />
their will<strong>in</strong>gness to<br />
cooperate with the force to<br />
check the crisis.<br />
Oguche who confirmed<br />
that a farmer w<strong>as</strong> killed<br />
while several others<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>juries <strong>in</strong> the<br />
crisis, said: “Though<br />
normalcy h<strong>as</strong> returned, we<br />
came to make a formal<br />
compla<strong>in</strong>t and also <strong>as</strong>ked<br />
for more police presence <strong>in</strong><br />
Edumoga to check further<br />
crisis.<br />
“We have been <strong>as</strong>sured<br />
by the command that the<br />
crisis will not excalate, on<br />
our own we will do<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g to ensure that<br />
disposition to what it called<br />
the liberation movement of<br />
the region, the NDA said:<br />
“The world should be <strong>as</strong>sured<br />
that our next l<strong>in</strong>e of actions<br />
to redeem Operations<br />
Red Economy will be unannounced<br />
with surely overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g<br />
signatures to this<br />
government and humanity.<br />
The world is aware that, the<br />
government of <strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong><br />
ear problems, but we never<br />
knew that it h<strong>as</strong> taken a deteriorat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
deaf level dimension.<br />
It is only through hard<br />
knocks we can speak to the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n government,<br />
henceforth.<br />
“As we get prepared for the<br />
challenges ahead 2017, we<br />
make bold to tell the people<br />
of our Niger Delta, sane<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> and the<br />
comity of nations that the<br />
rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 11 months and<br />
couples of weeks <strong>in</strong> 2017 will<br />
be filled with surprises and<br />
a reconfiguration of the<br />
struggle for the liberation of<br />
our motherland.<br />
“It is our belief that the<br />
2017 national budget of the<br />
Federal Republic of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
is not b<strong>as</strong>ed on the crude oil<br />
production output from the<br />
Niger Delta, but b<strong>as</strong>ed on<br />
the newly found oil deposits<br />
<strong>in</strong> the North and the new<br />
pipel<strong>in</strong>es construction from<br />
the Niger Republic.”<br />
It noted that while the Federal<br />
Government ignored<br />
dialogue items raised by the<br />
region, it went ahead to<br />
award 2017/2018 crude oil<br />
term contracts to International<br />
Oil Companies and<br />
partners.<br />
The militant group, meanwhile,<br />
told the IOCs and<br />
their partners: “That their<br />
contract at a time when the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n State h<strong>as</strong> turn deaf<br />
ears to the Niger Delta agitation<br />
is seen <strong>as</strong> a conspiracy<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st our people that<br />
will fail. These contracts will<br />
make or mare the dest<strong>in</strong>ies<br />
of your companies <strong>in</strong> our<br />
Niger Delta.”<br />
It said some of the contracts<br />
were awarded to<br />
Sonara, H<strong>in</strong>dustan, Cepsa<br />
Ref<strong>in</strong>eries, Bharat Petroleum<br />
and Varo Energy, while<br />
the <strong>in</strong>ternational traders are<br />
Trafigura, ENOC Trad<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
BP Trad<strong>in</strong>g, Total Trad<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
UCL Petrol Energy, Mocho,<br />
Tevier Petroleum, Heritage<br />
Oil, Levene Energy, Glencore<br />
and Lit<strong>as</strong>co Supply.<br />
The Avengers <strong>as</strong>serted that<br />
government w<strong>as</strong> also trad<strong>in</strong>g<br />
government to government<br />
(G to G) with an India<br />
(Indian Oil Company) Ch<strong>in</strong>a<br />
( S<strong>in</strong>opec) and South<br />
Africa ( Saccoil), while the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n oil companies listed<br />
were Oando, Sahara Energy,<br />
MRS Oil and G<strong>as</strong>, A.A<br />
Rano, Bono, M<strong>as</strong>ters Energy,<br />
Etarna Oil and G<strong>as</strong>, C<strong>as</strong>siva<br />
Energy, Hyde Energy,<br />
Britania U, Northwest Petroleum,<br />
Optima Energy, AMG<br />
Petroenergy, Arkleen Oil &<br />
G<strong>as</strong> Ltd, Shorel<strong>in</strong>e Limited,<br />
Emo Oil., Setana Energy<br />
and Prudent Energy.<br />
reprisal attacks did not<br />
occur anywhere <strong>in</strong><br />
Edumoga.”<br />
Confirm<strong>in</strong>g the visit, the<br />
state Police Public<br />
Relations Officer, PPRO,<br />
Assistant Super<strong>in</strong>tendent,<br />
ASP, Moses Yamu, said the<br />
community came to<br />
formally report the issue<br />
and to <strong>as</strong>sure the<br />
command of their will<br />
gneiss to cooperate with<br />
the police to stem the crisis.<br />
He said, “Already the<br />
Commissioner of Police,<br />
Mr. B<strong>as</strong>hir Makama, h<strong>as</strong><br />
deployed enough officers<br />
and men to the community<br />
to stem further crisis <strong>in</strong> the<br />
area and he is personally<br />
monitor<strong>in</strong>g developments<br />
<strong>in</strong> the affected<br />
community.”
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 3<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
PAGE 4—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n leaders urged to<br />
emulate the courage of the<br />
late Oba of Lagos<br />
•Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta with <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Special Envoy and M<strong>in</strong>ister of M<strong>in</strong>es and Steel<br />
Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, at the State House, Momb<strong>as</strong>sa dur<strong>in</strong>g the M<strong>in</strong>ister’s visit to President<br />
Kenyatta to canv<strong>as</strong>s support for the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n candidate <strong>in</strong> the forthcom<strong>in</strong>g African Union Commission<br />
elections.<br />
Police kill kidnap suspect; rescue<br />
pregnant mother, child<br />
By Festus Ahon, ASABA<br />
DELTA State Police<br />
Command h<strong>as</strong><br />
killed one suspect and<br />
rescued a pregnant mother<br />
and her two-year- old<br />
boy from the kidnappers.<br />
The state Police Commissioner,<br />
Mr Zanna<br />
Ibrahim, said, yesterday,<br />
that the police received a<br />
distress call at about<br />
7:00am that herdsmen<br />
had blocked the Issele-<br />
Uku Road, off Asaba-Ben<strong>in</strong><br />
Expressway and responded<br />
through her<br />
Dragon and Safe Highway<br />
team.<br />
Say<strong>in</strong>g the police team<br />
engaged the kidnappers<br />
<strong>in</strong> gun battle, which led<br />
to the death of one of the<br />
hoodlums, he said one of<br />
the suspects, identified <strong>as</strong><br />
a Malian, w<strong>as</strong> arrested.<br />
He said: “When we<br />
received the call that<br />
herdsmen had blocked<br />
Issele-Uku Road, our<br />
Dragon and Safer Highway<br />
team responded, not<br />
know<strong>in</strong>g that it w<strong>as</strong> actually<br />
a c<strong>as</strong>e of kidnapp<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Onwuchekwa<br />
and their two-year-<br />
By Boluwaji Obahopo,<br />
Lokoja<br />
THE Academic Staff<br />
Union of Universities,<br />
ASUU, is disple<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
with how the police are<br />
handl<strong>in</strong>g the c<strong>as</strong>e of<br />
Christiana Agbulu, a lecturer<br />
with Federal University<br />
of Agriculture,<br />
Makurdi, who w<strong>as</strong> abducted<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t November 26<br />
but found murdered l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
Wednesday, <strong>in</strong> Lokoja.<br />
Chairman of Nsukka<br />
Zone of the <strong>as</strong>sociation,<br />
Prof. Ukwoh Ikoli, disclosed<br />
this while speak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with newsmen at the<br />
end of ASUU zonal meet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
at the weekend held<br />
GOVERNOR Ifeanyi<br />
Ugwuanyi of Enugu<br />
State h<strong>as</strong> paid glow<strong>in</strong>g tributes<br />
to ex-servicemen who<br />
laid down their lives for the<br />
nation.<br />
Ugwuanyi also congratulated<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari for the gallantry<br />
of the military and the<br />
successes it h<strong>as</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ued<br />
to record on the battlefields<br />
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>st the security<br />
challenges confront<strong>in</strong>g<br />
old baby were on their way<br />
from Lagos to Enugu<br />
when their vehicle w<strong>as</strong><br />
blocked and the hoodlums<br />
dragged the pregnant<br />
woman and her child<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the bush and left the<br />
husband.<br />
“We scanned the bush<br />
from that morn<strong>in</strong>g till<br />
about 4:00pm and, <strong>as</strong><br />
God will have it, we rescued<br />
them unhurt and got<br />
one of the hoodlums down<br />
with the superior fire power<br />
of the police and captured<br />
another, a Malian.<br />
Right now, some of our<br />
men are still <strong>in</strong> the bush<br />
to capture their colleagues.”<br />
Narrat<strong>in</strong>g her ordeal,<br />
Mrs. Chioma Onwuchekwa,<br />
who w<strong>as</strong> rescued<br />
with her baby, said they<br />
were return<strong>in</strong>g to Enugu<br />
from Lagos when the<br />
hoodlums’ vehicle overtook<br />
and <strong>in</strong>tercepted them<br />
around Issele-Uku junction.<br />
She said: “They broke<br />
the gl<strong>as</strong>s of our vehicle<br />
and dragged me and my<br />
baby <strong>in</strong>to the bush, leav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
my husband beh<strong>in</strong>d.<br />
When they took us to the<br />
bush, they didn’t do anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to me, they didn’t<br />
hurt or tried to rape me.<br />
“They took my husband’s<br />
number and I<br />
gave them also my sister’s<br />
number and they<br />
were demand<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
N30million, but thank<br />
God for the police who<br />
came and here I am today<br />
to the glory of God.”<br />
Ugwuanyi salutes ex-servicemen for<br />
their sacrifice<br />
•Archbishop lauds governor for<br />
payment of retirees’ benefits<br />
the nation.<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g at the launch of<br />
the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance<br />
Emblem <strong>in</strong><br />
Enugu, he called attention<br />
to the plight of ex-servicemen<br />
and dependents of fallen<br />
heroes, urg<strong>in</strong>g the public<br />
to show appreciation for<br />
the sacrifices they made for<br />
the nation’s sake.<br />
“We offer them our s<strong>in</strong>cere<br />
gratitude, goodwill, solidarity<br />
and unrelent<strong>in</strong>g prayers.<br />
KILLING OF VARSITY LECTURER: ASUU<br />
demands justice<br />
at the Federal University,<br />
Lokoja.<br />
Ikoli called for justice on<br />
the murder of their colleague,<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g their apprehension<br />
stemmed from<br />
the negligent way such<br />
c<strong>as</strong>es <strong>in</strong> the p<strong>as</strong>t had<br />
been handled by the police.<br />
The ASUU boss, who<br />
said the body will go to<br />
any length to demand justice<br />
for their sla<strong>in</strong> colleague,<br />
urged the police<br />
to ensure that the culprits<br />
are prosecuted <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e<br />
with the law of the land.<br />
He said the union w<strong>as</strong><br />
ready to embark on private<br />
prosecution of the<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e, <strong>as</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g the police to<br />
conclude <strong>in</strong>vestigation on<br />
time and hands off the<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e if it knew it will not<br />
pursue the c<strong>as</strong>e to a logical<br />
conclusion.<br />
Agbulu, a lecturer 1 <strong>in</strong><br />
the Department of Biological<br />
Sciences, Federal<br />
University of Agriculture,<br />
Makurdi, w<strong>as</strong> abducted<br />
on November 26 but w<strong>as</strong><br />
found death l<strong>as</strong>t Wednesday<br />
by the police <strong>in</strong> Lokoja<br />
after his abductors had<br />
collected N150,000 ransom.<br />
Police however on<br />
Wednesday said three<br />
kidnappers suspected to<br />
be <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> her abduction<br />
and subsequent kill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
had been arrested.<br />
In do<strong>in</strong>g this, we are not<br />
only accord<strong>in</strong>g these great<br />
patriots the honour and<br />
credit that they truly deserve<br />
but we are also re<strong>as</strong>sur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
those still <strong>in</strong> service, that<br />
the country would never forget<br />
their sacrifices nor forsake<br />
them <strong>in</strong> their own<br />
hours of need,” Ugwuanyi<br />
<strong>as</strong>sured.<br />
While commend<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
Enugu State Council of the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n Legion for the <strong>in</strong>itiatives<br />
it h<strong>as</strong> taken to improve<br />
the welfare of its<br />
members, the governor <strong>as</strong>sured<br />
the council of support.<br />
Earlier <strong>in</strong> his address, the<br />
Chairman of the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
Legion, Enugu State Council,<br />
George Amalu, expressed<br />
gratitude to the<br />
governor for his support<br />
which he said h<strong>as</strong> given the<br />
state Legion a sense of belong<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and <strong>in</strong>spired it “to<br />
square up with other Legions<br />
<strong>in</strong> other states of the<br />
federation”.<br />
Also <strong>in</strong> his remark, the<br />
Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesi<strong>as</strong>tical<br />
Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, Anglican<br />
Communion, Dr. Emmanuel<br />
Chukwuma, commended<br />
Ugwuanyi for the payment<br />
of arrears of pensions<br />
and gratuities of retirees <strong>in</strong><br />
the state, enjo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g other<br />
governors <strong>in</strong> the country to<br />
emulate the gesture.<br />
By Ol<strong>as</strong>unkanmi Akoni<br />
NIGERIANS leaders<br />
have been urged to<br />
emulate the courage of<br />
the late Oba of Lagos, Oba<br />
Esilokun, who reigned<br />
between 1780 and<br />
1819A.D.<br />
Head, Esilokun Royal<br />
Family, Ibrahim Balogun,<br />
gave the advice dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the 2016 annual Esilokun<br />
Day held at Tafawa Balewa<br />
Square, Lagos Island.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Balogun,<br />
one of such spectacular<br />
feats of Oba Esilokun w<strong>as</strong><br />
his doggedness and determ<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
to put a stop<br />
to the practice of tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the corpse of any dece<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
Oba of Lagos to Ben<strong>in</strong> for<br />
burial.<br />
He said Oba Esilokun,<br />
with courage, succeeded<br />
<strong>in</strong> retriev<strong>in</strong>g the corpse of<br />
his father, Oba Ologunku-<br />
By Simon Ebegbulem<br />
NATIONAL Chair<br />
man of the All Progressives<br />
Congress<br />
(APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,<br />
yesterday,<br />
lamented that the party is<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to miss the late Senator<br />
Francis Okpozo, describ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him <strong>as</strong> a man<br />
who worked tirelessly to<br />
ensure better life for his<br />
people.<br />
Oyegun also paid a condolence<br />
visit to the family<br />
of the late Deaconess Ijose<br />
Ogbodu, aka ‘Mama<br />
SDP,’ who, accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
him, w<strong>as</strong> one of those who<br />
made him governor.<br />
The APC leader, who<br />
spoke when he paid a condolence<br />
visit to the family<br />
of Okpozo <strong>in</strong> Ben<strong>in</strong> City,<br />
urged the children of the<br />
dece<strong>as</strong>ed to emulate the<br />
legacies of their father,<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns, particularly<br />
the APC family, will<br />
tere, thus mak<strong>in</strong>g him<br />
the first Oba of Lagos to<br />
be buried <strong>in</strong> the palace,<br />
called Iga Idunganran.<br />
Balogun stressed that<br />
Oba Esilokun’s reign witnessed<br />
economic prosperity<br />
through unity and<br />
peaceful co-existence<br />
among his subjects, describ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the occ<strong>as</strong>ion <strong>as</strong> a<br />
celebration of bravery and<br />
legendary acts of the late<br />
Oba.<br />
Highlights of the<br />
anniversary,held under<br />
the theme: ‘Focus on Traditional<br />
and Cultural Heritage<br />
of Lagos State,” <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
enterta<strong>in</strong>ment by<br />
cultural groups, Gelede,<br />
Angere dancers, Kori<br />
dancers, Boat regatta,<br />
Isengbeto M<strong>as</strong>querade,<br />
Fanty Carnival dancers<br />
and identification and<br />
dance by the 14 Esilokun<br />
l<strong>in</strong>eages.<br />
Okpozo worked tirelessly to ensure<br />
better life for his people — Oyegun<br />
GOVERNOR<br />
Dav<br />
id Umahi h<strong>as</strong> said<br />
that plans are underway to<br />
pay monthly stipends to exlawmakers<br />
and local government<br />
chiefs <strong>in</strong> Ebonyi<br />
State.<br />
He announced this at his<br />
Uburu country home when<br />
the people of Izzi clan compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Abakaliki, Izzi and<br />
Ebonyi Local Government<br />
Are<strong>as</strong> paid him Christm<strong>as</strong><br />
and new year homage.<br />
Umahi, who disclosed<br />
that he would approach the<br />
state House of Assembly to<br />
make a law to that effect,<br />
said the re<strong>as</strong>on w<strong>as</strong><br />
to accommodate them <strong>in</strong><br />
his adm<strong>in</strong>istration.<br />
A statement by his Chief<br />
Press Secretary, Emma<br />
Anya, quoted him <strong>as</strong> say<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
“My aim is to carry<br />
everybody along especially<br />
the political cl<strong>as</strong>s and<br />
that’s why I will be approach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the House of Assembly<br />
to <strong>as</strong>k them for ap-<br />
miss his s<strong>in</strong>cere commitment<br />
to an improved society<br />
and peace <strong>in</strong> the Niger<br />
Delta.<br />
Respond<strong>in</strong>g, a daughter<br />
of the late senator, Mrs<br />
Onome Agbonla, who expressed<br />
gratitude to Oyegun,<br />
said the visit w<strong>as</strong><br />
made it clear that the PDP<br />
leader w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>deed a<br />
friend of the family.”For us<br />
<strong>as</strong> a family, we really appreciate<br />
your visit to this<br />
family. I remember when<br />
you were a governor and<br />
I am happy that today you<br />
are still relevant <strong>in</strong> politics<br />
and at the helm of affairs<br />
of your party.<br />
“My father w<strong>as</strong> part of<br />
the political struggle, I<br />
believe that struggle cont<strong>in</strong>ues<br />
even now that he<br />
is no more. We are thankful<br />
for the words com<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from you and it shows that<br />
you are our father and<br />
also our father’s friend”.<br />
Ebonyi ex-lawmakers, LGA<br />
Chairmen to earn monthly pay<br />
proval so that those legislators<br />
that are not on seat<br />
now, we start pay<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
some stipends. Former Local<br />
Government chairmen<br />
will also be <strong>in</strong>cluded. I<br />
believe this is how we can<br />
get them to help <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and creat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wealth <strong>in</strong> our state.”.<br />
The governor, who<br />
also stated that the Director-General<br />
of Div<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Mandate Campaign Organization,<br />
Fidelis<br />
Nwankwo, would be reappo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2019,<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g he w<strong>as</strong> plann<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to source for funds to conduct<br />
local government<br />
elections <strong>in</strong> 2017.<br />
He appealed to the<br />
Speaker of the state<br />
House of Assembly, Francis<br />
Nwifuru, to enact a<br />
law that would<br />
enable the Caretaker<br />
Chairmen of LGAs to contest<br />
the elections.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017 — PAGE 5<br />
•Akufo-Addo be<strong>in</strong>g sworn-<strong>in</strong> <strong>as</strong> Ghana's president, yesterday.<br />
•Akufo-Addo <strong>in</strong> a handshake with President Muhammadu Buhari (r) dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the swear<strong>in</strong>g-<strong>in</strong> ceremony.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> <strong>quits</strong> <strong>as</strong> G.O. <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
•Oyedepo, Okonkwo, Oritsejafor, Kumuyi, Olukoya, others may go<br />
By Sam Eyoboka<br />
& Olay<strong>in</strong>ka Latona<br />
PASTOR Enoch<br />
Adejare <strong>Adeboye</strong><br />
h<strong>as</strong> appo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Joseph Obayemi <strong>as</strong><br />
the new General Overseer<br />
of the Redeemed Christian<br />
Church of God, RCCG, <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. <strong>Adeboye</strong> rema<strong>in</strong>s<br />
General Overseer,<br />
Worldwide, of the RCCG.<br />
This clarification came<br />
hours after the social media<br />
went abuzz with news of the<br />
retirement of the<br />
septuagenerian <strong>Adeboye</strong>,<br />
who had led the church for<br />
some 35years.<br />
Announc<strong>in</strong>g the change <strong>in</strong><br />
the leadership of the church<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g a m<strong>in</strong>isters’ meet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
after the RCCG’s monthly<br />
Holy Ghost Service, at the<br />
church’s new auditorium<br />
held <strong>in</strong> Simawa, Ogun State,<br />
he expla<strong>in</strong>ed that the<br />
change w<strong>as</strong> necessary<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g a Federal<br />
Government policy which<br />
<strong>in</strong>structed some of the<br />
General Overseers <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country who have used<br />
more than two tenures <strong>in</strong><br />
office to retire.<br />
The policy <strong>in</strong> reference is<br />
the F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Council (FRC) of <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s<br />
Code of Corporate<br />
Governance, which w<strong>as</strong> first<br />
put forward <strong>in</strong> 2015.<br />
Surprise<br />
Announcement<br />
In a surprise move,<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> announced to the<br />
crowded m<strong>in</strong>isters’<br />
conference at about 10.25<br />
a.m. yesterday, new<br />
appo<strong>in</strong>tments of those who<br />
will run the affairs of the<br />
church.<br />
The RCCG leader<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed that he w<strong>as</strong> tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the decision <strong>in</strong> obedience to<br />
a government regulation,<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong> his absence,<br />
Obayemi becomes the<br />
General Overseer who will<br />
now oversee the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
church.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong>, who is the<br />
spiritual leader of the<br />
church, will now oversee the<br />
RCCG globally.<br />
He also announced that<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Johnson F. Odesola<br />
will be the church’s<br />
Secretary General, while<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Joseph Adeyokunnu<br />
takes charge of the tre<strong>as</strong>ury.<br />
Therefore, Odesola and<br />
Adeyokunnu will work with<br />
the newly appo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
General Overseer <strong>in</strong> charge<br />
of RCCG <strong>Nigeria</strong>, Obayemi.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong>, who had<br />
predicted surprises for the<br />
new year, stated that there<br />
is a government law that<br />
General Overseers of<br />
churches can only serve for<br />
a stipulated period of time.<br />
He then said: “We should<br />
always be on the look out<br />
for ourselves. I don’t expect<br />
that anyone w<strong>as</strong> go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
ignore me. Love you all. We<br />
need to <strong>in</strong>tensify our prayers<br />
and ple<strong>as</strong>e let’s not shy<br />
away from politics.<br />
“I see God rais<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>fluence like Daniel and his<br />
Hebrew brothers, men who<br />
know God and shall be<br />
strong and do exploits. God<br />
bless you.”.<br />
Earlier, <strong>Adeboye</strong> had<br />
announced a 40-day f<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and pray<strong>in</strong>g for members<br />
of the church, beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from midnight on<br />
January 11, 2017 .<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him, the<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g period starts each day<br />
at midnight and runs to<br />
6.00 p.m. pray<strong>in</strong>g twice a<br />
day dur<strong>in</strong>g morn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
devotion and aga<strong>in</strong> at<br />
5.00 p.m. at the churches.<br />
“If you want to do it day<br />
and night without break<strong>in</strong>g<br />
(just liquid) it will be for 20<br />
days, stress<strong>in</strong>g that major<br />
prayer po<strong>in</strong>ts will be<br />
prais<strong>in</strong>g God and <strong>as</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />
God for grace to ple<strong>as</strong>e Him<br />
<strong>in</strong> every way possible this<br />
year”.<br />
The Law<br />
The F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Council (FRC) of <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
Code of Corporate<br />
Governance, took effect<br />
from Monday, October 17,<br />
2016.<br />
The <strong>as</strong>pect of the law, Non-<br />
For-Profit Organisations<br />
(NFPOs) Governance Code,<br />
2015, which Adejare<br />
implicitly referred to, seeks<br />
to promote the highest<br />
standards of corporate<br />
governance.<br />
The follow<strong>in</strong>g are stated <strong>in</strong><br />
Section 9, which deals with<br />
“Position of the Founder or<br />
Leader”:<br />
“9.1. The Founder or<br />
Leader of a NFPO occupies<br />
a special position <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Organisation and is<br />
committed to the success<br />
and longevity of the NFPO.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>gly, a Founder or<br />
Leader should not take on<br />
too many responsibilities <strong>in</strong><br />
the organisation or have an<br />
<strong>in</strong>def<strong>in</strong>ite term <strong>in</strong> the<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g of the organisation.<br />
“9.2. Where for any re<strong>as</strong>on,<br />
a Founder or Leader of<br />
NFPO also occupies any of<br />
the three governance<br />
positions of Chairmanship<br />
of the Board of Trustees, the<br />
Govern<strong>in</strong>g Board or<br />
Council, and the Headship<br />
of the Executive<br />
Management (or their<br />
governance equivalents),<br />
the follow<strong>in</strong>g provisions<br />
shall apply before the end of<br />
the organization’s<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial year <strong>in</strong> which this<br />
Code takes effect.<br />
“9.2.1. The Founder or<br />
Leader shall ce<strong>as</strong>e to occupy<br />
these three governance<br />
positions simultaneously.<br />
This is to ensure the<br />
separation of powers and<br />
avoid possible<br />
concentration of powers <strong>in</strong><br />
one <strong>in</strong>dividual.<br />
“9.2.2. The Founder or<br />
Leader may however choose<br />
– subject to the agreement<br />
of the organization’s apex<br />
authority <strong>as</strong> expressed <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Annual General Assembly,<br />
Annual<br />
Meet<strong>in</strong>g, Annual<br />
Stakeholder Engagement,<br />
Annual Conference, Annual<br />
Synod, Annual Fellowship<br />
Assembly or their equivalents<br />
– only one of these three<br />
governance positions subject<br />
to his current tenure. This is<br />
to ensure a clear division of<br />
responsibilities at the head<br />
of the organization between<br />
the runn<strong>in</strong>g of the govern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
body and the executive<br />
responsibility for the<br />
management and fulfilment<br />
of the organization’s<br />
mission.<br />
“9.3. Where the Founder or<br />
Leader h<strong>as</strong> occupied all or<br />
any of these three<br />
governance positions for<br />
more than ten years, or is<br />
aged seventy years or above,<br />
the choice <strong>in</strong> section 9.2.2<br />
above should only relate to<br />
the Board of Trustees <strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
section 9.4(c) below.<br />
In the c<strong>as</strong>e of religious or<br />
cultural organisations,<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this code is<br />
<strong>in</strong>tended to change the<br />
spiritual leadership and<br />
responsibilities of Founders,<br />
General Overseers,<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tors, Imams and<br />
Muslim Clerics, Presidents,<br />
Bishops, Apostles, Prophets,<br />
etc. which are<br />
dist<strong>in</strong>guishable from purely<br />
corporate governance and<br />
m a n a g e m e n t<br />
responsibilities and<br />
accountabilities of the<br />
entities”<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to records, only<br />
89 out of the 23, 216<br />
registered churches <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country complied <strong>as</strong> at l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
year.<br />
Section 39 of the Code<br />
deals<br />
with<br />
“Sanctions“39.1.<br />
Compliance with the<br />
provisions of this Code is<br />
mandatory.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>gly, violations of<br />
the provisions of this Code<br />
will occ<strong>as</strong>ion both personal<br />
sanctions aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
persons directly <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
the violation, and sanctions<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st the NFPOs <strong>in</strong>volved<br />
<strong>in</strong> such violation.<br />
“39.2. Where sanctions<br />
have been imposed on any<br />
NFPO or person for the<br />
violation of this Code, the<br />
NFPO is precluded from<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g any reimbursements<br />
to that person for the<br />
sanctions.”<br />
L<strong>as</strong>t year, some p<strong>as</strong>tors,<br />
lawyers and workers of some<br />
pentecostal churches <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country had <strong>in</strong>stituted a suit<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st the FRC, regard<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plans to effectuate the “Notfor-Profit<br />
Code 2015”.<br />
They were press<strong>in</strong>g for the<br />
enforcement of Order II of<br />
the Fundamental Right<br />
Enforcement Procedure<br />
Rules 2009, and Articles 8 of<br />
the African Charter of<br />
Human and Peoples Right.<br />
They also claimed that the<br />
“enforcement of the Code<br />
amounts to qu<strong>as</strong>iduplication<br />
of the work of<br />
the Corporate Affairs<br />
Commission, CAC, which is<br />
saddled with the<br />
responsibility of<br />
registration<br />
and<br />
monitor<strong>in</strong>g of compliance of<br />
charitable organizations/<br />
groups; that the term of<br />
reference be<strong>in</strong>g muted and<br />
promoted by the second and<br />
third respondents i.e. term<br />
of reference <strong>in</strong> section 1.1 of<br />
the 2015 Code <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> 8-<br />
40, specifically, sections<br />
8,9,10 and 37 of the code are<br />
illegal and unconstitutional<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>consistent with<br />
section 7 and 8 of the<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g Council<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong> Act Cap F42, Law<br />
of Federation, 2011 sett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
up the third respondent<br />
among others”.<br />
Others to quit<br />
Meanwhile, there were<br />
<strong>in</strong>dications, yesterday, that<br />
leaders of some prom<strong>in</strong>ent<br />
pentecostal churches <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country, who have either<br />
served 10 years at the helm<br />
of affairs of their<br />
organisations or are above<br />
70 years may follow the<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> example by also<br />
quitt<strong>in</strong>g the headship of their<br />
churches <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
They <strong>in</strong>clude the Presid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Bishop of the Liv<strong>in</strong>g Faith<br />
World Outreach, David<br />
Oyedepo; Bishop Mike<br />
Okonkwo of The Redeemed<br />
Evangelical Mission<br />
(TREM); P<strong>as</strong>tor Ayo<br />
Oritsejafor of the Word of Life<br />
Bible Church, Warri; P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
W. F. Kumuyi of Deeper Life<br />
Bible Church and P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
D.K. Olukoya of the<br />
Mounta<strong>in</strong> of Fire and<br />
Miracles M<strong>in</strong>istries.<br />
The Appo<strong>in</strong>tments<br />
Until his surprise<br />
appo<strong>in</strong>tment <strong>as</strong> the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
Overseer of RCCG, P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Joseph O. Obayemi, a<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial expert, w<strong>as</strong> an<br />
Assistant General Overseer<br />
and the P<strong>as</strong>tor-<strong>in</strong>-charge of<br />
RCCG Region 2.<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Johnson Odesola,<br />
who, until yesterday w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
Special Assistant to the<br />
General Overseer <strong>in</strong> charge<br />
of Personnel and<br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, will now<br />
hold the position of General<br />
Secretary of the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
church.<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Odesola, who spoke<br />
to Sunday Vanguard l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
night, urged members of the<br />
church to rema<strong>in</strong> steadf<strong>as</strong>t<br />
and be more prayerful, and<br />
refra<strong>in</strong> from spread<strong>in</strong>g<br />
unfounded rumours capable<br />
of derail<strong>in</strong>g established<br />
authorities.<br />
ADEBOYE: A Profile<br />
Pa Enoch Adejare<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> w<strong>as</strong> born on March<br />
2, 1942, <strong>in</strong> Ifewara, Osun<br />
State. P<strong>as</strong>tor <strong>Adeboye</strong> had<br />
his B.Sc. <strong>in</strong> Mathematics at<br />
University of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
Nsukka, and subsequently<br />
got his PhD <strong>in</strong> applied<br />
mathematics from the<br />
University of Lagos, and<br />
worked <strong>as</strong> a lecturer <strong>in</strong><br />
Mathematics at the<br />
universities of Lagos and<br />
Ilor<strong>in</strong>, before go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to full<br />
time priesthood <strong>in</strong> 1984.<br />
After jo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the RCCG <strong>in</strong><br />
1973, he began work<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
translate the sermons of its<br />
then P<strong>as</strong>tor and founder, Rev.<br />
Josiah Olufemi<br />
Ak<strong>in</strong>dayomi, from Yoruba<br />
<strong>in</strong>to English.<br />
In 1981, <strong>Adeboye</strong> w<strong>as</strong><br />
appo<strong>in</strong>ted General Overseer<br />
of the church. He took over<br />
from Papa Ak<strong>in</strong>dayomi, who<br />
had died the previous year.<br />
For three years he<br />
performed the role parttime,<br />
still lectur<strong>in</strong>g at<br />
Unilor<strong>in</strong>. He f<strong>in</strong>ally gave up<br />
his university position to<br />
preach full-time. The<br />
church, which w<strong>as</strong> not well<br />
known prior to <strong>Adeboye</strong>’s<br />
<strong>as</strong>cendancy, h<strong>as</strong> grown<br />
phenomenally, to become<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>’s biggest, with<br />
branches globally <strong>in</strong> about<br />
190 countries, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
more than 14,000 <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> h<strong>as</strong> stated that his<br />
aim is to put a church<br />
with<strong>in</strong> five m<strong>in</strong>utes of every<br />
person on Earth. He<br />
married Adenike, now 68, <strong>in</strong><br />
1967. She w<strong>as</strong> born on 13th<br />
July 1948.<br />
RCCG w<strong>as</strong> founded <strong>in</strong><br />
1952 by Rev. Josiah<br />
Ak<strong>in</strong>dayomi (1909–1980)<br />
after he had been <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
a number of other churches.<br />
Rev. Ak<strong>in</strong>dayomi chose<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> <strong>as</strong> his successor.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> w<strong>as</strong> orda<strong>in</strong>ed a<br />
p<strong>as</strong>tor of the church <strong>in</strong> 1975,<br />
and his appo<strong>in</strong>tment <strong>as</strong><br />
leader (General overseer) of<br />
the church w<strong>as</strong> formalised by<br />
the posthumous read<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
Ak<strong>in</strong>dayomi’s sealed<br />
pronouncement.<br />
In 1990, Redeemed<br />
Christian Church of God<br />
Bible School w<strong>as</strong> founded.<br />
The newly appo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
RCCG leaders are:<br />
Overseer - P<strong>as</strong>tor Joseph<br />
Obayemi;<br />
Secretary - P<strong>as</strong>tor Odesola;<br />
Tre<strong>as</strong>urer - P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Adeyokunnu
PAGE 6— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
From left: Groom’s Father, Mr. Poju Olad<strong>in</strong>ni; Groom’s Mother, Abimbola<br />
Olad<strong>in</strong>ni; Bride, Oluwafunke; former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator<br />
Iyiola Omisore; Groom, Seun; Bride’s Father, Mr. Ola Ogundiran and<br />
Bride’s Mother, Mrs. Ilemobola Ogundiran, dur<strong>in</strong>g the wedd<strong>in</strong>g of Mr. &<br />
Mrs. Seun Oluwafunke Olad<strong>in</strong>ni <strong>in</strong> Lagos.Photo By Diran Oshe<br />
From left: Bishop Chijioke Anioke and wife, Comfort of Anglican diocese<br />
of Udi, father of the groom, Prof. Agu Gab Agu and wife,Barr. Edna, couple,<br />
Barr. Ernest and Oluchi Agu, mother of the bride, Mrs. Mary Nnaji and Rev.<br />
Sustenance Eze at the wedd<strong>in</strong>g of Barr. Ernest and Barr. Oluchi <strong>in</strong> Enugu.<br />
Father of abandoned tw<strong>in</strong>s vows: I won’t take my wife back<br />
•Plans to relocate from s<strong>in</strong>gle room<br />
By Gabriel Olawale<br />
FOR deceiv<strong>in</strong>g and mis<br />
lead<strong>in</strong>g him, Adeyemi<br />
Ademola, father of the tw<strong>in</strong>s<br />
abandoned by their birth<br />
mother at the Felken Maternity<br />
Centre, Lagos, h<strong>as</strong><br />
vowed not to take back his<br />
runaway wife, Sarah, even<br />
<strong>as</strong> he plans to relocate<br />
from his current abode.<br />
Ademola who bared his<br />
m<strong>in</strong>d at yesterday at the<br />
Pedro Police Station, Somolu,<br />
where he had gone<br />
to claim the babies, said<br />
his wife deliberately deceived<br />
him that she had<br />
only two children where<strong>as</strong><br />
she already had six.<br />
It would be recalled that<br />
Sarah reportedly fled on<br />
the 16th December, 2016,<br />
abandon<strong>in</strong>g her newborn<br />
babies almost a fortnight<br />
after birth<strong>in</strong>g them on the<br />
3rd of December, 2016.<br />
The estranged mother,<br />
when contacted, claimed<br />
her disappearance from<br />
the health facility w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong> a<br />
result of her husband’s <strong>in</strong>ability<br />
to settle the hospital<br />
bill.<br />
After the news of their <strong>in</strong>ability<br />
to offset the hospital<br />
bill w<strong>as</strong> circulated,<br />
Good Samaritans rose to<br />
their aid and settled the<br />
outstand<strong>in</strong>g bill.<br />
Cuddl<strong>in</strong>g the newborns<br />
<strong>in</strong> his arms, he dismissed<br />
reports that Sarah had returned<br />
to him, even <strong>as</strong> he<br />
pleaded for <strong>as</strong>sistance<br />
from <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns for their<br />
upbr<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Ademola said: “To set the<br />
records straight, my wife<br />
h<strong>as</strong> not showed up s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
she fled on the 16th of December<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t year. Now<br />
that that Good Samaritans<br />
have <strong>in</strong>tervened, by<br />
pay<strong>in</strong>g the rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g balance<br />
on the N150,000 bill,<br />
she is will<strong>in</strong>g to come<br />
back.<br />
“My question is, com<strong>in</strong>g<br />
back to do what, when she<br />
had already said she<br />
didn’t need the babies.<br />
Com<strong>in</strong>g back to the children<br />
could be very dangerous,<br />
so we are not go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
take her back. All we need<br />
is <strong>as</strong>sistance from <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
to raise the children,”<br />
he stated.<br />
In an emotion-laden<br />
voice, he lamented: “Iya<br />
Ibeji (mother of tw<strong>in</strong>s) deliberately<br />
deceived me that<br />
she had two children<br />
where<strong>as</strong> she h<strong>as</strong> six. After<br />
the delivery of the tw<strong>in</strong>s,<br />
she confided <strong>in</strong> her closest<br />
friend that she does not<br />
need the children that the<br />
death of her first husband<br />
and the responsibility of<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g care of the children<br />
he left along with the new<br />
babies, would be too much<br />
for her to bear. That is why<br />
she left.”<br />
Further, he remarked: “I<br />
wish to relocate because<br />
the s<strong>in</strong>gle room I am liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
presently at No.6<br />
Odukoya Street, Bariga<br />
won’t be conducive for the<br />
new babies.<br />
“Reports that we received<br />
donation from the<br />
Wife of the Lagos State<br />
Governor is a rumour,<br />
there w<strong>as</strong> noth<strong>in</strong>g of such.<br />
The only person that h<strong>as</strong><br />
presented c<strong>as</strong>h gifts is<br />
Ob<strong>as</strong>eki sets up committee to harmonize revenue<br />
collection <strong>in</strong> Edo<br />
By SIMON EBEGBULEM<br />
GOVERNOR Godw<strong>in</strong><br />
Ob<strong>as</strong>eki of Edo State<br />
h<strong>as</strong> set up a committee,<br />
headed by his deputy, Philip<br />
Shaibu, to f<strong>in</strong>e tune a bill<br />
which will harmonize collection<br />
of revenues <strong>in</strong> the 18<br />
Local Government Are<strong>as</strong> of<br />
the state.<br />
When the committee concludes<br />
its <strong>as</strong>signment, it is<br />
expected to send the bill,<br />
tagged, “A Bill for the State,<br />
Local Government Uniform<br />
Levies, Rates, Fees and<br />
Charges Law 2017”, to the<br />
state House of Assembly for<br />
approval. The Chairman of<br />
the state Internal Revenue<br />
Service, Chief Oseni<br />
Elamah, who disclosed this<br />
after a meet<strong>in</strong>g with Ob<strong>as</strong>eki,<br />
yesterday, said the bill, if<br />
p<strong>as</strong>sed <strong>in</strong>to law, will elim<strong>in</strong>ate<br />
double taxation and<br />
also encouraged the use of<br />
POS or revenue scratch<br />
cards. He reiterated the bann<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of all revenue consultants,<br />
agents or contractors<br />
<strong>in</strong> the state. “The committee<br />
seeks a system that will be<br />
transparent, accountable<br />
and treat Edo people with<br />
dignity <strong>in</strong> the collection of<br />
revenue”, Elamah said.<br />
“The committee will work<br />
out the bill before January<br />
15 this year and will forward<br />
it to the state House of Assembly<br />
for due consideration”.<br />
Senator Ashafa, one NGO<br />
also presented c<strong>as</strong>h.”<br />
When contacted, the Matron<br />
of the Centre, Gloria<br />
Ak<strong>in</strong>bobola, said they decided<br />
to rele<strong>as</strong>e the babies<br />
on Saturday.<br />
“We would have rele<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
them to go home all this<br />
while but the unavailability<br />
of the father prevented<br />
us from hand<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
over. S<strong>in</strong>ce the father is<br />
Why we’re build<strong>in</strong>g more schools <strong>in</strong> 2017<br />
—Tambuwal<br />
SOKOTO State gov<br />
ernment says it is<br />
build<strong>in</strong>g new schools this<br />
year <strong>in</strong> order to provide<br />
enough opportunities for<br />
the expected 1.2 million<br />
new students to be admitted<br />
through the school enrollment<br />
drive, Governor<br />
Am<strong>in</strong>u Waziri Tambuwal<br />
h<strong>as</strong> said.<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g when he <strong>in</strong>spected<br />
progress of work<br />
at the site of the new Government<br />
Secondary<br />
Group lauds Ogun govt on workers’ welfare,<br />
political tolerance<br />
A<br />
pro-democracy group,<br />
the Campaign for<br />
Good Governance, h<strong>as</strong> commended<br />
Ogun State government<br />
for pay<strong>in</strong>g N13 billion<br />
<strong>as</strong> gratuities to pensioners,<br />
arrears of cooperative deductions<br />
to civil servants and severance<br />
package to former political<br />
office holders and susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructural development<br />
despite the economic<br />
downturn across the country<br />
Ṫhe group, accord<strong>in</strong>g to a<br />
press statement signed by its<br />
Publicity Secretary, Mr<br />
Ganiyu L<strong>as</strong>isi, observed:<br />
“Where<strong>as</strong> the state government<br />
got N10.6 billion <strong>as</strong> refund<br />
from the Paris Club deductions<br />
and could choose to<br />
devote 25 per cent of the money<br />
to workers <strong>as</strong> recommended<br />
by the Federal Government,<br />
it <strong>in</strong>stead devoted the<br />
entire sum to the welfare of<br />
its serv<strong>in</strong>g and retired workforce,<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g additional sum<br />
of N2.4 billion available for<br />
the same purpose. “This,<br />
clearly, is a demonstration of<br />
purposeful leadership, <strong>as</strong> the<br />
money, now <strong>in</strong> circulation,<br />
will stimulate economic activities<br />
and contribute <strong>in</strong> no<br />
small me<strong>as</strong>ure to cushion<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the effects of the current recession<br />
on residents.”<br />
Ganiyu noted that majority<br />
of the political appo<strong>in</strong>tees<br />
that received severance allowance<br />
served dur<strong>in</strong>g the PDP<br />
government. “The APC adm<strong>in</strong>istration,<br />
led by Senator<br />
Ibikunle Amosun, h<strong>as</strong>, however,<br />
demonstrated that we<br />
can rise above petty politics<br />
by accord<strong>in</strong>g the rule of law<br />
a canon of governance and<br />
elevat<strong>in</strong>g our shared humanity<br />
above political-monger<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />
He hoped that “the APC<br />
government will susta<strong>in</strong> this<br />
political momentum and the<br />
School under construction<br />
<strong>in</strong> Balle, Gudu LGA, Tambuwal<br />
said government<br />
will cater for its citizens already<br />
<strong>in</strong> schools and ensure<br />
that those out of<br />
school are admitted and<br />
given quality education.<br />
He said government’s<br />
commitment to education<br />
will not waver, and appealed<br />
to the people to<br />
support the government to<br />
enable it achieve its objectives.<br />
Sokoto state government<br />
had recently announced<br />
development strides, which its<br />
adversaries have even acknowledged,<br />
until they percolate<br />
the entire strata of our society<br />
and set the state on the<br />
path of irreversible progress.”<br />
The pro democracy group<br />
urged other states to emulate<br />
the government of Ogun State<br />
<strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>terest of a better <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
around now, we decided to<br />
present the babies to him<br />
<strong>in</strong> the presence of the Police<br />
officer to bear witness.”<br />
plans to build 160 new<br />
primary and secondary<br />
schools across the state.<br />
Of the number announced,<br />
100 new primary<br />
schools will come on<br />
stream <strong>in</strong> 2017, while 45<br />
new senior and 15 new junior<br />
secondary schools<br />
would be built for cater for<br />
the expected <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong><br />
the number of students to<br />
be admitted <strong>in</strong>to schools<br />
for the first time <strong>in</strong> the<br />
state.<br />
Giv<strong>in</strong>g his view on the<br />
quality of work at the site<br />
he <strong>in</strong>spected, Tambuwal<br />
commended the contractor<br />
for stick<strong>in</strong>g to specifications,<br />
and hailed supervisors<br />
from the state m<strong>in</strong>istries<br />
of work and education<br />
for ensur<strong>in</strong>g adherence<br />
to quality.<br />
The governor said with<br />
what he h<strong>as</strong> seen on<br />
ground, he is confident<br />
that academic activities<br />
would beg<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> the structures<br />
<strong>in</strong> the com<strong>in</strong>g<br />
months.<br />
From left: Gov. Nyesom Wike, decorat<strong>in</strong>g the Chairman of <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Legion <strong>in</strong><br />
Rovers State, retired Col. Wilberforce Josiah, at the Emblem Appeal Launch to<br />
mark the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration <strong>in</strong> Port Harcourt s.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 7<br />
Edited by EMEKA AGINAM<br />
Email: emekaag<strong>in</strong>am@yahoo.com 08057538314<br />
Software, security<br />
our strategy<br />
— Nader Hene<strong>in</strong>, BlackBerry<br />
Regional Director<br />
Recently,<br />
BlackBerry<br />
announced that<br />
software takes the lead <strong>as</strong> the<br />
company moves to transition<br />
from handset hardware<br />
development and leverage<br />
third parties to provide that<br />
function. With this<br />
development, Nader Hene<strong>in</strong>;<br />
BlackBerry Regional Director,<br />
Advanced Security Solutions<br />
Advisory, <strong>in</strong> this <strong>in</strong>terview with<br />
Emeka Ag<strong>in</strong>am spoke on the<br />
progress of the acquisitions<br />
made by the company, future<br />
of BlackBerry Devices with<br />
software and security still<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g at forefront of the new<br />
strategy<br />
Excerpt<br />
Progress of BlackBerry<br />
acquisitions<br />
We are not the k<strong>in</strong>d of<br />
organisation that would acquire<br />
a company or product and then<br />
disappear. We are very much big<br />
on <strong>in</strong>tegration and giv<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
user an end to end experience<br />
when it comes to what they get<br />
from BlackBerry and what<br />
services they get from<br />
BlackBerry. So <strong>in</strong> terms of<br />
Watchdox, Athoc, Good<br />
Technologies all these products,<br />
our commitment when we<br />
acquired these products w<strong>as</strong> a<br />
Botosoft Technologies,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n security<br />
solutions firm, h<strong>as</strong> launched the<br />
world’s most advanced anticounterfeit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
technology,<br />
Botoseal.<br />
The new document security<br />
solution w<strong>as</strong> unveiled at the<br />
20th Annual Conference of the<br />
United K<strong>in</strong>gdom National<br />
Recognition Information Centre,<br />
UK NARIC, held recently <strong>in</strong><br />
London, United K<strong>in</strong>gdom .<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>uous <strong>in</strong>tegration over the<br />
12 to 18 months follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
acquisition and that is<br />
exactly what’s happened.<br />
The l<strong>as</strong>t rele<strong>as</strong>e of BES 12<br />
w<strong>as</strong> one unified platform<br />
where you could<br />
manage all your<br />
devices be it on ASW<br />
or otherwise, you<br />
could manage any<br />
Athoc endpo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
and you could also<br />
manage your<br />
W a t c h d o x<br />
deployment from<br />
one unified location.<br />
The next rele<strong>as</strong>e you<br />
will see a much closer<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegration of that with an<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed capacity and<br />
scalability.<br />
I can’t go <strong>in</strong>to the details of our<br />
next rele<strong>as</strong>e but I can promise<br />
you that the adm<strong>in</strong>istrators and<br />
users are go<strong>in</strong>g to have a much<br />
smoother experience and a much<br />
more <strong>in</strong>tegrated experience. It’s<br />
not that the adm<strong>in</strong>istrator can<br />
manage all these solutions from<br />
one location, the user can also<br />
share <strong>in</strong>formation between<br />
device solutions and leverage<br />
one and the other to be able to<br />
achieve a higher and closer level<br />
of collaboration <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> well<br />
<strong>as</strong> a f<strong>as</strong>ter response time for clients and<br />
customers.<br />
The user experience that we are<br />
focus<strong>in</strong>g on with our enterprise products<br />
and entire enterprise portfolio is that<br />
users can get the same level of usability<br />
they would get from a consumer solution<br />
that is a joy to use but with our products,<br />
they also get an embedded level of<br />
security that is military grade.<br />
Status of acquisitions<br />
The Morvitu acquisition h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
launched with a few network operators<br />
but we are still work<strong>in</strong>g on a few more.<br />
So, it is one of those th<strong>in</strong>gs that<br />
unfortunately is slow paced <strong>in</strong>to<br />
Botosoft technologies launches anti-counterfeit<strong>in</strong>g solution<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g at the launch,<br />
Agbeyo Tolulope, CEO, Botosoft<br />
Technologies said, “Botosoft<br />
Technologies prides itself on a<br />
culture of mak<strong>in</strong>g life e<strong>as</strong>y. The<br />
company recognises that forgery<br />
is rampant because document<br />
verification is difficult; if<br />
verifications were made e<strong>as</strong>y,<br />
forgery would be conta<strong>in</strong>ed and<br />
eventually eradicated.”<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him, with the<br />
prevail<strong>in</strong>g problems <strong>as</strong>sociated<br />
Nader Hene<strong>in</strong><br />
with document security <strong>in</strong> organisations,<br />
Botosoft <strong>in</strong> collaboration with HID Global,<br />
a worldwide leader <strong>in</strong> trusted identity<br />
solutions, partnered to develop the<br />
document security solution.<br />
Agbeyo noted that with document control,<br />
management, and issuance be<strong>in</strong>g core to<br />
every bus<strong>in</strong>ess, Botoseal created a<br />
document management platform that allows<br />
users, through a unified d<strong>as</strong>hboard, to set<br />
document issuance privileges with<strong>in</strong> any<br />
organisation, track the usage of a document<br />
and revoke access to its use <strong>as</strong> necessary.<br />
From left: Co-Founder Co-Creation Hub (CCHub), Femi Longe; W<strong>in</strong>sider Fellow , Paula Aliu; Director<br />
of Software Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, Microsoft Corp., Bambo Sofola ; W<strong>in</strong>sider Fellow, Miracle Samuel and the<br />
W<strong>in</strong>dows Insider Program Chief, Dona Sarkar, at the unveil<strong>in</strong>g of the W<strong>in</strong>siders4Good Fellowship <strong>in</strong><br />
Lagos recently.<br />
deployment so <strong>as</strong> an end user, once deployed you will not<br />
see it but get the functionality. H<strong>as</strong> it been deployed widely?<br />
Not yet, not <strong>as</strong> much <strong>as</strong> we would like to see it deployed. Is it<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g and are we see<strong>in</strong>g more and more support from the<br />
carrier partners and operators? Absolutely. Do we th<strong>in</strong>k that<br />
we are at the limit? Absolutely not.<br />
So, it is very much go<strong>in</strong>g but not mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> f<strong>as</strong>t <strong>as</strong> we<br />
would like to because the network operators would have to<br />
do quite a lot to be able to <strong>in</strong>tegrate Morvitu <strong>in</strong>to their<br />
environment and it is someth<strong>in</strong>g that we are try<strong>in</strong>g to help<br />
them do day <strong>in</strong> day out so, it is just a question of the type of<br />
product and the work it takes to get it up and runn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Athoc deployment<br />
With Athoc, it is deployed <strong>in</strong> Africa but i cannot<br />
say where purely because the majority of our<br />
customers for Athoc right now are the<br />
military and government at le<strong>as</strong>t <strong>in</strong> the<br />
African cont<strong>in</strong>ent. Hav<strong>in</strong>g said that, it is up<br />
and runn<strong>in</strong>g, it is functional and it is been<br />
used <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>cidences but I can’t tell you<br />
exactly who the customer is. What we are<br />
hop<strong>in</strong>g for is a wider deployment and what<br />
we’re look<strong>in</strong>g for to get us that wider<br />
deployment and a larger customer b<strong>as</strong>e<br />
is the right partners which is what we are<br />
actually try<strong>in</strong>g to actively search for with<strong>in</strong><br />
Central and Western Africa.<br />
Involvement of BlackBerry <strong>in</strong> the<br />
design of the third party hardware.<br />
From a user experience from the software<br />
perspective, we do the work end to end.<br />
From a hardware perspective, obviously we<br />
work very closely with the licensees to<br />
ensure that the experience is very fluid but<br />
also because it is our brand on these devices,<br />
we are heavily <strong>in</strong>volved with them <strong>as</strong> well and to what level<br />
of <strong>in</strong>volvement? Heavily <strong>in</strong>volved because, it is the<br />
BlackBerrry brand at the end of the day.<br />
Capacity build<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
Microsoft <strong>Nigeria</strong> retools over<br />
10,000 youths on cod<strong>in</strong>g<br />
To retool millions of youths around the world on<br />
computer science, Microsoft <strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong> tra<strong>in</strong>ed over<br />
10,000 <strong>Nigeria</strong>n youths on M<strong>in</strong>ecraft Hour of Code<br />
Designer dur<strong>in</strong>g the 2016 Computer Science<br />
Education Week.<br />
Hour of Code is an annual, global campaign held<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g Computer Science Education Week to enable<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>ner coders to create and share their own simple<br />
‘M<strong>in</strong>ecraft’ game, and is designed to empower anyone<br />
to beg<strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g the problem-solv<strong>in</strong>g and critical<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g skills required <strong>in</strong> today’s tech-fueled world.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g this year’s Hour of Code, Microsoft worked<br />
with 126 non-profit organizations and other partners,<br />
<strong>in</strong> addition to 17 of its employees to hold several<br />
cod<strong>in</strong>g sessions <strong>in</strong> 19 states across all 6 geo-political<br />
zones of <strong>Nigeria</strong>. In the same ve<strong>in</strong>, a ‘ready, set, code’<br />
Hackathon w<strong>as</strong> organized <strong>in</strong> Lagos Digital Village to<br />
further excite and <strong>in</strong>spire young people to realize they<br />
can solve problems with<strong>in</strong> a short time with the right<br />
tools at their disposal.<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g at the capacity build<strong>in</strong>g event,<br />
Philanthropies Lead, Microsoft <strong>Nigeria</strong>, Olusola<br />
Amusan noted that out of over 10,000 tra<strong>in</strong>ed, about<br />
8,237 students who had no idea of cod<strong>in</strong>g before the<br />
sessions could understand M<strong>in</strong>ecraft and build games<br />
at the end of the program.<br />
For the Director, Public Sector at Microsoft, Mr.<br />
Hakeem Adeniji-Adele, “This year’s Hour of Code<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been very <strong>in</strong>strumental <strong>in</strong> help<strong>in</strong>g to br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
technology and cod<strong>in</strong>g closer to children and youth<br />
who are the future of our country. This w<strong>as</strong> a great<br />
opportunity to show anyone that they can learn the<br />
b<strong>as</strong>ics of computer science <strong>in</strong> a fun and engag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
way. The participants demonstrated great enthusi<strong>as</strong>m<br />
throughout the sessions, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the will<strong>in</strong>gness to<br />
learn how to build more relevant apps and games <strong>in</strong><br />
the future.”<br />
“Ultimately, we are persuaded that there is greater<br />
awareness of computer science <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>,” he says.<br />
The tutorial underscores Microsoft’s commitment to<br />
ensur<strong>in</strong>g all young people have the opportunity to<br />
learn computer science, an economic and social<br />
imperative <strong>in</strong> this era of digital transformation which<br />
Microsoft aims to reach students most likely to be<br />
among those without access, particularly girls and<br />
m<strong>in</strong>orities.
PAGE 8— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
FG needs framework for liquidity of forex<br />
market <strong>in</strong> 2017 — LCCI DG<br />
•Says 2016 recorded negative GDP growths of -0.36%, -2.24%<br />
STORIES BY UDEME<br />
CLEMENT<br />
Muda Yusuf is the director<br />
general, Lagos Chamber of<br />
Commerce and Industry<br />
(LCCI). He spoke on economic<br />
activities under the<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration of<br />
Muhammadu Buhari <strong>in</strong> 2016<br />
and the outlook for 2017.<br />
As economic expert,<br />
how will you review<br />
the economy <strong>in</strong> 2016?<br />
The economy recorded<br />
negative GDP growths of -<br />
0.36%, -2.06% and -2.24% <strong>in</strong><br />
the first, second and third<br />
quarters of 2016. We had weak<br />
purch<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g power, high<br />
unemployment, weak<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors’ confidence, weak<br />
fiscal position of the<br />
government at all levels; drop<br />
<strong>in</strong> sales and private sector<br />
profitability, decl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
capacity utilisation. The<br />
economy experienced high<br />
energy cost, escalat<strong>in</strong>g cost of<br />
transportation, high <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
rate and weak exchange rate,<br />
which impacted on<br />
productivity and<br />
competitiveness across all<br />
sectors of the economy.<br />
Inflation reached a peak of<br />
18.5 per cent <strong>in</strong> November,<br />
from 9.6 per cent <strong>in</strong> January<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t year. The <strong>Nigeria</strong>n stock<br />
market w<strong>as</strong> largely bearish <strong>in</strong><br />
2016. But the impunity with<br />
which public funds were<br />
looted reduced considerably<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2016, and tax<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration efficiency level<br />
also improved l<strong>as</strong>t year.<br />
In 2016, many economists<br />
compla<strong>in</strong>ed about lack of<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors’ confidence <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>'s economy. What is<br />
your take on this?<br />
There w<strong>as</strong> a sharp drop <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors’ confidence due to<br />
weak growth and the fact that<br />
the economy slipped <strong>in</strong>to a<br />
recession. Other factors that<br />
contributed to the weak<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors’ confidence <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
currency depreciation of over<br />
100per cent, liquidity<br />
problems <strong>in</strong> the foreign<br />
exchange market, which<br />
manifested <strong>in</strong> acute scarcity of<br />
forex. Remittances w<strong>as</strong> a<br />
major problem for many<br />
foreign <strong>in</strong>vestors and airl<strong>in</strong>es<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the year. The economy<br />
also experienced high <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
rate, multiple exchange rates,<br />
policy uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty and<br />
security concerns <strong>in</strong> parts of<br />
the country.<br />
What were the effects of<br />
monetary policies <strong>in</strong>troduced<br />
by the Central Bank of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> (CBN)?<br />
The CBN ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed a tight<br />
monetary policy stance to<br />
tame <strong>in</strong>flation. The policy<br />
impacted on <strong>in</strong>terest rates,<br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g lend<strong>in</strong>g rates at well<br />
over 25 per cent. The high<br />
yields on tre<strong>as</strong>ury bills and<br />
Federal Government bonds<br />
did not help matters, <strong>as</strong> they<br />
had a crowd<strong>in</strong>g-out effect on<br />
private sectors <strong>in</strong> the f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
markets. F<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
<strong>in</strong>termediation roles of the<br />
banks were also impaired <strong>as</strong><br />
banks and other f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutions <strong>in</strong>vested heavily<br />
<strong>in</strong> the government tre<strong>as</strong>ury<br />
<strong>in</strong>struments.<br />
Exclusion of 41 items from<br />
the <strong>in</strong>terbank forex market had<br />
a profound negative effect on<br />
some segments of the<br />
manufactur<strong>in</strong>g sector,<br />
especially <strong>in</strong> pharmaceuticals,<br />
•Muda Yusuf<br />
steel, chemical and pl<strong>as</strong>tics<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustries. High tariff on<br />
automobiles also had severe<br />
impact on transportation costs<br />
because of the tw<strong>in</strong> issues of<br />
currency depreciation and<br />
high import duty. Dealers of<br />
lead<strong>in</strong>g brands of automobile<br />
had a major challenge of<br />
market<strong>in</strong>g their products due<br />
to prohibitive costs. New cars<br />
attracted 35percent import<br />
duty, 35percent levy, mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a comb<strong>in</strong>ed tax of 70per cent.<br />
What w<strong>as</strong> the impact on<br />
various sector?<br />
The Small and Medium<br />
Enterprises (SMEs) suffered<br />
high electricity bills by power<br />
distribut<strong>in</strong>g companies.<br />
Aviation sector had its share<br />
of challenges of scarcity of<br />
aviation fuel, which caused<br />
frequent flight delays and<br />
The Small and Medium<br />
Enterprises (SMEs)<br />
suffered high<br />
electricity bills by<br />
power distribut<strong>in</strong>g<br />
companies. Aviation<br />
sector had its share of<br />
challenges of scarcity<br />
of aviation fuel, which<br />
caused frequent flight<br />
delays and<br />
cancellations. The<br />
impact of recession<br />
w<strong>as</strong> very evident <strong>in</strong><br />
maritime sector<br />
cancellations. The impact of<br />
recession w<strong>as</strong> very evident <strong>in</strong><br />
maritime sector. The<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>ation of currency<br />
depreciation and high tariffs<br />
resulted <strong>in</strong> sharp decl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong><br />
imports, lead<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
considerable lull <strong>in</strong> maritime<br />
sector activities. However,<br />
there w<strong>as</strong> some improvement<br />
<strong>in</strong> the export activities at the<br />
ports, <strong>as</strong> the weak currency<br />
w<strong>as</strong> a major <strong>in</strong>centive to<br />
exports. Agriculture w<strong>as</strong><br />
negatively impacted by<br />
security challenges <strong>in</strong> North<br />
E<strong>as</strong>t and North Central part<br />
of the country.<br />
What is the way forward<br />
and outlook for the economy<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2017?<br />
A framework for liquidity of<br />
forex market should be<br />
urgently put <strong>in</strong> place. This is<br />
critical to restore <strong>in</strong>vestors’<br />
confidence, enhance forex<br />
<strong>in</strong>flows and boost Foriegn<br />
Direct Investments (FDIs) to<br />
reduce uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty <strong>in</strong> the<br />
economy. The tight monetary<br />
policy regime should be<br />
relaxed to spur domestic<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments and consumer's<br />
spend<strong>in</strong>g. Import tariffs<br />
should be reduced on major<br />
<strong>in</strong>puts for production and<br />
services sectors to moderate<br />
the current high cost of goods<br />
and services, boost <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />
spend<strong>in</strong>g and enhance<br />
disposal <strong>in</strong>come of citizens.<br />
Sharp currency depreciation<br />
and high import tariffs put<br />
together pose a major burden<br />
of cost and <strong>in</strong>flation on<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors and citizens. The<br />
shock of the simultaneous<br />
impact on bus<strong>in</strong>ess and<br />
citizens welfare is profound.<br />
Import duty on motor vehicles<br />
should be reviewed to br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
down distribution and<br />
transportation costs <strong>in</strong> the<br />
economy. The automotive<br />
policy should be urgently<br />
reviewed and reworked. In<br />
order to tackle the problem of<br />
hunger, the current<br />
commitment to agriculture<br />
should be susta<strong>in</strong>ed. But this<br />
should go beyond crop<br />
production. It should cover<br />
the entire value cha<strong>in</strong> of<br />
production, storage,<br />
process<strong>in</strong>g, transportation<br />
and market<strong>in</strong>g. Food<br />
process<strong>in</strong>g firms should be<br />
given special <strong>in</strong>centives<br />
[tariffs and taxes] to reduce<br />
the price of staple foods such<br />
<strong>as</strong> bread and noodles. The<br />
exclusion of 41 items from the<br />
official foreign exchange<br />
market should be reviewed to<br />
exempt the critical<br />
manufactur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>puts, <strong>as</strong><br />
listed by the Manufacturers<br />
Association and import<br />
exclusion policy should be<br />
managed with<strong>in</strong> the context of<br />
the trade policy framework.<br />
Economic sabotage: How we arrested 22<br />
suspects <strong>in</strong> one month — Haruna<br />
The new Customs Area<br />
Controller (CAC), Federal<br />
Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong> Customs Service<br />
(NCS) , Comptroller Haruna<br />
Mamudu, h<strong>as</strong> attributed the<br />
arrest of 22 suspected<br />
smugglers <strong>in</strong> December, 2016<br />
to <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed security<br />
surveillance and <strong>in</strong>telligence<br />
network mapped out by the<br />
Command to curb smuggl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The CAC made this known at<br />
the Command, through the<br />
Public Relations Officer, Jerry<br />
Attah, stress<strong>in</strong>g that the<br />
suspects were arrested <strong>in</strong><br />
connection with smuggl<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
prohibited items <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
country, aga<strong>in</strong>st the trade<br />
policy of the Federal<br />
Government, which can be<br />
seen <strong>as</strong> economic sabotage.<br />
He said, “Three suspected<br />
smugglers were also<br />
arraigned <strong>in</strong> court to serve <strong>as</strong><br />
a deterrent to those still<br />
<strong>in</strong>dulg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this nefarious<br />
activity. Part of the<br />
•Truck loads of seized frozen poultry products<br />
responsibility of FOU is to<br />
enforce International<br />
protocols and conventions.<br />
This cont<strong>in</strong>ues to <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e the<br />
responsibilities of Customs,<br />
most especially <strong>in</strong> area of<br />
trade facilitation. The United<br />
Nations chatter on<br />
preservation of endangers<br />
species entails that Customs<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istrations' globally<br />
protect wild life by<br />
<strong>in</strong>tercept<strong>in</strong>g illegal trade on<br />
such animals”.<br />
The CAC added, “In the<br />
month of December, 2016<br />
alone, the Unit <strong>in</strong>tensified its<br />
anti-smuggl<strong>in</strong>g operations<br />
and <strong>in</strong>tercepted various<br />
contraband items, with a Duty<br />
•Some of the seized elephant tusks<br />
Paid Value (DPV) of<br />
N893.8million. The Unit<br />
through its <strong>in</strong>terventions<br />
recovered N494.4milllion<br />
from duty payments and<br />
demand notices on vehicles,<br />
<strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> other general<br />
goods that tried to beat the<br />
system from seaports, airports<br />
and border stations <strong>in</strong> the<br />
guise of false declaration,<br />
transfer of value, and shortchange<br />
<strong>in</strong> duty payment to<br />
government.<br />
So,<br />
accumulatively, the Unit<br />
realised over N1.3billion<br />
revenue l<strong>as</strong>t month.<br />
“This huge recovery <strong>in</strong> the<br />
history of the Unit <strong>in</strong> only one<br />
month, w<strong>as</strong> made possible<br />
through our new operational<br />
strategies, the effort of CGC<br />
Hameed Ali <strong>in</strong> appreciat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
hard work and diligence to<br />
duty. We also received<br />
appreciable compliance by<br />
some patriotic <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns who<br />
voluntarily paid appropriate<br />
duties on their goods and<br />
vehicles before the deadl<strong>in</strong>e<br />
on the ban of vehicles through<br />
the land borders, which<br />
started <strong>in</strong> January 1, 2017.<br />
That same month, FOU<br />
recorded 126 different<br />
seizures, which <strong>in</strong>clude,<br />
Elephant tusks, foreign rice,<br />
frozen poultry products,<br />
smuggled vehicles, cannabis<br />
sativa and various general<br />
merchandise.”
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 9<br />
CHIBOK GIRLS 1,000 DAYS AFTER<br />
My pa<strong>in</strong>ful memories, by Oby Ezekwesili<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
In this piece, a former M<strong>in</strong>ister of<br />
Education,Oby Ezekwesili, relives pa<strong>in</strong>ful<br />
memories on Chibok girls <strong>as</strong> the #Br<strong>in</strong>g Back<br />
OurGirls Movement marks the 1000 th day<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce the girls were captured by Boko Haram.<br />
Ezekwesili is also Co-convener of #BBOG.<br />
On that 30 th April 2014 when diverse citizens<br />
gathered to march <strong>in</strong> solidarity, no one could<br />
have imag<strong>in</strong>ed any out of our 219 Chibok<br />
Girls abducted from their secondary school<br />
<strong>in</strong> April 2014 would rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> captivity of<br />
terrorists 1000 days after the tragedy. One<br />
recalls pictures of distressed parents supported<br />
by local hunters forag<strong>in</strong>g through the path<br />
they were told that the terrorists had hauled<br />
away their daughters. Meanwhile, their<br />
government w<strong>as</strong> miss<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> action cynically<br />
<strong>in</strong>different to the cries for help.<br />
One of the parents said he w<strong>as</strong> desperate to<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d his daughter by walk<strong>in</strong>g off <strong>in</strong>to Sambisa<br />
Forest before the <strong>Nigeria</strong> Army prevented<br />
them, because the future of the entire family<br />
depended on that daughter f<strong>in</strong>ish<strong>in</strong>g school<br />
and tak<strong>in</strong>g care of her sibl<strong>in</strong>gs. How can we<br />
not be moved by such decisiveness on girls<br />
education <strong>in</strong> a region that topped both then<br />
and now, the chart of poor school enrollment<br />
and worse parity ratio of four boys for every<br />
one girl <strong>in</strong> school compared to the rest of the<br />
country?<br />
Nations that have bothered to know the value<br />
of hav<strong>in</strong>g all their girls <strong>in</strong> school have s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
discovered the multiple and diverse benefits.<br />
More than ever before <strong>in</strong> history, the economic<br />
health of a country depends upon the skills,<br />
knowledge, and capacities of its people.<br />
Research validates that countries which have<br />
made dynamic progress <strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t century,<br />
are also the ones that help each of their citizens<br />
- male and female- to acquire the human <strong>as</strong>sets<br />
of values, skills, knowledge and capacities that<br />
education bestows.<br />
In addition to the obvious productivity and<br />
<strong>in</strong>come earn<strong>in</strong>g benefit to the girl-child and<br />
their families, some of the data validat<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
diverse range of benefits have global relevance.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to UNESCO, the “Children of<br />
mothers with secondary education or higher<br />
are twice <strong>as</strong> likely to survive beyond age 5<br />
compared to those whose mothers have no<br />
education. Improvements <strong>in</strong> women’s<br />
education expla<strong>in</strong>ed half of the reduction <strong>in</strong><br />
child deaths between 1990 and 2009. A child<br />
born to a mother who can read is 50% more<br />
likely to survive p<strong>as</strong>t age 5.<br />
We are products of the Values that shaped<br />
us. A Value that some of us imbibed, while<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g up, w<strong>as</strong> that noth<strong>in</strong>g made a female<br />
child <strong>in</strong>ferior and so noth<strong>in</strong>g should keep them<br />
from be<strong>in</strong>g educated. Those of our parents<br />
that held strong to such a Value bequeathed<br />
them to us by send<strong>in</strong>g us to school, despite our<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g female. Like the parents of the 219<br />
ChibokGirls, our parents overcame all barriers<br />
that are known to limit educational<br />
opportunities available to girls around the<br />
world or even more specifically, our various<br />
regions <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
For the forward th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g parents of the<br />
abducted girls, they desired that their<br />
daughters would not be part of the statistics of<br />
out-of-school adolescent girls. A recent report<br />
on Girls Education <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> by the United<br />
K<strong>in</strong>gdom’s British Council found that <strong>in</strong> the<br />
North E<strong>as</strong>t, 54% of adolescent girls are out of<br />
school. In the North West, it is 53%, <strong>in</strong> the<br />
North Central, it is 21%, <strong>in</strong> the South South it<br />
is 9%, <strong>in</strong> the South West 6% and <strong>in</strong> the southe<strong>as</strong>t,<br />
it is 4%. The ChibokGirls parents<br />
understood that at an <strong>in</strong>dividual and family<br />
level, the benefits of offer<strong>in</strong>g education to their<br />
daughters outweighed the <strong>as</strong>sociated social,<br />
cultural, religious, physical risks and<br />
economic constra<strong>in</strong>ts.<br />
What they did not imag<strong>in</strong>e <strong>as</strong> part of that<br />
calculus w<strong>as</strong> that the physical risk to life for<br />
those who dared to show up <strong>in</strong> school. The<br />
terrorist are driven by the hideous<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ation to make knowledge is<br />
abom<strong>in</strong>able thus challeng<strong>in</strong>g our civilization.<br />
None of our ChibokGirls parents could<br />
however have imag<strong>in</strong>ed that neither their own<br />
government nor that of the rest of the world<br />
would defend the dignity of endangered lives<br />
of their children if anyth<strong>in</strong>g like abduction<br />
happened. None of those parents could have<br />
imag<strong>in</strong>ed that the lives of their daughters<br />
would not be protected by the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n nationstate<br />
which h<strong>as</strong> a constitutional duty of security<br />
and welfare of citizens- especially its young<br />
ones. None of those parents could have thought<br />
that hav<strong>in</strong>g their daughters show up from their<br />
various schools <strong>in</strong> that local government to<br />
•Chibok girls<br />
take their certificate exam<strong>in</strong>ation with peers <strong>in</strong><br />
that Government Secondary School, Chibok<br />
would become a fatal choice between be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
educated or stay<strong>in</strong>g alive.<br />
Doubly tragic is that <strong>as</strong> we mark #DAY1000<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce the worst nightmare of those Chibok<br />
Parents materialized, two successive<br />
governments have completely failed to be <strong>as</strong><br />
bold <strong>as</strong> the parents of our miss<strong>in</strong>g ChibokGirls.<br />
From the <strong>in</strong>itial self-preserv<strong>in</strong>g coldness,<br />
<strong>in</strong>difference, mockery and tentativeness of the<br />
immediate p<strong>as</strong>t adm<strong>in</strong>istration to the “cannotbe-taken-for-their-word”<br />
hubris, lethargy and<br />
<strong>in</strong>ertia of the current one, any discern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
observer can see a common thread. It is the<br />
same we-don’t-give-a-damn attitude that is<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g their successors who <strong>as</strong>sumed office<br />
on the back of a strong promise to commit<br />
their utmost to rescu<strong>in</strong>g the girls with<strong>in</strong> six<br />
months <strong>in</strong> office to repeat history.<br />
What is the cause of this empathy-deficit<br />
toward citizens by those that govern regardless<br />
of their political symbol and hue? The<br />
disconcert<strong>in</strong>g answer is that citizens - whether<br />
dead or alive - have no bear<strong>in</strong>g on the <strong>in</strong>centives<br />
that drive the quest for the right to govern them<br />
among our political cl<strong>as</strong>s. Unlike those<br />
countries where leaders set their country<br />
Development vision on their citizens’ values,<br />
knowledge, skills and capacities, our own<br />
“rulers” place their stewardship quest not on<br />
the lives of citizens but on the certa<strong>in</strong>ty that oil<br />
will flow. Oil will flow and the public purse will<br />
flourish whether a citizen dies or is miss<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The logic is simple: As long <strong>as</strong> the proceeds<br />
from oil are guaranteed, the nation can afford<br />
to leave its children with terrorists for any length<br />
of time. For <strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong> oil flows and with that,<br />
the proceeds, the cutt<strong>in</strong>g short of any <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
life h<strong>as</strong> no effect on the country. It therefore h<strong>as</strong><br />
not mattered <strong>as</strong> much to any of the two<br />
successive Governments of <strong>Nigeria</strong> that los<strong>in</strong>g<br />
our ChibokGirls is a loss to our national stock<br />
PEREZ BRISIBE<br />
ALL may not be well with Delta State<br />
Chapter of the All Progressives Congress,<br />
APC, <strong>as</strong> alleged N600, 000 grant from the state<br />
government h<strong>as</strong> pitted the Secretary of the party,<br />
Comrade Chidi Okonji, aga<strong>in</strong>st other<br />
executives.<br />
Okonji w<strong>as</strong> purportedly suspended,<br />
Wednesday, by the State Work<strong>in</strong>g Committee,<br />
SWC, for allegedly collect<strong>in</strong>g the said amount<br />
without the knowledge of the other leaders of<br />
the APC <strong>in</strong> the state.<br />
Giv<strong>in</strong>g details of Okonji’s suspension, the state<br />
Deputy Chairman, Chief Cyril Ogodo, said:<br />
“The Secretary allegedly collected the sum of<br />
N600, 000 <strong>as</strong> purported grant from the state<br />
government without the knowledge of the party.”<br />
Meet<strong>in</strong>g illegal -Okonji<br />
But react<strong>in</strong>g to his suspension, Okonji<br />
described the SWC meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> “illegal”, say<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
“The Chairman is expected to call a State<br />
Work<strong>in</strong>g Committee meet<strong>in</strong>g before such a<br />
decision can be made and they were not up to<br />
11 persons <strong>in</strong> attendance at that meet<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
‘I got directive to collect money’<br />
“Besides, the directive for the collection of that<br />
money, which is N500, 000, w<strong>as</strong> given to me by<br />
the state Chairman. He told me that the money<br />
w<strong>as</strong> meant for <strong>in</strong>terparty from the national fund<br />
for political parties and it is our entitlement.”<br />
But accus<strong>in</strong>g the state government of<br />
<strong>in</strong>terfer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the affairs of the party, Ogodo said:<br />
“The PDP-led government, for the sustenance of<br />
their evil mach<strong>in</strong>ation, decided to employ the<br />
services of our suspended Secretary, Comrade<br />
Chidi Okoji, and others whose identity would<br />
soon be unraveled and these issues would be<br />
of human capital. That our Governments<br />
prolonged the time it is tak<strong>in</strong>g to give justice<br />
to children who were abducted <strong>in</strong> the course<br />
of their search for knowledge is a statement<br />
on the th<strong>in</strong>gs we value.<br />
Should any th<strong>in</strong>k this <strong>as</strong>sertion to be<br />
farfetched, all they need do, is, compare the<br />
swiftness with which our governments -<br />
regardless of which political crew run itresponds<br />
to any threat to the flow of oil <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Niger Delta. For our governments, the<br />
cynicism towards citizens who with a certa<strong>in</strong><br />
me<strong>as</strong>ure of education are converted to human<br />
capital is that they are of less value than a<br />
barrel of oil. This is where the parents of our<br />
ChibokGirls have more than a lot to teach<br />
our political leaders. These parents may not<br />
have any “political clout” - part of the re<strong>as</strong>on<br />
that many adduce for the way their daughters<br />
have been neglected by our government—<br />
but they know someth<strong>in</strong>g that our political<br />
rulers are yet to gr<strong>as</strong>p: No commodity but<br />
our human be<strong>in</strong>gs like Chibok Girls, other<br />
abducted citizens, hundreds of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
needlessly killed <strong>in</strong> distressed conditions <strong>in</strong><br />
the North E<strong>as</strong>t, Ma<strong>in</strong>land and South<br />
Kaduna, Agatu, Aba, Enugu, Onitsha, Jos,<br />
Keffi, Abuja, Lagos and such other places,<br />
can guarantee us the swift p<strong>as</strong>sage to<br />
economic development.<br />
The slight redeem<strong>in</strong>g prospect of the<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari led<br />
government <strong>as</strong> far <strong>as</strong> the specific matter of<br />
ChibokGirls rescue goes, is that <strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
three months, it h<strong>as</strong> managed to br<strong>in</strong>g back<br />
24 of them mostly through negotiation for<br />
their lives. For our freed school girls and their<br />
peers <strong>in</strong> all the <strong>in</strong>ternally dislocated peoples’<br />
camps <strong>in</strong> the North E<strong>as</strong>t, it is the duty of the<br />
Government’s - Federal and State- to place a<br />
premium on their education and skills<br />
acquisition to ensure that <strong>Nigeria</strong> speeds up<br />
the accumulation of our human<br />
dealt with.” Admitt<strong>in</strong>g receiv<strong>in</strong>g the money,<br />
Okonji denied collect<strong>in</strong>g it unilaterally,<br />
stress<strong>in</strong>g that he received the said amount on<br />
behalf of the party under the directive of the<br />
state APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue.<br />
“The directive for the collection of that<br />
money, which is N500, 000 and not N600,<br />
000, w<strong>as</strong> given to me by the state Chairman.<br />
He specifically told me that the money w<strong>as</strong><br />
meant for <strong>in</strong>terparty from the national fund<br />
for political parties and it’s our entitlement.”<br />
‘How money w<strong>as</strong> allegedly shared’<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g further, Okonji said: “After I<br />
collected the money, the Chairman collected<br />
his own share of N250, 000 claim<strong>in</strong>g it to be<br />
for his legal fees while I also collected N250,<br />
000 for the suit <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>as</strong>pirant of the<br />
party who dragged the party to court dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the 2015 general elections.<br />
“If he claims he did not send me, which I<br />
know he cannot do, he should call a full<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>g to that effect, let us sit-down and iron<br />
out the issue by pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g the statement of the<br />
party’s account. Let us see how much h<strong>as</strong><br />
come <strong>in</strong> and how much h<strong>as</strong> gone out and let<br />
everyone who h<strong>as</strong> contributed funds to the<br />
party be there when the Chairman is do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that. “If the Chairman is <strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g that he did<br />
not give me letter to collect the money, we<br />
would go to court to prove it and we would<br />
know if he is the one that gave me the letter or<br />
not. Besides, both of us can be suspended from<br />
the party and let the party move on.”<br />
There is no iota of truth <strong>in</strong> Chidi’s<br />
allegation - Chairman<br />
development scores. The education of the girlchild<br />
benefits not only the girls and their families<br />
but their communities, states and nations.<br />
Follow<strong>in</strong>g its <strong>in</strong>auguration <strong>in</strong> May 2015, the<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration w<strong>as</strong> trapped <strong>in</strong> more than 15<br />
months of numb<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>decisiveness on how to<br />
rescue our ChibokGirls, whether through military<br />
option or by negotiation with the terrorists. 21 of<br />
them were eventually rele<strong>as</strong>ed on 13 th October<br />
2016 to our Government by the terrorists and<br />
embraced by their exuberantly joyous parents.<br />
Just a few days ago, another one of the girls<br />
returned, hav<strong>in</strong>g been accidentally found among<br />
terrorists and their victims that the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Army<br />
captured. She returned after 997 days <strong>in</strong> the<br />
stronghold of terrorists clutch<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>nocent baby<br />
rather than the certificate her parents hoped for<br />
when they took a risk to send her to school.<br />
The tragic irony is that one of the re<strong>as</strong>ons parents<br />
send their girl-children to school is to help delay<br />
marriage and child bear<strong>in</strong>g while they acquire<br />
life skills for a better life. Rukiya Abubarka Gali’s<br />
parents while rejoic<strong>in</strong>g at the return of their<br />
daughter yesterday, must be regretfully wonder<strong>in</strong>g<br />
like not a few other parents, whether it w<strong>as</strong> worth<br />
it after all, to have made the choice for knowledge<br />
for their daughter.<br />
That DAY1000 is upon us with still more than<br />
80% of our Chibok Girls still captives of terrorists,<br />
the only person that can <strong>as</strong>suage their deep regret<br />
is the President and the Federal Government of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. The way it can do this is to ensure that<br />
not one more day goes beyond the one thousand<br />
days of suffer<strong>in</strong>g of our young daughters. This<br />
Federal Government must realize that the more<br />
it makes promises and fails to immediately back<br />
them with decisiveness and results-focused actions,<br />
it risks completely erod<strong>in</strong>g its f<strong>as</strong>t deplet<strong>in</strong>g stock<br />
of credibility and goodwill.<br />
The <strong>in</strong>ability and perhaps unwill<strong>in</strong>gness to learn<br />
from mistakes is re<strong>as</strong>on this Federal Government<br />
h<strong>as</strong> aga<strong>in</strong> relapsed <strong>in</strong>to <strong>in</strong>ertia, lethargy,<br />
contradictions and silence on the status of its<br />
public pledge l<strong>as</strong>t October that another 83 of our<br />
girls would be back “soonest”.<br />
Our ChibokGirls have always been a symbol<br />
of several other victims without identity that are<br />
captives of our common enemies or those whose<br />
lives were w<strong>as</strong>ted across the country. Now is the<br />
time for our President to f<strong>in</strong>d the courage to accord<br />
the highest value to the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n life regardless of<br />
their region, religion, ideology, political persu<strong>as</strong>ion,<br />
social and economic status above any other th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> this country.<br />
We must not allow more deaths over and above<br />
the 18 of the brave mothers who sent their girls to<br />
school to become our more endur<strong>in</strong>g capital. They<br />
did so, trust<strong>in</strong>g that their Government cares about<br />
the dignity of life. It is therefore time for their 195<br />
daughters to return. 1000 days are already too<br />
long. Mr President, we want more results! It is<br />
time to br<strong>in</strong>g back home our girls now. And alive!!<br />
Alleged N600,000 Delta a govt vt grant ant unsettles stat<br />
ate e APC<br />
Debunk<strong>in</strong>g the claim by the Secretary that he<br />
collected N250, 000 from the money, the state<br />
party Chairman, Erue, said: “There is no iota of<br />
truth <strong>in</strong> Chidi’s allegation. He collected the money<br />
on December 30. Where did he see me to give me<br />
the money <strong>as</strong> I w<strong>as</strong> nowhere around Asaba then;<br />
besides, why can’t I collect the money alone?”<br />
APC would never collect money from<br />
Okowa -Ogodo<br />
Ogodo, while say<strong>in</strong>g the APC would never<br />
receive money from the state government, said:<br />
“The Delta State APC will not, cannot and would<br />
never collect money from the Okowa-led PDP<br />
government”.<br />
APC collected grant from government -SSA<br />
Meanwhile, Senior Special Adviser on<br />
Interparty Relations to Gov. Okowa, Moses Abeh,<br />
confirmed the grant w<strong>as</strong> collected on behalf of<br />
Delta APC, say<strong>in</strong>g: “I can confirm to you<br />
categorically that the APC collected grant from<br />
Delta State government and not from the Federal<br />
Government. “Besides, if it’s from the national<br />
level, I am the SSA to the state government, what<br />
is my concern with national funds? The money<br />
came from Delta State government and APC is<br />
among the parties that benefited from the grant.<br />
“When they came, they said they heard the state<br />
government w<strong>as</strong> giv<strong>in</strong>g grant to political parties.<br />
I told them their Secretary (Chidi Okonji) had<br />
already collected the APC share.<br />
The Chairman retorted, say<strong>in</strong>g, ‘how can?’ I<br />
immediately showed him (APC Chairman) a copy<br />
of the letter he signed giv<strong>in</strong>g the Secretary<br />
approval to collect the money on behalf of the<br />
party and this w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> the presence of the Chairmen<br />
of the three other political parties.”
PAGE 10 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
PAYMENT OF MONTHLY Y N5,000 BY Y FG<br />
Soft idea, soft money and the<br />
officially recognised 'begg<strong>in</strong>g cl<strong>as</strong>s'<br />
•President Buhari<br />
BY DELE SOBOWALE<br />
“If we were a soft society then we would<br />
already have perished. A soft people will<br />
vote for those who promised a soft way<br />
out, when <strong>in</strong> truth there is none. There is<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>in</strong>gapore gets for free, even our<br />
water we pay for…”<br />
Lee Kuna Yew, <strong>in</strong> ‘FROM THIRD<br />
WORLD TO FIRST’, p 53.<br />
NOTE: What follows should not<br />
<strong>in</strong> any way be mis-construed<br />
<strong>as</strong> a contradiction with the<br />
earlier position that the 2017 Budget<br />
offers hope for recovery.<br />
We still stand by that.<br />
But, there is no perfect budget. One<br />
can be generally positive while at the<br />
same time question<strong>in</strong>g some provisions<br />
<strong>in</strong> the document.<br />
This is one programme to which<br />
Sunday Vanguard strongly objects.<br />
Some events are simply acts of God.<br />
On Saturday December 31, 2016, at<br />
the residence of the publisher of<br />
Vanguard, on a shelf w<strong>as</strong> a copy of Lee<br />
Kuan Yew’s global best seller which<br />
many people had written and talked<br />
about – but few ever read. It w<strong>as</strong> time to<br />
read it from page to page <strong>in</strong> the hope<br />
that there might be some <strong>in</strong>sights <strong>in</strong> it<br />
for <strong>Nigeria</strong>. I w<strong>as</strong> an undergraduate<br />
read<strong>in</strong>g Economics <strong>in</strong> the United States<br />
when <strong>in</strong> August 1965 the majority<br />
Malaysians physically threw out the<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ority Ch<strong>in</strong>ese and other races and<br />
forced them to form a new country –<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gapore. It w<strong>as</strong> a small island state<br />
with no natural resources, no large<br />
population, noth<strong>in</strong>g to build upon. The<br />
v<strong>as</strong>t majority of economist <strong>in</strong> the US<br />
gave the new country no more than six<br />
months before collaps<strong>in</strong>g. Its per<br />
capital <strong>in</strong>come w<strong>as</strong> far less than that of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. But, by 2000, it had per capita<br />
<strong>in</strong>come of over $13,000 per annum –<br />
the third highest of any nation <strong>in</strong> the<br />
world.<br />
How did S<strong>in</strong>gapore do it?<br />
By January 3, 2017 when the<br />
newspapers announced that “Buhari<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>s N5000 payment to one million<br />
poor <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns”, I had raced p<strong>as</strong>t page<br />
53 of Yew’s book and it had become<br />
clear that one of the re<strong>as</strong>ons t<strong>in</strong>y<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gapore swept mighty <strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>as</strong>ide<br />
and rose to the top w<strong>as</strong> the fact that<br />
•VP Os<strong>in</strong>bajo<br />
H<strong>as</strong> it even occurred to<br />
the framers of this “free<br />
money” programme<br />
that millions of workers<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
comparatively earn<br />
less than the N5,000<br />
they will give to the loafers<br />
every month? Why not<br />
give the money to them<br />
<strong>as</strong> extra?<br />
right from the start, Yew had<br />
impressed it on his people that “We<br />
cannot live by the begg<strong>in</strong>g bowl.”<br />
By contr<strong>as</strong>t, that <strong>as</strong>pect of the Social<br />
Intervention Programme, SIP, h<strong>as</strong><br />
now legalised a million <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g on the begg<strong>in</strong>g bowl. Buhari’s<br />
government had legalised paid<br />
idleness – all because it must<br />
stubbornly redeem a campaign<br />
promise which should not have been<br />
made <strong>in</strong> the first place.<br />
What on earth can justify legalised<br />
paid idleness <strong>in</strong> a poor country?<br />
How many other poor countries of<br />
the world, tax the workers, collect<br />
revenue from productive exports,<br />
borrow from foreign and domestic<br />
sources, only to turn around and give<br />
away a significant percentage of the<br />
proceeds of hard work and honest<br />
labour by the many to the<br />
unemployed few?<br />
H<strong>as</strong> it even occurred to the framers<br />
of this “free money” programme that<br />
millions of workers <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> earn<br />
less than the N5,000 they will give to<br />
the loafers every month? Why not give<br />
the money to them <strong>as</strong> extra?<br />
Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948,<br />
father of <strong>in</strong>dependent India, had<br />
•President of the Senate,<br />
Senator Bukola Saraki<br />
warned us that among the th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
that would destroy us are: “wealth<br />
without work.”<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce it became <strong>in</strong>dependent <strong>in</strong><br />
1948, India h<strong>as</strong> had more people<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> poverty than the entire<br />
population of <strong>Nigeria</strong> at any one<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> time. Even today, with its<br />
economy humm<strong>in</strong>g along at close<br />
to seven per cent per annum the<br />
nation h<strong>as</strong> never given away free<br />
money to idle people to stimulate<br />
its economy. Indeed, if giv<strong>in</strong>g away<br />
free money is all that is required to<br />
lift an economy out of recession and<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able economic growth then<br />
India and Ch<strong>in</strong>a have more<br />
millions of people to do it than<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. Why have they not adopted<br />
free money <strong>as</strong> economic policy?<br />
To start with, the policy represents<br />
the triumph of bad politics over<br />
good economics – <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the<br />
verdict of our own history.<br />
Most of us now vaguely remember<br />
the “Free Education Programme”<br />
<strong>in</strong> the old Western Region which<br />
started under late Chief Obafemi<br />
Awolowo. Today, <strong>in</strong> the same region,<br />
PARTIES:<br />
•APGA — 1<br />
•PDP — 4<br />
•APC — 16<br />
ZONES:<br />
•North Central<br />
•North E<strong>as</strong>t<br />
•North West<br />
Sub-Total<br />
now carved <strong>in</strong>to seven states (Ogun.<br />
Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and<br />
Delta) education that is free is not<br />
good; what is good is not free. That<br />
should tell us what to expect when<br />
any government encourages any<br />
segment of its population to “live<br />
by the begg<strong>in</strong>g bowl.”<br />
Free money is noth<strong>in</strong>g more than<br />
entrenchment of the “begg<strong>in</strong>g bowl”<br />
mentality. It does not confer dignity<br />
on the recipients; it only buys votes<br />
for politicians.<br />
It won’t even help to alleviate<br />
poverty. Globally, those liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
poverty had been def<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>as</strong> those<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g on less than two dollars ($2)<br />
a day. Giv<strong>in</strong>g N5000 per month<br />
amounts to giv<strong>in</strong>g, at Central Bank<br />
rates forty seven cents ($0.47) per<br />
day; and at parallel market rates,<br />
•Yakubu Dogara, Speaker<br />
House of Reps<br />
thirty four cents ($0.34). How on earth<br />
does that take them out of poverty? It<br />
simply makes no sense. And the N5<br />
billion per month or N60 billion per<br />
annum is only 0.008 of the budget for<br />
this year and less than 0.001 per cent of<br />
the Gross Domestic Product, GDP.<br />
Either way, it will not even cause a<br />
ripple <strong>in</strong> the economy. So, it cannot be<br />
dictated by economics.<br />
Furthermore, start<strong>in</strong>g this <strong>in</strong>evitably<br />
socially and economically destructive<br />
programme demonstrates that<br />
government knows that <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are<br />
soft people, unlike S<strong>in</strong>gaporeans. That<br />
millions of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns actually voted for<br />
a government which had promised us<br />
a soft way out of the problems we face<br />
is an <strong>in</strong>dication of the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
mentality – the someth<strong>in</strong>g for noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mentality.<br />
When Yew said “There is noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gapore gets for free”, he rem<strong>in</strong>ded<br />
me of my Economics 100 lecturer at<br />
the university, who started every<br />
Freshman cl<strong>as</strong>s with the same anecdote<br />
end<strong>in</strong>g with a punch-l<strong>in</strong>e: “There is no<br />
such th<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> a free lunch.” <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
stupidly vote for those promis<strong>in</strong>g a lot<br />
of free th<strong>in</strong>gs. Politicians capitalise on<br />
the perv<strong>as</strong>ive lack of sense to tell us<br />
5 States<br />
5 States<br />
4 States<br />
14 States<br />
ZONES:<br />
•South West 3 States<br />
•South E<strong>as</strong>t 2 States<br />
•South South 2 States<br />
Sub-Total 7 States<br />
what we like to hear and not what we<br />
must know.<br />
That expla<strong>in</strong>s why by the time Buhari<br />
w<strong>as</strong> Head of State <strong>in</strong> 1984, S<strong>in</strong>gapore,<br />
without oil, had already p<strong>as</strong>sed <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
the world’s sixth largest oil producer, <strong>in</strong><br />
terms of per capita <strong>in</strong>come and w<strong>as</strong> a<br />
more highly respected economic entity<br />
than the Giant of Africa. No government<br />
of S<strong>in</strong>gapore will ever consider giv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
free money to idle people because it<br />
makes no economic sense <strong>in</strong> the long<br />
term.<br />
Perhaps the most important re<strong>as</strong>on<br />
this programme makes no sense is that<br />
it h<strong>as</strong> an expiry date. In a nation where<br />
abandoned projects run <strong>in</strong>to thousands<br />
nationwide, free money will, at best, l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
<strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong> the Buhari regime s<strong>in</strong>ce no<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 11
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 11<br />
Payment of N5,000 by FG creates an<br />
officially recognised 'begg<strong>in</strong>g cl<strong>as</strong>s'<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 10<br />
other President made the promise to the<br />
people. It might even not l<strong>as</strong>t the entire<br />
tenure of the adm<strong>in</strong>istration.<br />
Several questions arise from this<br />
observation: What then will happen to<br />
those who have lived on paid idleness<br />
when a new government comes <strong>in</strong>to<br />
power and deletes the programme? Will<br />
the people then have to develop the selfreliance<br />
they have lacked dur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
years of paid idleness?<br />
At any rate, what stops the same<br />
government, after be<strong>in</strong>g elected to the<br />
second term, from abolish<strong>in</strong>g the project<br />
- s<strong>in</strong>ce the peoples’ votes will no longer<br />
be needed? It h<strong>as</strong> happened before. Some<br />
of the present state governors, re-elected<br />
to second terms, announced education<br />
policies which the people had not<br />
anticipated. Suddenly, states stopped<br />
pay<strong>in</strong>g WAEC and JAMB fees; school<br />
fees were <strong>in</strong>troduced; tertiary <strong>in</strong>stitution<br />
fees were <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed – among other<br />
me<strong>as</strong>ures which ignored the “begg<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bowl” mentality they have fostered when<br />
it promoted their political ambitions.<br />
In fact, if anyth<strong>in</strong>g is certa<strong>in</strong> about the<br />
future, it is the abolition of this<br />
programme which will br<strong>in</strong>g out the<br />
worst <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.<br />
IS IT FAIR TO ALL?<br />
Now, we turn to other related issues,<br />
especially politics and equity.<br />
How is it possible to choose one<br />
million out of 80 million poor people <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> without br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g subjective<br />
considerations <strong>in</strong>to the matter. Mr<br />
Laolu Akande, the spokesman for the<br />
Vice President, who made several<br />
questionable statements (e.g School<br />
feed<strong>in</strong>g programme start<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
December when nobody can verify the<br />
claim), disclosed that the funds for three<br />
states had been rele<strong>as</strong>ed to the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
Inter-Bank Settlement system – whatever<br />
that is. He w<strong>as</strong> careful not to disclose<br />
how much w<strong>as</strong> rele<strong>as</strong>ed.<br />
That w<strong>as</strong> probably deliberate. Full<br />
disclosure had not been a strong po<strong>in</strong>t<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Social Intervention Programme,<br />
SIP, which is be<strong>in</strong>g managed like the<br />
Peoples Democratic Party’s “family<br />
affair” .<br />
The first three states, accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
Akande are: Borno, Kwara and Bauchi<br />
– all controlled by the All Progressives<br />
Congress, APC, and all <strong>in</strong> the North.<br />
Perhaps it w<strong>as</strong> a co<strong>in</strong>cidence. A closer<br />
look at the list of states slated to benefit<br />
from the first roll out <strong>in</strong>dicates a more<br />
deliberately politically skewed<br />
programme. The breakdown shows that<br />
the zonal allocations are <strong>as</strong> follows:<br />
So twice <strong>as</strong> many states <strong>in</strong> the North<br />
will benefit from the programme than<br />
Southern states which provide the bulk<br />
of oil revenue and tax receipts on which<br />
the nation depends for survival.<br />
That is not all, the Vice President and<br />
his advisers on this give-away<br />
programme had ensured that the top<br />
officials <strong>in</strong> the Executive and legislative<br />
branches, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> “favorite son’s”<br />
state, Kaduna, had been <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the<br />
first list of states. States from which the<br />
President, Vice President, Senate<br />
President, Deputy Senate President had<br />
been dutifully <strong>in</strong>cluded – while most of<br />
the nation’s “C<strong>as</strong>h Cows” – Akwa Ibom,<br />
Bayelsa, Edo, Lagos, Ondo and Rivers<br />
had been excluded. The Vice President<br />
and his advisers must be labor<strong>in</strong>g under<br />
the fallacious impression that there is a<br />
state <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>n where there are no<br />
poor people. Lagos with a population<br />
of twenty million, mostly unemployed,<br />
probably h<strong>as</strong> more destitute people<br />
than the entire population of some of<br />
the states <strong>in</strong>cluded. Not a kobo will<br />
come here. Instead, Lagosians are<br />
supposed to watch while the poor <strong>in</strong><br />
the VP’s state next door receive<br />
attention.<br />
That is not all; a further breakdown<br />
of the states presents this picture b<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
on the political party controll<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
states.<br />
That by itself should raise the issue<br />
of whether they are actually try<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
eradicate poverty or pay<strong>in</strong>g off their<br />
debts to “political stalwarts”. So, this<br />
is not only a c<strong>as</strong>e of “robb<strong>in</strong>g Peters to<br />
pay Pauls”, it is so blatantly unfair one<br />
would have to f<strong>in</strong>d another word other<br />
than fraudulent to describe it.<br />
There are too many facts po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to the fact that the selections did not<br />
co<strong>in</strong>cidentally favour a<br />
predeterm<strong>in</strong>ed group’ it is the sort of<br />
happenstance that could trigger a<br />
political uproar any time soon. The<br />
programme is not even entirely new.<br />
One of the first me<strong>as</strong>ures of the PDP<br />
under President Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo w<strong>as</strong> to<br />
launch a Poverty Alleviation<br />
Programme, PAP, <strong>in</strong> 1999, with N10<br />
billion to prosecute the progarmme<br />
of <strong>as</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g poor <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns. Till today<br />
nobody can account for the money and<br />
the number of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
poverty actually <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed. Why?<br />
“Every great enterprise [especially<br />
politically motivated] starts off with<br />
enthusi<strong>as</strong>m for an exalted aim and<br />
ends up bogged down <strong>in</strong> petty politics”,<br />
Furthermore,<br />
start<strong>in</strong>g this <strong>in</strong>evitably<br />
socially and<br />
economically<br />
destructive<br />
programme<br />
demonstrates that<br />
government knows<br />
that <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are soft<br />
people, unlike<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gaporeans<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to Charles Peguy, 1873-<br />
1914. (VANGUARD BOOK OF<br />
QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 49). It w<strong>as</strong><br />
entirely political – just like this one.<br />
Nobody undertook a cost-benefit<br />
analysis to demonstrate that it would<br />
be socially beneficial <strong>in</strong> the end. It<br />
is a safe bet that this programme<br />
b<strong>as</strong>ed on the wrong economic<br />
foundations will end up <strong>in</strong> hot<br />
disagreements without achiev<strong>in</strong>g any<br />
of its aims. Anyth<strong>in</strong>g that makes no<br />
economic sense cannot l<strong>as</strong>t; and, this<br />
will not – unless <strong>Nigeria</strong>, unlike<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gapore, does not pay for<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
At le<strong>as</strong>t, we are beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
understand why <strong>Nigeria</strong> might never<br />
reach First World status. We don’t<br />
have First World economic/political<br />
managers <strong>in</strong> charge of policy. The<br />
sooner we developed them and put<br />
them <strong>in</strong> charge of key programmes,<br />
like SIP, with its enormous potentials<br />
for stimulat<strong>in</strong>g economic growth the<br />
better for us. Right now, the mentality<br />
concern<strong>in</strong>g this particular<br />
programme h<strong>as</strong> not risen above that<br />
which h<strong>as</strong> left us undeveloped for so<br />
long.<br />
“When those <strong>in</strong> office regard the<br />
power vested <strong>in</strong> them <strong>as</strong> personal<br />
prerogative, they <strong>in</strong>evitably enrich<br />
themselves, promote their families,<br />
favour their friends”, wrote Yew. A<br />
programme which h<strong>as</strong> the states<br />
from which the President, Vice<br />
President, Senate President, Deputy<br />
Senate President and Speaker of the<br />
National Assembly, among its first<br />
set of beneficiaries cannot be fair to<br />
the rest of us. It is ta<strong>in</strong>ted with too<br />
much self-seek<strong>in</strong>g at the expense of<br />
the generality of the people.<br />
P.S. Just before send<strong>in</strong>g this article<br />
to the Sunday Editor, Governor<br />
Fayose had disclaimed that people<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ekiti received any money. That is<br />
only the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of what could<br />
become a political tsunami<br />
regard<strong>in</strong>g this particular<br />
programme. The presidency h<strong>as</strong><br />
denied his claims. Buhari and those<br />
who advised him on this one are <strong>in</strong><br />
for a political war which will rob it<br />
of any political advantage they<br />
expected to get out of it. It will also<br />
most probably end up <strong>in</strong> a probe<br />
because it lacks transparency and<br />
accountability.
PAGE 12 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
How restructur<strong>in</strong>g will<br />
solve <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s problems,<br />
by Ak<strong>in</strong> Osuntokun<br />
BY DAPOAKINREFON<br />
CHIEF Ak<strong>in</strong> Osuntokun w<strong>as</strong> Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director of the News<br />
Agency of <strong>Nigeria</strong> and Political Adviser to former President<br />
Olusegun Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo. In this <strong>in</strong>terview, he op<strong>in</strong>es that unbundl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of the federal government through restructur<strong>in</strong>g will<br />
address the problems besieg<strong>in</strong>g the country. He also bares<br />
his m<strong>in</strong>d on the corruption allegations leveled aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
Secretary to the Government of the Federation <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
graz<strong>in</strong>g reserves for herdsmen. Excerpts:<br />
The President Buhari adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been combat<strong>in</strong>g corruption but<br />
critics op<strong>in</strong>e that the adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
h<strong>as</strong> made it its sole agenda. Do you share<br />
the same view?<br />
Logically, that cannot be the c<strong>as</strong>e. There is<br />
national security, the economy is there and so<br />
many other governmental concerns. So,<br />
logically the government cannot do that.<br />
Maybe people are us<strong>in</strong>g it to excuse the<br />
<strong>in</strong>capacity or lack of attention of governance<br />
<strong>in</strong> other are<strong>as</strong>. It appears the government is<br />
try<strong>in</strong>g to politicize it’s functional <strong>in</strong>capacity<br />
by reduc<strong>in</strong>g a holistic problem to the s<strong>in</strong>g song<br />
of corruption is fight<strong>in</strong>g back. Even <strong>in</strong> the fight<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st corruption, I don’t th<strong>in</strong>k that<br />
government h<strong>as</strong> succeeded very well. There<br />
are a lot of problematic issues that are<br />
begg<strong>in</strong>g for answers.<br />
Now I admit the share of the former PDP<br />
government culpability but to reduce<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g to a one size fits all argument is<br />
self-serv<strong>in</strong>g. Prior to this government and to<br />
the extent that governance ultimately stopped<br />
at the table of the former PDP government, it<br />
should be held accountable for whatever took<br />
place under its watch.<br />
The fight aga<strong>in</strong>st corruption is questionable<br />
when it seems <strong>as</strong> if it is only been applied<br />
selectively. There is that clear impression and<br />
to a large extent the correct <strong>in</strong>terpretation that<br />
the government itself is not remov<strong>in</strong>g the log<br />
<strong>in</strong> its own eye before seek<strong>in</strong>g to remove the<br />
beam <strong>in</strong> other people’s eye. As you have said,<br />
it will be an unfortunate simplistic reduction<br />
for any government, at the federal or state<br />
level, to adopt a posture that gives the<br />
impression that governance tantamount only<br />
fight<strong>in</strong>g corruption. Anti-corruption should be<br />
a priority of the government but so are many<br />
other are<strong>as</strong> of governance<br />
What is your take on the controversy<br />
surround<strong>in</strong>g corrupt allegations leveled<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st the Secretary to the Government of<br />
the Federation?<br />
Well, the c<strong>as</strong>e of the SGF seems self-evident.<br />
You don’t need to look deeper to come to a<br />
conclusion one way or the other <strong>as</strong> to the<br />
culpability or implication of the SGF <strong>in</strong> what<br />
transpired. There are issues about the company<br />
of the SGF be<strong>in</strong>g given contracts to do one<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g or the other and the defense w<strong>as</strong> that<br />
he resigned from the company a year ago; but<br />
that h<strong>as</strong> been alleged <strong>as</strong> not be<strong>in</strong>g true.<br />
Even if that were to be the c<strong>as</strong>e, it is still<br />
suspicious that a company that he owns and<br />
he h<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>sociation with, the company is a<br />
major beneficiary of the contract. So, that is a<br />
fairly well established c<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
Even before that, there were the c<strong>as</strong>es aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Interior and the Chief of Army<br />
Staff. It may be the c<strong>as</strong>e that at the end of the<br />
day they will be found <strong>in</strong>nocent of allegations<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st them but to just ignore it like that <strong>as</strong> if<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> happened is worrisome.<br />
Some people came out with allegations and<br />
even backed it up with documents and these<br />
people are there <strong>as</strong> if noth<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> happened.<br />
You cannot just ignore these k<strong>in</strong>d of th<strong>in</strong>gs. If<br />
you say that anti-corruption is a priority<br />
agenda then those k<strong>in</strong>ds of situation and the<br />
signals that you give matter a lot. It is not<br />
good for you to look the other way <strong>as</strong> if noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
h<strong>as</strong> happened. So, these are issues that are<br />
worrisome that you beg<strong>in</strong> to doubt the s<strong>in</strong>cerity<br />
of what the government is say<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> dist<strong>in</strong>ct<br />
from what it is do<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
When Chief Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo w<strong>as</strong> president, there<br />
w<strong>as</strong> this controversy over the privatisation and<br />
sale of federal government houses. It w<strong>as</strong><br />
discovered that, whether through omission<br />
or commission, there w<strong>as</strong> a cloud of<br />
suspicion surround<strong>in</strong>g the sale of one or two<br />
properties to his relatives. Immediately,<br />
Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo took the step of fir<strong>in</strong>g the m<strong>in</strong>ister<br />
of hous<strong>in</strong>g. At the end of the day, it may be<br />
that the m<strong>in</strong>ister w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>nocent, but these are<br />
the k<strong>in</strong>d of sacrifices you need to make to<br />
establish sufficient credibility for whatever<br />
it is you are do<strong>in</strong>g. That is my take on the<br />
issue.<br />
The Federal government h<strong>as</strong> attributed<br />
corruption <strong>as</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g responsible for the<br />
recession <strong>in</strong> the country. Do you agree with<br />
No serious government<br />
or <strong>as</strong>pir<strong>in</strong>g government<br />
commits to promises and<br />
pledges without be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
adequately <strong>in</strong>formed. So,<br />
I don’t see any purpose it<br />
serves other than<br />
distraction or <strong>in</strong>ability to<br />
accept the burden and<br />
responsibility of<br />
governance<br />
this position?<br />
You can draw a causal relationship<br />
between corruption and governance crisis but<br />
it amounts to trivialisation to reduce<br />
contemporary <strong>Nigeria</strong> economic recession<br />
to corruption. Globally, all economies go<br />
through cycles of recession and recovery<br />
regardless of even best efforts. In <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
there are other causal factors that have little<br />
or noth<strong>in</strong>g to do with the quality of<br />
governance. They also made the claim that<br />
the previous adm<strong>in</strong>istrations did not make<br />
any sav<strong>in</strong>gs, I th<strong>in</strong>k that is not entirely true<br />
and it is a self-serv<strong>in</strong>g argument.<br />
First, it is not true that the previous<br />
government made no sav<strong>in</strong>gs. I recall that it<br />
w<strong>as</strong> the sav<strong>in</strong>gs from the NLNG that<br />
President Buhari used for the so called bail<br />
out of state governments. What do you call<br />
that? This government met the surplus there<br />
because the previous government chose the<br />
option of sav<strong>in</strong>g it. Of course, there is the<br />
Sovereign Wealth Fund and the excess crude<br />
oil account. The utility of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
•Ak<strong>in</strong> Osuntokun<br />
governance, for me, transcends the<br />
undoubtedly beneficial culture of sav<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
What matters more is the public<br />
perception of government <strong>as</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
responsive <strong>in</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g services to the<br />
public with the little you have.<br />
In any c<strong>as</strong>e, given the magnitude of<br />
the challenge we have <strong>in</strong>, for <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />
<strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructural deficit, you have to spend.<br />
The argument is not about spend<strong>in</strong>g, it<br />
is about what w<strong>as</strong> done with what w<strong>as</strong><br />
available and whether it w<strong>as</strong> judiciously<br />
applied or not.<br />
The habit of scapegoat<strong>in</strong>g previous<br />
governments go<strong>in</strong>g on two years of<br />
<strong>as</strong>sumption of office is a tenuous logic<br />
and, frankly, it is not helpful to the<br />
government and the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n public.<br />
More questionable is the capacity and<br />
competence of the present government<br />
itself to grapple with the situation <strong>in</strong><br />
which we found ourselves.<br />
But another argument of the Buhari<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration is that it is not<br />
responsible for the current situation<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong> found itself?<br />
That is dereliction of duty because you<br />
have been <strong>in</strong> government for over a year<br />
and the half now, and you made some<br />
statements and pledges on how to move<br />
the country forward. Now, if you are<br />
tell<strong>in</strong>g us that you made those statements<br />
or pledge <strong>in</strong> ignorance, that is a reflection<br />
of <strong>in</strong>capacity or <strong>in</strong>competence. No<br />
serious government or <strong>as</strong>pir<strong>in</strong>g<br />
government commits to promises and<br />
pledges without be<strong>in</strong>g adequately<br />
<strong>in</strong>formed. So, I don’t see any purpose it<br />
serves other than distraction or <strong>in</strong>ability<br />
to accept the burden and responsibility<br />
of governance.<br />
Former President Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo said that<br />
we knew th<strong>in</strong>gs were bad, that is why we<br />
elected you to fix it and stop the blame<br />
game. W<strong>as</strong> it corruption that accounted<br />
for the l<strong>as</strong>t budget where different<br />
versions were float<strong>in</strong>g around? W<strong>as</strong> that<br />
the previous government that did that?<br />
W<strong>as</strong> it the former government that<br />
appo<strong>in</strong>ted the SGF and other appo<strong>in</strong>tees<br />
that cannot withstand public scrut<strong>in</strong>y?<br />
These th<strong>in</strong>gs are not help<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
government neither is it help<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
people.<br />
If you are to advise the Buhari<br />
govern,net, what steps should be taken<br />
to br<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Nigeria</strong> out of the woods?<br />
One th<strong>in</strong>g that the government and<br />
everybody seem to get wrong is the belief<br />
that there is someth<strong>in</strong>g wrong and<br />
abnormal <strong>in</strong> a country experienc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
recession. It is human and absolutely<br />
normal to go through the cycles of life<br />
and existence beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g with the primal<br />
cycle of life and death. Ultimately it is<br />
how you are able to grapple with that<br />
challenge that matters. It is not<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g that you seek escapism from.<br />
As <strong>Nigeria</strong> is, the problem is deeper than<br />
to be seen strictly from the economic<br />
perspective. You have to look at it<br />
comprehensively.<br />
Under the present structure, the federal<br />
government is encumbered with so<br />
many responsibilities and functions than<br />
it can effectively discharge and that are<br />
at variance with the fundamental<br />
constitutional <strong>as</strong>piration of true and<br />
functional federalism. In so do<strong>in</strong>g, the<br />
federal government h<strong>as</strong> become a cog<br />
<strong>in</strong> the wheel of the growth and progress<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
Structurally and functionally, the<br />
country is presently bound to a vicious<br />
cycle of political crisis and economic<br />
<strong>in</strong>stability - one feed<strong>in</strong>g the other.<br />
Many of the issues we are<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g now can be addressed<br />
with commitment to<br />
decentralisation and<br />
devolution of powers.<br />
In simple terms:<br />
restructur<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
country?<br />
Of course, that h<strong>as</strong><br />
been my position. But<br />
you know the<br />
position of the<br />
President on the<br />
issue. For him, he<br />
h<strong>as</strong> dismissed the<br />
2 0 1 4<br />
recommendations of<br />
the National Conference<br />
and that it is only good for<br />
the archives. It is becom<strong>in</strong>g clearer to<br />
me by the day that our options are<br />
limited to restructur<strong>in</strong>g or the clearly<br />
untenable alternative of dictatorship. As<br />
it is, it is like we are thr<strong>as</strong>h<strong>in</strong>g around <strong>in</strong><br />
the dark. We have a situation where state<br />
governments cannot fulfil the b<strong>as</strong>ic<br />
responsibility of pay<strong>in</strong>g salaries. There<br />
is total illogicality about the<br />
constitutional structure of the country.<br />
V<strong>as</strong>t majority of the states are technically<br />
bankrupt. So, until you resolve these<br />
k<strong>in</strong>ds of abnormalities, we are not<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g anywhere. Until <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
grapples with its constitutional structure,<br />
we are not go<strong>in</strong>g anywhere; the federal<br />
government h<strong>as</strong> to be unbundled.<br />
Herdsmen crisis?<br />
I don’t see why it is the responsibility<br />
of the federal government to take a<br />
decision that amounts to an imposition<br />
on the state government and <strong>in</strong>deed the<br />
substantial majority of the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
public. It is liable to be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terpreted<br />
<strong>as</strong> discrim<strong>in</strong>ation and partiality - it may<br />
not be the c<strong>as</strong>e but when there is an<br />
imposition from the federal government,<br />
all sorts of <strong>in</strong>terpretation are given to it.<br />
The issue could have been handled<br />
differently and that is to encourage a<br />
free will and voluntary resolution. At any<br />
rate how do countries that have the same<br />
environment like the far north address<br />
the sustenance of its cattle animal<br />
farm<strong>in</strong>g. Suppose Southern <strong>Nigeria</strong> is<br />
a different country from the North, how<br />
would this problem get resolved? Are<br />
we say<strong>in</strong>g these people will keep<br />
<strong>in</strong>vad<strong>in</strong>g another country? There are<br />
examples of countries <strong>in</strong> West Africa that<br />
have similar eco system <strong>as</strong> the north,<br />
what have they done to address the issue<br />
of graz<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
Why not limit the graz<strong>in</strong>g reserve to<br />
are<strong>as</strong> that have no issues with cattle<br />
rear<strong>in</strong>g and collaborate with such<br />
accommodat<strong>in</strong>g local public <strong>in</strong><br />
provid<strong>in</strong>g adequate p<strong>as</strong>ture rather than<br />
coerc<strong>in</strong>g people to submit to imposition?<br />
Leave it to the free will of the people.<br />
Allow each state government to decide<br />
whether they want graz<strong>in</strong>g reserves or<br />
not. Cattle-farm<strong>in</strong>g is an economic<br />
activity that h<strong>as</strong> the potential to impact<br />
positively on local economies - this is<br />
how it should be managed and<br />
promoted. Se<strong>as</strong>onal Fulani farmers<br />
come annually from far flung places to<br />
engage <strong>in</strong> fadama farm<strong>in</strong>g on a t<strong>in</strong>y<br />
portion of my farmland at Okemesi -<br />
for roughly five months. The farmland<br />
is fadama compliant on account of<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g crossed by a tributary of river osun.<br />
The occupation is so profitable that they<br />
pay me upwards of N250000 each year;<br />
which I, <strong>in</strong> turn, donate to the community<br />
and so I look forward to host<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
every year.
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017 — PAGE 13
PAGE 14— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Busty Romangoddess impostor<br />
surfaces on Facebook<br />
Why my comedy shows<br />
are successful abroad<br />
– B<strong>as</strong>ketmouth<br />
Romangoddess may have no solid<br />
claim to fame but <strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t one year<br />
the lady with humongous boobs and<br />
immense shapely backside made popular by<br />
Instagram h<strong>as</strong> atta<strong>in</strong>ed someth<strong>in</strong>g of a star<br />
status. And she catapulted <strong>in</strong>to bigger fame<br />
when she met one of her mentors, Cossy Orjiakor,<br />
both of whom made a big buzz with<br />
their boobs tango.<br />
Star or not, some are beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to see her<br />
<strong>as</strong> a brand big enough to employ <strong>in</strong> dup<strong>in</strong>g<br />
people. With her shapely figure, ooz<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
sprawl<strong>in</strong>g boobs and flourish<strong>in</strong>g butts, her<br />
pictures, are be<strong>in</strong>g used <strong>as</strong> a bait to lure wanton<br />
men and dispossess them of their hardearned<br />
money.<br />
Though Romangoddess herself h<strong>as</strong> said<br />
she’s not on Facebook or any other platform,<br />
Instagram but this, seems not to have<br />
deterred her impostors who now brazenly display<br />
her pictures with pseudo names.<br />
Potpourri itself had an encounter with a<br />
lady who calls herself Bless<strong>in</strong>g Umunna, display<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Romangoddess’ pictures <strong>as</strong> her own.<br />
After send<strong>in</strong>g a friend request to Potpourri,<br />
the lady proceeded to unveil her trade.<br />
Here is the chat that ensued between Potpourri<br />
and the lady:<br />
Lady: Good morn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Merry Xm<strong>as</strong>, hope you are<br />
f<strong>in</strong>e?<br />
Potpourri: F<strong>in</strong>e, hope<br />
you are enjoy<strong>in</strong>g the holiday.<br />
Are you b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> Lagos?<br />
Lady: No, Portharcourt.<br />
I want to come to Lagos<br />
for the weekend but I am<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g if I should come or<br />
not because I don’t have<br />
much fare to come.<br />
This w<strong>as</strong> the first conversation<br />
between Potpourri and the Impostor<br />
that gave a h<strong>in</strong>t she could<br />
only be an impostor. After days<br />
of not reply<strong>in</strong>g to her bait, she<br />
laid off for a while and returned<br />
after New Year to try<br />
her hand aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Lady: Happy New Year,<br />
how are you do<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
Potpourri: I am Ok<br />
Lady: Ok Baby, send me airtime<br />
na, ple<strong>as</strong>e, MTN or Airtel.<br />
Potpour-<br />
By Imanuel Jannah<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n comedian Bright Okpocha popularly<br />
called B<strong>as</strong>ketmouth h<strong>as</strong> revealed why his comedy<br />
shows abroad have been hugely successful.<br />
B<strong>as</strong>ketmouth told Peter Okocha dur<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>terview on BBC<br />
News program –Focus on Africa – which w<strong>as</strong> monitored by<br />
Vanguard Potpourri that the universality of his jokes w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
re<strong>as</strong>on why his jokes are well received abroad.<br />
He said: “I try <strong>as</strong> much <strong>as</strong> possible to<br />
make my materials universal. So that way,<br />
I don’t goof. When I come the UK to do<br />
my gigs or even <strong>in</strong> America, I try <strong>as</strong> much<br />
<strong>as</strong> possible to avoid say<strong>in</strong>g anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
about <strong>Nigeria</strong>. These guys don’t know<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g about <strong>Nigeria</strong>. My jokes are<br />
always universal, which is the re<strong>as</strong>on I<br />
can e<strong>as</strong>ily break <strong>in</strong>to those grounds.”<br />
B<strong>as</strong>ketmouth<br />
ri: I thought<br />
you are<br />
more sophisticated<br />
than<br />
this. It’s unladylike<br />
to beg<br />
from a man<br />
you haven’t<br />
met.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce then,<br />
she h<strong>as</strong> disappeared<br />
from the radar.<br />
End of<br />
story.<br />
Real Romangoddess<br />
On-the-rise Nollywood actress, Colette Orji, who<br />
is today seen <strong>as</strong> one of the sexiest women <strong>in</strong> the<br />
movie <strong>in</strong>dustry h<strong>as</strong> revealed, <strong>in</strong> a social media rant, the<br />
battle she had to fight some bullies because of her small<br />
boobs <strong>in</strong> her adolescent years.<br />
At age eleven, the actress said, some girls <strong>in</strong> her<br />
school decided to take on her, <strong>in</strong> a bid to f<strong>in</strong>d out if<br />
she really had boobs at all. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to her, at that<br />
age, she w<strong>as</strong> practically flat chested and some bullies<br />
<strong>in</strong> the school thought it w<strong>as</strong>n’t natural and thus,<br />
embarked on a mission to expose her.<br />
In her words: So, I w<strong>as</strong> just eleven years old (11) when<br />
I entered secondary school & both girls & boys wouldn’t<br />
let me be. A group of girls after hav<strong>in</strong>g a meet<strong>in</strong>g me ,<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ally sent their executive branch to expose me on the<br />
subject matter. ‘Collette Nkem, We have concluded and<br />
we want to know why you don’t have BREAST ‘ they<br />
told me. Is it because you are ty<strong>in</strong>g your bre<strong>as</strong>t so you<br />
look like you don’t have bobi ( boobs )?”<br />
Anita Joseph, Ej<strong>in</strong>e Okoroafor celebrate birthdays<br />
Romangoddess<br />
<strong>as</strong> Bless<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Umunna on<br />
Fcaebook<br />
Ej<strong>in</strong>e Okoroafor<br />
Actress Colette Orji reveals survival battle<br />
over her small boobs<br />
When they decided to get rough she elected to meet<br />
them fire for fire.<br />
“ I w<strong>as</strong> silent, not sure what to respond to all those<br />
accusations or even how to respond & crowd w<strong>as</strong><br />
build<strong>in</strong>g up. Amidst the crowd w<strong>as</strong> a friend , her name<br />
withheld, she walked to me & said Coco, you have no<br />
right to let these girls bully you <strong>in</strong>to silence. - the girls<br />
actually charged towards me to f<strong>in</strong>d out why my chest<br />
w<strong>as</strong> too flat. - this w<strong>as</strong> actually <strong>in</strong>side the ma<strong>in</strong> market<br />
. I couldn’t take it no more, I charged and pushed<br />
back the girl who w<strong>as</strong> closest to me ( name withheld;<br />
she’s read<strong>in</strong>g this ýÿ% ) - the others<br />
fled ! - the escaped goat (<br />
girl) begged for her rele<strong>as</strong>e (<br />
her crowd had left her beh<strong>in</strong>d).<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> never bullied<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> secondary school till<br />
i got to high school,” she recounts<br />
Anita Joseph<br />
Potpourri darl<strong>in</strong>gs; Nollywood<br />
div<strong>as</strong>, Anita Joseph and Ej<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Okoroafor are birthday mates and<br />
friends too. They both celebrated<br />
their birthdays on January 4, 2017<br />
with different touches that oozed of<br />
cl<strong>as</strong>s and panache.<br />
As soon <strong>as</strong> the day broke,pictures<br />
of the two div<strong>as</strong> littered the social<br />
media with thousands of their<br />
friends and fans bath<strong>in</strong>g them with<br />
prayers and praises. Potpourri<br />
wishes them happy birthday.<br />
Colette Orji
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 15<br />
Celebrity wedd<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bells <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
wait<strong>in</strong>g to hear<br />
Falz and Simi<br />
BY JULIET EBIRIM AND ROTIMI AGBANA<br />
Flavour and Chidimma<br />
Flavour and Chid<strong>in</strong>ma’s on-screen chemistry is<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g that is undeniable and this h<strong>as</strong> led<br />
many to believe that a sizzl<strong>in</strong>g romance must<br />
be go<strong>in</strong>g on between both celebrity superstars. Their<br />
kiss <strong>in</strong> the music video for ‘Ololufe’ went on to stamp<br />
this notion <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>ds of their fans. Also, dur<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
performance at Phynofest <strong>in</strong> Onitsha, the two further<br />
fueled rumours by kiss<strong>in</strong>g on stage.<br />
Late l<strong>as</strong>t year, Chidimma who h<strong>as</strong> 1.6 million<br />
followers on Instagram, deleted all the photos on her<br />
page except the photos and videos which have s<strong>in</strong>ger<br />
Flavour <strong>in</strong> them.<br />
Though Flavour h<strong>as</strong> two baby mam<strong>as</strong>, there is<br />
every chance that he and Chid<strong>in</strong>ma, would make the<br />
perfect celebrity couple.<br />
Falz and Simi<br />
It’s nobody’s fault to th<strong>in</strong>k that Simi and Falz<br />
could possibly be dat<strong>in</strong>g. The comic rapper and<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t ris<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>ger have an amaz<strong>in</strong>g chemistry both <strong>in</strong><br />
their songs and performances which h<strong>as</strong> led many to<br />
believe that they are <strong>in</strong> a relationship.<br />
But despite the huge pressure from fans, request<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for an explanation of what is go<strong>in</strong>g on between them,<br />
due to exclusive romantic photos they’ve been<br />
rele<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g lately. Falz and Simi have thrown fans <strong>in</strong>to<br />
more confusion <strong>as</strong> they cont<strong>in</strong>ue to churn out more<br />
photos, which many concluded to be their prewedd<strong>in</strong>g<br />
photos.<br />
Burna Boy and Cynthia Morgan<br />
Tongues have cont<strong>in</strong>ued to wag over the dat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rumour trail<strong>in</strong>g top <strong>Nigeria</strong>n music act, Cynthia<br />
Morgan and Burna Boy. While cozy photos of the duo<br />
surfaced onl<strong>in</strong>e some time ago, the duo gave a h<strong>in</strong>t<br />
when Burna Boy took to his Instagram page to send a<br />
shout out to Cynthia when she celebrated her<br />
birthday.<br />
‘Happy birthday mami. Ur the sweetest,’ he posted<br />
and moments later, the ‘German Juice’ s<strong>in</strong>ger<br />
dropped a response which read, ‘thank you bubbles,<br />
luhhhhh (love) you papi’.<br />
Cynthia Morgan seem<strong>in</strong>gly made a confirmation<br />
when she shared photos of her kiss<strong>in</strong>g the ‘Don<br />
Gorgon’ s<strong>in</strong>ger. While many expressed surprise over<br />
the revelation, others claim the relationship<br />
between them is only a professional one with no<br />
Ojay Wright &<br />
Moyo Lawal<br />
•Flavour and Chidimma<br />
str<strong>in</strong>gs attached. Only time will tell if the<br />
relationship will beyond that.<br />
Ojay Wright and Moyo Lawal<br />
Junk-<strong>in</strong>-the-trunk actress, Moyo Lawal, and<br />
Ojayy Wright, the second son of veteran<br />
Burna Boy and Cynthia Morgan<br />
Nollywood actress, Bukky Wright, have<br />
been fuell<strong>in</strong>g suspicions that they seem<br />
to be an item. Though they have not<br />
openly confirmed their tryst or made any<br />
statement to this effect, we can confirm<br />
that the two were seen a couple of times<br />
<strong>in</strong> the company of each other at<br />
enterta<strong>in</strong>ment events <strong>in</strong> 2016, such <strong>as</strong><br />
AFRIMA village and Felabration.<br />
Though the suspected love birds have<br />
been quite discreet about their aff<strong>in</strong>ity,<br />
but feelers believe the two are an item.<br />
I <strong>in</strong>tend to make money, w<strong>in</strong> awards from The<br />
Three Wise Men — Opa Williams<br />
•Opa Williams<br />
BY ROTIMI AGBANA<br />
Ace Nollywood movie<br />
producer, Opa Williams, is<br />
gunn<strong>in</strong>g for the skies with the<br />
premiere of his latest movie,<br />
The Three Wise Men, a comic<br />
movie which deals with serious<br />
issues of life. The talented<br />
movie-maker who premiered<br />
the movie late l<strong>as</strong>t year, says<br />
<strong>as</strong> a bus<strong>in</strong>ess man he hopes to<br />
make a lot of money and bag<br />
some awards to decorate his<br />
hall of fame <strong>as</strong> part of his<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>s from the movie. Speak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g an exclusive <strong>in</strong>terview,<br />
Opa Williams hilariously<br />
told Potpourri what he expects to<br />
ga<strong>in</strong> from film<strong>in</strong>g The Three Wise<br />
Men. “Two th<strong>in</strong>gs I want to cl<strong>in</strong>ch<br />
from the film<strong>in</strong>g of this movie are<br />
awards and money”, he said hilariously.<br />
As to what <strong>in</strong>spired the movie,<br />
title, and the c<strong>as</strong>t, he had <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g<br />
responses. “We all th<strong>in</strong>k we are<br />
wise, but do you know if a decision<br />
you take is a wise one? So I just<br />
thought I should name the movie<br />
The Three Wise Men, because <strong>in</strong><br />
life whatever situation you f<strong>in</strong>d<br />
yourself you must take a decision,<br />
be it good or bad.”<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him, RMD, Zack<br />
Orji and Victor Olaotan were just<br />
the best choice of c<strong>as</strong>t for the roles<br />
they all played <strong>in</strong> the movie. “I<br />
w<strong>as</strong> look<strong>in</strong>g for people that can<br />
<strong>in</strong>terpret roles, which is very key,<br />
not because they are popular, but<br />
because they are able to imbibe<br />
the role <strong>in</strong>to themselves and later<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g it out. I sat down and decided<br />
on RMD, Zack Orji and<br />
Victor Olaotan because they were<br />
the best for the roles. Another<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g is that, whatever we do, we<br />
are <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess, we know who<br />
sells, sometimes you br<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a<br />
star and they give you a wishyw<strong>as</strong>hy<br />
movie and then it flops, but<br />
if you are able to get a good story,<br />
a good star, a good production<br />
value, and then you are up.”
PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
sav<strong>in</strong>g lives<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
PROTECTING AN ORGAN THAT T PERFORMS OVER 500 FUNCTIONS<br />
Your liver won’t leave<br />
you if you live well<br />
BY SOLA OGUNDIPE<br />
The human liver is a<br />
wondrous organ. It h<strong>as</strong><br />
some 500 critical jobs. It<br />
works very hard but gets<br />
little credit. For your liver,<br />
that’s all <strong>in</strong> a day’s work. Each day, it<br />
makes bile, converts nutrients from<br />
diet, cleans tox<strong>in</strong>s from blood, breaks<br />
down fats, alcohol and medications,<br />
controls blood sugar and hormone<br />
levels, stores iron, adjusts cholesterol<br />
levels, builds prote<strong>in</strong>s, stores sugar for<br />
when you really need it and regulates<br />
hormone levels, and much more.<br />
Your liver is the second-largest<br />
organ <strong>in</strong> your body. You can’t live a<br />
week without your liver. Your liver<br />
health may not be top of m<strong>in</strong>d, but the<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ute it malfunctioned there<br />
wouldn’t be much else on your m<strong>in</strong>d.<br />
Cirrhosis <strong>in</strong> which liver cells are<br />
replaced with scar tissue, can prevent<br />
your liver from do<strong>in</strong>g its critical jobs.<br />
So can nonalcoholic fatty liver<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>e, a f<strong>as</strong>t-grow<strong>in</strong>g epidemic<br />
among the obese, which can lead to<br />
cirrhosis. If your liver stopped<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g, tox<strong>in</strong>s would accumulate,<br />
you couldn’t digest your food and<br />
medications would never leave your<br />
body.<br />
Symptoms<br />
You shouldn’t wait for symptoms to<br />
appear to beg<strong>in</strong> pay<strong>in</strong>g attention to<br />
the possibility of liver dise<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
You don’t want to turn yellow with<br />
jaundice or feel pa<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> your upper<br />
right abdomen because those are<br />
signs your liver is already very sick. It<br />
is far better to stop liver dise<strong>as</strong>e before<br />
it gets too serious.<br />
Exposure to tox<strong>in</strong>s<br />
While the liver is responsible for<br />
Just because a<br />
supplement is labeled <strong>as</strong><br />
“natural” doesn’t mean<br />
it’s good for you —<br />
many herbs and<br />
supplements have been<br />
<strong>as</strong>sociated with liver<br />
damage. Tak<strong>in</strong>g more<br />
than one medic<strong>in</strong>e or<br />
herb that acts on the liver<br />
may compound the issue<br />
clean<strong>in</strong>g tox<strong>in</strong>s from the blood,<br />
overexposure to tox<strong>in</strong>s can be<br />
harmful. Read warn<strong>in</strong>g labels on<br />
chemicals you use around the house,<br />
and w<strong>as</strong>h fruits and vegetables before<br />
consumption to ensure you’re not<br />
digest<strong>in</strong>g pesticides.<br />
Buy clean fruits and greens<br />
Just because a supplement is<br />
labeled <strong>as</strong> “natural” doesn’t mean it’s<br />
good for you — many herbs and<br />
supplements have been <strong>as</strong>sociated<br />
with liver damage. Tak<strong>in</strong>g more than<br />
one medic<strong>in</strong>e or herb that acts on the<br />
liver may compound the issue. Tell<br />
your doctor about every medication<br />
and supplement you take, even<br />
occ<strong>as</strong>ional or over-the-counter<br />
remedies.<br />
Obesity risk<br />
Obesity significantly <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>es your<br />
risk of develop<strong>in</strong>g nonalcoholic fatty<br />
liver dise<strong>as</strong>e. Fat <strong>in</strong> the liver can cause<br />
<strong>in</strong>flammation, which may lead to the<br />
development of fibrosis and<br />
cirrhosis. Due to the ris<strong>in</strong>g epidemic<br />
of obesity, the prevalence of<br />
nonalcoholic fatty liver dise<strong>as</strong>e is<br />
rapidly <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g and is expected to<br />
overtake hepatitis C <strong>as</strong> the lead<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dication for liver transplant.<br />
Family history<br />
Whether you or a family member h<strong>as</strong><br />
experienced liver dise<strong>as</strong>e, you may be<br />
more vulnerable to liver conditions.<br />
For example, hepatitis B or C are<br />
risk factors for liver cancer. If a close<br />
relative ever had a genetic liver<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>e, then you should watch out for<br />
symptoms. If you or an immediate<br />
family member h<strong>as</strong> had liver dise<strong>as</strong>e,<br />
you’ll need to avoid alcohol. Make a<br />
liver enzyme test part of your annual<br />
physical.<br />
Beware of detox products and liver<br />
cleansers<br />
Liver cleanses have not been proven<br />
to treat exist<strong>in</strong>g liver damage. Though<br />
liver cleanses are packaged to claim<br />
that they’re a cure-all for daily liver<br />
health and over<strong>in</strong>dulgence, they are<br />
not recommended because many are<br />
unregulated and not adequately<br />
tested <strong>in</strong> cl<strong>in</strong>ical trials. For<br />
over<strong>in</strong>dulgence of alcohol or food, less<br />
is always best when it comes to liver<br />
health, and cleanses have not been<br />
proven to rid your body of damage from<br />
excess consumption. Many liver<br />
detoxification products are also sold<br />
<strong>as</strong> weight loss cleanses. However, there<br />
are no cl<strong>in</strong>ical data to support the<br />
efficacy of these cleanses. In fact, some<br />
dietary supplements can actually<br />
cause harm to the liver by lead<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
drug-<strong>in</strong>duced <strong>in</strong>jury and should thus<br />
be used with caution.<br />
Protect your liver<br />
There are many preventive steps you<br />
can take to protect yourself aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
liver dise<strong>as</strong>e. Take note of the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
M<strong>in</strong>imise alcohol <strong>in</strong>take - If you<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k only lifelong, fall<strong>in</strong>g-down<br />
drunks get cirrhosis of the liver —<br />
you’re mistaken. Just four ounces a day<br />
of hard liquor for men (two for women)<br />
can beg<strong>in</strong> to scar your liver. On a<br />
rout<strong>in</strong>e b<strong>as</strong>is, men should not consume<br />
more than three dr<strong>in</strong>ks per day, and<br />
women should not consume more than<br />
two dr<strong>in</strong>ks per day to prevent the<br />
development of alcoholic liver dise<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
Alcohol fatty liver which causes liver<br />
<strong>in</strong>flammation, eventual scarr<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
liver cancer, is a process that beg<strong>in</strong>s on<br />
<strong>as</strong> little <strong>as</strong> four dr<strong>in</strong>ks a day for men<br />
and two for women. By the time you<br />
show symptoms, your liver may be<br />
damaged beyond repair. The good<br />
news: people who stop dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g at the<br />
fatty liver stage may f<strong>in</strong>d their<br />
condition revers<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Avoid weight ga<strong>in</strong> - Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> your<br />
Body M<strong>as</strong>s Index <strong>in</strong> the normal range<br />
(18 to 25) by eat<strong>in</strong>g healthy and<br />
exercis<strong>in</strong>g on a regular b<strong>as</strong>is to<br />
decre<strong>as</strong>e your risk of develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
nonalcoholic fatty liver dise<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
Exercise and eat right.<br />
Eat right - Fatty liver dise<strong>as</strong>e is the<br />
world’s f<strong>as</strong>test grow<strong>in</strong>g re<strong>as</strong>on for<br />
need<strong>in</strong>g a liver transplant. As with<br />
alcoholic fatty liver, it can be reversed<br />
at the “fatty” stage by cutt<strong>in</strong>g simple<br />
carbohydrates like bread and sugar<br />
and eat<strong>in</strong>g more fruits, vegetables and<br />
prote<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Don’t engage <strong>in</strong> risky behavior -<br />
To avoid the risk of acquir<strong>in</strong>g viral<br />
hepatitis, do not engage <strong>in</strong> behaviors<br />
such <strong>as</strong> illicit drug use or hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
unprotected sex with multiple<br />
partners.<br />
Know your risk factors - If you<br />
have the risk factors for liver dise<strong>as</strong>e,<br />
it’s important to go for screen<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>as</strong><br />
chronic liver dise<strong>as</strong>e can be silent for<br />
years and go unrecognized. These<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude excessive alcohol use, family<br />
history of liver dise<strong>as</strong>e, risk factors for<br />
hepatitis C, a history of tattoos <strong>in</strong>ked<br />
<strong>in</strong> an unregulated sett<strong>in</strong>g, etc.<br />
Prevent hepatitis <strong>in</strong>fection -<br />
Hepatitis A and B are viral dise<strong>as</strong>es of<br />
the liver. While many children have<br />
now been immunized, many adults<br />
have not. Ask your doctor if you are at<br />
risk.<br />
Practice safe sex - Hepatitis B and<br />
C can develop <strong>in</strong>to chronic conditions<br />
that may eventually destroy your liver.<br />
They are transmitted by blood and<br />
other bodily fluids.<br />
W<strong>as</strong>h your hands - Hepatitis A is<br />
spread through contact with<br />
contam<strong>in</strong>ated food or water.<br />
The liver represents the human<br />
body’s primary filtration system,<br />
convert<strong>in</strong>g tox<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong>to w<strong>as</strong>te products,<br />
cleans<strong>in</strong>g blood, and metaboliz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
nutrients and medications to provide<br />
the body with some of its most<br />
important prote<strong>in</strong>s. It is a fundamental<br />
part of the body’s overall regulation<br />
hence it’s paramount to keep your liver<br />
healthy by limit<strong>in</strong>g over<strong>in</strong>dulgence.<br />
Ultimately, the best th<strong>in</strong>g you can do<br />
to keep your liver healthy is to treat it<br />
well. Avoid frequent overconsumption<br />
of food and alcohol, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a<br />
healthy diet and exercise regimen,<br />
and get screened if you have liver<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>e risk factors. If you do have liver<br />
damage, work with your physician to<br />
come up with the healthiest and safest<br />
plan for your personal needs.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 17<br />
healthyliv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
WHY CIGARETTE AND<br />
PREGNANCY DON’T MIX<br />
Quit that<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g<br />
environment<br />
or your<br />
unborn<br />
baby dies<br />
BY CHIOMAOBINNA<br />
When NgoziUgonna’sblood<br />
laboratory test result<br />
revealed she w<strong>as</strong><br />
pregnant, her joy knew no<br />
bounds. The smile on her<br />
face <strong>as</strong> the news w<strong>as</strong> broken to her after<br />
three years of childlessness w<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>fections. No one <strong>in</strong> her family needed a<br />
soothsayer to know that someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
extraord<strong>in</strong>ary h<strong>as</strong> happened <strong>in</strong> her life.<br />
Her husband, Eddie, w<strong>as</strong> equally elated.<br />
Over and over aga<strong>in</strong>,he went through the<br />
lab result. He w<strong>as</strong> happy that, at l<strong>as</strong>t, his<br />
yearn<strong>in</strong>g for a baby w<strong>as</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g realised.<br />
As weeks rolled by, the hope of the couple<br />
grew.<br />
But, unexpectedly, Ugonna’s excitement<br />
w<strong>as</strong> cut short. At precisely 20 weeks<br />
gestation, she lost the pregnancy. F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
showed that a major contributor to the loss<br />
w<strong>as</strong> her smok<strong>in</strong>g habits. Even before<br />
marriage, Ugonna had been a heavy<br />
smoker.<br />
She had had been smok<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>ce her<br />
first year <strong>in</strong> the university. Efforts by her<br />
husband to make her drop the habit failed<br />
<strong>as</strong> she claimed she couldn’t do without at<br />
le<strong>as</strong>t a stick of cigarette every day.<br />
But little did she know that cigarettes<br />
conta<strong>in</strong> dangerous chemicals, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
nicot<strong>in</strong>e, carbon monoxide, and tar that<br />
can significantly <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e the risk of<br />
pregnancy complications, some of which<br />
can be fatal for the mother and the baby.<br />
Simply put, cigarettes and pregnancy<br />
don’t mix.<br />
Ugonna’s woes began one morn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
when she could not feel the usual<br />
Just like most<br />
pregnant women,<br />
Grace had no<br />
<strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ation of the<br />
negative implications<br />
of the smoke she<br />
usually <strong>in</strong>haled while<br />
her husband smoked<br />
until she had a<br />
preterm birth<br />
movement of the foetus (baby). This<br />
prompted her visit to her doctor. The<br />
doctor listened to the baby’s heartbeat<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g a handheld ultr<strong>as</strong>ound device<br />
called a doppler. Sadly, there w<strong>as</strong> no<br />
heartbeat.<br />
Ugonna w<strong>as</strong> heartbroken. The doctor<br />
recommended an ultr<strong>as</strong>ound scan<br />
immediately. Sadly, it w<strong>as</strong> discovered<br />
that the baby had died. Ugonna had a<br />
stillbirth. Available statistics showed<br />
that about 1 <strong>in</strong> 160 pregnancies end <strong>in</strong><br />
stillbirth.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the United States Centres<br />
for Dise<strong>as</strong>e Control and Prevention, CDC,<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g raises the likelihood of both<br />
early miscarriage and stillbirth. The<br />
dangerous chemicals <strong>in</strong> cigarettes are<br />
often to blame and such w<strong>as</strong> the fate of<br />
Ugonna’s pregnancy.<br />
Thousands of women are faced with the<br />
same challenge <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g women whose<br />
husbands are smokers or those who live<br />
<strong>in</strong> a smok<strong>in</strong>g environment. F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
showed that second-hand smoke is<br />
dangerous to the foetus. Grace Egbe, 32,<br />
whose husband’s addiction to smok<strong>in</strong>g<br />
almost destroyed her life and that of her<br />
unborn child, is a cl<strong>as</strong>sic example.<br />
Grace, a mother of two, almost lost her<br />
life while she w<strong>as</strong> pregnant for her third<br />
child, no thanks to “second-hand smoke”,<br />
also called environmental tobacco<br />
smoke. Second-hand smoke is the<br />
comb<strong>in</strong>ation of smoke from the burn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed<br />
out by smokers. Second-hand smoke<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>s more than 7,000 chemicals.<br />
Hundreds are toxic and about 70 can<br />
cause cancer.<br />
Harm from ‘show of love’<br />
Just like most pregnant women, Grace<br />
had no <strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ation of the negative<br />
implications of the smoke she usually<br />
<strong>in</strong>haled while her husband smoked until<br />
she had a preterm birth.<br />
No doubt, every couple enjoys the<br />
company of one another. Grace’s c<strong>as</strong>e w<strong>as</strong><br />
no different. She w<strong>as</strong> always at the beck<br />
and call of the husband <strong>as</strong> they usually<br />
sat together while her husband smoked.<br />
Out of ignorance, Grace w<strong>as</strong> enjoy<strong>in</strong>g his<br />
company even <strong>in</strong> pregnancy. But little<br />
did she know that what she termed <strong>as</strong><br />
‘show of love’ could harm her and her<br />
unborn child.<br />
Five months <strong>in</strong>to her pregnancy, she<br />
w<strong>as</strong> diagnosed of placenta previa.<br />
Smok<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> been identified <strong>as</strong> a risk<br />
factor for placenta previa. Placenta<br />
previa is when the placenta stays <strong>in</strong> the<br />
lower part of the uterus, partially or fully<br />
cover<strong>in</strong>g the cervix. When this happens,<br />
the placenta often tears, caus<strong>in</strong>g excessive<br />
bleed<strong>in</strong>g and depriv<strong>in</strong>g the foetus of vital<br />
nutrients and oxygen.<br />
In ideal situation, dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy,<br />
the placenta normally grows <strong>in</strong> the uterus<br />
towards the top of the womb and this<br />
leaves the cervix open for delivery.<br />
Unfortunately, Grace’s c<strong>as</strong>e w<strong>as</strong><br />
different.<br />
Upon discovery, her doctors placed her<br />
on bed rest to see if the placenta will<br />
revert. While still battl<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />
problem, she developed placenta<br />
abruption, a condition <strong>in</strong> which the<br />
placenta separates from the uterus before<br />
childbirth.<br />
At this po<strong>in</strong>t, Grace had severe<br />
bleed<strong>in</strong>g and her life and that of her baby<br />
were threatened. The doctors handl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
her c<strong>as</strong>e became worried. Further<br />
medical <strong>in</strong>vestigations were conducted<br />
on her. In the course of tak<strong>in</strong>g her<br />
history, it w<strong>as</strong> discovered that Grace w<strong>as</strong><br />
a second-hand smoker. While<br />
respond<strong>in</strong>g to questions posed by her<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 18<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Quit that smok<strong>in</strong>g environment<br />
or your unborn baby dies<br />
healthyliv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 17<br />
doctors, Grace confirmed that his husband<br />
smoked <strong>in</strong> the house frequently.<br />
Although, Grace w<strong>as</strong> puzzled <strong>as</strong> to why<br />
that should be a factor <strong>in</strong> her c<strong>as</strong>e, the<br />
doctors made her to understand that<br />
although she w<strong>as</strong> not a smoker, <strong>in</strong>hal<strong>in</strong>g<br />
smoke from a smoker or stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g environment made her a secondhand<br />
smoker and it w<strong>as</strong> dangerous to her<br />
and the baby.<br />
Efforts to save her pregnancy proved<br />
abortive s<strong>in</strong>ce there is no surgery or<br />
treatment to reattach the placenta. With<br />
the development, the baby w<strong>as</strong> no longer<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g enough nutrients and oxygen to<br />
stay alive <strong>in</strong> the uterous because studies<br />
have shown that placenta is the lifel<strong>in</strong>e<br />
structure that forms dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy to<br />
provide the foetus with nutrients and<br />
oxygen.<br />
Although, immediate medical attention<br />
may have helped <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e the chance of<br />
Grace hav<strong>in</strong>g a healthy birth despite<br />
placenta abruption, she w<strong>as</strong> not lucky.<br />
She had preterm birth.<br />
Her baby w<strong>as</strong> born premature at seven<br />
months with low birth weight. As if that<br />
w<strong>as</strong> not enough trouble for the family, her<br />
baby also had congenital heart defects.<br />
Today, their baby is one of many children<br />
born with various birth defects due to<br />
ignorance about the dangers of cigarettes<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Infant deaths<br />
Smok<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy results <strong>in</strong><br />
more than 1,000 <strong>in</strong>fant deaths annually.<br />
Second-hand smoke <strong>in</strong> adults can lead to<br />
coronary heart dise<strong>as</strong>e, stroke and lung<br />
cancer.<br />
Today, 10 percent of women report that<br />
they smoked dur<strong>in</strong>g the l<strong>as</strong>t three months<br />
of pregnancy despite available evidence<br />
which showed that smok<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
pregnancy raises the risk of babies be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
born with birth defects such <strong>as</strong> cleft lip<br />
and cleft palate <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> Attention<br />
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder<br />
(ADHD), one of the most common neurobehavioral<br />
disorders of childhood. About<br />
one baby <strong>in</strong> 10 h<strong>as</strong> the disorder.<br />
It h<strong>as</strong> been established that secondhand<br />
smoke causes numerous health<br />
problems <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>fants and children,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g more frequent and severe<br />
<strong>as</strong>thma attacks, respiratory <strong>in</strong>fections, ear<br />
<strong>in</strong>fections, and Sudden Infant Death<br />
Syndrome (SIDS).<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to a consultant cardiologist<br />
and Head, Paediatric Cardiology Unit,<br />
Lagos University Teach<strong>in</strong>g Hospital,<br />
LUTH, Professor Christy Okoroma,<br />
studies have shown that 35 percent of<br />
pregnant smokers risk baby heart defect.<br />
Okoroma expla<strong>in</strong>ed that congenital<br />
heart dise<strong>as</strong>e is a major birth defect and<br />
the most dangerous because it can kill a<br />
child. “For every 1,000 live births, you<br />
have 8 to 10 children with congenital<br />
defects. The commonest is specifically the<br />
one known <strong>as</strong> hole-<strong>in</strong>-the-heart. The<br />
burden is huge if for every 1000 live<br />
births between 8 and 10 are affected, it is<br />
a major problem,”the consultant<br />
cardiologist said.<br />
“Unfortunately, the heart beg<strong>in</strong>s to form<br />
early <strong>in</strong> pregnancy, sometimes even<br />
before the mother knows that she is<br />
pregnant. You can imag<strong>in</strong>e while the<br />
heart is form<strong>in</strong>g and the mother is already<br />
consum<strong>in</strong>g alcohol with herbs and other<br />
concoctions or <strong>in</strong>hal<strong>in</strong>g cigarette smoke?”<br />
Lagos State Commissioner for Health,<br />
DrJide Idris, dur<strong>in</strong>g an activity to mark<br />
“World No Tobacco Day,” said women<br />
comprise 20 percent of the world’s one<br />
billion smokers and, <strong>in</strong> pregnancy,<br />
smokers are at higher risk of<br />
miscarriages, complications of pregnancy<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g bleed<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy,<br />
detachments of the placenta, premature<br />
birth and etopic pregnancy. “Low birth<br />
weight babies, congenital defects and<br />
still births are also common occurrences,<br />
“he added.<br />
Health watchers say<br />
for people who are<br />
concerned about<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
pregnancy, the hard<br />
truth is that although<br />
quitt<strong>in</strong>g smok<strong>in</strong>g can be<br />
hard, it is one of the best<br />
ways a woman can<br />
protect herself and her<br />
baby’s health<br />
A renowned cardiologist and President,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> Heart Foundation, NHF, Dr.<br />
K<strong>in</strong>gsley Ak<strong>in</strong>roye, also expla<strong>in</strong>ed that<br />
scientific evidence is available that<br />
nicot<strong>in</strong>e, conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> cigarette smoke, is<br />
a health danger for pregnant woman and<br />
‘develop<strong>in</strong>g’ babies <strong>in</strong> the womb and can<br />
damage the babies develop<strong>in</strong>g blood<br />
vessels, bra<strong>in</strong> and lungs.<br />
“Smok<strong>in</strong>g can negatively affect the<br />
development of the placenta, because it<br />
could reduce the blood flow to the foetus<br />
from the mother; with less delivery of<br />
oxygen and nutrient to the foetus.<br />
Therefore, the foetus will not be able to<br />
grow fully, and develop. Such babies may<br />
also develop thicken<strong>in</strong>g of the blood<br />
vessels (arteries) <strong>in</strong> adult age with<br />
concomitant development of<br />
cardiov<strong>as</strong>cular dise<strong>as</strong>e,” he stated.<br />
To Ak<strong>in</strong>roye, there are many risks from<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g before and dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy, so<br />
it is important that women do not smoke<br />
before dur<strong>in</strong>g and after their reproductive<br />
years.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the journal PLoS One,<br />
nicot<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> cigarettes can cause<br />
contractions <strong>in</strong> the fallopian tubes. These<br />
contractions can prevent an embryo from<br />
p<strong>as</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g through. One possible result of<br />
this is an ectopic pregnancy. This<br />
happens when a fertilized egg implants<br />
outside of the uterus, either <strong>in</strong> the<br />
fallopian tube or <strong>in</strong> the abdomen. In this<br />
situation, the embryo must be removed<br />
to avoid life-threaten<strong>in</strong>g complications to<br />
the mother.<br />
Health watchers say for people who are<br />
concerned about smok<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> pregnancy,<br />
the hard truth is that although quitt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
smok<strong>in</strong>g can be hard, it is one of the best<br />
ways a woman can protect herself and her<br />
baby’s health.<br />
What you should know about smok<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> pregnancy<br />
*Smok<strong>in</strong>g makes it harder for a woman<br />
to get pregnant.<br />
Women who smoke dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy<br />
are more likely than other women to have<br />
a miscarriage.<br />
*Smok<strong>in</strong>g can cause problems with the<br />
placenta—the source of the baby’s food<br />
and oxygen dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy. For<br />
example, the placenta can separate from<br />
the womb too early, caus<strong>in</strong>g bleed<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
which is dangerous to the mother and<br />
baby.<br />
*Smok<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy can cause<br />
a baby to be born too early or to have low<br />
birth weight.<br />
* Smok<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g and after pregnancy<br />
is a risk factor for SIDS.<br />
*Babies born to women who smoke are<br />
more likely to have certa<strong>in</strong> birth defects,<br />
like cleft lip or cleft palate.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017 — PAGE 19<br />
Husbands who br<strong>in</strong>g out the worst <strong>in</strong> their wives!<br />
SOME years back, a<br />
close friend <strong>in</strong>vited<br />
three of her friends to<br />
lunch to mark her husband’s<br />
birthday. Just the five of us,<br />
she warned on the phone - a<br />
subtle way of tell<strong>in</strong>g us not to<br />
even th<strong>in</strong>k of br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g any<br />
hangers-on to her ‘exclusive’<br />
do. We all three knew Bose<br />
and her no- nonsense<br />
attitude. Even Oba, her<br />
husband tread on egg-shells<br />
whenever she w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> her foul<br />
mood - which w<strong>as</strong> often.<br />
Anyway, we were all look<strong>in</strong>g<br />
forward to what we imag<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
would be a delicious spread<br />
of local and foreign dishes -<br />
Bose, whatever her fault, w<strong>as</strong><br />
a darn good cook.<br />
We were a bit on guard<br />
when Oba w<strong>as</strong> the one who<br />
welcomed us <strong>as</strong> we pressed<br />
the bell, scream<strong>in</strong>g ‘Bose,<br />
Bose, your friends are here o!’<br />
Bose appeared, dressed <strong>in</strong><br />
pants and a very sexy blouse,<br />
a defiant look on her face. In<br />
the mean-time, no aroma of<br />
any k<strong>in</strong>d wafted from the<br />
kitchen.<br />
“If my friends are here nko?”<br />
Bose sneered. “It is your<br />
birthday, you enterta<strong>in</strong> them”<br />
. The gist of it w<strong>as</strong> there w<strong>as</strong><br />
no celebratory lunch of any<br />
k<strong>in</strong>d. Bose glared at her<br />
husband, yell<strong>in</strong>g she hadn’t<br />
done any shopp<strong>in</strong>g and she<br />
w<strong>as</strong>n’t up to cook<strong>in</strong>g anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
- all of us should go and stuff<br />
ourselves!<br />
As she flauced out of the<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g room, her eldest<br />
daughter surfaced, look<strong>in</strong>g<br />
extremely embarr<strong>as</strong>sed. But<br />
Oba quickly took charge. He<br />
gave some money to her<br />
daughter to make a quick d<strong>as</strong>h<br />
to the nearest f<strong>as</strong>t-food spot<br />
and get us some <strong>as</strong>sortment of<br />
food. Then with Bose still<br />
rav<strong>in</strong>g and rant<strong>in</strong>g, he served<br />
the food his daughter brought<br />
back <strong>in</strong> the formal d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g room<br />
<strong>as</strong> if it w<strong>as</strong> the most delicious<br />
fe<strong>as</strong>t <strong>in</strong> the world, all the while<br />
regal<strong>in</strong>g us with enterta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
stories <strong>as</strong> if noth<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong><br />
remotely out of the ord<strong>in</strong>ary.<br />
Now, were we surprised by<br />
this turn of event? Not <strong>in</strong> the<br />
le<strong>as</strong>t. We were all aware of<br />
Bose and Oba’s volatile<br />
marriage. Bose often attacked<br />
her husband, subject<strong>in</strong>g him<br />
to a str<strong>in</strong>g of batter<strong>in</strong>g. Oba<br />
often regaled us with tales of<br />
how he w<strong>as</strong> scratched,<br />
punched and even hit over the<br />
head with a bottle, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g the w<strong>in</strong>dscreen of a<br />
favourite vehicle sm<strong>as</strong>hed by<br />
his excessively jealous wife.<br />
The rows were never-end<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and spilled <strong>in</strong>to his official<br />
duties. On one occ<strong>as</strong>ion, he<br />
alleged Bose w<strong>as</strong> wait<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
him outside his office after<br />
he’d just f<strong>in</strong>ished a meet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with his key staff. “When I<br />
came out,” he said, she<br />
confronted me about<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g and when I didn’t<br />
give her the type of answer<br />
she sought, she sank her teeth<br />
<strong>in</strong>to my hand.”<br />
Another time, Oba claimed<br />
Bose threw a gl<strong>as</strong>s of w<strong>in</strong>e all<br />
over his best agbada. “I’d been<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g ready for this wedd<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reception which I w<strong>as</strong> to chair.<br />
At the l<strong>as</strong>t m<strong>in</strong>ute,” Bose opted<br />
out because we had some<br />
disagreement and I went to the<br />
toilet to put some f<strong>in</strong>al<br />
adjustment to my cap. When she<br />
charged <strong>in</strong>to the toilet to speak<br />
to me, I gave her some smart<br />
answer, and this really brought<br />
her back up. She went back to the<br />
room, picked up the gl<strong>as</strong>s of red<br />
w<strong>in</strong>e I w<strong>as</strong> sipp<strong>in</strong>g and threw it<br />
all over my clothes ... “<br />
The million dollars question<br />
really is: Does Oba br<strong>in</strong>g out the<br />
worst <strong>in</strong> his wife? Bose might<br />
have a volatile temper but it<br />
seems Oba often feeds on that to<br />
show her up <strong>as</strong> a cantankerous<br />
woman. Once they had a tiff and<br />
it came to light Bose w<strong>as</strong> enraged<br />
because he found a love letter <strong>in</strong><br />
her husband’s briefc<strong>as</strong>e. “You<br />
knew there w<strong>as</strong> the likelihood of<br />
her f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g the letter so why did<br />
you br<strong>in</strong>g it home, I <strong>as</strong>ked him<br />
<strong>as</strong> soon <strong>as</strong> Bose left the room. He<br />
shrugged, a mischievous gl<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong><br />
his eyes.<br />
Bose had always told her friends<br />
Oba w<strong>as</strong> a very difficult man to<br />
live with. That his ‘throwaway'<br />
comments were always meant to<br />
be hurtful and they get under her<br />
sk<strong>in</strong> - and there is noth<strong>in</strong>g some<br />
women like more than a blaz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
row to prove that their men are<br />
at le<strong>as</strong>t pay<strong>in</strong>g attention to them.<br />
Oba admits he could be hurtful<br />
and selfish at times.<br />
But how does that make me<br />
different from most men whose<br />
wives don’t beat them up?”<br />
Despite<br />
Bose’s<br />
‘unre<strong>as</strong>onableness’, Oba rema<strong>in</strong>s<br />
fond of his wife. To every one on<br />
the outside look<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>, Oba is not<br />
a villa<strong>in</strong> but a real gentleman<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g constantly maltreated by<br />
his wife. But then, they are not<br />
married to him!<br />
Take Each Day As It Comes<br />
L<strong>as</strong>t year certa<strong>in</strong>ly lived to the<br />
bill<strong>in</strong>g of a Leap Year. What a<br />
year! And whatever happened to<br />
the resolutions you made? It must<br />
have all flown out of the w<strong>in</strong>dow<br />
with the ‘change’ mantra!<br />
It’s New Year dear readers,<br />
<strong>in</strong>stead of concentrat<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g yet more moneyremember<br />
the MMM ponsi<br />
scheme dis<strong>as</strong>ter - why not<br />
concentrate on improv<strong>in</strong>g your<br />
love-life and your relationship<br />
with your family? Take each day<br />
<strong>as</strong> it comes and resolve to make<br />
love more often no matter how<br />
<strong>in</strong>sufferable your partner! Life<br />
is short, judg<strong>in</strong>g by those who<br />
didn’t make it <strong>in</strong>to the New<br />
Year.<br />
But for the rest of us who<br />
did, Happy New Year once<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>. Don’t rush<br />
<strong>in</strong>to anyth<strong>in</strong>g. Who knows,<br />
this might be your year of<br />
testimony yet!<br />
08052201867(Text Only)<br />
M<strong>as</strong>sage your abdom<strong>in</strong>als with the Twist Pose<br />
The Twist<br />
Technique<br />
Sitt<strong>in</strong>g down on your<br />
practice mat or rug with legs<br />
stretched out <strong>in</strong> front of you,<br />
bend the right knee and cross<br />
the right leg over the left thigh<br />
with the foot firmly planted<br />
down.<br />
Now, br<strong>in</strong>g the left hand to<br />
This posture helps<br />
with the lateral<br />
flexibility of the sp<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
It gives an effective<br />
m<strong>as</strong>sage to the<br />
abdom<strong>in</strong>al organs,<br />
that way improv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
digestion and<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
•The Twist Pose<br />
clutch the outside of the right<br />
thigh with the pit of the elbow<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st the right knee. Place<br />
the right hand at the lower<br />
back with the palm on lap.<br />
Look over the right shoulder<br />
hold<strong>in</strong>g high the head and<br />
turn the trunk rightwards.<br />
Breathe deeply. Hold the pose<br />
for a slow count to 10 and<br />
repeat on the other side with<br />
similar arrangements of the<br />
hands.<br />
Benefits:<br />
This posture helps with the<br />
lateral flexibility of the sp<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
It gives an effective m<strong>as</strong>sage<br />
to the abdom<strong>in</strong>al organs, that<br />
way improv<strong>in</strong>g digestion and<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ation. It also positively<br />
affects the kidneys.<br />
•The Twist Pose<br />
Yoga Cl<strong>as</strong>ses<br />
STARTED<br />
Physical Therapy Centre<br />
@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola,<br />
Victoria Island Lagos.<br />
9.00am — 10.00am<br />
on Saturdays<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
PAGE 20— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk<br />
08056180152, SMS only<br />
Why it pays to have hubby’s mistress on your side!<br />
WHILE some wives hang<br />
on to a marriage<br />
despite abuse<br />
bother<strong>in</strong>g on ‘<strong>in</strong>timate<br />
terrorism’, quite a few who value<br />
their pride draw the l<strong>in</strong>e on how<br />
much they can take from a<br />
marriage before pack<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
bags - children and all. “One<br />
ra<strong>in</strong>y day seven years ago,I<br />
recalled Freida, a hugely<br />
successful bus<strong>in</strong>ess woman, “an<br />
amateur detective mission I’d set<br />
myself came to fruition. I had<br />
am<strong>as</strong>sed the clues and everyshred<br />
of evidence. I w<strong>as</strong> clos<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> on the slut who w<strong>as</strong> sleep<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with my husband.<br />
“My heart w<strong>as</strong> virtually <strong>in</strong> my<br />
throat <strong>as</strong> the moment<br />
approached when I would f<strong>in</strong>ally<br />
confront her. The other woman.<br />
The mistress. My husband’s bit<br />
on the side. Whatever name I<br />
chose to call her, she amounted<br />
to the same th<strong>in</strong>g. She w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
woman with whom my husband,<br />
Deji, w<strong>as</strong> conduct<strong>in</strong>g an affair.<br />
The woman for whom he w<strong>as</strong><br />
will<strong>in</strong>g to sacrifice our almost ten<br />
years of marriage and a happy<br />
home we’d built for our three<br />
children. And there she w<strong>as</strong>,<br />
walk<strong>in</strong>g the length and breath of<br />
this fairly posh hotel <strong>as</strong> a<br />
supervisor. A staff member had<br />
discreetly po<strong>in</strong>ted her to me and<br />
I walked up to her. ‘Are you<br />
L<strong>in</strong>da?’ I <strong>as</strong>ked this slim tall<br />
woman with badly done hair<br />
extensions. I w<strong>as</strong> really surprised<br />
at what I saw.<br />
She w<strong>as</strong> slim, tall and at le<strong>as</strong>t<br />
n<strong>in</strong>e years younger than me. Her<br />
look of blank perflex<strong>in</strong>g turned<br />
to shock when I told her, “I’m<br />
Freida, your lover’s wife.’ She<br />
looked really lost for words <strong>as</strong> she<br />
scanned the faces of other hotel<br />
guests.<br />
“Until I came face to face with<br />
L<strong>in</strong>da, I’d envisaged Deji’s<br />
mistress <strong>as</strong> a younger and more<br />
successful version of me. Yet here<br />
she w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> bend-down jeans, a<br />
fake designer handbag and a<br />
cheap vest top. I felt relieved but<br />
also perplexed, that she w<strong>as</strong>n’t<br />
what I call his type. She w<strong>as</strong><br />
several <strong>in</strong>ches taller than him for<br />
a start. I simply couldn’t picture<br />
them together.<br />
She w<strong>as</strong> dumb-struck. She<br />
meekly followed me to a cheaper<br />
eatery near the hotel after her<br />
manager agreed she could come<br />
with me for half an hour.<br />
‘I knew it w<strong>as</strong> a matter of time<br />
before you found out’, she<br />
spluttered <strong>as</strong> soon <strong>as</strong> we found a<br />
discreet corner to sit. ‘He w<strong>as</strong><br />
very careless with how we<br />
conducted the affair.’ She then<br />
proceeded to tell me everyth<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
She’d met Deji <strong>in</strong> the restaurant of<br />
the hotel where she worked.<br />
They’d been sleep<strong>in</strong>g together for<br />
more than n<strong>in</strong>e months and she<br />
w<strong>as</strong> almost 20 years his junior. I<br />
bled her for every detail, bar<br />
<strong>in</strong>timate sexual ones, which, for<br />
the sake of my already shredded<br />
confidence, I didn’t want to know.<br />
She told me Deji had fed her all<br />
the usual cliches: his wife didn’t<br />
understand him and we were more<br />
like brother and sister. I shuddered<br />
with <strong>in</strong>dignation when she<br />
revealed how he had told her the<br />
<strong>in</strong>sult<strong>in</strong>g lie that I wore legg<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
to bed to avoid sex!<br />
“She looked at me with some sort<br />
of awe <strong>as</strong> she admitted. ‘You’re<br />
really pretty!’ Deji had clearly<br />
enjoyed embroider<strong>in</strong>g the fiction<br />
that I had long s<strong>in</strong>ce stopped<br />
bother<strong>in</strong>g about my appearance.<br />
“So, how did I f<strong>in</strong>d myself <strong>in</strong> this<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t -food spot talk<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />
woman who w<strong>as</strong> sleep<strong>in</strong>g with my<br />
husband? To understand why I w<strong>as</strong><br />
suspicious of my husband, you<br />
need to understand the<br />
background. I met Deji when I w<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> my mid 20s and already a proud<br />
owner of a big retail outlet. Then<br />
<strong>in</strong> his late 30s, he had attended all<br />
the good schools at home and<br />
abroad.<br />
He w<strong>as</strong> suave, attentive and self<strong>as</strong>sured:<br />
a typical product of his<br />
elite education and privileged<br />
background. He w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> the<br />
foreign office and we travelled<br />
extensively after we got married.<br />
Five years after we got married,<br />
he resigned to set up his own<br />
consultancy <strong>in</strong> Abuja where we<br />
had our own house. Then he got<br />
a couple of big clients <strong>in</strong> Lagos<br />
and after spend<strong>in</strong>g a fortune on<br />
hotels, he bought a service flat.<br />
“He quickly established two<br />
separate lives. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the week,<br />
he w<strong>as</strong> the sleek, jovial<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>essman <strong>in</strong> Lagos. At home,<br />
however, he became erratic and<br />
unpredictable. He’d be vile to<br />
me and short with the children.<br />
Then, each Monday even<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and back <strong>in</strong> Lagos, he would<br />
call me to apologise, promis<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
We’ll have a lovely time next<br />
weekend.”<br />
But the story cycle would<br />
repeat itself. I made a huge<br />
effort to ensure that when he got<br />
home, the house w<strong>as</strong> sparkl<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
the children <strong>in</strong> bed and a<br />
sumptuous meal w<strong>as</strong> wait<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for him. I tried to keep our sex<br />
life go<strong>in</strong>g, which w<strong>as</strong> difficult<br />
when your partner is repeatedly<br />
unk<strong>in</strong>d to you .’<br />
“In the end, I accused him of<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g an affair after yet<br />
another row when he’d been<br />
particularly obnoxious. He<br />
snorted and told me if I w<strong>as</strong> so<br />
conv<strong>in</strong>ced that he w<strong>as</strong>, I should<br />
provide the proof. Luck w<strong>as</strong> on<br />
my side soon after. While sort<strong>in</strong>g<br />
out his laundry, I found a receipt<br />
and book<strong>in</strong>g confirmation <strong>in</strong> his<br />
trousers pocket for an hotel room<br />
for the follow<strong>in</strong>g Wednesday. He<br />
w<strong>as</strong>n’t due <strong>in</strong> Lagos that day <strong>as</strong><br />
he’d had to attend another twoday<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> another state.<br />
“Leav<strong>in</strong>g the nanny <strong>in</strong> charge,<br />
I decided to go to the flat and left<br />
by the morn<strong>in</strong>g flight. There, <strong>in</strong><br />
the m<strong>as</strong>ter bedroom w<strong>as</strong> all the<br />
evidence I needed: Make-up and<br />
women’s sk<strong>in</strong>-care products. On<br />
the bedside table w<strong>as</strong> a handwritten<br />
card say<strong>in</strong>g; Deji Dear, I<br />
always love <strong>in</strong>timate moments,<br />
love, L<strong>in</strong>da”. I w<strong>as</strong> shocked. I had<br />
to meet this woman who’d even<br />
had the audacity to write the note<br />
on the hotel note-let. Talk<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
her now, it dawned on me we had<br />
met before. A year ago, I’d jo<strong>in</strong><br />
Deji at the restaurant of the hotel<br />
where she worked and she’d<br />
served us dr<strong>in</strong>ks. She even <strong>as</strong>ked<br />
if I w<strong>as</strong> Deji’s wife. I had joked<br />
with her that she probably saw<br />
more of him than I did. How<br />
ironic those words seemed now.<br />
“As we talked, both our mobile<br />
phones had rung. Deji w<strong>as</strong> on his<br />
way to the flat believ<strong>in</strong>g L<strong>in</strong>da<br />
w<strong>as</strong> on her way to meet him. He<br />
had also tried to call me. His<br />
messages became frantic when<br />
neither of us answered.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ally, I picked up my phone,<br />
our conversation took place <strong>in</strong><br />
full earshot of L<strong>in</strong>da. When he<br />
<strong>as</strong>ked where I w<strong>as</strong>, 1 hit him<br />
where it hurts: ‘You’ll never guess<br />
who I’m hav<strong>in</strong>g a dr<strong>in</strong>k with...<br />
L<strong>in</strong>da’. Listen<strong>in</strong>g to his bluster<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on the phone sent me <strong>in</strong>to a rage.<br />
‘For Christ’s sake, it’s not even <strong>as</strong><br />
if she’s cl<strong>as</strong>sy’ I spat. ‘I could hay<br />
understood that. But she’s got<br />
really bad t<strong>as</strong>te. I would have<br />
thought that if you were go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
have an affair, you would have at<br />
le<strong>as</strong>t chosen someone appeal<strong>in</strong>g.’<br />
Cutt<strong>in</strong>g him off. I told L<strong>in</strong>da she<br />
w<strong>as</strong> welcome to him and left<br />
hold<strong>in</strong>g back the tears.<br />
“Deji w<strong>as</strong> unrepentant when he<br />
showed up the follow<strong>in</strong>g day.<br />
Astonish<strong>in</strong>gly, despite the<br />
<strong>in</strong>controvertible evidence, he<br />
still ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed it w<strong>as</strong> just a fl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and scuff at my heart-broken<br />
reaction. Men all over the world<br />
do what he’d done, he told me<br />
and their wives looked the other<br />
way. Why couldn’t I do the same<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g? For a start, 1 w<strong>as</strong>n’t that<br />
type of wife and I opted out of the<br />
marriage. Deji tried everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
the book to turn everyone aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
me – friends, family, colleagues -<br />
by attempt<strong>in</strong>g to persuade<br />
anyone who would listen that I<br />
had driven him to adultery.<br />
Sadly, there were some who<br />
believed him.<br />
“We were divorced two years<br />
later, but by the time the divorce<br />
came through, I’d completely<br />
gone off him. From these<br />
doldrums though, came<br />
unexpected happ<strong>in</strong>ess. A mutual<br />
friend put me <strong>in</strong> touch with Tony,<br />
an old friend who used to work<br />
with me before I got married.<br />
Instantly, my life changed for the<br />
better. A widower,we got married<br />
almost immediately and now<br />
have a child together. Deji still<br />
lives <strong>in</strong> the Lagos flat with L<strong>in</strong>da.<br />
She and I have formed an<br />
unlikely alliance, <strong>as</strong> she acts <strong>as</strong><br />
an <strong>in</strong>termediary when my<br />
children visit their father.<br />
“I don’t th<strong>in</strong>k there’s anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
she’s done that requires<br />
forgiveness. The confrontation I<br />
had with her set the course for<br />
the rest of my life. In a way, my<br />
husband’s mistress h<strong>as</strong> made me<br />
happier than I ever imag<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
possible ... “<br />
Clever By Half! (Humour}<br />
A guy is <strong>in</strong> a bar play<strong>in</strong>g<br />
snooker. He whispers someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to his friends, then walks over to<br />
the bartender and <strong>as</strong>ks for a shot<br />
of tequila. After he takes the shot,<br />
he says to the bartender: “I’d like<br />
to make a bet with you.” “Sure -<br />
I’m <strong>in</strong> a bett<strong>in</strong>g mood,” the<br />
bartender replies. So the man<br />
bets the bartender N10,000 that<br />
he can wee <strong>in</strong> the shot gl<strong>as</strong>s<br />
placed all the way across the<br />
room, and fill it up without<br />
spill<strong>in</strong>g a drop. “I’ll take the bet,”<br />
the bartender says.<br />
So the man walks to the other<br />
side of the room and puts down<br />
the shot gl<strong>as</strong>s. He then goes back<br />
to the bartender and starts<br />
wee<strong>in</strong>g. But he doesn’t get a<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle drop <strong>in</strong> the gl<strong>as</strong>s. He wees<br />
all over the bar, the bar stools,<br />
and even spl<strong>as</strong>h<strong>in</strong>g the bartender<br />
himself.<br />
As the l<strong>as</strong>t dribble f<strong>in</strong>ally dies<br />
away, the bartender laughs out<br />
loud and says:<br />
“That w<strong>as</strong> rubbish. You owe me<br />
N10,000.” The man pays up with<br />
a big smile on his face. The<br />
bartender <strong>as</strong>ks: “How come<br />
you’re so happy?” “Well,” the<br />
man replies, “you see those five<br />
guys by the pools table? I bet them<br />
N3,000 each I could wee all over<br />
your bar and you’d laugh about<br />
it.”<br />
YOUR column to express your lov<strong>in</strong>g thoughts <strong>in</strong><br />
words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it<br />
flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel.<br />
Write now <strong>in</strong> not more than 75 words to: The Editor,<br />
Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail:<br />
sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Ple<strong>as</strong>e mark your envelope:<br />
“LOVE NOTES"<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
When love <strong>in</strong>trudes a heart, it leaves<br />
sentiments and comp<strong>as</strong>sion which are the<br />
bed-rock of compromise; when hatred<br />
<strong>in</strong>trudes a heart, it leaves bitterness and<br />
furry which nurse charade. Choose<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegrity, for love with <strong>in</strong>tegrity seems<br />
hatred till it yields and hatred with<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegrity means love when it's dawn.<br />
Happy new year to the world.<br />
Akegh Jacob<br />
jakegh15@gmail.com,<br />
08186915871.<br />
It's you or nobody<br />
I doubt I'm say<strong>in</strong>g "I want you and you alone<br />
for the rest of my life" but I am say<strong>in</strong>g if you<br />
were a dr<strong>in</strong>k, you would be my favorite dr<strong>in</strong>k.<br />
If you were food you would be my favorite food.<br />
If you were a place, you would be my favorite<br />
place. Screw it! That's what I'm say<strong>in</strong>g, All I<br />
want is you and only you, I can't have someone<br />
else.<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Johnson,<br />
shunkul@yahoo.com<br />
09052570138<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 21<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
What’s the essence of<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>?<br />
The celebration of<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> without a revelation of<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> is always counterproductive.<br />
If you have a revelation<br />
of Christm<strong>as</strong>, you will<br />
realize that when you<br />
c e l e b r a t e<br />
somebody’s<br />
birthday, you don’t<br />
c e l e b r a t e<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
where or how he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> born. So if you<br />
are go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
celebrate Jesus,<br />
you must take note<br />
of His status. He is<br />
the K<strong>in</strong>g of k<strong>in</strong>gs;<br />
He’s the Lord of<br />
lords. Nobody sees<br />
him now and<br />
somebody needs<br />
to tell you to bow.<br />
And that’s the<br />
capacity <strong>in</strong> which<br />
He’s to be<br />
celebrated. As the<br />
K<strong>in</strong>g of k<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
He’s a liberator.<br />
If people are sick and they are yet<br />
to be healed, people are <strong>in</strong> sorrow<br />
and yet to be comforted, there’s no<br />
mean<strong>in</strong>gful celebration of<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>. A lot of people don’t<br />
know that <strong>in</strong> the Bible, there’s what<br />
we call another gospel, another<br />
Jesus and another spirit. That’s<br />
why <strong>in</strong> Galatians 3:1, Apostle Paul<br />
said: “Oh foolish Galatians, who<br />
h<strong>as</strong> bewitched you?” And he began<br />
to warn them aga<strong>in</strong>st preach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
another Jesus.<br />
A lot of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are not aware<br />
that there’s another Jesus created<br />
by Satan to look like the orig<strong>in</strong>al.<br />
So when you are not able to<br />
differentiate between the celebrant<br />
Jesus Christ and another Jesus,<br />
you end up with another spirit and<br />
another gospel. Let me give you<br />
proof of another Jesus. F<strong>in</strong>d out the<br />
time of the year when unwanted<br />
pregnancies <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e; when<br />
bloodshed due to robbery<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>es; when disappo<strong>in</strong>tments<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>es; when STDs and HIV<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e; when envies, jealousies<br />
and strife <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e. It will co<strong>in</strong>cide<br />
with the celebration of Christm<strong>as</strong>.<br />
It is actually not the celebration of<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>. What you are see<strong>in</strong>g<br />
actually is the budget of another<br />
Jesus.<br />
What I’m try<strong>in</strong>g to po<strong>in</strong>t out is that<br />
it is dangerous. Many people die,<br />
many get <strong>in</strong>fected with venereal<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>es, many get drunk with free<br />
alcohol at the same period and end<br />
up either disabled or dead. Is that<br />
the celebration of Jesus Christ? A<br />
lot of young boys borrow guns and<br />
go <strong>in</strong>to armed robbery because<br />
they can’t go to the village with<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g to show. Pressure is on<br />
them and so they go <strong>in</strong>to crime.<br />
I am a follower of persons like<br />
Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first<br />
African bishop. I believe the<br />
Church should be the light of the<br />
world. And once we vacate the role<br />
we are supposed to play, the salt<br />
can no longer be salt, the light can<br />
no longer sh<strong>in</strong>e and there will be<br />
perpetuation of poverty and<br />
shame. If we do our job right, we<br />
may end up sav<strong>in</strong>g somebody’s life<br />
at Christm<strong>as</strong>. Most people are <strong>in</strong><br />
debt <strong>in</strong> January. If you celebrate<br />
the genu<strong>in</strong>e Jesus properly, you<br />
will be <strong>in</strong> credit <strong>in</strong> January.<br />
Does that mean that the<br />
celebration of Christm<strong>as</strong> on<br />
December 25 amounts to noth<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
The Bible says some men<br />
esteem one day above others, some<br />
esteem one day to be equal. What<br />
the Bible says is that the one who<br />
esteems one day above others, <strong>as</strong><br />
AMID ‘HUGE DROP IN<br />
OFFERING IN CHURCHES’<br />
If you look at the<br />
make up of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
today, because of<br />
lack of wisdom and<br />
lack of counsel,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is about<br />
the p<strong>as</strong>t, not about<br />
the future<br />
long <strong>as</strong> he esteems it to the Lord, it<br />
is acceptable. The one that does not<br />
esteem that day, <strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong> the<br />
situation is also unto the Lord,<br />
there’s no cause for alarm. Believe<br />
me, if you want to celebrate<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> on January 1, <strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong><br />
we are go<strong>in</strong>g to glorify Jesus Christ,<br />
let us esteem the Lord together with<br />
you.<br />
Does it mean that December 25 is<br />
irrelevant?<br />
No! It’s not irrelevant. What I’m<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g is this; Romans 14:5 says<br />
one man esteems one day above<br />
another, another esteems everyday<br />
alike. Let every man be fully<br />
persuaded <strong>in</strong> his own m<strong>in</strong>d. He that<br />
regards the day regards it unto the<br />
Lord, and he that regards not the<br />
day unto the Lord, does not regard<br />
it. So what it is say<strong>in</strong>g is this, it is<br />
good to celebrate December 25 if<br />
you choose that it is December 25,<br />
which a lot of people will show you<br />
historically may not be very<br />
accurate. But it is irrelevant that it<br />
is not historically accurate. What<br />
matters is that you esteem the day<br />
to worship God and esteem Jesus<br />
Christ. Once you are do<strong>in</strong>g that,<br />
God likes it. But what God is also<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g is that He will now f<strong>in</strong>d some<br />
people who say ‘no we don’t like<br />
December 25'. Let that man not<br />
despise the person who likes<br />
December 25. Do whatever you like<br />
but let the honor be to God. Let us<br />
enjoy Christm<strong>as</strong>, let us celebrate it<br />
but be careful so that you don’t end<br />
up celebrat<strong>in</strong>g the wrong Jesus.<br />
Our religious<br />
leaders are<br />
corrupt<br />
—Rev. Ladi Thompson<br />
REVEREND Oladimeji (Ladi) Thompson is the founder/Senior P<strong>as</strong>tor of<br />
Lagos-b<strong>as</strong>ed Liv<strong>in</strong>g Waters Unlimited Church and the <strong>in</strong>ternational coord<strong>in</strong>ator<br />
of Macedonian Initiative, a non-government, nondenom<strong>in</strong>ational<br />
organization established to provide succour for Christians<br />
persecuted because of their belief <strong>in</strong> Jesus. He is also a security consultant.<br />
In this <strong>in</strong>terview, Thompson says unless a deliberate collaboration between<br />
the government, the Church and the Mosque w<strong>as</strong> put <strong>in</strong> place to rid the<br />
nation of corruption, there is not much hope for <strong>Nigeria</strong>. Excerpts…..<br />
A lot of children learn gluttony at<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>. You will see a child at<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>, he h<strong>as</strong> eaten and eaten<br />
and his belly is full. We are not<br />
meant to be teach<strong>in</strong>g children<br />
gluttony at Christm<strong>as</strong>. The fact that<br />
we are celebrat<strong>in</strong>g Jesus Christ<br />
alone tells you that we need to<br />
<strong>in</strong>struct them how to grow up well.<br />
It’s a se<strong>as</strong>on of peace, joy, love and<br />
fellowship.<br />
This is ABC of the faith. We<br />
should enjoy, but don’t let the<br />
enjoyment turn <strong>in</strong>to l<strong>as</strong>civiousness,<br />
let it not end <strong>in</strong> HIV. We have to<br />
separate another Jesus from Jesus<br />
Christ. For <strong>in</strong>stance, if Benson &<br />
Hedges is do<strong>in</strong>g a Christm<strong>as</strong> party,<br />
it’s Christm<strong>as</strong> party. Because the<br />
tobacco company h<strong>as</strong> done<br />
research and they found out that if<br />
you don’t smoke till you are about<br />
20, you are not likely to smoke<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> throughout your life. So <strong>in</strong><br />
this k<strong>in</strong>d of se<strong>as</strong>on, they usually<br />
will organize a big party and they<br />
will give out free cigarettes; why?<br />
To lure young people to smoke for<br />
the first time. So, when a tobacco<br />
company, for <strong>in</strong>stance, say they are<br />
celebrat<strong>in</strong>g Christm<strong>as</strong> with the<br />
celebrant the genu<strong>in</strong>e Jesus, when<br />
tobacco kills globally more than<br />
car accidents every year, it is an<br />
irony. But we don’t seem to<br />
understand that <strong>in</strong> this country.<br />
You were say<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g like,<br />
if a certa<strong>in</strong> generation of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns don’t die, <strong>Nigeria</strong> won’t<br />
live….<br />
God puts a woman <strong>in</strong>side a girl<br />
and He puts a man <strong>in</strong>side a boy.<br />
And when the condition arises, He<br />
will br<strong>in</strong>g the woman out of the<br />
girl. So a nation like <strong>Nigeria</strong>, when<br />
we first started, God put a<br />
champion <strong>in</strong>side the nation. Now,<br />
you may have potentials; for<br />
<strong>in</strong>stance, you might have the<br />
pawpaw tree or orange tree. If you<br />
plant the orange tree properly,<br />
there will be harvest. The harvest<br />
will be good. <strong>Nigeria</strong> is such a<br />
blessed country that at one time<br />
somebody calculated that every<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizen could be a<br />
millionaire if the resources of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> were properly managed.<br />
But people have been so beaten<br />
that imag<strong>in</strong>ation h<strong>as</strong> been killed.<br />
About 20 years ago, I went to see<br />
my brother <strong>in</strong> America. I saw his<br />
gardener driv<strong>in</strong>g a Mercedes<br />
Benz <strong>in</strong> which he put his tools. I<br />
w<strong>as</strong> laugh<strong>in</strong>g that this gardener<br />
had gone to rent a Benz and my<br />
brother looked at me and said<br />
that w<strong>as</strong> his car. This w<strong>as</strong> 20 years<br />
ago.<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> surprised that a gardener<br />
had a Mercedes Benz and my<br />
brother said if we went to his<br />
house, he had a swimm<strong>in</strong>g pool.<br />
So when you look at <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
today, look at the potentials of<br />
what we can have, look at the<br />
sentence of life put on certa<strong>in</strong><br />
generations. Now let me start with<br />
those generations. In my<br />
generation, we saw a lot of th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>; that w<strong>as</strong> when the<br />
naira w<strong>as</strong> almost equal to one<br />
pound; we saw the change of<br />
currency. When we were <strong>in</strong> the<br />
university, they will serve you<br />
almost a whole chicken on<br />
Sunday. This w<strong>as</strong> a generation<br />
that saw wealth. But we have<br />
forgotten that there are many<br />
younger generations right now<br />
and do you know how many<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns, Ghanaians and young<br />
Africans are cross<strong>in</strong>g deserts to<br />
escape to Europe everyday?<br />
If you look at the make up of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> today, because of lack of<br />
wisdom and lack of counsel,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is about the p<strong>as</strong>t, not<br />
about the future. The l<strong>as</strong>t confab<br />
w<strong>as</strong> dom<strong>in</strong>ated by old people. All<br />
the people who filled there to<br />
discuss the future, less than five<br />
per cent of them represent the<br />
future.<br />
Old ide<strong>as</strong><br />
I w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> secondary school when<br />
Olusegun Ob<strong>as</strong>anjo w<strong>as</strong> military<br />
leader of this country and I w<strong>as</strong><br />
so encouraged when he spoke<br />
about leaders of tomorrow. We<br />
now looked and we discovered<br />
that our children are almost<br />
average children and yet they are<br />
still leaders of tomorrow. The<br />
pa<strong>in</strong>ful part of it is this; today, you<br />
cannot run any good economy or<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 22
PAGE 22— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 21<br />
any nation properly us<strong>in</strong>g old ide<strong>as</strong>. I<br />
feel sorry for youths <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> when<br />
people talk about agriculture or go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
back to the farm. The person who’s<br />
talk<strong>in</strong>g will never allow his own child<br />
to go back to the farm.<br />
Already there’s a negative<br />
connotation to go<strong>in</strong>g back to the farm<br />
<strong>in</strong> the society. You mean there’s such<br />
a lack of wisdom and the leaders<br />
don’t know that you have to give<br />
esteem to a profession and give<br />
dignity of labor. Now this is a terrible<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g. Two states <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> can feed<br />
Africa us<strong>in</strong>g modern technology of<br />
farm<strong>in</strong>g. A lot of foreign companies<br />
have gotten <strong>in</strong>to <strong>Nigeria</strong> already<br />
and they’ve gone <strong>in</strong>to states where<br />
it seemed that noth<strong>in</strong>g had grown<br />
there before and they are turn<strong>in</strong>g up<br />
bumper harvest now. Why are you<br />
tell<strong>in</strong>g our young men to go back to<br />
farm when you can engage<br />
technology and use two states <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> to feed Africa—not<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>—with surplus just by<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g. Instead, we are tell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
these young men who are th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to music, sports, they are<br />
not even <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> education<br />
anymore or try<strong>in</strong>g to feed the country.<br />
You see <strong>in</strong> the news recently many<br />
young men kidnapp<strong>in</strong>g young girls<br />
and us<strong>in</strong>g them for rituals. Haven’t you<br />
seen what they call devaluation of<br />
human worth? The devaluation is go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on, on a daily b<strong>as</strong>is.<br />
Until the leadership of the country<br />
and the Church realize that we must be<br />
about the future, not the p<strong>as</strong>t, we are<br />
w<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g everybody’s time. Zukkerberg<br />
came to <strong>Nigeria</strong>; they should have<br />
locked him down here. Uber h<strong>as</strong> given<br />
about 5,000 jobs <strong>in</strong> Lagos State alone.<br />
The owner of Uber doesn’t own one car.<br />
They created a program. You call Uber<br />
on your phone, he arrives. You don’t<br />
give him any money because the<br />
account is l<strong>in</strong>ked to your bank account.<br />
He picks you, drops you, you rate his<br />
driv<strong>in</strong>g and the journey, the money is<br />
deducted from your account to the Uber<br />
account. From the Uber account at the<br />
month end, they pay the owner of the<br />
car directly and pay the young man<br />
directly. Do you know how many jobs<br />
they created like that?<br />
This is the digital age. When it comes<br />
to job creation, if you lack wisdom, you<br />
are just go<strong>in</strong>g to punish the children for<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g. Zukkerberg who started<br />
Facebook came to <strong>Nigeria</strong> and they let<br />
him go with a handshake. They should<br />
have tied him down and <strong>as</strong>k him what<br />
do we do for job creation? If you are to<br />
buy medic<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> America, most likely<br />
the person on the phone who is go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to arrange the drug is from India.<br />
They’ve outsourced all those jobs. So<br />
you can go to India now and you will<br />
see a hallful of over 5,000 people just<br />
with phones. They are work<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
orders around the world. You will not<br />
know, except from their accent, that<br />
they are from India.<br />
Paradigm shift<br />
Until a generation that is<br />
enlightened, I can tell you that with<strong>in</strong><br />
six months, we can br<strong>in</strong>g a naira to one<br />
dollar like Buhari promised. It’s<br />
possible. But what it takes is what is<br />
called repentance, paradigm shift. If<br />
we can effect that <strong>in</strong> Church leadership<br />
and political leadership, you will watch<br />
your children buy their first car at age<br />
17, brand new car.<br />
At this time of the year, everybody<br />
starts look<strong>in</strong>g on to prophets on how<br />
the year is go<strong>in</strong>g to go. Let me give you<br />
a secret. From the day the star of Jesus<br />
arose, that star announced a change <strong>in</strong><br />
the configuration of the spiritual realm<br />
and that change is this, no longer do<br />
you look for the future of anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
any other place, the future of mank<strong>in</strong>d<br />
is <strong>in</strong> the star of Jesus Christ. What God<br />
created orig<strong>in</strong>ally w<strong>as</strong> now restored. If<br />
you want to know what your future is,<br />
•Thompson ... People are<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g they want<br />
corruption back<br />
‘Our religious<br />
leaders are<br />
corrupt’<br />
There’s a conspiracy<br />
between the Church,<br />
the Mosque and<br />
politics to loot the<br />
nation. Offer<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong><br />
hugely dropped <strong>in</strong><br />
most churches and<br />
mosques. Everybody<br />
now f<strong>in</strong>ds out that the<br />
whole of <strong>Nigeria</strong> is run<br />
on corruption money<br />
and somebody says let me look at<br />
your future, it’s a lie, he’s a<br />
satanist. From God’s orig<strong>in</strong>al<br />
packag<strong>in</strong>g, the future of anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is <strong>in</strong>side that th<strong>in</strong>g. That’s why the<br />
future of a seed is <strong>in</strong>side the seed.<br />
You can’t be a pawpaw seed and<br />
become a mango tree.<br />
A future that is not <strong>in</strong>side you<br />
cannot come out. So, when you meet<br />
anybody who h<strong>as</strong> good spiritual<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g and he looks at you<br />
and says let us pray and tells you<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t blank that this is where you are<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g but you have a choice to make.<br />
We have filled the seats with mumbo<br />
jumbo here. Satan always h<strong>as</strong> his<br />
own list of what is go<strong>in</strong>g to happen<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2017. I always laugh at the<br />
quotations I read <strong>in</strong> newspapers that<br />
come from the list that Satan rele<strong>as</strong>es.<br />
Do you know Satan also h<strong>as</strong> a<br />
budget? What is the most common<br />
item on the list that Satan rele<strong>as</strong>es<br />
every year? People are go<strong>in</strong>g to die<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2017. Does Jesus deal <strong>in</strong> death?<br />
Any prophecy you see where the<br />
major prophecies come from<br />
people are go<strong>in</strong>g to die, what they<br />
did w<strong>as</strong> that <strong>in</strong> the realm of the<br />
spirit, they accessed Satan’s<br />
budget for 2017. This is<br />
elementary Christian faith.<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is a great nation. We<br />
have a great future ahead of us.<br />
The Bible says to everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
there is a se<strong>as</strong>on and a time to<br />
every purpose. Anybody who<br />
wants to understand the<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g of the spirit must be<br />
ready to understand se<strong>as</strong>ons<br />
and purposes. For <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />
cross-over every year, some<br />
people th<strong>in</strong>k that by<br />
pray<strong>in</strong>g for one hour <strong>in</strong><br />
church will determ<strong>in</strong>e<br />
what will happen <strong>in</strong> the<br />
new year. God will just be<br />
laugh<strong>in</strong>g at you. If you<br />
plant cocoa, it takes<br />
three to five years for<br />
the first harvest of<br />
cocoa. Let us say<br />
cocoa is a good th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that you have<br />
planted <strong>in</strong> your life<br />
and maybe you<br />
planted that seed<br />
of righteousness<br />
five years ago <strong>in</strong><br />
2011 or 2012, it<br />
means that no matter<br />
what anybody says, <strong>in</strong> 2017, you<br />
are go<strong>in</strong>g to harvest for the first<br />
time what God h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
nurtur<strong>in</strong>g for you. But the harvest<br />
period for that particular<br />
bless<strong>in</strong>g is five years <strong>in</strong> the realm<br />
of the spirit and every se<strong>as</strong>on<br />
after that, you are go<strong>in</strong>g to keep<br />
harvest<strong>in</strong>g from that th<strong>in</strong>g you<br />
did many years ago.<br />
In every new year, there are<br />
three th<strong>in</strong>gs that will always<br />
happen. The harvest of many<br />
years that have been planted<br />
before whose time of harvest<br />
happens to be that new year,<br />
those ones are there. If you don’t<br />
pay attention to them, you will<br />
never really understand why the<br />
year is go<strong>in</strong>g like that. Two, there<br />
are some th<strong>in</strong>gs you are go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to do <strong>in</strong> that new year, the harvest<br />
is go<strong>in</strong>g to come <strong>in</strong> that year.<br />
Tomato takes weeks to br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
harvest. These are the spiritual<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>ciples. These are spiritual<br />
dimensions. These are the<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs that you have to<br />
understand when you become a<br />
believer so that you can take care<br />
of your family properly so that<br />
your own life too will br<strong>in</strong>g forth<br />
its fruit <strong>in</strong> its own se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
The only th<strong>in</strong>gs that also<br />
happen that nobody can change<br />
are the th<strong>in</strong>gs that God h<strong>as</strong><br />
orda<strong>in</strong>ed before the creation of<br />
the world for a particular se<strong>as</strong>on<br />
and a particular time.<br />
Do you th<strong>in</strong>k anyth<strong>in</strong>g good<br />
can come out of Christians<br />
jo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g politics?<br />
The word politics means to<br />
contend. What politics is <strong>in</strong> the<br />
modern era is what Saul w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
the Old Testament. In the Old<br />
Testament, to establish the will of<br />
God, they will attack them, you<br />
will fight them back, God will<br />
help you to kill them. Now to<br />
make sure there’s no more<br />
violence <strong>in</strong> the world, God<br />
ensured that th<strong>in</strong>gs become<br />
civilized to the po<strong>in</strong>t that <strong>in</strong>stead<br />
of fight<strong>in</strong>g for resources, you use<br />
your vote to determ<strong>in</strong>e how<br />
resources will go. So, what<br />
vot<strong>in</strong>g does really is to tell you<br />
how the money will be spent,<br />
who gets what and where it goes.<br />
That’s the real mean<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
politics. Politics translates your<br />
belief <strong>in</strong>to action. That’s why <strong>in</strong><br />
a state where you declare<br />
Shar’ia, politics h<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>terpreted<br />
your faith <strong>in</strong>to action for you.<br />
When Europeans came, they<br />
came with this version of<br />
Christian faith that thought that<br />
politics is so dirty so don’t go there.<br />
Now, what you are say<strong>in</strong>g is that<br />
‘leadership is very dirty, son don’t<br />
go there’.<br />
When you give up leadership<br />
and it goes to the wrong persons,<br />
why are you blam<strong>in</strong>g anybody if<br />
they do what is <strong>in</strong> their m<strong>in</strong>d? This<br />
is the challenge of <strong>Nigeria</strong> right<br />
now. If you have a tree of<br />
corruption, corruption is not a<br />
crime <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>, it’s a culture. If<br />
you have an evil tree, do you kill<br />
that evil tree by cutt<strong>in</strong>g the leaf or<br />
by remov<strong>in</strong>g the root?<br />
In the level of leadership <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Church, we have the <strong>in</strong>sight to<br />
know where the problem really<br />
comes from. If we want to play to<br />
the gallery, we will be do<strong>in</strong>g PRO<br />
job by giv<strong>in</strong>g out bags of rice and<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g photographs with people.<br />
Is that where the problem is? You<br />
need to have a deep<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g of what the real<br />
problem is. A culture is a result of<br />
a program. The major force that<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>es a program <strong>in</strong> a nation<br />
is the religious leadership. If we<br />
leave the programm<strong>in</strong>g, then we<br />
distribute th<strong>in</strong>gs and show<br />
everybody what we’ve done, Jesus<br />
Christ is watch<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Let’s call a spade a spade. All<br />
these public relations churches<br />
are do<strong>in</strong>g all over the place is to<br />
divert attention away from where<br />
the real problem is. There’s a<br />
conspiracy between the Church,<br />
the Mosque and politics to loot the<br />
nation. Offer<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> hugely<br />
dropped <strong>in</strong> most churches and<br />
mosques. Everybody now f<strong>in</strong>ds<br />
out that the whole of <strong>Nigeria</strong> is<br />
run on corruption money.<br />
Let me tell you po<strong>in</strong>t blank,<br />
people are say<strong>in</strong>g they want<br />
corruption back and the people<br />
who are lead<strong>in</strong>g the chorus are the<br />
religious leaders.<br />
So how are we go<strong>in</strong>g to talk to<br />
journalists that we should<br />
sacrifice? We are all believers.<br />
Infant mortality rate <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
is second highest. Boko Haram<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been suppressed to a po<strong>in</strong>t<br />
now; they are go<strong>in</strong>g to blossom<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>. It will be like a joke when<br />
they start expand<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong> if<br />
corruption does not go. If<br />
corruption does not go, if you have<br />
relatives and friends <strong>in</strong> Ghana,<br />
start talk<strong>in</strong>g to them because that<br />
may be your best bet. When we first<br />
raised the alarm about Islamism,<br />
‘Boko Haram is com<strong>in</strong>g, bombs<br />
are com<strong>in</strong>g’, even the places we<br />
went to, they said it couldn’t be <strong>as</strong><br />
bad <strong>as</strong> that. I met a bishop who w<strong>as</strong><br />
preach<strong>in</strong>g prosperity and I told<br />
him he w<strong>as</strong> not supposed to be<br />
preach<strong>in</strong>g prosperity. He met me<br />
<strong>in</strong> Abuja and said he had cars and<br />
money but he could not leave his<br />
house to go to the bank to collect<br />
his money. And he could not eat<br />
the cars <strong>in</strong> the garage.<br />
There’s one p<strong>as</strong>tor I spoke with<br />
<strong>in</strong> Jos, he’s <strong>in</strong> London now. We<br />
had a meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> parliament and<br />
he said ‘when I first met P<strong>as</strong>tor Ladi,<br />
I hated him’. He said when I came<br />
to Jos I told them that bloodshed w<strong>as</strong><br />
com<strong>in</strong>g and at that time there w<strong>as</strong><br />
no sign of bloodshed. He said he<br />
just thought ‘what nonsense is this<br />
man com<strong>in</strong>g to say here now’. The<br />
next year w<strong>as</strong> when the bloodshed<br />
started. The next year I came back<br />
with aid, <strong>as</strong>sistance and counsel.<br />
One bishop told me, ‘give us guns’.<br />
I had to tell him that the people<br />
plann<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st you have planned<br />
for over 35 years. ‘You can’t plan <strong>in</strong><br />
15 m<strong>in</strong>utes’. They didn’t listen.<br />
They killed two Muslims. The<br />
traditional press took up the c<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
What we are up aga<strong>in</strong>st, may God<br />
help us.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 23<br />
PDP: FROM A RULING PARTY TO A PARTY IN TATTERS<br />
Our headache <strong>as</strong> opposition<br />
party — Bode George<br />
•Warns Buhari on N-Delta: Tread softly<br />
•Rem<strong>in</strong>isces at 71: We also had Area Fathers <strong>in</strong> Lagos<br />
BY DAPO AKINREFON<br />
CHIEF Olabode Ibiy<strong>in</strong>ka<br />
George celebrated his<br />
71st birthday recently.<br />
George, a former Deputy<br />
National Chairman of the<br />
People's Democratic Party, PDP, <strong>in</strong><br />
this encounter, bares his m<strong>in</strong>d on<br />
the state of the nation, the<br />
mistakes made by the PDP <strong>in</strong> the<br />
2015 general elections and the<br />
way forward for <strong>Nigeria</strong> and his<br />
party. Excerpts:<br />
At 71, how h<strong>as</strong> the journey<br />
been?<br />
Most times, I get emotional.<br />
Whither <strong>Nigeria</strong>? I remember my<br />
youthful days, we were very<br />
hopeful, we had a very<br />
wonderful upbr<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g. As<br />
a young man grow<strong>in</strong>g up<br />
<strong>in</strong> Lagos with my<br />
parents, there w<strong>as</strong><br />
hope. Though we<br />
were yet to get<br />
<strong>in</strong>dependence at<br />
that time, the<br />
British were <strong>in</strong><br />
charge of the<br />
political affairs of<br />
this nation, all<br />
we wanted to do<br />
w<strong>as</strong> to get<br />
education and<br />
you know for real that the future<br />
w<strong>as</strong> bright.<br />
When you are outside the box,<br />
I mean outside the country, you<br />
will be able to look at your nation<br />
without bi<strong>as</strong> and you can e<strong>as</strong>ily<br />
come to certa<strong>in</strong> conclusion.<br />
When I came back to <strong>Nigeria</strong>, I<br />
w<strong>as</strong> a little depressed. I remember<br />
<strong>in</strong> 1952 dur<strong>in</strong>g the first election, I<br />
w<strong>as</strong> with my father mark<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
little papers of the election. My<br />
great grandmother, Mrs. Aganga<br />
Williams, came from Herbert<br />
Macaulay stock. So my mother's<br />
side h<strong>as</strong> been very heavily<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> politics. I never knew<br />
I would end up myself <strong>in</strong> politics<br />
but my papa w<strong>as</strong> travers<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
length and breadth of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
try<strong>in</strong>g to fight the colonial<br />
m<strong>as</strong>ters; he w<strong>as</strong> imprisoned on so<br />
many trivial issues just to break<br />
him but he w<strong>as</strong> unbroken.<br />
So that k<strong>in</strong>d of picture, that k<strong>in</strong>d<br />
of drive w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> us. Of course<br />
Lagos w<strong>as</strong> not <strong>as</strong> heavily<br />
populated <strong>as</strong> it is now and you<br />
know Western Region extended<br />
to Fadeyi and Idi Oro <strong>in</strong> Mush<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Lagos Island, Ma<strong>in</strong>land, Surulere<br />
came up later when they were<br />
build<strong>in</strong>g Eko Bridge. So it w<strong>as</strong><br />
closely knit, everybody knew<br />
everybody’s else .<br />
Area Boys <strong>in</strong> Lagos<br />
The concept of Area Boys came<br />
from Omo Adugbo, you know we<br />
used to enjoy <strong>as</strong> groups play<strong>in</strong>g<br />
football. Isale Igangan w<strong>as</strong> our<br />
local stadium, little Campos<br />
Square w<strong>as</strong> another local stadium.<br />
•Bode George<br />
We had Area Fathers<br />
and Area Boys but<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> all<br />
been twisted now. The<br />
connotation Area<br />
Boys now is a terrible<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
R<strong>as</strong>cality w<strong>as</strong> an odd th<strong>in</strong>g then.<br />
What is it that is driv<strong>in</strong>g our youths<br />
today? I have been th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g that if,<br />
<strong>in</strong> another 20 years from now, I am 71<br />
now, what would this country look<br />
like? I want to bare my m<strong>in</strong>d because,<br />
at this age, the Bible says three scores<br />
and ten, that is our official years.<br />
Anyth<strong>in</strong>g after 70 you are alive by the<br />
grace of the Almighty. If you can’t say<br />
your m<strong>in</strong>d on issues now, when will<br />
you say it? You can be called home<br />
(heaven) anytime. Like I have said to<br />
a lot of people, the more you grow<br />
old the more you are religious. A<br />
p<strong>as</strong>sage <strong>in</strong> the Bible read <strong>in</strong> my<br />
Church on Sunday, Amos 5 verses<br />
22-24, w<strong>as</strong> strik<strong>in</strong>g to me, very<br />
relevant for this country. It says let<br />
justice roll like a stream and let<br />
righteousness flow like a river that will<br />
never dry up. These are two very<br />
salient statements.<br />
With the two statements, I started<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g, even the neighbourhood<br />
communal liv<strong>in</strong>g that we grew <strong>in</strong>to<br />
h<strong>as</strong> stopped. We had Area Fathers<br />
and Area Boys but everyth<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong><br />
all been twisted now. The<br />
connotation Area Boys now is a<br />
terrible th<strong>in</strong>g. The polic<strong>in</strong>g then<br />
came naturally; if your neighbour<br />
saw your child somewhere he w<strong>as</strong><br />
not supposed to be, he will take<br />
him home and say, 'I don’t know<br />
what your son w<strong>as</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g there and<br />
I brought him back to you'. So,<br />
everybody took care of everybody.<br />
But what do you f<strong>in</strong>d these days? If<br />
you are lucky you are not<br />
kidnapped, you are not picked for<br />
rituals. So, where are we go<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is endowed and noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
happens without the bless<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
Almighty God . As a Christian,<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g happens without God’s<br />
knowledge. So, God, hav<strong>in</strong>g done<br />
that for us, are we still really unit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>as</strong> a country? This is what h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
agitat<strong>in</strong>g my m<strong>in</strong>d and, on my<br />
birthday today, I said let me come<br />
out of my submar<strong>in</strong>e mood.“You<br />
know <strong>as</strong> a naval officer, when a<br />
submar<strong>in</strong>e, especially a nuclear<br />
submar<strong>in</strong>e, dives, there are certa<strong>in</strong><br />
levels because of the echoes, it is<br />
not a vacuum but, because of the<br />
configuration of the underwater, it<br />
knows the best place to hide and<br />
be there hours un-end and<br />
surface ship would be mov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
round and round try<strong>in</strong>g to locate it.<br />
So I said let me be <strong>in</strong> that<br />
submar<strong>in</strong>e mood and watch. So<br />
many topical issues nowadays have<br />
come to the fore. You know<br />
Abraham L<strong>in</strong>coln said that it is<br />
not when everyth<strong>in</strong>g is rosy that<br />
you know who are leaders, it is<br />
when there is tribulation and those<br />
that stand up then are the real<br />
leaders. What Abraham L<strong>in</strong>coln said<br />
at that time is <strong>as</strong> still relevant today<br />
<strong>as</strong> it w<strong>as</strong> then. So where are we<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> a nation? And this is not<br />
politics now.<br />
Yes I belong to the PDP but, at<br />
the same time, General Buhari and<br />
I belong to a very important profession<br />
<strong>in</strong> this country and that is the military.<br />
I also retired <strong>as</strong> a general and when<br />
I sit back, I keep th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g, what is<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
I looked at the issue of Boko<br />
Haram, the issue of corruption. I<br />
have listened to the issue of the<br />
judiciary and watched the<br />
movements, the comments of the<br />
generality of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns regard<strong>in</strong>g our<br />
own brothers and sisters from the<br />
South-South, the oil produc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
region. My advice to President<br />
Buhari, who is my senior <strong>in</strong> the<br />
military, is softly, softly.<br />
On the crisis <strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta<br />
Those people who live <strong>in</strong> that area<br />
are also <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns, they are not<br />
enemies. The degradation <strong>in</strong> the<br />
place is disturb<strong>in</strong>g. The late President<br />
Yar'Adua went <strong>in</strong>to a dialogue and<br />
came up with a solution to improve the<br />
lives of the region's youths. Many of<br />
them are abroad study<strong>in</strong>g to become<br />
professionals <strong>in</strong> various fields.<br />
Jonathan cont<strong>in</strong>ued from where<br />
Yar'Adua stopped but most of them are<br />
now stranded <strong>in</strong> some of the<br />
universities.<br />
Now, th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> an economist, that<br />
area is the source of our revenue, our<br />
oil production h<strong>as</strong> dropped m<strong>as</strong>sively<br />
and that is affect<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>come of this<br />
country. If you now look at how much<br />
it will take to susta<strong>in</strong> those youths <strong>in</strong><br />
the universities versus how much we<br />
are los<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>come, there is need for<br />
dialogue.<br />
I plead with the President, <strong>as</strong> a staff<br />
officer, <strong>as</strong> his junior and <strong>as</strong> a naval<br />
officer, the area will not augur well for<br />
any warfare, he should reconsider his<br />
stance.<br />
As a political leader, he loses<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g by encourag<strong>in</strong>g all citizens<br />
for better life. If we don't have <strong>in</strong>come,<br />
how would they do all the social<br />
services required for the majority of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns?<br />
I have seen both military and<br />
democratic governments, but the<br />
beauty of a democratic government<br />
is that you must dialogue, you must<br />
reach out, you must listen; otherwise<br />
it becomes a monotony. Democracy is<br />
not a monotony, it is a creation of<br />
dialogue.<br />
Sometimes you w<strong>in</strong>, sometimes you<br />
lose. That is one major concern for<br />
me <strong>as</strong> a <strong>Nigeria</strong>n at this age.<br />
On 2015 polls<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g the l<strong>as</strong>t general elections,<br />
we (PDP) erred; we made a<br />
fundamental mistake but there is<br />
nobody who is above mistake.<br />
What k<strong>in</strong>d of mistake?<br />
We made many mistakes, the way<br />
the elections were conducted but that<br />
is for our <strong>in</strong>ternal consumption. I<br />
want to accept that we made<br />
mistakes.<br />
So, it is okay to say the choice of<br />
Senator Modu Sheriff w<strong>as</strong> a<br />
mistake?<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> a monumental mistake.<br />
Sheriff is my friend. It takes one crazy<br />
person to throw a stone <strong>in</strong> the well,<br />
but one million professors will not be<br />
able to br<strong>in</strong>g out that stone. That is<br />
where we have found ourselves now.<br />
There will be tribulations.<br />
In the same manner, an issue<br />
happened at Ifako-Ijaiye (Lagos)<br />
where, dur<strong>in</strong>g your party's primary,<br />
a female <strong>as</strong>pirant won the election<br />
by 22 votes; the first runner up, also<br />
a woman, got five votes. The latter<br />
w<strong>as</strong>, however, declared w<strong>in</strong>ner of<br />
the primary. What happened?<br />
We have made our report but,<br />
personally, I would never stand for<br />
illegality or <strong>in</strong>justice. I have spoken<br />
with the Act<strong>in</strong>g Chairman of the<br />
Caretaker Committee and the<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 24
PAGE 24— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Bode George to Buhari on N-Delta: Tread softly<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 23<br />
representative of the South-West<br />
and I believe there is still room for<br />
mediation. We cannot afford<br />
conflagration <strong>in</strong> Lagos because<br />
Lagos is the largest pool of<br />
registered votes. We have six<br />
million voters <strong>in</strong> Lagos alone<br />
because Lagos is now a m<strong>in</strong>i-<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
We are not <strong>in</strong> Aso Rock Villa,<br />
which means that the police, INEC,<br />
DSS and other agencies are not<br />
under our control, they are all<br />
under the executive. We don't<br />
have such opportunity.<br />
We must present our party<br />
<strong>in</strong> a manner that will endear<br />
us to the m<strong>as</strong>ses. If they decide that<br />
this is the direction that they are<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g, all the agencies I mentioned<br />
earlier cannot stop them. I am<br />
plead<strong>in</strong>g that we should not go<br />
through that path, we must be<br />
careful.<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> at the National Secretariat<br />
of the PDP for ten years. Once there<br />
is no justice <strong>in</strong> what you are do<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
you are creat<strong>in</strong>g a big hole for<br />
yourself. That is my stand. We have<br />
made representations and we are<br />
all wait<strong>in</strong>g to know why the woman<br />
who won w<strong>as</strong> disqualified. But I<br />
urge that we tread careful so that<br />
we don't follow the party of perfidy.<br />
With all these happen<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> the<br />
party, what is the future of the PDP?<br />
It is very bright. Let us go back to<br />
how this party w<strong>as</strong> formed. You<br />
NIGERIANS IN CHINA CRY OUT<br />
Bode George...We are<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ed to fix PDP<br />
know the found<strong>in</strong>g fathers of the<br />
party, Chief Bola Ige, Alex<br />
Ekwueme, among others, operated<br />
under the same political roof. If you<br />
check well, s<strong>in</strong>ce 1952, all political<br />
parties were b<strong>as</strong>ed purely on tribe.<br />
We had the Action Group <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Western Region, Northern People's<br />
Congress <strong>in</strong> the North, the NCNC<br />
dom<strong>in</strong>ated Lagos but Chief Nnamdi<br />
Azikiwe went back home and formed<br />
his party. All the parties then were<br />
tribal parties.<br />
Somehow, when Abacha w<strong>as</strong><br />
military Head of State and he wanted<br />
to become life President, some people<br />
came together and rejected the idea.<br />
That w<strong>as</strong> the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
discussion. How could you imag<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Alhaji Abubakar Rimi from Kano<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g with Malam Adamu Ciroma <strong>in</strong><br />
the same party? But they all came<br />
‘Drug traffickers are robb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
us of privileges’<br />
By VERA ANYAGAFU & PRISCA<br />
SAM-DURU<br />
At a forum organised by the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
community <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a to address the<br />
thriv<strong>in</strong>g illicit trade on drugs and its effects<br />
on not just Ch<strong>in</strong>a-<strong>Nigeria</strong> bilateral<br />
relationship, but also on <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and do<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a, the President,<br />
Good Governance Initiative (GGI), Mr.<br />
Festus Mbisiogu, while say<strong>in</strong>g 85 per cent<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns believe that Ch<strong>in</strong>a exerts<br />
positive <strong>in</strong>fluence on the social and<br />
economic development <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed that Ch<strong>in</strong>a and <strong>Nigeria</strong>, <strong>as</strong><br />
partners, are not deserv<strong>in</strong>g of any bad<br />
image the grow<strong>in</strong>g malaise of drug<br />
traffick<strong>in</strong>g may rob on both nations’<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegrity.<br />
In this <strong>in</strong>terview, Festus, who also<br />
disclosed that where<strong>as</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
transactions <strong>in</strong> Guangdong Prov<strong>in</strong>ce alone<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a are <strong>in</strong> the region of $5,000,000 a<br />
day, <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns cont<strong>in</strong>ue to suffer the worst<br />
form of stereotyp<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a and many<br />
other countries abroad <strong>in</strong> addition to be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
placed on various diplomatic restrictions.<br />
How do you describe Ch<strong>in</strong>a-<strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
bilateral relations?<br />
Both countries are committed to realis<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a long l<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g bilateral relationship and, <strong>as</strong><br />
the <strong>Nigeria</strong>-Ch<strong>in</strong>a cooperation cont<strong>in</strong>ues to<br />
grow, there are over 50 Ch<strong>in</strong>ese official<br />
development f<strong>in</strong>ance projects identified <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> which cut across rail, power and<br />
telecommunications with<strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t 10 years.<br />
But the underly<strong>in</strong>g fact which <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns <strong>in</strong><br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a have failed to gr<strong>as</strong>p is that <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
immigrants <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a should have been the<br />
direct recipients of these benefits of trade<br />
development and mutual cooperation.<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a looks up to <strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>as</strong> a model of<br />
trade and economic development to boost<br />
•Festus Mbisiogu<br />
its cooperation with Africa. At present,<br />
there over 2,000 registered Ch<strong>in</strong>ese<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses and companies <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
alone and Ch<strong>in</strong>a seeks, avenues of<br />
mutual person-to-person cooperation<br />
between its nationals, bus<strong>in</strong>ess owners<br />
and <strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens.<br />
Why are <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns placed on<br />
diplomatic restrictions <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a?<br />
Today, because of the <strong>in</strong>volvement of<br />
some <strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens <strong>in</strong> drug traffick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a and other places, we cannot<br />
truly say that the consummate benefits<br />
of this relationship are robb<strong>in</strong>g off on all<br />
of us. Rather we are be<strong>in</strong>g profiled on<br />
daily b<strong>as</strong>is and denied some privileges<br />
which ord<strong>in</strong>arily should come with our<br />
resid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this country.<br />
It is knowledge <strong>in</strong> the public doma<strong>in</strong><br />
that because of this <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong><br />
together and, when Abacha p<strong>as</strong>sed on,<br />
they felt it would be nice to form a<br />
political party.<br />
I have campaigned round this<br />
country,<br />
there is no<br />
village you<br />
won't hear of<br />
the PDP. The<br />
party h<strong>as</strong> a<br />
very deep<br />
tap root;<br />
otherwise we<br />
would have<br />
gone under.<br />
This little<br />
tribulation, to<br />
me, should<br />
serve <strong>as</strong> a<br />
lesson. Would<br />
you abandon your house because it is<br />
leak<strong>in</strong>g and build another one?<br />
I am us<strong>in</strong>g this metaphorically so that<br />
you can understand the problems of<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g away. The best th<strong>in</strong>g we can<br />
do is to strengthen the PDP and we<br />
are now <strong>in</strong> the process. You must<br />
accommodate everybody because<br />
democracy is all about debates.<br />
Those who ran out of the PDP<br />
headed for the APC due to one issue<br />
or the other. A committee h<strong>as</strong> been set<br />
up to go round and reach out to them,<br />
remember I described the APC <strong>as</strong> a<br />
congregation of strange bed-fellows.<br />
They are <strong>in</strong> government alright but is<br />
the government <strong>in</strong> them? Where are<br />
they now?<br />
The old men who founded the PDP<br />
had the experiences of the 1950s, the<br />
1960s, the first republic, the second<br />
and the military <strong>in</strong>terregnum. Some<br />
drugs, by some miscreants, all of<br />
us are pay<strong>in</strong>g a heavy price for it.<br />
Like our people say, when one<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ger is dipped <strong>in</strong> the red oil, it<br />
will automatically affect all the<br />
other f<strong>in</strong>gers even when they do<br />
not want to be rubbed with oil.<br />
However due to our abusive<br />
tendencies to law and order we<br />
are on a daily b<strong>as</strong>is denied these<br />
benefits and are <strong>in</strong>stead placed on<br />
diplomatic restrictions.<br />
Would you say it is partly the re<strong>as</strong>on<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are denied resident permit and/<br />
or visa extension?<br />
In Guangdong Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are<br />
no longer given resident permit. There is<br />
also no visa extension. <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns who are<br />
married and resid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a are not<br />
given resident permit. That is why many<br />
of us do not have our families here with<br />
us. Our citizens who come here to study<br />
cannot get resident permit and are not<br />
allowed to work unlike the citizens of other<br />
countries. There is no doubt that illicit<br />
drugs and traffick<strong>in</strong>g underm<strong>in</strong>e state<br />
authority and the rule of law by fuell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
corruption, compromis<strong>in</strong>g elections, and<br />
hurt<strong>in</strong>g the legitimate economy and<br />
significant impact on the livelihood and<br />
quality of life, particularly the poor, our<br />
women and children <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g all of us<br />
here, because one way or the other, we<br />
are <strong>in</strong>volved.<br />
What can the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n authority <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a<br />
do <strong>in</strong> this regard?<br />
I plead with the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n emb<strong>as</strong>sy <strong>in</strong><br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a to f<strong>in</strong>d every means to look <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
affairs of the many <strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens present<br />
here. The community gather<strong>in</strong>g, known <strong>as</strong><br />
“<strong>Nigeria</strong>n Union”, is vey paramount. We are<br />
a communal people and Ch<strong>in</strong>a recognizes<br />
the impact of our community gather<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>as</strong> it<br />
aids control and management of the<br />
numerous <strong>Nigeria</strong>n immigrants resident or<br />
transact<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>esses across Ch<strong>in</strong>a. Our<br />
emb<strong>as</strong>sy authorities should help <strong>in</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a platform of legality <strong>in</strong> the leadership of the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n community. This I believe will aid<br />
all our efforts to harness the activities of many<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens who are here <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a for<br />
different purposes. Although, the emb<strong>as</strong>sy<br />
may not be able to follow the activities of<br />
of them even landed before military<br />
tribunals but they survived. They came<br />
up with the six geo-political zones and,<br />
<strong>as</strong> a practitioner, what susta<strong>in</strong>ed our party<br />
and democracy <strong>in</strong> this country for 16<br />
years, w<strong>as</strong> this issue of Turn-by-Turn<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> Limited. It w<strong>as</strong> a brilliant concept<br />
and that brought peace. We made some<br />
mistakes but we have learned from the<br />
mistakes.<br />
That is why we set up the committee to<br />
ensure that those who left the party can<br />
return. We are do<strong>in</strong>g our repairs of the<br />
house and with the background of the<br />
mistakes made <strong>in</strong> the p<strong>as</strong>t and then represent<br />
ourselves to <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.<br />
Are you say<strong>in</strong>g a new party is not<br />
possible?<br />
I wish those plann<strong>in</strong>g a new party the best<br />
of luck. Let them start it. Do you know how<br />
long it takes to start someth<strong>in</strong>g to become a<br />
colossus? It takes time, even we have not<br />
fully developed yet. We are now know<strong>in</strong>g<br />
what it means to be <strong>in</strong> the opposition, that<br />
it is a different process of learn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
What if it comes <strong>in</strong> form of alignment, will<br />
you be part of it?<br />
Align<strong>in</strong>g to where? In politics, a political<br />
party is like a police station, you don't shut<br />
your doors. If you go to a police station, it is<br />
always open, you do not shut the doors. We<br />
have set up a committee to go round and<br />
talk to those who left the party but which<br />
party h<strong>as</strong> that tap root that is national?<br />
There is a movement to ensure that your<br />
zone-South-West-is not short changed.<br />
It is a brilliant idea but where are they<br />
head<strong>in</strong>g to? The South-West alone cannot<br />
w<strong>in</strong> the Villa, no zone alone can w<strong>in</strong> the<br />
Villa; you have to network and, go<strong>in</strong>g by<br />
the concept of our party, you know what<br />
will come to you.<br />
every <strong>Nigeria</strong>n, a legal platform of the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> Union <strong>in</strong> countries of abode can<br />
combat some of the excesses of a few<br />
robb<strong>in</strong>g us the immense benefits of our<br />
cooperation with host countries.<br />
What advice do you have for fellow<br />
Di<strong>as</strong>pora <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns?<br />
We should all rise and say no to drugs<br />
because drugs and crime underm<strong>in</strong>e<br />
development by erod<strong>in</strong>g social and human<br />
capital. The direct impact of victimization,<br />
discrim<strong>in</strong>ation, image problem <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
fear of crime impedes the socio-economic<br />
development of all. It leads to restriction of<br />
movements <strong>as</strong> already highlighted by the<br />
position of Ch<strong>in</strong>ese authorities on some of<br />
us here <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a. It also impedes access to<br />
possible employment and educational<br />
opportunities, and it discourages the<br />
accumulation of <strong>as</strong>sets.<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens used to be the most<br />
favourite of Ch<strong>in</strong>a’s selection of Africans to<br />
partner with <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess and other mutual<br />
relationship but these unlawful behaviors<br />
robbed the average <strong>Nigeria</strong>n immigrant<br />
and bus<strong>in</strong>essman <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a that privilege.<br />
The negative effects of illicit drug<br />
traffick<strong>in</strong>g and unlawful behaviors go<br />
beyond the shores of Ch<strong>in</strong>a. I can’t<br />
remember any former drug dealer who<br />
is at peace with the proceeds made from<br />
drug traffick<strong>in</strong>g whether for himself,<br />
children and family; therefore why<br />
should you cont<strong>in</strong>ue to plot your own<br />
ru<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> life? We all must rise to say no to<br />
drugs. <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns must rise to say no to<br />
drugs. Let me emph<strong>as</strong>ize here that<br />
religion h<strong>as</strong> become a part of our cultural<br />
values, and, s<strong>in</strong>ce it plays a major<br />
<strong>in</strong>fluence on how we value life, I urge<br />
religious leaders to help discourage the<br />
temptation but encourage true bless<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
when we work hard, pray and trust God.<br />
As much <strong>as</strong> we are foreigners <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a<br />
and have come here with the sole <strong>in</strong>tent<br />
to succeed and take wealth home, the<br />
issue of cl<strong>as</strong>h of <strong>in</strong>terest and partisan<br />
politics among <strong>Nigeria</strong>n citizens, whom<br />
I believe all have genu<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>tentions to<br />
help to organize their fellow brothers and<br />
sisters, should not be viewed <strong>in</strong> the<br />
negative but to be encouraged to take a<br />
formal approach with due respect to the<br />
laws of the land.
Get busy with God<br />
2017 is already on. A<br />
week is gone and we<br />
are left with 51<br />
weeks. Brethren, what have<br />
you decided to do this year?<br />
I suggest we get busy with<br />
God. Get busy with God<br />
and God will also be busy<br />
respond<strong>in</strong>g to issues of<br />
concern to you.<br />
For those who live <strong>in</strong> busy<br />
cities like Lagos, they often<br />
get busy with everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
except the Lord. People<br />
are <strong>in</strong> a hurry to do so many<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs but almost never <strong>in</strong><br />
a hurry to relate closely with<br />
God. This se<strong>as</strong>on calls<br />
for a change of attitude from<br />
us all.<br />
Some may say, ‘I have<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g go<strong>in</strong>g f<strong>in</strong>e for me,<br />
why should I be busy with<br />
God?’ There are a<br />
thousand and one re<strong>as</strong>ons<br />
why we have go get busy with<br />
God.<br />
The first is that no one<br />
knows what 2017 h<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> stock<br />
for <strong>in</strong>dividuals, organizations<br />
or even countries. However,<br />
what is most certa<strong>in</strong> is that the<br />
year must have its good and<br />
ugly. In the name of Jesus, only<br />
Abraham’s bless<strong>in</strong>gs will be<br />
your portion.<br />
Are you on the sick bed<br />
struggl<strong>in</strong>g to be healed?<br />
Remember there is a great<br />
physician. The Doctor of<br />
doctors; Jesus. Look unto<br />
him and your health will<br />
be restored <strong>in</strong> Jesus name.<br />
Are you a grandma ,<br />
disturbed that your son or<br />
daughter who h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
married for years is yet to be<br />
blessed with the fruit of the<br />
womb? Get on your knees and<br />
pray ce<strong>as</strong>elessly for the couple<br />
and Lord will surprise your<br />
family <strong>in</strong> Jesus name.<br />
In other families, parents<br />
are worried that their<br />
daughters of marriageable<br />
age are till s<strong>in</strong>gle.<br />
Rather than worry, take<br />
<strong>in</strong> the word of the Lord <strong>in</strong><br />
Genesis 2 vs. 18 K<strong>in</strong>g James<br />
Version:” And the Lord God<br />
said , it is not good that the<br />
man should be alone ; I<br />
will make him an help meet<br />
for him”. Man <strong>in</strong> this context<br />
refers to the man and woman.<br />
There is a general<br />
<strong>as</strong>sumption that it is only<br />
ladies who have this<br />
challenge. Not true. I have<br />
come across men who have<br />
this challenge too.<br />
As parents, what we should<br />
do is to rem<strong>in</strong>d God of his<br />
promise and get those<br />
concerned to be part of this<br />
prayer.<br />
Declutter that Burden<br />
- 8 E<strong>as</strong>y Strategies<br />
How to get busy with God<br />
Gett<strong>in</strong>g busy with the Lord<br />
could be done <strong>in</strong> several<br />
ways. The first step is<br />
prayer. Prayer must go<br />
with the word of God. While<br />
pray<strong>in</strong>g, we need to buttress<br />
our po<strong>in</strong>t with the word of<br />
God. This , can only be done<br />
by those who are familiar with<br />
the word. Your familiarity<br />
with the word of God is an<br />
important key to your<br />
breakthrough. With<strong>in</strong> your<br />
busy schedule, you must<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d time to familiarize with<br />
the Word of God.<br />
For <strong>in</strong>stance, if you spend<br />
long hours on the road,<br />
listen to message tapes from<br />
credible men of God. As<br />
your ears pick the message,<br />
your Spirit too will pick the<br />
message and someth<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
bound to change for you <strong>in</strong><br />
name of Jesus.<br />
Let’s hear from the Holy<br />
Spirit - I refer to the response<br />
of our Lord Jesus Christ while<br />
respond<strong>in</strong>g to a question from<br />
one of his disciples. Let’s<br />
consider John 14 verses 23<br />
“ Jesus answered and<br />
said unto him, If a man love<br />
me, he will keep my words:<br />
and my Father will love<br />
him, and we will come unto<br />
him, and make our abode<br />
with him”. Brethren if God<br />
abides with you, that sickness<br />
will disappear. If God<br />
abides with you, that dull<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess will receive a boost.<br />
Verses 24 to 27 “He that<br />
loveth me not keepeth not my<br />
say<strong>in</strong>gs: and the word which<br />
ye hear is not m<strong>in</strong>e, but the<br />
Father’s which sent me.<br />
These th<strong>in</strong>gs have I spoken<br />
unto you, be<strong>in</strong>g yet present<br />
with you”.<br />
Our emph<strong>as</strong>is is verses 26<br />
and 27 “ But the Comforter,<br />
which is Holy Ghost, whom the<br />
Father will send <strong>in</strong> my name,<br />
he shall teach you all th<strong>in</strong>gs, and<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g all th<strong>in</strong>gs to your<br />
remembrance , whatsoever I<br />
have said unto you”. When the<br />
Holy Spirit teaches you all<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs and you obey completely,<br />
def<strong>in</strong>itely you will be a star<br />
Your familiarity with<br />
the word of God is an<br />
important key to your<br />
breakthrough. With<strong>in</strong><br />
your busy schedule,<br />
you must f<strong>in</strong>d time<br />
to familiarize with the<br />
Word of God<br />
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 25<br />
among your mates.<br />
Verse 27 “ Peace I leave with<br />
you, may peace I give unto you:<br />
not <strong>as</strong> the world giveth, give I<br />
unto you. Let not your heart<br />
be troubled , neither let it be<br />
afraid”.<br />
Brethren, let’s pay attention to<br />
the l<strong>as</strong>t sentence : “ Let not<br />
your heart be troubled, neither<br />
let it be afraid”.<br />
As human be<strong>in</strong>gs we are<br />
sometimes troubled by<br />
challenges. A woman whose<br />
home is tension soaked for a<br />
number of re<strong>as</strong>ons is likely to<br />
be troubled. An employee<br />
whose office is set to downsize<br />
will not just be troubled , he is<br />
afraid of the future without a<br />
job. We have several<br />
re<strong>as</strong>ons why we are troubled but<br />
we must f<strong>in</strong>d the courage to<br />
keep our m<strong>in</strong>ds at peace and<br />
it is only the Lord Jesus that<br />
gives such peace.<br />
Remember, he is the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
of Peace. He commanded<br />
that the storm be still and it<br />
w<strong>as</strong> still.<br />
In the name of Jesus; the<br />
name that is above all<br />
names, every storm <strong>in</strong> your<br />
life shall ce<strong>as</strong>e this year.<br />
God will give you all round<br />
peace. Put your m<strong>in</strong>d<br />
at rest <strong>in</strong> the Lord and you<br />
will have rest from all<br />
challenges .<br />
Let’s look <strong>in</strong>stances <strong>in</strong><br />
the Holy Bible where the<br />
Holy Ghost spoke . New<br />
International Version of the<br />
Holy Bible “While they were<br />
worship<strong>in</strong>g the Lord and<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g, the Holy Spirit said,<br />
“Set apart for me Barnab<strong>as</strong><br />
and Saul for the work to<br />
which I have called them.”.<br />
Note they were<br />
worshipp<strong>in</strong>g the Lord and<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g. Worship could be<br />
<strong>in</strong> form of praise s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
or prayer. F<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
quite clear. It is a period<br />
of self-denial. We must<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d time to keep ourselves<br />
busy with worship or<br />
f<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g . Both are<br />
ideal. However, the po<strong>in</strong>t<br />
here is that the Holy Spirit<br />
speaks.<br />
When we hear the still<br />
small voice; the voice of the<br />
Holy Spirit and obey<br />
completely, our<br />
breakthrough is sure.<br />
Make your m<strong>in</strong>d to l<strong>in</strong>k<br />
up with the Holy Spirit.<br />
Take the right steps and you<br />
will have a smooth ride <strong>in</strong><br />
the journey of life. Do not<br />
doubt. It is quite possible.<br />
Testimonies of abound<br />
<strong>in</strong> this area.<br />
Our duty- It is our duty to<br />
say good th<strong>in</strong>gs to<br />
ourselves. Say what you<br />
want to be to yourself <strong>in</strong> the<br />
quite corner of your room.<br />
You can be sure God hears<br />
you. Say this repeatedly<br />
and it will manifest physically<br />
<strong>in</strong> Jesus name.<br />
Testimony - A couple<br />
gave a testimony at<br />
Laughter Foundation<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry when the Lord<br />
gave them a baby boy.<br />
What I f<strong>in</strong>d significant about<br />
this testimony is that the<br />
woman w<strong>as</strong> pregnant for four<br />
months and she didn’t know<br />
she w<strong>as</strong> pregnant. This means<br />
she w<strong>as</strong> still hav<strong>in</strong>g her<br />
period but accord<strong>in</strong>g to her<br />
husband, she cont<strong>in</strong>uously felt<br />
feverish. Even though they<br />
had been pray<strong>in</strong>g to have a<br />
child, neither husband nor<br />
wife thought it could be<br />
pregnancy . Her doctors also<br />
did not suspect pregnancy<br />
but at a po<strong>in</strong>t, the husband<br />
suggested she should have a<br />
pregnancy test. Behold it<br />
w<strong>as</strong> positive and confirmed<br />
by scan.<br />
Brethren, God is beyond<br />
medical science. Hold unto<br />
him and he will give you a<br />
ple<strong>as</strong>ant surprise.<br />
I’ll end this edition with a<br />
quote from P<strong>as</strong>tor Peter<br />
Olawale, <strong>as</strong>sistant general<br />
overseer (prayer) at<br />
RCCG “ Wherever, there is<br />
no Christ, there will be Crisis”.<br />
Make Christ your<br />
companion and your life will<br />
be crisis free.<br />
God will give you a new<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Jesus name.<br />
Once aga<strong>in</strong>, happy new year.<br />
L<strong>in</strong>e Your RACK :<br />
Rack your shoes and bags<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to usage, bus<strong>in</strong>ess,<br />
social, sport<strong>in</strong>g leisure, knock<br />
about or c<strong>as</strong>ual. It is e<strong>as</strong>y to<br />
stack old shoes for a long time<br />
without wear<strong>in</strong>g them. If you<br />
believe you have worn the life<br />
out of a pair if shoes discard<br />
them. All shelves should be<br />
layered accord<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />
desired purpose.<br />
Welcome to the New<br />
Year 2017, here’s<br />
wish<strong>in</strong>g it a<br />
prosperous year ahead for<br />
you. It is the time to discover<br />
the new you, put the p<strong>as</strong>t<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d and step <strong>in</strong>to the new<br />
future. This is the se<strong>as</strong>on to<br />
declutter all those th<strong>in</strong>gs that<br />
are silent burdens <strong>in</strong> your life,<br />
but you just haven’t found the<br />
opportunity to make the<br />
difference. We all accumulate<br />
a lot each day, week, month<br />
and year a lot of it amounts to<br />
sheer junk. The pil<strong>in</strong>g up of<br />
huge amounts of paper<br />
cardboard boxes and<br />
packages doe not help either.<br />
Whether it be your wardrobe,<br />
kitchen store, office desk or<br />
home study. Start by gett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rid of those se<strong>as</strong>onal greet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
cards that are one to five years<br />
old. Take that burden off your<br />
shoulders, buy what is relevant<br />
to your life today, live <strong>in</strong><br />
today’s generation, and go<br />
paperless where you can.<br />
Let me share a few quick<br />
e<strong>as</strong>y strategies to overcome<br />
this cumbersome t<strong>as</strong>k.<br />
They may look e<strong>as</strong>y and<br />
cliché but until you really<br />
delve <strong>in</strong>to the exercise you<br />
may be ple<strong>as</strong>antly surprised.<br />
Purch<strong>as</strong>e a few<br />
CONTAINERS:<br />
It is a good idea to <strong>in</strong>vest <strong>in</strong><br />
a few small, medium and<br />
large conta<strong>in</strong>ers or boxes<br />
before you start you’re<br />
declutter<strong>in</strong>g. This will help the<br />
exercise be less daunt<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
orderly when you beg<strong>in</strong> to<br />
sort. To help your orderl<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
you can add some labels,<br />
markers and cello tape if you<br />
may. The conta<strong>in</strong>ers will help<br />
e<strong>as</strong>y fil<strong>in</strong>g and quick<br />
accessibility <strong>in</strong> the future.<br />
Discover and OPEN:<br />
Open all stored boxes,<br />
drawers and bags that have<br />
not been touched for<br />
weeks, months or even<br />
years. You may discover that<br />
you have purch<strong>as</strong>ed the same<br />
item many times all tucked<br />
away <strong>in</strong> small corners.<br />
Remember if you have not<br />
opened it <strong>in</strong> a while it may not<br />
be that important. Your<br />
declutter exercise will reveal<br />
to you that you actually have<br />
so much useful th<strong>in</strong>gs that you<br />
really did not know or<br />
remember about.<br />
IDENTIFY the good and<br />
the bad:<br />
Dist<strong>in</strong>guish old from new,<br />
broken from fixed, needed<br />
from unwanted. Some of<br />
your items may be old<br />
f<strong>as</strong>hioned, outdated, expired<br />
or damaged. Identify how<br />
important and necessary<br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g that item will be to<br />
you that way you will know<br />
whether to keep, <strong>in</strong>novate or<br />
lose. If it is still valuable to you<br />
maximize it’s worth and do not<br />
let it rot away.<br />
Sift, SORT and Select<br />
Sort your wardrobe<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to work wear and<br />
social/ c<strong>as</strong>ual wear. Sort shelves<br />
by books unwanted magaz<strong>in</strong>es<br />
and papers. File all pend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
letters away from executed, sort<br />
departmental files accord<strong>in</strong>gly.<br />
Sort all drawers accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
pens, p<strong>in</strong>s, pictures and papers.<br />
When you have sorted all out<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> this <strong>as</strong> you cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
your daily activities. Sounds<br />
e<strong>as</strong>y but just try it.<br />
COORDINATE :<br />
Consider colour when<br />
coord<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g your<br />
wardrobe. Arrange shirts<br />
and blouses, suits and<br />
blazers accord<strong>in</strong>g to lighter<br />
colours first followed by<br />
dark colours. Separate<br />
stationary from bits of paper,<br />
magaz<strong>in</strong>es from<br />
newspapers, official<br />
documents from private<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>touts, t<strong>in</strong>ned foods from<br />
packages. You know best<br />
what is useful to you. Colour<br />
coord<strong>in</strong>ation will help you<br />
identify what you own to<br />
avoid search<strong>in</strong>g through a<br />
whole pack of clothes and<br />
still never f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g what you<br />
are look<strong>in</strong>g for. Place all<br />
similar th<strong>in</strong>gs together.<br />
List and LABEL:<br />
Where necessary label all<br />
sorted boxes, label shelves and<br />
work trays. In<br />
arrang<strong>in</strong>g your boxes<br />
ensure labelled items are<br />
placed accord<strong>in</strong>gly. Labell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
will aid identification without<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g to open boxes. Ensure<br />
your labels are clear and<br />
boldly written.<br />
GIVE a gift :<br />
Express the art of giv<strong>in</strong>g this<br />
2017, what you don’t need can<br />
be gold to someone else. Give<br />
out what you don’t need any<br />
more to family, friends, or<br />
charity. Giv<strong>in</strong>g back to the less<br />
privileged is reward<strong>in</strong>g and a<br />
ple<strong>as</strong>urable honour to make<br />
someone’s life better. Gift<br />
giv<strong>in</strong>g is an important<br />
etiquette practice, so do not<br />
take for granted. Endeavour<br />
to give gifts regularly what<br />
you will consider <strong>as</strong> old to you<br />
is new to someone else.<br />
Good luck <strong>as</strong> you open a<br />
new chapter of life clutter free.<br />
Executive Secretary,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n Content<br />
Development and<br />
Monitor<strong>in</strong>g Board<br />
(NCDMB), Simbi Wabote<br />
(M), Chief Leemon Ikpea,<br />
Chairman/Chief Executive<br />
Lee Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
Construction Company Ltd,<br />
flanked by other company<br />
staff, when Wabote took a<br />
tour of LEE <strong>in</strong> Warri, Delta<br />
State.<br />
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat<br />
Oluranti Adebule (2nd left);<br />
Permanent Secretary M<strong>in</strong>istry of<br />
Education, Mr Adesh<strong>in</strong>a Odeyemi<br />
(1st left); with members of the newly<br />
<strong>in</strong>augurated Technical Committee on<br />
Schools Rehabilitation. Committee<br />
members are Mr Jacob Ashaka (1st<br />
right), Mr Adeleke Kara (2nd right),<br />
Mrs Ar<strong>in</strong>ola Odulana (3rd right) and<br />
the Chairman of the committee, Mrs<br />
Olabisi Ariyo (4th right) dur<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
<strong>in</strong>auguration at the<br />
Secretariat,Alausa, Ikeja.
PAGE 26— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Cautious optimism <strong>as</strong> ‘wonder<br />
bank’, MMM, ‘returns’ this week<br />
BY CHARLES KUMOLU<br />
LIKE the mixed feel<strong>in</strong>gs that trailed the<br />
suspension of its activities <strong>in</strong> December<br />
2016, members of the popular ‘wonder<br />
bank’ scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox,<br />
MMM, are wait<strong>in</strong>g for Saturday, January 14,<br />
2016, resumption date with cautious<br />
optimism.<br />
Perhaps, many would <strong>as</strong>k: What is susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
the participants’ <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> a scheme that saw<br />
millions trapped <strong>in</strong> December when it w<strong>as</strong><br />
suspended, and they are uncerta<strong>in</strong> about what<br />
January 14 holds? However, the responses of<br />
some participants, who spoke to Sunday<br />
Vanguard, may provide the answer.<br />
Sunday Vanguard visited pro-MMM social<br />
platforms which <strong>in</strong>clude MMM <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
MMM <strong>Nigeria</strong> Community, MMM <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
Team Support and MMM Nexus Solutions, to<br />
feel the pulse of the participants.<br />
‘I’ m <strong>in</strong>different’<br />
‘’I am just <strong>in</strong>different about the resumption<br />
date because my <strong>in</strong>vestment is <strong>in</strong>significant to<br />
me. If it comes back good, if it does not, it makes<br />
no mean<strong>in</strong>g to me because I have moved on.<br />
That does not hide the fact that I am somehow<br />
optimistic that it would be back on the pledged<br />
date. The model it would operate, this time, is<br />
what I don’t know and I am less bothered,<br />
‘’Mathew Asuzu, who lives <strong>in</strong> Lagos, said.<br />
Joy Am<strong>as</strong>iobi h<strong>as</strong> a different feel<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
the expected resumption.<br />
She told Sunday Vanguard: ‘’It is MMM all<br />
the way. Noth<strong>in</strong>g will happen to it because they<br />
care more about <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns than those, who<br />
created the panic that led to the freez<strong>in</strong>g of our<br />
Mavros. The Federal Government that first<br />
raised the alarm through the Central Bank of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>, CBN, can’t tell me they care about<br />
me; yet, the hardship that started with the<br />
com<strong>in</strong>g of this government h<strong>as</strong> made <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
un<strong>in</strong>habitable. No, don’t tell me that. We are<br />
wise enough <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> to know what serves<br />
our <strong>in</strong>terest. MMM cares about me and I am<br />
confident about gett<strong>in</strong>g my money when they<br />
resume. Even our funds which some haters<br />
described <strong>as</strong> trapped are grow<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> this<br />
period. So, would you call that a scam? A<br />
similar scheme that stopped before MMM and<br />
later came back, paid people their money, why<br />
will I doubt MMM that is even a bigger brand?”<br />
‘Bad Christm<strong>as</strong>’<br />
If Am<strong>as</strong>iobi w<strong>as</strong> this confident and optimistic,<br />
it w<strong>as</strong> a mixed bag for a widow, Mrs. Patience<br />
Igenewari, who is a petty trader. Her story<br />
sounded pathetic given that she collected all<br />
the money she had saved with a thrift collector<br />
at Agboju, Lagos just to participate <strong>in</strong> the<br />
scheme, but w<strong>as</strong> among those, whose funds got<br />
trapped.<br />
The development, she lamented, made the<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> and New Year celebrations bad.<br />
“A young man, who lives <strong>in</strong> the same<br />
compound with me, told me about it and I<br />
became <strong>in</strong>terested. I hesitated for two months<br />
before tell<strong>in</strong>g him to get me registered <strong>in</strong><br />
December because I needed money for<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> shopp<strong>in</strong>g for my four children. I sell<br />
corn and yam flour at Boundary Market <strong>in</strong><br />
Ajegunle. I had to collect the sav<strong>in</strong>gs I had with<br />
a thrift collector so that I could get someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
re<strong>as</strong>onable before Christm<strong>as</strong>. My brother, I<br />
can’t describe how dev<strong>as</strong>tated I w<strong>as</strong> when they<br />
stopped MMM <strong>in</strong> December. My elder<br />
daughter made it more pa<strong>in</strong>ful because she<br />
w<strong>as</strong> angry and laughed at me because she<br />
warned me aga<strong>in</strong>st it. I am pray<strong>in</strong>g that they<br />
don’t change their m<strong>in</strong>d next (this) week, ‘’ she<br />
said.<br />
Asked if she would re<strong>in</strong>vest if, eventually, she<br />
recoups her money, the Bayelsa State –born<br />
woman, said: ‘’Am I a fool?”<br />
Edo State-b<strong>as</strong>ed Jennifer Ugbodu exuded<br />
hopefulness, <strong>as</strong> she told Sunday Vanguard there<br />
w<strong>as</strong> no need for people to doubt the pledged<br />
MMM is com<strong>in</strong>g back<br />
on January 14. I have<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g to be afraid of.<br />
Those say<strong>in</strong>g they<br />
would not unfreeze<br />
our Mavros are those<br />
who don’t mean well<br />
date of resumption.<br />
To her, there is noth<strong>in</strong>g on the ground to<br />
suggest that the promoters would not keep their<br />
promise, not<strong>in</strong>g that those who, she said didn’t<br />
mean well for MMM, were beh<strong>in</strong>d adverse<br />
news about MMM.<br />
Her positive disposition ahead of the<br />
promised de-freez<strong>in</strong>g of Mavros, MMM term<br />
for <strong>in</strong>vested funds, is exceptional.<br />
‘’MMM is com<strong>in</strong>g back on January 14. I<br />
have noth<strong>in</strong>g to be afraid of. Those say<strong>in</strong>g they<br />
would not unfreeze our Mavros are those who<br />
don’t mean well. It is even the rich who are<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st it, because they have discovered that<br />
wealth is spread<strong>in</strong>g and, through that way,<br />
social <strong>in</strong>equality will be bridged,” she stated.<br />
‘’I am committed to MMM. That is why I<br />
provided help dur<strong>in</strong>g this short period. If I had<br />
no confidence <strong>in</strong> them, I would not have done<br />
that. It takes commitment for one to still<br />
provide help even when many are scared. When<br />
the Mavros are defreeze, I will rema<strong>in</strong> with the<br />
scheme. So, tell the world that we are hopeful<br />
and most participants I know share same<br />
optimism.”<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ish l<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Writ<strong>in</strong>g on a Facebook page, MMM <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
Community, through one Jeffery Mc<strong>in</strong>tre, said:<br />
‘’ We are few days close to the 14th of January.<br />
We have survived the Christm<strong>as</strong> holiday period<br />
and the m<strong>as</strong>sive demand for c<strong>as</strong>h. And now we<br />
are almost close to the f<strong>in</strong>ish l<strong>in</strong>e. You should<br />
know that these few days are go<strong>in</strong>g to be very<br />
difficult. It will always be a constant struggle<br />
to stay positive. And you should also remember<br />
that even <strong>in</strong> the darkest night there is always a<br />
brighter day. Anyth<strong>in</strong>g good must p<strong>as</strong>s through<br />
trials. It is also a test of our patience or<br />
endurance, and the susta<strong>in</strong>ability of MMM is<br />
put to test. Without a shadow of doubt, I know<br />
we will come out stronger and victorious. No<br />
need to panic because we don’t need a pity<br />
party. So keep celebrat<strong>in</strong>g the new year <strong>in</strong> style,<br />
together we will change the world.”<br />
Sunday Vanguard learnt that with<strong>in</strong> this<br />
period of suspended activities, some<br />
<strong>in</strong>novation h<strong>as</strong> been <strong>in</strong>itiated by the promoters<br />
to the MMM scheme.<br />
Prom<strong>in</strong>ent among them is a phone number<br />
on its website believed to be for <strong>in</strong>teraction<br />
with members. However, when Sunday<br />
Vanguard called the number, identified by True<br />
Caller <strong>as</strong> MMM Toll-Free L<strong>in</strong>e, Lagos,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>, the call did not go through.<br />
It h<strong>as</strong> also changed the Guider’s button<br />
which is meant for ord<strong>in</strong>ary participants only.<br />
A chat with someone on the MMM website,<br />
who goes by the name, Consultant Ogbonna,<br />
revealed that the status quo may not totally<br />
rema<strong>in</strong> when the scheme resumes.<br />
He told Sunday Vanguard: ‘’ New models<br />
and features will be available soon<br />
Noth<strong>in</strong>g of such will occur(referr<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />
likelihood of us<strong>in</strong>g the South African model<br />
for those, whose Mavros were frozen). MMM<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is built on solid foundation.”<br />
Comeback<br />
To <strong>as</strong>sure subscribers of its determ<strong>in</strong>ation to<br />
come back better, the scheme had on December<br />
29, 2016, issued <strong>in</strong>structions to its members.<br />
The message <strong>as</strong> found by Sunday Vanguard<br />
on its website reads: “We all are part of the<br />
MMM worldwide Community. When<br />
someone needs f<strong>in</strong>ancial help, he or she can<br />
<strong>as</strong>k for it and other participants will help him/<br />
her. At the same time, be<strong>in</strong>g an MMM<br />
member implies not only opportunities but<br />
also a responsibility for the state and<br />
development of the MMM Community.<br />
MMM is our home, and we are responsible<br />
for build<strong>in</strong>g and ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g it.<br />
“A lot of participants genu<strong>in</strong>ely want to<br />
promote MMM, spread its ideology amongst<br />
people, though not always know<strong>in</strong>g what<br />
exactly h<strong>as</strong> to be done. Therefore we have<br />
created a new PromoT<strong>as</strong>ks section <strong>in</strong> the PO,<br />
which is added to various t<strong>as</strong>ks: onl<strong>in</strong>e and<br />
offl<strong>in</strong>e, e<strong>as</strong>y and complicated, <strong>in</strong>dividual and<br />
team-oriented. A member who will<br />
perform these t<strong>as</strong>ks will be benefited,<br />
because the t<strong>as</strong>ks will allow him to<br />
attract new referrals, build his<br />
structure (and get bonuses for that),<br />
and it will be useful the whole<br />
Community because more people<br />
will learn about MMM and its<br />
ideology. In a special section of the<br />
MMM Personal Office, each<br />
member will f<strong>in</strong>d a variety of onl<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and offl<strong>in</strong>e t<strong>as</strong>ks. T<strong>as</strong>ks come with a<br />
detailed guide which is<br />
understandable even for<br />
<strong>in</strong>experienced PC users. You can<br />
select on your own which t<strong>as</strong>ks you<br />
will be do<strong>in</strong>g today – you are free to<br />
choose any t<strong>as</strong>k and perform <strong>as</strong><br />
many t<strong>as</strong>ks <strong>as</strong> you want.<br />
“Not everyth<strong>in</strong>g may go the way it<br />
is supposed to when it is done for the<br />
first time. Give it a try and do the<br />
t<strong>as</strong>ks regularly! There can be<br />
different mistakes, but fulfill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
t<strong>as</strong>ks you will learn to use social<br />
media, forums, messengers, and<br />
other onl<strong>in</strong>e resources for recruit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
people to MMM and for the<br />
creation of positive awareness about<br />
our Community.<br />
“For example, the t<strong>as</strong>k may guide<br />
a member to jo<strong>in</strong> a Facebook group<br />
and write a comment. to create<br />
some tweets on Twitter, like a<br />
YouTube video, share news on<br />
Google Plus, and make your<br />
website. There are also offl<strong>in</strong>e t<strong>as</strong>ks:<br />
conduct<strong>in</strong>g home shar<strong>in</strong>gs, cafe<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>gs, organiz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
MavroPicnics, MavroParties or<br />
MavroGames. Do<strong>in</strong>g the t<strong>as</strong>ks you<br />
contribute to the Community’s<br />
progress. Thanks to you and other<br />
members do<strong>in</strong>g the t<strong>as</strong>ks, MMM<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>s more popularity <strong>in</strong> social<br />
media and gets more registrations<br />
and PHs. MMM needs you and<br />
depends on your activity! Ple<strong>as</strong>e<br />
accomplish <strong>as</strong> many t<strong>as</strong>ks <strong>as</strong> you<br />
can and encourage others to do them<br />
regularly <strong>as</strong> well. It is obvious that<br />
the activity of MMM <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
members is grow<strong>in</strong>g. MMM is very<br />
proud of its members who are<br />
becom<strong>in</strong>g k<strong>in</strong>der and more<br />
responsible.”<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY, 8, 2017, PAGE 27<br />
Network<strong>in</strong>g/ Sponsorship<br />
•Oluchukwu, 25, from<br />
Anambra state, needs someone<br />
to help her get a job with<strong>in</strong><br />
Awka.<br />
08063779276<br />
•Emmanulla, 23, a nurs<strong>in</strong>g<br />
student <strong>in</strong> Imo state, needs<br />
someone to sponsor her<br />
education.Acct no 3064290748<br />
First Bank Emenike<br />
Emmanulla.<br />
07050452036,07064785774<br />
•Amara, 19, needs a nanny job<br />
<strong>in</strong> Lagos for<br />
employment.08142372211,<br />
08150684354<br />
•Christopher, 30, resides <strong>in</strong><br />
Ben<strong>in</strong> City, needs somebody to<br />
sponsor his electronics<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess. 08184517290,<br />
07065809205<br />
•Caleb, a graduate from Benue<br />
needs sponsorship for his<br />
special c<strong>as</strong>sava flake factory.<br />
08065328731<br />
•Ugochukwu, 30, <strong>in</strong>telligent,<br />
humble hard work<strong>in</strong>g and a<br />
graduate, needs job from south<br />
south or south E<strong>as</strong>t region.<br />
08064032795<br />
•Muyiwa , a student of<br />
University of Ibadan, needs<br />
someone to sponsor his<br />
education. 08159001998<br />
•Ezema, needs well mean<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns to help him<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancially with the sum of<br />
N300, 000 to enable him<br />
remove metal implant <strong>in</strong> his<br />
left leg, account number<br />
6015952070, Fidelity Bank.<br />
07039229071<br />
•Paul, from Warri Delta state,<br />
needs someone who can<br />
sponsor his marriage.<br />
08129511073<br />
L<strong>in</strong>ks<br />
•Eric Akpa, wants to l<strong>in</strong>k up<br />
with his friends old boys of<br />
HGC, Abed Anyadike, Cosm<strong>as</strong><br />
Akabueze, Remigius Mbakwe<br />
and Christian Ononugbo.<br />
08033264316<br />
Friends<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Female<br />
•Vicky, 35, pretty, humble,<br />
educated and car<strong>in</strong>g, needs a<br />
friendly, honest, confident and<br />
responsible man, for<br />
friendship, aged 40-65.<br />
08126589397,07011929853<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Male<br />
•Mania, tall and resides <strong>in</strong><br />
Lagos, needs a fair <strong>in</strong><br />
complexion lady for friendship,<br />
aged 40-50. 08059896187<br />
•Laide, 26, resides <strong>in</strong> Ogun<br />
State, needs female friends<br />
who are <strong>in</strong>telligent, nice and<br />
friendly no age limit.<br />
08031811233<br />
•Dimeji, 39, needs an<br />
employed lady, for mutual<br />
DISCLAIMER!<br />
friendship.08181811545<br />
•Obiam, 33, employed and<br />
resides <strong>in</strong> Lagos, needs a lady<br />
who will love him<br />
unconditionally <strong>as</strong> friend, a<br />
sister <strong>in</strong> Lagos.<br />
08094890376<br />
Lovers<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Female<br />
•Rosl<strong>in</strong>e, 23 and very busty,<br />
needs a man, for an erotic<br />
relationship.08104859639,<br />
08144692028<br />
•A lady, gentle, dark <strong>in</strong><br />
complexion, slim, average<br />
height, <strong>in</strong>telligent, Christian,<br />
educated, neat, humble, God<br />
fear<strong>in</strong>g and resides <strong>in</strong> Lagos,<br />
needs an honest, humble and<br />
a Christian man for a dist<strong>in</strong>ct<br />
and a s<strong>in</strong>cere,matured serious<br />
relationship that will lead to<br />
marriage. 07063967814<br />
•Felisha, matured with firm<br />
bre<strong>as</strong>t and sexually<br />
provocative needs an elderly<br />
man to take care of<br />
her.08181325158<br />
•Gladis,25, sweet, tall, sexy<br />
with broad hips and full<br />
po<strong>in</strong>ted bre<strong>as</strong>t needs a man<br />
aged 45 and above to call her<br />
own.09063768031<br />
•Nma, 25, sweet, pretty,<br />
eloquent with good sense of<br />
humor, broad hips and curvy<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d needs a matured man<br />
aged 48 and above to call hero<br />
own.07051178619, d60522d6<br />
•Bless<strong>in</strong>g, chocolate <strong>in</strong><br />
Dear readers, ple<strong>as</strong>e note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–mak<strong>in</strong>g agency <strong>in</strong><br />
or outside the country. Any reader who transacts bus<strong>in</strong>ess with any one claim<strong>in</strong>g to be our agent does<br />
so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social network<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error <strong>in</strong> the publication of<br />
requests which may result <strong>in</strong> any form of embarr<strong>as</strong>sment to any member of the public. We therefore<br />
request that text must be sent through at le<strong>as</strong>t one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to<br />
enable us serve you better <strong>in</strong> our refresh<strong>in</strong>gly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For<br />
enquiries, text or call 08026651636<br />
complexion, a student, average<br />
height with a nice shape, needs<br />
a matured man, aged 50-60, <strong>in</strong><br />
Lagos and Abuja that can take<br />
care<br />
of<br />
her.08147527623,08176097518<br />
•veronica,22,sexy, charm<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
very good and fun lov<strong>in</strong>g, needs<br />
a sexy and fun lov<strong>in</strong>g man for<br />
an erotic and fun filled<br />
relationship .08138245522<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Male<br />
•Teky, 50, car<strong>in</strong>g, responsible,<br />
a graduate and employed, from<br />
Benue state, needs a Christian<br />
lady, who is a graduate, aged<br />
30-48,<br />
employed or self-employed, for<br />
marriage. 08088075057<br />
Ben, 33, a consultant, needs a<br />
God fear<strong>in</strong>g lady, for a serious<br />
r e l a t i o n s h i p .<br />
08038007452,09059755189<br />
•Ivory, 38, employed and<br />
resides <strong>in</strong> Edo state, needs a<br />
dark <strong>in</strong> complexion and decent<br />
lady, from any tribe,<br />
aged 27-36, for a,<br />
relationship. 08175713196<br />
•Roland, from Delta state, needs<br />
a romantic and car<strong>in</strong>g lady for a<br />
seriousrelationship. 08060809994<br />
•Fegor, from Delta State, needs a<br />
lady, aged 25 and above, for a<br />
serious<br />
relationship.07055041920,<br />
08170241982<br />
•Jd, 34, a graduate, humble and<br />
car<strong>in</strong>g, needs a decent lady, aged<br />
34-36, who is self employed or a<br />
banker that will offer him<br />
employment with accommodation,<br />
for an honest relationship, that will<br />
lead to marriage,by February<br />
2017.07011256871<br />
•Edir<strong>in</strong>, 24, from Delta state,<br />
needs a lady for a serious<br />
relationship, aged 18-30.<br />
07067489372,09063788579<br />
•Dan, 27, employed from Edo<br />
state, needs a car<strong>in</strong>g and educated<br />
lady, for a serious relationship,<br />
aged 27.<br />
07013711329<br />
•Ohis, 26, from Edo state, needs<br />
a car<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g lady, who resides<br />
<strong>in</strong> Lagos, aged 40 and<br />
above.08074222192<br />
Sugar Cares<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Female<br />
•Pearl, 33, pretty, tall, chocolate<br />
<strong>in</strong> complexion, educated and<br />
resides <strong>in</strong> Delta State, needs a<br />
rich, car<strong>in</strong>g, and God fear<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sugar daddy that can take care<br />
of her. 08037859135<br />
•Priscilla, 25, needs a sugar<br />
daddy.08142761977,08106891439<br />
•Jenny, 26, needs a sugar<br />
daddy.08148955750,08136089147<br />
•Precious, 22, tall, slim, beautiful,<br />
fair <strong>in</strong> complexion, <strong>in</strong>telligent,<br />
car<strong>in</strong>g and honest, Ibo lady,<br />
needs a sugar daddy that is<br />
car<strong>in</strong>g and good.08064524896<br />
•Charity, 21, from Edo state,<br />
needs a very wealthy sugar<br />
daddy to sponsor her education<br />
Account details Ogudu Charity<br />
2491110252 ,08164150461,<br />
07066279405<br />
Search<strong>in</strong>g Male<br />
•Dennis, 44, from Edo State,<br />
needs a sugar mummy, aged 48-<br />
55, for a relationship.<br />
09096501842<br />
•Fola, needs a sugar<br />
mummy.08089722314<br />
•Lukeman, from Delta State,<br />
needs a sugar mummy that is<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle.07035967634<br />
•Ik, 27, dark <strong>in</strong> complexion and<br />
average height, needs a very<br />
clean and sexy sugar mummy<br />
who can sponsor his bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
09078645573<br />
•Victor, 33, needs a sugar<br />
mummy, for a relationship.<br />
08165622268<br />
COMMON SEXUAL AL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVEL<br />
VELTY Y BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVER<br />
VERTORIAL)<br />
I have seen my wife flirt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with other men before. She<br />
did not know that I saw her<br />
and it hurt me badly because<br />
we had a great relationship<br />
and up until that moment, I<br />
considered her a great mum<br />
and a wonderful wife. I<br />
believe she is go<strong>in</strong>g to cheat<br />
on me eventually and I don’t<br />
know what to do. I cannot eat<br />
and I just feel very depressed<br />
– Akanimo<br />
I know that feel<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
anybody <strong>in</strong> your shoes will be<br />
saddened by it. But here is the<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g. It is not too late to<br />
confront her and put an end<br />
to the flirt<strong>in</strong>g. That is the very<br />
def<strong>in</strong>ition of work<strong>in</strong>g on a<br />
relationship. Unfortunately <strong>in</strong><br />
the world of adults, these<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs happen even among<br />
good people. People are either<br />
flirt<strong>in</strong>g, cheat<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
fant<strong>as</strong>iz<strong>in</strong>g about cheat<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
What stops most people from<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g it is the fear of gett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
caught or the fact that they<br />
have not yet had the<br />
opportunity to flirt or cheat. So<br />
talk to her about it, tell her<br />
how you feel and that she<br />
should stop do<strong>in</strong>g it if she<br />
wants a future for both of you.<br />
If she is <strong>as</strong> wonderful <strong>as</strong> you<br />
say she is, there is a chance<br />
she will stop. Good luck –<br />
Uche<br />
Sir is it possible for a woman<br />
to ur<strong>in</strong>ate dur<strong>in</strong>g sex and is<br />
that a sign of a medical<br />
problem? Jude<br />
Jude it is rare that a woman<br />
feels the urge to ur<strong>in</strong>ate<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tercourse. Of course<br />
women get to climax and<br />
ejaculate large amounts of<br />
clear fluid sometimes dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sex, but that is not ur<strong>in</strong>e. It is<br />
just female ejaculate which is<br />
often <strong>as</strong> light <strong>as</strong> water and<br />
sometimes creamy too – Uche<br />
I have been us<strong>in</strong>g the Lap<br />
Strap Penis Enlargement Kit<br />
I bought from you <strong>in</strong><br />
November and I am shocked<br />
at how effective it is. I don’t<br />
mean to be rude but I did not<br />
really believe it could do the<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs you claimed it could.<br />
I me<strong>as</strong>ured my penis over the<br />
weekend and I have grown<br />
an extra 1.8 <strong>in</strong>ches. It is like<br />
magic especially s<strong>in</strong>ce I<br />
started leav<strong>in</strong>g it <strong>in</strong> place<br />
while I <strong>as</strong>leep. Anyway, thank<br />
you - Ajibola<br />
I have a problem with weak<br />
erection and even though<br />
supplements work for me,<br />
sometimes they don’t work <strong>as</strong><br />
f<strong>as</strong>t <strong>as</strong> I want. I need<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g that works f<strong>as</strong>ter?<br />
Thanks – Adekunle<br />
Supplements are derived from<br />
natural substances hence the<br />
re<strong>as</strong>on they are a little slower.<br />
But many of them work with<strong>in</strong><br />
45 m<strong>in</strong>utes to one hour. Have<br />
you tried Blue Turbo Pills? It<br />
is a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of natural<br />
and man-made substances<br />
and it is also f<strong>as</strong>t act<strong>in</strong>g. It also<br />
slows premature ejaculation<br />
and enlarges the penis – Uche<br />
I will like to order the 60<br />
Speed Magic M<strong>as</strong>sager<br />
vibrator. Also, which one is<br />
more effective? The battery<br />
operated ones or the electric<br />
powered ones? Ch<strong>in</strong>we<br />
I th<strong>in</strong>k it is really a matter of<br />
choice. Electric powered<br />
m<strong>as</strong>sagers are very popular<br />
overse<strong>as</strong> because they have<br />
constant electricity <strong>in</strong> these<br />
societies. But they are all<br />
effective if the quality of the<br />
product is good. Call the<br />
numbers below to order or<br />
order onl<strong>in</strong>e at<br />
www.zeevirtualmedia.com.You<br />
can also order e<strong>as</strong>ily with<br />
your mobile phone if you<br />
have the zee mobile<br />
shopp<strong>in</strong>g app. You will get<br />
it cheaper when you order<br />
through the app which you<br />
can download on your phone<br />
from the ma<strong>in</strong> website home<br />
page – Uche<br />
Ple<strong>as</strong>e what can help me<br />
with vag<strong>in</strong>al dryness and<br />
lack of sexual enjoyment?<br />
Silifat<br />
Get an org<strong>as</strong>m gel and a<br />
vibrator. Take the M<strong>in</strong>i Love<br />
Org<strong>as</strong>m Gel and the<br />
Thrust<strong>in</strong>g Rabbit Vibrator.<br />
Sexual enjoyment depends<br />
on a variety of factors but<br />
clitoral stimulation is a big<br />
part of it and the<br />
recommended products will<br />
help you with that – Uche<br />
That is all for today. Adults<br />
<strong>in</strong> need of these treatments/<br />
novelties can call us on<br />
08171912551, 08027901621<br />
or 07086754515 for help or<br />
visitwww.zeevirtualmedia.comto<br />
place their orders with their<br />
computers or on their phones<br />
with the zee mobile<br />
shopp<strong>in</strong>g app. Zee Virtual<br />
Media delivers all over <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
For enquiries email us at<br />
custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com-<br />
Uche Edochie, MD, Zee<br />
Virtual Media.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK
PAGE 28—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
STRANDED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY<br />
How female <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns,<br />
children and I were shabbily<br />
treated <strong>in</strong> S-Arabia by airl<strong>in</strong>e<br />
– Rep Kurfi Danlami<br />
BY YINKA AJAYI<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns scheduled to be<br />
air-lifted to Kano<br />
on new year day were<br />
stranded <strong>in</strong> Saudi Arabia due to<br />
purported “non-availability” of<br />
aircraft for the trip.<br />
Condemn<strong>in</strong>g the ugly experience,<br />
Hon. Mohammed Kurfi Danlami, a<br />
member of the House of<br />
Representatives (APC), Duts<strong>in</strong>-ma/<br />
Kurfi Federal Constituency of<br />
Kats<strong>in</strong>a State, who w<strong>as</strong> among the<br />
stranded p<strong>as</strong>sengers, <strong>in</strong> a telephone<br />
conversation with journalists, said:<br />
“For no justifiable re<strong>as</strong>ons, this<br />
flight w<strong>as</strong> cancelled for two<br />
consecutive days. The flight w<strong>as</strong><br />
orig<strong>in</strong>ally scheduled to take off<br />
around 12 pm on Sunday (January<br />
1, 2017). But the airl<strong>in</strong>e officials<br />
BY EPHRAIM OSEJI<br />
Delta State Peoples Democratic<br />
Party (PDP) chiefta<strong>in</strong>, Chief<br />
Sunny Onuesoke, h<strong>as</strong> faulted the<br />
statement made by some prom<strong>in</strong>ent<br />
leaders of the All Progressives<br />
Congress (APC) accus<strong>in</strong>g the State<br />
government of be<strong>in</strong>g responsible for<br />
the hardship faced by the people of<br />
the state.<br />
React<strong>in</strong>g to a statement reportedly<br />
made by Chiefs Solomon Edojah,<br />
Frank Kokori, Julius Okpoko and<br />
others <strong>in</strong> a publication carried by a<br />
local newspaper, the Delta PDP<br />
strongman said amidst dw<strong>in</strong>dl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
revenue occ<strong>as</strong>ioned by the fall <strong>in</strong><br />
oil prices and pipel<strong>in</strong>es vandalism,<br />
appealed to p<strong>as</strong>sengers on board<br />
that the aircraft w<strong>as</strong> not fit for<br />
the journey. We had to<br />
disembark, despite sitt<strong>in</strong>g already<br />
<strong>in</strong> the aircraft.<br />
“Worst of it all, p<strong>as</strong>sengers were<br />
left unattended to with<strong>in</strong> the airport<br />
premises. This is clearly a<br />
breach<br />
of<br />
International Air<br />
Transport<br />
Association<br />
(IATA) rules.<br />
However, around<br />
10pm, some<br />
airl<strong>in</strong>e staff members came, but they only<br />
attended to p<strong>as</strong>sengers who had entry<br />
clearance visa to visit Saudi hotels; others,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g females and children among us,<br />
were left to p<strong>as</strong>s the night under severe,<br />
pa<strong>in</strong>ful and <strong>in</strong>human conditions.”<br />
The federal parliamentarian went on:<br />
“Monday morn<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>, the airl<strong>in</strong>e said<br />
08116759757<br />
there w<strong>as</strong> no plane to airlift<br />
us back to <strong>Nigeria</strong>. We were<br />
so unfairly treated. I am not<br />
even speak<strong>in</strong>g for myself, but<br />
for others who have no one<br />
to defend or protect their<br />
<strong>in</strong>terests, some were even<br />
c<strong>as</strong>h-strapped. One pa<strong>in</strong>ful<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g I noticed aga<strong>in</strong> w<strong>as</strong><br />
that all the airplanes, on<br />
display to airlift<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns, were old, at<br />
le<strong>as</strong>t from my physical<br />
<strong>as</strong>sessment. Meanwhile,<br />
<strong>in</strong> the same airport, we<br />
saw brand new aircraft<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g used to transport<br />
people from Germany,<br />
United States, Canada etc, to<br />
their respective dest<strong>in</strong>ations.<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns do not deserve<br />
this humiliation and<br />
callous treatment.<br />
I will make<br />
s u r e<br />
appropriate<br />
steps are taken<br />
to address this<br />
issue when the National Assembly resumes<br />
plenary”.<br />
Meanwhile, the airl<strong>in</strong>e could not be reached<br />
to get their own side of the story. Similarly,<br />
the Emb<strong>as</strong>sy of the Custodian of the Two Holy<br />
Mosques (Royal Emb<strong>as</strong>sy Of Saudi Arabia) <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> could also not be reached <strong>as</strong> of the time<br />
of fil<strong>in</strong>g this report.<br />
Onuesoke faults Delta leaders’ on Okowa’s adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
BY ONOZURE DANIA<br />
A Federal High Court <strong>in</strong> Lagos h<strong>as</strong><br />
reserved judgement <strong>in</strong> the disputed former<br />
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp,<br />
between the family of Beku Onimaba family<br />
and Lagos State government, follow<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
application for stay of proceed<strong>in</strong>gs filed by<br />
the Attorney General of the Federation and<br />
the state government.<br />
The court, presided over by Justice Okon<br />
Abang, at the l<strong>as</strong>t sitt<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong>formed parties<br />
<strong>in</strong> the suit that though judgement w<strong>as</strong> ready,<br />
Lagos State had filed an application for stay<br />
of proceed<strong>in</strong>gs due to its appeal challeng<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the court’s jurisdiction.<br />
The land <strong>in</strong> dispute, me<strong>as</strong>ur<strong>in</strong>g 52.13 acres<br />
(21,098), is situated at Igando town, on<br />
LASU- Isheri expressway, Lagos.<br />
Abang said the outcome of the appeal of<br />
the application of stay of proceed<strong>in</strong>gs will<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>e if the matter would be stayed or<br />
judgment would be delivered.<br />
Pla<strong>in</strong>tiffs <strong>in</strong> the suit are Alhaji Ganiyu<br />
Ige, Chief Wuka Olosunde, Joseph Bakare-<br />
Shodeke, Alhaji Muritala Remilekun-<br />
Shodeke, Lawal Ige, Femi Ak<strong>in</strong>tola- Ige and<br />
Alhaji W<strong>as</strong>iu Olosunde, for themselves and<br />
on behalf of the Beku Onimaba family.<br />
Respondents are the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Youth<br />
Development, the NYSC Director- General,<br />
Lagos NYSC Coord<strong>in</strong>ator, the Attorney<br />
General of the Federation, the Permanent<br />
Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, the<br />
Attorney General of Lagos State and<br />
Governor Ak<strong>in</strong>wunmi Ambode.<br />
The family, through their lawyer, Mr. L.<br />
B Shopey<strong>in</strong>, said the land <strong>in</strong> dispute w<strong>as</strong> to<br />
be built and used by the National Youth<br />
•Hon. Kurfi Danlami<br />
Okowa adm<strong>in</strong>istration <strong>in</strong> the p<strong>as</strong>t one<br />
year had performed well.<br />
He observed that it is wrong for the<br />
APC leaders to put the blame on<br />
Okowa’s adm<strong>in</strong>istration when all <strong>in</strong>dices<br />
po<strong>in</strong>ted to the fact that the hardship<br />
created by the APC government at the<br />
federal level is not only be<strong>in</strong>g felt <strong>in</strong><br />
Delta alone but also all over the<br />
country.<br />
“The <strong>as</strong>tronomical <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the<br />
prices of commodities and services <strong>as</strong> a<br />
result of the maladm<strong>in</strong>istration of the<br />
present Federal Government had<br />
resulted <strong>in</strong> the present hardship.<br />
Aggrieved APC leaders <strong>in</strong> the state<br />
should direct their grievances to Buhari<br />
<strong>in</strong>stead of Ifeanyi Okowa who had put<br />
all mach<strong>in</strong>eries <strong>in</strong> the right<br />
perspective to ensure that the<br />
people of Delta State get the succor<br />
he promised them,” Onuesoke<br />
stated.<br />
He expla<strong>in</strong>ed that despite the<br />
economic recession and lean<br />
resources available, Okowa<br />
reconstructed the state-owned<br />
technical colleges <strong>in</strong> Agbor,<br />
Ofagbe and Sapele, add<strong>in</strong>g that<br />
<strong>in</strong> his drive to create jobs and<br />
empowered youths, the governor<br />
tra<strong>in</strong>ed 1,027 youths under the<br />
Skills Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and<br />
Entrepreneurship Programme<br />
(STEP) while mak<strong>in</strong>g provisions<br />
for them to start their own<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses.<br />
Land dispute:<br />
AGF<br />
GF, , Lagos applications arrest t judgement<br />
Service Corps (NYSC) <strong>as</strong> Orientation Camp.<br />
They said that, <strong>in</strong> exercise of their<br />
ownership rights over the land, they granted<br />
part of it to Lagos State government for use<br />
<strong>as</strong> NYSC Camp, but <strong>as</strong> it w<strong>as</strong> not utilised,<br />
they <strong>as</strong>ked that the land be returned to them.<br />
They further stated that <strong>in</strong> 1983 after they<br />
were approached that the Federal<br />
Government w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> land <strong>in</strong> Lagos<br />
State for use <strong>as</strong> Orientation Camp for the<br />
NYSC scheme, the family decided to grant<br />
the land which is now <strong>in</strong> dispute to the<br />
government.<br />
They said they did not grant le<strong>as</strong>e or sell<br />
any part of the family land to the defendants<br />
The pla<strong>in</strong>tiffs are seek<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
declaration that they are entitled to the<br />
statutory right of occupancy <strong>in</strong> respect<br />
of the land.<br />
They went an order grant<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
possession of it and an order of<br />
perpetual <strong>in</strong>junction restra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the<br />
defendants from destroy<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
property on the land, allott<strong>in</strong>g or le<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
it to anyone and construct<strong>in</strong>g anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on it or tresp<strong>as</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g on it.<br />
The defendants had challenged the<br />
court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate the<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e, but Abang dismissed their<br />
objection.<br />
Delta community <strong>as</strong>sured of susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
peace, development<br />
BY LUCKY OJI<br />
The President General of<br />
Ofuoma Community Devel<br />
opment Union, OCDU, <strong>in</strong><br />
Ughelli North local government<br />
area of Delta State, Mr. Peter Ukpejor,<br />
h<strong>as</strong> promised to susta<strong>in</strong> the<br />
prevail<strong>in</strong>g peace and to make frantic<br />
efforts to attract <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructural<br />
development to the community.<br />
Ukpejor gave the <strong>as</strong>surance at<br />
Ofuoma community town hall,<br />
shortly after he w<strong>as</strong> sworn <strong>in</strong>to office<br />
for a three-year term by Chief<br />
Duro Afatakpa, which w<strong>as</strong> witnessed<br />
by leaders and elders of the<br />
community.<br />
Ukpejor, a former secretary general of<br />
the community, pleaded for the cooperation<br />
of the people to enable him and<br />
his executives deliver on their mandate,<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g,”our s<strong>in</strong>gular priority is to susta<strong>in</strong><br />
peace and attract the desired development<br />
to Ofuoma community.”<br />
He thanked the people of Ofuoma<br />
community for the opportunity given his<br />
executive to serve, <strong>as</strong>sur<strong>in</strong>g that they<br />
will not disappo<strong>in</strong>t the community.<br />
He said " by the grace of God, the new<br />
executives of Ofuoma Community Development<br />
Union OCDU, which I am<br />
the President General, we shall deliver<br />
on the mandate given to us, our s<strong>in</strong>gular<br />
priority is to susta<strong>in</strong> peace and attract<br />
the desired development to Ofuoma<br />
community"<br />
Urhobo Democratic<br />
Assembly demands<br />
return of Ibori, lauds<br />
Taiga’s election<br />
Group under the aegis of Urhobo<br />
Democratic Assembly (UDA) h<strong>as</strong><br />
demanded for the f<strong>in</strong>al return of former<br />
Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori<br />
from United K<strong>in</strong>gdom after his rele<strong>as</strong>e<br />
from prison.<br />
The group made this known <strong>in</strong> a<br />
statement signed by its Publicity Secretary<br />
and Chairman of Ughelli South LGA ,<br />
Hon Paul Etaga, on behalf of UDA<br />
President, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo<br />
and others, thanked God for the rele<strong>as</strong>e of<br />
Chief Ibori from United K<strong>in</strong>gdom prison<br />
but po<strong>in</strong>ted out that after the rele<strong>as</strong>e of<br />
Ibori from prison, the best to do is to allow<br />
him return to <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
“They should ple<strong>as</strong>e allow him to come<br />
back to <strong>Nigeria</strong>. He should be forgiven his<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s if he h<strong>as</strong> actually committed any and<br />
be allowed to live <strong>as</strong> a freeman. He is not<br />
the only one that had been found want<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and <strong>as</strong> such he should not be treated<br />
differently.<br />
“We thank God for grant<strong>in</strong>g him<br />
freedom. No matter what people feel about<br />
Ibori’s predicament we are solidly beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
him. We are not compla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g about what<br />
others feel he did wrong. He is not the only<br />
one that h<strong>as</strong> mismanaged funds <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. We the people of Delta State love<br />
Ibori because of the development he<br />
brought to the state dur<strong>in</strong>g his tenure <strong>as</strong><br />
governor of Delta State.<br />
Meanwhile, the group equally applauded<br />
the recent election of Olorogun Moses<br />
Taiga <strong>as</strong> the President General of Urhobo<br />
Progress Union,UPU, say<strong>in</strong>g it is one of the<br />
best th<strong>in</strong>gs that have happened to Urhobo<br />
nation.<br />
The group commended Urhobo monarchs<br />
and leaders for the peaceful resolution to<br />
Urhobo Progress Union leadership crisis by<br />
organiz<strong>in</strong>g an election we saw Olorogun<br />
Taiga emerg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> the President-<br />
General of UPU and urged aggrieved<br />
persons to shield their swords and jo<strong>in</strong><br />
Taiga <strong>in</strong> the development of Urhobo<br />
nation.<br />
They expressed their gratitude to Delta<br />
State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa<br />
for his magnanimity and his favourable<br />
dispossession to Urhobo nation.<br />
Ebonyi technology village<br />
to be sited <strong>in</strong> Uburu<br />
A technology village is to be established<br />
<strong>in</strong> Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government<br />
Area of Ebonyi State.<br />
Governor David Umahi announced this<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the Umunaga-Ikenegwu Union<br />
Day, held at his compound <strong>in</strong> Uburu.<br />
Umahi, who thanked the people of the<br />
town for their strong support for his<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration, said that the technology<br />
village would provide Ebonyi youths who<br />
are technically gifted to hone their skills<br />
and give fillip to his adm<strong>in</strong>istration’s<br />
desire to develop the state <strong>in</strong> all sectors<br />
through technology.<br />
He added that with the technology<br />
village, the state would become one of the<br />
hubs for <strong>in</strong>ventive activities <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
The governor <strong>as</strong>sured that the on-go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reconstruction of the Am<strong>as</strong>iri-Okposi-<br />
Uburu road would be completed and<br />
<strong>as</strong>phalted this year while the construction<br />
of most of the <strong>in</strong>ternal roads <strong>in</strong> Uburu and<br />
adjo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g communities would commence<br />
soon.<br />
Umahi also announced that the<br />
construction of water project to serve the<br />
entire Uburu and beyond had started.<br />
He affirmed that his adm<strong>in</strong>istration w<strong>as</strong><br />
poised to establish rice mill and other<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustries on the piece of land already<br />
acquired by the Ikenegwu union.<br />
The governor called on the people of<br />
Uburu to embark on large scale<br />
farm<strong>in</strong>g,which he said had become the<br />
policy thrust of his adm<strong>in</strong>istration, add<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that mechanized farm<strong>in</strong>g would be <strong>in</strong><br />
vogue <strong>in</strong> the state.<br />
Earlier, the <strong>in</strong>terim President of the<br />
Umunaga- Ikenegwu Union,Chief Mike<br />
Agwu Umahi, had expla<strong>in</strong>ed that the<br />
occ<strong>as</strong>ion w<strong>as</strong> to thank God and celebrate<br />
their son, Umahi, whom, he said, God used<br />
to enthrone quality leadership <strong>in</strong> the state.<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017—29<br />
By JAPHET ALAKAM<br />
DRAMA<br />
In its bid to revive the fad<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Igbo culture, Obijackson<br />
Foundation, the CSR arm of the<br />
Obijackson Group, organised<br />
the Face of Okija Pageant, a<br />
music and cultural festival<br />
aimed at rejuvenat<strong>in</strong>g the Igbo<br />
culture that h<strong>as</strong> been badly<br />
eroded by all manner of<br />
external <strong>in</strong>fluences.<br />
The event which w<strong>as</strong> held at<br />
the Obijackson Sports Arena <strong>in</strong><br />
the sleepy town of Okija,<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g thirty villages on<br />
December 29, 2016, Okija town<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ihiala Local Government<br />
Area of Anambra State,<br />
affirmed its historical<br />
importance <strong>as</strong> the hub of Igbo<br />
tradition, <strong>as</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ners emerged<br />
<strong>in</strong> the 2016 ‘Face of Okija’<br />
Pageant .<br />
The highly contested<br />
competition which saw Ch<strong>in</strong><strong>as</strong>a<br />
Ezeamaka and Chukwudi<br />
Enukoha emerge <strong>as</strong> the new<br />
Queen and K<strong>in</strong>g of Face of<br />
Okija respectively, w<strong>as</strong><br />
witnessed by foremost<br />
traditional rulers, notable<br />
names, accomplished<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividuals and observers from<br />
different parts of the country.<br />
Present were, Anambra State<br />
Governor, His Excellency, Chief<br />
Willie Obiano, his deputy, Dr.<br />
Nkem Okeke, Mr. Oseloka<br />
Henry Obaze, Secretary to the<br />
Government of Anambra State,<br />
Professor Rich Umeh, Chief<br />
Pete Edochie, one of Africa’s<br />
most talented actors, Anayo<br />
Modestus Onyekwere (Kanayo<br />
O. Kanayo) and Okechukwu<br />
Anthony Onyegbule (Okey<br />
Bak<strong>as</strong>si).<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Founder of<br />
the Obijackson Group, Dr.<br />
Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, who<br />
presented the w<strong>in</strong>ners with<br />
keys to brand new Corolla cars<br />
Obijackson Foundation rejuvenates Igbo culture with<br />
Face of Okija<br />
and cheques for the sum One<br />
Million Naira each, the “Face<br />
of Okija Pageant is a Special<br />
Purpose Programme (SPP)<br />
activated to <strong>in</strong>sulate Igbo<br />
culture, beliefs and tradition<br />
from cont<strong>in</strong>uous attrition. The<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiative is a preservative<br />
agenda for susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g our<br />
‘Igboness’ and promot<strong>in</strong>g our<br />
essence <strong>as</strong> a people”.<br />
With their emergence <strong>as</strong><br />
w<strong>in</strong>ners <strong>in</strong> the 2016 ‘Face of<br />
Okija’ Pageant, Ch<strong>in</strong><strong>as</strong>a<br />
Ezeamaka and Chukwudi<br />
Enukoha, <strong>in</strong> addition to other<br />
prizes, have become<br />
Amb<strong>as</strong>sadors of the<br />
Obijackson Foundation and<br />
are placed on fixed salary of<br />
One Million and Four<br />
Hundred Thousand Naira for<br />
the duration of their reign. In<br />
their new role, they are<br />
expected to leverage their<br />
status to impact lives <strong>in</strong><br />
Okija, Igbo land and the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n nation through an<br />
active <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> a mix<br />
of social welfare programmes<br />
and <strong>in</strong>itiatives they will<br />
The <strong>in</strong>itiative is a<br />
preservative<br />
agenda for<br />
susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g our<br />
Igboness and<br />
promot<strong>in</strong>g our<br />
essence <strong>as</strong> a<br />
people<br />
• From left. Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, Founder, Obijackson<br />
Foundation; Chukwudi Enukoha, w<strong>in</strong>ner, 2016 Face of Okija (male),<br />
and Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor, Anambra State, dur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
presentation of prizes at the event<br />
undertake <strong>in</strong> the days ahead.<br />
Aside from, excellent<br />
performance by Ebuka Obi-<br />
Uchendu (Ebuka) and Bovi<br />
Ugboma (Bovi), who were the<br />
event comperes, the<br />
sc<strong>in</strong>tillat<strong>in</strong>g performance by<br />
Ifechukwu Eze (Ifex G), w<strong>in</strong>ner<br />
of the star prize of five<br />
hundred thousand naira <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Okija Ris<strong>in</strong>g segment of the<br />
event created to discover and<br />
help youths nurture their<br />
musical talent, held the<br />
audience spellbound just <strong>as</strong><br />
Phyno (Azubike Chibuzo<br />
Nelson) glided to the stage to<br />
take the audience to another<br />
level of excitement, with his<br />
energetic and thrill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
performance.<br />
Though Face of Okija 2016<br />
may have ended <strong>as</strong> a festival<br />
where guests had so much to<br />
dr<strong>in</strong>k and eat, the real success<br />
of the <strong>in</strong>itiative is its grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
appeal and<br />
impact on Igbo<br />
youths. Clearly,<br />
from the number<br />
of entries and<br />
quality of<br />
performances at<br />
this year’s<br />
festival, it would<br />
not be out of place<br />
to conclude that<br />
Igbo youths are<br />
gradually<br />
embrac<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
cultural heritage<br />
of the Igbo nation<br />
and becom<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
custodians of the<br />
Igbo culture and<br />
tradition.<br />
Obijackson<br />
Foundation is the CSR arm of<br />
the Obijackson Group, one of<br />
the f<strong>as</strong>test grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conglomerates <strong>in</strong> sub-Saharan<br />
Africa, compris<strong>in</strong>g Energy<br />
Works Technology (EWT)<br />
Ltd, B&Q Dredg<strong>in</strong>g Ltd,<br />
Neconde Energy Ltd,<br />
NestHak Ltd, Nesto<br />
Aviation Ltd, Century<br />
Power Generation Ltd,<br />
Shipside Drydock Ltd,<br />
Impac Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Ltd,<br />
Hammakopp Consortium<br />
Ltd, Scorpio Drill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
International Ltd,<br />
Gobowen Exploration<br />
and Production Ltd, and<br />
Nestoil Limited h<strong>as</strong> its<br />
flagship company.<br />
As a bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
conglomerate with<br />
<strong>in</strong>terests <strong>in</strong> diverse<br />
sectors of the economy,<br />
such <strong>as</strong> Oil and G<strong>as</strong><br />
exploration, Pipel<strong>in</strong>e<br />
construction, Pressure<br />
Vessel Fabrication, Power<br />
G e n e r a t i o n ,<br />
• Ifechukwu Eze, Ifex G Star w<strong>in</strong>ner <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Okija Ris<strong>in</strong>g segment perform<strong>in</strong>g at the event<br />
Telecommunications and Real<br />
Estate, the Obijackson Group is<br />
aware of its role <strong>in</strong> social<br />
transformation and economic<br />
development <strong>in</strong> Africa.<br />
By CHRIS OMOTOSHO<br />
REVIEW<br />
I<br />
have always descried poem<br />
<strong>as</strong> an expression of feel<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
from imag<strong>in</strong>ative m<strong>in</strong>ds. Thus, a<br />
poet will do well when he/she relies<br />
on the immediate environment for<br />
<strong>in</strong>spiration for the conveyance of<br />
his/her feel<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> the vehicle of<br />
poetry. This may expla<strong>in</strong> why the<br />
renowned Poet, Niyi Osundare,<br />
submitted that African Literature,<br />
irrespective of its form, should be<br />
“endogenous”. A read of The<br />
Soy<strong>in</strong>ka <strong>in</strong> Me is a reflection of<br />
this. The poems <strong>in</strong> the collection<br />
are a chronicle of experiences<br />
with<strong>in</strong> and around the Poet such<br />
that span for years. Of much<br />
importance and that which would<br />
readily raise “dust” and create a<br />
sort of suspense is the title of the<br />
collection –The Soy<strong>in</strong>ka <strong>in</strong> Me. The<br />
“on the surface” understand<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
this is that Soy<strong>in</strong>ka must have been<br />
a source of <strong>in</strong>spiration or a<br />
Mentor to Dada Olanipkeun. A<br />
flip through the work confirms<br />
this. The first and the l<strong>as</strong>t poems<br />
<strong>in</strong> the collection, “Kongi,<br />
Eniogun” at 82 and “Kongi <strong>in</strong><br />
you”, respectively are a tribute to<br />
and eulogy of the African WS, Wole<br />
Soy<strong>in</strong>ka. Of special <strong>in</strong>terest here<br />
is “Kongi <strong>in</strong> You”.<br />
Read<strong>in</strong>g through the poems <strong>in</strong><br />
this collection, anyone familiar<br />
with the works of Soy<strong>in</strong>ka would<br />
readily agree that Dada<br />
Olanipekun, the Association of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n Authors, ANA, h<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>deed<br />
been stung by Wole Soy<strong>in</strong>ka. The<br />
Walk<strong>in</strong>g the poetic lane of Soy<strong>in</strong>k<br />
y<strong>in</strong>ka<br />
strik<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t of similarity is the<br />
theme of poems that are<br />
Africanized and or <strong>Nigeria</strong>nized<br />
<strong>as</strong> one would f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> almost all<br />
the works of Soy<strong>in</strong>ka. Soy<strong>in</strong>ka<br />
is a writer who is concerned<br />
about his immediate society.<br />
His works are a comment on the<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>gs around him. From<br />
Dance of the Forest, to the to The<br />
Road, to Kongi’s Harvest, to<br />
Death and the K<strong>in</strong>g’s Horsemen<br />
to Lion and the Jewel, to The<br />
Man Died, Ake, Isara, The<br />
Interpreters, Idanre, K<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Baabu, Alapata Apata,<br />
InterInventions, amongst others<br />
one would see a treatment of<br />
socio-political issues that have<br />
direct bear<strong>in</strong>g on the African<br />
cum <strong>Nigeria</strong>n society. What then<br />
He h<strong>as</strong> succeeded, <strong>in</strong><br />
the 40 page book that<br />
treats 27 different<br />
poems, to address<br />
and respond to the<br />
socio-political issues<br />
<strong>in</strong> his immediate<br />
society and Africa<br />
should one expect from someone<br />
who h<strong>as</strong> been “stung” by Soy<strong>in</strong>ka<br />
than to respond to the societal<br />
issues <strong>in</strong> his poems; so <strong>as</strong> not to<br />
make himself irrelevant like that<br />
man <strong>in</strong> an African proverb that left<br />
his house burn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> pursuance of<br />
a flee<strong>in</strong>g rat from the <strong>in</strong>ferno?<br />
Such a man can be likened<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to Achebe, to any writer<br />
that fails to respond to issues<br />
around him through his works.<br />
Dada Olanipekun did not fall<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the category of such a writer.<br />
He h<strong>as</strong> succeeded, <strong>in</strong> the 40 page<br />
book that treats 27 different<br />
poems, to address and respond to<br />
the socio-political issues <strong>in</strong> his<br />
immediate society and Africa,<br />
celebrates nature and eulogizes<br />
both the dead and liv<strong>in</strong>g heroes.<br />
The tone of lamentation and<br />
helplessness <strong>in</strong> “Saratu” shows<br />
the pitiable state of m<strong>in</strong>d of the<br />
parents of Chibok girls whose<br />
children are yet to be seen, two<br />
years after their abduction,<br />
simply because the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
state, unfortunately, failed to<br />
protect and defend the<br />
vulnerable. Poems like<br />
“Lagos”, “<strong>Nigeria</strong>”, “The L<strong>as</strong>t<br />
One Naira”, “Se<strong>as</strong>ons of Siege”<br />
and “Abuja” treat the themes of<br />
hopelessness, suffer<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
deprivation, marg<strong>in</strong>alization<br />
and neglect, <strong>as</strong> we have <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. Soy<strong>in</strong>ka is not a<br />
pronounce Fem<strong>in</strong>ist but his love<br />
and soft spot for women and<br />
celebration of womanhood <strong>in</strong> his<br />
works cannot go unnoticed. One<br />
of the contributory factors that<br />
led to the tragic end of Eles<strong>in</strong> Oba<br />
<strong>in</strong> Death and the K<strong>in</strong>g’s<br />
Horseman w<strong>as</strong> the time Eles<strong>in</strong><br />
Oba spent with the young<br />
maiden <strong>in</strong> his attempt to leave a<br />
“seed” beh<strong>in</strong>d after his demise.<br />
Thus sleep<strong>in</strong>g with the young<br />
woman would afford him the<br />
opportunity of empty<strong>in</strong>g himself<br />
to her. One wish he didn’t do,<br />
maybe he would have taken the<br />
glory that w<strong>as</strong> bestowed on his<br />
son Olumide. Sidi w<strong>as</strong><br />
celebrated <strong>in</strong> Lion and the Jewel<br />
and Iyalode square up with<br />
Eles<strong>in</strong> Oba <strong>in</strong> Death… and<br />
almost became the hero<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the<br />
play. These, amongst others, are<br />
the respect Soy<strong>in</strong>ka gave to the<br />
womenfolk. It is not a surprise<br />
therefore for Dada Olanipekun to<br />
have taken this from Soy<strong>in</strong>ka.<br />
Thus, women and their beauty,<br />
virtue and ch<strong>as</strong>tity are celebrated<br />
<strong>in</strong> poems like “The Love on Red”,<br />
“Momudatu” and “Iyawo”<br />
Is Dada Olanipekun a<br />
Romantist? Difficult question to<br />
answer! My understand<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
theory of Romanticism, <strong>as</strong><br />
celebration of nature, made some<br />
crop of poems <strong>in</strong> this collection to<br />
qualify them <strong>as</strong> Romantic Poems<br />
like “God is weep<strong>in</strong>g”,<br />
“Confession”, “I am not black I<br />
am Chocolate”, “I am Water”, “It<br />
ra<strong>in</strong>ed” and “Here Goes the Day”.<br />
Those poems celebrate nature <strong>in</strong><br />
its beauty. There is tone of<br />
lamentation and a quest for the<br />
reversal of unnecessary bloodshed<br />
and w<strong>as</strong>te of lives <strong>in</strong> the poems<br />
“Uganda” and “A friend”. The<br />
ancient town of Abeokuta is<br />
celebrated <strong>in</strong> Ode simply titled,<br />
“Abeokuta I” & “Abeokuta II”.<br />
Dada Olanipekun h<strong>as</strong> expressed<br />
himself to us, to the world, to the<br />
generations yet unborn through<br />
this 40 page collection of poems<br />
that address every facet of life with<br />
<strong>in</strong>spirations from his immediate<br />
environment.<br />
It is for us to take hold of his<br />
messages, savour them and get<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g out of them. As a work<br />
of art from an <strong>in</strong>fallible be<strong>in</strong>g, this<br />
work is not without one or two<br />
errors, omission and oversights.<br />
But I want to plead that we ignore<br />
such if and when we f<strong>in</strong>d them and<br />
let our concentration be on the<br />
content and not the form.
PAGE 30—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
In Kaduna the chief security<br />
officer is the chief problem<br />
“You don’t have to hear from<br />
the President on that matter.<br />
When it pays us, we talk about<br />
federalism and true federalism;<br />
yet, you want the President and<br />
the Presidency to talk about<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g…when a th<strong>in</strong>g like<br />
this happens <strong>in</strong> a state, there is<br />
a chief security officer and he<br />
is supposed to be on top of the<br />
matter…”Femi Ades<strong>in</strong>a,<br />
Presidential spokesman.<br />
Stewards, servants and<br />
spokesmen for<br />
political office<br />
holders are not hired for their<br />
creativity, <strong>in</strong>telligence or<br />
absolute regard for the truth.<br />
They are engaged for their<br />
reliability and the ability to<br />
stick to what the boss wants<br />
them to say at all times. Some<br />
of the most <strong>in</strong>telligent people<br />
had entered Aso Rock, after<br />
leav<strong>in</strong>g their vaunted<br />
brilliance beh<strong>in</strong>d at home,<br />
done their jobs (mean<strong>in</strong>g<br />
ple<strong>as</strong>e their bosses) and<br />
checked out to compla<strong>in</strong><br />
about demons at the corridors<br />
of power. Mr Ades<strong>in</strong>a’s<br />
response w<strong>as</strong> officially correct<br />
and on the face of it h<strong>as</strong> closed<br />
the c<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong> favour of the<br />
President’s seem<strong>in</strong>g benign<br />
neglect of the next fl<strong>as</strong>h po<strong>in</strong>t,<br />
after Boko Haram - mean<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Kaduna State. Ades<strong>in</strong>a had<br />
po<strong>in</strong>ted to the presence of the<br />
Governor at Aso Rock, to brief<br />
Buhari, <strong>as</strong> if that is not a<br />
significant development –<br />
when <strong>in</strong>deed it is.<br />
El-Rufai is part of the<br />
problem and a major part of<br />
it <strong>in</strong> Kaduna State.<br />
Obviously, the “brief<strong>in</strong>g” the<br />
President would have<br />
Still on Ibori<br />
“Now s<strong>in</strong>ce shame is a<br />
mental picture of<br />
disgrace, <strong>in</strong> which we<br />
shr<strong>in</strong>k from the disgrace<br />
itself and not from its<br />
consequences, and we<br />
only care what op<strong>in</strong>ion is<br />
held of us because of the<br />
people who form that<br />
op<strong>in</strong>ion, it follows that the<br />
people before whom we<br />
feel shame are those<br />
whose op<strong>in</strong>ion of us<br />
matters to us.” Aristotle<br />
Ido not know about<br />
you, but there is<br />
s o m e t h i n g<br />
fundamentally wrong<br />
with the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n society<br />
today and it is noth<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
be proud of when<br />
majority have lost their<br />
moral comp<strong>as</strong>s. We are<br />
los<strong>in</strong>g the values and<br />
virtues that b<strong>in</strong>d our<br />
society and <strong>in</strong>stead we<br />
have become so fickle<br />
and greedy. Sadly, it<br />
seems many are either<br />
deluded or avoid<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
fact that there are some<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns hell bent on<br />
received would have been one<br />
probably ta<strong>in</strong>ted with selfseek<strong>in</strong>g<br />
partial disclosures.<br />
So, when Ades<strong>in</strong>a spoke<br />
about “a chief security<br />
officer”, he gave the<br />
impression that he w<strong>as</strong> talk<strong>in</strong>g<br />
about an officer who w<strong>as</strong><br />
impartially discharg<strong>in</strong>g his<br />
duties to protect everybody<br />
irrespective of whether they<br />
are Hausa, Fulani, Kataf,<br />
Sunni, Shi’ites and Christians<br />
- that is what El-Rufai claims<br />
he is.<br />
Ades<strong>in</strong>a must have been<br />
away on another planet if he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> unaware of the repeated<br />
kill<strong>in</strong>g of Christians and<br />
destructions of their homes <strong>in</strong><br />
Southern Kaduna by<br />
herdsmen and Muslims of the<br />
Sunni sect. El-Rufai is Fulani<br />
and a Sunni Muslim. There<br />
w<strong>as</strong> report of his convoy be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
waylaid by some of his subjects<br />
who were sick and tired of<br />
what they alleged were acts<br />
of partiality and his perceived<br />
disregard for the rule of law.<br />
Just before his departure for<br />
Abuja to “brief ”, or is it<br />
bra<strong>in</strong>w<strong>as</strong>h, the President, the<br />
Governor imposed a curfew<br />
on three Local Government<br />
Are<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> mostly Christian<br />
communities. Soldiers and<br />
police were reportedly drafted<br />
to the area to protect the<br />
communities. Yet, the<br />
attackers still broke the<br />
curfew to attack others who<br />
had been deceived to let down<br />
their guards. If Malam Rufai<br />
th<strong>in</strong>ks that the rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
people <strong>in</strong> those are<strong>as</strong> are<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to wait patiently to be<br />
killed by the herdsmen, then<br />
he must be liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> his own<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g the whole country<br />
down the depths of<br />
despair. How does one<br />
deal when the stupid and<br />
the ridiculous keep<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g and the<br />
majority of us pretend<br />
that everyth<strong>in</strong>g is honky<br />
dory when it is glar<strong>in</strong>gly<br />
obvious, it is exactly the<br />
opposite. There seems to<br />
be a sense of<br />
helplessness and<br />
hopelessness or at most<br />
a level of resignation.<br />
Some of what happen<br />
is almost impossible to<br />
comprehend <strong>in</strong> any sane<br />
society, well, except if<br />
you are a <strong>Nigeria</strong>n, and<br />
noth<strong>in</strong>g fazes the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n; no the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n just adjusts his<br />
sails and sails <strong>in</strong>to<br />
another crisis.<br />
I read a clip that is<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g the rounds <strong>in</strong> the<br />
social media regard<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
Society page, dated the<br />
17th of December. It read<br />
“Grand Reception for<br />
James Ibori(with the<br />
picture of the man<br />
fool’s paradise.<br />
The stage had been set for<br />
reprisals now and <strong>in</strong> the future.<br />
Some of us would recollect<br />
how the Katafs had reacted to<br />
similar outrages of the Fulani<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g Babangida’s regime<br />
and had taken their own<br />
pounds of flesh before IBB’s<br />
government <strong>in</strong>tervened on the<br />
side of the Hausa/Fulani<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ority.<br />
That resulted <strong>in</strong> the famous<br />
trial of Kataf leaders like<br />
Major-General Zamani<br />
Lekwot (rtd). Some will also<br />
recall how the Berom have<br />
had to rise and defend their<br />
territory <strong>in</strong> Plateau State<br />
before peace w<strong>as</strong> restored.<br />
In each c<strong>as</strong>e the Katafs and<br />
Berom had not waited for<br />
government to rescue them.<br />
Neither had they chosen the<br />
path of appe<strong>as</strong>ement. Adolf<br />
Hitler, 1889-1945, a world<br />
cl<strong>as</strong>s terrorist himself, had<br />
made the vital po<strong>in</strong>t that “The<br />
answer to terror is not<br />
appe<strong>as</strong>ement but counterterror.”<br />
Unless, the state and<br />
federal governments take<br />
urgent steps to avert greater<br />
dis<strong>as</strong>ter, noth<strong>in</strong>g will prevent<br />
reprisals.<br />
El-Rufai is the person now<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g the nation back to those<br />
bloody days <strong>in</strong> Zango-Kataf,<br />
with his handl<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
complex issues <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
these ethnic and religious<br />
conflicts with land-grab <strong>as</strong> an<br />
added feature. It needs to be<br />
stressed, however, that this is<br />
not a Christian versus<br />
Muslim conflict. It is<br />
herdsmen versus everybody<br />
else - people who get<br />
compensated for los<strong>in</strong>g cows<br />
after destroy<strong>in</strong>g peoples’<br />
farms, churches and homes.<br />
They never touch mosques!!!<br />
But, it is not only <strong>in</strong> the three<br />
LGAs that sectarian religious<br />
trouble is brew<strong>in</strong>g. In Zaria,<br />
where the confrontation<br />
between Shi’ites and the Army<br />
led to loss of hundreds of lives,<br />
believers <strong>in</strong> the doctr<strong>in</strong>e of<br />
“an eye for an eye” are still<br />
wait<strong>in</strong>g to even the score. El-<br />
Rufai’s proscription of Shi’ites<br />
and m<strong>as</strong>s burial of hundreds<br />
of Shi’ites have merely<br />
confirmed what the Shi’ites<br />
himself) and it cont<strong>in</strong>ues;<br />
Chief James Onanefe<br />
Ibori, accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> the public<br />
doma<strong>in</strong> would be<br />
return<strong>in</strong>g home any<br />
moment from now, Ibori<br />
would be on December 21<br />
<strong>in</strong> a chartered jet via<br />
Heathrow airport to<br />
Murtala Muhammed<br />
International airport <strong>in</strong><br />
Lagos where family<br />
members and close<br />
<strong>as</strong>sociates are expected<br />
to receive him <strong>in</strong> a red<br />
carpet reception before<br />
jett<strong>in</strong>g to Osubi airstrip<br />
near Warri, where his<br />
convoy would take off for<br />
his Oghara hometown for<br />
another grand reception.<br />
Political watchers<br />
strongly believe his<br />
return would alter<br />
political calculations<br />
towards the 2019 general<br />
elections that he might<br />
defect to the rul<strong>in</strong>g All<br />
Progressives Congress<br />
(APC),s<strong>in</strong>ce it w<strong>as</strong><br />
alleged that strong<br />
forces with<strong>in</strong> his Peoples<br />
Democratic Party( PDP)<br />
were beh<strong>in</strong>d his travails<br />
<strong>in</strong> the UK. Ibori w<strong>as</strong><br />
jailed <strong>in</strong> 2012 <strong>in</strong> the UK<br />
over allegation of money<br />
launder<strong>in</strong>g”. Yes. Such<br />
triffle <strong>in</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>t.<br />
Is this the same Ibori<br />
that did time for a crime<br />
that he committed and<br />
now they want to change<br />
the narrative? Seriously,<br />
there is no amount of<br />
white w<strong>as</strong>h<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
suspected all along – that they<br />
are be<strong>in</strong>g denied their<br />
constitutional right to life,<br />
liberty, happ<strong>in</strong>ess and practice<br />
of their faith. That proscription<br />
order is a religious declaration<br />
of war and Shi’ites worldwide<br />
will jo<strong>in</strong> it. The Shi’ites buried<br />
h<strong>as</strong>tily before an <strong>in</strong>dependent<br />
It needs to be stressed,<br />
however, that this is not<br />
a Christian versus<br />
Muslim conflict. It is<br />
herdsmen versus<br />
everybody else - people<br />
who get compensated<br />
for los<strong>in</strong>g cows after<br />
destroy<strong>in</strong>g peoples’<br />
farms, churches and<br />
homes<br />
enquiry had been undertaken,<br />
constitute the first <strong>in</strong>stallment<br />
<strong>in</strong> what may later become<br />
several m<strong>as</strong>s burials.<br />
Politicians with long-term<br />
ambitions are dangerous to the<br />
generality of the people.<br />
Incidentally, Mr Ades<strong>in</strong>a<br />
must have forgotten someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
known to even motor park<br />
agberos. With regard to the<br />
police and security forces, there<br />
is no federalism – true or not.<br />
What we have is unitary; the<br />
Federal Government controls<br />
all security forces. The state’s<br />
chief security officers are like<br />
sheriffs sent out to patrol the<br />
states without guns or<br />
ammunition. No state<br />
governor can order a s<strong>in</strong>gle<br />
police officer to be moved<br />
without the approval of Abuja.<br />
Certa<strong>in</strong>ly, he knows that<br />
military men stationed <strong>in</strong><br />
several states constitute “a state<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a state”. They take no<br />
orders from the governor. When<br />
high powered security<br />
<strong>in</strong>tervention is required, people<br />
are absolutely right to turn to<br />
the President. That is one of the<br />
imperfections of our<br />
“federalism” which Ades<strong>in</strong>a<br />
deflection that will change<br />
the fact that Ibori w<strong>as</strong><br />
convicted of the crime.<br />
Couple of months back,<br />
If the welcome party<br />
for Ibori h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
planned without his<br />
knowledge (which I<br />
very much doubt)<br />
he should be<br />
conscientious<br />
enough to cancel<br />
the fanfare and<br />
should take a quiet<br />
route back to his<br />
home and<br />
contemplate his<br />
future of be<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
changed man<br />
his <strong>as</strong>sociates were<br />
peddl<strong>in</strong>g a reunion for an<br />
anticipated early rele<strong>as</strong>e<br />
and even then, they<br />
wanted to roll out the red<br />
carpet.<br />
Now they have planned<br />
a state welcome for him on<br />
a grand scale. Someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is def<strong>in</strong>itely wrong with<br />
the way some people<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k, they have no<br />
respect for the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
people or <strong>Nigeria</strong>n law.<br />
And whose idea w<strong>as</strong> it<br />
should be aware of; he must<br />
be pretend<strong>in</strong>g not to know.<br />
In the end, the most<br />
important question about<br />
the situation <strong>in</strong> Kaduna is:<br />
what are victims supposed to<br />
do when their state’s chief<br />
security officer is one of their<br />
oppressors? Ly<strong>in</strong>g down and<br />
be killed by herdsmen<br />
murderers who are the only<br />
people who get compensated<br />
for their “losses” is not an<br />
option. That is what the<br />
President must know and<br />
not allow his closeness to El-<br />
Rufai to lead to greater<br />
conflict. The President must<br />
be father of all and protect<br />
all.<br />
LADIES MAN AND<br />
LIVING IN A BARIO -- 2<br />
“Quisque suos patimur<br />
manes” (Lat<strong>in</strong>) translated to<br />
English means “We make<br />
our dest<strong>in</strong>ies by our choice<br />
of gods.” Virgil,<br />
By the time my fourth girl<br />
arrived, it had occurred to me<br />
that Fate/Fortune had<br />
decided for me that all my<br />
kids would be girls. But, how<br />
many men, especially<br />
Africans would accept that<br />
verdict? So, I pressed on. I<br />
became a polygamist, not<br />
out of choice but out of<br />
desperation <strong>in</strong> the bid to have<br />
a son. When number five w<strong>as</strong><br />
on the way, I w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>vited to a<br />
church where a prophet told<br />
me po<strong>in</strong>t blank that “the<br />
Lord <strong>as</strong>ked me to tell you that<br />
you are w<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g your time<br />
search<strong>in</strong>g for what is not<br />
your portion.” Like most<br />
ambitious young men there<br />
were several th<strong>in</strong>gs I w<strong>as</strong><br />
ch<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g, it never occurred to<br />
me that the topic w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
gender of number five about<br />
which accord<strong>in</strong>g to “the<br />
laws of averages” a boy<br />
should be on the way.<br />
Ironically, I even told the<br />
mother that the kid would<br />
arrive on my birthday. It<br />
actually did on due date; but<br />
it w<strong>as</strong> girl number five.<br />
Permit me to skip the mental<br />
agony I underwent before<br />
com<strong>in</strong>g to terms with the<br />
experience of another<br />
“failure”. But, the nam<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to place an it<strong>in</strong>erary <strong>in</strong><br />
the society page to let<br />
the world and his uncle<br />
know that Ibori will be<br />
arriv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a chartered<br />
jet and on to a red carpet<br />
reception. Who ever<br />
wrote this needs a<br />
conscience transplant.<br />
For those who th<strong>in</strong>k<br />
that it is <strong>in</strong> good t<strong>as</strong>te to<br />
welcome Ibori back with<br />
the full state reception<br />
should be <strong>as</strong>hamed of<br />
themselves, they are a<br />
big disgrace and<br />
whatever their plans are<br />
for the future of <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
they are deluded and<br />
lack <strong>in</strong>sight <strong>in</strong>to what is<br />
really go<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
Their plans for this<br />
farce should be strongly<br />
repudiated and these<br />
so-called <strong>as</strong>sociates<br />
should themselves be<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestigated <strong>as</strong> it seems<br />
that they should be<br />
tarred with the same<br />
brush. How can they<br />
expla<strong>in</strong> how he could be<br />
flown back <strong>in</strong> a charted<br />
jet and given a hero’s<br />
welcome! What on earth<br />
is go<strong>in</strong>g on here and<br />
this is rubb<strong>in</strong>g salt <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the wounds of the<br />
people of Delta who,<br />
have been robbed bl<strong>in</strong>d.<br />
Yes, I am sure that there<br />
are misplaced loyalties<br />
and many would<br />
support their own k<strong>in</strong> to<br />
the hilt <strong>in</strong>spite of the fact<br />
he did wrong and that<br />
ceremony w<strong>as</strong> the grandest of<br />
all. I made sure about that.<br />
By then I had developed an<br />
<strong>as</strong>sembly l<strong>in</strong>e system of<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g up kids b<strong>as</strong>ed on<br />
good education, good<br />
nutrition, good health<br />
services, good manners and<br />
good examples. The process<br />
starts with pre-natal care at<br />
the best private hospital<br />
affordable. Fortunately, until<br />
number six girl, who came<br />
fifteen months after number<br />
five, I always worked for<br />
mult<strong>in</strong>ationals. They all<br />
provided top cl<strong>as</strong>s family<br />
health care. Everyth<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong><br />
like an <strong>as</strong>sembly l<strong>in</strong>e from<br />
prenatal to delivery to post<br />
delivery care. All the<br />
recommended shots were<br />
taken <strong>as</strong> and when due and<br />
bre<strong>as</strong>t feed<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong><br />
mandatory for at le<strong>as</strong>t fifteen<br />
months. Solid food when<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduced w<strong>as</strong> chosen more<br />
for nutritional balance than<br />
mere t<strong>as</strong>te. I w<strong>as</strong> a fanatic for<br />
correctness <strong>in</strong> nutrition.<br />
By then, the girls had<br />
become my “goddesses”; I<br />
lived for them and they<br />
always had first charge on my<br />
earn<strong>in</strong>gs. In retrospect, I th<strong>in</strong>k<br />
if number five or six had been<br />
a boy, he would have become<br />
a monster because until then<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> obsessed with hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
one. I took a break and<br />
embarked on br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g up my<br />
“goddesses” and to be quite<br />
candid there were times I<br />
almost regretted hav<strong>in</strong>g so<br />
many. Despite be<strong>in</strong>g one of the<br />
highest paid Sales and<br />
Market<strong>in</strong>g executives of my<br />
generation, there w<strong>as</strong> a period<br />
of four to five years when I<br />
could not afford to buy a new<br />
shirt, suit or pair of shoes. It<br />
w<strong>as</strong> not p<strong>as</strong>tors or imams who<br />
persuaded me to reduce my<br />
beer dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g from eight to ten<br />
bottles a day to two and shun<br />
vanity – it w<strong>as</strong> my<br />
“goddesses”. They needed the<br />
money more than breweries.<br />
Number seven kept me<br />
wait<strong>in</strong>g for twelve years. By<br />
then, I w<strong>as</strong> well on my way to<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g the older sibl<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>to<br />
universities, one after another;<br />
and at one time had four <strong>in</strong><br />
various universities….<br />
is part of the problem<br />
with us <strong>as</strong> a nation. This<br />
is not about religion,<br />
tribe or political party<br />
affiliation, when<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g is wrong it is<br />
wrong.<br />
There is no honour <strong>in</strong><br />
his crime and he w<strong>as</strong><br />
caught and rightly<br />
convicted, and yes, he<br />
h<strong>as</strong> done the time for his<br />
crime but this is not the<br />
way to show remorse.<br />
This is not <strong>in</strong> the best<br />
possible t<strong>as</strong>te nor is it<br />
honourable or decent.<br />
Their naked political<br />
ambition is so<br />
transparent and they lack<br />
the virtue to dist<strong>in</strong>guish<br />
right from wrong. Are<br />
people so gullible to be<br />
taken by these shadowy<br />
Ibori k<strong>in</strong>gmakers?<br />
If the welcome party<br />
for Ibori h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
planned without his<br />
knowledge (which I very<br />
much doubt) he should<br />
be conscientious enough<br />
to cancel the fanfare and<br />
should take a quiet route<br />
back to his home and<br />
contemplate his future of<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g a changed man.<br />
I hope that Ibori and<br />
his cronies would know<br />
this, this is a different<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> and former<br />
convict need not apply.<br />
It is time we exam<strong>in</strong>e<br />
our conscience <strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns and our sense<br />
of pride and dignity.<br />
Ibori is no hero.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 31<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
PRIVATE VARSITIES’ CONTROVERSIAL CHARGES<br />
Some owners subsidise<br />
to the tune of N500m to<br />
keep students’ fees at<br />
N350,000<br />
— A<strong>in</strong>a, Caleb University VC<br />
•’Why y we produce more fir<br />
irst t cl<strong>as</strong>s<br />
graduat<br />
aduates than public universities’<br />
BY WALE AKINOLA<br />
Prof. Diji A<strong>in</strong>a is the Vice Chancellor<br />
of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.<br />
In this <strong>in</strong>terview, A<strong>in</strong>a disputes the<br />
claim that private universities fees across<br />
the country are too high, say<strong>in</strong>g the current<br />
fees are susta<strong>in</strong>able only because the<br />
owners subsidise. He also says the products<br />
of private universities are of high quality<br />
contrary to the notion <strong>in</strong> some quarters.<br />
There is this notion that there are too<br />
many private universities <strong>in</strong> the country,<br />
and that the situation, if not checked,<br />
may lead to standards be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
compromised. What is your perspective?<br />
I th<strong>in</strong>k those who are say<strong>in</strong>g that are<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g so out of ignorance.<br />
I’m not sure the number of universities<br />
we have <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> is comparable to that<br />
of the United States and other climes?<br />
There are over a thousand universities<br />
and colleges <strong>in</strong> the United States. Is this<br />
not amaz<strong>in</strong>g? The US h<strong>as</strong> a population<br />
<strong>in</strong> the region of 300 million people while<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> is about half of that population<br />
with about 150 universities.<br />
Out of this figure, the number of private<br />
universities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> is just a little over<br />
50 (note that eight new ones have just been<br />
licensed). The implication of the<br />
forego<strong>in</strong>g is that if our leaders plan the<br />
human resources very well, <strong>Nigeria</strong> can<br />
susta<strong>in</strong> 400 universities. We need more<br />
universities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
If the problem is not about the number,<br />
what then is it?<br />
The problem is not about the number of<br />
universities, it is about how government<br />
can help proprietors of private and public<br />
universities to do what is right, and this<br />
comes <strong>in</strong> many ways.<br />
First, the operat<strong>in</strong>g environment must<br />
be friendly for the survival of universities.<br />
Government h<strong>as</strong> a big role to play <strong>in</strong><br />
power supply at re<strong>as</strong>onable cost<br />
guaranteed by economy of scale. If there<br />
is steady power supply, it will help reduce<br />
the cost of runn<strong>in</strong>g universities by cutt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
down on money spent acquir<strong>in</strong>g<br />
generat<strong>in</strong>g power plants and buy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
diesel.<br />
Second, government should fund<br />
research <strong>in</strong> the universities. Education is<br />
the bedrock of development, and research<br />
drives development. The little <strong>in</strong>tervention<br />
through TETFUND is grossly <strong>in</strong>sufficient<br />
while additional constra<strong>in</strong>t is placed on<br />
the system by its restriction to public<br />
universities. Is it not curious that money<br />
generated from private enterprises are<br />
spent only on government <strong>in</strong>stitutions?<br />
Meanwhile, note that we <strong>in</strong> the private<br />
tertiary <strong>in</strong>stitution sector are not <strong>as</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for money to pay salaries but that<br />
TETFUND should be available to <strong>as</strong>sist<br />
students <strong>in</strong> private universities <strong>in</strong> the are<strong>as</strong><br />
of research, library, and ICT <strong>in</strong>tervention.<br />
When these students are tra<strong>in</strong>ed, they<br />
graduate to service the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n economy<br />
and not work for their universities.<br />
– Prof. A<strong>in</strong>a, Caleb University VC<br />
If the federal government of <strong>Nigeria</strong> can<br />
emulate the Swedish government or even<br />
that of South Africa where special attention<br />
is accorded fund<strong>in</strong>g matters relat<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
education, especially the research <strong>as</strong>pect,<br />
then the <strong>in</strong>stitutions will not only enjoy a<br />
new le<strong>as</strong>e of life but will also have a lot of<br />
researchers and scholars be<strong>in</strong>g attracted<br />
to <strong>Nigeria</strong>. This will reverse the problem<br />
of bra<strong>in</strong> dra<strong>in</strong> to bra<strong>in</strong> ga<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Does it mean <strong>Nigeria</strong> does not have<br />
the number of staff needed to susta<strong>in</strong> the<br />
envisaged growth?<br />
While it is true that we need more senior<br />
hands to manage the universities, the idea<br />
is not for all members of staff to come only<br />
The problem is not<br />
about the number of<br />
universities, it is about<br />
how government can<br />
help proprietors of<br />
private and public<br />
universities to do what<br />
is right, and this comes<br />
<strong>in</strong> many ways<br />
from one state, one geo-political area, or<br />
even <strong>Nigeria</strong>. Universities are supposed to<br />
be global <strong>in</strong> nature, character, purpose and<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ality. What this means is that universities<br />
are supposed to be centers of attraction for<br />
global excellence and competition. If you<br />
have more universities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>, and the<br />
operat<strong>in</strong>g environment is conducive, the<br />
better for <strong>Nigeria</strong>. Note that <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
capital is a mobile capital. If the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
education sector is attractive, there will be<br />
migration of highly competent scholars to<br />
our universities, just the way some of our<br />
colleagues are currently attracted to some<br />
countries now.<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> recently <strong>in</strong> Ghana on a recruitment<br />
exercise for Caleb University, a lot of<br />
graduates with first cl<strong>as</strong>s and others with<br />
Ph.D, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g professors responded. They<br />
were ready to move with attractive<br />
packages we offer and we were still<br />
discuss<strong>in</strong>g when suddenly the naira took a<br />
plunge aga<strong>in</strong>st the dollar.<br />
Why recruit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ghana, are there no<br />
competent or qualified hands <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>?<br />
For any university worth its salt, you<br />
recruit the best of the best <strong>as</strong> your<br />
members of staff especially for the<br />
academic sector from any part of the<br />
world. It doesn’t matter where such people<br />
come from, what matters most is what<br />
they can offer <strong>in</strong> terms of academic<br />
scholarship. We have even just recruited<br />
from South Korea. This is the whole idea<br />
of a university.<br />
The idea of a university is that you have<br />
an academic plan, and a brief on how to<br />
excel. What turns a university around is<br />
the enabl<strong>in</strong>g environment when a<br />
university is set up <strong>in</strong> a conducive<br />
environment, you can now attract the best<br />
staff from any part of the world.<br />
So what you are say<strong>in</strong>g is that the<br />
requirements or what is needed to run a<br />
university is conducive environment and<br />
not necessarily a multitude of staff<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g scores of professors and<br />
others?<br />
What the National Universities<br />
Commission, NUC, requires to run an<br />
undergraduate programme is a<br />
m<strong>in</strong>imum of six staff compris<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
professor, two senior lecturers and three<br />
others.Then <strong>as</strong> you grow <strong>in</strong> your<br />
enrollment figure, you have the student/<br />
staff ratio which should be balanced with<br />
the m<strong>in</strong>imum requirement. In<br />
management sciences for <strong>in</strong>stance staff<br />
student ration is 1:30. This means you<br />
need 12 academic staff to support 360<br />
student population, which <strong>in</strong> turn should<br />
be two professors, four senior lecturers<br />
and six others.<br />
Then universities should be centres of<br />
research and academic excellence. Those<br />
who are say<strong>in</strong>g the number of universities<br />
<strong>in</strong> the country is too much are say<strong>in</strong>g so<br />
because they are limited by knowledge<br />
and scope..<br />
Is the drive to get the best staff from<br />
other parts of the world partly<br />
responsible for the charges by the<br />
private varsities which many believe are<br />
on the high side?<br />
I disagree with that notion. Private<br />
universities charges are not on the high<br />
side.<br />
When some people say private varsities<br />
charges are higher, I don’t know what they<br />
mean. For the fact that some people can’t<br />
afford to send their wards to private<br />
varsities doesn’t mean the charges are on<br />
the high side.<br />
That I don’t have enough money to lodge<br />
<strong>in</strong> Sheraton Hotel doesn’t mean that the<br />
charges for lodg<strong>in</strong>gs are on the high side.<br />
It simply means my <strong>in</strong>come bracket<br />
cannot afford stay<strong>in</strong>g there.<br />
If you go to any five-star hotel, they<br />
have special packages which they<br />
promise customers. The same applies<br />
to private varsities? If some special<br />
facilities are put <strong>in</strong> place which you enjoy<br />
you have to pay for it. In public<br />
universities, government pays for it, and<br />
even that now comes with the challenges<br />
that the economy is on the slow drive<br />
because of recession.<br />
When you say charges are high, I<br />
disagree with proof. For <strong>in</strong>stance, you<br />
pay a professor between N400,000 and<br />
N500,000 gross. If you have 3,000<br />
students, you need 100 academic staff if<br />
you use the social science students staff<br />
ratio or between 120 to 150 staff for the<br />
sciences. Multiply the monthly wage bill,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those of non-teach<strong>in</strong>g staff that<br />
is usually double or triple the number of<br />
academic and tell me if the fees are<br />
exorbitant. Recall for <strong>in</strong>stance that<br />
Caleb University charges 350,000 <strong>as</strong><br />
tuition, so it not difficult to project<br />
<strong>in</strong>come accruable less those on<br />
scholarship and those who will never be<br />
able to pay. Th<strong>in</strong>k now outside salary<br />
and overhead costs and imag<strong>in</strong>e what<br />
goes to provide power supply, laboratory<br />
equipment and consumables, and most<br />
significantly build<strong>in</strong>gs and other<br />
<strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure provisions.<br />
When you talk about physical<br />
<strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure, the academic<br />
<strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure we are putt<strong>in</strong>g up ranges<br />
from N400 million to a little less than<br />
N2 billion. Then you talk about<br />
equipp<strong>in</strong>g the build<strong>in</strong>gs. In the midst of<br />
these, you now have somebody pay<strong>in</strong>g<br />
N350,000 <strong>as</strong> tuition bragg<strong>in</strong>g that fees<br />
are on the high side. This simply comes<br />
to anyone <strong>as</strong> the product of ignorance<br />
or the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n ways of just feel<strong>in</strong>g good<br />
feign<strong>in</strong>g oppression and helplessness.<br />
What do you expect from a father of two<br />
students <strong>in</strong> a private university, a civil<br />
servant whose salary is a paltry N80,000<br />
with no access to the tre<strong>as</strong>ury <strong>as</strong> a result<br />
of the TSA policy of government.<br />
The truth is that the charges are not<br />
expensive compared to the services<br />
provided by private varsities but may be<br />
truly unaffordable to the civil servant or<br />
any other salary earner. What you see is<br />
that at Caleb University, like some other<br />
private universities, the proprietor gives<br />
not less than N500 million every year to<br />
subsidize our budget when no major<br />
construction work is on-go<strong>in</strong>g. This is<br />
highly commendable and a noble cause.<br />
If we have many other <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns that<br />
can do this, it will have significant and<br />
positive effect on our education sector.
The average litigant <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> believes you<br />
PAGE 32— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
can buy justice<br />
— Yusuf Ali, SAN<br />
By Demola Ak<strong>in</strong>yemi<br />
Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali<br />
(SAN) is the CEO of<br />
GHALIB Chambers b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>in</strong><br />
Ilor<strong>in</strong>. Yusuf Ali, who obta<strong>in</strong>ed his<br />
first degree from University of<br />
Ife,now Obafemi Awolowo<br />
University, Ile-Ife, went back for<br />
his m<strong>as</strong>ter’s <strong>in</strong> law <strong>in</strong> the same<br />
university.<br />
A philanthropist, he donated a<br />
fully equipped IT build<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
Kwara State Polytechnic for which<br />
he w<strong>as</strong> honoured with the award<br />
of Fellow of the <strong>in</strong>stitution.<br />
In this <strong>in</strong>terview, the legal icon<br />
speaks on the state of the nation.<br />
What is your <strong>as</strong>sessment of the<br />
anti-corruption war of the<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration of President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari?<br />
At the presentation of my book’,<br />
Anatomy of Corruption’ <strong>in</strong> Abuja<br />
<strong>in</strong> May 2016, <strong>in</strong> my speech, I said<br />
categorically that top to bottom<br />
approach on the fight aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
corruption can never work. If you<br />
want to fight corruption, you must<br />
create a m<strong>as</strong>s movement.<br />
Majority of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns must buy<br />
<strong>in</strong>to it, but you arrest three people<br />
out of 10,000. What have you<br />
achieved? What is go<strong>in</strong>g on is fight<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st corrupt people not aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
corruption.<br />
Corruption is an <strong>in</strong>stitutional<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g, so the fight aga<strong>in</strong>st it is more<br />
than what we are do<strong>in</strong>g. Because<br />
if we are not careful, th<strong>in</strong>gs we are<br />
not do<strong>in</strong>g properly may become<br />
a culture. If you want to fight<br />
corruption, you have to dig deeper.<br />
I tell people that for the street to<br />
be clean, every member of the<br />
street must keep his corner clean.<br />
Corruption is symptomatic of a<br />
deeper problem. When we talk<br />
about corruption, we should not<br />
limit it to bribery. Bribery is a<br />
fraction of corruption. Nepotism<br />
is corruption; ethnicity is<br />
corruption; tribalism is corruption<br />
and <strong>in</strong>fluence peddl<strong>in</strong>g is also<br />
corruption. Just fight<strong>in</strong>g public<br />
officials is a tip of the iceberg.<br />
Police still stop motorists on the<br />
highway extort<strong>in</strong>g money from<br />
them. What do you say to that?<br />
There are all sorts of corrupt, on<br />
allegations about government<br />
officials. It is a good attempt that<br />
we are try<strong>in</strong>g to fight corrupt<br />
people, but we should attempt to<br />
fight corruption itself.<br />
How do you th<strong>in</strong>k the act<strong>in</strong>g<br />
CJN can tackle corruption <strong>in</strong> the<br />
judiciary?<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are skeptics. We don’t<br />
believe <strong>in</strong> our leaders and our<br />
C<br />
M<br />
YK<br />
The average litigant <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> believes you<br />
can buy justice. So,<br />
with that frame of m<strong>in</strong>d,<br />
it is a very difficult<br />
challenge. That attitude<br />
of believ<strong>in</strong>g that you<br />
can buy justice must<br />
stop<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutions. And you can’t blame<br />
them. Maybe it is a product of<br />
their experience of hav<strong>in</strong>g been let<br />
down by the system. I have said<br />
this severally, it takes two to<br />
tango. Before you can see<br />
somebody who takes bribe, there<br />
must be a giver. Usually we go after<br />
the takers. The givers are there still<br />
wax<strong>in</strong>g stronger. Until the day the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n elite start to th<strong>in</strong>k that<br />
justice could not be bought, we<br />
will be runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> circles. The truth<br />
is bitter, but we must say it. The<br />
average litigant <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> believes<br />
you can buy justice. So, with that<br />
frame of m<strong>in</strong>d, it is a very difficult<br />
challenge. That attitude of<br />
believ<strong>in</strong>g that you can buy justice<br />
must stop. What I have said is<br />
apparent from the way litigants<br />
react to judgements. Somebody<br />
who had tried to reach a judge<br />
unsuccessfully, if judgement goes<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st him, he believes the other<br />
person h<strong>as</strong> given higher bribe<br />
which may not be true.<br />
But more than it all, <strong>Nigeria</strong> is a<br />
very rife market for rumours. Tell<br />
people to come and tell you what<br />
happened, they beg<strong>in</strong> to scratch<br />
their heads.<br />
Generally, African leaders do not<br />
seen to be do<strong>in</strong>g enough to help<br />
their people out of poverty, what<br />
is the problem with African<br />
leaders?<br />
A country gets the k<strong>in</strong>d of leader<br />
it deserves. And that is why I am<br />
always aga<strong>in</strong>st the sett<strong>in</strong>g up of<br />
special courts. I <strong>as</strong>k, are you go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to br<strong>in</strong>g people from heaven to come<br />
and sit <strong>in</strong> those courts? We are<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g those problems because of<br />
leadership and followership<br />
•Yusuf Ali ...<strong>Nigeria</strong> is a rife market<br />
for rumours<br />
problem. Look at the campaign<br />
rhetoric of Donald Trump before<br />
the US presidential election. Look<br />
at what is happen<strong>in</strong>g now because<br />
he knows his society would not<br />
accept certa<strong>in</strong> th<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> and by extension African<br />
society is where anyth<strong>in</strong>g goes. If<br />
we want to hold our leaders<br />
accountable and we want them to<br />
be upright, it must start from all<br />
of us. All leaders have their evil<br />
tendencies; it is the society that<br />
disagrees with them. We don’t<br />
have m<strong>in</strong>imum standard for our<br />
leaders. The American society is<br />
what it is today not because their<br />
leaders are superhuman but<br />
because the average American<br />
would <strong>in</strong>sist you do what is right.<br />
Watch this hack<strong>in</strong>g by Russia<br />
preparatory to the American<br />
presidential election, you will see<br />
the outcome, because that is a<br />
society that digs deep unlike us<br />
that are very superficial here.<br />
Here we try to look for quick-fix<br />
solutions.<br />
There is noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>herently<br />
wrong with Africans, it’s just that<br />
we are too lazy. You have just dolittle<br />
belief that you have<br />
excelled, where<strong>as</strong> people outside<br />
there, for everyth<strong>in</strong>g they do, they<br />
have to improve.<br />
The award conferred on you by<br />
the polytechnic, will it spur you<br />
to do more philanthropic works?<br />
My philosophy about life is that<br />
anytime someth<strong>in</strong>g good comes<br />
your way, it is an <strong>in</strong>vitation to do<br />
better. And the prize for do<strong>in</strong>g well<br />
is to do better still. To me,<br />
recognitions like this humble me<br />
and make me know that what<br />
God wants to do He does,<br />
irrespective of who your parents<br />
are,who you know and who you<br />
don’t know? This award came from<br />
the blues; I w<strong>as</strong>n’t expect<strong>in</strong>g<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g at all. The day the Rector<br />
of Kwara Polytechnic, Alhaji<br />
M<strong>as</strong>’ud Elelu and his team came<br />
here and said that they were<br />
plann<strong>in</strong>g their convocation and that<br />
they wanted to give fellowship<br />
awards to five em<strong>in</strong>ent <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.<br />
They mentioned Governor<br />
Abdulfatah Ahmed, Aliko<br />
Dangote, Erisco and chief<br />
executive officer (CEO) of<br />
Kamwire Limited. I know the CEO<br />
of Kamwire is the largest<br />
employer of labour <strong>as</strong> an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual <strong>in</strong> the whole of North-<br />
Central. Those who work <strong>in</strong> that<br />
company would be more than<br />
1,000 and then they mentioned<br />
my name. I <strong>as</strong>ked ‘why me?’<br />
So I see this honour <strong>as</strong> an<br />
<strong>in</strong>vitation to do more for the<br />
society to justify the confidence<br />
the people reposed <strong>in</strong> me. That<br />
is the way I see it.<br />
What is your view about the<br />
present economic recession <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>?<br />
The problem of recession, to me<br />
<strong>as</strong> a layman, is the reflection of<br />
the lack of confidence <strong>in</strong> the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n market and economy on<br />
the part of people who want to<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g their money here for<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment. Simple! What caused<br />
it I don’t want to dabble <strong>in</strong>to that;<br />
the way out is for us to go out<br />
and market our country.<br />
After all, there w<strong>as</strong> a time <strong>in</strong> this<br />
country that oil w<strong>as</strong> sell<strong>in</strong>g for $11<br />
and we were do<strong>in</strong>g well. And<br />
we were produc<strong>in</strong>g 2.2 million<br />
barrels. Now even at 40<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g dollars, we are not<br />
produc<strong>in</strong>g well. So it is not about<br />
oil, it is about lack of confidence<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
There is craze for certa<strong>in</strong><br />
courses <strong>in</strong> our tertiary<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutions today,what is your<br />
view?<br />
The colonialists gave us the<br />
k<strong>in</strong>d of education they wanted,<br />
just to have a pool of averagely<br />
educated people that would be<br />
used <strong>in</strong> the civil service and<br />
other places. When they left,<br />
unfortunately we never thought<br />
that w<strong>as</strong> a problem. The chicken<br />
h<strong>as</strong> come home to roost. Every<br />
person who went to any higher<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitution <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> looks for<br />
government employment. The<br />
way the new set of universities<br />
are go<strong>in</strong>g, which is<br />
entrepreneurship, is the best<br />
option. We must prepare our<br />
graduates for the world outside<br />
the universities and for the world<br />
outside of paid employment.<br />
What is your view on the<br />
rejection of Ibrahim Magu <strong>as</strong><br />
substantive EFCC chair by the<br />
Senate?<br />
I am not sentimental about<br />
issues. The president h<strong>as</strong> done<br />
his own side by submitt<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
name of Ibrahim Magu to the<br />
Senate for confirmation and the<br />
Senate h<strong>as</strong> also done its own side<br />
by reject<strong>in</strong>g his confirmation <strong>as</strong><br />
substantive Chairman of the<br />
Economic and F<strong>in</strong>ancial Crimes<br />
Commission (EFCC).<br />
In fact, there is nowhere <strong>in</strong> the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n Constitution that says<br />
that the Senate must give<br />
re<strong>as</strong>ons for the rejection of his<br />
confirmation. I don’t th<strong>in</strong>k people<br />
should start read<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
personal <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong>to the Senate<br />
action. It is unnecessary. The<br />
Senate merely looked at the<br />
report presented to it by the<br />
Department of State Service<br />
(DSS),and the report questioned<br />
the <strong>in</strong>tegrity of Magu.
Breach Repairers’ 7th<br />
d<strong>in</strong>ner and awards<br />
Cross-section of the p<strong>as</strong>tors cutt<strong>in</strong>g the anniversary cake.<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> a moment of<br />
glory, cheers, chants<br />
and honours when<br />
p<strong>as</strong>tors and other<br />
leaders of the Christian<br />
faith gathered at the<br />
Virg<strong>in</strong> Rose Resort<br />
Victoria Island Lagos,<br />
recently for the Breach<br />
Repairers 7 th<br />
anniversary d<strong>in</strong>ner. One<br />
of the big highlights of<br />
the night w<strong>as</strong> the award<br />
session that saw some<br />
of the members be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
honoured for their<br />
outstand<strong>in</strong>g feats for<br />
the course of the<br />
organisation.<br />
Photos by Akeem<br />
Salau<br />
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017 — PAGE 33<br />
AYO ONIKOYI<br />
08052201215<br />
L-R: Mrs Rita Amuka; P<strong>as</strong>tor (Mrs) Dorothy<br />
Aka,Mummy G.O, House of Fresh Fire, and Rev<br />
Laja Shoniran,CEO, F<strong>in</strong>ancial Literacy for All.<br />
Ikomi’s daughter weds<br />
heart-thr<br />
t-throb<br />
Beautiful daughter of Chief Eugene Ikomi, Kate<br />
Oritsedere, h<strong>as</strong> been swept off her feet by<br />
d<strong>as</strong>h<strong>in</strong>g Seun Adeola Ak<strong>in</strong>doju, son of Mr<br />
Bunmi Ak<strong>in</strong>doju. The marriage took place at First<br />
Baptist Church Warri, Delta State, on Saturday,<br />
December 3, 2016.<br />
L-R; Dr Sam Aka, G.O; House of Fresh Fire; P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
(Mrs) Patience Nduka, E.D, Breach Repairers;<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Wale Adefar<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>,G.O, Guid<strong>in</strong>g Light<br />
Assembly/Chairman of the occ<strong>as</strong>sion;P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Ituah Ighodalo and P<strong>as</strong>tor Nduka K<strong>in</strong>gsley<br />
Chukwudi.<br />
Auto merchant, Jimoh, gives out<br />
daughter, Kafilat, <strong>in</strong> marriage<br />
Renowned auto merchant b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> United States, Alhaji<br />
Aremu Jimoh, on new year eve, gave out his daughter,<br />
Kafilat Abiola, <strong>in</strong> marriage to Maruf Adewale <strong>in</strong><br />
accordance with Islamic rites <strong>in</strong> Lagos.<br />
The colourful ceremony, which started before noon, took<br />
place at popular Stad Plus Event Centre <strong>in</strong> Karounwi<br />
Street, Itire, Surulere, Lagos State. There w<strong>as</strong> heavy<br />
presence of security personnel <strong>in</strong> the community, and only<br />
prom<strong>in</strong>ent persons and <strong>in</strong>vited guests had access to the<br />
venue.<br />
The ceremony left the guests <strong>in</strong> excitement after Jimoh<br />
offered his beautiful daughter, Kafilat, <strong>in</strong> marriage to an<br />
Ijebu man <strong>in</strong> the star studded wedd<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
L-R: Yeye Yemmy Ak<strong>in</strong>tola and Mrs Helen Ogbogu<br />
Olamide Faf<br />
afowora ora and<br />
Adebowale Adewale<br />
The Solemnisation of Holy matrimony<br />
between former Miss Olamide Fafowora and<br />
Mr Adebowale Adewale took place at the<br />
Christ Church, Anglican Communion, Amuwo<br />
Odof<strong>in</strong>, Mile 2, Lagos. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele<br />
The couple, Mr and Mrs Seun Ak<strong>in</strong>doju<br />
The bride, Mrs. Kafilat Abiola Ak<strong>in</strong>yele (nee<br />
Jimoh), receiv<strong>in</strong>g marital bless<strong>in</strong>gs from his parents,<br />
Alhaji Aremu Jimoh and Mrs. Sherifat Jimoh.<br />
L-R: Apostle Adeduyi Adewale, groom's father; Mr<br />
Isaac Ak<strong>in</strong>lolu Fafowora, bride's father; Mr and<br />
Mrs Adebowale Adewale, the newly-wedded<br />
couple; Mother <strong>in</strong> israel, Mrs Olubukola Adewale,<br />
groom's mother and Mrs Elizabeth Fafowora,<br />
bride's mother<br />
L-R: Chief Eugene Ikomi, bride's dad; Mrs Bisi<br />
Ak<strong>in</strong>doju, groom's mum; Chief Leemon Ikpea,<br />
Obayagbon of Warri k<strong>in</strong>gdom/Chairman of<br />
Occ<strong>as</strong>ion. The couple: Mr and Mrs Seun Ak<strong>in</strong>doju.<br />
Mr Bunmi Ak<strong>in</strong>doju, groom's dad; and Mrs Kate<br />
Ikomi, bride's mum<br />
*The new couple<br />
L-R: HRM Oba (Justice) John Ademola Ajakaiye,<br />
the Oluy<strong>in</strong> of Iy<strong>in</strong> Ekiti; Brig Gen. K S Toki (Rtd)<br />
and other friends of Fafowora family<br />
Chief Eugene Ikomi, bride's dad, and Mrs Kate<br />
Ikomi, bride's mum.
PAGE 34— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
For once, let's<br />
applaud Buhari<br />
The beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of a<br />
new year such <strong>as</strong><br />
now, offers a good<br />
opportunity for <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
<strong>as</strong> a people to take a second<br />
look at the previous year<br />
2016 and its catalogue of<br />
negative events. Such a<br />
review will no doubt be<br />
helpful especially if it can<br />
draw attention to the way<br />
forward. In other words, to<br />
make 2017 a better year, we<br />
need to avoid a recurrence<br />
of the negative events of l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
year. Arriv<strong>in</strong>g at the solution<br />
to our problems may not be<br />
an e<strong>as</strong>y t<strong>as</strong>k but we imag<strong>in</strong>e<br />
that giv<strong>in</strong>g credit<br />
occ<strong>as</strong>ionally to whom it is<br />
due is a wise approach. It is<br />
obviously superior to the<br />
current trend whereby<br />
everybody is a critic <strong>in</strong> a<br />
game <strong>in</strong> which only<br />
President Buhari is<br />
perceived to be at fault all<br />
the time. The recent crisis <strong>in</strong><br />
Kaduna is probably a good<br />
example of an issue <strong>in</strong> which<br />
the President h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
h<strong>as</strong>tily blamed. Kaduna is a<br />
By Godw<strong>in</strong> Anaughe<br />
The All Progressives<br />
Congress (APC)<br />
participated <strong>in</strong> the 2015 general<br />
elections <strong>in</strong> Delta State without<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g impact <strong>in</strong> the state. It<br />
recorded no s<strong>in</strong>gle electoral<br />
victory and failed to w<strong>in</strong> any<br />
local government area <strong>in</strong> the<br />
gubernatorial election. Not<br />
even the 25 percent mark<br />
required <strong>in</strong> the presidential<br />
election w<strong>as</strong> achieved. It w<strong>as</strong> a<br />
colossal failure.<br />
Given this drubb<strong>in</strong>g, one<br />
would have expected that Delta<br />
APC would have by now<br />
reorganised itself from the<br />
los<strong>in</strong>g party of 2015 to a party<br />
that can w<strong>in</strong> future elections, but<br />
there is no sign of that yet.<br />
Instead, what we have is <strong>in</strong>traparty<br />
bicker<strong>in</strong>g among factions<br />
that are wrestl<strong>in</strong>g for the control<br />
of the soul of the party.<br />
A cursory look at the 2015<br />
electoral map shows that the<br />
party lacked political b<strong>as</strong>e. The<br />
other re<strong>as</strong>on w<strong>as</strong> that it w<strong>as</strong><br />
bedeviled by leadership crisis.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce then, natural<br />
realignment of political forces<br />
h<strong>as</strong> reshaped the political<br />
state with its own governor<br />
that w<strong>as</strong> elected to run the<br />
day to day affairs of the state.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g, Buhari should<br />
not be the first to <strong>in</strong>tervene<br />
<strong>in</strong> a problem <strong>in</strong> one state<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a country that h<strong>as</strong><br />
adopted federalism <strong>as</strong> its<br />
system of government<br />
For the better part of 2016,<br />
the opposition Peoples<br />
Democratic Party (PDP) w<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> crisis. Many of the<br />
members would readily<br />
suggest that the rul<strong>in</strong>g All<br />
Progressive Congress (APC)<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been beh<strong>in</strong>d it. There<br />
are <strong>in</strong>deed, those who would<br />
blame President Buhari for<br />
not dissuad<strong>in</strong>g his party<br />
members from it.<br />
Interest<strong>in</strong>gly, the typical<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n politician is<br />
ungovernable. The President<br />
cannot even stop his own<br />
party members from<br />
destroy<strong>in</strong>g their own party<br />
let alone tell<strong>in</strong>g them to let<br />
the opposition be. In any<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e, it would be difficult to<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d a rul<strong>in</strong>g party <strong>in</strong> a<br />
country like <strong>Nigeria</strong> which<br />
runs a zero-sum political<br />
system to encourage<br />
political opposition. Of<br />
course, it can't happen <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> where a rul<strong>in</strong>g party<br />
<strong>in</strong> a state "w<strong>in</strong>s" all the seats<br />
<strong>in</strong> a local election. If the<br />
truth must be said, a political<br />
party like the PDP is the<br />
architect of its fate. It is its<br />
members who are currently<br />
<strong>in</strong> factions that have<br />
It is only fair that<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns who<br />
claimed to have<br />
elected President<br />
Buhari <strong>as</strong> a man<br />
that can rid the<br />
nation of<br />
corruption should<br />
not also become<br />
hyper-critical<br />
about a resultoriented<br />
approach<br />
to the hydraheaded<br />
monster<br />
prevented their party from<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g a mark even <strong>in</strong> a<br />
state like Ondo where it h<strong>as</strong><br />
been <strong>in</strong> power. Pa<strong>in</strong>fully they<br />
always do so for personal<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
Buhari or not, <strong>Nigeria</strong> is<br />
far from be<strong>in</strong>g ready for free<br />
and fair elections. The<br />
other day, Governor<br />
Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun<br />
state w<strong>as</strong> reported to have<br />
said that he knows those<br />
who will not succeed him.<br />
We have no proof that<br />
Amosun is a professional<br />
soothsayer just <strong>as</strong> we are<br />
unaware that <strong>as</strong> a person he<br />
h<strong>as</strong> more than one vote. So,<br />
how else will he stop those<br />
he h<strong>as</strong> decided will not<br />
succeed him <strong>in</strong> a future<br />
election? He would<br />
probably disallow a level<br />
play<strong>in</strong>g ground for all<br />
<strong>as</strong>pirants and like<br />
Oshiomhole and Mimiko<br />
did dur<strong>in</strong>g the l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
governorship elections <strong>in</strong><br />
Edo and Ondo states<br />
respectively impose his<br />
preferred candidate. Put<br />
differently, it is hard to f<strong>in</strong>d<br />
a blameless politician <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>. The alarm by<br />
Governor Wike of Rivers<br />
state on the post<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
28,000 security operatives<br />
to his state for just a re-run<br />
election makes a lot of<br />
sense but when compared<br />
to what his PDP federal<br />
might did <strong>in</strong> the same state<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2015, the alarm is not<br />
more than crocodile tears.<br />
The fight aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
corruption is an area where<br />
many citizens have hailed<br />
President Buhari but quite<br />
often, the applause is<br />
drowned by allegations of<br />
selective prosecution. In a<br />
nation that h<strong>as</strong> for too long,<br />
been weighed down by<br />
excessive corrupt practices,<br />
many of those arrested<br />
His life h<strong>as</strong> been that of spec<br />
tacular accomplishments<br />
<strong>in</strong> his chosen area of human<br />
endeavour.<br />
Unarguably, his p<strong>as</strong>sion for his<br />
call<strong>in</strong>g transcends the usual. It is<br />
worthy of note that this p<strong>as</strong>sion of his<br />
which h<strong>as</strong> crystallized <strong>in</strong>to what one<br />
will describe <strong>as</strong> the very core of his<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong> not acquired through<br />
circular tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, but through prophecy<br />
<strong>as</strong> old <strong>as</strong> his age.<br />
Pa. Fridol<strong>in</strong> Nwafea Okoaze Ononye<br />
M<strong>in</strong>r, Chief OFUOTSO of<br />
Ososo k<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>in</strong> Edo State, is the<br />
current Diokpa of Idumu Ugbe<br />
village of Umuonaje quarters <strong>in</strong> Asaba<br />
<strong>in</strong> Oshimili South Local Government<br />
Area, Born 21st December 1921<br />
<strong>in</strong> Asaba, he <strong>in</strong>herited the art and<br />
knowledge of his p<strong>as</strong>sion –traditional<br />
medic<strong>in</strong>e from his ancestors. Interest<strong>in</strong>gly<br />
too, accord<strong>in</strong>g to him,<br />
every sign predicted w<strong>as</strong> made<br />
manifest. He believes strongly that<br />
the fundamental pr<strong>in</strong>ciple of true<br />
heal<strong>in</strong>g consists of return to natural<br />
habits of liv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Pa. Ononye is specialized <strong>in</strong> the treatment<br />
of dise<strong>as</strong>es rang<strong>in</strong>g from malaria,<br />
stroke, sickle cell disorder,<br />
tuberculosis, diabetes to arthritis among<br />
others. His services are much sought after.<br />
On the other hand however, his life h<strong>as</strong><br />
been closely l<strong>in</strong>ked with animal and<br />
human health. For animal health, he<br />
studied veter<strong>in</strong>ary science and medic<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
He also studied p<strong>as</strong>ture management<br />
and poultry dise<strong>as</strong>es at the Faculty of<br />
Agriculture and veter<strong>in</strong>ary medic<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
University of Ibadan and later travelled<br />
abroad to study pathology dise<strong>as</strong>es and<br />
diagnostic methods <strong>in</strong> central laboratories<br />
Weybridge, U.K and Ed<strong>in</strong>burgh<br />
Scotland to acquire workable<br />
knowledge to establish veter<strong>in</strong>ary<br />
diagnostic unit and services for the then<br />
mid-western state.<br />
With all the studies and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
services were rendered <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>terest of<br />
animals to protect them from death<br />
caused by dise<strong>as</strong>es, some of which can<br />
To w<strong>in</strong> Delta, APC must first w<strong>in</strong> back its soul<br />
landscape <strong>in</strong> such a way that<br />
APC now h<strong>as</strong> a political b<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong><br />
Delta Central. In particular,<br />
Chief Great Ogboru, the<br />
gubernatorial candidate of<br />
Labour Party <strong>in</strong> 2015, who won<br />
four local governments, said that<br />
only a united opposition w<strong>as</strong><br />
capable of free<strong>in</strong>g Delta from<br />
the grip of the PDP and jo<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
APC with his supporters <strong>in</strong> Delta<br />
Central, the hotbed of<br />
opposition politics <strong>in</strong> Delta.<br />
Sadly, APC h<strong>as</strong> done noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to capitalise on the chang<strong>in</strong>g<br />
dynamics and consolidate on<br />
these ga<strong>in</strong>s. Rather than<br />
welcome the new members with<br />
open hands and give them a<br />
sense of belong<strong>in</strong>g, the party h<strong>as</strong><br />
been lukewarm and, <strong>in</strong> the<br />
process, created barriers for full<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegration of new members<br />
who undoubtedly are now <strong>in</strong><br />
majority. The welcome party<br />
that w<strong>as</strong> promised never<br />
happened and all efforts to<br />
reorganise the party have been<br />
thwarted by some forces ahead<br />
of a possible 2019 run.<br />
But progressives must know<br />
that Delta Central only provides<br />
APC the keys to success <strong>in</strong> 2019.<br />
They can get there if only they<br />
affect human be<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Interest<strong>in</strong>gly, there h<strong>as</strong> been no area<br />
<strong>in</strong> the country he had not touched <strong>in</strong><br />
the quest to acquire knowledge and<br />
experience to help the lower creatures.<br />
Apart from his <strong>in</strong>herited p<strong>as</strong>sion for<br />
traditional medic<strong>in</strong>e, Pa Fridol<strong>in</strong><br />
Ononye could also be described <strong>as</strong> a<br />
man of many parts. Socially it is on<br />
record that Pa. Ononye w<strong>as</strong> one of the<br />
foremost leaders and developers of<br />
Asaba Town years before it became<br />
state capital.<br />
Politically Pa. Ononye w<strong>as</strong> among<br />
the foundation members of the then<br />
Gr<strong>as</strong>sroots Democratic Movement<br />
(GDM) <strong>in</strong> the state which later formed<br />
the bulk of the membership of the<br />
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) <strong>in</strong><br />
Delta State. His role along with few<br />
others set the political structure that<br />
landed Chief James Onanefe Ibori the<br />
would obviously attract<br />
sympathy by s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g<br />
religious and ethnic tunes. As<br />
we argued elsewhere, it is<br />
logical that many of those<br />
called to question are now <strong>in</strong><br />
the opposition. This is<br />
because be<strong>in</strong>g the ones who<br />
were <strong>in</strong> government<br />
yesterday; they are those who<br />
currently have explanations<br />
to make on what they did<br />
with public funds. It is thus<br />
irrational to describe their<br />
arrests <strong>as</strong> amount<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
selective prosecution. It is<br />
worse to <strong>in</strong>s<strong>in</strong>uate that they<br />
are not the only corrupt<br />
politicians <strong>in</strong> our midst<br />
because that cannot<br />
exonerate them; rather that<br />
draws attention to the need<br />
for many more people to be<br />
arrested. Aga<strong>in</strong>, to harp on<br />
the st<strong>in</strong>g operation by the<br />
Department of State Services<br />
(DSS) on some judges<br />
underplays the disturb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
issue of corruption <strong>in</strong> the<br />
judiciary-a dist<strong>as</strong>teful act<br />
which many retired senior<br />
judges had for long been<br />
draw<strong>in</strong>g attention to. Instead<br />
of prais<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration that evolved<br />
ample courage to deal<br />
headlong with the subject, the<br />
focus became the <strong>in</strong>elegance<br />
of the method employed. We<br />
are unable to support that<br />
l<strong>in</strong>e of thought more so <strong>as</strong> the<br />
st<strong>in</strong>g operation did not target<br />
every judge. It is only fair that<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns who claimed to<br />
have elected President<br />
Buhari <strong>as</strong> a man that can rid<br />
the nation of corruption<br />
should not also become<br />
hyper-critical about a resultoriented<br />
approach to the<br />
hydra-headed monster.<br />
If however people are<br />
unhappy about the state of<br />
our national economy, it is<br />
understandable. The steep<br />
rise <strong>in</strong> the cost of liv<strong>in</strong>g alone<br />
is enough to susta<strong>in</strong> public<br />
frustration. While agree<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with the argument that the<br />
problems of today are the<br />
direct result of yesterday's<br />
bad governance, we can<br />
hold no one else but the<br />
government of today which<br />
earlier promised to fix the<br />
problems. Until the<br />
economy is fixed, no sermon<br />
can conv<strong>in</strong>ce people to<br />
applaud the President. But<br />
the premise of this article is<br />
that the government should<br />
be commended for whatever<br />
is well done while urg<strong>in</strong>g it<br />
to tackle other are<strong>as</strong><br />
requir<strong>in</strong>g attention. Today,<br />
the nation should be upstand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> praise of our<br />
President <strong>in</strong> the fight aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
<strong>in</strong>surgency particularly the<br />
capture of Sambisa forest.<br />
Before Buhari's time,<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns languished <strong>in</strong> the<br />
forest <strong>as</strong> huge sums of<br />
money appropriated for the<br />
fight aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>in</strong>surgency<br />
were allegedly diverted by<br />
different actors <strong>in</strong> the<br />
corridors of power.<br />
Cynics may doubt the feat<br />
at Sambisa but we prefer to<br />
commend our gallant forces<br />
seen by newsmen <strong>in</strong><br />
Maiduguri the other day<br />
dismantl<strong>in</strong>g the official<br />
Boko Haram flag at Parisu,<br />
Camp Zairo, <strong>in</strong> Sambisa<br />
Forest. Bravo to our<br />
Commander <strong>in</strong> Chief!<br />
Pa Ononye @ 96: Tribute to an uncommon nonagenarian<br />
•Pa. Fridol<strong>in</strong> Ononye<br />
•Ibe Kachukwu<br />
could f<strong>in</strong>d the right vehicle and<br />
a capable chauffeur to take<br />
them there. In other words, Delta<br />
Central is just a b<strong>as</strong>e, from which<br />
to launch an attack. APC should<br />
use its new political b<strong>as</strong>e to<br />
expand the map <strong>in</strong>to Delta<br />
North and South. But that is not<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g yet because of the<br />
crisis <strong>in</strong> the party.<br />
Only a united party would take<br />
APC to the f<strong>in</strong>ish l<strong>in</strong>e ahead of<br />
PDP. But fray<strong>in</strong>g party unity h<strong>as</strong><br />
complicated the prospects of<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g the party further. And<br />
after two recent attempts, one<br />
by the Secretary to Government<br />
of the Federation, Mr. Babachir<br />
David Lawal, and the other by<br />
the National Chairman, Chief<br />
John Oyegun, progressives are<br />
no closer to resolv<strong>in</strong>g an issue<br />
that’s spl<strong>in</strong>ter<strong>in</strong>g the Delta APC.<br />
The <strong>in</strong>-fight<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to do with grow<strong>in</strong>g the party to<br />
w<strong>in</strong>. Rather, it is a battle for who<br />
controls the party <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure<br />
for personal aggrandizement.<br />
And leav<strong>in</strong>g the party <strong>in</strong> the<br />
hands of those who can’t deliver<br />
victory but too strong to<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ate <strong>in</strong> the 2019 primary<br />
because of their hold on the<br />
party structure could result yet<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> another<br />
disappo<strong>in</strong>tment for the rank<br />
and file of the party who are so<br />
desperate for victory.<br />
For a party that truly wants to<br />
w<strong>in</strong> Delta, this crisis should have<br />
been long resolved. Instead,<br />
what used to be a fight for the<br />
soul of the party between<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ners and losers of the 2014<br />
state congress, h<strong>as</strong> now left the<br />
party fractured by self-<strong>in</strong>terest<br />
and political cowardice. At the<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t count, there are five<br />
contend<strong>in</strong>g groups.<br />
On the one hand, we have the<br />
Olorogun Otega Emerhor<br />
faction with Prophet Jones<br />
Erhue <strong>as</strong> Chairman, the Delta<br />
Elders and Leaders faction led<br />
by the late Senator Francis<br />
Okpozo, the former Action<br />
Congress faction led by Chief<br />
Adolor Okotie-Ebor. On the<br />
other hand, we have the new<br />
entrants <strong>in</strong>to the party - the Light<br />
of Labour led by Chief Great<br />
Ogboru and the Accord/PDP<br />
group led by Chief Victor Ochei<br />
and Chief Emami Ayiri.<br />
In the middle of the pack are<br />
the non-aligned members,<br />
notable among them are Prof.<br />
Pat Utomi, a pioneer member of<br />
APC and Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister of State for Petroleum.<br />
These divisions will be hard<br />
to overcome the longer they are<br />
allowed to persist. And doubl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
down on the errors of the p<strong>as</strong>t<br />
will surely make it harder, if not<br />
impossible for APC to w<strong>in</strong> Delta<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2019. It is hard to see how this<br />
crisis resolves itself peacefully.<br />
The courts aren’t likely to resolve<br />
it satisfactorily too. And whether<br />
or not Jones Erhue w<strong>in</strong>s the court<br />
c<strong>as</strong>es — his backers, both at the<br />
state and national levels, clearly<br />
need to understand that they are<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g a serious disservice to the<br />
party by prolong<strong>in</strong>g this crisis.<br />
APC h<strong>as</strong> two clear choices:<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> status quo structure<br />
and prop the court to declare<br />
illegal the State Executive<br />
Council or do the right th<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
obey the subsist<strong>in</strong>g court order,<br />
open its doors and welcome <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the party more people.<br />
Hold<strong>in</strong>g on to the court<br />
declared illegal Prophet Jones<br />
Exco is a road to nowhere. So<br />
where does this leave the party?<br />
Because,it is so important to<br />
rebuild the party from the<br />
ground for the challenge of<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g over Delta, it is imperative<br />
that new members are treated<br />
with fairness and the respect they<br />
deserve. As a consequence, APC<br />
must first w<strong>in</strong> back it’s soul by<br />
dissolv<strong>in</strong>g the unrepresentative<br />
State Executive Committee and<br />
replac<strong>in</strong>g it with a harmonised<br />
Caretaker Committee that truly<br />
represents the current<br />
membership structure of the<br />
party. As the highest rank<strong>in</strong>g<br />
progressive <strong>in</strong> government <strong>in</strong><br />
Delta and one who is nonaligned<br />
<strong>in</strong> the crisis, Kachikwu<br />
is well positioned to secure the<br />
soul of Delta APC. Kachikwu<br />
should take up the challenge<br />
without any further delay if he hopes<br />
to justify his membership of the<br />
Federal Executive Council and<br />
deliver Delta to APC and<br />
President Muhammadu Buhari<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2019.<br />
•Anaughe wrote <strong>in</strong> from<br />
Delta<br />
Governorship ticket under the PDP <strong>in</strong><br />
which he emerged <strong>as</strong> Governor<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st all odds.<br />
Pa. Ononye’s fatherly advice and<br />
encouragement w<strong>as</strong> a propell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
factor for the acclaimed visionary<br />
leadership of James Ibori. Pa. Fridol<strong>in</strong><br />
Ononye is also a prophet and a mystic<br />
who believes fervently <strong>in</strong> harmony<br />
between man and nature. Pa. Fridol<strong>in</strong><br />
Ononye <strong>in</strong> his 96th birthday, prayed that<br />
Asaba, his home town be blessed. He<br />
called on political leadership <strong>in</strong> local,<br />
state and federal governments to exhibit<br />
selflessness, honesty, <strong>in</strong>tegrity at all levels<br />
of governance. He also advised <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
to adopt non violence <strong>in</strong> their<br />
thoughts, words and deeds.<br />
Pa. Fridol<strong>in</strong> Ononye own a foundation<br />
with the ma<strong>in</strong> objective to <strong>as</strong>sist<br />
and care for the sick, needy, the poor<br />
and less privileged.
SUNDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, , JANUARY ARY 8, 2017, 35
PAGE 36 — SUNDAY Vanguard<br />
anguard, , JANUARY ARY 8, 2017
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 37<br />
REVIEWED CONSTITUTION TO BE READY IN MARCH<br />
State police, resource control, LGA<br />
autonomy top agenda<br />
*We will block govs from the funds of councils without<br />
elected officials – House Dep. Speaker L<strong>as</strong>un<br />
BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU<br />
A<br />
Constitution that will reflect<br />
t h e<br />
needs of the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n people is<br />
expected to come to fruition<br />
about March this year <strong>as</strong> h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
promised by the National Assembly.<br />
Before now, the Constitution h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
severely criticised <strong>as</strong> a product of the<br />
military. Many attempts had been<br />
made <strong>in</strong> the p<strong>as</strong>t by the National Assembly<br />
to come up with acceptable<br />
Constitution for the country, but due<br />
to one controversy or the other, the attempts<br />
ended up not yield<strong>in</strong>g results.<br />
However, the 8th Assembly h<strong>as</strong> expressed<br />
the determ<strong>in</strong>ation to ensure<br />
that the country is given a Constitution<br />
that will stand the test of time.<br />
Consequently, on December 8, 2016,<br />
the House of Representatives Special<br />
Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of<br />
the Constitution, headed by the Deputy<br />
Speaker, Yussuff L<strong>as</strong>un, held a threeday<br />
retreat at the June 12 Cultural<br />
Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State<br />
under the theme, "The Imperatives of<br />
Constitution Review/Amendment <strong>in</strong><br />
Nation-Build<strong>in</strong>g (Constitution 4th Alteration<br />
Bills).<br />
Stakeholders at the retreat <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
the representatives of the <strong>Nigeria</strong> Bar<br />
Association, NBA, the <strong>Nigeria</strong> Labour<br />
Congress, NLC, non-governmental organisations,<br />
NGOs,? Civil Society Organisations,<br />
CSOs, elders/op<strong>in</strong>ion<br />
leaders, speakers of the state Houses<br />
of Assembly, National Council of<br />
Women Society of <strong>Nigeria</strong>,? market<br />
women and youth leaders<br />
and Chairman, Ogun State Council of<br />
Ob<strong>as</strong>, Oba Keh<strong>in</strong>de Olugbenle (the<br />
Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of<br />
Yewaland). ?<br />
Before now, there have been arguments<br />
over whether <strong>Nigeria</strong> is practic<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a federal system <strong>in</strong> theory or<br />
unitary system that w<strong>as</strong> foisted on the<br />
country by the military. In the present<br />
efforts, one of the issues is devolution<br />
of power which <strong>in</strong>cludes resource control<br />
and state police. Others are separation<br />
of the Office of the Attorney<br />
General of the Federation from the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister of Justice and autonomy for<br />
the local government adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
to abrogate the Jo<strong>in</strong>t State, Local<br />
Government Account.<br />
Also considered <strong>as</strong> paramount for the<br />
smooth operation of the country are<br />
electoral reform, separation of the Office<br />
of the Auditor General of the Federation<br />
from that of the Auditor-General<br />
of the Federal Government and<br />
the reform of judiciary consider<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
Kogi governorship election debacle<br />
which followed the sudden death of<br />
the All Progressives Congress candidate,<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Abubakar Audu.<br />
Before the commencement of the retreat,<br />
a former governor of Anambra<br />
State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike),<br />
had told Sunday Vanguard<br />
that the panacea for a strong and united<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> w<strong>as</strong> the restructur<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
the country.<br />
While advis<strong>in</strong>g the National Assembly<br />
on the best way to make <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
great, Ezeife said, "The first issue to<br />
attract their attention is restructur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
because, without restructur<strong>in</strong>g, the<br />
country may not survive. One of the<br />
From left: Hon.L<strong>as</strong>un,Gov. Amosun and Hon. Gbajabiamila at the retreat<br />
When governors go to Abuja<br />
and they are given money and<br />
they come home and m<strong>as</strong>sacre<br />
it, nobody is compla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, that<br />
is one of the weaknesses of the<br />
system we have now. But if an<br />
Igbo governor goes to Abuja<br />
and collects money for Igbo<br />
and comes back to use it any<br />
how, he will die<br />
the Constitution, L<strong>as</strong>un, expla<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
that the retreat w<strong>as</strong> aimed at putt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> place a framework for the exercise<br />
and also expla<strong>in</strong>ed the rationale<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d the move to grant autonomy<br />
to local councils.<br />
The Deputy Speaker stated that part<br />
of the <strong>as</strong>signment of the committee<br />
w<strong>as</strong> to conclude work on the 4th Alteration<br />
Bill that w<strong>as</strong> started by the<br />
7th Assembly and process all other<br />
proposals for further alteration of the<br />
Constitution <strong>as</strong> may be necessary on<br />
behalf of the House or <strong>as</strong> referred to<br />
it by the House.<br />
He said, "It ple<strong>as</strong>es me to <strong>in</strong>form<br />
you that the committee h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g tirelessly to ensure that the<br />
Fourth Alteration Bill is given speedy<br />
p<strong>as</strong>sage and subsequent <strong>as</strong>sent by the<br />
President."<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him, efforts made by<br />
the previous <strong>as</strong>sembly to ensure a<br />
successful amendment of the Constitution<br />
that would have contributions<br />
from the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n people were<br />
thwarted because the process started<br />
around the third year of four-year<br />
tenure, stress<strong>in</strong>g that it w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> a bid<br />
to avoid the mistake of the previous<br />
attempts that the leadership of the 8th<br />
<strong>as</strong>sembly decided to start the process<br />
early.<br />
He said, "We will round off our<br />
work between February and March<br />
(next year) to give the President ample<br />
time to go through the amendment<br />
for his <strong>as</strong>sent.<br />
"In order to make the amendment<br />
process more flexible and practicable,<br />
the 4th Alteration Bill h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
segmented <strong>in</strong>to 14 Bills and we are<br />
presently consider<strong>in</strong>g over thirty (30)<br />
Bills referred to the Committee by the<br />
8th Assembly.<br />
"Hav<strong>in</strong>g considered the re<strong>as</strong>ons<br />
why the Alteration Bill <strong>in</strong> the 7th Assembly<br />
w<strong>as</strong> decl<strong>in</strong>ed by the President,<br />
we have decided that the process<br />
should commence de-novo and f<strong>as</strong>ttracked<br />
to ensure a timeous p<strong>as</strong>sage<br />
of the Bills.<br />
"The demand for more <strong>in</strong> the<br />
scheme of th<strong>in</strong>gs and access to control<br />
of resources h<strong>as</strong> led to <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
violence, hostage tak<strong>in</strong>g and disruption<br />
of the activities of the oil <strong>in</strong>dusth<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
to talk about is the number of local<br />
governments <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
"As you have seen, how many policemen<br />
were appo<strong>in</strong>ted recently from Kano, and<br />
how many from the other side of the country?<br />
After that, you talk about the economy.<br />
"We need to restructure to have larger<br />
states, that is, count the geo-political<br />
zones <strong>as</strong> states and they should be able to<br />
give themselves light, they should be able<br />
to deal with ecological problems, they<br />
should be able to provide transportation<br />
and water and then there will be more<br />
competition and protection of property.<br />
"When governors go to Abuja and they<br />
are given money and they come home and<br />
m<strong>as</strong>sacre it, nobody is compla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, that<br />
is one of the weaknesses of the system we<br />
have now. But if an Igbo governor goes to<br />
Abuja and collects money for Igbo and<br />
comes back to use it any how, he will die.<br />
"So, the most needful of all actions required<br />
is restructur<strong>in</strong>g because God gave<br />
us everyth<strong>in</strong>g, but we are deny<strong>in</strong>g ourselves<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g. With restructur<strong>in</strong>g, we<br />
will achieve what God planned for us."<br />
Rationale<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g at the retreat, the Deputy<br />
Speaker and Chairman of the House Special<br />
Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of<br />
try- the ma<strong>in</strong>stay of the country's economy.<br />
"These conflicts are traceable <strong>in</strong><br />
many respect to dissatisfaction by different<br />
groups with<strong>in</strong> the geopolitical<br />
configuration with the distribution of<br />
power particularly, control over natural<br />
and fiscal resources with<strong>in</strong> the<br />
federal structure. The balance of power<br />
is said to be too heavily tilted <strong>in</strong><br />
favour of the central government.<br />
"The issue of local government creation<br />
and the constitutional conflict<br />
it h<strong>as</strong> generated <strong>in</strong> the operations of<br />
the 1999 Constitution have shown<br />
that where<strong>as</strong> the Constitution provides<br />
for creation of new local governments<br />
and provides a procedure<br />
by which the states can undertake<br />
same, the fact that no state h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
able to complete the process under<br />
the Constitution is a sign of failure<br />
or undue rigidity, perhaps or <strong>in</strong>deed,<br />
both.<br />
"Some of the scandals <strong>as</strong>sociated<br />
with some <strong>in</strong>dividual judges, their<br />
judgments and what may be termed<br />
questionable motives, have raised<br />
questions about the underly<strong>in</strong>g policy<br />
considerations that come to play<br />
<strong>in</strong> the appo<strong>in</strong>tment of judges.<br />
"A lot of issues have arisen <strong>in</strong> relation<br />
to the electoral process. The need<br />
to establish a credible time-limit for<br />
the conclusion of election petitions.<br />
What are the constitutional implications<br />
of the executive team ticket? At<br />
what po<strong>in</strong>t does it actually beg<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
the light of the conflict <strong>in</strong> Kogi?<br />
“It is no longer news that local governments<br />
all over the country today<br />
are almost close to non-existence.<br />
And so we feel that development is<br />
rural b<strong>as</strong>ed and the local government<br />
h<strong>as</strong> a central role to play to develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
our environment. So part of the<br />
alteration this time around will have<br />
to do with f<strong>in</strong>ancial and adm<strong>in</strong>istrative<br />
autonomy for local government.<br />
"We have discovered that all over<br />
the world, the centre of development<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been found to be at the gr<strong>as</strong>sroots<br />
because we are talk<strong>in</strong>g about people.<br />
"Any state would not be able to access<br />
local government money any<br />
longer if there are no elected officials<br />
at the local government. This is part<br />
of what we are plott<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the alteration,<br />
we make sure you don't get<br />
your money from the federation account.<br />
It goes beyond party l<strong>in</strong>es.<br />
We are all <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns and don't forget<br />
that after election h<strong>as</strong> been conducted,<br />
won and lost, governance<br />
starts. Constitution is about governance,<br />
it is not about political parties.<br />
"<br />
L<strong>as</strong>un ruled out the possibility of<br />
stripp<strong>in</strong>g state governments the power<br />
to constitute the States Independent<br />
Electoral Commission (SIEC) <strong>in</strong><br />
the Constitution review exercise.<br />
Assur<strong>in</strong>g that the renewed effort to<br />
amend the Constitution would be<br />
completed by March 2017, he expla<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
that the need to f<strong>as</strong>t track the<br />
process w<strong>as</strong> borne out of the need to<br />
avert a situation whereby issues to be<br />
tabled for amendment could not be<br />
politicized.<br />
In his remarks, House Speaker,<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 38
PAGE 38 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
Count Edo APC out of mega party, we<br />
are with Buhari – Idahosa<br />
SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN-<br />
CITY<br />
Chief Charles Idahosa, aka<br />
Akak<strong>as</strong>iaka, is one of the heavy<br />
weights <strong>in</strong> the politics of Edo State.<br />
He w<strong>as</strong> the Special Adviser on Political<br />
Matters to the immediate<br />
p<strong>as</strong>t Governor Adams Oshiomhole<br />
for eight years. In this <strong>in</strong>terview, Idahosa<br />
speaks on what he expects from<br />
Governor Godw<strong>in</strong> Ob<strong>as</strong>eki <strong>in</strong> the<br />
new year, say<strong>in</strong>g that APC leaders<br />
<strong>in</strong> the state will provide a conducive<br />
environment for him to fulfil<br />
his campaign promises to the people.<br />
Yakubu Dogara, told the<br />
the committee to cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
to engage <strong>in</strong> full consultation<br />
with the Senate<br />
and where possible hold<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t activities.<br />
Dogara, who w<strong>as</strong> represented<br />
by the Majority<br />
Leader of the House, Femi<br />
Gbajabiamila, said, "After<br />
deal<strong>in</strong>g with agreed issues<br />
on Constitution review, we<br />
may start discussion on<br />
possible amendment of<br />
contentious are<strong>as</strong> of the<br />
Constitution.<br />
"The issue of local government<br />
fund<strong>in</strong>g, functions,<br />
structure and elections<br />
should be reformed<br />
if we will make progress<br />
<strong>as</strong> a nation. Happily, at the<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t botched constitution<br />
review, twenty states voted<br />
to allow f<strong>in</strong>ancial and<br />
structural autonomy for<br />
local governments. If we<br />
got the buy-<strong>in</strong> of four<br />
more states, it could have<br />
been achieved, so we<br />
should not give up,”he<br />
•Chief Charles Idahosa<br />
Your party, the APC, is thriv<br />
<strong>in</strong>g despite the economic<br />
recession. It won the Edo<br />
and Ondo state governorship<br />
elections. What is the secret beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
this success?<br />
We thank God that we won these<br />
states, but one th<strong>in</strong>g I must say is<br />
that for a political party that is <strong>in</strong>charge<br />
of a government to be w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<br />
elections <strong>in</strong> a recession goes<br />
a great length to show the understand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and the sophistication of<br />
the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n voter. What the results<br />
from Edo and Ondo show is that<br />
the people are very much aware<br />
and enlightened about the issues,<br />
that the problem we are hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
today w<strong>as</strong> created by the PDP.<br />
Though the PDP tried to pa<strong>in</strong>t the<br />
APC Federal Government <strong>in</strong> bad<br />
light <strong>as</strong> if the whole problem started<br />
<strong>in</strong> our time, what the results of<br />
the two states have shown is a vote<br />
of confidence on the APC - led Federal<br />
Government. The people are<br />
aware that what they need is patience<br />
and time to allow the APC<br />
government consolidate and take<br />
us out of the woods. <strong>Nigeria</strong> would<br />
have collapsed if PDP had won the<br />
2015 presidential election from<br />
what we have seen today. So we<br />
are grateful to the electorate <strong>in</strong><br />
Ondo and Edo states for their belief<br />
despite all the PDP blackmail.<br />
And APC is still go<strong>in</strong>g to w<strong>in</strong> more<br />
states because <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns are aware<br />
that the APC will get us out of the<br />
recession soonest.<br />
Anenih’s resignation from politics<br />
Chief Tony Anenih is a very good<br />
politician. I worked with him <strong>in</strong> the<br />
PDP, though most of us thought the<br />
retirement would have come earlier<br />
than now but it is okay. He h<strong>as</strong><br />
done his best <strong>in</strong> politics, he h<strong>as</strong><br />
done very well for his people <strong>in</strong><br />
politics. Uromi where he comes<br />
from can bo<strong>as</strong>t of four to five persons<br />
<strong>as</strong> former M<strong>in</strong>isters and other<br />
top government functionaries.<br />
He h<strong>as</strong> been part of the political<br />
struggles of this country. People<br />
love him, people hate him and that<br />
is politics for you. When you read<br />
the hand-writ<strong>in</strong>g on the wall you<br />
have to leave quietly because we<br />
all know that Chief cannot operate<br />
<strong>in</strong> the current Federal Government.<br />
He gave his support to the<br />
PDP <strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t election, though they<br />
did not w<strong>in</strong> but he h<strong>as</strong> made his<br />
mark <strong>in</strong> politics and I wish him all<br />
the best.<br />
stated.<br />
'Problems the Constitution<br />
can resolve'<br />
In his presentation, the<br />
guest speaker at the occ<strong>as</strong>ion<br />
and a former M<strong>in</strong>ister<br />
of Justice, Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Bola<br />
Ajibola, SAN, lamented<br />
that the country had witnessed<br />
many unpalatable<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Ajibola whose presentation<br />
w<strong>as</strong>, "The Imperative<br />
of Constitution Review/<br />
Amendment <strong>in</strong> Nation-<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g", said, "We never<br />
had recession, we never<br />
had oppression, we never<br />
had depression. It is now<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
"E<strong>as</strong>y money is no longer<br />
there. It is now a necessity<br />
that we must work on<br />
what we can get from our<br />
sweat. E<strong>as</strong>y money is no<br />
longer <strong>in</strong> the country,<br />
steal<strong>in</strong>g money and corruption<br />
must f<strong>in</strong>d their<br />
way out.<br />
"The most important <strong>as</strong>pect<br />
is that the Constitution<br />
will need to be adjusted,<br />
corrected to fit <strong>in</strong>, <strong>in</strong><br />
the dr<strong>as</strong>tic situation we<br />
The political cl<strong>as</strong>s particularly<br />
<strong>in</strong> the APC are very apprehensive<br />
about how Ob<strong>as</strong>eki is go<strong>in</strong>g to run<br />
the state <strong>as</strong> regards empower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
politicians like former Governor<br />
Oshiomhole did. What is you<br />
have now. We never had it<br />
so bad like this. We have<br />
to look <strong>in</strong>to the constitution<br />
particularly, <strong>as</strong> it concerns<br />
our economy.<br />
"A lot of people are be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
retrenched, a lot of<br />
people are without jobs.<br />
By hook or crook, they try<br />
to f<strong>in</strong>d means of livelihood.<br />
We must f<strong>in</strong>d a situation<br />
that the Constitution<br />
solves these problems."<br />
Though there had been<br />
previous attempts to grant<br />
autonomy to local councils<br />
that met the brickwall<br />
<strong>as</strong> the preponderence view<br />
among the 36 states governors<br />
of the country w<strong>as</strong><br />
that the matter falls with<strong>in</strong><br />
the purview of state<br />
governments, warn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that attempt by the National<br />
Assembly to legislate<br />
on the issue will tilt<br />
the country towards a unitary<br />
state, thereby underm<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
and weaken<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
fundamental pr<strong>in</strong>ciple of<br />
federalism, the President<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Union of Local<br />
Government Employees,<br />
NULGE, Comrade<br />
Ibrahim Khaleel, contended<br />
that the local councils<br />
deserve to be given the<br />
opportunity to explore<br />
their potentialities without<br />
encumbrances from<br />
state governments.<br />
Governor Ibikunle Amosun,<br />
the chief host, commended<br />
the <strong>in</strong>itiative,<br />
add<strong>in</strong>g that it w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong>cumbent<br />
on the lawmakers to<br />
write their names <strong>in</strong> gold<br />
by consider<strong>in</strong>g the clamour<br />
for fiscal federalism,<br />
state police, and cries of<br />
marg<strong>in</strong>alisation by ethnic<br />
m<strong>in</strong>orities <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
Also speak<strong>in</strong>g, the Deputy<br />
Majority Whip, Pally<br />
Iri<strong>as</strong>e, said no Constitution<br />
could be so nice that<br />
it will serve for all times,<br />
not<strong>in</strong>g that th<strong>in</strong>gs start<br />
evolv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> situations<br />
change.<br />
He said, "It is better we<br />
jaw-jaw than to war-war<br />
and what that means is<br />
that we should sit down to<br />
talk on behalf of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.We should craft<br />
view?<br />
I have absolute confidence <strong>in</strong><br />
Ob<strong>as</strong>eki. He h<strong>as</strong> started well, he is<br />
not the everyday politician people<br />
know, he is a technocrat who knows<br />
what he want to achieve. If you<br />
watch him closely, everyth<strong>in</strong>g he<br />
said <strong>in</strong> his campaign is what he is<br />
implement<strong>in</strong>g. He said he w<strong>as</strong> go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to create 200,000 jobs and he<br />
h<strong>as</strong> started implement<strong>in</strong>g it. Oshiomhole<br />
did very well and APC<br />
could not have won if not for the<br />
achievements made by him. Before<br />
the com<strong>in</strong>g of Oshiomhole, noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
w<strong>as</strong> on ground here. The previous<br />
regime of the PDP w<strong>as</strong> a w<strong>as</strong>te.<br />
So Ob<strong>as</strong>eki will do better than Oshiomhole<br />
because he w<strong>as</strong> part and<br />
parcel of the Oshiomhole adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
and I am very sure he will<br />
improve on the legacies of the Oshiomhole<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration. His style<br />
of governance is quite different<br />
from that of Oshiomhole, Oshiomhole<br />
w<strong>as</strong> a m<strong>as</strong>ses politician but<br />
he is different but they share the<br />
same vision which is development<br />
of the state. I th<strong>in</strong>k we are very lucky<br />
to have an Ob<strong>as</strong>eki succeed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Oshiomhole. He will do very well.<br />
Unity <strong>in</strong> Edo APC<br />
APC is very united and I must<br />
congratulate Oshiomhole on the<br />
way he reconciled the <strong>as</strong>pirants<br />
after the primary election, notably<br />
the deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu,<br />
who worked doggedly for the<br />
party and others. When you look at<br />
the way we reconciled and faced<br />
the election and won and look at<br />
the three people who stood <strong>in</strong> the<br />
PDP primary, today they are all<br />
scattered. But the APC rema<strong>in</strong>s united<br />
and went for the election. The<br />
APC w<strong>as</strong> never divided. But some<br />
elements after the primary, even<br />
when the real <strong>as</strong>pirants who took<br />
part <strong>in</strong> the shadow election had<br />
said it w<strong>as</strong> all over, some of their<br />
followers, due to their own personal<br />
ambition did not stop. Some of<br />
these people sabotaged the party<br />
but thank God they were <strong>in</strong> the<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ority.<br />
We are only wait<strong>in</strong>g for Oshiomhole<br />
to settle down and call for a<br />
leadership meet<strong>in</strong>g so, that we can<br />
put th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> shape because, <strong>as</strong><br />
together a constitutional<br />
amendment that will enjo<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns to th<strong>in</strong>k<br />
first of what they can do<br />
for the country and not<br />
what the country can do<br />
for them."<br />
The member represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Aniocha/Oshimili<br />
Federal Constituency of<br />
Delta State, Rep Onyemaechi<br />
Mrakpor, said<br />
what the country needed<br />
w<strong>as</strong> resource control by<br />
various states and regions.<br />
She said, "I th<strong>in</strong>k it is a<br />
wonderful one and, like<br />
the governor of Ogun<br />
State said, we should resort<br />
to resource control<br />
and pay tax to centre<br />
amendment.<br />
"Tak<strong>in</strong>g it from that angle<br />
because we are abandon<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the resource we<br />
have <strong>as</strong> everybody is shar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from the federal allocation<br />
and, when we return<br />
to what God h<strong>as</strong> deposited<br />
<strong>in</strong> each of the<br />
states, we will be better for<br />
it because each state will<br />
struggle to stand on its<br />
own, while the federal is<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs are now, he is the leader of<br />
the party <strong>in</strong> the state. When he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> governor he w<strong>as</strong> play<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
double role because we did not<br />
have an APC former governor.<br />
Now that he is a former governor<br />
and Ob<strong>as</strong>eki, the governor, we<br />
have a former APC governor who<br />
should be the leader of the party.<br />
Naturally he becomes the leader<br />
of the party and while Ob<strong>as</strong>eki<br />
will concentrate on governance<br />
Oshiomhole will run the affairs<br />
of the party. We the leaders from<br />
respective are<strong>as</strong> will <strong>as</strong>sist him <strong>in</strong><br />
mov<strong>in</strong>g the party forward. We<br />
don’t want anyth<strong>in</strong>g that will distract<br />
the governor from do<strong>in</strong>g his<br />
work.<br />
Rumour of mega party<br />
Like Harold Wilson said, a week<br />
is a long time <strong>in</strong> politics, 2019 is<br />
still very far away. The economy<br />
may bounce back <strong>in</strong> 2017, so what<br />
happens to those form<strong>in</strong>g mega<br />
party? I don’t th<strong>in</strong>k there is any<br />
fear of the APC is not w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
presidency <strong>in</strong> 2019 because, before<br />
then, many th<strong>in</strong>gs will happen.<br />
We will w<strong>in</strong> aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> 2019<br />
because Edo <strong>in</strong> recession we won,<br />
Ondo <strong>in</strong> recession we won, so I<br />
don’t th<strong>in</strong>k the recession is go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to l<strong>as</strong>t long. And let me tell you,<br />
there is no way you will not notice<br />
bicker<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a large party like<br />
the APC. There must be disagreement<br />
but it will be settled. Recently<br />
we saw the National Chairman<br />
of APC Oyegun meet<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />
leadership of the National Assembly<br />
and that is a good beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Somebody like T<strong>in</strong>ubu who is a<br />
pioneer leader of this party, there<br />
is no way anybody can push him<br />
<strong>as</strong>ide, he played a major role <strong>in</strong><br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g Buhari president and I<br />
don’t th<strong>in</strong>k he will want to destroy<br />
all he h<strong>as</strong> built. I know he may<br />
not be too happy with some of the<br />
decisions but I believe commonsense<br />
will prevail at the end of the<br />
day. I don’t believe that any mega<br />
party can push APC out of government<br />
because they cannot<br />
gather that momentum. We saw<br />
some of the names they mentioned<br />
but Edo is not among and Edo<br />
cannot leave Buhari for any other<br />
party. But I believe that APC<br />
leaders <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g T<strong>in</strong>ubu will not<br />
be part of that mega party because<br />
we must get used to the style of<br />
Buhari. <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns voted for him<br />
and it means he is popular. Look<br />
at all the states Buhari went to<br />
campaign dur<strong>in</strong>g governorship<br />
elections, we won those states.<br />
'We will block govs from the funds of councils without elected officials'<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 37<br />
When you look at the<br />
way we reconciled and<br />
faced the election and<br />
won and look at the three<br />
people who stood <strong>in</strong> the<br />
PDP primary, today they<br />
are all scattered. But the<br />
APC rema<strong>in</strong>s united and<br />
went for the election<br />
also aim<strong>in</strong>g for the top.<br />
So, I stand by that, that we<br />
return to the control of<br />
what we have.<br />
"The b<strong>as</strong>ic economic<br />
problem is the resource<br />
control. It is when you<br />
work to control what is<br />
yours that you work better.<br />
There is a determ<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
to look at every other<br />
area to complement what<br />
you have.<br />
"Somebody talked<br />
about state police which<br />
is also an <strong>as</strong>pect we should<br />
look at; concentrat<strong>in</strong>g everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>as</strong> federal might<br />
is one major problem that<br />
we should look at. It w<strong>as</strong><br />
done by the military, the<br />
Constitution is not a collective<br />
decision of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.<br />
"It w<strong>as</strong> from the background<br />
of the military,<br />
dictatorship, and they <strong>in</strong>troduced<br />
what they wanted<br />
to <strong>in</strong>troduce. Now <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns<br />
are ready to make<br />
the Constitution to be<br />
governable and acceptable."
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 39<br />
‘Some people are us<strong>in</strong>g the N’Delta<br />
crisis to strategize for 2019 elections’<br />
BY YINKA AJAYI<br />
Rolando Pereotubo is a rights activist<br />
and an <strong>as</strong>pirant for the President<br />
of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).<br />
Among other issues, he speaks on the<br />
<strong>in</strong>trigues affect<strong>in</strong>g the region and the<br />
way forward.<br />
Two months after President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari met<br />
with stakeholders from the<br />
Niger Delta, noth<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
heard from the government towards<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g l<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g peace <strong>in</strong> the<br />
region. What do you th<strong>in</strong>k is responsible<br />
for this?<br />
It is sadden<strong>in</strong>g that months after<br />
Mr. President met with stakeholders<br />
from the Niger Delta under the<br />
umbrella body of Pan-Niger Delta<br />
Forum, with another group headed<br />
by Pa Diete Spiff meet<strong>in</strong>g Vice President<br />
Yemi Osibanjo, the Federal<br />
Government is yet to come out with<br />
a dialogue committee to sit down<br />
with the people of the region to marshal<br />
out far-reach<strong>in</strong>g solutions that<br />
would address the problems of the<br />
Niger Delta.<br />
Unfortunately, the re<strong>as</strong>on for this<br />
is because there are some people <strong>in</strong><br />
the President Muhammadu Buhari<br />
cab<strong>in</strong>et who are supposed to be seen<br />
<strong>as</strong> peace-makers but, rather, they are<br />
play<strong>in</strong>g politics with the whole process.<br />
I do not know if the re<strong>as</strong>on for<br />
their action is because they do not<br />
want their pr<strong>in</strong>cipal, Mr. President,<br />
to succeed. Because, look<strong>in</strong>g at the<br />
body language of Mr. President, I<br />
am not entirely conv<strong>in</strong>ced that he is<br />
out to make peace <strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta.<br />
If he w<strong>as</strong> ready, two months after<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>g with stakeholders from the<br />
region is an ample time for the Fed-<br />
I urge Mr. President to<br />
move the military out of<br />
the creeks particularly<br />
Gbaramatu for one<br />
month, then compare<br />
and contr<strong>as</strong>t the situation<br />
on ground with the<br />
presence and absence<br />
of the military <strong>in</strong> the<br />
creeks<br />
•Rolando Pereotubo<br />
eral Government to kick-start the<br />
process of sett<strong>in</strong>g up that committee<br />
made up of prom<strong>in</strong>ent sons and<br />
daughters from the region, particularly<br />
from the Ijaw extraction, towards<br />
ensur<strong>in</strong>g that there is peace <strong>in</strong><br />
the Niger Delta and, until that dialogue<br />
component is formed, I do not<br />
know where we are go<strong>in</strong>g and I want<br />
to use this opportunity to urge Mr.<br />
President to convoke that committee.<br />
On the other hand, the problem<br />
might not be with the President himself<br />
<strong>as</strong> he cannot be everywhere. That<br />
is why he h<strong>as</strong> a cab<strong>in</strong>et members<br />
most of whom are politicians. Whatever<br />
opportunity these persons have,<br />
they normally embark on their political<br />
gimmick and, unfortunately,<br />
these <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong> the Buhari cab<strong>in</strong>et<br />
are play<strong>in</strong>g politics with the Niger<br />
Delta situation, fail<strong>in</strong>g to understand<br />
that the situation is a reality<br />
and someth<strong>in</strong>g that must be addressed.<br />
If you look critically at the political<br />
clime of the country today, you<br />
would notice that these <strong>in</strong>dividuals<br />
have already started us<strong>in</strong>g the Niger<br />
Delta unrest to strategies ahead of<br />
the 2019 elections and the President<br />
may not be aware of this.<br />
So, I want to urge him to watch his<br />
back carefully and identify those <strong>in</strong><br />
his cab<strong>in</strong>et that can tackle this imp<strong>as</strong>se<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta head on.<br />
These <strong>in</strong>dividuals are there but some<br />
persons <strong>in</strong> the system are out to truncate<br />
the process because they believe<br />
if they do so, it’s better for them <strong>as</strong> a<br />
people and not <strong>as</strong> a collective group<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Buhari adm<strong>in</strong>istration.<br />
Let me expatiate a little bit, do you<br />
know that if the Niger Delta problem<br />
is solved and Mr. President succeeds,<br />
there would be peace <strong>in</strong> the<br />
region with a clamour for him to run<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> for a second tenure <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns from the region? Unfortunately,<br />
some key men <strong>in</strong> his kitchen<br />
cab<strong>in</strong>et do not want this to happen<br />
because of their personal ambition<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2019. These are persons<br />
who want to ensure they take over<br />
power from Buhari unknown to Mr.<br />
President and they are mis<strong>in</strong>form<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him. Don’t get me wrong, Buhari<br />
might have genu<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>tention<br />
<strong>in</strong> try<strong>in</strong>g to resolve this problem, but<br />
he is be<strong>in</strong>g advised wrongly, thereby<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g him to <strong>in</strong>terface with people<br />
who actually do not have access<br />
to the Niger Delta people.<br />
There are reports <strong>in</strong> some quarters<br />
that some persons are fuel<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the unrest <strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta for<br />
their f<strong>in</strong>ancial ga<strong>in</strong>s. How do you<br />
react to this?<br />
The military h<strong>as</strong> consistently operated<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta and <strong>in</strong> the<br />
creeks, particularly <strong>in</strong> the Gbaramatu<br />
K<strong>in</strong>gdom, which is the theatre<br />
of war. Some people and security<br />
agencies <strong>in</strong> that place are feed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fat from this process. They may not<br />
be do<strong>in</strong>g what they are expected to<br />
do <strong>as</strong> security agencies to curb the<br />
situation. You know <strong>as</strong> an <strong>in</strong>dividual,<br />
you wouldn’t want to spoil where<br />
you are reap<strong>in</strong>g from. Take a look at<br />
the Gbaramatu area, you have<br />
house boats everywhere and these<br />
are boats that house security personnel<br />
which are serviced regularly.<br />
In all of these, what do you th<strong>in</strong>k<br />
is the way out?<br />
The solution to this problem is not<br />
the military approach. If the military<br />
approach is work<strong>in</strong>g, it would<br />
have worked long ago. We have had<br />
the military liv<strong>in</strong>g with us for years.<br />
In the creeks, <strong>in</strong> our homes, when we<br />
wake up, the first persons we see are<br />
the soldiers. So the people of the region<br />
are almost used to military<br />
presence.I believe the issue is a political<br />
problem and must be given a<br />
political solution rather than the<br />
military approach. I urge Mr. President<br />
to move the military out of the<br />
creeks particularly Gbaramatu for<br />
one month, then compare and contr<strong>as</strong>t<br />
the situation on ground with<br />
the presence and absence of the military<br />
<strong>in</strong> the creeks. If he does this,<br />
the Ijaw people and the people of<br />
the Niger Delta would def<strong>in</strong>itely<br />
make peace with government.<br />
What is your reaction to renewed<br />
agitations by ex-militants over the<br />
non-payment of their monthly stipends?<br />
It is very unfortunate that, at this<br />
time, a group of people are talk<strong>in</strong>g<br />
about solv<strong>in</strong>g the Niger Delta problem<br />
and ex-militants are be<strong>in</strong>g owed<br />
their monthly stipends. If these exmilitants<br />
alone are paid, it would<br />
help <strong>in</strong> dous<strong>in</strong>g tension <strong>in</strong> the region<br />
because a hungry man is an<br />
angry man. It is <strong>in</strong>deed unfortunate<br />
that the Amnesty Office is unable<br />
to pay these ex-militants. I urge<br />
our brother, Gen. Boroh, to do all<br />
with<strong>in</strong> his power to ensure that these<br />
boys are paid.<br />
You are a right activist and an <strong>as</strong>pirant<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g for the office of President<br />
of the Ijaw Youth Council<br />
(IYC). How do you <strong>in</strong>tend to juggle<br />
the challenges from both<br />
sides?<br />
As a son of the soil, I am aware of<br />
the work<strong>in</strong>gs of my brothers and sisters<br />
<strong>in</strong> the creeks of the Niger Delta.<br />
I know that if the government shows<br />
genu<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>terest, these problems can<br />
be solved and addressed. Because<br />
of some of these problems, I am vy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for the position of Ijaw Youth<br />
Council Worldwide so that, <strong>as</strong> a<br />
youth from the region and <strong>as</strong> an Ijaw<br />
man, I can also contribute my quota<br />
<strong>in</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g sure that there is peace<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Niger Delta.<br />
If I emerge, I would cont<strong>in</strong>ue to<br />
<strong>in</strong>terface with government by tell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them the problems of the Ijaw<br />
people, the Niger Delta and the challenges<br />
of the people of Gbaramatu<br />
K<strong>in</strong>gdom.<br />
Division <strong>in</strong> Auditor-General’s Office over Ay<strong>in</strong>e’s appo<strong>in</strong>tment<br />
•Group commends Buhari for appo<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g ‘person of <strong>in</strong>tegrity’<br />
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru<br />
There appears to be di<br />
vision among the staff<br />
of the Office of Auditor-General<br />
of the Federation,<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g the appo<strong>in</strong>tment of<br />
Anthony Mkpe Ay<strong>in</strong>e by President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari to<br />
occupy the office.<br />
Buhari h<strong>as</strong> already forwarded<br />
the name of Ay<strong>in</strong>e to the<br />
Senate for confirmation after<br />
his excellent performance <strong>in</strong><br />
an <strong>in</strong>terview for the job and<br />
his record when he w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
Auditor-General of Local Government<br />
<strong>in</strong> Cross River State.<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> alleged that a group<br />
with<strong>in</strong> the Office of the AuG-<br />
Foperat<strong>in</strong>g under the name<br />
“Coalition of members of Staff<br />
and Organised Labour of the<br />
Office of the Auditor-General<br />
of the Federation”, had petitioned<br />
the Senate oppos<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the confirmation of Ay<strong>in</strong>e because<br />
he w<strong>as</strong> not a staff of the<br />
office.<br />
But another set of staff <strong>in</strong> the<br />
AuGF, “Concerned Integrity<br />
Group”, commended President<br />
Buhari for appo<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ay<strong>in</strong>e for the position, describ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him <strong>as</strong> a man of <strong>in</strong>tegrity<br />
that will block all f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
loopholes <strong>in</strong> the system.<br />
Members of the latter group<br />
alleged that “those opposed<br />
to the confirmation of Ay<strong>in</strong>e<br />
are members of a small group<br />
with<strong>in</strong> the system who had<br />
lobbied for one of their own<br />
to emerge with ulterior motives.”<br />
“But because Ay<strong>in</strong>e is a nononsense<br />
man, they are not<br />
comfortable with his nom<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
because he will spoil the<br />
market for them,” one of the<br />
members of Concerned Integrity<br />
group stated.<br />
Sunday Vanguard gathered<br />
that Ay<strong>in</strong>e had carried out<br />
some cleans<strong>in</strong>g at the Cross<br />
River State Local Government<br />
Pension Board where he discovered<br />
about N8 million<br />
NGO seeks urgent action aga<strong>in</strong>st illegal settlements <strong>in</strong> Lagos<br />
Acivil society organi<br />
zation, Safe Habitat,<br />
h<strong>as</strong> called on Lagos<br />
State government and stakeholders<br />
<strong>in</strong> the state to show<br />
serious <strong>in</strong>terest at the rate<br />
aliens from neighbour<strong>in</strong>g<br />
countries and crim<strong>in</strong>als flee<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from other parts of the<br />
country are creat<strong>in</strong>g illegal<br />
settlements <strong>in</strong> some river<strong>in</strong>e<br />
communities <strong>in</strong> the state.<br />
The group, with focus on environmental<br />
safety, <strong>in</strong> a statement<br />
by its Executive Director,<br />
Ade Williams, yesterday,<br />
said: “We are concerned about<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation reach<strong>in</strong>g us that<br />
some aliens and crim<strong>in</strong>als<br />
flee<strong>in</strong>g from law enforcement<br />
agencies have formed the habit<br />
of creat<strong>in</strong>g illegal settlements<br />
and shanties <strong>in</strong> some<br />
water front communities especially<br />
<strong>in</strong> Eti-Osa local government<br />
area of the state, where<br />
they constitute environmental<br />
nuisance and launch crim<strong>in</strong>al<br />
attacks aga<strong>in</strong>st residents of<br />
Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island<br />
and others.”<br />
Williams said the earlier<br />
government and other stakeholders<br />
take decisive action<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st such settlements and<br />
shanties the better for the environment,<br />
lawful residents<br />
and bus<strong>in</strong>ess development of<br />
the area and the state <strong>as</strong> a<br />
whole. The CSO commended<br />
the state governor, Mr Ak<strong>in</strong>wunmi<br />
Ambode for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
similar action l<strong>as</strong>t year to rid<br />
Ikoyi and Victoria Island of<br />
such environmental nuisance.<br />
He said p<strong>as</strong>t government <strong>in</strong><br />
the state had summoned the<br />
same will to cleanse Kuramo<br />
beach of crim<strong>in</strong>al activities <strong>in</strong><br />
fraud <strong>in</strong> the system and he<br />
immediately petitioned the<br />
state House of Assembly.<br />
He also sent the petition,<br />
dated, September 8, 2015 to<br />
Governor Ben Ayade.<br />
Ay<strong>in</strong>e w<strong>as</strong> quoted to have alleged<br />
that the pension board<br />
manipulated the payment of<br />
pension and gratuity to the<br />
beneficiary of a dead official<br />
who served for 32 years <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Office of the Auditor-General.<br />
Ay<strong>in</strong>e’s appo<strong>in</strong>tment and request<br />
for confirmation w<strong>as</strong><br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> a letter by the<br />
President to the Senate President,<br />
Bukola Saraki.<br />
Buhari noted <strong>in</strong> the letter<br />
read by Saraki to his colleagues<br />
that Section 86(1) of<br />
1999 Constitution (<strong>as</strong> amended)<br />
states that the Auditor-<br />
General for the Federation<br />
shall be appo<strong>in</strong>ted by the<br />
President on the recommendation<br />
of the Federal Civil<br />
Service Commission subject to<br />
confirmation by the Senate.<br />
2007 by dislodg<strong>in</strong>g illegal settlers<br />
erect<strong>in</strong>g shanties there.<br />
“We recall that some concerned<br />
residents of Eti Osa<br />
had petitioned compla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of<br />
the <strong>in</strong>cessant har<strong>as</strong>sment,<br />
nuisance and robbery perpetrated<br />
by the occupants of the<br />
shanties at Ebute-Ikate, Elegushi.<br />
Follow<strong>in</strong>g that, the<br />
Ikate Elegushi Residents Association<br />
also wrote another<br />
petition to the Lagos State<br />
T<strong>as</strong>k Force, Alausa, Ikeja,<br />
to further compla<strong>in</strong> about the<br />
unwholesome activities of the<br />
occupants of the shanties <strong>in</strong><br />
the same community.”
PAGE 40—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
sam.eyoboka@gmail.com<br />
08023145567 (sms only)<br />
Jehovah's Witness w<strong>in</strong>s tricycle <strong>as</strong> Oritsejafor empowers 78<br />
By Sam Eyoboka<br />
AJEHOVAH'S Witness be<br />
came an <strong>in</strong>stant w<strong>in</strong>ner of<br />
a brand new Bajaj Tricycle<br />
at the 2016 Eagle Flight Micro<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ance Bank Limited and Poverty<br />
Alleviation Programme of<br />
Word of Life Bible Church at a ceremony<br />
to mark Box<strong>in</strong>g Day---a<br />
day after Christm<strong>as</strong> when postmen,<br />
errand-boys, and servants of<br />
various k<strong>in</strong>ds expect to receive a<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong>-box which co<strong>in</strong>cides<br />
with the 11th year anniversary of<br />
Eagle Flight Micro F<strong>in</strong>ance Bank.<br />
Adah Jiroghene Emmanuel, a 32-<br />
year old cl<strong>as</strong>sroom teacher <strong>in</strong><br />
Ugboroke area of Warri, w<strong>as</strong> one<br />
of the 78 persons who heartily<br />
jumped, rolled on the concrete<br />
road, to demonstrate their joy, profusely<br />
thank<strong>in</strong>g God for an <strong>in</strong>stant<br />
end-of-year div<strong>in</strong>e turn-around <strong>in</strong><br />
their fortunes.<br />
"Unbelievable!" the 32-year old<br />
graphic designer from Agbarha-<br />
Otor <strong>in</strong> Ughelli North Local Government<br />
of Delta State who worships<br />
at the Bazunu K<strong>in</strong>gdom Hall<br />
<strong>in</strong> Warri, exclaimed <strong>in</strong> ecstacy,<br />
narrat<strong>in</strong>g how the propriety of his<br />
school had encouraged all the<br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g staff to participate <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Word of Life Bible Church empowerment<br />
programme.<br />
"Grudg<strong>in</strong>gly, I applied and at a<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t dur<strong>in</strong>g the ceremony I got<br />
tired and made to go away but<br />
decided to persevere. I thank P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Ayo and his wife for this gift<br />
and pray they should cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
with the gesture because the Bible<br />
said it's more blessed to give than<br />
to receive," he said repeatedly.<br />
The occ<strong>as</strong>ion also provided joy unspeakable<br />
for Solomon Obukohwo<br />
Itse, Edah Orode Abigail and<br />
Bioku L<strong>in</strong>da Enajomo who went<br />
home with a brand new Hyundai<br />
car worth N3.5 million each to be<br />
used <strong>as</strong> commercial vehicles <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Warri area. Itse, a 46-year old unemployed<br />
Orogun man, who also<br />
filled the form for the empowerment<br />
out of boredom, is a member<br />
of Liv<strong>in</strong>g Faith Church, Izakpa,<br />
said he w<strong>as</strong> encouraged by<br />
his younger brother's wife who<br />
won a tricycle three years earlier.<br />
Edah Orode who will be 33 on<br />
January 13 is currently learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
how to bake. When her name w<strong>as</strong><br />
mentioned <strong>as</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ner of one of the<br />
three cars she simply went hysterical,<br />
roll<strong>in</strong>g on the bare concrete.<br />
It took great effort before several<br />
women could calm her and br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
her to the world of the liv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
"I thank God to Papa and Mama<br />
Ayo Oritsejafor, my spiritual parents.<br />
They have tried over the years<br />
<strong>as</strong> they have been there for us and<br />
h<strong>as</strong> m<strong>as</strong>sively encouraged us. God<br />
will bless them m<strong>as</strong>sively."<br />
The third car w<strong>in</strong>ner, Bioku L<strong>in</strong>da<br />
Enajomo, who also expressed similar<br />
sentiments is a teacher at<br />
Ugbolohwosu area and h<strong>as</strong> promised<br />
to operate the Taxi cab by<br />
herself daily after her primary responsibilities<br />
to her school children.<br />
Miss Ugbuhor Anna Jennifer, 26,<br />
also from Liv<strong>in</strong>g Faith Church,<br />
Izakpa Airport Road, Warri, currently<br />
seek<strong>in</strong>g admission to the<br />
University of Ben<strong>in</strong> to read Bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, w<strong>as</strong> the first<br />
to w<strong>in</strong> a tricycle and her joy w<strong>as</strong><br />
simply phenomenal. Fifty oneyear<br />
old Mrs. Roli Vivian Sifo,<br />
who won the second tricycle, is a<br />
member of the Ogunu <strong>as</strong>sembly<br />
of Liv<strong>in</strong>g Faith Church. A widow<br />
and mother of two, she expressed<br />
gratitude to God for the div<strong>in</strong>e<br />
<strong>in</strong>tervention which will now enable<br />
her to educate her two children.<br />
*P<strong>as</strong>tor Ayo Oritsejafor present<strong>in</strong>g the car keys to one of the w<strong>in</strong>ners, Mr. Siolomon Obukohwo Itse<br />
while his wife, P<strong>as</strong>tor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor and others watch with keen <strong>in</strong>terest.<br />
*A cross section of the items on parade just before the draws.<br />
Below: Bank chairman, Mrs. Helen Oritsejafor read<strong>in</strong>g her welcome address.<br />
Apart from the three cars, 10 tricycles,<br />
50 other persons also went<br />
In an <strong>in</strong>terview, the visioner and<br />
our faith."<br />
home with gr<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g mach<strong>in</strong>es<br />
immediate p<strong>as</strong>t national president<br />
of Christian Association of<br />
while another 25 bagged contracts<br />
for tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> different vocations:<br />
Tailor<strong>in</strong>g (Men and<br />
jafor emph<strong>as</strong>ised that the Church<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>, CAN, P<strong>as</strong>tor Ayo Oritse-<br />
Women), Fish farm<strong>in</strong>g, Women<br />
h<strong>as</strong> no choice than to lend a help<strong>in</strong>g<br />
hand to the under-privileged<br />
make over, Alum<strong>in</strong>ium work. The<br />
tra<strong>in</strong>ees will be provided with<br />
<strong>in</strong> the society.<br />
starter packs at the end of their<br />
"When Jesus said I w<strong>as</strong> hungry<br />
tra<strong>in</strong>i<strong>in</strong>g programme.<br />
and you fed me, I w<strong>as</strong> naked and<br />
To mark the bank's 11th anniversary,<br />
two staffers who had served<br />
there w<strong>as</strong> a recession and you<br />
you clothed me...He didn't say<br />
the bank diligently for the p<strong>as</strong>t 10<br />
took a break and then after the recession<br />
you came back and you<br />
years, Chikezie Cynthia and Aneh<br />
Samson were rewarded with one<br />
clothed me. That's not what He<br />
year full salary each just <strong>as</strong> faithful<br />
customers received various<br />
"So the Church h<strong>as</strong> no choice but<br />
said.<br />
gifts for their steadf<strong>as</strong>tness to the<br />
to always reach out to the poor, to<br />
growth of the bank.<br />
the under-privileged, the needy,<br />
Chairman of the Eagle Flight<br />
those who are out there who need<br />
Micro F<strong>in</strong>ance Bank, P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
help. Jesus preached one day and<br />
(Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor said the<br />
when He f<strong>in</strong>ished preach<strong>in</strong>g, He<br />
bank which h<strong>as</strong> been granted state<br />
said to His disciples, give them<br />
l<strong>in</strong>cence is striv<strong>in</strong>g to go national<br />
food to eat. That immediately tells<br />
and beyond, promis<strong>in</strong>g "we will<br />
you that God is always concerned<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue to demonstrate our commitment<br />
to poverty reduction to N500.<br />
m<strong>in</strong>d and the body. It's not just<br />
amount for open<strong>in</strong>g of accounts about the total man: the spirit, the<br />
which we are set to achieve by the Affirm<strong>in</strong>g that the raffle draw that about preach<strong>in</strong>g people to heaven,<br />
grace of God.<br />
produced the 78 w<strong>in</strong>ners w<strong>as</strong> no but while they are here on earth,<br />
"Our joy is that we see the spiritual,<br />
physical and economical done with utmost transparency how do they feed and survive?<br />
fluke, Mrs. Oritsejafor said it w<strong>as</strong> what do they do, how do they live,<br />
changes <strong>in</strong> the lives of persons who and without bi<strong>as</strong> for religion or "So what's life all about? Why<br />
have on a yearly b<strong>as</strong>is benefited tribe, appeal<strong>in</strong>g to those who should they be here? They are not<br />
from the poverty alleviation programme,"<br />
she stated, emph<strong>as</strong>is<strong>in</strong>g morrow. God can decide to bless responsibility and we just can't run<br />
didn't w<strong>in</strong> "if it's not today, it is to-<br />
dead, they are alive. So we have a<br />
that to encourage entrepreneurial you <strong>in</strong> another way any way. What away from it. We must cont<strong>in</strong>ue to<br />
development and <strong>in</strong>culcate the we must do is to rema<strong>in</strong> hopeful, do all what God "<strong>in</strong>structed" the<br />
culture of sav<strong>in</strong>g among the people,<br />
the bank had just lowered the is the author and the f<strong>in</strong>isher of joy. Because when you obey<br />
prayerful, look<strong>in</strong>g on to God who Church to do, and we do it with<br />
God<br />
and you are happy about it,<br />
Heaven is happy with you. So we<br />
rejoice and we will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to do<br />
it. We don't even th<strong>in</strong>k of recession.<br />
We do our best and He knows that<br />
we will always do our best. Whatever<br />
we do now, next time hopefully<br />
it will be better than this. We<br />
just pray we can improve and cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
to improve," he said.<br />
Asked if the gesture is <strong>in</strong> recognition<br />
that governments have failed<br />
<strong>in</strong> this part of the world, he said:<br />
"No, I don't th<strong>in</strong>k so. In my own<br />
op<strong>in</strong>ion, God spoke directly to the<br />
Church, so the Church h<strong>as</strong> a responsibility<br />
to do exactly what<br />
we are do<strong>in</strong>g now, whether there<br />
is government or not. In fact, the<br />
Church is government on its own<br />
and so h<strong>as</strong> a direct responsibility<br />
to take care of the needy. So the<br />
Church, to be honest with you,<br />
should not hide beh<strong>in</strong>d government<br />
somewhere and say government<br />
ought to do this.<br />
"That's not to say government<br />
shouldn't. Government h<strong>as</strong> the responsibility<br />
to take care of people<br />
they govern. Now that is between<br />
them and God and the people. But<br />
I must tell you that the Church h<strong>as</strong><br />
a responsibility given to her directly<br />
from God to take care of<br />
the needy amongst them. We do it<br />
because we are <strong>in</strong>structed to do<br />
it," he said.<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g, he told his <strong>in</strong>terviewer:<br />
"It will shock you if you go to<br />
the UK to discover that the<br />
churches that are well recognized<br />
by government, by Her Royal<br />
Majesty and all important <strong>in</strong>stitutions<br />
are the ones that are do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exactly what we are do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
now. That makes them stand out<br />
and they are recognized. In fact<br />
three years ago, Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Charles<br />
went to a <strong>Nigeria</strong>n church; on his<br />
birthday to worship. And when<br />
they <strong>as</strong>ked him why, he said because<br />
I found out that this church<br />
is always meet<strong>in</strong>g the needs of<br />
people and I just th<strong>in</strong>k it's the right<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g for a church to do, so I feel<br />
it's a right place for me to come<br />
and worship.<br />
"Aga<strong>in</strong> I repeat, that does not take<br />
away the fact that government h<strong>as</strong><br />
a responsibility to make sure that<br />
the people are first protected; secondly<br />
their needs are met one way<br />
or the other. They have that responsibility.<br />
But I can't sit here and<br />
speak for government. They will<br />
have to speak for themselves. But<br />
I can speak for the Church. I know<br />
I have a responsibility <strong>as</strong> a leader<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Church to do what we are<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g and we will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to do<br />
it by the grace of God.<br />
"The Church alone cannot do it. It<br />
is absolutely impossible, but the<br />
Church must do what she can do<br />
and that's exactly what we're do<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Government h<strong>as</strong> a huge chunk<br />
of the responsibility but the<br />
Church h<strong>as</strong> its place and corporate<br />
organizations have their<br />
place. I look forward to a day <strong>in</strong><br />
this country when government,<br />
churches and corporate organizations<br />
would partner and work together<br />
to meet the needs of people.<br />
"My feel<strong>in</strong>g is that we may ‘almost',<br />
not totally, eradicate poverty<br />
from our society, if these three<br />
groups will come together. That's<br />
my heart desire. I don't know how<br />
to go about it. If you know how to,<br />
you can tell us how and reach out<br />
to the government and corporate<br />
organizations. I'm here, I'm ready.<br />
If the three groups can partner,<br />
believe me, we will change this<br />
nation. We are ready and we believe<br />
that together we can make a<br />
difference <strong>in</strong> this nation to the<br />
glory of God," Oritsejafor pledged.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 41<br />
CHRISTIANS <strong>in</strong>sist<br />
we are children of<br />
Abraham, even<br />
without do<strong>in</strong>g the works of<br />
Abraham. We s<strong>in</strong>g<br />
repeatedly: “Abraham’s<br />
bless<strong>in</strong>gs are m<strong>in</strong>e. I am<br />
blessed <strong>in</strong> the morn<strong>in</strong>g, I am<br />
blessed <strong>in</strong> the even<strong>in</strong>g;<br />
Abraham’s bless<strong>in</strong>gs are<br />
m<strong>in</strong>e.” But s<strong>in</strong>ce we have been<br />
appropriat<strong>in</strong>g Abraham’s<br />
bless<strong>in</strong>gs, we have not become<br />
rich. Someth<strong>in</strong>g must be<br />
wrong somewhere otherwise<br />
Christians should be the<br />
richest people on earth today.<br />
God said to Abraham: “I<br />
will bless you and make your<br />
name great; and you shall be<br />
a bless<strong>in</strong>g.” (Genesis 12:2).<br />
Thereafter, we learn that<br />
“Abram w<strong>as</strong> very rich <strong>in</strong><br />
livestock, <strong>in</strong> silver, and <strong>in</strong><br />
gold.” (Genesis 13:2). W<strong>as</strong><br />
that the fulfilment of the<br />
promise made to him?<br />
Bless<strong>in</strong>g of s<strong>in</strong>lessness<br />
No! The bless<strong>in</strong>g that the<br />
Lord had <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d for<br />
Abraham w<strong>as</strong> to make him<br />
s<strong>in</strong>less by forgiv<strong>in</strong>g him his<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s. Peter revealed this to the<br />
Jews after the Pentecost: “You<br />
are sons of the prophets, and<br />
of the covenant which God<br />
made with our fathers, say<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to Abraham, ‘And <strong>in</strong> your seed<br />
all the families of the earth<br />
shall be blessed.’ To you first,<br />
God, hav<strong>in</strong>g raised up His<br />
Servant Jesus, sent Him to<br />
bless you, <strong>in</strong> turn<strong>in</strong>g away<br />
every one of you from your<br />
<strong>in</strong>iquities.” (Acts 3:25-26).<br />
Note that Peter did not say<br />
Jesus took away their s<strong>in</strong>s. He<br />
said Jesus turned them away<br />
from their s<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
God said to Abraham, <strong>in</strong><br />
effect, the greatest way I can<br />
THE GREATEST BLESSING OF ALL<br />
bless you is by deliver<strong>in</strong>g you<br />
from your s<strong>in</strong>s. The best way I<br />
can bless you is by break<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
power of s<strong>in</strong> over your life. The<br />
best way I can bless you is by<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g you s<strong>in</strong>less. “When<br />
Abram w<strong>as</strong> 99 years old, the<br />
LORD appeared to Abram and<br />
said to him, ‘I am Almighty God;<br />
walk before me and be<br />
blameless.’” (Genesis 17:1).<br />
Not salvation from poverty<br />
Many of the Old Testament<br />
Jews had their own idea of<br />
bless<strong>in</strong>gs. They were conv<strong>in</strong>ced<br />
the Messiah would come to<br />
establish an opulent society on<br />
earth. They believed that when<br />
the Messiah comes, he would<br />
shower them with wealth,<br />
prosperity and unend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
happ<strong>in</strong>ess. They thought he<br />
would give them all the world’s<br />
resources and positions of power.<br />
They were conv<strong>in</strong>ced that once<br />
he came, they would not have to<br />
labour or strive any more. Many<br />
Christians are also schooled <strong>in</strong><br />
these misconceptions.<br />
But Jesus confounded all<br />
expectations. As far <strong>as</strong> God w<strong>as</strong><br />
concerned, the greatest bless<strong>in</strong>g<br />
he could give man w<strong>as</strong><br />
deliverance from the grip of s<strong>in</strong><br />
through the m<strong>in</strong>istry of Jesus<br />
Christ. Therefore, the angel said<br />
to Joseph concern<strong>in</strong>g Mary’s<br />
unborn child: “You shall call his<br />
You want to see a man that is<br />
blessed, don’t <strong>as</strong>k what k<strong>in</strong>d of<br />
job he h<strong>as</strong>. Don’t <strong>as</strong>k how much<br />
he h<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> the bank<br />
name Jesus, for he will save<br />
his people from their s<strong>in</strong>s.”<br />
(Matthew 1:20-21).<br />
The greatest th<strong>in</strong>g God h<strong>as</strong><br />
ever done, and will ever do,<br />
for man is to forgive us our<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
God spoke creation <strong>in</strong>to<br />
existence. With<strong>in</strong> seven days,<br />
he created the heavens, the<br />
earth and all liv<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
But salvation w<strong>as</strong> entirely<br />
different. Salvation could not<br />
be established by merely<br />
say<strong>in</strong>g: “Let there be<br />
salvation.” God had to come<br />
down to earth personally <strong>in</strong><br />
human form through the<br />
womb of a woman. He then<br />
demonstrated forgiveness by<br />
forgiv<strong>in</strong>g us even when we<br />
responded to his love by<br />
crucify<strong>in</strong>g him.<br />
Key to bless<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Without a doubt, salvation<br />
is the greatest and most<br />
complex work of God known<br />
to man. Therefore, David does<br />
not say “blessed is the man<br />
who is made the k<strong>in</strong>g of Israel.”<br />
He says: “Blessed is he whose<br />
transgression is forgiven.” (Psalm<br />
32:1).<br />
There is only one way by which<br />
God truly blesses a man: by<br />
forgiv<strong>in</strong>g him his s<strong>in</strong>s. Without<br />
the forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s, all other<br />
so-called bless<strong>in</strong>gs are useless.<br />
You want to see a man that is<br />
blessed, don’t <strong>as</strong>k what k<strong>in</strong>d of<br />
house he h<strong>as</strong>. Don’t <strong>as</strong>k for his<br />
wife and children. Don’t <strong>as</strong>k what<br />
k<strong>in</strong>d of job he h<strong>as</strong>. Don’t <strong>as</strong>k how<br />
much he h<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> the bank. Don’t<br />
even <strong>as</strong>k about his health. Ask him<br />
if his s<strong>in</strong>s are forgiven. If they are<br />
not, every other th<strong>in</strong>g is a w<strong>as</strong>te<br />
of time.<br />
It is the forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s that<br />
ushers a man <strong>in</strong>to the th<strong>in</strong>gs of<br />
God. It is the forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s<br />
that br<strong>in</strong>gs the precious Holy<br />
Spirit. It is the forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s<br />
that reconciles man back to God.<br />
It is the forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s that<br />
enables the <strong>in</strong>heritance of eternal<br />
life.<br />
If a man h<strong>as</strong> all the wealth <strong>in</strong><br />
the world but his s<strong>in</strong>s are not<br />
forgiven, he is a poor man <strong>in</strong>deed.<br />
Every bless<strong>in</strong>g h<strong>as</strong> its<br />
foundation <strong>in</strong> the forgiveness<br />
of s<strong>in</strong>s. Therefore, everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
we do <strong>as</strong> believers should<br />
have its ma<strong>in</strong>spr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the fact<br />
that our s<strong>in</strong>s are forgiven. It<br />
must be the ma<strong>in</strong>spr<strong>in</strong>g of all<br />
our actions <strong>in</strong> the life.<br />
God is love. He so loved<br />
that he gave. The first th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
he gave w<strong>as</strong> Jesus. The second<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g he gave w<strong>as</strong> forgiveness.<br />
The third th<strong>in</strong>g he gave w<strong>as</strong><br />
eternal life.<br />
Need to forgive<br />
If the greatest th<strong>in</strong>g God did<br />
for us w<strong>as</strong> to forgive us our<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s, then the greatest th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
we can do for others is to<br />
forgive them their s<strong>in</strong>s. It is<br />
more difficult to forgive than<br />
to give. It is so much e<strong>as</strong>ier to<br />
give money than to forgive<br />
others. We can give under<br />
duress. We can give even<br />
though we don't want to. But<br />
we cannot forgive by force. We<br />
can only forgive from the<br />
heart. And we cannot truly<br />
give unless we forgive.<br />
Jesus says the extent of our<br />
love of God is a function of<br />
our appreciation of the<br />
forgiveness of our s<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
Indeed, the extent of our<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
Christian faith is determ<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by our understand<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
centrality of the forgiveness of<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
Simon, the Pharisee, did not<br />
understand this, therefore he<br />
despised the woman who<br />
ano<strong>in</strong>ted Jesus feet with<br />
precious o<strong>in</strong>tment and w<strong>as</strong>hed<br />
his feet with her hair. Jesus said<br />
to him: “Her s<strong>in</strong>s, which are<br />
many, are forgiven, for she<br />
loved much.But to whom little<br />
is forgiven, the same loves<br />
little.” (Luke 7:47-48).<br />
He that is forgiven must<br />
forgive. When Christians bear<br />
malice; when we divorce our<br />
spouses <strong>in</strong>stead of be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reconciled with them; when we<br />
are bitter aga<strong>in</strong>st our<br />
neighbours for perceived<br />
wrongs done to us; we show that<br />
we don’t have eternal life<br />
operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> us.<br />
Joseph w<strong>as</strong> quick to forgive<br />
his brothers. God required Job<br />
to forgive his vicious friends.<br />
When he did, the Lord<br />
redeemed all his losses: “The<br />
LORD restored Job's losses<br />
when he prayed for his friends.<br />
Indeed the LORD gave Job<br />
twice <strong>as</strong> much <strong>as</strong> he had<br />
before.” (Job 42:10). Even so<br />
will the Lord redeem all the<br />
losses of those believers who<br />
forgive from the heart any and<br />
every wrong done to us.<br />
When we receive the<br />
forgiveness of s<strong>in</strong>s through<br />
Christ Jesus’ atonement, the<br />
Holy Spirit starts to rewrite the<br />
Ten Commandments that were<br />
written on tablets of stone on<br />
the fleshly tablets of our hearts.<br />
Thus, <strong>in</strong> the volume of the book<br />
it is written of us, we now<br />
delight to do the will of God.<br />
(Psalm 40:7). The fire-baptism<br />
of the Holy Spirit purifies our<br />
heart: it purges the dross with<strong>in</strong><br />
and enables us to come out <strong>as</strong><br />
gold.<br />
RCCG upgrades<br />
abandoned<br />
hospital<br />
By Olay<strong>in</strong>ka Latona<br />
THE joy of residents of<br />
Magboro and Arepo com<br />
munities <strong>in</strong> the Obafemi<br />
Owode Local Governmnet Area of<br />
Ogun State knew no bounds l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
week, <strong>as</strong> Prov<strong>in</strong>ce 2 of the Redeemed<br />
Christian Church of God.<br />
RCCG, dedicated a multi-million<br />
naira health care facility for the<br />
use of the community.<br />
Dedicat<strong>in</strong>g the hospital, Still-Waters<br />
Hospital, wife of the church's<br />
General Overseer, P<strong>as</strong>tor (Mrs.)<br />
Folu <strong>Adeboye</strong> advised members<br />
of the community and their leaders<br />
to protect the 11-bed hospital,<br />
work <strong>in</strong> peace, love and harmony.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to her, the facility h<strong>as</strong><br />
been built for the use of the community<br />
without bi<strong>as</strong> for religion<br />
or tribe, say<strong>in</strong>g: “Whatever God<br />
does, He does it for all. We must<br />
not allow religious discrim<strong>in</strong>ation;<br />
we must not say this w<strong>as</strong> done<br />
by Christians. We must live <strong>in</strong> love<br />
and provide adequate security to<br />
the facility and protect it from<br />
vandalism.”<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor-<strong>in</strong>-Charge of RCCG Region<br />
19, P<strong>as</strong>tor Brown Oyitso while<br />
admonish<strong>in</strong>g residents of the area,<br />
on ‘Christian Social Responsibility’,<br />
said the provision of the health<br />
facility w<strong>as</strong> the church's adherence<br />
to the commandment of Jesus<br />
Christ that Christians should<br />
show forth a lifestyle of comp<strong>as</strong>sion<br />
and love wherever they are.<br />
Oyitso said the gesture also forms<br />
part of the core mandate given to<br />
all Prov<strong>in</strong>ces by the General Overseer,<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Enoch <strong>Adeboye</strong> who<br />
had t<strong>as</strong>ked the church to impact<br />
positively on the society, especially<br />
the immediate environment.<br />
“It is good to do good. Government<br />
of the day cannot do it all<br />
and that is why our father <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Lord, P<strong>as</strong>tor <strong>Adeboye</strong> <strong>in</strong>structed us<br />
to do good works by impact<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the community we establish our<br />
churches positively,” he said.<br />
The P<strong>as</strong>tor-<strong>in</strong>-charge of the Prov<strong>in</strong>ce,<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Yemi Lebi expla<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
that the land for the project w<strong>as</strong><br />
donated to the community by<br />
former Ogun State Governor<br />
Olusegun Osoba, but the community<br />
w<strong>as</strong> unable to equip the health<br />
centre built thereon until the<br />
church noticed the build<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
an evangelistic outreach and<br />
stepped <strong>in</strong> to salvage the situation.<br />
Lebi said the prov<strong>in</strong>ce took over<br />
and upgraded the health centre to<br />
an ultra modern one, fully stocked<br />
with drugs, with state-of-the-art<br />
medical equipment, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g ultra-sound<br />
scan facilities and an x-<br />
ray mach<strong>in</strong>e with various medical<br />
personnel on<br />
ground to m<strong>in</strong>ister to<br />
the patients.<br />
In his words: ”It is not<br />
for profit, will be highly<br />
subsidised and patients<br />
will pay only a<br />
token to access healthcare<br />
at Stillwaters<br />
Hospital,” he said, add<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that this w<strong>as</strong> only<br />
one of the church’s<br />
many CSR projects.<br />
Respond<strong>in</strong>g, Magboro/Arepo<br />
community<br />
development committee<br />
chairman, Mr. Ayodeji<br />
Kuku appreciated<br />
the church for successfully<br />
upgrad<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
health centre to a modern<br />
hospital for good<br />
health service delivery<br />
to the community.<br />
God used a witch to save my life<br />
— <strong>Adeboye</strong><br />
GENERAL Overseer of The<br />
Redeemed Christian<br />
Church of God, RCCG,<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor Enoch Adejare <strong>Adeboye</strong> recently<br />
revealed how God used a<br />
witch to stop him from eat<strong>in</strong>g kola<br />
nut which would have lead to his<br />
death if he did not stop the act.<br />
Narrat<strong>in</strong>g his experience while deliver<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a sermon tiled: “God<br />
Loves Me” dur<strong>in</strong>g the annual<br />
thanksgiv<strong>in</strong>g service and prophetic<br />
declaration at the church<br />
national headquarters, Throne of<br />
Grace parish <strong>in</strong> Ebute-Meta, Lagos,<br />
P<strong>as</strong>tor <strong>Adeboye</strong> attributed his<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued survival to God’s faithfulness,<br />
and love, say<strong>in</strong>g those<br />
whom God loves are more than<br />
conquerors.<br />
By Olay<strong>in</strong>ka Latona<br />
In his words: “I w<strong>as</strong> tell<strong>in</strong>g my<br />
children that whenever we wanted<br />
to study at night while we were<br />
young, we used kola nut <strong>as</strong> our<br />
own coffee <strong>as</strong> we did not have<br />
money to buy coffee. We ate the<br />
kola nut to stay awake.<br />
“One day, the number one self confessed<br />
witch <strong>in</strong> our compound,<br />
called me and said: “Dejare, why<br />
won’t you stop eat<strong>in</strong>g kola nut?<br />
The witch warned me to desist<br />
from what can lead to my death. I<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k God spoke through the<br />
witch and I can say God loves<br />
me,” <strong>Adeboye</strong> stated.<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g, the cleric said: “You<br />
are alive today not because you<br />
are clever, wise or know how to do<br />
*From left: P<strong>as</strong>tor Brown Oyitso, P<strong>as</strong>tor-<strong>in</strong>-Charge, RCCG Region 19, P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Yemi Lebi, P<strong>as</strong>tor-<strong>in</strong>-Charge, RCCG Lagos Prov<strong>in</strong>ce 2; Alhaji Kuku<br />
Ayodeji, chairman, Magboro/Arepo, Area CDC; Alhaji Modiu Alalade,<br />
Baale, Magboro Akeran and P<strong>as</strong>tor (Mrs) Folu <strong>Adeboye</strong>, wife of General<br />
Overseer, RCCG dur<strong>in</strong>g the commission<strong>in</strong>g ceremony of Stillwaters Hospital,<br />
Magboro, Ogun State. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.<br />
it but simply because God loves<br />
you. There are lots of people who<br />
are <strong>in</strong> the prison who are free. I<br />
w<strong>as</strong> at the Kirikiri Prison where I<br />
heard testimonies that brought<br />
tears to my eyes. Some of them<br />
said they were <strong>in</strong> prison but they<br />
are free men because they have<br />
Jesus; they were <strong>in</strong>carcerated but<br />
they are free. And there are people<br />
who are outside the prison who are<br />
prisoners.<br />
“It is because God loves you that<br />
you are able to conquer all that<br />
the devil threw at you l<strong>as</strong>t year.<br />
Left for the enemy you, will not be<br />
here today but because God loves<br />
you, you are more than conqueror,”<br />
Daddy G.O. said.<br />
<strong>Adeboye</strong> then admonished Christians<br />
that God expects those He<br />
loves to respond by honour<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Him with their tithes and first<br />
fruits and love their neighours,<br />
not<strong>in</strong>g that the greatest gift Christians<br />
can give their neighbours is<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g them to Christ.<br />
Also speak<strong>in</strong>g, the Assistant General<br />
Overseer to G.O. on Adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
and Personnel, P<strong>as</strong>tor<br />
Johnson Odesola, said it w<strong>as</strong> high<br />
time government did someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to ameliorate the <strong>in</strong>cessant orgy<br />
of violence <strong>in</strong> southern Kaduna<br />
often lead<strong>in</strong>g to kill<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>in</strong>nocent<br />
citizens and destruction of<br />
properties before it escalates to the<br />
type of Boko Haram problem the<br />
nation is nurs<strong>in</strong>g today.<br />
He said: “This w<strong>as</strong> how the problem<br />
of Boko Haram started and<br />
the government felt it w<strong>as</strong> a small<br />
th<strong>in</strong>g until the sect became a thorn<br />
<strong>in</strong> the flesh of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns.’’
Page 42 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By Tyler Cowen<br />
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF<br />
Lagos <strong>as</strong> VIEWPOINT<br />
w<strong>in</strong>dow to the outside<br />
world<br />
Atrip is often def<strong>in</strong>ed by its<br />
surprises, so here are my<br />
biggest revelations from six days <strong>in</strong><br />
Lagos, <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
Most of all, I found Lagos to be<br />
much safer than advertised. It is<br />
frequently described <strong>as</strong> one of the<br />
most dangerous cities on earth.<br />
Many people told me I w<strong>as</strong> crazy<br />
to go there, and some <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
expats warned me I might not get<br />
out of the airport alive.<br />
The reality is that I walked<br />
around freely and <strong>in</strong> many parts of<br />
town. I didn’t try to go everywhere<br />
or at all hours, and I may have been<br />
lucky. Yet not once did I feel<br />
threatened, and I strongly suspect<br />
that a trip to Lagos is safer than a<br />
trip to Rio de Janeiro, a major<br />
tourist dest<strong>in</strong>ation. (In my first trip<br />
to Rio I w<strong>as</strong> attacked by children<br />
with po<strong>in</strong>ted sticks. In my second I<br />
found myself caught <strong>in</strong> a gunfight<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By David Ikudayisi<br />
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF<br />
The therapeutic alternative<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
ADULT stem cell therapy h<strong>as</strong><br />
ga<strong>in</strong>ed popularity <strong>in</strong><br />
developed countries <strong>as</strong> an<br />
alternative to the conventional<br />
treatment of many dise<strong>as</strong>es. There<br />
are several studies and cl<strong>in</strong>ical<br />
trials conducted <strong>in</strong> the United<br />
States to support this.<br />
Some current l<strong>in</strong>e of treatments<br />
are not typically effective, and<br />
some can cause detrimental side<br />
effects. Medic<strong>in</strong>e is evolv<strong>in</strong>g to a<br />
more natural and more effective<br />
means with the use of stem cells.<br />
Due to the numerous religious and<br />
ethical issues that comes with the<br />
use of embryonic stem cells,<br />
today’s medic<strong>in</strong>e is mov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
towards the application of adult<br />
stem cell therapy. This piece<br />
highlights some new applications<br />
of adult stem cells <strong>in</strong> conditions<br />
and dise<strong>as</strong>es that h<strong>as</strong> posed a<br />
problem <strong>in</strong> our society for far too<br />
long.<br />
Tissue-b<strong>as</strong>ed treatment is<br />
already evident <strong>in</strong> the United<br />
States. In 2012, a patient w<strong>as</strong><br />
successfully cured of sickle cell<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>e after receiv<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
chemotherapy-free stem cell<br />
transplant. Additional patients<br />
have been successfully treated<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce then. Two studies conducted<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> could teach the West a few th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
between drug lords). Many Lagos<br />
residents credit the advent of<br />
closed-circuit television camer<strong>as</strong><br />
for their safety improvements.<br />
So if you’re an experienced<br />
traveler, and tempted to visit<br />
Africa’s largest and arguably most<br />
dynamic city, don’t let safety<br />
concerns be a deal killer. <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s<br />
Horrors and Hopes<br />
The surprises mount. For all the<br />
negative publicity, many parts of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>, especially Lagos, could<br />
and should serve <strong>as</strong> exemplars for<br />
religious tolerance.<br />
The reports of Boko Haram and<br />
terror kill<strong>in</strong>gs are well known, and<br />
they reflect the <strong>in</strong>terlock<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
sometimes deadly comb<strong>in</strong>ations of<br />
regional, religious, sectarian and<br />
ethnic identities <strong>in</strong> the country, not<br />
to mention extreme <strong>in</strong>equalities of<br />
<strong>in</strong>come and opportunity. Yet<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong> about 180 million<br />
people and is larger than Tex<strong>as</strong>. The<br />
violence is the most frequently<br />
reported story <strong>in</strong> the West, but the<br />
underly<strong>in</strong>g reality is far more<br />
Adult stem cell and natural heal<strong>in</strong>g process<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2014 and 2015 have shown that<br />
the use of adult stem cell therapy<br />
can greatly reduce complications<br />
or even stop the progression of the<br />
dise<strong>as</strong>es by provid<strong>in</strong>g stem cells to<br />
the needed are<strong>as</strong>. This reduces the<br />
need for surgeries for many of these<br />
patients.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to International<br />
Diabetes Federation (IDF), there<br />
were over 40,000 deaths due to<br />
diabetes documented <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
2015. Treatment for diabetes h<strong>as</strong><br />
been a focal po<strong>in</strong>t for medical<br />
research for many years.<br />
Consequently, some studies and<br />
cl<strong>in</strong>ical trials conducted have<br />
shown that Adult Adipose (fat)<br />
Stem Cell Transplantation can<br />
lower and regulate sugar levels<br />
result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> reduc<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g the amount of<br />
medication or <strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong> that patients<br />
need to take.<br />
In a recently conducted cl<strong>in</strong>ical<br />
trial, some of the patients achieved<br />
<strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dependence that<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>ed stable for a median time<br />
of 29 months, and another patient<br />
for 43 months ongo<strong>in</strong>g. In fact, all<br />
the patients studied showed<br />
substantial improvement <strong>in</strong> their<br />
dependence on <strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong> and overall<br />
diabetic condition.<br />
The emergence of Regenerative<br />
Medic<strong>in</strong>e (which <strong>in</strong>cludes Adult<br />
Stem Cell and Platelet Rich<br />
Pl<strong>as</strong>ma therapy) h<strong>as</strong> positively<br />
impacted the sexual life of both<br />
complex and shows positive<br />
features.<br />
For <strong>in</strong>stance, the city of Lagos is<br />
<strong>in</strong> many regards a marvel of<br />
religious tolerance. <strong>Nigeria</strong> is<br />
about 50 percent Muslim and 40<br />
percent Christian, and the area<br />
surround<strong>in</strong>g Lagos is also highly<br />
mixed <strong>in</strong> terms of religion. That<br />
may sound like a recipe for trouble,<br />
but <strong>in</strong> matters of religion Lagos is<br />
almost entirely peaceful. Religious<br />
<strong>in</strong>termarriage is common and<br />
usually not problematic, <strong>as</strong> is the<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong> many (not all) other parts of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>as</strong> well. Many top <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
politicians have married outside<br />
their religion, kept two separate<br />
religions <strong>in</strong> the family and enjoyed<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued political success.<br />
Consider the scale and speed of<br />
this achievement. Lagos, with a<br />
population of about 20 million, is<br />
larger than many countries. It is the<br />
most commercially oriented part<br />
of <strong>Nigeria</strong>, and it grew so large only<br />
<strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t few decades, <strong>as</strong> it attracted<br />
entrepreneurially m<strong>in</strong>ded people<br />
from many parts of <strong>Nigeria</strong> and<br />
women (O-Shot) and men (P-Shot),<br />
and the treatment is also be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
used for ur<strong>in</strong>ary <strong>in</strong>cont<strong>in</strong>ence, etc.<br />
There is now ample evidence to<br />
show that O-Shot helps women<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e their sexual responses, the<br />
ability to have “Vag<strong>in</strong>al Org<strong>as</strong>m”,<br />
arousal from clitoral stimulation,<br />
sexual desire and natural<br />
lubrication, arousal from G-spot<br />
stimulation, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> decre<strong>as</strong>e<br />
pa<strong>in</strong> dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tercourse and<br />
tighten vag<strong>in</strong>al open<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Furthermore, P-Shot <strong>in</strong> men<br />
regenerates damaged penile<br />
tissues f<strong>as</strong>ter and stronger than<br />
most traditional treatments. In<br />
most c<strong>as</strong>es, treated men see<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>e <strong>in</strong> length up to 1 <strong>in</strong>ch or<br />
more and girth up to 3/4 <strong>in</strong>ch or<br />
more while also <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g their<br />
sexual stam<strong>in</strong>a.<br />
Adult stem cells transplantation<br />
h<strong>as</strong> also been studied <strong>in</strong> arthritis,<br />
and there h<strong>as</strong> been some positive<br />
reports about its efficacy. In 2014,<br />
the effects of stem cells for<br />
articular cartilage regeneration<br />
w<strong>as</strong> studied. They studied the effect<br />
of stem cells <strong>in</strong>jection <strong>in</strong> treat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
osteoarthritis of the knee, and the<br />
results showed significant<br />
improvement.<br />
The usefulness of stem cell<br />
therapy <strong>in</strong> neurological disorders<br />
like Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral<br />
Palsy, Sp<strong>in</strong>al Cord Injury, etc. h<strong>as</strong><br />
been shown <strong>in</strong> different studies and<br />
cl<strong>in</strong>ical trials. The prognosis for<br />
other African countries. By one<br />
estimate, 85 new residents arrive<br />
every hour. That may sound<br />
chaotic, but <strong>in</strong> essence <strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> a few decades created an almost<br />
entirely new, country-sized city built<br />
on the ideals and practice of<br />
religious tolerance. The current<br />
president, Muhammadu Buhari, is<br />
a Muslim who w<strong>as</strong> supported <strong>in</strong> his<br />
election by many Christian leaders,<br />
on the grounds that he would fight<br />
corruption more effectively. His<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g mate served <strong>as</strong> a<br />
Pentecostal p<strong>as</strong>tor.<br />
The recent history of <strong>Nigeria</strong>,<br />
Lagos <strong>in</strong> particular, is also a<br />
counterweight to some recent<br />
Western political trends. Many<br />
Westerners today fear resurgent<br />
nationalism, <strong>as</strong> illustrated by the<br />
U.K.’s vote to leave the European<br />
Union and the election of Donald<br />
Trump.<br />
In <strong>Nigeria</strong>, nationalism is largely<br />
a progressive force, br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
country together and allow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
nation-build<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure<br />
sp<strong>in</strong>al cord <strong>in</strong>juries is generally<br />
believed to be poor. However,<br />
recent researches and c<strong>as</strong>e studies<br />
are chang<strong>in</strong>g this ideology <strong>as</strong> the<br />
value of adult stem cell therapy for<br />
patients with sp<strong>in</strong>al cord <strong>in</strong>juries<br />
is emerg<strong>in</strong>g. An example of this<br />
can be seen <strong>in</strong> a c<strong>as</strong>e study<br />
published <strong>in</strong> 2015. In this c<strong>as</strong>e<br />
study, a patient with functional loss<br />
below the lesion level due to a<br />
motor vehicle accident failed<br />
standard therapy but saw<br />
cl<strong>in</strong>ically mean<strong>in</strong>gful<br />
improvements after multiple adult<br />
stem cell treatments. Stem cell<br />
transplantations over a period of<br />
months led to the restoration of the<br />
patient’s ability to move lower<br />
extremities aga<strong>in</strong>st gravity, control<br />
the body trunk, and the ability to<br />
control the bladder. The patient<br />
w<strong>as</strong> also able to stand <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
walk with the aid of hip and knee<br />
ortheses. The sensation level also<br />
<strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong>ed.<br />
Regenerative medic<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
adult stem cells is cont<strong>in</strong>ually<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g studied and researched to<br />
gather more evidence to enable<br />
harness<strong>in</strong>g its’ cl<strong>in</strong>ical potentials.<br />
The use of adult stem cells for<br />
cl<strong>in</strong>ical therapy is now a reality for<br />
many patients who were not able<br />
to shed the yoke of many dise<strong>as</strong>es<br />
that conventional medic<strong>in</strong>e<br />
provided very little hope of<br />
permanent relief for. One new<br />
<strong>in</strong>novation is the Umbilical Cord<br />
development. However imperfect<br />
or backward these processes might<br />
be — <strong>Nigeria</strong> h<strong>as</strong> at le<strong>as</strong>t 270<br />
dist<strong>in</strong>ct ethnic groups and 370<br />
languages — <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> one is<br />
root<strong>in</strong>g for nationalism to succeed.<br />
And it’s <strong>in</strong> Lagos, the country’s<br />
largest and most important<br />
w<strong>in</strong>dow to the outside world, where<br />
the understand<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
importance of a common and<br />
stable national identity h<strong>as</strong> made<br />
such progress.<br />
Many Westerners used to consider<br />
much of Africa backward <strong>in</strong> this<br />
regard, but we Westerners are<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong> that national<br />
cohesion isn’t always so e<strong>as</strong>y.<br />
Perhaps the political spectrum <strong>in</strong><br />
many Western countries can realign<br />
itself <strong>in</strong> a direction analogous to<br />
some features of <strong>Nigeria</strong>, to ally<br />
liberalism and nationalism once<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />
•Cowen, a professor of<br />
economist, is a columnist with<br />
Bloomberg Media.<br />
Tyler Cowen at<br />
tcowen2@bloomberg.net<br />
Stem Cells transplantation that is<br />
now done without the need for<br />
HLA match<strong>in</strong>g. This allows<br />
anyone to be treated for conditions<br />
or dise<strong>as</strong>es where applicable. In<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e of sickle cell dise<strong>as</strong>e, c<strong>as</strong>e<br />
studies have been published on the<br />
use of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells<br />
from HLA match<strong>in</strong>g donors to<br />
remedy sickle cell dise<strong>as</strong>e;<br />
however, c<strong>as</strong>e studies are yet to be<br />
published on the efficacy of the<br />
Umbilical Cord Stem Cells not<br />
requir<strong>in</strong>g HLA match<strong>in</strong>g for the<br />
treatment of sickle cell dise<strong>as</strong>e. I<br />
am cautious to note that the results<br />
may differ from c<strong>as</strong>e to c<strong>as</strong>e, so<br />
not every sickle cell patient will be<br />
a good candidate for the<br />
treatment.<br />
Currently, Adult Stem Cell<br />
Therapy is now seen <strong>as</strong> a viable<br />
therapeutic alternative for jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
and back pa<strong>in</strong>, sexual dysfunction,<br />
diabetes, end stage renal dise<strong>as</strong>e<br />
on hemodialysis, arthritis, etc. The<br />
treatments are ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g popularity<br />
among patients and doctors<br />
because it is natural and can help<br />
repair and regenerate most parts<br />
of the human tissues.<br />
•Ikudayisi is the Medical<br />
Director of Glory Wellness and<br />
Regenerative Centre.<br />
<strong>in</strong>fo@glorywellness.org,<br />
09090004532.<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By Ejiro Ofoye<br />
VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT<br />
IN BRIEF<br />
The battle for a vacant<br />
parliament seat<br />
IN the wake of the demise of<br />
Mrs. Beatrice Omawumi<br />
Udoh, member represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Warri South Constituency I <strong>in</strong><br />
Delta State House of Assembly,<br />
DTHA, the political landscape of<br />
the constituency h<strong>as</strong> suddenly<br />
opened up a mosaic of<br />
possibilities <strong>as</strong> to her likely<br />
successor <strong>in</strong> the House with<br />
Godw<strong>in</strong> Abigor of the SDP (or is<br />
it now the APC), and Michael Tidi<br />
of the PDP <strong>as</strong> front contenders.<br />
Aspirants of lesser political<br />
strength <strong>in</strong>clude Mofe Edema, the<br />
current Local Government<br />
Chairman of Warri South, who<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been severely criticized for<br />
eye<strong>in</strong>g the post of one of his<br />
dece<strong>as</strong>ed constituents, and Shola<br />
Who will succeed Hon. Udoh <strong>in</strong> DTHA?<br />
Daibo, who h<strong>as</strong> been written off<br />
<strong>as</strong> an unserious contender given<br />
that she resides <strong>in</strong> America and is<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>gly tagged <strong>as</strong> the<br />
“Di<strong>as</strong>pora candidate”.<br />
On Abigor, it h<strong>as</strong> been po<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
out that it would be most unfair<br />
for him to take over Udoh’s post<br />
now that she is dead. Abigor and<br />
his <strong>as</strong>sociates are accused of<br />
har<strong>as</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g the dece<strong>as</strong>ed to the<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t she p<strong>as</strong>sed away and many<br />
feel that giv<strong>in</strong>g Abigor her post<br />
now would amount to reward<strong>in</strong>g<br />
his camp for mak<strong>in</strong>g life difficult<br />
for her.<br />
In any c<strong>as</strong>e, pundits have<br />
speculated that those tout<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
names of Edema and Daibo and<br />
project<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>as</strong> flag bearers<br />
for the PDP are actually try<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
play a f<strong>as</strong>t one on the Governor<br />
Ifeanyi Okowa- led PDP<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration <strong>in</strong> the state,<br />
confident that they lack the<br />
popularity to w<strong>in</strong> election <strong>in</strong> the<br />
constituency.<br />
But the problem with Abigor<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g under APC is the fact that<br />
he is seen <strong>as</strong> a former governor’s<br />
right-hand man and that the<br />
governor is <strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g on his<br />
w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g the race if only to prove<br />
that he rema<strong>in</strong>s a force to be<br />
reckoned with <strong>in</strong> the politics of<br />
Delta. More crucial from a<br />
political standpo<strong>in</strong>t is the fact<br />
that should Abigor w<strong>in</strong>, especially<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st someone like Tidi, he<br />
would have ended up defeat<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
candidate of Okowa with whom<br />
the former governor is perceived<br />
to be hav<strong>in</strong>g ongo<strong>in</strong>g<br />
disagreements.<br />
Compound<strong>in</strong>g issues for Abigor<br />
is the fact that many stakeholders<br />
<strong>in</strong> Delta APC are not <strong>in</strong> support<br />
of his <strong>as</strong>piration. Many of them<br />
view his attempt to jo<strong>in</strong> their party<br />
at this late hour <strong>as</strong> opportunistic.<br />
In the c<strong>as</strong>e of Tidi, he happens<br />
to be an aide to Okowa and<br />
actually h<strong>as</strong> an office right with<strong>in</strong><br />
Government House Asaba, a<br />
situation which h<strong>as</strong> given rise to<br />
the speculation that he would<br />
naturally be the governor’s<br />
choice especially aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
background of the fact that he<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>s an unapologetic<br />
defender of the Okowa<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istration, a tendency that<br />
h<strong>as</strong> made him quite unattractive<br />
to Abigor’s <strong>as</strong>sociates who are<br />
rumoured to have serious<br />
differences with the governor.<br />
Nevertheless, Tidi’s support<br />
b<strong>as</strong>e is strong with his street<br />
credibility and popular appeal<br />
way and above those of his fellow<br />
contenders. His supporters<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue to <strong>in</strong>sist that rather than<br />
those who hounded Udoh till her<br />
death <strong>in</strong>herit<strong>in</strong>g her post,<br />
someone from her political camp<br />
should be the one to serve out the<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>der of what would have<br />
been her term had she lived.<br />
The problem with their position<br />
is that despite Tidi’s closeness to<br />
Okowa, the governor h<strong>as</strong> not<br />
<strong>in</strong>dicated <strong>in</strong> any way that Tidi is<br />
his preferred candidate, more so<br />
when leaders like Otumara whom<br />
Okowa cannot do without <strong>in</strong><br />
Warri are not root<strong>in</strong>g for his aide.<br />
That notwithstand<strong>in</strong>g, clearly,<br />
this is a race between Abigor and<br />
Tidi. To the long suffer<strong>in</strong>g people<br />
of Warri, who are the electorate<br />
and the most important factor <strong>in</strong><br />
a genu<strong>in</strong>e democratic sett<strong>in</strong>g, I<br />
can only say, ensure your voices<br />
are heard <strong>in</strong> Warri South and that<br />
it is the candidate of your choice<br />
that replaces Udoh.<br />
Ejiro Ernest Ofoye is a public<br />
affairs analyst.
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017, Page 43<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By Andrew Morgridge<br />
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF<br />
Separat<strong>in</strong>g culture from<br />
demons<br />
THE simple at heart may not<br />
believe him, but those steeped<br />
<strong>in</strong> occultism knows he’s say<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
truth. The average Bible student will<br />
also attest to the veracity of his claims,<br />
b<strong>as</strong>ed on Daniel 10:12,13,20 where<br />
demonic personalities were described<br />
<strong>as</strong> rulers of nations –Pr<strong>in</strong>ce (ruler) of<br />
Persia, Pr<strong>in</strong>ce (ruler of Greece –a<br />
nation that had not even been born <strong>as</strong><br />
Angel Gabriel spoke to Daniel).<br />
From all <strong>in</strong>dications the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
(spiritual ruler) of <strong>Nigeria</strong> is not hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
it e<strong>as</strong>y. The concerted prayers of God’s<br />
children are disturb<strong>in</strong>g and barr<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him, so he needs help. That’s why he is<br />
<strong>in</strong>stigat<strong>in</strong>g some people to import<br />
demons aga<strong>in</strong> –that’s what another<br />
FESTAC will do!<br />
In the face of hard bit<strong>in</strong>g recession –<br />
when many have dropped from school<br />
because of school fees, many<br />
Governors are opt<strong>in</strong>g out of pay<strong>in</strong>g<br />
WAEC fees and to eat once for many<br />
is hard, someone wants to host the<br />
world <strong>in</strong> a Festival of Arts and Culture.<br />
Ord<strong>in</strong>arily, this would cost a huge<br />
amount; by the time the fake<br />
consultants and blown up figures are<br />
added by people <strong>in</strong> authority, the<br />
amount become humongous –our<br />
suffer<strong>in</strong>g exacerbates.<br />
The National Assembly men should<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By Goodluck Edafe<br />
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> cannot hide beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
local laws to def<strong>in</strong>e democracy<br />
SUPREME Court judgment<br />
uphold<strong>in</strong>g Gov Yahaya Bello <strong>as</strong><br />
w<strong>in</strong>ner of the 2015 governorship<br />
election <strong>in</strong> Kogi State, North Central<br />
is under trial. Kogi <strong>in</strong>digenes<br />
number<strong>in</strong>g 7 of them, who described<br />
the declaration of Yahaya <strong>as</strong> a breach<br />
of the fundamental human rights of<br />
the people, are challeng<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
judgment at the ECOWAS<br />
Community Court of Justice. The suit<br />
with no. ECW/CCJ/APP/02/16 between<br />
the Pla<strong>in</strong>tiffs and Federal Republic of<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> (Defendant) is <strong>as</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
court to declare the superimposition<br />
of Yahaya on Kogi State by the<br />
Defendant’s agency <strong>as</strong> a breach of<br />
fundamental rights of the people<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the African Chatter on<br />
Human and Peoples’ Rights,<br />
Universal Declaration of Human<br />
Rights, International Covenant on<br />
Civil and Political Rights, ECOWAS<br />
Protocol on Democracy and Good<br />
Governance all to which, <strong>Nigeria</strong> is a<br />
signatory.<br />
The Facts: Governorship election<br />
<strong>in</strong> Kogi held on 21/11/15. Before then,<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
By Adejuwon Soy<strong>in</strong>ka<br />
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF<br />
The shape of Ogun State to<br />
come<br />
“The best way to predict the future<br />
is to create it”<br />
– TPeter Drucker<br />
O start with, let me be upfront <strong>in</strong><br />
declar<strong>in</strong>g my lack of<br />
qualification for the elevated title of a<br />
prophet. I am not a prophet and I very<br />
much doubt if I can ever make one by<br />
any stretch of imag<strong>in</strong>ation.<br />
Just <strong>as</strong> I am not prophetic, I also<br />
cannot make any pretensions to be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
clairvoyant. Indeed, I have no<br />
orbuculum and can therefore not be<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> the act of scry<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
However, <strong>in</strong> spite of these seem<strong>in</strong>g<br />
shortcom<strong>in</strong>gs, I dare say that I can see<br />
the future. Without the aid of crystal<br />
balls, I can see a future where Ogun<br />
State grows its Gross Domestic Product,<br />
GDP, from its current position of $20bn<br />
No to another FESTAC<br />
rise up for the nation and oppose it.<br />
Are they even <strong>in</strong> the picture at all –I<br />
haven’t heard them mention<strong>in</strong>g it. Is<br />
Dr. Anikwe and CBAAG free to do<br />
whatever they like –spend our money<br />
without the permission of the National<br />
Assembly and br<strong>in</strong>g further evil upon<br />
a struggl<strong>in</strong>g nation? Wake up sleep<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rulers!<br />
There are five pillars that exalt a<br />
nation. These are:<br />
• Justice<br />
•Righteousness<br />
•Removal of oppression<br />
•Car<strong>in</strong>g for the widows and the<br />
needy; and<br />
•Seek<strong>in</strong>g for, and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the<br />
presence of God. Ple<strong>as</strong>e see<br />
Deuteronomy 16:20, Proverbs 14:34,<br />
Isaiah 1:17, 20, 21, 26<br />
This should be our focus if we are<br />
look<strong>in</strong>g for a better <strong>Nigeria</strong>.<br />
Even if, <strong>as</strong> Dr. Anikwe said (and I<br />
don’t believe it) that it is mostly go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to be private sector driven, the Private<br />
Sector should be <strong>in</strong>formed to use their<br />
money to drive the economy out of<br />
recession and not w<strong>as</strong>te money on<br />
projects that will br<strong>in</strong>g the nation down<br />
–spiritually and physically.<br />
To them it can be crafted to become<br />
tax deductible expenses (and so may<br />
not affect their <strong>in</strong>come, while giv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them advertorial exposure), but to the<br />
citizens, it will become a quagmire<br />
when the demons that are now<br />
dev<strong>as</strong>tat<strong>in</strong>g other lands are <strong>in</strong>vited<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the country to unle<strong>as</strong>h terror on<br />
us.<br />
Let the children of God beg<strong>in</strong> to<br />
pray aga<strong>in</strong>st it; let the citizens beg<strong>in</strong><br />
to speak out aga<strong>in</strong>st it and let the<br />
“voice of the people” –The Assembly<br />
men and women put a stop to it –To<br />
SAVE NIGERIA from a tomorrow<br />
characterised by what people call<br />
natural dis<strong>as</strong>ters, <strong>in</strong>stead of the true<br />
name –God’s judgement on errant<br />
nations.<br />
When God warns and people don’t<br />
listen and heed, when the judgment<br />
comes, He doesn’t help: “Because I<br />
have called, and ye refused; I have<br />
stretched out my hand, and no man<br />
regarded; But ye have set at nought all<br />
my counsel, and would none of my<br />
reproof: I also will laugh at your<br />
calamity; I will mock when your fear<br />
cometh; When your fear cometh <strong>as</strong><br />
desolation, and your destruction<br />
cometh <strong>as</strong> a whirlw<strong>in</strong>d; when distress<br />
and anguish cometh upon you. Then<br />
shall they call upon me, but I will not<br />
answer; they shall seek me early, but<br />
they shall not f<strong>in</strong>d me: For that they<br />
hated knowledge, and did not choose<br />
the fear of the LORD: They would none<br />
of my counsel: they despised all my<br />
reproof. Therefore, shall they eat of the<br />
fruit of their own way, and be filled<br />
with their own devices. For the turn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
away of the simple shall slay them, and<br />
the prosperity of fools shall destroy<br />
them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me<br />
shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet<br />
from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:24-33<br />
Truth be spoken -there is noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
you can do <strong>in</strong> this life that can give<br />
you joy, without God. The Psalmists<br />
says it is only <strong>in</strong> His presence that there<br />
is fullness of joy, and at His right hand,<br />
ple<strong>as</strong>ures evermore. Psalm 16:11.<br />
He alone is the Author of peace and<br />
without Him a nation cannot prosper.<br />
And He h<strong>as</strong> demonstrated this over<br />
time <strong>in</strong> the life of Israel, the nation He<br />
chose to be the example to the world<br />
2nd Samuel 7: 23; Deuteronomy 4:5-<br />
6. David’s time is described <strong>in</strong> history<br />
<strong>as</strong> the golden era of Israel. That w<strong>as</strong><br />
when the small nation, no bigger than<br />
Oyo State raised $1trillion (Jimmy<br />
Swaggart Commentary Bible, 1984)<br />
to build Solomon’s Temple.<br />
There w<strong>as</strong> also Jehoshaphat who<br />
taught the people Godly pr<strong>in</strong>ciples and<br />
the Lord showed His ple<strong>as</strong>ure by<br />
bless<strong>in</strong>g the land and the people of<br />
God: “Also <strong>in</strong> the third year of his reign<br />
he sent to his pr<strong>in</strong>ces, even to Benhail,<br />
and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and<br />
to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach<br />
<strong>in</strong> the cities of Judah. And with them<br />
he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and<br />
Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel,<br />
and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan,<br />
and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and<br />
Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them<br />
Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And<br />
they taught <strong>in</strong> Judah, and had the book<br />
of the law of the LORD with them, and<br />
went about throughout all the cities of<br />
Judah, and taught the people. And the<br />
KOGI JUDGMENT: An <strong>in</strong>ternational perspective<br />
the INEC displayed the particulars of<br />
the candidates seem<strong>in</strong>gly to allow for<br />
voters judgment. The candidates on<br />
their part campaigned round Kogi<br />
and presented their manifestos to the<br />
people. Given that they were all<br />
upright <strong>in</strong> their paper and character<br />
submission, INEC conducted the<br />
election <strong>as</strong> scheduled. However, there<br />
were reports of discrepancies <strong>in</strong> some<br />
poll<strong>in</strong>g units and so, the INEC<br />
declared the election <strong>in</strong> those are<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>conclusive. Interest<strong>in</strong>gly, valid votes<br />
already counted put Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Abubakar<br />
Audu, candidate of the APC ahead of<br />
others. While everyone waits on INEC,<br />
Audu, lead<strong>in</strong>g candidate suddenly<br />
died. That notwithstand<strong>in</strong>g, the INEC<br />
announced its plan to conduct a<br />
“Supplementary election” <strong>in</strong> those<br />
units where elections were suspended.<br />
In the midst of the confusion, the APC<br />
dumped Audu’s runn<strong>in</strong>g mate, Faleke<br />
and then brought <strong>in</strong> Yahaya <strong>as</strong> its<br />
candidate for the “Supplementary<br />
election” and ultimate beneficiary of<br />
the votes already given to late Audu.<br />
Legal arguments rented the air<br />
concern<strong>in</strong>g the acceptability of<br />
Yahaya <strong>in</strong>herit<strong>in</strong>g those votes. Albeit,<br />
on 5/12/16, the INEC conducted the<br />
“Supplementary election” and<br />
Yahaya w<strong>as</strong> declared overall w<strong>in</strong>ner.<br />
The issues: The Pla<strong>in</strong>tiffs are<br />
seek<strong>in</strong>g a declaration from the court<br />
stat<strong>in</strong>g that the Defendant’s action of<br />
appropriat<strong>in</strong>g the votes of the people<br />
to Yahaya without their consent and<br />
authorization is arbitrary, unlawful<br />
and <strong>in</strong> violation of their fundamental<br />
Human Rights. They are <strong>as</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
court to declare whether Yahaya who<br />
did not present a manifesto to the<br />
people and upon which he could be<br />
held accountable, can be their<br />
governor. They want the court to<br />
decide whether the result of the<br />
“Supplementary election” that<br />
brought Yahaya to power meets the<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational requirement on peoples’<br />
rights of universal and equal<br />
suffrage.<br />
The arguments: The Defendant<br />
says the court lacks jurisdiction to hear<br />
the suit <strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g that it is a domestic<br />
matter – be<strong>in</strong>g one that is predicated<br />
on alleged breach of the <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
Electoral Act, 2010. However,<br />
Pla<strong>in</strong>tiffs’ lawyer Mr. Festus Ogwuche,<br />
apart from argu<strong>in</strong>g that the court is<br />
imbued with requisite jurisdiction, he<br />
says the suit is not one challeng<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> Electoral Act <strong>as</strong> posited by the<br />
Defendant but one bother<strong>in</strong>g on the<br />
breach of fundamental rights of the<br />
people of Kogi to elect the governor of<br />
their choice. Ogwuche told the court<br />
that <strong>Nigeria</strong> cannot be excused from<br />
fulfill<strong>in</strong>g its <strong>in</strong>ternational obligation<br />
to all human rights treaties it h<strong>as</strong> freely<br />
co-signed. He po<strong>in</strong>ted out that <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
is a signatory to the African Chatter<br />
on Human and Peoples’ Rights,<br />
Universal Declaration of Human<br />
Rights, International Covenant on<br />
Civil and Political Rights, ECOWAS<br />
Protocol on Democracy and Good<br />
Governance, etc which all specify an<br />
acceptable m<strong>in</strong>imum standard for<br />
peoples’ right and democratic<br />
procedure. Ogwuche therefore,<br />
argues that the Defendant cannot be<br />
allowed to plead allegiance to<br />
domestic laws <strong>as</strong> a crafty way out of<br />
issues relat<strong>in</strong>g to its violation of<br />
human rights and democratic<br />
procedure <strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>as</strong> a<br />
signatory to all the relevant<br />
International Human Rights Treaties,<br />
it h<strong>as</strong> both legal and moral obligation<br />
to abide <strong>in</strong> them. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to him,<br />
allow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Nigeria</strong> to hide under the<br />
cover of domestic laws to evade justice<br />
<strong>in</strong> the matter is to defeat issues of<br />
human rights <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
Whether the Kogi c<strong>as</strong>e succeeds or<br />
not, it is good for build<strong>in</strong>g democracy<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong>. It is a wakeup call on the<br />
leadership of this country to re-adjust<br />
2017: Between Prophecies, Predictions and Policies<br />
annually to $100bn with<strong>in</strong> the next ten<br />
years. That is not all. I can also see a<br />
future where someone resident <strong>in</strong> Ogun<br />
State can arrive Lagos for work,<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess or any other purposes, after a<br />
20m<strong>in</strong>s tra<strong>in</strong> ride.<br />
I can see a future where an<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational airport <strong>in</strong> Ogun State<br />
becomes a major hub for the<br />
movement of goods, mach<strong>in</strong>eries,<br />
people and services <strong>in</strong> and out of <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
thereby complet<strong>in</strong>g the mean<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
state’s appellation <strong>as</strong> the gateway to<br />
not just the rest of <strong>Nigeria</strong> but also the<br />
West African sub region.<br />
Now, s<strong>in</strong>ce I am neither a prophet<br />
nor a fortune-teller, how did I see this<br />
future that I have so pa<strong>in</strong>ted? Well, Peter<br />
Drucker, the Austrian-born American<br />
management guru already took care<br />
of that when he said, “the best way to<br />
predict the future is to create it.”<br />
And that is exactly what Governor<br />
Ibikunle Amosun is do<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ogun at<br />
the moment. He is busy creat<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
desired future of the state.<br />
“One of the strategies towards<br />
achiev<strong>in</strong>g this aim is to attract<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong>to the State,” he recently<br />
said. To make this happen, the state<br />
government however realizes the need<br />
to first put <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>as</strong>tructure <strong>in</strong> place.<br />
Realis<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>in</strong> order to achieve<br />
m<strong>as</strong>sive <strong>in</strong>dustrialisation, there is the<br />
need to support road transportation<br />
with rail transportation, the state<br />
government h<strong>as</strong> concluded plans to<br />
have the ground-break<strong>in</strong>g ceremony<br />
for its proposed light-rail project with<strong>in</strong><br />
the first quarter of 2017.<br />
The first ph<strong>as</strong>e of the proposed Ogun<br />
Light Rail Network is approximately<br />
102.3km and consists of two l<strong>in</strong>es<br />
namely: Abeokuta (Panseke) – Sagamu<br />
Interchange – Sagamu Town (49.8 km)<br />
and Ogere Town – Sagamu<br />
Interchange – Berger (52.5km).<br />
This first ph<strong>as</strong>e of the rail l<strong>in</strong>e w<strong>as</strong><br />
selected to take advantage of the<br />
exist<strong>in</strong>g traffic on the Lagos to Sagamu<br />
section of the Lagos – Ibadan<br />
Expressway, which is the busiest road<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> with an Annual Average<br />
Daily Traffic (AADT) of over 40,000.<br />
This ph<strong>as</strong>e also connects Abeokuta,<br />
the state capital, to the rapidly grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial zone of Sagamu and<br />
commercial zone of Ogere.<br />
As part of efforts to create the desired<br />
future, the Ogun State government is<br />
also key<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> to the potentials provided<br />
by Agriculture and agri-bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
Closely related to this is the<br />
reforestation project of the state<br />
government. For this, Ogun already<br />
h<strong>as</strong> two sites at Aworo and Imeko.<br />
Apart from the fact that the projects<br />
will go a long way <strong>in</strong> improv<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
quality of the environment, it will also<br />
boost forestry development plan and<br />
promote <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the timber<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Of course when you attract<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments and <strong>in</strong>vestors, you then also<br />
have to make provisions for their<br />
fear of the LORD fell upon all the<br />
k<strong>in</strong>gdoms of the lands that were round<br />
about Judah, so that they made no war<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st Jehoshaphat. Also some of the<br />
Philist<strong>in</strong>es brought Jehoshaphat<br />
presents, and tribute silver; and the<br />
Arabians brought him flocks, seven<br />
thousand and seven hundred rams,<br />
and seven thousand and seven<br />
hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat<br />
waxed great exceed<strong>in</strong>gly; and he built<br />
<strong>in</strong> Judah c<strong>as</strong>tles, and cities of store.<br />
And he had much bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> the cities<br />
of Judah: and the men of war, mighty<br />
men of valour, were <strong>in</strong> Jerusalem.” 2nd<br />
Chronicles 17:7-13.<br />
This is where the Devil comes <strong>in</strong>; he<br />
doesn’t like peace and he doesn’t like<br />
God-given prosperity. He is described<br />
by Jesus <strong>as</strong> the killer, thief and<br />
destroyer. He takes his job very<br />
seriously and the flags of pa<strong>in</strong> fly<strong>in</strong>g<br />
across the world attests to his hard<br />
work. He is ruthless and will use all<br />
available hands, from lazy, jobless<br />
youths do<strong>in</strong>g 419 to the armed<br />
robbers who like to reap where they<br />
have not sown, to leaders who want to<br />
keep the populace <strong>in</strong> perpetual<br />
bondage, pa<strong>in</strong>s and poverty through<br />
corruption and outright <strong>in</strong>vitation for<br />
demons to come and cause more<br />
problems for <strong>Nigeria</strong>; and unless<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>ns speak out now and pray<br />
the Devil away, <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s tomorrow<br />
may not be <strong>as</strong> you envisage.<br />
•Morgridge is a p<strong>as</strong>tor of The<br />
Christian Brethren Church<br />
International, Lagos.<br />
its democratic practice and domestic<br />
laws to meet the <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
standard. Democracy and election<br />
are <strong>in</strong>ternational concepts that have<br />
universal <strong>in</strong>terpretation and<br />
me<strong>as</strong>urements.<br />
Therefore, <strong>Nigeria</strong> cannot safely<br />
hide under domestic laws that are<br />
fallen short of the <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
def<strong>in</strong>ition to give validity to a skewed<br />
democratic practice that undercuts<br />
people’s rights. For sure, <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
cannot hide beh<strong>in</strong>d local laws to<br />
redef<strong>in</strong>e democracy and human<br />
rights. This would require the National<br />
Assembly to s<strong>in</strong>cerely come up with a<br />
pro-people electoral law that<br />
conforms to the <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
democratic standard. It is also<br />
important for court judgments on<br />
election matters <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> to meet<br />
local and <strong>in</strong>ternational expectation.<br />
The credibility of election is a<br />
universal th<strong>in</strong>g. The court h<strong>as</strong><br />
adjourned to Tuesday January 24,<br />
2017 for def<strong>in</strong>ite hear<strong>in</strong>g on the Kogi<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e.<br />
•Edafe is Port-Harcourt b<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
frontl<strong>in</strong>e member of the Campaign<br />
for Social Justice and Constitutional<br />
Democracy.<br />
hous<strong>in</strong>g needs. In this respect, the Ogun<br />
State government is mak<strong>in</strong>g efforts to<br />
create the desired future by cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with the development of the New<br />
Makun City; MITROS City <strong>in</strong> Isheri;<br />
New Government City <strong>in</strong> Kobape;<br />
New Cities <strong>in</strong> Ota and Agbara; New<br />
GRA <strong>in</strong> Ijebu-Ode, and the President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari Hous<strong>in</strong>g Estate,<br />
Kobape, among others.<br />
So, won’t these new projects affect<br />
the completion of ongo<strong>in</strong>g ones? The<br />
governor’s answer is an emphatic no.<br />
“Let me aga<strong>in</strong> re-<strong>as</strong>sure you that the<br />
commencement of new projects will<br />
not <strong>in</strong> any way affect the completion of<br />
on-go<strong>in</strong>g projects spread across the<br />
three Senatorial districts. By the grace<br />
of God, I <strong>as</strong>sure you that we will not<br />
leave any project uncompleted,” he said<br />
recently.<br />
•Soy<strong>in</strong>ka, Senior Special Assistant<br />
(Media) and spokesman for<br />
Governor Ibikunle Amosun, is a<br />
multiple award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g journalist<br />
and Editor.
PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
By Emma Es<strong>in</strong>nah<br />
1984 must have been one of the<br />
proudest moments <strong>in</strong> the history of<br />
the M<strong>as</strong>s Communication Department,<br />
University of <strong>Nigeria</strong>, Nsukka. It w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
year K<strong>in</strong>gsley Osadolor, a product of the<br />
department, emerged the best graduat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
student <strong>in</strong> the university, with a cumulative<br />
score of 3.84 out of a possible<br />
4.0. At the convocation, he had given a<br />
valedictory speech said to be the best <strong>in</strong><br />
the history of the university. Dr. Pat Utomi,<br />
another alumnus of the department, had<br />
just served <strong>as</strong> Special Assistant to President<br />
Shagari. At 27, he w<strong>as</strong> one of the<br />
youngest <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns to serve <strong>in</strong> that capacity.<br />
Other alumni of the department –<br />
Innocent Oparadike, Osaro Isokpan, Ike<br />
Emeagwali, and a host of others - were<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g waves <strong>in</strong> their chosen fields. The<br />
department certa<strong>in</strong>ly had re<strong>as</strong>ons to be<br />
proud. In October that year, we, the “new<br />
Jacksonites”, were even prouder to have<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>ed admission <strong>in</strong>to such a famed department.<br />
The atta<strong>in</strong>ments of the products<br />
of the department were an <strong>in</strong>dication<br />
of the future ahead of us. The lecturers<br />
we had were, perhaps, the best the<br />
university had <strong>in</strong> any department at the<br />
time. We had this charismatic young lecturer<br />
<strong>in</strong> his early thirties then, called Dr.<br />
Charles Okigbo, with about five degrees;<br />
Dr. Ralp Okonkwor, then the Orator of<br />
the university, <strong>as</strong> huge <strong>in</strong> physique <strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>tellect; Dr. PC Agba, E.N. Ume-Nwagbo;<br />
Dr. Idemili; and then the Head of<br />
Department, Dr. (later, Prof.) Sylvanus<br />
Ajana Ekwelie.<br />
Professor Ekwelie, born <strong>in</strong> Achalla, Anambra<br />
State, <strong>in</strong> 1936, had graduated best<br />
student from the department <strong>in</strong> 1967 and,<br />
soon after, had proceeded to the University<br />
of Wiscons<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> the USA, where he<br />
earned a Ph.D <strong>in</strong> journalism. He had<br />
taught <strong>in</strong> some American universities<br />
before return<strong>in</strong>g to his alma mater to head<br />
the department <strong>in</strong> the early seventies.<br />
Ekwelie took us, the first year students<br />
<strong>in</strong> Introduction to M<strong>as</strong>s Communication<br />
and Elements of Journalistic Style, perhaps<br />
the most important courses for us at<br />
the time. He w<strong>as</strong> always smartly dressed<br />
– dark suits and bright ties, mostly red.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g even<strong>in</strong>g cl<strong>as</strong>ses, he dressed <strong>in</strong><br />
short-sleeved shirts, properly pressed and<br />
tucked <strong>in</strong>. His sense of dress<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong><br />
impeccable <strong>as</strong> his clarity of thought. Just<br />
about 5ft.8<strong>in</strong>s, slightly bald<strong>in</strong>g and with<br />
a bit of “stomach”, he walked <strong>in</strong> very confident<br />
and me<strong>as</strong>ured steps, with his head<br />
held high <strong>in</strong> a literal sense. He once told<br />
us that his re<strong>as</strong>on for tak<strong>in</strong>g us <strong>in</strong> the first<br />
year w<strong>as</strong> to “smoothen the rough edges”<br />
we had come to the department with. He<br />
knew a bit of just about anyth<strong>in</strong>g under<br />
sun. With him teach<strong>in</strong>g us, we realized<br />
how little we knew. However, after every<br />
lecture under him, we felt an <strong>in</strong>ch taller.<br />
No one needed to compel us to attend his<br />
cl<strong>as</strong>ses. We knew what we would miss if<br />
we did not attend. He w<strong>as</strong> determ<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
that we would not leave his cl<strong>as</strong>ses <strong>as</strong> “ignorant”<br />
<strong>as</strong> you came <strong>in</strong>. In the first few<br />
weeks, he had <strong>as</strong>ked each of us to raise<br />
our f<strong>in</strong>gers, and <strong>as</strong>ked each person:<br />
“show me your p<strong>in</strong>kie. And your <strong>in</strong>dex”.<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>tonish<strong>in</strong>g how many adults did<br />
not know the f<strong>in</strong>ger called the p<strong>in</strong>kie.<br />
In Elements of Journalistic Style , one of<br />
our daily rout<strong>in</strong>es <strong>as</strong> first year M<strong>as</strong>s<br />
Comm students under him w<strong>as</strong> to rise by<br />
5am to listen to the news bullet<strong>in</strong> on BBC<br />
World Service. He wanted us to know what<br />
w<strong>as</strong> happen<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the world, but more<br />
importantly, he wanted us to learn how<br />
words were pronounced. He w<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong> much<br />
offended by wrong pronunciation <strong>as</strong> by<br />
wrong usage of words. From BBC he<br />
wanted us to learn the length people<br />
could go to ensure that names of people<br />
and places were properly pronounced. He<br />
believed that it w<strong>as</strong> only laz<strong>in</strong>ess that<br />
could make a journalist not to pronounce<br />
a name correctly. For any name of person<br />
or place, there must be somebody familiar<br />
with the pronunciation. Seek out<br />
that person and learn from him. So he<br />
would normally <strong>as</strong>k somebody, “how do<br />
you pronounce your name ?”. And he<br />
would repeat it, with the right <strong>in</strong>flections<br />
and accents. No mistakes. He told us<br />
about the broadc<strong>as</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g greats like Walter<br />
Cronkite, Dan Rather, Barbara Walters<br />
and the th<strong>in</strong>gs that made them great.<br />
He w<strong>as</strong> particular about how you wrote.<br />
One of his most famous quotes w<strong>as</strong> from<br />
Ralph Waldo Emerson: Of all the art <strong>in</strong><br />
which the wise excel, Nature’s m<strong>as</strong>terpiece<br />
is writ<strong>in</strong>g well. And Professor did write well<br />
and still does. Short sentences. Every word<br />
tells. He had no regard for long w<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sentences and people who wrote them. He<br />
would say they tried to “hide their ignorance<br />
<strong>in</strong> verbiage and grandiloquence”.<br />
He spent several weeks teach<strong>in</strong>g the use<br />
of various punctuation marks. He would<br />
tell you, never get tired of us<strong>in</strong>g your comm<strong>as</strong><br />
at the appropriate places. Separate<br />
the town from the state, and the state from<br />
the country with comm<strong>as</strong> (Nsukka, Enugu<br />
State, <strong>Nigeria</strong>).<br />
His sense of humour w<strong>as</strong> unequalled<br />
and whatever he said had his signature<br />
humour. Once <strong>in</strong> a cl<strong>as</strong>s, two students were<br />
argu<strong>in</strong>g about the pronunciation of the<br />
word Zoology. One said it w<strong>as</strong> Zuoloji .<br />
The other said it w<strong>as</strong> Zuuloji . He just allowed<br />
them to monkey on. Then one <strong>as</strong>ked<br />
him, “Sir, what do you th<strong>in</strong>k”? He responded<br />
calmly, with a shrug, “Noth<strong>in</strong>g. Only<br />
that both of you are fools, because, this is<br />
the only country <strong>in</strong> the world where people<br />
argue about a word that is <strong>in</strong> the dictionary.”<br />
And then he raised his voice and<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued, “the dictionary is there to teach<br />
you three th<strong>in</strong>gs: the spell<strong>in</strong>g, the mean<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
and the pronunciation. Cl<strong>as</strong>s, shall<br />
we proceed?” That w<strong>as</strong> how he ended it.<br />
Another day, he had <strong>as</strong>ked a question and<br />
answers began to fly around. After one<br />
person’s contribution, he kept quiet for a<br />
while and when he spoke, he said, “that is<br />
a volum<strong>in</strong>ous display of ignorance”. And<br />
to the next person, he responded “if you<br />
were to write the constitution, half the<br />
country would go to jail, because nobody<br />
would understand the laws of the land”.<br />
Sometimes, his humour w<strong>as</strong> self-ab<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Once, while teach<strong>in</strong>g us how to conduct<br />
<strong>in</strong>terviews, he had volunteered himself<br />
<strong>as</strong> the <strong>in</strong>terviewee. And he had authorized<br />
us to “<strong>as</strong>k anyth<strong>in</strong>g, no matter how<br />
foolish”. It became an opportunity to <strong>as</strong>k<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>deed, from the sensible to the<br />
<strong>in</strong>ane. One <strong>as</strong>ked, “Sir, did you have many<br />
girl friends while <strong>in</strong> the university and<br />
why”. His answer, “ No. I did not. In<br />
the university, I had three shirts and<br />
two pairs of trousers, and not particularly<br />
handsome. With that profile, you<br />
are not a darl<strong>in</strong>g with the ladies. So, I<br />
consoled myself with my books and it<br />
paid off”. Next question w<strong>as</strong>, why he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> not yet a full professor, despite his<br />
brilliance. Did he feel frustrated? His<br />
answer w<strong>as</strong> that, earlier <strong>in</strong> life, all he<br />
had wanted to be w<strong>as</strong> a headm<strong>as</strong>ter <strong>in</strong><br />
his village school. “Now stand<strong>in</strong>g here<br />
and teach<strong>in</strong>g you, undergraduates and<br />
even some graduate students, I have<br />
come a long way. So, nobody is frustrat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
me”.<br />
He w<strong>as</strong> very a comp<strong>as</strong>sionate and<br />
observant lecturer. While recuperat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from a malaria and typhoid attack,<br />
I had lost some weight and once<br />
bumped <strong>in</strong>to Prof on the halfway of<br />
the department. He spoke to me, “<br />
young man, you are not look<strong>in</strong>g well.<br />
Is it hunger or dise<strong>as</strong>e or both?” It<br />
might have sounded rather caustic, but<br />
I w<strong>as</strong> really impressed to know that he<br />
tribute<br />
Ekwelie @ 80:<br />
A professor Par Excellence<br />
•Ekwelie<br />
He w<strong>as</strong> particular about<br />
how you wrote. One of<br />
his most famous<br />
quotes w<strong>as</strong> from Ralph<br />
Waldo Emerson: Of all<br />
the art <strong>in</strong> which the<br />
wise excel, Nature’s<br />
m<strong>as</strong>terpiece is writ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
well. And Professor did<br />
write well and still<br />
does. Short sentences.<br />
Every word tells<br />
cared enough to note how I looked.<br />
Prof. Ekwelie belonged to a generation<br />
that considered teach<strong>in</strong>g a sacred call<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and believed that the students under<br />
them were to be protected. As a much<br />
younger lecturer, he w<strong>as</strong> known to have<br />
stood up to a much senior lecturer who<br />
w<strong>as</strong> mess<strong>in</strong>g around with a student. Characteristically,<br />
he had told the senior that<br />
“sex is a conquest game. If you th<strong>in</strong>k you<br />
are handsome and rich, go outside the<br />
campus and impress women. But ple<strong>as</strong>e,<br />
leave these defenseless girls alone”. He<br />
w<strong>as</strong> also very fair and just. He w<strong>as</strong> not<br />
afraid of scor<strong>in</strong>g anybody an “A” or an<br />
“F”. You got whatever you merited, irrespective<br />
of the number <strong>in</strong> the cl<strong>as</strong>s that<br />
merited those grades.<br />
Like all very brilliant people, he had<br />
that impatience border<strong>in</strong>g on arrogance.<br />
He could not just stand unnecessary mistakes<br />
and people who made such. Once,<br />
he w<strong>as</strong> rumoured to have refused to attend<br />
a meet<strong>in</strong>g called by the Vice Chancellor.<br />
His re<strong>as</strong>on: there were so many<br />
errors <strong>in</strong> the Notice of Meet<strong>in</strong>g that he<br />
told them such could not have come from<br />
the office of the Vice Chancellor of UNN.<br />
At an event, he had risen from his seat to<br />
correct a very senior and highly respected<br />
professor who w<strong>as</strong> mispronounc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the word “monkey”.<br />
As his students, we felt bad that he w<strong>as</strong><br />
not writ<strong>in</strong>g enough articles <strong>in</strong> the newspapers.<br />
We wanted “the world to feel him”.<br />
But his decision not to write w<strong>as</strong> deliberate.<br />
He said he did not believe <strong>in</strong> “vanity<br />
publish<strong>in</strong>g”, and he did not want “some<br />
ignorant people” <strong>in</strong> the newspapers to<br />
“edit their ignorance” <strong>in</strong>to his writ<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
He told the story of how some of them<br />
were try<strong>in</strong>g to correct his writ<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong><br />
the process made mistakes he called<br />
“abom<strong>in</strong>able”. However, if he did not<br />
write much, the little he wrote w<strong>as</strong> celebrated.<br />
He had an article on Traditional<br />
Communication <strong>in</strong> Africa (not exactly sure<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>), first published <strong>in</strong> the Journal of<br />
Communication. It w<strong>as</strong> so powerful it w<strong>as</strong><br />
reproduced <strong>in</strong> numerous other publications.<br />
His later book, A M<strong>as</strong>ter Style<br />
Guide published <strong>in</strong> 2010, is perhaps the<br />
best book <strong>in</strong> that area, after Elements of<br />
Style by Strunk and White, which w<strong>as</strong> the<br />
book he had recommended to his students<br />
<strong>in</strong> those days.<br />
He came back to us <strong>in</strong> our f<strong>in</strong>al year, <strong>as</strong><br />
if to confirm that his labour <strong>in</strong> our first<br />
year would <strong>in</strong>deed bear fruits <strong>in</strong> the field<br />
of communication. His p<strong>as</strong>sion showed<br />
<strong>in</strong> the anger he displayed, when f<strong>in</strong>al-year<br />
student gave an <strong>as</strong>tonish<strong>in</strong>gly wrong answer<br />
to a question he had <strong>as</strong>ked <strong>in</strong> the<br />
cl<strong>as</strong>s. Without any trace of his characteristic<br />
humour, he spoke “<strong>in</strong> a few weeks<br />
from now, we will give you a certificate,<br />
tell<strong>in</strong>g the world that we have found you<br />
worthy <strong>in</strong> character and <strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g. If<br />
you give that k<strong>in</strong>d of answer aga<strong>in</strong>, I will<br />
make you do not get a certificate from<br />
this department”. He w<strong>as</strong> that jealous for<br />
the honour of the department.<br />
Over the years, Professor Ekwelie h<strong>as</strong><br />
produced and <strong>in</strong>fluenced generations of<br />
the best of breed <strong>in</strong> communication, market<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ance, oil and g<strong>as</strong>, public service,<br />
the academia and <strong>in</strong>deed all walks<br />
of life.<br />
Recently, Ekwelie turned 80 and l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
weekend, his family, friends and numerous<br />
former students gathered <strong>in</strong> his hometown<br />
of Achalla to celebrate his life . The<br />
great joy is that his life is be<strong>in</strong>g celebrated<br />
while is still alive. It is therefore a great<br />
honour to write this tribute to one of the<br />
most brilliant and accomplished teachers<br />
of m<strong>as</strong>s communication this side of<br />
heaven. Happy Birthday, Prof.<br />
Es<strong>in</strong>nah, of M<strong>as</strong>s Comm UNN, Graduat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Cl<strong>as</strong>s of 1988, is Country Director<br />
of Curves International.
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017—45<br />
Africa Nations Cup: Can Cote<br />
d’Ivoire defend their title?<br />
THE African Nations<br />
Cup beg<strong>in</strong>s on<br />
Saturday aga<strong>in</strong>st a<br />
backdrop of civil strife <strong>in</strong><br />
host nation Gabon and ever<br />
more strident compla<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
from European clubs about<br />
the tournament tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
away key players midway<br />
through their se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
On the football<strong>in</strong>g front,<br />
the Ivory Co<strong>as</strong>t seek to<br />
defend their title, Egypt bid<br />
to revive former glories and<br />
t<strong>in</strong>y Gu<strong>in</strong>ea Bissau aim to<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue their fairytale run.<br />
The trio are among 16<br />
countries at the biennial<br />
tournament played at four<br />
venues across the oil-rich<br />
central African country,<br />
which only months ago<br />
w<strong>as</strong> beset by civil strife after<br />
a disputed election kept<br />
President Ali Bongo <strong>in</strong><br />
power amid allegations of<br />
widespread fraud.<br />
The possibility of more<br />
protests around the<br />
tournament, which will<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
spotlight the country rarely<br />
enjoys, means the<br />
likelihood of stifl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
security <strong>as</strong> a backdrop to<br />
what is supposed to be a<br />
celebration of African<br />
soccer.<br />
Excitement over the event<br />
h<strong>as</strong> also been tempered by<br />
ongo<strong>in</strong>g controversy over<br />
its tim<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> the<br />
Confederation of African<br />
Football doggedly refuses<br />
to change the schedul<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
much to the frustration of<br />
the ma<strong>in</strong> European leagues<br />
who lose players for a<br />
month <strong>in</strong> the middle of their<br />
se<strong>as</strong>ons.<br />
Fifa rules allow countries<br />
to call up players, caus<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a club versus country<br />
conflict every two years<br />
which this time h<strong>as</strong> led to<br />
more players than ever<br />
opt<strong>in</strong>g to stay with their<br />
clubs.<br />
Cameroon, usually<br />
among the favourites, will<br />
take a weakened side to the<br />
tournament after eight<br />
players told coach Hugo<br />
Broos they wanted to stay<br />
with their clubs rather than<br />
risk los<strong>in</strong>g their places by<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to Gabon.<br />
But holders Ivory Co<strong>as</strong>t<br />
have been able to add to<br />
their talent pool with<br />
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried<br />
Zaha eschew<strong>in</strong>g overtures<br />
to stay loyal to England and<br />
embark<strong>in</strong>g on a new course<br />
with his <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
career.<br />
He will make his debut<br />
on Saturday to become the<br />
first England <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
<strong>in</strong> more than half a century<br />
•Toure unavailable for Cote d’Ivoire<br />
to play for another country,<br />
strengthen<strong>in</strong>g an Ivorian<br />
side without stalwarts Yaya<br />
Toure (retired) and<br />
Gerv<strong>in</strong>ho (<strong>in</strong>jured).<br />
They are among the<br />
favourites along with<br />
Algeria - spearheaded by<br />
newly-crowned African<br />
player of the year Riyad<br />
Mahrez - Ghana, Senegal<br />
and Egypt, who have won<br />
a record seven Nations<br />
Cup titles but not played<br />
<strong>in</strong> the l<strong>as</strong>t three<br />
tournaments.<br />
Their l<strong>as</strong>t appearance<br />
w<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> 2010 when they won<br />
a third successive title<br />
before the fall-out from the<br />
Arab Spr<strong>in</strong>g protests<br />
impacted heavily on the<br />
country’s football.<br />
Reaffirm<strong>in</strong>g Egypt’s<br />
•Aubameyang, Gabon’s hope<br />
place among the cont<strong>in</strong>ental<br />
heavyweights is the goal of<br />
their Argent<strong>in</strong>e coach<br />
Hector Cuper.<br />
“I know well that the fans<br />
adore trophies so we go to<br />
try and br<strong>in</strong>g one back,” he<br />
said.<br />
Gabon will open the<br />
tournament on January 14<br />
at Libreville’s Stade l’Amitie<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st Gu<strong>in</strong>ea Bissau, who<br />
defied all conventional<br />
wisdom to reach the f<strong>in</strong>als<br />
for the first time.<br />
One of the world’s poorest<br />
countries, the team from the<br />
former Portuguese colony<br />
have not played a match<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce September but are<br />
eager to cont<strong>in</strong>ue their<br />
heroics after dump<strong>in</strong>g out<br />
former champions Congo<br />
and Zambia <strong>in</strong> the qualifiers.<br />
“We are up aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
vultures who have great<br />
experience of the Nations<br />
Cup,” said Gu<strong>in</strong>ea Bissau<br />
coach Baciro Cande.<br />
AFCON 2017: Gabon beg<strong>in</strong> ch<strong>as</strong>e for<br />
first title despite gloomy citizens<br />
With just days to<br />
go before<br />
Pierre-Emerick<br />
Aubameyang’s Gabon<br />
beg<strong>in</strong> their quest to w<strong>in</strong><br />
the Africa Cup of Nations<br />
on home soil, the mood<br />
<strong>in</strong> the host nation<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>s gloomy.<br />
While the f<strong>in</strong>al touches<br />
are be<strong>in</strong>g put on the four<br />
stadiums due to host<br />
matches <strong>in</strong> the January<br />
14-February 5<br />
tournament, the small<br />
central African state<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the midst of a<br />
social and political crisis.<br />
On the streets of the<br />
capital Libreville,<br />
decorated with banners<br />
advertis<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
upcom<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>ental<br />
tournament, workmen<br />
have been busy apply<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a f<strong>in</strong>al lick of white pa<strong>in</strong>t<br />
to the edges of<br />
pavements.<br />
In the other host cities<br />
of Oyem <strong>in</strong> the north,<br />
Franceville <strong>in</strong> the southe<strong>as</strong>t<br />
and Port-Gentil, the<br />
country’s oil capital, f<strong>in</strong>al<br />
adjustments are still<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g made around the<br />
stadiums.<br />
But the atmosphere on<br />
the streets is yet to pick<br />
up and the mood around<br />
the end-of-year<br />
celebrations <strong>in</strong> Gabon<br />
w<strong>as</strong> somewhat moribund<br />
at a time when the<br />
country is struggl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with a severe economic<br />
crisis caused by the<br />
collapse of the price of<br />
oil.<br />
Oil is the ma<strong>in</strong> source<br />
of revenue <strong>in</strong> the country<br />
•Zaha, newcomer for Cote d’Ivoire<br />
of 1.8 million people and<br />
with a large number of<br />
economic migrants from<br />
the likes of Senegal,<br />
Burk<strong>in</strong>a F<strong>as</strong>o and<br />
Cameroon.<br />
“Libreville, Port-Gentil,<br />
Franceville and Oyem<br />
have lost their<br />
reputations <strong>as</strong> energetic,<br />
teem<strong>in</strong>g cities of party<br />
animals,” stated an<br />
op<strong>in</strong>ion piece <strong>in</strong> the<br />
national daily L’Union<br />
on Wednesday.<br />
President Ali Bongo<br />
Ondimba’s re-election <strong>in</strong><br />
August, which w<strong>as</strong><br />
validated by the<br />
constitutional court, is<br />
contested by the<br />
opposition and the<br />
European Union and led<br />
to deadly unrest <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country.<br />
In his New Year<br />
message to the nation,<br />
Bongo accepted the<br />
difficulties currently<br />
faced by many <strong>in</strong> the<br />
country.<br />
“Many of our<br />
compatriots have been<br />
badly affected by the<br />
fall-out from the world<br />
economic crisis. Many<br />
jobs have been lost <strong>in</strong><br />
the oil <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong><br />
particular,” he said.<br />
In recent months there<br />
have been cont<strong>in</strong>ual<br />
calls for strike action,<br />
notably <strong>in</strong> public sector<br />
jobs, amid demands for<br />
social <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> political<br />
change.<br />
Close to six months<br />
have p<strong>as</strong>sed s<strong>in</strong>ce the<br />
presidential election,<br />
but opposition leader<br />
Jean P<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>ues to<br />
declare himself the<br />
rightful w<strong>in</strong>ner and h<strong>as</strong><br />
called on the people of<br />
Gabon to resist aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
“the dictatorship”.<br />
O p p o s i t i o n<br />
newspapers have made<br />
regular calls to boycott<br />
the Cup of Nations,<br />
which gets underway<br />
when Gabon face<br />
debutants Gu<strong>in</strong>ea-<br />
Bissau on January 14, or<br />
to use the tournament <strong>as</strong><br />
a soundbox for their<br />
ide<strong>as</strong>.<br />
Still traumatised by the<br />
post-election violence,<br />
some <strong>in</strong> Gabon are<br />
dread<strong>in</strong>g the prospect of<br />
<strong>in</strong>cidents around<br />
matches, notably <strong>in</strong> the<br />
traditionally rebellious<br />
city of Port-Gentil and <strong>in</strong><br />
Oyem.<br />
The head of state h<strong>as</strong><br />
tried to calm the tensions<br />
by reiterat<strong>in</strong>g his<br />
promise to open political<br />
dialogue “the day after<br />
the 2017 Africa Cup of<br />
Nations ends,” but P<strong>in</strong>g<br />
h<strong>as</strong> so far rejected this.<br />
Bongo described 2016<br />
<strong>as</strong> “a difficult year due<br />
to an election campaign<br />
marred by hatred and by<br />
a post-election situation<br />
that saw tension rise to<br />
unacceptable levels for<br />
our people.”<br />
A big football fan,<br />
Bongo is hop<strong>in</strong>g the Cup<br />
of Nations – CAN to give<br />
it its acronym <strong>in</strong> French<br />
– can br<strong>in</strong>g a period of<br />
calm.
PAGE 46–SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
American coaches vow to sue<br />
sports m<strong>in</strong>istry<br />
By Ben Efe<br />
THE American coaches<br />
and their <strong>Nigeria</strong>n<br />
counterparts attached to the<br />
elite sports programme<br />
funded by the Sports<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry have threatened to<br />
sue, after they were paid<br />
two weeks salary out of the<br />
11 months outstand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
owed them.<br />
The coaches Angie Taylor,<br />
Eric Campbell, Michael<br />
Afilaka and Gabriel Okon<br />
were expect<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
substantial part of their<br />
outstand<strong>in</strong>g salary to be<br />
paid before Christm<strong>as</strong>. But<br />
to their dismay only two<br />
weeks pay w<strong>as</strong> transferred<br />
<strong>in</strong>to their accounts on<br />
Tuesday January 3, 2017.<br />
The coaches were<br />
contracted <strong>in</strong> 2012 by former<br />
Sports M<strong>in</strong>ister, Bolaji<br />
Abdulahi to run an elite<br />
programme that will put<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n sports back to<br />
world reckon<strong>in</strong>g. The<br />
contract w<strong>as</strong> renewed by<br />
current Sports M<strong>in</strong>ister<br />
Solomon Dalung l<strong>as</strong>t year,<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce then they have not<br />
been paid a dime. Their<br />
contracts will expire next<br />
month.<br />
One of the coaches who<br />
Ndidi<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from Back<br />
compatriot Islam Slimani<br />
who have left for the Africa<br />
Cup of Nations to play for<br />
Algeria.<br />
“It’s like a dream. I am<br />
very excited to be here,” he<br />
said. “Just a couple of years<br />
ago I w<strong>as</strong> watch<strong>in</strong>g these<br />
guys on TV, now I’m here.<br />
“This means a lot to me,<br />
but it’s another new<br />
challenge and I always like<br />
Ahmed Musa<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from Back<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Champions League,<br />
but they got the best of a<br />
manic eight-m<strong>in</strong>ute period<br />
<strong>in</strong> which all three goals<br />
arrived.<br />
Romelu Lukaku had<br />
given Everton a deserved<br />
lead, but Musa struck twice<br />
<strong>in</strong> the space of five m<strong>in</strong>utes<br />
to turn the game on its head<br />
and secure the Foxes’ first<br />
FA Cup w<strong>in</strong> over the<br />
Toffees.<br />
Ronald Koeman will be<br />
seeth<strong>in</strong>g after the half-time<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduction of Gerard<br />
Deulofeu had <strong>in</strong>itially<br />
looked an <strong>in</strong>spired one,<br />
only for defensive<br />
slopp<strong>in</strong>ess to allow the<br />
Foxes back <strong>in</strong>to it.<br />
“Musa w<strong>as</strong> excellent. I’ve<br />
watched him recently and<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k he is start<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
•Travell<strong>in</strong>g Man...Sports M<strong>in</strong>ister, Solomon Dalung enjoy<strong>in</strong>g himself at the Rio 2016<br />
Olympics. The coaches he hired are threaten<strong>in</strong>g to sue.<br />
spoke yesterday stated<br />
that life h<strong>as</strong> been difficult.<br />
“We were told that at le<strong>as</strong>t<br />
half of the 11 months<br />
would paid before<br />
Christm<strong>as</strong> and we did<br />
submit our bank accounts<br />
only for us to f<strong>in</strong>d out it w<strong>as</strong><br />
only two weeks out the 11<br />
months.<br />
“I want <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns to<br />
know that we are not<br />
cry<strong>in</strong>g out because of the<br />
to challenge myself.<br />
“It w<strong>as</strong> a good first<br />
experience,” he said.<br />
“Then tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g w<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>tensive but I enjoyed it<br />
and there’s a lot I can<br />
learn.<br />
“I leave everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
the hands of God. All I can<br />
do is tra<strong>in</strong> hard, follow the<br />
coach’s <strong>in</strong>structions and<br />
just play my game. The<br />
rest is <strong>in</strong> His hands,” said<br />
Ndidi.<br />
understand English<br />
football better,” says Foxes<br />
manager Claudio Ranieri.<br />
“I’m very ple<strong>as</strong>ed. We<br />
made a good match<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st a big team who we<br />
lost to at home <strong>in</strong> the<br />
league. I loved our<br />
reaction to conced<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
goal.”<br />
Everton manager<br />
Ronald Koeman is offer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
no excuses <strong>in</strong> his<br />
<strong>as</strong>sessment of Leicester’s<br />
comeback w<strong>in</strong> at<br />
Goodison.<br />
“It’s not bad luck, we did<br />
it ourselves. It’s<br />
unbelievable how we<br />
dropped back,” says the<br />
Dutchman.<br />
“Everyone is<br />
disappo<strong>in</strong>ted, but I know<br />
what we need to change.<br />
It’s my job to get results to<br />
match the expectations of<br />
this club.”<br />
money. We are <strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
gett<strong>in</strong>g paid because<br />
provision h<strong>as</strong> been made for<br />
the settlement of our salary,”<br />
said Campbell.<br />
“It is because of corruption<br />
that the m<strong>in</strong>istry is<br />
withhold<strong>in</strong>g our money. It<br />
h<strong>as</strong> noth<strong>in</strong>g to do with<br />
recession, we do know that<br />
monies have been<br />
NFF<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from Back<br />
signed from the office <strong>in</strong><br />
charge of the national<br />
<strong>as</strong>sociations.<br />
L<strong>as</strong>t month the NFF<br />
denied allegations by the<br />
Sports M<strong>in</strong>ister, Solomon<br />
Dalung that it mismanaged<br />
FIFA grant and<br />
development funds. The<br />
NFF claimed that the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister w<strong>as</strong> not properly<br />
briefed on the matter and he<br />
too w<strong>as</strong> not accurately<br />
<strong>in</strong>form<strong>in</strong>g the public on the<br />
issue.<br />
The M<strong>in</strong>ister had<br />
requested that the NFF<br />
account for the FIFA funds<br />
allocated to the sports<br />
m<strong>in</strong>istry.<br />
“I gathered from the<br />
people <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>istry that<br />
there is a whole lot of files<br />
to be attended to and ours<br />
w<strong>as</strong> not a priority. We may<br />
be forced to take legal<br />
action to retrieve our dues<br />
if it is not settled before<br />
the contract expires.”<br />
<strong>as</strong> the world soccer body<br />
h<strong>as</strong> withheld grants to<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
improper documentation of<br />
a US$802,000 rele<strong>as</strong>ed to<br />
the NFF by FIFA.<br />
Meanwhile, react<strong>in</strong>g<br />
yesterday through a<br />
statement from its<br />
Communication<br />
department, the NFF<br />
debunked the story,<br />
<strong>in</strong>sist<strong>in</strong>g that noth<strong>in</strong>g could<br />
be farther from the truth.<br />
“We have never received<br />
any <strong>in</strong>formation from FIFA<br />
talk<strong>in</strong>g about ‘traces of<br />
corruption’ <strong>in</strong> our<br />
submission with regards to<br />
the audit query of l<strong>as</strong>t year.<br />
The only <strong>in</strong>formation FIFA<br />
h<strong>as</strong> provided to the NFF<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese money<br />
entices Robben<br />
BAYERN<br />
Munich<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ger Arjen Robben<br />
h<strong>as</strong> refused to rule out a<br />
potential move to the<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese Super League, but<br />
expects to stay <strong>in</strong> Germany<br />
for another se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
Robben’s contract at the<br />
Allianz Arena expires at the<br />
end of June and Ch<strong>in</strong>a is<br />
becom<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong>cre<strong>as</strong><strong>in</strong>gly<br />
viable option for European<br />
and South American<br />
players.<br />
The big-spend<strong>in</strong>g teams<br />
<strong>in</strong> the CSL have lured John<br />
Obi Mikel, Carlos Tevez,<br />
Oscar and Axel Witsel to<br />
the country this month, with<br />
the likes of the likes of<br />
Hulk, Jackson Mart<strong>in</strong>ez<br />
and Alex Teixeira already<br />
play<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a.<br />
Asked about the prospect<br />
of a move to the CSL,<br />
Robben said: “Everyone<br />
h<strong>as</strong> to personally <strong>as</strong>sess<br />
this. You must never say<br />
that this is not an option.<br />
But also do not say that you<br />
want to go.<br />
“I am now at Bayern. Of<br />
course, I plan a little, I talk<br />
to my wife. I am now at the<br />
top level. You must see what<br />
comes next.<br />
“My family comes first,<br />
but the life experience,<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g elsewhere - <strong>in</strong> the<br />
USA, <strong>in</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a - might<br />
come. But maybe not.<br />
Enrique hopeful Barca can catch Real<br />
BARCELONA travel to El<br />
Madrigal to face<br />
Villarreal with six po<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d Real Madrid <strong>in</strong> the<br />
league, after Z<strong>in</strong>ed<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Zidane’s side demolished<br />
Granada 5-0 on Saturday.<br />
Fourth placed Villarreal<br />
have only been beaten once<br />
on home turf <strong>in</strong> the league<br />
this se<strong>as</strong>on, beat<strong>in</strong>g Atletico<br />
Madrid 3-0 l<strong>as</strong>t month. But<br />
Luis Enrique says his side<br />
still have wriggle room <strong>in</strong><br />
the title race.<br />
“I’m sure we do,” he said.<br />
“I bet that there’s no team<br />
who will w<strong>in</strong> every<br />
rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g game but it’s true<br />
we’re not <strong>in</strong> the position we<br />
like to be.<br />
“We can only put pressure<br />
on the leaders by w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<br />
every game. We’re not<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g to w<strong>in</strong> every game<br />
this se<strong>as</strong>on, we wish we<br />
could but it won’t happen,<br />
there’s a long se<strong>as</strong>on still<br />
to go.”<br />
Speak<strong>in</strong>g on their 2-1<br />
Copa del Rey loss to<br />
Athletic Bilboa, Enrique<br />
says he understands why<br />
Barcelona players reacted<br />
furiously to the defeat, with<br />
Gerard Pique reportedly<br />
fac<strong>in</strong>g a ban over his postmatch<br />
comments.<br />
Barca left San Mames<br />
with a 2-1 defeat <strong>in</strong> the<br />
first-leg fixture, which saw<br />
Athletic reduced to n<strong>in</strong>e<br />
men <strong>in</strong> a cl<strong>as</strong>h<br />
overshadowed by the<br />
performance of referee<br />
David Fernandez.<br />
•Messi<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce the audit query is that<br />
they are keen to look at<br />
performance improvement<br />
are<strong>as</strong> <strong>in</strong> which FIFA and<br />
NFF might jo<strong>in</strong>tly work on<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g forward.<br />
Amaz<strong>in</strong>gly, this same<br />
matter affects so many<br />
Member Associations <strong>in</strong><br />
Africa, <strong>as</strong> a result of the<br />
new f<strong>in</strong>ancial and<br />
governance reforms <strong>in</strong><br />
FIFA. It is only <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
that the issue h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
sensationalized beyond<br />
normal. In any event, the<br />
query matter is be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
handled and we hope to<br />
sort out all matters with<strong>in</strong><br />
the shortest possible time so<br />
that we can put all these<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d us.<br />
Maybe I’ll go back home<br />
[to the Netherlands]. I do<br />
not rule out anyth<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
“The extension of the<br />
contract is not yet an issue.<br />
I’m concentrat<strong>in</strong>g on the<br />
next six months and I want<br />
to w<strong>in</strong> the championship.<br />
“I have no deadl<strong>in</strong>e, if it<br />
comes it comes. I only<br />
concentrate on football. I<br />
still have a contract, after<br />
that I’ll stay another year,<br />
maybe another year [after<br />
that].”<br />
On when he will f<strong>in</strong>ish<br />
his career, the 32-year-old<br />
said: “I still love to play and<br />
have fun on the pitch. If you<br />
are over 30, you know that<br />
the end comes nearer. But<br />
I do not know yet when this<br />
will be with me. This may<br />
have to be decided<br />
spontaneously.”<br />
Real Madrid<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from Back<br />
ahead of second-placed<br />
Barcelona, which plays<br />
fourth-placed Villarreal on<br />
Sunday.<br />
Ronaldo, who w<strong>as</strong> rested<br />
<strong>in</strong> Madrid’s first-leg 3-0<br />
w<strong>in</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>st Sevilla <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Copa del Rey on<br />
Wednesday, scored with a<br />
close-range header off a<br />
cross by Marcelo <strong>in</strong> the<br />
27th m<strong>in</strong>ute.<br />
Madrid’s l<strong>as</strong>t setback<br />
w<strong>as</strong> a 2-0 loss at Wolfsburg<br />
<strong>in</strong> the quarterf<strong>in</strong>al first leg<br />
of the Champions League<br />
<strong>in</strong> April. S<strong>in</strong>ce then, it h<strong>as</strong><br />
won 30 games and drawn<br />
n<strong>in</strong>e under coach<br />
Z<strong>in</strong>ed<strong>in</strong>e Zidane.<br />
Zidane, who h<strong>as</strong> lost<br />
only two games s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g over Madrid a year<br />
ago, had already matched<br />
the club record of 34 games<br />
without a defeat set <strong>in</strong> 1989<br />
under coach Leo<br />
Beenhakker.<br />
The Spanish record set<br />
by Luis Enrique’s<br />
Barcelona l<strong>as</strong>t se<strong>as</strong>on<br />
ended with a loss to<br />
Madrid at Camp Nou <strong>in</strong><br />
April.<br />
Madrid will have a<br />
chance to take the record<br />
outright <strong>in</strong> the second leg<br />
at Sevilla on Thursday.<br />
Isco opened the scor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with a low shot from <strong>in</strong>side<br />
the area <strong>in</strong> the 12th after a<br />
mistake by the Granada<br />
defense while try<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
move the ball forward, and<br />
Benzema dded to the lead<br />
<strong>in</strong> the 20th off the rebound.<br />
TODAY'S MATCHES<br />
FA CUP<br />
Liverpool v Plymouth<br />
2:30 pm<br />
Chelsea vs Peterborough<br />
4.00 pm<br />
Tottenham v Aston Villa<br />
5:00 pm<br />
La Liga<br />
Villarreal v Barcelona<br />
9.45pm
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017, PAGE 47<br />
Sports m<strong>in</strong>istry: Mixed reactions greet<br />
Ohaa’s re-deployment <strong>as</strong> Perm Sec<br />
By Patrick Omorodion<br />
THE Youth and Sports<br />
m<strong>in</strong>istry at the weekend<br />
witnessed mixed reactions<br />
among its staff follow<strong>in</strong>g the redeployment<br />
of the Permanent<br />
Secretary, Mr Christian Ohaa<br />
by the Office of the Head of Civil<br />
Service of the Federation.<br />
Ohaa, who w<strong>as</strong> among the 18<br />
new permanent secretaries<br />
appo<strong>in</strong>ted by President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari, w<strong>as</strong><br />
deployed to the Youth and<br />
Sports m<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>in</strong> November<br />
2015 and he worked side by side<br />
the Director General of the<br />
National Sports Commission,<br />
Mallam Alh<strong>as</strong>san Yakmut<br />
shortly before the Commission<br />
w<strong>as</strong> scrapped.<br />
Like the two other permanent<br />
secretaries re-deployed<br />
alongside Mr Ohaa, no<br />
replacement w<strong>as</strong> announced for<br />
the Enugu-born adm<strong>in</strong>istrator<br />
who until he w<strong>as</strong> appo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />
Permanent Secretary w<strong>as</strong><br />
Director <strong>in</strong> the F<strong>in</strong>ance and<br />
Accounts department of the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry of Transport.<br />
React<strong>in</strong>g Friday, one staff of<br />
the Youth and Sports m<strong>in</strong>istry<br />
who pleaded anonymity said he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> less perturbed about his<br />
removal <strong>as</strong> “he and the sports<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ister have done so much<br />
damage to the m<strong>in</strong>istry s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
their arrival <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>istry.”<br />
Another staff said it would be<br />
too early to celebrate until he<br />
sees who w<strong>as</strong> com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>as</strong> Mr<br />
Ohaa’s replacement <strong>as</strong> “it<br />
would make no difference if<br />
someone like him or worse than<br />
him is brought aga<strong>in</strong>.”<br />
Another staff, still ru<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
near collapse of the m<strong>in</strong>istry<br />
under Dalung and Ohaa, just<br />
wrote, “a welcome development<br />
though it doesn’t matter to me.<br />
We are wait<strong>in</strong>g for the new<br />
person.”<br />
One major compla<strong>in</strong>t of some<br />
top directors of the sports<br />
m<strong>in</strong>istry about Mr Ohaa when<br />
he <strong>as</strong>sumed office w<strong>as</strong> his<br />
alleged directive to secretaries of<br />
the federations that they must<br />
L<strong>as</strong>isi relishes return to<br />
Remo Stars<br />
RETURNEE Remo Stars’<br />
midfielder, Saheed L<strong>as</strong>isi h<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>as</strong>serted that he is capable of<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g an impact for the<br />
Sagamu-b<strong>as</strong>ed side <strong>in</strong> the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> Professional Football<br />
League (NPFL) se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
L<strong>as</strong>isi returned to the Sky Blue<br />
Stars after leav<strong>in</strong>g the club three<br />
se<strong>as</strong>ons ago <strong>in</strong> a sojourn that saw<br />
him appear<strong>in</strong>g for different clubs<br />
around the country.<br />
The talented ball p<strong>as</strong>ser first<br />
teamed up with Kogi United with<br />
his then coach at Remo Stars,<br />
Fatai Osho <strong>in</strong> the 2013/2014 of the<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong> National League (NNL)<br />
se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
A graduate of Human K<strong>in</strong>etics<br />
from Tai Solar<strong>in</strong> University of<br />
Education, Akungba, L<strong>as</strong>isi also<br />
had a st<strong>in</strong>t at Gateway United FC<br />
<strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g se<strong>as</strong>on but could<br />
not see out the campaign with<br />
Gateway and decided to return<br />
to Kogi United for the rema<strong>in</strong>der<br />
of that se<strong>as</strong>on.<br />
‘Omo Alhaja’, <strong>as</strong> L<strong>as</strong>isi is fondly<br />
called by his team mates, would<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> team up with coach Osho<br />
who left Kogi United to Crown FC<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t se<strong>as</strong>on and made a huge<br />
impact for the Ajilete Warlords,<br />
especially <strong>in</strong> the Federation Cup<br />
where they lost to eventual<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ners FC Ifeanyiubah <strong>in</strong> the<br />
semi-f<strong>in</strong>als.<br />
•Ohaa<br />
Born <strong>in</strong> Lagos, the midfielder h<strong>as</strong><br />
told npfl.ng that he is primed to<br />
contribute his best to make Remo<br />
Stars be a force to reckon with <strong>in</strong><br />
the NPFL and warned other clubs<br />
would regret if they underrate the<br />
NPFL debutants.<br />
•L<strong>as</strong>isi<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude his name on any of<br />
their trips abroad if they<br />
wanted their memos for such<br />
trips to be approved.<br />
Penultimate week, <strong>in</strong> defence<br />
of the non payment of<br />
allowances to the victorious<br />
Super Falcons, Mr Ohaa told<br />
Brila FM radio <strong>in</strong> Lagos that<br />
“we couldn’t pay them<br />
(Falcons) because it w<strong>as</strong><br />
difficult to know the number of<br />
matches they would w<strong>in</strong> or at<br />
which stage they would get to.<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> difficult to compute how<br />
much w<strong>as</strong> needed <strong>as</strong> their<br />
allowances.”<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> the consensus op<strong>in</strong>ion<br />
of the m<strong>in</strong>istry’s staff that<br />
Ohaa’s deployment to sports<br />
w<strong>as</strong> that of a square peg <strong>in</strong> a<br />
round hole and his<br />
redeployment “is good<br />
riddance to bad rubbish”.<br />
AFCON: Injury<br />
KO’s Morocco’s<br />
Amrabat<br />
M<br />
OROCCO <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
Nord<strong>in</strong> Amrabat h<strong>as</strong><br />
been ruled out of the Africa<br />
Cup of Nations <strong>in</strong> Gabon after<br />
fail<strong>in</strong>g to recover from an ankle<br />
<strong>in</strong>jury.<br />
The Watford w<strong>in</strong>ger will be<br />
replaced by Omar El Kaddouri,<br />
the Morocco Football<br />
Federation confirmed on<br />
Saturday.<br />
Amrabat, 29, limped off <strong>in</strong> the<br />
second half of l<strong>as</strong>t Sunday’s 4-<br />
1 home loss to Tottenham and,<br />
after medical exam<strong>in</strong>ations,<br />
w<strong>as</strong> ruled out of the<br />
tournament which starts on 14<br />
January.<br />
The 26-year-old Belgianborn<br />
El Kaddouri comes <strong>in</strong>to<br />
coach Herve Renard’s 23-man<br />
squad which w<strong>as</strong> announced<br />
on Wednesday.<br />
NFF’s decision on Age Grade<br />
competitions<br />
T<br />
HE <strong>Nigeria</strong> Football Federation, NFF never ce<strong>as</strong>es to amuse<br />
me. Like the proverbial tortoise, they are always <strong>in</strong> the news, for<br />
the wrong re<strong>as</strong>ons also. A body that knows its f<strong>in</strong>ancial predicament<br />
and should be prudent with its funds, turns a Father Christm<strong>as</strong><br />
because it wants to ple<strong>as</strong>e everyone.<br />
I still believe that because the present Board led by Amaju Melv<strong>in</strong><br />
P<strong>in</strong>nick came <strong>in</strong>to be<strong>in</strong>g by a manipulation of the electoral system,<br />
it h<strong>as</strong> always tried to appe<strong>as</strong>e those who were frustrated out of the<br />
process.<br />
Till now, all is not well with the Board even though P<strong>in</strong>nick tries<br />
to say they are one family, <strong>as</strong> shown by his alleged 11 over 11<br />
endorsement for the CAF seat. I am not aware it w<strong>as</strong> the Board that<br />
endorsed him though.<br />
Like I w<strong>as</strong> say<strong>in</strong>g earlier, the NFF reel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
em<strong>as</strong>culation, ferries hundreds of ‘supporters’ to competitions, an<br />
action that costs the federation thousands of money <strong>in</strong> dollars. At<br />
other times it sponsors coaches, referees and match commissioners<br />
abroad, claim<strong>in</strong>g it w<strong>as</strong> help<strong>in</strong>g to build human capacity to help the<br />
game <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
Anyone who knows the system very well cannot be hoodw<strong>in</strong>ked<br />
<strong>in</strong>to believ<strong>in</strong>g the NFF. All these are done to ‘soften’ the ground for<br />
the embattled head of the federation who is not only be<strong>in</strong>g pursued<br />
legally by another power hungry adm<strong>in</strong>istrator but har<strong>as</strong>sed by<br />
fellow Board members who believe that he is not ‘carry<strong>in</strong>g’ them<br />
along.<br />
Aware that its subvention from the government is no longer regular<br />
and even reduced, it behoves on the NFF to cut its spend<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
ensure that its funds are judiciously used for its crucial programmes.<br />
While its programmes suffer from lack of funds, the leadership is<br />
quick to tell <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns that monies spent on some unnecessary<br />
programmes are sourced <strong>in</strong>dependently from avenues that are never<br />
ever disclosed.<br />
The most recent w<strong>as</strong> the charter of an aircraft to airlift some of its<br />
friends and government officials, which we learnt <strong>in</strong>cluded the Youth<br />
and Sports M<strong>in</strong>ister, Solomon Dalung to Cameroon to watch the<br />
f<strong>in</strong>al of the Africa Women’s Nations Cup where the Super Falcons<br />
overcame the host to reta<strong>in</strong> the title.<br />
The same federation w<strong>as</strong> aware while do<strong>in</strong>g this, that it had no<br />
money <strong>in</strong> place to pay the players and their officials. Yet the leadership<br />
could look <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns <strong>in</strong> the face and say that the money used to<br />
charter the aircraft w<strong>as</strong> from a private sponsor. If they could source<br />
money privately to ferry people who added noth<strong>in</strong>g to Falcons’<br />
victory <strong>in</strong> Cameroon, why not use the same connection to source<br />
money to pay the players so that when the government money they<br />
are always rely<strong>in</strong>g on comes, they could repay the loan?<br />
What their action h<strong>as</strong> revealed is that they are <strong>in</strong> football not for<br />
the <strong>in</strong>terest of the game nor the welfare of the key actors, that is the<br />
players and technical officials, but just to feather their own nests.<br />
Otherwise why would P<strong>in</strong>nick <strong>in</strong> the midst of the embarr<strong>as</strong>sment<br />
the non payment of the Falcons’ allowances and their shameful<br />
protest caused the country, th<strong>in</strong>k that his quest to be elected <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the CAF Executive Committee w<strong>as</strong> of paramount importance?<br />
Aga<strong>in</strong>, aware that it may not f<strong>in</strong>d it e<strong>as</strong>y <strong>as</strong>sess<strong>in</strong>g government<br />
money from the sports m<strong>in</strong>istry after the M<strong>in</strong>ister had launched an<br />
attack on the way it spends both the government subvention and<br />
the FIFA grants it gets for developmental programmes, the NFF<br />
shamefully told <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns that it may no longer participate <strong>in</strong> age<br />
grade competitions henceforth.<br />
The new stance, it th<strong>in</strong>ks, will make it look a prudent organisation<br />
<strong>in</strong> the eyes of <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns but how wrong it is. The action is tantamount<br />
to one cutt<strong>in</strong>g his nose to spite his face. So the NFF does not know<br />
that the age grade competitions are like the nursery from which<br />
future stars and hope of the country are discovered, groomed and<br />
nurtured to stardom? Why do they th<strong>in</strong>k FIFA established those<br />
categories? It is mostly to help the develop<strong>in</strong>g countries who are<br />
still lagg<strong>in</strong>g beh<strong>in</strong>d the advanced countries who have feeder teams<br />
at club levels from where they enrich their clubs and national teams.<br />
That is why these advanced countries never bother themselves<br />
when their youth teams never w<strong>in</strong> these competitions which the<br />
Africans seem to dom<strong>in</strong>ate and celebrate with pomp and pageantry.<br />
Instead of ensur<strong>in</strong>g that the proper th<strong>in</strong>gs are done to see the young<br />
players graduate from one age grade to the other and <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
senior team, the football adm<strong>in</strong>istrators collude with the young<br />
players, sometimes with their parents too, to falsify their ages, all<br />
because they want to w<strong>in</strong> at all cost.<br />
Now because they are faced with a lean purse, the first c<strong>as</strong>ualty is<br />
the age grade competitions. If this decision is not reversed, a time<br />
will come when the senior team would not have young and promis<strong>in</strong>g<br />
talents com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> to replace the old and retir<strong>in</strong>g players.<br />
It h<strong>as</strong> not occurred to the NFF that the age grade competitions<br />
have produced some truly young talents who later matured <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
senior team. Players like Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Yobo<br />
Joseph, Wilson Oruma and even late Stephen Keshi, among many<br />
others came from the junior teams to limelight.<br />
In the current Super Eagles, Kelechi Iheanacho, voted Africa’s<br />
most promis<strong>in</strong>g talent at the just held Glo-CAF Award, is a product<br />
of age grade competition. He is not only mak<strong>in</strong>g waves with the<br />
senior team, but h<strong>as</strong> announced himself <strong>as</strong> a player of note <strong>in</strong> the<br />
English Premiership with<strong>in</strong> the short time he h<strong>as</strong> played there.<br />
Even Victor Osimhen that just signed for Wolfsburg <strong>in</strong> the German<br />
Bundesliga w<strong>as</strong> discovered at the U-17 level from where he moved<br />
to the Fly<strong>in</strong>g Eagles. He is a potential Super Eagles reliable. Many<br />
like him and Iheanacho may not be discovered and our senior<br />
national team may be the worse for it if the NFF kills the nursery<br />
that produces them.<br />
Rather than destroy the nursery, the NFF should evolve another<br />
way to source for additional funds to support what they get from the<br />
government and FIFA <strong>in</strong> order to still ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> these age grade<br />
teams. That is the more re<strong>as</strong>on why they have to re-organise their<br />
market<strong>in</strong>g department and have a look aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>to the perpetual<br />
market<strong>in</strong>g contract they signed with a firm some years ago.
SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 8, 2017<br />
American<br />
coaches<br />
vow to<br />
sue<br />
sports<br />
m<strong>in</strong>istry<br />
NFF <strong>in</strong> more f<strong>in</strong>ancial mess <strong>as</strong> FIFA<br />
blocks $1.5m grant<br />
•It’s not true—NFF<br />
OFTEN broke <strong>Nigeria</strong><br />
Football Federation<br />
are <strong>in</strong> more f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
strait <strong>in</strong> 2017 <strong>as</strong> the<br />
world soccer govern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
body FIFA h<strong>as</strong> withheld<br />
the annual $1.5m grant<br />
to the federation,<br />
45<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to a report on<br />
the African football<br />
website.<br />
This is aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
background of the NFF’s<br />
failure to properly<br />
account for funds meant<br />
for football development<br />
previously sent by FIFA.<br />
The NFF received the<br />
damn<strong>in</strong>g letter by FIFA<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t week and it w<strong>as</strong><br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 46<br />
46<br />
Real march<br />
Barca’s 39<br />
unbeaten<br />
record<br />
CRISTIANO Ronaldo<br />
began his year by<br />
scor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the 5-0<br />
demolition of Granada<br />
on Saturday <strong>in</strong> La Liga<br />
<strong>as</strong> Real Madrid tied<br />
Barcelona’s Spanish<br />
record of 39 games<br />
unbeaten <strong>in</strong> all<br />
competitions.<br />
Francisco “Isco”<br />
Alarcon scored twice<br />
and Karim Benzema<br />
and C<strong>as</strong>emiro added a<br />
goal each at Santiago<br />
Bernabeu Stadium.<br />
Madrid is six po<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 46<br />
SUPER Eagles<br />
striker Ahmed<br />
Musa scored<br />
twice <strong>in</strong> Leicester’s 2-1<br />
Real M<strong>as</strong>ters....Ronaldo and Marcelo celebrate<br />
Real's 39th unbeaten run.<br />
•SHOOT TO THRILL... Ahmed Musa scores for Leicester City <strong>in</strong> their 2-1 FA Cup away w<strong>in</strong> over<br />
Everton. His manager Claudio Ranieri says Musa is gett<strong>in</strong>g to understand English football.<br />
FA Cup: Ahmed Musa’s brace<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ks Everton<br />
ACROSS<br />
1. Governor of Sokoto<br />
State (8)<br />
5. Assistant (4)<br />
7. Praise (5)<br />
8. Upright (4)<br />
9. Lantern (4)<br />
11. Tradition (6)<br />
13. Lagos m<strong>as</strong>querade (3)<br />
15. Exclamation (2)<br />
16. Pig’s nose (5)<br />
18. Agent (3)<br />
20. Glitters (6)<br />
24. Forward (5)<br />
25. <strong>Nigeria</strong>n state (6)<br />
27. Bor<strong>in</strong>g tool (3)<br />
29. Ghanaian fabric (5)<br />
31. Perform (2)<br />
32. Oshiomhole’s<br />
state (3)<br />
34. U.S. currency (6)<br />
36. Vow (4)<br />
38. Musical quality (4)<br />
39. Incl<strong>in</strong>ation (5)<br />
40. Eager (4)<br />
41. Damages (8)<br />
w<strong>in</strong> away at Everton to<br />
advance to the forth<br />
round of the FA Cup.<br />
Claudio Ranieri’s side<br />
had previously won only<br />
once on their travels all<br />
se<strong>as</strong>on, at Club Brugge<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 46<br />
Ndidi makes bright<br />
start for Leicester City<br />
LEICESTER<br />
new<br />
sign<strong>in</strong>g Wilfred<br />
Ndidi didn’t disappo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
<strong>as</strong> he made a good start<br />
to his career with the<br />
English Premier League<br />
champions <strong>in</strong> their 2-1<br />
w<strong>in</strong> over Everton <strong>in</strong><br />
yesterday’s FA Cup<br />
match.<br />
Ndidi displayed that he<br />
w<strong>as</strong> more than a good<br />
replacement for N’golo<br />
DOWN<br />
1. Sample (5)<br />
2. Niger state town (4)<br />
3. Observe (5)<br />
4. Lecture (6)<br />
5. Everyone (3)<br />
6. Use (6)<br />
10. Inquires (4)<br />
12. Carpet (3)<br />
14. Colour (6)<br />
15. Resistance unit (3)<br />
17. Coax (4)<br />
19. Rollicked (6)<br />
21. Hatchet (3)<br />
22. Satisfied (4)<br />
23. <strong>Nigeria</strong>n state (3)<br />
26. Cry of derision (3)<br />
27 . African country (6)<br />
28. Endure (4)<br />
29. Child (3)<br />
30. Spoke (6)<br />
31. Adorn (5)<br />
33. Bak<strong>in</strong>g chambers<br />
(5)<br />
35. Asterisk (4)<br />
37. Possessed (3)<br />
See solution on page 5<br />
Kante. The 20-year-old<br />
<strong>Nigeria</strong>n w<strong>as</strong> the stand<br />
out player of the first<br />
half.<br />
He signed a five-anda-half<br />
year deal with the<br />
Foxes on Thursday and<br />
w<strong>as</strong> rushed <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
Leicester already<br />
depleted by the absence<br />
of Riyad Mahrez and his<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ues on page 46<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese<br />
money<br />
entices<br />
Robben<br />
•Robben<br />
•Wilfred Ndidi... New kid on the block<br />
RESULTS<br />
FA Cup<br />
Man Utd 4 Read<strong>in</strong>g 0<br />
Birm<strong>in</strong>gham 1 Newc<strong>as</strong>tle 1<br />
Bolton 0 Crystal Palace 0<br />
Everton 1 Leicester 2<br />
Hull 2 Swansea 0<br />
Millwall 3 Bournemouth 0<br />
Preston 1 Arsenal 2<br />
La Liga<br />
Real Madrid 5 Granada 0<br />
Eibar 0 Atletico Madrid 2<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ted and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Advert Dept: :01- 7924470; Hotl<strong>in</strong>e: 01-4544821; Abuja Advert Hotl<strong>in</strong>e: 09-2921024.<br />
E-mail website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com. Internet: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN<br />
0794-652X) Editor: JIDE AJANI. 08111813023 All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.<br />
45<br />
46<br />
•Infant<strong>in</strong>o...FIFA boss