15042017 - Seized N13billion: NIA admits ownership

2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 — 3

4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 — 5 

NIA admits ownership of seized N13bn in Lagos house 

*Jonathan approved seized money to NIA 

*It’s a security issue, says Presidency 

*EFCC cautioned before operation 

THE mystery sur 

rounding the ownership 

of $43,449,947, 

£27,800 and N23,218, 

000 recovered by the 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, from an Ikoyi 

apartment in Lagos was 

unraveled yesterday 

with the admittance of 

ownership by the National 

Intelligence 

Agency, NIA. 

This revelation which 

came at a time the ownership 

of the funds was 

a subject of speculation, 

was the outcome of an 

investigation by an online 

platform, Premium 

Times. 

It was stated that the 

funds were approved by 

former President Goodluck 

Jonathan for discreet 

security projects 

during the tenure of a 

former Director General 

of the agency, Mr. 

Olaniyi Oladeji. 

The report detailing 

how the money was 

withdrawn from the Central 

Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, warehoused in 

Lagos and uncovered by 

the EFC, said the sensitive 

nature of the 

projects demanded that 

the funds be withdrawn 

and kept in a secret place 

in the interest of national 

security. 

The projects the funds 

were meant to finance 

were reported to have 

been spread across the 

country, while the prime 

project was planned to 

be executed in Lagos, a 

reason the funds were 

kept in the city. 

The report quoted a 

source to have stated 

thus: “The spending on 

the projects cannot be 

subjected to the usual 

expenditure process, 

and that is why the funds 

are held in cash. If you 

like, you can call it illegal 

projects in the national 

interest.” 

However, it was said 

that the projects were 

only known to some top 

government officials and 

the NIA. 

The report, however, 

said the Director General 

of NIA, Mr. Ayodele 

Oke prevailed on EFCC 

Chairman, Mr.Ibrahim 

Magu not to carry out 

the operation when he 

learnt of it, but the latter 

disagreed. 

Oke was reported to 

have rushed to EFCC 

headquarters in Abuja to 

advise Magu given that 

the funds belonged to 

the Federal Government. 

As of when this was 

ongoing in Abuja, no 

fewer than 13 police officers, 

some soldiers, 

photographers, and videographers, 

were said to 

have forcefully gained 

entrance into the apartment. 

Peeved by Magu’s insistence 

on going ahead 

with the operation, Oke 

was said to have gone to 

the National Security 

Adviser, Alhaji, Babagana 

Monguno, and Vice 

President Yemi Osinbajo 

to inform them about 

the development. 

Oke’s trip to the duo 

was noted to have been 

informed by his belief 

that the operation was 

an embarrassment to the 

security agency. 

Continuing, the Premium 

Times report stated 

that the NIA boss, on 

Thursday, had a meeting 

with President Muhammadu 

Buhari in company 

of the Attorney General 

of the Federation, 

Abubakar Malami on the 

matter. 

Oke was reported to 

have been armed with 

two big envelopes assumed 

to contain paper 

and audio-visual records 

of the security projects. 

President Buhari was 

said to have directed 

Magu to forward to him 

a detailed report on the 

operation even as the 

latter was asked to immediately 

deposit the 

funds with the CBN. 

Oke was reportedly 

2 die in youth clash in Ekiti 

*Fayose imposes 7-day curfew 

*Orders investigation into killings 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

Youth of Igbara-Odo in 

Ekiti South West Local 

Government Area of Ekiti 

State went on rampage Friday 

and by the time the dust 

settled, two persons were 

dead and several others 

wounded. 

The youths under the aegis 

of Federation of Igbaraodo 

Students Union , which 

comprises of current and old 

students of the community 

had distributed pamphlets to 

residents early yesterday 

morning. 

In the pamphlet, they had 

demanded from the 

community monarch, the 

Arajaka of Igbara-Odo, to 

know what happened to 

money the community 

realised in the last celebration 

of the anniversary of the 

community; demanded 

inclusion of four of their 

members in the community’s 

council of chiefs; demanded 

that a new Generation bank, 

which was about to vacate the 

town, be asked to stay and 

asked to document his 

complaints against the 

EFCC chairman and 

then reapply for the 

seized funds. 

In addition, the report 

said the presidency 

might ask Malami to review 

reports submitted 

by the duo and make 

recommendations. 

The Special Adviser to 

the President on Media 

and Publicity, Mr. Femi 

Adesina, was quoted to 

have said thus: “It’s a 

security issue, and not 

strictly a presidency issue.’’ 

Adesina was said to 

have directed further 

enquiries on the matter 

to the concerned security 

agencies. 

However, the NIA boss 

was noted to have confirmed 

that the money 

belonged to the agency. 

The spokesperson for 

the EFCC, Mr. Wilson 

Uwujaren, said he had 

not been briefed on the 

matter. 

Malami, it was said, 

later noted that his presence 

at the meeting with 

President Buhari was a 

coincidence. 

He was quoted thus: 

“I had a lot to do at the 

villa, and coincidentally 

he (Mr. Oke) too was 

there. I initially did not 

know why he was there 

until much later.’’ 

also demanded for a police 

college speculated to be 

coming to the town. 

Eye-witnesses said that after 

the youths distributed the 

pamphlets, they made for the 

palace of the monarch, and 

unleashed terror on it. They 

vandalised all vehicles on 

sight there, the palace 

building and in the process, 

also attacked the Divisional 

Police Officer, (DPO) of the 

town. 

It was also gathered that a 

yet-to-be identified youth, 

said to be the leader of the 

rampaging youths, was killed 

while, a policeman was also 

lynched by the miscreants, his 

rifle also allegedly taken by 

his assailants. 

Governor Ayodele Fayose, 

who stormed the area around 

6pm yesterday in company of 

the State’s Commissioner of 

Police, Mr. Ibrahim Chafe 

and other security operatives 

, vowed to get to the roots of 

the crisis, as well as arrest all 

those who have perpetrated 

the evil just as he imposed a 

seven-day curfew, spanning 

from 7am to 6pm daily, on 

the community. 

He said: “this is a very bad 

development. It is a big 

shame on the community. I 

am assuring you that we will 

get to the root of this matter 

and ensure that perpetrators 

are dealt with” 

Ekhomu urges FG to tackle rising militancy in Lagos 

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle), his deputy, Mrs Cecilia 

Ezeilo (right), and the State Coordinator of Governor Ugwuanyi Progressive 

Movement (GUPM), Mrs Edith Ugwuanyi (left) acknowledging cheers from 

members of the group during its inauguration at the Michael Okpara Square, 

Enugu, yesterday. 

Recovered N13bn belongs to us 

— Gov Wike 

AS controversy still 

trails the ownership 

of the N13bn in various denominations 

recovered from 

an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos 

by the Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, Governor Nyesom 

Wike of Rivers state yesterday 

claimed that the money 

belonged to the State 

government. But he provided 

no evidence to back up 

his claim. 

The governor gave the 

Federal Government a 7- 

By Ishola Balogun 

The President of As 

sociation of 

Industrial Security and 

Safety Operators of 

Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. 

Ona Ekhomu has called 

on the Federal Government 

to urgently tackle 

the rising incidence of 

militancy in Lagos suburbs 

including Ishawo, 

Ikorodu in order to discourage 

militants from 

plying their deadly trade 

in the target – rich Lagos 

area. 

Speaking on the development, 

Ekhomu said 

that the callous execution 

of four policemen and 

two civilians by militants 

intent on kidnapping Ikorodu 

residents during the 

week was “heinous, despicable 

and unacceptable 

in civilized society”. 

He said that the militants 

captured the law 

enforcement officers 

alive, but proceeded to 

“systematically execute 

them one by one – even 

as they begged for their 

lives. One policeman 

was burnt alive by his captors 

in the Police Patrol 

*Gives FG 7-days ultimatum to return 

the funds to Rivers state govt 

day ultimatum to return the 

money to the Rivers State 

Government, failure which 

the State Government will 

take legal action to ensure 

that it gets back the money 

he claimed was stolen 

from the state 

Governor Wike said that 

investigations by the Rivers 

State Government revealed 

that the money was proceed 

from the sale of gas turbines 

by the immediate past Rivers 

State Governor, Rotimi 

Car”., he added. 

He urged all law enforcement 

officers and 

their friends to collaborate 

in the search for the 

“heartless killers”. 

According to the security 

expert, criminals, militants, 

terrorists normally 

do not attack or kill law 

enforcement or military 

personnel because there 

is a feeling that they will 

be detected and severely 

punished. “However, 

criminals kill policemen 

for sport in Nigeria – 

which is totally unacceptable”, 

he added. 

Amaechi. The former governor 

has however denied 

having anything to do with 

the money. 

Addressing newsmen at 

the Government House, Port 

Harcourt on Friday night, 

Governor Wike said: “The 

money in question belongs 

to the former Rivers State 

Governor, Chibuike Rotimi 

Amaechi. We want to confirm 

that the houses in Ikoyi 

also belong to Chibuike 

Rotimi Amaechi. 

“If you recollect in 2015, 

we said that gas turbines 

built by former Governor 

Peter Odili were sold to Sahara 

Energy, business partners 

of Chibuike Rotimi 

Amaechi at $319million. 

“That money was used to 

sponsor the All Progressives 

Congress for the 2015 

general elections. From the 

date of sale of the gas turbines 

to May 29, 2015, the 

money depleted from 

$319million to $204,000 . 

What was stashed at the 

Ikoyi residence was part of 

that fund”. 

According to him, “We 

have facts to prove that the 

said money belongs to the 

Rivers State Government. 

The Federal Government 

must return our money”. 

Governor Wike said all 

the stories being peddled 

about the money belonging 

to the National Intelligence 

Agency are false and mere 

face saving measures by the 

embattled APC Federal 

Government. 

He said: “As I speak to 

you, the Federal Government 

is so embarrassed that 

this has happened. All the 

stories that the money belongs 

to the NIA are fake”. 

Governor Wike then challenged 

the Federal Government 

to set up a panel of 

Inquiry, which will sit publicly 

to investigate the money, 

if it doubted the claim of 

the Rivers State Government.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 

Some people around Buhari dislike me— Gov el-Rufai 

•Meets president, says no one can stop him from coming to Aso Villa 

•Confirms govt implementing recommendations of his memo 

By Levinus Nwabughiogu 

KADUNA 

State 

governor, Nasir el- 

Rufai has denied the 

existence of any personal rift 

with President Muhammadu 

Buhari, saying that he still 

enjoyed his filial-like affinity 

with him. 

He however stated that 

some persons around the 

president were fanning the 

embers of discord between 

them. 

The people, the governor 

said that no one within the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja 

could stop him from 

accessing the President 

anytime he liked. 

The governor who fielded 

questions from State House 

correspondents after 

observing the Friday Jummat 

worship with Buhari at the 

Presidential Villa said that he 

periodically met and 

discussed with President at 

his official residence. 

It will be recalled that a 

damning personal memo El- 

Rufai wrote to the President 

September last year recently 

leaked and later went viral. 

There were speculations that 

his relationship with Buhari 

had gone awry. 

He had, in the memo, 

alleged that had hijacked the 

Presidency, calling the shots 

at their own whims and 

caprices. 

However, since the return 

of the President from London 

on a medical vacation March 

10, el-Rufai had not been 

sighted at the Villa. 

Flanked by senators Abu 

Ibrahim and Kabiru Marafa 

from his State at the interview, 

the governor said: “There is 

no strain in my ties with the 

President. The villa is a bigger 

place. Within the villa, there 

are people that like me and 

there are those who don’t and 

it is normal. My relationship 

with the President has never 

been strained in anyway. I 

met with him last night. I did 

not talk about things like that 

but our relationship with him 

is like that of father and son 

and it is a privilege for me. I 

told him I will come today for 

the Jumaat and I did. 

“As usual, (he received me) 

with great warmth and 

graciousness and I am 

grateful for that.” 

El-Rufai who confirmed 

that writing memos to the 

president was commonplace 

however showed surprise 

that the particular one he 

wrote since September, last 

year, suddenly became a 

public knowledge, saying 

that someone at the seat of 

power leaked it to the media. 

While purging himself of 

any selfish inclinations, the 

governor was elated that most 

of his recommendations in 

the memo were being 

implemented by the 

government to give the 

people a face-lift. 

“It was a private memo and 

it is not a letter. If you want to 

ask any question about it, you 

ask those who leaked the 

memo because I wrote it 

seven months ago. I have 

written similar memos to the 

President in the past and non 

of them got leaked. He 

knows that he can count on 

me to give him my views of 

what is out there that he may 

not hear and to give him 

sound advice without any 

interest on my part. 

“If anyone reads that memo 

he will see that there is 

nothing in the memo that has 

anything to do other than the 

success of Mr President and 

progress of the country. That 

is my goal and I am driven 

by that. I stand behind the 

President to the very end. 

“Yes,I believe that since 

September last year when I 

wrote the letter, there has 

been significant improvement 

in the delivery of services at 

the federal level as I said 

some of our federal 

programmes have started in 

earnest. Social protection for 

instance, the N-Power, 

budget releases have been 

accelerated. This is an 

unprecedented move, the 

Minister of Finance has 

released up to about a trillion 

Naira of capital budget. 

“In September last year, little 

or nothing had been released 

and that was part of my 

concern. Since then the 

Economic Recovery and 

Growth Plan has been done 

and published. At the time I 

wrote the memo, there was 

no five year plan for the 

country. Since then, the 

government has moved 

ahead to change some of the 

appointees of President 

Jonathan in parastatals. This 

is something that we were 

worried about. 

“Many of us in APC felt that 

we were in office but not in 

power because the people 

that Jonathan appointed were 

still running most of our key 

agencies. From September till 

date even up until 

yesterday, there has been 

significant improvement. So 

there is improvement and I 

believe that part of what I 

recommended to the 

President is being 

implemented, whether it was 

because of my memo or not, 

it’s being implemented. The 

Ignore Enugu House of Assembly, EEDC tells 

residents 

By Emeka Mamah 

THE Enugu Electricity 

Distribution Company, 

EEDC, has warned that it 

would not supply electricity 

to any of its consumers who 

obey the directive of the 

Enugu State House of 

Assembly not to pay their bills. 

The company said that the 

House by its directive was 

encouraging lawlessness, 

saying that it would hold the 

assembly responsible if any 

of its staff or workers were 

molested while carrying out 

their legitimate duties. 

From Left: The Secretary, Nigerian Guild of Editors, 

Victoria Ibanga; Business Development Executive, 

Zinox Technologies Ltd, Mr. Abanobi Udoka; The 

President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, 

and a Sub-Committee member of the Guild, Ken 

Ugbechie during the presentation of Laptops, Printers 

and accessories donated by Zinox to the Guild at 

Editors’ House, Ikeja, Lagos Thursday. 

country is moving forward 

and I am grateful to God for 

it. 

“I am disappointed that a 

private communication to the 

highest office in the land can 

be leaked and it was leaked 

from the villa. I am told by 

those that published it. But 

this is a fact of life. We live in 

an age where anything you 

write or say can be leaked. It 

is ok, my intentions are clear. 

I have no ill motive but I 

wanted to communicate with 

the President what many 

Nigerians are talking about 

and what steps can be taken 

to improve governance of the 

country and move the country 

forward. That was my motive 

and if tomorrow, like I said, I 

see anything that the 

President needs to know, I 

will discuss with him and I 

will articulate and put it into 

writing and on record for him 

to have a reminder document 

to work on. I have no regrets 

and I have no apologies”, he 

said. 

No one can stop me from 

coming to Villa 

Seemingly counseling 

political hangers-on to let the 

President some space to 

improve on his health status 

and concentrate on the work 

The state House of 

Assembly last week passed 

a vote of no confidence in 

the EEDC over alleged 

overbilling of its customers, 

erratic power supply and 

non-supply of prepaid 

meters. 

However, reacting to the 

incident, the Chairman of 

EEDC, Emeka Offor and 

other management staff of 

the company including the 

Head of Operations, 

Vincent Ekwekwu, and his 

Communications 

counterpart, Emeka Eze 

said that part of the 

company old sold electricity 

he was elected for, the 

diminutive governor also 

stated that he had unfettered 

access to the president, 

saying that no one would 

dare stop him. 

“No, no one ever stopped 

me from coming to the villa 

and no one can stop me from 

coming to villa. As a governor 

I come here, I have blank 

cheques. No one checks me 

at the gate but I believe what 

the President needs is for 

those that love him to keep 

away from him and allow him 

to rest. 

“The President needs 

quality time to rest because 

meeting too many people 

strains leadership. I am a 

governor and I know that 

when I meet 10 people in a 

day, I get really tired. It is not 

the paperwork. It is not really 

the memos approving them 

or asking questions that 

strain a leader, it is the stream 

of visitors. 

“I do not want to contribute 

to the President’s problem by 

coming here everyday. I am 

in touch with him. I know 

everything going on and I do 

not think I should add to his 

burden. Most of the time I 

come to visit the President I 

do not come to the office. I go 

to see him at home. 

generated the electricity 

generating company adding 

that there was no way it 

could distribute what it 

doesn’t have. 

“We lose 62 percent of our 

money through stealing of 

our electricity. Recently, we 

caught a top government 

official stealing electricity. 

The said official (name 

withheld) dug a hole and 

connected electricity at the 

back of the Air Force Base. 

He connected electricity to 

his house using an 

armoured cable which he 

buried in the ground after 

we had tossed his line for 

failing to pay bills. 

Cult leader shot dead, five others 

escape with injuries in Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson. Akure 

ALEADER of a dreaded cult group, Gani Elese 

has been shot dead. He was killed during a gun duel 

with the anti robbery police team in Owo area of Ondo state. 

No fewer than five other members of the group who escaped 

reportedly sustained gun injuries during the shoot out. 

The deceased was said to have being responsible for series 

of murder cases in the town . 

He was said to have run other cult groups out of the town 

and claimed supremacy over other minor cult groups. 

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the news of the death of 

Gani in the gun battle made the people of the ancient town to 

heave a sign of relief. 

The deceased and his gang have reportedly been terrorizing 

the people of the town in recent times. 

He was said to have been killed after Police detectives acting 

on tip off stormed his hideout located at Jugbere camp, a farm 

settlement close to the state forest reserve area. 

Reports had it that detectives from the anti-robbery team 

from the Owo divisional police station with the assistance of 

vigilante group stormed the hideout and engaged the 

deceased and his group members in the shoot-out. 

Africa’s richest man writes 

for YouWiN!Connect 

AFRICA’s richest man and President/CEO of 

Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, will write an article 

in the next edition of YouWiN! Connect, which will be 

published in five newspapers. 

The article, which will focus on “Starting Small,” will be 

published in Punch and Vanguard on Sunday; and in 

Leadership, Trust and The Nation on Wednesday. 

In his exclusive article, Dangote wrote: “I have always had 

a passion for business. As a child, I remember trading in 

confectioneries amongst my classmates and as I grew older, I 

gathered business experience working with my uncle.” 

The article, which will be published under the “YouWiN! 

Connect Academy” section, also shares vital success and 

motivational tips for entrepreneurs who are starting small. 

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, commended 

Dangote describing his interest and involvement in the 

enterprise education initiative of the ministry as “a watershed 

moment” for the programme. 

‘PDP decampees will only add to 

APC’s problems’ 

DISTURBED by the rate of defectors from 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in recent time, Delta State PDP Chieftain, 

Chief Sunny Onuesoke has said decampees were not genuine 

members of the party. 

Onuesoke who made the observation while addressing 

executive members of Association of Registered Political 

Party (ARPP), Delta State chapter who paid him a visit in 

his Warri office said the decampees were ‘dead woods’ 

rejected by PDP, who did not have anything to contribute to 

the development of the party rather than to sink it. 

According to him, such decampees would only add to 

the problem of APC as it is presently observe in Delta State 

APC. 

“These group of people have no positive objective for the 

party they are defecting to. Their main objective is to seek 

for political appointment and when non is forthcoming, 

they will create confusion in the party and cause disharmony 

among the genuine members of the party,” Onuesoke 

stated. He said a genuine member of a party is that person 

who will stick and contribute to the development of the 

party come rain or shine, adding that those jumping from 

party to party are members of fair whether politicians 

looking for appointments. 

He advised politicians to stay in their various parties and 

build the party. 

Land revocation: Farmers appeal to 

Gov. Ambode 

By Akoma Chinweoke 

SOME members of the Organised Private Sector 

(OPS) under the auspices of AFERO Farms has 

appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi 

Ambode, to reconsider the revocation of lands 

allocated to its members at the Imota Agro Industrial 

Park, Ikorodu. 

Chairman of the group, Prince Wale Oyekoya, who 

disclosed this in Lagos, said the revocation of the 

land had further compounded the plight of Agro 

Industry processors in the state. 

He described the revocation order as a huge set 

back to the growth of agric value chain in the country. 

‘’Our members were duly allocated plots of lands at 

Imota Agro Industrial Park in 2013 after the state 

government approached the OPS soliciting for private 

sector involvement in agro processing in the state. 

The allocation was not given to individuals but 

companies already into Agro processing and each of 

us paid N1 million per plot.

EASTER: Saraki, Dogara, Wike, others 

preach mutual respect among Nigerians 

Three years of Chibok Girls Abduction: A parent of abducted Chibok School Girls, 

Mrs Rebecca Samuel pleading for foreign help to secure Chibok School Girls during a 

lecture to mark three years of their abduction in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. 

By Our Reporters 

AS Christians join their 

counterparts all over the 

world to celebrate Easter, Senate 

President, Bukola Saraki, 

has called for mutual respect 

among adherents of various 

faiths in the country. 

He said mutual respect was 

the only guarantee for peaceful 

coexistence among different 

religions in the country. 

Saraki, who said this in a 

statement by his Special Adviser 

on Media and Publicity, 

Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged 

Nigerians to unite in confronting 

the development challenges 

facing the nation. 

He said:”I implore Nigerians 

to use the Easter period to 

renew their faith in God and 

strengthen the bond of friendship 

and brotherhood that has 

held the country united since 

the amalgamation in 1914. 

Among the essence of Easter is 

sacrifice, love for humanity and 

total submission to the will of 

God. These virtues should not 

be lost on us as Nigerians.” 

Similarly, Speaker of the 

House of Representatives, 

Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, 

Yussuff Lasun admonished 

Nigerians to persevere in times 

of challenges. 

The duo in their separate 

Easter messages urged Nigerians 

to imbibe the spirit of 

unity, saying that nothing 

meaningful would be achieved 

in a crisis situation. 

Dogara said: “As we remember 

the cruxification, death, 

and resurrection of our Lord 

Jesus Christ, we should draw 

lessons from his resurrection 

and rise above the challenges 

we currently face in this country. 

“Even in recession, there are 

many business opportunities 

that will increase our gross 

domestic product, improve our 

economy and empower more 

of our citizens. 

“We must put on our thinking 

caps, ginger our acclaimed 

spirit of innovation, 

rise above our challenges and 

get our country working. 

Also, Rivers State governor, 

Nyesom Wike felicitated with 

Christians, urging them to 

emulate Jesus Christ by making 

sacrifices that will promote 

development. 

Wike said Easter exemplifies 

the ultimate sacrifice made by 

Jesus Christ to save mankind, 

noting that as individuals, 

Christians must take into consideration 

the welfare of others. 

He called on the people of 

Rivers State to re-dedicate 

themselves to the service of the 

state as they reflect on the import 

of Good Friday and Easter 

Ḣe assured the people of Rivers 

State that he will continue 

to make sacrifices for the state, 

defend her interests and ensure 

the people enjoy good governance. 

He said Easter is a period of 

fresh beginning, forgiveness, 

love and friendship. 

The Speaker of Benue State 

House of Assembly, Mr. 

Terkimbi Ikyange urged 

Christians to emulate the life 

of Jesus Christ by sacrificing 

for the good of mankind. 

Ikyange, who stated this in 

an Easter message yesterday 

in Makurdi, said for the society 

to be a better place, people 

CHIBOK GIRLS: Is it because we’re poor, 

parents of abducted girls lament 

*Saraki calls for concerted efforts 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

THREE years after the ab 

duction of their daughters, 

parents of Chibok girls 

have called on the Federal 

Government and the international 

community to rescue the 

girls, saying the seeming delay 

at rescuing the girls was due to 

their poor status. 

This came as the Senate President, 

Sen Bukola Saraki called 

for concerted efforts to bring 

back the girls. 

Rebecca Samuel, mother of 

one of the girls spoke on behalf 

of other parents yesterday in 

Abuja during the inaugural 

lecture marking the third anniversary 

of the abduction. 

Samuel who spoke in 

Hausa, said each time she 

watched television, she was always 

looking forward to seeing 

her daughter, adding that 

she would have preferred her 

daughter dead than being in 

captivity. 

She said; “Three years is not 

three minutes. It is not three 

weeks. It is not three months. 

Each time I watch the television, 

I am always hopeful that 

I will see my daughter. I would 

have preferred that my daughter 

died and I buried her rather 

than for her to be in the wilderness 

for three years. 

“What do they eat? What do 

they wear? How do they sleep? 

Is it because we are poor? Is 

poverty a crime? The government 

of Nigeria should please 

help us. Members of the international 

community should 

help us.” 

The conveners of the event, 

tasked President Muhammadu 

Buhari to fulfill his promise 

of leading from the front by 

ensuring the girls are released. 

On her part, the first female 

Vice Chancellor of a Nigerian 

university, Professor Grace 

Alele-Williams, who chaired 

the event urged elected public 

officials to prioritize the rescue 

of the girls. 

On his part, Saraki said: ‘’He 

said:”I speak on behalf of all 

Nigerians who truly care, 

mothers and fathers especially, 

who cannot imagine the 

pain of not knowing whether 

or not one’s abducted child is 

alive or not,” the Senate President 

said, “I know that this government 

is continuing to explore 

all options to secure the 

release of the remaining girls. 

We will continue to support the 

administration’s efforts in every 

way that we can. 

“They are our daughters. We 

will not stop looking for them. 

We will not give up the fight 

until they return back home to 

us.’’ 

YDP clamours for youth 

inclusion in Nigerian politics 

By Moses Nosike 

THE new ideal party for 

the Nigerian youths, 

Young Democratic Party 

(YDP) has called on 

Nigerian youths not to relent 

in their efforts to pursue 

leadership positions, as that 

is the only way to change 

the political anomalies that 

characterise Nigerian 

political system. 

Speaking to news men in 

Lagos, Acting Secretary, 

YDP, Lagos chapter, Adejoh 

Emmanuel said that it is time 

to liberate Nigerian youths 

from political relegation 

imposed on them by political 

captors and reposition them 

for future leadership that 

would lead the country to 

the promised land. 

According to Emmanuel, 

the youths have not had a 

fair treatment in Nigerian 

politics due to the visionless 

and 

personal 

aggrandizement of corrupt 

leaders who are concerned 

about their selfish interest 

must sacrifice their time and 

comfort for the sake of others. 

He appealed to Christians to 

demonstrate love and care for 

one another just like Jesus 

Christ did through his 

sufferings, crucifixion, death 

and resurrection. 

and cronies. “It is on this 

basis and other anomalies 

that Young Democratic Party 

(YDP) was formed years 

back to give young 

Nigerians, market women 

platform to seek their 

constitutional right to 

contribute in the leadership 

of this country”. 

Emmanuel further said that 

“YDP is a new idea of hope, 

lights to build a new Nigeria 

of our dreams and to build a 

strong institution and not 

strong individual. YDP 

intends to brings hope and 

a new direction to our 

teeming Nigerian populace 

the youth in particular with 

fresh political orientation to 

democratically empower the 

people politically and 

economically”. 

Continuing, he said, 

“politics that does not avail 

opportunities to the grass 

roots level can never grow 

our economy and create jobs 

for army of unemployed 

Nigerian youths. 


Stress, frustration accompany 

2017 JAMB/UTME 

registration process 

By Fred Omeri 

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board 

(JAMB) as headed by Prof. Is-haq Olarenwaju 

Oloyede has introduced a very cumbersome process of 

registering candidates for the 2017 Unified Tertiary 

Matriculation Examination (UTME). This process is unlike 

what was on ground before where over 600 e-registration 

centres were in use throughout the federation. The centres 

are now reduced to just about 240. 

Even the previous arrangement with over 600 e-registration 

points was not without lots of bottlenecks due to the 

overwhelming number of students seeking various 

admissions into tertiary institutions of learning. 

Then most applicants and the parents/ guardians had 

expected an improvement on what was on ground, but the 

Oloyede-led team reduced the centres to just 240, thereby 

multiplying the problems. 

Unlike what has been going on in the past when 

candidates were made to complete their registration through 

various accredited cyber cafes spread across the 36 states 

and Abuja, candidates are now made to cluster around very 

few CBT Centres to complete their registration with full 

biometrics. 

Instead of making payments and fill the form from one 

point as was done previously, this new experience requires 

candidates to go through the rigour of first, generating 

their Remitta codes from a cyber cafe and then go queue up 

in banks to make payment for forms where their profiles 

and pins for registration will be generated. After these long 

processes which usually takes about one full day or two, the 

real problem begins as they will now have to go to the 

approved CBT Centres which are very limited in number to 

queue up for days before filling the forms online and then 

do their thumb printing. 

The centralization of the registration centres which now 

requires candidates from more than two local governments 

to register around just one CBT centre is creating serious 

bottlenecks, pains and frustrations as candidates who have 

already made their payments in the bank are compelled to 

queue up under the scorching sun for days just to complete 

a simple registration process that a simple mobile app can 

achieve through smart phones in less than 10 minutes from 

the comfort of their homes. 

One cannot help wondering how in today’s world that 

is highly driven by technology, the JAMB team are still 

groping in the dark. Under the current JAMB leadership a 

supposedly “improved automated system” is now running 

slower than manual and also taking us back to our days in 

the 80s when every candidate in Lagos State had to go 

queue up at the Millverton Road office of “almighty JAMB” 

to buy hard copies of the form amidst fighting, tips, lobbying 

and even briberies. This situation underscores the necessity 

of the use or appreciation of technology by many public 

office holders in Nigeria today. 

In today’s world, computer illiteracy is an unpardonable 

offence and I am of the opinion that before any appointments 

are made into public offices, candidates selected should 

be screened to ensure adequate computer literacy, 

appreciation and competence to be able to ascertain their 

preparedness to use technology in driving service delivery. 

If we really want Nigeria to make progress sensitive public 

offices must be truly professionalized and in addition to 

whatever qualifications that appointees may passes, computer 

literacy and proficiency be made a compulsory criteria. 

It is very shameful that in this dispensation our children 

are made to queue up under the scorching sun just to 

complete a registration process of JAMB that their 

counterparts in other African countries achieves in minutes 

with their smart phones from the comfort of their homes. 

What a shame!! 

Fred Omeri is a Lagos based public affairs commentator 

Urhobo laud Efe, BBNaija winner 

By Gab Ejuwa 

THE Urhobo Progress Union, UPU has lauded 

the star winner of BBNaija TV reality show, 

Ejeba Efe Michael describing him as a proud son of 

Urhobo nation. 

The President General of the apex ruling body, 

Chief Joe Omene, said, “This night every Urhobo 

person is happy and we are celebrating the victory 

of one of our illustrious sons and ambassadors, Efe, 

and everyone who worked with him to ensure his 

success in winning the Big Brother Naija 2017 

competition. We are very much proud of him and 

we congratulate him.” 

He continued: “Efe’s victory has further attested 

to the fact that the Urhobos are hard working people. 

We are good in our various walks of life. His victory 

has brought pride to us once more. It is a great joy 

to his family, the entire Urhobo nation, Delta State 

and the nation as whole. He has done a great honour 

to all.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 

APC supporters jubilating. Photo by Barnabas Uzosike. 

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy jubilating with APC 

supporters. Photo by Barnabas Uzosike. 

Edo guber: Tribunal upholds Obaseki’s election 

•We must all come together now and work for our state — Obaseki 

•Ize-Iyamu rejects verdict, says “this judgment cannot stand” 

•Oshiomhole, APC leaders storm the streets in celebration 

BY SIMON 

EBEGBULEM & 

GABRIEL 

ENOGHOLASE 

THE Governorship 

election petition 

tribunal sitting in Benin City, 

yesterday upheld the 

election of Governor Godwin 

Obaseki, the All 

Progressives Congress 

(APC) governorship 

candidate in the September 

28, 2016 governorship 

election in the state saying 

that the petition filed by the 

candidate of the Peoples 

Democratic Party (PDP), 

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, 

lacked merit. 

Ize-Iyamu had asked the 

tribunal to declare him 

winner of the election 

having polled the highest 

number of valid votes cast 

in the election or in the 

alternative cancel the 

election and order a re-run 

election after he alleged that 

the Independent National 

Electoral Commission 

(INEC) and Obaseki failed 

to comply with the electoral 

act during the election. 

But the 3-man panel led 

by Justice Ahmed 

Badamasi, unanimously 

disagreed with Ize-Iyamu 

and the PDP, asserting that 

the petitioners only called 

witnesses but have no 

evidence to back their 

claims. Justice Badamasi 

noted that the petitioners 

strayed from their petition 

when they abandoned the 

issue of corrupt practices for 

non compliance with the 

Electoral Act, saying “they 

went on the journey without 

evidence”. 

According to Justice 

Badamasi: “The petitioners 

wanted to be clever by half 

when they chose to confine 

themselves to non 

compliance and in a 

nutshell they have 

abandoned their pleadings 

in respect of corrupt 

practices and we so hold. 

This means that the 

petitioners did not prove 

their allegation of corrupt 

practices beyond reasonable 

doubt. What is begging for 

an answer is that what is the 

implication to the petitioner’s 

failure to specifically claim a 

relief for nullification of the 

election based on corrupt 

practices and what is the 

effect of abandoning their 

pleadings on the allegation 

of corrupt practices. 

“While it is true that the 

petitioners have claimed in 

their alternative plea the 

nullification of the election for 

substantial non compliance 

with the provision of the 

Electoral Act where non 

compliance affected the 

result of the election, this does 

not take the place of 

allegation of corrupt practices 

which the petitioners made 

a ground in the petition as 

the two reliefs are materially 

different. In the case of 

Ozoku VS Izoni it said 

because of the major role 

reliefs play in judicial 

process, Counsel must take 

all the time he has in the 

world to draft it very carefully, 

he must not be in a hurry, he 

has to go over available 

evidence and regulate the 

reliefs accordingly. 

“When the relief does not 

reflect the cause of action in 

the available evidence, the 

court of law will throw out 

the matter. The absence of a 

separate relief in the 

nullification of the election 

based on corrupt practices is 

in our view very fatal to the 

case of the petitioner and we 

so hold. By abandoning the 

pleadings on corrupt 

practices we are left with no 

means of separating the 

pleadings of corrupt 

practices with the other 

averrments. 

“In order words we cannot 

see the grounds of corrupt 

practices in the account. 

Accordingly, these two 

issues are hereby resolved 

against the petitioner”. 

Asserting that the 

petitioners failed to prove the 

allegation of over voting, the 

tribunal said “ In the case of 

Nduke Loius VS INEC it 

was held that over voting can 

only occur when the total 

number of votes cast exceeds 

the total number of registered 

voters in the polling units. 

One could vividly see that 

the emphasis is on the 

registered voters and not 

accredited voters. For a 

petitioner to prove the 

allegation of over voting he 

must cross the following 

hurdles: one, tender the 

registered voters in the units 

he is challenging, Two, 

,tender the voters register 

but in this case none of such 

was done before the court. 

“We had earlier in the 

course of this judgement 

held that the petitioners 

conceded that they have 

abandoned their pleadings 

on corrupt practices, that 

may not be the only 

pleadings the petitioners 

abandoned. A careful 

assessment of the witnesses 

called by the petitioners to 

prove their case, will reveal 

that the petitioners 

abandoned their case in a lot 

of the polling units, wards 

and Local government 

having not called witnesses 

in those areas, 

notwithstanding tendering 

to the bar documents relating 

to such polling units. 

“The petitioners did not 

call witnesses in the 

following units; In Akoko 

Edo, all polling units in ward 

3& 6, Etsako East, all polling 

units in ward 3,7&9. Ikpoba 

Okhai all polling units in 

ward 2,3&14; Oredo all 

polling units in ward 2,9& 

12; Egor, all polling units of 

ward 6&10; Orhiomwon all 

polling units in wards 2, 5,7 

& 12; Igueben all polling 

units in ward 2,5& 10; Owan 

East all polling units of ward 

1,2,3,7&11; Esan all polling 

units of ward 3,5&8;Etsako 

Central all polling units of 

ward 2,3,7,9&10; Esan 

Central no witness was 

called in the entire local 

government. 

“It is clear that pleadings 

without evidence is 

nonsense. The petitioners 

are challenging the elections 

on the basis of non 

compliance in 2,627 polling 

units in the state. they led 

evidence to prove their case 

from 92 witnesses, and out 

of that 92 witnesses, 27 are 

polling units agents, two 

witnesses subpoenaed 

witnesses, while the 

remaining 63 are all ward 

collation agents. Earlier in 

the course of this judgment 

we alluded to the fact that by 

the provision of section 126 

of the Evidence Act, oral 

evidence shall in all cases be 

direct. 

“All the collation agents that 

testified in this case did not 

give direct evidence of what 

transpired in polling units, 

rather they relied on 

information from their ward 

collation agents and stated 

under cross examination that 

their polling agents are still 

alive and can be produced. 

We wonder why those 

polling unit agents were not 

called by the petitioners. The 

ward collation agents are not 

super men to be at different 

polling units and their wards 

at the same time. 

“A ward collation agent 

can only give evidence of 

what happened at collation 

centers and not at polling 

units where he did not visit. 

The polling agents are more 

competent to testify on what 

happened in their polling 

units. The 27 or 29 polling 

agents that testified before 

this court were discredited 

during cross examination. 

“Most of these witnesses 

when confronted with the 

voters register stated figures 

that contradicted their 

depositions and because of 

that most of them were 

discredited. Their witnesses 

did not demonstrate the ability 

of their documents to their 

case. It is the duty of the 

petitioners tendering 

documents to link them to the 

relevance of their case. 

“From the evidence 

adduced from this issue, the 

much talked about absence of 

accreditation or improper 

accreditation in relation to 

ticking either to the left or the 

right by voters have not been 

specifically pleaded in any of 

the polling units. The 

petitioners merely dumped 

the electoral documents on us 

without taking steps to link 

them to specific areas thereby 

rendering the documents 

valueless as we do not ascribe 

any value to them”. 

On the claim that INEC 

failed to call witnesses in the 

course of the trial, the tribunal 

ruled that they were right not 

to have called witnesses, 

explaining that the evidence 

provided by the witnesses 

during cross examination 

were that of INEC. In the case 

between Omisore VS 

Aregbesola, the Supreme 

Court ruled that failure to call 

any witness by INEC did not 

affect the case adversely in any 

way. “In other words, by the 

very act of cross examining the 

witnesses of the petitioners, it 

is not in dispute that all the 

evidence extracted during 

cross examination of the 

witnesses are evidence of 

INEC. From the above 

Supreme Court authorities 

INEC cannot be deemed to 

have abandoned its pleadings 

merely because it did not call 

witnesses. The position of the 

law is that a party can establish 

his case through the witnesses 

of the other party by revisiting 

evidence under cross 

examination. Evidence got 

during cross examination is as 

good as evidence given 

during evidence-in-chief. The 

argument that INEC did not 

call witnesses does not hold 

water at all.“In the petitioners’ 

attempt to prove their case of 

non compliance, they called 

witnesses without evidence. 

The petitioners have not in our 

view led credible evidence to 

justify the grounds of their 

relief. “On the whole we hold 

that the petitioners have not 

by credible evidence proved 

their case and have failed to 

show that they are entitled to 

their reliefs. 

“Accordingly this petition is 

hereby dismissed. The return 

of Godwin Obaseki as 

governor is hereby upheld,” 

he declared.


GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION IN LAGOS 

•Some women who are crying during the persecution 

of Jesus Christ. Photo: Bunmi Azeez 

•Symbolic crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark the Good Friday by members of Youth Christians 

Workers Movement of Nigeria, St Dominic Catholic Church Yaba,yesterday. Photo: BUNMI AZEEZ. 

•Holy Mary (middle) and others watching the persecution 

of Jesus Christ . Photo: Bunmi Azeez 

•The soldiers beating Jesus Christ on his way to 

be crucified. Photo: BUNMI AZEEZ. 

•Emeka Emetuche Richard acting as Jesus being 

tortured and nailed to the cross by soldiers during a 

street drama and procession depicting the crucifixion 

of Jesus Christ by the youths of St Mary's Catholic 

Church Cathedral, Oke Padre Ibadan yesterday. 

Photos:DARE FASUBE. 

•Members of St Kizitos Catholic Church celebrate 

2017 Good Friday at Iju Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, 

Iju Ishaga, Lagos state. 

Photo: AKKEM SALAU. 

There'll be crisis in Edo APC if Obaseki 

concentrates on governance only — Osagie 

By Gabrierl 

Enogholase 

FORMER Minority 

Whip in the House of 

Representatives, Mr. Samson 

Osagie, has warned of 

impending crisis in the Edo 

State chapter of the All Progressives 

Congress (APC), 

if Governor Obaseki continues 

to distance himself from 

politics and concentrate only 

on governance. 

Osagie insisted that any 

gulf created by Obaseki’s 

failure to interfere in the 

running of the APC could 

create political problem for 

the governor. 

The former Minority Chief 

Whip, who spoke with journalists 

in Benin yesterday, 

warned that the people 

would use the party as an 

instrument for fighting political 

opponents and personal 

aggrandizement, adding 

that this would have a 

negative effect on the governor. 

He described suspension 

of some leaders of the party 

across the state as unfortunate 

just as he added that 

those who carried out the 

suspension capitalized on 

the policy of Governor 

Obaseki to concentrate on 

governance rather than partisan 

politics. 

Catholic archbishop urges Nigerians to 

emulate virtues of Jesus Christ 

Olayinka Latona 

THE 

Catholic 

Archbishop of Lagos, 

Most Rev. Alfred Adewale 

Martins has called on 

Nigerians to imbibe the 

virtues of peace, love, 

sacrifice and forgiveness 

which are the lessons of 

Easter. Making the call 

during a chrism Mass at 

Saints Michael, Raphael 

and Gabriel Catholic Church 

(Archangels), Satellite Town, 

and at the Holy Cross 

Cathedral, Lagos, Martins 

enjoined Nigerians to be 

their brothers’ keepers as the 

world celebrates the death 

and resurrection of Jesus 

Christ. 

The bishop bemoaned 

government officials who 

embezzle funds meant for 

the development of the 

economy, while in office, 

describing the act as greed 

and selfishness: “We are not 

satisfied with the situation 

the government has left us 

in. We have been hearing 

about people storing 

multiples of millions inside 

warehouses and shops, and 

you wonder what kind of 

greed and selfishness is this. 

There is so much more than 

we know that are 

happening with regards to 

our common wealth.” 

On the Chrism mass, 

where the feast of priesthood 

was celebrated, the 

archbishop said it serves as 

an opportunity for all priests 

to renew their priestly vows 

and commitment to God 

while rededicating 

themselves to the service of 

God and humanity, noting 

that the renewal should be 

kept fresh and the light 

should shine incessantly in 

them to enable them 

shepherd the people of God 

in the right direction.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 

RESURRECTING THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY: 

Short and long 

term measures 

By Ikenna Ifedobi. 

It has become clear that 

the Nigerian economy 

has slipped from 

recession into a depression. 

The economy has suffered a 

sustained downturn in 

economic activity which is 

the textbook definition of an 

economic depression. To 

describe it as a recession, 

which is merely a slowdown 

in economic activity over the 

course of a business cycle is 

quite inaccurate. We shall 

attempt in this article to 

proffer concrete solutions 

and practical suggestions for 

short term and long term 

strategies towards bringing 

the comatose economy back 

to life. In the first quarter of 

2016 the Nigerian economy 

for the first time recorded a 

negative growth of -0.36%. 

This means that the 

economy didn’t just slow 

down, it shrank and 

shriveled. Since then it has 

not gotten much better. It 

should be understood that 

the Nigerian economy is the 

foundation for the socioeconomic 

stability of the 

West African region and if 

Nigeria succumbs to 

political and socio-economic 

chaos, then the domino 

effect would immediately 

Clearly the current 

state of the 

Nigerian economy 

is not attractive for 

any type of foreign 

investment 

ripple into other African countries, 

especially those in West Africa. 

Not only would these countries 

experience strong and unfavorable 

economic shocks and supply side 

deficits, but they would also 

encounter a severe social 

catastrophe in the form of refugee 

crisis. The entire West African 

region depends on Nigeria’s 

stability to not just sustain itself 

economically but to also exist 

safely. It is therefore imperative 

that the economic recovery of 

Nigeria be of great concern to the 

entire African continent as a 

whole. 

It is essential to bear in mind that 

like most sub-Saharan economies, 

Nigeria is not your conventional 

economic model. The mechanism 

for retrieving accurate economic 

indices is not functional. Unlike 

developed states where everybody 

has a social security number and a 

means to enable fiscal 

accountability, majority of the 

Nigerian economic units are outside 

the fiscal radar. Therefore while 

statistics may say there is 13% 

unemployment, in reality it’s 

actually 53%. While the government 

may report inflation to be 18% it 

really is 58% and rising. All you 

have to do is go to your 

neighborhood market and you 

would find out that prices for 

everyday goods have doubled and 

even tripled! The exchange rate 

went from almost 200 Naira to the 

dollar at the end of the last 

administration to a peak of 500 

Naira just weeks ago. Given that 

most capital and even consumable 

goods are imported, this 

subsequently created a state of 

hyperinflation and a significant 

depreciation in domestic purchasing 

power. Coupled with the terrible 

power outages and deplorable 

business environment, many 

companies are closing down or 

leaving the country. Clearly the 

current state of the Nigerian 

economy is not attractive for any 

type of foreign investment. 

While this scenario may seem 

daunting and overwhelming, it is 

actually an opportunity for this 

administration to establish itself in 

the history books as being 

responsible for the greatest 

economic comeback in the history 

of Africa. Something like what 

President Roosevelt did for 

America during the great 

depression of the 1930s. It takes 

adept statesmanship to achieve 

such feats and this administration 

should embrace the opportunity 

and challenge squarely. They can 

change their image in the eyes of 

Nigeria from villains to heroes. 

The basic premise for this 

proposition is expansionary 

economic policies using the fiscal 

authority of the government. 

Economic recoveries following a 

depression are never achieved by 

blind market forces but by careful 

fiscal planning and government 

adaptations. Therefore in this 

case, something close to the 

Keynesian ideal of increasing 

aggregate demand through 

investments in key sectors of the 

economy using capital projects 

would immediately bring relief 

and stability. The capital projects 

would continue to generate long 

term multiplier effects in terms of 

economic and GDP growth for 

decades to come, while the short 

term effects of making these 

infrastructural upgrades using 

mainly local employment would 

boost aggregate demand by 

putting money into the hands of 

people who in turn spend it on 

suppliers. This will immediately 

resuscitate the ailing and dying 

economy, as well as improve the 

confidence of the people in their 

government. It’s a 

multidimensional approach that is 

ensured to succeed in less than 

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017—11 

RESURRECTING THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY: 

Short and long term 

measures 

Continues from page 10 

two years once execution begins. 

From a political perspective it also 

improves the chances of the ruling 

party against the next 

gubernatorial cycle. Everyone 

wins and everyone is happy. 

Now, because the Nigerian 

economy is centered on oil and 

gas, and over 90 percent of 

government revenue comes from 

crude oil sales, it becomes 

imperative that this industry is 

properly restructured and 

upgraded to function in the 21st 

century. This is a case of taking 

care of the goose that lays your 

golden eggs. At the foundation of 

Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is 

the issue of bringing the national 

pipeline grid back online. The 

recent policy where the 

government attempted to 

legalize illegal bunkering is 

quite laughable. This sends a 

message to the world that the 

government is helpless and 

therefore is joining the crooks 

since it can’t beat them. The 

national pipeline grid can be 

upgraded and policed adequately 

using state of the art technology 

like distributed acoustic sensing 

(DAS) and miniature drones. 

Without a functioning pipeline 

grid, refurbishing the old 

refineries and building new ones 

would result to nothing. Also, 

the destruction of these pipelines 

causes severe power outages and 

electrical issues. This issue was 

discussed in-depth in my earlier 

article titled “pipeline protection 

and industrial security” available 

on line and published by 

multiple media outlets. The 

national pipeline grid is at the 

foundation of Nigeria’s electrical 

power and petroleum industries 

and cannot be repaired simply 

by legalizing bunkering. 

Next is the Apapa tank farm, 

which holds about 80% or more 

of Nigeria’s refined petroleum 

products. This area is a tank 

farm with over 200 tanks-one of the 

largest in the world- and has a very 

poor record of industrial 

inspections and maintenance. 

Because there is a poor piping grid, 

the nation must rely on tankers to 

distribute the products which 

leaves the traffic situation in Apapa 

hellish. Given that this area also 

leads to the primary seaport for the 

country, it’s an absolute eyesore to 

behold and indeed a terrible 

experience. However, congestion is 

the least of the problem. If there is 

a leak from one of those tanks due 

to poor maintenance, the domino 

explosions would destroy a major 

portion of Lagos and indeed cripple 

Nigeria for a long time to come. 

This issue is deeply elaborated in 

several articles titled “Apapa tank 

farm: Nigeria’s hidden danger, 

and Apapa tank farm: a disaster 

waiting to happen”, both accessible 

online and published by various 

newspapers. The government can 

begin building another tank farm in 

the Lekki area not just as a backup 

facility, but to aid in reducing the 

risk factor in case something bad 

happens. Also it will function as 

an auxiliary product storage unit 

while the Apapa facility is being 

inspected according to API 653 

standards and fitted with proper 

gas and leak detection equipment. 

This will decongest the area, 

improve productivity, reduce and 

spread the risk factor and use 

mostly local employment in the 

repair and new construction 

activities, thus boosting aggregate 

demand. The danger, necessity 

and immediacy of this issue 

cannot be overstated. 

Furthermore, the government 

must improve the electricity 

situation in the country which may 

very well be the worst in the world. 

The epileptic power supply is the 

greatest deterrent to foreign 

investment. Foreign investors will 

not entertain an environment 

where they must provide their 

own electricity using gas powered 

generators. Sometimes the 

generators too are useless when 

The large expanses 

of land in the middle 

belt can be equipped 

with wind turbines to 

boost the national 

power grid 

the fuel supply is plagued by 

periodic shortages. This is just 

too much headache and 

overhead cost for most 

investors. Nigeria is losing a 

huge opportunity and 

potentially can be the china of 

Africa, attracting foreign 

manufacturing companies and 

enjoying technology transfer. 

The electricity issue is really a 

shame. The government can 

begin looking into alternative 

sources to diversify the age old 

Kainji-dam. The large 

expanses of land in the middle 

belt can be equipped with 

wind turbines to boost the 

national power grid. This 

investment will serve the 

country well for decades to 

come and will improve national 

productivity. This too is a 

worthy capital project to invest 

in immediately. 

Finally there is the issue of 

industrial farming: large 

scale government sponsored 

farmlands all across the 

country and the 

subsidization of private 

farmers to supply food. It 

should be understood that the 

main reason this 

administration is having all 

these social vicissitudes is 

because people are hungry and 

can’t get food. Food has become 

seriously expensive and a 

hungry demographic is a 

dangerous one indeed. The 

government can open large 

scale farmlands to service every 

region of the country. The 

country is blessed with land and 

agricultural potential, there is 

no reason it should be importing 

food that it can grow for itself. 

The benefits of industrial 

agriculture can be seen from the 

giant improvements 

experienced in Anambra state 

today by Governor Obiano, who 

has displayed this policy quite 

intelligently. Anambra today 

exports excess food under his 

tenure for the first time in its 

history. This reality can be 

experienced nationally. 

These key public investment 

directives along with the usual 

road and urban expansion 

programs will in less than four 

years create a new atmosphere 

for Nigeria. The domestic 

employment used for these 

capital intensive projects would 

boost aggregate demand in the 

short run and keep the microeconomy 

liquid and buoyant. 

On the supply side excess 

capacity would be reduced, 

while the multiplier effects of 

infrastructural upgrades would 

ensure that national 

productivity operates on a 

higher plateau than previously. 

This is synonymous with the 

‘New deal” by President 

Roosevelt that saved America 

from the great depression. 

Remember the Nigerian 

recession has turned into a 

depression and it will not fix 

itself. It would require great 

statesmanship and strategic 

policy initiatives carried out in a 

timely manner. The time 

therefore in now. Any further 

delay may spell doom. 

•Ikenna Ifedobi is an 

economist and consultant for 

the American Petroleum 

Institute (API), based in the 

USA.


Whistle-blowing as 

panacea for corruption 

By Chioma Gabriel, 

Editor, Special Features 

While controversy rages over 

the ownership of $38 

million, £27,000 and N23 

million discovered by the 

operatives of the Economic and 

Financial Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, Wednesday, in a private 

residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigerians 

have continued to express shock 

over how such monies would be lying 

fallow in a house while many suffer 

hunger and abject poverty. 

The media had Wednesday 

reported how another whistleblower 

took security operatives to an address 

where the quantum of money was 

discovered. 

Before this time, the Federal 

Government had spelt out the 

benefits awaiting whistleblowers as 

it also pledged their protection. Any 

whistleblower whose information 

leads to the recovery of up to N1 

billion will receive five per cent of 

the amount. The reward for any 

amount between one and five billion 

naira would be five per cent for the 

first N1 billion and four per cent of 

the remaining N4 billion, and any 

amount over N5 billion will attract 

2.5 per cent reward. The Federal 

Government had promised that any 

whistleblower, whose information led 

to the recovery of cash or assets worth 

N5 billion, would earn N210 million. 

The latest discovery at Ikoyi was 

alleged to belong to a former 

Managing-Director, Operations at 

the Nigeria National Petroleum 

Corporation , NNPC, Mrs Esther 

Nnamdi-Ogbue. 

But shortly after the media report, 

Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue issued a 

statement denying ownership of the 

large sums of money. 

Through a statement by her lawyer, 

Emeka Etiaba, SAN, Mrs Ogbue had 

expressed shock at the said recovery 

and saluted the courage and efforts 

of the EFCC in the war against 

corruption but said the money was 

not her own. 

The statement issued on her behalf 

read: “The attention of our client, 

Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue has 

been drawn to the news making 

However, since the federal 

government unveiled the 

whistleblowing policy as a 

means of recovering stolen 

public sector funds, a 

number of junior and 

middle-level bankers have 

been quietly ratting on the 

true beneficiaries of the 

accounts in order to cash in 

on the rewards derivable 

from the policy 

round in the news media to the 

effect that the large sums of money 

to wit: $38,000,000.00 (Thirty- 

Eight Million Dollars), 

N23,000,000.00 (Twenty-Three 

Million Naira) and £27,000.00 

(Twenty-Seven Thousand Pounds) 

uncovered by the Economic and 

Financial Crimes (EFCC) from an 

apartment in Osborne Towers, 

Osborne Road, Ikoyi Lagos, Lagos 

State belong to her. 

“By this release, we inform the 

public that the said sums of money 

and/or the apartment where the sums 

of money were found do not belong 

to our client. Our client is as shocked 

as many other Nigerians at the 

uncovering and recovery of the said 

sums of money and wishes to salute 

the courage and efforts of the EFCC 

in the war against corruption. She 

also wishes to commend the whistle 

blowing policy introduced by the 

Federal Government in the fight 

against corruption which policy has 

resulted in large scale uncovering and 

recovery of monies and assets. 

“It is our client’s belief that the 

source and ownership of the said 

uncovered sums of money is known 

or eventually will be known by the 

EFCC in due course. There is 

therefore no need for conjecture or 

speculation”. 

But on the same day she issued the 

statement, the Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, 

announced her retirement , giving no 

reason for its action. 

In the throes of corruption 

Indeed, Nigeria’s problems with 

corruption are no longer news. 

Anywhere he goes, a Nigerian is 

perceived corrupt and treated with 

disdain until he proves otherwise. 

In rue of this, the Ministry of 

Finance came up with the 

whistleblowing policy which allows 

citizens who report corruptionrelated 

offenses to earn a cut from the 

recovered loot. 

And so far, Nigerians have taken 

the bait. Since the policy came to be, 

this appeared to be paying off. The 

Economic and Financial Crimes 

Commission has been on the voyage 

of discovery and recovery of looted 

funds. 

Before the recent discovery at 

Ikoyi, the Minister of Information, 

Lai Mohammed, said the whistleblowing 

policy has led to the 

recovery of over $180 million from 

various corrupt individuals. 

Whistle-blowers are required to 

provide key information via a secure 

online portal involving 

mismanagement of public funds and 

assets, violation of financial 

regulations, solicitation of bribes, 

and manipulating data and records. 

When tips lead to the successful 

recovery of ill-gotten funds, whistleblowers 

are entitled to between 2.5- 

5% of the recovered loot. Whistleblowers 

were also promised 

confidentiality to the fullest extent 

possible within the limitations of the 

law. 

Catalogue of discoveries 

and recoveries 

According to the Minister of 

Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai 

Mohammed, the Federal Goverment 

has recovered over $151m (N46bn) 

and N8bn in looted funds courtesy of 

whistle blowers. 

Looted funds recovered through 

whistle-blowing included € 547,730 

and £21,090 which were recovered 

from three sources excluding the 

$9.8m recovered from a former 

Group Managing Director of the 

Nigerian National Petroleum 

Corporation, Mr Andrew Yakubu 

and the recent recovery at Ikoyi 

Lagos , Wednesday. 

The Minister said that the biggest 

amount of $136,676,600.51 (N42bn) 

was recovered from an account in a 

commercial bank, where he said the 

money was kept under a fake 

account name. 

This, he said, was followed by 

N7bn and $15m from another person 

and N1bn from yet another. 

Mohammed had said, “When we 

told Nigerians that there was a 

primitive and mindless looting of the 

national treasury under the last 

administration, some people called 

us liars. Well, the whistle-blower 

policy is a few months old and 

Nigerians have started feeling its 

impact, seeing how a few people 

squirreled away public funds. It is 

doubtful if any economy in the world 

will not feel the impact of such mindboggling 

looting of the treasury as 

was experienced in Nigeria.Yet, 

whatever has been recovered so far 

is just a tip of the iceberg.” 

After the recovery in his premises 

on February 8, 2017, Mr. Yakubu had 

reported to the EFCC’s zonal office 

in Kano and made a statement 

wherein he admitted ownership of 

the recovered money, claiming it was 

gift from unnamed persons and had 

challenged the temporary forfeiture 

order obtained by the EFCC from the 

court . 

What however has never been 

known is how much whistleblowers 

have been paid since the 

commencement of the policy. It is 

believed in some quarters that one 

way the government could encourage 

more whistleblowing is by being 

transparent on how much has been 

paid to individuals who have gone 

on a limb to expose illicit 

transactions without disclosing their 

identities. 

Bankers to the rescue 

Nigerian bankers and mainly 

account officers, are perceived as the 

most useful instruments of the 

Federal Government’s whistle 

blowing policy and are expected to 

report the wrongdoings of former 

and current public office holders 

suspected to have embezzled public 

funds and stashed them in several 

Nigerian banks. 

Several former and current public 

officers who had allegedly stolen 

from the treasury either hid the 

physical cash in safe houses or used 

shell companies, close aides, 

associates and family members to 

stash the ill-gotten funds in bank 

accounts using the names of the 

companies or their friends, family 

members and associates. 

These looters although they use 

several account names usually 

operate the accounts themselves, a 

fact that is well known by the bank 

account officers who help them to 

manage the accounts. 

However, since the federal 

government unveiled the 

whistleblowing policy as a means 

of recovering stolen public sector 

funds, a number of junior and 

middle-level bankers have been 

quietly ratting on the true 

beneficiaries of the accounts in 

order to cash in on the rewards 

derivable from the policy. 

As for the latest loot recovered at 

Ikoyi, the case has been resolved 

by the court that the money be 

returned to government until real 

ownership is established.


BEN AGANDE, KADUNA. 

The governor of Kaduna state, 

Nasir El Rufai last week upped 

the ante in the quest for a more 

transparent National Assembly, 

especially on their budgetary 

allocation when he pointedly told the 

speaker of the House of 

Representatives, that the national 

assembly should make public its 

allocation as well as the salaries of 

members and its leadership in order 

to stave off the negative image that has 

continued to dog the institution.. 

At the closing ceremony of the an 

investment forum organised by the 

state government, Governor El Rufai 

told the speaker who was the special 

guest of honour that opening up their 

books by the national assembly was the 

least the legislators could do to restore 

its battered image among Nigerians 

According to the governor, “it is 

important that the national assembly 

does something about its image. No 

transparency in your (NASS) budget; 

nobody knows your budget or how 

much you get paid. Publications are 

made about your salaries and 

allowances that I don’t believe are true 

but cannot be defended because there 

is no transparency about your budget, 

personnel cost and so on and so forth. 

I think you can do something about 

that to clear all the rumours and 

remove all the evil stories that are 

largely untrue”. 

Governor Nasir El Rufai conveyed to 

the National Assembly through the 

speaker a widely held view among 

Nigerians that by not putting their 

salaries in the public domain, the 

National assembly was deliberately 

concealing from Nigerians the unjust 

and to some, the unjustifiable 

resources that members of the national 

assembly take from the public till. It 

was a message that resonated with 

majority of Nigerians. 

Determined not to be unjustly 

portrayed to the public as insensitive 

to the plight of Nigerians especially 

at this period of recession, the speaker 

of the House of Representatives rose 

to the occasion to defend the institution 

that he represents. 

Speaker Dogara stated that though 

he was unwilling to join issues with 

El Rufai, it is imperative to place the 

issues in proper perspective. According 

to Dogara, it would be improper 

for Nasir El Rufai to be seeking a 

greater transparency from the national 

assembly when governors, including 

El Rufai have all shrouded 

their security votes in secrecy. 

Taking the fight to El Rufai, Dogara 

said “I will like to challenge him (El 

Rufai) to champion this cause for 

transparency in the budgetary process 

from the National Assembly to 

other arms of government. We want 

to see clearly how chief executives of 

states are paid. What do they spend 

as security votes? And if they can 

publish what happens to local government 

funds under their jurisdictions 

that will help our discussion 

going forward” he said. 

The issues raised by El Rufai and 

the counter posed by Dogara bother 

on what have occupied the minds of 

Nigerians since the return to democratic 

rule in 1999. Although the salaries 

and allowances of members of 

•Nasir El 

Rufai 

El Rufai: Raising the 

bar on transparency 

For governors, Nigerians 

are concerned that under 

the guise of security votes, 

huge sums of money are 

siphoned by the governors 

into personal pockets 

while also cornering 

monies meant for local 

governments 

the national assembly are stipulated 

by the revenue Mobilisation, 

Allocation and Fiscal commission, the 

exact amount each member of the 

assembly gets remains very contentious 

with some people alleging that each 

member takes home, as much as N10 

million monthly. All attempts by 

Nigerians to get the real money 

collected by their legislators have so 

far proved abortive. 

For governors, Nigerians are 

concerned that under the guise of 

security votes, huge sums of money are 

siphoned by the governors into 

personal pockets while also cornering 

monies meant for local governments. 

For a man who strives stridently to 

portray his image as being averse to 

corruption, it was obvious that 

Governor El Rufai was not going to 

take the challenge from Dogara lying 

low. To put further pressure on 

the legislators, the Kaduna state governor 

took up the challenge thrown 

at him by Dogara. In a statement issued 

by his Senior Special Assistant 

on Media and Publicity, Samuel 

Aruwan, governor El Rufai did not 

only make public his state’s budgetary 

allocation for security but also 

released his payslip indicating how 

much he earns as governor monthly. 

Although speaker Dogara also released 

his payslip to show that neither 

him nor the National Assembly 

as an institution has anything to hide 

when it comes to what members get 

paid, many Nigerians took the gesture 

with a pinch of salt as they believe 

that it was not far reaching 

enough. 

By joining the calls for the National 

Assembly to be less opaque in its 

financial dealings, Governor El Rufai 

has once again brought to the front 

burner the issue that has dominated 

public discourse for a while. According 

to a Kadnua based lawyer, by joining 

the fray, El Rufai has ‘demonstrated 

•Dogara 

that the clamour by Nigerians that 

the national assembly should make 

its budget public is not something 

that should be dismissed with a wave 

of the hand. 

“By all standards, El Rufai cannot 

be said to be a wailer. He belongs to 

the same political class like the lawmakers 

so he cannot be said to be 

envious of that class. Rather than divert 

attention by saying that El Rufai 

should concentrate on the security 

challenges in his state, the leadership 

of the House of Representatives 

has demonstrated they are not interested 

in addressing the concerns of 

Nigerians. Governor El Rufai only 

conveyed the feelings of Nigerians 

whom members of the national 

assembly claim to be representing. 

They must address this concern 

comprehensively” he said. 

If the positive response that El 

Rufai’s challenge to the national 

assembly generated is anything to go 

by, it means that until the national 

assembly addresses the issue of its 

budgetary allocation and the what 

governors do with their security votes 

are known, Nigerians will continue to 

insist that they are being shortchanged 

by those they elected to lead them.

14—SATURD 

TURDAY Vanguard 

anguard, , APRIL 15, 2017 

Constitutionality of the EFCC act 

2004 subjecting the President’s 

appointment of members of the 

commission to senate confirmation 

By Professor 

Ben Nwabueze 

The appointment of Ibrahim Magu 

as Chairman of the EFCC has 

been before the Senate for 

confirmation two times now, and has 

been twice rejected. Amazingly, neither 

the Presidency nor the Senate appears to 

have addressed or even adverted to the 

critical constitutional issue whether the 

provision of section 2(3) of the EFCC Act 

2004 subjecting the President’s 


Commission to confirmation by the 

Senate is or is not in accord with the 

Constitution, the supreme law of the land, 

section 1(3) of which makes any 

inconsistent law null and void, and 

generally with the doctrine of the 

separation of powers underlying the 

Constitution. The issue as to what 

constitutes violation of the doctrine is thus 

also raised. 

The exact terms of section 2(3) of the 

EFCC Act are significant and worthy of 

note. It says: “The Chairman and 

members of the Commission other than 

ex-officio members shall be appointed 

by the President and the appointment 

shall be subject to confirmation of the 

Senate.” The word appointment is 

underlined to emphasise that it is the 

appointment, not the nomination, that is 

subject to Senate confirmation, from 

which it follows that Senate confirmation 

is not a condition precedent to the validity 

of the appointment. 

Our inquiry must begin with section 

5(1)(a) of the Constitution which says that 

“subject to the provisions of this 

Constitution the executive power of the 

Federation shall be vested in the 

President.” This provision is reinforced 

by section 130(2), which designates the 

President, “the Chief Executive of the 

Federation.” The critical constitutional 

issue raised by s.2(3) of the EFCC Act is 

whether the subjection of the President’s 


Commission to Senate confirmation is 

consistent with or is a derogation from 

section 5(1)(a) of the Constitution vesting 

the executive power of the Federation in 

the President. 

This raises the issue: what is executive 

power, or rather what is its nature or 

extent? Or more explicitly, what 

functions are embraced in it? The term 

“executive power” may be defined, first 

and foremost, by reference to functions 

that partake indisputably of execution. 

Such, for example, is the doing or 

execution of physical acts, e.g. 

construction works, provision of 

infrastructural facilities or welfare 

services, other activities involving 

physical action, like the conduct of 

military operations, the minting of coins, 

the printing of currency notes and stamps, 

and the award of contracts for such works. 

Interference with such functions by the 

Legislative Assembly is unconstitutional 

and void. The decision of the Kaduna 

State High Court in a case in 1981 

(Governor, Kaduna State v. The House 

of Assembly, Kaduna State) affirms the 

unconstitutionality of legislative 

encroachment on a function in this 

category – the award of contracts for works 

to be done or services to be provided. 

Also embraced indisputably within the 

domain of executive power is pure 

administration, i.e., purely administrative 

work within the executive departments 

•Buhari 

But the issue as to 

what functions are 

embraced in executive 

power has arisen in a 

most acute form with 

respect to the power to 

appoint and remove 

government 

functionaries 

not involving physical action in the 

sense mentioned above. This, too, 

cannot be controlled by the legislature, 

subject to what is said below about 

purely administrative or ministerial 

functions of a quasi-legislauve or 

quasi-judicial nature entrusted to an 

agency created by statute. 

Executive power embraces not only 

activities involving physical action or 

pure administration, but also the 

making of instruments as a means of 

carrying the provisions of a law into 

execution. Legislative power is meant 

for use in prescribing rules of general 

and uniform application to persons and 

things, whereas the application of those 

rules to individual cases, whether by 

means of executive instruments or 

judicial decrees, is inappropriate to its 

true nature. Furthermore, by the 

explicit stipulation of the Constitution, 

legislative power is exercisable only by 

means of bills (section 58(1)). 

Accordingly, in the case mentioned 

above, the Kaduna State High Court 

also held unconstitutional and void, a 

law by which the State House of 

Assembly transferred to itself powers 

of the governor exercisable by 

executive instruments or orders under 

•Magu 

the State’s Local Government Law, viz: 

power to create individual, named local 

governments with designated capitals, 

to constitute an emirate or traditional 

council for an emirate or traditional 

area and to prescribe for it the device 

of its seal, the composition of its 

governing council, its area of authority 

with detailed demarcation of 

boundaries; power to order an inquiry 

into the affairs of a local government 

council, and following upon such 

inquiry, to dissolve the council and 

either appoint a committee of 

management or order an election. 

One more illustrative example of a 

function distinctly executive in nature 

may be mentioned. The organising and 

planning of celebrations to mark the 

anniversary of an event of great 

national importance pertains 

peculiarly to executive power; there is 

nothing legislative or judicial about it. 

It belongs therefore exclusively in the 

domain of the executive. Comity 

needed for fostering a harmonious 

relationship between the two political 

organs may well demand that the 

executive consult and involve the 

legislature in planning and organising 

such celebrations, but the demands of 

comity must not be confused with or 

be elevated to a constitutional 

requirement. 

But the issue as to what functions are 

embraced in executive power has 

arisen in a most acute form with 

respect to the power to appoint and 

remove government functionaries. The 

argument in favour of the President’s 

position is predicated upon an 

unassaillable and conclusive rationale, 

namely, that the power to execute the 

government of a country, including the 

execution of the law of its constitution 

and other laws, carries with it, as a 

necessary and inevitable incident, 

power to appoint, direct and control 

government functionaries of various 

grades. For, it is not to be supposed that 

the President is to execute the 

government alone, unaided by 

subordinates appointed by him and 

who are subject to his control and 

direction. The power to remove such 

subordinates is equally an essential 

incident of the executive power as the 

power to appoint them in the first 

instance, removal being an instrument 

of control of last resort, since otherwise 

the president might be saddled, to the 

prejudice of his administration, with 

subordinates whom he could not 

remove, notwithstanding that they are 

disloyal, incompetent or otherwise 

unfit. 

The power to appoint, direct, control 

and remove subordinate executive 

assistants is thus cardinal to executive 

power, and pertains exclusively to it, 

subject, however, to any restrictions 

contained in the constitution, as noted 

below. “To turn a man out of office,” 

said Oliver Ellsworth, later Chief 

Justice of the United States, “is an 

exercise neither of legislative nor of 

judicial power.” It partakes peculiarly 

of the nature of executive power. 

Similarly, “designating the man to fill 

an office,” James Madison, fourth 

President of the U. S., has said, “is of 

an executive nature.” The statements 

of both Oliver Ellsworth and James 

Madison were quoted with approval 

by the Court in Myers v. United 

States (1926) 272 US 52, 93. 

The attempt by the Congress of the 

United States to control the exercise 

by the President of power to remove 

subordinate executive personnel 

appointed by him, as part of the 

executive power vested in him by the 

Constitution (Article 2 Section 1), 

became a major constitutional issue 

before the country’s Supreme Court in 

the celebrated case of Myers v. United 

States (1926), supra. By an Act of 

Congress of 1876, the consent of 

Senate was made requisite for the 

removal by the President of 

postmasters of the first, second and third 

grades. Myers, a first-class postmaster, 

was removed from his office by the 

president without the consent of the 

Senate, and he sued for arrears of salary 

on the ground that, the consent of the 

Senate not having been obtained as 

required by the Act, his removal was 

wrongful. Whilst the Constitution makes 

the power of appointment expressly 

subject to confirmation of the president’s 

nomination by Congress, the removal 

power is not. The requirement of Senate 

consent for removal was accordingly 

declared null and void as an 

unconstitutional interference with the 

president’s executive power. 

As regards the appointment power 

too, the U.S. Supreme Court stated 

emphatically that the qualification in 

favour of the legislature, i.e., the 

requirement of Senate approval, 

should not be extended outside the 

cases in respect of which the approval 

of the Senate is explicitly required by 

the constitution, as by requiring 

Senate approval in respect of other 

appointments or by super-adding the 

approval of the House of 

Representatives. 

The appointments or nominations for 

appointment for which the approval of 

the Senate is required by the 

Constitution of Nigeria (1999) are those 

of ministers (section 147(2)), auditorgeneral 

(section 86(1)), the chairmen and 

members of certain named bodies 

established by the Constitution other 

than ex officio members (sections 

153(1) and 154(2), ambassadors, high 

commissioners or other principal 

representatives of Nigeria abroad 

(section 171(4)). There are certain 

enactments in the country, e.g. the EFCC 

Act, that require Senate approval for the 

appointment of various executive 

functionaries outside those specified by 

the Constitution; such enactments are, 

on the authority of the decision of the 

U.S. Supreme Court in Myers v. 

United States, supra, 

unconstitutional, null and void, 

subject to a qualification or restriction 

put on the meaning of “executive 

power” in the case of Humphrey v. 

United States, infra. The sanction of 

nullity also applies to enactments at the 

State level which require the 

confirmation of the House of Assembly 

for the appointment of certain executive 

functionaries, not within the qualification 

or restriction noted above. 

To be continued next week


of the Niger Delta people? 

How N'Deltans can help 

Actually, we are appreciative of Mr. 

President’s efforts at bringing lasting 

peace in the region. If you look at the 

2017 budget, there is a marginal 

increase in everything concerning 

the region. Allocation to Niger Delta 

Buhari develop region 

Ministry went up, the budget of the 

NDDC went up, and the budget of 

the Amnesty Program went up. Now, 

something is being done with some 

urgency on the completion of the 

East-West Road. We have the Ogoni 

clean-up, as well as the recent 

– Senator Ndoma- Egba, 

dialogue with leaders from the 

region. We have the Lagos-Calabar 

rail line. And recently, the Acting 

NDDC Chairman 

President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, 

following the directive of President 

Muhammadu Buhari, during his 

CHAIRMAN, Niger Delta 

vacation, was on a tour of major 

Development Commission, 

communities in the region. 

NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma 

This further demonstrates the 

Egba, spoke to Saturday 

commitment of the federal 

Vanguard on the rot that bedeviled the 

government toward the development 

commission and what the new board 

of the region. The region is in urgent 

under his leadership and management 

need of development and it is only 

is doing to give it a new lease of life. 

in an atmosphere of peace that we 

can develop. We cannot develop in 

By Emmanuel Unah 

an environment of militancy. We 

cannot complain about 

As Chairman and link between the 

environmental pollution and 

Board and the Federal Government, 

degradation in the region and at the 

what are your strategies and vision for 

same time engage in activities like 

NDDC to achieve its mandate? 

pipeline vandalism and breaches 

My vision for and of the NDDC is 

that not only pollute the environment, 

returning it to its original mandate of 

but also shield those who should bear 

being the driver for an integrated 

responsibility for the sorry state of our 

though diversified regional economy. 

environment from liability. 

When President Olusegun Obasanjo 

The President believes that 

launched the Niger Delta Master Plan 

traditional ways of justice 

on 7th March, 2007, 10 full years ago, 

administration and alternative 

he captured the essence of the 

dispute resolution may be adopted 

arrangement as a “plan to facilitate the 

in some cases, rather than relying on 

rapid, even and sustainable 

force at all times to redress 

development of the Niger Delta region 

misconduct. Also, people in the 

into an economically prosperous, 

informal economy have to be 

socially stable, ecologically 

identified and catered for. And for Mr. 

regenerative and politically peaceful 

•Senator Victor Ndoma Egba 

President’s good intentions to be 

area”. 

delivered successfully, all of us from 

That vision remains as valid as it was 

the region must assist him by taking 

then as it is now. It is regrettable that 

responsibility for peace and security 

the region has become even more 

in our own interest and in the interest 

turbulent and more underdeveloped 

of generations to come. All of us must 

than when the master plan was 

encourage them to live up to their be committed to the peace, security 

launched, clearly because it was 

obligations to the commission. When and prosperity of our region. It is our 

abandoned after all the fanfare that 

the processes are opaque, people will duty. 

attended its launching in 2007. 

hold back. Also, in keeping with Mr. You have said well of the 

From its inauguration, the master 

President’s change agenda and global Presidency on militancy, how is your 

plan is anchored on a stakeholdergenerated 

and owned strategy. The 

systems, processes, projects, and staff. Like I said earlier on, the youths 

best practices, we have to audit our commission tackling it? 

stakeholders, which include the 

The commission 

The commission must be are the real assets of the region. We 

governors, the members of the state 

transparent so that we can get more must put in place a pragmatic youth 

Houses of Assembly, staff, traditional 

must be 

support from stakeholders and empowerment policy, which will 

rulers, oil companies, youths 

engage the attention of international enable the area’s youths to discover 

transparent so 

(including the agitators), women, the 

development partners. The board will their talents and live useful lives. 

disabled, environmental right activists, 

that we can get 

set quarterly targets, milestones, Training and retraining of the youths 

etc have to be transparently and 

benchmarks and responsibilities that will continue to benefit the region. 

strategically engaged. 

more support 

will form the focus for each quarter. Appropriate training modules have 

By efficiently collaborating with 

Achieving these targets will be the core to be identified for training the youth 

from 

these bodies, the commission becomes 

oversight function of the board of the Region. This will be in 

an actual development agency 

stakeholders and committees that will be set up soon. consultation with the Amnesty office 

instead of its present perception as a 

I like the phrase, ‘youth and not and development partners. This will 

contract awarding commission. Also, 

engage the 

oil is the main resource of the improve stability and assure potential 

private sector will be encouraged to 

attention of 

region,’ as captured in one of your investors, local and foreign of the 

participate in the various 

interviews, can you expatiate on that? safety of their investment. 

developmental activities while 

international 

The youths remain the real resource Empowerment of the indigenes 

development partners will be engaged 

and blessing of a nation if they are has to be sustainable, based on needs 

development 

to ensure delivery of relevant projects. 

motivated, educated, empowered and assessment. Enhancing the position 

Can you enlighten Nigerians on 

partners 

productive in a competitive of women is also very important. 

the commission’s original mandate 

environment, but a huge challenge if Creating opportunities for women 

and where it derailed? 

they are not. The NDDC will focus on will help in addressing their needs 

We are changing the narrative of the 

education. So the youths will remain and recognize their role in the 

commission and the region by 

the day. This would be reversed so that a blessing and not a challenge. Our community as peace makers while 

refocusing it to its original mandate. 

the commission will gain back public vision is the creation of a diversified appropriate medical facilities and 

The public perception of the 

trust. And to do this, it therefore means regional economy with identified personnel will be deployed for the 

commission today is all about 

the procurement process in award of drivers that will be youth-friendly. well being of the people of the region. 

contracts. As soon as someone greets 

contracts must be transparent; through When I say youth and not oil is the Trained and qualified manpower will 

you, the next question is, “chairman 

firming up the units and fine-tuning the main resource of the region, I mean, also be assembled to attend to 

when can I come for a contract?” It has 

process. We must rebrand the diversifying the economy of the individual and specific health needs 

lived with the reputation, rightly or 

commission and change the public region; changing their focus from oil of the various communities. 

wrongly, of a contract awarding factory 

perception of it as a slush fund and this to other sectors would go a long way Corporate social responsibilities of 

or machine, delivering little impactful 

we must do through our honest work to explore and probably create new international and national oil 

development to the region. The 

and single minded focus and and unexplored parts. This can be companies have to benefit the 

business or mandate of the 

discipline. 

achieved by engaging them in sectors people. These companies will be 

commission will certainly involve the 

Take note that we are having such as ICT, sports, the creative encouraged to improve their 

award of contracts, but the contracts 

outstanding funds from various industry, agriculture and relationship with the host 

should be to achieve a strategic plan 

agencies and for the commission to get manufacturing supported by intermodal 

transportation, health, of a unit of the commission. There 

communities under the coordination 

and not contracts for the sake of 

them, we will persuade those, who are 

contracts, as it appears to be the 

in arrears to pay and one of the easiest education and infrastructure, with will also be improved transportation 

situation now. 

ways of getting them to pay is by adequate power supply. 

infrastructure by providing 

It was when the procurement 

ensuring that our processes are What can you say about President alternative and cheaper means for 

process began to be opaque that its 

transparent. The moment they see a Buhari's efforts to impact on the lives efficient movement of people and 

core mandate did not see the light of 

certain level of transparency, it will 

goods. 

C 

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Our billionnaire 

speculators are holding 

Nigeria by the jugular 

•Why pumping of dollars in 

Forex market will not work 

•TSA with banks is suicide mission 

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN 

as electricity. In fact, it the 

The Chief Facilitator, Nigeria Ease of Doing 

fourth index that the World 

Business Initiative and Group Managing 

uses to measure the ease of 

Director of CFL Group of Companies, a foremost 

doing business in any 

infrastructure company with diversified 

country. Looking at Nigeria, 

project portfolios, Mr. Lai Omotola, speaks on 

how long does it take for 

the economy. Excerpts: 

anyone to get government 

consent or Certificate of •Lai Omotola 

What is ‘Ease of Doing Business Initiative’ 

Ownership? We all know 

all about? 

the answer. Registration of 

The Nigeria Ease of Doing Business 

a property is important. 

Initiative is the idea of CFL group. It is purely 

When one asset is registered, 

a private initiative. We have decided to come 

one can get value for it in the 

up with this initiative to monitor the progress 

bank. But it remains a serious 

made by the Federal Government and 36 State 

challenge for many. This is because it is 

Governments in Nigeria. The federal 

still in the hand of the government. So, we will 

government recently said it would make 

be engaging the Land Bureau to know what 

deliberate efforts to improve the ease of doing 

they are doing as regards this. Getting credit 

business in the country. Like every word of 

from banks is a major index. We have 24 

commitment made by previous governments, 

commercial banks in Nigeria. All the banks 

we want to make sure that this deliberate 

are not interested in issuing credit to customers. 

commitment impacts on the economy. This 

This is due to the economic challenges. We 

is our own idea of how the economy could be 

have all agreed that access to credit is very 

further improved. 

important. But it is pathetic that we are not 

getting access to credit. Also, we know there 

Can you give more insight into how to 

are two critical sectors of our economy that must 

actualise the philosophy of this initiative? 

have access to credit. The small and medium 

According to the World Bank, there are 10 

enterprise (SME) is one while the other is real 

indices often used to measure the ease of doing 

sector. It will be very difficult to explain any 

business globally. What we have discovered is 

economy that will grow without access to 

that for every index we see, we look at the 

credit. So, we will be engaging our financial 

parastatal in charge of every sector and 

institutions, Central Bank of Nigeria and 

examine it. The first index is starting a business. 

Ministry of Finance among others. 

The first step of starting a business in Nigeria 

is registration of the company name. The 

Can businesses survive or grow without 

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has said 

strategic support from financial institutions 

Nigerians can register their companies in 48 

and government? 

hours. As practitioners, we have not 

That is what the sixth index of the World 

experienced it. The fastest that we have seen so 

Bank Ease of Doing Business really talks 

far is two weeks. Our strategy is to classify all 

about. It talks about the need to protect minority 

businesses according to sectors. Our aim is to 

investors. The minority investors are the local 

engage the 36 states and see the ease of doing 

investors. There is a debate between ‘do we 

business. We will play an advisory role to the 

borrow to grow’ or ‘invest to grow’. The 

governments at national and sub-national 

Nigerian Government is thinking of borrowing 

levels. We will begin to rate ease of doing 

in order to build the country’s infrastructure 

business in each state monthly. We will rate 

and other needs and finance credit. That brings 

parastatals that are important to the country’s 

additional deficit to our country. 

economy monthly to put the Chief Executives 

Recently, the CBN argued that we should 

on their toes. We will look at other indices 

attract investors to grow Nigeria’s economy. 

aside those that were listed by the World Bank. 

The explanation is that when one attracts 

The CAC tells us that it is easy to register 

investment, the investors will provide the 

companies online. We will test it and organize 

required infrastructure. It will be more 

discussion with the CAC. At that forum, 

profitable for the country’s economy. The 

lawyers and other stakeholders will sit down 

philosophy is changing from where we were 

and engage the agency. Another is getting a 

before. When we are propagating investment, 

work permit. The World Bank sets the 

there are two categories of investors, namely 

parameter because in every economy, one of 

the minority investors and foreign investors. 

the boosters is construction of houses. It is very 

The minority investors are the indigenous or 

important. We all know no one can start 

local investors. It is pathetic that our economy 

has ignored the first and embraces the second. 

construction without having any approval. For 

The minority investors are recognised globally. 

instance, when one wants to construct a 

We have forgotten that every foreign investor 

building and has about one year. Within the 

examines the local investors to see if they have 

time-frame, he was frustrated in getting 

benefitted from investment opportunities the 

building approval. Perhaps he spends six 

government is dangling before them. We need 

months of the construction struggling to 

the local investors to turn the country’s 

secure building approval. There is no state 

economy around. We cannot diversify the 

today that can issue building approval within 

economy by borrowing. Also, if we are striving 

two weeks. Lagos is trying because they now 

to promote local products, we must ensure that 

have electronic planning permit. It is 

the local producers are comfortable. The 

automated, but still requires human interface 

economic template of the federal government 

that will make it bureaucratic. 

must be very clear and transparent. The 

government must show commitment to 

But unstable power supply poses graver 

involving the major stakeholders which are the 

challenge? 

local investors, thus making them the 

Undoubtedly, electricity is another key 

foundation for the economy. Anything short of 

element. What is our performance in 

the index of protecting the minority would be 

providing electricity for the masses? The 

a repetition of the previous government. 

question now is that are we improving or 

stagnant? We will be engaging the Discos and 

Can we grow our economy based on taxes 

Gencos on how they have fared in the last 

instead of depending on oil revenues? 

few years. Property registration is as important 

C 

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The government 

must show 

commitment to 

involving the major 

stakeholders which 

are the local 

investors, thus 

making them the 

foundation for the 

economy 

The strength of our economy is dependent 

on how much cash the government can 

generate. That is what the seventh index 

looks into. Today, we have seen that the 

number of people paying taxes compared 

to our population is very insignificant. There 

is a major problem of paying tax. Nations 

do not grow outside tax. Government is not 

expected to be in business, but rather to 

provide enabling environment for the 

citizens to do business with ease. After doing 

this, the government can then collect taxes. 

That is the process. But when the government 

has decided to get involved in business, it 

affects the country’s growth. The 

government is expected to develop 

initiatives that will solve problems. For 

instance, the NYSC is an initiative that was 

proffered to solve problem of unity. It is the 

initiative provided by the government that 

brings activities. One of the single 

initiatives of the present administration is 

whistle-blower policy. We have all seen the 

result of the policy. The reason our economy 

is docile is because we cannot find the 

initiatives. When there is a problem, the 

obligation of the government is to introduce 

initiatives that will solve the challenges. 

When the Ambode administration assumed 

office, there were intractable traffic 

challenges. But the Ambode administration 

introduced lay-bys on some roads and travel 

time reduced. For instance, the case of Uber, 

the taxi firm that has almost taken over the 

country’s taxi business, is an initiative. 

Many have started parking their cars for 

Uber. Many now advertise for the company. 

But recently, the case of the driver, who was 

killed, occurred. The incident indicates the 

challenge to the easy of doing business 

is security. Apart from taxes, trading 

across borders is another index of the 

ease of doing business. That is the 

responsibility of Customs and the 

Immigration. In other climes, one does 

not see Immigration or Customs 

checking passengers’ luggage. But in 

Nigeria, reverse is the case. Why should 

this happen in Nigeria? Whenever we 

continue to see Customs and 

immigration at the airport, the ease of 

doing business has a problem. 

Aside the indices of the World Bank, 

what other rating World Bank your 

organisation will factor into measuring 

the ease of doing business in 

Nigeria? 

We will look into other 

issues that the World 

Bank did not consider. 

Critical is staffing. It 

is a real challenge. 

We will also factor in 

security. Though the 

World Bank did not 

consider it, it is a big 

issue in our country. 

Presently, every 

Nigerian provides 

its own security. 

Likewise, 

infrastructure is 

critical. We have to 

do it by ourselves. 

Besides, we have 

education. Our 

education is not 

tailored towards 

the expected 

outcome. It is lopsided. 

The town has lost synergy 

with the gown. It is expected 

that both should work together. Also, the 

gown is expected to assist the town. But 

the gown is not aware of the current trend. 

Finally, we will consider the economy, 

especially the micro and macro-economic 

stability. Forex is grace challenge. It is 

expected that when you pump in more 

dollars, there should be reduction. But we 

have discovered that it is not working. 

We will also look at the impact of 

speculation and productivity on our 

economy. About 90 percent of our 

billionaires are speculators. Those who 

made money not through productive 

means are very insignificant. The 

challenge currently facing the country’s 

currency is due to speculators. Some 

people have decided that it is easier to 

make money through forex than investing. 

And that is what the CBN just realized - 

that there are many of them and led by the 

banks. Also, it was a suicide mission to 

start the Treasury Single Account (TSA) 

with the commercial banks. The situation 

we found ourselves today is a state where 

the speculators are holding the country’s 

economy by the jugular. Nigeria is looking 

towards encouraging indigenous 

manufacturers. I believe that 90 percent 

of what we need to feed ourselves can be 

sourced locally. But the problem is can we 

provide the opportunity for the local 

producers to thrive. It is important to note 

that any government that is devoid of 

initiatives cannot generate any activities. 

If there are no activities in the economy, 

everyone will be moving towards 

depression. That is responsible for the 

recent statistics that stated that seven out 

of ten persons are depressed. The 

depression in the country is real. We have 

a serious problem in our hands. It requires 

our leaders to roll-up their sleeves for work. 

This is to avoid explosion of this challenge. 

The situation requires emergency solution. 

Does the Economic Recovery and 

Growth Plan (ERGP) really offer any 

hope? 

I have read the ERGP document. There 

is nothing new in the economic plan 

especially for anyone who has been 

studying the country’s economy. We all 

know these things but the challenge is the 

implementation of the policy. Look at Mr. 

Babatunde Fashola. I believe he must have 

now understood that the offices of the 

Minister and Governor are two different 

ball games. As the governor, he could finish 

10 kilometer road within a short time. But 

as the minister, he will not be able to do 

such. The reason is that the state is different 

from the Federal. Let us begin to count 

now. At this time next year, we will all see 

if the plan has been able to achieve the 

required purpose. It is not easy to 

implement policies in this country.


PDP crisis will 

consume Fayose, 

Wike —Iduoriyekemwen 

•Says PDP must stop 

impunity to be taken 

serious in 2019 

C 

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BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, 

BENIN CITY 

Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen is one 

of the few members of the Peoples 

Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state who 

have remained in the party since 1999 

after the party lost power both in Edo 

state and at the national level. In this 

interview with Saturday Vanguard, 

Iduoriyekemwen, who was the 

governorship candidate of the Ali Modu 

Sheriff faction of the PDP in the 

September 28, 2016 governorship election 

in Edo state sokeon the current crisis in 

the PDP, accusing Governors Nyesom 

Wike of Rivers state and Ayo Fayose of 

Ekiti state of being behind the crisis 

rocking the party. 

He also said that Chief Dan Orbih was 

no longer the chairman of the PDP in the 

state following the Appeal Court ruling on 

the case between Senator Ahmed 

Makarfi and Modu Sheriff just as he 

commended Governor Godwin Obaseki 

for doing well presently in Edo state. 

Excerpts: 

You have been quiet since the 

governorship election in the state, how 

do you see the crisis rocking your party, 

the PDP? 

The elections came and we saw how it 

ended. After the elections, litigations 

have been going on over the control of 

PDP and like you know I identified with 

Ali Modu Sheriff. I believe strongly that 

he is the right chairman of the party 

which recently the Court of Appeal 

affirmed. I will not say I have been too 

quiet because recently Modu Sheriff 

came to Edo state, he went to Delta state 

for a town hall meeting and he came for 

General Ogbemudia’s burial. And I have 

been with him throughout. I talk when I 

need to talk and not just to make noise. 

Again I don’t want to make comments 

that will be considered prejudice. But I 

think it is time that the PDP must realize 

that we must show example of obedience 

to the rule of law. As a party that had led 

this country for sixteen years and still 

have governors in some states and as the 

main opposition party in the country 

today, we must show some respect to the 

rule of law. And for the court of Appeal to 

come out and state the position of the law 

as it relates to the chairmanship of the 

party, I think it is the proper thing 

whether people like it or not you must 

obey the law. But this grand standing and 

exhibition of rascality that we are seeing 

today were the kind of things that led to 

the down fall of PDP in Edo state and 

Nigeria as a whole. If this issue is not 

resolved, PDP will remain in coma for a 

very long time to come. The party does 

not belong to any body, it does not belong 

to the governors. The governors are just 

members of the party like all of us, all 

they owe this party is to ensure that the 

party does not sink. But in a situation 

where they are taking a stand that unless 

the court pronounces Makarfi as 

chairman of the party they will not work 

with Sheriff, then we are not serious. 

Now they are talking about the Supreme 

Court as if the Supreme Court belongs to 

them, that it will upturn the decision of 

the Appeal Court. We cannot have a PDP 

constitution and yet people will come 

and disobey the position of that 

constitution because you are a governor. 

People like Makarfi should also face 

reality. Makarfi has never presented 

himself for chairmanship of this party, 

whether you like it or not Sheriff 

presented himself before the national 

leadership of this party and they elected 

him to become the chairman of the party 

and these governors were part of the 

process that elected Sheriff to complete 

the tenure of Muazu. Funny enough 

Governors Wike and Fayose will be 

shocked what will happen to them. 

Because of PDP crisis, we lost Ondo and 

Edo elections and if they don’t take time, 

Ekiti will follow, then Wike will lose reelection 

and all their noise will end. You 

cannot be disunited and expect to win an 

election against a ruling party. 

Why have your group not set up your 

own State Executive of the PDP? 

Everything has to do with the 

observance of the rule of law. Before the 

Court of Appeal ruling, I felt it would 

create more crisis to a house that is 

already in crisis to start creating another 

group of Executive. But after the Court of 

Appeal judgment, you saw that the same 

people were still parading themselves as 

state executive but we all know that Dan 

Orbih-led Executive is no longer in 

existence in Edo state. We are already in 

the process of setting up another 

executive based on the Appeal Court 

ruling which stated that Ali Modu 

Sheriff is the authentic National 

chairman of the PDP. As long as it is the 

PDP that paid for the secretariat where 

Orbih is occupying now, they will quit 

the place and a new Exco will take over 

the place, we don’t need to look for 

another office, PDP is one. Just the same 

way Sheriff took over the national 

secretariat of the PDP, that is the same 

way we are going to take over the 

secretariat of the PDP in Edo state and 

other states in the country. Orbih is not 

the state chairman of the PDP here and 

he knows. The chairman of the Edo PDP 

will be made known in the next few 

weeks by the national leadership of the 

party. 

Any hope for PDP in 2019? 

There can only be hope for the party 

if the leaders are sincere in their 

moves for reconciliation. In a situation 

where some persons have hijacked 

the party and see it as a personal 

property then we have a problem. 

They sit down in the comfort of their 

homes and decide who becomes this 

and that. Until you stop that impunity 

in PDP, PDP cannot be said to be a 

serious party for 2019. You can see the 

mass defection of PDP members to 

APC, that shows failure of leadership. 

A cabal took over the PDP and had 

continued to negatively affect party 

members. But thank God for the 

emergence of Ali Modu Sheriff who 

stood up to say no, impunity has to 

stop in PDP. 

You were accused of being too close 

to former governor Adams 

Oshiomhole which was seen as 

always working against your party? 

I have never hidden the fact that 

Oshiomhole was my friend but very 

many of the people accusing me of 

being close to Oshiomhole were even 

closer to him than myself. But I cannot 

deny my friends simply because we 

We cannot have a 

PDP constitution 

and yet people will 

come and disobey 

the position of that 

constitution 

because you are a 

governor 

•Matthew 

Iduoriyekemwen 

don’t belong to the same political 

party. The day we went to Uromi for 

Chief Anenih’s thanks giving 

service, Chief Anenih told 

Oshiomhole that there was a cook 

that made good Okro soup for 

himself and Oshiomhole and that 

Oshiomhole should still come and 

eat the okro soup since the cook was 

still there. Does that not show 

friendship, do enemies eat together? 

Why is it that my own is different, I 

have more of my friends in the APC 

today than the PDP. Most of the 

people in PDP today were people 

who joined the party along the way. 

My being a member of PDP does not 

mean I should abandon my friends. 

Apart from that, we know those who 

gave Oshiomhole four 

Commissioners, drinking 

Champagne with him when ACN 

ousted Osunbor in the Appeal Court. 

So tell me who is more closer to 

Oshiomhole? 

Have you buried your 

gubernatorial ambition? 

We have a new government in 

place in Edo state, like I always tell 

people, my interest is Edo first and if 

a government is doing well in Edo 

state, why will I want to truncate the 

path of progress. We will always 

express our ambition when we feel 

that things are not going on well. For 

now, I feel that Obaseki has just 

started and from what he is doing 

now, he is working hard. I am a very 

sincere person even though I am in 

the PDP. But I am seeing a lot of jobs 

going on here and there and he is not 

making noise about it. And I think 

that is the way a serious government 

should actually operate. But it is still 

early now, let us remember that we 

may feel comfortable in other parts of 

the country but Edo state remains 

our own. The priority of every good 

politician should be the general 

development of this state 

considering the overall well being of 

our people and how well our people 

can be better served so that they can 

get the benefits of having a 

government in place. And whoever is 

doing well we must support the 

person because it is for the over all 

good of our people


By Emmanuel Aziken, 

Political Editor 

The meeting with Senator Ovie 

Omo-Agege, one of the most 

enduring political gladiators from 

Delta State was long in expectation. 

Since he emerged with a bang during 

the later years of the James Ibori 

administration in Delta State, Omo- 

Agege had metamorphosed into a 

political phenomenon in Delta State. 

After returning from the United States 

in 2002, Omo-Agege rose within a span 

of three years to the apex of government. 

From being an executive assistant to the 

governor in 2003, he rose to become a 

commissioner and then Secretary to the 

State Government, SSG, in 2007. It was 

that kind of ascendancy that gave his 

person the air of gravitas that 

commanded the prospect for high office 

in Delta State. 

However, whatever momentum he 

generated was obfuscated by the political 

demons that seemingly trailed him, well 

until recently. That was because it was all 

motion but little movement. 

His campaigns for the governorship of 

Delta State in 2007, 2011 and 2015 either 

as aspirant or candidate, indeed 

consumed much energy; but in a political 

terrain as Delta State, it was the more 

you looked, the less you saw of Omo- 

Agege. 

It was a strategic political alignment 

with another similarly politically 

traumatized wayfarer, Chief Great 

Ogboru, famed as the Peoples General to 

squash the political demons in 2015. 

The tactical decision to lift his eyes 

beyond Delta State towards the national 

plane saw him battle for the Delta 

Central Senatorial seat, on the platform 

of Labour Party in the 2015 general 

election. 

The seat was initially declared for the 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Ighoyota 

Amori but reverted by the courts in 2016. 

Omo-Agege arrived the Senate with a 

bang with a steadfast agenda to enthrone 

political probity in the electoral space. 

Following Senate plenary and a string 

of committee appointments mostly 

focussed on putting finishing touches to 

the 2017 budget plans of the Federal 

Government, Senator Omo-Agege, a 

scion of the famed Justice James Omo- 

Agege, now late, sat down for an 

interview. 

Given his delayed inauguration, it was 

not surprising that Omo-Agege came 

with much energy to the Senate. 

“Coming in here, we knew that we 

had lost close to about eight months and 

needed and wanted to hit the ground 

C 

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PDP ran government 

like an ATM without pin 

-Omo-Agege 

•Omo-Agege 

If you go to Delta State 

now, in every ward, you 

have about 388 

beneficiaries of 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari’s social 

intervention 

programmes and this 

includes the direct 

cash transfers, the N- 

Power among others 

running and that is precisely what we 

did to catch up with my colleagues.” 

Though delayed, his drive he coyly 

confesses was partly framed by his 

experience. 

“As you know, I was a victim of 

electoral theft and I said never again 

were we going to allow that and 

having gotten here we said that we 

were going to push for comprehensive 

review of the Electoral Act to give all 

contestants the opportunity to contest 

freely and win or lose freely. So far we 

have been able to achieve that.” 

Senator Omo-Agege’s bill to amend 

the Electoral Act is only one of about 

five bills that he has injected into the 

Senate system. He is also the author 

of the Dormant Accounts Bill and cosponsor 

of the bill to establish the 

Electoral Offences Commission among 

others. 

Remarkably, his Electoral Act 

Amendment Bill has found favour in 

the top echelons of both the 

presidency and the legislature. 

The Electoral Act amendment bill, 

for example, aims to provide a leeway 

for complexities like the scenario that 

erupted after Prince Abubakar Audu 

was stopped by death from claiming 

victory in the Kogi State governorship 

election in November 2015. 

The bill also spells out provisions on 

qualifications for elections which are 

put firmly in the hands of the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC. 

Asked in what way his enthusiasm 

is driven by his electoral experience, 

Omo-Agege coyly recoils saying: 

“We have never been able to allow 

peoples votes to count. People go into 

elections, they win but they are 

declared losers. People who did not 

win are declared winners.” However, 

though he stops shy of saying it, the 

experience of being a victim of 

electoral theft as he told your 

correspondent is not too far away. 

Having been elected on the 

platform of Labour Party, he 

recently crossed over to the 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC at a time the party’s 

fortunes have been 

seriously challenged by the 

difficulties in the economy 

and security. 

“Moving to the APC 

was not a difficult choice 

for me to make. From day 

one, when I got in here, I made up my 

mind to work with President 

Muhammadu Buhari. His agenda 

became my agenda and I took it 

upon myself to do everything within 

my powers to see that he succeeds. 

Now to say that people believe that 

they have not done well, that they 

have not fulfilled the promises made 

in respect to the change agenda, if 

you ask me, I have a slightly different 

view. The problem that the president 

has is the problem of 

communication,” he submitted. 

He accused the PDP in Delta State 

of ‘stealing’ the goodwill from the 

APC programmes. 

“He promised direct cash 

transfer, but he has executed on that. 

The problem that we are having is 

that the beneficiaries do not even 

know or they are being misled that 

the programme is not an APC 

programme. Take Delta State for 

instance. The people who are running 

the programme in the office of the 

VICE-PRESIDENT are treating it as 

a very, very apolitical programme 

and it shouldn’t be that way. 

“If you go to Delta State now, in 

every ward, you have about 388 

beneficiaries of President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s social 

intervention programmes and this 

includes the direct cash transfers, the 

N-Power among others. 

“But guess what? These 

beneficiaries believe that it is the 

Okowa government that is doing it 

like the School Feeding Programme. 

Even the debate we have been having 

here is that even cooks being 

recruited in PDP states are selected in 

a partisan way. At the end of the day, 

the beneficiaries will think that it is 

the PDP led government that is 

providing these programmes.” 

He also defended Buhari’s 

economic programmes stoutly. “The 

question people have not asked is that 

who caused this recession? People 

need to know that if President 

Muhammadu Buhari had not won 

the election, that if Jonathan had won 

the election that in two, three months 

after the inauguration that Nigeria 

would have been worse than Greece.” 

“Mr. President was dealt a very bad 

hand; the economy had to go down 

because, under the last 

administration, the treasury was 

turned into an ATM without a pin! 

People were just coming in freely to 

loot the treasury. In addition to that, 

you had the misfortune of challenges 

in the Niger Delta where we were now 

producing less than we had done 

under Jonathan, even the price of the 

product had collapsed in the world 

market.” 

Senator Omo-Agege was challenged 

on his denunciation of the PDP given 

the fact that he was until the end of the 

last decade a member of the party who 

aspired for various political offices 

through the party. 

Responding, he said: 

“We were never given the 

opportunity to ventilate. Do you think 

even those in the PDP were happy the 

way the economy was being run 

aground? You think they were happy? 

You think people were happy the 

petroleum sector was run as if it were 

a personal fiefdom? You think people 

were happy with that?” 

Even if the APC at the national level 

has the facade of peace, the same 

cannot be said of the local chapter in 

Delta State. The state chapter has 

been enmeshed in a series of crises 

since some former PDP members 

came into the party after the 2015 

general elections. 

Senator Omo-Agege refused to be 

dragged into the crisis saying he 

remains a new member despite being 

the highest elected political office 

holder of the party in the state. 

“I entered the party formally on 

March 7, 2017. There have been 

challenges and those challenges are 

still there, but I have not gotten my 

full brief but my understanding is that 

there is a move towards reconciliation 

and I believe that it will succeed.” 

As the session neared an end, Omo- 

Agege was asked about the prospects 

for his party in the forthcoming state 

constituency election in Warri. 

“We are very confident that if we do 

the right thing that we will win and by 

doing the right thing, I mean that if 

we present an acceptable candidate, 

popular candidate who is on ground, 

there is no reason we should not 

prevail. 

“As we speak we don’t even know 

who we are running against. So, we 

are preparing in that race just to win 

it. But if you ask me who our opponent 

will be, we don’t know. Because we 

know that the Sheriff PDP, the 

legitimate PDP, that they are going to 

be fielding a candidate and I also 

learn that the Makarfi PDP 

represented by the governor of the 

state in Delta will also field a 

candidate.” 

Asked how the APC could breach 

the PDP’s near invincibility in the 

Delta South, he retorted: 

“Rephrase your question. Given the 

fact that PDP has been declared 

winner in the past is different from 

winning election in the past. You only 

win elections when those elections are 

not challenged and when challenged, 

you prevail. That is when you can say 

that you have won an election. But 

when you rig election and people 

don’t challenge you, then people go 

away with the assumption that you 

won and won free and fair.” 

Do you mean PDP has been rigging, 

he was asked? 

“Absolutely, there is no doubt about 

that. We went through several 

sessions of litigation and my case 

was not in any way different from 

Ogboru’s case for instance. My own 

wasn’t different from other people 

who contested for House of 

Representatives or House of 

Assembly, but they didn’t have the 

will and the guts to fight their cases to 

the logical conclusion beside Ogboru 

and I.” 

He said that the APC with people 

like him have the capacity to stop 

what he claimed as the PDP’s rigging 

machine. “Yes, we do. I won’t give you 

details, but we do. PDP they know 

that the era of writing results in Delta 

State is over. They know that they 

have people like us to contend with 

now. We are not saying that we must 

win at all costs, but if you must beat 

us, beat us free and fair. But if we 

beat you, let us walk away with the 

result. What we are not going to 

allow is for you to write results for 

an election that you did not win.”

Tomorrow is Easter. Since Ash 

Wednesday on March 1, some 

Christians have been involved in fasting, 

abstinence or both. I hope those who 

saved money from fasting or abstinence 

have surrendered it to the needy or used 

it to do the work of God. We do not want 

to hear later that it has gathered dust in 

some lock-up shop somewhere or in a soak 

away pit, or an apartment in highbrow 

Ikoyi, or a safe in a nondescript house on 

a dusty road in a poor neighbourhood. 

For those who abstained, what did you 

abstain from? Is it a vice or normal 

pleasure, like eating suya, to mortify your 

flesh. If it is a vice, it means that you can 

give it up totally, if you truly abstained 

for 40 days. If it is suya, enjoyment 

resumes, but remember moderation is 

the name of the game before you use your 

money to buy health challenges and 

ultimately death. You know, I told one of 

my older friend a few days ago that “all 

die na die.” “Ehen, okay go stand for front 

of train, make you see as e be.” I have 

since repented; all die no be the same, so 

I caution moderation even if what you are 

indulging in is morally okay or legal. 

Some of the later-day health challenges 

some older people face are results and 

reflections of prior lifestyles. 

Beyond the fasting and abstinence, we 

should emerge post Easter as better 

human beings, unless Lent and Easter 

have become hollow rituals. Nigerians are 

predominantly Christians and Muslims. 

The Muslims have their Ramadan fast 

during which they preach the same 

messages of almsgiving, sacrifice, living 

for others, etc., which Christians preach 

at Easter. Yet Nigeria is deteriorating in 

many critical areas. This religiosity 

without spirituality is destroying Nigeria. 

Water everywhere, yet none to drink; 

churches and mosques everywhere, yet 

evil is striving. 

Some people wake up every morning to 

go to work and what job do they do? 

Inflicting pains on their fellow human 

beings, officially or unofficially, and some 

of the proceeds of these evil deeds end up 

in churches or mosques as tithes, 

offerings and donations. With Easter 

around the corner, the roads are crawling 

Easter reflections 

with the police, customs, vehicle 

inspection officers and FRSC 

officials. But make no mistake 

about it, many of these people do 

not care about us; they do not care 

about Nigeria; they only care 

about their pockets. I was in the 

vehicle with my family, including 

my seven-year-old daughter, and 

a law enforcement agent 

This religiosity without 

spirituality is destroying 

Nigeria. Water everywhere, 

yet none to drink; 

churches and mosques 

everywhere, yet evil is 

striving 

demanded money from me, after 

checking all my papers and finding 

everything in order. How am I 

supposed to explain it to my little 

daughter, I wondered quietly. 

What kind of children will this kind 

of man bring up, I wondered 

further. And he might just be a 

“born-again Christian” or “devout 

Muslim!” 

Uniforms, all kinds of uniforms, 

have become instruments of 

oppression and emasculation of 

Nigerians. Can you imagine an 

Andrew Kumapayi, the sector 

commander for the Federal Road 

Safety Commission (FRSC) in 

Rivers State, publicly cutting the 

hair (even if they are 

attachments) of other people’s 

wives, just because they work 

under him in the FRSC, and 

having the temerity to post the 

photographs of his foolishness on 

the FRSC Rivers State Facebook 

page? Even if the junior officers 

had non-compliant hairstyles, 

what happened to queries, 

suspension or other internal 

procedures? Publicly cutting 

their hair can never be an 

officially-sanctioned 

disciplinary measure, unless 

something is fundamentally 

wrong with the FRSC. 

Even though, it was reported 

that he has been suspended, I 

hope the husbands of these 

women press charges against him 

to teach him some lessons on the 

dangers of trespassing, proper 

public conduct and decency. His 

action reflects the impunity of 

men (and women) in uniforms 

and the subhuman treatment 

they met out to fellow Nigerians 

whose taxes pay their salaries. 

There is no limit to what average 

Nigerians go through in the 

hands of uniformed personnel. 

SATURD 

TURDAY Vanguard, 

anguard,APRIL 15, 2017—19 

Some of them threaten and force 

struggling Nigerians to part with hardearned 

and much-needed cash. Where 

cash is not immediately available, they 

take their “captives” to ATM machines 

to withdraw to bribe them. They are 

more daring and desperate during this 

period (and other festive periods) 

because they are looking for money to 

“celebrate” Easter. 

One of the messages of Easter is living 

for others, but in a society with a large 

proportion of Christians, that is hardly 

the case. Many of those in top positions 

are stealing our commonwealth as if 

stealing it is going out of fashion. They 

are accumulating money that even 

their 10 th generation cannot exhaust, 

even if they do not work. They forget 

that one deviant child can blow a 

fortune in a twinkle of an eye on drugs, 

gambling or hedonistic lifestyle. 

History has a way of repeating itself, 

but do we learn? Why would any 

normal human being encourage his 

children to be idle and lazy by stealing 

to sustain them, when they are 

supposed to be independent? 

From tonight, the clubs, brothels and 

beer parlours will be filled with people 

“celebrating” the resurrection of Christ. 

I cannot help but ask, what exactly does 

Christ resurrection mean to them? What 

exactly are they celebrating? One of the 

dangers of living a life that is not purposedriven 

is blurred vision and warped 

actions. It is a free world and if you feel 

like spending your night with prostitutes 

or drinking yourself to stupor, fine, but 

do not tag it Easter celebration. Easter 

commemorates the resurrection of 

Christ. It signifies triumph over death 

and salvation for mankind. So there is 

no way anything that is antithetical to 

the significance of Easter can form part 

of Easter celebration. You can call it 

holiday celebration and you are in order, 

but certainly not Easter celebration. 

Easter means selflessness and living 

for others, but look at the level of 

selfishness and wickedness on our 

roads. Road users behave as if it is their 

sole property; no consideration for 

others. 

(Text Only) 

The Crane and Eagle put you on smart track 

The Crane 

Technique: 

Squat on the hundles with the 

feet close together. Let the soles 

and heels rest on the floor. Raise the 

buttocks up and move the 

trunk forward. 

Breathing out, wrap the arms 

around the bent legs, and 

place the palms on 

the floor. 

Bend the elbows 

and raise the heels 

from the floor, move 

the trunk a bit more 

forward and rest the 

chin on the back of 

the upper arms close 

to the armpits. 

Stretch the arms 

straight and balance 

the whole body on 

the hands. 

Benefits: 

The Crane strengthens the 

arms. With the contacting of the 

abdomen,the organs there are 

massaged and toned. 

The Eagle 

Technique: 

Standing with feet together 

bend the elbows and place 

the sight on the top, the left 

one and bring the palms 

together while you raise and 

bend the left leg and rap it 

around the right lower leg 

with the foot sticking out. 

The left leg must be slightly 

bent at the knee to make this 

possible. 

Benefits: 

The Eagle instills a sense of 

balance and also banishes 

varicose veins. 

The Spread Eagle stretches 

both the harmstrings and inner 

tigh muscles;and tones up also 

the muscles of the abdomen. 

SpreadEagle 

Sit down and spread the legs 

as far wide apart as possible 

and keeping the trunk very 

upright place the hands on the 

shins and breath normally for 

10 to 15 seconds. rest and 

repeat. 

•The Crane 

•SpreadEagle


Governor Ambode started well. 

Meticulous and efficient. But he 

must be helped to stay on course. Nothing 

litters Lagos, presently, more than men in 

immaculate white shirts and black 

trousers. When you fall into their hands 

you would realize the police are truly your 

friend. They may look like doves but their 

recent proliferation has imposed a sense 

of siege on road users. Ordinarily, there 

can never be too many Vehicle Inspection 

Officers (VIOs) in a Lagos bedeviled with 

junk cars and buses, hurtling in all 

directions, at crazy speeds. The irony, 

however, is that these Lagos VIOs have no 

time for commercial buses (Danfos) and 

commercial motorcycles (Okadas). 

Okadas and Danfos, unfortunately, 

contribute 90% of road traffic accidents 

and traffic confusion in the state. Then the 

puzzle is, what is the motivation for the 

mushrooming of VIOs in Lagos? The state 

can’t be littered with rickety buses and 

shambolic motorcycles and yet be littered 

with omnivorous VIOs. 

Aggressive law enforcement to satisfy a 

ravenous revenue generation appetite 

could be expedient, but it is definitely not 

virtuous. Government officials and 

citizens must be encouraged to see the law 

and law enforcement as having moral 

rather than commercial foundations. 

A few days ago, I left Festac town braced 

for the menace. Before the U-turn on First 

Avenue, I had passed through two police 

stops, unscathed. Policemen are truly 

friendly. They smiled at me, I smiled at 

them and threw my hands into the air and 

they nodded. Such telepathic 

understanding of each other’s plight. After 

the U-turn, at the foot of the bridge, the 

first crop of VIOs were busy jumping in 

front of moving vehicles, bargaining 

insistently and furiously scribbling tickets. 

Busy Monday. A woman was running 

around ,with confused haste, to nowhere, 

like a rat in a gum trap. The negotiations 

had collapsed, evidently. An exasperated 

VIO was attending to her perceived 

uncooperative attitude by the exaggerated 

enthusiasm with which he was scribbling 

a ticket. The woman who had hands on 

her head was lamenting profusely, “ how 

can a 500 naira bread and egg I just left 

my house to buy put me inside this 20,000 

Lagos: Turning 50, and turning vicious? 

naira wahala?” Poor soul. She was not 

alone, she was only more hysterical than 

others who were struggling not to cry. 

A few metres away from that melee of 

ruthlessness, shock and lamentations was 

the Festac link bridge. A man had packed 

his car on that bridge 48 hours prior, leapt 

out, and plunged into the lagoon. His 

body was retrieved hours later. The 

suicide epidemic should get the attention 

of the governor too. Siege mentality won’t 

help curb it. 

Five hundred metres away, beside 

Fatgbems petrol station, a second crop 

of VIOs, in their resplendent white gowns, 

were busy too. And from where they stood, 

they could see two other sets of VIOs no 

more than metres away. Sometimes all 

they did was subjecting same vehicles to 

second and third inspections, in series. 

Infernal nuisance. But the state needs a 

larger IGR. Sandwiched between the 

VIOs was a team of FRSC officers. With 

vehicle and safety regulators all over the 

place you would think Mile Two would 

be controlled. Staring at these officials, 

right on the Oshodi expressway, is the 

madness of about 500 Okadas parking, 

picking and dropping passengers with 

promiscuous abandon. 200 metres 

behind, at second rainbow bus stop, the 

main expressway has been converted to a 

mini park for Okadas. The Okadas have 

no head lamps, no rear lights. And many 

have no number plates. None of the okada 

riders remembers to wear any helmets. 

Since Boko Haram crippled the 

Northeast, Lagos has become a race 

course for suicidal Okada riders. How 

these VIOs and FRSC officials operate 

in the midst of this chaos with equanimity, 

baffles me. The Agberos at Mile 2, the 

bus drivers brag, have fixed them with 

steady returns. 

We approached the second group 

stationed at the mile 2 bridge with 

trepidation. I was late for a meeting. An 

irreverent truck driver pushed past us 

with scandalous recklessness. His pure 

water truck, permanently tilted sideways, 

stammered and stuttered and sent a pile 

of thick smoke to the VIOs through the 

chimney it has for an exhaust. The VIOs 

pinched their noses. They were not 

bothered by the dying truck. They pointed 

at my car. I was aghast. I motioned the 

driver to slow down. I wound down the 

window and took of my glasses. When he 

was close enough, I pointed to the 

coughing truck and the plume of carbon 

monoxide. He hissed, and waved us on. I 

like that carry-your- wahala-and-go 

gesture sometimes. It can save you a lot 

of time. 

At Apapa, Wharf road was blocked by 

trucks. We descended into the alternative 

road beside Mobil depot and ran into yet 

another group of VIOs. The driver 

handed over his license and the vehicle 

particulars. I thought we had all they 

needed. Then he asked for some 

certificate called ‘LASDRI.’ I explained 

that mine was a private vehicle, but they 

are not groomed to be impressed by 

arguments. Then I asked if ‘LASDRI’ was 

compulsory for everyone. They shook 

their heads and walked away with our 

vehicle particulars. The driver wasn’t 

impressed with my inflexibility, he went 

to plead. One of the officials crept from 

behind and lept into the driver’s seat. 

Everything was done with mischievous 

The suicide epidemic should 

get the attention of the 

governor too. Siege 

mentality won’t help curb it 

stealth. I asked if the lack of LASDRI 

was enough for the car to be impounded. 

They smiled but gave no answer. 

“How much is the fine for not having 

LASDRI?” I asked. He would only tell 

me when we reached their office. He was 

adamant, he must drive my car. Once we 

got into their compound, they locked up 

the car and asked us to hang around in 

the blazing heat. Everything is done 

clandestinely. “Where is your boss, whom 

we took for granted was behind us?” I 

asked. He smiled again, I must be naive. 

I walked away. The boss came later, at 

his time, and tried to negotiate with the 

driver. The driver hesitated, and he was 

issued a N20,000 ticket. 

There, was a driver whose monthly 

salary could have been N18,000 naira if 

I were Lagos state government. He was 

being asked to pay a N20,000 fine for 

not having a certain LASDRI certificate 

that’s costs N3000. LASDRI may have 

been conceived to improve drivers just 

as vehicle inspection must have been 

conceived to rid the city of rickety 

okadas and poisonous vehicles. But the 

result of mercantilism is clear. 

Corruption is inevitable because the 

sanctions are disproportionate, not just 

to the gravity of the offences but to the 

prevailing incomes of offenders. The 

officials prance about town in white 

gowns and aren’t bothered about an Eko 

that is a maze of confusion, once their 

revenue targets and pockets are met. The 

ordinary people, assailed from all 

angles, wilt. 

Eko Oni Baje oo. 

LNG buyers’ cartel sways global exporters 

Since the international market for 

liquefied natural gas, LNG got 

oversupplied about five years ago the 

resultant glut is yet to abate. The 

United States Energy Information 

Administration, EIA reports that 

working natural gas stocks 

(underground storage) as of Friday, 

March 31, 2017 was 2,051 billion cubic 

feet, Bcf. It represents a net increase 

of 2 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks 

were 427 (17 percent) less than last 

year at this time and 265 (17 percent) 

above the five-year (2012-16) average 

of 1,786 Bcf for this week. 

However natural gas spot prices in 

the Henry Hub spot price rose from 

US$3.03 per million British thermal 

units, MMBtu on Wednesday, April 5 

to US$3.21 per MMBtu last 

Wednesday, April 12. It has indeed 

been an unstable market that pummels 

continually. From the International Gas 

Union, IGU 2016 Reports the prospect 

of inadequate margins on oil linked 

LNG sales will give developers further 

pause until greater certainty is 

established over long-term price 

expectations. 

Despite lower LNG term and spot 

prices, global LNG output from legacy 

producers: Qatar, Malaysia Russia and 

Nigeria remained particularly strong 

with Gorgon’s Chevron Australia and 

Papua New Guinea contributing 

substantial new volumes. In response 

to downward prices, legacy assets many 

of which are partially depreciated, 

have low breakeven costs but 

maintained high utilization. 

A major challenge to future 

projects development is the looming 

supply from Australia and the 

United States set to come online in 

the next five years. With 141.5 MTPA 

under construction and announced 

to come online before 2020, LNG 

supply is expected to expand 

considerably during this period 

making it more difficult for project 

developers to secure commitments 

for long term buyers. The inability 

to secure buyers has been a major 

impediment to the development of 

many LNG projects. If this trend 

continues proposed projects may 

find it difficult to secure established 

and credit worthy buyers. 

Again the unhealthy rivalry 

between and among world 

superpowers who jostle to increase 

liquefaction capacities is 

compounding the precarious 

situation with prices likely to further 

down. Both countries are investing 

in liquefaction facilities even with 

capped LNG prices that may not 

improve until 2020. Proposed 

activity slowed down considerably 

in 2015 as a result of market 

oversupply and demand uncertainty 

in key import markets. Russia is 

investing in the Yamal LNG project 

in the arctic to compete with leading 

The inability to secure 

buyers has been a major 

impediment to the 

development of many 

LNG projects 

global LNG exporting leaders, Qatar 

and Australia. Late March 2017, 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, 

expressed his country’s determination 

to become the world’s biggest LNG 

producer. The US and EU imposed 

sanctions however had slowed it 

down. The United States natural gas 

exports are expected to increase with 

additional capacity coming online at 

Chenniere’s Sabine Pass LNG 

liquefaction plant in Louisiana, the 

expected start of Cove Point LNG in 

Maryland in December 2017 and new 

projects at Cameron LNG and Freeport 

LNG on the Gulf Coast in 2018. 

Major LNG importers from Asia: 

Japan, South Korea and China which 

have had shrewd assessment of the 

situation cashed in on the opportunity 

to negotiate more flexible deals and 

concessions from exporters. The threemember 

group, which accounts for 

one-third of global LNG imports 

constituted themselves into a cartel to 

subdue prices. With the price of LNG 

determined by the forces of demand 

and supply, they influence favourable 

global supply contracts for its 

members. The club is causing 

significant changes in pricing, 

demand and supply imbalances, risks 

and uncertainties, for a new order LNG 

business. 

The club members share information 

and cooperate in procuring LNG 

jointly. Destination restrictions until 

now made it impossible for LNG 

buyers to sell excess supplies bought 

in fixed volumes as part of long term 

contracts. It is now possible for the 

three club members to trade with one 

another based on demand to resell 

imports to third parties in flexible 

supply terms. Winter supplies can 

now be bought by the Korea Gas 

Corporation, KOGAS; while China 

National Offshore Oil Corporation, 

CNOOC buys supplies for summer. 

The JERA Corporation of Japan which 

is the global largest buyer of LNG in 

partnership with Chubu Electric 

Power and Tokyo Electric Power buys 

supplies for winter and summer. 

Indeed, the 12-member Gas 

Exporting Countries Forum, GECF 

itself a cartel has a challenge posed 

by this emerging importers club on 

how to remain competitive in LNG 

business. The GECF members are 

Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial 

Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, 

Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, United 

Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The 

world’s nominal liquefaction capacity 

is held by five countries: Qatar, 

Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and 

Nigeria. Qatar alone holds 25 percent 

of the total capacity. 

Observers believe that the buyers’ 

club formed in March 2017 and hold 

all the aces is an aberration because 

a cartel ordinarily is an alliance of 

business companies formed to control 

production, competition and prices. 

The world produces 340 million metric 

tons per annum, MMtpa global LNG 

in 2016. The takeaway for Nigeria as 

the 9 th largest country in world natural 

gas reserve is that pragmatic 

measures should be to invest heavily 

in local use for industrial 

development takeoff.

Betrayals come in different shapes and 

forms. There are family betrayals, 

business betrayals, political betrayals, love 

betrayals etc. And they all have two things 

in common; relationship and trust. Without 

these two, you really cannot talk of a 

betrayal. Generally, the greater the 

relationship, the deeper the trust, the less 

expected and therefore, the more painful 

the betrayal. In many cases, people are 

blindsided because of their closeness to the 

perpetrators. 

A couple of weeks ago, my sister and 

friend, Vanguard columnist, Ms Bunmi 

Sofola gave us an account of how a man’s 

only son impregnated his fiancé. This was 

after this man had paid good money abroad 

to ensure the lady in question could get 

pregnant. In one stroke, he had lost a lover 

and a son. A week later, another Vanguard 

columnist, Ms Yetunde Arebi wrote about a 

lady whose kid sister to whom she was very 

attached, got pregnant for her boyfriend. A 

few years ago, there was a well-publicised 

story of a prominent man who got his son’s 

wife pregnant. We can go on and on; men 

impregnating mothers and step daughters; 

men sleeping with their best friend’s wives 

and daughters; guardians impregnating 

wards etc. And on each occasion, the pain 

upon discovery is very devastating leaving 

some victims permanently damaged. Part 

of the damage is in seeing and living with 

the betrayer. Who do you cut off in the 

circumstances—your spouse or your child 

or both? 

Business betrayals might not be as 

emotionally damaging but they take their 

toll as well. There was the story of two 

Senior Managers in a multi-national oil 

marketing company. One gave the other a 

detailed information about how the 

company was losing customers in a zone. 

This Manager now fed the information into 

a larger picture to prove that the company 

would lose a significant market share in the 

near future. The expatriate boss who had 

the parent company to report to, got alarmed 

and called the two managers. To the utter 

surprise of the other manager, the one who 

supplied the information betrayed his 

colleague by flatly denying his input 

thereby making the other manager look like 

a mischievous doomsday sayer. This was 

about 20 years ago. The company did 

eventually lose a significant market share 

titbits2012@yahoo.com 

The season of betrayals 

but it was no consolation to the 

manager who got fired. 

Family betrayal takes different 

forms. People setting up 

businesses and putting their 

siblings in charge only to find that 

the company had been sucked to 

its shell upon examination. There 

was a story of a man who put his 

wife as the head of administration 

in his company. He was shocked 

to the marrow when he found his 

wife had colluded with suppliers 

to dupe the company of huge 

sums of money. There was another 

story of a man who lived abroad 

As we relive this 

Gethsemane experience 

and point accusing 

fingers at the betrayers of 

Jesus, we should be wary 

of the little fingers 

pointing back at us 

and wanted to build a house in 

Nigeria. The most logical person 

to trust was his senior brother. Not 

only was the money sent home 

misappropriated, he was 

continuously lied to. The 

photograph of a house was sent 

to him. He was encouraged to 

come home for Christmas so he 

could enjoy his beautiful home. 

He was killed on arrival. 

SATURDAY Vanguard, , APRIL 15, 2017—21 

Political betrayals are everywhere. 

They dot the landscape in Nigeria. 

Political godsons betraying their 

godfathers. Political godfathers 

reneging on promises made to their 

godsons. Dogs not only biting, but 

savaging dogs. Just when we thought 

we had seen it all, there was the case 

of a son who betrayed his father who 

had installed him in high office when 

it came to choosing his successor. 

This is the season of the mother of 

all betrayals. Anybody who has been 

to church in the past couple of weeks, 

would have been refreshed with the 

biblical story of Judas Iscariot, the 

disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed 

him for 30 pieces of silver. He was one 

of the 12; divinely chosen not 

according to flesh, but by the One who 

sees the heart of man. The pain of 

Jesus might have been made worse by 

the fact that he was betrayed by 

someone who dressed like him, ate and 

slept with him, walked with him and 

heard his words, was his ‘minister of 

finance’ who might have put his weary 

head on Jesus’ bosom at one time or 

the other. On the night of his betrayal, 

he had dipped his bread into the same 

bowl with Jesus. More was to follow 

as His disciples deserted Him. None 

came forward to counter the false 

witnesses. None stood for and with 

Him as the accusers had a field day. 

Those He had healed and performed 

great miracles for were either silent or 

absent. Even Peter denied Him thrice. 

It was, as human experiences go, the 

night of the great betrayal. 

As we relive this Gethsemane 

experience and point accusing fingers 

at the betrayers of Jesus, we should be 

wary of the little fingers pointing back 

at us. How many times have we 

betrayed the cause of Jesus or His 

representatives on earth—the poor, the 

widows and the needy? How many 

times have we betrayed those who 

have reposed a great trust in us in our 

business, personal and political lives? 

In the biblical experience, the 

followers betrayed their leader. That 

happens very often in the real world. 

That’s what coup plotters do. And there 

are coup plotters in associations, 

communities, companies and 

countries. In fact, anywhere two or 

three are gathered, there is a likelihood 

of betrayal. But then, leaders also 

betray their followers. It is a betrayal 

of the people when a free and fair 

election is annulled. It is a betrayal 

when money meant for the poor is 

diverted into private pockets. It is a 

betrayal when money meant for projects 

end up building private castles. It is a 

betrayal when people wallow in 

poverty and their leaders swim in 

obscene wealth. It is a betrayal when 

a leader uses religion to manipulate 

his people rather than buy vaccines to 

heal them. It is a betrayal when a 

potentially rich country like Nigeria is 

listed among the famine stricken 

countries in the world. It is a betrayal 

when the church gets richer to the 

detriment of the congregation. It is a 

betrayal when many are taxed to 

provide a life of leisure for a few. 

Yesterday was Good Friday when 

several acts of betrayal brought Jesus 

to the Cross. Tomorrow is Easter when 

life triumphs over death. We rejoice at 

Easter because we believe Jesus has 

given us a second chance at life. We 

can make restitution for our several acts 

of betrayal by giving others another 

chance at life too. We do this when we 

meet the medical and educational 

needs of our poor neighbours. We do 

this when we provide a canoe and a 

fishing net for those who otherwise 

would be hungry. We do this when we 

determine to lift the country’s poor out 

of poverty and disease. 

May the message of the death and 

resurrection of Christ speak to us at 

this season. Happy Easter. 

The parade of certificate forgers, 

ex-convicts and folks of similar 

character as election candidates, and 

eventually as legislators and 

governors was one of the most 

poignant facts that came to fore at an 

Abuja gathering penultimate 

Tuesday. 

Speaking at the validation 

conference of the 2017 to 2021 

strategic plan of the Independent 

National Electoral Commission, INEC, 

the commission’s chairman, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu, however, 

confessed the incapacity of the 

commission to weed out such persons 

as candidates. That is because the 

Electoral Act bars INEC from 

disqualification of candidates. So 

even if a candidate is known to be of 

dubious reputation he or she can only 

be removed as a candidate by the 

party or the court. 

The Electoral Act, 2010 as 

amended, and even the recently 

passed amendment sponsored by 

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege debarred 

the election management body from 

disqualifying candidates for whatever 

reason. The power of disqualification 

remains with the courts and the 

political parties who screen their 

aspirants to ensure that only qualified 

persons emerge as candidates. 

The idea of the court nullifying the 

nomination of such forgers and exconvicts 

ordinarily should bring some 

measure of discipline to political 

parties. However, as the unfolding 

scenario concerning some high profile 

How forgers and ex-convicts came to rule in Nigeria 

political office holders will show, 

Nigerian political parties do not really 

mind. Party chieftains who have 

tainted themselves are easily 

compromised by party aspirants who 

do not brook any rule to put 

themselves or their favoured lackeys 

as party candidates. 

A number of senators who make 

laws for Nigeria cannot travel to some 

countries because of the fear that they 

can easily be picked up on account of 

past infractions in those countries 

where the rule of law is no respecter 

of persons. 

Even more, there was the instance 

of a death certificate even being forged 

to push through the nomination of a 

candidate in the All Progressives 

Congress, APC in 2015. 

That certificate forgers, exconvicts, 

such characters or cheats 

as they should be properly known are 

presently sitting pretty tight in office 

in the legislature and the executive 

branch at the federal and state levels 

should be troubling. It really goes far 

to say why Nigeria has not 

progressed much as a country. 

It was Senator Nuhu Aliyu, a 

retired Deputy Inspector General 

of Police who famously drew the 

attention of the country to the 

presence of crooks in the National 

Assembly. 

Aliyu then in his third term in the 

Senate had during plenary on 

January 23, 2008, shocked many 

when he said that “in this National 

Assembly, we still have 419ners.” 

Senator Aliyu’s assertion may 

have shocked many, but certainly 

not some of his colleagues and 

Senate correspondents who had 

heard him make similar 

accusations in the past. 

He had in April 2005 dubbed 

some of his colleagues as crooks 

and 419ners and at the peak of the 

third term debate accused the then 

Deputy President of the Senate, 

Senator Ibrahim Mantu of bribing 

senators to support the 

amendment. 

It really goes far 

to say why 

Nigeria has not 

progressed much 

as a country 

In all three instances, the institution 

of the Senate fought back forcing the 

former DIG to retract. 

So given the capacity of corruption, 

as APC aficionados would say, to fight 

back, it is not surprising that the 

National Assembly has not been able 

to hold firm to its basic work of 

checking the executive and exposing 

corruption in the system. 

Despite what some consider as 

salutary stances of its leadership in 

the persons of Senators Bukola Saraki, 

Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker Yakubu 

Dogara, the custom of corruption 

remains unmoving. 

The seeming taunts by Governor 

Nasir El-Rufai on the National 

Assembly to expose its budgets to 

public scrutiny could, in the end, be 

to the benefit of all. After all, it is when 

their hands are clean that they can 

compel the executive to show clean 

hands. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


When intelligence failed Nzeogwu 

t is nearly 50 years since Chukwuma Patrick 

INzeogwu exited this world in an ambush 

around the Nsukka axis during the early 

months of the Civil War. The young army 

Major made headlines following the first 

military coup d'etat of January 15, 1966 which 

his group codenamed Operation Damissa. 

In April 1967, Nzeogwu in an informal chat 

with Denis Ejindu of Africa and the World, 

dispelled fears of a looming war. He said: "No 

nobody wants to fight . The East which is best 

equipped and best prepared for war, does not 

want to attack anybody. The North cannot 

fight and Lagos cannot fight now. If they had 

attacked the East in August or September, 

they would have had a walk over. Today, I 

think they will be ill-advised to try." 

Nzeogwu should have known better. He 

was the First Nigerian to become an officer 

in Military Intelligence. Born in 1937, he was 

just 20 when he joined the army in March, 

1957. From officer training in Teshie, Ghana, 

the young man was moved to the elite Royal 

Military Academy, Sandhurst, United 

Kingdom where after two years of training 

he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 

1959. 

So much has been said of this intelligent 

officer but not many have come to realise that 

beyond all the sentiments and hero-worship, 

Chukwuma Nzeogwu was simply a man 

carried away by youthful exuberance. A 

soldier who wanted the best for his country, 

bold and brave, who did not understand that 

the problem with Nigeria was more than a 

band of young Majors could solve with the 

barrel of the gun. 

Nzeogwu recruited officers who joined the 

Army after him and believed so much in his 

ability to make them work according to his 

bidding. And in this group, there were two 

University graduates: Emmanuel Arinze 

Ifeajuna and Wole Ademoyega, commissioned 

in 1960 and 1962 respectively. Both were 

Mons trained. Just like Donatus Okafor who 

was also commissioned in 1960. 

Chris Anuforo, Hilary Iwuchukwu 

Chukuka and Tim Onwuategwu passed out 

from Sandhurst like Nzeogwu three years 

and more later. With these pals, the coup 

leader thought he could easily achieve his 

dream of a New Nigeria where tribe and 

tongue would not make any difference, where 

corruption would disappear and everyone free 

to enjoy the dividends of democracy. 

Nzeogwu was smart and lucky. He was well 

loved by many of his fellow officers and 

subordinates. His superiors loathed him. The 

Major was seen as one who believed he knew 

it all. They therefore sent him to the Nigeria 

Military Training College (NMTC) Kaduna 

to train future officers. He was not to be trusted 

with a command position. And Nzeogwu was 

there as Chief Instructor. 

Okafor was the only one who commanded 

troops as head of the Guards Brigade. Ifeajuna 

was Brigade Major, Second Brigade, Lagos 

under the Command of Brigadier Zakariya 

Abubakar Hassan Maimalari,the first 

Nigerian to go through Sandhurst. Anuforo 

was with the Reconnaissance, Ademoyega 

Nzeogwu did not 

believe in Biafra , was 

named Kaduna by his 

Northern friends and 

spoke Hausa more than 

Igbo 

and Chukwuka had little to offer while 

Onwuatuegwu served under Nzeogwu. 

Lucky man. By January 1966, the 

Commandant of the NMTC Col. Raph 

Shodeinde had moved to the newly 

established Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) 

, as Deputy Commandant. His successor, Col. 

Francis Adekunle Fajuyi was in the West 

conducting a Battle Group Course. Nzeogwu 

was therefore acting as the Commandant of 

the NMTC. Tactically he used that position 

to cover up his impending coup as it afforded 

him the power to ask for troops to embark on 

a certain night exercise. 

The First Military Coup pioneered by 

Nzeogwu was therefore bound to fail because 

his three years as an Int. Officer did not teach 

him to embark on such grandiose dream with 

more grandiloquence and mere 

grandstanding. Yes, they achieved some of 

their aims which was to kill senior officers 

who occupied strategic positions. 

The Commanding Officer, One Brigade, 

Kaduna, Brigadier Samuel Adesujo 

Ademulegun was killed with his wife, Latifat 

(Sisi Nurse ). Maimalari was executed, 

Adjutant General, Col. James Yakubu Pam, 

Quarter Master General, Lt. Col. Arthur 

Chinyelu Unegbe, Commanding Officer, 

Four Battalion Abeokuta, Lt. Col. Abogo 

Largema, Chief of Staff Army Headquarters 

, Col. Kuru Mohammed were all executed. 

Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa was not 

spared. Two Premiers , Sir Ahmadu Bello of 

the North and Chief Samuel Ladoke A- 

kintola of the West died as well as Finance 

Minister Festus Okotie Eboh. 

In May 1967, just a month after the chat 

with Ejindu there was War. Nzeogwu did not 

see it coming. And it consumed him. Here 

lies the irony. The war came simply because 

some parts of Nigeria felt the January coup 

led by Nzeogwu was a grand plan by the 

Igbo to take over Nigeria. Thus the North 

paid back with a counter coup on July 29, 

1966. Thousands of innocent Igbo soldiers 

and civilians were murdered. Millions were 

later to be killed during the war. 

Now it is strange that Nigeria forgot that 

those who foiled the Nzeogwu coup were 

Igbo senior officers. General Johnson Aguiyi- 

Ironsi, Lt.Cols Emeka Ojukwu, Conrad 

Chukwujimje Dibia Nwawo (NA 10), 

Alexander Attah Madiebo and Major 

Alphonso Keshi. 

As Brigade Major, 2 BDE Kaduna, Keshi 

informed Madiebo of the coup. Madiebo 

moved over to the Brigade Headquarters 

where Nzeogwu had taken over 

Ademulegun's seat and worked on Nzeogwu. 

Ojukwu, Commanding Officer Third 

Battalion, Kano stood his ground strategically 

and all worked with Ironsi to fly in Nwawo, 

then Defence Attaché in London, and 

Nzeogwu's teacher. Only then could the Major 

be softened. 

No none Igbo officer was bold enough to 

challenge Nzeogwu. Major Hassan Usman 

Katsina, Inspector of the Recce Squadron in 

Kaduna was confused. Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon 

' s contribution from Lagos was for Madiebo 

to ask the doctor to sedate Nzeogwu, a man 

who was in full control of Kaduna. 

The man that should have made a broadcast 

after the January coup was Ademoyega, a 

Yoruba. Their plan was to release Chief 

Obafemi Awolowo, another Yoruba from jail 

and make him Prime Minister. The Army 

Chief would have been Lt. Col David Akpode 

Ejoor, an Urhobo. The young officer who 

secured radio Nigeria was Capt. Gibson 

Sanda Jalo. Among those who took part in 

Exercise Damissa were subalterns like John 

Atom Kpera, Harris Eghagha, Sani Abacha, 

Bob Egbikor, Fola Oyewole and Olafimihan. 

Of the 28 officers and men that followed 

Nzeogwu to the Sardauna's house, 22 were 

non Igbo. Yoruba officers like Victor 

Adebukunola Banjo,Fajuyi, Olusegun 

Obasanjo and Oluchi Olutoye knew about the 

coup. 

Nzeogwu did not believe in Biafra , was 

named Kaduna by his Northern friends and 

spoke Hausa more than Igbo. Yet he was 

killed by Nigerian soldiers of the 21st 

Battalion near Nsukka on July 29,1967. The 

troops were under Captain Inua Mohammed 

Wushishi . The Sector was led by Nzeogwu's 

friend Lt.Col Folusho Sotomi. 

Asaba suffered because of 

Nzeogwu.Thousands were murdered by 

Nigerian troops allegedly led by Col. Murtala 

Mohammed and Major Ibrahim Adetunji 

Taiwo.Okpanam, Nzeogwu's hoedown is just 

a stone throw from Asaba. The only other 

name that people remember about the town 

is Patricia Ebigwei (Patty Boulaye ). 

Actress,singer. Face of Lux soap in the UK for 

five years whose daughter, Emma once 

became a beauty queen. 

Some poke fun at Okpanam and call it Okpa 

nama (cow leg). Nigeria has abandoned the 

town. Nigeria killed Nzeogwu and gave him 

full military honours. Nzeogwu believed in 

Nigeria yet the Igbo and Okpanam continue 

to suffer because of a coup led by Nzeogwu. 

Simply, this was a young man who had 

dreams but in Nigeria , military intelligence 

is never politically correct. 

Anew publication listing men and 

women of Anambra extraction, 

who set the pace for Nigeria and 

Africa’s emancipation is ready for public 

presentation. 

Gov. Willie Obiano is expected to 

present the compendium to the Anambra 

people on April 18 in Awka. 

The editorial advisers of the publication, 

include Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Prof. Pita 

Ejiofor, Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Okwesilieze 

Nwodo, Prof. C.C. Anene, Chief S.N. 

Okeke, C. Don Adinuba and Mrs Ifeyinwa 

Anazonwu. 

Anambra, which prides itself as “The 

Light of the Nation” currently has no fewer 

than 1,500 billionaires. 

It has the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria 

with a Gross Domestic Product of 

$11.83 billion. 

The state’s per capita income currently 

stands at $1,615, according to official 

records. 

The publication, known as “Icons of 

Anambra State,” lists among others, Dr 

Nnamdi Azikiwe, cited as the most famous 

pan-Africanist of the 20th century and Dr 

Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s second republic 

vice-president. 

The iconic compendium, authored by 

an entrepreneur and researcher, Mr 

Uchechukwu Elugu, traces the engaging 

life and times of some great 

Nigerians of Anambra extraction, who 

1. The project is an Aerotropolis, an 

Integrated Modern City comprising an 

International Airport with 2 Runways, 

Malls, Industrial and Business Parks 

and Airport Hotels. 

2. The project will create 1200 direct 

jobs and over 6,000 indirect jobs. 

3. The project will be sited at Umueri, 

Anambra East LGA of Anambra State 

4.The project has 75 % of the jobs 

reserved for Ndi Anambra. 

5.The host community (Umueri) will 

receive in perpetuity 3% of the profit via 

Corporate Social Responsibility. 

6. The project will cost 2 billion dollars. 

7. The project will be executed under 

Obiano to present 

‘Anambra Icons’ April 18 

showed the light so that Africa could find 

its way. 

Among other pacesetters listed in the 

publication are Sir Louis Odumegwu 

Ojukwu, the billionaire father of Chief 

Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. 

Emeka, an Oxford-educated historian, 

led the Biafra war in the late 60s. 

The younger Ojukwu, who is also 

celebrated in the publication, has enjoyed 

a cult of following even in death. 

Other outstanding achievers 

celebrated in the compendium are Sen. 

Nwafor Orizu, who was Senate President 

and Acting President of Nigeria when the 

first military occurred in 1966 and Prof. 

Chike Obi, a leading mathematician. 

Obi, who was famous for his work on 

non-differential equations also developed 

a special solution for Fermat’s Last 

Theorem. 

lso celebrated in the publication are 

Prof. Chinua Achebe, Africa’s most 

famous novelist and Prof. Kenneth 

BOMT (Build, Operate, Manage and 

Transfer). 

8. The Partners for this project are 

Anambra State Government, Orient 

Petroleum Resources Plc. and Elite 

International Investment Holding 

Limited, China Aviation Planning & 

Development Company Limited with Osike 

Synergy Nigeria Limited and Emsworth Oil 

& Gas Limited as Facilitators. 

9. The partners are interested in building 

rail lines across the State and possibly interconnecting 

the South East region. 

10. The project will be ready in three years. 

11. The project will cause economic boom 

for the State increasing revenue and 

Onwuka Dike, a leading historian and 

first African Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s 

premier university at Ibadan. 

Other “Anambra State Icons” are the 

blessed Cyprian Iwene Tansi, Dr Pius 

Okigbo, Sir Louis Mbanefo, Chief 

Jerome Udoji, Prof. Dora Akunyili 

and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the 

first black Secretary General of 

the Commonwealth of Nations. 

Also in reckoning are Lt.-Gen. 

Isaac Obiakor, Cardinal 

Francis Arinze, Prof. Lawrence 

Dim, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, Mr 

Oscar Onyema, Prof. Ben 

Nwabueze, Dr Olisa Agbakoba and Mrs 

Oby Ezekwesili. 

The icons also include Prof. Alex 

Animalu, Prof. P.N. Okeke, Prof. Elo 

Amaucheazi, Dr A.B.C. Orjiako, Dr Emeka 

Okwuosa, Mrs Uju Ifejika, Prof. Charles 

Soludo, Chief Chris Ezeh and Mr Mustafa 

Chike-Obi. 

The others are Mr Otis Anyaeji, Chief 

Simon Okeke, Chief Fabian Nwora, Chief 

Revealed: ealed: 20 Facts About Anambra Airpor 

port t City Project 

facilitating private enterprises. 

12. The project involves skills transfer. 

13. The project has capacity to land any 

known aircraft and cargo planes. 

14. The project involves an aviation fuel 

dump (First in Nigeria) where aircrafts will 

fly in to refuel. 

15. The project contains an aircraft 

maintenance facility. 

16. Other facilities include; Passenger and 

VIP Terminal, Taxiways and Aprons, Fire 

Station, Control Building and Towers, 

Aviation Fuel dispensing facilities, airport 

cargo sheds, aviation training and services 

buildings, airport multilevel car parks, 

airport recreational areas, China wholesale 

•Gov. 

Willie 

Obiano 

Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Cletus Ibeto, 

Dr Cosmas Maduka, Dame Virgy Etiaba, 

Mr Peter Obi and Mr Allen Onyema of 

Air Peace Airlines. 

The book, the publication of which was 

sponsored by three leading Nigerian 

banks, is aimed at stimulating hard work, 

enterprise and resilience among 

upcoming generations, according to the 

publishers. 

depots, emergency service centers, etc. 

17. The project will facilitate the export of 

agricultural produce such Anambra Rice, 

Vegetables and Tubers of Yam. 

18. The project will facilitate trade and 

business relation between ndi Anambra and 

China as well as other international 

business destinations. 

19. The project will unleash the untapped 

potential of increased trade and 

commercials, manufacturing, innovation, 

technology transfer, SME growth in 

Anambra State. 

20. The project will create a whole new 

world of economic opportunities for the 

South-East.

SATURDAY Vanguard, April 15, 2017—23 

JULIET EBIRIM 

08137897935 

Would you forgive a 

married lover who 

claimed to be single? 

Big Brother Naija reality TV star, Bisola had no idea her cohousemate 

and love interest, ThinTallTony, is a married 

man until the end of the three month show. Once, while 

they were having a group chat in the house, Bisola asked 

ThinTallTony if he was single and the father of two confirmed in 

the affirmative that he was single. If you were in her shoes, 

would you forgive ThinTallTony when you discover that he 

is actually married with kids? As usual, we bring the 

responses of some female entertainers on this issue; 

I won’t take it lightly with 

him - Adokiye, Singer 

I won’t take it lightly with 

him. When a man thinks he 

can play games with 

something as sacred as 

marriage, then the man is not 

responsible. A married man 

should be proud to announce 

to the world that he is 

married, then it should be up 

to the lady in question 

whether to get involved with 

him or not. A married man 

that lies about his marriage 

just to get ladies to love him 

or to show some swag, may 

be playing with his life and 

his portion of blessings he is 

supposed to obtain from God. 

Marriage is sacred and it’s an 

ordinance from God. I was a 

huge fan of ThinTallTony in 

the BBN house because he’s 

a great guy, but I believe 

Nigerians didn’t let him go 

far because he lied 

aboutunion. If he hadn’t lied, 

the price I’m sure would have 

been his. 

I will not forgive him - 

Uche Ogbodo, Actress 

No, I would not forgive him. 

‘Nah thunder go fire am in 

the first place’. So, I’m going 

to quit the relationship with 

immediate effect and forget 

about him completely. 

I wouldn’t want to see the 

imbecile in my life again - 

Nkechi Emmanuel aka 

Nurse Titi, Actress 

A man who is married and 

lies about it is, in my opinion, 

a scum of the earth. Such a 

man practises dishonesty at 

the highest level. No matter 

the situation in one’s life, 

when it comes to matters of 

the heart, a man should 

always be truthful to a woman 

so as to allow the woman 

make a decision based on the 

situation, because once a 

woman’s mind is made up, 

there’s nothing anyone can 

do about it. So, if a man 

wants a woman, he should 

lay his cards on the table and 

say to the woman ‘even 

though I’m married, I still 

love and want you’’. Let the 

woman accept or 

reject his advances. 

‘One man’s meat is 

another man’s 

poison’. In my case 

though, not only 

would I not forgive 

the imbecile for lying 

about his marriage, I 

wouldn’t want to see 

him ever in my life 

again. If he can cheat 

on his wife, so also 

will he do to me. He 

is a mere heartbreaker 

and 

deserves to rot in 

hell alive. I’m a 

one man-woman 

and my man 

should also be a 

one womanman. 

This 

principle is 

emotionally and 

physically 

healthy in that, 

there’s no fear of 

heartbreaks and 

sexually 

transmitted 

diseases. 

I will break up with 

him, but we can 

still be friends - 

Yvonne 

Enakena, 

Actress 

I will not 

date a 

married 

man and if 

I end up 

with one 

by 

mistake, I 

will break 

up with 

him 

because of 

his lies 

and deceit. 

We could 

still be 

friends, 

but I will 

not date him. 

I won’t, he lied to get 

between my legs - Bose 

Oladimeji, Actress 

No way, I won’t forgive him 

because he lied in order to 

Vannessa Eta 

Uche Ogbodo 

Nkechi Emmanuel 

get in between my legs and 

after everything, I discovered 

he is married. We would go 

our separate ways and that 

would be the end of the 

relationship. Since he lied to 

me from the onset, he will 

Yvonne Enakena 

keep lying to me till the end 

of the relationship. 

I will, but we will never be 

friends again - Vannessa 

Eta, Actress 

Most times, when you break 

Bose Oladimeji 

Adokiye 

up from a relationship on 

good terms, you still end up 

as good friends. In this case, I 

will probably forgive him, but 

we will never be friends in 

anyway.


Edited By AYO ONIKOYI 

08052201215 

onikoyi68@gmail.com 

EMBATTLED ORITSEFEMI’S MANAGER, DANKU, ON FIRE 

If Oritsefemi continues to 

frustrate me, there will be 

war, says Danku 

•Says Linda Ikeji must come and kneel down before him 

•Set to reveal if Oritefemi actually bought his Lekki home 

or not 

Last week, news of an underground face-off between Yusuf Adebola Adepitan, 

fondly known as ‘Ijobanadanku’, Oritsefemi, Rayce and the management of Jebon 

Records surfaced online. The misunderstanding which has since gone viral on 

social media became messier and life threatening when a top management staff of 

Jebon Records simply known as Ebony, made a video on Instagram, insinuating that 

Danku’s life was in danger. In this exclusive interview with Star Tracker, Danku who 

recently welcomed his first child (a girl), sheds light on the whole brouhaha, revealing 

Oritsefemi and Rayce’s deep secrets. 

•Danku 

BY ROTIMI AGBANA 

Can you shed light on the reason 

behind your Instagram post on 

Wednesday night? 

Oritsefemi wants everyone to die 

because he sang double wahala and I 

want to put Oritsefemi’s family, 

Majemite Ekele, in trouble, especially 

Oritsefemi’s mother. I am a wise, godly 

and friendly person, and I can die for 

the truth. I don’t know if Oritsefemi is 

the one ruling this country, because me 

and Oritsefemi had a fight, everyone, 

including my family and friends denied 

me. I had to check myself then I realized 

why; that was the reason I created ‘take 

action’. I am not saying I’m the holiest, 

but this is a message to the world, to 

Majemite Ekele family, Umebulu of 

Jebon records and to Ebony Black family. 

The video ebony created that made 

Umebulu family and Rayce come out of 

their shell, I want them to bring the proof 

of that video. I am not concerned about 

any logo or brand and I am not giving 

the document to anybody, all I ask of 

Nigerians is justice. Why would they use 

my late father’s name, Alhaji Yaya Abiola 

Adepitan for publicity stunt? Even after 

that I didn’t talk, the entire family of 

Adepitan didn’t talk too. I pity their 

generation if they don’t take action and 

let us settle this issue amicably. If 

Oritsefemi doesn’t take action, if he 

frustrates me to deny my baby, there will 

be serious war. 

What action are you talking about? 

He said we were together and I built a 

website, he said he owns MSN Gang, I 

gave it to him automatically and went 

on to create another one which the world 

knows. Vanguard promoted it for me, 

Linda Ikeji did not promote it for me, 

Hip TV also didn’t air my interview. 

People who love me before don’t want 

to see me again and I won’t take that 

under any circumstance. I am not a bad 

person, so taking action means letting 

Nigerians understand the situation. 

So you hold grudges against Linda 

Ikeji and HIPTV for not supporting 

your brand? 

While I’m still alive, Linda Ikeji must 

come and kneel down before me, Yusuf 

Adebola Adepitan, I’m not talking about 

Danku or Ijoba Justice. I don’t give two 

fucks about Linda Ikeji, who is Linda 

Ikeji where Danku is? She just went to 

write something about me without 

checking my background! Linda Ikeji 

will look for where I live and come to beg 

me, and if she doesn’t come to look for 

me, then she is in trouble. This is going 

straight to Linda Ikeji and HIPTV, I went 

to HIPTV to do an interview and they didn’t 

publish it. I want to show them what it 

takes to frustrate someone because of one 

useless Majemite Ekele family and one 

stupid Rayce. Why would they be using 

my father’s name, a generous man at that 

to be doing publicity stunt? Oritsefemi 

would explain the N400 million he claimed 

to have used to buy that house in Lekki. 

I’m granting Vanguard this exclusive 

interview because Vanguard has been the 

only print media that has been supporting 

my brand without a price. 

Are you insinuating Oritsefemi doesn’t 

own his current Lekki apartment? 

If he doesn’t want me to expose the 

secrets behind that house he said he 

bought, then he should take action; he 

should go and take action as required. If 

he doesn’t push the ‘take action’ button 

on my website www.ijobanadanku.com, 

then I would tell you if he actually bought 

or did not buy that his Lekki apartment, 

but for now, I would give him time to make 

a decision. 

But what is the real reason behind this 

conspiracy against you? 

Do you know what it takes or means for 

someone to give birth and you are unable 

to reveal the identity of your first seed to 

the public? I pity you people that do 

publicity stunts but you don’t know its real 

meaning. It’s not everything you do for 

I pity their generation 

if they don’t take 

action and let us settle 

this issue amicably. If 

Oritsefemi doesn’t take 

action, if he frustrates 

me to deny my baby, 

there will be serious 

war. 

money, I 

s a n g 

Igbeyawo for 

Oritsefemi 

without 

collecting a 

dime, am I 

a fool? 

Even his 

latest 

single, 

Ongba 

L’Arami, I 

sang it. 

This same 

f o o l s , 

Oritsefemi 

and Rayce, 

are the only artistes, who have 

done exclusive performances in 

Nigeria, and I made it happen 

for both of them, but I would 

not reveal the real secret 

behind it. 

Who exactly said you will 

die? 

Any artiste I bring into the 

Nigerian music industry is 

always big, that is why 

anybody who likes should 

play the video of my new 

artiste, Oluwaseun. All of 

a sudden, I just discovered that 

everybody that loves me began 

distancing themselves from me. I 

didn’t know Oritsefemi had been 

defaming me, and I’ve been doing 

everything to die for the same 

Oritsefemi. Because my family is silent 

doesn’t mean they can’t fight. They’ve 

been saying I will die but who wants 

to kill me? 

In your Instagram post which 

artistes were you referring to? 

As regards that, to all Nigerian 

artistes, I want to say I’m sorry to have 

used the words ‘any artiste in Nigeria’. 

I’m using this medium to apologize 

to everybody, Ijoba Danku is not a 

proud person, he is not a rude person, 

he’s always a straightforward person. 

Now that you have poured out your 

mind, do you still hold grudges 

against any of them? 

I love Oritsefemi, I love Rayce, I love 

Jebon, irrespective of what they have 

done. I have forgiven them but if they 

know what is good for their careers 

and their families they should come 

•Oritsefemi 

out to the world and say nothing but the 

truth about all the things they have said 

and done with my father’s name. If they 

don’t do that, they would frustrate me 

to do what I don’t want to do, because 

I’m not afraid of death anymore. 

So what’s the next line of action? 

Whether Oritsefemi likes it or not, 

before the time I gave them elapses, they 

(Oritsefemi, Rayce, Jebon Records) and 

their families should take action, because 

whether they like it or not they have one 

or two things to do with me. Let us settle 

it amicably, they should not allow 

anybody to deceive them. If Oritsefemi 

takes action, my family said they will 

release my baby’s picture. I, Yusuf 

Adebola Adepitan, will never change my 

mind; something that made me deny my 

mother? I didn’t deny my baby, it was 

my family that didn’t allow me to see 

even the picture of my baby, do you know 

what that means? People should tell 

Oritsefemi that if he likes himself he 

should go and take action, make we 

settle this thing between me and him, 

na me and him get business and nobody 

else.

Juliet Ebirim 

08137897935 

juliet.ebirim@gmail.com 


Aliko Dangote’s 60th 

birthday celebration 

By Juliet Ebirim 

AFRICA’s richest man and 

Chairman of Dangote 

Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote 

who turned 60 on Monday, 

April 10 had an exclusive 

birthday held in his honor. 

Friends, family, employees and 

well-wishers were present to 

take photos and celebrate the 

new milestone with him. 

The day started with celebrities 

trooping to social media to post 

good wishes to the famous 

businessman, and some of the 

heart-melting messages came 

from stars like Omotola Jalade- 

Ekeinde, Peter and Paul Okoye, 

Mr Ideal 2017 

gathers momentum 

By Oba Michael Soyebo 

•Ayotunde 


Olayinka Oyinlola and 

Juwon Okunowo had their 

traditional wedding ceremony 

recently at the Balmoral Centre 

of Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria 

Island, Lagos. The bride is the 

daughter of former Osun state 

governor, Prince Olagunsoye 

Oyinlola, and the groom, the son 

of Chief Olubukunola Okunowo. 

Funke Bucknor of Zapphire 

Events whipped up her magic to 

give the hall an absolutely 

delightful facelift with her team. 

Nigeria’s top rated pageant, 

Mr Ideal Nigeria 

organized by numero uno 

modeling company, the House 

of Twitch has announced that the 

2017 edition will hold on the 

16th of April, 2017 at the 

Bespoke Center, Lekki Lagos. 37 

contestants representing the 

states and FCT are to battle for 

a chance to be Nigeria’s most 

adorable man. 

Mr Ideal Nigeria is committed 

to empowering young African 

men. The winner of the pageant 

stands a chance to start his own 

business and be spokesperson 

for the Lagos start up week ‘ 

according to a statement issued 

by the brands CEO, Ayotunde 

Twitch. 

Top dignitaries grace former 

governor’s daughter’s wedding 

By Oba Michael Soyebo 

THIS is surely the season of 

good news for astute 

businessman who sits atop Ardenil 

Investment Nig Ltd, Adeniyi 

Adeagbo who was re-instated as 

the caretaker chairman of 

Itesiwaju Local Govt, while the 

son of former governor of Oyo 

state was also assigned to oversee 

one of the local government 

and many others. 

The party proper like a typical 

fun-filled Nigerian party, was 

crammed with excited friends and 

well-wishers who came to support 

and celebrate with the 

businessman. The celebrant 

received an array of tasteful 

and creatively 

designed cakes 

from friends and 

family. Guests 

in attendance 

included 

Davido, Peter 

and Paul 

Okoye (P- 

Square), Ebony 

Life TV boss, Mo 

Abudu and many others. 

The couple rocked in native 

burgundy coloured aso-oke 

attires, while Ebenezer Obey’s 

live band reeled out good 

music. 

It was gathered that the event 

had billionaire businessman 

- Aliko Dangote, Donald 

Duke - Former Governor of 

Cross River state, Dr. Kayode 

Fayemi - Minister of Solid 

Materials, Gbenga Daniels - 

former Governor of Ogun 

State, Alaafin of Oyo - Oba 

Lamidi Adeyemi among 

others. 

council in Oyo state. 

Niyi Adeagbo who penned a very 

touching message to his wife, a 

day after the announcement of his 

re-appointment is presently a 

powerful force in the Iteseju local 

government politics famous for his 

agricultural revolutional 

programmes across the council 

area. 

Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala now 

the caretaker chairman of 

•Dangote's birthday cake 

The Mr Ideal Nigeria 2017 

themed ‘gods among men’ is 

to celebrate Nigerian men who 

despite the hardship, continue 

to make life changing strides. 

Winners of the show have 

appeared in top brand 

campaigns all over the world. 

We gathered that the winner also 

stands a chance to start his own 

business and also gets to battle it 

out with 40 other countries as he 

represents Nigeria at the Mister 

Africa International 2017 and 

later on the Mister Universal 

Ambassador to be held in the US. 

And he will also sign an 

international modeling contract 

with Europe’s leading mahogany 

international. 

Ghanaian actress Juliet 

Ibrahim and other notable 

Nigerian celebrities are to grace 

the occasion which has 

consistently brewed top male 

Africa model representatives at 

major international fashion 

events 

•Olayinka and Juwon 

Ibadan big boys Niyi Adeagbo, Lamiju Akala get juicy appointments 

Ogbomoso North LG has resumed 

his first major political duties in 

Oyo state, as he would be hoping 

to consolidate on the appointment 

to strengthen his future house of 

representative ambitions. 

Olamiju, known as one of Oyo 

state industrious socialite is now 

treading the path of his former 

arch rival of Dapo Lam Adesina, 

as their generation takes the 

baton from their fathers. 

•Aliko Dangote flanked by guests 

Beauty outfit gets 

excellence recognition 


O’Naturals Beauty, the 

parent company of 

O’Naturals Natural 

Hair Salon and O’Naturals 

Bride, has been recognized for 

professionalism and excellence 

in the natural hair styling 

industry. The recognition is 

coming on the heels of their 

numerous efforts towards 

raising the standards of natural 

hair styling and natural hair 

care through creative and 

healthy hair professional tips, 

advice and counseling. 

Christian Nyassa, General 

Manager, Professional 

Products Division, L’Oreal, 

Sub-Saharan Africa visited the 

office recently and commended 

the management for their 

professionalism in promoting 

natural and healthy hair 

styling. “No doubt, O’Naturals 

is a leader in natural hair 

styling services in Lagos and 

indeed Nigeria. Their 

professional approach at 

promoting and ensuring the 

healthiness of natural hair of its 

various clients is worthy of 

commendation and 

recognition,” he revealed. 

Omozo Ehigie, CEO/Co- 

Founder O’Naturals Beauty, 

expressed her excitement and 

revealed that the vision of 

O’Naturals goes beyond 

meeting the physical needs of 

its customers which is beautiful 

hair but also dealing with how 

they can achieve healthy hair 

goals. 

She further revealed that the 

recognition would aid the 

organization’s vision of not only 

expanding its salon locations, 

but also offering training and 

support progammes to 

aspiring natural hair stylists 

and hair care professionals. This 

is so that stylists, hair care 

professionals and also the 

public recognise that natural 

hair care is a valid and viable 

professional career path. 

Igbokwe, MD/CEO of Make 

Me Beauty Salons Lagos, also 

confessed that O’Naturals is a 

pace setter in natural hair 

styling services in Lagos. 

“O’Naturals Beauty Salon is 

very professional in natural 

hair styling and deserves 

recognition for its wonderful 

work in the industry,” he said. 

L-R: Christian Nyassa, General Manager, Professional Products 

Division, L’Oreal, Sub-Saharan Africa; Omozo Ehigie, CEO/Co- 

Founder, O’Naturals Beauty Nigeria Limited, Lagos and Ugo 

Igbokwe, MD/CEO, Make Me Beauty Salons, Lagos during their 

visit to the O’Naturals Natural Hair Salon in Ogudu, Lagos.


Edited By AYO ONIKOYI 

08052201215 


BBNaija winner, Efe, 

regrets what he did 

in the house 

•Apologises to mum 

•Says he won without any strategy 

•Thanks Okowa, I Go Dye, Ali Baba, Akpororo, Olamide 

Efe Ejeba, winner of Big Brother Naija reality TV show is surely 

enjoying his new status as a celebrity. The youngest millionaire in 

town arrived the country, Monday night alongside Bisola, the first 

runner up of the reality TV show, to a rousing reception. On Tuesday, he 

held his first ever press conference, in Lagos, where he was presented 

with the keys to his SUV and N25 million cheque. In this interview with 

Showtime Celebrity, the Warri, Delta State-born rapper shares his 

experience in the BBNaija house, his ordeals as well as his plans to 

stay on top of his game. 

BY BENJAMIN NJOKU 

How do you feel being the winner of 

the BBNaija reality TV show? 

I feel great, I feel honoured. I’m grateful 

to God. I didn’t do it alone. I am full of 

gratitude to everyone who voted for me 

and supported me throughout my stay in 

the Big Brother Naija competition. I was 

simply living my normal life and having 

fun in the house. But I didn’t know I was 

having this much love outside. I was just 

being myself and living my life in the 

house. 

What did you do differently that gave 

you an edge over other housemates? 

I didn’t do anything differently. All the 

housemates came into the house with a 

winning mentality. I was just myself 

while some came with strategies, which 

we got to find out later. I feel I 

represented the average Nigerian 

youth in the house. I went into the 

house to live like a normal Nigerian 

child. 

How did it feel like to be locked up in 

a particular place for 78 days? 

It was crazy but I was not worried 

because I was there for the money. I 

said if it was 90 days I didn’t care 

because I was out to win. They say we 

wouldn’t use our phones and I told them 

that they could even keep my phone for 

two years. I was never tired of staying in 

the BBNaija house. 

How would you describe your 

experience in the house? 

Its funny that in a place where we 

expect a lot of immorality, I became more 

disciplined. I didn’t think I would 

ordinarily have fitted into the Big Brother 

House because I am not posh but I was 

proved wrong. When I got into the house 

I realised that I was a bit different from 

other housemates. I was not just playing 

for the camera, so, when I was angry or 

happy I showed it. With time, I started 

believing that I would actually win the 

show. 

You were always placed on eviction 

every week. 

I’m overwhelmed by this win because I 

grew up feeling like people didn’t love 

me and it turned out to be my strong 

point. I don’t try to be nice to people 

because I know what people think about 

me anyway. When I was in school, I was 

way ahead in class and people felt 

threatened by my young age. So, every 

week, I knew that I would be nominated 

for eviction and that was why I was ready 

to die just to win the head of house task. I 

didn’t believe in anyone winning the 

head of house task to save me aside from 

myself. So, when it came to those tasks I 

gave it my all. 

What was the strategy you adopted 

while you were in the house? 

I didn’t go into the house with any 

strategy. I was the same person 

throughout the show. The way I lived 

there was the same way I live my normal 

life. Nothing changed about me in the 

house. 

Recall one of your conversations with 

TBoss where she boasted that she would 

spend N25 million within one week and 

your reaction was simply unimaginable! 

I was stunned when she told me that 

she would finish N25 million in a week. I 

said to myself what is she doing here. 

“Me I ready die put for N25m but you 

say you fit spend am in one week. So 

wetin you come they do for the house 

na? You dey block oda people space na.” 

But I guess she said that out of anger. 

The biggest irony of the house was that 

the younger ones do not know how to 

manage their actions but the older ones 

just said it as it came. 

What are your thoughts on what 

transpired between Kemen and Tboss? 

Based on logistics, my people say I no 

dey diplomatic so I won’t comment on 

the matter. 

•Efe Ejeba 

I didn’t do 

anything 

differently. All the 

housemates came 

into the house 

with a winning 

mentality. I was 

just myself while 

some came with 

strategies. 

Your fans in Jos are saying you never 

recognized them while you were in the 

house? 

I am very proud to have been born and 

raised in Jos; we all know how Jos has 

blessed a lot of people in the Nigerian 

entertainment industry. I say it all the 

time that if I was born and raised in Warri, 

I wouldn’t have been this disciplined. 

I spoke a lot of Pidgin English in the 

house but don’t be deceived I also 

speak English very well. 

Do you regret any of your 

actions in the house? 

The only regret I have is 

drinking. I heard my mum is upset 

with me. So, I apologize to her for 

drinking so much in the house. 

How did you cope with your fellow 

housemates? 

I learnt tolerance and also, I learnt that 

some people have great personalities 

but still exhibit some unacceptable 

behaviours. I learnt that I needed to 

compromise certain things in order to 

live happily with them despite their 

flaws. I lived in a confined space and 

several people invaded my space. I 

couldn’t ignore them because of certain 

things they did, so I looked beyond their 

flaws and embraced their positive side. 

With N25million and an SUV at your 

disposal, how are you feeling at the 

moment? 

I am a different person who is 

not particularly moved by 

material things. 

Have you been told 

that so many Nigerian 

celebrities supported 

you while you were 

in the Big brother 

House? 

I am so grateful to 

a lot of people 

including Governor 

Okowa of Delta 

State. I heard he 

threw his weight 

behind me. I was also told 

that comedian; I Go Dye 

dropped N1 million for my 

campaign team. When I 

called him, he ended my 

call and called me back. We 

spoke for hours. I am also 

grateful to Ali Baba, AY, 

Akpororo and so many 

Nigerian celebrities whom I 

had never met but stood 

behind me. I hear my family 

house in Warri can now be 

likened to a tourist centre 

because of the number of people 

who have thronged our home to 

congratulate my parents. 

What will become of your affair with 

Marvis now that you are out of the Big 

Brother Naija house? 

What we had in the house was great, 

but she has a boyfriend. I was physically 

attracted to her and that was why I was 

close to her in the house. 

Beyond BBNaija, what’s next for you? 

It will be more about my music because 

music is my first love. I have realised that 

my brand is way bigger than music, so I 

will definitely explore different areas. If I 

receive any movie offer, the money must 

make sense. I don’t feel I know how to act 

and that was my biggest frustration in the 

Big Brother House. 

Olamide tweeted that he’s going to do 

a duet with you! 

Yes, Olamide is a great musician. He 

raps in Yoruba while I rap in pidgin 

English. I am looking forward to meeting 

and learning from him too. 

Will you consider a career in comedy? 

No, I’m not a comedian. My life may 

be funny but I don’t think my stories are 

funny. 

At a point, you did feel frustrated 

while in the house? 

Yes, I did, especially when it came to 

tolerating some people’s annoying 

behaviours.



By Rotimi Agbana 08137741609 08137741609 

rotimiagbana@gmail.com 

Nobody is equal to 

me, Wizkid boasts 

Stories By Rotimi Agbana 

During the week, arguments about 

whose latest single is a bigger hit 

surfaced and went viral on social media 

between the fans of Davido and Wizkid. 

In February, Davido released the audio 

and visuals to his first single in 2017 titled 

‘If’, while Wizkid released the audio and 

visuals to his first single in 2017 titled 

‘Come closer’, featuring American 

rapper, Drake just last weekend. 

Both singles which have been receiving 

massive airplay and reviews from critics, 

fans and music lovers became the topic of 

debate on Tuesday, April 11, as fans battled 

to prove that either Davido’s or Wizkid’s 

latest single has been a better hit than the 

other. 

Wizkid’s fans argued that his new 

single, ‘Come Closer’, which is less than 

two weeks old recorded over two million 

views on YouTube within two days of its 

release, surpassing the record made by 

Davido’s ‘If’, which has been released since 

February. 

Showtime’s investigation revealed that 

though Davido released his first single in 2017 

almost two months ago, it failed to record 

the number of YouTube views like Wizkid’s 

single which is not even a month old. 

To confirm his fan’s argument and 

judgment, Wizkid took to his Twitter handle 

Comedian, filmmaker 

and Guinness Book of 

World records title holder, 

Ayo Makun, popularly known 

as ‘AY’, has revealed the 

reason for putting his weight 

behind winner of the just 

concluded Big Brother Naija 

reality TV show, Efe. The 

award-winning filmmaker 

who is gearing up to 

hilariously crack ribs at his 

annual comedy concert, AY 

Live, on Easter Sunday, said 

Efe’s determination to win 

the Big Brother Naija show 

to boastfully declare that nobody is equal 

to him because he believes he is in a world 

of his own and the master of his craft. 

“Nobody can equal me”, he boasted. You 

may recall that while receiving his award 

for Artiste of the Year at the Headies 2016, 

Wizkid had requested the world to watch 

out for him in 2017, boasting that the best 

of him was yet to come. 

Why I supported Efe to 

win Big Brother Naija 

— Comedian, AY 

reminded him of 

his own resolve 

to succeed in life 

against all 

odds. 

According to 

AY, Efe’s time 

in the Big 

Brother house 

took him on a 

ride of sober 

reflections, 

back to his 

days as a 

greenhorn 

seeking a 

fertile ground to hone his 

hidden talents. He explained 

this on his social media page, 

“I personally took to Efe of 

BBN because he reminds me 

of me. My journey from Warri 

to Lagos was laced with an 

action plan that I couldn’t 

wait to happen. I was 

desperately passionate about 

making my own future, 

creating my own hope and 

my ultimate believe in God 

to help me through it all was 

completely undaunted. Efe 

may not have been the 

brightest of them all, the 

same way I cannot even vote 

myself as the funniest 

comedian in Nigeria, but 

experiencing ‘Grace’ under 

the influence of hard work, 

sacrifice and struggle will 

always make you standout. 

All you need to do is take that 

bold step and start your 

journey today”, he wrote. 

Making heaven will be my 

biggest achievement in 

life — Olamide ‘Badoo’ 

Contrary to what many may think of YBNL 

h e n c h m a n , 

Olamide Adedeji, aka ‘badoo’, he is one entertainer 

who seems to have the fear of God more than any other 

thing in the world. Though renowned for profanity in 

his lyrics and music videos, which in the past got some 

of his songs banned from airplay by the Nigerian 

Broadcasting Corporation, the multiple award-winning 

indigenous rapper considers money, fame and material 

things as nothing but vanity. 

According to Olamide, the biggest achievement he 

craves in life is to get to heaven. Considering his 

lifestyle, lyrics and obscenity in his music videos, one 

might be tempted to think that religion or the things of 

God are of no importance to the shakiti bobo rapper; 

but in reality, God is a priority to him. 

Surprisingly, when Showtime asked Olamide what 

would count as his biggest achievement in life, he 

declared emphatically that making heaven is his 

ultimate ambition. 

“The biggest achievement in this world is seeing my 

people grow, everybody living good; everyone living 

fine, living their dreams and making heaven. Nothing 

is more important than making heaven; everything in 

this life is just jonzing, they don’t last long, nothing 

lasts forever,” he said. 

Drumbeats as KAYPERS award debuts in Nigeria 

Come April 23 rd , 2017, all routes will 

lead to the Sheba Events Centre, 

Ikeja, Lagos, for the debut edition of 

Kaymusik personality awards, (KAYPERS), 

an awards event organized by the 

management of Kaymusik International to 

recognise, honour and encourage 

musicians, producers, record labels, actors, 

philanthropists and those who have 

contributed immensely to the Nigerian 

entertainment industry. 

Speaking at a recent press briefing held 

in Lagos to intimate the media with the 

goals and objectives of bringing this 

awards to Nigeria, Oladimeji Olamilekan, 

MD, Kaymusik International, explained; 

“Being our very first award, the event is 

intended to honor those who have touched 

the lives of Nigerians in various spheres of 

life to further encourage others to do more 

by giving back to society. ” 

The award which includes categories to 

honour the likes of Former President, Chief 

Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor of 

Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 

current governor of Lagos state, Mr 

Akinwunmi Ambode, the Ooni of Ife, Oba 

Adeyeye Enitan, the Oba of Lagos state, 

Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and a host of other 

eminent personalities cut across the 

entertainment industry and other sectors, 

promises to be a continuous project aimed 

at honouring personalities who have made 

a mark in the entertainment industry. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


By AYO ONIKOYI 

08052201215 


Entertainment galore as 

Lagos @ 50 celebrations kick 

off with Easter treats 

The land has reverberated with promises, promises of 

unbridled entertainment that is to envelope the land 

we have all come to know, in its historical majesty as 

the ‘Land of Aquatic Splendour’, but better known 

in its metropolitan nature as ‘Centre of Execellence’. 

As the land of all nations of the world and all tribes 

of the nation, Lagos is home to all. So, celebration 

of its 50 years of existence as a State, is a matter 

that concerns all and it is no surprise that all hands 

are on deck, even though the government of 

Akinwunmi Ambode is leading the charge. 

Leading the charge they have, as the Honourable 

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, 

Steve Ayorinde is leaving no stone unturned to 

make the occasion truly epochal and one for the 

history books. 

As the indefatigable Commissioner termed it, 

the 50 th anniversary of Lagos State is to run a 

whole 50 days, aptly themed “50 Days of Fun 

Celebrating Lagos @ 50. The fun actually 

started on April 8, 2017 and it is expected to 

last till May 27, 2017, the actual birth date of 

the State. 

The entertainment wheel was set rolling on 

Saturday at the newly refurbished Terra Kulture Arena 

with ‘WAKAA the Musical’, a stage musical 

extravaganza of drama, comedy, live music and dance 

about the trials, successes and experiences in the 

contemporary Nigerian setting. 

The Easter treat 

Lagosians sure can look 

forward to something 

extraordinary from Lagos State 

Government this Easter period, 

as the State in collaboration 

with Smooth FM is bringing 

Fela on Broadway, the Musical 

Concert to Lagos. The show 

which began on April 13 th 

ends today April 15 th at Eko 

Hotel and Suites, Victoria 

Island, Lagos. 

Fela on Broadway is a creation 

of Bill Jones and Jim Lewis. 

Fela! The Concert – with 

Filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan 

pooled another glamorous 

crowd recently with a special 

screening and premier of his 

new comedy film, Omugwo at 

Silverbird Galleria, Victoria 

Island, Lagos amidst pomp. 

Omugwo happens to be one 

of the three Africa Magiccommissioned 

films currently 

screening in cinemas across 

Nigeria. 

Addressing guests shortly 

before the screening of the 

movie, Afolayan noted that 

members of the original 

cast from the Broadway 

production have 

received 11 Tony Award 

nominations in 2010 and won 

three of them. 

While Fela ! The Concert is 

holding people spellbound at 

the Eko Hotel, there is a Boat 

Regatta taking place at Epe, 

Badagry and Lagos Island to 

add to the air of festivity 

blazing the skyline of Lagos 

this Easter holiday. 

As part of events to mark his 

40th birthday, AbdulRasheed 

Bello who is popularly known 

as JJC Skillz, and his wife, 

Funke Akindele-Bello, have 

launched a record label, SOP 

Records. 

Already, some artistes – Mo 

Eazy, Gemstones, Sonorous 

and Martinfeelz – have been 

signed to SOP Records which 

is owned by the couple, and 

have performed the 

soundtrack of a new TV series, 

Industreet, produced by 

Funke Akindele-Bello. 

GemStones are female twins 

– Awa- Agwu Uzoma Ruby 

and Awa- Agwu Olanma Pearl 

– who sing Afro RnB. After 

graduating in 2015, they 

auditioned for the MTN 

Project Fame Music 

Competition, season 8.0 and 

Kunle Afolayan premieres another film ‘Omugwo’ for Africa Magic 

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI 

apart from Omugwo, Africa 

Magic is in a partnership with 

his company, Golden Effects 

Productions to unveil other 

block buster films titled ‘Roti’ 

and ‘Tribunal’.” 

Present at the private 

screening 

were 

representatives of Bank of 

Industry, sponsors of the 

movie, Africa Magic; 

distribution company, 

Silverbird Distribution; and 

stakeholders in the film 

industry such as the Founder/ 

CEO of Africa International 

Timaya hits Enugu for 

Easter Sunday jam 

were both selected to be 

in the Reality TV show, 

with Pearl coming out 

First Runner Up and 

working with Yemi 

Alade and Chidinma to 

release songs, 

Whatever you Do and 

Kedike remix, 

respectively. Pearl went 

on to release her own 

single, KURO in 2016. 

Mo Eazy whose real 

name is Moses Agboola 

was born in Kano but 

moved to UK where he 

honed his music skills in 

the church. Mo Eazy 

who has a hit single, Red 

Carpet, has performed 

with industry 

heavyweights in UK and 

Nigeria and has 

received several awards 

and nominations. 

Nigeria’s dancehall master and “Dem 

Mama” crooner, Timaya is set to headline 

Legend Extra Stout’s signature 

nationwide music tour, Real Deal 

Experience, in Enugu this Sunday 16th 

April, 2017 at the Polo Park Shopping 

Mall in Enugu. 

The popular music tour, which is 

making its second stop this year in 

the Enugu edition, is an annual 

nationwide tour organized by Legend 

Extra Stout to better interact with the 

brand’s consumers.The tour takes 

Nigeria’s biggest music stars to 

various cities around the country to 

entertain consumers and give fans 

a unique premium experience filled 

with comedy, music and dance. The 

event also rewards Legend’s 

consumers with exciting gifts. 

Speaking of his excitement at returning 

to Enugu where he performed in 2016, the 

“Dem Mama” crooner said, “I’m very glad 

to be returning to Enugu again. The Real 

Deal Experience tour always gets the fans 

turned up and it’s never a dull 

moment…always electrifying. I’m really 

looking forward to it and seriously can’t 

wait to light up that stage.” 

There will also be live performances by 

the Tipsy Kelvano band and rib cracking 

jokes by comedian, De Don who also 

doubles as the host for the event. 

Funke Akindele, hubby launch record label 

Film Festival AFRIFF, Ms. 

Chioma Ude; filmmaker and 

former Chairman of Audio- 

Visual Rights Society of 

Nigeria AVRS, Mr. Mahmood 

Ali-Balogun; filmmaker Chris 

Ekejimbe; Kate Henshaw; film 

entrepreneur, Mr. Seun 

Shoyinka; actors Yomi Fash- 

Lanso and Funsho Adeolu as 

well as cast members of the 

movie – Omowunmi Dada, 

Ayo Adesanya and Henry 

Alabi, aka Old Skool. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


Caitlyn Jenner has finally undergone genital surgery to complete her 

transition from male to female, says reports. 

In a new memoir, The Secrets of My Life, the reality star claims she had 

the “Final Surgery” in January 2017, nearly two years after she publicly 

announced her identity as a trans woman. “The surgery was a success, and I feel 

not only wonderful but liberated,” she writes in the new memoir, out April 25. 

She added, “I am telling you because I believe in candour. “So all of you can stop 

staring. You want to know, so now you know. Which is why this is the first time, and the 

last time, I will ever speak of it.” 

Earlier in the book, Jenner, who said it was a “complex decision” stated that she will 

still consider further surgery as she wants to have “all the right parts.” “So why even 

consider it? Because it’s just a penis. It has no special gifts or use for me other than 

what I have said before, the ability to take a whiz in the woods, “I just want to have all 

the right parts. I am also tired of tucking the damn thing in all the time.” 

On March 15, 2015, Jenner revealed that she underwent breast augmentation 

and facial feminisation surgery in order to become Caitlyn. “I am going to live 

authentically for the first time in my life. “I am going to have an enthusiasm for 

life that I have not had in 39 years since the Olympics, almost two-thirds of my 

life.” 

•Katy Perry 

(Before) 

•Stevie Wonder 

and fiancee, 

Tomeeka Bracy 


Caitlyn Jenner removes 

p*nis, completes 

gender transition 

Stevie Wonder is getting married for the third time. The 67-year-old 

music legend is planning to tie the knot with 42-year-old Tomeeka 

Bracy - the mother of his two youngest children - in Jamaica on June 

17, with invites being sent out to the likes of Sir Elton John and Sam 

Smith. 

And the ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ hitmaker, - who also has 

children Aisha, 42, Kwame, 28, Sophia, Keita, 39, Kailand, 16, Mumtaz, 

33, and Mandla, 11, from his previous relationships - is believed to 

have asked his all of his children to be his wife-to-be’s bridesmaids and 

his best men on the special day. 

A source told revealed “It is going to be a huge, incredibly fun wedding 

and Stevie is flying out all his nearest and dearest. The guest list is 

pretty spectacular, and there will be a couple of surprise performances 

on the night. There will be a huge party afterwards as well, and the 

whole day will be about love, laughter and family; Stevie is very close 

to his, and they will all have a role to play on the big day.” 

As well as some mystery performers providing the entertainment, 

the groom is also said to be planning to take to the stage. The source 

explained: “Stevie has said he may well get up and perform a number, 

but hasn’t said what song yet.” 

Stevie, who has been blind from a young age, will sign the wedding 

papers using two fingerprints to ensure his vows are legally binding, 

whilst Tomeeka will go through the traditional process of penning 

her signature on the official certificate. And it has been reported the 

pair have also signed a pre-nuptial agreement prior to their 

big day to secure their assets. 

Katy Perry chops 

off her hair 

aty Perry hasn’t been playing it safe with her 

Khair lately. Since her break up with Orlando 

Bloom, the “ Chained to the Rhythm” singer dyed 

her signature dark brown hair platinum gold, cut it 

into a shorter shoulder-length bob and eventually 

changed it into a Michelle Williams-inspired pixie with 

the sides shaved. And now, Perry’s going shorter and 

spikier than ever. 

In typical Katy Perry fashion, the star 

revealed her cut via a goofy video using a facemorphing 

filter on her Instagram story to 

reveal her boyish, buzzed cut (that appears to 

be styled in a mini-mohawk) cut by celebrity 

stylist Chris McMillan. 

“When your eyelashes are longer than your 

hair, you know you’ve just gotten cut from 

Chris McMillan,” she said in the video. She 

didn’t keep us waiting for the reveal long, 

however: Shortly thereafter, she posted two 

shots of her white-blonde choppy pixie do, 

putting her in the echelons of Zoe Kravitz and 

•Katy Perry (Now) Kristen Stewart, who both recently have 

buzzed their locks and gone platinum. 

•Caitlyn 

Jenner 

Stevie Wonder is set to tie 

the knots for the third time 

•Mel B and her 

estranged husband 

•Lil Wayne 

Lil Wayne 

announces his 

membership of Jay 

Z’s Roc Nation 

ip-Hop icon, Lil Wayne who 

Hhas been embroiled in a long 

and bitter feud with his former 

partner, Birdman of Young Money 

Records has announced that he is 

now part of Jay Z‘s Roc Nation. 

During a show at Slippery Rock 

University in Pennsylvania, he told 

the crowd that he’s a member of 

Roc Nation. The New Orleans 

native said: “”Is it cool if I just say 

it? It’s the Roc. You know I’m a 

member of that team now. 

After sharing the news, Wayne 

put up the Roc’s diamond hand 

sign before launching back into 

his performance. Wayne has been 

contemplating a deal with Jay Z 

for years, dating back to the days 

of Roc-A-Fella Records. If Weezy’s 

words are true, the longtime Cash 

Money Records artist will finally 

move to another label for the first 

time in his career. 

Mel B obtains restraining 

order against Nanny 

impregnated by her 

estranged husband 

Mel B revealed in divorce 

documents submitted to the court 

that her estranged husband, Stephen 

Belafonte got their children’s nanny 

pregnant. He hired Lorraine, an 

exchange student from Germany to 

become their nanny and often compared 

his wife to the then 20-year-old. After 

Mel found out about the nanny’s 

pregnancy, they decided that she will 

have an abortion which was paid for 

with Mel’s money, just like her wages. 

Mel B also revealed that after she 

worked up the courage and 

tried to fire the nanny in 

2015, Belafonte was angry 

and yelled at her for three 

hours. “He told me that she 

was his ‘ride or die bit*h’ 

and the only woman in his 

life that completely had 

his back,” she said. Mel 

B has now obtained a 

restraining order 

against the nanny. 

Her lawyers also got 

a court order to gain 

access to a storage 

locker rented by 

Lorraine Gilles, the 

nanny in question, 

which is said to contain 

ex tapes and photos 

Stephen threatened to 

make public, boxes of 

Spice 

Girls 

memorabilia and 

photos of her recently 

deceased father. A judge 

ordered Lorraine to not 

harass Mel B and to stay 

100 yards clear. 

The judge also ordered 

her not to remove 

any property 

from the Public 

storage locker. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


Benjamin Njoku 

Tony Grey; 

Sunset of an 

Era, a tribute 

“The curfew tells the knell of the parting day, 

The lowing herd wind slowly over the lea, 

The ploughman homewards plods his weary way, 

and leaves the world to darkness and to me…..” 

(Elergy written in a country churchyard by thiomas gray: 1716 – 1771) 

By CAESAR O. KAGHO 

Once upon a short time 

ago, there lived a 

gentleman from Warri 

with Cameroonian and 

Nigerian descents who blazed a 

trail like never before and may 

likely never be repeated by 

another. 

The name is Tony Grey Leonge, 

a.k.a Ozimba, who was once a 

skilful goalkeeper and 

footballer and he was then 

known as Abumalaya and who 

also was a very talented artist 

and a designer of fanciful 

visuals. 

But the gifts the Almighty 

Architect of the Universe 

equipped him to live a happy 

and fruitful life were those of 

music, singing, song writing 

and dancing and a multiinstrumentalist. 

After his brief 

stint with soccer he delved into 

music head long having his 

tutelage with the famous King 

Kenny Tone before breaking 

into the pop scene— a far cry 

from the popular highlife genre 

of King Kenny Tone. 

Tony Grey did a couple of 

local recordings with the GES 

Studio of Warri as well as 

reading numerous bands like 

the Lidonians, Black Kings and 

played in a several spots 

including the erstwhile Ziena 

Night Club and the Lido Nite 

Club. Along the line from the 

1960s to the 1980s he released 

several successful hits the most 

prominent being She is my 

Love, Ijudo, Come Back Love, 

Congratulations and Tribute to 

Marvin Gaye, a flamboyant 

project which took Tony for the 

first time across the Atlantic to 

the United State of America. 

A predominantly self-made 

and very approachable and 

friendly man, Tony Grey on the 

very long run had had a very 

long stream of musicians, 

apprentices and roadies who 

not only struggled to make him 

a big success but also benefited 

from his very wide local and 

national exposure on which 

some are still basking in today, 

Tony was also an exponent in 

the likes Otis Redding, Wilson 

Picket, James Brown and the 

Rolling Stone, often dishing out 

their popular numbers like 

Direct Me, Engine Number 9, I 

Feel Good and Satisfaction 

respectively during his live 

shows. 

The first and only musician 

from Warri who broke 

successfully into the national 

music scene, through 

persistence, had work and 

shrewd showbiz manship, 

Tony Grey finally succeeded 

in acquiring ample parcel of 

land in Warri where he not 

only built his family 

residence but an avant 

guard night club 

adjoining it. He only 

enjoyed this expensive 

edifice briefly with a few 

gigs, receptions, 

meetings and small 

parties before health 

took a down turn on this 

very handsome and 

ebullient character. 

His connections cut 

across major stratum 

of society including 

government, religion 

academics, culture, 

sports and of cause 

entertainment from 

which he piled up a 

substantial fortune to 

We, the Warri Boys 

will not forget the 

impact Tony Grey 

had on our lives 

and as such, we 

pray the Almighty 

God to give his 

younger brother, 

Emma Grey 

successfully 

raise up his family and 

maintain headship of his larger 

loving family who stood by him. 

Tony Grey participated in the 

management and 

administration of PMAN in 

Delta State having been its 

chairman for several years 

despite the vicissitudes of the 

By Austin Nwaulu 

Dancehall reggae star, Felix Duke 

whose current single ‘’The 

General” is still making great waves 

in the market, has joined the league 

of night club owners in the country 

organization on which 

he spent his hard 

earned money to 

support at various 

stages. 

This writer has been 

associated with Tony 

Grey since the late 1960s 

as a school boy going to 

Government College 

Ughelli (GCU), through 

the swinging 1970s in 

Warri afternoon and night 

club circuits and onto the 

1980s as a journalist/ 

showbiz writer from Fleet 

Street, London and the 

Nigerian Observer, Benin 

City, until his final weeks in 

Warri and planet earth. 

Throughout these days, Tony 

Grey had been a lover of cars, 

good clothes, good food, travels 

and family man who had once 

embarked on driving around 

Warri every Sunday for many 

years, sometimes accompanied 

by myself, giving alms to the 

poor beggars at their various 

locations. When the call for 

financial support was launched 

to save his life, there was a 

spontaneous response from all 

works of life particularly from 

those of his long-standing fans 

but alas, before something 

tangible could come in, he was 

called up by his maker. 

We, the Warri Boys will not 

forget the impact Tony Grey 

had on our lives and as such, we 

pray the Almighty God to give 

his younger brother, Emma 

Grey, another talented 

musician, his children and wife 

and sisters the fortitude to bear 

the irreparable loss. 

*Ceaser Kagho, a journalist 

and former Head Corporate 

Affairs of the National Film and 

Video Censors Board, Abuja, 

wrote from Warri Delta State. 

Felix Duke overruns Lagos 

suburb with Fuzeniteclub! 

•Felix Duke 

even as the operational environment 

appears somewhat unfriendly. 

But the never-say-die crooner 

whose previous albums like 

‘’Walare”, ‘’Mr Goody-Goody”, 

‘’Johanna” and others established as 

a force to reckon with musically, said 

he is equal to the task. 

‘’It is a new challenge and the 

best time to face challenges are 

in moments like this. We sure 

hope to conquer the train 

with time,” he said. 

Fuze Nightclub is located on 

Olaniyi Street, by Harvey Event 

Center, New Oko-oba Abule Egba, 

an outskirt of Lagos that has rapidly 

developed and now accommodates 

many movers and shakers of 

Lagosians. 

•Caesar kagho (left) and tony grey 

(center) during rehearsals at lido nite 

club warri in october 1977 

Although there are pockets of 

related joints around, attention has 

since shifted to Fuze since its 

opening a few months ago, 

especially on Fridays when it hosts 

celebrity artistes both the music and 

movie industry. 

Modernised highlife crooner, 

Sunny Neji had ‘’disvirgined” the 

club late last year in a show that 

attracted a large crowd with lots of 

other side attractions. And since 

then, the likes of 

EedrisAbdulkareem, Faze and 

Klever Jay and a host of others have 

had their turns there. 

Just last night, Black Faze of the 

defunct PlantashunBoiz, was the 

night’s main act to set the Easter 

mood in motion. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


US-based Nigerian 

actress, Bridget John 

opens up on her journey 

into fashion designing 

Bridget John is a US-based Nigerian actress cum producer who is known for her excellent 

role interpretation in movies. But it wasn’t acting that actually brought her fame and 

recognition. Rather, it was fashion designing. 

The fair-complexioned beauty told HVP that she has been into fashion designing business for 

more than 24 years now. According to her, she started creating her own designs which caught 

the attention of her friends at the age of 13. Since then, she has not looked back as she has 

continued to design thousands of beautiful outfits locally and internationally. 

“In all you do, believe in your dreams and follow your passion. As a child I loved to sew. I would 

use my mother’s hand sewing machine to make tops. At 13, I began to create my own designs 

which caught the attention of my friends, and they began placing their orders. It was fun, in 

addition I made money, N2.00 per top to be precise, which was less than a dollar.” 

“After graduating from college, I wanted more than just a 9 to 5 office job. I soon realized that 

was not for me, so I decided to open up my own fashion designing business. With little knowledge 

of professional sewing I hired a tailor and worked as his apprentice. In nine months,I had five 

other tailors, and four apprentices. Since then I have designed thousands of beautiful outfits 

locally and internationally. This is a passion turned career, and I have enjoyed every bit of 

the 24 years journey in the business as a professional,” Bridget revealed. 

Bridget, however, named some Hollywood and Nollywood actors, preachers, 

entertainers and government officials as her major clients, adding that despite 

putting in more years in her fashion designing business, acting remains her 

“get away.” Bridget, who apparently registered her presence in the 

Nigerian fashion industry since 1993, has been doing the 

business by the side, while acting took the shine off her. 

“Acting to me is my get away. It’s therapy for me. It takes me 

from my everyday life into someone else’s,” she added. Bridget 

is the brain behind the award- winning film, Adora, which she 

released into the market about two years ago. Last year, she 

featured in three movies namely, “Being Mary Jane”, a TV series, 

“Blue Shade”, and “Eze nda la in America” with Zubby Michael 

and directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka, to prove those who are 

insinuating that she has not dumped acting for fashion 

designing wrong. 

AGN Lagos threatens 

to ban members over 

pornography 

Worried by the alarming rate at 

which soft-porn movies are 

indiscriminately flooding the market as 

well as uploaded on the internet in 

recent times, creating a negative 

impression about the country’s movie 

industry, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, 

AGN, Lagos State chapter has 

initiated moves to arrest the ugly 

trend. The leadership of the 

guild has threatened to slam a 

ban on any of its members 

who features in any softporn 

movie. In a statement 

obtained by HVP, the guild 

led by Don Pedro Aganbi 

condemned in its entirety 

any pornographic movie in 

whatever form or shape. 

•A scene from softporn 

movie 

“We urge our members to desist from such movies and their producers. Any member who is caught 

involved in porn movie may face outright expulsion from the Guild. Let it be said that In other climes 

like Hollywood that we are always quick to imitate, porn is usually alienated from core Hollywood,”it 

sated. Adding, “Besides, this is Nigeria and we do not have such liberty to carry guns around and even 

produce absurd porn movies. Porn movie is not Nigerian, it is not Nollywood. If the promoters of porn 

films are not lampooned and pooh-poohed now, very soon someone will take us to the senate or house 

of representatives and they will say its, AMP, its AGN cum Nollywood and they will use us to “Shine”. 

We in AGN Lagos say NO, to porn movies because that is not our heritage and for all the money our 

members should flee from such producers.” 

“We say NO to pornographic movies and we call on well meaning industry stakeholders to join us in 

condemning this ugly trend that is threatening the foundation of our industry. Porn movie is 

insalubrious, lagubrious and malodorous. “ 

Recall that last year, the directors under the aegis of Nollywood Crusader Directors threatened to 

slam a ban on actors and actresses who feature in any s3x internet movie. 

•Bridget John 

Niyi Towolawi brings 

‘Desecration’ to Nigeria 


UK based Nigerian film-maker, writer and director, 

Niyi Towolawi, once again brings to the Nigerian 

movie screens a new cinematic thriller, Desecration, 

which will be released in Nigerian cinemas on April 

21st, 2017. The movie which recently premiered in 

London, with a special performance from the 

legendary rain-maker, Majek Fashek, was set and 

shot in London, starring Nollywood veterans Rita 

Dominic, Joseph Benjamin, Rykardo Agboh, alongside 

UK actors; Nicola Alexis (currently starring in Harry 

Porter musical), Max Cavenham, Moji Bamtefa and 

talented 8-year old Angel Agala, all of Nigerian and 

British backgrounds. 

Desecration was produced by Bode Odetoye of 

Kherut Films and 

directed by 

international multiaward 

winning 

director, Niyi 

Towolawi of 

HekCentrik Films. 

Speaking on the 

quality and message of 

the movie, the director, 

Niyi Towolawi said; “I 

believe the Nigerian 

audience will love this 

film. I hope they find it 

as rewarding as it was to 

work on it, with such 

talent, and a 

producer that 

allowed me so 

much space to 

put my signature 

•Niyi 

as an auteur on 

the film”


08116759759 

Bum deal 

A RANT RESTAU 

has 

come under fire 

for being in bad 

taste after it 

opened with bikini-clad 

models 

serving customers. 

The Fresh 

Feast hot-pot restaurant in Taiwan’s capital 

Taipei insists took the unusual step because 

it wanted to make an impact in a 

highly competitive market. 

But the strategy worked even better than 

they expected, because just a couple of 

days after the event, photos and videos of 

the beautiful waitresses went viral online. 

Thanks to social media, photos of the attractive 

models in their bras and knickers 

soon reached international audiences, 

where people were divided on the marketing 

ploy. 

Critics complained that it was degrading 

to women while others, mostly men, 

said they loved the idea. 

But the owners of the restaurant in the 

Songshan district of Taipei were happy as, 

love it or hate it, everyone was talking 

about it. 

One anonymous social media user said: 

“I haven’t been to Taiwan. I think it’s about 

time I go on an adventure. 

Another added: “I need me some of that! 

Can someone set up a restaurant like this 

already?” 

Hot-pot restaurants feature simmering 

metal pots of stock into which fresh ingredients 

are placed and cooked at the table. 

A hot-pot restaurant in Haikou City, 

China, adopted a full-time bikini dress 

code for its staff last year. 

But they were ordered to get dressed after 

local authorities said the approach was 

in “poor taste” and went against Chinese 

socialist values. 

Baby girl born with heart pumping outside 

chest waits for life-saving operation 

A 

baby girl has been born 

with her heart pumping 

outside her chest. 

Prem Kumari, 22, gave natural 

birth to her first born at a primary 

health care centre in 

Khajuraho in central India on 

April 5. But the child, named Hemlata, was 

born with the rare condition called Ectopia 

Cordis in which the heart is either located 

partially or totally outside the chest. 

This rare medical condition occurs in eight 

children per million births. She is now awaiting 

surgery after the government stepped in 

to provide medical assistance. Father Arvind 

Patel, 24, who works as a guard at a world 

heritage site in Khajuraho in Madhya 

Pradesh said the couple were devastated. His 

wife had been taking regular medicine and 

undergoing ultrasound throughout the pregnancy. 

"After my marriage to Prem Kumari, all my 

family was happy when we were having our 

first child," he said. "On April 5 around 3.26 

am, my wife gave birth to the girl child but 

the baby was having her heart outside. "We 

were shocked as we had never seen a child 

like this before," he continued. 

"The doctor referred us to a district hospital 

but the doctors there told us that for treatment 

we have to take the child 

outside and her treatment will be 

very expensive and cost around Rs 

25-30 lakh. (£310,000 - 

£375,000). 

"We had no money and ran from 

pillar to post but got no help as 

there are lack of specialised hospitals 

in Madhya Pradesh." 

The destitute father eventually 

got help three days after the child's 

birth when the state government 

came in for aid and sent the baby 

for treatment at All India Institute 

for Medical Sciences in New 

Delhi. 

Dr Chaurasiya, child specialist 

at Chhatarpur district hospital, 

said: "The heart is covered by bones 

and skin in the human body. "But in 

this case though her heart was formed 

completely during embryonic development, 

the body wall could not 

mature properly. 

"It is an extremely rare condition 

and if surgery is performed, she could 

be saved." Dr R.S. Tripathi, Civil Surgeon, 

said: "Keeping in mind the infant's 

serious condition, the infant 

was sent to the All India Institute of 

Meidcal Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi 

along with a doctor," he added. The 

newborn's treatment would be carried 

out with financial assistance 

under the state government's Child 

Heart Treatment Scheme. 

"I am extremely thankful to the government 

for their help. I am hopeful 

that my daughter would now get a 

life-saving operation and live a 

healthy life," the father added. 

Talk alk about overreaction! 

A 

n annoyed husband took his anger to another level when 

he found out his wife changed her surname. 

Rather than giving her the cold shoulder for a few days, this 

unnamed man decided to take revenge on his wife after discovering 

she’d officially changed her surname for a supermarket 

promotion. And we mean filling up his poor wife’s 

entire car with concrete type of revenge. 

Witnesses captured the bizarre incident on camera in Russia’s 

St Petersburg. Footage shows the man directing a concrete 

mixing lorry to put a chute through the car’s open driver’s 

window. He then gives the order for the lorry’s load of 

cement to be poured into the car, filling the vehicle up to the 

level of the windows. The husband reportedly admitted that 

he and his wife were going through a rocky patch. The final 

straw was when she changed her last name, from his surname 

to the name of a supermarket, called Veniy (Loyal), for a promotion. 

The supermarket chain had promised to pay 50,000 RUB 

(£703) per month to any customers prepared to legally change 

their surname to their brand name. 

Ironically, she had recently reportedly admitted to her husband 

that she had not been loyal to him, prompting the husband 

to take revenge. The man came up with the idea of filling 

his wife’s car with concrete because he knew how much she 

loved the car, keeping it spotless inside and out. 

Since being posted online, it’s attracted dozens of comments, 

with one guy saying: ‘I wish I could see his wife’s face’ while 

another said: ‘I hope this idiot gets a fine.’ 

One person noted: ‘The lorry driver could be prosecuted, just 

like this guy, as technically he was the one who poured who 

poured the concrete. Why would he agree to do that?!’

SATURD 

TURDAY Vanguard, 

APRIL 15, 2017—33 

Thunderous ovations for Vincent Amadi @ 60 

Someone once said 

that a man with 

friends can never 

be alone and so it was 

for Chief Igochukwu 

Amadi, The Eze 

Minikweoha-1 of 

Isiokpo when he 

celebrated his birthday 

last Sunday at the FM 

Event Centre, GRA, 

Ikeja, Lagos. 

Not only were his 

friends present in full 

glory, they also brought 

down the roof of the 

event venue to sing 

birthday songs to the 

celebrant, while 

showering him with 

glowing encomiums. 

Photos by Bunmi 

Azeez. 

L-R: Barr. Chioma Amadi, daughter; Master Igwueze, son; Mrs. Grace, wife; 

Chief Vincent Igochukwu Amadi, celebrant and Mrs. Onyinyechi Amadi 

Beckles, daughter 

L-R: Barr. Alhassan Gumai and his wife, Hassana 

L-R: Azike Amadi, Ada Malik and Cynthia Scorpic 

L-R: Mr. Anthony Nsitem; Chief N.M. Afaru and 

Chief Pat Amadi . 

L-R: Mrs. Vickie Ajakuiye; Mrs. Ebele Demuren 

and Mrs. Funmi Ogunyemi . 

Oyo Gov’s SSA Media buries father in-law in style 

IT was indeed a celebration of life, well spent, when Late Rev Israel Adewumi Abe, father in-law of 

Akin Oyedele, the Senior Special Adviser, Media to Oyo State governor was laid to rest. 

The funeral service for peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul took place at the Apostolic Faith 

Church, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The deceased’s children and their friends spared no expense in making 

the day a truly special one. 

L-R: Mr. Dapo Oguntayo, Akogun Kola Onadipe 

and Arc. Olumide Folahan 

R-L: The deceased's daughter, Mrs Oluwaseun 

Oyedele (nee Abe; son-in-law, Mr. Akin Oyedele; 

and sister-in-law, Mrs. Kike Ojo. 

L-R: SA, New Media, to Oyo State Gov, Mr. 

Babajide Fadoju; SA, Communications, Mr. Dele 

Aremu; the deceased's son-in-law, Mr. Akin 

Oyedele; and SA to the Gov on Public 

Engagement, Miss Funmilola Adesina. 

L-R: A former Dep.Gov of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe 

Adelabu; the deceased's son-in-law, Mr. Akin 

Oyedele; his wife, Oluwaseun; and Mrs. Kike Ojo. 

L-R: A Development Specialist, Prof. Deji Ojo; 

Provost, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Prof. 

Mojisola Oyarekua; and Princess Bisi Fagbeiro. 

L-R: SA, Communications and Strategy to Oyo 

State Gov, Mr. Yomi Layinka;Mrs. Oluwaseun 

Oyedele; and wife . 

L-R: SA, Digital Media to Oyo State Gov, Mr. Tunde 

Muraina; State Commissioner for Information, 

Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun; the 

deceased son-in-law, Mr. Akin Oyedele; his wife, 

Oluwaseun; and Chairman, Shooting Stars Sports 

Club, Mr. Busari Gbolagade.


By Sola Ogundipe / 08056180112 / 

Spices have been used for 

thousands of years to colour, 

flavour, add fragrance and 

preserve foods. They’ve also been 

dispensed as folk medicines because 

they contain a multitude of bioactive 

compounds that are teeming with health 

benefits. Among those benefits is the 

ability to help treat or prevent cancer. 

Recent scientific review said the 

evidence is “proven” that the more you 

consume, the lower your risk of cancer. 

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time 

to consider incorporating one or more of 

the following spices into your daily 

diet…. 

Piper nigrum 

Piper nigrum, dubbed the ‘king of 

spices’ is better known to most of us as 

black pepper. Its major alkaloid 

constituent is piperine, which has been 

shown to act against a number of 

different types of tumours. In breast 

cancer cell lines, piperine activated 

certain proteins to induce apoptosis 

(programmed cell death) and a 

reduction in migration i.e. the 

spread of cancer to nearby tissues. 

Piperine also inhibited the 

proliferation of four types of 

prostate cancer cells. The black 

pepper extract also suppressed 

both androgen-dependent and 

androgen-independent prostate 

tumour growth in mice. 

Piperine also caused cell cycle 

arrest and apoptosis in melanoma 

cells and was described as “a 

promising therapeutic agent in the 

treatment of osteosarcoma (bone 

cancer).” All in all, it’s quite a 

medicine. 

Turmeric 

Known as The golden spice, over 

100 components have been isolated 

from turmeric, the best known and 

most potent extract being 

curcumin. It is a powerful 

antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, 

antimicrobial, antimutagenic and 

anticancer agent. Turmeric is 

definitely a spice you want to add 

to your diet every day if possible. 

While it is best known as a curry 

ingredient, it has a bland taste and 

can be added to many other meals. 

Curcumin 

Curcumin has been shown to act 

against cancers of the head and 

neck, lung, liver, breast, stomach, 

colon, rectum, prostate, uterus, 

skin, brain and blood. It prevents 

and acts against cancer at various 

steps, inhibits mutations, detoxifies 

carcinogens, decreases cell 

proliferation, limits migration and 

induces apoptosis. Curcumin 

improved the general health and 

weight of colorectal cancer 

patients. 

Ginger 

Ginger has many important 

compounds that have antioxidant, 

anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, 

antiviral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal 

and anticarcinogenic properties. 

One of ginger’s components, 6- 

shogaol, was found to decrease 

cancer development and 

progression in breast cancer cells 

cultured in the lab. Whole ginger 

extract inhibited growth and 

progression of prostate cancer 

cells, induced profound growth 

inhibition in ovarian cancer cell 

•Spices 

Diet doctor 

Spice up your diet with 

potent cancer protectors 

lines and inhibited cell 

proliferation and induced 

apoptosis in colon cancer cells. 

While you may think of ginger 

as a spice used in Asian cuisine 

or as a flavoring for cakes and 

biscuits, it can be paired with 

almost any vegetable and it 

works well in poultry and meat 

dishes. As long as you like the 

taste, it’s easy to incorporate 

into many meals. 

Nigella sativa 

Nigella sativa (also known 

as black cumin, black onion 

seed and black seed) is 

described as having a 

The most abundant 

ingredient in red 

chili peppers 

is capsaicin. It has 

potent anticancer 

effects 

“miraculous power of 

healing.” It has antibacterial, 

anti-fungal, antiinflammatory, 

antioxidant, 

analgesic, 

immunomodulatory and 

anticancer properties. 

It’s been shown to inhibit 

proliferation, migration and 

invasion of human lung 

cancer cells; inhibits cell 

proliferation in liver cancer, 

breast and cervical cancer 

and in colorectal cancer. It’s 

also been tested with positive 

effects on a number of other 

cancer cell lines. 

It has a slightly bitter taste 

and goes well with sweet 

vegetables like carrots and 

parsnips. It can be used in 

salad dressings and as a 

topping to egg and cheese 

dishes. 

Chili pepper 

The most abundant 

ingredient in red chili 

peppers is capsaicin. It has 

potent anticancer effects. It 

won this reputation by 

targeting multiple signalling 

pathways and genes 

associated with cancer at 

different stages of the disease 

including initiation, 

promotion, progression and 

metastasis. 

There’s a huge variety of 

chili peppers available, 

ranging from mild to scorching 

hot, depending on the amount of 

capsaicin they contain. If you 

are not keen on the hot ones, 

you will still benefit from mild 

varieties. 

Saffron 

Saffron is a highly prized 

spice that’s been revered for its 

medicinal properties for 

centuries. It offers protection 

against almost every cancer 

threat. In lab studies, it slowed 

down and even reversed tumour 

growth. It’s shown anti-cancer 

effects in colorectal, non-small 

cell lung, breast, liver, prostate, 

skin and blood cancers. It 

achieves this by triggering 

apoptosis, impeding 

angiogenesis and curbing 

metastasis. While saffron is 

expensive, only a tiny amount is 

needed to flavour and colour 

dishes. It goes well with rice 

and seafood, and can be added 

to soups, stews and sauces. 

Ones that look promising are 

cloves, cinnamon, galangal and 

cardamon. Cinnamon is already 

well known as a “medicine” for 

high blood sugar. 

With the wide variety of flavors 

and fragrances available and the 

multiple dishes where you can 

use them, you should be able to 

find some you like. I can’t think 

of a more pleasant way to 

improve your health.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 — 35


BOOK Serialisation 

Mountain of Yesterday 

Continues from last week 

After all, there are 

psychopathic killers 

who derived special 

satisfaction in personally 

decapitating their victims. 

The doctor drove into the 

newly-constructed housing 

estate on Kashim Ibrahim 

Road, on the way from 

Maiduguru to Potiskum. I 

had heard about the place 

but had never been there. As 

the gatemen at the entrance 

walked toward the Datsun 

car, I fixed a stare on the one 

dressed in jalabiya, his 

Koran in his right hand. 

They recognized the doctor, 

greeted and swung the gate 

open. My eyes darted about 

the place. Street lights 

illuminated the lawns and 

road curbs. All the houses 

were of uniform shape and 

colour. He drove further in 

and turned toward one of the 

white bungalows. 

I noticed a window blind 

slide aside. In no time, the 

front door of the house was 

opened.Dr. Usman had 

stepped out of the car and 

was moving to the left side of 

I heard a 

knock on the 

door. Dr. Usman 

stepped in. He 

walked to the 

bed and 

injected some 

drugs into the 

drip 

the back door. I looked up 

and saw a young man in 

dark shorts and white singlet 

come out of the house; his 

stocky frame and light skin 

were conspicuous in the 

fairly illuminated premises. 

The angel called Dr Usman 

He appeared to be in his 

early 30s. 

He walked to the car, 

greeted the doctor and 

joined in lifting my wife into 

the house. We put her on the 

brown-cushioned seat in the 

living room, and I stood 

beside her holding up the 

drip. 

I raised my head and 

caught a glimpse of the 

Arabic inscriptions on an 

Islamic poster that was 

hanging on the wall. 

Quickly, I pulled my 

suspicious eyes away as the 

doctor approached again. He 

held Amina by the wrist to 

feel her pulse and instructed 

the young man to prepare 

the visitors room. 

In no time, we settled into 

the room. A mattress was 

placed on the floor for me 

while she lay on the bed. 

The drip had been properly 

positioned on an iron stand 

by her side. 

I heard a knock on the 

door. Dr. Usman stepped in. 

He walked to the bed and 

injected some drugs into the 

drip. As he turned toward 

me, the lights went out. The 

room was pitch-dark. 

“Sorry, Mr. Ndukwe. I 

didn’t tell you the lights here 

usually go off by twelve,” he 

said. 

“It’s OK, sir. Dark nights 

are something we’re all used 

to,” I managed to utter in the 

dark; my heart had begun to 

pound. 

“I’ll be back,” he said. 

He walked out of the room 

and shut the door. 

****************************************** 

For three days, Dr. Usman 

sheltered us. He bought 

some new clothes for me and 

my wife. He treated her for 

free and was able to save the 

pregnancy. We all ate at the 

same table and virtually 

lived as a family. 

There were two things Dr. 

Usman took passionate 

interest in: his fura de 

nunu drink, a formula of 

millet and cow milk. He 

never missed it a day; the 

other was the music of 

Alhaji Dr. Mamman 

Shata, especially the 

track, ‘Salabi Liman 

Kaura.’ 

But I noticed that Bala, 

the steward who helped 

bring Amina out of the 

vehicle on the first day, 

was not particularly 

friendly. He would react 

grudgingly to the 

slightest request from me 

or my wife, although he 

tried to conceal his 

feelings whenever the 

doctor was around. Dr. 

Usman still went to work 

in the morning and 

returned in the evening, 

so we were stuck the 

whole day with Bala. But 

his cold attitude and 

hostile stares began to 

worry us. We had heard 

stories of how several 

Christians who were 

hidden by generous 

neighbors were betrayed 

by unknown informants in 

such previous riots. 

We considered reporting 

his inhospitable behaviour 

to the doctor but realized 

we would be overstretching 

our luck, for we 

did not wish to put 

asunder a family we met 

just few days ago, 

particularly when they 

owed us no obligations. 

Although we still had 

some money to sustain us 

in a hotel for about a 

week, the tension in town 

had not subsided. Pockets 

of skirmishes and 

sporadic attacks were still 

being reported. I 

conferred with my wife, 

and we concluded that the 

best thing to do in the 

circumstance was to thank 

Dr. Usman for his 

kindness and begin our 

journey to Ubo. 

He returned home late 

that day. His vehicle taxied 

into the compound at nine 

fifteen. I was seated in the 

living room listening to the 

NTA Network News when 

Bala came into the sitting 

room and moved toward the 

front door to welcome his 

master. He shot a scornful 

look at me as he walked past. 

I recoiled, bit my lips and 

mumbled, “I don’t blame you. 

Na condition make crayfish 

bend.” 

I had resolved, with Amina, 

not to respond to the 

humiliating acts of Bala, no 

matter the provocation. It was 

not our intention to do 

anything that would make Dr. 

Usman regret his uncommon 

compassion. 

“How’re you today, Udoka?” 

Dr. Usman asked as he 

stepped into the house. 

I stood to welcome him. 

“I’m doing fine, Doctor.” 

“You’re not looking good to 

me. How is Amina?” 

“No, no. We’re OK, sir. 

Amina is fine, sir.” 

“I hope you’ve all had 

dinner?” 

I looked away, coughed to 

clear my throat. “Ehmm, 

we’re OK, sir. I think the gas 

in the house is finished. But 

we’re fine sir,” I said. I 

cannot say now if it was an 

instinctive response or a 

deliberate one. 

The doctor stopped and 

stared at me with indignation 

in his eyes. Suddenly I 

wished I had remained silent 

or, at least, had not disclosed 

the true situation of things. 

“Impossible. You mean 

you’ve not eaten since I left 

in the morning? What about 

Amina? She’s not had 

anything, too?” Dr. Usman 

fumed. 

“We’re OK, Doctor. We’re 

fine, sir,” I said and feigned a 

smile. 

“Bala!” Dr. Usman 

bellowed. 

“Sir,” Bala answered and 

walked back lazily into the 

sitting room. 

“What happened to the 

money I gave you in the 

morning for gas?” 

Bala lowered his face and 

glared at the floor. “I look 

am for efery where. Gas e no 

dey for the ehztate,” he 

said. 

“How can you say there’s 

no gas in the entire estate? 

And you did not bother to 

look for an alternative? What 

of the kerosene stove?” Dr. 

Usman said. 

“E bad, sir. I call am for 

the tekniza. Long before e 

pinis am . . . e good now. 

Food ready now, sir,” Bala 

said. 

“At this time? Look at the 

time.” Dr. Usman said, 

pointing to the wall clock. 

He turned toward me, his 

big eyeballs blazing in the 

fury of the moment. “I’m 

sorry, Udoka. I can assure 

you that this will not repeat 

itself.” He had barely 

finished the words before he 

turned and stormed out of 

the sitting room. Bala hurled 

a monstrous glance at me, 

hissed and brushed past. 

Chapter Four 

In the morning of the next 

day, I sat with Amina and 

Dr. Usman in the living 

room for about thirty 

minutes, trying to convince 

the doctor why we should 

set forth for Ubo. I must 

confess that I sincerely had 

wished to still spend some 

more time at Dr. Usman’s 

residence, not minding the 

frustrations we were 

subjected to by Bala. I had 

thought that with time we 

might be able to find 

common grounds for 

friendship with him. But his 

action the previous day was 

truly disturbing, particularly 

his not showing any sign of 

remorse for his misconduct. 

I realized that the possibility 

of ever ingratiating 

ourselves with him was far- 

Continues on page 37

BOOK Serialisation 


Mountain of Yesterday 

Continues from page 36 

fetched. 

The doctor attempted to 

dissuade us from leaving. 

He said his house was free 

for us to live in for as long 

as we wished. But we had 

made up our minds to go. 

Dr. Usman, quite 

expectedly, was unhappy. 

He suspected, correctly too, 

that our decision to leave 

may have been informed by 

the events of the previous 

night. 

When he finally realized 

that we were truly 

determined to return to the 

village, he reluctantly 

acquiesced to our request 

and prayed for journeying 

mercies. He went to his 

room and returned with an 

envelope. He handed it to 

me and asked Bala to put 

some food items in the car 

for us. The doctor patiently 

waited for us to put the few 

things we had together, 

before driving us to the bus 

terminal at Maiduguri- 

Damasak Road. 

The bus terminal was a 

space of about half a football 

pitch, with an iron barricade 

rung round the dwarf fence. 

The congestion and potholes 

within the station inhibited 

free flow of movement. 

Anxious passengers 

scrambled for space in the 

available vehicles, as 

anything to take them out of 

town would suffice. Dr. 

Usman stayed with us to 

ensure we were able to 

secure a ticket for the last 

bus heading for Onitsha. 

Onitsha was a bustling 

commercial city in the 

western fringes of the southeastern 

part of the country 

where travelers disembarked 

to connect with other 

vehicles going further into 

the rain forest of the eastern 

hinterland. 

The bus departed the 

station before Dr. Usman left 

to attend to his duties at the 

hospital. It was an old 

‘OSONDU’ luxury bus and, 

tied atop the vehicle were 

the bags and boxes of the 

passengers. The luggage 

compartment underneath 

was filled, with parts of the 

stuffed belongings sticking 

out of the edges of the boot. 

In no time, the bus began to 

make its way through the 

open lands and hills of the 

North, to the thick 

vegetation of the South. 

Five hours later, 

sandwiched inside the overloaded 

Marcopolo bus, we 

saw the signpost welcoming 

us to the city of Lafia. We 

noticed that all the vehicles 

coming from the opposite 

direction had green leaves 

stuck in their hoods and 

license plates. They were 

hurrying out of the city of 

Lafia. The drivers and 

passengers in the fleeing 

vehicles were frantically 

waving and urging us to 

reverse and get out of the 

area. Our bus pulled up on 

the shoulder of the road. 

The driver tried to make 

some enquiries and, hearing 

there were riots in Lafia 

The angel called Dr Usman 

metropolis, he quickly did a 

U-turn. The on-rushing 

traffic was making it difficult 

for the big vehicle to beat a 

retreat but the driver finally 

managed to turn the bus 

around and begin a 

backward journey. The 

passengers had started 

cursing and wailing. 

As the vehicle headed 

deep into the long stretch of 

the highway in search of an 

alternative route to our 

destination, I turned and 

watched the faint skylines of 

Lafia recede out of sight. I 

glanced at Amina and 

noticed she was beginning 

to look pale and sick. Then I 

touched her neck to feel her 

temperature: it was rising. 

“Please, is there any 

doctor in the bus?” I cried 

out. There was silence. All 

eyes riveted on me. A mix of 

grumbling and whimpers of 

empathy filled the air. Then 

a tall, light-skinned man 

stood and headed our way. I 

imagined he would be in his 

early thirties. “Doctor, 

please help me, sir. She is 

running a temperature,” I 

said. 

“I’m not exactly a doctor, 

but let’s see what can be 

done. When did you begin 

to notice this?” the man 

asked, swaying as the bus 

bumped along the rutted 

earth road we had veered 

into. 

I flashed a suspicious look 

at him. “About fifteen 

minutes ago,” I said with 

subdued pessimism. In as 

much as I desperately 

needed help, I would not 

wish to worsen the health of 

my wife in the hands of the 

several quacks who prowled 

such interstate commercial 

buses, parading 

unsubstantiated medical 

claims. The jerry-curled hair 

of the man and his overly 

fanciful jeans jacket and 

trousers, further diminished 

my faith in his credibility. 

My eyes swept over him 

as he examined her. After a 

Dr. Usman 

stayed with 

us to ensure 

we were able 

to secure a 

ticket for the 

last bus 

heading for 

Onitsha 

while, he stood and made for 

his seat. He returned shortly 

with a kit. Again, I scanned 

the man from head to toe. 

With my heart thumping and 

Amina slouched on my laps, 

I watched helplessly as the 

strange man administered 

treatment on my ailing wife. 

*************************************** 

We arrived at Ubo by two 

in the morning. The 

community was in total 

darkness; the whole place 

appeared to stand still. We 

alighted from the 

motorcycles, and paid off the 

two riders who had brought 

us on the choppy dust road 

from Akeh, some twenty 

kilometers away. 

Amina observed that not 

much had changed about the 

village since she visited five 

years earlier for the funeral 

of my father. Ubo was still a 

collection of old mud houses 

and few block buildings of 

mostly two or three 

bedrooms. I managed to find 

my way to my uncle’s house, 

for I needed to get the spare 

key to my house. My own 

copy of the key was lost in 

the inferno that consumed 

our house at Bulum-Kuttu. 

Since the death of my 

father, Uncle Madu had 

become the patriarch of the 

Ndukwe family. The sixtyyear-old 

farmer ensured 

that my three-room 

bungalow was secure. He 

would occasionally send in 

children to clean up the 

house. He was the glue that 

held the extended family 

together. Sometimes I did 

wonder who, between my 

father and Uncle Madu, 

had shown greater 

proficiency in managing the 

large family. 

I was so engrossed in 

reflections about the 

extended family that I did 

not notice when I walked 

past the orange tree in front 

of the house. As children, 

the tree was a favorite spot 

under which we always 

assembled to savor the 

various tales by moonlight. I 

recalled with nostalgia that 

the quickest and most 

convenient way to direct 

visitors to the house used to 

be to ask them to look out 

for the orange tree in front 

of the house, as though 

there were no other houses 

with such a tree within the 

neighborhood. One can 

only now imagine how 

many of such visitors we 

may have misdirected by 

such a simplistic 

description. 

We got to my uncle’s door 

and knocked. “Uncle, it’s 

me, Udoka.” There was no 

response. 

I knocked again, “Uncle . . 

. Uncle Madu.” 

I had started wondering if 

he had relocated to some 

other building within the 

premises when his hoarse 

voice echoed from inside. 

“Who is knocking at this 

time of the night?” 

“It’s me, Udoka, from the 

North.” 

“Chineke! Udoka! What. . 

.” he exclaimed as he 

quickly opened the door. He 

stepped out bare-chested, a 

gray wrapper draped 

around his waist. He turned 

up the flame of the 

hurricane lamp in his left 

hand, to properly behold the 

face of his, should I say, 

august visitors. He was still 

the slim, dark and smallish 

man I knew him to be. He 

looked behind me and saw a 

weak Amina who was 

struggling to remain on her 

feet. “Come in, come in and 

have your seats,” he said in 

our native Igbo dialect, for 

that was generally our 

medium of communication 

in the village. 

“Thank you, Uncle,” I said. 

My wife and I squeezed 

into the mud house, 

clutching onto the few items 

we had managed to bring 

from Dr. Usman’s. 

Surprised and confused, 

Uncle Madu fretted about 

the room flashing curious 

glances at the wearied 

husband and wife, “What 

happened? Where . . . what 

are you . . . who. . .” he 

stammered. 

I cut in, “It’s a long story, 

Uncle.” 

I directed Amina to the 

wooden chair at the left side 

of the room and settled into 

the bamboo-crafted seat 

opposite Uncle Madu. 

*********************************************** 

We were woken the next 

morning by knocks on the 

door of our three-bedroom 

apartment. After we had 

narrated our ordeal to Uncle 

Madu the previous night, 

the old man had walked us 

to our blue bungalow, which 

was three houses away from 

his. I guess the stress of the 

journey must have made us 

sleep beyond our usual 

rising hour. 

I got up from the bed, 

hurried into my caftan and 

walked toward the front 

door. As I made past the 

window, I pushed the 

curtain aside and peeped. 

The visitor was not in view. I 

only beheld bleating goats 

and fowls crowing about the 

place. If we were still in 

Bulum-Kuttu, I would have 

held back further to get a 

glimpse of the person. But 

this was Ubo. Such fears of 

unknown intruders were 

virtually uncommon in the 

village at that time. People 

could still sleep freely 

overnight in open spaces 

outside their houses. 

I unlocked and swung the 

door open. Nkiru, the thirtyyear-old 

second wife of 

Uncle Madu, was standing 

there with a tray of food. 

The dark-complexioned lady 

wore plaited hair and a 

brown maxi gown. It had 

been the practice of Uncle 

Madu to get his wives to 

prepare my meals for the 

first few days of my arrival 

in the village. He knew I 

needed some time to 

properly settle in before I 

could fend for myself. 

I welcomed her and asked 

that she place the tray on 

the table at the center of the 

sitting room. 

Continues next week


bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 

How lavish weddings can lead to depression 

Show-stopper 

weddings are a 

delight any day. They 

should be. They have gulped 

millions of naira not to talk of 

the stress both families have 

to go through before the D- 

day. Matters are made worse 

by the wedding planners who 

tell you how lavish the 

wedding should be, and give 

you elaborate innovations the 

young couple never even 

thought of! Decades back, 

weddings were a far cry from 

what they now are—as 

expenses go. Couples rarely 

lived together and after the 

wedding, there was the 

excitement of moving in with 

your new partner and living 

together for the first time. 

These days, however, the 

newly-weds have had the 

‘looking’ and there isn’t much 

to look forward to. Dora, who 

got married less than a year 

ago, in an extravagant 

ceremony, confesses that she 

is not so sure she wants to 

stay married. Part of the 

problem with this type of 

wedding is that there is no 

way the actual marriage can 

match the excitement of 

planning and actually 

executing an elaborate 

wedding. 

She says, “I wanted a 

wedding to remember and 

went about it with a 

vengeance. A huge tent with 

air conditioning was erected 

on a field and all our savings 

went into decorating all the 

chairs, tasteful drapes had to 

match the decoration and the 

tent. The cake, a masterpiece, 

cost an arm and a leg! 

We had an array of flowers 

and fruits, some of which 

were flown in from South 

Africa. My expensive bridal 

dress with that of the groom 

and the bridal train gears, 

were all something to behold. 

Even the music took a lot of 

planning. A few days to the 

wedding, guests flew in from 

Britain, South Africa and the 

United States. 

“I felt elated to be 

surrounded by family and 

friends, all making efforts to 

give their best. When it was 

all over, whenever, I felt 

terrible all I could do was relive 

my wedding day and 

how wonderful it was. For all 

those preparations, I was the 

centre of attention. Then, 

suddenly after the wedding 

day, life went back to 

normal—the general project 

was over and I suffered what 

is termed a post-nuptial 

depression. My new husband 

Decades 

back, 

weddings 

were a far 

cry from 

what they 

now are—as 

expenses go 

was fed up with me. We 

were supposed to be 

having a wonderful, 

extravagant two-week 

honeymoon in Dubai—not 

a post-mortem of an event 

that should remain a 

pleasant memory. 

“Even after the 

honeymoon, I couldn’t tear 

myself away from the 

wedding photos and 

videos. I spent hours 

endlessly looking at them, 

reliving the day. After 

work, I would move around 

the house in the evenings, 

wondering what to do. 

‘When I was planning the 

wedding, there was always 

something to choose or 

someone to contact 

urgently. Now, much as I 

loved my husband, I felt 

restless as there was no 

reason to keep meeting up 

with friends and family to 

plan anything elaborate. 

“Our evenings reverted to 

the humdrum of dinner and 

watching the box—rather 

than talking about wedding 

sitting plans—or what type 

of decor to have. I also 

found myself inexplicably 

irritated by my husband. 

When I planning the 

wedding, there was so much 

to do that I ignored the little 

niggles every couple have. 

But, as we began married 

life and should have been 

so happy, these became 

magnified and we began 

bickering which we never 

did before. After the fun of 

our wedding, married life 

felt flat....” 

Unfortunately, it is not just 

the brides that suffer postnuptial 

depression. Most 

young grooms admitted that 

they also felt incredibly low 

after the wedding. The 

saving grace for the ride is 

that she falls pregnant 

quickly, or is already before 

the wedding and fills her 

day with something 

exciting; the arrival of a 

baby. The poor husband 

needs to find another focus 

in his life—something to 

plan for, like a new baby, 

perhaps. 

However, it’s now been 

discovered that post-nuptial 

depression is contributing to 

marriages breaking up very 

quickly. According to a 

psychotherapist: “All those 

bride painstakingly 

planning their big day, and 

who are likely to risk 

massive anti-climax after the 

event, need to be careful. 

Potentially, starting your 

marriage feeling such huge 

disappointment is 

dangerous. This high 

expectation of marriage is 

ultimately a contributing 

factor to the rise in divorce. 

“The worry is that after the 

trauma of planning their 

wedding, some couples are 

not prepared for the realities 

and believe just being 

married is all their 

relationship takes. I tell 

couples to think back to when 

they first met and try to enjoy 

some of the simple things in 

life. They also need to 

realise that they can’t live 

in a state excitement and 

feeling they must always be 

planning a project. 

Getting your love life 

back after the wedding 

Making a big 

commitment such as 

marriage can have 

detrimental effect on your sex 

life. 

But, it doesn’t have to if 

you follow these five-step 

plans to revive things in the 

bedroom department. 

Step 1: Agree you won’t 

have sex for seven days. 

That will take the pressure 

off and let both of you 

relax. 

Step 2: Use the breathing 

space to get back ‘into’ 

each other again; enjoy 

each other’s company. 

Step 3: Discuss exactly 

what marriage means to 

you. Is it that once you 

have wedded, you 

should settle down and not 

be sexy? 

Step 4: Start from scratch 

on sex. Kiss and cuddle, 

focus on foreplay but 

don’t go to orgasm yet. 

Step 5: Allow your 

passion to build up over 

the week. Not being able 

to have intercourse will 

make you want it even 

more. If desire is still low, 

don’t panic. Get the help 

of a counsellor. 

Letting go of the past 

Remembering the 

good times can 

help us feel wonderful 

whilst hanging on to 

the bad times can 

destroy us. By living in 

the past, we can forget 

to make the most of the 

present. Here’s how 

psychologists believe 

you can avoid falling 

into this trap: Take time 

to work out how many 

hours you spend 

thinking about the past. 

If you find yourself 

constantly returning to 

events that are long 

gone, there’s probably 

something that needs to 

be dealt with. 

Get it off your chest. 

Talk to a willing friend 

about the way you feel. 

Sharing emotions can 

release you from their 

powerful hold. If that 

doesn’t work, talk to a 

professional who is 

skilled at helping 

people move on. Look 

at what you have of 

value in your life now. 

Make a list. Maybe it’s 

just a lot of little things 

such as kind words 

from friends, a walk in 

the sunshine or 

watching your favourite 

TV programme. No 

matter how small, these 

things count for a great 

deal. 

Find time to do things 

you enjoy and make 

time to share your 

energy with friends and 

people who value you. 

This will help you to create 

good memories and build a 

strong and happy future. 

Dr. Janet Reibstein, a 

psychology lecturer pinpointed 

various tactics to 

help keep your marriage 

on the road. These include: 

Good communication—in 

particular a willingness to 

talk about relationship. But 

if you expect to encounter 

hard times, you will 

develop ways around 

them. 

“Marriage—or long-term 

cohabitation goes through 

three distinct stages. 

During the initial fiveyear 

testing phase, vital 

negotiations take place 

about issues such as who 

makes the decisions and 

who does what. The 

foundation for later success 

are laid early on. 

Next is the ‘building’ 

phase, running roughly to 

the silver wedding 

anniversary. At this time, 

the couple must put their 

personal needs on the back 

burner and invest heavily 

in their relationship and 

family. This is followed by 

the ‘maturing’ phase when 

family obligations 

decrease. The couple then 

begin to see their 

marriage—something 

harmonious that gives 

them opportunities for 

themselves as individuals.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017—39 

Twitter: @yetundearebi 

yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk 

08054700825 

Yetunde Arebi 

Indecent proposals 

and the Naija 

economy 

Sometime, I even 

think the married 

ones are more 

promiscuous than 

the single ones 

Hi! 

What would you do for survival? 

How low can you stoop to conquer? 

What would you do to achieve your 

dreams, secure and sustain that job, 

put food on that table, or get that position 

you so desire?I met Elizabeth, now 

32 and working in one of the new generation 

banks on contract, roughly 

about six years ago. Fresh from University 

and a humble, religious background, 

Lizzy as we fondly call her had 

come to live in the neighbourhood with 

her uncle and was eager to take on 

the world. Very respectful and ready 

to assist, we were one of the few she 

gave her CV to while job hunting. She 

never fails to narrate her first baptism 

of fire which jolted her to the reality of 

the employment market and the precarious 

working environment many 

young female Nigerians have to navigate 

in order to become responsible 

citizens. Though she insists she has 

not been swayed from her chosen path, 

Lizzy believes the crushing economic 

situation is leaving many young 

people, including males little or no 

choice but to play ball for survival. 

Lizzy shares her experience today. 

'I'd heard several stories about how 

women have to use their bodies to secure 

placements in work places; use 

sex to get promotions and wage increases, 

but nothing prepared me for 

what transpired at my first job interview 

some few ago. It was my confirmation 

that things have really gone bad 

in this country and that we need divine 

intervention. I had come to Lagos 

from Ibadan after my Service year in 

search of a job. I was to live with an 

uncle, work and further my studies. 

My uncle had promised to get me a 

job with one of his friends. But when it 

seemed as if the promise was not going 

to be fulfilled after about three 

months, I decided to do something 

about my life before things took a turn 

for the worse. By then, I had practically 

become the house keeper, nanny 

and cook for my uncle and his wife. It 

is not that I didn't want to help out at 

home, after all, I was living off them. 

But it appeared my uncle's wife had 

taken me for granted and was treating 

me as if I was in their employ, to 

serve them. I discovered on arrival that 

their last house help left just before I 

came. So, to my uncle's wife, I was a 

replacement for her. I would work from 

morning to evening, doing market 

runs, school runs for the youngest 

child, washing and cooking. After three 

months, I knew I had to save myself. 

I started searching through newspapers 

and magazines for vacancies. I 

wrote several applications for all manner 

of jobs, and finally, a front desk 

job before I got a reply. The interview 

was very brief and I was very happy 

with my performance. I knew there 

was no way they could conduct a free 

and fair selection without short listing 

me. So, I was not surprised when I 

was called again for another round of 

interviews. It was oral. There were four 

of us and I knew it was going to be 

based on looks, comportment and language. 

The other girls were quite 

pretty too and well dressed. They 

wore fashionable clothes and heavy 

make-up, but I thought I was unique 

since I did everything moderately. I 

was proved right once again when we 

were now short listed to two. So, the 

contest was between myself and one 

other girl. A few minutes after we 

were given the result of the oral interview, 

someone came and asked us 

to wait for the HR manager. It was 

just a little after noon. We were ushered 

into a waiting room and there 

we sat for the next four hours. Nobody 

told us why or gave us an idea 

of what we were waiting for. The girl 

was not friendly and I knew she was 

deliberately rebuffing my friendship. 

She would pretend not to hear me 

when I ask her a question. And if she 

was forced to answer, it would be short 

or monosyllabic. It was because of the 

job and she already saw me as an enemy. 

Never did it cross her mind that 

they could employ the two of us. ““At 

the close of work that evening, the 

Admin. Manager asked us to come to 

his office. There was nothing striking 

about his looks, he was just there, average 

in every way. He asked us to 

take our seats, cleared his throat and 

without looking at either of us, began 

talking. He told us that we'd both done 

very well. That he was proud to tell us 

that the company would find our services 

really worthwhile and we should 

keep up the excellent performance we 

have put into the interviews when we 

eventually start working. At that point, 

even the hostile girl took a 

glance at me with a smile 

on her face. She had assumed 

that the two of us 

had made the job. Suddenly, 

the man dropped the 

bomb shell. The company 

regrets that it has only one 

vacancy to fill, and so, only 

one of us will get the job! 

He raised his head from 

the file he was looking at 

and asked which one of us 

it will be. I was the first to 

find my tongue, and so I 

told him it would depend 

on him and the company. 

So, he said he has a good 

way of making up his mind 

but that he would need us 

to help him out. Since whoever 

gets the job depends 

on him, and both of us were 

qualified, the one willing to 

sleep with him will get the 

job. I was shocked and I 

think the girl was too. We 

both sat there for what 

seemed like ages, I'm sure 

each thinking what to 

make of the proposal. 

Realising that his proposal 

was a difficult one, the man 

then told us to go and think 

about it and give him a call 

if we accept. I began thinking 

about the job. Yes, it 

would be good if I got the 

job, but how would I feel 

whenever the man passed 

by me in the office after 

we’d had sex. Would I be 

expected to continue sleeping 

with him since he gave 

me the job? Would he just 

do it once and forget it ever 

happened? What if I start 

the job and some other 

boss also wants to sleep 

with me, that will mean two 

people in the same office. 

Or how would I feel if he 

decides to tell everybody 

that I slept with him to get the job? 

I decided it was a serious matter 

that needed proper consideration before 

one could decide on the big move. 

Since the man had given us till the 

next day to think it over, I still had 

time on my hands and could consult 

with the few friends I had in Lagos. 

Maybe this was the way people secure 

jobs in Lagos. But to my greatest 

shock, the other girl just blurted 

out that she was ready to do it! I stood 

there looking at her in shock, but she 

did not even seem to notice I was 

there again. She turned to the man 

and they began fixing a date. She was 

to go and wait for him at a joint a few 

meters from the office. Then, he told 

me to try my luck elsewhere as the 

girl was the first to speak. Just then, 

a kind of boldness just crept into me, 

so I told him I had no intention of 

accepting his proposal in the first 

place, and that I will still get a job 

that I would not have to descend so 

low to get the job. He told me to suit 

myself and stood up, signifying the 

end of the matter. I could not believe 

what had transpired as I went 

home. I kept thinking about it and 

how unlucky I was. How I had lost 

such a good job to another girl who 

was not smarter than I am. I tried to 

weigh the hassles of doing a thankless 

job back home for my uncle's wife 

and what the man had proposed. Was 

it really worth sacrificing a good job 

for? But I also knew that even if I’d 

taken the offer and the job, I would 

probably be forced to leave because 

I will not be comfortable there for 

long. If anyone frowned or laughed 

too much near me, I would probably 

conclude they'd heard my story.“Back 

home, I was just too confused about 

the day's event that I had to share it 

with my uncle and his wife. To my 

surprise, it was no news to them. 

They both went on to tell me of several 

similar stories they'd heard 

about. The stories almost convinced 

me that I had perhaps made a mistake 

and ought to have tried to take 

the offer. Now that I have been able 

to secure a placement in the bank, I 

have been overwhelmed with different 

stories circulating in the system. 

If one is not careful, you will end up 

joining the band wagon. The banking 

sector is a peculiar place to work. 

Some colleagues have admitted dating 

their bosses just so they could 

secure their jobs. They are afraid that 

that the men would begin to find fault 

with them and force them out, should 

they refuse. And there is little one can 

do. From young single ladies to older 

married ones, it's a similar story. 

Sometime, I even think the married 

ones are more promiscuous than the 

single ones. And it's not just the 

bosses alone, sometimes many have 

to use the same method to secure 

accounts and even hold on to account 

because of the stiff competition 

in the industry. To make matters 

worse, a boss might set you up with 

the client for the sake of an account. 

A lot is going on here and it seems 

there is no way out for now, especially 

when you consider the economic 

situation of the country. Nigeria 

is now such a vicious society 

to live in. You are either in or out in 

the cold, and there is little anyone 

can do for you. You just have to protect 

yourself. As soon as I finish 

Chattered Accounting examinations, 

I am leaving this job. What I 

will not subscribe to is harassment that 

will not bring anything positive to me. 

If I'm harassed and I will benefit from 

it, then, I will do it.

40— Vanguard, SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2017 

BY EVELYN USMAN 

She bent her head in 

shame, on sighting her 

father approaching her 

direction, at the Lagos State Police 

Command where she was 

apprehended alongside three 

others over a case of theft 

.Twenty-three-year-old Blessing 

Paul, a maid to a senior manager 

of a multinational company 

which engages in the manufacturing 

and distribution of household 

goods became a guest at the 

command, for allegedly breaking 

her boss's drawer where she 

stole 10,000 Dollars. 

Crime Guard gathered that the 

Benue-state born lady started living 

with her boss since 2014 but 

the situation went amiss, following 

reports of missing money by 

her madam's husband. 

Preliminary investigation 

showed that between October 

2016 and April 2017, cash, both 

in local and foreign currencies 

were reported missing in the 

house, located in Gbagada area 

of Lagos. 

For instance, it was reported 

that on three different occasions, 

N500,000, N150,000 and 

N20,000 were missing. The cash 

as gathered, were either stolen 

from the drawer, coat pockets or 

briefcase belonging to the 

couple(names withheld) 

At first , no one suspected Blessing 

as she never displayed any 

tendency to betray their trust and 

confidence on her. Rather, the 

driver to her boss was always suspected 

to be the culprit. 

Bubble burst 

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE 

The Inspector General Police 

Special Intelligence 

Response Team, IRT, has burst a 

notorious fraud syndicate, that 

specialized in defrauding 

unsuspecting members of the 

public using fake bank alert. 

The leader of the syndicate, 

Ifeanyi Ezewan, a notorious 

fraudster who is currently being 

detained at the Kuje Maximum 

Prison, Abuja from where he was 

coordinating his operations, was 

said to have masterminded the 

fraud, which saw several 

businessmen including car and 

auto spear parts dealers losing 

most of their goods worth 

millions of naira to the syndicate. 

Police sources who spoke with 

Vanguard disclosed that 

members of the syndicate had 

defrauded several victims in 

various states including the 

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, 

Abuja, 

Method of operation 

The source explained that 

members of the syndicate usually 

approached traders pretending 

they wanted to buy goods and 

after negotiations, they would 

ask their victims to forward their 

account number so as to transfer 

the agreed money to them. The 

source added that when the 

fraudsters received the account 

number, they would, in some 

cases, credit the victims’ account 

with the agreed sum and the 

victim would receive an alert to 

that effect but when victims 

checked at the bank to confirm 

their balance, the money would 

not be in the account. According 

to the source; “they do this 

mostly on Friday evening because 

they know banks don’t work on 

Saturdays and Sundays and by 

Monday when the victim goes to 

the bank to check his account 

Bureau De-change operator short -changes 

maid who stole 10,000 dollars from boss 

•Changes N86 per dollar 

•I was under a spell – maid 

Dollar suspects 

But the bubble burst last week 

after her boss opened one of the 

drawers in her bedroom , only to 

discover that the foreign currency 

which was kept there had disappeared! 

Shocked and infuriated, 

she inquired from Blessing who 

denied having anything to do 

with the missing 10,000 Dollars. 

Not convinced, the case was 

reported to Policemen at Anthony 

village who consequently 

whisked the maid away for questioning. 

To the astonishment of 

all, she admitted to have stolen 

the money. 

The case, was then transferred 

to the Commissioner of Police X- 

Squad , where upon further interrogation, 

the maid revealed 

that she had changed the money 

into naira , out of which she had 

N500,000 left. Her confessional 

statement led to the arrest of the 

trio of Amos Shuaibu , a private 

guard to Blessing's boss; Daniel 

Bitrus , a private guard in 

Gbagada and Habeeb Usman, a 

I really don’t 

know what made 

me to steal her 

money. I guess I 

was under a spell 

Bureau-De-change operator. 

I was under a spell 

Looking remorseful , Blessing 

in this interview with Crime 

Guard said : “ I had no reason to 

steal my madam's money because 

she has been very good to 

me since I started working for her 

three years ago. She paid me 

N20,000 monthly .I really don't 

know what made me to steal her 

money. I guess I was under a 

spell. 

“On that day, I had gone to 

clean her bedroom . I opened the 

drawer which was not always 

locked and found the money. I 

did not know its worth but I knew 

they were not naira. I took it to 

Amos, the gate man to change for 

me. He said he had a friend who 

would help us change it. 

Amos took the Dollars to Daniel, 

who said he knew a bureaude 

change operator at Gbagada. 

I did not follow them to where 

they changed it. But when they 

brought the money to me, it was 

so much. I collected N500,000 

and the rest was shared between 

Daniel and Amos. I kept mine in 

the bank hoping to use it to establish 

myself by the time I would 

leave my madam's place”. 

On his part , Daniel (20) who 

took the foreign currency to the 

Bureau-de-change operator, 

Habee (39) stated that he had no 

idea what the exchange rate was. 

He said : “I did not know that 

the money was stolen. I was only 

asked to help contact a bureaude-change 

operator which I did. 

At the end, we were handed 

N860,000. The operator said that 

the exchange rate was N86.00 per 

dollar. I was only given 

N140,000”. 

When approached, the bureaude-change 

operator refused to 

speak with Crime Guard , claiming 

he could not express himself 

in English. But he admitted when 

asked in English language, to 

have changed a dollar for 

N86,000. 

The suspects according to the 

Lagos State Commissioner of 

Police, Fatai Owoseni would be 

charged to court soon. 

How police smashed notorious 

syndicate operating from Kuje Prisons 

balance it will be discovered that 

no money was paid in his account. 

At that time the victim would have 

released the goods to the 

fraudsters. 

“The leader of the gang who is 

in prison, used a smart phone that 

was connected to the internet and 

through online retail sites like 

OLX, JIJI and Jumia, he 

connected with people who 

wanted to sell their valuables 

especially cars and he would 

communicate with them via 

WhatsApp. When he was buying a 

vehicle, which were usually very 

expensive vehicles, he would 

ensure that he was dealing with 

the rightful owner of the vehicle 

and would send members of his 

syndicate to verify the real state of 

the vehicle. When he was sure of 

The leader of the 

gang who is in 

prison, used a smart 

phone that was 

connected to the 

internet and through 

online retail sites like 

OLX, JIJI and Jumia, 

he connected with 

people who wanted 

to sell their valuables 

especially cars 

what he wanted, he 

would swindle owners of 

such vehicles using fake 

bank alert while the 

members of his 

syndicate would have 

driven the car away.” 

The source disclosed 

further that some of his 

victims who had lost 

expensive vehicles, that 

include Mercedes G 

Wagon, Hummer, 

Toyota Highlander to 

the syndicate, wrote 

petitions to the 

Inspector General of 

Police, Ibrahim Idris, 

who directed his 

operatives at the IRT led by ACP 

Abba Kyari, to track down the 

syndicate, adding that their 

investigation led them to a house 

in Abuja, where a G wagon, 

Hummer Jeep, Honda Odessy, 

and a Honda End of discussion 

were discovered. 

Victims narrate experience 

Some of the victims who spoke 

with Vanguard narrated how 

they were defrauded by the 

syndicate. 

Mohammed Saleke, car 

dealer in Abuja, told Vanguard 

how Ezenwa swindled him of 

Mercedes G Wagon. He said; “On 

the day he defrauded me and 

made away with my vehicle 

worth N7million, he sent a man 

to my car stand and bargained 

the price of the vehicle and later 

took its photograph and sent to 

him. My boy, Obinna, was the one 

dealing with them and when they 

agreed to our price they took my 

account number. They insisted on 

transferring the money to my 

Diamond bank account number. 

When I gave it to them, I received 

an alert after one hour and I 

called them to come and collect 

their vehicle. That was on a 

Friday, but by Monday when 

I went to the bank to check my 

account I discovered no 

money was paid into it. When 

I received the alert it had my 

previous balance in it. I 

wondered how he was able to 

get access into my account. 

This incident happened in 

November 2016 and I have 

been looking for the vehicle. 

Early this year, members of 

his syndicate also attempted 

to defraud one of my friends, 

Abdulrahman who called me 

that a man attempted to use 

the same trick that was used 

agains me to defraud him. He 

got the boys arrested and they 

told the police that their boss 

was in the prison. We then 

made efforts to track down my 

vehicle but we were not 

successful. But last week I got 

a call from the IRT and they told 

me that my G Wagon has been 

recovered from an apartment in 

Abuja. When I checked the 

vehicle chassis and engine 

numbers they matched with 

mine.” he stated.


Mr. Peter Ayoade Moradeyo is 

the Chief Executive Officer/ 

Principal Consultant, Crypto Plus 

Certified. In this interview with 

Moses Nosike, he revealed that 

Bitcoin is an electronic money that 

can be transferred from one holder 

to another without a third 

party(Bank). Also, for one to own 

a Bitcoin,one must have a Bitcoin 

account called Bitcoin 

wallet.Bitcoin(electronic money) 

is a legal tender disruption- the 

future of currency revealed. 

EXCERPTS: 

How do you explain Bitcoin, 

block chain and Cryptocurrencies? 

The success story of 

Cryptocurrency dates back to 2009, 

during the financial breakout, when 

Bitcoin was formed on blockchain 

technology. Bitcoin was first 

introduced in Asian countries and 

gradually to Europe, US etc. It is 

needful to clarify however, that the 

blockchain technology is not the 

same thing as Bitcoin; the 

relationship between them is only 

that Bitcoin is deployed on the 

blockchain technology. 

Interestingly, Bitcoin seems to be 

more popular today than the 

platform on which it stands. Now, 

there are two things which 

distinguish Cryptocurrency from 

the normal currencies. 

The first is that it is finite. It has a 

fixed number that can be taken off 

and immediately that happens, its 

value shoots up and we all know 

that anything that can finish 

naturally increases in value as it is 

being taken up. So, as the world 

gradually adopts Cryptocurrency, 

the available number reduces and 

value automatically drives 

upwards, causing it to grow 

dynamically in value. That explains 

why Bitcoin has been able to grow 

like that since 2009. 

The second thing is that 

Cryptocurrency has intrinsic value 

or what some call store of value. Let 

me explain it this way: each copy of 

a coin is an address, a location on 

the blockchain. When one address 

belongs to a person, that address 

cannot belong to another person in 

any part of the world. This is unlike 

the fiat counterpart where any 

money reading on a person’s bank 

account means that the bank owes 

the account holder to the tune of the 

said amount, but not necessarily 

Pay TV network, StarTimes has 

further enriched digital TV 

viewing and family entertainment 

in Nigeria with the launch of a new 

lifestyle Igbo channel called, Isi 

Mbido. 

The new channel which came live 

on StarTimes pay TV platform 

channel 172 (on DTT/antenna 

model) on Monday was introduced 

to provide rich entertainment for 

Igbos and Igbo speaking people in 

and outside Nigeria following the 

successful launches of ST Dadin 

Kowa and ST Yoruba for Hausa and 

Yoruba people and viewers 

respectively. 

Announcing the new channel, 

StarTimes Chief Operating Officer, 

Tunde Aina, said, “the new channel 

called Isi Mbido which means, The 

Source was a niche channel designed 

to entertain and propagate the rich 

Igbo culture, targeting the youth, 

young at heart and the older 

generation, and in fact, the entire 

family primarily with movies, 

music, lifestyle and general 

entertainment content.” 

“The new channel seeks to fully 

explore the depths of culture and 

traditions of Ndi Igbo, their history, 

lineage, religious inclinations, 

that money is there for the account 

holders to cash at any time. This is 

why sometimes the banks would 

tell an account holder that they do 

not have enough cash to complete 

a transaction. The case of the 

blockchain is different because the 

value is intrinsic and better 

preserved. 

What is the function of Crypto 

Plus Certified? 

Since 2009, Bitcoin and several 

other alt coins have been coming 

up. Alt coins are referred to as 

alternative coins to Bitcoin which 

is the first and most popular of them 

all. At a point, we realized there was 

an opportunity where Bitcoin and 

other coins can relate in value – 

there is value relativity between 

them. So we started by trading 

Cryptocurrency. I can recall that 

sometimes in 2015, there was an 

upsurge of certain Ponzis in Nigeria. 

Nigerians sustained the following 

Ponzis until it became almost 

endemic. Unfortunately, very few 

Nigerians knew about the very 

essence of the medium of transfer 

which Bitcoin was during 

transaction of these Ponzis. Bitcoin 

was only used because it didn’t need 

a third party like banks to facilitate 

a transaction between the Ponzis 

and her victims. So the Ponzis took 

advantage of their patronage, 

cashing in on the anonymity of 

transaction which was part of the 

features of Cryptocurrency. What 

was supposed to have been an 

advantage became a disadvantage 

because of the ignorance of 

Nigerians. 

Someone needed to educate 

Nigerians appropriately as to what 

Cryptocurrency really meant and 

what disruption it was meant to 

address. So, we now came up 

because before now, we have a deep 

background on its trading. We 

decided to reappraise the image of 

StarTimes launches new Igbo 

channel, Isi Mbido in Nigeria 

Why y we e want ant to engage 

1000 Nigerians on Polonie 

oloniex 

exchange 

hange—Mor 

Morade 

adeyo 

business prowess, etc. Some 

interesting Igbo movies, soaps and 

series are from time to time added 

to the mix, to give the viewer a wellrounded 

viewing experience.” 

Aina said further that, this is the 

true and authentic source of Igbo 

culture, tradition and lifestyle. It tells 

the true, unadulterated Igbo story, 

but from a modern perspective. It 

also serves as an effective bridge 

between the old and the new 

brigade, so that the language, 

culture and tradition of an entire 

tribe will not be drowned by modern 

and contemporary cultures, 

traditions and the proud heritage of 

Ndi Igbo will not diminish or be lost 

in translation. 

“We hope to entertain viewers with 

over 1,000 hours of fresh content and 

some key programmes on the 

channel that include Ututu Oma Nu, 

Oge Anuli, Umunwayin Agbara 

Ohuru, Omumu Asusu Igbo, Oge 

Ekene, Ihe N’eme Na Obodo. Ututu 

Oma Nu is an exciting, entertaining 

and culturally rich daily morning 

show. It is our day starter and 

therefore packed with information, 

education, mass enlightenment and 

more. 

Cryptocurrency as it were in Nigeria. 

Also, in several conferences we 

have been in many parts of the world, 

we realized that Africans are nonexistent 

on several Cryptocurrency 

trading platforms. Just like we have 

the Nigerian Stock Exchange with 

several companies trading on its 

platform, there are also several 

participating bodies that trade value 

among us. The sad thing here is that 

Africans are non-existent on any 

Cryptocurrency exchange whether 

in US, Asia or Europe. This is also 

true when one considers 

Cryptocurrency graph. The Asians 

are up there, Europe and America 

are there too, but Africa is nonexistent. 

Our function at Crypto Plus 

Certified is basically to close the 

knowledge gap so that people can 

take advantage available and then 

Nigeria can be enlisted on what we 

call the global Cryptocurrency 

exchange. 

We trace the current state of 

Cryptocurrency trading to slowness 

of adoption. 

How do you achieve your target 

of engaging 1000 Nigerians on the 

Poloniex Exchange, and why the 

choice of Lagos, Abuja and Port 

Harcourt? 

We need to make it clear that 

Nigeria is a country with many 

opportunities. We also need to state 

that Bitcoin came into Nigeria with 

a wrongly perceived image, and on 

the wrong platform. So, our first 

goal is to take the responsibility to 

repair that image, and then 

reappraise the benefits and enlist 

Nigeria as a participant in the 

normal trading of Cryptocurrency. 

In order to achieve that, we 

launched what we called, ‘Dream 

1000’. It is all about trading on 

Poloniex which is the largest Crypto 

exchange in America and we are 

currently working with them on 

releasing a mobile platform strictly 

for Nigerians and it will work as an 

Moov.com.ng, Cargo bidding platform launches in Nigeria 

Moov.com.ng, a technology 

disruptive and pioneer online 

delivery service marketplace has 

launched in Nigeria, itching to 

positively impact thousands of 

individual and corporate 

transportation organizations in the 

country and Africa as a whole. 

Naturally, the technology which 

was launched by Moov Nigeria, 

will simplify the tedious freight 

brokerage activities, bringing in the 

dynamic aspect of ‘freight bidding 

software’, sometimes referred to as 

‘online truck load boards’ or ‘freight 

load boards and help customers or 

cargo owners to select choice 

delivery company from a pool of 

professionals the platform will 

provide. 

Aside instituting sanity in the 

industry, when launched, the 

solution will also assist users, 

especially operators solve ‘Origin 

and Destination (O&D) 

complexities, as cargo shipments 

are usually one-way, with operators 

losing revenue along the line. 

Before now, O&D results in 

doubling the workload for cargo 

revenue management, since there 

is no return trip to count on, however, 

•Moradeyo 

arbitrage with our own exchange 

which will come from Germany. We 

want to work as an arbitrage so that 

they will trade on our own platform 

via the mobile interface. Nigerians 

can be taught on how to trade this 

currency easily, and our strategy is 

very unique because the mobile 

application is actually enhanced to 

reduce all the variables of trading 

system. Since we launched the 

‘Dream 1000’ recently in Lagos, we 

have had some of our students who 

were able to distinguish themselves 

with the level of knowledge we 

passed to them and they are going 

to show Nigerians that we are 

serious about what we are here to 

do. 

How is the response so far? 

I grew up in Nigeria before I 

decided to relate with other 

countries for business reasons. One 

thing I know about Nigerians is that 

they respond to results. So, the first 

thing we want to identify is, we want 

to be able to have people who have 

had results and that is why all the 

events we have done, we have been 

showcasing people that 

distinguished themselves, those to 

whom we passed the knowledge and 

Moov.com.ng will ensure the 

synchronization of multiple touch 

points, including flights, trucks, 

regulatory/security checks, varying 

loading and handling requirements, 

and special services which must all 

be factored into cargo management 

to make correct decisions, meet 

customer agreements, and generate 

profits. 

“We are excited to announce the 

launch of Moov Nigeria, a purely 

Internet logistics service 

organization to the general public,” 

said the Founder and Country 

Manager, Moov Nigeria, Mr. Larry 

Chinekezi, “The domain connects 

shipping users to carefully verified 

vehicle owner-drivers or delivery 

companies who have the expertise 

and capability to pick up and deliver 

securely any parcel or cargo from 

the home or office to desired 

destinations throughout the 36 

states of Nigeria. 

Mr. Chinekezi said that the 

innovative platform tends to 

entrench the era of reliable delivery 

service, adding that lack of trust has 

been the bane of courier/logistics 

industry in the country. 

“Today, most customers seem to 

they applied it and got results. 

Can Bitcoin be regulated and 

taxed? 

Those conversant with 

information coming out of Crypto 

Plus Certified would have noticed 

that Nigeria is currently on a 

discourse on how to regulate 

Cryptocurrency trading based on 

several frameworks. I have several 

write ups regarding this. 

Cryptocurrency trading as it were is 

decentralized and this is why the 

banking system cannot operate it. 

It is decentralized because of its 

nature. For instance, Bitcoin does 

not have a management interface 

and that is why the regulation has 

not been somewhat forthcoming. 

But it is found to be very secured 

and has ability to store values. That 

has been the reason for all the 

enquiries on how do we have a 

framework for a kind of currency 

that has these kind of features? 

Sometimes, it takes time, but 

individuals are working and several 

people have stored values on it and 

exchanged it with another. The US 

is an example where Poloniex is 

operating. 

have lost confidence in the delivery 

service, because whether you choose 

to use the transporters, courier 

company or person-to-person 

delivery, they all have issues and 

limitations, particularly with 

pilfering, dumping of mails or 

damages. 

They come back telling the 

customers stories; therefore, the 

customer is the loser. In some 

occasions, people have missed 

annual general meetings, weddings 

and other functions just because the 

parcel conveying message to them 

was delivered late. Even during 

trade shows you see material 

arriving on the day the event is 

closing; such disappointment can 

be devastating. We tend to address 

this challenge with Moov.com.ng. 

“Secondly, the service providers 

are going to benefit from this 

platform. Apart from the registered 

courier companies that have offices, 

it is usually difficult to 

accommodate those young people 

who have trucks/cars and can 

deliver goods for people and make 

a living for themselves.


Aftermath of demolition: Victims say, there is no place to go 

By Ebun Sessou, Monsuru Olowoopejo 

& Chigoziri Onuoha 

More than 30,000 residents of Otodo- 

Gbame a waterfront slum in Ikate area of 

Lagos whose houses and properties were demolished 

have continued to express their displeasure over the 

way the Lagos state government have addressed the 

issue. 

To them, the action was totally inhuman and an 

abuse of their fundamental human rights. 

Unfortunately, Otodo-Gbame was not the only 

community involved in this action. 

Before now, some slum areas including Tomaro, 

Otumara, Orisunmibare, Oko Agbon, Itun Atan, 

Sogunro, the Ikorodu communities of Ofin, Bayeku 

and Olufunke Majidun and the Bariga communities of 

Ago Egun, Ebute-Ilaje among others have been 

demolished and the residents were displaced. 

The question therefore is where do the residents of 

these areas go after demolition?. 

It was learnt that some of the communities successfully 

got a court injunction from Lagos court to halt the 

demolitions but the injunction was ignored. 

Presently, some of the residents of Otodo Gbame 

community are stranded. They do not have anywhere 

to stay. Some even seek solace with some NGOs that 

have been fighting their cause. Some women and 

children have nowhere to go. What happened to those 

whose homes had been demolished in the past? 

Inside Lagos News gathered that an NGO, Justice 

and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI), a legal campaign 

group working with slum dwellers accommodated 

some of them. 

However, Lagos State House of Assembly in 

November last year constituted an ad-hoc committee 

to look into the issue of demolition in Lagos. The House 

also stated that before any demolition would take place 

in Lagos, an alternative must be provided. 

In an interview with newsmen recently, ,Andrew Maki, 

co-director of JEI said these slums were on waterfronts 

which are now being recognized as prime areas for 

redevelopment. “Broadly, we have seen a pattern of 

evictions in the past year, where increasingly land 

that has been occupied by the urban poor, sometimes 

for decades, is being acquired by the government,” 

Maki said. These acquisitions, Maki says are 

masked “under the guise of public interest.” 

According to him, “Ilubirin, a waterfront area 

also on the Lagos lagoon, which has also had slums 

demolished, is an example. In 2014, after the 

demolition, the state government launched a project 

to build affordable housing for Lagosians in Ilubirin, 

but there has since been a change of plans: a new 

developer, in partnership with the state government, 

now plans to build luxury condos in the area 

However, Member, Lagos State House of 

Assembly and Chairman House Committee on 

Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Abiodun Tobun 

explained that, a slum is not habitable. 

According to him, the role and responsibility of 

any good government is to protect lives and 

properties of the citizens. 

“Before that demolition, I believe government 

would have called them for possible relocation but 

because most people seem to be contented with the 

I won’t be Cowed into Silence —Emir Sanusi 

•Says, Nigerians dealing with an anti-intellectual Elite 

BY OMEIZA AJAYI 

Days after he faced a barrage of subtle 

criticisms from some highly-placed 

public officials in the country over his 

continued indictment of the political class on 

issues of poverty and disease in the north, Emir of 

Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II has elected to press 

on with his fierce interventions, saying he will not 

be cowed into silence. 

“These attacks are aimed at diverting attention 

from the issues raised and all of us who are involved 

in this struggle must remember a few things. We 

are dealing with an anti-intellectual environment, 

and with people whose failure has bred a sense of 

insecurity which leads to incomprehensible, 

almost insane, reactions to simple advice”, the 

emir said. 

The emir had recently chided the Zamfara state 

governor, Abubakar Yari for “blaming” God for the 

outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in the state. 

He had equally blamed years of misrule by northern 

leaders for the sickening poverty rate in the region. 

Sanusi spoke Friday in Abuja at the inaugural 

anniversary lecture organized by the Bring Back Our 

Girls BBOG movement to mark the three years of 

abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno 

state. 

In a video message to the occasion, Sanusi said; 

“There has been a lot of noise about my recent 

interventions in the public space, but I am not 

worried. I am used to it, but I am worried because of 

the dimension it has taken. It is a distraction”. 

Noting that his interventions are not politicallymotivated 

attacks on any group, he urged Nigerians 

to not succumb to the temptation of joining their 

opponents in the gutter, charging them to heed to 

Michelle Obama’s counsel, “when they go low, we 

go high”. 

“The poor people for whom you fight are voiceless 

by necessity. Those of us who are fortunate to be part 

of the elite and who choose not to speak for them are 

voiceless by choice. 

“Do not be intimidated. Do not be silenced. Do not 

betray your conscience or sell your soul. Do not fear 

any human being. Stand up and take all the bullets 

that are fired at you but never kneel down. If you 

have to die, please die standing and not on your 

knees. Most important, ignore the noise. Do not 

defend yourself too much against personal attacks 

•After demolition...No place to go to 

•Emir of Kano, Sanusi 

because they want your person, not the issues you 

raise, to be discussed”, the former apex bank boss 

counselled. 

The emir who said he had to avoid a physical 

presence at the event, added that he did not want to 

detract from the importance of the event as his 

detractors would would want to focus on his person 

rather than the message. 

According to him, “those who are opposed to my 

views and who think I am the problem, have a more 

bigger problem to confront in the next generation, 

so it is better to confront the challenges now before 

these next tigers would come on stage”, he said, 

referring to her daughter, Shahida who represented 

him at the event and who he said had at a very young 

age slapped a boy for physically assaulting her and 

other school girls. 

‘You can attack me, but address the issues too’ 

In a paper delivered by Shahida, the emir urged 

leaders, especially in the north to scale up measures 

at alleviating the plight of the people rather than 

diverting attention from their failures by launching 

personal attacks on him. 

“These attacks are aimed at diverting attention 

from the issues raised and all of us who are involved 

in this struggle must remember a few things. We 

are dealing with an anti-intellectual environment, 

and with people whose failure has bred a sense of 

insecurity which leads to incomprehensible, 

almost insane, reactions to simple advice”, said 

way they are living, they ignore it. In most cases 

when it rains, it sweeps them off and some houses 

become submerged because Lagos is below the 

water level. 

“It is equally very fair that we live in a very decent 

and conducive environment instead of living in a 

swampy area, where we eat, defecate, sleep and 

bring up our children in that same environment. If 

we are to go by the proposed Mega city status, 

those slums cannot continue to exist in high brow 

areas of the state”, he said. 

The lawmaker further stated that, if there is a proper 

arrangement with the government on the alternative 

shelter, they will be adequately accommodated. 

“After all, when Maroko slum was demolished, 

Lagos state government made arrangement to settle 

them. “But in most cases, what you discover is that 

instead of them to enter a meaningful dialogue with 

the government they tend to engage the government 

through some element who want to benefit from 

their ignorance . 

“Instead of sitting down with the government and 

make some conclusion, they say no. So I feel the 

government would have made adequate 

the emir who also provided statistics on 

the sorry state of the northern region. 

“Our colleagues and compatriots 

among the elite do not like statistics. 

Numbers are disturbing. I recently gave 

a speech in which I said the North-East 

and North-West of Nigeria are the poorest 

parts of the country. This simple 

statement of fact has generated so much 

heat the noise is yet to die down. But what 

really are the facts? 

“The Oxford Poverty and Human 

Development Initiative (OPHI) and the 

UNDP in 2015 published data on the 

incidence of poverty in Nigeria showing 

that, on average, 46% of Nigerians are 

living in poverty. This is based on the UN’s 

Global Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index 

which focuses on Education, Health and 

Living Standards. Although this average 

is in itself bad, it masks even more serious 

internal inequalities and incidences of 

extreme poverty by region and gender. 

So for example the South-West of Nigeria 

has less than 20% of its population living 

in poverty while the North-West has more 

that 80% of its population living in 

poverty. In the North-East the figure is 

76.8%. Over 90% of the people in Yobe 

and Zamfara States are living in poverty 

compared to 8.5% in Lagos and around 

11% in Osun and Anambra states. 

“The response to this speech has been a 

barrage of personal attacks and insults 

aimed at silencing any voices that dare 

shine the light on the society to which we 

are saying Bring Back our Girls. There 

are those who believe these attacks are 

aimed at discrediting me personally but 

even if that is the objective it will not work. 

I can only be discredited by what I have 

done and not by insults and lies on the 

Social-media. And in any event, personal 

criticism has no impact on the issues. 

“These problems are deep-seated and 

have been there for a long time so 

changing mind-sets will be a difficult and 

painful process. Finally we must never 

succumb to the temptation to join our 

arrangement to relocate them or to 

resettle them. 

“However, there are some cases when 

such people need not to be resettled, 

government just have to send them out 

of the place. 

“As the case may be, if government 

fails to take some decisions on some 

issue, it will be criticized. We cannot allow 

people to live in the slum because it 

means committing suicide and any 

responsive government will not allow 

its citizens to commit suicide. 

“So I feel the upgrading of the slums 

in Lagos state should be a welcome 

development as we have experienced in 

other advanced countries including 

Singapore. There are a lot of countries 

that their slums were upgraded and the 

people were still living healthy live”, he 

added. 

On their contribution to the economy 

of the state, he said, Lagos is a decent 

place where anyone can do their business 

adding that business should be done 

legitimately. They can do their fishing 

business and live a decent life. 

The co-executive director of the Justice 

Empowerment and Initiatives, jei, 

Nigeria, Megan Chapman lamented 

that the state government seems to be 

projected a master-plan without 

including the poor. They do not want the 

poor to continue to live in the city. From 

all indications, they are making life 

miserable for the poor. They even want 

to eliminate the yellow buses which is 

the principal mode of transportation for 

those who do not have private cars . 

So, it seems the government has 

declared war on the poor and the 

poor are like 70 percent of the 

population’’she concluded. 

opponents in the gutter. You may say what 

you like about me for as long as you like, 

so long as you address the issues”. 

‘More illiterates in North than South’ 

“Instead of hiding these statistics and 

being scared of repeating them, what we 

need to do is bring out even more of these 

data. These are already published and 

easily verifiable but not often discussed in 

the public space. But these data help us 

understand what poverty means for girls 

and women. 

“According to published research, over 

70.8% of women in North-West are unable 

to read and write compared to 9.7% in the 

South-East zone; More than 2/3 of 15-19 

year old girls in the North are unable read 

a single sentence compared to less than 

10% in the South; In eight northern states, 

over 80% of the women are unable to read 

and write 

“Only 4% of females complete 

Secondary schools in Northern Nigeria; 

78% of adolescent girls are in marriages 

in the North West, 68% in the North East 

and 35% in the North-Central-these 

numbers clearly mirroring the poorest 

regions in the country. The statistics in the 

other zones are 18% in SS, 17% in the SW 

and 10% in the SE. 

“Apart from the huge loss of productivity 

and incomes caused by the lack of focus in 

education, especially for girls, adolescent 

marriages have led to serious social and 

health outcomes. One Nigerian woman 

dies in childbirth every 10 minutes. The 

NE zone has maternal mortality rate of 

over 1,500 per 100,000. This is more than 

five times the global average. I can go on 

and on. 

“These statistics are not flattering. And 

they speak to a truth that is inconvenient to 

most of us. But the culture of silence must 

end. We have a problem. In fact we have an 

existential crisis. And all of us in this country, 

politicians, intellectuals, Emirs and 

traditional rulers, religious leaders, 

businesses, NGOS have to come together 

to solve this. The real patriots in the North 

are those who are honest enough to accept 

this reality and insist on change.


LAGOS INT’L FOOD AND DRINKS FESTIVAL: 

Lots of booze, food varieties for exhibition 

BY JACOB AJOM 

History beckons as 

some Nigerians have 

initiated and ready 

to organise what can be 

likened to some of the iconic 

festivals holding in some 

notable capital cities across 

the globe. It is yet another first 

in the annals of Nigeria’s 

robust socio-cultural 

evolution. The Rio Carnival in 

Brazil evicts some of the most 

pleasurable sights tourists 

across the globe can think of. 

In China numerous festivals 

dot the land and prominent 

among them is the China Food 

& Drinks Fair, which is an 

exotic event. In Germany, the 

Oktoberfest which is over 180 

years old take the centre-stage 

once a year. It is a celebration 

of that country’s beer and 

other beverages made in the 

country. The Beer Festival in 

Munich is always huge. And 

there are many other similar 

festivals across the world. 

In Nigeria, on April 22 and 

23, the first Lagos 

International Food and Drinks 

Festival will hold at the 

National Stadium, Surulere. 

According to the organisers, 

football lovers will be treated 

to the best of entertainment as, 

apart from the food and drinks 

that will be in excess, they will 

mount state-of-the-art giant 

LED screens showing the 

weekend’s live matches. 

These matches include the 

English Premier League 

matches involving 

Bournemouth 

v 

Middleborough, Hull v 

Watford, Swansea v Stoke and 

West Ham v Everton on 

Saturday April 22. 

Furthermore, the blockbuster 

FA Cup semi-final fixture 

between Chelsea and 

Tottenham would similarly be 

shown. 

Speaking on what motivated 

In Germany, the 

Oktoberfest which 

is over 180 years 

old take the centrestage 

once a year. It 

is a celebration of 

that country’s beer 

and other 

beverages made in 

the country 

them to initiate the festival, 

one of the architects of the 

initiative, Steve Ike said, “all 

along, we, Nigerians have 

been celebrating the sights 

and sounds of the country, 

ignoring our food and drinks 

culture. That is really the 

motivation as we also want to 

create a platform for those 

involved in the food and drinks 

manufacturing sector to 

showcase their made in 

Nigeria products. Above all it 

is part of efforts to compliment 

government’s effort at 

developing the country’s 

tourism sector,” Ike said. 

He disclosed that the plan 

actually began last year when 

they collected food cuisines 

from about 40 ethnic 

nationalities in the country. 

“Each of them provides a 

different, fantastic experience. 

And that is what we want 

Nigerians to come together 

and enjoy at the festival,” Ike 

said. 

What to expect that day? Ike 

said there was a lot in place. 

Apart from some of Nigeria’s 

popular foods like amala, 

pounded yam, tuwo chinkafa 

there will be much to look 

forward to. “We have 16 

different events including 

music concert, games, 

Chivita staff dies after pallets landed on him while sleeping 

BY SHARONROSE ROBERT 

Femi Aleghe , a member of 

staff of Chi Limited , 

manufacturer and 

marketer of different kinds of 

fruit juice, resumed work last 

Sunday , at the Milk procession 

section of Chivita like every 

other day. 

Having worked for a while, he 

retired to a corner to rest before 

continuing with the night shift, 

only to doze off. But this turned 

out to be his greatest undoing , 

as he never woke up to continue 

with his work as envisaged. 

Sadly, as you read this piece , 

the body of the 27 year-old man 

is lying six feet below. Crime 

Guard gathered while that he 

was sleeping with some of his 

colleagues, a folk lift which was 

working in the section, mistakenly 

hit some pallets that were stacked, 

causing them to land right where 

Femi was sleeping, smashing his 

head. 

The impact of the scattered 

pallets threw those on night shift 

into panic as they fled in different 

directions for safety. 

Unfortunately, Femi was not 

among those who ran out. On 

further checks, he was discovered 

on the position he laid, unable to 

move. 

He was rushed to the company 

hospital in Ajao, from where he 

was transferred to the Lagos 

University Teaching Hospital, 

LUTH where doctors confirmed 

him dead. 

Meanwhile, back at his elder 

brother’s home at Bakare street , 

in Ikotun area of the state where 

Femi lived, apprehension set in 

when he did not return home at 

the usual time. As the family 

•Some mourners at the cemetery 

members were contemplating on 

what to do, some strangers walked 

in to inform that their brother had 

been involved in an accident! 

Two members of the family as 

gathered, followed the strangers 

to LUTH where news of Femi’s 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

The Lagos State 

Independent Electoral 

Commission, LASIEC, has 

suspended its proposed guidelines 

for the 2017 Local Government 

Elections slated for July 22, 2017, 

for review, following deliberation 

with representatives of political 

parties in the state. 

LASIEC Chairman, Justice 

Ayotunde Philips (Retd), 

announced this at a political 

stakeholders’ forum, Thursday, at 

the commission’s headquarters, 

Yaba, Lagos. 

At the forum which had in 

attendance adequate 

representation across party 

affiliations, Philips explained that 

the review became necessary in 

order to accommodate all views 

death was broken to them. 

Femi buried 

The remains of Femi were 

interred Thursday at the Atan 

cemetery, Yaba . Those who 

attended included few family 

members and some of his 

colleagues from Chivita. 

When Crime Guard visited 

Chivita Tuesday, business went on 

as usual . Efforts to speak with 

some of the casual workers and 

staff proved abortive as they 

claimed that they could be sacked 

if found speaking with journalist 

on the incident. 

But it was gathered that 

management of the company had 

met with the bereaved family , 

where the former promised to 

compensate the latter over the 

incident. 

Crime Guard reliably gathered 

that the burial of Femi which was 

earlier slated for Wednesday was 

delayed till Thursday , in order to 

allow both parties( Chivita and 

Aleghe’s family ) reach an 

agreement. Part of the agreement 

as learned, was a written 

competitions, exhibitions, 

history of food and drinks in 

Nigeria. A typical food and 

drinks festival should bring out 

the best in terms of food 

varieties and drinks, depicting 

the culture and traditions of 

the people. 

In China, for instance, the 

people showcase their kinds of 

foods and food products and 

drinks, food varieties, drink 

varieties, beverages, spices, 

food additives, food packaging 

machineries and equipment, 

raw ingredients, food 

machinery production, 

international spirits, liquor 

and wines and many more. 

The visitors are known to 

relish their time and 

experience at the fair as they 

get exposed to innovative tastes 

and cuisines. The exhibitors also 

get a wild opportunity to present 

their talent and expertise. 

It is a festival that deserves 

government support at both 

state and federal levels as it is a 

core aspect of government’s 

drive for the development of 

tourism. “We have the blessings 

of the Lagos State Tourism 

board,” Ike said. But this 

reporter believes the state 

government can collaborate with 

the organisers for future 

festivals. 

undertaken by the company to 

compensate the family within one 

month. But the amount was not 

disclosed. 

A member of the Aleghe’s family 

who spoke with Crime Guard, 

Peter said “ We are mourning. We 

have lost one of our sons. Before 

leaving my house that fateful 

night , he ate , completed his 

chores before informing us that he 

was going to work. 

We expected him back next day 

as usual, until we were informed 

of the unexpected. He was a young 

man with prospects. It is 

unfortunate that things happened 

the way they did”. 

However, effort to get the 

company’s reaction through one of 

its consultants , Ugo Soulcom 

failed as calls made to them were 

not responded , neither was a text 

message sent replied. 

July 22 LGA polls: LASIEC suspends election guidelines for review 

.As APC, PDP, hail LASIEC boss on preparation 

as well ensure transparency in the process leading to 

the conduct of the much anticipated polls. 

The guidelines which is expected to be made public 

not less than 90 days before the conduct of the poll, in 

accordance with the law, LASIEC boss said would be 

published in daily newspapers as soon as the review 

was completed. Some of the issues which generated 

BY EBUN SESSOU 

Member, Lagos State 

House of Assembly, Mr. 

Bisi Yusuff has called on 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

to be more committed in 

investing in agriculture as a way 

of diversifying the economy and 

tackle unemployment. 

Yusuff, the Chairman, House 

heat and controversy in the proposed guidelines 

read before the stakeholders were; the 

administrative and nomination fees, the non use 

of electronic card reader, as well as the need for 

the extension of the conduct of party primaries 

which stakeholders strongly believed was too short 

for any meaningful exercise. 

Lagos lawmaker urges FG to invest in agriculture 

Committee on Public Accounts 

(Local) told Vanguard that, the 

only solution to unemployment 

was agriculture. 

According to him, it takes a 

government with political will to 

invest in model agriculture to 

boost employment and food 

production. 

The federal government, he 

said should address the high rate 

of joblessness in the country. “The 

world needs food and we have the 

advantage of good land for farming. 

I think the Federal Government 

should concentrate more on 

agricultural activities by making the 

environment conducive and provide 

more incentives and facilities for the 

youth to engage in farming.


Enyimba striker vows to score 

against t Remo Star 

ars 

E 

n y i m b a 

forward, Chinedu 

Ohanachom has said he 

hopes to surpass last season 

eight-goal tally in the ongoing 

top-flight. 

Ohanachom said he has set 

his mind mainly on 

increasing his three-goal haul 

against Remo Stars in 

tomorrow’s matchday 19 

clash at the UJ Esuene 

Stadium in Calabar. 

“Enyimba is a tough side to 

play for but I’m equal to the 

task of proving my worth as 

a potent striker. I 

scored my first goal 

in the 1-2 loss at 

newcomers, Katsina 

United where I 

equally received a 

harsh knock on my 

right shin. 

“The Katsina 

United 

clash 

w a s 

m y 

third 

or fourth 

match I 

started 

u p o n 

Ohanachom 

Milan derby y live on StarT 

arTimes 

One of oldest football 

rivalries in the world, 

the Milan derby, featuring 

Inter Milan and AC Milan 

will be renewed today at the 

San Siro Stadium. 

The San Siro will be 

buzzing with great football 

action when two of the 

biggest teams in world 

football, Inter and Milan go 

headlong in an high-octane 

game that fans in 

Africa, including those in 

Nigeria will see live on 

StarTimes at 11:30am 

Nigerian time 

Disclosing this in a 

statement signed by the 

Chief Operating Officer, 

StarTimes, Tunde Aina, said 

its penchant for beaming 

top of the pack live 

European football action 

was to give its teeming 

viewers on the best 

programming content. 

Tunde Aina added that 

apart the leading pay 

television outfit was poised 

to show other Serie A 

matches live on Saturday, 

a further testimony that it 

was leaving no stone 

unturned in its bid to satisfy 

its customers. 

“We continue to make good 

our promise week after 

week by offering varieties of 

fantastic goal-spinning 

sports leagues to our 

subscribers. Our viewers 

will definitely have a great 

joining the people’s Elephant. 

However, I have set a personal 

target to surpass the eight 

goals I scored at El Kanemi 

Warriors last season. 

“Right now I want to up or 

extend my goal tally with the 

matchday 19 clash against 

newcomers, Remo Stars. 

Something keeps telling me 

that I will score against Remo 

Stars that’s why I have 

increased my work rate to 

ensure it comes to pass. 

“It’s equally our collective 

target to end the first stanza 

on high with a resounding 

victory against Remo Stars,” 

said the former FC Taraba 

hitman to supersport.com. 

The six-time Nigerian 

champions are seventh on 

the 20-team topflight 

on 25 points 

eight behind 

leaders, 

Mountain of 

F i r e 

Miracles 

Ministries 

(MFM) 

time watching the matches 

in sharp images and clear 

signals”, added Aina. 

Milan full-back Mattia De 

Sciglio admits the derby 

with Inter is “crucial” for 

“both teams are aiming 

for Europe”. 

“For me, as for all Milan 

fans, the derby is the 

game,” De Sciglio told 

Milan TV. 

Uchegbula 

No fewer than 26 football 

clubs have registered to 

participate in the 2017 

edition of the Imo State 

Football Association Cup 

competition. 

Imo State FA chairman, 

Amanze Uchegbulam, who 

disclosed this yesterday 

when he received members 

Dalung: I want to be remembered as 

the beret-wearing minister 

By Jude Opara, Abuja 

Dalung 

ertainly many sports 

Cfollowers and analysts 

must have been confused in 

their attempt to understand 

current Minister for Youth 

and Sports, Barr. Solomon 

Dalung. 

Since his assumption of office 

in 215, the Plateau State-born 

politician, has left nobody in 

doubt that he is a unique 

personality, who for both the 

right and wrong reasons, 

always wants to be seen to 

be different. 

For instance, as the Minister 

Rohr: 

Eagles will 

play 

Corsica sica in 

France 

Super Eagles are set to 

camp in France 

according to plans by head 

coach Gernot Rohr. 

The three-time Africa 

champions will open the 

camp from the 23rd of May 

as part of preparations for 

the 2019 Africa Cup of 

Nations qualifier aganist 

We are star 

arved of funds — 

—Uchegbulam 

of the Imo State chapter of 

the Sports Writers 

Association of Nigeria 

(SWAN) in his office, named 

some of the clubs as Sam 

Dady FC, Nnewi United, 

ISOPADEC FC, Red Wings, 

Heartland FC, Red Bombers, 

Ehime Mbano, Papilo FC 

and Prince Eze Madumere 

FC among others. 

Uchegbulam, who identified 

lack of finance as the major 

challenge faced in organizing 

for Youth, one should have 

expected him to dress in a 

manner that will portray him 

as a role model worthy of 

emulation by the leaders of 

tomorrow. 

But always appearing like a 

guerilla fighter in his special 

khaki and red beret in the 

views of most Nigerians is 

not so deserving of a man 

occupying such an important 

position, which can even 

make or mar the lives of 

many young minds. 

Interestingly however, 

the competition in the state, 

appealed to individuals and 

organizations, especially 

indigenes of the state to 

assist in sponsoring the 

competition. 

He lamented that the FA has 

been starved of funds since 

he assumed duties, appealed 

to the state government to 

come to the aid of the 

association by releasing 

funds to it. 

Dalung seems to be aware of 

the controversy his special 

attire causes because from 

time to time he usually 

makes reference to it. 

For instance, during the 

Stakeholders Forum for the 

Guidelines for the conduct of 

elections into the boards of 

the National Sports 

Federations (NSF) held last 

Thursday, the Minister said 

he would love to be 

remembered as the beretwearing 

minister. 

“”If I remain a minister, even 

if I do not achieve anything, 

I want to be remembered as 

the man who used to wear his 

red beret, even if as they say, 

I know nothing in sports, I 

want to be remembered as 

the man who insisted that 

the norms of democracy were 

respected in the conduct of 

the elections.” 

In fact there are a lot of 

instances of the many 

occasions when the Minister 

crossed the line while trying 

to prove to his audience that 

he is truly in charge. 

But the ever boisterous 

Dalung, has also won for 

himself some fans, when at 

the same forum he 

technically slammed the door 

against some perennial 

federation presidents when 

he said that anybody who has 

served two terms or more will 

not contest the forthcoming 

election. 

With this, the likes of Habu 

Gumel of Volleyball, Sani 

Ndanusa of Tennis, Solomon 

Ogba of Athletics as well as 

Tijani Umar of Basketball 

federations have all be sent 

packing. 

Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria takes on Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal 

during International Friendly match between Nigeria against 

Senegal at The Hive, Barnet FC on 23rd March 2017 (Photo by Kieran 

Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images) 

South Africa. 

While in France they are 

scheduled to play a friendly 

aganist Corsica, a tiny 

island in France. 

“We will play against 

Corsica and we will have 

about 20 to 23 players. But 

not all the players will come 

with us to Paris on May 23 

when we meet before 

proceeding to Ajaccio in 

Corsica, where the game 

will be played,” the Eagles 

coach said in a radio 

interview. 

Super Eagles could also 

play Burkina Faso in 

another international 

friendly in Paris, during 

their stay in France, Rohr 

has said. 

Both teams were billed to 

face each other last month 

in London, but the game 

was called off after the 

Burkinabe failed to secure 

entry visas into the United 

Kingdom.


By John Egbokhan 

Faced with barrage of problems at home, Nigerian 

champions, Rangers International FC today, have a 

mountain to climb when they clash with Zesco of Zambia 

in a CAF Confederation Cup qualification second leg 

tie in Ndola. 

When the reverse fixture was played last Sunday 

at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu, Rangers let 

down their guards to allow Zesco claw their way back 

after going two goals up. 

Rangers took the lead in the 24th minute through 

Captain Chibuzor Madu, who scored from the spot. 

Osas Okoro doubled the lead two minutes into the 

second half. Okoro poked the ball into the net, capitalizing 

on a defensive howler from Zesco Captain and Goalkeeper, 

Jacob Banda. 

David Owino pulled one back for the visitors in the 

72nd minute to silent the home fans and gave Zesco United 

some hope. Four minutes later, Patrick Kongolo tapped home 

from close range to level up the score at 2 – 2. 

The Nigerian champions now need a win or 3-3 

draw to progress to the group stage of CAF's second 

tier competition. 

But they know they have a daunting task on their 

hands in Ndola, which is not helped by the coaching 

crisis rocking the team since 

the draw with Zesco last 

Sunday. 

The Flying Antelopes, this 

time last year, were riding the 

crest-wave of success 

following their capture of the 

Nigerian league title, a 

record-equalling feat with 

Enyimba but are now a 

shadow of their once-glorious 

selves, an offshoot of poor 

funding and shoddy internal 

management 

In the wake of the draw with 

Zesco, the club management, 

led by former Eagles captain, 

Christian Chukwu suspended 

Coach Imama Amapakabo, 

who was largely credited for 

Rangers' title-winning feat last 

season. 

In his place, Chukwuma 

Agbo, was made interim coach 

of the team and he 

subsequently said that the 

players were ready to work 

with him, raising concerns if 

there was a conspiracy against 

Amapakabo by the players. 

According to Agbo, an 

assistant coach of the Nigeria's 

beach soccer team: "I was a 

little scared and unsure of how 

the players will react to my 

new position. But they 

surprised me when in my first 

training they all responded 

fine and told me they were 

professionals and will give 

their best and help save 

Rangers from the current 

position we find ourselves. 

“The management and I 

have had a robust discussion 

on what we must do to rescue 

the team. They have promised 

to support the team and give 

all the necessary things to 

change the fortune of the 

team””, added Agbo. 

But Amapakabo would later 

hit back, saying that he used 

his money to feed the team, 

which he claimed was 

suffering because of poverty. 

In a scathing radio interview, 

Amapakabo claimed that he 

used his money to take care of 

the players, who were starved 

of money by the same 

management that 

unceremoniously eased him 

out of the hot seat. 

“There are too many things 

that happened which many 

Confederation Cup 

Rangers 

face firing 

line in Zambia 

people don’t know about. For me I 

have taken everything in good fate, 

in fact it is a thing of joy for me. As 

far as I am concerned I accomplished 

my dream in Rangers because I gave 

them what they never had for over 

30 years. 

“The issue of failure is not for me 

to explain but the management. 

There are people in the team that 

don’t have focus and if they fail to 

correct those anomalies, I don’t see 

them achieving anything. 

“Let me tell you that as we speak 

Rangers have not cleared any player 

and I challenge the management of 

the team to publish my contract and 

to contradict any of my claims here. 

''Things are so bad in Rangers that 

at times I had to use my money to 

feed the players. There is poverty in 

Rangers and it is ruining the 

Club’’.“His outbursts did not go 

down well with the Enugu State 

government, who swiftly denied that 

it sacked the former youth 

international. 

In what seemed a fence-mending 

move, which observes believe is 

aimed at soothing frayed nerves as the team 

prepare to step into the pitch for today's crunch 

continental clash against Zesco,, Rangers are 

walking a tight-rope and may well kiss good 

bye to continental football. 

But for Rangers forward, Bobby Clement, 

the team will push hard to overcome their 

problems and continue their ride in the 

Confederation Cup. 

“It is going to be 

a very tough game 

but we will work 

hard and hope that 

luck will smile on us, 

because once the luck 

isn’t there, we can’t 

go anywhere,” 

Clement was quoted 

to have told Goal. 

“With hard work 

and everything, you 

just need that luck, so 

we just pray to God 

that luck will smile on 

us and I know we will 

win.” 

Also speaking before 

departing for Ndola, 

Captain Chibuzor Madu 

said it was foolhardy to wish 

away Rangers' chances to 

progress to the group stage 

of the Confederation Cup, 

adding that the players were 

motivated to get their season 

back on track with a win today 

in Ndola. 

''We are determined to get 

our season back on track and 

will do everything to ensure 

we come out victorious in 

Zambia. We know the stakes 

are high and some people 

have written us off but the 

good thing about football is 

its unpredictability. 

''We played a draw in Enugu 

and believe that we can go 

down to their country and get 

a victory, which is what we 

are aiming for when we step 

on the pitch in Ndola. We 

would not be intimidated by 

their fans and are sure of 

holding own own, no matter 

what they throw at us'', added 

Madu, who scored the 

opener in last weekend's 

reverse fixture. 

For midfielder, Osas Okoro, 

Rangers were up for war with 

Zesco, noting that: ''they are 

a very organised side but 

lessons have been learnt 

from the draw in Enugu and 

the second leg will see an 

entirely different Rangers, 

the same that fans saw last 

season, when we won the 

league title''.


Bayern battle Lleverkusen 

on StarTimes 

StarTimes has finalized plans to show live 

Bundesliga matches, with special attention to 

the star match between Bayer Leverkusen and 

current champions, Bayern Munich. 

Still smarting from the 2-1 loss to Real Madrid 

in the Champions League on Wednesday, 

Bayern Munich hit the road to face 

Leverkusen in today’s tea-time match on 

StarTimes. 

Bayern Munich currently appear to be cruising 

towards clinching the coveted league title, while Bayer 

Leverkusen will be set for a battle to brighten their chances 

of qualifying for Europe. 

With stars like Javier Hernandez, alias Chicharito in their 

attack, Leverkusen will appear confident to halt Bayern’s 

surge. Chacharito is one of the top strikers playing In the 

Bundesliga and after a successful stint in the English Premier 

League scoring for Manchester United the Mexican goalpoacher 

is in the mood to puncture Bayern’s title strides. 

On its plans to screen the match, Chief Operating Officer, 

StarTimes, Tunde Aina said: “as always, we are at the 

forefront of providing live football action from the top leagues 

of the world and this weekend, our fans can see their darling 

Bayern superstars battle Leverkusen live on StarTimes”. 

•Griezmann 

Torres: Griezmann 

doesn’t need to 

leave Atletico 

Zidane: I’m worried 

about Bale 

Zinedine Zidane spoke to the press ahead of today’s LaLiga 

match against Sporting Gijón in El Molinón 

The big news, though no surprise, was Zidane’s confirmation of 

Gareth Bale’s injury. 

“Bale won’t be with us against Sporting, and 

then we’ll see”, said Zidane. “There’s no 

doubt he’s got something, a bruise and 

we’re not going to risk him at all”. The 

Real Madrid coach said the plan was 

to take things “day by day” with the 

Welsh international. “We’ll go game by 

game. We’re not thinking about 

anything else. And I hope he’ll back with 

us soon”. 

Zidane said Bale’s problem was a calf 

injury. “It’s in the part where he had his 

operation and it hurts him when he 

plays. It’s a muscle issue.” And the 

French coach admitted his concern for 

Bale: “I’m worried, because I don’t 

like to see players injured and more so 

in the final part of the season. But 

there’s nothing we can do. We’re not 

going to risk anything”. 

As to how Bale was taking the injury 

Zidane said the Welshman was in good 

spirits. “He knows it’s not that 

serious. It’s the kind of set back that 

happens when you’ve been out for 

three months and you come back”. 

Zidane said Real Madrid would 

have problems in defence, due to 

the injuries his squad had suffered. 

and 

Fernando Torres has told the BBC that his 

teammate Antoine Griezmann doesn’t need to 

move clubs in order to realise his full potential. In 

the interview with Football Focus, Torres says: 

“Where are you going to go to improve what 

you have in Atletico?” he said. “Not many 

places in the world. I hope he can stay with us 

forever.” 

Griezmann scored the equaliser last 

weekend’s derby against Real Madrid, and 

followed that up with the winner from the 

penalty spot against Leicester in the 

Champions League in mid-week, 

meaning his already soaring stock is higher 

than ever, with rumours of mega-offers from several 

clubs, in particular Manchester United, swirling around 

the French international. 

But Torres, back at his childhood club, doesn’t see the 

need for Griezmann to take up the possibility of moving. 

“It’s normal when young players become one of the best 

in the world, everyone wants to sign them, you can go 

to many other places in the world but they cannot offer 

what Atlético can right now: competing in the league, 

competing in the Champions League, one of the most 

respected teams in Europe - so there is no reason to 

leave”, said El Niño. 

As Torres quite rightly points out Atleti are were in the Champions League final 

last year, and he played in the Euro final with France, so it doesn’t appear that 

being at Atleti is holding Griezmann’s career back, though the winner’s medals 

may be yet to come. “I think he realises how difficult it is to become champion, 

but he is right there”, said Torres, “He has the world in his hands.” 

Madrid approach 

Mbappe 

Though Monaco have no need to sell their 

young superstar, Kylian Mbappe, that hasn’t 

stopped Real Madrid from making an 

approach. Los Blancos are so keen to land the 

forward that the deal may even be done as early 

as this summer’s transfer window. 

News has reached the Estadio Santiago 

Bernabeu that the player could be available but 

he would only be sold to the highest bidder, and 

the amounts that are being spoken about are in 

the region of 100 million euros. A super individual 

display at Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund, scoring two 

goals, shows that Mbappe doesn’t feel the pressure despite being just 

18-years-old. The doubt for Real is whether he would respond equally 

as well for them or if it would be better to wait one more season. 

Mbappe, who is represented by his father and a lawyer, has already 

made it clear that his desire, should he leave, would be to go to Real 

Madrid. 

•Mbappe 

“We’ll rely on the players who are there and we’ll 

be positive. Let’s hope there are no more injuries 

that’s that”. 

•Bale 

EXPLOSIO 

Bartra: I f 

.It was the w 

Man 

Cont 

Chel 

stop 

Antonio Conte ha 

Ibrahimovic is en 

League title and 

toughest test of the runtime 

since Ajax was pip 

trophies last campaign, 

in the to 

“I t 

typ 

b 

Mourinho: Ch 

.says nothing sp 

JOSE MOURINHO h 

in the country. The table 

the Premier League crown 

But their former boss wh 

Trafford tomorrow is hard 

Mourinho said: “They 

very well. “Not every tea 

players.“Not every team is 

“They are very objective 

out of the context of the ga 

very strong team.” Meanw 

extra emotion. “You say th 

how his emotions differ a 

me, it is just a game. One 

Asked if there was nothi 

all.”

N IN DORTMUND 

eel proud when I look at my injured wrist 

orst experience of my life 

•Bartra 

After the horrific events of Tuesday night, 

when Islamic terrorists almost succeeded 

in blowing up Borussia Dortmund’s team bus, 

Marc Bartra, who was injured in the attack, 

wanted to send a letter to his Instagram 

followers to show the improvement in his 

health. 

The events, clearly, will leave a lasting 

impression on everyone concerned. 

“My family have again visited me in the 

hospital, they are my everything,” he began. 

“They are the reason I struggle to overcome 

obstacles - and this has been the worst of my 

life, an experience I would not want for anyone 

in this world. 

“The pain, panic and uncertainty of not 

knowing what was going on, or how long it 

would last ... were the longest and hardest 15 

minutes of my life. 

“To everyone I want to say that I think that 

U v Chelsea 

e warns 

sea stars to 

Ibrahimovic 

s warned his Chelsea players that Manchester United star Zlatan 

joying the best form of his career. Conte is guiding Chelsea to the Premier 

faces former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford tomorrow in the 

in. The Swede will miss out on a league title this season for only the second 

ped by PSV in Eredivisie in 2002-03 and scored 50 goals as PSG won four 

but Conte feels the 35-year-old is more dangerous than ever. “I think he is 

p form of his career,” Conte told reporters. 

hink now he is a great player, he is not just a finisher, it is good to have this 

e of player. “He is very good to play for the team. For me he is one of the 

est in the world.” 

Ibrahimovic will be looking to score for third Premier League game on the 

trot when Chelsea come to town on Sunday. 

elsea most boring team in EPL 

ecial about facing Chelsea 

as branded Chelsea one of the most defensive teams 

toppers have been brutally efficient in their quest to claim 

. 

o faces them with his Manchester United side at Old 

ly labelling them the new entertainers. 

have a certain style of play, they stick to it, they do it 

m defends with 11 players, and they defend with 11 

so objective in their counter attacks. 

in the counter-attack and they have individual players 

me that can also resolve the problems. So they are a 

hile, Mourinho insists facing Chelsea brings no 

at word ‘emotion’,” the United boss said when asked 

fter two high-octane meetings in the capital. “For 

more game. No difference for me.” 

ng special about the game, Mourinho: “No, not at 

the shock is decreasing by the day. 

“At the same time, the desire to live, to fight, 

to work, to laugh, to cry, to feel, to love, to 

believe, to play, to train, to continue to enjoy 

my people, loved ones, companions, my 

passion...it motivates me.” 

Dortmund are renowned for having 

fantastic support and Bartra can’t wait to be 

playing in front of them again. 

“I want to see the stands full of people who 

love our profession again, good people who 

just want to make us feel the emotions that 

allow us to forget the increasingly crazy 

world we live in,” he continued. 

“The only thing I ask, THE ONLY, is may 

we all live in peace and leave war behind. 

“These days when I look at my wrist, 

swollen and badly injured, do you know 

what I feel? Pride. 

“I look at it proudly thinking that all the 

damage they wanted to do on Tuesday, 

stayed in this. 

“Thanks to doctors, nurses, 

physiotherapists and people who help me 

recover, the arm will be perfect. 

“To the thousands and thousands of 

people, media, organisations of all kinds, 

BVB and my colleagues, who have given 

me their support and affection...as small as 

it may be, it has filled me incredibly with 

the strength to carry on. 

“I needed to write to unburden myself and 

to settle everything, so I would just think 

about getting 100% as soon as possible. A 

big hug! “ 

•Mourinho 

•Terry 

•Mata 


Mata to miss rest of season 

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is set to miss the 

remainder of the season following groin surgery. 

The Spain international had an operation last month but had 

hoped to play again this term. 

However, United boss Jose Mourinho confirmed the 28-yearold, 

who joined from Chelsea in January 2014, would 

not be fit until the end of May. Defenders Phil Jones 

and Chris Smalling will not return until mid-May, 

Mourinho added. 

The Premier League season ends on 21 May. 

Should United progress to the Europa League 

final, that match would be played in Stockholm 

on 24 May. 

Enrique: I didn’t make any mistakes 

against Juve 

Luis Enrique claims he made no tactical mistakes in Turin, 

as Barcelona lost 3-0 to Juventus in the first leg of their 

Champions League quarter-final. 

“I am in charge and I am responsible for the bad things 

which happen to the team,” he said in a press conference 

yesterday. “If I didn’t get my ideas across to players it’s 

because I’m incapable. I get angry when I don’t reach 

my objectives. But in Turin I did not make a single 

tactical error. I am the man that decides everything: 

two, three four at the back, wingers, whatever we do … 

it’s my responsibility, OK. But for a journalist it’s easy to 

say there were late goals because the team isn’t fit, or 

the manager got tactics wrong. “All kinds of things happen in a 

game which we won’t talk about in public, but players know, we 

work on these things. Unfortunately these things happen in football, 

it’s a game with complexities.” 

Terry set to join Al Nasr 

JOHN TERRY has been offered a cash-laden end to his playing career in 

Dubai – by his former Chelsea rival Dan Petrescu. 

The Blues captain is nearing the end of his glittering Stamford Bridge career. 

Blues icon Terry, 36, has made just five Premier League appearances this 

season for Antonio Conte’s table-toppers. 

He has been offered a one-year contract extension, with the opportunity to 

complete his coaching qualifications. But Petrescu, who now manages UAE club 

Al Nasr, said he wants to sign the England centre-back for next season. 

And the Romanian, 49, said he will phone Terry to sound him out - describing the 

defender as a “very good friend “ despite their previous bust-ups. 

The two players clashed in training when Terry first broke into Chelsea’s senior 

squad in 1998. Petrescu told the Gulf Times newspaper: “Where will 

John Terry end up next season? Al Nasr. Of course, why not? I will 

call him and ask.“I wish he was here. He’s a very good friend and a 

good player. I don’t know what he will do, but I wish him well. It 

depends on Chelsea. If they really want him he will stay, I’m sure.”. 

Algeriia appoint fourth coach in 13 months 

Algeria have appointed Lucas Alcaraz as their fourth full-time coach in 

the last 13 months. The Spaniard was sacked on Monday as the coach 

•Enrique 

of Granada, who are currently bottom of the Spanish La Liga. The 50- 

year-old replaces Belgian Georges Leekens who quit after Algeria were 

eliminated from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage. 

Christian Gourcuff resigned as coach in April 2016 to be replaced by 

Milovan Rajevac who quit after just two games. 

The move came as a surprise to many in Algeria as another Spaniard 

Joaquin Caparros had been expected to be given the job. 

Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka had also been linked to 

the position. Alcaraz’s first competitive match in charge will be against 

visiting Togo as Algeria begin their qualifying campaign for the 2019 Africa 

Cup of Nations. 

Confederation Cup: 

JS Kabylie eye comeback 

against TP Mazembe 

•Alcaraz 

JS Kabylie of Algeria are aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit tomorrow, 

when they host Confederation Cup holders TP Mazembe of the DR 

Congo.The two sides are meeting in the second leg of their playoff 

to decide who advances to the expanded group phase of the 

tournament. 

The Algerians will be looking to striker Mohamed Boulaouidet 

who has rescued his club in two earlier qualifying victories. 

He scored twice in a 4-0 preliminary-round rout of Liberians 

Monrovia Club Breweries that overturned a shock three-goal firstleg 

loss in west Africa.Then in the last-32 against Etoile of Congo 

Brazzaville, he snatched the only goal of the tie in the final minute of 

the match. For the second successive season, Mazembe failed to qualify 

for the Champions League group stage and were demoted to Africa’s 

second tier competition. 

The Congolese boast a multi-national squad and Zambia midfielder 

Nathan Sinkala and Mali centre-back Salif Coulibaly scored against 

Kabylie in Lubumbashi.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 15, 2017 

TODAY’S FIXTURES 

EREDIVISIE LIGUE I SERIE A BUNDESLIGA LA LIGA EPL 

Tottenham v Bournemouth 12:30pm 

Crystal Palace v Leicester 3pm 

Sunderland v West Ham 3pm 

Everton v Burnley 3pm 

Stoke v Hull 3pm 

Watford v Swansea 3pm 

Southampton v Man .City 5:30pm 

Deportivo v Málaga 12pm 

Sporting v Real Madrid 3:15pm 

Atlético Madrid v Osasuna 5:30pm 

Barcelona v Sociedad 7:45pm 

FC Augsburg v Cologne 2:30pm 

Dortmund v Eintracht 2:30pm 

Wolfsburg v Ingolstadt 2:30pm 

Hoffenheim v Mönchengladbach 2:30pm 

RB Leipzig v SC Freiburg 2:30pm 

Mainz v Hertha 2:30pm 

Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich 5:30pm 

Inter Milan v Milan 11:30am 

Palermo v Bologna 2pm 

Torino v Crotone 2pm 

Roma v Atalanta 2pm 

Genoa v Lazio 2pm 

Fiorentina v Empoli 2pm 

Cagliari v Chievo 2pm 

Pescara v Juventus 2pm 

Sassuolo v Sampdoria 5pm 

Napoli v Udinese 7:45pm 

Monaco v Dijon 4pm 

Nice v Nancy 7pm 

Rennes v Lille 7pm 

Metz v Caen 7pm 

Montpellier v Lorient 7pm 

Guingamp v Toulouse 7pm 

Roda v Sparta 5:30pm 

Den Haag v PSV 6:45pm 

Excelsior v Vitesse 6:45pm 

Twente v NEC 7:45pm 

CROSS WORD PUZZLE 

ACROSS 

1 Special Adviser to the 

Senate President on Media 

& Publicity, Mr. Yusuph – (9) 

6 Insect – (3) 

8 Record – (3) 

9 Super Eagles Striker, 

Brown – (5) 

11 Snake-like Fish – (3) 

12 L.G.A in Jigawa State – 

(5) 

13 Country in Africa – (5) 

15 Special Adviser to the 

Central Bank of Nigeria 

(CBN) Governor on 

Financial Markets, Mr. 

Emmanuel – (5) 

17 Yoruba Word for “Child”? 

– (3) 

19 Former United States 

President, Mr. Ronald – (6) 

20 Tottenham Hotspurs 

Goalkeeper, Hugo – (6) 

21 Flightless Bird – (3) 

23 Director of Public Affairs, 

The Nigerian Army, Col. Sani 

– (5) 

26 Edo State Capital – (5) 

28 Iceland Currency Unit – 

(5) 

29 Destroy – (3) 

30 President, Confederation 

of African Football (CAF), 

Mr. Ahmad – (5) 

33 Battle – (3) 

34 Ocean – (3) 

35 Traditional Ruler of 

Nembe – (9) 

DOWN 

1 Director-General, National 

Food & Drugs Administration 

& Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. 

Yetunde – (3) 

2 Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. 

Shinzo – (3) 

3 Lagos State Capital – (5) 

4 England League One Club 

Side – (6) 

5 L.G.A in Enugu State – (5) 

6 Third Vice President, Union 

of European Football 

Association (UEFA), Mr. 

Giancario – (5) 

7 United States Secretary of 

State, Mr. Rex – (9) 

10 Female Rabbit – (3) 

13 Netherlands Deputy Prime 

Minister, Mr. Numan – (9) 

16 Norwegian Currency – (5) 

17 Number – (3) 

18 Traditional Ruler of Warri – 

(3) 

22 Spain |Striker & Real Madrid 

Forward, Alvaro – (6) 

24 Former Lagos State 

Governor, Mr. Buba – (5) 

25 Nigerian Currency – (5) 

26 Portuguese “Premera Liga” 

Club Side – (5) 

27 L.G.A in Osun State – (3) 

31 Former Super Eagles 

Midfielder, Sunday – (3) 

32 Duality – (3) 

SOLUTION ON PAGE 45 

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. 

Advert Dept Hotline: 01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com 

Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X). EDITOR: ONOCHIE ANIBEZE. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

15042017 - Seized N13billion: NIA admits ownership

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